US 6,313,982 B1 · Protective case for portable electronic apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed is a protective case for protecting a portable electronic device against moisture and dust so that the device can be carried anywhere. The protective case has an upper case and a lower case which, by being abutted against each other, form a closed space in a interior of which the portable electronic device (100) is capable of being accommodated. Provided in at least one of the cases is a through-hole at a position opposing an operating element of the portable electronic device accommodated inside the space. The through-hole is closed by a closure member (167) comprising an elastic material and having a push-button (165) that is capable of pushing the operating element of the portable electronic device from the outside. Furthermore, the abutting portion of each case is sealed by a sealing member comprising an elastic material, whereby moisture and dust are positively prevented from penetrating the interior.

Claims37

Dependent claims

A removable protective case for accommodating a portable electronic device therein, said portable electronic device having at least one operating element, comprising:

a) an upper case and a lower case with a closed spaced formed therebetween when said upper and lower cases are in abutment,
b) a sealing member provided in said upper case for sealing the closed spaced when said upper and lower cases are in abutment, and
c) an engagement portion on one end of said protective case and a fastening portion on the opposite end of said protective case, said engagement and fastening portions provided for holding the upper and lower cases in abutment,
d) said upper case having at least one through-hole for accessing said at least one operating element through said upper case, said at least one through-hole being sealed by a closure member to prevent penetration and contamination of said closed space during abutment of said upper and lower cases.

1 more element

A protective case for accommodating a portable electronic device therein, said portable electronic device having at least one side with at least one operating element, comprising:

a) an upper case and a lower case with an interior formed therebetween when said upper and lower cases are in abutment, said interior dimensioned to accommodate said portable electronic device therein, with said upper case positioned adjacent said at least one side of said portable electronic device having said at least one operating element,
b) a resilient sealing member disposed between said upper and lower cases for sealing the interior when said upper and lower cases are in abutment,
c) said upper case having at least one through-hole for accessing said at least one operating element through said upper case, said at least one through-hole being sealed by an elastic closure member to prevent penetration and contamination of said interior during abutment of said upper and lower cases, said closure member having at least one push button adapted for engagement with said at least one operating element on said portable electronic device.

A protective case for accommodating a portable electronic device therein, said portable electronic device having a plurality of operating elements and a display section, comprising:

a) an upper case and a lower case with an interior space defined by the abutment of said upper and lower cases, said interior space dimensioned to receive and enclose said portable electronic device,
b) said portable electronic device arranged within said interior space such that the upper case is positioned opposite the operating elements and the display section during the abutment of said upper and lower cases,
c) an elastic sealing member provided along the perimeter of said upper case for sealing the interior space during the abutment of said upper and lower cases, and
d) an engagement portion on one end of said protective case and a fastening portion on the opposite end of said protective case, said engagement and fastening portions provided for holding the upper and lower cases in abutment,
e) said upper case having a plurality of through-holes for accessing said operating elements, said through-holes arranged for alignment with the operating elements of said portable electronic device,
f) said plurality of through-holes sealed by an elastic closure member integrally formed as a continuum with said sealing member,
g) said closure member provided with push buttons arranged for pressing engagement with said operating elements, said push buttons arranged on said closure member within said through-holes, said push buttons further seated on resilient pieces that enable movement of said push buttons into engagement with said operating elements.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Protective case for portable electronic apparatus

Life of this patent

Protective case for portable electronic apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims37