US20170360616A1 - Sound muffling headwear - Google Patents
Sound muffling headwear Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20170360616A1 US20170360616A1 US15/450,742 US201715450742A US2017360616A1 US 20170360616 A1 US20170360616 A1 US 20170360616A1 US 201715450742 A US201715450742 A US 201715450742A US 2017360616 A1 US2017360616 A1 US 2017360616A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- wearer
- shell
- wall
- head
- rim
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F11/00—Methods or devices for treatment of the ears or hearing sense; Non-electric hearing aids; Methods or devices for enabling ear patients to achieve auditory perception through physiological senses other than hearing sense; Protective devices for the ears, carried on the body or in the hand
- A61F11/06—Protective devices for the ears
- A61F11/14—Protective devices for the ears external, e.g. earcaps or earmuffs
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A42—HEADWEAR
- A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
- A42B1/00—Hats; Caps; Hoods
- A42B1/018—Hats; Caps; Hoods with means for protecting the eyes, ears or nape, e.g. sun or rain shields; with air-inflated pads or removable linings
- A42B1/0186—Hats; Caps; Hoods with means for protecting the eyes, ears or nape, e.g. sun or rain shields; with air-inflated pads or removable linings with means for protecting the ears or nape
- A42B1/0188—Protection for the ears, e.g. removable ear muffs
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- A42B1/068—
Definitions
- This invention relates to head gear and, more particularly, to novel systems and methods for earmuffs.
- Shooters earmuffs' resemble private stereo headphones, being manufactured with a large, hard, plastic or other composite material cavity that surrounds the ear.
- the two, hemispherical, hard shells corresponding to the two ears of a user are often made of a plastic such a styrene or a styrene mixture, other structural materials, fiber-reinforced plastic, or the like.
- Each hemispherical shell is sufficiently large to fit around the respective ear of a user, receive the ear therein.
- a resilient liner is secured along the circumference of each shell in order to deform and deflect at the surface of the head of a user, in order to fit against the head of a user surrounding the ear.
- parents often desire to reduce noise to which children are exposed, particularly during sleep, when walking in a stroller along streets bearing substantial traffic, and so forth. What is needed is a sound-attenuation system more in keeping with the physical realities of infant physiology, sound deadening technology, ease of use, comfort, and so forth.
- the apparatus and method in accordance with the invention may rely on embedding various mechanisms for attenuating, deadening, and otherwise muffling sound impinging on the ears of an infant into other infant headgear.
- This application also incorporates by reference U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/351,352, filed on Jan. 9, 2009.
- a user of adult headgear virtually never uses sound-deadening equipment with a winter cap. These two items are mutually exclusive in that each needs to occupy the same space near the head of a user.
- an infant may be provided with a cap, hat, blanket, other clothing, and so forth to protect against comparatively cooler weather.
- sound-deadening devices are embedded in headwear or headgear such as headbands, caps, hats, and so forth.
- headwear or headgear such as headbands, caps, hats, and so forth.
- the ears of a wearer (infant) are each enclosed in a respective flexible shell.
- Shells in accordance with present invention may be formed of a compliant elastomeric material, such as silicone, urethane, or other non-structural material.
- a compliant elastomeric material such as silicone, urethane, or other non-structural material.
- the softness, stiffness, durometer-measured hardness, and bending deflection of the shells approximate those of the shells.
- the shells surrounding the ears of the user in accordance with the current invention provide deadening of sound directly through the walls of the shells, unlike adult systems, which simply transmit the sound therethrough to be deadened elsewhere Likewise, in an apparatus and method in accordance with the invention, the shell may be sealed against the side of the head of a user by a combination of distortion of a liner portion of the shell, and deflection of the shell, changing its fundamental shape to conform by bending about the cranium of a wearer.
- Additional mechanisms including elastomeric, dampening materials, comforting or warming fabrics, and the like may be installed in the interior of the shells in order to add comfort, support, or sound dampening for the benefit of a wearer.
- the shell may be supported by ties, ligatures, laces, straps, or the like.
- a flap portion of headgear may hold some or all of the shell, and have a tie placed at one extremum, opposite the hat.
- an apparatus and method in accordance with the invention may rely on circumferential loading along an arc proceeding from proximate the hat down through the ear flap, and under the chin of a wearer. Forces will necessarily be less applying pressure to the head of a wearer from the shells.
- the shells are themselves quite flexible, fabricated from elastomeric materials in comparatively thin gauges, a user will not have to serve as a resistance to a strong spring. Instead, the shells are readily deformable about any radius or diameter in response to the draw of a line such as a tie, lanyard, strap, or the like. Accordingly, complete contact can be assured.
- the elastomeric material of the shells is sufficiently impervious to fluid transport as to block frequencies of sound in substantially all ranges.
- the elastomeric material of the shell enables blocking, by the shell, sound propagated from the environment surrounding the wearer against impingement upon the eardrum of a user.
- some limits exist to the ability to attenuate sound.
- sound waves, as other waves pass through openings characterized according to their relationship to the wave length passing therethrough.
- the polymeric or elastomeric polymer of which the shells are formed may be continuous and contiguous throughout the shell, thus attenuating all wavelengths.
- the shell comprises an outer wall, an offset wall, a rim, and a flange, all formed continuously, contiguously and homogeneously of a single material.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the invention worn by a user;
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a sound-attenuation insert in one embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with invention
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of headgear suitable for including a sound-reducing earmuff in accordance with the invention
- FIG. 4 is alternative embodiment of headgear for containing sound-reducing earmuffs
- FIG. 5 is a left side perspective view of one embodiment of a shell for an earmuff for reducing sound, in accordance with the invention.
- FIG. 6 is a right side perspective view thereof
- FIG. 7 is a right side elevation view thereof
- FIG. 8 is a left side elevation view thereof
- FIG. 9 is a top plan view thereof.
- FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view thereof
- FIG. 11 is a rear elevation view thereof
- FIG. 12 is a front elevation view thereof
- FIG. 13 is a left side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a shell in accordance with the invention.
- FIG. 14 is a right side perspective view thereof
- FIG. 15 is a right side elevation view thereof
- FIG. 16 is a left side elevation view thereof
- FIG. 17 is a top plan view thereof
- FIG. 18 is a bottom plan view thereof
- FIG. 19 is a rear elevation view thereof
- FIG. 20 is a front elevation view thereof
- FIG. 21 is a partially cut away perspective view of an alternative embodiment of headgear in accordance with the invention, illustrating the sound-reducing earmuff installed in the housing formed in an earflap of the headgear;
- FIG. 22 is a partially cut away, cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the earmuff and housing expanded in exploded view.
- FIG. 23 is a rear elevation, partially cut away, cross-sectional view of a housing and earmuff in accordance with the invention.
- Sound muffling headwear is provided herein that includes a flexible circumferential band.
- the term circumferential band shall be broadly understood to mean a band that forms a continuous perimeter, although it may be formed of more than one piece.
- the sound muffling headwear includes flexible housings coupled to or integrated with the circumferential band. The flexible housings are configured to receive earmuffs. When assembled, the circumferential band and the flexible housing cooperate to place the earmuffs in proximity with a wearer's ears to thereby provide muffle or reduce ambient noises detected by the wearer, such as a child.
- the circumferential band can be made of a fabric material with a soft hand, such as a fleece material.
- a fabric material with a soft hand such as a fleece material.
- Allowing the user to comfortably wear the headwear can in turn help ensure that the user will not become annoyed by the headwear and remove it.
- Such a configuration can help ensure that the headwear will remain in place and thus be allowed to muffle sound to thereby protect the wearer.
- the circumferential nature of the flexible band can also further ensure that the headwear will remain in place.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of sound muffling headwear 10 .
- the sound muffling headwear 10 includes a flexible circumferential band 12 .
- the sound muffling headwear 10 further includes housings 14 coupled to or integrated with the flexible circumferential band 12 .
- the housings 14 are configured to receive earmuffs 20 .
- the earmuffs 20 can be secured to the housings 14 in any suitable manner.
- the earmuffs 20 can be sewn into the housing 14 .
- the housings 14 can be configured as flapped pockets such that the earmuffs 20 can be removably coupled to the housings 14 . It will be appreciated that the earmuffs 20 can be secured to the housings 14 in any suitable manner.
- the flexible circumferential headband 12 can be formed of any suitable material, including cloth or fabric materials.
- the flexible circumferential band 12 can be formed of a fleece material.
- the flexible circumferential band 12 can also include elastic properties which allow the flexible circumferential band 12 to stretch to be readily fitted to a wearer.
- the circumferential band 12 can have an adjustable circumference.
- One such example can be provided to include headwear configured as an adjustable cap, such as an adjustable baseball-style cap.
- the housings 14 can be formed of flexible material, such as a cloth or fabric material.
- the housings 14 can be formed of the same or different materials than the flexible circumferential band 12 .
- the housings 14 can be formed of a cloth material with a soft hand and wicking properties to allow the earmuffs 20 to be comfortably maintained in close proximity to a wearer's ears.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one of the earmuffs taken along section 2 - 2 of FIG. 1 .
- the earmuff 20 can include a base layer 22 and additional layers 24 , 26 .
- the base layer 22 can be formed of any flexible material with sound muffling properties.
- the base layer 22 can be formed of a neoprene material.
- the base layer 22 and/or the other layers 24 , 26 can be formed of closed cell rubber, closed cell foam, memory foam, or any other material.
- the additional layers 24 , 26 can be secured to each other and to the base layer 22 to form a recess.
- layer 24 can be formed of a sound muffling material, such as neoprene.
- Layer 26 can also be formed of a softer material having sound muffling properties.
- Further layer 26 can be formed of a material that conforms to the wearer.
- layer 26 can be formed of a memory foam material. The layers 24 , 26 cooperate to form a recess configured to engage or receive a wearer's ear.
- the recess can be at least partially filled with a soft material 28 that can have sound muffling properties as well.
- the recess can be at least partially filled with a soft foam material that can have antibacterial properties.
- the layers 24 , 26 can be secured to the base layer 22 in any suitable manner.
- silicone such as aquarium-grade silicone gel, can be used to secure layer 24 to the base 22 and/or to secure layer 26 to layer 24 . It has been found that the use of silicone provides additional sound muffling properties, thereby enhancing the efficacy of the noise muffling headwear in isolating noise.
- the earmuffs 20 are part of noise muffling headwear that is configured as a headband. It will be appreciated that other configurations are possible. Several additional configurations will be described in more detail below.
- FIG. 3 illustrates noise muffling headwear 10 according to one example.
- the noise muffling headwear 10 includes an optional top portion 30 secured to or integrated with the flexible circumferential headband 12 and optional lower straps 32 integrated with the housings 14 .
- the noise muffling headwear 10 can be configured as a beanie or a toque.
- noise muffling headwear 10 can also include a bill 38 coupled to or integrated with the flexible circumferential headband 12 such that the noise muffling headwear 10 is configured as a cap. Accordingly, the noise muffling headwear can be configured in any number of ways.
- various alternatives to the system 10 may be embodied in various bands 12 or caps 30 or combinations thereof.
- the housings 14 may be embodied in earflaps 16 associated with caps 30 or top portions 30 . That is, a band 12 may be part and parcel of, integrated completely and seamlessly within, the top portion 30 , to form a cap 30 .
- a cap 30 may be a top portion 30 fastened to a band 12 .
- an integrated cap 30 that includes the band integrally and inseparably, even seamlessly, attached, or a band 12 that has been seamed, sewn, bonded, or otherwise attached to a top portion 30 , the earflaps 16 are best provided in a configuration that extends down to cover the ears of a user, while leaving the face free for sight, breathing, and so forth.
- the earflaps 16 may form all or part of the housings 14 over the ears, respectively.
- any type of decoration 34 that may be printed on, be attached to, extend from, or otherwise be connected with a cap 30 may be added, included, integrated, or the like.
- the decoration 34 is a design choice or an arbitrary aesthetic choice of a user or designer.
- decorative elements 34 will not influence the function, design, appearance, configuration, or science of the earmuffs 20 located within the housings 14 .
- the earflaps 16 may include straps 32 or ties 32 for securing the earflaps 16 together around the jaw line or chin of a wearer.
- straps 36 may include closures such as snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, buckles, or the like. Regardless of whether the straps 36 or the ties 32 are relied upon, or entirely absent, the earflaps 16 are best able to function to maintain coverage if a degree of tension in a circumferential direction around the crown of the head, or in a circumferential path under the chin and over the top of the crown of the head, exists in the headgear system 10 .
- the strap 32 , 36 or the headband 12 applying a circumferential tensile force is valuable in the operation of the earmuffs 20 .
- the circumferential tension applied to the earflaps 16 supports a snug compressive force against the earmuffs 20 , transmitted through the housings 14 .
- earmuffs 20 in accordance with the invention may rely on a shell 40 formed of an elastomeric polymer formed to fit around an ear of a user.
- the material selected for molding, forming, shaping, or otherwise manufacturing a shell 40 should be selected to have a durometer value of hardness (the reciprocal of softness, qualitatively) that is close to that of human tissue.
- the thickness, material properties, dimensions, bending stress, and so forth may be selected such that the shell 40 itself acts approximately the same in resistance, deformability, mechanical properties, or flexure as the human ear.
- the material of the shell 40 should approximate of skin or human flesh. In this way, pressure exerted against any portion of the head of a wearer is limited by the size, shape, and material properties of the configuration and material of the shell 40 . In this way, the comfort may be assured of a user who is often incapable of a specific complaint, may be assured.
- the shell 40 may be formed to have an outer surface 41 that will receive sound waves impinging thereon from the environment surrounding a wearer.
- a flange 42 may be used as a manufacturing device for delivery of resin into a mold, as well as a fastening mechanism for securing the shell 40 into the housing 14 .
- the flange 42 may be included in manufacture only, manufacturing and installation, or may be present in manufacture and removed for assembly. In yet other embodiments, the flange 42 may be completely dispensed with, and the shells 40 may be manufactured by any suitable polymeric molding process. Absent the flange 42 , positioning and securing the shells 40 to the housing portion 14 of the earflaps 16 may require bonding, fastening, clipping, pinning, sewing, or other fastening mechanisms in order to stabilize and position the shells 40 to surround the ears of a wearer.
- the inner surface 43 of the shell 40 may or may not touch the head or ears of a wearer.
- the pocket 44 or cavity 44 formed in the interior of the shell 40 by the inner surface 43 of the shell 40 receives an ear of a user. Nevertheless, the pocket 44 may be shaped in one of several ways.
- the pocket 44 is monotonically decreasing in effective diameter as one proceeds along an axis perpendicular to the flange 42 , and from the flange 42 outboard toward the offset wall 46 and outer wall 48 .
- the pocket 44 may expand in effective diameter before closing back to a reduced diameter at the outer wall 48 , if at all.
- the proportions of the shell 40 as illustrated serve adequately.
- the rim 50 is the only portion of the shell 40 in contact with the person of a wearer.
- the offset wall 46 has an effective diameter encircling an axis passing through the center thereof. It is perpendicular to the flange 42 , approximately perpendicular to the outer wall 48 , which is adequate to receive an ear of a user, and still accommodate additional padding.
- the rim 50 specifically remains completely empty.
- the rim 50 is designed to form or encompass a continuous, uninterrupted, completely closed loop having a U-shaped cross-section. That shallow U cross-section has an outer leg in contact with a head of a user beside the ear of the user. That leg of the U is free to bend, fold, collapse, or the like, in order to relieve any localized stress.
- the shape of a head of a user is not a flat plane. Below and behind the ear, the skull typically recedes away from the ear. Accordingly, the straps 32 , 36 , securing the earflaps 16 will tend to form the housings 14 around the head of a user.
- the housing 14 will itself tend to load the shell 40 and bend it to conform to the head of a user. Bending stresses may bend the shell 40 , thus bringing the rim 50 into complete contact about its entire circumference against the head of a user. To the extent that localized adjustments are necessary or valuable, they will be automatically made by deflection of the shell 40 itself. Generally, in response to bending loads, or by localized deflection or even collapse of the outer leg of the U cross-section of the rim 50 , an effectively air-right seal is made by the rim against the head.
- the shell 40 in accordance with the invention to have the rim 50 of about the same wall thickness as the offset wall 46 , the outer wall 48 , and so forth.
- the flange 42 being of the same thickness is less important, but may be of the same thickness in order to assist in manufacturing and assembly (e.g., sewing, stitching, etc.) processes.
- an injection mold works most efficiently if all web thicknesses being molded are of the same dimension or value. A thin wall is also more easily penetrated for stitching.
- the flexible material of the shell 40 may be any suitable material such as polyurethane, neoprene, silicone, or other elastomeric polymers having the proper durometer hardness values, structural strength, ultimate tensile strength, deflection with load, resilience, elasticity, and so forth.
- the offset wall 46 serves to offset the outer wall 48 away from both the flange 42 and the rim 50 .
- the offset wall 46 proceeds from the corner 52 or vertex 52 between the flange 42 and the offset wall 46 extends toward the outer wall 48 .
- the offset wall 46 begins as a continuous, contiguous, homogeneous material formed with the flange 42 . It proceeds from the corner 52 defined by circumferential curve in the illustrations. It proceeds outward, but angled toward its central axis, ultimately arriving at the corner 54 or vertex 54 . That vertex 54 is represented by another curve extending circumferentially at a smaller effective radius and circumference.
- effective diameter is considered to be a hydraulic diameter.
- a hydraulic diameter is twice a hydraulic radius.
- a hydraulic radius is four times an area divided by its perimeter.
- an effective diameter may be calculated for the outer wall 48 and the inner and outer corners 52 , 54 (vertices 52 , 54 ) that bound the offset wall 46 , and the rim 50 .
- an effective diameter for the flange 42 may be calculated.
- an effective diameter for the flange 42 may be calculated.
- a system 10 or headgear 10 in accordance with the invention may have sewn into or otherwise secured between different layers 14 a, 14 b of the housing 14 a flange 42 of a shell 40 .
- the layers 14 a, 14 b may be thought of as an outside layer 14 a, and an inside layer 14 b of a housing 14 .
- the inside layer 14 b is not necessarily required.
- the flange 42 may be secured directly to the outside layer 14 a.
- the housing 14 may be made as two portions 14 a, 14 b.
- a trailing reference letter signifies a specific instance of an item identified by the reference numeral. Accordingly, it is proper to speak of a housing 14 as well as a housing 14 a, 14 b, or the like.
- one embodiment of an apparatus and system 10 in accordance with the invention may provide a stack up beginning at an outermost extreme with a layer 14 a of a housing 14 .
- a shell 40 providing an inner surface 41 , a flange 42 , and an outer surface 43 , all defining a pocket 44 or cavity 44 to receive an ear of a user wearing the headgear 10 .
- the rim 50 is formed inboard (toward the wearer) of the flange 42 .
- the flange 42 may be sewn, bonded, stitched, tied, stapled, riveted, or otherwise fastened between the two layers 14 a, 14 b of the housing 14 .
- the shell 40 may be stabilized within the earflap 16 of the headgear 10 .
- the inner wall 43 of the shell 40 may receive various additional components.
- a contact layer 56 closest to the actual skin of a user may be a contact layer 56 .
- the contact layer 56 may be formed of the same material as the housing 14 .
- a contact layer 56 may be formed of fleece, terry cloth, synthetic fur, or other soft, insulating fabric pleasant to the touch.
- the contact layer 56 may form part of a comfort system providing not only soft contact, but insulation value against outdoor temperatures. For example, if the shell 40 were exposed to outside temperatures on the outer surface 41 , and had no additional lining elements on the inside surface 43 , it may not provide the secondary benefit of sufficient warmth for the wearer.
- a contact surface 57 may actually contact the skin, typically on the ear. It may possibly touch on a portion of the head, but typically only the ear of a user.
- an optional layer 58 may operate as a filler or deflection layer 58 .
- the layer 58 is a compliant, virtually unresistant, open-cell elastomeric foam. It is entirely optional. However, sound deadening material, thermally insulating material, comparatively soft (low spring constant) easily deflected material or the like may be used in an optional layer 58 .
- a liner 60 is typically is installed along the entire interior surface 43 of the shell 40 , outboard of the rim 50 .
- Inelastic, sound dampening, memory foam serves well.
- the rim 50 is typically completely empty in order to accommodate its need for deflection and deformability to fit against the head of a wearer.
- the liner 60 typically is formed of an expanded elastomeric polymer.
- urethane, neoprene, or the like containing embedded air bubbles may be formed as an open-cell or closed-cell foam.
- a closed-cell foam will tend to deaden the sound.
- inelastic foams e.g., memory foam
- the liner 60 when formed of inelastic material tends to dampen sound by delaying transmission because it is deformable inelastically.
- foam such as memory foam, and other rheologically inelastic materials may actually return elastically to their initial position, but with such a delay that sound, deflection, force, and the like are not immediately transmitted as would be the case in exactly elastic material.
- the liner 60 may be bonded to the inside surface 43 of the shell 40 .
- the liner 60 may extend along the inside surface , entire outer wall 48 , and even along all or part of the offset wall 46 provides the offset by spacing the outer wall 48 away from the rim 50 .
- the surface of the head of a user may present a contact line 62 or contact plane 62 .
- the contact line 62 may be outboard from the rim 50 .
- the first compliance or deflection in order to accommodate movement by a user of the contact line 62 in an outboard direction is the rim 50 .
- the rim 50 may deflect to accommodate any variation from an absolute planar configuration along the contact line 62 . Put another way, the rim thereof may be bendable in response to pressure exerted thereagainst from a surface of the skin of the wearer.
- the entire outer most edge of the rim 50 may typically be in contact with a plane 62 . Nevertheless, the head of a user is not a plane. It is not planar and may necessarily deflect portions of the rim 50 about its circumference as necessary.
- the rim 50 provides a comparatively minimal deflection defined by the thickness of the rim 50 or the wall of the rim 50 and the distance from the flange 42 out to the contact line 62 or contact plane 62 .
- the bending deflecting of the shell 40 may be greater than that of the rim 50 .
- Beam deflection of the rim may occur with a degree of resistance, inasmuch as the entire circumference of the rim 50 is uninterrupted. Nevertheless, the rim 50 may roll under itself or collapse locally in order to accommodate deflections, with only nominal force required. Thus, the rim 50 is able to maintain a substantially airtight seal against the head, around the ear of a user.
- the layer 14 b may typically be formed of a loose fabric such as a fleece, felt, knit, or other comparatively soft and deformable material.
- the head of a user may contact the layer 14 b when the contact line 62 is deflected sufficiently to the right in the illustrated embodiment.
- Additional deflection may also be available to a user in reliance on the outer layer 14 b of the housing 14 .
- the arrows illustrate tension forces 64 existing within the outer layer 14 b of the housing 14 due to the ties 32 , 36 securing the earflaps 16 toward one another.
- the direction of the forces 64 will be different. Nevertheless, a tensile force acting circumferentially about the crown of the head may be applied.
- the resultant force vector acting on the shell 40 as a result of the tensile forces 64 in the housing portion 14 a may be compressive in nature.
- the arrows 66 showing compressive forces 66 tend to provide deflection, such as by beam bending, in the cross section of the shell 40 .
- the outer layer 14 a may apply sufficient loading to deform or deflect the shell 40 in beam bending.
- the entire shell 40 may deflect, rendering it more easily conformal to the shape of the head of a wearer.
- the dimensions of thickness, length, width, circumference, and so forth are selected, and particularly the wall thickness, in order to provide an ease of deflection that corresponds to about the same levels of force and stress as would deflect skin or bend an ear of a user.
- the system 10 and the skin and ear of a user may provide about the same levels of force against one another. In this way, the system 10 provides deflection to accommodate the shape of the head of ears of a user, without causing undue stress, and consequent development of pain.
- Stitches 68 or stitching 68 may pass from the outside of each of the layers 14 a, 14 b of the housing 14 through to one another, by way of the flange 42 .
- the shell 40 may be bonded to one or more of the layers 14 a, 14 b.
- Glue, heat, melting of base material in the housing 14 , shell 40 , or both, riveting, stapling, or the like may still be done to secure the outer wall 48 , for example, to the outer layer 14 a.
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- Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
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Abstract
A headband, cap, hat, or the like worn by a child, particularly an infant, includes an embedded sound-attenuation system to protect hearing against loud sounds that might startle, awaken, or injure a wearer. Shells formed of a comparatively soft and flexible elastomeric material are secured against the head of a user, each enclosing an ear in an air tight chamber, to close down the transmission paths available to sound waves. The shells are impervious to air, and flexible to conform to the head when secured by the headgear in which the shells are embedded. Each shell is provided with a rim, sufficiently flexible to deform and deflect into complete, sealed contact with the head.
Description
- This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/725,226 filed Dec. 21, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- This invention relates to head gear and, more particularly, to novel systems and methods for earmuffs.
- Adults who are exposed to dangerous levels of noise may wear hearing protection. Shooters, factory workers who operate noisy machinery, industrial workers who work in noisy environments, and so forth may wear hearing protection. The two most common types of protection are the moldable, memory-foam, plugs that can be molded to a comparatively small diameter for insertion into the outer ear canal, and which then over a matter of seconds or minutes will expand to a larger diameter in order to occlude sound waves entering the outer ear canal of a wearer.
- Shooters earmuffs' resemble private stereo headphones, being manufactured with a large, hard, plastic or other composite material cavity that surrounds the ear. The two, hemispherical, hard shells corresponding to the two ears of a user are often made of a plastic such a styrene or a styrene mixture, other structural materials, fiber-reinforced plastic, or the like. Each hemispherical shell is sufficiently large to fit around the respective ear of a user, receive the ear therein. Typically, a resilient liner is secured along the circumference of each shell in order to deform and deflect at the surface of the head of a user, in order to fit against the head of a user surrounding the ear.
- Necessarily, such systems require substantial force to be applied to the shells by a spring formed in an arc passing from one shell up over the crown of the head and down to the other shell. The force is sufficient that some alignment is often required, giving rise to a pivot system by which each shell may pivot in at least one dimension, about at least one axis with respect to the powerful spring.
- Infants are less likely to be in environments requiring hearing protection. Nevertheless, to avoid startling an infant, waking an infant, protect infant ears, or otherwise to provide attenuations of sound, conventional sound-attenuating earmuffs simply do not serve. Notwithstanding the inappropriate size, such a technique of using a spring force, typically applied by a steel spring, to apply a pressure force against the head of a wearer would be not only uncomfortable but dangerous to an infant. An infant can neither complain, identify the source of discomfort, nor participate in adjusting or finding another solution to the problem.
- Nevertheless, parents often desire to reduce noise to which children are exposed, particularly during sleep, when walking in a stroller along streets bearing substantial traffic, and so forth. What is needed is a sound-attenuation system more in keeping with the physical realities of infant physiology, sound deadening technology, ease of use, comfort, and so forth.
- In accordance with the problems and adult solutions discussed hereinabove, in one embodiment, the apparatus and method in accordance with the invention may rely on embedding various mechanisms for attenuating, deadening, and otherwise muffling sound impinging on the ears of an infant into other infant headgear. This application also incorporates by reference U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/351,352, filed on Jan. 9, 2009.
- A user of adult headgear virtually never uses sound-deadening equipment with a winter cap. These two items are mutually exclusive in that each needs to occupy the same space near the head of a user. In contrast, an infant may be provided with a cap, hat, blanket, other clothing, and so forth to protect against comparatively cooler weather.
- In one embodiment of an apparatus and method in accordance with the invention, sound-deadening devices are embedded in headwear or headgear such as headbands, caps, hats, and so forth. In one currently contemplated embodiment, the ears of a wearer (infant) are each enclosed in a respective flexible shell.
- These contrast to adult systems, which require substantial structural strength and stiffness the shells. Such stiffness is required in order to connect to and support the loads imposed by the steel springs clamping the shells together toward one another on the head of a user. Shells in accordance with present invention may be formed of a compliant elastomeric material, such as silicone, urethane, or other non-structural material. The softness, stiffness, durometer-measured hardness, and bending deflection of the shells approximate those of the shells.
- The shells surrounding the ears of the user in accordance with the current invention provide deadening of sound directly through the walls of the shells, unlike adult systems, which simply transmit the sound therethrough to be deadened elsewhere Likewise, in an apparatus and method in accordance with the invention, the shell may be sealed against the side of the head of a user by a combination of distortion of a liner portion of the shell, and deflection of the shell, changing its fundamental shape to conform by bending about the cranium of a wearer.
- Additional mechanisms, including elastomeric, dampening materials, comforting or warming fabrics, and the like may be installed in the interior of the shells in order to add comfort, support, or sound dampening for the benefit of a wearer.
- Avoiding the forces along an axial direction with respect to the ear canal of a user, the shell may be supported by ties, ligatures, laces, straps, or the like. Typically, a flap portion of headgear, may hold some or all of the shell, and have a tie placed at one extremum, opposite the hat. Accordingly, rather than applying axial force along the shell, in the direction of the gear of a wearer, an apparatus and method in accordance with the invention may rely on circumferential loading along an arc proceeding from proximate the hat down through the ear flap, and under the chin of a wearer. Forces will necessarily be less applying pressure to the head of a wearer from the shells. By the same token, inasmuch as the shells are themselves quite flexible, fabricated from elastomeric materials in comparatively thin gauges, a user will not have to serve as a resistance to a strong spring. Instead, the shells are readily deformable about any radius or diameter in response to the draw of a line such as a tie, lanyard, strap, or the like. Accordingly, complete contact can be assured.
- Moreover, in an apparatus and method in accordance with the invention, a wearer need not be troubled by sound leakage such as would occur in conventional headgear. Rather, in one embodiment, the elastomeric material of the shells is sufficiently impervious to fluid transport as to block frequencies of sound in substantially all ranges. Put another way, the elastomeric material of the shell enables blocking, by the shell, sound propagated from the environment surrounding the wearer against impingement upon the eardrum of a user. Necessarily, some limits exist to the ability to attenuate sound. Nevertheless, as a general proposition, sound waves, as other waves pass through openings characterized according to their relationship to the wave length passing therethrough. Sound waves tends to be attenuated best when subjected to passage through an opening much less than the characteristic length of the waves. Here, the polymeric or elastomeric polymer of which the shells are formed may be continuous and contiguous throughout the shell, thus attenuating all wavelengths. In one embodiment, the shell comprises an outer wall, an offset wall, a rim, and a flange, all formed continuously, contiguously and homogeneously of a single material.
- Of course, the amount of energy in a sound wave also affects the ability to attenuate the sound. Thus, it may quite impossible to eliminate all sound, notwithstanding all sound wave frequencies may be attenuated to some extent.
- It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, as represented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of various embodiments of the invention. The illustrated embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout.
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the invention worn by a user; -
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a sound-attenuation insert in one embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with invention; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of headgear suitable for including a sound-reducing earmuff in accordance with the invention; -
FIG. 4 is alternative embodiment of headgear for containing sound-reducing earmuffs; -
FIG. 5 is a left side perspective view of one embodiment of a shell for an earmuff for reducing sound, in accordance with the invention; -
FIG. 6 is a right side perspective view thereof; -
FIG. 7 is a right side elevation view thereof; -
FIG. 8 is a left side elevation view thereof; -
FIG. 9 is a top plan view thereof; -
FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view thereof; -
FIG. 11 is a rear elevation view thereof; -
FIG. 12 is a front elevation view thereof; -
FIG. 13 is a left side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a shell in accordance with the invention; -
FIG. 14 is a right side perspective view thereof; -
FIG. 15 is a right side elevation view thereof; -
FIG. 16 is a left side elevation view thereof; -
FIG. 17 is a top plan view thereof; -
FIG. 18 is a bottom plan view thereof; -
FIG. 19 is a rear elevation view thereof; -
FIG. 20 is a front elevation view thereof; -
FIG. 21 is a partially cut away perspective view of an alternative embodiment of headgear in accordance with the invention, illustrating the sound-reducing earmuff installed in the housing formed in an earflap of the headgear; -
FIG. 22 is a partially cut away, cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the earmuff and housing expanded in exploded view; and -
FIG. 23 is a rear elevation, partially cut away, cross-sectional view of a housing and earmuff in accordance with the invention. - Sound muffling headwear is provided herein that includes a flexible circumferential band. As used herein, the term circumferential band shall be broadly understood to mean a band that forms a continuous perimeter, although it may be formed of more than one piece. In at least one example, the sound muffling headwear includes flexible housings coupled to or integrated with the circumferential band. The flexible housings are configured to receive earmuffs. When assembled, the circumferential band and the flexible housing cooperate to place the earmuffs in proximity with a wearer's ears to thereby provide muffle or reduce ambient noises detected by the wearer, such as a child.
- In at least one example, the circumferential band can be made of a fabric material with a soft hand, such as a fleece material. Such a configuration can allow a wearer, such as a child, to comfortably wear the headwear in a variety of settings. Allowing the user to comfortably wear the headwear can in turn help ensure that the user will not become annoyed by the headwear and remove it. As a result, such a configuration can help ensure that the headwear will remain in place and thus be allowed to muffle sound to thereby protect the wearer. The circumferential nature of the flexible band can also further ensure that the headwear will remain in place.
- The following description supplies specific details in order to provide a thorough understanding. Nevertheless, the skilled artisan would understand that the apparatus and associated methods of using the apparatus can be implemented and used without employing these specific details. Indeed, the apparatus and associated methods can be placed into practice by modifying the illustrated apparatus and associated methods and can be used in conjunction with any other apparatus and techniques conventionally used in the industry.
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FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view ofsound muffling headwear 10. As illustrated inFIG. 1 , thesound muffling headwear 10 includes a flexiblecircumferential band 12. Thesound muffling headwear 10 further includeshousings 14 coupled to or integrated with the flexiblecircumferential band 12. Thehousings 14 are configured to receiveearmuffs 20. Theearmuffs 20 can be secured to thehousings 14 in any suitable manner. In at least one example, theearmuffs 20 can be sewn into thehousing 14. In other examples, thehousings 14 can be configured as flapped pockets such that theearmuffs 20 can be removably coupled to thehousings 14. It will be appreciated that theearmuffs 20 can be secured to thehousings 14 in any suitable manner. - The flexible
circumferential headband 12 can be formed of any suitable material, including cloth or fabric materials. In at least one example, the flexiblecircumferential band 12 can be formed of a fleece material. The flexiblecircumferential band 12 can also include elastic properties which allow the flexiblecircumferential band 12 to stretch to be readily fitted to a wearer. In at least one example, thecircumferential band 12 can have an adjustable circumference. One such example can be provided to include headwear configured as an adjustable cap, such as an adjustable baseball-style cap. - Similarly, the
housings 14 can be formed of flexible material, such as a cloth or fabric material. Thehousings 14 can be formed of the same or different materials than the flexiblecircumferential band 12. In at least one example, thehousings 14 can be formed of a cloth material with a soft hand and wicking properties to allow theearmuffs 20 to be comfortably maintained in close proximity to a wearer's ears. -
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one of the earmuffs taken along section 2-2 ofFIG. 1 . As illustrated inFIG. 2 , theearmuff 20 can include abase layer 22 andadditional layers base layer 22 can be formed of any flexible material with sound muffling properties. In at least one example, thebase layer 22 can be formed of a neoprene material. In other examples, thebase layer 22 and/or theother layers - The
additional layers base layer 22 to form a recess. In at least one example,layer 24 can be formed of a sound muffling material, such as neoprene.Layer 26 can also be formed of a softer material having sound muffling properties.Further layer 26 can be formed of a material that conforms to the wearer. In at least one example,layer 26 can be formed of a memory foam material. Thelayers - In at least one example, the recess can be at least partially filled with a
soft material 28 that can have sound muffling properties as well. For example, the recess can be at least partially filled with a soft foam material that can have antibacterial properties. - The
layers base layer 22 in any suitable manner. In at least one example, silicone, such as aquarium-grade silicone gel, can be used to securelayer 24 to thebase 22 and/or to securelayer 26 to layer 24. It has been found that the use of silicone provides additional sound muffling properties, thereby enhancing the efficacy of the noise muffling headwear in isolating noise. - In the illustrated example, the
earmuffs 20 are part of noise muffling headwear that is configured as a headband. It will be appreciated that other configurations are possible. Several additional configurations will be described in more detail below. -
FIG. 3 illustratesnoise muffling headwear 10 according to one example. As illustrated inFIG. 3 , thenoise muffling headwear 10 includes an optionaltop portion 30 secured to or integrated with the flexiblecircumferential headband 12 and optionallower straps 32 integrated with thehousings 14. Accordingly, thenoise muffling headwear 10 can be configured as a beanie or a toque. - In other examples, such as illustrated in
FIG. 4 ,noise muffling headwear 10 can also include abill 38 coupled to or integrated with the flexiblecircumferential headband 12 such that thenoise muffling headwear 10 is configured as a cap. Accordingly, the noise muffling headwear can be configured in any number of ways. - With respect to the embodiments of headgear illustrated in
FIGS. 1-4 , various alternatives to thesystem 10 may be embodied invarious bands 12 or caps 30 or combinations thereof. As a practical matter, thehousings 14 may be embodied inearflaps 16 associated withcaps 30 ortop portions 30. That is, aband 12 may be part and parcel of, integrated completely and seamlessly within, thetop portion 30, to form acap 30. On the other hand, acap 30 may be atop portion 30 fastened to aband 12. In any event, whether anisolated band 12, anintegrated cap 30 that includes the band integrally and inseparably, even seamlessly, attached, or aband 12 that has been seamed, sewn, bonded, or otherwise attached to atop portion 30, theearflaps 16 are best provided in a configuration that extends down to cover the ears of a user, while leaving the face free for sight, breathing, and so forth. - Thus, in general, the
earflaps 16 may form all or part of thehousings 14 over the ears, respectively. Likewise, any type ofdecoration 34 that may be printed on, be attached to, extend from, or otherwise be connected with acap 30 may be added, included, integrated, or the like. Typically, thedecoration 34 is a design choice or an arbitrary aesthetic choice of a user or designer. Typically,decorative elements 34 will not influence the function, design, appearance, configuration, or science of theearmuffs 20 located within thehousings 14. - In one embodiment, the
earflaps 16 may includestraps 32 orties 32 for securing theearflaps 16 together around the jaw line or chin of a wearer. Meanwhile, straps 36 may include closures such as snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, buckles, or the like. Regardless of whether thestraps 36 or theties 32 are relied upon, or entirely absent, theearflaps 16 are best able to function to maintain coverage if a degree of tension in a circumferential direction around the crown of the head, or in a circumferential path under the chin and over the top of the crown of the head, exists in theheadgear system 10. Thestrap headband 12 applying a circumferential tensile force is valuable in the operation of theearmuffs 20. For example, the circumferential tension applied to theearflaps 16 supports a snug compressive force against theearmuffs 20, transmitted through thehousings 14. - Referring to
FIGS. 5-20 , while continuing to refer generally toFIGS. 1-23 ,earmuffs 20 in accordance with the invention may rely on ashell 40 formed of an elastomeric polymer formed to fit around an ear of a user. The material selected for molding, forming, shaping, or otherwise manufacturing ashell 40 should be selected to have a durometer value of hardness (the reciprocal of softness, qualitatively) that is close to that of human tissue. - Specifically, the thickness, material properties, dimensions, bending stress, and so forth may be selected such that the
shell 40 itself acts approximately the same in resistance, deformability, mechanical properties, or flexure as the human ear. To the touch, the material of theshell 40 should approximate of skin or human flesh. In this way, pressure exerted against any portion of the head of a wearer is limited by the size, shape, and material properties of the configuration and material of theshell 40. In this way, the comfort may be assured of a user who is often incapable of a specific complaint, may be assured. - In the illustrated embodiments, the
shell 40 may be formed to have anouter surface 41 that will receive sound waves impinging thereon from the environment surrounding a wearer. Meanwhile, aflange 42 may be used as a manufacturing device for delivery of resin into a mold, as well as a fastening mechanism for securing theshell 40 into thehousing 14. - In the illustrated embodiments, the
flange 42 may be included in manufacture only, manufacturing and installation, or may be present in manufacture and removed for assembly. In yet other embodiments, theflange 42 may be completely dispensed with, and theshells 40 may be manufactured by any suitable polymeric molding process. Absent theflange 42, positioning and securing theshells 40 to thehousing portion 14 of theearflaps 16 may require bonding, fastening, clipping, pinning, sewing, or other fastening mechanisms in order to stabilize and position theshells 40 to surround the ears of a wearer. - The
inner surface 43 of theshell 40 may or may not touch the head or ears of a wearer. In currently contemplated embodiments, thepocket 44 orcavity 44 formed in the interior of theshell 40 by theinner surface 43 of theshell 40 receives an ear of a user. Nevertheless, thepocket 44 may be shaped in one of several ways. - For example, in the illustrated embodiments, the
pocket 44 is monotonically decreasing in effective diameter as one proceeds along an axis perpendicular to theflange 42, and from theflange 42 outboard toward the offsetwall 46 andouter wall 48. In other embodiments, depending on manufacturing technique, thepocket 44 may expand in effective diameter before closing back to a reduced diameter at theouter wall 48, if at all. - Nevertheless, it has been found that for the ears of infants, the proportions of the
shell 40 as illustrated serve adequately. In the illustrated embodiment, therim 50 is the only portion of theshell 40 in contact with the person of a wearer. For example, the offsetwall 46 has an effective diameter encircling an axis passing through the center thereof. It is perpendicular to theflange 42, approximately perpendicular to theouter wall 48, which is adequate to receive an ear of a user, and still accommodate additional padding. - The
rim 50 specifically remains completely empty. For example, therim 50 is designed to form or encompass a continuous, uninterrupted, completely closed loop having a U-shaped cross-section. That shallow U cross-section has an outer leg in contact with a head of a user beside the ear of the user. That leg of the U is free to bend, fold, collapse, or the like, in order to relieve any localized stress. - For example, the shape of a head of a user is not a flat plane. Below and behind the ear, the skull typically recedes away from the ear. Accordingly, the
straps earflaps 16 will tend to form thehousings 14 around the head of a user. Thehousing 14 will itself tend to load theshell 40 and bend it to conform to the head of a user. Bending stresses may bend theshell 40, thus bringing therim 50 into complete contact about its entire circumference against the head of a user. To the extent that localized adjustments are necessary or valuable, they will be automatically made by deflection of theshell 40 itself. Generally, in response to bending loads, or by localized deflection or even collapse of the outer leg of the U cross-section of therim 50, an effectively air-right seal is made by the rim against the head. - It has been found particularly useful in an embodiment of the
shell 40 in accordance with the invention to have therim 50 of about the same wall thickness as the offsetwall 46, theouter wall 48, and so forth. Theflange 42 being of the same thickness is less important, but may be of the same thickness in order to assist in manufacturing and assembly (e.g., sewing, stitching, etc.) processes. For example, an injection mold works most efficiently if all web thicknesses being molded are of the same dimension or value. A thin wall is also more easily penetrated for stitching. - The flexible material of the
shell 40 may be any suitable material such as polyurethane, neoprene, silicone, or other elastomeric polymers having the proper durometer hardness values, structural strength, ultimate tensile strength, deflection with load, resilience, elasticity, and so forth. - In general, the offset
wall 46 serves to offset theouter wall 48 away from both theflange 42 and therim 50. Thus, the offsetwall 46 proceeds from thecorner 52 orvertex 52 between theflange 42 and the offsetwall 46 extends toward theouter wall 48. Thus, the offsetwall 46 begins as a continuous, contiguous, homogeneous material formed with theflange 42. It proceeds from thecorner 52 defined by circumferential curve in the illustrations. It proceeds outward, but angled toward its central axis, ultimately arriving at thecorner 54 orvertex 54. Thatvertex 54 is represented by another curve extending circumferentially at a smaller effective radius and circumference. - For purposes of this description, effective diameter is considered to be a hydraulic diameter. A hydraulic diameter is twice a hydraulic radius. A hydraulic radius is four times an area divided by its perimeter. Thus, an effective diameter may be calculated for the
outer wall 48 and the inner andouter corners 52, 54 (vertices 52, 54) that bound the offsetwall 46, and therim 50. - Likewise, an effective diameter for the
flange 42 may be calculated. Thus, it is proper herein to speak of an effective diameter, since features of theshell 40 need not be, and indeed are not shown to be, exactly circular in any of the illustrated embodiments. Circular embodiments are possible, but raise other manufacturing and fit issues for use by a wearer, given the natural shape of ears. - Referring to
FIGS. 21-23 , while continuing to refer generally toFIGS. 1-23 , asystem 10 orheadgear 10 in accordance with the invention may have sewn into or otherwise secured betweendifferent layers housing 14 aflange 42 of ashell 40. In the illustrated embodiment, thelayers outside layer 14 a, and aninside layer 14 b of ahousing 14. Theinside layer 14 b is not necessarily required. - For example, the
flange 42 may be secured directly to theoutside layer 14 a. Nevertheless, for aesthetics and comfort, as well as warmth, thehousing 14 may be made as twoportions housing 14 as well as ahousing - Referring to
FIG. 22 , one embodiment of an apparatus andsystem 10 in accordance with the invention may provide a stack up beginning at an outermost extreme with alayer 14 a of ahousing 14. Inside thehousing 14 a is contained ashell 40 providing aninner surface 41, aflange 42, and anouter surface 43, all defining apocket 44 orcavity 44 to receive an ear of a user wearing theheadgear 10. In the illustrated embodiment, therim 50 is formed inboard (toward the wearer) of theflange 42. Accordingly, when theinner layer 14 b of thehousing 14 is positioned inboard of theflange 42, theflange 42 may be sewn, bonded, stitched, tied, stapled, riveted, or otherwise fastened between the twolayers housing 14. Thus, theshell 40 may be stabilized within theearflap 16 of theheadgear 10. - As illustrated, the
inner wall 43 of theshell 40 may receive various additional components. For example, closest to the actual skin of a user may be acontact layer 56. Thecontact layer 56 may formed of the same material as thehousing 14. Typically, acontact layer 56 may be formed of fleece, terry cloth, synthetic fur, or other soft, insulating fabric pleasant to the touch. In cold weather, thecontact layer 56 may form part of a comfort system providing not only soft contact, but insulation value against outdoor temperatures. For example, if theshell 40 were exposed to outside temperatures on theouter surface 41, and had no additional lining elements on theinside surface 43, it may not provide the secondary benefit of sufficient warmth for the wearer. - A
contact surface 57 may actually contact the skin, typically on the ear. It may possibly touch on a portion of the head, but typically only the ear of a user. Similarly, anoptional layer 58 may operate as a filler ordeflection layer 58. Typically, thelayer 58 is a compliant, virtually unresistant, open-cell elastomeric foam. It is entirely optional. However, sound deadening material, thermally insulating material, comparatively soft (low spring constant) easily deflected material or the like may be used in anoptional layer 58. - Meanwhile, a
liner 60 is typically is installed along the entireinterior surface 43 of theshell 40, outboard of therim 50. Inelastic, sound dampening, memory foam serves well. - For example, the
rim 50 is typically completely empty in order to accommodate its need for deflection and deformability to fit against the head of a wearer. - By contrast, the
liner 60 typically is formed of an expanded elastomeric polymer. Thus, urethane, neoprene, or the like containing embedded air bubbles may be formed as an open-cell or closed-cell foam. Typically, a closed-cell foam will tend to deaden the sound. However inelastic foams (e.g., memory foam) may be open-cell types. Theliner 60, when formed of inelastic material tends to dampen sound by delaying transmission because it is deformable inelastically. Various types of foam, such as memory foam, and other rheologically inelastic materials may actually return elastically to their initial position, but with such a delay that sound, deflection, force, and the like are not immediately transmitted as would be the case in exactly elastic material. - The
liner 60 may be bonded to theinside surface 43 of theshell 40. Theliner 60 may extend along the inside surface , entireouter wall 48, and even along all or part of the offsetwall 46 provides the offset by spacing theouter wall 48 away from therim 50. - In general, the surface of the head of a user may present a
contact line 62 orcontact plane 62. Thecontact line 62 may be outboard from therim 50. The first compliance or deflection in order to accommodate movement by a user of thecontact line 62 in an outboard direction is therim 50. Therim 50 may deflect to accommodate any variation from an absolute planar configuration along thecontact line 62. Put another way, the rim thereof may be bendable in response to pressure exerted thereagainst from a surface of the skin of the wearer. - For example, the entire outer most edge of the
rim 50 may typically be in contact with aplane 62. Nevertheless, the head of a user is not a plane. It is not planar and may necessarily deflect portions of therim 50 about its circumference as necessary. Therim 50 provides a comparatively minimal deflection defined by the thickness of therim 50 or the wall of therim 50 and the distance from theflange 42 out to thecontact line 62 orcontact plane 62. - The bending deflecting of the
shell 40 may be greater than that of therim 50. Beam deflection of the rim may occur with a degree of resistance, inasmuch as the entire circumference of therim 50 is uninterrupted. Nevertheless, therim 50 may roll under itself or collapse locally in order to accommodate deflections, with only nominal force required. Thus, therim 50 is able to maintain a substantially airtight seal against the head, around the ear of a user. - Meanwhile, if the
rim 50 deflects sufficiently, thecontact plane 62 orcontact line 62 will next be met by thehousing layer 14 b. Thelayer 14 b may typically be formed of a loose fabric such as a fleece, felt, knit, or other comparatively soft and deformable material. Thus, the head of a user may contact thelayer 14 b when thecontact line 62 is deflected sufficiently to the right in the illustrated embodiment. - Additional deflection may also be available to a user in reliance on the
outer layer 14 b of thehousing 14. For example, the arrows illustratetension forces 64 existing within theouter layer 14 b of thehousing 14 due to theties earflaps 16 toward one another. In an embodiment that relies only on a flexiblecircumferential band 12, the direction of theforces 64 will be different. Nevertheless, a tensile force acting circumferentially about the crown of the head may be applied. - The resultant force vector acting on the
shell 40 as a result of thetensile forces 64 in thehousing portion 14 a may be compressive in nature. Thus, thearrows 66 showingcompressive forces 66 tend to provide deflection, such as by beam bending, in the cross section of theshell 40. By so doing, theouter layer 14 a may apply sufficient loading to deform or deflect theshell 40 in beam bending. Thus, in addition to the deflection of therim 50, theentire shell 40 may deflect, rendering it more easily conformal to the shape of the head of a wearer. - The dimensions of thickness, length, width, circumference, and so forth are selected, and particularly the wall thickness, in order to provide an ease of deflection that corresponds to about the same levels of force and stress as would deflect skin or bend an ear of a user. Thus, when in contact with the ear of a user, the
system 10 and the skin and ear of a user may provide about the same levels of force against one another. In this way, thesystem 10 provides deflection to accommodate the shape of the head of ears of a user, without causing undue stress, and consequent development of pain. - It has been found that pressure on tissue tends to restrict circulation of blood within tissue. A lack of circulation causes pain after a period of minutes. Pressure often causes development of sores and necrosis over a period of days. In the use of
headwear 10, it is unlikely that a user or wearer would wear the headgear for days at a time uninterrupted. Nevertheless, the headgear may be worn for minutes or hours within a day, thus making pain a significant element to be avoided. -
Stitches 68 orstitching 68 may pass from the outside of each of thelayers housing 14 through to one another, by way of theflange 42. In the alternative embodiments lacking aflange 42, theshell 40 may be bonded to one or more of thelayers housing 14,shell 40, or both, riveting, stapling, or the like may still be done to secure theouter wall 48, for example, to theouter layer 14 a. - The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
Claims (12)
1. A method for protecting hearing of an infant, the method comprising:
providing headgear containing an earmuff, the earmuff being formed to have a shell portion, a liner portion contained completely within the shell portion, and a housing portion covering the shell portion, wherein the shell portion is formed of an elastomeric polymer material sized and shaped to deflect in bending in response to compressive forces imposed by the housing;
placing the earmuff over an ear of a wearer by placing the headgear on the head of the wearer;
securing the earmuff against the head of the wearer by the compressive forces exerted by the housing toward the wearer; and
conforming the shell to the shape of the head of the wearer in response to the compressive forces exerted by the housing.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing a contact layer inside the shell configured to make physical contact with the ear of the wearer, relieving pressure thereagainst.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the contact layer is formed of a material configured to and selected to deflect in response to pressure exerted by the ear of the wearer.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising deflecting by a rim of the housing in response to tensioning of the housing.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising forming, by a rim of the housing, a sound-resistant seal between the rim and the head of the wearer.
6. The method of claim 1 , comprising blocking, by the shell, sound propagated from the environment surrounding the wearer against impingement upon the eardrum of a user.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the shell comprises an outer wall, an offset wall, a rim, and a flange, all formed continuously, contiguously, and homogeneously of a single material.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the single material of the shell is selected to have a deflection within the shell selected to conform to the head of the wearer comfortably.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the material of the shell is selected to be impervious to passage of fluid therethrough, and the offset wall and the outer wall are formed to have approximately a single constant wall thickness, the rim thereof configured to bend in response to pressure exerted thereagainst from a surface of the skin of the wearer.
10. An apparatus comprising:
a headgear for covering at least a portion of a head of a wearer;
an earflap, extending from the headgear and extending to cover at least a portion of an ear of the wearer;
an earmuff comprising a shell surrounding the ear of the wearer, the shell comprising a wall surrounding an outer surface of an ear; and
a rim continuous, contiguous, and homogeneously formed with the wall to contact the head of the wearer in a substantially air tight manner.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the shell further comprises a flange extending from a position proximate the wall and the rim to extend radially outward therefrom.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the wall comprises an offset wall extending from the flange, and an outer wall closed and in contact around the entire circumference thereof with the offset wall.
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US15/883,937 US20180177641A1 (en) | 2008-01-11 | 2018-01-30 | Sound muffling headwear |
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US15/450,742 US20170360616A1 (en) | 2008-01-11 | 2017-03-06 | Sound muffling headwear |
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US15/883,937 Abandoned US20180177641A1 (en) | 2008-01-11 | 2018-01-30 | Sound muffling headwear |
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US13/725,226 Active 2031-12-06 US9585792B2 (en) | 2008-01-11 | 2012-12-21 | Sound muffling headwear |
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US15/883,937 Abandoned US20180177641A1 (en) | 2008-01-11 | 2018-01-30 | Sound muffling headwear |
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Families Citing this family (11)
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DE102013219235A1 (en) * | 2013-09-25 | 2015-03-26 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Hearing protection means for use with a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus and magnetic resonance tomography apparatus with hearing protection means |
US20160192764A1 (en) * | 2014-12-09 | 2016-07-07 | Lorenzo Alexis Bromell | Dry Drums |
US10413696B2 (en) * | 2015-02-19 | 2019-09-17 | Neatcap, Llc | Medical headgear |
US11185447B2 (en) | 2015-02-19 | 2021-11-30 | Neatcap, Llc | Medical headgear |
US11806214B2 (en) | 2015-02-19 | 2023-11-07 | Neatcap, Llc | Medical headgear |
CN111406413A (en) | 2017-09-12 | 2020-07-10 | 索尼图斯技术公司 | Two-way communication system and method of use |
CN111372544B (en) * | 2017-11-21 | 2023-05-16 | 3M创新有限公司 | Pad for a hearing protector or an audio headset |
US20230284726A1 (en) * | 2020-09-30 | 2023-09-14 | ResMed Asia Pte. Ltd. | Headgear |
US11516575B1 (en) * | 2021-06-15 | 2022-11-29 | Sandra Leigh Warlick | Sleep-enabling headwear |
US20230050947A1 (en) * | 2021-08-16 | 2023-02-16 | Tangi Jordan | Device for Protecting Animals from Loud and Anxiety Inducing Sound |
US11918440B1 (en) * | 2023-06-07 | 2024-03-05 | Sonura, LLC | Active acoustic aural development system and method |
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-
2012
- 2012-12-21 US US13/725,226 patent/US9585792B2/en active Active
-
2017
- 2017-03-06 US US15/450,742 patent/US20170360616A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2018
- 2018-01-30 US US15/883,937 patent/US20180177641A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20160354252A9 (en) | 2016-12-08 |
US20180177641A1 (en) | 2018-06-28 |
US20130133671A1 (en) | 2013-05-30 |
US9585792B2 (en) | 2017-03-07 |
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