US20050015851A1

US20050015851A1 - Sleeping strap

Info

Publication number: US20050015851A1
Application number: US10/193,346
Authority: US
Inventors: Peter Kaufman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-07-12
Filing date: 2002-07-12
Publication date: 2005-01-27

Abstract

A sleep enhancing or distraction suppressing device consisting of a cloth band containing sound-suppressing foam inserts for the ears, held in place with a Velcro strap. Used by an individual to suppress sound and light while sleeping, with the intent of being a sort of light blocking device and ‘ear muff you can sleep in’, all rolled into one.

Description

CROSS REFERENECE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

‘Sleep’ or ‘Eye masks’, and ‘ear muffs’ have been around for many years. Typical ‘eye masks’ do not do anything to suppress sounds, which can inhibit a person from sleeping. Typical ‘ear muffs’ consist of ear muff ‘cups’ and a clamp-like metal or plastic band that clamps the thick (1-2″ wide) ear muffs against the head.
An ‘ear muff’ headgear as described above is often worn by construction factory workers to suppress sound from loud equipment in a working environment, and due to the thickness of it is not comfortable to sleep in, particularly if one tries to lie on one's side. It is also not comfortable due to the pressure exerted against the head by the ‘clamp-like’ metal or plastic clamp that holds the ‘ear muff’ pieces against the head.
U.S. Pat. No 5,224,495, to Robinson, describes a box shaped device that the user wears over his head. This device uses ear plugs, to help suppress sound, making the device uncomfortable. The box also inhibits user movement which we feels is unacceptable for something that is worn in the bed.
U.S. Pat. No 5,343,561, to Adamo, focuses on an eye mask, secured around the ears. This is very uncomfortable and would not seem to suppress noise effectively. It also would have the tendency to become disconnected while a user moved during sleep. It does not secure over the eyes, and thus would be less effective to one lying in a bed.
U.S. Pat. No 6,088,836, to De Cordova, discloses a similar noise and light suppressing strap, but uses a chin strap to secure the device. This potentially interferes with the natural opening and closing of the mouth which happens during sleep. It is also designed for a traveler who is attempting to sleep while traveling in public conveyance. It also is secured on the side of the head, as opposed to directly over the eyes, which may work for someone on public transportation, but does not address the bed sleeping individual who may sleep on one or both sides during a night of rest. Since one does not sleep directly with the face down (as it would suppress breathing), we feel the strap secured directly over the eyes allows the user more flexibility in head position while sleeping. The ‘head rest’ portion of the device also employs an ‘elastically stretchable’ fabric, which is uncomfortable to the user and when used for extended periods of time, may result in a reduction of blood flow, and or creases in the users hairdo.
In summary, earlier sleep aid devices do not function in a manner appropriate for use in one's bed. There is still a need to assist day sleepers or those with noisy neighbors by means of a device that will enable a user to comfortably sleep in a bed undisturbed while light and noise surround them.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The item relates to a sleep enhancing or distraction suppressing device consisting of a cloth band containing sound-suppressing foam inserts for the ears, held in place with a Velcro strap. Used by an individual to suppress sound and light while sleeping, with the intent of being a sort of light blocking device and ‘ear muff you can sleep in’, all rolled into one.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the strap from the outside front perspective around the head of the user.
FIG. 2 shows the strap unfolded and lying flat.
FIG. 3 Shows the front perspective of the sound-reducing foam/vinyl ‘ear muff’ part of the device by itself and outside the strap cloth.
FIG. 4 Shows the side perspective of the sound-reducing foam/vinyl ‘ear muff’ part of the device by itself.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As can be seen by reference to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the sound and light suppressing device that forms the basis of the present invention is designated in general by the reference numeral (10). The arrangement (10) consists of a cloth ‘strap’ (13), about 6 inches wide, with sound suppressing foam inserts (11), secured around the head of the user with a Velcro patch (12).
FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 offer a detailed view from the front and side of the sound suppressing foam inserts. The foam insert, designated in general by the reference number (21), is roughly 4½″ wide by 5″ inches tall. It consists of two pieces of foam, with the first piece having a roughly ⅛″ vinyl backing strip glued to it. The first foam piece (23), with the vinyl glued to it serves as the ‘backing’ to the ‘ear muff’. The second foam piece (22) consists of a ring of roughly ¼″ deep, and ⅝″ wide foam, which is glued to the first piece (23) to create the ‘ear muff’.
DRAWINGS
Drawings are inciuded on the four drawing sheets.
OATH OR DECLARATION
*See form PTO/SB/01

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is suppress noise and light distractions to enable a home user to sleep, and or relax or meditate in the comfort of their own home, or bedroom.
Another object of the invention to suppress or reduce noise so a user may enter and/or continue in a sleeping state.
Another object of the invention to suppress or reduce light so a user may enter and/or continue in a sleeping state.
Another object of the invention is to provide the sound reduction capabilities of a commercial set of earmuffs, while still being comfortable enough to sleep in for extended periods of time.
Another object of the invention is to allow the user to lie in the maximum amount of comfortable positions in their bed while still having high quality noise reduction available.
Another object of the invention is to allow the user to wear a light and sound reducing apparatus while not inhibiting their breathing or the movement of any other parts of the body, such as the chin.
Another object of the invention is to allow the user to be able to quickly remove the device. With that in mind, there is only a single Velcro patch forming the attachment.
Another object of the device is to make it economical so as to allow the sleep enhancing benefits to be available to the widest variety of people.
The objects and advantages of the invention listed so are simply examples and by no means limit this device.

Claims

1. A sleep enhancing or distraction suppressing device consisting of a cloth band containing sound-suppressing foam inserts for the ears, held in place with a Velcro strap. Used by an individual to suppress sound and light while sleeping, with the intent of being a sort of light blocking device and ‘ear muff you can sleep in’, all rolled into one.

2. The foam inserts, two per device, are designed using a sound-reduction foam/vinyl combination earmuff designed to be soft and comfortable and wrap around the ear in such a way as to enable the user to sleep or meditate without experiencing discomfort.

3. The eyes are simply covered by the ends of the cloth strap, which is secured around the head with small Velcro patches. The ends of the cloth strap are attached directly over the eye/nose area and this allows for strap adjustment for different sized heads. It also allows the user maximum flexibility to move during sleep without lying on a ‘seam’.

4. The cloth ‘strap’, about 6 inches wide, and 28 or so inches long consists of various types of fabric, including but not limited to: cotton, satin, silk, polyester and nylon.

5. The cloth ‘strap’ is made with two pieces of fabric, one inner and out piece, inside of which is located the sound suppressing foam insert (#2).

6. In between the inner piece of cloth in the strap (#4), and the foam insert (#2) is a third piece of ‘fleece’ type fabric, to provide a padding between the user and the ‘ear muff’ piece.

7. Two of the pieces of ‘fleece’ fabric (#6) are sewn into strap, one for each foam insert.

8. The small Velcro patches, 2 inches tall by 3 inches wide, being the only means by which the device is secured, allow for a user to quickly remove the device in case of emergency. No additional fastening devices are provided.