Abstract:
An ear protection device ( 18 ) that includes a pair of ear protectors ( 23 ), each ear protector ( 23 ) having a pocket ( 64 ) associated therewith that is sized and shaped to be received over the top of the user&#39;s ear to support the device ( 18 ) on the ear; and a band ( 22 ) connected to the pair of ear protectors ( 23 ), the band ( 22 ) formed of lightweight resilient material and configured to position the ear covers in alignment with the user&#39;s ears and with the pockets ( 64 ) positioned over the tops of the respective ears. A selectively positionable door ( 30 ) is provided on the exterior of each ear protector ( 23 ) to cover and uncover an opening in each protector to facilitate the passage of sound to the user&#39;s ear through the ear cover when the door ( 30 ) is in an opened position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention is directed to a device for protecting the ears of the user, and more particularly to a lightweight ear protection device that is supported by the ears and protects the ears from the elements while facilitating the user&#39;s ability to hear.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     Conventionally, ear muffs and the like have been provided with ear pieces at each end of a headband, with the ear pieces then being worn with the headband put around the top of the head or around the base of the head region of the head.  FIG. 1  shows an example a known headband that wraps around the back of the head. Here, the article  10  comprises two ear pieces  16  (with only one being shown in  FIG. 1 ) and a headband  14  clamping the ear pieces  16  at each end to the user&#39;s head  12 . The headband  14  is constructed of flexible material, for example, a plastic spring material, to provide resilience.  
         [0005]     The article  10  is put on the user&#39;s head  12  by slightly broadening the space between the ear pieces  16  at the ends of the headband  14  so that the ear pieces  16  are brought in position adjacent the ears  11 . When the article  10  is put onto the head  12 , it is positioned in such a manner that the ear pieces are pressed onto the user&#39;s head  12  and ears  11  by the resilience of the headband  14 . In this way, the ears become sandwiched between the head  12  and the ear pieces  16 . At the same time, the middle of the headband  14  comes into contact with the neck or collar of the wearer at the base  15  of the head region  20  of the user&#39;s head  12 .  
         [0006]     When this article  10  is used as described above, the ear pieces  16  are pressed to the head  12  as a result of the resilience of the headband  14 . However, this structure does not enable active support by the ears  11  because its means of support is tension from the resilient material. In some designs it can be partially supported by the middle part of the headband  14  coming into contact with or riding on the base  15  of the user&#39;s head region  20  or the neck  19  or collar  21  at the side of the base  15  of the head region  20 .  
         [0007]     Unfortunately, when, for example, the headband  14  comes into contact with the neck  19  or collar  21  of the user&#39;s clothes, movement of the user&#39;s head  12  generates stress in the headband  14 , thus stressing the entire structure. As a result, the position of the article  10  is frequently changed, causing noise and discomfort, which affects an individual&#39;s ability to concentrate and hear. In addition, the resilience of the tensioned headband  14  forms a sealed cup around the ears, interfering with sound entering into the ear canal. Because there is no active ear support feature, the resilience in the headband  14  must be strong enough to prevent the ear protection device  10  from falling off the head  12 , causing unnecessary pressure to be exerted on the ears and the head  12 , which can cause discomfort to the user. This discomfort is compounded when the level of sound the user can hear from beneath the ear pieces  16  is diminished. Thus, despite the existence of various types of earmuffs and headbands, there remains a need for an ear protection device having the advantages of the present invention.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The disclosed and claimed embodiments of the invention are directed to an ear protection device that includes a pair of ear protectors, each ear protector having an ear cup sized and shaped to be received over a user&#39;s ear, and a pocket associated with the ear cup that is sized and shaped to be received over the top of the user&#39;s ear and to support the device on the ear; and a band connected to the pair of ear protectors, the band formed of lightweight resilient material and configured to position the ear covers in alignment with the user&#39;s ears and with the pockets positioned over the tops of the respective ears. Ideally, the band is sized and shaped to extend downward below the user&#39;s earlobe when worn by the user and to extend behind the user&#39;s head to leave an unobstructed space adjacent the top of the user&#39;s ear to accommodate glasses and headgear.  
         [0009]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the band can be configured to provide sufficient tension to hold the ear protector against the user&#39;s head to resist the entry of wind into the user&#39;s ear.  
         [0010]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, each ear protector further includes an inside wall configured to bear against the user&#39;s ear, an outside wall adjacent the inside wall and separated by a hollow interior, a first opening formed in the inside wall communicating with the hollow interior and a second opening formed in the outside wall that communicates with the hollow interior; the ear protector further including a cover mounted on the outside wall to selectively cover and uncover the second opening formed in the outside wall. The cover may be hingedly or slidably affixed to the outside wall. Hearing can be further enhanced through the use of active amplifiers.  
         [0011]     In accordance with yet another aspect of the foregoing embodiment of the invention, a pocket is formed, preferably of fabric material, that is associated with the ear cup that is sized and shaped to be received over the top of the user&#39;s ear. Ideally, the pocket is held in an opened configuration by a ledge or protrusion formed on the ear cup over which the pocket is mounted. In one embodiment the ledge has a crescent shape that follows the curved contour of the ear cup  
         [0012]     In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a device for protecting the ears of a user is provided that includes covers for the ears, the covers include a support for holding the covers on the top of the user&#39;s ears; a structure for positioning the covers over the ears so the supports are in alignment over the tops of the user&#39;s ears; and a structure for selectively covering and uncovering an opening in the ear cover to facilitate the hearing of the user when the covering structure is in an opened position wherein the opening in the ear cover is unobstructed.  
         [0013]     In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a lightweight device for protecting the ears of a user and accommodating the use of headgear, including, but not limited to, glasses and hats, is provided. The lightweight device includes first and second ear protectors that are each sized and shaped to be received over a respective ear of the user and further including a support configured to be received over the top of the user&#39;s ear to support the device on the user&#39;s ear; and a connection member associated with the first and second ear protectors and configured to position the first and second ear protectors adjacent the ears of a user with the supports aligned over the top of the respective ear of the user, the connection member further configured to hold the first and second ear protectors against the head of the user with sufficient force to resist the entry of air between the ear protectors and the user&#39;s head when the user is moving through the air. Ideally, the connection member is configured to pass below the user&#39;s earlobes and behind the user&#39;s head to facilitate the use of headgear on the user&#39;s head.  
         [0014]     In accordance with another aspect of the foregoing embodiment, an opening is formed in each of the first and second ear protectors to facilitate the passage of sound from outside the ear protectors to the user&#39;s ear, and further comprising a door mounted to each ear protector, each door configured to be selectively openable to facilitate the hearing of the user and closable to cover the opening in the ear protector. Ideally, the door is hingedly attached to the ear protector to swing forward into an opened configuration in a manner to deflect moving air away from the opening in the ear protector.  
         [0015]     In accordance with another aspect of the foregoing embodiment, the support on the ear protector comprises a fabric pocket sized and shaped to be slidably received over the top of the user&#39;s ear, each ear protector further comprising a ledge formed thereon that is sized and shaped to hold the pocket open to facilitate placement of the ear protector on the top of the user&#39;s ear.  
         [0016]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ear protection device that includes at least one ear cup with an ear rest that rests on top of an ear and a headband having flexibility and resilience to position the at least one ear cup in alignment with the user&#39;s ear.  
         [0017]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the components of the ear protection device are formed with semi-rigid material in a generally semi-spherical configuration, with each ear cup having a concave inner surface. The internal elements consist of suitable materials to create comfortable warmth and protection for the ears. The ear cups are constructed or covered with an insulating material such as fabric, which by design requires minimal material and therefore reduces the amount of fabric and related sewing required for construction. The device of the present invention may incorporate an acoustic device such as audio speakers, sound amplifiers, or similar type devices to create a combination ear protection device and headphone.  
         [0018]     In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the ear protection device includes an acoustic feature that acts as a passive amplifier by directing sound waves to travel through a path into the ear, allowing for hearing to be enhanced and minimally obstructed.  
         [0019]     As will be readily appreciated from the foregoing, the ear protection device features components that make the device easy and comfortable to wear while warming the ears. It is designed to utilize passive amplification of sound, and it has minimally obstructed hearing. The ear cups are pressed against the ear with a small amount of tension from a slightly resilient headband. The ear cups are provided with ear rests having a support to come into contact with the top portion of the ear. When the ear cups are covered with a material such fabric, the pocket combined with the ear rest and the resilience of the headband work together to ensure stability in wearing the ear protection device. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)  
       [0020]     The foregoing features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily appreciated as the same become better understood from the accompanying drawings in which like elements have the same reference numbers, wherein:  
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a prior device;  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a side view of one embodiment of an ear protection device formed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is an exploded isometric projection of the ear protection device of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the ear protection device of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged side view of the ear protection device of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 6  is a rear view of the ear protection device of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 7  is an exploded isometric projection of an outer ear frame;  
         [0028]      FIGS. 8A-8E  are right and left isometric views, a back view, a side view and a front view of a door, respectively; and  
         [0029]      FIG. 9  is an exploded isometric view of an acoustic component assembled into the ear protection device. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0030]     Referring initially to  FIG. 2 , shown therein is a side view illustration of a first embodiment of the ear protection device  18  formed in accordance with the present invention. The device  18 , shown on the head  12  of a user, has ear protectors  23  connected to or integrally formed with a headband  22  that positions the ear protectors  23  adjacent to and in alignment with the ears (not shown in this view) of the user.  
         [0031]     As shown more clearly in  FIG. 3 , the device  18  includes outer ear frames  26  that are either connected to the frame  22  by an interlocking joint  24  or are integrally formed therewith and inner ear cups  28  attached to the ear frames  26 . The headband  22  is formed to have a semi-flat, elliptical shape, which in one embodiment connects to the outer ear frame  26  through the interlocking joint  24 . The joint  24  includes connectors  40  and  42 . The interlocking joint  24  is secured when the connectors  40  and  42  are fused together through a process such as gluing or sonic welding.  
         [0032]     The headband frame  22  is formed in a curved shape to fit the shape of a typical individual&#39;s head, and more particularly to fit the shape of the base  15  of the head region  20  of an individual&#39;s head  12 . The overall shape of the headband  22  is approximately that of an omega (Ω). As shown in  FIG. 2 , the headband frame  22  is formed to curve in a lower direction overall so as to approximately run along the lower ends of ears, known commonly as the lobe of the ears. More particularly, the headband  22  is sized and shaped to extend downward below the user&#39;s earlobe when worn by the user and to extend behind the user&#39;s head  12  to leave an unobstructed space adjacent the top of the user&#39;s ear to accommodate the use of headgear such as glasses, hats and helmets.  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIGS. 3-8 , the ear frame  26  is formed to have a concave-shaped outer wall  38  that is, in this embodiment, substantially semi-circular in nature. It is to be understood that the shape can be other than semi-circular. This built in concave shape is aerodynamically designed so that moving air is directed around the outer wall  38  of the ear protection device  18  rather than directed toward the user&#39;s ear. The ear cups  28  are formed with semi-rigid material in a generally spherical configuration, with each ear cup  28  having a concave inside surface  29  and a convex outside surface  31 . The ear cups  28  are formed of suitable materials to create comfortable warmth and protection for the ears such as fabric or soft moldable components such as plastic or silicone.  
         [0034]     In one embodiment a material, such as fabric, is used to form ear pads  60 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the ear pad  60  is sized and shaped to stretch over, attach to, and cover each ear cup  28 . As shown therein, the ear pad  60  has an elastic ring  62  formed on one side that slips over the ear cup  28 . By design, the ear pads  60  require minimal fabric and therefore reduce the amount of fabric and related sewing required for construction.  
         [0035]     The ear pads  60  include a component to support the device  18  on the top of the ear. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the component comprises an ear pocket  64  that is formed along a portion of the ear pad  60  to have an opening  66  sized and shaped to slide over the top of the user&#39;s ear. When so positioned, the pocket  64  supports the device  18  on the ear of the user.  
         [0036]     The ear cups  28  have a ledge or protrusion  44  extending outward over the inside surface  29  to aid in supporting the device on the user&#39;s ears and to hold the pocket  64  open. Each protrusion  44  has a semi-circular shape and is formed on the upper rim  43  of the inside surface  29  of each ear cup  28 . When fabric is used for the ear pads  60 , the protrusions  44  work to keep ear pocket  62  on the ear pad  60  held in an opened configuration to facilitate slidable engagement with the top of the user&#39;s ear.  
         [0037]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the ear cups  28  slide into the ear frames  26  and are firmly bonded through interlocking joints (not shown) in the ear cups  28 , which slot and attach into keyed joints in the ear frame  26 . Alternately, attachment can be accomplished through a known process such as gluing or ultrasonic welding. In the case where an insulating material, such as fabric, is used for the ear pad  60 , and when the outer ear frame  26  is fused to the concave ear cup  28 , the fabric may be captured and secured between the ear frame  26  and the ear cups  28  to prevent the material from coming off.  
         [0038]     The ear protection device  18  is firmly attached to the head  12  through the combination of the interior ear rests  44 , with the ear pads  60  and the ear pockets  64  that rest on top of the user&#39;s ears, thus supporting the weight of the ear protection device  18 . In embodiments where weight is a factor, the headband  22  can be formed to assist in holding the device  18  to the user&#39;s head  12 . When combined, the ear pocket  64  resting on top of the ear and the resilience of the headband frame  22  can work together to ensure stability in wearing the ear protection device  18 . Ideally, the resilience of the headband frame  22  does not tightly squeeze the ear protectors  23  tightly to the user&#39;s head  12 . Rather, it positions the ear protectors  23  over the ears and against the hear  12  only with enough force to prevent wind from entering the user&#39;s ears.  
         [0039]     The ear cups  28  have an interior concave shape to follow the raised shape of the user&#39;s ear to keep the ear protection device  18  in a comfortable stable position. The ear cups  28  are formed from the same lightweight material used to construct the headband  22  or from a lightweight material such as elastomer that is softer and more flexible than that of the headband  22  so as not to be affected by the individual differences in the shapes of ears and so as to help alleviate the load when ear protection device  18  is worn. Ideally, the ear protection device  18  is formed of a flexible and resilient material, such as polypropylene.  
         [0040]     In another embodiment, the ear protection device  18  can include at least one acoustically designed component that facilitates hearing. More particularly, a passive amplifier is provided that facilitates the travel of sound waves through the ear protectors  23  and into the ear, allowing for hearing to be enhanced and minimally obstructed. In one embodiment, the device  18  includes a cover or door  30  formed on the exterior of the ear frame  26  to selectively cover and uncover a hollow interior formed between the ear frame  26  and the ear cup  28 . Sound waves are directed through the ear frame  26  and holes  46  formed in the ear cups  28  and into the ear. The door  30  has a concave shape that captures the sound waves and directs them through the holes  46  formed of varying sizes in the ear cups  28 .  
         [0041]     The door  30  may be mounted in a variety of ways to the ear frame  26 . As shown in  FIGS. 7 through 8 A-E, the door  30  is secured with at least one hinge  32  that is built into the ear frame  26 . The design of the hinge  32  enables selective positioning of the door  30  at predetermined degrees of opening (see  FIG. 4 ). The hinge  32  is built into the ear frame  26  and features a cylindrical post  52  onto which the door  30  is attached with at least one U-shaped cut  54  (shown in  FIGS. 8C and 8D ). The cylindrical post  52  varies in diameter near the top and bottom thereof so as to keep the U-shaped cuts  54  in position and prevent them from sliding. The outer ear frame  32  also features a friction lock  58  that allows the door  30  to stay partially opened, and a positive stop in the form of a nob  56  on the post  52  that enables the door  30  to stay completely open at a set position while preventing the door  30  from being pushed in further than desired.  
         [0042]     Within the ear cups  28  there can be provided a housing  36 , as shown in  FIG. 9 , as a means for mounting an acoustical device  90 , such as speakers or a hearing aid or amplifier. An electrical cord  92 , may be connected to the acoustic device  90 , which is fastened in the acoustic housing  36  of the ear cups  28 . The electrical cord  92  then passes within a groove (not shown) built into the headband frame  22  so as to hide the electrical cord  92 .  
         [0043]     In use, the ear protection device  18  is put on an individual&#39;s head  12  in the following manner: The user takes hold of the device  18  so as to slightly widen the gap between the left and right ear protectors  23  while sandwiching the head  12  so that the pockets  64  are positioned in alignment over the user&#39;s ears.  
         [0044]     When the ear cups  28  come into contact with the top side of the ears, the user then releases the ear protection device  18 , which has been pushed slightly downwards so that the ear pockets  92  come into contact with and are received over the top of the ears. In doing so, the complete device  18  is positioned on and supported by the ears. The putting on of the ear protection device  18  is then complete (see  FIG. 2 ). If desired, the headband  22  can be formed to urge the ear protectors  23  against the user&#39;s head to prevent wind from entering the user&#39;s ears.  
         [0045]     All of the above U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet, are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.  
         [0046]     From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, a sliding door can be used to selectively cover and uncover the holes  46 . The embodiment of the ear protection device  18  has been described as having separate components; however the components of the ear protection device can be integrally formed as a single unitary element. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.