Patent Publication Number: US-2009229038-A1

Title: Cushioning pressure-relieving device for headbands

Description:
FIELD 
     This application describes an ornamental cushioning device adapted for all shapes and sizes of headbands and other devices such as eyeglasses, traditionally secured in place by pressure on the head and method of using the same for pressure-relief and comfort. The device includes a main stretchy fabric or similar material with a fluid media such as, but not limited to, liquids, foams, gels and air incased or layered within. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to headbands and other devices that are used by sliding on the head to secure hair back, away from the face of the wearer and/or to arrange the hair in a variety of styles. These devices are held in place by the pressure of the headband tips on the back of the ear area of the head. This present invention aims to alleviate the pressure-point pain of a traditional headband that increases over a period of time, caused by the tips of the headband. 
     The present invention will allow the user of the headbands and other similar devices to wear them for longer periods of time without discomfort; particularly infants, young children and elderly people who are inherently more sensitive in pressure-point areas, behind the ear and/or on the head area. 
     Headbands are widely used by children, athletes among various other people and are popularly used by girls and women in keeping their hair out of their field of vision. The present invention will increase comfort levels offered by using this device in conjunction with a headband and is adaptable to various sizes of stiff headbands made of materials such as plastic, wood, or metal among others. 
     The present invention will also increase comfort levels offered by using this device in conjunction with eyeglasses made of plastic, glass or other materials. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,412, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a headband with earmuffs. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,823, incorporated herein by reference, discloses an eyeglass support system suitable for supporting corrective lenses for young children, for supporting sunglasses or corrective glasses. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,861, incorporated herein by reference, discloses an earpiece cushion apparatus for eyeglasses. 
     SUMMARY 
     Provided herein is an apparatus that alleviates pressure-point pain caused by traditional headband wearing, by the use of a stretchy fabric or other similar material that is stitched into a shape that conforms to the tips of a headband. The tips of the headband are then inserted into the hole or aperture side of the apparatus, and worn over the head by securing the tips of the headband behind the ears. 
     A headband cushioning apparatus comprising a soft and/or resilient material, the material shaped as an hollow body, which in some embodiments may be elongated; an aperture at one end of the hollow body; and an enclosed end on another end of the hollow body, wherein pressure exists from contact of a headband behind the ears of a wearer. Alternatively, the apparatus has one closed end and one open end for the arm of a headband. 
     In another embodiment, the hollow body is the same for the entire length of the apparatus as measured from the open end of the apparatus to the closed end. 
     The apparatus further comprises an overall length of the cushioning apparatus to minimize and/or eliminate view of the apparatus from behind the ear. 
     It is an aspect of the apparatus to comprise attachment points for adding interchangeable decorative pieces that hang and/or protrude from behind the ear for decorative effect. 
     Also provided is a cushioning material layered under the stretchy fabric such as gel, foam, liquid, air or another comfort material to increase comfort to the wearer. 
     The invention can also be extended for use with other devices such as eyeglasses for comfort. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates the ornamental cushioning device. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a headband fitted with the ornamental cushioning device. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates eyeglasses fitted with the ornamental cushioning device. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates device for cushioning shaped in decorative butterfly shape. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a device with attachment points for attaching decorative accessories to the device that can be removed or replaced. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND EMBODIMENTS 
     The stretchy fabric or other similar material is cut into one or more pieces and stitched together or otherwise formed together by heat fusion, glue or other means, preferably in a cone shape ( FIG. 1A ), tube ( FIG. 1B ), or other desirable shapes, with a small hole left open for sliding the proximate end of the arm of a headband (˜ 201 ) or glasses (˜ 301 ) into the cushioning apparatus. An alternate embodiment includes a single piece that can be formed as having an open end and a closed end by means as are known to those having skill in the art. 
     A headband cushioning apparatus comprising a soft and resilient material, the material having a hollow body, which in some embodiments may be elongated; an aperture (˜ 102 ) at one end of the hollow body; and enclosure on another end of the hollow body, wherein pressure from contact of a headband behind the ears of a wearer is dissipated. The apparatus further comprises a thickness of the hollow body that is the same for the entire length of the apparatus as measured from the open end apparatus to the enclosed end. The apparatus further comprises an overall length of the cushioning apparatus to minimize and/or eliminate view of the apparatus from behind the ear. 
     In another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises attachment points for adding interchangeable decorative pieces (˜ 502 ) that hang and/or protrude from behind the ear either above or below the earlobe for decorative effect. 
     The soft and resilient material of the apparatus may include resilient materials including but not limited to fabric, neoprene, gels, pliable plastics and/or spongy material among others as known in the art. The apparatus can further comprise a compartment at least partially filled with a liquid or gel composition to alleviate or reduce pressure behind the ears of the wearer. The material may also comprise nylon and/or polyester, may be stretchable, semi-rigid. 
     The apparatus can dissipate pressure behind the ear throughout the shape of the device that may be in contact with the arm of the headband. 
     In another embodiment, the apparatus may comprise an hollow body that is shaped as a cone or tube ( FIGS. 1A and 1B ). 
     In yet another embodiment, the apparatus for cushioning may also be shaped in any form, including forms of decorative shapes, including but not limited to the shape of animals, flowers, insects (e.g. butterflies— FIG. 4 ), stars, hearts or any whimsical shape or aesthetic effect. The cushioning apparatus may be of any color. 
     In yet another embodiment, the apparatus may comprise attachment points for attaching decorative accessories to the device that can be removed or replaced (i.e. interchangeable) ( FIG. 5 ). The attachments may comprise a hook and loop fastening system, wherein the ornaments are attached in a hook and loop fashion (i.e. Velcro®). 
     The attachment points comprise a layer of small hooks or small loops, wherein the attachment points connect an ornamental device comprising hooks or small loops. 
     The chamber inside the stitching or the outside stretchy fabric (˜ 101 ) may contain an area filled with fluid media, gel media or other pressure-dissipating material (˜ 103 ) (to lessen a pressure point or points of the headband or other traditional devices at the point of contact where the headband or eyewear or other devices that attach behind the ear, including but not limited to telephone earpieces, headsets, or other such devices known in the art, presses behind the ear. 
     The device easily slides on the end of the headband or other device traditionally secured by pressure to the head behind the ear. The device may also be attached to the inside portion of the end of the headband by using a stretchy fabric, self adhesive material or similar material that may be layered with a fluid media including but not limited to liquids, foams, gels and air. 
     The aforesaid devices may have ornamental designs incorporated into the outside fabric to enhance the comfortable headband and create a fashionable appearance. In yet another embodiment, the stretchable material of the headband cushioning apparatus will enable users to wear any size headbands or other devices secured by pressure on the head without point pressure from the tip of the headband. The cushioning device can be secured to a structure which can include headbands but may be used with any device that relies on pressure being used behind the ear or on the head, to adhere the device to the head. 
     As provided in  FIG. 1 , the device is a cushioning device adapted to slide over the distal end of a device secured by pressure against the head, and in a preferred embodiment behind the ear, of a wearer. In an embodiment of the invention, the device secured by pressure against the head of a wearer is a headband. In another embodiment, the device secured by pressure against the head of a wearer is a pair of eyeglasses ( FIG. 3 ). In another embodiment, the ornamental cushioning device is composed of a stretchable fabric. In yet another embodiment, the ornamental cushioning device is composed of a stretchable fabric that is a singe piece or cut into two pieces and sewn together to form a cone shape. In another embodiment, the tips of the headband or eyeglasses are fitted with the cushioning device, as shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . 
     In another embodiment, the ornamental cushioning device conforms to the shape of the tip of a headband or any other device that secures by pressure to the head and/or behind the ear. In another embodiment, the ornamental cushioning device is composed of a stretchable fabric. In another embodiment, the ornamental cushioning device is composed of a stretchable fabric that is layered with fluid media. 
     The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments of the invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments of the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 
     Each of the applications and patents cited in this text, as well as each document or reference, patient or non-patient literature, cited in each of the applications and patents (including during the prosecution of each issued patent; “application cited documents”), and each of the PCT and foreign applications or patents corresponding to and/or claiming priority from any of these applications and patents, and each of the documents cited or referenced in each of the application cited documents, are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. More generally, documents or references are cited in this text, either in a Reference List before the claims; or in the text itself; and, each of these documents or references (“herein-cited references”), as well as each document or reference cited in each of the herein-cited references (including any manufacturer&#39;s specifications, instructions, etc.), is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.