Apparatus and method for making an ear warmer and an ear warmer frame

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ear warmer device. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods for making ear warmers and ear warmer frames.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an ear warmer frame including:
 a first frame member having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface configured to be disposed between the outer surface and a head of a user, a portion of the first frame member extending outwardly from the first frame member to define an opening; and 
 a second frame member having a plurality of projections, a portion of the second frame member configured to be disposed within the opening of the first frame member such that the second frame member is slideably coupled to the first frame member and such that at least a portion of an inner surface of the second frame member is in contact with at least a portion of the outer surface of the first frame member. 
   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first frame member includes a projection configured to engage at least one of the plurality of projections of the second frame member. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the ear warmer frame further includes an ear member coupled to the second frame member, the apparatus further including:
 an ear warmer shell, at least a portion of the ear member configured to be disposed within the ear warmer shell.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the portion of the second frame member is configured to pass through the opening of the first frame member before any of the plurality of projections pass through the opening of the first frame member. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein an end surface of the first frame member defines the opening. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the second frame member does not define an opening. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an ear warmer frame including:
 a first frame member defining an opening, the first frame member having an inner surface and an exposed outer surface, the exposed outer surface of the first frame member having a plurality of projections; and 
 a second frame member, at least a portion of the second frame member configured to be disposed within the opening, the second frame member having an inner surface at least a portion of which is configured to be in sliding contact with at least a portion of the exposed outer surface of the first frame member, the inner surface of the second frame member having a projection configured to engage at least one of the plurality of projections of the first frame member. 
   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the at least a portion of at least one of the first frame member or the second frame member is disposed within a shell. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the ear warmer frame further includes:
 a third frame member having an inner surface, at least a portion of the inner surface of the third frame member configured to be in sliding contact with at least a portion of the exposed outer surface of the first frame member, the inner surface of the third frame member having a projection configured to engage at least one of the plurality of projections of the first frame member.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the opening of the first frame member is a first opening, the ear warmer frame further including:
 a third frame member, at least a portion of the third frame member configured to be disposed within a second opening defined by the first frame member;   a first ear member coupled to the third frame member; and   a second ear member coupled to the second frame member.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the inner surface of the first frame member is configured to be disposed between the exposed outer surface and a head of a user. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the exposed outer surface is the outermost portion of the first frame member when the first frame member is disposed about a head of a user. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the opening is spaced apart from the plurality of projections. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an ear warmer frame including:
 a first frame member having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface configured to be disposed between the outer surface and a head of a user, an extension portion of the first frame member extending substantially normally from the outer surface to at least partially define an opening, the first frame member having a projection extending from the outer surface, the projection spaced apart from the opening; and 
 a second frame member having a plurality of projections, a portion of the second frame member configured to be disposed through the opening such that at least one projection from the plurality of projections engages the projection of the first frame member. 
   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the portion of the second frame member disposed through the opening is spaced apart from the plurality of projections of the second frame member. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the ear warmer frame further includes:
 an ear member coupled to the first frame member, the apparatus further comprising:
 a shell, at least a portion of the ear member configured to be disposed within the shell. 
   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of projections is disposed on an outer surface of the second frame member such that each projection from the plurality of projections is the outermost portion of the second frame member when the second frame member is disposed about the head of the user. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein a collective length of the first frame member and the second frame member is adjustable. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the projection of the first frame member is one of a plurality of projections of the first frame member.