Adjustable-length comfort headband

Abstract

A headband has a body and two end members with comfort tips, adjustable-length tips, or both. In some embodiments, comfort tips are provided by soft pads positioned on the inner surface of the end members. In other embodiments, adjustable-length tips are provided by extension mechanisms including for example one or more fingers along which the body and the end members axially slide relative to each other, laterally extending tabs, and openings into which the tabs are received to retain the end members in position. In addition, a discrete-positioning mechanism can be provided for example by notches in the fingers that receive posts of the end member to form a detent.

1 . A headband for wearing on a user's head, comprising:
 an elongate body having a generally semi-circular shape and having first and second ends;   first and second end members that are positioned at the first and second ends of the body, respectively, the first and second end members each having an inner surface that faces the user's head when the headband is worn; and   first and second extension mechanisms that adjustably couple the first and second end members to the first and second ends of the body, respectively, so that the end members move axially relative to the body between a retracted position in which the length of the headband is minimized and an extended position in which the length of the headband is maximized so that the length of the headband can be adjusted for the comfort of the wearer.   
   
   
       2 . The headband of  claim 1 , wherein the extension mechanisms each include two laterally resiliently deflectable fingers extending from the respective body end, a hollow portion formed in the end member that slideably receives the fingers as the end member is moved between the retracted and the extended positions, two tabs extending laterally one from each finger, and two lateral slots in the end member that each slideably receive one of the tabs, wherein the slots are each defined in part by a contact surface against which the respective tab abuts to limit the travel of the end member relative to the body. 
   
   
       3 . The headband of  claim 1 , wherein the extension mechanisms each include at least one finger extending from the respective end member or body end and at least one hollow portion formed in the other of the end member or body end, the finger slideable within the hollow portion as the end member is moved between the retracted and the extended positions. 
   
   
       4 . The headband of  claim 3 , wherein the extension mechanisms each include a discrete-positioning mechanism that defines discrete end-member positions and releasably retains the end members in those positions, wherein the discrete-positioning mechanisms each include at least one tab extending from the end member, the body end, or the finger, and a series of openings in another of the end member, the body end, or the finger that each releasably receive the tab to define the discrete end-member positions and releasably retain the end members in those positions. 
   
   
       5 . The headband of  claim 1 , wherein the extension mechanisms each include a discrete-positioning mechanism that defines discrete end-member positions and releasably retains the end members in those positions, wherein the discrete-positioning mechanisms each include at least one tab extending from the end member, the body end, or a finger extending from the end member or the body end, and a series of openings in another of the end member, the body end, or the finger that each releasably receive the tab to define the discrete end-member positions and releasably retain the end members in those positions. 
   
   
       6 . The headband of  claim 5 , wherein the serial openings are formed in the finger, the finger is laterally resiliently deflectable, and the tab is provided by a post that is positioned within the hollow portion of the end member and that is receivable in each of the serial openings to define the discrete end-member positions. 
   
   
       7 . The headband of  claim 5 , wherein the serial openings are formed in the finger, the tab laterally extends from the end member, and the tab is receivable in each of the serial openings to define the discrete end-member positions. 
   
   
       8 . The headband of  claim 5 , wherein the serial openings are formed in the end of the body, the tab laterally extends from the end member, and the tab is receivable in each of the serial openings to define the discrete end-member positions. 
   
   
       9 . The headband of  claim 1 , further comprising first and second shrouds that cover and conceal the first and second extension mechanisms, respectively, when the first and second end members are in their retracted positions. 
   
   
       10 . The headband of  claim 9 , wherein the shrouds are provided by sleeves that extend from the respective end member or body end. 
   
   
       11 . The headband of  claim 9 , wherein the shrouds are provided by bellows that extend from the respective end member or body end, or both. 
   
   
       12 . A headband for wearing on a user's head, comprising:
 an elongate body having a generally semi-circular shape and having first and second ends;   first and second end members that are positioned at the first and second ends of the body, respectively, the first and second end members each having an inner surface that faces the user's head when the headband is worn; and   first and second pads on the first and second end members, respectively, wherein the pads are positioned on the inner surfaces to absorb compressive forces and reduce discomfort.   
   
   
       13 . The headband of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second pads and the first and second end members are integrally formed of a single material. 
   
   
       14 . The headband of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second pads cover substantially all of the inner surfaces of the first and second end members. 
   
   
       15 . The headband of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second pads are separate elements that are attached to the inner surfaces of the first and second end members. 
   
   
       16 . The headband of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second end members each include a plurality of axially extending teeth that resiliently deflect between a normal position and a deflected position. 
   
   
       17 . The headband of  claim 12 , further comprising first and second extension mechanisms that adjustably couple the first and second end members to the first and second ends of the body, respectively, so that the end members move axially relative to the body between a retracted position in which the length of the headband is minimized and an extended position in which the length of the headband is maximized so that the length of the headband can be adjusted for the comfort of the wearer. 
   
   
       18 . A headband for wearing on a user's head, comprising:
 an elongate body having a generally semi-circular shape and having first and second ends;   first and second end members that are positioned at the first and second ends of the body, respectively, the first and second end members each having an inner surface that faces the user's head when the headband is worn;   first and second pads on the first and second end members, respectively, wherein the pads are positioned on the inner surfaces to absorb compressive forces and reduce discomfort; and   first and second extension mechanisms that adjustably couple the first and second end members to the first and second ends of the body, respectively, so that the end members move axially relative to the body between a retracted position in which the length of the headband is minimized and an extended position in which the length of the headband is maximized so that the length of the headband can be adjusted for the comfort of the wearer,   wherein the extension mechanisms each include two laterally resiliently deflectable fingers extending from the respective body end, a hollow portion formed in the end member that slideably receives the fingers as the end member is moved between the retracted and the extended positions, two tabs extending laterally one from each finger, and two lateral slots in the end member that each slideably receive one of the finger tabs, wherein the slots are each defined in part by a contact surface against which the respective tab abuts to limit the travel of the end member relative to the body, and   wherein the extension mechanisms each include a discrete-positioning mechanism that defines discrete end-member positions and releasably retains the end members in those positions.   
   
   
       19 . The headband of  claim 18 , wherein the discrete-positioning mechanisms each include two series of openings formed in the two fingers and arranged facing each other in aligned pairs, and one post that is received in the pairs of openings to define the discrete end-member positions and releasably retain the end members in those positions. 
   
   
       20 . The headband of  claim 18 , further comprising first and second shrouds that cover and conceal the first and second extension mechanisms, respectively, when the first and second end members are in their retracted positions, wherein the shrouds are provided by sleeves or bellows that extend from the respective end member or body end.