US3354471A

US3354471A - Ear guards

Info

Publication number: US3354471A
Application number: US454408A
Authority: US
Inventors: Margaret E Longo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1965-05-10
Filing date: 1965-05-10
Publication date: 1967-11-28
Anticipated expiration: 1984-11-28

Description

Nov. 28, 1967 LQNGO 3,354,471

EAR GUARDS Filed May 10, 1965 INVENTOR. Mmgnee'r E. lo/vgo Arrae/vn United States Patent 3,354,471 EAR GUARDS Margaret E. Longo, 13931 Newland St., Apt. 7, Westminster, Calif. 92683 Filed May 10, 1965, Ser. No. 454,408 1 Claim. (Cl. 2174) The present invention relates generally to ear guards, and more particularly to means for preventing the ingress of foreign material into a persons ear.

The internal portions of a persons ear, including the eardrum, may be sensitive to certain atmospheric conditions such as dust and rain, or to other irritants and foreign material in the air. Also, the internal parts of a per sons ear may be subject to severe infections when irritated by foreign materials such as hairspray, perfume, lacquer and other materials frequently used by Women as beauty aids.

The internal portions of a persons ear are normally exposed to all atmospheric conditions since many people do not wear hats, caps, earmuffs or similar wearing apparel, except in the most severe weather.

Medical studies have shown that modern-day hairsprays contain many different chemicals, some of which are very irritating when they come in contact with the sensitive portions of a persons ear. As a result, many women suffer considerable discomfort and pain from the resulting infection. To avoid this, it would be desirable to have a mask, guard or shield whereby such foreign materials would be prevented from entering the ear.

To this extent it is an object of the present invention to provide an ear guard which can :be placed adjacent a persons ear to prevent the ingress of foreign material.

Another object of the subject invention is to provide an ear guard as characterized above which is quickly and easily positioned on the wearers ear or removed therefrom, as the case may be.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an ear guard as characterized above which is formed of plastic material which conforms to the shape of and lays adjacent to the persons ear.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an ear guard as characterized above which comprises a generally oval-shaped disk having an arcuately shaped bead along the marginal edge thereof for firmly engaging the persons ear.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide an ear guard as characterized above which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and which is rugged and dependable in operation.

The novel features which I consider characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claim. The device itself, however, both as to its organization and mode of operation, together with ad ditional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a person wearing an ear guard according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the ear guard, showing the interior thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a similar perspective view of the ear guard, showing the exterior thereof;

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the subject ear guard, taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 5 is a transversed sectional view taken substantially along line 55 of FIGURE 4.

Like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, there is shown therein a person 10 wearing an ear guard 12 according to the present invention. Such guard comprises a generally oval-shaped disk 14 and a finger operated clasp 16. The disk 14 may be formed of any appropriate material such .as plastic, metal or cardboard, but is preferably formed of material which is capable of conforming slightly to the shape of the persons ear. That is, as will hereinafter become more apparent, the disk 14 provides a shield against foreign material trying to enter the persons ear. Due to the different shapes of peoples ears, it is desirable that such disk be somewhat flexible to conform however necessary.

As shown most clearly in FIGURES 2, 4 and 5 of the drawings, disk 14 is formed with a head or flange 18 about the peripheral or marginal edge thereof. Such 'bead extends about the entire disk, and as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 engages the persons ear when interposed between the disk and the ear. It is preferable to provide such bead with a generally semi-circular cross section so that it will not cause discomfort for the wearer but, nonetheless, will firmly fit against the ear.

To further insure proper sealing engagement between the disk and the persons ear, it has been 'found desirable to provide disk 14 with a generally elliptical or egg shape, such configuration more closely approximating the shape of a persons ear.

The clasp 16 as shown most clearly in FIGURE 4, comprises a pair of relatively

movable arms

20 and 22. Arm 20, as shown, is generally Z-shaped and has an end portion 20a attached to or embedded within the disk 14. It has been found most desirable to embed end portion 20b of arm 26 in the end of disk 14 to prevent any interference thereof with the sealing effect of the disk.

The arm 22 is provided with a dished end portion 22a for engagement with the persons ear as will hereinafter become more apparent. Said arm is further provided with a small tab 22b which is inserted within a suitable opening formed in arm 20. A leaf spring 24 is formed out of arm 20 or it may be separate therefrom to operate between the

arms

20 and 22 to bias the latter toward engagement with the former. Such leaf spring, of course, may be formed of any appropriate material such as spring steel or the like, while

arms

20 and 22 may be formed of stainless steel, plastic or any other appropriate material. The leaf spring 24, as shown most clearly in FIG- URE 3 of the drawings, is formed integrally with arm 20, although, if desired, it could be formed separately and attached thereto to provide the same effect.

When it is desired to protect the ear from foreign material, it is a simple matter to place the subject ear guard in proper position. Such guard 12 may be used under many diiferent circumstances, as for instance when riding in an open automobile, water or snow skiing or when merely spraying the hair with hairspray, perfume, lacquer or the like. In the event a persons ears are sensitive to water and/or soap, the subject ear guard 12 may be used during showering or washing of the persons face.

To apply the subject ear guard to a given persons ear, it is merely necessary to grip the clasp 16 between the fingers and press the

arms

20 and 22 so that the end portion 22a of arm 22 is moved away from disk 14. The guard is then placed adjacent the persons ear so that the bead 1.8 thereon firmly engages or lays against the ear.

The generally oval shape of disk 14 provides the protecting effect against the outwardly exposed area and the opening of the ear.

When in this position, the clasp 16 is released, Whereupon the leaf spring 24 causes arm 22 to pivot relative to arm 20 until the end portion 22a engages the lower portion of the persons ear. When this occurs, the persons Patented Nov. 28, 1967 car is firmly gripped so that the disk 14 is held in such proper position.

While thus positioned, any foreign material such as hairspray, perfume or lacquer which is directed toward the hair or ears will be prevented from entering the ear due to the engagement as above described.

Following the application of such material, the guard can be quickly and easily removed by operating the clasp 16 to its open position.

It is thus seen that the present invention provides a guard or shield for preventing the ingress of foreign material into a persons ear under substantially all circumstances. Such guard is quickly and easily positioned on the ear or removed therefrom as the case may be.

AlthoughI have shown and described certain specific embodiments of my invention, I am fully aware that many modifications thereof are possible. My invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of the appended claim.

I claim:

An ear guard to prevent ingress of hair spray to a persons ear comprising in combination: a plastic flat oval-shaped thin disk having inner and outer surfaces and having a size and shape to cover only the outwardly exposed area of a normal sized ear of a wearer, a bead extending about the entire edge of said inner surface and having a generally semi-circular cross section, clasp means on one of the ends containing the major diameter of said oval-shaped disk comprising a pair of spring biased relatively movable operating members extending outwardly beyond said one 'end and including a dished end portion secured to one of said operating members, said dished end portion extending along said inner surface inwardly from said one end, said dished end portion and said one end releasably engaging the lower portion of a wearers ear to firmly maintain said bead against the outwardly exposed area of the ear and to permit removal of said disk without interfering with the coilfure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 428,511 5/1890 Moore 2-209 958,263 5/1910 Loewe 2209 X 1,468,556 9/1923 Camp et a1. 2174 X 1,845,689 2/1932 Turrell et al 2-174 2,428,897 10/1947 Ungemah 2209 2,593,892 4/1952 Kindel 2174 X 2,700,162 1/1955 Fuller 2209 2,712,134 7/1945 Cyr 2-209 3,082,431 3/1963 Watts 2198 FOREIGN PATENTS 510,419 8/1939 England.

JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner. G. H. KRIZMANICH, Assistant Examiner.