U.S. patent application number 14/610004 was filed with the patent office on 2015-08-06 for ear guard assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is Danmar Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to John L. Marchello.
Application Number | 20150216251 14/610004 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53753727 |
Filed Date | 2015-08-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150216251 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marchello; John L. |
August 6, 2015 |
EAR GUARD ASSEMBLY
Abstract
An improved ear guard that may be incorporated into an ear guard
assembly, particularly for amateur wrestlers, comprising two
symmetrically opposite ear guards having features that engage with
a plurality of straps. Internal reinforcement members having
ventilation apertures are enveloped by an energy-absorbing cover
assembly. The outer surface of the cover assembly having apertures
of appropriate size and shape to provide clearance for the straps
aligned with the engagement and ventilation features of the
structural reinforcement and not requiring ventilation holes,
increasing the suitability of the surface for the display of custom
graphics and the inner surface of the cover assembly is formed in
such a manner as to simplify the adjustment of the straps. The
geometries of the assembly provide multiple ventilation paths for
comfort and natural hearing.
Inventors: |
Marchello; John L.; (Ann
Arbor, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Danmar Products, Inc. |
Ann Arbor |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53753727 |
Appl. No.: |
14/610004 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61934264 |
Jan 31, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/423 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 11/06 20130101;
A63B 2244/108 20130101; A63B 71/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A42B 3/16 20060101
A42B003/16; A63B 71/10 20060101 A63B071/10 |
Claims
1. An ear guard assembly for wrestling and other activities,
comprising a plurality of straps and a pair of right and left ear
covers, each ear cover including: an outer member, an inner member,
and a structural member disposed between the inner and outer
members; the outer member including a plurality of peripheral
notches and a central, uninterrupted outer surface to receive
textural and/or graphical material; the structural member including
a plurality of strap retention areas, each strap retention area
being aligned with a respective one of the peripheral notches,
enabling the right and left ear covers to be interconnected with a
plurality of head straps through the notches to the retention
areas; the inner member including a plurality of peripheral
apertures and a central opening to receive a wearer's ear; wherein
each peripheral aperture is aligned with a respective one of the
peripheral notches in the outer member, enabling the strap to be
removed or adjusted without stretching the inner member; and
wherein the shape of the structural member creates a peripheral gap
around a wearer's ears such that the peripheral apertures are
spaced apart from a wearer's head, enabling sound and ventilation
to flow through the apertures and into and out of the central
opening.
2. The ear guard assembly of claim 1, wherein each structural
member is composed of a thin, rigid or semi-rigid structural
material.
3. The ear guard assembly of claim 1, wherein each structural
member has a concave inner surface so as to provide space for a
wearer's ear.
4. The ear guard assembly of claim 1, wherein each outer member is
composed of closed cell foam or another flexible material.
5. The ear guard assembly of claim 1, wherein each inner member is
composed of closed cell foam or another flexible material.
6. The ear guard assembly of claim 1, wherein each inner member
includes an aperture sufficient to provide ear clearance.
7. The ear guard assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner and outer
members are peripherally fused to create a pocket for the
structural member.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/934,264, filed Jan. 31, 2014, the
entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to ear guard assemblies for
wrestlers and athletes and, in particular, to an ear guard assembly
that fulfills hearing and ventilation functions, but without
apertures in the outer surface, thereby offering a larger area for
decoration.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The outer ears of wrestlers and athletes are subjected to
opponent and/or competition contact that can cause hemorrhaging and
permanent damage. As a means of protecting against such injury, ear
guard assemblies (also termed head gear) are available in various
shapes with arrangements of adjustable positioning elements
(usually and hereafter termed the "strap" for simplicity) to
accommodate the wearer.
[0004] Prior art wrestling ear guard assemblies provide space
within an ear guard positioned over each outer ear, and incorporate
a method of positioning and limiting slippage of each ear guard
from its intended position. Existing assemblies possess completely
or partially-covered structural elements to resist impacts and
engage strap attachments, provide energy absorption and comfort
cushioning, and incorporate perforations in the outer surface for
hearing and ventilation. The assemblies are cleanable, and limit
the impact of the headgear on the activity of grappling to varying
degrees.
[0005] Exposed ear guard assembly components are typically
fabricated from materials including fabrics, foams and plastics.
Molded, woven, or knit fabric components soil more easily and
require more effort to clean while non-porous components molded or
extruded from, polymers (e.g., ABS, polypropylene) or coated with
elastic material (e.g., vinyl) clean more easily.
[0006] Ear guard positioning should require low effort with little
or no impact to other ear guard functions and the act of wrestling.
Furthermore, attachments should remain attached during the contest.
One of three methods is typically used to maintain the distance
between corresponding attachment areas on each ear guard. One
example incorporates a separate strap into each ear guard. The
distance between the left and right ear guards is controlled by
changing the overall length of the two straps via a fastening
method (e.g., tab and slot, hook and loop). A second example
involves the use of a separable strap, attached to itself after
being threaded through each of the corresponding pair of strap
attachments. While easy to adjust, these first two options expose
additional edges or release points that could cause distraction
and/or discomfort or become snagged and affect the position or
attachment of the ear guard assembly.
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art example that reduces
attachment exposure by covering the end 6 of strap 2 under the
outer portion 3 of a cover 4, but also increases adjustment effort
and potentially durability depending on the material of the cover 4
over each ear guard 1. Each strap 2 is continuous and inseparable
between each of the ear guards. For this reason, the positioning
function must occur to the structural reinforcement 12 within each
of the ear guards. The strap 2 is typically adjusted by pulling the
outer portion 3 of a cover 4 away from an attachment means 5 enough
to retrieve a strap end 6. The strap end 6, exiting a slot 7, is
grasped along with the portion of the strap exiting an adjacent
slot 8. While pulling an inner cover 9 away from structural
reinforcement 12, the strap 2, held in a loop shape, is pushed
through the slots 7 and 8 enough to release the strap from the grip
of the attachment means 5. Portions of the strap 2 are then pushed
or pulled through the slots 7 and 8 in the desired direction, and
tightened into the attachment means 5 at the desired position. The
strap end 6 is then trimmed if desired and tucked under the outer
portion 3 of cover 4, pulling the outer cover 3 away as necessary.
The cover 4 over each ear guard is typically subjected to stretch
cycles that affect the integrity to an extent that depends on
material construction.
[0008] The cover 4 shown in FIG. 1 is typically constructed of
vinyl covered foam, but prior art utilizing this type of adjustment
alternatively incorporates fabric-covered foam covers. Fabric
covers can offer superior stretch characteristics for durability
while foam covers, whether uncoated or coated with an elastic
material, such as vinyl, are more likely to eventually crack and/or
tear, degrading the appearance and/or cushioning functions of the
device. Improvements reducing the impact of adjustment on foam
covered ear guards would add value to the device by increasing
durability without sacrificing cleanability.
[0009] Individual contestants may prefer different levels or
qualities of sound while participating in events and it has been
stated in the prior art that some designs muffle, attenuate, or
reverberate the sound in an objectionable manner. Ear guards have
been marketed (e.g., Ultra Guard, Tri Force, Centaur (Matman);
Twister, The Tornado (Cliff Keen); Quad III, GR-9 (Brute); Old
School, Unrestrained (Asics)) and patented (Lukens; Coutant and
Lukens) as including features to transmit sound or improve the
quality of hearing perceived by the wearer. Ear guard assemblies in
the prior art include apertures 10 of various shapes, sizes,
quantities, and arrangements on the outer portion 3 of the ear
guard 1 that result in varied effects on perception of sound level
and quality. Apertures 10 in the cover 4 typically align with
apertures 11 in reinforcement 12 to maintain an air path 60 in and
out of the ear guard.
[0010] It is common practice for sports teams and individuals to
bolster support through the application of graphic design (e.g.,
colors, logos, slogans) on sports equipment. However, the nature in
which the decoration can be executed has been limited by the need
to fulfill the hearing, ventilating and material durability
functions of the ear guard assembly. The extent to which an ear
guard assembly may be customized for a team or individual wrestler
can be limited by the nature of its construction and in any case
should not create an edge that could be caught during a
contest.
[0011] Although examples in the prior art demonstrate uniqueness in
styling (e.g., component profiles, perforation arrangements), and
in some cases component color variation to bolster individual or
team performance, greater customization that improves the
incorporation of customer provided or specified graphics (logos,
text, etc.) is currently not possible or practical. In particular,
the design of most, if not all, ear guards include apertures 10 in
the outer portion 3 of cover 4 to fulfill hearing and ventilation
functions. These perforations interrupt an otherwise unadulterated
surface that could otherwise offer a location to display
uninterrupted detail of artwork.
[0012] In some cases, the extent to which an ear guard assembly may
be customized for a team or individual wrestler is also limited by
the nature of material choices made to meet other needs. For
example, flexible, overlying fabric materials may be used to
support decoration methods (e.g., heat-fused or stitched-on
applique, silk screening, and embroidery). These methods enable
presentation of artwork with varying degrees of detail, but all are
either subject to special cleaning care, subject to damage due to
contact exposure during use, or affect the flexibility of the
cover.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] In broad and general terms, this invention provides an ear
guard assembly that fulfills hearing and ventilation functions, but
without apertures in the outer surface, thereby offering a larger
area for decoration. The invention maintains--if not
improves--hearing and ventilation functions by repositioning
apertures in the inner surface. By locating a number of the
apertures over the strap attachments, lower adjustment effort and
increased cover durability are realized. The use of non-porous
coatings on the ear guard cover yields an ideal surface to display
custom graphics with greater fidelity and protects the graphics
from damage.
[0014] An ear guard assembly constructed in accordance with the
invention comprises a plurality of straps and a pair of right and
left ear covers. In the preferred embodiment, each ear cover
includes an outer member, an inner member, and a structural member
disposed between the inner and outer members. The outer member
includes a plurality of peripheral notches and a central,
uninterrupted outer surface to receive textural and/or graphical
material, and the structural member includes a plurality of strap
retention areas, each strap retention area being aligned with a
respective one of the peripheral notches, enabling the right and
left ear covers to be interconnected with a plurality of head
straps through the notches to the retention areas.
[0015] The inner member includes a plurality of peripheral
apertures and a central opening to receive a wearer's ear, such
that each peripheral aperture is aligned with a respective one of
the peripheral notches in the outer member, enabling the strap to
be removed or adjusted without stretching the inner member; and
wherein the shape of the structural member creates a peripheral gap
around a wearer's ears such that the peripheral apertures are
spaced apart from a wearer's head, enabling sound and ventilation
to flow through the apertures and into and out of the central
opening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an ear guard 1
illustrating the components involved in a method of strap
attachment and adjustment in prior art;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ear guard assembly 13,
illustrating improvements in accordance with the invention as well
as features that are removed from existing designs;
[0018] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of one ear guard 14
of the ear guard assembly 13 shown in FIG. 2, labeling elements of
the inner portion 34 and outer portion 30 of cover assembly 22, and
structural reinforcement 21 as well as features that are removed
from existing designs;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of one ear guard
14 shown in FIG. 2 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2; and
[0020] FIG. 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of one ear guard
14 shown in FIG. 2 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] One embodiment of the invention incorporated into an
improved athletic ear guard assembly 13 particularly adapted for
wrestlers is shown pictorially in FIG. 2, which depicts
improvements according to the invention as well as features that
are removed from existing designs. FIG. 3 is an exploded
perspective view of one ear guard 14 of the ear guard assembly 13
shown in FIG. 2, labeling elements of the inner portion 34 and
outer portion 30 of cover assembly 22, and structural reinforcement
21 as well as features that are removed from existing designs. FIG.
4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of one ear guard 14 shown in
FIG. 2 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a horizontal
cross-sectional view of one ear guard 14 shown in FIG. 2 taken
along line 5-5 of FIG. 2.
[0022] Ear guard assembly 13 comprises of two (2) principally
symmetrically opposite ear guards 14 and 15 and a plurality of
straps that in this embodiment include: head straps 16, 17, 18, and
19, and neck strap 20. Straps 16-20 are typically of a quantity and
construction sufficient to maintain the position of the ear guards
and conform to the wearer's head. Straps 16-20 may include slip-on
or integrally molded features of varying construction to distribute
strap force across a greater, or specific, area of the wearer,
frictionally engage the wearer's head, or otherwise accommodate the
needs of the wearer and still represent this invention. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a slip-on sleeve 43 has been added to
the neck strap 20 to adapt the strap to be worn in front of the
neck, and head strap 16, but an integrally molded or separable chin
cup 44 or other structures are substituted if required. The end of
strap 20, preferably attaching to ear guard 15, includes a
quick-release fastener 45 in a location that permits strap 20 to
attach to fastener 46 within aperture 47, securing the head gear 13
in the desired position and allowing it to be removed easily.
[0023] In each ear guard 14 and 15, a rigid or semi-rigid
structural reinforcement 21 is disposed in a cover assembly 22, as
best illustrated in FIGS. 3-5. The structural reinforcement has an
inner surface 23, concave in shape so as to provide space for the
ear of the wearer and having contours 53. A flange 25 on the
perimeter of structural reinforcement 21 supports a multitude of
strap attachment means 27 and includes contour 26 to accommodate
the wearer's cheekbones. Each of the multiple strap attachment
means 27 provide strap (16-20) retention either by way of a pair of
slots 28 and 29 or a quick release fastener 45 and 46 and align
with a pair of apertures 31 and 36 in cover assembly 22 and
apertures 58 in reinforcement 21.
[0024] The inner portion 34 and outer portion 30 of cover 22 are
formed from closed cell sheet foam material or another flexible
material by any of various means, the preferred method of forming
the cover assembly 22 being fusing together two (2) foam components
by any of various means along their adjacent outer edges so as to
create a pocket for the structural reinforcement 21. Inner portion
34 of cover assembly 22 has an aperture 35, sufficient to provide
ear clearance, and is shaped to primarily contact the wearer's head
around the perimeter of the aperture 35 and maintain gap 48 (FIGS.
4 and 5) between the inner surface 52 and the wearer's head 49,
exposing the openings of apertures 36, 50, and 51 to the ambient
environment.
[0025] Ear guard cover assembly 22 may be left un-coated, partially
coated, or preferentially completely coated with a series of
non-porous flexible sealing material comprising: base color 39,
decoration 40 (e.g., printed vinyl, hand painted) and clear coating
41.
[0026] In accordance with the invention, the apertures 36, 50, and
51 in the inner portion of cover assembly 22 provide the required
airflow, and thus, perforations 32 and 24 may be removed, providing
a larger, uninterrupted display area 57 on surface 33 for
textual/graphical material 40. The addition of coating 41 protects
the decoration and 40 and enhances cleanability of the ear
guard.
[0027] By virtue of the invention, ease of adjustment is increased
and the durability of the cover assembly 22 is extended. During
adjustment, straps 16-20 are loosened from the slots 28 and 29 of
the strap attachment means 27 and pushed through appropriately
sized apertures 36, eliminating the need to pull the inner portion
34 of cover assembly 22 away from the structural reinforcement 21,
reducing the potential for cracking and tearing of the cover
assembly 22.
[0028] The invention also realizes improvements in hearing and
ventilation. The gap 48, best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, exposes the
apertures 50, 51, and 36, of the inner portion 34 of cover assembly
22, to the surrounding environment. Apertures 50 together with
contours 53, of the structural reinforcement 21, maintain air paths
55 (FIG. 4) and aperture 51 together with contour 26, of the
structural reinforcement 21, provides an air path 56 (FIG. 5). A
second mode for air paths 54 result between the apertures 36 and
strap attachment means 27, and a third set of air paths 59 is
formed by apertures 31, apertures 58, and the contours of
structural reinforcement 21 and outer portion 30. The resulting
geometry permits incoming air, and the sound it transmits, to enter
and exit the ear guard freely from an increased range of
directions, thereby clarifying sound by reducing reverberation,
improving sound source location, and increasing ventilation.
* * * * *