Waterproof enclosure for audio device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9426560-B2
Application number	US-201414155216-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 14, 2014
Priority date	Jul 11, 2008
Publication date	Aug 23, 2016
Grant date	Aug 23, 2016

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a waterproof case for protecting electronic devices. The waterproof case includes a flexible waterproof bag attached to a rigid lid that can be opened to allow electronic devices to pass into the bag. When closed, the lid forms a watertight seal that protects the inside of the bag from ingress of water. The lid can include a pass-through jack which allows a user to connect an electronic device, such as an audio device, to an output through the lid. The case may also be incorporated into a flexible attachment system, such as an armband or swimbelt. Methods of connecting an electronic device to an electronic output, such as an audio output, through a waterproof case are also provided.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A device for protecting an electronic device comprising:
a wearable article having a flexible waterproof bag configured to enclose an electronic device;
a rigid frame attached to the bag, the rigid frame defining an opening larger than a cross-section of the electronic device;
a rigid cover coupled to the rigid frame, the cover being movable between an open position, in which the cover is disposed away from the opening, and a closed position, in which the cover forms a waterproof seal with the frame; and
a waterproof electronic communication link passing through the cover and the opening of the frame when the cover is in the closed position for providing an electronic connection between the inside of the bag and the outside of the bag, wherein the electronic communication link is configured to removably couple to an electronic input/output device disposed outside of the bag.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the wearable article is an armband.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the wearable article is a headband.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the wearable article is a waistbelt.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the wearable article is a shirt.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the wearable article is a wetsuit.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the wearable article includes a floatation device.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion the flexible waterproof bag is at least partially transparent.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of an interior surface of the flexible waterproof bag includes a soft protective material.

10. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a protective member configured to protect the electronic device from impact.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible waterproof bag is configured to be reversibly attached to the wearable article.

12. The waterproof system of claim 11 , wherein the flexible waterproof bag is reversibly attached by a zipper.

13. The waterproof system of claim 11 , wherein the flexible waterproof bag is reversibly attached by at least one buckle.

14. The device of claim 1 , wherein wearable article includes at least one strap attached configured for reversibly securing the wearable article to a person.

15. The waterproof wearable article of claim 14 , wherein the strap is configured for securement to an arm of a person.

16. The waterproof wearable article of claim 14 , wherein the strap is configured for securement to a waist area of a person.

17. The waterproof wearable article of claim 14 , wherein the strap is configured for securement to a head of a person.

Assignees

• Incipio Llc

Inventors

• Wilson Ii Ron
• Pettersen Carl
• Rauhala Kristian
• Dirksing Peter
• Mccluskey Cory
• Pena Jim

Classifications

• H04R1/028

  associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles · CPC title

• H04R1/44

  Special adaptations for subaqueous use, e.g. for hydrophone · CPC title

• H04R1/1091 Primary

  Details not provided for in groups H04R1/1008 - H04R1/1083 · CPC title

• H05K5/06

  Hermetically-sealed casings {(specially adapted for small components H05K5/0095)} · CPC title

• H05K5/0017

  with operator interface units · CPC title