Ear warmer having a curved ear portion

Abstract

An ear warmer comprises a frame disposed within a cavity of a shell. The frame includes a band portion and an ear portion. The ear portion includes an inner side disposed adjacent a head of a user when the ear warmer is worn by a user. In one embodiment, the ear portion is curved toward the inner side of the ear portion. In one embodiment, the ear portion is configured to flex when the ear warmer is disposed on a head of a user.

1 . An ear warmer, comprising:
 a frame including a band portion and an ear portion, the ear portion having an inner side including an innermost surface along a perimeter of the ear portion, the ear portion including a first end and a second end, the ear portion having a first portion that includes the first end and a second portion that includes the second end, a length of the first portion of the ear portion being substantially equal to a length of the second portion of the ear portion, the first end of the ear portion being coupled to the band portion, the innermost surface of the ear portion having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion of the innermost surface being included within the first portion of the ear portion, the distal portion of the innermost surface being included within the second portion of the ear portion, at least half of the distal portion of the innermost surface being non-planar when the ear warmer is in an unbiased condition.   
     
     
         2 . The ear warmer of  claim 1 , wherein the band portion includes a first member and a second member, the first member of the band portion has a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion of the first member is slidably coupled to the second member of the band portion, the ear portion is coupled proximate the first end portion of the first member of the band portion. 
     
     
         3 . The ear warmer of  claim 1 , wherein the ear portion is rotatably coupled to the band portion. 
     
     
         4 . The ear warmer of  claim 1 , wherein the ear portion is tapered from the first end of the ear portion to the second end of the ear portion. 
     
     
         5 . The ear warmer of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the first end of the ear portion is greater than a thickness of the second end of the ear portion. 
     
     
         6 . The ear warmer of  claim 1 , wherein the band portion has a first member and a second member, the first member includes a first end and a second end, the second end of the first member is slidably coupled to the second member of the band portion, the first member of the band portion has an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface of the first member of the band portion includes a plurality of recesses configured to communicate with an end of the second member of the band portion. 
     
     
         7 . The ear warmer of  claim 1 , the ear portion including a projection and defining an opening, the projection extending into the opening, the ear warmer further comprising:
 a molding gate located on the projection.   
     
     
         8 . The ear warmer of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a shell having a cavity, at least a portion of the frame being disposed within the cavity of the shell.   
     
     
         9 .- 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A method of using an ear warmer having a band portion and an ear portion, the ear portion having a first end coupled to the band portion and a second end opposite the first end of the ear portion, the ear portion including a length extending from the first end of the ear portion to the second end of the ear portion, comprising:
 adjusting a shape of the ear warmer; and   disposing the ear warmer on a head of a user such that the ear portion is flexed along at least half of the length of the ear portion while the ear warmer is disposed on the head of the user.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the adjusting a shape of the ear warmer includes moving the ear portion with respect to the band portion. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the adjusting a shape of the ear warmer includes moving a first member of the band portion with respect to a second member of the band portion.