Ear Heating Pads

Abstract

A portable device for being carried on a person in order to relieve an ear-ache pain; the device consisting of a heating pad placable against the ear and being connected by wiring to either to a household electric outlet or else to a dry cell battery and switch than can be carried in a pocket so the person is thus free to move about either in the home or out-of-doors.

Description

This invention relates generally to portable electrical appliances.

It is well known that when at home, a person with an ear ache can lay comfortable on a heating pad for relief, but this does not let a person to be mobile.

Accordingly, it is a principle object of the present invention to provide ear heating pads that can be used while a person is moving about in doors or walking out of doors such as when going to work, thus allowing the ear ache to be treated at a same time.

Another object is to provide ear heating pads whqch can be electrically powered either by a dry cell battery while he is mobile or which can be powered by a household electric current when he is stationary indoors.

Yet another object is to provide ear heating pads which enclose the ear opening so when worn outside on a windy or cold day, these weather conditions do not aggrevate the ear ache further.

Other objects are to provide ear heating pads which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention in assembled form for operation.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross section through the centerline of one of the heated ear pads, and incorporating a modified design of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a transverse vertical view, partly in cross-section through 3--3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is another transverse vertical view, partly in cross-section, through 4--4 of FIG. 2.

Refering now to the drawing in greater detail, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 thereof at this time, the reference numeral 10 represents an ear heating pad assembly according to the present invention that includes an ear cup 11 for placement against each ear of a person, the cups being supported fully adjustably at opposite ends of a head band 12 placeable over the person's head. Each cup 11 includes a recess 13 wherein a heating coil is located behind a protective screen 14 and which is electrically connected to an on-off switch rearward thereof and which is controlled by an external switch button 15, the switch and healing coils being connected by electric cables 16 to an electric power source. If such power source is a household electric outlet, then a male plug 17 on the cable cord can be plugged therein. The plug would incorporate a transformer so the 120 v.a.c. current could be stepped down to the voltage of the heating coil.

If the person wishes to be mobile, than the plug 17 is connected to a socket 18 connected to a dry cell battery 19 contained within a case 20 that can be conveniently carried in a person's pocket or purse. A rheostat switch 21 in the case can be controlled by a knob 22 so to supply less or more heat, as desired.

In FIGS. 2 to 4, a modified design of ear heating pad unit 23 is shown wherein the heat can be controlled to point and concentrate toward any particular area of the ear. This is accomplished by heating coil 24 having its wiring grill being more dense at one end with the wire being closer together as shown in FIG. 4. Additionally it is mounted on a ring 25 which is integral with a handle 26 that extends outward of the housing 27 through a slot 28 so the coil can be rotated one half way around in position. Additionally a reflector flate 29 allows heat rays passing through the ring central opening to strile thereagainst and deflect toward the ear. This reflector plate is slightly conical with its apex being eccentrically positioned as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 so that the deflected heat rays can be concentrated toward a particular direction. The plate 29 can be rotated also one half way around by a handle 30 secured thereto and extending outwardly of the housing through a slot 31. Thus complete directional heat is controlled.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it is understood that such changes will be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. In an ear heating pad assembly, a pair of cup-like housings supported fully adjustable at opposite ends of a head band, each housing containing a heating coil and switch which are connected by electric cable to an

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said power source comprised wither a household electric outlet or else a dry cell battery

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein accordingly said cable is intercepted by a plug connectable either to said household electric outlet or to a receptacle connected electrically to said dry cell battery.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein the heat from said heating coils is controlable in intensity and in direction.