Stethoscope cover

Abstract

The invention is an ornamental cover for the head of a stethoscope. The cover includes a mouth through which the head of the stethoscope is passed. The cover may include an elastic portion that will cause the mouth of the cover to assume a diameter that is smaller than the head of the stethoscope. In the preferred embodiment, the cover is knitted or woven material that may be washed and reused. In another embodiment, the cover is in the shape of an animal or animal head.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A knitted cover for a stethoscope comprising: 
 a mouth for receiving a head of the stethoscope;    an end opposite said mouth for attaching an ornament thereto;    a side connecting said mouth with said end opposite the mouth.    
     
     
         2 . The knitted cover of  claim 1  further comprising a lip attached to said mouth for helping the mouth to retain a shape.  
     
     
         3 . The knitted cover of  claim 2  wherein said lip further comprises an elastic portion for biasing the mouth towards a closed position.  
     
     
         4 . The knitted cover of  claim 1  wherein said cover comprises grids of various sizes such that grids comprising the end opposite said mouth are small in size and tightly woven together.  
     
     
         5 . The knitted cover of  claim 1  wherein grids comprising the side connecting said mouth with said end opposite the mouth are large in size and loosely woven together.  
     
     
         6 . The knitted cover of  claim 1  wherein said ornament is affixed to the cover by stitches.  
     
     
         7 . The knitted cover of  claim 1  wherein said ornament is embroidered.  
     
     
         8 . The knitted cover of  claim 1  wherein said ornament is affixed to said cover by an adhesive.  
     
     
         9 . A reusable cover for a stethoscope comprising: 
 a parabolic-shaped piece of cloth having an open end and a closed end; and    an elasticized portion affixed to said open end.    
     
     
         10 . The cover of  claim 9  wherein said piece of cloth comprises at least an ornamental design.  
     
     
         11 . The cover of  claim 9  wherein said piece of cloth comprises an embroidered design.  
     
     
         12 . The cover of  claim 9  further comprising an ornament affixed to said piece of cloth.  
     
     
         13 . A cover produced by knitting several knots together tightly to form a portion to which an ornament is attached.  
     
     
         14 . The cover of  claim 13  further comprising a series of grids having large openings.  
     
     
         15 . The cover of  claim 13  further comprising a series of elongated grids that produce a side having a large enough diameter to receive the head of the stethoscope.  
     
     
         16 . The cover of  claim 13  further comprising grids that form a mouth through which the head of the stethoscope may pass.  
     
     
         17 . An ornamental cover for a stethoscope comprising: 
 a closed end formed in the shape of an animal;    an open end for receiving a head of a stethoscope and opening into a back of the closed end; and    an elasticized mouth for securing said cover to the head of the stethoscope and attached to said open end.    
     
     
         18 . The ornamental cover of  claim 17  wherein said closed end is formed in the shape of a cartoon character.  
     
     
         19 . The ornamental cover of  claim 17  further comprising: 
 a tether for securing said cover to the stethoscope when the elasticized mouth is not securing the cover to the head of the stethoscope.  
 
     
     
         20 . The ornamental cover of  claim 19  further comprising complementary hook-and-latch materials.