Waterproof case for electronic devices

Abstract

The present invention provides protective waterproof cases for portable media players such as iPods. In an exemplary embodiment, the waterproof case comprises a transparent polycarbonate shell having an interior compartment formed therein and comprising upper and lower portions that can be detached for placing a portable player in the interior compartment. A polyurethane overmold is molded over selected portions of the shell to form protective layers on the exterior and interior surfaces of the shell. The waterproof case also comprises a window through which the screen of the player can be viewed, and a flexible pad for operating the player while it is in the waterproof case. The waterproof case further comprises a gasket for forming a watertight seal between the upper and lower portions of the shell when they are attached, and a compressible fitting for forming a watertight seal for a headphone connected to the player in the case.

1 . A protective waterproof case for a portable media player, comprising: 
 a substantially transparent shell having an interior compartment formed therein, wherein the shell comprises upper and lower portions that can be detached from each other for placing the portable media player in the interior compartment, and the shell has a hole positioned over a control of the portable media player when the player is placed in the interior compartment; and    a flexible pad covering the shell hole, wherein the flexible pad allows a user to operate the control of the portable media player while the player is in the case.    
   
   
       2 . The protective case of  claim 1 , further comprising a polyurethane overmold molded over portions of the exterior surface of the shell to form a protective layer.  
   
   
       3 . The protective case of  claim 2 , wherein the polyurethane overmold is molded over the shell hole to form the flexible pad.  
   
   
       4 . The protective case of  claim 3 , wherein a portion of the polyurethane overmold forming the flexible pad extends over the interior compartment to secure the flexible pad to the shell.  
   
   
       5 . The protective case of  claim 3 , wherein the polyurethane overmold is molded to form protective bumps on the exterior surface of the shell.  
   
   
       6 . The protective case of  claim 3 , wherein the polyurethane overmold is molded to form gripping ribs on the exterior surface of the shell.  
   
   
       7 . The protective case of  claim 3  wherein the polyurethane overmold is molded over portions of the interior compartment of the shell.  
   
   
       8 . The protective case of  claim 3 , wherein the polyurethane overmold is molded in a grove in the upper portion of the shell to form a gasket around the upper portion of the shell, and the gasket forms a watertight seal between the upper and lower portions of the shell when they are attached.  
   
   
       9 . The protective case of  claim 1 , wherein the shell comprises polycarbonate.  
   
   
       10 . The protective case of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a compressible fitting adapted to fit around a headphone adapter or a portion of a headphone;    a stem extending from the shell having an inner space for receiving and holding the compressible fitting therein and having an opening to the interior compartment of the shell; and    a cap configured to fit onto the stem and having an opening, wherein the cap is configured to compress the compressible fitting between the stem and the cap when the compressible fitting is placed in the stem and the cap is fitted onto the stem.    
   
   
       11 . The protective case of  claim 10 , wherein the cap is configured to screw onto the stem.  
   
   
       12 . The protective case of  claim 11 , wherein the compressible fitting has two opposing conically-shaped ends, and the stem and the cap each have angles surfaces configured to engage the conically-shaped ends of the compressible fitting.  
   
   
       13 . The protective case of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible pad has a substantially circular shape.  
   
   
       14 . The protective case of  claim 10 , wherein the flexible pad has a convex-shaped central portion.  
   
   
       15 . The protective case of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a clip having two sides; and    rails formed on a back side of the shell, wherein the sides of the clip are configured to slide into the rails of the shell to attach the clip to the shell.    
   
   
       16 . A protective waterproof case for a portable media player, comprising: 
 a shell having an interior compartment formed therein, wherein the shell comprises upper and lower portions that can be detached from each other for placing the portable media player in the interior compartment, and the shell has a hole positioned over a control of the portable media player when the player is placed in the interior compartment; and    a polyurethane overmold molded over selected portions of the shell, wherein the polyurethane overmold is molded over portions of the exterior surface of the shell to form a protective layer, the polyurethane overmold is molded over the shell hole to form a flexible pad for allowing a user to operate the control of the portable media player while the player is in the case, and the polyurethane overmold is molded over portions of the interior compartment.    
   
   
       17 . The protective case of  claim 16 , wherein a portion of the polyurethane overmold forming the flexible pad extends over the interior compartment to secure the flexible pad to the shell.  
   
   
       18 . The protective case of  claim 16 , wherein the polyurethane overmold is molded in a grove in the upper portion of the shell to form a gasket around the upper portion of the shell, and the gasket forms a watertight seal between the upper and lower portions of the shell when they are attached.  
   
   
       19 . The protective case of  claim 16 , wherein the polyurethane overmold is molded to form protective bumps of the exterior surface of the shell.  
   
   
       20 . The protective case of  claim 16 , wherein the shell is substantially transparent, and the polyurethane overmold is translucent with a color shading.