Ear wind shield

• US 6,325,173 B1
• Filed: 10/18/1999
• Issued: 12/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Miller, William B.
• Original Assignee: Miller, William B.
• Inventors: Miller, William B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nappi, Robert E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LOCKETT, KIMBERLY R
• Application Number:
  US09/419,502
• Time in Patent Office: 778 Days
• Field of Search: 181/133, 181/136, 181/129
• US Class Current: 181/136
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/163 Wind or noise deflectors
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/086 Protective screens, e.g. all weather or wind screens

Abstract

A method of alleviating the sound masking effects of wind noise on a cyclist wearing a safety helmet comprising the following steps: designing an ear cover shield having a generally smooth exterior side; positioning the cover shield adjacent to but generally spaced from an ear of the cyclist so that wind is generally deflected from the ear so that the noise of air rushing over the ear is substantially reduced, and the cyclist is better able to hear proximate sound especially that sound generated from directions which he cannot readily see; and, positioning and holding the cover shield adjacent to the ear most preferably by adjustably attaching it to a strap on the helmet. When wearing a cover shield, even in a strong wind, a cyclist is able to hear a vehicle approaching from the rear so that he can accordingly move close to the side of a roadway and ensure that his cycle moves in a straight, unswerving path.

Claims

1. A method of alleviating the sound masking effects of wind noise on a cyclist wearing a helmet having a downwardly extending strap comprising the following steps:

designing an ear cover shield having a generally smooth exterior side;

positioning the cover shield adjacent to, but generally spaced from an ear of the cyclist so that wind is generally deflected from the ear so that the noise of air rushing over the ear is substantially reduced, and the cyclist is better able to hear proximate sound especially that sound generated from directions which he cannot readily see; and

,

securing a front portion of the cover shield to the strap on the helmet so that ear shield is automatically and correctly maintained in a relatively constant spaced position adjacent to and beneath the helmet with respect to the ear, each time the helmet is worn by the cyclist.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein the cover shield is adjustably secured to the strap so that it may be shifted therealong to be optimally positioned for a particular cyclist.

3. A method as in claim 1 wherein the cover shield is configured to resemble a wing for aesthetic reasons.

4. A method as in claim 2 wherein the cover shield is secured to the strap by a fastener comprising hooks and fabric.

5. A method as in claim 1 wherein the cover shield is molded from plastic.

6. A method as in claim 5 wherein the cover shield has a generally concave contour on a side thereof adjacent to the ear.