GB2524577A

GB2524577A - An ear cover

Info

Publication number: GB2524577A
Application number: GB1405594.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rebecca Walters
Original assignee: WALTERS & BUCK Ltd
Current assignee: WALTERS & BUCK Ltd
Priority date: 2014-03-28
Filing date: 2014-03-28
Publication date: 2015-09-30
Also published as: GB201405594D0

Abstract

An ear cover 10 for enhancing perception of sound from behind a cyclist, the cover being a funnel which is worn such that sound from behind the ear of a cyclist is directed towards the ear. The cover preferably has a leading edge 20 in front of the ear of a wearer, and a trailing edge 30 spaced from the head of the wearer. There is preferably a barrier 40 between the trailing edge and the leading edge. The barrier may have an S shape. The leading edge is preferable a flange, and may have a notch along an edge of the flange. The trailing edge may have a chamfered, bevelled, curved or rounded cross section. The cover may have an attachment member such as a resilient flap 80 for attaching the cover to a cycling helmet. The barrier preferably has a textured surface to improve air flow. Also claimed is an item of headwear for use with such an ear cover.

Description

AN EAR (X)VER The present invention relates generally to an ear cover for reducing wind-induced noise heard by a user due tei relative motion through air and a method of achieving the same result and finds particular. although not exclusive, utility in cycling.

Cycling is an assumed risk sport in which participan are usually held to understand the risks involved, these risks occur due to the speed at which participants travel, and their interaction with external fbctors. Tn patcular, it is recognised that cyclists are at substantial risk from other road users such as drivers of cars, vans and lorries. Such motor vehicles are kno\vn to create noise, due to the use of internal combustion engines, as well as horns and sirens, etc. However, the ability of a cyclist to hear such noises is substantially reduced due to their relative movement through the air.

A human ear is not designed to he aerodynamic. Therefore, turbulence dne to passage of air over the ear creates noise within the ear of a cyclist, reducing their ability to identify the sound of approaching vehicles. Prior solutions to this problem have involved enclosing the ear to prevent air flow against it; however, such an approach reduces the ability of the user to hear any noises, due to the acoustic insulation properties of the enclosing rriaterial.

Tn the presetit specification, reference to wind', wind-induced noise' and wind-chill' refer to the passage of air over a reference point; that is, the relative movement of air with respect to a reference point and/or an observer. In particular, reference to wind' is to be taken to include movement of an observer, apparatus, user and/or reference point through still air, and/or air that is moving with respect to the physical environment surrounding the observer, apparatus, user and/or reference point.

Reference to wind-induced noise' is to he taken to include noise due to movement of an observer, apparatus, user and/or reference point through still air, and/or air that is moving xvith respect to the physical environment surrounding the observer, apparatus, user and/or reference point. Reference to wind-chill' is to be taken to tnean an apparent reduction in observed temperature due to movement of an observer, apparatus, user and/or reference point through still air, and/or air that is moving with respect to the physical environment surrounding the observer, apparatus, user and/or reference point.

I

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ear cover for enhancing a perception by a cyclist of sound from behind the cyclist, wherein: the cover is configured te be worn by the cyclist such that wind-induced noise heard by the cyclist due to relative motion through air in a direction substantially forward of the cyclist is substantially reduced; and the cover is configured as a funnel such that, when worn by the cyclist, sound incident toward an ear of the cyclist from a direction substantially behind the cyclist is directed to the auditory canal of a user.

Tn this way, wind-induced noise can he reduced fbr a cyclist travelling forward through the air (or stationary in a headwind), thereby enabling them better to hear the sound of traffic while mounted on a bicycle.

The cover may be configured to be worn by the cyclist such that wind-induced noise heard by the cyclist due to relative motion through air in a direction substantially forward of the cyclist is substantially reduced at wind speeds of up to approximately 1 0ms, in particular up to approximately 8ms, more particularly up to approximately 7ms4.

Tn addition, an absence of air-How over a cyclist's ears also acts to reduce wind-chill, and keep a cyclist's ears more comfortable, without significantly reducing their ability to hear. More irriportaritly, noise incident on the cyclist fronri behunid, such as engine noise from vehicles, is not reduced. Tjence, there is an apparent enhancement of vehicular noise as heard by a user of the ear cover, as such noise may he focussed and/or channelled toward the user's ear by the shape and location of the ear cover. in particular, the ear cover may act as an extension to a user's pinna/auriele/aurieula. in humans, the pinna is shaped to collect sound preferentially from in front, collecting sound by acting as a funnel, amplifying the sound and directing it to the auditory canal.

In many animals, the pinna may he moved, rotated and/or directed to improve hearing.

The present invention achieves this effect by altering the hearing characteristics of a user to preferentially collect sound from behind, thereby increasing safely.

The cover may be configured as a funnel such that, when worn by the cyclist, sound incident toward the ear oF the cyclist From a direction substantially behind the cyclist is amplified.

The cover may be configured to be close-fitting at the front.

The cover may further comprise a leading edge for contact with a head of the cyclist. tvhen in use, at a position substantially in front of the ear (in particular, a first portion of the head overlying the temple, the mandible and/or the temporal. sphenoid.

zvgomattc and/or frontal bone).

The cover may comprise a wailing edge, which may be configured to he spaced from the head of the cyclist, when in use. Tn particular. the wading edge may project above a second portion of the head overhung the temporal bone, which may he substantially over and/or behind the ear. The. tailing edge may be configured to be.

spaced from the head of the cyclist, when in use, by beveen approximately 1 and 3 cm, in particular between approximately 1.5 and 2.5 cm, more particalarly approximately 2 cm.

The ear of the cyclist may be obscured from view by the cover, when in use by the cyclist, from in front, but may not be from the rear. the cover may be configured to he worn by a cyclist such that air flow to the ear of the cyclist from a direction substantially to one side of the cyclist is substantially prevented. That is, the ear of the cyclist would he obscured from view by the cover, when in use, from the side. In this way, air flow to the ear would he prevented even when the cyclist tilts and/or turns his/her head to one side.

The cover may further comprise a barrier extending between the leading edge arid tlic trailing edgc. blie barricr rriay be curved. Ihe barrier may be free of discontinuities. The barrier may have a radius of curvature that varies along an imaginary line connecting the leading edge and the trailing edge. The radius of curvature may change sign along the imaginary line. The imaginary line may have a shape substantially that of a roman letter S', sans serif.

The barrier may have a shape along an imaginary line connecting the leading edge and the trailing edge substantially that of a roman letter S. sans serif In this xvay.

air flow may be gradually directed away from the ear by the harrier. The angle of attack of a portion of the barrier may increase with spacing from the leading edge, up to some mid-point of the harrier. The angle of attack of a portion of the harrier at the leading edge may he substantially zero.

Tn addition, air Flow may he gradually directed around the ear, For instance by the Coanda effect, to reduce turbulence at the trailing edge, and hence wind-induced noise. The angle of attack of a portion of the barrier may decrease with spacing from the leading edge, beyond the mid-point of the barrier. The angle of attack of a portion of the barrier at the trailing edge may be substantially zero.

The angle of attick of portion of the barrier at the mid-point may he a maximum of between approximately 5 and 45 degrees. in particular approximately 15 and 30 degrees, more particularly approximately 20 and 25 degrees. The mid-point may be between approximately 30°/b and 70°/h of the distance from the leading edge to the trailing edge, in particular between approximately 40% and 60°/h. more particularly between approximately 45% and 55%.

The leading edge may comprise a flange. the flange may be a resilient rib arranged to extend from the barrier. In this way, the contact with the face of a cyclist may be enabled, for a variety of different face shapes. the flange may be a flap. the flange may be configured to flex and/or pivot about a hinge. the flange may be configured to flex and/or pivot along only a portion of the length of the flange.

The flange may comprise one or more notches disposed along a length of the flange. In this way, location of the flange over the cheek bone (i.e. the zygomafic hone) of a user can he enabled, such that substantially no gap is present between the flange and the face of a cyclist, \vhen in use.

The trailing edge has a cross-sectional protile that is chamfered, bevelled, curved and/or rounded.

Ihe cover may further eomiprise an attachment mnetriber configured to attach the cover to a cycling helmet. tn particular, the attachment member may be conhgured to attach to a strap of a cycling helmet, the strap being for securing the cycling helmet to a head of a cyclist. tim strap may be in the form of a 1-shape band, where a lower leg of the Y-shape passes under the chin of a cyclist, a reanvard arm of the Y-shape passes behind the ear of the cyclist and a forward arm of the Y-shape passes in front of the ear of the cyclist. The attachment member may he configured to attach to the forvvard arm of the Y-shape strap of the cycling helmet.

The attachment member may he a resilient flap, that may he arranged such that a strap of the cycling helmet may pass between the resilient flap and the harrier, in order to maintain the cover in position relative to the cycling helmet. The resilient flap may he biased sneh that it grips the strap against the harrier. The cover may he held in place on the strap by friction and/or a clamping force provided by the resilient flap.

ttowever, other mechanisms for attaeliing the ear cover to a cycling helmet are envisaged, such as by clips, clamps, hook and loop fasteners, poppers, press-studs, glue, adhesive, zip and/or any known mechanism. the atttehment member may he perminently attached to a helmet; in particular. the cover may he integrally fbrmed with a helniet. Tn this way, the cover may compnse a helmet.

Similarly, the cover may comprise any form of headgear (for instance a helmet, head band, ba]aclava, face mask, glasses, etc) and/or may he configured to attach to any such form ot headgear.

The attachment member may comprise a tab for insertion beneath an item of headgear, such as a headband, hat and/or cycling helmet, the tab may comprise hook and loop fastenings, such that the attachment member may be secured to the headgear.

the tab may therefore be gripped by the item of headgear such that the cover is held in place over a user's ear. the tab may extend upwards, when in use, to a region of the head substantially above an ear of the user.

The cover may comprise a recess for receiving an arm of a pair of glasses/spectacles therethrough, such that wearing of the glasses may he unhindered by use of the cover. The cover may comprise a ledge for receiving an arm of a pair of glasses thereon. The recess and/or the ledge may he configured for use with different designs of glasses, or the same type ofglasses. For instance, the recess and/or the ledge may he configured for use with sports glasses, fir instance having raked arms, and non-sports glasscs, for instaricc having straight anus.

The barrier may have a textured surface to improve air flow over the barrier.

The barrier may be smooth, rough, pitted, dimpled and/or flocked.

The barrier may comprise a plastics material. mbber. synthetic mbber, closed and/or open cell foani, polycarbonate, card, cardboard, leather, synthetic leather, textile materials. teflon (RI'_M), \entile (R't'M. Goretex (ktlvO, nylon and/or any other

suitable material.

The cover may further comprise a region for providing contact with the head of a user, wherein the region may comprise a material substantially softer than material forming the harrier. In this way, comfort of a user may he improved. The region may comprise elastomer/elastomerie material, such as silicone rubber and/or a thermoplastic elastomer.

The cover may further comprise a reinforcing portion, such as a stiffener. The reinforcing portion may be arranged substaithally vertically (for instance to prevent flapping of portions of the ear cover depending from the attachment member) and/or suhstantnilly horizontilly (for instance, to ensure an optimum profile of the ear cover is maintained for air flow around it.

The cover may further compnse a headband for seeming the cover onto a user's head. The headband may be used as an alternative to, or in combination with, a cycling helmet. Tn particular, the attachment member of the cover may be configured to attach the cover to a cycling helme.t and/or a headband, either individually or at the same time.

the cover may further comprise any form of headgear for securing the cover onto a user's head.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of enhancing a perception by a cyclist of sound from behind the cyclist, the method comprising the steps of: providing the cover of the first aspect; wearing of the cover by a cyclist such that: wind-induced noise heard by the cyclist due to relative motion through air in a direction substantially fonvard of the cyclist is substantially reduced; and sound incident toward the ear of the cyclist from a direction substantially behind the cyclist is directed to the auditory canal of a user.

The ear cover may be used for reducing wind-induced noise hoard bya person participating in any form of activity in which movement of the person is in a substantially fonvard dircctioni in rchitioni to surrounding airflow. 1lw cover triay therefore be conhgured to be worn by a person participating in such an activity.

Activities envisaged include alpine sports such as skiing and snowboarding, running, skateboarding. roller-skiing, skating (ice-and/or roller-), horse ridin hill/mountain xvalking, motor cycling, sailing, power boating. and/or driving; ho\vever, other activities are within the scope of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an item of headgear for use with ear covers for enhancing a perception by a cyclist of sound from behind the cyclist according to any preceding claim, the item of headgear comprising: a first part for securing the item of headgear to the cyclist's head; a second pan for securing the ear cover of any preceding claim thereto.

The item of headgear may he a helmet, a headband, a hat or any other form of headgear.

The first part may comprise a looped band configured to pass over the head of a user, in particular over the forehead of a user. The looped band may be in the form of a stretchable membrane. In this \vay, it may he configured to contour around and/or grip the user's head. The hand may form a region of encircling tension around the user's head. The band may be between approximately lcni and 15cm wide, in particular between approximately 2cm and 10cm wide, more particularly between approximately 4cm and 6cm wide.

The item of headgear may comprise an car access region, arranged to provide access to a user's ear through the item of headgear. IJor instance, the ear access region may be a first hole arranged to be adjacent to a first ear of a user when worn, there may be an car access region for each car of the user. Access to the user's cars may he, for instance, physical access or acoustic access. In particular, the access region may be configured to permit substantially more sound therethrough than the first and/or second par of the item of headgear. lEe ear access region may be sized and located to allow the portion of the harrier adjacent to the trailing edge of the ear cover to project through the item of headgear.

The second part may be configured to engage with an attachment member of the ear cover, such that the ear cover is located over an ear of the user when in use.

There may he a further second part for coupling with the other of a left and right ear cover.

Ilic second part may conripnsc a second through hole, conihgured to allow-thc flap of the cover to project therethreugh. Tn this way, the item of headgear may be gripped between the flap and the barrier of the cover. The sece mid through hole may he a slot.

The second part may comprise a substantially rigid plate. the substantially rigid plate may be arr2uaged to surround the slot; that is, the subst2uatially rigid plate may have the slot therein. The plate may he arranged adjacent to the slot, for instance at the slot's rearward side.

The plate may he configured and/or arranged to engage with the flap of the cover by passing through a gap into the region beneath the flap such that the plate is held between the flap and the barrier, hi this way, the portion of the barrier adjacent to the leading edge is disposed within the headband, in use, adjacent to the user's head.

The plate may comprise metal, a plastics material, or any other substantially rigid muaterial disclosed herein, or known to the skilled person.

The second part may comprise a pocket disposed on the inside. In this way, the portion of the barrier adjacent to the leading edge may be retained within the pocket, when in use, thereby holding the car cover in a secure position.

The second part may overlap the band, for instance by between apprciximately 10% to 90% of the width of the band, in particular between approximately 23% to 75%, more particularly between approximately 40% and 60%.

The item of headgear may include at least one ear flap arranged to extend over the cars of a user when the item of headgear is worn. Tn this way, a users car may he kept warm in cold conditions, particularly from wind chill, the item of headgear may have one ear flap for each ear of a user. the or each ear flap may be substantially non-stretch. the or each ear flap may be substantially stiff. In this way, the ear flaps may be securely held by the headband, such that they may not flap' in wind.

The item of headgear, in particular the first, the band, the second part, the ear access region, the pocket and/or the ear flaps, may comprise a fabric material, in particular a site tch and/or elastic material. More particularly, the item of headgear may comprise woven and/or fleece material, and/or some other material known in the art such as textile materials, Teflon (RTT\l), Ventile (RTNI), Goretex (RTM, lycra, spandex, silk, gauze arid/or ricoprcric.

The fabric material may be chosen to increase comfort for a user, in particular in the region where the leading edge of the barrier contacts the face of a user, in use. The fabric material may be chosen for its elasticity, in particular in any part of the item of headgear that is configured to grip either the user of the ear cover (for instance, the band, the pocket and/or the ear access region). the fabric material may be chosen for its thermal insulation properties, in particular for the ear flaps. The fabric material may he chosen for its acoustic lransmission properties,for instance the ear access region.

The item of headgear may comprise regions of differing elasticity, to accommodate a variety of head shapes.

The item of headgear may have an adjustable size. For instance the diameter of the loop may he variable, For instance by means of hook-and-loop fastenings, buttons, or some other equivalent means.

The item of headgear may be configured to extend over and/or around the cars of a user when in use.

The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. which illustrate, by way of example, the pnncip]es of the invention. This description is given fir the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 is a front perspective, view of an external surface. of a right ear cover according to the first aspect of the present invention.

Figure 2 is'a front perspective view of an interior surface of the ear cover of figure 1.

Figure 3 isa front perspective view of the ear cover of figures 1 and 2, in use on the head of a user.

Figure 4 is a front view of a head of a user wearing left and right versions of the ear cover of figures 1 to 3.

Figure 5 is a rear view of a head of the user of figure 4.

Figure 6 is a side view of a headband for retaining the ear cover of Figures 1 to S on the head of a user.

Figure 7 is an irisidc vicw of a portion of the hcadbarid of figure 6.

Figure 8 is a side view of an alternative headband for retaining the ear cover of figures I to 5 on the head of a user.

Figure 9 is an inside view of a portion of the headband of figure 8.

The present invention \vill be described with respect to certiuin draxvings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. Each drawing may not include all of the features of the invention and therefore should not necessarily he considered to he an embodiment of the invention. In the dra\vings, the size of some of the elements may he exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elemerr arid riot necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or iii any other manner. It is to be understood that the tenns so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative iosos It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

Tt is to be noticed that the tenu "comprising", used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. it is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or cornponen as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components. or groups thereof Thus, the scope of the expression "a device comprising meansiaid B" should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. it means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B. Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term "connected" used in the description, should not be interpreted as being restricted to direct connections only.

Reference throughout this specification to "an embodiment" or "an aspect" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or aspect is included in at least one enabocinaent or aspect of the present invention. thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in an embodiment", or "in an aspect" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or aspect, but may refer to different embodiments or aspects. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics of any embodiment or aspect of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner, as would he apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this

disclosure, in one or more embodiments or aspects.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to he interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Moreover, the description of any individual drawing or aspect should not necessarily be considered to he an embodiment of the invention. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed enthodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while sonic embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form yet further embodiments, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth.

However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may he practised without these specific details. Tn other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of

this description.

Tn the discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for tlie upper or lower limit of tlic perrrnttel range of a par2irTleter, coupled with an indication that one of said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter. lying betsveen the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying beveen said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

The use of the term cat least one" may mean only one in certain circumstances.

The principles of the invention will now be described by a detailed description of at least one draxving relating to exemplary features of the invention. It is clear that other arrangements can he configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the underlying concept or technical teaching of the invention, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of an external surface of an ear cover 10 according to the first aspect of the present invention, for use by a cyclist It is to be understood that ear covers for use by users other than cychsts may differ in their relative and/or absolute proportions. to suit various speeds of travel and/or for compatibilriy Ii with associated equipment such as helmets. The ear cover comprises a surface that can be placed substantially over an car of a user. The car cover 10 shown in figure 1 is configured for use over the nght ear of a user. The surface has a profile that is substantially that of a lower-case letter d (sans serif). The surface of the ear cover 10 compnses a barner 40 portion, conhgured to extend over an ear of a user, and a stabilizing portion 110, configured to re.st in contact with an upper portion of a user's head. the stabilizing portion 110 is substantially planar, having a rectangular shape, such than one surface of the pIaiar rectangular shape rests against the head of a user.

The barrier 40 has'a leading edge 20 and a trailing edge 30. the leading edge 20 is configured to be in contact with the head of a user, such that a flow of air bertveen the barrier 40 and the head of the user may be substantially prevented. the leading edge is configured to he substantially vertical, in use. The traihng edge 30 is curved such that the harrier is substantially semi-circular in shape. The trailing edge 30 is also bevelled, to discourage formation of turbulence behind the trailing edge 30 when present in a flow of air. The leading edge 20 is curved, to he optimized to the shape of a users face.

The barrier 40 is substantially curved. Tn particular, the barrier 41) curves outward, away frorri tiic user's head frorji the leading edge 20 for approximately a third of the length of the barrier 40 between the leading edge 20 and the trailing edge 30. The remaining two-thirds of the barrier 40 curves inward, toward the user's head; that is the radius of curvature has -an opposite sign. In addition the radius of curvature of the portion of the barrier adjacent to the leading edge 20 is smaller than the radius of curvature of the portion of the barrier adjacent to the trailing edge 30. In this way, the trailing edge 30 is spaced from the users head, in use. A line 50 marking the upper extent of the harrier 40 is therefore substantially S-shape in form (sans serif), as can he seen from the figures.

An attachment member 80 is provided on the portion of the harder 40 adjacent to the leading edge 20. The attachment member 80 comprises a substantially rectangular flap 80 made of the same material as the harrier 40 and extending out of the plane of the barrier 40. A hole in the bather 40 is provided immediately under the flap 80. In some embodiments, the attachment member 80 may be constructed by cutting three sides of a rectangle out of the barrier 40, and bending the rectangular flap 80 out of the plane of the harrier 40; however, other methods of construction are envisaged.

such as moulding.

The flap 80 is connected te the harrier along a first side substantially adjacent te, and substantially parallel with, the leading edge 20. Access te the region beneath the flap 80 may be via a slit aiong an upper second side, and along a lower third side, of the rectangular flap. in this way, a strap of a cycling helme.t may pass through the. slot along the upper second side, beneath the flap 80 and through the slot along the lower third side, thus retaining the ear cover 10 against a user's head.

in figure 2 the hole in the barrier 40 immediately under the flap 80 of the right ear cover 10 can be seen. A channel 90 in the interior of the flap 80 is formed by a retaining lip 85 along a fourth side of the flap 80 opposing the first side. the channel allows for improved retenfion of the strap therein. The fourth side of the flap 80 may he spaced by a gap 100 from the harrier 40 such that the flap 80 is connected to the barrier along the first side only. in this way, easy insertion and/or removal of a strap of a cycling helmet is enabled without requiring dismantling of the strap buckle.

Along the leading edge 20 of the barrier 40 is provided a flange 60. The flange is made from a flexible and/or resilient material such that it may deform under prcssurc. In tliis way, tlic flange may eomiformji to the shapc of a uscr's licad amid/or face.

in paicu1ar, the flange 60 may prevent flow of air across the leading edge 20 between the barrier 40 and a user's head. The flange 60 comprises a triangular notch 70 located approximately one third of its length from the top of the flange 60. the notch 70 provides a space for a user's cheek bone; that is. a lower contact pressure with a user's cheek bone when in use. the notch 70 also preven kinking of the flange 60 during flexing, due to the flange's 60 location on a curved portion of the leading edge 20. The notch 70, and or any additional notches (not shown) may be added to the ear cover 10 subsequent to manufacture. For instance, the notch 70 may be added by an end user, salesperson and/or an experienced/qualified fitter, to ensure that the notch 70 is suitably aligned with a user's cheek bone.

Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the right ear cover of figures 1 and 2, in use on the head 130 of a user. A portion of a helmet strap 95 is shown in position beneath the flap 80, and extending upwards towards a helmet (not shown) of the user and downwards towards the chin of the user. A space 120 can be seen between the trailing edge 30 of the harrier 40 and the user's head 130.

Figure 4 is2 front view of a head 130 of a user wearing the right ear cover 10 of figures 1 tc 3. and a left ear cover 10' that is a mirror image of the right ear cover 10.

The flanges 60 and stabilizing plates 110 are shown in contact with the user's head 130.

Figure 5 is a rear view of a head 130 of the user of figure 4. The stabilizing plates 110 are shown in contact with the user's head 130. The trailing edge 30 is shown spaced from the. user's head 130 by space 120, such that the user's ears are visible and open to airflow and incoming sound from behind.

Figure 6 is a side view of a headband 140 for retaining the ear cover 10 of figures 1 to 5 on the head 130 of a user. the headband 140 is a loop of material configured to pass over the head 130 of a user, and in particular over the forehead of a user. the headband 140 may comprise a stretch material, such that it contours around and grips the user's head 130. In particular, the stretch material forms a region of encircling tension around the user's head 130, in the form of a band approximately Scm wide extending around the head of the user 130.An upper 145 and lower 155 penphery of the headband is bounded by a hem (although other kinds of edging and/or finishing are envisaged), with stitching 160 shown as a dotted line.

The headband 140 includes ear flaps 150 arranged to extend over the ears of a user. itt this way, a user's cars rTiay be kept wanu it cold conditions, particularly frorji wind chill.

The ear flaps 150, in the present embodiment may be made from a less stretch material than the portion of the headband 140 forming the region of encircling tension.

In particular, the ear flaps 150 may be constructed of a more stiff material. In this way.

the ear flaps 150 wili not flex away from the user's head 130 at their lowermost extent.

The ear flaps 130 shown in the figure extend across the boundary of the region of encircling tension, toward an upper boundary thereof (for instance, only approximately 1 to 2 cm from a top periphery of the headband 140). In this way, the ear flaps 130 are securely held by the headband 140, and will not flap' in wind.

An ear access region 170 is lecated in the ear flaps 150, allowing access to the user's ears. The ear access region 170 may he a hole, and/or it may be a material having acoustic transmission properties greater than those of the ear flaps 150. In this way, the user's hearing may not be inhibited by wearing the headband. The ear access region 170 is sized to allow the portion of the barrier 40 adjacent to the trailing edge 30 to project through the ear flap 150. In particular, the ear access region 170 may comprise a stretchable membrane having a greater elasticity than the material ot the headband 140.

A slot 180 is provided in the car flap 150 that allows the flap 80 of the cover 10 to project therethrough. In this way, the ear flap 150 may be gripped between the flap 80 and the barrier 40 of the cover 10.

Figure 7 shows an inside, view of the. ear flap 150 and a portion of the headband adjacent to the ear flap 150. As can be seen the material of the ear flap 150 also extends over the material of the region of encirchng tension on the inside of the headband 140, as well as on the outside of the headband. this additional material may contribute to (or be in addition to) the apparent stiffness of the ear flap 150 when compared to the region of encircling tension of the headband 140.

A substantially rigid plate 190 is provided surrounding the slot 180. Tn altemative embodiments, the plate 190 may merely he adjacent to the slot 180, for instance at the slot's 180 rearward side. Tn any event, the plate 190 extends into the region of encircling tension such that secure positioning of the ear cover 10 may he enabled, thus preventing the ear cover 10 from flapping in wind.

The plate 190 is configured and/or arranged to engage with the flap 80 of the cover 10 by p sing tlirough gap 100 into tle region beneatli flap 80 sucl tliat the plate is held between the retaining lip 85 and the harrier 40. Tn this way, the portion of the barrier 40 adjacent to the leading edge 20 is disposed within the headband 140, in use, adjacent to the user's head 130.

The headband 140 Lirther comprises a pocket 200 disposed on the inside of the ear flap 150, such that the portion of the barrier 40 adjacent to the leading edge 20 may be retained within, when in use. The pocket is made from a fabric material and act to increase comfort for a user in the region where the leading edge 20 of the barrier is in contact with the face of a user. The pocket may also act to improve contact with the face of a user, to prevent undesirable airflow beneath the ear cover 10, act to increase stiffness of the ear flap 150 still further, and also act to hold the ear cover 10 in a secure position.

Figure 8 is a side view of an alternative headband 141 for retiining the ear cover of figures 1 to 5 on the head 130 of a user. The headband 141 is similar to the headband 140 of figures 6 and 7, and differs in the following manner. The headband 141 may comprise a stretch material that forms a region of encircling tension around the user's head 130. An upper 143 and lower 133 periphery of the headband is bounded by a hem (although other kinds of edging and/or finishing arc envisaged), with stitching 161) shown as a dotted hue.

The headband 141 comprises car flaps 151 arranged to extend over the cars of a user. The ear flaps 151 in the present embodiment are not separate from the poflion of the headband 141 forming the region of encircling tension, and do not depend from that portion of the headband 141. Rather the ear flaps 151 are integrally formed with, and form putt of, the region of encircling tension. Tn this way, the ear flaps 151. when in use, will grip the head of a user beneath their ears, and/or will grip the ears of the user against their head.

The headband 141 comprises a rear portion 152, which may be composed of a material having an elasticity substantially greater than the remaining headband 141. In this way, the headband 141 may be configured to grip a user's head around the back (for instance, around the external occipital protiiheratcc.

Figure 9 shows an inside view of the ear flap 151 and a portion of the headband 141 of figure 8 adjacent to the ear flap 151. The headband 141 does not comprise a plate 190 nor a pocket 200. Rather, the elastic properties of the headband 141 hold the ear cover 10 in place, when iii use, as an alteniative to the arrangement shown in figures 7 and 8. Reinforcing material surrounds the hole 170 and slot 180. In alternative embodiments, the material extends across the top and bottom of the slot 180 to avoid weakness, that could result in possible tearing of the headband.

Claims

(:LAIMS 1. An ear cever fbr enhancing a percepflon by a cyclist of sound from behind the cyclist, wherein: the cover is configured to be wom by the cyclist such that wind-induced noise heard by the cyclist due to relative motion through air in a direction substantially fonvard of the cyclist is substantially reduced; and the cover is configured as a funnel such that, when wori by the cyclist, sound incident toward an ear of the cyclist from a direction substantially behind the cyclist is directed to the auditory canal of a user.
2. The cover of claim 1, wherein the cover is configured as a funnel such that.when worn by the cyclist, sound incident toward the ear of the cyclist from a direction substantially behind the cyclist is amplified.
3. The cover of claim 1 or claim 2, comprising a leading edge for contact with a head of the cyclist, when in use, at a position substantially in front of the ear.
4. The cover of any preceding claim, comprising a trailing edge, configured to be spaced from the head of the cyclist, when in use.
5. The cover of claim 4, when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 2 and claim 3. further comprising a barrier extending betveen the leading edge and the trailing edge.
6. The cover of claim 3, wherein the harrier has a shape along an imaginary line connecting the leading edge and the trailing edge substantially that of a roman letter S. sans serif.
7. The cover of claim 2 or any one of claims 3 to 6, when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 2, wherein the leading edge comprises a flange.
8. The cover of claim 7, wherein the flange comprises a notch disposed along a length of the flange.
9. The cover of claim 3 or any one of claims 4 to 8, when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 3, wherein the trailing edge has a cross-sectional prohle that is chamfered, bevelled, curved and/or rounded.
10. The cove.r of any preceding claim, further comprising an attachment member configured to attach the cover to a cycling helmet.
11. The cover of claim 10, \vhen dependent directly or indirectly on claim 5, wherein the attachment member is a resilient flap, arranged such that a strap of the cycling helmet may pass beveen the resilient flap and the barrier, in order to maintain the cover in position relative to the cycling helmet.
12. The cover of claim 5 or any one of claims 6 to II, when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 5, \vherein the bather has a textured surface to improve air flow over the barrier.
13. Ilie cover of claim 5 or arty one of claims 6 to 12, when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 5, further comprising a region fbr providing contact with the head of a user, wherein the region comprises a material substantially softer than material forming the barrier.
14. The cover of any preceding claim, further comprising a headband for securing the cover onto a user's head.
15. A method of enhancing a perception by a cyclist of sound from behind the cyclist, the method comprising the steps oti providing the cover of any preceding claim; wearing oF the cover by a cyclist such that: wind-induced noise heard by the cyclist due to relative motion through air in a direction substaithally forward of the cyclist is substantially reduced; and sound incident toward the ear of the cyclist from a direction 5LTI)5tutL:illS behind the cyclist is directed to the auditory canal ofa user.
16. An item of headgear for use with ear covers for enhancing a perception by a cyclist of sound from behind the cyclist according to any preceding claim, the item of headgear comprising: a first part for securing the item of headgear to the cyclist's head; a second part for securing the car cover of any preceding claim therete.
17. The item of headgear of claim 16, wherein the first part comprises a looped band configured to pass over the head of a user.
18. The item of headgear of claim 16 or claim 17, comprising an ear access region, arranged to provide access to a user's ear through the item of headgear.
19. The item of headgear of any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the second part is configured to engage with an attachment member of the ear cover, such that the ear cover is located over art car of the user when iii usc.
20. The item of headgear of any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the second part comprises a second through hole, configured to allow the flap of the cover to project therethrough.
21. The item of headgear of any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein the second part comprises a substantially rigid plate.
22. The item of headgear of any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein the second part comprises a pocket disposed on the inside.
23. The item of headgear of any one of claims 16 to 22, wherein the second part overlaps the band.
24. The item of headgear of any one of claims 16 to 23, including at least one ear Hap arranged to extend over the ears ofa user when the item of headgear is worn.
25. An ear cover hereinhefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.