Introduction: Headphone Keeper
Two hundred miles to Albuquerque and your little one announces “I can’t hear it”.
…….. The headphones are broken.
Now you get to listen to Elmo until the next civilized exit pops up.
This little idea helps keep your headphones from being trampled on the floor boards. Thus, extending the life of your headphones and your sanity.
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
DO NOT USE WIRE COAT HANGERS. In the event someone falls on the plastic hook, it will snap right off. Using a wire hanger could cause serious injury.
You’ll need a plastic coat hanger and rubber end caps. The plastic hangers are found at any home store and the rubber end caps come from the wire shelving section at any home improvement store.
For tools you’ll need a rotary tool, pair of diagonal cutting pliers, and a heat gun.
Step 2: Grind Out the Corner Support
Some plastic hangers are designed without this.
If your hanger has it, simply grind it out with a rotary tool. Wear eye protection.
The second picture shows before and after.
Step 3: Cut, Heat, and Bend
Heat the bend of the coat hanger where you ground out the corner support. Make sure to use even heat. Don’t get so close with the heat gun that you burn the hanger. Sharpen the bend until the free end touches the long portion of the hanger. Once the bend is in, submerge it in cold water to “freeze” it in.
Heat the opposite side in the same manner but this time do it to form a hook. Once the plastic becomes pliable, twist the hook 90 degrees as you bend it down. You’ll want the closed hook side to be perpendicular to the open hook side. See the pictures.
Step 4: Adjust and Fit the Caps
Depending on the angle of the seat your working with, you may need to add a slight bend along the hanger. Just keep any hot plastic away from the upholstery.
Fit the plastic caps onto the cut ends of the hanger.
Step 5: Place It
Lift your head rest. Thread the closed hook over the head rest support bar closest to the outside of the vehicle.
Make sure the long portion of the hanger rests in front of the other support bar. See the pictures.
Lower the head rest again to keep it in place.
Happy Travels.

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8 Comments
12 years ago on Introduction
Are you working on a new mousetrap? I'd buy one! You see answers we didn't know we were looking, but when they come along we can't live w/o them ! Thanks! Previously, I thought you were based in the UK, but have no idea why.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
What gave me away that I wasn't British?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
A car trip to Phoenix ? It may've been the simple nature of UR manifold projects & many 'ible friends across the pond seem deprived of carriage space, except for our impromptu leader "The L-man" whose breadth & depth seem to lack for nothing. Mrballeng I do love UR work ! And as the most sincere tribute I've attempted to replicate them. : )
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I reckon you thought he was English from the "-eng" at the end of his username.
12 years ago on Step 5
This is utter brilliance! This could have saved me years of trauma in our car trips! ;)
12 years ago on Step 5
This is a great idea!!!
12 years ago on Introduction
Elmo is adorable. For about five minutes.
12 years ago on Introduction
Great idea.