Patent Publication Number: US-2022218083-A1

Title: Headphone storage and carrying devices

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/136,557, entitled “HEADPHONE STORAGE AND CARRYING DEVICES” and filed Jan. 12, 2021, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present specification generally relates to cases that cover electronic devices for the purposes of protecting during storage and transport and, more specifically, to cases that include features for holding and protecting headphones. 
     BACKGROUND 
     As mobile devices such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, or the like become increasingly used in everyday lives and transported around, the accessories that go with the mobile devices must also be transported. One such accessory that is transported is headphones. Some headphones, particularly those that are over-the-ear headphones, are desired by consumers because of the superior sound quality and noise cancellation features they provide, as well as a design that is viewed by some as a fashion accessory. However, the bulkiness of the over-the-ear headphones lends to some difficulty in storing, transporting, and protecting the headphones. Existing protective cases for over-the-ear headphones may not prevent the headphones (and/or other electronic devices) from getting scratched, dinged, marred, contacted with fluid (e.g., wet), or the like. In addition, existing protective cases may not absorb an impact sustained when dropped. Users may desire to attach certain accessories to the protective case in order to minimize the amount of items that have to be carried, such as, for example, wallets, stands, key rings, clips, carabiners, trinkets, supplemental battery packs, solar panels, or the like. Existing protective cases do not have a standard system that allows for mounting of different accessories via the same connectors on the case. In addition, existing protective cases may not particularly shaped and sized to correspond to a particular type of over-the-ear headphones and may not include features for ensuring a particular fit of the headphones within the case, ensuring that the headphones are turned off, and/or the like. 
     SUMMARY 
     In an aspect, a protective case for headphones includes a body having a first portion and a second portion hingedly coupled together. The first portion and the second portion define a cavity for receiving ear cups of the headphones. The first portion and/or the second portion include a plurality of apertures through walls of the body that allow a headband of the headphones to extend therethrough. The first portion and the second portion are joinable together to enclose the ear cups of the headphones within the cavity. 
     In another aspect, a protective case for headphones includes a body defining a cavity for receiving and enclosing ear cups of the headphones. The body includes at least one wall defining a plurality of apertures therethrough that allow a headband of the headphones to extend through the plurality of apertures. 
     In yet another aspect, a protective case for headphones includes a body having defining a cavity for receiving and enclosing ear cups of the headphones. The body includes at least one wall defining a plurality of apertures therethrough that allow a headband of the headphones to extend through the plurality of apertures. The protective case further includes one or more internal walls disposed within the cavity that include a magnet and/or wireless charging features. The protective case further includes a pouch removably coupled to the body. The pouch includes an interior for receiving the protective case therein when detached. 
     Additional features and advantages of the aspects described herein will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the aspects described herein, including the detailed description, the claims, as well as the appended drawings. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description describe various aspects and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed subject matter. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the various aspects, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate the various aspects described herein, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which: 
         FIG. 1A  depicts a front view of a first illustrative protective case in closed position according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 1B  depicts a perspective view of the protective case of  FIG. 1A  in an open position according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 2A  depicts a front view of a second illustrative protective case according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 2B  depicts a front perspective view of the protective case of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2C  depicts a bottom perspective view of the protective case of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3A  depicts a front view of a third illustrative protective case in closed position according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 3B  depicts a perspective view of the protective case of  FIG. 3A  in an open position according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 4A  depicts a front view of a fourth illustrative protective case in a latched position according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 4B  depicts a perspective view of the protective case of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 4C  depicts a bottom perspective view of the protective case of  FIG. 4A  in an unlatch position according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 5A  depicts a perspective view of a fifth illustrative protective case in an open position according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 5B  depicts a perspective view of the protective case of  FIG. 5A  in a closed position according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 6A  depicts a perspective view of a sixth illustrative protective case in a disconnected configuration according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 6B  depicts a perspective view of the protective case of  FIG. 6A  in a connected configuration according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 7A  depicts a front view of a seventh illustrative protective case according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 7B  depicts a side view of the protective case of  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 7C  depicts a perspective view of the protective case of  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 8A  depicts a front view of an eighth illustrative protective case according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 8B  depicts a side view of the protective case of  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 9A  depicts a perspective view of a ninth illustrative protective case in a closed position according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 9B  depicts a perspective view of the protective case of  FIG. 9A  in an open position according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 9C  depicts an interior view of the protective case of  FIG. 9A ; 
         FIG. 9D  depicts an illustrative accessory retaining clip according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 10A  depicts a perspective view of a tenth illustrative protective case in a closed position according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 10B  depicts a perspective view of the protective case of  FIG. 10A  in an open position according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 11  depicts a perspective view of an eleventh illustrative protective case according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 12A  depicts a perspective view of a twelfth illustrative protective case having a removable protective pouch according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 12B  depicts the protective case of  FIG. 12A  disposed within the protective pouch according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 13A  schematically depicts a first step in a process of removing a protective pouch from a protective case and placing the protective case within the protective pouch according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 13B  schematically depicts a second step in a process of removing a protective pouch from a protective case and placing the protective case within the protective pouch according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 13C  schematically depicts a third step in a process of removing a protective pouch from a protective case and placing the protective case within the protective pouch according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 14A  schematically depicts a first step in a process of removing a protective cinch sack from a protective case and placing the protective case within the cinch sack according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 14B  schematically depicts a second step in a process of removing a protective cinch sack from a protective case and placing the protective case within the cinch sack according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 14C  schematically depicts a third step in a process of removing a protective cinch sack from a protective case and placing the protective case within the cinch sack according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 15A  depicts a front perspective view of a thirteenth illustrative protective case having a headband cover according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 15B  depicts a rear perspective view of the protective case of  FIG. 15A ; 
         FIG. 15C  depicts a partial side view of the protective case of  FIG. 15A  depicting an illustrative arrangement of the headband cover according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 16A  depicts a perspective view of a fourteenth illustrative protective case according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 16B  depicts a bottom view of the protective case of  FIG. 16A  depicting a charging/data port cover disposed in a closed position according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; and 
         FIG. 16C  depicts a detailed bottom view of the protective case of  FIGS. 16A and 16B  depicting the charging/data port cover in an open position and exposing a charging/data port according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure generally relates to various protective cases for electronic devices, particularly over-the-ear headphones, other related accessories, and/or similar devices. The protective cases herein generally cover at least a portion of the electronic device (including up to the entirety of the electronic device) and may include one or more other features for retaining the electronic device within the case. In some embodiments, the protective cases may include one or more additional features, including, but not limited to, charging/data ports, magnetic switches, additional storage pouches, locking components, security straps, shoulder straps, access ports, impact resistant features, water resistant/water-proof features, dust sealing features, and/or coupling features for coupling to other devices, bags, cases, or the like. In some embodiments, the protective cases described herein may have components for coupling one or more accessories thereto, such as, for example, a wallet accessory, a stand accessory, a key ring accessory, a clip accessory, a carabiner accessory, a trinket accessory, a supplemental battery pack, a solar panel, travel adaptors, cables, or the like. Various embodiments of the protective cases will be described in greater detail herein. 
     As noted above, the protective cases described herein can be used for any electronic device, although for the purposes of brevity, the protective cases described herein are generally described with respect to headphones, such as over-the-ear type and on-the-ear type headphones. However, throughout the disclosure, it should be understood that the term “headphones” is meant to encompass any electronic device without limitation. Illustrative other electronic devices include a pager, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a music player, a cellphone, a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop, an e-reader, headphones, earbuds, an electronic accessory, or the like. Electronic devices according to the present disclosure may include one or more buttons, switches (e.g., a sliding switch, such as a muting switch, a flip top switch, and/or the like), charging components, ports, headbands, and/or the like. As will be described herein, an electronic device may be positioned within the protective case and held by the protective case. The protective case may provide a protective and/or a waterproof housing around the electronic device. However, the present disclosure is not limited to only protective cases and/or waterproof cases. That is, a “protective case” as used herein is generally any apparatus that can be configured to surround at least a portion of the electronic device, including, for example, a bumper case, a device frame, a sleeve, or the like. 
     In addition to the foregoing, it should also be understood that while the present disclosure relates to protective cases for over-the-ear type or on-the-ear type headphones having a headband, a pair of ear cups coupled to the headband, and drivers disposed within the ear cups, the present disclosure is not restricted to only such headphones. That is, other headphones that include other features, alternative features, additional features, and/or fewer features are included within the scope of the present application without limitation. For example, the headphones may be earbud type headphones, bone conduction type headphones, wired headphones, wireless headphones, hearing aid or cochlear implant accessories, aviation headsets, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the headphones described herein may further include a microphone, such as a boom mounted microphone or the like. In some embodiments, the headphones described herein may have an adjustable headband. In some embodiments, the headphones described herein may have a single ear cup and driver disposed on one end of the headband and a head pad disposed on another end of the headband. Other features of headphones should generally be understood. Illustrative examples of headphones that may be used with the protective cases described herein include, but are not limited to AirPods Max® headphones manufactured by Apple Inc. (Cupertino, Calif.), Beats® headphones manufactured by Beats Electronics LLC (Culver City, Calif.), Soundlink® headphones manufactured by Bose Corporation (Framingham, Mass.), or the like. 
     It should be understood that various features discussed herein with respect to certain embodiments are not limited to only the embodiment in which such features appear. That is, certain features may be present in any of the embodiments described herein, even if the present disclosure does not explicitly recite that the embodiment includes such features. In addition, it should be understood that the embodiments described herein are not required to have the features described for that particular embodiment, and may have fewer, additional, or alternative features without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Further, the embodiments described herein are merely illustrative examples and are not meant to encompass all of the embodiments recited in the claims. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A-1B , an embodiment of a protective case  100  for holding headphones  10 , such as over-the-ear headphones, is generally depicted. The protective case  100  generally includes a body  110 . The body  110  includes a first portion  112  and a second portion  114  that are hingedly joined together on one end via one or more hinges  116  (e.g., nylon hinges or the like) to form a cavity  118  for holding the headphones  10  or a portion thereof. That is, when the first portion  112  and the second portion  114  are closed together to enclose the cavity  118  as depicted in  FIG. 1A , the body  110  may be considered to be in a closed configuration. In addition, when the first portion and the second portion  114  are opened so as to expose the cavity as depicted in  FIG. 1B , the body  110  may be considered to be in an open configuration. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1A-1B , the body  110  includes a base  140  and a top  150 . In some embodiments, the base  140  of the body  110  may be substantially planar when the body  110  is arranged in the closed configuration such that the base  140  can support the protective case  100  in an upright position. In some embodiments, the one or more hinges  116  may be disposed at the base  140  of the body. In some embodiments, a retention piece  120  may be disposed at the top  150  of the body. The retention piece  120  may hold the body in the closed configuration in some embodiments. That is, the retention piece  120  may be a clasp, latch, snap, lock, or the like. In some embodiments, the retention piece  120  may extend from one of the first portion  112  or the second portion  114  of the body  110  towards the other of the first portion  112  or the second portion  114  of the body  110 . When the body is moved into the closed configuration as depicted in  FIG. 1A , the retention piece  120  may engage with a catch  122  or the like to hold the body  110  in the closed configuration. The catch  122  may be any component that can engage with the retention piece  120 , such as a protrusion, an indentation, a hook, a magnet, and/or the like. In one illustrative example, the retention piece  120  may be a silicone latch. In another illustrative example, the retention piece  120  may have a magnet integrated thereon or therewith, and may hold the first portion  112  and the second portion  114  together. In yet another illustrative example, the retention piece  120  may be a sliding lock whereby the respective shapes of the first portion  112  and the second portion  114  at the top  150  of the body  110  are particularly shaped so that when the retention piece  120  is slid in a first direction, the retention piece  120  engages with the first portion  112  and the second portion  114  to hold the first portion  112  and the second portion  114  together. When the retention piece  120  is slid in a second direction opposite the first direction, the retention piece  120  disengages with the first portion  112  and the second portion  114  such that the first portion  112  and the second portion  114  can be separated from one another. In some embodiments, the retention piece  120  may be omitted. In such embodiments, the first portion  112  and the second portion  114  may include locking components (e.g., interlocking edges, magnets, or the like) that hold the first portion  112  and the second portion  114  together in the closed configuration. In some embodiments, the retention piece  120  may be lockable (e.g., via a keyed lock, a combination style lock, a biometric style lock). 
     In some embodiments, the first portion  112  and the second portion  114  may be shaped, sized, and/or configured such that, when joined together, the cavity  118  formed therefrom is particularly shaped, sized, and/or configured to conform to a particular type of headphones (or a portion thereof) or to hold a variety of different headphone shapes, sizes, and styles. For example, the cavity  118  may hold at least a first ear cup  14  and a second ear cup  16  of the headphones  10  and may or may not be particularly shaped, sized, and configured to hold a particular shape and size of ear cups  14 ,  16 . Put another way, the cavity  118  may be particularly shaped, sized, and/or contoured to fit a particular type of headphones (or portion thereof) or may be more generally shaped, sized, and/or contoured to hold a variety of different headphone types (or portions thereof). The cavity  118  may be defined by walls of the first portion  112  and the second portion  114 . For example, the first portion  112  may include one or more interior walls  113  thereof and the second portion  114  may include one or more interior walls  115  thereof that define the cavity  118  when the first portion  112  and the second portion  114  are joined together. 
     In some embodiments, the body  110  may be a hard shell body that is formed of an impact resistant or impact absorbing material. In some embodiments, the body  110  may be particularly shaped and/or sized to correspond to a shape and/or size of a portion of the headphones  10  received therein. In some embodiments, the body  110  may be constructed of a soft material that conforms to the shape of the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are received within the cavity  118 . In still other embodiments, the body  110  may be formed of a combination of hard and soft components. For example, the body  110  may include one or more flexible side panels  130  thereon (e.g., side panels  130  constructed of polychloroprene or the like). Such flexible side panels  130  may be shaped as a pocket in some embodiments to provide additional storage. 
     In some embodiments, the first portion  112  and/or the second portion  114  of the body  110  may include one or more wall features  132  therein such that, when the first portion  112  and the second portion  114  are joined together to form the cavity  118 , the wall features  132  define openings into the cavity  118 . In some embodiments, the wall features  132  may be sized, shaped, and/or located such that one or more portions of the headphones  10  (e.g., a headband  12  thereof) extend through the openings when the first portion  112  and the second portion  114  are joined together. That is, the wall features  132  may form apertures through the walls of the body  110  to allow the headband  12  to extend therethrough. As a result, as depicted in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the headphones  10  are arranged with respect to the protective case  100  such that the first ear cup  14  and the second ear cup  16  are disposed inside the cavity  118  and the headband  12  extends outside of the cavity  118 . In some embodiments, the wall features  132  may be located as part of the flexible side panels  130  such that the material of the flexible side panels  130  deforms around a portion of the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are received within the cavity  118  to provide a snug fit when the first portion  112  and the second portion  114  are joined together to enclose at least a portion of the headphones  10  (e.g., the ear cups  14 ,  16  thereof) within the cavity  118 . 
     In some embodiments, one or more interior walls  113  of the first portion  112  and/or one or more interior walls  115  the second portion  114  may be lined with a material that prevents or minimizes the headphones  10  from becoming scratched, chipped, marred, or the like when received within the cavity  118  (e.g., velvet, felt, or the like). Still further, one or more of the first portion  112  and/or the second portion  114  may be lined with or constructed from a padded material (e.g., foam or the like) or other impact absorbing material to protect portions of the headphones  10  received in the cavity  118  during an impact (e.g., when dropped or the like). 
     In some embodiments, the one or more internal walls  160  may be formed within the cavity  118 , such as, for example, as an extension of the one or more walls of the first portion  112  and/or the second portion  114 . In some embodiments, the one or more internal walls  160  may be particularly shaped, sized, and/or positioned to ensure appropriate placement of the headphones  10  within the cavity  118 . For example, the one or more internal walls  160  may be used to ensure that various portions of the headphones  10 , such as the first and second ear cups  14 ,  16  and/or the headband  12  are particularly positioned and aligned within the cavity  118  such that the first and second portions  112 ,  114  can be moved into the closed position around at least a portion of the headphones  10  (e.g., the first and second ear cups  14 ,  16 ). 
     In some embodiments, the one or more internal walls  160  may include various components therein for ensuring that the headphones are actuated, switched off, placed in a power save mode, charged, and/or the like. For example, the one or more internal walls  160  may include one or more magnets formed therein. The one or more magnets may align with a magnetic switch within the headphones  10  (not shown) for actuating one or more headphone features (e.g., shutting off the headphones  10 , placing the headphones  10  in a power save mode, and/or the like). That is, the body  110  may be formed with one or more receptacles or the like for which a magnet may be inserted such that magnetic forces from the magnet are generally directed inward or outward to facilitate placement of an object and/or for retaining an object. In some embodiments, the material of the body  110  may be formed of a magnetic material. That is, the entire body  110  may be formed of a magnetic material or a portion of the body  110  (e.g., an area of the body at, near, and/or surrounding the retention piece  120 ) is formed of a magnetic material. Examples of suitable magnetic materials (e.g., various ferromagnetic materials) should generally be understood. In another example, the one or more internal walls  160  may include a wireless charging component that aligns with wireless charging components of the headphones  10  and allows for wireless charging of the headphones  10  when received and appropriately positioned within the cavity  118 . Such charging may be achieved via a charging cable coupled to the protective case  100 , a battery, a solar panel, and/or a wireless charging pad included within the protective case  100  as described herein. 
     In some embodiments, one or more walls (including, but not limited to, the one or more interior walls  113 ,  115  and/or the one or more internal walls  160 ) within the cavity  118  may be arranged and/or contain features that define one or more storage areas  170 , such as internal pockets, dividers, storage cubbies, or the like. For example, the storage areas  170  may be one or more mesh pockets formed on an interior wall of the first portion  112  and/or the second portion  114  for holding one or more accessories  50  (e.g., charging cables, docks, power adaptors, audio cables, splitters, airplane accessories, and the like) therein. Such storage areas  170  may be located in existing spaces between areas within the cavity  118 , additional spaces formed in or near the cavity  118 , or the like. The one or more storage areas  170  may be fixed or removable from the protective case  100 . In some embodiments, the one or more storage areas  170  may be opened or closed via a closure mechanism that is separate from or integrated with the retention piece  120 . For example, a storage area  170  may be closed via a zipper, buttons, snaps, an interlocking sealing mechanism, or the like. In some embodiments, the storage area  170  may be a battery enclosure for holding a battery that is electrically coupled to the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are received within the cavity  118  and configured to charge the headphones  10  when received within the cavity  118 . 
     In some embodiments, one or more walls (e.g., the interior walls  113  of the first portion  112 , the interior walls  115  of the second portion  114 , and/or the internal walls  160 ) may have one or more surface features such as, for example, recesses, grooves, indentations, protrusions, flanges, detents, threads, and/or the like that, when contacted or otherwise engaged with an object, may interface with the object and hold the object within the cavity  118 . For example, the walls may hold the headphones  10 , the one or more storage areas  170 , and/or the like. 
     While not depicted, the body  110  may have one or more sensors integrated therein. The one or more sensors may provide data that is used to provide additional functionality to the headphones  10 . For example, one or more sensors may be used to sense when the headphones  10  are inserted within the cavity  118  so that additional actions can be completed (e.g., activate charging or the like). In another example, the one or more sensors may be integrated with a radio, such as a global positioning satellite (GPS) radio, a near field communication (NFC) radio, a Bluetooth® radio, a wife radio, and/or the like that may provide communications for various purposes, such as, for example, determining a location of the protective case  100  and/or the headphones  10  therein in the event that they are lost. 
     It should now be appreciated that the protective case  100  depicted in  FIGS. 1A-1B  can be particularly formed to hold the headphones  10  therein in such a manner that the headphones  10  can be maintained, transported, or the like in such a manner that minimizes or avoids damage to the headphones  10 . Further, the protective case  100  depicted in  FIGS. 1A-1B  allows for a user to hold the headband  12  of the headphones while the protective case  100  surrounds and protects the remainder of the headphones  10  (e.g., the ear cups  14 ,  16 ). That is, the protective case  100  allows for the headband  12  of the headphones  10  to serve dual purposes (e.g., holding the ear cups  14 ,  16  on a user&#39;s head when in use and serving as a handle when in the protective case  100 ). 
       FIGS. 2A-2C  depict another embodiment of a protective case  200 . As shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C , the protective case  200  includes a body  210  thereof that is a single piece component having a top insertion aperture  254  therein for inserting a portion of the headphones  10  therein, while leaving the headband  12  of the headphones  10  exposed. In some embodiments, the headband  12  of the headphones  10  may be used as a carrying handle. 
     In some embodiments, the body  210  may be a hard shell body that is formed of an impact resistant or impact absorbing material. In some embodiments, the body  210  may be particularly shaped and/or sized to correspond to a shape and/or size of a portion of the headphones  10  received therein. In some embodiments, the body  210  may be constructed of a soft material that conforms to the shape of the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are received therein. In still other embodiments, the body  210  may be formed of a combination of hard and soft components. 
     The body  210  of the protective case  200  further defines a cavity (not shown) for holding the headphones  10  therein, particularly the ear cups  14 ,  16  thereof (not shown). The cavity may be particularly shaped, sized, and/or contoured to fit a particular type of headphones  10  or may be more generally shaped, sized, and/or contoured to hold a variety of different headphone types. The cavity may be defined by walls of the body  210 . The top insertion aperture  254  may provide an opening into the cavity for receiving the ear cups  14 ,  16 , as described in further detail herein. In some embodiments, one or more interior walls of the body  210  may be lined with a soft material, such as velvet or the like, to prevent the headphones  10  from becoming scratched, chipped, marred, or the like when received within the cavity. 
     As particularly shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 2B , a top  250  of the body  210  of the protective case  200  may include a top surface  252  having a top insertion aperture  254  formed therein. The top insertion aperture  254  generally provides access to the interior of the protective case  200  (e.g., the cavity, not shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C ). The top insertion aperture  254  may generally be shaped, sized, and configured such that the ear cups  14 ,  16  ( FIG. 1B ) of the headphones  10  can pass into the interior of the protective case  200 . That is, the top surface  252  is formed of a material that is elastic or otherwise deformable. Accordingly, the top surface  252  allows the ear cups  14 ,  16  ( FIG. 1B ) of the headphones  10  to displace the deformable material (e.g., push aside) when being inserted. Once the ear cups  14 ,  16  ( FIG. 1B ) are inserted into the interior of the protective case  200 , the deformable material of the top surface  252  moves back into place to restrain the ear cups  14 ,  16  ( FIG. 1B ) of the headphones  10  within the cavity while the headband  12  portion thereof extends out of the protective case  200  and can be usable as a carrying handle or the like. In some embodiments, the top insertion aperture  254  may have shaped portions  256  that are generally sized and/or located such that the headband  12  of the headphones  10  extends through the top insertion aperture  254  at the shaped portions  256  and the deformable material of the top surface  252  compresses around the headband  12  at the shaped portions  256 , acting as a collar or the like. In some embodiments, the elastic or otherwise deformable material of the top surface  252  may be spandex, polychloroprene, or other similar flexible material. In some embodiments, a trim webbing  258  may extend along an edge of one or more side walls  211  of the body  210  to bind the deformable material of the top surface  252  to the one or more side walls  211  of the body  210 . 
     Referring particularly to  FIG. 2C , the protective case  200  may include one or more features for accessing, charging, and/or actuating the headphones  10  when the headphones are received within the protective case  200  (e.g., within the cavity, not shown in  FIG. 2C ). For example, in some embodiments, a base  240  of the body  210  may include a base wall  242  having an aperture  244  therein, such as an access port, recess, or the like. The aperture  244  may be shaped and sized to allow certain ones of the accessories  50  ( FIG. 2B ) to be passed through the base wall  242  into the interior of the protective case. For example, the aperture  244  may be shaped and sized such that a charging cable  60  can pass through the base wall  242  and couple to a charging/data port on the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are received within the protective case  200 . In some embodiments, the aperture  244  may include a charging/data port  246  therein. Such a charging/data port  246  may be electrically coupled to the headphones  10  when the headphones are placed within the protective case  200  (e.g., via a conductive charging pad or the like). As such, when power is supplied to the charging/data port  246  (e.g., via a cable  60  that is inserted into the charging/data port  246 ), charging capabilities are provided by the protective case  200  to the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are received within the protective case  200 . In addition or in the alternative, the charging/data port  246  may be electrically coupled to a battery integrated within the protective case to charge the battery, which is then used to charge the headphones  10  when received within the protective case  200  as described herein. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 2A-2C , the body  210  of the protective case  200  may include one or more external pockets  270  located on an external surface  274  of the body  210  in some embodiments. Such external pockets  270  may provide additional place for storing the one or more accessories  50  described herein. In some embodiments, the external pockets  270  may have a closure  272 , such as a zipper or the like. The external pockets  270  may be formed of a flexible material in some embodiments such that the external pockets  270  can expand to increase the volume thereof when necessary. 
     While not depicted in  FIGS. 2A-2C , one or more internal walls may be formed within the cavity. In some embodiments, the one or more internal walls may be particularly shaped, sized, and positioned to ensure appropriate placement of the headphones  10  within the cavity (e.g., to ensure that the protective case  200  holds the headphones  10  properly). In some embodiments, the one or more internal walls may include various components therein for ensuring that the headphones  10  are actuated, switched off, placed in a power save mode, charged, and/or the like. For example, the one or more internal walls may include a magnet that aligns with a magnetic switch within the headphones  10  for actuating one or more headphone features (e.g., shutting off the headphones  10 , placing the headphones  10  in a power save mode, and/or the like). In another example, the one or more internal walls may include a wireless charging component that aligns with wireless charging components of the headphones  10  and allows for wireless charging of the headphones  10  when received within the cavity (as described above). In some embodiments, the internal walls of the body  210  may have one or more surface features such as recesses, grooves, indentations, protrusions, flanges, detents, threads, and/or the like that, when contacted or otherwise engaged with an object, may interface with the object and hold the object within the cavity. 
     While not depicted, the body  210  may have one or more sensors and/or radios embedded therein that are used for the purposes of sensing and/or external communication, as described herein. 
     It should be appreciated that the protective case  200  depicted in  FIGS. 2A-2C  does not have a first portion hingedly coupled to a second portion to provide access to an interior of the protective case  200 . Rather, access to the interior of the protective case is provided via the deformable material of the top surface  252  and the top insertion aperture  254 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A-3B , another embodiment of a protective case  300  is depicted. For the purposes of brevity, some features of the protective case  300  of  FIGS. 3A-3B  that are similar to those of the protective case  100  depicted in  FIGS. 1A-1B  and/or the protective case  200  depicted in  FIGS. 2A-2C  may not be discussed in further detail. Rather, it should be understood that certain features described herein with respect to  FIGS. 1A-1B  and/or  FIGS. 2A-2C  may also be included as part of the protective case  300  depicted in  FIGS. 3A-3B . 
     As depicted in the embodiment of  FIGS. 3A-3B , the protective case  300  generally includes a body  310 . The body  310  includes a first portion  312  and a second portion  314  that are joinable together to define a cavity  318  that receives the headphones  10  such that the headphones  10  are encased within the body  310 . The cavity  318  may be particularly shaped, sized, and/or contoured to fit a particular type of headphones  10  or may be more generally shaped, sized, and/or contoured to hold a variety of different headphone types. The first portion  312  and the second portion  314  are shaped and configured such that the first portion  312  and the second portion  314  are completely separable from one another to expose a cavity  318  for holding the headphones  10  therein, and can be joined together to contain the headphones  10  once received within the cavity  318 . For example, one of the first portion  312  or the second portion  314  slips overtop the other of the first portion  312  or the second portion  314  to join the first portion  312  and the second portion  314  together. In another example, the first portion  312  and the second portion  314  each include an interlocking portion that allows for the first portion  312  and the second portion  314  to be joined together. In yet another example, a closure device such as a zipper, a snap, or the like, may be disposed on one or both of the first portion  312  and the second portion  314  to hold the first portion  312  and the second portion  314  together For example, the body  310  may include a retention piece  320  (e.g., a female portion  324   a  of the retention piece  320  disposed on one of the first portion or the second portion  314  and a corresponding male portion  324   b  of the retention piece  320  disposed on the other of the first portion  312  or the second portion  314 , the male portion  324   b  and the female portion  324   a  joinable together to hold the first portion  312  and the second portion  314  together). In some embodiments, the retention piece  320  may be a molded latch, lock, or the like. In some embodiments, the retention piece  320  may have a magnet integrated thereon or therewith, and may hold the first portion  312  and the second portion  314  together. In some embodiments, the retention piece  320  may be lockable (e.g., via a keyed lock, a combination style lock, a biometric style lock). 
     In some embodiments, the body  310  may be a hard shell body that is formed of an impact resistant or impact absorbing material. In some embodiments, the body  310  may be particularly shaped and/or sized to correspond to a shape and/or size of a portion of the headphones  10  received therein. In some embodiments, the body  310  may be constructed of a soft material that conforms to the shape of the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are received therein. In still other embodiments, the body  310  may be formed of a combination of hard and soft components. For example, the body  310  may include one or more polychloroprene side panels thereon, which may be shaped as a pocket in some embodiments to provide additional storage. 
     In some embodiments, the walls of the first portion  312  and/or the second portion  314  may have one or more surface features such as recesses, grooves, indentations, protrusions, flanges, detents, threads, and/or the like that, when contacted or otherwise engaged with an object (e.g., the headphones  10 , the other one of the first portion  312  and the second portion  314 ), may interface with the object and hold the object. For example, the body  310  may have a recessed portion  380  disposed at or near the top  350  of the body  310 . The recessed portion  380  may be shaped and/or sized to correspond to a gap  11  ( FIG. 3B ) between the headband  12  and the ear cups  14 ,  16  of the headphones  10 . When the first portion  312  and the second portion  314  are joined together around the headphones  10 , the body  310  may initially flex to press the headband  12  into a storage portion  381  disposed between the recessed portion  380  and the top  350  of the body and then may move back into an initial shape whereby the recessed portion  380  is disposed within the gap  11 , thereby holding the headphones  10  in place with respect to the body  310  of the protective case  300 . In addition, the recessed portion  380  may act as a grip surface for carrying the protective case  300  and may optionally contain a relatively higher friction material disposed thereon or integrated therewith to facilitate gripping by a user. 
     In some embodiments, the body  310  of the protective case  300  may have one or more attachment features  384  extending from the body  310  and providing a point of fixture or attachment of an accessory  70 . For example, the one or more attachment features  384  may include one or more protrusions, bumps, knobs, projections, posts, loops, recesses, apertures, or similar components that are particularly shaped, sized, configured, and/or oriented for the purposes of providing a point on the body  310  of the protective case  300  for fixture or attachment of the accessory  70 . For example, as depicted in the embodiment of  FIGS. 3A-3B , the one or more attachment features may include one or more loops disposed on an exterior surface of the body  310  that provide an attachment point for a key ring, a carabiner, or the like. 
     In some embodiments, the protective case  300  may further include a support strap  382  coupled to the body  310  and usable to support the protective case  300 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 3A-3B , the support strap  382  may be coupled to portions of the body  310  in such a manner to maintain a connection between the first portion  312  and the second portion  314  when they are separated from one another as described herein. For example, the support strap  382  may be coupled to the second portion  314  at two points to form a loop. In addition, the first portion  312  includes one or more apertures  309  through which the support strap  382  is passed. The apertures  309  may be located so as to not interfere with the joining of the first portion  312  and the second portion  314  as described herein, but at the same time allow the support strap  382  to act as a tether that keeps the first portion  312  and the second portion  314  together when separated from one another to provide access to the cavity  318  as described herein. The support strap  382  may generally be any type of strap, including, but not limited to, a shoulder strap, a backpack-type strap, a waist-worn strap, and the like. 
     While not depicted, the body  310  may have one or more sensors and/or radios embedded therein that are used for the purposes of sensing and/or external communication, as described herein. 
       FIGS. 4A-4C  depict another embodiment of a protective case  400 . As shown in  FIGS. 4A-4C , the protective case  400  includes a body  410  thereof that is a single piece component having an open top  454  therein for inserting a portion of the headphones  10  therein, while leaving the headband  12  of the headphones  10  exposed. The protective case  400  further includes a retention strap  490  that extends over at least a portion of the open top  454 . 
     In some embodiments, the body  410  may be a hard shell body that is formed of an impact resistant or impact absorbing material. In some embodiments, the body  410  may be particularly shaped and/or sized to correspond to a shape and/or size of a portion of the headphones  10  received therein. In some embodiments, the body  410  may be constructed of a soft material that conforms to the shape of the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are received therein. In still other embodiments, the body  410  may be formed of a combination of hard and soft components. 
     The body  410  of the protective case  400  further defines a cavity  418  for holding the headphones  10  therein, particularly the ear cups  14 ,  16  thereof (not shown). The cavity  418  may be particularly shaped, sized, and/or contoured to fit a particular type of headphones  10  or may be more generally shaped, sized, and/or contoured to hold a variety of different headphone types. The cavity  418  may be defined by walls of the body  410 . The cavity  418  may be open to an exterior of the protective case  400  via the open top  454  to receive the ear cups  14 ,  16  through the open top  454 , as described in further detail herein. In some embodiments, one or more interior walls of the body  410  may be lined with a soft material, such as velvet or the like, to prevent the headphones  10  from becoming scratched, chipped, marred, or the like when received within the cavity. 
     As particularly shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 4B , a top  450  of the body  410  of the protective case  400  may include the open top  454 . The open top  454  generally provides access to the interior of the protective case  400  (e.g., the cavity  418 ). The open top  454  may generally be shaped, sized, and configured such that the ear cups  14 ,  16  of the headphones  10  can pass into the cavity  418  of the protective case  400 . In addition, the body  410  (e.g., the top  450  thereof) may further include the retention strap  490  coupled thereto. The retention strap  490  may be coupled to one surface of the body  410  and may be removably coupled to another surface of the body  410 . For example, the retention strap  490  may include a first portion  492  coupled to the body  410  and a second portion  494  located at a distal end of the first portion  492 , the second portion  494  having a retention piece  420 . As particularly depicted in  FIG. 4C , the retention piece  420  may include one or more interlocking portions  424   a ,  424   b  that removably couple to one another to hold the second portion  494  of the retention strap  490  in a closed configuration. For example, a first interlocking portion  424   a  may be coupled to the second portion  494  and a second interlocking portion  424   a  may be coupled to the body  410  (e.g., a wall  474  of the body  410 ). The retention piece  420  may include a hook portion and an eye portion (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 4C ), a fold over locking portion, a toggle portion, a lobster claw portion, a spring ring portion, a box tab insert portion, a fishhook portion, an s hook portion, a barrel portion, opposite magnet portions, hook and loop fastener portions, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the retention piece  420  may be particularly shaped and sized to provide a snug fit for a particular type of headphones within the cavity  418  (e.g., a particular shape of the headband  12 ). In other embodiments, the retention piece  420  may be formed to accommodate a variety of differently shaped and/or sized headphones  10 , such as, for example, by being constructed of a stretchable material that deforms over the headphones  10  and holds the headphones  10  in place within the cavity  418 . In some embodiments, the retention piece  420  may be lockable (e.g., via a keyed lock, a combination style lock, a biometric style lock). 
     Referring particularly to  FIG. 4C , the protective case  400  may include one or more features for accessing, charging, and/or actuating the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are received within the protective case  400  (e.g., within the cavity  418  depicted in  FIG. 4B ). Still referring to  FIG. 4C , in some embodiments, a base  440  of the body  410  may include a base wall  442  having an aperture  444  therein, such as an access port, recess, or the like. The aperture  444  may be shaped and sized to allow certain ones of the accessories  50  ( FIG. 1B ) to be passed through the base wall  442  into the interior of the protective case  400 . For example, the aperture  444  may be shaped and sized such that a charging cable  60  can pass through the base wall  442  and couple to a charging/data port on the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are received within the protective case  400 . In some embodiments, the aperture  444  may include a charging/data port  446  therein. Such a charging/data port  446  may be electrically coupled to the headphones  10  when the headphones are placed within the protective case  400  (e.g., via a conductive charging pad or the like). As such, when power is supplied to the charging/data port  446  (e.g., via a cable  60  that is inserted into the charging/data port  446 ), charging capabilities are provided by the protective case  400  to the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are received within the protective case  400 . In addition or in the alternative, the charging/data port  446  may be electrically coupled to a battery integrated within the protective case  400  to charge the battery, which is then used to charge the headphones  10  when received within the protective case  400  as described herein. 
     While not depicted in  FIGS. 4A-4C , one or more internal walls may be formed within the cavity  418 . In some embodiments, the one or more internal walls may be particularly shaped, sized, and positioned to ensure appropriate placement of the headphones  10  within the cavity  418  (e.g., to ensure that the protective case  400  holds the headphones  10  properly). In some embodiments, the one or more internal walls may include various components therein for ensuring that the headphones  10  are actuated, switched off, placed in a power save mode, charged, and/or the like. For example, the one or more internal walls may include a magnet that aligns with a magnetic switch within the headphones  10  for actuating one or more headphone features (e.g., shutting off the headphones  10 , placing the headphones  10  in a power save mode, and/or the like). In another example, the one or more internal walls may include a wireless charging component that aligns with wireless charging components of the headphones  10  and allows for wireless charging of the headphones  10  when received within the cavity (as described above). In some embodiments, the internal walls of the body  410  may have one or more surface features such as recesses, grooves, indentations, protrusions, flanges, detents, threads, and/or the like that, when contacted or otherwise engaged with an object, may interface with the object and hold the object within the cavity. 
     While not depicted, the body  510  may have one or more sensors and/or radios embedded therein that are used for the purposes of sensing and/or external communication, as described herein. 
     As also depicted in  FIGS. 4A-4C , the body  410  may also include one or more attachment points for receiving a device that is clipped to the body  410 . For example, a strap  482  may be coupled to the body  410  in some embodiments. The strap  482  may be a shoulder strap, a waist strap, a backpack strap, a hanging strap, or the like. Other items that may be attached in a similar manner include, but are not limited to, keys, tracking devices, carabiners, and/or the like. 
       FIGS. 5A-5B  depict another embodiment of a protective case  500 . As depicted in  FIGS. 5A-5B , the protective case  500  generally includes a body  510 . The body  510  may be a single piece component that includes a first portion  512 , a second portion  514  a first side tab  517   a , and a second side tab  517   b  that can be brought together to form a cavity for holding the headphones  10 . The first portion  512  is coupled to the second portion  514  via a base portion  540  and each of the first and second side tabs  517   a ,  517   b  extend transversely from either the first portion  512  or the second portion  514  (depicted in  FIG. 5A  as extending from the first portion  512 ). The first portion  512  and the second portion  514  are foldable at the respective intersections with the base portion  540  and the first and second side tabs  517   a ,  517   b  are foldable around the first or second portions  512 ,  514  to form a cavity  518  as shown in  FIG. 5B  to hold the headphones  10  therein. That is, when the first portion  512  the second portion  514 , and the side tabs  517   a ,  517   b  are brought together to enclose the cavity  518  as depicted in  FIG. 5B , the body  510  may be considered to be in a closed configuration. In addition, when the first portion  512 , the second portion  514 , and the side tabs  517   a ,  517   b  are unfolded as depicted in  FIG. 5A , the body  510  may be considered to be in an open configuration. 
     In some embodiments, the base portion  540  of the body  510  may be substantially planar when the body  510  is arranged in the closed configuration such that the base portion  540  can support the protective case  500  in an upright position. In some embodiments, each of the side tabs  517   a ,  517   b  may include a retention component  519  that secures each side tab  517   a ,  517   b  as described herein. Such retention components  519  may be, for example, a hook portion, an eye portion, a fold over locking portion, a toggle portion, a lobster claw portion, a spring ring portion, a box tab insert portion, a fishhook portion, an s hook portion, a barrel portion, a magnet portion, a hook and loop fastener portion (e.g., as depicted in  FIG. 5A ), and/or the like. 
     In some embodiments, the first portion  512 , the second portion  514 , and the side tabs  517   a ,  517   b  may be shaped, sized, and/or configured such that, when joined together, the cavity  518  formed therefrom is particularly shaped, sized, and/or configured to conform to a particular type of headphones (or a portion thereof) or to hold a variety of different headphone shapes, sizes, and styles. For example, as particularly shown in  FIG. 5B , the cavity  518  may hold at least a first ear cup  14  and a second ear cup  16  of the headphones  10  and may or may not be particularly shaped, sized, and configured to hold a particular shape and size of ear cups  14 ,  16 . Put another way, the cavity  518  may be particularly shaped, sized, and/or contoured to fit a particular type of headphones (or portion thereof) or may be more generally shaped, sized, and/or contoured to hold a variety of different headphone types (or portions thereof). The cavity  518  may be defined by walls formed by the first portion  512 , the second portion  114 , and/or the side tabs  517   a ,  517   b.    
     In some embodiments, the body  510  may be a hard shell body that is formed of an impact resistant or impact absorbing material. In some embodiments, the body  510  may be particularly shaped and/or sized to correspond to a shape and/or size of a portion of the headphones  10  received therein. In some embodiments, the body  510  may be constructed of a soft material that conforms to the shape of the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are received within the cavity  518 . In still other embodiments, the body  510  may be formed of a combination of hard and soft components. 
     In some embodiments, one or more interior surfaces of the first portion  512 , the second portion  514 , the base portion  540 , and/or the side tabs  517   a ,  517   b  may be lined with a material that prevents or minimizes the headphones  10  from becoming scratched, chipped, marred, or the like when received within the cavity  518  (e.g., velvet, felt, or the like). Still further, one or more of the first portion  512 , the second portion  514 , the base portion  540 , and/or the side tabs  517   a ,  517   b  may be lined with or constructed from a padded material (e.g., foam or the like) or other impact absorbing material to protect portions of the headphones  10  received in the cavity  518  during an impact (e.g., when dropped or the like). 
     In some embodiments, a top of the body  510  (e.g., an upper portion of the first portion  512 ) may include a storage area  570  disposed thereon or integrated therewith. Illustrative examples of the storage area  570  include, but are not limited to, an internal pocket, a divider, a storage cubby, or the like. The storage area  570  is generally located in an existing gap  11  (see e.g.,  FIG. 3B ) disposed between the headband  12  and ear cups  14 ,  16  of the headphones  10  when the headphones are received within the cavity  518  (e.g., near a top  550  of the body  510 ). As such, the storage area  570  is shaped and sized to generally confirm to a shape and/or a size of the headband  12  such that the storage area  570  fits within the existing gap  11 . For example, storage area  570  may have an upper wall  574  having a curvature that is similar or substantially similar to the curvature of the headband  12  of the headphones  10 . The storage area  570  may be fixed or removable from the protective case  500 . In some embodiments, the storage area  570  may be opened or closed via a closure mechanism  572 . For example, the storage area  570  may be closed via a zipper, buttons, snaps, an interlocking sealing mechanism, or the like. In some embodiments, the storage area  570  may be a battery enclosure for holding a battery that is electrically coupled to the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are held by the protective case  500  and configured to charge the headphones  10  when held by the protective case. In some embodiments, the storage area  570  may be a solar panel enclosure for holding a solar panel that is electrically coupled to the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are held by the protective case  500  and configured to charge the headphones  10  when held by the protective case. In some embodiments, the storage area  570  may be a wireless charging enclosure for holding a wireless charging pad that is electrically coupled to the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are held by the protective case  500  and configured to be placed on an external wireless charger and transmit electrical power to the headphones  10  when held by the protective case. 
     In some embodiments, the base portion  540  may have an aperture  544  formed therein. The aperture  544  may be shaped and sized to allow an accessory such as a charging cable or the like to be passed through the base portion  540  into the interior of the protective case  500 . For example, the aperture  544  may be shaped and sized such that a charging cable can pass through the base portion  540  and couple to a charging/data port on the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are received within the protective case  500 . 
       FIGS. 6A-6B  depict another embodiment of a protective case  600 . As shown in  FIGS. 6A-6B , the protective case  600  includes a body  610  thereof that is a single piece component having an open top  654  for inserting a portion of the headphones  10  therein, while leaving the headband  12  of the headphones  10  exposed. The protective case  600  further includes a retention piece  620  that extends over at least a portion of the open top  654  and a fixed storage area  670  that sits within the gap  11  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 3B ) between the headband  12  and the ear cups  14 ,  16 , as described hereinbelow. 
     The body  610  of the protective case is a hard shell body that is formed of an impact resistant or impact absorbing material. In some embodiments, the body  610  may be particularly shaped and/or sized to correspond to a shape and/or size of a portion of the headphones  10  received therein. The hard shell body may be particularly shaped for a particular brand and model of headphones, or may be shaped to accommodate a variety of different headphone shapes and sizes. In some embodiments, the body  610  may incorporate certain soft elements in addition to being a hard shell body (e.g., soft elements are used for storage of accessories or the like). 
     The body  610  of the protective case  600  further defines a cavity  618  for holding the headphones  10  therein, particularly the ear cups  14 ,  16  thereof (shown in  FIG. 6B ). The cavity  618  may be particularly shaped, sized, and/or contoured to fit a particular type of headphones  10  or may be more generally shaped, sized, and/or contoured to hold a variety of different headphone types. The cavity  618  may be defined by walls of the body  610 . The cavity  618  may be open to an exterior of the protective case  600  via the open top  654  to receive the ear cups  14 ,  16  through open top  654 , as described in further detail herein. In some embodiments, one or more interior walls of the body  610  may be lined with a soft material, such as velvet or the like, to prevent the headphones  10  from becoming scratched, chipped, marred, or the like when received within the cavity. 
     The open top  654  generally provides access to the interior of the protective case  600  (e.g., the cavity  618 ). The open top  654  may generally be shaped, sized, and configured such that the ear cups  14 ,  16  of the headphones  10  can pass into the cavity  618  of the protective case  600 . In addition, the body  610  may further include the retention piece  620  coupled thereto. The retention piece  620  may be coupled to one surface of the body  610  and may be removably coupled to another surface of the body  610 . For example, the retention piece  620  may include a first portion coupled to the body  610  (e.g., a backside of the body  610 ) and a second portion located at a distal end of the first portion, the second portion removably coupled to a catch  622 . The catch  622  may be any component that can engage with the retention piece  620 , such as a protrusion, an indentation, a hook, a magnet, and/or the like. In one illustrative example, the retention piece  620  may be a silicone latch. In another illustrative example, the retention piece  620  may have a magnet integrated thereon or therewith, and may hold the retention piece  620  to the catch  622 . In some embodiments, the retention piece  620  may be lockable (e.g., via a keyed lock, a combination style lock, a biometric style lock). 
     While not particularly highlighted in  FIGS. 6A-6B , one or more internal walls may be formed within the cavity  618 . In some embodiments, the one or more internal walls may be particularly shaped, sized, and positioned to ensure appropriate placement of the headphones  10  within the cavity  618  (e.g., to ensure that the protective case  600  holds the headphones  10  properly). In some embodiments, the one or more internal walls may include various components therein for ensuring that the headphones  10  are actuated, switched off, placed in a power save mode, charged, and/or the like. For example, the one or more internal walls may include a magnet that aligns with a magnetic switch within the headphones  10  for actuating one or more headphone features (e.g., shutting off the headphones  10 , placing the headphones  10  in a power save mode, and/or the like). In another example, the one or more internal walls may include a wireless charging component that aligns with wireless charging components of the headphones  10  and allows for wireless charging of the headphones  10  when received within the cavity (as described above). In some embodiments, the internal walls of the body  610  may have one or more surface features such as recesses, grooves, indentations, protrusions, flanges, detents, threads, and/or the like that, when contacted or otherwise engaged with an object, may interface with the object and hold the object within the cavity. 
     In some embodiments, a top of the body  610  (e.g., an upper portion of the body  610 ) may include a storage area  670  disposed thereon or integrated therewith. Illustrative examples of the storage area  670  include, but are not limited to, an internal pocket, a divider, a storage cubby, or the like. The storage area  670  is generally located in the existing space disposed between the headband  12  and ear cups  14 ,  16  of the headphones  10  when the headphones are received within the cavity  618 . As such, the storage area  670  is shaped and sized to generally confirm to a shape and/or a size of the headband  12  such that the storage area  670  fits within the existing space. For example, storage area  670  may have an upper wall  674  having a curvature that is similar or substantially similar to the curvature of the headband  12  of the headphones  10 . The storage area  670  may be constructed of a rigid material similar to that of the body  610  (e.g., as an extension of the body  610 ). In some embodiments, certain portions of the storage area  670  (e.g., a cover) may be constructed of a rigid material or a flexible material. In some embodiments, the storage area  670  may be opened or closed via a closure mechanism  672 . For example, the storage area  670  may be closed via a zipper, buttons, snaps, an interlocking sealing mechanism, or the like. In some embodiments, the storage area  670  may be a battery enclosure for holding a battery that is electrically coupled to the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are received within the cavity  618  and configured to charge the headphones  10  when received within the cavity  618 . In other embodiments, the storage area  670  may be a solar panel enclosure for holding a solar panel that is electrically coupled to the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are received within the cavity  618  and configured to charge the headphones  10  when received within the cavity  618 . In some embodiments, the storage area  670  may be a wireless charging enclosure for holding a wireless charging pad that is electrically coupled to the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are held by the protective case  600  and configured to be placed on an external wireless charger and transmit electrical power to the headphones  10  when held by the protective case. 
       FIGS. 7A-7C  depict another embodiment of a protective case  700 . As shown in  FIGS. 7A-7C , the protective case  700  includes a body  710  thereof that is a single piece component having an open top  754  therein for inserting a portion of the headphones  10  therein. The body  710  generally extends in such a manner so as to minimize an amount of the headphones  10  that is exposed, as described in greater detail below. The protective case  700  further includes a retention piece  720  that extends over at least a portion of the open top  754 . 
     In some embodiments, the body  710  may be a hard shell body that is formed of an impact resistant or impact absorbing material. In some embodiments, the body  710  may be particularly shaped and/or sized to correspond to a shape and/or size of the headphones  10  received therein. That is, the body  710  may extend a distance in a system vertical direction (e.g., in the +y/−y axis of the coordinate axes of  FIGS. 7A-7C ) so that the body  710  covers a substantial portion of the headphones  10  (including the headband  12  and the ear cups  14 ,  16 ), leaving only the tops of the headband  12  and the ear cups  14 ,  16  exposed by the open top  754  thereof. In some embodiments, the body  710  may be constructed of a soft material that conforms to the shape of the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are received therein. In still other embodiments, the body  710  may be formed of a combination of hard and soft components. 
     The body  710  of the protective case  400  further defines a cavity  718  for holding the headphones  10  therein, particularly the ear cups  14 ,  16  thereof (not shown). The cavity  718  may be particularly shaped, sized, and/or contoured to fit a particular type of headphones  10  or may be more generally shaped, sized, and/or contoured to hold a variety of different headphone types. The cavity  718  may be defined by walls of the body  710 . The cavity  718  may be open to an exterior of the protective case  700  via the open top  754  to receive the ear cups  14 ,  16  through the open top  754 , as described in further detail herein. In some embodiments, one or more interior walls of the body  710  may be lined with a soft material, such as velvet or the like, to prevent the headphones  10  from becoming scratched, chipped, marred, or the like when received within the cavity. 
     The open top  754  generally provides access to the interior of the protective case  700  (e.g., the cavity  718 ). The open top  754  may generally be shaped, sized, and configured such that the ear cups  14 ,  16  of the headphones  10  can pass into the cavity  718  of the protective case  700 . In some embodiments, the open top  754  may be contoured or shaped to correspond to a contour or shape of the headphones  10  (e.g., such that it matches the profile shape of the headphones  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 7A-7C ). In addition, the body  710  may further include the retention piece  720  coupled thereto. The retention piece  720  may be coupled to one surface of the body  710  and may be removably coupled to another surface of the body  710 . For example, the retention piece  720  may include a first portion coupled to the body  710  (e.g., a backside of the body  710 ) and a second portion located at a distal end of the first portion, the second portion removably couplable to a clasp  722 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7C , the second portion of the retention piece  720  may have an opening  721  through which the clasp  722  passes to hold the retention piece  720  in place. However, it should be understood that the clasp  722  may be any component that can engage with the retention piece  720 , such as a protrusion, an indentation, a hook, a magnet, and/or the like. In another illustrative example, the retention piece  720  may have a magnet integrated thereon or therewith, and may hold the retention piece  720  to the clasp  722 . In some embodiments, the retention piece  720  may be lockable (e.g., via a keyed lock, a combination style lock, a biometric style lock). 
     While not depicted in  FIGS. 7A-7C , one or more internal walls may be formed within the cavity  718 . In some embodiments, the one or more internal walls may be particularly shaped, sized, and positioned to ensure appropriate placement of the headphones  10  within the cavity  718  (e.g., to ensure that the protective case  700  holds the headphones  10  properly). In some embodiments, the one or more internal walls may include various components therein for ensuring that the headphones  10  are actuated, switched off, placed in a power save mode, charged, and/or the like. For example, the one or more internal walls may include a magnet that aligns with a magnetic switch within the headphones  10  for actuating one or more headphone features (e.g., shutting off the headphones  10 , placing the headphones  10  in a power save mode, and/or the like). In another example, the one or more internal walls may include a wireless charging component that aligns with wireless charging components of the headphones  10  and allows for wireless charging of the headphones  10  when received within the cavity (as described above). In some embodiments, the internal walls of the body  710  may have one or more surface features such as recesses, grooves, indentations, protrusions, flanges, detents, threads, and/or the like that, when contacted or otherwise engaged with an object, may interface with the object and hold the object within the cavity. 
       FIGS. 8A-8B  depict another embodiment of a protective case  800 . As shown in  FIGS. 8A-8B , the protective case  800  includes a body  810  thereof that is a single piece component having an open top  854  for inserting a portion of the headphones  10  therein, while leaving the headband  12  of the headphones  10  exposed. The protective case  800  further includes a retention piece  820  that extends over at least a portion of the open top  854 . 
     In some embodiments, the body  810  may be a soft shell body that is formed of a deformable material. In some embodiments, the body  810  may be generally shaped and/or sized to correspond to a shape and/or size of a portion of the headphones  10  received therein. The body  810  of the protective case  800  further defines a cavity  818  for holding the headphones  10  therein, particularly the ear cups  14 ,  16  thereof. The cavity  818  may be particularly shaped, sized, and/or contoured to fit a particular type of headphones  10  or may be more generally shaped, sized, and/or contoured to hold a variety of different headphone types. The cavity  818  may be defined by walls of the body  810 . The cavity  818  may be open to an exterior of the protective case  800  via the open top  854  to receive the ear cups  14 ,  16  through open top  854 , as described in further detail herein. In some embodiments, one or more interior walls of the body  810  may be lined with a soft material, such as velvet or the like, to prevent the headphones  10  from becoming scratched, chipped, marred, or the like when received within the cavity. 
     The open top  854  generally provides access to the interior of the protective case  800  (e.g., the cavity  818 ). The open top  854  may generally be shaped, sized, and configured such that the ear cups  14 ,  16  of the headphones  10  can pass into the cavity  818  of the protective case  800 . In addition, the body  810  may further include the retention piece  820  coupled thereto. The retention piece  820  may be coupled to one surface of the body  810  and may be removably coupled to another surface of the body  810 . For example, the retention piece  820  may include a first portion coupled to the body  810  (e.g., a backside of the body  810 ) and a second portion located at a distal end of the first portion, the second portion removably couplable to the body  810  (e.g., a front side of the body  810 ). For example, the second portion of the retention piece  820  and the body  810  may each have complementary portions of a hook and loop attachment patch. In another illustrative example, the retention piece  820  and/or the body  810  may have a magnet integrated thereon or therewith, and may hold the retention piece  820  to the body  810 . In some embodiments, the retention piece  820  may be lockable (e.g., via a keyed lock, a combination style lock, a biometric style lock). 
     While not particularly highlighted in  FIGS. 8A-8B , one or more internal walls may be formed within the cavity  818 . In some embodiments, the one or more internal walls may be particularly shaped, sized, and positioned to ensure appropriate placement of the headphones  10  within the cavity  818  (e.g., to ensure that the protective case  800  holds the headphones  10  properly). In some embodiments, the one or more internal walls may include various components therein for ensuring that the headphones  10  are actuated, switched off, placed in a power save mode, charged, and/or the like. For example, the one or more internal walls may include a magnet that aligns with a magnetic switch within the headphones  10  for actuating one or more headphone features (e.g., shutting off the headphones  10 , placing the headphones  10  in a power save mode, and/or the like). In another example, the one or more internal walls may include a wireless charging component that aligns with wireless charging components of the headphones  10  and allows for wireless charging of the headphones  10  when received within the cavity (as described above). In some embodiments, the internal walls of the body  810  may have one or more surface features such as recesses, grooves, indentations, protrusions, flanges, detents, threads, and/or the like that, when contacted or otherwise engaged with an object, may interface with the object and hold the object within the cavity. 
     In some embodiments, a top of the body  810  (e.g., an upper portion of the body  810 ) may include a removable storage area  870  disposed thereon. Illustrative examples of the removable storage area  870  include, but are not limited to, an internal pocket, a divider, a storage cubby, or the like. The removable storage area  870  can generally be placed in an existing space disposed between the headband  12  and ear cups  14 ,  16  of the headphones  10  when the headphones are received within the cavity  818 . As such, the removable storage area  870  is shaped and sized to generally conform to a shape and/or a size of the headband  12  such that the removable storage area  870  fits within the existing space. For example, the removable storage area  870  may have an upper wall  874  having a curvature that is similar or substantially similar to the curvature of the headband  12  of the headphones  10 . The removable storage area  870  may be removable from the protective case  800  via one or more means of temporary fixture to the body  810 . For example, the removable storage area  870  and the body  810  may each have complementary portions of a hook and loop attachment patch. In another illustrative example, the removable storage area  870  and/or the body  810  may have a magnet integrated thereon or therewith, and may hold the removable storage area  870  to the body  810 . In some embodiments, the removable storage area  870  may be opened or closed via a closure mechanism  872 . For example, the removable storage area  870  may be closed via a zipper, buttons, snaps, an interlocking sealing mechanism, or the like. In some embodiments, the storage area  870  may be a battery enclosure for holding a battery that is electrically coupled to the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are received within the cavity  818  and configured to charge the headphones  10  when received within the cavity  818 . In some embodiments, the storage area  870  may be a solar panel enclosure for holding a solar panel that is electrically coupled to the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are received within the cavity  818  and configured to charge the headphones  10  when received within the cavity  818 . In some embodiments, the storage area  870  may be a wireless charging enclosure for holding a wireless charging pad that is electrically coupled to the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are held by the protective case  800  and configured to be placed on an external wireless charger and transmit electrical power to the headphones  10  when held by the protective case. 
       FIGS. 9A-9D  depict another embodiment of a protective case  900 . Referring to  FIGS. 9A-9B , the protective case  900  generally includes a body  910 . The body  910  includes a first portion  912  and a second portion  914  that are hingedly joined together on one end via one or more hinges  916  to form a cavity  918  for holding the headphones (not shown) or a portion thereof. That is, when the first portion  912  and the second portion  914  are closed together to enclose the cavity  918  as depicted in  FIG. 9A , the body  910  may be considered to be in a closed configuration. In addition, when the first portion and the second portion  914  are opened so as to expose the cavity as depicted in  FIG. 9B , the body  910  may be considered to be in an open configuration. In some embodiments, the first portion  912  and the second portion  914  may include locking components (e.g., interlocking edges, magnets, or the like) that hold the first portion  912  and the second portion  914  together in the closed configuration. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the body  910  includes a base  940  and a top  950 . In some embodiments, the base  940  of the body  910  may be substantially planar when the body  910  is arranged in the closed configuration such that the base  940  can support the protective case  900  in an upright position. In some embodiments, the one or more hinges  916  may be disposed at the base  940  of the body  910 . 
     In some embodiments, the first portion  912  and the second portion  914  may be shaped, sized, and/or configured such that, when joined together, the cavity  918  formed therefrom is particularly shaped, sized, and/or configured to conform to a particular type of headphones (or a portion thereof) or to hold a variety of different headphone shapes, sizes, and styles. For example, the cavity  918  may hold the ear cups of the headphones and may or may not be particularly shaped, sized, and configured to hold a particular shape and size of ear cups. Put another way, the cavity  918  may be particularly shaped, sized, and/or contoured to fit a particular type of headphones (or portion thereof) or may be more generally shaped, sized, and/or contoured to hold a variety of different headphone types (or portions thereof). The cavity  918  may be defined by walls of the first portion  912  and the second portion  914 . For example, the first portion  912  may include one or more interior walls  913  thereof and the second portion  914  may include one or more interior walls  915  thereof that define the cavity  918  when the first portion  912  and the second portion  914  are joined together. 
     In some embodiments, the body  910  may be a hard shell body that is formed of an impact resistant or impact absorbing material. In some embodiments, the body  910  may be particularly shaped and/or sized to correspond to a shape and/or size of a portion of the headphones received therein. In some embodiments, the body  910  may be constructed of a soft material that conforms to the shape of the headphones when the headphones are received within the cavity  918 . In still other embodiments, the body  910  may be formed of a combination of hard and soft components. For example, the body  910  may include one or more flexible side panels (not shown) thereon. Such flexible side panels may be shaped as a pocket in some embodiments to provide additional storage. 
     In some embodiments, the first portion  912  and/or the second portion  914  of the body  910  may include one or more wall features  932  therein such that, when the first portion  912  and the second portion  914  are joined together to form the cavity  918 , the wall features  932  define openings into the cavity  918 . In some embodiments, the wall features  932  may be sized, shaped, and/or located such that one or more portions of the headphones (e.g., a headband thereof) extend through the openings when the first portion  912  and the second portion  914  are joined together (e.g., the first portion  912  and the second portion  914  are joined around the headband). As a result, the headphones are arranged with respect to the protective case  900  such that the ear cups are disposed inside the cavity  918  and the headband extends outside of the cavity  918 . In some embodiments, the wall features  932  may be located as part of flexible side panels such that the material of the flexible side panels deforms around a portion of the headphones when the headphones are received within the cavity  918  to provide a snug fit when the first portion  912  and the second portion  914  are joined together to enclose at least a portion of the headphones within the cavity  918 . 
     In some embodiments, one or more interior walls  913  of the first portion  912  and/or one or more interior walls  915  of the second portion  914  may be lined with a material that prevents or minimizes the headphones from becoming scratched, chipped, marred, or the like when received within the cavity  918  (e.g., velvet, felt, or the like). Still further, one or more of the first portion  912  and/or the second portion  914  may be lined with or constructed from a padded material (e.g., foam or the like) or other impact absorbing material to protect portions of the headphones received in the cavity  918  during an impact (e.g., when dropped or the like). 
     In some embodiments, the one or more internal walls  960  may be formed within the cavity  918 , such as, for example, as an extension of the one or more walls of the first portion  912  and/or the second portion  914 . In some embodiments, the one or more internal walls  960  may be particularly shaped, sized, and/or positioned to ensure appropriate placement of the headphones within the cavity  918 . For example, the one or more internal walls  960  may be used to ensure that various portions of the headphones, such as the ear cups and/or the headband are particularly positioned and aligned within the cavity  918  such that the first and second portions  912 ,  914  can be moved into the closed position around at least a portion of the headphones (e.g., the ear cups). 
     In some embodiments, the one or more internal walls  960  may include various components therein for ensuring that the headphones are actuated, switched off, placed in a power save mode, charged, and/or the like. For example, the one or more internal walls  960  may include one or more magnets formed therein. The one or more magnets may align with a magnetic switch within the headphones (not shown) for actuating one or more headphone features (e.g., shutting off the headphones, placing the headphones in a power save mode, and/or the like). That is, the body  910  may be formed with one or more receptacles or the like for which a magnet may be inserted such that magnetic forces from the magnet are generally directed inward or outward to facilitate placement of an object and/or for retaining an object. In some embodiments, the material of the body  910  may be formed of a magnetic material. That is, the entire body  910  may be formed of a magnetic material or a portion of the body  910  is formed of a magnetic material. Examples of suitable magnetic materials (e.g., various ferromagnetic materials) should generally be understood. In another example, the one or more internal walls  960  may include a wireless charging component that aligns with wireless charging components of the headphones and allows for wireless charging of the headphones when received and appropriately positioned within the cavity  918 . 
     In some embodiments, one or more walls of the body  910  (including interior walls and exterior walls) may be arranged and/or contain features that define one or more storage areas  971 , such as pockets, dividers, storage cubbies, or the like. For example, the storage areas  971  may be one or more mesh pockets formed on an exterior wall of the first portion  912  and/or the second portion  914  for holding one or more accessories  50  (e.g., charging cables, docks, power adaptors, audio cables, splitters, airplane accessories, and the like) therein. 
     The protective case  900  may be coupled to an external removable storage pocket  970  in some embodiments. The removable storage pocket  970  may generally be a component that is coupled externally to the body  910  of the protective case  900  and is shaped and sized to hold the one or more accessories  50  therein. In some embodiments, the removable storage pocket  970  may have a closure  972 , such as a zipper or the like. The removable storage pocket  970  may be formed of a flexible material in some embodiments such that the removable storage pocket  970  can expand to increase the volume thereof when necessary. 
     The removable storage pocket  970  is removable from the protective case  900 . That is, the removable storage pocket  970  may have one or more components, features, or the like that facilitates attachment and removal to/from the protective case  900 . For example, as depicted in the embodiments of  FIGS. 9C and 9D , the removable storage pocket  970  may include a protrusion  976  extending from a body of the removable storage pocket  970 . The protrusion  976  can engage with a receptacle  979  of a retention device  978 . As such, the protrusion  976  is shaped and sized such that engagement can be achieved with the receptacle  979  of the retention device  978 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 9B-9D , the retention device  978  is an insert that is received within a wall of the second portion  914  of the body  910  of the protective case  900 . Alternatively, the retention device  978  may be a receptacle formed within the body  910  of the protective case  900 . Still further, the retention device  978  may be a tab that is restrained by the first portion  912  and the second portion  914  of the body  910  when the first portion  912  and the second portion  914  are brought together in the closed position, as described herein. Even further, while  FIG. 9B  depicts the retention device  978  as being integrated with or disposed on the second portion  914  of the body  910 , the present disclosure is not limited to such a location. That is, the retention device  978  may be integrated with or disposed on the first portion  912  of the body  910 , or may be partially integrated with or disposed on both the first portion  912  and the second portion  914  of the body in other embodiments. In another example, the retention device  978  may be a specialized one of the one or more wall features  932  that is particularly shaped and/or sized to retain the protrusion  976  therein. In some embodiments, the retention device  978  may further include a loop  977  extending therefrom. The loop  977  may be a decorative tag having indicia thereon and/or may be used as an attachment point for one or more accessories, such as a carabiner or the like. It should be appreciated that the protrusion  976  of the removable storage pocket  970  and the corresponding receptacle  979  of the retention device  978  depicted in  FIGS. 9A-9D  is merely one illustrative example of components for removably attaching the removable storage pocket  970  to the body  910  of the protective case  900 . That is, other removable attachment components, such as hook and loop devices, adhesives, and/or the like, may also be implemented without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The location of the removable storage pocket  970  with respect to the body  910  of the protective case is not limited by the present disclosure. In some embodiments, such as the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 9A-9C , the removable storage pocket  970  may be located in a space between formed between the body  910  of the protective case  900  and the headband  12  of the headphones  10  ( FIG. 9A ). As such, one or more surfaces of the removable storage pocket  970  may be contoured or shaped to correspond to a contour or a shape of the headband  12 . In some embodiments, the removable storage pocket  970  may be opened or closed via a closure mechanism. For example, the removable storage pocket  970  may be closed via a zipper, buttons, snaps, an interlocking sealing mechanism, or the like. 
     In some embodiments, the removable storage pocket  970  may be an enclosure for holding a battery, a solar panel, and/or a wireless charging pad that is electrically coupled to the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are received within the cavity  918  and configured to charge the headphones  10  when received within the cavity  918 . For example, the battery, the solar panel, and/or the wireless charging pad may be electrically coupled to a terminal located on the one or more internal walls  960  and may provide an electrical charge to the headphones  10  when the charging port of the headphones contacts the charging terminal on the one or more internal walls  960 . 
       FIGS. 10A-10B  depict another embodiment of a protective case  1000 . As shown in  FIGS. 10A-10B , the protective case  1000  includes a body  1010  thereof that is a single piece component having a top insertion aperture  1054  therein for inserting at least a portion of the headphones  10  therein. In some embodiments, the body  1010  may be a hard shell body that is formed of an impact resistant or impact absorbing material. In some embodiments, the body  1010  may be particularly shaped and/or sized to correspond to a shape and/or size of a portion of the headphones  10  received therein. In some embodiments, the body  1010  may be constructed of a soft material that conforms to the shape of the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are received therein. In still other embodiments, the body  1010  may be formed of a combination of hard and soft components. 
     The body  1010  of the protective case  1000  further defines a cavity  1018  for holding the headphones  10  therein, particularly the ear cups thereof (not shown). The cavity  1018  may be particularly shaped, sized, and/or contoured to fit a particular type of headphones  10  or may be more generally shaped, sized, and/or contoured to hold a variety of different headphone types. The cavity  1018  may be defined by walls of the body  1010 . The top insertion aperture  1054 , which may be defined by a first portion  1012  and a second portion  1014  of the body  1010  for example, may provide an opening into the cavity  1018  for receiving the ear cups, as described in further detail herein. In some embodiments, one or more interior walls of the body  1010  may be lined with a soft material, such as velvet or the like, to prevent the headphones  10  from becoming scratched, chipped, marred, or the like when received within the cavity. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 10A-10B , the body  1010  includes a base  1040  and a top  1050 . In some embodiments, the base  1040  of the body  1010  may be substantially planar such that the base  1040  can support the protective case  1000  in an upright position. As particularly shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 10B , the top  1050  of the body  1010  of the protective case  1000  may include the top insertion aperture  1054  formed therein. The top insertion aperture  1054  generally provides access to the interior of the protective case  1000  (e.g., the cavity  1018 ). The top insertion aperture  1054  may generally be shaped, sized, and configured such that the headphones  10  can pass into the interior of the protective case  1000 . In addition, the top insertion aperture  1054  may be closed via a closure  1055  (e.g., a zipper, interlocking members, and/or the like). As such, the top insertion aperture  1054  can be selectively opened and closed via manipulation of the closure  1055 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 10A-10B , the body  1010  of the protective case  1000  may include one or more external pockets  1070  located on an external surface  1074  of the body  1010  in some embodiments. Such external pockets  1070  may provide additional place for storing the one or more accessories described herein. In some embodiments, the external pockets  1070  may have a closure  1072 , such as a zipper or the like. The external pockets  1070  may be formed of a flexible material in some embodiments such that the external pockets  1070  can expand to increase the volume thereof when necessary. In some embodiments, the external pockets  1070  may incorporate other components, such as, for example, a battery pack, a solar panel, and/or a wireless charging pad for charging the headphones  10  when received in the cavity  1018 . 
     As also depicted in  FIGS. 10A-10B , the body  1010  may also include one or more attachment points for receiving a device that is clipped to the body  1010 . For example, a strap  1082  may be coupled to the body  1010  in some embodiments. The strap  1082  may be a shoulder strap, a waist strap, a backpack strap, a hanging strap, or the like. Other items that may be attached in a similar manner include, but are not limited to, keys, tracking devices, carabiners, and/or the like. 
     Similar to the protective case  1000   FIGS. 10A-10B ,  FIG. 11  also depicts an embodiment of a protective case  1100  having an insertion aperture for accessing an interior portion of the protective case  1100 , albeit in a different location. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the protective case  1100  includes a body  1110  thereof having a first portion  1112  and a second portion  1112  that are separable to define a bottom insertion aperture  1154  for inserting at least a portion of the headphones  10  therein. In some embodiments, the body  1110  may be a hard shell body that is formed of an impact resistant or impact absorbing material. In some embodiments, the body  1110  may be particularly shaped and/or sized to correspond to a shape and/or size of a portion of the headphones  10  received therein. In some embodiments, the body  1110  may be constructed of a soft material that conforms to the shape of the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are received therein. In still other embodiments, the body  1110  may be formed of a combination of hard and soft components. 
     The body  1110  of the protective case  1100  further defines a cavity (not shown) for holding the headphones  10  therein, particularly the ear cups thereof (not shown). The cavity may be particularly shaped, sized, and/or contoured to fit a particular type of headphones  10  or may be more generally shaped, sized, and/or contoured to hold a variety of different headphone types. The cavity may be defined by walls of the body  1110 . The bottom insertion aperture  1154  may provide an opening into the cavity for receiving the ear cups, as described in further detail herein. In some embodiments, one or more interior walls of the body  1110  may be lined with a soft material, such as velvet or the like, to prevent the headphones  10  from becoming scratched, chipped, marred, or the like when received within the cavity. 
     A base  1140  (or bottom) of the body  1110  of the protective case  1100  may include the bottom insertion aperture  1154  formed therein. The bottom insertion aperture  1154  generally provides access to the interior of the protective case  1100  (e.g., the cavity). The bottom insertion aperture  1154  may generally be shaped, sized, and configured such that the headphones  10  can pass into the interior of the protective case  1100 . In addition, the bottom insertion aperture  1154  may be closed via a closure  1155  (e.g., a zipper, interlocking members, and/or the like). As such, the bottom insertion aperture  1154  can be selectively opened and closed via manipulation of the closure  1155 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 11 , the body  1110  of the protective case  1100  may include one or more external pockets  1170  located on an external surface  1174  of the body  1110  in some embodiments. Such external pockets  1170  may provide additional place for storing the one or more accessories described herein. In some embodiments, the external pockets  1170  may have a closure  1172 , such as a zipper or the like. In some embodiments, the external pockets  1170  may be formed of a flexible material in some embodiments such that the external pockets  1170  can expand to increase the volume thereof when necessary. 
     In some embodiments, the body  1110  may include one or more wall features  1132  therein that define openings into the cavity. In some embodiments, the wall features  1132  may be sized, shaped, and/or located such that one or more portions of the headphones  10  (e.g., a headband  12  thereof) extend through the openings. The wall features  1132  may be located, for example at ends of the bottom insertion aperture  1154  and/or flexible in size such that portions of the headphones  10  that are held within the protective case  1100  (e.g., the ear cups) can be passed through the wall features  1132  As a result, as depicted in the embodiment of  FIG. 11 , the headphones  10  are arranged with respect to the protective case  1100  such that the ear cups (not shown) are disposed inside the cavity and the headband  12  extends outside of the cavity. 
       FIGS. 12A-12B  depict another embodiment of the protective case  1200 . The protective case  1200  includes a body  1210  having a pocket  1270 . The pocket  1270  may provide storage for a supplemental pouch  1261 . The supplemental pouch  1261  may be received within the pocket  1270  when not in use and removed from the pocket  1270  when used. In some embodiments, the pocket  1270  may have a closure, such as a zipper or the like. In some embodiments, the pocket  1270  may be formed of a flexible material in some embodiments such that the pocket  1270  can expand to increase the volume thereof when necessary. 
     The supplemental pouch  1261  may be removable from the pocket  1270  and can be used for a variety of purposes. For example, the supplemental pouch  1261  may have a body  1262  constructed of a waterproof or water resistant material such that when objects are placed in an interior  1268  of the supplemental pouch  1261  (e.g., the protective case  1200  as depicted in  FIG. 12B ), the supplemental pouch  1261  may keep the contents dry. The interior  1268  of the supplemental pouch  1261  may be accessible via an opening  1264  in the body  1262 , which may be selectively closed via a closure  1266  (e.g., a cinch strap, a zipper, interlocking members, and the like). 
       FIGS. 13A-13C  depict another embodiment of the protective case  1300 . The protective case  1300  includes a body  1310  having a side pocket  1370 . The side pocket  1370  may provide storage for a supplemental pouch  1361 . The supplemental pouch  1361  may be received within the side pocket  1370  when not in use and removed from the pocket  1370  when used. In some embodiments, the side pocket  1370  may have a closure, such as a zipper or the like. In some embodiments, the pocket  1370  may be formed of a flexible material in some embodiments such that the pocket  1370  can expand to increase the volume thereof when necessary. 
     The supplemental pouch  1361  may be at least partially removable from the pocket  1370  and can be used for a variety of purposes. For example, the supplemental pouch  1361  may have a body  1362  constructed of a waterproof or water resistant material such that when objects are placed in an interior  1368  of the supplemental pouch  1361  (e.g., the protective case  1300 ), the supplemental pouch  1361  may keep the contents dry. The interior  1368  of the supplemental pouch  1361  may be accessible via an opening  1364  in the body  1362 , which may be selectively closed via a closure  1366  (e.g., a cinch strap, a zipper, interlocking members, and the like). 
     In some embodiments, the supplemental pouch  1361  may be integrated with the pocket  1370  and may further act as a cover for the side pocket  1370  whereby, when the supplemental pouch  1361  is coupled to the side pocket  1370  (e.g., via buttons, snaps, a zipper, interlocking mechanism, or the like), the supplemental pouch  1361  covers the opening into the side pocket  1370 . In some embodiments, the supplemental pouch  1361  may only be partially removable from the pocket  1370  such that the body  1310  of the protective case  1300  remains coupled to the supplemental pouch  1361  when the supplemental pouch  1361  is used. For example, the supplemental pouch  1361  may be partially pulled out of the pocket  1370  and turned inside out around the protective case  1300 , while remaining coupled to the pocket  1370 , as shown in  FIG. 13B  for example. 
       FIGS. 14A-14C  depict another embodiment of the protective case  1400 . The protective case  1400  includes a body  1410  having a pocket  1470 . The pocket  1470  may provide storage for a cinch sack  1461 . The cinch sack  1461  may be received within the pocket  1470  when not in use and removed from the pocket  1470  when used. In some embodiments, the pocket  1470  may have a closure, such as a zipper or the like. In some embodiments, the pocket  1470  may be formed of a flexible material in some embodiments such that the pocket  1470  can expand to increase the volume thereof when necessary. 
     The cinch sack  1461  may be removable from the pocket  1470  and can be used for a variety of purposes. For example, the cinch sack  1461  may have a body  1462  constructed of a waterproof or water resistant material such that when objects are placed in an interior  1468  of the cinch sack  1461  (e.g., the protective case  1400 ), the cinch sack  1461  may keep the contents dry. The interior  1468  of the cinch sack  1461  may be accessible via an opening  1464  in the body  1462 , which may be selectively closed via a closure  1466  (e.g., a cinch strap, a zipper, interlocking members, and the like), which, in the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 14A-14C , may also be used as straps so that the cinch sack  1461  can be worn similar to that of a backpack. 
       FIGS. 15A-15C  depict another embodiment of a protective case  1500 . As shown in  FIGS. 15A-15C  the protective case  1500  includes a body  1510  thereof that is a single piece component having an open top  1554  therein for inserting a portion of the headphones  10  therein. The protective case  1500  further includes a protective extension piece  1508  extending from a main portion  1514  and a retention piece  1520  that extends over at least a portion of the open top  1554 . 
     In some embodiments, the body  1510  may be a hard shell body that is formed of an impact resistant or impact absorbing material. In some embodiments, the body  1510  may be particularly shaped and/or sized to correspond to a shape and/or size of a portion of the headphones  10  received therein. In some embodiments, the body  1510  may be constructed of a soft material that conforms to the shape of the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are received therein. In still other embodiments, the body  1510  may be formed of a combination of hard and soft components. 
     The body  1510  of the protective case  1500  further defines a cavity  1518  for holding the headphones  10  therein, particularly the ear cups  14 ,  16  thereof (not shown). The cavity  1518  may be particularly shaped, sized, and/or contoured to fit a particular type of headphones  10  or may be more generally shaped, sized, and/or contoured to hold a variety of different headphone types. The cavity  1518  may be defined by walls of the body  1510 . The cavity  1518  may be open to an exterior of the protective case  1500  via the open top  1554  to receive the ear cups  14 ,  16  through the open top  1554 , as described in further detail herein. In some embodiments, one or more interior walls of the body  1510  may be lined with a soft material, such as velvet or the like, to prevent the headphones  10  from becoming scratched, chipped, marred, or the like when received within the cavity. 
     The open top  1554  generally provides access to the interior of the protective case  1500  (e.g., the cavity  1518 ). The open top  1554  may generally be shaped, sized, and configured such that the ear cups  14 ,  16  of the headphones  10  can pass into the cavity  1518  of the protective case  1500 . In addition, the body  1510  (e.g., a main portion  1514  thereof) may further include the protective extension piece  1508  and/or the retention piece  1520  coupled thereto. The protective extension piece  1508  is generally a portion of the body  1510  that extends over the headband  12  of the headphones  10  when the ear cups  14 ,  16  thereof are received in the cavity  1518  (e.g., as depicted in  FIG. 15C ). The protective extension piece  1508  may be made of a material that protects the headband  12  from becoming scratched, chipped, marred, or the like. In some embodiments, the protective extension piece  1508  may have one or more closures, such as snaps, zippers, or the like, that allow the protective extension piece to be closed around the headband  12 . The retention piece  1520  may be coupled to one surface of the body  1510  and may be removably coupled to another surface of the body  1510 . For example, the retention piece  1520  may include a first portion coupled to the body  1510  (e.g., a backside of the body  1510  and/or the protective extension piece  1508 ) and a second portion located at a distal end of the first portion, the second portion removably couplable to a catch (not shown). The catch may be any component that can engage with the retention piece  1520 , such as a protrusion, an indentation, a hook, a magnet, and/or the like. In one illustrative example, the retention piece  1520  may be a silicone latch. In another illustrative example, the retention piece  1520  may have a magnet integrated thereon or therewith, and may hold the retention piece  1520  to the catch. In some embodiments, the retention piece  1520  may be lockable (e.g., via a keyed lock, a combination style lock, a biometric style lock). 
     While not depicted in  FIGS. 15A-15C , one or more internal walls may be formed within the cavity  1518 . In some embodiments, the one or more internal walls may be particularly shaped, sized, and positioned to ensure appropriate placement of the headphones  10  within the cavity  1518  (e.g., to ensure that the protective case  1500  holds the headphones  10  properly). In some embodiments, the one or more internal walls may include various components therein for ensuring that the headphones  10  are actuated, switched off, placed in a power save mode, charged, and/or the like. For example, the one or more internal walls may include a magnet that aligns with a magnetic switch within the headphones  10  for actuating one or more headphone features (e.g., shutting off the headphones  10 , placing the headphones  10  in a power save mode, and/or the like). In another example, the one or more internal walls may include a wireless charging component that aligns with wireless charging components of the headphones  10  and allows for wireless charging of the headphones  10  when received within the cavity (as described above). In some embodiments, the internal walls of the body  1510  may have one or more surface features such as recesses, grooves, indentations, protrusions, flanges, detents, threads, and/or the like that, when contacted or otherwise engaged with an object, may interface with the object and hold the object within the cavity. 
       FIGS. 16A-16C  depict another embodiment of a protective case  1600 . As shown in  FIGS. 16A-16C  the protective case  1600  includes a body  1610  thereof that is a single piece component having an open top  1654  therein for inserting a portion of the headphones  10  therein. The protective case  1600  further includes a retention piece  1620  that extends over at least a portion of the open top  1654 . 
     In some embodiments, the body  1610  may be a hard shell body that is formed of an impact resistant or impact absorbing material. In some embodiments, the body  1610  may be particularly shaped and/or sized to correspond to a shape and/or size of a portion of the headphones  10  received therein. In some embodiments, the body  1610  may be constructed of a soft material that conforms to the shape of the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are received therein. In still other embodiments, the body  1610  may be formed of a combination of hard and soft components. 
     The body  1610  of the protective case  1600  further defines a cavity  1618  for holding the headphones  10  therein, particularly the ear cups  14 ,  16  thereof (not shown). The cavity  1618  may be particularly shaped, sized, and/or contoured to fit a particular type of headphones  10  or may be more generally shaped, sized, and/or contoured to hold a variety of different headphone types. The cavity  1618  may be defined by walls of the body  1610 . The cavity  1618  may be open to an exterior of the protective case  1600  via the open top  1654  to receive the ear cups  14 ,  16  through the open top  1654 , as described in further detail herein. In some embodiments, one or more interior walls of the body  1610  may be lined with a soft material, such as velvet or the like, to prevent the headphones  10  from becoming scratched, chipped, marred, or the like when received within the cavity. 
     The open top  1654  generally provides access to the interior of the protective case  1600  (e.g., the cavity  1618 ). The open top  1654  may generally be shaped, sized, and configured such that the ear cups  14 ,  16  of the headphones  10  can pass into the cavity  1618  of the protective case  1600  while the headband  12  remains external to the cavity  1618 . In addition, the body  1610  (e.g., a top  1650  thereof) may further include the retention piece  1620  coupled thereto. The retention piece  1620  may be coupled to one surface of the body  1610  and may be removably coupled to another surface of the body  1610 . For example, the retention piece  1620  may include a first portion coupled to the body  1610  (e.g., a backside of the body  1610 ) and a second portion located at a distal end of the first portion, the second portion removably couplable to a catch (not shown). The catch may be any component that can engage with the retention piece  1620 , such as a protrusion, an indentation, a hook, a magnet, and/or the like. In one illustrative example, the retention piece  1620  may be a silicone latch. In another illustrative example, the retention piece  1620  may have a magnet integrated thereon or therewith, and may hold the retention piece  1620  to the catch. In some embodiments, the retention piece  1620  may be lockable (e.g., via a keyed lock, a combination style lock, a biometric style lock). 
     Referring particularly to  FIGS. 16B-16C , the protective case  1600  may include one or more features for accessing, charging, and/or actuating the headphones  10  when the headphones are received within the protective case  1600  (e.g., within the cavity  1618  depicted in  FIG. 16A ). Referring to  FIG. 16C , in some embodiments, a base  1640  of the body  1610  may include a base wall  1642  having an aperture  1644  therein, such as an access port, recess, or the like. The aperture  1644  may be shaped and sized to allow certain ones of the accessories  50  ( FIG. 1B ) to be passed through the base wall  1642  into the interior of the protective case  1600 . For example, the aperture  1644  may be shaped and sized such that a charging cable can pass through the base wall  1642  and couple to a charging/data port on the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are received within the protective case  1600 . In some embodiments, the aperture  1644  may include a charging/data port  1646  therein. Such a charging/data port  1646  may be electrically coupled to the headphones  10  when the headphones are placed within the protective case  1600  (e.g., via a conductive charging pad or the like). As such, when power is supplied to the charging/data port  1646  (e.g., via a cable that is inserted into the charging/data port  1646 ), charging capabilities are provided by the protective case  1600  to the headphones  10  when the headphones  10  are received within the protective case  1600 . In addition or in the alternative, the charging/data port  1646  may be electrically coupled to a battery integrated within the protective case to charge the battery, which is then used to charge the headphones  10  when received within the protective case  1600  as described herein. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 16B-16C , a cover  1648  that is molded to correspond to the aperture  1644  (e.g., shaped and sized correspondingly to the aperture  1644 ) may cover the aperture  1644  when the aperture  1644  is not used or needed (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 16B ) and may be removed from the aperture  1644  when the aperture  1644  is used or needed (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 16C ). In some embodiments, the cover  1648  may be partially fixed to the body  1610  such that a portion of the cover  1648  can be removed to access the aperture  1644 . In other embodiments, the cover  1648  may be fully removable from the body  1610  to access the aperture  1644 . In some embodiments, the cover  1648  may be constructed of a deformable material such as rubber or silicone to provide a watertight and/or dust tight seal when installed over or inside the aperture  1644 . 
     While not depicted in  FIGS. 16A-16C , one or more internal walls may be formed within the cavity  1618 . In some embodiments, the one or more internal walls may be particularly shaped, sized, and positioned to ensure appropriate placement of the headphones  10  within the cavity  1618  (e.g., to ensure that the protective case  1600  holds the headphones  10  properly). In some embodiments, the one or more internal walls may include various components therein for ensuring that the headphones  10  are actuated, switched off, placed in a power save mode, charged, and/or the like. For example, the one or more internal walls may include a magnet that aligns with a magnetic switch within the headphones  10  for actuating one or more headphone features (e.g., shutting off the headphones  10 , placing the headphones  10  in a power save mode, and/or the like). In another example, the one or more internal walls may include a wireless charging component that aligns with wireless charging components of the headphones  10  and allows for wireless charging of the headphones  10  when received within the cavity (as described above). In some embodiments, the internal walls of the body  1610  may have one or more surface features such as recesses, grooves, indentations, protrusions, flanges, detents, threads, and/or the like that, when contacted or otherwise engaged with an object, may interface with the object and hold the object within the cavity. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 16A-16B , the body  1610  of the protective case  1600  may have one or more attachment features  1684  extending from the body  1610  and providing a point of fixture or attachment of an accessory or the like. For example, the one or more attachment features  1684  may include one or more protrusions, bumps, knobs, projections, posts, loops, recesses, apertures, or similar components that are particularly shaped, sized, configured, and/or oriented for the purposes of providing a point on the body  1610  of the protective case  1600  for fixture or attachment of an accessory. For example, as depicted in the embodiment of  FIGS. 16A-16B , the one or more attachment features  1684  may include a key loop disposed on an exterior surface of the body  1610  that provide an attachment point for a key ring, a carabiner, or the like. In some embodiments, a plurality of key loops may be disposed on the exterior surface of the body  1610  and may be serve as anchor points for a strap, such as a shoulder strap or the like. 
     It should be appreciated that the components described herein, regardless of a particular embodiment in which it is depicted or described, can be used interchangeably in any of the embodiments depicted herein. That is, various components and features described herein are not solely restricted to a particular embodiment in which they are depicted and described. 
     It should now be understood that embodiments described herein include various protective cases for over-the-ear headphones. The protective cases herein generally cover at least a portion of the headphones (including up to the entirety of the headphones) and may include one or more other features for retaining the headphones within the case. In some embodiments, the protective cases may include one or more additional features, including, but not limited to, charging/data ports, battery packs, solar panels, wireless charging pads magnetic switches, additional storage pouches, locking components, security straps, shoulder straps, access ports, impact resistant features, water resistant/water-proof features, dust sealing features, and/or coupling features for coupling to other devices, bags, cases, or the like. In some embodiments, the protective cases described herein may have components for coupling one or more accessories thereto, such as, for example, a wallet accessory, a stand accessory, a key ring accessory, a clip accessory, a carabiner accessory, a trinket accessory, a supplemental battery pack, a solar panel, travel adaptors, cables, or the like. 
     It is noted that the terms “substantially” and “about” may be utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. These terms are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue. 
     While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subject matter.