Abstract:
Earmuffs for use with protective headgear, primarily helmets for use in outside sports such as bicycling, skiing and the like, wherein the earmuffs are in the form a sleeves with flaps that overlap the edges of the sleeves, include a base element that spans a wearer&#39;s head and couples left and right sleeves, and include a chin cover that receives the portion of a chin strap that extends beyond the sleeve.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to wearing apparel and, more specifically, to earmuffs for protecting a wearer&#39;s ears from cold, wherein the earmuffs are adapted to be worn with protective headgear such as helmets for use in sports. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    While participating in sports such as bicycling, skateboarding, ice skating and skiing people wear helmets to protect their heads. Typical helmets are made of a rigid material like polystyrene and may include a plastic or carbon fiber shell. Many helmets, especially those used in bicycling and skateboarding are designed to sit on top of the users head without covering the ears. In order to fix the helmet in position on a user&#39;s head, a pair of adjustable straps with clips extends from the lower sides of the helmet around a wearer&#39;s chin. 
         [0003]    However, many helmets do not cover the ears leaving them susceptible to the cold. This is especially true when people are quickly moving outside in colder environments. In order to solve the problem a person may wear earmuffs under the helmet, but some people find this is uncomfortable. A bulky band connecting the pods of the earmuffs causes the helmet to incorrectly fit the wearer&#39;s head. Moreover, an uncomfortable helmet may distract the wearer from concentrating on the sporting activity resulting in poor performance. It is desirable to eliminate the band under the helmet so that the helmet comfortably and accurately fits the head of the wearer. 
         [0004]    Helmets have been designed to include a protective cover where the shell of the helmet extends over the ears of the wearer, however, such helmets are problematic in that the shell is rigid and there is little ability to adjust to changing weather conditions and temperatures throughout the day. As the day becomes hotter, there is no ability to remove the protective ear shell portion of the rigid helmet without completely taking off the helmet and losing the protective covering altogether. Furthermore, there is little ability to adjust to the changing temperature of the helmet wearer as the wearer warms up during exercise. For example, a warmed up skier may become uncomfortably warm in the rigid helmet and forced to remove the helmet completely to cool off. 
         [0005]    Some helmets like the Giro brand ski/snowboard helmets have removable pads that attach to the side of the helmet and are disposed on the inner side of the strap. Such pads may also be fixedly attached to the helmet strap by passing through a lower loop near the chin of the wearer. However, these pads are problematic in that they are specifically sized and shaped in order to precisely match the helmet configuration. These are not easily interchangeable between different helmet types, styles, brands, and configurations. This is problematic when a helmet user grows into a larger helmet, and larger corresponding pads must be obtained in order to fit the larger helmet. Additionally, if the helmet user purchases a second helmet or upgrades helmets by changes style or brand type, the ear pads are not easily interchangeable between helmets. 
         [0006]    Another solution, identified in U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,704, is to provide a covering member in the shape of a truncated cone or triangle that receives the loose end of a chinstrap and comprises coupling means located on each opposing interior side of the covering member that couple together above the point in which front and rear chinstraps are joined together. 
         [0007]    What is needed is a helmet earmuff that eliminates the band under the helmet so that the helmet comfortably and accurately fits the head of the wearer, an earmuff which is removable and adjustable from a helmet over the course of its use, an earmuff which is easily interchangeable between helmet sizes, styles, brands, and configurations, an earmuff with improved ability to secure the earmuff to the helmet straps, an earmuff that improves the comfort to the wearer along the entire length of the straps, and an earmuff that provides protection from heat loss about the lower head/neck portion of the wearer and/or the crown of the wearer. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    It is the object of the present invention to provide a helmet with earmuffs that accurately fits a wearer&#39;s head. 
         [0009]    It is the object of the present invention to provide a helmet with earmuffs that comfortably fits a wearer&#39;s head while covering the wearer&#39;s earlobes for warmth. 
         [0010]    It is the object of the present invention to provide earmuffs which are an after market product easily interchangeable between helmet sizes, styles, brands, and/or configurations. 
         [0011]    These and other objectives of the present invention are met by providing helmet earmuffs that cover the ears of a wearer and extend down the sides of the wearer&#39;s face. Each earmuff comprises a sleeve that comes into contact with the wearer&#39;s head and receives a chinstrap extending from the base of a helmet. The chinstrap is fed into an upper edge of the sleeve positioned next to the helmet and fed through a lower edge of the sleeve extending away from the upper edge. The earmuff further comprises a first side that comes into contact with the wearer&#39;s head and a second side that is exterior to the first side so that the first side is positioned between the second side and the wearer&#39;s head. The upper edge of the sleeve can be wide and the lower edge narrow such that the sleeve tapers from the upper edge to the lower edge. A sleeve can be secured to a chinstrap utilizing an elastic element that is threaded through the lower edge of a sleeve. 
         [0012]    The earmuff can further be secured with a flap coupled to one side of the sleeve. The flap overlaps an edge of the sleeve and fastens to another side of the sleeve. With such a feature, it is beneficial if the flap is sized to span the inner width that separates a front strap and a back strap for each side of a helmet. The flap can be fastened to the second side using a Velcro® brand fastener. In one embodiment the flap is coupled to the first side of the sleeve and overlaps the upper edge of the sleeve. 
         [0013]    The earmuffs also can comprise left and right sleeves that receive left and right chinstraps respectively and a base element that is coupled to the left and right sleeves and spans the wearer&#39;s head such that the left and right sleeves are positioned about the left and right sides of a wearer&#39;s head so as to enable one side of each sleeve to cover the left and right ears. The base element can be a cap that fits the contour of the wearer&#39;s head and a neckband with left and right portion coupled to the left and right sleeves. The cap can be domed shaped so as to fit to the size of the wearer&#39;s head. The neckband can have an upper portion coupled to upper edges of the left and right sleeves and a lower portion coupled to lower edges of the left and right sleeves. Further, the neckband can conform to the contour of the back of a wearer&#39;s head and neck. 
         [0014]    Another aspect of the invention is for straps to extend from the lower edges of left and right sleeves and be able to fasten together below the wearer&#39;s chin. 
         [0015]    Yet another aspect of the invention is to provide for a chin cover that receives a portion of a chinstrap that extends beyond the lower edge of a sleeve so as to provide comfort to the wearer. One end of the chin cover can be coupled to the lower edge of the sleeve. The other end of the chin cover can be fastened to the lower edge of the opposing sleeve. Optionally, the chin cover may be of a predetermined over lapping (female/male) shape to provide easy access to the grommet or strap clips. 
         [0016]    Preferably, the earmuff is of a predetermined size suitable for use with all adult sized heads. Child size earmuffs are available in smaller predetermined shapes and sizes. Preferably, the earmuffs have reversible sides made out of different materials, such as cotton, plastic, polyester, Gortex® brand material, woven fabrics and combinations thereof. Optionally, a first side is made out of a breathable material, and a second side is made out of non-breathable material. Optionally, the earmuffs can utilize microfibers that are light weight and water resistant. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  shows bicycle helmet with the earmuff of the present invention in place, on the left side of a head. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a front side view of the earmuff of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 3(   a ) shows a side view of an earmuff attached to a cap. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3(   b ) shows a back view of the earmuff of  FIG. 3(   a ). 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a front view of interconnected earmuffs of  FIG. 2  with overlapping chin portion and strap. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5(   a ) shows interconnected earmuff device with scarf. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5(   b ) shows earmuff device of  FIG. 5(   a ) with straps and clip. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  shows a side view of an earmuff with a fastener on a top edge. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  shows a right side view of earmuff of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a left side view of the earmuff of  FIG. 7  with straps. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an earmuff of the present invention is shown positioned on a bicycle helmet strap. One earmuff is shown covering the left ear of the wearer. Earmuff  10  may be triangularly shaped and positioned over and fastened to the strap of the helmet. Earmuff  10  is sized to cover the ear and face of the wearer to provide warmth during outside activities. Earmuff  10  is a sleeve and has a first side (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) and a second side  10   b  with a wide upper edge  12   b  and a narrow lower edge  14   b . The first side comes into contact with the wearer&#39;s head and the second side  10   b  is exterior to the first side. The wide upper edge  12   b  is positioned in the region associated with the lower part of helmet  1 . The width of upper edge  12   b  corresponds to the spacing of the outermost peripheral elements of the forward helmet strap  2   a  and the aft helmet strap  2   b  in the region adjacent to helmet  1 . The second side  10   b  extends away from the upper edge  12   b  and tapers to the narrow lower edge  14   b . The width of lower edge  14   b  corresponds to the spacing of the forward helmet strap  2   a  and the aft helmet strap  2   b  approximate to the region where these elements come together. As such, the width of the second side  10   b  may correspond to width of the straps  2   a  and  2   b  in a region where they are still independent or in the lower region where the straps become coupled or an integrated element  2   c . Overall the width of second side  10   b  follows the contour of the outer width of straps  2   a  and  2   b.    
         [0028]      FIG. 2  shows earmuff  10  positioned about straps  2   a  and  2   b . Earmuff  10  has a first side  10   a , a second side  10   b , and a flap  10   c . The first  10   a  and second  10   b  sides form a sleeve like structure into which helmet straps  2   a  and  2   b  are inserted. Both the first  10   a  and second  10   b  sides have wide upper edges  12   a  and  12   b  and narrow lower edges  14   a  and  14   b . It is beneficial if the first  10   a  and second  10   b  sides are securely coupled to one another such that they form an integrated unit. Alternatively, they can be of unibody construction. The earmuff also contains an elastic element  15  that is integrated into or coupled to the lower edges  14   a  and  14   b . This elastic element  15  crimps the earmuff  10  against the straps  2   a ,  2   b  and assists in securing the earmuff  10  to the straps  2   a ,  2   b . Earmuff  10  also contains a flap  10   c . Flap  10   c  is fixedly coupled to the upper edge  12   a  of first side  10   a . The flap  10   c  is wide in the region corresponding to the upper edge  12   a  and tapers to form a triangular shape. The width of the flap  10   c  in the region of upper edge  12   a  corresponds to the inner spacing that separates straps  2   a  and  2   b . The flap  10   c  is intended to overlap the second side  10   b  such that a portion of the second side  10   b  is sandwiched between the flap  10   c  and the first side  10   a . The flap  10   c  also contains a fastening element (not shown) on the inner face of the flap  10   c . This fastening element enables the flap  10   c  to be secured to the outer face of second side  10   b . The fastening element can utilize a Velcro® brand fastener. 
         [0029]    The earmuff  10  is placed on to the helmet straps  2   a  and  2   b  by feeding these straps into the opening formed by the upper edges  12   a ,  12   b  of earmuff  10  and through the opening formed by the lower edges  4   a ,  4   b  of earmuff  10 . The elastic element  15  secures the lower portion of earmuff  10  to straps  2   a  and  2   b . Earmuff  10  is further secured to straps  2   a  and  2   b  by flap  10   c  over lapping the upper edge  12   b  of second side  10   b . Earmuff  10  is fastened to second side  10   b  utilize a fastening element such as a Velcro® brand fastener. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  depict left  10  and right  20  earmuffs that utilize a first side  30  that serves as a common base element to both earmuffs  10 ,  20 . This first side  30  spans from the left earmuff  10  to the right earmuff  20  and is shaped as a cap that fits the contour of the wearer&#39;s head. Such a first side  30  can be designed to follow the upper contour of the wearer&#39;s head and/or rearward contour of the wearer&#39;s head. Such a design depends on considerations of comfort and flexibility.  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  depict first side  30  as a cap that fits the contour of both the upper and rearward portions of a wearer&#39;s head. Flaps  10   c  and  20   c  are positioned along a mid point of left and right sides  30   a ,  30   b  of first side  30  and coupled to these sides. This position corresponds to the location of upper edges  12   b  and  22   b  of second sides  10   b  and  20   b . Such a position should be selected such that the flaps  10   c ,  20   c  are sufficiently coupled to second sides  10   b ,  20   b  so as to secure the earmuffs  10 ,  20  to the helmet straps. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  shows earmuff  10  incorporating an overlapping chin portion  40 . Overlapping chin extension  40  is included to allow the wearer to have a portion earmuff  10  extend toward earmuff  20  about the region in which opposing helmet straps are coupled together. Such extension may be used to couple earmuff  10  to earmuff  20 . By having an extended portion to earmuff  10  and possibly attaching the two earmuffs, the wearer is able to adjust the earmuffs to conform to wearers face, thus ensuring a snug fit and provide further comfort to the wearer. In addition, overlapping chin extension  32  prevents flapping of earmuffs when the wearer is in motion. For example, a bicyclist pedaling into the wind will have air flowing over the face and through the helmet which may cause earmuffs to flutter or flap. Flapping can be reduced or eliminated by connecting overlapping chin extension  40  of earmuff  10  to earmuff  20 . The overlapping extension  40  of earmuff  10  may be attached to overlapping portion of earmuff  20  by any fastener such a Velcro® brand fastener, string, lace, pin, or clip. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5(   a ) depicts earmuffs  10  and  20  that are coupled via a neck band  50 . Neck band  50  may be made out of any suitable material for interconnected earmuff  10  and earmuff  20  such as manufactured fiber, wool, cotton, nylon, polyester, plastic, thermoplastic, Gortex® brand material, woven fabrics and combinations thereof. Neck band  50  is preferably made out of a stretchy material such as Lycra® brand manufactured fiber. Neck band  50  warms a wearer neck and ensures that earmuffs  10  and  20  provide a snug fit and further secure the earmuffs to the helmet straps. Neck band  50  comprises upper edge  51  and lower edge  52 . Upper edge  51  is typically longer than lower edge  52  in order to correspond to the dimensions of a wearer&#39;s head and traverse the distance around a wearer&#39;s head. Lower edge  52  is typically shorter than edge  51  for it typically traverses the distance around a user&#39;s neck. Accordingly, neck band  50  is tapered such that it&#39;s width becomes more narrow from upper edge  51  to lower edge  52 . Neck band  50  is tapered to promote a snug, level, and stable fit of helmet to wearer&#39;s head. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 5(   b ) the interconnected earmuff device of  FIG. 5(   a ) is shown. Interconnected earmuff device comprises clips  80  extending from the bottom edges  4  of earmuff  10  and earmuff  20 . Clips  80  are connected to strap  82  which is fixedly attached to earmuff  10  and earmuff  20 . Clips  80  may be made of plastic and are adjustable in relation to strap  82  to ensure the proper fit of the helmet. 
         [0034]    Helmets come in a variety of sizes, and it is well known that a helmet should be selected to correctly fit a wearer&#39;s head. A correct fit typically is achieved where a helmet is snug, level, and stable in relation to the wearer&#39;s head. The dimensions of an earmuff, including the length, width, height, and proportions of the device are predetermined in order to ensure that the size of the earmuff device does not interfere with the correct fit of the helmet, while maintaining a snug earmuff fit in relation to the wearer&#39;s head. A child size earmuff can be given predetermined dimensions selected to correctly fit a head having a circumference of between about 460 to 530 mm, i.e. a smaller head such as that of a child. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIGS. 6-8  an earmuff of  FIG. 2  is shown with flap  60 . Flap  60  is shown extending from top edge  12  and running along the length of top edge  12 . Flap  60  may be made of hook and loop type fastener such as Velcro® brand fastener having a hook portion  62  and that fastens to fiber portion  64 . Contacting hook portion  62  with fiber portion  64  creates tack and compresses the front and back sides of earmuff  10  closer to one another.  FIG. 9  shows flap  60  folded such that hook portion  62  is in contact with fiber portion  64 . Flap  60  holds first strap  2   a  and second strap  2   b  towards the outside edge of earmuff  10 . Flap  60  may also be of a predetermined shape suitable for fixedly attaching earmuff  10  to strap (not shown). By using a hook and loop fastener, the wearer has the option of adjusting the connection over the length of fiber portion  64  to create a tighter or looser fit. Referring now to  FIG. 7  a right side view of earmuff of  FIG. 6  is shown. Here, on the back side Flap  60  is attached to the top edge  12  of earmuff  10 . Fiber portion  64  is not visible from this view, for it is located on the opposite side of the earmuff. 
         [0036]    Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular arrangement of layers and elements, and materials used, these are not intended to exhaust all possible arrangements and materials, and indeed many modifications and variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art.