FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an ear visor. In particular, the present invention relates, but is not limited, to an ear visor that is wearable together with a cap. Reference to an ear visor that is wearable together with a cap is provided by way of example but the invention is not limited to this use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Over exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted from the sun can cause health risks. Over exposure to UV radiations can lead to skin damages including sunburn, premature aging of skin wrinkles, leathery skin, liver spots, actinic keratosis, solar elastosis and skin cancer. Over exposure to UV radiation can also cause eye damage, including cataracts and eyelid cancers.

There are two types of UV light that are proven to contribute to the risk for skin cancer: Ultraviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB). UVB has a shorter wavelength and penetrates and damages the outermost layers of the skin. Overexposure to UVB causes suntan, sunburn and, in severe cases, blistering. UVA has a longer wavelength and, while slightly less intense than UVB, penetrates the skin more deeply. Exposure to UVA radiation causes genetic damage to cells on the innermost part of the top layer of skin, where most skin cancers occur. Overexposure to UVA can lead to premature skin aging and skin cancer.

Different methods have been used to protect skin against exposure to UVA and UVB radiations. One method is to use clothing or apparel to physically cover the skin. To protect the head region, a headwear including a cap can be wore. However, a cap can only provide shading over a portion of the face, leaving other parts including an individual’s ears being exposed to the sun. Additional clothing including the use of a towel or a cloth together with a cap may be used to provide further protection to the person’s ears. However, additional clothing can result in overheating and can cause discomfort to the individual.

Another method is to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen. There are generally two types of sunscreens: mineral sunscreen and chemical sunscreen. Mineral sunscreens can act as a physical blocker by deflecting and scattering UV rays away from the skin. However, frequent reapplication of mineral sunscreens is required as they can be rubbed, sweated or rinsed off easily. Mineral sunscreen can also be unappealing as it can leave a white cast on the skin. Chemical sunscreens are generally absorbed into the skin to help absorb and convert the UV radiation into heat and release from the skin. However, chemical sunscreen generally requires time to be effective and can clot skin pores that results in acne, rosacea and hyperpigmentation.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of the present invention to provide an ear visor and a method of use which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages or problem described above, or which at least provides a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention broadly resides in an ear visor including a frame; and two wing portions extending outwards from the frame, the two wing portions located on substantially opposed portions of the frame, wherein in use, the at least two wing portions are located substantially over a user’s ears.

In one embodiment, the frame is a substantially horseshoe shaped frame. In another embodiment, the frame is a substantially semicircle shaped frame. In another embodiment, the frame is a substantially semioval shaped frame. Preferably, the frame has two ends. Preferably, the two wing portions are located at or adjacent to the ends of the frame.

In one embodiment, the frame is foldable. Preferably, the frame includes at least one hinge. Preferably, the frame is foldable at the at least one hinge.

In another embodiment, the frame is a substantially circular shaped frame. Preferably, the substantially circle shaped frame includes an opening. In another embodiment, the frame is a substantially oval shaped frame. Preferably, the substantially oval shaped frame includes an opening.

Preferably, the frame has a width of 1 mm to 20 mm, more preferably of 5 mm to 15 mm. Preferably, the frame has a width of substantially 8 mm.

Preferably, the frame has a thickness of 1 mm to 10mm, more preferably of 2 to 8 mm. Preferably, the frame has a thickness of substantially 4 mm. Preferably, the frame is made of at least one material including but not limited to plastic, metal and composite material. Preferably, the composite material includes but not limited to carbon fibre-reinforced polymer, fiberglass, and metal composites.

Preferably, the wing portions have a width of 10mm to 50 mm, more preferably of 20 mm to 40 mm. Preferably, the wing portion has a width of substantially 40 mm.

Preferably, the wing portions have a length of 10 mm to 100 mm, more preferably of 20 to 90 mm. Preferably, the wing portions have a length of substantially 80 mm.

Preferably, the wing portions have a thickness of 0.1 mm to 2 mm. Preferably, the wing portion have a thickness of substantially 1 mm.

In one embodiment, the wing portions extend from a top portion of the frame. In another embodiment, the wing portions extend from substantially a middle portion of the frame. In another embodiment, the wing portions extend from a bottom portion of the frame.

In one embodiment, the wing portions are extended from the frame at a downward angle between 0° to 40° relative to the plane of the frame. Preferably, the wing portions are extended from the frame at a downward angle selected from but not limited to 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, and 40° relative to the plane of the frame. In another embodiment, the wing portions are bendable. Preferably, the wing portions are bendable at a downward angle between 0° to 40° relative to the plane of the frame. Preferably, the wing portions are bendable at one or more downward angles selected from but not limited to 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, and 40° relative to the plane of the frame. Preferably, the angle of the wing portions is adjustable by a user.

Preferably, the wing portions are in a shape selected from but not limited to a square, triangle, rectangle, scalene, pentagon, trapeze, polygon, parallelogram, semicircle, teardrop, crescent, half-arrow, half petal and a wing-like shape. Preferably, the wing portions have a substantially triangular shape.

In one embodiment, the wing portions is made of the same material as the frame. In another embodiment, the wing portion is made of a different material from the frame. Preferably the wing portions are made of at least one material included but not limited to plastic, metal and composite material. Preferably, the wing portions are made of plastic material.

Preferably, the ear visor is attachable to headwear. In one embodiment, the frame further includes at least one aperture for attaching the ear visor to headwear. Preferably, the at least one aperture is located at or adjacent to an end of the frame. In one embodiment, the ear visor is attachable to the headwear by a pin that passes through the aperture and a portion of the headwear. Preferably, the pin is further secured by a pin back or pin cushion. In another embodiment, the ear visor is attachable to the headwear by a pin assembly including a pin and a pin back or a pin and a pin cushion.

In another embodiment, the ear visor is attachable to headwear through a clip. Preferably, the clip includes a body portion that is attachable to the headwear, and at least one connecting portion extending transversely from an end of the body portion, wherein the connecting portion is adapted to attach the frame of the ear visor to the headwear. Preferably, the clip incudes two connecting portions extending transversely from opposite ends of the body portion.

Preferably, the headwear is a cap. Preferably, the cap includes but not limited to a baseball cap, a trucker cap, a flat cap, a newsboy cap, a pillbox cap and a sun visor.

Preferably, the ear visor is substantially made from a plastic material

In another aspect, the present invention broadly resides in an ear visor including a frame that has a substantially horseshoe shape and includes two ends; and two wing portions, wherein the two wing portions are located at or adjacent to the ends of the frame.

Preferably the two wing portions are wing portions as described herein.

Preferably, the frame is a frame as described herein

In another aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a method of using an ear visor with a cap, the method including the step of locating the ear visor adjacent to a brim portion of the cap.

Preferably, the ear visor is an ear visor as described herein

Preferably, the step of locating the ear visor includes locating the ear visor at or adjacent to the brim portion where it attaches to the rest of the cap.

Preferably, the step of locating the ear visor includes locating the ear visor such that the frame is substantially in contact with the front, left and right side of the cap. Preferably the wing portions are substantially positioned at the left and right side, respectively, of the cap.

Preferably the step of locating the ear visor includes locating the ear visor on top of a brim of the cap.

Preferably, the method further includes a step of attaching the ear visor to the cap.

In one embodiment, the step of attaching the ear visor to the cap includes passing a pin through at least one aperture of the frame and through a portion of the cap. Preferably the step further includes releasably securing the pin to the cap and the ear visor. In another embodiment, the step of attaching the ear visor to the cap including passing a pin through the cap and through at least one aperture of the frame. Preferably, the method further includes a step of securing the pin with a pin back or a pin cushion.

In another embodiment, the step of attaching the ear visor to the cap includes attaching at least one clip to the cap, and attaching the ear visor to the clip. Preferably the ear visor is attached to at least one connecting portion of the clip. Preferably, the step of attaching the clip includes attaching the clip at the front, left or right side of cap. Preferably the step of attaching the clip includes attaching two clips to the cap. Preferably one clip is attached to a left side of the cap and the other of the two clips is attached to the right side of the cap.

The features described with respect to one aspect also apply where applicable to all other aspects of the invention. Furthermore, different combinations of described features are herein described and claimed even when not expressly stated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:

Figure 1 is a top perspective view of an ear visor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top view of the ear visor of figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a front view of the ear visor of figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a back view of the ear visor of figures 1 to 3; Figure 5 is a side view of the ear visor of figures 1 to 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged view of an end of the frame of the ear visor of figures 1 to 5;

Figure 7 is perspective view of a pin and cushion assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a clip according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the ear visor of claim 1 in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to figures 1 to 5, there is shown a perspective view of an ear visor 10 according to a preferred embodiment. The ear visor 10 includes a frame 12 and two wing portions 14. Frame 12 has a substantially horseshoe shape. The wing portions 14 are extended from the top of the frame 12 and are located adjacent to the two ends of the frame 12. The wing portions 14 have a substantially triangular shape. With reference to figures 3 to 5, the wing portions 14 are extended from the top portion of frame 12 at a downward angle of 15° relative to the plane of the frame.

With reference to figures 1 , 2, 4 and 6, frame 12 further includes two apertures 16. As shown in figure 6, the apertures 16 are located adjacent to the two ends of the frame 12. Each aperture 16 is adapted to receive a pin assembly 26 for attaching the ear visor 10 to a cap (not shown).

With reference to figure 7, there is shown the pin assembly 26 according to a preferred embodiment. Pin assembly 26 includes a pin 25 and a pin cushion 27. In use, pin 25 passes through a location of the cap (not shown) then through aperture 16 of the frame 12, and pin 25 is secured by pin cushion 27.

With reference to figure 8, there is shown a clip 36 for securing the ear visor 10 to a cap according to preferred embodiment. Clip 36 includes a body portion 35 and connecting portions 37 and 39 extending transversely from opposite ends of the body portion 35. In use, body portion 35 is attached to a location of the cap (not shown). The connecting portions 37 and 39 are adapted to attach to the frame 12 of ear visor 10, in order to attach ear visor 10 to the cap.

With reference to figure 9, there is shown the ear visor 10 in use with a cap 50 according to a preferred embodiment. The cap 50 includes a brim 51. In use, ear visor 10 is located on top of brim 51. The frame 12 of ear visor 10 is in contact with the front panel 53 and side panels 54 and 56 of cap 50 such that the wing portions 14 are positioned at side panels 54 and 56 (not shown) substantially.

ADVANTAGES

An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes providing an alternative physical method of protecting the ear portion of an individual from the UV radiation from the sun. Another advantage of the present invention includes providing an alternative method of protecting the ear portion of an individual from the UV radiation from the sun without causing overheating of the individual. A further advantage of the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes providing an alternative means for protecting the ear portion of an individual from the UV radiation from the sun that is attachable to a hat. Another advantage of the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes providing an alternative means for protecting the ear portion of an individual from the UV radiation from the sun that is appealing.

VARIATIONS

While the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word “comprise” and variations of that word such as “comprises” and “comprising”, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.