PILLOW TOY

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION A claim for priority to the July 13, 2020, filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/051,078, titled PILLOW TOY (“the Ό78 Provisional Application”), is hereby made pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e). The entire disclosure of the Ό78 Provisional Application is hereby incorporated herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to various embodiments of pillow, or toy that may be a plush toy. More specifically, it relates to a pillow including a cushioning element and a pillowcase, or cover to the pillow, the pillowcase having various features that may cause the pillow to look like an animal, creature, or character. Additionally, speakers may be placed within the cushioning element to provide playing of an audible sound, such as music. The features disclosed herein are numerous in nature and may be employed in various different ways to provide the same or similar results. The following description may refer to the design as a pillow, a toy, pillow toy, or plush toy, all of which refer to the same element.

SUMMARY

This disclosure relates to a pillow or toy including a cushioning element and a cover, or pillowcase. The cushioning element may be made of a polyurethane memory foam. The pillowcase may have a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, and a back surface that together define a void within the pillowcase, the void being sized and shaped to fit snuggly around the cushioning element. The pillowcase may include: a number of head features fixed to the pillowcase on at least one of the front surface or the top surface. The pillowcase may also include a number of additional features fixed to the pillowcase on at least one of the top surface, bottom surface, or back surface.

The pillowcase may also include a number of limbs fixed to the pillowcase on at least one of the top surface, bottom surface, or back surface. The number of limbs may include a sleeve of fabric with a small cushioning element or other cushioning material enclosed within the sleeve of fabric. The pillowcase may also include a number of pockets fixed to the pillowcase.

The cushioning element of the pillow may comprise perforated polyurethane memory foam or high-density polyurethane memory foam. The cushioning element may also form the shape of a rounded, oblong prism, or an irregular cylinder with a flat side and a rounded side.

The surfaces of the pillowcase may be made of a combination of at least one of the following materials: cotton, silk, polyester, linen, wool, velvet, fleece, or leather. The surfaces of the pillowcase may also form one unitary piece of material of fabric. The pillowcase may also include a zipper, which may be used to open and close the pillowcase.

The number of head features may include various facial features of an animal, creature, or character, the plurality of head features being embroidered or sewn onto the pillowcase. The number of head features may be made out of the same or similar material that the pillowcase is made out of and may be stuffed with a cushioning material.

The number of additional features may cause the pillowcase to appear like an animal, creature, or other character. The number of additional features may include features made out of a fabric that is stuffed with a cushioning material. Additionally, the plurality of additional features comprises features made out of a fabric that is stuffed with a cushioning material, the number of additional features being shaped and sized to have the appearance of at least one of tails, wings, fins, flippers, spikes, spines, spots, or other animal body parts.

The number of limbs may include four legs. Two of the four legs may be fixed to the pillowcase near where the front surface joins with the top surface and the bottom surface, and two other legs may be fixed to the pillowcase near where the back surface joins with the top surface and the bottom surface. The small cushioning element or other cushioning material within the number of limbs may include a combination of at least one of the following: foam, cotton, down feathers, buckwheat hulls, or microbeads.

The number of pockets may include: a sheet of fabric fixed to at least one of the top surface, the bottom surface, or the back surface of the pillowcase defining a space between the sheet of fabric and the pillowcase; and a pocket opening that opens up into the space between the sheet of fabric and the pillow case, which may be sized and shaped to receive and hold various different items. The number of pockets may each include an elastic band along the pocket opening to keep the plurality of pockets closed or flush with the remainder of the cover. The number of pockets may include: a first pocket that is fixed to the bottom surface of the pillowcase; and a second pocket that is fixed to the back surface of the pillowcase.

Additionally, a speaker system may be positioned within the cover on or within the cushioning element. The speaker system may reside within voids in the cushioning element the complementary fit with the speaker and a speaker control box. Channels may be positioned between the speakers and control box to allow the wires to lay within the channels and flush with the cushioning element.

The speaker system may be wireless and connectable to mobile devices such as phones and tablets. The speaker system may also be chargeable with a charging port wired to the control box and exposable on the outside of the cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a cushioning element;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the cushioning element of FIG. 1 showing dimensions;

FIG. 3 is the front view of the cushioning element of FIG. 1 showing additional dimensions;

FIG. 4 is a front, perspective view of a device, or pillow, with a cover;

FIG. 5 is a back, perspective view of the pillow of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the pillow of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the pillow of FIG. 5 with a bottom pocket;

FIG. 8 is a perspective bottom view of the pillow of FIG. 5 with a book;

FIG. 9 is a first, or right, side view of the pillow of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a second, or left, side view of the pillow of FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is a back view of the pillow of FIG. 5 with a pocket in a closed configuration;

FIG. 12 is the back view of the pillow of FIG. 5 with a pocket in an open configuration;

FIG. 13 is a front view of an alternate design of a pillow;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the pillow of FIG. 14;

FIG. 15 is front view of an alternate design of a pillow; FIG. 16 is top view of the pillow of FIG. 16;

FIG. 17 is a front view of an alternate design of a pillow;

FIG. 18 is a perspective bottom view of a cushioning element with a plurality of voids;

FIG. 19 is a perspective side view of the cushioning element of FIG. 18 with at least one void cut into at least one side;

FIG. 20A-20D are a front, a left side, a right side, and a back view of the cushioning element of FIG. 18:

FIG. 21 is a side view of the cushioning element of FIG. 18 with a set of speakers, wires and a control box;

FIG. 22 is a bottom perspective view of the cushioning element of FIG. 18 with a set of speakers residing in the voids; and

FIG 23. is a perspective side view of the cushioning element of FIG. 18 with the control box residing in the one void with wires.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures 1-3 illustrate an embodiment of a cushioning element 100. Cushioning element 100 may comprise a top surface 102, a bottom surface 104, a proximal surface 105 and a distal surface 106. The top surface 102 may be substantially rounded to form a partial cylinder with the bottom surface 104 being substantially planar or flat. The top surface 102 and the bottom surface 104 may combine to form an oblong prism wherein the top surface 102 and bottom surface 104 extend to terminate at the proximal surface 105 and distal surface 106. The proximal surface 105 and distal surface 106 may be rounded or convex. Alternatively, the proximal surface 105 and distal surface 106 may be flat, or planar, and may be substantially parallel to each other. Each of the surfaces may combine to form the shape of a rounded, oblong prism. The surfaces of the cushioning element 100 may also form the shape of an irregular cylinder, which has been slightly flattened on one side, as is illustrated in Figures 1-3. An alternate means to describe the cushioning element 100 may be such that the surfaces of the cushioning element 100 may combine to form the shape of an enlarged pill, which has been flattened on one side.

Cushioning element 100 may also comprise a length (L), a height (H), and a width (W). Referring to Figures 1-3, the length (L) of the cushioning element 100 may be greater than or equal to the width (W) and the height (H). The length (L) may be approximately 30-50 centimeters long. Referring to Figure 2, the width (W) of the cushioning element 100 may be greater than or equal to the height (H). The width (W) may be approximately 15-30 cm wide. Referring to Figure 3, the height of the cushioning element may be approximately 5-15 cm high.

Although Figures 1-3 illustrate a cushioning element with the aforementioned dimensions, other embodiments of cushioning elements are contemplated and may have a variety of different forms, shapes, and sizes depending on their intended use and may be larger or smaller than those dimensions mentioned herein.

The cushioning element 100 may be made out of various different types of materials, such as foam. More specifically, the cushioning element 100 may comprise unperforated open cell polyurethane foam. Other materials that the cushioning element 100 may comprise, by way of example and not limitation, include a combination of at least one of the following types of memory foam: open cell polyurethane foam, unperforated polyurethane foam, perforated polyurethane foam, high-density polyurethane foam, or low-density polyurethane foam. Unperforated polyurethane foam may allow for, inter alia, additional insulation. Perforated polyurethane foam may allow for, inter alia, greater breathability and greater flexibility, which may allow the cushioning element to be more easily stored and transported.

Other embodiments of the cushioning element 100 may alternatively, or additionally, include a combination of at least one of the following cushioning materials: foam, soft feathers (e.g., down feathers), cotton, buckwheat hulls, microbeads, or any other materials used in conjunction with, plush toys, mattresses, or pillows. Regardless of the composition of the cushioning element 100, the cushioning element 100 may further comprise a fabric sleeve, which may be fixed around the cushioning element 100. Depending on its composition, the cushioning element 100 may have a variety of different properties, including, by way of example and not limitation, low-resilience, high-resilience, or viscoelasticity. The surfaces of the cushioning element 100 may be one continuous piece of material or fabric or alternatively different pieces of material or fabric engaged at seems between the different surfaces.

Figures 4-12 illustrate an embodiment of a device 200, or pillow. The pillow 200 may comprise a cover 202, or pillowcase, and a cushioning element, which may be substantially similar to cushioning element 100. The cover 202 may comprise a top surface 204, a bottom surface 206, a front surface 208, and a back surface 210, which may together define the shape and contours of the cover 202. The top surface 204, the bottom surface 206, the front surface 208, and the back surface 210 may be one unitary piece or they may be separate pieces that may be fixed to one another (e.g, by being sewn, stitched, glued, welded, or otherwise connected to one another). The surfaces of the cover 202 may be made from any number of materials including, but not limited to, any combination of at least one of the following: cotton, silk, polyester, linen, wool, velvet, fleece, other natural or synthetic fibers, or leather. The cover 202 and its surfaces may correspond with the surfaces of the cushioning element 100 such that the top surface 204 of the cover 202 corresponds with the top surface 102 of the cushioning element 102. The bottom surface 206 of the cover 202 corresponds with the bottom surface 104 of the cushioning element 100. Additionally, the front surface 208 corresponds with the proximal surface 105 and the back surface 210 corresponds with the distal surface 106, respectively. It will be appreciated that the cushioning element 100 may be interchangeable with the proximal and distal surfaces 105, 106.

It will be appreciated that the front surface 208 of the cover 202 may include additional cushioning or plush material to help define characteristics of the pillow 200.

Referring to FIGs 5, 7, and 11, an opening 220 may be defined proximate the back surface 210 and at least one of the bottom surface 206 and the top surface 204. The opening 220 may be sized and configured to provide an opening for the cushioning element 100 to be inserted into the cover 202 and cover an entirety of the cushioning element 100. Thus, the cushioning element 100 may be inserted into the cover 202 via the opening 220, and the cushioning element 100 may be positioned within the cover 202 much like a normal pillow would be placed in a typical pillowcase. When the cushioning element 100 is placed within the cover 202, the cover 202 may fit snuggly around the cushioning element 100.

The opening 220 of the cover 202 may also comprise an open position and a closed position. Various methods may be applied to move the opening 220 from the open position to the closed position (and vice versa). Referring to Figure 5, the opening 220 may comprise a zipper 222 along a seam between the bottom surface 206 and the back surface 210 to define the opening 220, the zipper providing a method of moving the opening 220 from the open position to the closed position (and vice versa). Alternatively, other embodiments may comprise at least one of hook and loop surfaces, elastic bands, buckles, snaps, buttons, or clips to allow for the opening and closing of the cover 202. Alternatively, the seam may be fixed and the cushioning element 100 is not removable from the cover 202.

Providing a user with the ability to open and close the cover 202 may facilitate removal of the cover 202 for cleaning of the cushioning element or cover 202. It may also facilitate replacement of the cushioning element 100 or the cover 202.

The pillowcase 202 may also comprise various additional features that may allow the pillow 200 to appear like an animal, creature, or other character. The cover 202 illustrated contains various features that cause the pillow 200 to look like atriceratops. The various features that may be added to the cover 202 to cause the pillow 200 to look like an animal or other character will be discussed at length below. These additional features may serve various different functions including, but not limited to, providing additional portions of cushioning to the pillow and allowing the pillow to be used as a decoration, toy, or other form of entertainment.

Referring to Figure 4, the cover 202 may comprise a plurality of head features 230, which may include facial features, hair, horns, manes, etc. The cover 202 may comprise eyes 230a, a nose 230b, horns 230c, and a frill 230d. The head features 230 may take various different forms and be made of various different materials. For example, features like the eyes 230a may be incorporated into the material that the cover 202 is made of, for example, by embroidering or sewing the features into the material. Other features, like the horns 230c, may be made out of the same or similar fabric that the cover 202 is made of and may be stuffed with other cushioning material(s). These cushioning materials may include a combination of at least one of the materials described above that may be used to form cushioning element 100.

The head features 230 may take various different forms and be made of various different materials. Other features, like the horns 230c, may be made out of the same or similar fabric that the cover 202 is made out of and may be stuffed with other cushioning material(s). These cushioning materials may include a combination of at least one of the materials described above that may be used to form cushioning element 100.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the cover 202 may also comprise a plurality of other features 232, which may include tails, wings, fins (e.g., dorsal fins for a shark, dolphin, or whale), flippers, spikes, spines, spots, or other animal body parts. Figures 5 and 6 illustrate that the cover 202 may comprise a tail 232a, spikes 232b and spots 232c. The other feature 232 may also take various different forms and be made of various different materials, not unlike the head features. The tail 232a may be positioned near the back surface 210 and may be made of the same or similar material that the cover 202 is made of. The spikes 232b may be fixed to the top surface 204 and may extend from the front surface 208 to the back surface 210 and extend along the tail 203a. The spikes 232b may be made out of a natural or synthetic fabric. Like the eyes 230a, the spots 232c may be incorporated into the material that the cover 202 is made of, for example, by embroidery or sewing into the material.

The cover 202 may also comprise a plurality of limbs 234, which may include arms, legs, hands, feet, fins, flippers, hooves, etc. The plurality of limbs 234 may be attached to (or be extensions of) the cover 202. The plurality limbs 234 may be located along any of the surfaces of the cover 202 to make the pillow resemble an animal, creature, or character.

On cover 202, the plurality of limbs 234 may comprise four legs, which may be attached on either side of the cover 202. Two of the four legs may be fixed to the cover 202 near where the front surface 208 joins with the top surface 204 and the bottom surface 206, and two other legs may be fixed to the cover 202 near where the back surface 210 joins with the top surface 204 and the bottom surface 206. The plurality of limbs 234, or four legs, in the case of cover 202, may comprise a sleeve of fabric with a small cushioning element or other cushioning material(s) enclosed within it (e.g., by being sewn inside it). The sleeve of fabric may be coupled to the cover 202. The sleeve of fabric may be made of any number of materials including, but not limited to, any combination of at least one of the following: cotton, silk, polyester, linen, wool, velvet, fleece, other natural or synthetic fibers, or leather. The cushioning material enclosed within the sleeve of fabric may comprise any number of materials including, but not limited to, foam, cotton, down feathers, buckwheat hulls, microbeads, or any other material described above which may be used to make cushioning element 100.

Referring to Figures 5, 6 and 7, the plurality of limbs 234, or four legs, may have a first end 234a, which may be tapered and may be coupled to the cover 200, and second end 234b, which may be opposite the first end 234a. The first end 234a may have a smaller footprint than the second end 234b simply by coupling joint 235 at the first end 234a having little to no cushioning whereas the second end 234b being heavily cushioned. The second end 234b may comprise a different color of fabric, which may allow the second end 234b to have the appearance of a paw, foot, or bottom of a foot. Overall, the four legs may appear to be stubby as a result of the cushioning materials therein.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the cover 202 may further comprise a first pocket 240. The first pocket 240 may comprise a first sleeve of fabric 242 which may be fixed to the cover 202 along the perimeter of the first sleeve of fabric 242 and at the points where the top surface 204 and bottom surface 206 intersect. Additionally, the first sleeve of fabric may be fixed where the bottom surface 206 intersects the back surface 210; however, it will be appreciated that the fabric may be fixed toward the front surface 208 rather than the back surface 208 just as easily. The first pocket 240 may take various different forms depending on the intended use of the first pocket 240. Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the first sleeve of fabric 242 may be sized and shaped so that it may be fixed to the cover 202. The first sleeve of fabric may be fixed to cover 202 around a perimeter of the bottom surface in such a way that the first sleeve of fabric 242 covers a portion of the bottom surface 206. The first sleeve of fabric 242 may be coupled to the cover 202where the bottom surface 206 meets the back surface 210 and where the top surface 204 meets the bottom surface 206 on either side of the cover 202. However, it will be appreciated that the fabric may be fixed toward the front surface 208 rather than the back surface 208 just as easily. The first sleeve of fabric 242 may also extend from where the bottom surface 206 meets the back surface 208 toward the front surface 206 for a specified length. The first pocket 240 may extend a distance from the back surface 210 that takes a substantial portion of the bottom surface 206 (i.e., greater than hall) or alternatively that is not a substantial portion of the bottom surface 206 (i.e., less than half).

The first pocket 240, including the first sleeve of fabric 242, may be made of various different materials including, but not limited to, any combination of at least one of the following: cotton, silk, polyester, linen, wool, velvet, fleece, other natural or synthetic fibers, or leather. Figures 7 and 8 demonstrate that the first pocket 240 may be made of the same materials that the cover 202.

The first pocket 240 may also comprise a first pocket opening 244, which may be configured to receive and hold various different items within an interior of the first pocket 240. The first pocket 240 may be defined as a space between the first sleeve of fabric 242 and the bottom surface 206 of the cover 202. The first pocket 240 may comprise various different methods for opening and closing the first pocket 240. The first pocket opening 244 may, for example, comprise a zipper which may be used to open and close the first pocket opening 244. Alternatively, other embodiments may comprise at least one of hook and loop surfaces, elastic bands, buckles, snaps, buttons, or clips to allow for the opening and closing of the first pocket opening 244. Figures 7 and 8 illustrate that the first pocket opening 244 may comprise a first elastic band 246 integrated into it, which may serve to keep the first pocket opening 244 substantially shut, or flush, until the first elastic band 246 is stretched in order to open the first pocket opening 244. Additionally, the first pocket 240 may simply be an open pocket with no fastening or securing other than the tension of the first sleeve of fabric 242 against the bottom surface 206.

Referring to Figure 8, a user may grasp the first pocket opening 244, stretch the first elastic band 246 to open the first pocket 240, and insert an object 248 within the first pocket 240 for storage or portage.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10, the first pocket 240 of the cover 202 may be fairly inconspicuous when the pillow 200 is placed on another surface with the bottom surface 206 facing down.

Referring to Figures 11 and 12, the cover 202 may comprise a second pocket 250, which may be substantially similar to first pocket 240, except that it may be situated along a different surface of the cover 202 than the first pocket 240. Referring to Figures 5, 11, and 12, the second pocket 250 defined on the back surface 210 and may traverse the back surface 210. The second pocket 250 may hold items within the second pocket 250 of the pillow 200, for example, a key to a journal or diary which may be secured within the second pocket 250 by a ribbon or clip. Similar to the first pocket 240, the second pocket 250 may have a means for keeping the pocket “closed” such as zippers, hook and loop surfaces, elastic bands, buckles, snaps, buttons, or clips. Additionally, the second pocket 250 may comprise a first elastic band similar to the first pocket 240 integrated into it, which may serve to keep the second pocket closed, or flush, until the elastic band is stretched in order to open the second pocket 250.

Alternatively, the second pocket 250 may be sized and configured to provide an opening for the cushioning element 100 to be inserted into the cover 202 and receive the cushioning element such that the cover 202 covers an entirety of the cushioning element 100. Thus, cover 202 may not need opening 220 in order to insert the cushioning element 100 into the cover 202. Or, in the alternate, the opening 220 may be positioned within the second pocket 250 toward a base of the second pocket 250.

The cover 202 may also comprise at least one patch 252, which may include branding information, trademarks, logos, or other information. The at least one patch 252 may be fixed to any number of surfaces on the cover 202. Referring to Figures 11 and 12, the at least one patch 252 may be fixed to the second pocket 250 and may include branding information on it.

The cover 202 may also comprise at least one identification marker 254. The at least one identification marker 254 may comprise, for example, identifying information for the owner of the pillow 200, including but not limited to, a name, an address, a phone number, or other contact information. It may alternatively comprise a name for the animal, creature, of character that the pillow 200 is meant to look like. The at least on identification marker may take many different shapes and be made of various different materials. Referring to Figure 11, the at least one identification marker 254 may comprise an embroidered name for the triceratops that the pillow 200 is meant to look like, which may be situated on one of the plurality of limbs 234.

In different embodiments of pillows, the various types of features on the cover 202, such as the head features 230, the other features 232, and the plurality of limbs 234 may be changed, rearranged, or omitted in order to make such pillows more comfortable or appear like a different animal, creature, or character.

Referring to Figures 13 and 14, an alternate embodiment of a pillow 300 is depicted, which may be substantially similar to pillow 200. Pillow 300 may comprise a cover 302, which may be substantially similar to cover 202, except that it may comprise different additional features that may make the pillow appear to be a dragon instead of a triceratops.

Figures 15 and 16 illustrate an embodiment of a pillow 400, which may be substantially similar to pillow 200. Pillow 400 may comprise a cover 402, which may be substantially similar to cover 202, except that it may comprise different additional features that may make the pillow appear to be a pig instead of a triceratops.

Figure 17 illustrates an embodiment of a pillow 500, which may be substantially similar to pillow 200. Pillow 500 may comprise a cover 502, which may be substantially similar to cover 202, except that it may comprise different additional features that may make the pillow appear to be a shark instead of a triceratops. For example, the cover 502 may comprise a plurality of fins 534, which may be similar to the four legs of cover 202, but which may be shaped like the fins of a shark. Additionally, the plurality of fins 534 may comprise two fins as opposed to four legs.

Referring to FIG. 18 thru FIG. 23, an alternate embodiment of a cushioning element 600 is depicted. This cushioning element 600 may include additional features than previously described herein. It will be appreciated that this embodiment may be interchangeable with the previous cushioning element 100 and the cover 202 may receive this cushioning element 600 in the same, or substantially the same or similar positioning and format as with the previous embodiment 100.

Referring to FIG. 18, the cushioning element 600 may include the same or substantially the same, or similar, features as the previous embodiments. A bottom surface 604 may include at least one void 605 and even a plurality of voids 605. The voids 605 may be substantially cylindrical in shape and configured to receive a speaker or speakers. The voids 605 may be positioned linearly along the longitudinal length of the cushioning element 600 and somewhat central to lateral sides of the cushioning element 600. A first channel 607, or conduit, or series of channel, may be recessed into the cushioning element 600, between each of the voids, in a substantially linear position. The first channel 607 may be configured to receive a wire that connects a set of speakers to each other. A second channel 609, or second conduit, may be recessed into the cushioning element 600 along the bottom surface and following a pathway that may be substantially linear and non-parallel with the first channel 607. The second channel 609 may extend from the bottom surface to a top surface 602.

Referring to FIG. 19, the top surface 602 may be substantially similar, or the same, as the previous embodiment, wherein it is at least partially rounded. A lateral void 611 may be positioned toward a lateral side of the top surface. The lateral void 611 may be substantially rectangular in shape and configured to hold a control box (656) that may include a power supply to power the speaker(s). A third channel 613, or conduit, may extend from the lateral side of the top surface 602 to a distal surface 606.

Each of the voids and channels are configured and positioned to allow for speakers and wires to lay flush within the voids and/or channels so as not to protrude from the cushioning element 600; however, a small protrusion may occur and is contemplated herein. Referring to FIG. 20A thru 20D, the cushioning element 600 from each of the different viewpoints is depicted. FIG. 20A depicts a view from a head portion. FIG. 20B depicts a view from a lateral, left side portion. FIG. 20C depicts a view from a lateral, right side portion. FIG. 20D depicts a view from a back, or rear, portion.

Referring to FIG. 21-23, a speaker system 650 is depicted with a series of speakers 652 which may be connect in a chain configuration. The speakers 652 may substantially cylindrical, and flat, in a shape to match the voids 605 and wires 654 may connect the speakers 652 wherein the wires may be positioned or lay within the first channels 607. One portion of the wires 654 may extend from a control block 656 to the first speaker in the chain. The one wire portion residing within the second channel 609. Another wire may extend from the control block 656 along the third channel 613 and include a charging port at the end of the wire to allow for charging of the control block 656. The charging port may be a DC charging port or USB charging port, or any other charging port known in the art.

The control box 656 may reside within the lateral void 611 and be of substantially the same shape as the void 611 to lay flush within the void.

The control box 656 may include Bluetooth, or similar, capability to wirelessly connect to a phone, tablet or other device. The control box 656 may also include a power supply that is rechargeable via the charging port described herein. The control box may include a power button and volume buttons as well that reside on the outside of the control box and allow for turning on and off of the speaker system 650 and adjust the volume. However, by connecting the speaker to a device such as a phone and controlling the device in that manner.

The speakers 652 may be low volume speakers and may require a user to place the cushioning element 600 to the ear of the user in order to hear sufficiently. However, a full volume speaker is also contemplated herein.

The cover 202 may be the same, or substantially the same, as the covers set forth previously herein. However, a hole or inlet may be sewn to allow for passage of the charging port out of the back surface 210 of the cover 202. The inlet may be positioned within the second pocket 250 so has to hide the charging port. Alternatively, the opening 220 to place the cushioning element 600 within the cover 202 may allow for passage of the charging port and storage within the cover 202, thus hiding the charging port within the fastening mechanism such as the zipper, hook and loop, etc. Although the foregoing disclosure provides many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope any of the ensuing claims. Other embodiments may be devised which do not depart from the scopes of the claims. Features from different embodiments may be employed separately or in combination. Accordingly, all additions, deletions and modifications to the disclosed subject matter that fall within the scopes of the claims are to be embraced thereby. The scope of each claim is indicated and limited only by its plain language and the full scope of available legal equivalents to its elements