CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional application number 61/637,373 filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on April 24, 2012, Canadian Patent Application No. 2,798,596 filed in the Canadian Intellectual Property Office on December 14, 2012, and United States Patent Application No. 13/716,432 filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on December 17, 2012, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference and priority to which is claimed.

Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a head assembly. In particular, the invention relates to an ear-engaging and eye-covering head assembly.

Description of the Related Art

[0003] It is known to combine earmuffs with eye protectors pivotally connected thereto. See, for example, United States Patent No. 5,724,119 to Leight, United States Patent Publication No. 2011/0209273 to Fountain et al., United States Patent No. 7,020,903 to Artzberger, United States Patent No. 7,020,901 to Brhel, United States Patent No. 6,511, 177 to Hall et al. and United States Patent No. 5,278,999 to Brown et al.

[0004] The above-described prior art provides eye protectors that may be damaged through scratching, by being stepped on, or by objects impacting the protectors when the head assemblies are not in use. [0005] US Patent No. 5, 105,475 to Lynd et al. discloses visor-type headgear that includes an eye-shield, a forehead section, and a detent mechanism for positioning the eye-shield within the forehead section.

[0006] The above headgear does not appear to provide a means for protecting a wearer' s ears and appears to require a visor.

[0007] There is accordingly a need for an improved ear-engaging and eye-covering head assembly that is compact and robust and which may overcome the above disadvantages.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides an improved ear-engaging and eye-covering head assembly.

[0009] According to one aspect, there is accordingly provided an ear-engaging and eye-covering head assembly. The assembly includes a pair of ear-engaging members. The assembly includes an arcuate member connecting the ear-engaging members together. The assembly includes an eye protector operatively pivotably connected to the arcuate member. The assembly includes a protective cover connected to the arcuate member. The protective cover is configured to receive the eye protector when the eye protector is pivoted upwardly towards the protective cover. [0010] According to another aspect, there is provided an ear-engaging and eye- covering head assembly. The assembly includes a pair of ear-engaging members. The assembly include an eye-covering member operatively connected to the ear-engaging members. The eye-covering member is pivotable relative to the ear-engaging members. The assembly includes a protective cover connected to the ear-engaging members. The protective cover is shaped to selectively receive the eye-covering member when the eye- covering member is pivoted towards the protective cover.

[0011] According to a further aspect, there is provided an eye-covering head assembly for connecting to a top of a headband. The headband extends over the top a wearer's head and connects together a pair of ear-engaging members. The assembly includes an arcuate-shaped protective cover operatively connectable to the top of the headband. The assembly includes an eye-covering member operatively pivotably connected to the protective cover. The protective cover is shaped to receive the eye- covering member when the eye-covering member is pivoted towards the cover. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] The invention will be more readily understood from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof given, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side, front perspective view of an ear-engaging and eye-covering head assembly according to a first aspect, the assembly having a protective cover and having an eye protector in a first position;

Figure 2 is a front elevation view of the assembly shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front elevation view of the assembly shown in Figure 1, the eye protector being positioned in a second position within the protective cover;

Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the assembly shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a rear elevation view of the assembly shown in Figure 3; Figure 6 is a front elevation view of an ear-engaging and eye-covering head assembly according to a second aspect, the assembly having a protective cover, an eye protector in a first position and a light apparatus connected to the protective cover; Figure 7 is a side elevation view of an ear-engaging and eye-covering head assembly according to a third aspect, the assembly having a protective cover and having an eye protector in a first position;

Figure 8 is a side elevation view of the assembly shown in Figure 7, the eye protector being positioned within the protective cover in a second position;

Figure 9 is a front elevation view of the assembly shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a front perspective view of an ear-engaging and eye-covering head assembly according to a fourth aspect;

Figure 11 a front perspective view of an ear-engaging and eye-covering head assembly according to a fifth aspect; Figure 12 is a front perspective view of a protective cover for an ear-engaging and eye- covering head assembly according to a sixth aspect;

Figure 13 is a rear perspective view of the protective cover of Figure 12; Figure 14 is a side elevation view of the ear-engaging and eye-covering assembly according to the sixth aspect together with a headband connected to a pair of earmuffs, only half of the headband being shown, the protective cover being shown in section and in the process of connecting to the headband; Figure 15 is a front perspective view of the ear-engaging and eye-covering head assembly according to the sixth aspect, the protective cover being shown connected to the headband; Figure 16 is a front perspective view of the ear-engaging and eye-covering head assembly according to the seventh aspect;

Figure 17 is a front perspective view of an ear-engaging and eye-covering head assembly according to an eight aspect together with a wearer shown using the assembly;

Figure 18 is a front perspective view of an ear-engaging and eye-covering head assembly according to a ninth aspect, the assembly having a protective cover and having an eye protector in a first position; and Figure 19 is a side perspective view of the assembly of Figure 18 with the eye protector being positioned in a second position within the protective cover.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMB ODF ENT S [0013] Referring to the drawings and first to Figure 1, there is shown an ear-engaging and eye-covering head assembly 20. The assembly has a top 22, a bottom 24 opposite the top, and a pair of spaced-apart sides 26 and 28 extending between the top and the bottom. The assembly 20 also includes a front 30 as best seen in Figure 3 and a rear 31 opposite the front, as best seen in Figure 5. Referring to Figure 1, the front and rear of the assembly extend from top 22 to bottom 24 of the assembly.

[0014] The assembly 20 includes a pair of ear-engaging members, in this example a pair of ear protectors 29. The ear protectors include earmuffs 32 and 33 for protecting a wearer's ears. Each earmuff is substantially the same in parts and functions and therefore only earmuff 33 will be described in detail. As seen in Figure 3, earmuff 33 has a top 34 facing top 22 of the assembly 20. Each earmuff has an inner side 35 and an outer side 36 spaced-apart from its inner side, with the outer sides aligning with the respective sides of the assembly. This is shown by outer side 36 aligning with side 28 of the assembly 20. As seen in Figure 1, each earmuff 33 comprises a soft cushion 37, in this example, at its inner side 35. The soft cushion is configured to abut and extend around the wearer's ear. Each earmuff 33 has a centrally-disposed recessed portion 38, in this example, within which the wearer's ear may be positioned. Cushion 37 extends around the recessed portion. As seen in Figure 3, each earmuff 33 includes a rigid, dome-like shell 39 in this example at its outer side 36. The shell extends around the cushion 37.

[0015] The assembly 20 for each earmuff includes a pair of spaced-apart tubes, as shown by tubes 40 and 41 seen in Figures 3 and 4 for earmuff 33. Referring to Figure 3, the tubes are positioned between sides 35 and 36 of the earmuffs. The tubes 40 and 41 align with the front 30 and the rear 31 of the assembly 20, respectively. The tubes pivotally connect to the shells of the earmuffs, as seen by pivot 42 on shell 39 of earmuff 33 for tube 41 in Figure 1. [0016] The assembly 20 includes an arcuate member, in this example a u-shaped, resilient headband 44 operatively connecting the earmuffs 32 and 33 together. In this example, the headband is a part of the ear protectors 29 which positions and supports the ear protectors in place. Referring back to Figure 1, the headband has a pair of spaced- apart lower ends 46 and 48 positioned adjacent to earmuffs 32 and 33, respectively. The headband 44 has a curved top 50 in this example positioned adjacent to top 22 of the assembly 20. Top 50 is spaced-apart from the ends 46 and 48 of the headband.

[0017] The headband 44 is shaped to extend over the top of a wearer's head, such as top 45 of head 47 of wearer 49 shown in Figure 10, with the top 50 of the headband 44 resting upon and abutting the wearer's head. Ends 46 and 48 are configured to abut the sides of the user's head, as shown by sides 51 and 53 in Figure 10, and align adjacent to the user's ears. [0018] As seen in Figure 1, the assembly 20 includes an adjustment mechanism, in this example two pairs of stiff wires that connect headband 44 with earmuffs 32 and 33 and allow the positioning of the earmuffs relative to the headband to be adjusted. This is shown by wires 52 and 54 for earmuff 33 in Figure 1. The wires are arcuate-shaped and integral with the headband in this example. The respective wires are configured to fit within and slidably engage with respective ones of the tubes 40 and 41 of the earmuffs 32 and 33 to adjust the positioning of the earmuffs. The headband 44 and earmuffs as described thus far, with theirs parts and functions, may be conventional and well known to those skilled in the art. [0019] The assembly 20 has an eye-covering member, in this example an eye protector 56 for protecting the user's eyes. The eye protector is operatively connected to and is pivotable relative to the headband 44. The eye protector 56 includes a glasses-type frame 58 and an eye covering which is at least partially transparent, in this example plastic lenses 60. The lenses are connected to and are supported by the frame. The frame 58 has a pair of elongate sides 62 and 64 configured to extend along the sides of the user's head. Distal ends of the sides of the frame 58 pivotally connect to the ends of the headband via pivots, as shown by pivot 66 that pivotally connects end 67 of side 62 of the frame to end 46 of the headband. The ends of the sides of the frames are positioned between wires 52 and 54 in this example. [0020] The assembly 20 includes a protective cover 68 connecting to the top 50 of the headband 44 in this example. The ear protectors 29 and protective cover 68 align. The ear protectors, protective cover and headband 44 are in the same plane, which is vertically oriented in Figure 1 and which extends through the ear protectors, protective cover and headband. The protective cover 68 is made of a rigid material in this example, though this is not strictly required. The protective cover 68 is configured to receive, store and protect the eye protector 56. The protective cover is channel-shaped in this example, as shown in Figure 4. [0021] As best seen in Figure 2, the protective cover 68 has a bottom wall 70 in this example and a top wall 72 spaced-apart from the bottom wall. Each of the walls is arcuate in this example as best seen in Figure 1. The walls 70 and 72 are positioned and spaced-apart for receiving eye protector 56 therebetween when the eye protector is raised, as seen in Figure 3. Wall 70 has a curvature equal to that of the top 50 of the headband 44 in this example. Bottom wall 70 is connected to top 50 of headband 44 by a connector, in this example by way of a rivet 71. Wall 70 and the top of the headband have curvatures greater than that of wall 72 in this example. Referring to Figure 3, wall 72 has a length L configured to be equal to or longer than the distance between sides 62 and 64 of frame 58 in this example.

[0022] As best seen in Figures 1 and 5, the protective cover 68 has a curved back end 74 that is generally u-shaped and which connects walls 70 and 72 together. The protective cover has an open end 76, as seen in Figure 4, which is spaced-apart from its back end and through which the eye protector 56 passes when raised. Wall 72 in this example extends at an obtuse angle outwards from back end 74 of the protective cover 68 towards open end 76 of the protective cover. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the protective cover has a pair of spaced-apart, side openings 78 and 80 in this example. The side openings of the protective cover 68 extend between walls 70 and 72.

[0023] In operation and referring to Figures 1 and 2, the eye protector 56 has a first or lowered position in which the eye protector is angularly spaced-apart from and relative to the headband 44, in this example by 90 degrees. In this position, the eye protector and earmuffs 32 and 33 are configured to align with, engage with and protect the user's eyes and ears, respectively. The eye protector 56 is pivotable to a second or raised position, seen in Figure 3 to 5, in which the eye protector 56 is disposed within protective cover 68. In this position, as seen in Figure 5, frame 58 of the eye protector may abut back end 74 of the protective cover. Also in this position, walls 70 and 72 are configured to extend over and protect lenses 60 as seen in Figure 4. As seen in Figure 3, side openings 78 and 80 of cover 68 align with and receive portions of sides 62 and 64 of frame 58. [0024] Thus, assembly 20 as herein described enables eye protector 56 to be pivoted upwardly and out of the way when the assembly is not in use. The eye protector 56, including its sides 62 and 64, align with and, in this example, are positioned in parallel with the headband 44 when the eye protector is in the second position seen in Figures 3 to 5. The ear protectors 29, headband 44, eye protector 56 and the protective cover 68 align when the eye protector is in the second position.

[0025] When force is directed on eye protector 56 so positioned within cover 68, the exterior, peripheral portions of the cover 68 may withstand and absorb such impact. The eye protector with its cover 68 as herein described may thus inhibit the eye protector from being damaged, scratched and/or misplaced when the assembly 20 is not in use.

[0026] In one embodiment, the protective cover 68 and headband 44 are integral and in the form of a one-piece moulded unit. In this embodiment, wall 70 of protective cover 68 is not strictly required, as curved top 50 of the headband may perform the function of and serve as wall 70. [0027] Figure 6 shows an ear and eye protector head assembly 20.1 according to a second aspect. Like parts have like numbers and functions as the assembly 20 shown in Figures 1 to 5 with the addition of ".1". Assembly 20.1 is substantially the same as assembly 20 shown in Figures 1 to 5 with the following exception. The assembly includes a light apparatus, in this example a plurality of lights, in this example light- emitting diode (LED) lights 81 disposed on the top 72.1 of the protective cover 68.1 in this example. There may be a battery pack mounted in or on assembly 20 for the lights. Portable LED lights per se, including their parts and functions, are well known to those skilled in the art and therefore will not be described in further detail.

[0028] Figures 7 to 9 show an ear and eye protector head assembly 20.2 according to a third aspect. Like parts have like numbers and functions as the assembly 20 shown in Figures 1 to 5 with the addition of ".2". Assembly 20.2 is substantially the same as assembly 20 shown in Figures 1 to 5 with the following exceptions. Protective cover 68.2 is v-shaped in cross-section in this example.

[0029] Also, the assembly 20.2 includes a pair of connectors, in this example reshaped brackets connected to the tops of the earmuffs, as shown by bracket 82 connecting to top 34.2 of earmuff 32.2. Referring to Figure 8, each of the brackets 82 has a first portion 84 that connects to its respective earmuff 32.2 and a second portion 86 angled at 90 degrees relative to the first portion in this example. The second portions of the brackets pivotally connect to the distal ends of the sides of the frame of the eye protector 56.2, respectively, as shown by portion 86 connecting to end 67.2 of side 62.2 of frame 58.2.

[0030] As seen in Figures 7 and 9, eye protector 56.2 has a pair of adjustment mechanisms, in this example pivots 88 and 90 that pivotally connect plastic lenses 60.2 to sides 62.2 and 64.2. The pivots allow the plastic lenses to be selectively angularly adjusted within an angular span a relative to frame 58.2, as best seen in Figure 7, with different locking configurations that operate through friction in their pivot 88 and 90 in this example. Eye protectors having such an adjustment mechanism per se, including their parts and functions, are well known to those skilled in the art and therefore will be described in further detail.

[0031] Figure 10 shows an ear and eye protector head assembly 20.3 according to a fourth aspect. Like parts have like numbers and functions as the assembly 20 shown in Figures 1 to 5 with the addition of decimal extension ".3". Assembly 20.3 is substantially the same as assembly 20 shown in Figures 1 to 5 with some exceptions. Also, lights 81.3 are similar to lights 81 shown in Figure 6 and include the addition of decimal extension ".3". The lights 81.3 together with the protective cover 68.3 and headband 44.3 are integrally formed as a single part in this example.

[0032] The curvatures of walls 70.3 and 72.3 of protective cover 68.3 are substantially equal to each other in this example. [0033] Also, assembly 20.3 includes a further pair of adjustment mechanisms, in this example pivoting female members in the form of tubes 92 and 94 that pivotally connect to the tops of respective ones of the earmuffs 32.3 and 33.3 in this example, as shown by tube 94 connecting to top 34.3 of earmuff 33.3 via pivot 66.3. Sides 62.3 and 64.3 of frame 58.3 of the eye protector 56.3 are in the form of male members or wires whose distal ends are partially disposed within the tubes 92 and 94, respectively. The tubes allow the eye protector to selectively retract inwards or extend outwards relative to headband 44.3. Positioning of the eye protector relative to the wearer's face may be selectively adjusted thereby. [0034] Alternatively, the sides of the frames of the eye protector may be in tube form and slidably engage with elongate members, such as wires, that pivotally connect to and extend from respective ends of the earmuffs and/or headband. In the example shown in Figure 10, sides 62.3 and 64.3 pivotally connect to earmuffs 32.3 and 33.3.

[0035] In a further alternative, the sides of the frame may pivotally connect to the headband in a manner otherwise substantially similar to that shown for assembly 20 in Figures 1 to 5.

[0036] Figure 11 shows an ear and eye covering head assembly 20.4 according to a fifth aspect. Like parts have like numbers and functions as the assembly shown in Figure 10 with decimal extension ".4" replacing ".3" and decimal extensions ".4" being added to numerals not previously having decimal extensions. Assembly 20.4 is substantially the same as assembly 20.3 shown in Figure 10 with the following exceptions. Instead of ear muffs 32.4 and 33.4, the ear-engaging members are headphones 95. Also, eye-covering member 56.4 includes a video display assembly 100. The video display assembly may be for use as a virtual reality visor or a display unit, for example. The assembly 100 may be used in the form of a portable movie player, a gaming system and/or portable home stereo system. Earphones and video display assemblies per se are well known to those skilled in the art and therefore will not be described in further detail. [0037] Figures 12 to 15 show an ear and eye covering head assembly 20.5 according to a sixth aspect. Like parts have like numbers and functions as the assembly shown in Figure 6 with decimal extension ".5" replacing ".1" and decimal extensions ".5" being added to numerals not previously having decimal extensions. Assembly 20.5 is also similar to assembly 20.1 shown in Figure 10 with the following exceptions. The assembly includes a protective cover 68.5 that may selectively slip on to and off of the headband of an existing, off-the-shelf pair of ear-engaging members such as earmuffs 32.5 and 33.5 seen in Figures 14 and 15. The headband 44.5 comprises a pair of wires 52.5 and 54.5 as shown in Figure 15 that connect the earmuffs together. Only one half of the headband is shown in Figure 14, with the top 50.5 of the headband being cut in section for the sake of explanation.

[0038] As seen in Figure 14, eye protector 68.5 includes an arcuate-shaped slotted portion 102 formed between a pair of spaced-apart arcuate-shaped walls 70.5 and 104 which are connected together at a first, closed end 106. Referring to Figure 12, end 106 is arcuate-shaped and aligns with open end 76.5 of the eye protector 68.5 in this example. As seen in Figure 14, wall 104 extends from end 106 to a second end 110 spaced-apart from end 106. End 110 is adjacent to the back end 74.5 of the protector 68.5 in this example.

[0039] The eye protector 68.5 has a pair of spaced-apart arcuate-shaped recessed portions 112 and 114 aligned by ends 106 and 110, respectively. Slotted portion 102 is configured to receive headband 44.5, as shown by arrow of numeral 116, with recessed portions 112 and 114 configured to selectively receive wires 52.5 and 54.5, respectively.

The eye protector 68.5 may be slid onto the wires of an off-the-shelf headband thereby.

Wall 104 resiliently connects to wall 70.5 in this example and may be tilted downwards relative to wall 70.5 to selectively remove the wires 52.5 and 54.5 from the eye protector in order to remove the eye protector from the headband 44.5.

[0040] Figure 16 shows an ear and eye covering head assembly 20.6 according to a seventh aspect. Like parts have like numbers and functions as the assembly shown in Figures 12 to 15 with decimal extension ".6" replacing ".5". Assembly 20.6 is similar to assembly 20.5 shown in Figures 12 to 15 with the exception that it includes lights 81.6 substantially the same as lights 81 shown in Figure 6 for assembly 20.1. The lights are integrally formed with the top wall 72.6 of the eye protector 68.6 in this example. [0041] Figure 17 shows an ear and eye covering head assembly 20.7 according to an eighth aspect. Like parts have like numbers and functions as the assembly shown in Figure 11 with decimal extension ".7" replacing ".4" and decimal extensions ".7" being added to numerals not previously having decimal extensions. Assembly 20.7 is substantially the same as assembly 20.4 shown in Figure 11 with the following exceptions. The assembly includes a communication system 117. The communication system has a microphone 118 that connects to and extends from one of the headphones 95.7 via an elongated rod 120 in this example. The microphone is positioned adjacent to the wearer's mouth 122 and receives voice communications from the wearer 49 of the assembly 20.7. The communication system 117 includes a transmitter 124 for transmitting a signal based on the communications received by the microphone 118. The system includes a receiver 126 for receiving an audio signal transmitted from an external source. Instead of a transmitter and a receiver, a transceiver may be provided. The system 117 includes an antenna 128 connected to and extending outwards from one of the headphones 95.7 in this example. The communication system 117 includes speakers 130 which are a part of the headphones 95.7, respectively. The transmitter 124, receiver 126 and antenna 128 are operatively connected to the microphone 118 and the speakers 130. The communication systems per se are well known to those skilled in the art and the additional parts and functions of system 117 will therefore not be described in further detail. [0042] Alternatively, instead of headphones 95.7, assembly 20.7 may include ear protectors 29 having earmuffs 32 and 33 such as those shown for assembly 20 in Figures 1 to 5. [0043] Figures 19 and 20 show an ear and eye covering head assembly 20.8 according to a ninth aspect. Like parts have like numbers and functions as the assembly shown in Figures 1 to 5 with decimal extension ".8" being added to numerals not previously having decimal extensions. Assembly 20.8 is substantially the same as assembly 20 shown in Figures 1 to 5 with the following exceptions.

[0044] The ear-engaging members are in the form of earplugs 132 and 134 that connect to and extend inwards relative to the lower ends 48.6 and 48.8, respectively, of the headband 44.8. Protective cover 68.8 is integrally formed with the headband. The headband 44.8 has a pair of tapered portions 136 and 138 extending from adjacent to the protective cover 66.6 to the lower ends 46.8 and 48.8 of the headband. The eye protector 56.8 via ends 67.8 pivotally connects to the headband 44.8 at locations adjacent to and spaced-apart from the lower ends 48.6 and 48.8 of the headband, in this case at the tapered portions 136 and 138. The eye protector is pivotally connected to the headband such that its frame 58.8 aligns with back end 74.8 of the protective cover 68.8 when the eye protector is in the second position shown in Figure 19, with portions of the frame abutting the back end of the protective cover in this example.

[0045] The assemblies 20, 20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 20.5, 20.6 and 20.7 as herein described may be useful for protecting a user's eyes and ears in a wide variety of applications. For example, the assembly may be useful for homeowners when mowing the lawn, string trimming weeds, leaf blowing, power washing, splitting wood, chain sawing and landscaping. The assembly may also be useful in the construction industry, for carpentry work with power tools, finishing carpenters, cabinet makers, framers, brush trimming, cutting and setting tiles, stone masons, brick layers, and wood floor installers, for example. The assembly may further be useful in the automotive and aviation industries, for military applications, for fire and police departments, for heavy equipment operators and when using loud machines generally. It may be yet further useful for protecting a user's eyes and ears during recreational and sports activities, such as gaming, car racing, hunting, and shooting, including for shooting ranges. The eye protector may be in the form of sunglasses or prescription eyeglasses. [0046] It will be appreciated that still more variations are possible within the scope of the invention described herein. The light apparatus shown in Figure 6 may be connected to other parts of the assembly. For example, the lights may connect to the top or sides of frame 58.1 of the eye protector 56.1. [0047] It will be understood by someone skilled in the art that many of the details provided above are by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is to be determined with reference to at least the following claims.