Abstract:
Some embodiments of the present invention include a headphone protector wherein said protector fits over existing ear cushions of over-ear headphones, wherein said protector comprises an outer component, and said protector comprises at least one water-resistant fabric. Some embodiments of the present invention include a headband protector, wherein said protector fits over existing headband of over-ear headphones, wherein said protector comprises an outer component, and said protector comprises at least one water-resistant fabric. Some embodiments of the present invention include a system for over-ear headphone protection, comprising two headphone protectors, wherein said protectors fit over existing ear cushions of over-ear headphones, wherein said protectors comprise an outer component, and said protectors comprise at least one water-resistant fabric.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/328,583, filed Apr. 27, 2016. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    On hot humid days, or for those who like to listen to music while they exercise, sweat is inevitable when wearing over-the-ear headphones for extended periods of time. If the headphones aren&#39;t cleaned on a regular basis, sweat residue and bacteria build up, leading to skin irritation as well as the deterioration of the headphone itself, including, for example, the ear cushions, the headband, external ports, cords and other components, which are often made of plastic, leather, vinyl and other materials that may degrade over time under such conditions. Various cleaning materials may not adequately sterilize headphones sufficiently, may ruin headphone material, or pose as a threat to exposed skin. The purpose of the present invention is to reduce the amount of bacteria and sweat that gets transferred to the headphone, via a barrier that protects the headphones against sweat and bacteria that, in some embodiments, can also be removed and cleaned after utilization. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Some embodiments of the present invention include a headphone protector wherein said protector fits over existing ear cushions of over-ear headphones, wherein said protector comprises an outer component, and said protector comprises at least one water-resistant fabric. 
         [0004]    In other embodiments, said outer component is comprised of a water-resistant fabric. In other embodiments, said protector further comprises a water-absorbent fabric. In yet other embodiments, said protector comprises an inner and outer surface, wherein said inner surface is waterproof. In other embodiments, said protector further consists of an inner liner material, wherein said inner liner material is fused to the outer component. 
         [0005]    In still other embodiments, said protector further consists of an inner liner material, wherein said inner liner material is detachable from the outer component. In yet other embodiments, said outer component comprises an internal rim that defines a hole, to allow for sound to emit from the headphone. In other embodiments, said outer component comprises an external rim that is reinforced to allow for said protector to fit securely over the ear cushions of an over-ear headphone protector. In still other embodiments, the outer component comprises neoprene, lycra, polyester, nylon, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) polyester, XLA fabric, or a blend of any of the same. In other embodiments, the inner layer comprises latex, or neoprene, or a blend of any of the same. 
         [0006]    Some embodiments of the present invention include a headband protector, wherein said protector fits over existing headband of over-ear headphones, wherein said protector comprises an outer component, and said protector comprises at least one water-resistant fabric. 
         [0007]    Some embodiments of the present invention include a system for over-ear headphone protection, comprising two headphone protectors, wherein said protectors fit over existing ear cushions of over-ear headphones, wherein said protectors comprise an outer component, and said protectors comprise at least one water-resistant fabric. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments of the system, said protectors further comprise a water-absorbent fabric. In other embodiments of the system, said protector further consists of an inner liner material, wherein said inner liner material is fused to the outer component. In other embodiments, said protector further consists of an inner liner material, wherein said inner liner material is detachable from the outer component. In yet other embodiments, said outer component comprises an internal rim that defines a hole, to allow for sound to emit from the headphone. In still other embodiments, said outer component comprises an external rim that is reinforced to allow for said protector to fit securely over the ear cushions of an over-ear headphone protector. 
         [0009]    Still other embodiments of the present system further comprise a headband protector, wherein said headband protector fits over existing headband of over-ear headphones, wherein said protector comprises an outer component, and said protector comprises at least one water-resistant fabric. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective bottom view of an outer component of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective front view illustrating an outer component of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective rear-view of an outer component of the headphone protector of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  Is a perspective isometric view of an outer component of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective front-side view of an inner liner of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective isometric view of an inner liner of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a perspective bottom-view of example headphones and the order in which the present invention may be assembled in respect to the headphone ear cushion in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a perspective bottom hinge-view of the order in which an embodiment of the present invention may be assembled, illustrates how the components fit together from a back angle onto the ear cushion. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a perspective isometric-view of an embodiment of the present invention and how it is assembled in regards to the ear cushion of an example headphone. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a perspective front view of an example headphone with an embodiment of the present invention assembled and attached to the headphone. Also shown is a zoomed-in view to illustrate how the embodiment of the present invention fits onto the ear cushion of the example headphone. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is an isometric perspective view of the headband protector embodiment of the present invention attached to example headphones. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    Before any embodiments or aspects of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. 
         [0022]    The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use embodiments of the invention. Various modifications to the illustrated embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles herein can be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from embodiments of the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not intended to be limited to embodiments shown, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. The following detailed description is to be read with reference to the figures, in which like elements in different figures have like reference numerals. The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of embodiments of the invention. Skilled artisans will recognize the examples provided herein have many useful alternatives and fall within the scope of embodiments of the invention. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments of the ear protector of the present invention, the headphone protector will be designed to be stretched to some extent, over the ear cushions, in order to stay in place. In many embodiments, the headphone protector will be made of a fairly loose (non-stiff) fabric (as detailed below) so as not to unduly compress the cushioning of the ear cushions when placed over them. Thus, the shape of the headphone protector when not on the ear cushions may be variable in many embodiments; for purposes of clear illustration, example embodiments depicted in the drawings and description below will be portrayed in use, that is, when stretched or otherwise attached over an ear cushion. 
         [0024]    “Front” in the context of this application, refers to the ear-cushion side of a pair of headphones, i.e., the direction of the side facing the head when in normal use. The “rear” direction refers to the side of a pair of headphones facing away from the head. When covering an ear cushion, the “outer” side of the protector refers to the side of the headphone protector facing the user, “inner” the other side of the protector, i.e. facing the headphone body itself. In many embodiments, the headphone protector is freely rotatable, such that there is no fixed “top” or “bottom” of the protector itself. Nonetheless, a “bottom view” is a view of the headphone protector from a view opposite of where the headband of the headphones attaches to the ear cushions, and a “top view” the opposite orientation. The “internal” direction refers to the inner perimeter of the headphone protector, closest to the sound holes of the headphone when placed over the ear cushions of the headphone; “external” refers to the outer perimeter of the headphone protector, toward the outer edge of the ear cushions when placed over the ear cushions of the headphone 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a bottom perspective view of an example embodiment of the outside of the outer component  100  of an embodiment of the headphone protector. In this embodiment, the middle portion  102  of the outer component is shown, which is what will cover the majority of the ear cushion of the headphone. The front of the outside of the outer component  104  is the portion that will come in contact with head and ear of its user. The dotted line  106  shows where the inside component of the headphone protector will fit in some embodiments within the outer component when in use. In some embodiments, an elastic band is stitched in place (stitching on the outside of the outer component  108  may be visible in some embodiments) to keep it connected to the headphone protector, and which helps hold the headphone protector in place, behind and underneath the ear cushion of over-the-ear headphones (as discussed and shown later). The outer component extends around sides  110 , and the back portion of outer surface of the outer headphone protector  112  faces the headband of the headphone protector. In some embodiments, a hole  114  is placed within the component  102 , for headphones that are not wireless. The headphone wire would be fed through this hole and into the desired device into its headphone jack. Hole  114  may be placed in any portion of the outer and/or inner component (e.g., component  112 ) to accommodate a particular headphone jack location. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the outer component may in some embodiments be rotatable around the ear cushion, to orient hole  114  into the right location to allow easy access to the headphone jack. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is a perspective front view of an example embodiment of the outside of the outer component of the headphone protector  200 . The external surface  202  extends over the external surface of the ear cushion when in use. External surface  202  may be flat or curved; the exact dimensions are controlled by the shape of the ear cushions in some embodiments, where the fabric is less stiff than the ear cushion surface when stretched. In other embodiments, the fabric is stiffer and may have a fixed or more defined shape. When in place over the ear cushion, the outside of the outer component curves at  204  between the front of outer component at  206  and the external rim  202 . The exact dimensions of this curve are controlled by the shape of the ear cushions in some embodiments, where the fabric is less stiff than the ear cushion surface when stretched. In other embodiments, the fabric is stiffer and may have a fixed or more defined curve  204  such that the curve shape is generated by the headphone protector itself. Between  206  and  208 , embodiments of the headphone protector may be flat, i.e., not curved, or have a shallower curve than  204 . In some embodiments, the outside of the outer component at  210  curves between the front of outer component  208  and the internal rim  212 . As for curve  204 , the exact dimensions of curve  210  are controlled by the shape of the ear cushions in some embodiments, where the fabric is less stiff than the ear cushion surface when stretched. In other embodiments, the fabric is stiffer and may have a fixed or more defined curve  210  such that the curve shape is generated by the headphone protector itself. In some embodiments, internal rim  212  will fit tightly with the inside of the headphone ear cushion when in use. In other embodiments, internal rim  212  will define a hole that allows for sound to emit from the headphones, and may or may not fit tightly with the inside of the headphone. In some embodiments, internal rim  212  is defined and/or reinforced with stitching, to define and/or strengthen the rim of the headphone protector. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a perspective rear view of an example embodiment of the inside of the outer component  300  component of the headphone protector that fits onto the ear cushion of the headphone, viewed from the orientation of the rear of the headphones. (Note that for clarity of presentation, the actual headphone is omitted from this drawing, but the shape of the outer component  300  is presented as if it is fit around the headphone ear cushion.) In some embodiments, when stretched over an ear cushion, the external surface  302  of the outer component wraps around the ear cushion and attaches to the rear of the ear cushion. In this example embodiment, the external surface  302  wraps around the ear cushion and is held in place by stitching  304 . Thus, external rim  308  faces the rear of the headphones in this orientation. Inner surface  310  serves as the inside wall of the headphone protector which will be in in direct contact with the front part of the ear cushion on the headphone. As explained in greater detail below, inner surface  310  may comprise the same material as outer surface  302 , or may be treated with waterproofing material. Internal rim  316  may, in some embodiments, be associated with a strengthened area  314 , which may extend from  312  to  316 . This strengthened area  314  may serve to define or strengthen the internal rim  316  to preserve the shape of the headphone protector when in use or to protect the rim from damage. The strengthened area  314  may comprise, for example, reinforcing stitching, or additional material. 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  is a perspective isometric view of an example embodiment of headphone protector  400 . It illustrates the overall appearance of the headphone protector of the ear cushion, as it will be the only part visible. External rim  402  faces the rear of the headphones, i.e., facing the headband of the headphone. In some embodiments, stitching  404  may be made of elastic or some other material that helps binds the headphone protector  400  to the headphone ear cushions. The lateral side surface  408  may be flat (i.e., maintaining the same distance to the center of the headphone ear cushion around the entirety of headphone protector  400 ) extending from  406  to  410 , but  406  and  410  may be various distances apart depending on the particular headphone shape and/or embodiment of the present invention. Surface  412  is curved in this embodiment and extends from  410  to  416 , which may be various distances apart depending on the particular headphone shape and/or embodiment of the present invention. Surface  414  is curved in this embodiment to fit the shape of the underlying ear cushion and extends from  416  to  418 , which may be various distances apart depending on the particular headphone shape and/or embodiment of the present invention. Surface  420  is curved in this embodiment to fit the shape of the underlying ear cushion and extends from  418  to  422 , which may be various distances apart depending on the particular headphone shape and/or embodiment of the present invention. Surface  424  is flat in this embodiment to fit the shape of the underlying ear cushion and extends from  422  to internal rim  426 , which may be various distances apart depending on the particular headphone shape and/or embodiment of the present invention. As noted above, the shape of surfaces  408 ,  412   414 ,  420 , and  424  may be more or less flat or curved, which may be controlled by the shape of the ear cushions in some embodiments, where the fabric is less stiff than the ear cushion surface when stretched. In other embodiments, the fabric is stiffer and may have a fixed or more defined curve such that the curve shape is generated by the headphone protector itself. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, the inner surface of the headphone protector may consist in whole or in part of an inner liner  500 . This inner liner may be detachable or fused or otherwise attached (e.g., stitched to) to outer component of the headphone protector. In some embodiments, the inner liner is waterproof. In some embodiments, the inner surface of the outer component has been waterproofed; for terms of description, such a waterproofing layer will also be considered as a non-detachable inner liner. In some embodiments, inner liner  500  is a synthetic rubber-like material that is soft and waterproof, such as neoprene. In some embodiments, inner liner  500  extends from inner liner external rim  502  to internal rim  506 . In some embodiments, the inner liner extends across the internal surface of the outer component from external rim  502  to external rim  502 ; in some embodiments the inner liner extends from internal rim  506  to internal rim  506 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 6  is a perspective isometric view of an embodiment of an inner liner  600  of the headphone protector. Here, the orientation is such that the front face  608  of the inner liner  600  is shown; the front face attaches to the outer component of the headphone protector and faces away from the ear cushion when in use. Inner Oliner  600  may be detachable or non-detachable from the outer component. The inner liner may have, in some embodiments, external rim  604  with a thickness that extends from external edge  602 ,  610  of the rear face of the inner line to  606 , the external edge of the front face of the inner liner. The external rim  604  may be of different thicknesses in various embodiments, or vary in thickness within a single embodiment. The internal rim  614  extends from internal edge of the front face of the inner liner  612  to the internal edge of the rear face of the internal liner  616 . The internal rim  614  may be of different thicknesses in various embodiments, or vary in thickness within a single embodiment. In some embodiments, the inner liner may be directly attached to the outer component via the inner face  608 , such as via any method known in the art, such as adhesive or stitching. In other embodiments, the inner liner may be detachable, via a surface such as Velcro, or metal or plastic snaps, or any suitable method known in the art. In some embodiments, the attachment method will be washable, that is, maintain its integrity after being washed. 
         [0031]      FIG. 7  is a perspective bottom view of an example embodiment of headphone protector  700  depicts how the headphone protector assembles in regards to the headphone  701 . Outer component  702  is the component of the headphone protector that will be in direct contact with the users&#39; ear. Inner liner  704  is an inside component of the headphone protector that serves as the second defense against sweat that may penetrate the outer layer in some embodiments. Headphone protector  700  fits over ear cushion  706 , and extends to speaker  708 , which contains the speaker portion of the headphones. In this example embodiment, headband  712  attaches at the ear cushion/speaker module  706 / 708  at  710  (other configurations are possible depending on headphone model. 
         [0032]      FIG. 8  is a perspective side hinge view that illustrates how an example embodiment of the headphone protector  800  assembles on headphone  801  from the opposite direction. Protector  800  may be fit over left or right ear cushions  808 ,  810 . The ear cushions  808 ,  810  are attached to the headband  806 , which is comprised of lateral sections  804  and top section  802 . As can be seen from the figure, a headphone protector  800  can be slipped over an ear cushion  810 , prior to use of the headphone. In this particular embodiment, the inner layer is not detachable, in contrast to  FIG. 9 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 9  is a perspective isometric view illustrating how the headphone protector  900  assembles in respect to the headphone  901  and ear cushion  906 . The ear cushion  906  is attached to the headband at  910 . The headband further comprises lateral portion  908  and top portion  912 . In this embodiment,  902  is the outer component  902  is detachable from the inner liner  904  the headphone protector  900 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 10  is a perspective isometric hinge view of an example embodiment of the headphone protector  1012  attached to an ear cushion  1102  of the headphone. The external rim  1014  of the head phone protector wraps all the way around the right ear cushion (such that it is not seen) to the edge of speaker  1010 . The speaker  1010  attaches to the head band at  1108 , which also comprises lateral areas  1004  and top portion  1006 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of a headband protector  1100  of the present invention, shown in use on a headphone with ear cushions  1102 , and a headband attached to the ear cushions  1102  at  1108  with lateral sides  1104  and top portion  1106 . In some embodiments headband protector  1100  beginning at edge  1112  wraps around top portion  1106  of the headband and is held in place by overlapping portion  1210  over and past edge  1112 . The overlap may be held in place by Velcro or any other detachable fastener known in the art. Headband protector  1110  may be, in some embodiments, washable. 
         [0036]    The outer component may be made of any suitable fabric. In many embodiments, the fabric is washable. In other embodiments, the fabric is water (e.g., sweat) absorbent. In some embodiments, the material is neoprene or a similar fabric, such as lycra, polyester, nylon, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) polyester, XLA fabric, or a blend of these or other materials. In other embodiments, the outer component may contain cotton, or another natural fiber. 
         [0037]    The outer component material may have any degree of flexibility desired. In many embodiments, the flexibility of the material is such that the ear cushions of the headphones are not greatly compressed when the earphone protector is stretched over the ear cushions. In some embodiments, the material of the outer component and/or inner layer will be sufficiently sized so as to not compress the ear cushions when fit over the ear cushions. In some embodiments, the outer component is shaped with one or more seam and/or permanent crimps placed in the material (e.g., at areas corresponding to the external edge of the ear cushion) to allow the headphone protector to be easily fit over the ear cushions and not compress the ear cushion material unduly. In some embodiments, the external rim, seams and/or crimps, and/or internal rim form concentric circles, ellipses or a combination of both when fit over an ear cushion. 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, the inner liner may or may not be present. In some embodiments, the inner liner is made out of waterproof material in order to avoid damage to the headphones. In some embodiments, the inner layer is made out of latex, or neoprene, or other such material or a blend of materials. The inner liner may have any degree of flexibility desired. In many embodiments, the flexibility of the material is such that the ear cushions of headphones are not greatly compressed when the earphone protector is stretched over the ear cushions. In some embodiments, the inner liner is simply sprayed onto or otherwise attached to the inside of the outer component. In some embodiments, the inner layer is detachable from the outer component. 
         [0039]    In some embodiments, the external rim and/or internal rim are reinforced, i.e., thicker or otherwise stronger than other parts of the outer component and/or inner layer. In some embodiments, the external rim and internal rim are reinforced with stitching. In other embodiments, the external rim and/or internal rim have elastic or similar material stitched or otherwise attached to them, in order to gather and hold the headphone protector about the ear cushions. In other embodiments, elastic or other similar materials are added to areas in addition to and/or other than the internal and external rims. 
         [0040]    In some embodiments, a headband protector may work alone or in tandem with earphone protectors to avoid damage to the headphones. In some embodiments, the headband protector may be made of any suitable fabric. In many embodiments, the fabric is washable. In other embodiments, the fabric is water (e.g., sweat) absorbent. In some embodiments, the material is neoprene or a similar fabric, such as lycra, polyester, nylon, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) polyester, XLA fabric, or a blend of these or other materials. In other embodiments, the outer component may contain cotton, or another natural fiber. 
         [0041]    The headband material may have any degree of flexibility desired. In many embodiments, the flexibility of the material is such that the headband material may be stretched over itself to allow for easy fastening over a headband. 
         [0042]    In some embodiments of the headband, an inner liner may or may not be present. In some embodiments, the inner liner is made out of waterproof material in order to avoid damage to the headphones. In some embodiments, the inner layer is made out of latex, or neoprene, or other such material or a blend of materials. The inner liner may have any degree of flexibility desired. In many embodiments, the flexibility of the material is such that the headband material may be stretched over itself to allow for easy fastening over a headband. In some embodiments, the outer component is approximately 0.3-0.5 mm thick. In some embodiments, the inner layer is approximately 0.3-0.5 mm thick. In some embodiments the headband protector and headphone protector are approximately 0.3 to 1 mm thick, 1 mm to 3 mm thick. 
       Operation 
       [0043]    In operation, in some embodiments of the present invention the headphone protector is placed over the headphone ear cushions by stretching the external rim around the ear cushion of a headphone. In some embodiments, an elastic band attached to the headphone protector binds the headphone protector to the ear cushion, and holds it in place while headphones are in use. While the headphone protector is attached to the ear cushion, headphones are then put over the ears and adjusted to the appropriate fit. In order to remove the headphone protector from the headphone, the elastic band must be stretched from around the back of the ear cushion. 
         [0044]    The operation of the headband protector is to place the bottom part of the headphone headband inside of the headband protector; then wrap the bottom flap of the headband protector around the headphone first, then wrap the top portion of the headband protector around the bottom flap. In some embodiments, the flaps are held together while in use by Velcro or some other suitable fastener. In order to remove the headphone protector, the user must grab the top portion of the headband protector and pull until the Velcro strap releases the bottom portion of the headband protector.