Jig device for wrapping and packaging ear sets
United States Patent 1 1 Keister et al.  
 1 1 Apr. 29, 1975 J16 DEVICE FOR WRAPPING AND PACKAGING EAR SETS [73] Assignees: Flight Services Unlimited, lnc., El  
 Segundo, Calif; Flight Services Industries, lnc., Bensenville, 111.; Flight Services Industries, lnc., New York, N.Y.; part interest to each [22] Filed: Nov. 26, 1973 [21] Appl. N0.: 418,809  
 [52] US. Cl. 242/1 [51 1 Int. Cl B65b 67/04 [58] Field of Search 242/851, 127, 1, 129;  
 211/103, 176&#39;, 248/295, DIG. 3; 191/122 R; 174/135; 53/390, 393; 179/101, 107, 185  
 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 186,612 1/1877 Peterson 211/103 1,294,916 2/1919 Knight 211/103 1,631,355 6/1927 Ba1dwin.... 248/295 1,760,290 5/1930 Tammarazz 211/103 1,810,928 6/1931 Pickop 248/D1G. 3  
 Primary E.\&#39;aminerDonald E. Watkins Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Edward A. Sokolski [57] ABSTRACT A jig device for wrapping and packaging ear sets includes a head portion with an elongated vertical slot therein and an arm portion extending from the head portion and running in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the head portion. The arm portion has a plurality of dowels extending from one surface thereof and arranged in a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arm portion. One of these dowels extends from the surface of the arm portion at an angle upwardly towards the head portion, the others of the dowels extending at an angle substantially normal to the surface of the arm portion. The ear sets to be wrapped and packaged are mounted with their upper portions supported on the angled dowel and their cords wrapped around the dowels. After being so wrapped, they can readily be packaged by placing the package over the arm and lifting the ear sets, within the package, off the dowels.  
 5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures FIG. I  
 MG DEVICE FOR WRAPPING AND PACKAGING EAR SETS This invention relates to jig devices. and more particularly to such a device useful for manually wrapping and packaging ear sets.  
  Ear sets utilized by the public. as. for example. on airplanes. must be cleaned after each use. and repackaged for subsequent utilization. ln handling large numbers of ear sets. it is necessary to work out efficient techniques for packaging the sets with a minimum amount of handling after they have been cleansed.  
  The device of this invention provides a simple jig device for facilitating the manual wrapping and packaging of ear sets after they have been processed in the manner just described.  
  It is therefore an object of this invention to facilitate the wrapping and packaging of ear sets after they have been cleaned.  
  It is a further object of this invention to provide a simple and economical jig device which simplifies the manual wrapping and packaging of devices such as ear sets.  
  Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the description proceeds in connection with the accompanying drawings. of which:  
  FIG. 1 is a plan view in elevation of the preferred embodiment of the invention;  
  FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1: and  
  FIG. 3 is an elevational view illustrating the utilization of the preferred embodiment in wrapping and packaging an ear set.  
  Briefly described. the device of the invention is as follows:  
  A head portion is in the form of an elongated bar having an elongated slot formed therein. this slot being utilized to vertically adjust the jig for ease of utilization by the operator. Extending from the head portion in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof. is an arm portion in the form of a bar member having a plurality of dowel members extending therefrom. These dowel members are arranged in a line running substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arm. The uppermost of the dowel members. i.e. that closest to the head. is angulated upwardly towards the head from the surface of the arm portion. while the other dowel members run substantially at right angles from the surface of the arm portion. In wrapping and packaging the ear sets. one of the ear plugs of the set is suspended on the upper angulated dowel and the ear set cord is wrapped around the dowels. A package is then lifted over the entire headset and simultaneously used to remove the ear set from the dowel.  
  Referring now to the drawings. a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The jig comprises an elongated head portion 10 in the form of a flat bar. which has an elongated slot 11 formed therein. Extending from head portion 10 is an arm portion 14 in the form of an elongated bar which extends away from the head portion in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the head portion. Arm portion 14 has a plurality of dowels l8, l9 and 20. which extend away from the surface thereof. Dowels l8 and 19 extend away from the surface of arm 14 in a direction substantially normal to such surface. while dowel 20 extends away from this surface at an upward angle. i.e.  
 in a direction towards head portion 10. Head 10 is removably attached to support board 15 by means of wing nut 25. which attaches to threaded bolt 26. Sup port board 15 is fixedly supported from an overhead support (not shown). Thus. the jig can be vertically adjusted by moving slotted portion 11 to the desired position on bolt 26. and then tightening down wing nut 25 to hold arm portion 10 in position.  
  Referring now to FIG. 3. the use of the jig in packaging an ear set 30 is illustrated. As shown in the figure. the ear set is first supported on dowel 20 by resting ear plug 31 on the dowel. The ear set cord 32 is then wrapped around dowels l8. l9 and 20 with the very end portion of the cord being left to hang down from the jig. A package 35. into which the ear set is to be placed. is drawn upwardly as indicated by arrow 36. so that its open end is fitted over arm 14 until it encloses the ear set and finally. the ear set is lifted by the operator off uppermost dowel 20. and thus allowed to drop into bag 35. The bag is then removed from the arm with the ear set contained therein and appropriately sealed.  
  The device of this invention thus provides a simple yet highly effective means for manually wrapping and packaging ear sets.  
  While the invention has been described and illustrated in detail. it is to be clearly understood that this is intended by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation. the spirit and scope of this invention being limited only by the terms of the following claims.  
 We claim:  
  I. A jig device for wrapping and packaging ear sets having audio lines extending therefrom comprising:  
 an elongated head portion.  
 an elongated arm portion extending from the head portion in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the head portion.  
 a plurality of dowels extending ourwardly from said arm portion. said dowels being arranged in a line substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said arm portion. the dowel closest to said head portion running from said arm portion at an angle towards said head portion. the remaining dowels running in a direction substantially normal to one surface of said arm portion. and  
 means for vertically adjusting the position of said device comprising a longitudinal slot formed in said head portion. a support board. bolt means fitted through said board and the slot and nut means engaging said bolt means for setting the head portion in a selected position on said board.  
 whereby a portion of the ear set is rested on the dowel closest to the head portion and the earset line is wrapped around the dowels.  
  2. The jig device of claim 1 wherein said head and arm portions are in the form of flat bars. said arm portion being narrower than said head portion.  
  3. The jig device of claim 1 wherein there are three dowels.  
  4. A jig device for wrapping and packaging ear sets having ear plugs and audio lines comprising:  
 an elongated head portion in the form of a flat bar having an elongated slot running along all but a small portion of the entire longitudinal extent thereof.  
 an elongated arm portion in the form of a flat bar extending from said head portion along an axis which 3 4 is an extension of the longitudinal axis of said head said head portion the remainder of said dowels POFII being substantially normal to said one surface. said a pp board for adlustubly pp g Said head dowels being arranged in a line substantially paralportion,  
 means fitted through said support board and the slot 5 of said head portion for retaining said head portion to said board at a selected position along said slot.  
 lel to the longitudinal axis of said arm portion whereby an ear plug of an ear set is rested on said uppermost dowel and the ear set line wrapped around said dowels.  
 and  
 a plurality of dowels extending from one surface of The dewce of chum 4 Where!&#34; Said arm portion said arm portion. the uppermost of said dowels ex- 10 n ially ilrm er an 881d head portlontending from said one surface at an angle towards LII