Water resistant case for electronic devices

• US 20070215663A1
• Filed: 03/15/2006
• Published: 09/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ian Chongson, Stewart Chongson
• Original Assignee: Ian Chongson, Stewart Chongson
• Inventors: Chongson, Ian, Chongson, Stewart
• Application Number:
  US11/376,459
• Publication Number:
  US 20070215663A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 224/650
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 1/04 Purses to be worn at the belt or bracelet; Money-belts
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/22 Watertight containers for use while swimming
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/008 for making water- or air-tight
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/30 Straps; Bands
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/001 for portable audio devices, e.g. headphones or MP3-players

Abstract

The invention is a water resistant case for carrying a variety of devices, particularly portable electronic devices, such as portable music players. The case is allows a user to protect a valuable device from damage by water, abrasion and or impact, yet provides for full use of the features of an individual device while the device is protected by the case. The case is embodied as a water resistant or waterproof bag, or pouch with a window, an interior compartment, an exterior and sealable closures for sealing the storage compartment from the outside environment. The case typically provides a tactile sensitive window for viewing a screen and manipulating the controls of a device. In addition a capability is provided for input and output from the device, such as output to stereo headphones. Other accessory components allow securing the case to a person or vehicle. Thus, there is great flexibility in adaptation of components and adapting the case to particular applications.

Claims

1. A water resistant case for a portable device, comprising

a) a water resistant back panel and a water resistant front panel, each having an outer exterior surface and connected to one another to define a case interior volume adapted to house a device, said case having a closed bottom and a top case aperture for accessing said case volume;

b) a securing mechanism attached to the back panel;

c) said front panel having a window allowing manipulation of a device housed within said case interior volume;

d) said case is adapted to transmit a signal between case exterior and a device housed in case interior volume; and

e) a case aperture closure capable of providing a water tight seal when said closure is engaged.

2. The case of claim 1 wherein said front panel and said back panel are constructed of water resistant fabric.

3. The case of claim 1 wherein said case interior contains shock absorbing material.

4. The case of claim 1 wherein closure of said case aperture closure renders the case sufficiently water proof to prevent entry of liquid water upon immersion of the case.

5. The case of claim 1 wherein said securing mechanisms allows the case to be secured or removed from one or more of a user, a vehicle, an article of clothing, or another object.

6. The case of claim 1 wherein said window on said front panel is translucent and flexible, allowing manipulation of a touch sensitive control panel.

7. The case of claim 1 wherein said securing mechanisms allows the case to be secured or removed from one or more of a user, a vehicle, an article of clothing, and another object.

8. The case of claim 1 wherein said adaptation to transmit a signal between case exterior and a device housed in case interior volume is an input/output connector with at least two ports, wherein at least one port is disposed in the interior of said case, and at least one port is disposed at the exterior of said case.

9. The case of claim 8 wherein said input output connector is constructed to resist the entry of liquids through said input output connector.

10. The case of claim 1 wherein said input output connector is constructed of corrosion resistant materials.

11. The case of claim 1 wherein said case aperture closure further comprises one or more of a resilient zipper seal, an attachable flap and a roll seal.

12. The case of claim 11 wherein said roll seal is secured by hook loop fasteners affixed to said flap.

13. The case of claim 1 wherein the adaptation to transmit a signal between case exterior and a device housed in case interior volume further comprises a wireless transponder.

18. The case of claim 2 wherein said front panel and said back panel surfaces of the case interior are formed of a combination of rigid material and shock absorbing resilient material.

20. The case of claim 1 wherein said front panel and said back panel surfaces are connected by a gusset.

21. The case of claim 20 wherein said gusset is made of pleated flexible material and extends from the case closure around the edges of said front panel and said back panel.

14. A sealable, reusable pouch for a portable device, said pouch comprising:

(a) a fabric bag having a closed lower end, an open, sealable mouth, defining a storage compartment and a pouch exterior;

(b) a provision for communication between the pouch exterior and pouch contents in the storage compartment;

(c) a shock absorbing component disposed inside the pouch; and

d) a water tight seal for providing a water tight seal to the mouth of said case mouth when said seal is closed, wherein the sealed pouch is capable of excluding water to a depth of 10 meters.

15. The pouch of claim 14 and further comprising a shock absorbing mechanism in said storage compartment providing a cushioning effect for a device disposed in the storage compartment when said case is subjected to an impact.

16. The pouch of claim 14 wherein a valved compartment of open cell resilient foam is disposed in the bottom of the storage compartment.

17. The pouch of claim 14 wherein said bag of the storage compartment is formed of a combination of rigid material, resilient fabric, and shock absorbing resilient material.

19. The pouch of claim 14 further comprising a shock absorbing mechanism sufficient for absorbing the distributed kinetic energy of the case and device together when said case and device fall from 1 meter at normal gravity.

22. The case of claim 14 wherein the provision for communication between the pouch exterior and pouch contents further comprises an input output connector is provided with at least two ports, wherein at least one port is disposed in the storage compartment of said case, and at least one port is disposed at the exterior of said case.

23. A waterproof case for a portable electronic device, comprising a waterproof back panel and a waterproof front panel connected with a waterproof seal to one another, each having an outer surface and, defining a case interior volume adapted to house said device, an upper case aperture, a lower case bottom and a case exterior, a securing mechanism attached to the case, a front panel with a translucent control window allowing manipulation of an electronic device carried in the interior volume of said case, an input output connector with at least two interconnected ports, wherein at least one port is disposed in the interior volume of said case, and at least one port is disposed at the exterior of said case, a case aperture closure with a zipper seal and a roll seal capable of providing a water tight seal when said closure is engaged, such that the portable electronic device housed in the case interior volume can be connected to one input output port, sealed within the case interior by engaging the case aperture closure, and be controlled or utilized while said portable electronic device is protected from water damage.