US2281357A - Ear muff - Google Patents

Description

April 28, 1942- v. R. JOHNSON EAR MUFF Filed Dec. 18, 1939 Patented Apr. 28, 1942 assist? warren stares PATENT caries EAR MUFF Victor E. Johnson, Chicago, Ill.

Application December 18, 1939, Serial No. 309,905

3 Claims.

My invention relates to ear mufis, and more particularly to the type intended to form a pocket for the ear, and one of my main objects is to provide an ear muff of this kind which extends fully to the base of the ear, whereby to completely encase the ear.

A further object of the invention is to provide an ear muff which has self-contained means to retain it on the ear.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ear muii which is exceedingly simple in construction and of a nature to be produced at low cost.

With the above objects in view and any others which may suggest themselves from the description to follow, a better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which- Fig. l is a side elevation of the novel ear muff Fig. 2 is a front elevation;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the application of the ear muff.

In the field of ear muffs, the tendency has lately been to depart from the types which employ overhead or back straps or like retaining devices. Individual ear muffs are more simple, but such as have come to my attention are either clumsy or large, owing to the necessity of extra material to retain the ear muff to the ear. Some patents show attempts to form an ear muff in the manner of a pocket, but the latter is employed in part for external or internal means to retain the ear muff in place, so that parts of the pocket are open and expose the ear to the cold. I have therefore designed an ear muff which overcomes the above deficiencies, providing full protection and retention combined with a neat appearance.

In accordance with the foregoing, specific reference to the drawing indicates the novel ear muff at IE]. The same is in the form of a segment-shaped pocket whose back is shaped to follow the contour of the human ear. The muff is of a size to fit the average ear, although it may be made slightly larger to provide more latitude in this respect without feeling loose or appearing too conspicuous.

The front of the muff has an opening or entrance H materially shorter than the body portion thereof. With the mufi made of wool, velour or other soft or warm material, it may be packed or stored in quantities in flat or closed position; however, when the mufi is handled or to be used, it will have an inherent tendency to open to a limited degree, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3.

The rim of the opening H is tucked in as indicated at I2 and secured to the walls of the muif by stitching l3. Within the rim is confined an endless elastic band or cord It. This item maintains the rim of the muff at a minimum size, but permits the same to be distended in order to mount the mun upon the ear to assume the position indicated in Fig, 4.

As shown in Fig. 1, the mufi' is of a depth to fully encase the ear and place the elastic rim it around the base thereof. Such rim, due to its elastic component, closely engages the ear at its base and retains the muff against departure or dislodgment. It is thus unnecessary to have any devices or means for holding a pair of muiis together, so that the present article is in every sense an individual ear muff.

It will be evident from the above description that the novel ear muff, because of its uniform construction, need not be made for the right or left ear necessarily, being suitable for either ear. All ear muffs can thus be made identical from the viewpoint of quantity production. Further, the present ear muff is a full-capacity pocket which closely and completely encases the ear, protecting the whole ear against cold and presenting no projections or conspicuous formations. Because of its compact formation, the novel ear muff requires a minimum of material. Further, its elastic rim is a handy and self-evident feature for the application of the mufi with a view to retaining the same on the car, so that one need not learn or practice to put on the ear muff. Further, the elastic rim of the latter finds a suitable zone at the point of its application, since the base of the ear is so much smaller than the lobe thereof, furnishing a constricted area for engagement by the elastic rim in a position favorable to the retention of its hold. Further, the simple nature of the ear muif makes it easy to carry in the pocket, in the cuif of a sleeve or to keep a pair thereof in a small envelope for handy use in case the wearer is outdoors and finds that the ears become sensitive to the cold. Finally, the material and simple construction of the novel ear muff make it possible to manufacture the same economically and to sell the same at a low price.

While I have described the invention along specific lines, various minor changes and refinements may be made without departing from its principle, and I desire to consider all such changes and refinements as coming within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An ear muff comprising a fiat pocket memher having a pair of substantially identical and substantially ear-shaped side walls, and a slitlike frontal opening in an edge of said member adapted for the insertion of an ear therein, the rim of the frontal opening of the pocket incorporating an elastic element.

2. An ear mufi comprising a flat pocket member having a pair of substantially identical and substantially ear-shaped side walls, and a slitlike frontal opening in an edge of said member adapted for the insertion of an ear therein, the rim of the frontal opening of the pocket being constricted and incorporating an elastic element.

3. An ear mufi comprising a fiat pocket member having a pair of substantially identical and substantially ear-shaped side walls, and a slitlike frontal opening in an edge of said member adapted for the insertion of an ear therein, the rim of the frontal opening of the pocket being tucked inwardly to form a hem, and an endless band of elastic material incorporated in the hem.

VICTOR R. JOHNSON.

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