Waterproof cover for personal music player

• US 7,775,354 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2007
• Issued: 08/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bryan Jon Lempia, Janet Lee Latchford, Lynette Kay Werner
• Original Assignee: Bryan Jon Lempia, Janet Lee Latchford, Lynette Kay Werner
• Inventors: Werner, Lynette Kay, Latchford, Janet Lee, Lempia, Bryan Jon
• Primary Examiner(s): ACKUN, JACOB K
• Application Number:
  US11/734,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20070241012A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,223 Days
• Field of Search: 206/320, 206/576, 206/701, 206/720, 206/722, 206/316.1, 150/154, 150/165
• US Class Current: 206/320
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/00 Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/008 for making water- or air-tight
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/001 for portable audio devices, e.g. headphones or MP3-players
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0508 Portable audio devices, e.g. walkman, discman, radio, MP3 player, headphones
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/02 Fastening articles to the garment
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/021 to the belt

Abstract

A waterproof enclosure for use with personal music players has a case formed of a flexible material and creates an interior sized to receive a personal music player. The case in one example can have a first part and a second part that together define the interior The case can be opened to expose the interior and can be closed along a joint. A watertight seal can be provided along the joint between the first and second parts when closed. In one example, a tether can connect the first and second parts of the case. In one example, the tether can be configured to create an attachment loop with the case in the closed position. The enclosure can also have a sound emitting device extending from the case. In one example, the sound emitting device can include a jack adapter integrally formed with the case.

Claims

1. A waterproof enclosure for use with personal music players, the enclosure comprising:

a case formed of a flexible material and having an interior sized to received a personal music player, the case having a first part and a second part that together define the interior, wherein the case can be opened to expose the interior and can be closed along a joint;

a watertight seal provided along the joint between the first and second parts when closed;

a tether connecting the first and second parts of the case; and

a sound emitting device extending from the case,

wherein the tether is configured to create an attachment loop with the case in the closed position.

2. A waterproof enclosure according to claim 1, wherein the watertight seal extends circumferentially around the case and is provided in part on each of the first and second parts of the case.

3. A waterproof enclosure according to claim 2, wherein the watertight seal and the first and second parts of the case are integrally molded from a liquid silicone rubber material.

4. A waterproof enclosure according to claim 1, wherein the tether is integrally molded from the flexible material of the case.

5. A waterproof enclosure according to claim 1, wherein the sound emitting device comprises:

a jack adapter having a stem projecting into the interior of the case and a retainer that prevents the stem from being pulled from the case;

a lineout extending from the jack adapter; and

at least one waterproof earpiece with a sound emitting component coupled to a distal end of the lineout.

6. A waterproof enclosure according to claim 5, further comprising:

one or more wire leads extending from the jack adapter to the sound emitting component, wherein the one or more wire leads are encased in a material of the lineout integrally molded as part of the case.

7. A waterproof enclosure according to claim 1, wherein the sound emitting device includes an audio adapter coupled to the case and having a stem projecting into the interior, the stem sized to connect with an earphone jack of a personal music player, wherein a part of the audio adapter is integrally covered by the flexible material forming the case.

8. A waterproof enclosure according to claim 7, the sound emitting device further comprising:

a wire lead extending from the audio adapter to a waterproof sound emitting component, wherein a lineout is integrally formed from the flexible material as part of the case with the wire lead and a part of the audio adapter being encased in the flexible material of the lineout.

9. A waterproof enclosure according to claim 5, wherein the lineout is integrally formed from the flexible material as part of the case, and wherein part of the jack adapter and the waterproof earpiece with a sound emitting component are encased in the flexible material of the lineout.

10. A waterproof enclosure according to claim 1, wherein the flexible material of the case permits actuation of the at least one control device through the case.