Ear protection device

• US 5,835,609 A
• Filed: 07/03/1996
• Issued: 11/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 180s Incorporated (LD Investment LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Gorgonz Group
• Inventors: LeGette, Brian E., Wilson, Ronald L. II
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, HUYEN D
• Application Number:
  US08/676,597
• Time in Patent Office: 860 Days
• Field of Search: 381/25, 381/183, 381/187, 381/205, 379/430, 181/129, 181/130, 181/137, 128/866, 128/864, 128/857, 2/209, 2/906
• US Class Current: 381/385
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 11/14 external, e.g. earcaps or earmuffs
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1066 Constructional aspects of the interconnection between earpiece and earpiece support earpiece support for monophonic headphones H04R1/105; earpiece support for stereophonic headphones H04R5/0335
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/033 Headphones for stereophonic communication details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/0335 Earpiece support, e.g. headbands or neckrests for monophonic headphones H04R1/105

Abstract

There is provided an ear covering device to be worn over the ears of the individual and to extend around the back of the individual'"'"'s head or neck. The covering device is formed by a frame having a flexible band and two ear cups on each end. The band is contemplated to be flexible so that the space between opposite ear cup members may be enlarged to permit attachment of the covering device onto the back of the head. The spring force of the flexible band causing engagement of the covering device over the ears of the individual with the flexible band wrapping around the back of the individual'"'"'s head or neck. Each ear cup includes a frusto conical frame portion having a central opening therein. Fabric covers the frusto conical portion of the ear cups as well as the flexible band. The frusto conical frame along with the fabric cover form a pocket. Suitable materials are provided in order to create a comfortable feeling, as well as provide warmth and protection for the ears. Earphones may be inserted into the pocket to create a combination ear protection device and headphone. The ear cups may also be hingedly attached to the band to permit collapsing of the covering device when not in use.

Claims

1. A covering device to be worn over the ears of an individual and extend around the back of the individual'"'"'s head, comprising:

a flexible band, the band having a central curved portion and two end portions, the band having an inner side facing towards the individual and having an outer side facing away from the individual;

two ear cups, one ear cup attached to each end portion of the band, at least a portion of the ear cups having a frusto conical configuration and a central opening therein, each ear cup having an inner side facing towards the individual and having an outer side facing away from the individual; and

a plurality of fabric layers covering at least the frusto conical portion of the ear cups, the central opening and the flexible band, the fabric layers covering both the inner side and the outer side of the flexible band and covering both the inner side and the outer side of the two ear cups, the fabric layers being sewn with a single seam, the fabric layers and the ear cups forming a pocket in the fabric layers for insertion of an earphone into the pocket.

2. The ear covering device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fabric layers include an elastic layer having alternating bands and openings.

3. The ear covering device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ear cups are hingedly connected to the end portions of the band.

4. The ear covering device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hinge connection between the end portions and the band is formed by a living hinge.

5. A covering device to be worn over the ears of an individual and extending around the back of the individual'"'"'s head or neck, comprising:

a band having a central curved portion and two straight end portions, the curved portion having a radius of curvature of about 21/4 inches,

two ear cups each having an attachment flange and a base flange, each ear cup attached to the opposite end portions of the band, the attachment being formed by the attachment flange including a hinge for at least partial rotation of the frusto conical cup portion about the attachment flange, the hinge including a continuous plastic formation having a reduced cross-section between the flange and the attachment flange so that flexing is permitted between the base flange and the attachment flange, a frusto conical cup portion having a central opening therein, the attachment flange integrally formed with the frusto conical cup portion at an oblique angle thereto, the frusto conical cup portion defining a frusto conical cavity, and

the curvature of the central portion of the band and the oblique angle of the attachment flange with the frusto conical cup portion directing the ear cups inwardly towards one another from opposite sides of the band.

6. The covering device as claimed in claim 5 further comprising:

earphone means integrated within the ear cups, the earphone means positioned within the central opening of the frusto conical portion and covered by the fabric means.

7. A covering device as claimed in claim 5 further comprising:

a pair of speakers, each speaker positioned within the central opening of the frusto conical portion of the ear cup, and a speaker wire connected to the speakers and at the opposite end to a standard male jack.

8. A covering device as claimed in claim 7, wherein a portion of the speaker wire is retained within the fabric means covering the central curve portion of the band.

9. A covering device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the formation of the attachment flange with the frusto conical cup portion include a hinge for at least partial rotation of the frusto conical portion about the attachment flange.

10. A covering device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the hinge is a living hinge.

11. A covering device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the hinge connection between the attachment flange and the frusto conical portion includes means for limiting the rotation of the frusto conical portion about the attachment flange.

12. A covering device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the attachment of the ear cups to the opposite end portions of the band is formed by an attachment head, the attachment head forming a rotational pivot for the ear cups with respect to the ends of the band such that the ear cups may rotate about the axis of the attachment head.

13. A covering device to be worn over the ears of an individual and extending around the back of the individual'"'"'s head or neck, comprising:

a band having a first curved portion and a second curved portion, one end of each of the first and second curved portions overlapping and slidably attached to opposing curved portion, such that the relative overall length of the band may be adjusted,

two ear cups, one ear cup attached to the free end of the first curved portion and the second ear cup attached to the free end of the second curved portion, the ear cups defining a cavity formed from two support flanges, formed in a V-shape, and a semi-circular frame portion which extends between opposite projections of the V-shape of the flanges, the semi-circular portion and the support flanges defining a central opening, an attachment flange projecting from the vertex of the support flanges in a direction opposite the semi-circular portion, the attachment flange including means thereon for rotatably attaching the ear cups to the free ends of the first and second curved portions, and

fabric means covering the band and the ear cups on both sides thereof and forming a pocket within the cavity of the ear cups.

14. A covering device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the ear cups further comprise two cup extensions projecting from the projected ends of the V-shaped support flanges in a direction opposite of the semi-circular frame portion.

15. A covering device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the attachment means for the ear cups further comprises an attachment head which projects from the outer surfaces of the attachment flange, the attachment head forming a pivot for the ear cups with respect to the free end of the band portions upon which it is attached, the attachment permitting rotation of the ear cups about the axis of the attachment head.

16. A covering device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the attachment head is snap-fit within an opening in the end of the band portion.

17. A covering device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first curved portion of the band includes a series of raised bumps on the interior surface thereof which engage the overlap formed by the second band portion to form a resistance to the relative sliding movement of the two band portions when adjustment of the overall length of the band is desired.

18. A covering device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the fabric means is constructed from a plurality of fabric pieces sewn with a single seam.

19. A covering device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the two ear cups rotatably engage into a position at the free ends of the first and second curved portions so that the ear cups are aligned with the band.

20. A covering device as claimed in claim 13, wherein:

a section adjacent to the end of the first curved portion of the band is less wide than the end of the first curved portion of the band, and

a section adjacent to the end of the second curved portion of the band is less wide than the end of the second curved portion of the band.

21. A covering device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the band and the two support flanges direct the ear cups inwardly towards one another to maintain position of the covering device.

22. A covering device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the covering device retains the position around the back of the individual'"'"'s head or neck without any support around the top of the individual'"'"'s head.

23. An ear warmer frame, comprising:

a band having;

a first curved portion having an enlarged portion at a first end and a passageway at a second end, and

a second curved portion, having an enlarged portion at a first end and a passageway at a second end,

each passageway having a first slot portion allowing the opposite curved portion of said band to slide through and having a second slot portion allowing the enlarged portion of the opposite curved portion of said band to slide through,

whereby one end of each of the first and second curved portions overlapping and slidably attached to opposing curved portion, such that the relative overall length of the band may be adjusted.

24. The ear warmer frame of claim 23, further comprising:

two ear cups each having an attachment head, each attachment head attaching to one enlarged portion of one curved portion of said band.

25. The ear warmer frame of claim 23, wherein the passageway of the first curved portion said band is integrally formed with the first curved portion of said band, the passageway of the second curved portion said band is integrally formed with the second curved portion of said band.

26. The ear warmer frame of claim 23, wherein the first curved portion of the band includes a series of raised bumps on the interior surface thereof which engage the overlap formed by the second band portion to form a resistance to the relative sliding movement of the two band portions when adjustment of the overall length of the band is desired.