GB2514815A

GB2514815A - A head wearable device to provide a controlled sound and light environment

Info

Publication number: GB2514815A
Application number: GB1310021.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joshua Chapman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-06-05
Filing date: 2013-06-05
Publication date: 2014-12-10
Also published as: GB201310021D0

Abstract

A flexible cap 12 having a head portion 14, ear portions 18,20 attached to the head portion and extending downwards to cover the users ears, the ear portions comprising sound insulation means, and a light attenuating visor 24 hinged to the cap and moveable from a first position in which it is clear of the eyes to a second, lowered position in which it is in front of the eyes. The device may additionally have earphone means provided in each ear portion and may comprise noise-cancellation technology. The visor may be formed from a polymer and attached to the cap via a hinge with ratchet means, for holding the visor in a plurality of positions. The hinge is preferably mounted onto the ear portions, and the headphones may be mounted on the hinge. The cap may have alarm means, such as a vibration motor, for waking a user. The visor may further comprise an indicator means, for indicating a do not disturb condition.

Description

A head wearable device to provide a controlled sound and light environment

Field of the Invention

S The present invention relates to devices to provide a controlled sound and light environment for a user wearing the device, and in particular to headgear that acts to provide a quiet and dark environment for example to assist relaxation or sleep.

Background

It is known that it is hard to relax or to sleep in a loud, bright environment and a variety of devices are known to assist in overcoming this problem, in particular in travel or in other communal environments where an individual has limited or no control over light and Sound levels. Prior art devices include eye masks and ear plugs, and a variety of devices combining the two, in general being fabric or flexible polymer devices that may be tied or held elastically about the head, such as hoods and cowls, that may comprise padding for sound insulation and may be for example inflated or tightened around part of the head andlor neck; some devices having helmet-like forms extending downwards over the eyes, that provide more sound insulation but are unwieldy to use and risk the user looking odd and feeling self-conscious. The prior art devices do not present a combination of features that allows a user to listen to audio sounds readily while maintaining both a high level of sound insulation with effective blocking of light to the eyes. Also known are noise-cancelling headphones that block out background noise and may be used either for listening to music or to cancel actively background noise. These devices can reduce heard sounds levels appreciably. However, in the prior art this technique has not been combined with means to reduce light levels in a combined, practical device.

The present invention aims to overcome these and other disadvantages of the prior art devices.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: W0201 117034 discloses a noise and light occluding sleep-enhancing device, the device having an elongated pillow portion with attachment members, disposed on opposite ends of said elongated pillow portion. When in use, the sleep-enhancing device surrounds a user's head, thereby suppressing both noise and light and S providing a user with a comfortable pillow for the full lateral circumference of the user's head.

(JS7657954 discloses a head and face covering apparatus [thatj includes a flexible housing that defines a pillow case and is U-shaped. The housing includes a central portion and a pair of arms extending away from the central portion. The housing has an elongated opening therein. A pillow is removably extendable into the housing through the opening. A flexible head covering is attached to the housing and extends upwardly therefrom. The head covering includes a rear wall, a pair of lateral walls, and a top wall. The top and lateral walls form a continuous front edge defining an opening extending into a front side of the head covering. The rear and lateral walls are attached to the housing. The head covering has an internal volume greater than 1.0 cubic feet to allow a person's face to be encapsulated by the head covering when the person abuts their head against the rear wall.

KR20090048265 discloses the following invention: PURPOSE: A noise-blocking head customized pillow is provided, which obtains sound sleep by using a pillow fitting for the head size of a user. CONSTITUTION: A noise-blocking head customized pillow has the structure that is similar to that of a helmet. When a user puts the head on the pillow, the head enters the inside of the pillow. The pillow covers the ear and blocks the noise. When the user lies on the side or on the back, the head is surrounded by the pillow and does not come out of the pillow easily. The sound sleep is possible without unconsciousness action to heighten the pillow when lying on the side.

There device all have pillow like forms that enclose the head to deaden sound and may be tied or fixed for example using VelcroTM around the head and/or neck. They are all highly insulating and as such are likely to be hot to wear in practice, and unwieldy to carry and use. In order to achieve good sound insulation the device needs to have a thick sound absorption layer near the ear, again leading to overheating in warm indoor environments.

US20080250547 discloses an apparatus that may be worn on the head extending from the top of the wearer's head down past their eyes in order to provide at least light screening. The apparatus may further include a substantially arc-shaped inset region configured to allow the nose of the wearer to protrude and not be covered by the apparatus, as well as one or more cushioning components that may be oriented circumferentially around the apparatus to provide comfort and protection for the head of the wearer when napping. Other configurations include features that may block sound and/or light from the wearer, as well as provide relief for physical ailments.

This device resembles a beehive having a parabolic cross-section worn on the head and extending down over the eyes. In some embodiments it is inflatable. It has a form highly unlikely to encourage use, in that it may well appear amusing to observers, which effect the user would at east be unable to see. The device in some embodiments comprises noise-cancelling means using earphone means near each ear. In summary the device has an impractical form that begs an improved design such as the present invention.

US6651256 discloses a pillow [that] is worn in the manner of a helmet and includes an inner layer of cotton type material, an outer layet and an intermediate layer of foam or the like. The pillow blocks noise from getting to the wearer and can block light as well. The pillow also includes a neck-supporting portion. A stretchable neck-encircling portion permits the pillow to be pulled over the wearer's head while holding the pillow snugly in place.

This device again has a cushion-like hood extending around the head, but now has a visor to cut down light reaching the eyes. In this manner this is an advance over some other whole-head devices, but the hood-like construction of the device, which means that the head must be inserted through an aperture and the device then tightened around the perimeter of the face, is unwieldy and potentially too hot.

US20050015851 discloses a sleep enhancing or distraction suppressing device consisting of a cloth band containing sound-suppressing foam inserts for the ears, held in place with a Velcro strap. Used by an individual to suppress sound and light while sleeping, with the intent of being a sort of light blocking device and ear muff you can sleep in', all rolled into one.

This device achieves both eye covering and applying ear plugs in one device, but needs to be exactly the right size in order for the ear inserts to be presented correctly, which will be problematic in practice. There is no means for the user to hear audio sounds or for noise cancellation technology to be included.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a wearable device to provide a controlled sound and light environment to a user comprising: A flexible cap wearable on the head of a user comprising: A head portion adapted to fit to the crown of a user; Ear portions attached to the head portion and arranged to extend downwards relative to the head portion to locate over ears of a user wearing the device; Sound insulation means associated with each ear portion to reduce Sound transference through the ear portion; and Light attenuating visor means mounted to the cap and movable from a first upper position in which the visor lies above eye level of the user to a second lowered position in which at least a part of the visor is below the eye level of the user.

In preferred embodiments the cap is shaped and dimensioned such that in use some or all of the user's forehead, eyes, face and chin is left uncovered.

In preferred embodiments the visor is mounted on hinges on the ear portions, or more particularly attached to the cap by left and right hinge means provided on the left and right ear portions. In other embodiments the visor is displaceably mounted onto the head portion for example slidably or hinged at a pivot.

In this way the present invention provides a simple, effective device that provides sound insulation, light reduction to the eyes, and the ability to listen to audio and in some embodiments to deploy noise-cancellation technology, in a single lightweight foldable device that is easy to wear and may be adapted to have a fashionable appearance.

By left and right ear portions is meant the region of the device proximal to the left and the right ears, and according to the embodiment may comprise an extension of the material of the cap, and in some embodiments comprise additional components or features formed or mounted on the material of the cap. In some embodiments such additional components comprise a housing for the hinge means, and in some embodiments such components may be covered with the same or similar material as forms the cap.

In some embodiments the device further comprises earphone means adapted to be positioned adjacent to each ear in use.

In some embodiments the earphone means comprise a loudspeaker mounted on the left and right ear portions.

In some embodiments the visor comprises a rigid poiymer.

In some embodiments the visor comprises at least a region of light attenuating polymer, the device being adapted to allow the said region to be positioned in front of the eyes in use. In some embodiments the light attenuating polymer is transparent, and in others it may be opaque. In some embodiments the visor substantially wholly light attenuating and it may be opaque.

In use the device may be worn on the head in the mailer of a closely-fitting hat having ear covers. The head portion may extend a distance down the back of the neck. When the device is worn the sound insulation means come into contact with each ear so as to reduce ambient sound levels for the listener, and in some embodiments the earphone means are adjacent to the ear to allow for listening to media. The visor may be worn in the upper position for example for reading and may be lowered to reduce light reaching the eyes for relaxation or sleep.

In some embodiments the hinge means comprises a stationary hinge component mounted on each of the left and the right ear portions into which a hinge portion of the visor interfits rotatably. In some embodiments the stationary hinge component comprises a substantially circular aperture and the hinge portion of the visor comprises a substantially cylindrical projection adapted to interfit with the aperture.

Some embodiments are adapted such that the axis of the hinge means lies adjacent to the ear of a wearer in use.

In some embodiments the hinge means comprise a ratchet means adapted to hold the visor in a plurality of positions relative to the cap. The ratchet means preferably has a click-stop' mechanism allowing the visor to be positioned positively by a user and to require a torque to move it to the next position. In some embodiments the ratchet means comprises a series of projections in the inner circumference of the said aperture.

In some embodiments the earphone means are mounted on the stationary hinge components. In some embodiments the earphone means comprise a loudspeaker mounted adjacent to the aperture, and in some embodiments coaxially with it. In this way the loudspeaker may be brought into proximity to, or alignment with, the ear In some embodiments the earphone means comprise noise cancellation means as knownintheart.

In some embodiments the device comprises a connection cable adapted to connect to an audio media source such as a media player or phone.

In some embodiments the device comprises an input socket to provide an audio input for a signal to the earphone means.

In some embodiments the device comprises battery power supply means.

In some embodiments the device comprises alarm means adapted to wake a user.

In some embodiments the alarm means comprises a vibration motor adapted to vibrate so as to wake a user.

In some embodiments the device comprises indicator means operable by the user to indicate a do not disturb' message. Such indicator means may take the form of text that may be illuminated by means of a control switch and powered from a battery. In some embodiments the indicator means is mounted on the visor. In some embodiments the control switch is operated automatically when the visor is lowered.

The device may be provided in a range of sizes and shapes to suit users of different sizes andfor age. Both the head portion and the ear portions may have a range of :6 sizes and may be made available in combinations to suit a range of bead sizes of the user. The head portion may extend to a higher or lower neck position according to the embodiment. In some embodiments the device is adjustable and comprises a size adjustment for one or both of the head portion and the ear portions.

In some embodiments the device comprises stretchable material so allowing for the device to expand in order to grip the head of the user to stay in place.

The device may be formed from a range of material and colours. For example, the head portion and ear portions may be formed from padded polyurethane and the visor from rigid shatterproof plastic as known in the art, such as polycarbonate.

In some embodiments the device further comprises a neck support attached to one or both ear portions. In. such embodiments the ear portions are long enough such that they reach to just above the shoulders. The neck support may comprise an inflatable chamber sized to provide a neck cushion. The neck support may be detachable from the ear portions. The neck support may comprise a divided solid filling material as known in the art. The neck support may be substantially in a U shape and he attached to both ear portions.

The device is preferably adapted to fold into a storage case.

Brief Description of Ficjures

Figure 1 shows a front view of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a right side view of the embodiment in figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a left side view of the embodiment in figure 1.

Figure 4 shows a top view of the embodiment in figure 1.

Figure 5 shows a bottom view of the embodiment in figure 1.

Figure 6 shows an upper front isometric left side view of the embodiment in figure 1.

Figure 7 shows an upper front isometric right side vieW of the embodiment in figure 1.

Figure 8 shows a lower front isometric left side view of the embodiment in figure 1.

Figure 9 shows an exploded view of the embodiment as shown in figure 6.

Detailed Description of Figures

Referring to figures ito 9, an embodiment of the present invention comprises: A flexible head-wearable cap 12 comprising: a head portion 14 adapted to fit to the crown of a user and extending downwards from it to a neck position 16, a left ear portion 18 and a right ear portion 20 attached to the head portion and extending downwards from it at each side, positioned to locate over the ears of a user wearing the device, the cap being shaped and dimensioned such that in use it covers the head while leaving uncovered all of a portion of the forehead! the eyes, the face and the chin. Sound insulation means 22 is associated with each ear portion adapted to come into contact with the ear in use so as to reduce the intensity of Sound reaching the ear, and a rigid polymer light attenuating visor means 24 is attached to the cap by left hinge means 26 and right hinge means (not shown -refer to the corresponding position to the left hinge means in figure 9), provided on the left and right ear portions. The visor 24 is movable from a first upper position in which the visor lies above the eye level of the user to a second lowered position as shown in figures ito 8 in which at least a. portion of the visor is below the eye level of the user.

The device further comprises earphone means 30 adapted to be positioned adjacent to each ear in use, comprising a loudspeaker 32 mounted on the left and right ear portions.

In this embodiments the hinge means 26 comprises a stationary hinge component 40 mounted on each of the left and the right ear portions into which a hinge portion 42 of the visor interfits rotatably. The stationary hinge compohent comprises a substantially circular aperture 44 and the hinge portion of the visor comprises a substantially cylindrical component 42 adapted to interfit with the aperture. The embodiment is adapted such that the axis of the hinge means lies close to or substantially adjacent to the ear of a wearer in use.

In this embodiment the hinge means is enclosed within the ear portions 18, 20, the visor extending in a tapering manner to a left side arm 25 and a right side arm 27, each having a hinge means provided at its end. The ear portions comprise slots 29, 31 in the outer covering or housing of the ear portions through which the visor side arms pass.

In some embodiments the hinge means comprise a ratchet means adapted to hold the visor in a plurality of positions relative to the cap. The ratchet means preferably has a click-stop' mechanism allowing the visor to be positioned positively by a user and to require a torque to move it to the next position. In some embodiments the ratchet means comprises a series of projections 46 on the component 42 that interact with a series of recesses 48 in the inner circumference of the said aperture 44 as shown in figure 9.

In this embodiment the earphone means 30 are mounted on the stationary hinge components 40 and the earphone means comprise a loudspeaker 32 mounted adjacent to the aperture 44, and substantially coaxially with it. In this way the loudspeaker may be brought into proximity to, or alignment with, the ear when the device is worn by a user.

In this embodiment the earphone means comprise noise cancellation means as known in the art, comprising circuitry provided on a circuit board 50 comprising a reference microphone for noise cancellation 52, mounted on the device, in this embodiment close to the left ear position of a user.

The embodiment comprises a battery power supply means 54 that locates in a recess 56 provided in a battery housing 58 and closed by a cover 60. The battery housing 58 preferably comprises an on/off switch for the noise cancellation circuitry and may comprise the outlet point for an audio connection cable or an audio input socket: In some versions of this embodiment the device comprises an optional alarm means comprising a vibration motor 62 positioned adjacent to the left ear position and actuated by means of circuitry on the circuit board 50 in response to a signal from a remote device such as a phone connected to the device.

In some version of this embodiment the device comprises visible indicator means operable by the user to indicate a do not disturb' condition, mounted on the visor as indicated 64, illuminated automatically when the visor is lowered. The indicator means may comprise a coloured light source such as an LED.

In this embodiments the head portion comprises stretchable material so allowing for the device to expand in order to grip the head of the user to stay in place. The ear portions 18, 20 comprise a rigid plastic component set forming the hinge means 26 and the earphone means 30 as shown in figure 9, within a flexible polymer outer structure attached to the head portion 14 and padded so as to be comfortable in use by the wearer. Alternatively the ear portions 18, 20 may be moulded from a rigid polymer and attached to the head portion 14. The material of the head portion, for example polyurethane foam, may extend over all or part of the ear portions 18, 20! leaving at least an aperture for access to the battery compartment 56.

The device may be formed from a range of material and colours and is adapted for branding with logos or characteristic colours and patterns as exemplified by the arrow pattern 70. The overall appearance may be adapted to resemble sportswear, for example a scrum cap as used in rugby or a swim cap, or a streamlining helmet as used in cycling or speed skating. The cap 12 may be formed for example by stitching together a number of panels as known in the art, for example panels 80, 82, 84 and 86 to form the part of the cap that fits the top of the user's head, and panels 88 and 90 that fit the back of the user's head. In alternative embodiments, fewer or more panels may be used. In some embodiments panels 88 and 90 in particular may be combined into a single panel at the back of the cap. Other variations and means of forming the components of the device will be apparent to those skilled in the art of headwear design.

Preferably the device is adapted to be folded for storage in a bag smaller than the device when in use. In the case that the ear portions comprise rigid polymer components, preferably the fabric portions and other flexible components are adapted to fold such that the rigid components stack approximately together, so reducing the overall dimensions of the device when folded.

Claims

Claims 1. A wearable device to provide a controlled sound and light environment comprising a flexible cap wearable on the head of a user comprising: A head portion adapted to fit to the crown of a user: Ear portions attached to the head portion and arranged to extend downwards relative to the head portion to locate over ears of a user wearing the device; Sound insulation means associated with each ear portion to reduce sound transference through the ear portion; and Light attenuating visor means mounted to the cap and movable from a first upper position in which the visor lies above eye level of the user to a second lowered position in which at least a part of the visor is below the eye level of the user.
2. A device according to claim 1 further comprising earphone means adapted to be positioned adjacent to each ear in use.
3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the earphone means comprise a loudspeaker mounted on the left and right ear portions.
4. A device according to any claim above wherein the visor comprises at least a region of light attenuating transparent polymer.
5. A device according to any claim above wherein a hinge means for moving the visor comprises a stationary hinge component mounted on each of the left and the right ear portions into which a hinge portion of the visor interfits rotatably.
6. A device according to claim 5 wherein the axis of the hinge means lies close to or adjacent to the ear of a wearer in use.
7. A device according to any of claims 5, and 6 dependent on 5, above wherein the hinge means comprise a ratchet means adapted to hold the visor in a plurality of positions relative to the cap.
8. A device according to any of claims 2 to 7 above wherein the earphone means are mounted on the stationary hinge components.
9. A device according to any of claims 2 to B above wherein the earphone means comprise noise cancellation means.
10. A device according to any claim above comprising alarm means adapted to wake a user.
11. A device according to claim 10 wherein the alarm means comprises a vibration motor.
12. A device according to any claim above comprising an indicator means operable by the user to indicate a do not disturb' condition.
13. A device according to claim 12 wherein the indicator means is mounted on the visor and is operated automatically when the visor is lowered.
14. A device according to any claim above wherein the device is adjustable and comprises a size adjustment for one or both of the head portion and the ear portions.
15. A device according to any claim above comprising stretchable material so allowing for the device to expand in order to fit closely to the head of the user.