Ear Protection Device

Abstract

An apparatus comprising a first curved band portion and a second curved band portion. The first curved band portion has a first end, a second end, an inner curved side and an outer curved side. The first curved band portion defines a passageway between the first end and the second end of the first curved band portion. The passageway has a first opening. The second curved band portion has a first end, a second end, an inner curved side and an outer curved side. A motion-restraint portion is proximate to the first end of the second curved band portion. The first end of the second curved band portion is insertable into the first opening of the passageway of the first curved band portion. The first curved band portion has a range of motion within the passageway of the second curved band portion.

1 - 11 . (canceled)  
     
     
         12 . An adjustable band comprising: 
 a first band portion, said first band portion including a first end, a second end, a base member, an upper member, a first side member and a second side member, each of said first side member and said second side member being coupled to said base member and said upper member, said base member, said upper member, said first side member and said second side member collectively defining therebetween a passageway along said first band portion, said base member defining a base member opening in communication with said passageway, said upper member defining an upper member opening in communication with said passageway, and said first side member defining an opening of the first side member in communication with said passageway; and    a second band portion, said second band portion being configured to be inserted into said passageway of said first band portion, said second band portion including a motion-restraint portion coupled thereto, said motion-restraint portion being disposed so that said motion restraint portion engages one of said base member, said upper member, said first side member and said second side member.    
     
     
         13 . The adjustable band of  claim 12 , wherein said upper member opening is formed with said first side member opening.  
     
     
         14 . The adjustable band of  claim 12 , wherein said opening of said first side member is a first opening, said first side member including a second opening spaced apart from said first opening, said first opening being formed with said upper member opening, said second opening being formed with said base member opening.  
     
     
         15 . The adjustable band of  claim 12 , wherein said second side member defines its own opening, said second side member opening being aligned with said first side member opening.  
     
     
         16 - 28 . (canceled)  
     
     
         29 . A method of assembling an ear warmer frame, the frame including a band, the band having a first end and a second end, the band including a first protrusion locking portion coupled to the band first end and a second protrusion locking portion coupled to the band second end, the method comprising: 
 coupling the first protrusion locking portion to a first ear cup portion, the first protrusion locking portion being coupled to a location proximate the center of the first ear cup portion, the first ear cup portion being configured to rotate about the first protrusion locking portion; and    coupling the second protrusion locking portion to a second ear cup portion, the second protrusion locking portion being coupled to a location proximate the center of the second ear cup portion, the second ear cup portion being configured to rotate about the second protrusion locking portion.    
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the first ear cup portion includes a post, the first protrusion locking portion including a connector configured to be coupled to the post, said coupling the first protrusion locking portion including coupling the connector to the post.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the first ear cup portion includes a portion defining an opening, the first protrusion locking portion including a knob, said coupling the first protrusion locking portion including engaging the opening with the knob.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the first protrusion locking portion is removably coupled to the band first end.  
     
     
         33 . An ear warmer comprising: 
 a frame, the frame including: 
 a band, the band having a first end and a second end, the band including a first protrusion locking portion coupled to the band first end and a second protrusion locking portion coupled to the band second end;  
 a first ear cup portion, the first protrusion locking portion being coupled to a location proximate the center of the first ear cup portion, the first ear cup portion being configured to rotate about the first protrusion locking portion; and  
 a second ear cup portion, the second protrusion locking portion being coupled to a location proximate the center of the second ear cup portion, the second ear cup portion being configured to rotate about the second protrusion locking portion.  
   
     
     
         34 . The ear warmer of  claim 33 , wherein the first protrusion locking portion is formed separate from the band first end and is configured to be coupled to the band first end, and the second protrusion locking portion is formed separate from the band second end and is configured to be coupled to the band second end.  
     
     
         35 . The ear warmer of  claim 34 , wherein the band first end includes a clip and the first protrusion locking portion is configured to engage the clip of the band first end, and the band second end includes its own clip and the second protrusion locking portion is configured to engage the clip of the band second end.  
     
     
         36 . The ear warmer of  claim 33 , wherein the first ear cup portion is removably coupleable with the first protrusion locking portion, and the second ear cup portion is removably coupleable with the second protrusion locking portion.  
     
     
         37 . The ear warmer of  claim 33 , further comprising: 
 a first ear cup membrane, the first ear cup membrane being configured to cover the first ear cup portion; and    a second ear cup membrane, the second ear cup membrane being configured to cover the second ear cup portion.    
     
     
         38 . The ear warmer of  claim 37 , further comprising: 
 a band membrane, the band membrane being configured to cover the band, each of the band membrane, the first ear cup membrane and the second ear cup membrane being formed separate from the other membranes.    
     
     
         39 . The ear warmer of  claim 38 , wherein the band membrane includes a first end and a second end, each of the ends of the band membrane comprising an elastic material.  
     
     
         40 . The ear warmer of  claim 33 , wherein the first ear cup portion includes a hole and the second ear cup portion includes its own hole, the first protrusion locking portion being configured to engage the first ear cup portion hole, and the second protrusion locking portion being configured to engage the second ear cup portion hole.  
     
     
         41 . The ear warmer of  claim 33 , wherein the band is an adjustable spring-like band.  
     
     
         42 . The ear warmer of  claim 33 , wherein the band first end includes a curved portion that is configured to engage the first protrusion locking member, and the band second end includes a curved portion that is configured to engage the second protrusion locking member.  
     
     
         43 . The ear warmer of  claim 42 , wherein the first protrusion locking member includes a post and the second protrusion locking member includes its own post, the post of the first protrusion locking member being configured to be received in the curved portion of the band first end, and the post of the second protrusion locking member being configured to be received in the curved portion of the band second end.  
     
     
         44 . The ear warmer of  claim 42 , wherein the curved portion of the band first end forms a clip that is configured to receive a portion of the first protrusion locking member, and the curved portion of the band second end forms a clip that is configured to receive a portion of the second protrusion locking member.