Earmuff

Abstract

To provide an earmuff to be comfortably worn regardless of seasons and having a function as cheering goods.SOLUTION: An earmuff 1 includes: a pair of earpads 10; an elastic body 70 for connecting the pair of earpads 10; and a headband 50. The earpad 10 includes: a base 20; a pad 35 attached to an inner side of the base 20; and a removable cover 40 for covering an outer side of the base 20, and also includes a cold insulator storage part for internally storing a cold insulator. The headband 50 is removably attached to the earpad 10 or the elastic body 70, and includes a cold insulator storage part 54 for internally storing a cold insulator.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to earmuffs. [Background technology]

[0002] Earmuffs are a type of hearing protection device that typically consists of a headband with soundproof ear pads attached to both ends. Wearing earmuffs and covering your ears with the ear pads can protect your ears from noise and other factors.

[0003] Such earmuffs are very useful for workers who work in noisy places and for people with hyperacusis, and earmuffs for not only adults but also children with hyperacusis are commercially available. Patent Document 1 discloses earmuffs that control sound output so that people with hyperacusis can wear them and reduce excessive hearing stimulation, allowing them to concentrate better on lessons at school. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-22841 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Noise and loud sounds occur in many settings other than workplaces and schools. For example, at soccer, baseball, and basketball games, large numbers of spectators cheer loudly, creating loud noises. Furthermore, in Japan, compared to other countries, cheering using instruments such as drums, clappers, and trumpets is essential. These loud noises and voices are not good for the brain development of children, whose neurological systems are still developing. It has been shown that verbal abuse, in particular, causes more damage to children's brains than physical abuse. Therefore, earmuffs, which protect children's brains while still enjoying the sport, are not only a reasonable accommodation for those with hearing loss, but are also effective for all children whose neurological systems are still developing.

[0006] Whether indoors or outdoors, earmuffs worn while watching sports and other events are important not only for their noise reduction but also for preventing heatstroke. Therefore, it is desirable for them to be comfortable to wear and incorporate heatstroke prevention measures in hot environments. Furthermore, positioning earmuffs as cheering gear not only creates a sense of unity among spectators, but also makes it easier for families, including children with hearing sensitivity, to watch sports together. Furthermore, as a secondary effect, it is expected to reduce screen time, which is a social problem for children.

[0007] Although efforts have been made to improve the sound deadening and sound insulation performance of earmuffs to date, they still fall short in the following areas: (1) Comfortable to wear, (2) Excellent aesthetics, including design, and (3) Suitable for watching sports.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide earmuffs that can be worn comfortably regardless of the season and also function as cheering goods. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention relates to earmuffs comprising a pair of ear pads, an elastic body connecting the pair of ear pads, and a headband, wherein the ear pads comprise a base, a pad attached to the inside of the base, and a removable cover covering the outside of the base, and have an ice pack storage section inside for storing ice packs, and the headband is detachably attached to the ear pads or the elastic body, and has an ice pack storage section inside for storing ice packs.

[0010] In the earmuffs according to the present invention, the ice packs can be freely removed from the ice pack storage sections of the ear pads and the headband, and sound absorbing material or heat insulating material can be stored in the ice pack storage sections of the ear pads and the headband instead of the ice packs.

[0011] In the earmuffs according to the present invention, the cover is characterized by having a fastener for removably fastening the decorative body to the outer surface.

[0012] In the earmuffs according to the present invention, the ear pads are connected to both ends of the elastic body via connectors that rotatably connect the ear pads to the elastic body.

[0013] In the earmuffs of the present invention, the cover and the base have a convex locking device on one side and a concave locking portion on the other side into which the locking device fits, and the locking device and the locking portion form a locking mechanism, and the cover can be attached and detached from the base with a single touch. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide earmuffs that can be worn comfortably regardless of the season and also function as cheering goods, and the following effects in particular are expected. (1) It helps prevent heatstroke in hot environments, allowing parents and children to watch sports in peace. (2) By allowing children to feel a sense of presence and unity in a safe environment such as a stadium, we can expect to see a decrease in screen time, which has become a social problem, and an increase in physical activity time. (3) Because it is an aesthetic cheering item worn on the head, it can encourage people to take an interest in children's development and contribute to the government's goal of "realizing a child-centered society." [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of earmuffs 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a plan view showing a state in which earmuffs 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention are stored in a storage container 90. FIG. [Figure 3] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating the configuration and structure of ear pads 10 of earmuffs 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating the configuration and structure of a headband 50 of earmuffs 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating the configuration and structure of a decorative body 100 to be attached to earmuffs 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] 1 and 2 are perspective views of earmuffs 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and a plan view showing the earmuffs stored in a storage container 90. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and structure of ear pads 10 of earmuffs 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with (A) and (B) being plan and cross-sectional views of cover 40, (C) and (D) being plan and cross-sectional views of base 20, (E) being a cross-sectional view of ice pack 32, and (F) and (G) being plan and cross-sectional views of pad 35. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and structure of headband 50 of earmuffs 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with (A) and (B) being plan and cross-sectional views of headband 50, and (C) being a plan view showing a modified example of headband 50.

[0017] The earmuffs 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention include a pair of left and right ear pads 10, a headband 50, and an elastic body 70 that connects the pair of left and right ear pads 10 (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 1, the earmuffs 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention have ear pads 10 arranged on the left and right, and the headband 50 and elastic body 70 arranged above the ear pads 10.

[0018] The ear pad 10 is a member that covers the wearer's ear when worn, and includes a base 20, a pad 35, and a cover 40 that covers the outside of the base 20.

[0019] The left and right ear pads 10 have the same shape, dimensions, and structure. There are no particular limitations on the size and shape of the ear pads 10, but if the cover 40 is hemispherical and has a diameter of about 70 mm, it will resemble the balls used in baseball, soccer, basketball, and volleyball, making it suitable for watching sports.

[0020] 3(C) and 3(D), the base 20 includes a thick, disk-shaped ring portion 22 and a dome portion 25 that covers the ring portion 22. The base 20 is made of resin, and the ring portion 22 and the dome portion 25 are integrally molded.

[0021] The ring portion 22 has a recessed locking portion 23 on its upper surface into which the protrusion 42 on the cover 40 fits in a detachable manner. The structure of the locking portion 23 is not particularly limited as long as the protrusion 42 can be detachably fitted. The shape and arrangement of the locking portion 23 are also not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the locking portion 23 is aesthetically pleasing. If the locking portion 23 is aesthetically pleasing, it can be made part of the design when the cover 40 is made of a transparent skeleton material so that the locking portion 23 and the protrusion 42 can be seen from the outside.

[0022] Dome section 25 has a concave sound-absorbing material storage section 26 on the bottom surface for storing sound-absorbing material 30, and a concave ice pack storage section 28 on the top for storing ice pack 32. Ice pack storage section 28 is preferably as large as possible to extend the cooling time. There are no particular limitations on the shape of ice pack storage section 28, but it is preferable that the lower half of ice pack 32, which has a convex lens shape, fits into it without any gaps.

[0023] The sound absorbing material fitted into the sound absorbing material housing 26 is not particularly limited, and any known sound absorbing material such as a sponge-like sound absorbing material can be used.

[0024] 3(E), ice pack 32 has a lens shape. The shape and size of ice pack 32 are approximately the same as the shape of the space formed by ice pack storage section 28 and inner surface 41 of cover 40. Ice pack 32 may be a known ice pack in which a gel-like ice pack is filled in a resin bag.

[0025] The pad 35 is made of a ring-shaped elastic body as shown in FIGS. 3(F) and 3(G), and is fixed to the inside of the base 20.

[0026] 3(A) and 3(B), cover 40 is a resin member having the same shape as dome portion 25 of base 20, and when attached to base 20, it covers the entire dome portion 25. By attaching cover 40 to base 20, ice packs 32 stored in ice pack storage section 28 are fixed in place without wobbling.

[0027] It is preferable that cover 40 has a heat insulating material or a heat insulating layer attached to its inner surface 41. Instead of providing cover 40 with a heat insulating material or a heat insulating layer, the top surface of ice packs 32 stored in ice pack storage section 28 may be covered with a heat insulating material, and the heat insulating material may be sandwiched between cover 40 and ice packs 28. This makes it possible to prevent cold air from escaping through cover 40.

[0028] The bottom surface of the cover 40 is provided with a protrusion 42 that detachably fits into the recess 23 provided in the base 20. In the earmuffs 1 of this embodiment, the recess 23 provided in the base 20 and the protrusion 42 provided in the cover 40 form a detachable locking mechanism. This allows the cover 40 to be attached and detached to the base 20 with a single touch.

[0029] The protrusions 42 provided on the cover 40 are preferably shaped and arranged to have an aesthetically pleasing appearance. If the protrusions 42 have an aesthetically pleasing appearance, the protrusions 42 can be made part of the design when the cover 40 is made of a transparent skeleton material that is visible from the outside.

[0030] The cover 40 has a fixing seat 46 on its outer surface for attaching the decorative body 100. The fixing seat 46 consists of two or three recesses spaced apart. The arrangement of the fixing seat 46 is not particularly limited, but the position and orientation of the decorative body 100 attached to the ear pad 10 are determined by the arrangement of the fixing seat 46, so the arrangement of the fixing seat 46 should be determined taking this into consideration.

[0031] The headband 50 has a cloth main body 52 with fasteners 60 at both ends of the main body 52 (see FIG. 4). The main body 52 is not particularly limited as long as it is a soft or flexible material, but using a cloth main body 52 is preferable because it can be washed. The headband 50 is used by fastening the fasteners 60 to headband attachments 76 provided on the elastic body 70.

[0032] 4(A) and 4(B), main body 52 has an elongated shape, and is provided in the center with ice pack storage section 54 for storing ice packs. Ice pack storage section 54 is provided with an opening / closing port 56 on the top side for putting in and taking out ice packs 65. A line fastener (not shown) is attached to opening / closing port 56, making opening / closing port 56 possible.

[0033] It is preferable that a heat insulating material or a heat insulating layer be attached to the back side 59 of the top surface 58 of the ice pack storage section 54. Instead of providing a heat insulating material or a heat insulating layer on the back side of the top surface 58 of the ice pack storage section 54, the top surface of the ice pack 65 stored in the ice pack storage section 54 may be covered with a heat insulating material. This makes it possible to prevent cold air from escaping from the top surface 58 side of the ice pack storage section 54.

[0034] The shape and size of the internal space of the ice pack storage section 54 are preferably approximately the same as the external shape and dimensions of the ice pack 65. This allows the ice pack 65 to be stored in the ice pack storage section 54 stably and without strain or wobbling.

[0035] The ice pack storage section 54 may have the same width as the end of the main body 52 in a plan view as shown in Fig. 4(A), or may have a width wider than the end of the main body 52 in a plan view as shown in Fig. 4(C). If the ice pack storage section 54 is made larger, it can exert its cooling function for a long period of time.

[0036] In the ice pack storage section 54 of this embodiment, a line fastener is used as the opening / closing mechanism for the entrance / exit 56, but the form of the entrance / exit 56 of the ice pack storage section 54 is not limited to this. For example, the entrance / exit 56 may be formed by overlapping the fabric material on the top surface 58 of the ice pack storage section 54 in the vertical direction. Also, the entire main body 52 may be bag-shaped, and the entire main body 52 may serve as the ice pack storage section 54.

[0037] The ice pack 65 is a flexible, elongated ice pack, and may be a known ice pack in which a gel-like ice pack is filled in a resin bag.

[0038] The fastener 60 is a U-shaped hook, and one end 62 is rotatably attached to the end of the main body 52. ​​The structure of the fastener 60 is not limited to a U-shaped hook, but it is preferable that the fastener 60 can be easily attached to and detached from the headband attachment 76 provided on the elastic body 70.

[0039] The elastic body 70 comprises three curved elastic rods 72a, 72b, and 72c, which connect the rods together with a lower connecting rod 73 and an upper connecting rod 74. The elastic body 70 may be made up of one or two curved elastic rods, but using three rods makes it possible to achieve both strength and light weight.

[0040] The ends of the front rod 72a and the rear rod 72c are connected to a lower connecting rod 73, and the end of the central rod 72b is connected to an upper connecting rod 74 that spans between the rods 72a and 72c. In this way, the three rods 72a, 72b, and 72c are integrated via the lower connecting rod 73 and the upper connecting rod 74.

[0041] The elastic body 70 is provided with a headband attachment 76 for attaching the headband 50. The headband attachment 76 is a rod on which the U-shaped hook that serves as the fastener 60 of the headband 50 is fastened, and is located between the lower connecting rod 73 and the upper connecting rod 74, and is fixed so as to span between the rods 72a and 72c. The headband attachment 76 of this embodiment has two tiers, one above the other, on each of the left and right sides, which allows the vertical distance between the headband 50 and the ear pads 10 to be changed.

[0042] The elastic body 70 has both ends connected to the left and right ear pads 10 via connectors 80, respectively.

[0043] The connector 80 is a connector that rotatably connects the left and right ear pads 10 to the left and right ends of the elastic body 70. The connector 80 in this embodiment is a spherical joint, and one end is attached to the base 20 of the ear pad 10, and the other end is attached to the lower connecting rod 73 of the elastic body 70. This allows the ear pad 10 to move back and forth, left and right, and up and down relative to the elastic body 70, and to rotate, starting from the spherical joint.

[0044] If a spherical joint is used for the connector 80, and the ear pad 10 can be moved and rotated relative to the elastic body 70, it will be easy to store the earmuffs 1 in a packaging container (storage container) 90 when commercializing the earmuffs 1 (see Figure 2).

[0045] The connector 80 is not limited to a spherical joint, and may be any connector that can rotatably connect the ear pad 10 to the elastic body 70. The movement and rotation of the ear pad 10 relative to the elastic body 70 is preferably in three dimensions, i.e., front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-to-down, but the ear pad 10 may also be rotated so that the orientation of the ear pad 10 can be changed in the front-to-back direction.

[0046] Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and structure of the decorative body 100 that is attached to the earmuffs 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is a plan view of the decorative body 100, (B) is a front view of the decorative body 100, and (C) is a diagram showing the decorative body 100 attached to the ear pad 10.

[0047] The decorative body 100 is a component that enables the earmuffs 1 to function as cheering goods, and is attached to the ear pads 10. The decorative body 100 can also be used to decorate the earmuffs 1 for purposes other than cheering goods. The decorative body 100 is positioned as an optional part.

[0048] The decorative body 100 shown in this embodiment is a flexible, elongated member as shown in Fig. 5(A), and as shown in Fig. 5(B), protrusions 110 are provided on the back surface 102 at both ends, which can be detachably fitted into fixing seats 46 provided on the cover 40 of the ear pad 10. In this way, the recesses 46 provided on the cover 40 and the protrusions 110 provided on the decorative body 100 form a detachable locking mechanism, allowing the decorative body 100 to be attached and detached to the cover 40 with a single touch.

[0049] This decorative object 100 is for use in watching sports, and the color of the surface 104 is the team color of the supported team, and the surface 104 is also provided with the slogan or catchphrase 106 of the supported team.

[0050] The ornament 100 of this embodiment is attached so as to span the left and right ear pads 10 as shown in FIG. 5(C), and is worn so that the ornament 100 is positioned on the back of the head.

[0051] The form of the ornament 100 is not limited to this embodiment. The ornament 100 in this embodiment is a type that is attached so that it spans the left and right ear pads 10, but it may also be attached to each of the left and right ear pads 10. The number of ornaments 100 is not limited to one, and multiple fixing seats 46 may be provided on the ear pad 10, so that two or three ornaments 100 can be attached. The attachment position and angle of the ornament 100 relative to the ear pad 10 are also not particularly limited.

[0052] Next, a method of using the earmuffs 1 of this embodiment will be described. However, the method of using the earmuffs 1 is not limited to this.

[0053] When the temperature or room temperature is high, the headband 50 is worn after storing cooled ice packs 32, 65 in the ice pack storage section 28 of the ear pad 10 and the ice pack storage section 54 of the headband 50. This cools the head, allowing for a comfortable wear. Also, by wearing the headband 50 around the neck, the nape of the neck can be cooled. At this time, the pads 35 of the ear pads 10 can be rotated toward the chest, allowing for comfortable cooling of the carotid arteries as well.

[0054] On the other hand, in times or places when there is no need to cool the head, sound-absorbing material is stored in the ice pack storage section 28 of the ear pad 10 and heat-insulating material is stored in the ice pack storage section 54 of the headband 50, and then the headphones are worn. This increases sound deadening and makes the head more comfortable.

[0055] When watching sports, if you replace the covers 40 of the ear pads 10 with ones in the team color of the team you are supporting, you can use the earmuffs 1 as cheering goods and get into the mood. Furthermore, if you attach decorations 100 to the ear pads 10 and wear them, you will get into the mood even more.

[0056] As described above, the earmuffs 1 of the first embodiment can store the ice packs 32, 65 not only in the ear pads 10 but also in the headband 50, so that the wearer can stay comfortable even in hot weather or when the room temperature is high.

[0057] Furthermore, the earmuffs 1 of the first embodiment have one-touch replaceable covers 40 for the ear pads 10, and can also be fitted with decorative members 100, making them suitable for use as cheering goods and ideal for cheering on and watching sports. Furthermore, the earmuffs 1 of the first embodiment have a removable headband 50, making them easy to wash.

[0058] These earmuffs1 allow children to feel a sense of presence and unity in stadiums and other venues with peace of mind, which is expected to reduce screen time, a social problem, and increase physical activity. Furthermore, as they are aesthetically pleasing cheering gear worn on the head, they can encourage people at the venue to take an interest in children's development, contributing to the government's goal of "realizing a child-centered society."

[0059] The above describes the configuration, structure, and usage of the earmuffs of the present invention using the earmuffs of the first embodiment, but the earmuffs of the present invention are not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified and used within the scope that does not change the gist of the invention.

[0060] In the earmuffs 1 of the first embodiment, the recesses 23 and protrusions 42 are used as the locking mechanism between the base 20 of the ear pad 10 and the cover 40, but the locking mechanism between the base 20 and the cover 40 is not limited to this. This locking mechanism should be able to reliably fix the cover 40 to the base 20, and it is preferable that the cover 40 can be attached and detached with a single touch. Therefore, it is also possible to provide a claw on the cover 40 so that the claw can be hooked onto the base 20. This also applies to the locking mechanism formed by the protrusions 110 of the decorative body 100 and the fixing seats 46 provided on the cover 40.

[0061] While the preferred earmuffs have been described above with reference to the drawings, those skilled in the art will readily envision various changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention, which are obvious from the description of the present invention. Accordingly, such changes and modifications are to be construed as falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1 earmuffs 10 ear pads 20 Foundation 23 Recess 28 Ice pack storage section 32 Ice packs 35 pads 40 Cover 42 Protrusion 46 Fixed seat (recess) 50 headbands 54 Ice pack storage section 60 Locking device 65 Ice packs 70 Elastic Body 76 Headband attachment 80 Connector 100 decorative body

Claims

1. An earmuff comprising a pair of ear pads, an elastic body connecting the pair of ear pads, and a headband, The ear pad includes a base, a pad attached to the inside of the base, and a detachable cover that covers the outside of the base, and has an ice pack storage section that stores an ice pack therein, The headband is detachably attached to the ear pad or the elastic body, and has an ice pack storage section therein for storing ice packs.

2. the ice packs are detachable from the ice pack storage portions of the ear pads and the headband; 2. The earmuffs according to claim 1, wherein sound absorbing material or heat insulating material can be stored in the ice pack storage sections of the ear pads and the headband instead of the ice packs.

3. 3. The earmuffs according to claim 1, wherein the cover has a fastener for removably fastening the decorative body to the outer surface thereof.

4. 3. The earmuff according to claim 1, wherein the ear pads are connected to both ends of the elastic body via connectors that rotatably connect the ear pads to the elastic body.

5. the cover and the base are provided with a convex locking device on one side and a concave locking portion on the other side into which the locking device fits, and the locking device and the locking portion form a locking mechanism; 3. The earmuff according to claim 1, wherein the cover is detachable from the base with a single touch.

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