Ear protector

Abstract

An adjustable ear protector comprising, a U-shaped band having first and second ends wherein the first and second ends are positioned opposite each other on the band; a pair of ear covers; respectively mounted on the first and second ends; and a means for providing tension to the band to secure said ear covers on the ears of a user.

1 . An adjustable ear protector comprising: 
 a U-shaped band having first and second ends wherein said first and second ends are positioned opposite each other on said band;    a pair of ear covers; each ear cover being respectively mounted on said first and second ends, and    a means for providing tension to said band to secure said ear covers on the ears of a user.    
     
     
         2 . The ear protector of  claim 1  wherein said band is bendable.  
     
     
         3 . The ear protector of  claim 1  wherein said band is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, stainless steel, aramid, carbon fiber composite, graphite fiber composite, other waterproof material, and a combination of at least two of the above.  
     
     
         4 . The ear protector  claim 3  wherein the plastic is a thermoplastic material.  
     
     
         5 . The ear protector of  claim 1  wherein said means for providing tension to said band is a threaded screw in the center of said band.  
     
     
         6 . The ear protector of  claim 5  wherein the tension is adjusted by turning said screw.  
     
     
         7 . The ear protector of  claim 1  further comprising a concave shaped cover resting on top of said band and containing an aperture.  
     
     
         8 . The ear protector of  claim 7  further comprising a threaded elongated member which is affixed to the center of said band and fits within said aperture of said concave shaped cover; wherein a knob fits over said threaded elongated member such that tension to the band is adjusted by turning said knob over said threaded elongated member.  
     
     
         9 . The ear protector of  claim 1  wherein said ear covers are detachable from said band.  
     
     
         10 . The ear protector of  claim 1  wherein the size of said ear covers varies according to the size of the ears of the user.  
     
     
         11 . The ear protector of  claim 1  wherein said band is positioned behind the user's neck or in the back of the user's head.  
     
     
         12 . The ear protector of  claim 1  wherein said band is positioned below the user's chin or in front of the user's head.  
     
     
         13 . The ear protector of  claim 1  wherein each ear cover is comprised of an outer member and inner member, wherein said inner member fits within said outer member.  
     
     
         14 . The ear protector of  claim 13  wherein said outer member is a rigid shell or a semi-rigid shell.  
     
     
         15 . The ear protector of  claim 14  wherein said outer member is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, stainless steel, aramid, carbon fiber composite, graphite fiber composite, other waterproof material and a combination of at least two of the above.  
     
     
         16 . The ear protector of  claim 13 , wherein said inner member is a flexible material selected from the group consisting of rubber, elastomer and vinyl.  
     
     
         17 . The ear protector of  claim 16  wherein said flexible material is plastic rubber.  
     
     
         18 . The ear protector of  claim 13  wherein said inner member is detachable from said outer member.  
     
     
         19 . The ear protector of  claim 13  wherein said inner member conforms to the user's ears and protects the ears from coming in contact with a substance outside of said ear covers.  
     
     
         20 . The ear protector of  claim 13  wherein the ear covers further comprise an insert within said inner member comprised of foam, cotton or a combination of foam and cotton.  
     
     
         21 . The ear protector of  claim 1  further comprising means for lengthening or shortening said band to fit the user.  
     
     
         22 . The ear protector of  claim 21  wherein said means comprises a plurality of grooves on said first and second ends of said band and an additional member for each end, wherein said ear covers are attached to each of said additional members and said additional members slide along said plurality of grooves to adjust said band to fit the user.  
     
     
         23 . The ear protector of  claim 13  wherein an antibiotic ointment is applied to said inner member to protect the ears of said user from infection.  
     
     
         24 . An adjustable ear protector comprising: 
 a bendable thermoplastic U-shaped band having first and second ends wherein said first and second ends are positioned opposite each other on said band;    a pair of detachable ear covers, each ear cover being respectively mounted on said first and second ends; and    a threaded screw in the center of the band to provide tension to said band to secure said ear covers on the ears of a user, wherein the tension is adjusted by turning said screw.    
     
     
         25 . A process for making an ear protector comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a thermoplastic material which is heated to a melted state;    (b) providing a mold for producing the thermoplastic components of the ear protector including a U-shaped band and two outer members for two ear covers;    (c) injection molding said thermoplastic material into said mold to produce said thermoplastic components;    (d) providing a rubber material which is heated to a melted state;    (e) providing a mold for producing the rubber components of the ear protector including two inner members for two ear covers;    (f) injection molding said rubber material into said mold to produce said rubber components; and    (g) cooling said thermoplastic and rubber components and assembling said components to make the ear protector.