Patent Publication Number: US-2012042440-A1

Title: Thermal ear and face covering

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/375,174 filed on 19 Aug. 2010, and which is incorporated by reference herein and is made a part hereof, including but not limited to those portions which specifically appear in this patent application. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention is directed to an ear muff with deployable components for covering at least a portion of the face. 
     2. Discussion of Related Art 
     During cold weather, people rely on cold weather accessories, such as hats, ski masks, ear muffs and scarves, to protect themselves from the cold. However, each of these known cold weather accessories has drawbacks. 
     The most common approach for keeping warm during cold weather is a hat. However, when attending work or a formal or professional event, many people are reluctant to wear a hat because the hat messes up hair. Further, a hat provides no protection of the face from the cold weather. 
     To protect their faces during the bitter cold, people will often pair the hat with a scarf. However, scarves are designed to keep the neck and chest warm and have limited utility as a face cover. A thin scarf is marginal at best in keeping one&#39;s face warm. A thick scarf may keep one&#39;s face warm, but is difficult to breathe through. Further, since the scarf is not designed to be a face cover, it can be uncomfortable because it tends to shift out of place and collect moisture from the wearer&#39;s breath which can freeze and potentially cause frost bite. Women are also reluctant to wear the scarf across their face because the scarf can smudge make-up. 
     Other known options include a full head and face mask, commonly known as a ski mask, or a separate face mask. Although the classic ski mask is rarely used by modern skiers, it is still popular at winter outdoor events, such as football games in the northern latitudes, and for use in outdoor activities, such as hunting or snowmobiling. The face mask has largely replaced the ski mask in outdoor activities such as downhill skiing. While functional, each of these masks is an extreme method of solving the problem. Users of these masks are usually more concerned with preventing frostbite than fashion, comfort, convenience or the appearance of their hair. Further, like the scarf, as a person breathes though the ski mask or face mask moisture and ice can build up potentially resulting in frostbite. Also, like the scarf, these masks can smudge a wearer&#39;s make-up. 
     Ear muffs are an easy, practical and often fashionable alternative to a hat. They are increasingly popular in urban areas where one&#39;s exposure to extreme cold is limited to such activities as walking to work or waiting outdoors for transportation. Traditional ear muffs may include simple headbands that cover only the ears, are worn over the ears and forehead, or configurations resembling an audio headset, typically with a light metal or plastic understructure and a fabric cover. Some ear muffs are designed to be worn with the connecting band over the top of the head while others with the band around the back of the head near the neck. While ear muffs provide ear protection from the cold without messing hair, ear muffs provide no protection for a wearer&#39;s face. 
     Thus, there is a need for an improved cold weather accessory that provides protections for a wearer&#39;s ears and face without the drawbacks of traditional cold weather accessories. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A general object of the invention is to provide a cold weather accessory that protects a wearer&#39;s ears and face that is convenient, fashionable and a highly functional alternative to conventional face coverings. Many people make a significant effort in their appearance and prefer not to cover their face and hair. One reason for the popularity of traditional ear muffs is that they are worn around the back of the head and can be worn either over or under long hair minimizing any negative aesthetic impact of the ear muffs. A preferred embodiment of this invention provides the same advantages as traditional ear muffs while providing protection for the face when desired. 
     In an embodiment of this invention, the cold weather accessory includes a pair of ear covers joined by a band. In a preferred embodiment, each ear cover is joined to an end of the band and biased towards each other when positioned over the wearer&#39;s ears, holding the cold weather accessory in place. The band is preferably made of a flexible material with some degree of memory which is capable of repeated flexing as the cold weather accessory is placed on and removed from the wearer&#39;s ears. The band can be made of a suitable material capable of repeated flexing including, but not limited to, plastics, metals and composites. The pair of ear covers are preferably made of a material capable of insulating the ears from cold weather including, for example, fleece, wool, cotton and real or faux fur. 
     Connected to each of the ear covers is a deployable component that is capable of covering at least a portion of a person&#39;s face and preferably capable of covering the thin skin areas of a cheek and/or chin while avoiding the area of the mouth. In a preferred embodiment, the deployable component is a cheek cover that is moveable from a retracted position, overlapping the ear cover, to a deployed position offset from the ear cover. This movement from the retracted position to the deployed position can be accomplished in a number of ways. For example, the deployable component can be fastened to the ear cover with a fastener that allows the deployable component to rotate about the fastener. In another embodiment, the deployable component is connected to the ear cover with a pin and groove connection that allows the deployable component to slide from the retracted position to the deployed position. In still another embodiment, the deployable connection is connected to the ear cover with a hinge connection, for example an extension of fabric, which allows the deployable component to fold to the retracted position and unfold to the deployed position. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the ear cover is at least partially curved and shaped to fit over the wearer&#39;s ear and correspond to a shape of a side of a head. Similarly, the deployable component is at least partially curved and shaped to follow the contour of the cheek. Additionally, the curvature of the deployable component may correspond to the curvature of the ear cover allowing the ear cover and deployable component to couple to provide a narrow profile in the retracted position or in the storage position. 
     This invention provides a versatile and fashionable cold weather accessory. By extending the cheek covers, it is possible to cover the cheeks and keep them warm during extremely cold situations. When the weather is merely cold and not bitterly cold, a person may only want to cover his or her ears and the cheek covers can be kept in the retracted position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other objects and features of this invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a thermal ear and face cover of this invention in a storage position, according to one preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the thermal ear and face cover shown in  FIG. 1  with a cheek cover in a retracted position; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the thermal ear and face cover shown in  FIG. 1  with the cheek cover in a deployed position; 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the thermal ear and face cover shown in  FIG. 1  with the cheek cover in the retracted position; 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the thermal ear and face cover shown in  FIG. 1  in the with the cheek covers in the deployed position; and 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the cheek cover according to one preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1-6  show a preferred embodiment of an ear and face cover  10  of this invention. As shown and described, the ear and face cover  10  preferably includes a band  20  and a pair of ear covers  30  positioned at opposite distal ends of the band  10  and a pair of cheek covers  40  connected in a retractable relationship with the ear covers  30 . 
     The band  20  preferably includes a spine  22  that connects to each of the ear covers  30  at opposite distal ends of the band  20 . In a preferred embodiment, the spine  22  is made of a plastic material with spring and memory characteristics that bias each of the ear covers  30  inward to hold the ear and face cover  10  on a wearer&#39;s head. However, the spine  22  can be made of other materials which are capable biasing the ear covers  30  inward including, but not limited to, metals and composites. In a preferred embodiment, the spine  22  includes a memory which allows the ear and face cover  10  to repeatedly fold to a collapsed storage position  12 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , and return to wearable position  14 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the band  20  also includes a band cover  24  that conceals the spine  22 . The band cover  24  may be constructed of any material including, cloth, silk, wool, fleece and real or faux fur to create a comfortable and aesthetically appealing design. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-6 , the band cover  24  is a unified cover that completely covers the ear covers  30  and the spine  22 . Alternatively, the band cover  24  may be a separate element from the ear covers. In another embodiment, the ear and face cover  10  may not include a band cover  24  and instead the spine  22  is exposed. 
     The ear and face cover  10  of this invention may be worn with the band  20  passing over a crown of the wearer&#39;s head or around a back of the wearer&#39;s head. Accordingly, the band  20  is preferably curved to match a shape of the wearer&#39;s head over the crown or around the back of the head. In an embodiment of this invention, at least one of the ear covers  30  is connected to the band  20  with a telescoping connection allowing the band  20  and ear covers  30  to be adjusted to fit a variety of head sizes. In an embodiment of this invention, the band  20  is connected to each of the ear covers  30  with a rotatable connection, allowing the band  20  and the ear covers  30  to be folded to a compact position for storage. 
     The ear covers  30  are shaped to fit over the wearer&#39;s ears to protect and insulate them from a cold weather. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the ear covers  30  are circular shaped however, they may comprise any desired shape appropriate for covering the wearer&#39;s ears. In an embodiment of this invention, the ear and face cover  10  may include novelty shapes, for example, the ear covers  30  may have a rabbit ear shape or an angel wing shape. 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-6 , the thermal ear and face cover  10  includes an ear cover shell  32  with a trim  34 . In a preferred embodiment, the ear cover shell  32  is a fleece material that provides thermal protection from the cold. However, the ear cover shell  32  is not limited to fleece and may be any natural or artificial material capable of providing protection from the cold including but not limited to, wool, cotton, polyester, real and faux fur. In an embodiment of this invention, the ear cover  30  may also include an ear cover insulation, not shown, inside of the ear cover shell  32  to increase the insulation properties of this invention. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-6 , the ear cover shell  32  is formed as a unified part with the band cover  24  and extends from each of the ear covers  30  and over the band  20  and the spine  22 . In an alternative embodiment, this invention includes two ear cover shells  32 , one for each ear cover  30 , while the spine  22  of the band  20  is exposed. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , the thermal ear and face cover  10  of this invention includes a pair of deployable components, such as cheek covers  40 . In a preferred embodiment, the cheek covers  40  are covered with a cheek cover shell  44 . The cheek cover shell  44  is preferably made of the same material as the ear cover shell  32 , namely a fleece material. However, the cheek cover shell  44  is not limited to fleece and may be any material capable of providing insulation from the cold including but not limited to, wool, cotton, polyester, Gore-Tex®, real and faux fur. The cheek cover  40  may also include a cheek cover insulation, not shown, inside of the cheek cover shell  44  to increase the insulation properties of this invention. 
     The thermal ear and face cover  10  further includes a fastener  42  between the ear cover  30  and the check cover  40  that permits the check cover  40  to be deployed over the wearer&#39;s cheeks. The method of deployment is preferably simple, functional, robust and inexpensive. The deployment mechanism should be so simple that it is instinctive to use. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-6 , the fastener  42  comprises a rivet  48  that allows the cheek cover  40  to be rotated relative to the ear cover  40  into position over the wearer&#39;s face, particularly the cheeks, such as shown in  FIG. 3 , and rotated back over the ear cover  30  when not needed, such as shown in  FIG. 2 . According to one preferred embodiment, the cheek cover  40  is rotatable about a single axis from a retracted position overlapping the ear cover  30  to a deployed position offset from the ear cover  30 . According to this invention, overlapping is understood to include variations of the cheek cover positioned over the ear cover, under the ear cover and within the ear cover. Following rotation into the deployed position, a portion of the cheek cover  40  preferably remains in an overlapped position with the respective ear cover  30 . In other embodiments of this invention, the fastener  42  may include other types of connections including, without limitation, a multiple pivot connection, a pivot with multiple degrees of freedom, a pivot about axes of various orientations, a sliding connection, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment of this invention, the fastener  42  includes a track positioned on either the ear cover  30  or the cheek cover  40  and a pin positioned on the other of the ear cover  30  or cheek cover  40  allowing the cheek cover  40  to slide along the track into the deployed position. 
     The cheek cover  40  is preferably at least partially curved to follow the contour of the cheek from the ear to the nose, mouth and chin, providing light comfortable pressure on the face to prevent air flow under the cheek cover. In a preferred embodiment, the light comfortable pressure does not smudge or disturb a wearer&#39;s make-up. The design of this invention allows the wearer to hold the cheek covers  40  off their face during deployment then, when in position, allowed to rest against the face so that no rubbing or smudging occurs. According to a preferred embodiment, at least one of the band  20  and/or the ear cover  30  includes a similar curvature and/or bias as the cheek cover  40  to permit engagement of the cheek covers  40  with the ear covers  30  when in the storage position,  FIG. 1 , or retracted position,  FIG. 4 , and positive engagement of the face when in the deployed position,  FIG. 5 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the ear and face cover  10  maximizes coverage of the face when deployed, but does not interfere with the eyes, nose and mouth. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-6 , the cheek covers  40  are designed with a cardioids-like shape that includes a cusp  46 . When in the deployed position, as shown in  FIG. 5 , this shape maximizes an area of the face to be covered, protecting thin skin on the cheek bone and chin while permitting the wearer free use of and access to his mouth and lips permitting ordinary conversation, drinking, eating, etc. In this embodiment, since the nose and mouth are not covered, the ear and face cover  10  does not collect moisture from the wearer&#39;s breath, thereby preventing the formation of ice. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 1 , the band  20  is curved and capable coiling into a loop and preferably a plurality of loops. When coiled into the loop, the ear covers  30  can be folded alongside the loop and into the storage position. In the storage position, the thermal ear and face cover  10  can easily be stored in a pocket or a purse. In the storage position, the cheek covers  40  may be retracted and stored alongside the ear covers  30  and/or the band  20 . The addition of the cheek covers minimally affects the size and convenient storage of the folded unit. 
     The cheek covers  40  of this invention are preferably designed for function and fashion. The cheek covers  40  may be designed in a variety of shapes and with a variety of materials to provide appropriate protection for a variety of climates. What may be popular and appropriate for the climate of Washington D.C. may be very different than the preferred configuration in Minneapolis. In other embodiments, the cheek covers  40  of this invention can be made in any desirable shape, and even made to appear as something entirely unrelated to their function. For example, the cheek covers  40 , like the ear covers, can be designed to appeal to children, for example the cheek covers  40  can be designed to look like rabbit ears or a bird&#39;s wings. 
     High volume consumer markets demand low costs so it is highly desirable to minimize the cost of the product while maximizing utility and aesthetics. The ear and face cover  10  of this invention must be capable of achieving this objective. As such, it is desirable to minimize a number of unique parts of this invention, which can be done by making both the left and right cheek covers identical, such as shown in  FIG. 5 . A symmetric product also eliminates the possibility that the ear and face cover  10  can be mistakenly worn upside down which could cause embarrassment. The preferred embodiment would be a symmetric product with similar or identical ear covers and cheek covers that have no up or down. Alternatively, asymmetrical components can also be used to further optimize a desired utility. 
     Further increasing the versatility of this invention, the cheek covers  40  of this invention can be designed to be added to virtually any type of ear muff, regardless of construction or method of wearing it. 
     In an alternative embodiment of this invention, the ear and face cover includes a pair of integrated ear and cheek covers positioned at opposite distal ends of a band. In this embodiment, at least one of the pair of integrated ear and cheek covers connects to at least one end of the band with a telescoping connection. The telescoping connection allows the ear and face cover of this embodiment to slide from a retracted position to a deployed position. In the retracted position, a fore portion of each of the integrated ear and cheek covers is positioned over a wearer&#39;s ears while a rear portion of each of the integrated ear and cheek covers is positioned behind the ear. In the deployed position, the fore portion of each of the integrated ear and cheek covers is positioned of the wearer&#39;s cheek and the rear portion of each of the integrated cheek covers is positioned over the ears. 
     It will be appreciated that details of the foregoing embodiments, given for purposes of illustration, are not to be construed as limiting the scope of this invention. Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention, which is defined in the following claims and all equivalents thereto. Further, it is recognized that many embodiments may be conceived that do not achieve all of the advantages of some embodiments, particularly of the preferred embodiments, yet the absence of a particular advantage shall not be construed to necessarily mean that such an embodiment is outside the scope of the present invention.