Binoculars covers

Abstract

A binoculars cover can include a fabric shell, a strap coupled to the flexible fabric shell that can secure the flexible fabric shell to the binoculars. An area of the interior surface of the flexible fabric shell can minimize or eliminate scratching of the objected lenses of the binoculars. Method of securing a cover to binoculars and a method of minimizing abrasion to a scratch-sensitive surface of binoculars are also described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A binoculars cover, comprising:
 a flexible fabric shell having an interior surface defining an interior cavity, and an exterior surface opposite the interior surface, the flexible fabric shell being adapted for placement of binoculars within the interior cavity via an expandable and contractible opening in the flexible fabric shell;   a strap coupled to the flexible fabric shell, said strap being configured to secure the flexible fabric shell to the binoculars; and   an area of the interior surface of the flexible fabric shell that minimizes or eliminates scratching of the objective lenses of the binoculars.   
     
     
         2 . A binoculars cover, comprising:
 a flexible fabric shell having an interior surface defining an interior cavity, and an exterior surface opposite the interior surface, the flexible fabric shell being adapted for placement of binoculars within the interior cavity via an expandable and contractible opening in the flexible fabric shell; and   a strap coupled to the flexible fabric shell and extending from an eyepiece side of the flexible fabric shell to a lens side of the flexible fabric shell, said strap being configured to secure the flexible fabric shell to the binoculars.   
     
     
         3 . The binoculars cover of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible fabric shell comprises a material selected from the group consisting of neoprene, neogreen, lycra, thermocline, rubber, polyesters, polyamides, polyethylenes, polypropylenes, cotton, silk, wool, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The binoculars cover of  claim 1 , further comprising an area of the interior surface of the flexible fabric shell that minimizes or eliminates scratching of the eyepieces of the binoculars. 
     
     
         5 . The binoculars cover of  claim 1 , wherein the area of the interior surface of the flexible fabric shell that minimizes or eliminates scratching of the objective lenses of the binoculars comprises a material selected from the group consisting of cotton, chamois, polyvinyl alcohol, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The binoculars cover of  claim 5 , wherein the material is a microfiber material. 
     
     
         7 . The binoculars cover of  claim 1 , wherein the area of the interior surface of the flexible fabric shell that minimizes or eliminates scratching of the objective lenses of the binoculars covers the entire inner surface. 
     
     
         8 . The binoculars cover of  claim 1 , wherein the area of the interior surface of the flexible fabric shell that minimizes or eliminates scratching of the objective lenses of the binoculars covers a portion of the interior surface configured to interface with the objective lenses of the binoculars. 
     
     
         9 . The binoculars cover of  claim 1 , further comprising a tab coupled to the exterior surface, said tab being disposed proximate to the objective lenses of the binoculars and opposite the area of the interior surface of the flexible fabric shell that minimizes or eliminates scratching of the objective lenses of the binoculars. 
     
     
         10 . The binoculars cover of  claim 9 , wherein the tab comprises a material selected from the group consisting of neoprene, neogreen, lycra, thermocline, rubber, polyesters, polyamides, polyethylenes, polypropylenes, cotton, silk, wool, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The binoculars cover of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable and contractible opening comprises at least one of an elastomeric band, a drawstring, a cinch, a strap, and a zipper. 
     
     
         12 . The binoculars cover of  claim 1 , wherein the strap comprises a plurality of straps. 
     
     
         13 . The binoculars cover of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of straps consists of a pair of straps. 
     
     
         14 . The binoculars cover of  claim 13 , wherein each of the pair of straps is configured to cross one another. 
     
     
         15 . The binoculars cover of  claim 1 , wherein the strap comprises a material selected from the group consisting of leather, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, ethylene vinyl acetate, rubber, neoprene, neogreen, lycra, thermocline, cotton, silk, wool, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The binoculars cover of  claim 1 , wherein the strap comprises two strap segments that are connectable via a buckle, a snap, a hook and loop fastener, a button, a magnet, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The binoculars cover of  claim 1 , further comprising a closeable storage pouch attached to the flexible fabric shell, said closeable storage pouch comprising a soft cleaning material attached to an interior surface of the closeable storage pouch, and an attachment feature configured to attach the closeable storage pouch to a user's gear. 
     
     
         18 . The binoculars cover of  claim 17 , wherein the closeable storage pouch is storable against either the interior surface or the exterior surface of the flexible fabric shell via at least one of a pouch, a pocket, a clasp, a snap, a hook and loop fastener, a button, a clip, a clamp, a buckle, and a magnet. 
     
     
         19 . A method of securing a cover to binoculars, comprising:
 coupling a strap to a flexible fabric shell, said strap extending from an eyepiece side of the flexible fabric shell to a lens side of the flexible fabric shell; and   securing the flexible fabric shell to the binoculars via the strap.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the strap comprises a plurality of straps. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the plurality of straps consists of a pair of straps. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein each of the pair of straps crosses one another. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the strap comprises two strap segments that are connectable via a buckle, a snap, a hook and loop fastener, a button, a magnet, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         24 . A method of minimizing abrasion to a scratch-sensitive surface of binoculars, comprising:
 inserting the binoculars into an interior cavity of a flexible fabric shell via an expandable and contractible opening, said interior cavity being defined by an interior surface of the flexible fabric shell, the interior surface comprising an area that minimizes or eliminates scratching of the scratch-sensitive surface.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the area that minimizes or eliminates scratching of the scratch-sensitive surface covers the entire interior surface. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the area that minimizes or eliminates scratching of the scratch-sensitive surface covers a portion of the interior surface that is configured to interface with the scratch-sensitive surface. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the scratch-sensitive surface comprises at least one of an objective lens of the binoculars and an eyepiece of the binoculars.