IP Library Granted Patent US 9,307,313
Granted Patent B2
US 9,307,313 · App. 14/261,294 · Granted Apr 5, 2016

Flexible earphone cover

Inventors: Jon Robert Kurtz (Loudon, TN); Bruce C. Nemec (Madison, WI); Jason R. Rohr (Palmyra, WI)
Assignee: Jon Robert Kurtz
H04R1/105H04R1/1016H04R1/1091
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,307,313
App. No.
14/261,294
Granted
Apr 5, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

The flexible earphone cover has a flexible main body and a flexible ear cone that extends from the main body. The flexible main body is configured to substantially encase a portion of an earphone. The flexible main body defines an internal cavity for receiving the earphone. It also defines a first opening at a side of the cavity for receiving the earphone there-through. The flexible main body defines a second opening at a side of the cavity. The second opening is smaller than the first opening. Finally, the flexible main body defines a third opening at a side of the cavity. The third opening is smaller than the first opening and the second opening. The flexible ear cone defines a converging passageway from the second opening to an exit configured to direct sound into an ear canal of an ear of a user.

Claims (35)

1. A flexible earphone cover, comprising:

a flexible main body configured to substantially encase a portion of an earphone, wherein the flexible main body defines:

an internal cavity for receiving the earphone;

a first opening at a side of the cavity for receiving the earphone there-through;

a second opening at a side of the cavity, the second opening being smaller than the first opening; and

a third opening at a side of the cavity, the third opening being smaller than the first opening and the second opening, wherein the main body defines no other holes therein;

a flexible ear cone extending from the main body, wherein the flexible ear cone defines:

a converging passageway from the second opening to an exit configured to direct sound into an ear canal of a user; and

multiple substantially parallel slits at the exit.

2. The flexible earphone cover of claim 1 , wherein an angle between a longitudinal axis that extends through a center of the ear cone and a longitudinal axis that extends through a center of the first opening is between about 55 degrees and about 80 degrees.

3. The flexible earphone cover of claim 1 , wherein the third opening is configured to pass sound from a treble hole in the earphone into the ear of the user.

4. The flexible earphone cover of claim 1 , wherein the third opening is configured to pass sound in a treble range of frequencies into the ear of the user.

5. The flexible earphone cover of claim 1 , wherein an entire outer surface of the earphone cover is substantially smooth with no sharp edges.

6. The flexible earphone cover of claim 1 , wherein the ear cone comprises three substantially parallel slits, where the middle slit is substantially longer than the other two slits.

7. The flexible earphone cover of claim 1 , wherein the main body is configured not to cover any holes formed in the earphone.

8. The flexible earphone cover of claim 1 , wherein the third opening is formed at an opposite side of the main body to the first opening.

9. The flexible earphone cover of claim 8 , wherein the third opening offset from a longitudinal axis formed through the first opening.

10. The flexible earphone cover of claim 9 , wherein the third opening has a stadium shape.

11. The flexible earphone cover of claim 9 , wherein the third opening has a shape that matches the shape of a corresponding hole formed in the earphone.

12. The flexible earphone cover of claim 1 , wherein the main body and ear cone are integrally formed out of a material having a uniform thickness.

13. The flexible earphone cover of claim 1 , wherein the main body and ear cone are integrally formed out of a material having a thickness that is thicker near the first opening than the remainder of the main body and ear cone.

14. The flexible earphone cover of claim 1 , wherein the main body and ear cone are integrally formed out of a material having a thickness that is thinner near the first opening than the remainder of the main body and ear cone.

15. The flexible earphone cover of claim 1 , wherein the earphone cover is made from an injection molded flexible elastomer.

16. The flexible earphone cover of claim 1 , wherein the earphone cover is made from an elastomer that does not substantially lose its grip when wet.

17. The flexible earphone cover of claim 1 , wherein the earphone cover is made from an elastomer that is injection molded into an injection gate within the internal cavity.

18. The flexible earphone cover of claim 1 , wherein the first opening is an oval or oblong.

19. The flexible earphone cover of claim 1 , wherein the main body has a logo integrally formed therein.

20. A method of making a flexible earphone cover comprising:

integrally forming a flexible main body and ear cone by injection molding a flexible elastomer to form:

(i) the main body defining:

an internal cavity for receiving an earphone;

a first opening at a side of the cavity for receiving the earphone there-through;

a second opening at a side of the cavity, the second opening being smaller than the first opening; and

a third opening at a side of the cavity, the third opening being smaller than the first opening and the second opening, wherein the main body defines no other holes therein; and

(ii) the flexible ear cone that extends from the main body and defines a converging passageway from the second opening to an exit having multiple parallel slits.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2014
From: EARSKINZ, LLC
To: KURTZ, JON R., MR.
Reel/Frame 034088/0203 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 14, 2014
From: KURTZ, JON ROBERT; NEMEC, BRUCE C.; ROHR, JASON R.
To: EARSKINZ, LLC
Reel/Frame 032890/0324 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20150312672A1 · Oct 29, 2015