Safety equipment includes both a securing apparatus for glasses or eyewear and having incorporated therein hearing protection devices. In particular, the hearing protection devices and the way in which they are connected may vary in numerous ways to provide flexible, simple, and convenient safety equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to wearable safety equipment and, more particularly, to an apparatus that may provide ear and eye protection.

2. Description of Related Art

Equipment that aids in protecting people under potentially dangerous conditions comes in a variety of forms and provide a variety of functions. However, safety equipment is only effective if it actually worn and properly used. And even though a person may know it is better for them to use safety equipment in a particular situation, everyone does not always do so. The excuses or rationalizations for doing so are numerous and sometimes are the fault of the person; however, the safety equipment itself can contribute to a person's reluctance to use it because it is cumbersome, easy to forget, or difficult to use.

Two particular areas of safety equipment that are typically useful are hearing protection and eye protection. Safety glasses or regular eyewear are useful in a wide variety environments to help protect a wearer's eyes from debris, dust, flying particles and the like. A retaining strap of some sort is particularly useful in that it helps keep the eyewear in place around a person's neck and it helps keep the eyewear securely in place when the eyewear is being used. Ear protection is another useful type of safety equipment that comes in a wide variety of styles. Individual foam ear plugs are useful but can be easily forgotten and, even if remembered, are typically stuffed in a person's pocket from where they need to be retrieved before being useful.

There have been previous attempts to address the issues described above such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,541,677 and 6,604,823. However, these attempts also have certain drawbacks. In particular, ease of adjustment and potentially unsafe configurations are drawbacks exhibited by the devices described in those patents. There remains, therefore, an unmet need for a combination eyewear retainer and ear protection device that provides improved safety, simplicity, flexibility, and ready customization for various sized users.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to safety equipment that includes both a securing apparatus for glasses or eyewear and having incorporated therein hearing protection devices. In particular, the hearing protection devices and the way in which they are connected may vary in numerous ways to provide flexible, simple, and convenient safety equipment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 1illustrates an embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In general, the device100includes a left strap104and a substantially identical right strap. The relative lengths of the right and left straps can be controlled by placement of the ball102. There are a variety of different adjustable balls102that are contemplated. For example, the ball102may include a spring-biased portion that presses inwardly on the straps so that the ball102is held in place. A user can depress such a portion, thereby biasing the portion away from the straps so that the ball102may be slid up and down on the straps. In that way, the length of the left and right straps may be adjusted. One of ordinary skill will recognize that other sizing mechanisms, such as clips, and sliders, may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The left strap104includes an end portion120that is configured to accept the arm portion of various eyewear. Such eyewear can include sunglasses, goggles, safety eyewear and conventional eyewear. For example, the end portion120may include a cavity118that fits around the tip of the arm of a pair of glasses. This cavity118may be sized to provide a snug fit around the tip which is simply pushed into the cavity118by a user. The end of the portion120where cavity118is may also be constructed from an elastic material so as to accept a variety of sizes of glasses and still provide a snug fit.

Ear protection includes an ear plug116that can be permanently or replaceably attached to a cord114. The cord114passes through a lower opening112and includes a portion110that is within the strap104and which exits out an upper opening108. An end of the cord114is attached to a sliding mechanism106.

In operation, the sliding mechanism may be slid upwardly or downwardly on the strap104so as to control the amount of play in the cord114. In this way, the ear plug116may be positioned in a wearer's ear and the cord114adjusted so that it is positioned closely to the wearer's head so as to minimize the likelihood of it being entangled in, or caught by, other devices. Because the device100may sometimes be worn in an environment where the user is also wearing gloves, especially bulky gloves, the sliding mechanism106may be sized large enough to allow for potentially limited dexterity of the user.

The earplug on the right strap is substantially identical and is not discussed explicitly herein. However, by separating the ear plugs in this manner, they may be individually adjusted to accommodate a wide variety of circumstances. For example, it may be useful to wear an earplug in only one ear to facilitate conversation using the other ear. Thus, the lengths of the cord114for each side may be individually adjusted so that one ear plug may be used while the other one is completely withdrawn so that it provides no opportunity for snagging or entanglement with its surrounding.

The ear plug116may be any of a variety of available ear plugs. In particular, silicone, rubber, PVC, or foam. Some types of earplugs may be reusable, may be cleanable, or may be disposable. The connection area122between the cord and the earplug can be accomplished in a variety of ways without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, the cord may have an end much like a shoestring in which a tip is encapsulated or otherwise made harder. This tip can then be easily inserted and removed from a sleeve like member at the end of the ear plug. Thus, the cord's tip allows easy insertion and removal with the ear plug but the cord itself remains relatively flexible. Of course, other functionally equivalent ways of releasably connecting the ear plug116with the cord114are possible and are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

The placement of the holes108and112and the amount of cord114that is available may all be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention.

As for materials of any of the straps104, the earplugs116or the cord114, one of ordinary skill will recognize that such materials may be selected to accommodate the anticipated environment in which the device100may be used. For example, in a painting environment where silicone may be very undesirable, the earplugs116would be selected from another more appropriate material. Also, in environments where electromagnetic waves may be present, the inclusion of metal and other conductive materials may be avoided. If an outdoor or harsh environment is contemplated, then the materials are selected to be rugged enough to withstand that environment. The need to be waterproof, heat resistant, chemical resistant, mold or bacteria resistant, and the like may all be considerations in determining the most appropriate material for the various components of the device100. Furthermore, the device100may be constructed so as to be buoyant enough to float so that any attached glasses or eyewear may be easily retrieved if dropped in a liquid.

In the following figures, other variations and embodiments of the present invention are illustrated and discussed. In general, these variations relate to the manner in which the eyewear may attach to the device100or the way in which the ear protection is configured and secured. One of ordinary skill will recognize that only a limited number of the many permutations of the different components are illustrated and discussed. However, the present invention is not intended to be limited to only the explicitly illustrated embodiments. The variety of different components and elements illustrated in the 13 attached figures may also be arranged in ways not explicitly illustrated but nevertheless contemplated within the scope of the present invention. Also, in the discussions below and in the illustrations there is typically shown only one strap of the eyewear retaining device even though corresponding structures and functions are also present on the other strap as well.

FIG. 2illustrates an embodiment200in which the adjustable sizing mechanism ofFIG. 1has been replaced by a break-free structure. In the embodiment200, a left half202and a right half204form a clasp that has a break-free characteristic. Because some of the environments in which the present device may be used are relatively dangerous, a break-free structure is useful to improve the overall safety of the device. As is known, the break-free structure may be designed for a variety of different break-free strengths so that if enough force is applied to one half relative to the other half, the portions202and204will separate thereby releasing the device200from around the body of a person wearing it. Such safety occurs whether the eyewear is actually being worn by the person or simply hanging around their neck. In embodiments with the break-free structure the benefits of having separate ear protection on each strap are particularly significant. The eyeglass retainer straps can be pulled apart for safety without interference from the presence of a earplug cord. The break-free structure is shown in the back of the device; however, the break-free structure could alternatively be positioned at other locations. For example, two break-free structures could be present with one on each strap relatively close to the eyeglasses.

FIG. 3illustrates an embodiment in which the cord302is fixed to the strap (the location of which may vary). A sliding device304is provided that fits around the strap and can be moved upwards or downwards. The sliding device304may, for example, be a clip, or a sleeve, that fits securely around the strap but that can be moved by a user applying enough force to cause sliding to take place. The sliding device304includes a clip306of some type that allows the cord302to enter and be securely held. In operation, the ear plug may be inserted in a wearer's ear and the sliding device304moved to a position that removes significant slack from the cord302. When in storage, the sliding device304may be moved into position to keep the earplug and cord302close to the strap so that it is more easily untangled when desired for use.

InFIG. 4, an embodiment400is shown in which the connector tip of the strap is configured to receive (and release) an insert rather than eyewear directly. For example, the cavity402is configured to cooperate with an insert404. Thus, any type of connector for eyewear may be used as long as it is connected to the other end of the insert404. For example, the embodiment400may be used with regular eyewear but may also be used with specialty eyewear by having an appropriate connector on end of the insert404opposite from the end of the insert404that fits within the cavity402. In the specific embodiment ofFIG. 4, the insert404is connected to a cord, chain, string, etc.406that has a lug408or similar device on its end. The lug408is what connects with the eyewear itself.

FIG. 5illustrates an embodiment500in which a retractable spool mechanism502is included within the strap. Thus, the cord of the ear plug may be extended so that the ear plug will reach a person's ear but can be retraced around the spool502when not in use. Furthermore, the retractable spool mechanism502may have positive stops, or locks, so that ear plug remains at a fixed location until the user purposely retracts it. As mentioned earlier, although structures are shown in some of the figures as being part of only one of the straps, the present invention also contemplates similar, corresponding structures in the other strap as well.

FIG. 6illustrates an embodiment600in which the cord608may be retracted or extended as a result of the strap having an accordion-like section604. A stop602holds the cord608in place relative to the accordion-like section604. However, as the section604is stretched or compressed, the amount of cord608external to the strap changes accordingly.FIG. 7depicts and embodiment700that is a variation of the eyewear connector ofFIG. 4. In particular, one difference is that the lug connector702is coupled directly with the insert portion704and does not require the intervening chain, cord, string, etc. Again, this configuration allows a customized adapter (using an insert704, and lug702) to be utilized so that the straps may accommodate even specialized eyewear without any modification.

InFIG. 8, two different embodiments are shown on a single device800illustrating a new concept from the other embodiments. The new concept is that the ear plugs may reside internally within the device800. In the left strap there is a pocket802formed within the strap in which the ear plug804fits. In the right strap, there is a similar pocket808. When the ear plugs are needed, the user pushes the ear plugs from their respective pockets so that they exit out a hole in the strap and are ready for use. The different straps ofFIG. 8illustrate that pocket concept for the ear plugs is applicable to both an external cord806configuration as well as the internal, adjustable cord configuration of the left strap.

FIG. 9depicts an embodiment900that includes both the break-free safety advantage as well as the adjustable strap advantage ofFIG. 1. In particular, each strap includes a respective break-free connector902and904. Thus, the device900performs similarly to the device described with respect toFIG. 1but also provides additional safety features. If any portion of the strap or eyewear is snagged to a degree where the appropriate forces are applied to one of the break-free connectors902,904, then the device900is easily dislodged from the wearer without inflicting harm. As mentioned with respect toFIG. 2, various break-free connectors having a variety of attributes and characteristics are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 10illustrates an embodiment, in which the ear plug connector may be designed to allow easy customization. In the previous embodiments, the cords and ear plugs were relatively standard and although the ear plugs could be replaced, the cord was a relatively fixed item. InFIG. 10, an attachment1002may be fixedly or moveably attached to a strap of the device1000. The attachment1002includes a clip portion1004that has a cavity which receives the ear plug component. As shown, the ear plug is attached to a cord and the end of the cord is inserted and securely held within the cavity of the clip portion1004. However, other ear plug components may be used as well. One advantage is that a wider variety of cords and ear plugs may be used (and custom ones designed) as long as they have a standard insert that fits within the clip portion1004. Another advantage is that the ear plug component may be removed and the device1000may act simply to retain the eyewear. All that remains is a relatively unobtrusive clip1002and attachment portion1004that does not interfere with other clothing, other machinery, or other safety equipment, When it is desirable to support hearing protection, then an ear plug component may me readily, simply, and easily added by inserting it within portion1004.

FIG. 11includes a retractable spool1102located substantially at the center of the two straps of device1100. The spool1102retracts the cord1104in one direction while also being able to retract the cord1106in an opposite direction. As is known in the art, the spool1102may operate so that cords1104and1106may be extended and retracted independently of one another.FIG. 12depicts an embodiment1200in which the cord1206can be secured to the strap in at least two locations. The cord1206is attached near its top but it also includes a snap1204, or similar device, that attaches to a cooperating structure1202that is fixed to the strap at a lower location. In this way, the cord1206is regularly located along most of its length in a secure manner close to the strap but can be easily released to allow use of the ear plug. The location of the snap1204and cooperating structure1202may be located at various locations along the length of the strap and the cord1206. Also, the snap1204may be adjustable up and down the length of the cord1206so as to provide customization by each user. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that a wide variety of structures may be substituted for the snap1204(such as, for example, Velcro) without departing from the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 13depicts an embodiment1300that is a variation of the general concepts illustrated inFIG. 3. InFIG. 13, the ear plugs are not necessarily an integral part of the eyewear retainer device. For example, there are a variety of ear plugs (usually, but not always, disposable) that include a cord that connects two ear plugs (this assembly is1308ofFIG. 13). The embodiment ofFIG. 13allows use of such ear plugs with an eyewear retainer. In particular, a clip assembly includes a first portion1304that attaches to the strap of the eyewear retainer and a second portion1306that accepts the cord of the earplug assembly1308. It is advantageous that the second portion1306be configured to securely hold the cord but also allow for its simple release. Similarly, the first portion1304may be configured to securely attach to the retainer strap but also be releasable. Thus, the embodiment1300may be configured to be a) be an eyewear retainer, b) an eyewear retainer with one or more clips, or c) an eyewear retainer with one or more clips that hold ear plugs. The number of clips used may vary from one to many. One exemplary number of clips is five—this would allow two clips along each side and one near the rear.

In the previous description, the end of respective ear plug cords which is opposite the ear plug connects to each strap in either a permanent manner or a releasable manner. For example, an end of the ear plug cord can attach to a strap using a snap mechanism, a rivet-like mechanism or a clip mechanism. In may be beneficial that this attachment mechanism allows rotation of the cord relative to the strap so that movement of the cord has little effect on the strap connected to the eyeglasses. The ear plug cord could also be connected to the strap using a hook and loop system. For example, the end opposite the ear plug could have a hook (or loop) portion and the strap have a complementary loop (or hook) portion. Furthermore, the strap could have the loop (or hook) portion extends a length along the strap or have multiple loop (or hook) portions. In this way, the ear plug cord having the hook (or loop) portion could connect to the strap and different locations. Also, if the ear plug cord had multiple hook (or loop) portions then it could stay connected to the strap at multiple points.

In addition to ear plugs that connect to the straps, the straps could include various rings, clips or pockets that allow other things to be attached to the straps. For example, a ring (any shaped open structure) could be on each side of the eyeglass retaining strap which would allow a cord with a clip to be easily attached to each side of the strap. The cords attached in this way could have an ear plug on the end opposite the end that attaches to the strap but other types of devices could be attached to end of the cords as well. Thus, the presence of one or more rings on each side of the retaining strap would allow earplug or other items to be easily clipped or attached to the strap. The rings, as mentioned above, are not necessarily round but could be triangular, square, rectangular, etc. As for a specific location, the ring could be located anywhere along the length of each half of the strap. Thus, there would be strap material extending from the end with the eyeglasses to the ring and then the same, or different, strap material from the ring to the end of that half of the strap. Thus, the center of the ring is relatively free of strap material so that a clip can be easily attached.

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various embodiments described herein. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with each claim's language, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.”