AU2018102091A4 - An infant earmuff retention headband - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract There is provided herein an earmuff retention headband for the retention of earmuffs or the like. In use, a pair of earmuffs are attached to the headband and the headband secured around the infant's head to hold the earmuffs in place. These earmuffs may typically comprise a plastic cup having a cushioned inner periphery defining ear accommodation apertures for covering the ears of the infant. The exterior of the plastic cup may comprise a slot, clip type arrangement or the like within which a portion of the headband is retained. wwoc: Co) Co 0)m U')

Description

An infant earmuff retention headband

Field of the Invention [1] This invention relates generally to an earmuff retention headbands and specifically earmuff retention headbands for infants.

Summary of the Disclosure [2] There is provided herein an earmuff retention headband for the retention of earmuffs or the like. In use, a pair of earmuffs are attached to the headband and the headband secured around the infant's head to hold the earmuffs in place. These earmuffs may typically comprise a plastic cup having a cushioned inner periphery defining ear accommodation apertures for covering the ears of the infant. The exterior of the plastic cup may comprise a slot, clip type arrangement or the like within which a portion of the headband is retained.

[3] The present earmuff retention headband is as a result of trial and experimentation so as to enhance the engagement and use of the headband specifically for infants.

[4] In accordance with a first embodiment, we found that the headband comprising a length greater than 490 mm, such as approximately 600 mm is an appropriate length for a usual range of infant head sizes, negating unnecessary stretching and resultant tightening and discomfort. Specifically, we found that a length of approximately 690 mm is just appropriate for a typical 18 month year old head without being unduly restrictive.

[5] The present retention headband may be secured in a loop around infant's heads utilising fasteners taking the form of hook and loop fasteners in one embodiment.

[6] In this regard, in accordance with a further embodiment, a pair of hook and loop fasteners on respective inner and outer edges of the headband meet respective edges of the retention headband so as to avoid loose distal portions and infrequent retained around the infant's head.

[7] Furthermore, an outside of the fastener may comprise a length of approximately 120 mm and the inside fastener a length of approximately 25 mm. The outside fastener comprising a length of approximately 120 mm provide sufficient sizing tolerance for a range of infant's head sizes.

[8] In accordance with a further embodiment, the present retention headband comprises a frictionally engaging inner surface so as to enhance securement of the headband around the infant's head, avoiding slipping therefrom and further avoiding having to unduly tighten the headband for retention.

[9] In an embodiment, the inner surface comprises a silicon coating which, in accordance with a further embodiment comprises a plurality of silicon headbands running lengthwise along the inner surface of the retention headband.

2018102091 19 Dec 2018 [10] In a further embodiment, the retention headband is stretchable and, in this regard, may comprise elastic cotton, cotton being preferred for user comfort and readability.

[11] In this regard, in a further embodiment, the silicon headbands are a wavy so as to yet allow the stretching of the headband.

[12] Graphic designs may be interwoven, thereby avoiding use of screenprinting or the like which generally cracks or otherwise deteriorates when the retention headband is repeatedly stretched.

[13] In embodiments, the headband may be relatively thick, such as by comprising a thickness of approximately greater than 1 mm and, in further embodiments, may comprise stitched or seemed lateral edges. Such relative thickness and/or edging assists in engagement of the earmuffs in use so as to prevent the dislocation or movement.

[14] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings [15] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[16] Figure 1 shows an outside surface of an infant earmuff retention headband in accordance with an embodiment; and [17] Figure 2 shows an inside surface of the infant earmuff retention headband in accordance with an embodiment.

Description of Embodiments [18] Figure 1 shows an exterior surface of an earmuff retention headband 100 specifically configured for use by infants for retention of earmuffs such as for use in loud environments such as concerts and the like.

[19] Figure 2 shows an interior surface of the retention headband.

[20] In preferred embodiments, the retention headband comprises a length of greater than 490 mm and, specifically, in an embodiment as is shown in the accompanying illustrations, a length of approximately 600 mm.

[21] Fastener portions 102, 103 may be utilised to fasten the ends of the retention headband 100 together around the infant's head.

[22] In this regard, the retention headband 100 may comprise an exterior fastener portion 102 and an interior fastener portion 103. In embodiments, the fastener portions 102, 103 may take the form of hook and loop fasteners. The exterior fastener 102 may comprise the hooks such that the interior

2018102091 19 Dec 2018 fastener portion 103 comprises the corresponding loops so as to avoid scratching the infant's head when fastening the retention headband.

[23] As can be seen, the fastener portions 102,103 reach respective opposite ends of the retention headband 100 such that no free portions hang free when retained. Furthermore, the outside fastener portion 102 comprises a substantial length so as to allow a proper engagement by the inside fastener portion 103 across a wide range of infant head sizes. In this regard, the outside fastener portion 102 may comprise a length of greater than 50 mm which, in the specific embodiment shown in Figure 1 comprises a length of approximately 120 mm. Correspondingly, the inner fastener portion 103 may comprise a shorter length so as to be able to fasten at various portions along the outside fastener portion 102. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the outside fastener portion 103 comprises a length of approximately 25 mm.

[24] In embodiments, the retention headband 100 may be stretchable and, in this regard, may comprise elastic cotton. Cotton is preferred for user comfort and breathability. Furthermore, graphic designs may be interwoven within the elastic cotton weave.

[25] In a further preferred embodiment, the retention headband 100 is relatively thick, such as comprising a thickness of greater than a proximally 1 mm. Furthermore, the lateral edges of the retention headband 100 may be stitched or seamed. The relative thickness of the retention headband 100 and the lateral seams may enhance the securement of the associated earmuffs which, as alluded to above, typically comprise a downwardly orientated exterior slot within which the headband 100 is upwardly retained. As such, the relative thickness and edging of the retention headband 100 prevent the retention headband 100 from moving with respect to the slot, especially when applying the headband 100 or becoming disengage therefrom.

[26] So as to enhance the retention of the headband 100 to the infant's head, the inner surface of the headband 100 may comprise a friction enhancing surface. In a preferred embodiment, the inner surface is coated with silicon.

[27] In this specific embodiment shown in Figure 2, the inner silicon coating comprises a plurality of silicon headbands 103 applied to the inner surface of the headband 100.

[28] In a further preferred embodiment, the silicon headbands 103 are wavy so as to provide stretch tolerance when the retention headband 100 is stretched.

[29] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed; obviously,

Claims (19)

1. Claims

   1. An infant earmuff retention headband wherein the headband comprises a length of greater than 490 mm.
2. 2. An infant earmuff retention headband as claimed in claim 1, wherein the headband comprises a length of greater than 550 mm.
3. 3. An infant earmuff retention headband as claimed in claim 2, wherein the headband comprises a length of approximately 600 mm.
4. 4. An infant earmuff retention headband as claimed in claim 1, wherein the headband comprises elastic weave.
5. 5. An infant earmuff retention headband as claimed in claim 4, wherein the elastic weave comprises cotton.
6. 6. An infant earmuff retention headband as claimed in claim 5, wherein the elastic weave comprises interwoven graphic inlay.
7. 7. An infant earmuff retention headband as claimed in claim 1, wherein the headband defines inside and outside surfaces and wherein the headband further comprises an outside fastener portion located to an end of the headband.
8. 8. An infant earmuff retention headband as claimed in claim 7, wherein the outside fastener portion has a length of greater than 80 mm.
9. 9. An infant earmuff retention headband as claimed in claim 8, wherein the outside fastener headband has a length of approximately 120 mm.
10. 10. An infant earmuff retention headband as claimed in claim 7, wherein the headband further comprises an inside fastener portion located to an opposite end of the headband.
11. 11. An infant earmuff retention headband as claimed in claim 10, wherein the inside fastener portion comprises a length of approximately 25 mm.
12. 12. An infant earmuff retention headband as claimed in claim 1, wherein the headband comprises a width of greater than 30 mm.
13. 13. An infant earmuff retention headband as claimed in claim 10, wherein the headband comprises a width of approximately 40 mm.
14. 14. An infant earmuff retention headband as claimed in claim 1, wherein the headband comprises a thickness of greater than approximately 1 mm.
15. 15. An infant earmuff retention headband as claimed in claim 14, wherein lateral edges of the headband are seamed.
16. 16. An infant earmuff retention headband as claimed in claim 1, wherein the headband further comprises an inside friction enhancing surface.

    2018102091 19 Dec 2018
17. 17. An infant earmuff retention headband as claimed in claim 16, wherein the friction enhancing surface comprises silicon.
18. 18. An infant earmuff retention headband as claimed in claim 17, wherein the silicon comprises at least one silicon headband orientated along the length of the headband.
19. 19. An infant earmuff retention headband as claimed in claim 18, wherein the at least one silicon headband is wavy.