Combination headset and face mask device

• US 5,179,736 A
• Filed: 09/30/1991
• Issued: 01/19/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas A. Scanlon
• Original Assignee: Thomas A. Scanlon
• Inventors: Scanlon, Thomas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schroeder, Werner H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): OLEKSA, DIANA LYNN
• Application Number:
  US07/768,002
• Time in Patent Office: 477 Days
• Field of Search: 2/6, 2/7, 2/9, 2/15, 2/206, 2/208, 2/209, 2/410, 2/421, 2/423, 2/424, 2/DIG. 11
• US Class Current: 2/209
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 11/14 external, e.g. earcaps or earmuffs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/027 Straps; Buckles; Attachment of headbands

Abstract

Motion limiting means are provided on a combination headset and face mask device to eliminate the necessity of a rear head strap which is normally utilized to position the headband and to prevent its relative movement on the wearer'"'"'s head when the face mask is adjusted as between upper and lower positions. This is accomplished by the provision of a bridge member which in essence pins the terminal band portion of the headband against its proximal ear cup thereby enabling the headband and ear cups to act as an unit and thus increase the frictional force available against the face mask moving the headband out of position.

Claims

1. An improved headset and face mask combination device wherein the headset is of the type having a flexible headband adapted to overlie the wearer'"'"'s head and terminating in ends adapted for disposition opposite the wearer'"'"'s ears and each such end in turn provided with an ear cup attached thereto and having generally rotational movement with respect to the end to which it is attached and at least some pivotal back and forth lateral movement in a plane defined by the transverse extent of said headband and a face mask rotationally movable between upper and lower positions supported from said headband;

the improvement comprising, restraining means for essentially eliminating possible relative rotational motion of said ear cups relative to said headband terminal ends, said restraining means including a bridge member overlying portions of each said headband end, said bridge member further including means for fixedly attaching itself to said ear cups at two laterally-spaced locations on said ear cups and on either side of said headband ends.

2. The improved device of claim 1, said band ends including a vertically oriented end panel having an outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface disposed face to face to said ear cup, said bridge member having a pair of inwardly extending legs having opposed outer and inner terminal ends connected by a connecting body at said outer ends, said ear cups having means for receiving said leg inner terminal ends so as to position said bridging member to overlie said end panel.

3. The improved device of claim 1, said band ends including a vertically oriented end panel having an outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface disposed face to face to said ear cup, said bridge member having a pair of inwardly extending legs having opposed outer and inner terminal ends connected by a connecting body at said outer ends, said ear cups having openings for receipt of said leg inner terminal ends so as to position said bridging member to overlie said end panel.

4. The improved device of claim 3, said ear cup openings having means for limiting the inward positioning of said legs so as to outwardly space said bridging member from the outer surface of said end panel so as to permit pivotal rocking motion of said headband vis-a-vis said ear cups in a plane generally defined by said headband.

5. The improved device of claim 3, wherein said ear cups are attached to said band ends by a vertically adjustable slide member disposed between said band ends and said ear cups and in turn having a body with front and rear side walls, said bridge legs adapted to contact said front and rear side walls so as to restrain rotational movement.

6. The improved device of claim 5, said bridge member connecting body having an inner surface disposed towards said ear cup and wherein said inner surface of said connecting body contacts said end panel outer surface so as to additionally restrain rotational movement.

7. The improved device of claim 3, said bridge member connecting body having an inner surface disposed towards said ear cup and wherein said inner surface of said connecting body contacts said end panel outer surface.

8. An improved headset and face mask combination device wherein the headset is of the type having a flexible headband adapted to overlie the wearer'"'"'s head and terminating in ends adapted for disposition opposite the wearer'"'"'s ears and each such end in turn provided with an ear cup attached thereto and having generally rotational movement with respect to the end to which it is attached and at least some pivotal back and forth lateral movement in a plane defined by the transverse extent of said headband and a face mask rotationally movable between upper and lower positions supported from said headband;

the improvement comprising, restraining means for essentially eliminating possible relative rotational motion of said ear cups relative to said headband terminal ends, said restraining means including a bridge member overlying and contacting portions of each said headband end, said bridge member further including means for fixedly attaching itself to said ear cups, said band ends including a vertically oriented end panel having an outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface disposed face to face to said ear cup, said bridge member having a pair of inwardly extending legs having opposed outer and inner terminal ends connected by a connecting body at said outer ends, said ear cups having openings for receipt of said leg inner terminal ends so as to position said bridging member to contact said end panel.

9. The improved device of claim 8, said bridge member connecting body having an inner surface disposed towards said ear cup and wherein said inner surface of said connecting body contacts said end panel outer surface.

10. The improved device of claim 8, said ear cup openings having means for limiting the inward positioning of said legs so as to outwardly space said bridging member from the outer surface of said end panel so as to permit pivotal rocking motion of said headband vis-a-vis said ear cups in a plane generally defined by said headband.

11. The improved device of claim 8, wherein said ear cups are attached to said band ends by a vertically adjustable slide member disposed between said band ends and said ear cup and in turn having a body with front and rear side walls, said bridge legs adapted to contact said front and rear side walls so as to restrain rotational movement.

12. The improved device of claim 11, said bridge member connecting body having an inner surface disposed towards said ear cup and wherein said inner surface of said connecting body contacts said end panel outer surface so as to additionally restrain rotational movement.