Ear protection device for athletes

Abstract

This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for an earring safety device that can be clipped to an ear enveloping an earring so as to protect the ear and the wearer's head from the earring during fast-paced activities. The earring safety device can enable athletes to participate in contact sports without removing the earring, especially where rules would otherwise preclude the athlete from competing. The earring safety device can also protect the wearer from snagging the earring during high-intensity activities and jobs The protection also protects the athlete from injury due to impacts made to the earring.

Description

RELATED CASES AND PRIORITY[0001]This application claims the benefit of Non-Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 61 / 631,850 filed on Jan. 13, 2012, the details of which are incorporated by reference into the present application in their entirety.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE[0002]This invention relates to methods and apparatus for protecting ears, and in particular, to methods and apparatus for protecting pierced ears and adjacent tissue from physical injury during sporting or other fast-paced activities.BACKGROUND[0003]Participation in youth sports while wearing one or more earrings or ear piercings generates a host of safety issues that are often addressed by rules and policies. Objects that strike the ear when an earring is in place can cause the backing to strike the skull causing discomfort and / or injury. Earrings and piercings of the ear can also snag on clothing or equipment. Such injuries have predominantly been seen in sports such as soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, softball and...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The device offers enhanced comfort and protection by stabilizing the earring and ear, preventing movement and injury from external impacts, and can be used on various ear parts, including the helix, providing a reusable alternative to existing solutions.

Problems solved by technology

Objects that strike the ear when an earring is in place can cause the backing to strike the skull causing discomfort and / or injury.

This can present a difficult decision for some athletes with newly pierced ears because they have been told that if they remove the earrings from the piercing that the hole will close up.

However, the athletic tape provides little to no protection and has significant aesthetic drawbacks.

As such, adhesive bandages are awkward to affix to both the earlobe and the earring.

Additionally, even this added thickness may not be sufficient to prevent injury to the head or neck if the ball hits the ear shoving the back portion or earring backing into the athletes head or neck.

However, the clamshell design allows an earring backing to move in various directions relative to the protector, which can lead to discomfort.

Furthermore, a clamshell shape often has a shallow depth making it more likely that an earring backing will be pressured by the clamshell protector into the ear thus further causing discomfort.

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