Support assembly for an ear
View Patent ↗An ear support assembly and a method for applying pressure to an ear includes a support device having solid planar or curved surfaces and formable material configured to be deformed and retain an impression of a surface of an ear, wherein the planar or curved surfaces are configured to apply pressure to the formable material such that the formable material applies pressure to the surface of the ear.
1. An ear support assembly comprising:
a support device comprising a first portion that is crescent shaped and of size to be disposed between an ear and a skull of as user, and a second portion of size to be disposed so as to cover a surface of the ear facing away from the skull of the user, the first portion and the second portion being removably attachable to each other to form a housing of size to dispose a portion the ear of the user therein, the first portion and the second portion having solid planar or curved surfaces; and
formable material configured to be deformed and retain an impression of a surface of an ear, wherein the planar or curved surfaces are configured to apply pressure to the formable material such that the formable material applies pressure to the surface of the ear.
2. The ear support assembly of claim 1 wherein the housing is of size to cover a rim of the ear of the user, wherein formable material is disposed so as to contact a surface of the ear facing the skull of the user, a surface of the ear facing away from the skull of the user and the rim of the ear, each portion being configured to apply pressure to each of the formable materials such that each of the formable materials applies pressure to the corresponding surface of the ear.
3. The ear support assembly of claim 2 wherein the first portion and the second portion are selectively engagable with each other.
4. The ear support assembly of claim 3 wherein the housing is of size to enclose a portion of the ear from a portion of the rim having a helix to proximate a lobe of the user.
5. The ear support assembly of claim 4 wherein the second portion is crescent shaped so as to conform to the ear.
6. The ear support assembly of claim 4 and further comprising a removable stop so as to limit closure of the portions.
7. The ear support assembly of claim 2 and further comprising a fastener to hold the portions together.
8. The ear support assembly of claim 7 wherein the fastener comprises a latch.
9. The ear support assembly of claim 2 wherein at least one of a hinge or a bendable section joins the first and second portions together.
10. The ear support assembly of claim 2 and further comprising a first and second insert each comprising refrigerant material, wherein the first insert is disposed so as to be in contact with the formable material engaging the surface of the ear facing the skull of the user, and wherein the second insert is disposed so as to be in contact with the formable material engaging the surface of the ear facing away from the skull of the user, each insert engaging a portion of the formable material so as to keep the formable material cool for a period of time.
11. The ear support assembly of claim 1 and further comprising a restraint configured to be worn on the head of the user and apply the pressure to the formable material.
12. The ear support assembly of claim 1 and further comprising an attachment structure for retaining the formable material on the support device.
13. The ear support assembly of claim 1 and further comprising an insert having a recess configured to receive the ear support assembly, the insert being further configured to be disposed in protective headgear.
14. The ear support assembly of claim 1 and further comprising an insert comprising refrigerant material, the insert engaging at least some of the formable material to keep the formable material cool for a period of time.
15. The support assembly of claim 1 wherein the support device includes a venting aperture.
16. A method of applying pressure to a surface of an ear, the method comprising:
providing a support device comprising a first portion that is crescent shaped and of size to be disposed between an ear and a skill of a user, and a second portion of size to be disposed so as to cover a surface of the ear facing away from the skull of the user, the first portion and the second portion being removably attachable to each other to form a housing of size to dispose a portion of the ear of the user therein, the first portion and second portion, having solid planar or curved surfaces;
disposing formable material between inner surfaces of the housing and surfaces of the ear; and
connecting the first portion to the second portion to form the housing and apply pressure through the formable material and thereby to the surface of the ear.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the housing is of size to cover the rim of the ear of the user and wherein disposing the formable material includes disposing material so as to contact the rim of the ear.
18. The method of claim 17 and further comprising applying a restraint configured to be worn on the head of the user, and wherein applying the pressure comprises the restraint applying pressure to the support device.
19. The method of claim 16 and further comprising providing an insert comprising refrigerant material, wherein the insert engages at least some of the formable material to keep the formable material cool for a period of time.
20. The method of claim 16 wherein connecting comprises fastening the portions together such that the portions are varying distances apart from each other.