Water resistant buoyant case for a mobile electronic device

Abstract

A water resistant and buoyant case is provided for a mobile electronic device. The case includes an enclosure sleeve defining an interior cavity and an opening at one end for form fittingly receiving the device, a watertight seal of the opening, a portion of the front side of the enclosures defined by a transparent, transmissive film, ports defined through the enclosure for transmission of sound and passage of electrical connectors and preventing water penetration into the interior cavity, and a buoyant cradle releasably secured to a backside and opposite ends of the enclosure.

1 . A buoyant waterproof case adapted to receive a mobile electronic device having a touchscreen, the case comprising:
 an enclosure having a front side and a backside and defining a cavity therebetween, the enclosure having a first and second end, the second end defining an opening for slidingly and form-fittedly receiving into the cavity the device therethrough, a portion of the front side of the enclosure defined by a transparent film that enables finger stroke communication with the device's touchscreen through the film;   a closure sized for enclosing the second end of the enclosure;   a sleeve coupled to the opening defined by the second end of the enclosure, the sleeve releasably and watertight sealingly coupling the closure to the enclosure; and   a detachable buoyancy cradle having a buoyant panel, a first cap extending upward from a first side and first end of the panel, and a second cap extending upward from the first side and a second end of the panel, at least one of the first and second cap outwardly flexible to receive and retain the first end and the second end of the enclosure, releasably securing the first side of the panel against the backside of the enclosure, the cradle having sufficient buoyancy to float the mobile electronic device in water.   
     
     
         2 . The buoyant waterproof case of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is rigid. 
     
     
         3 . The buoyant waterproof case of  claim 1 , wherein the cradle is formed from closed cell foam. 
     
     
         4 . The buoyant waterproof case of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one port defined through the enclosure. 
     
     
         5 . The buoyant waterproof case of  claim 4 , further comprising a releasable plug for watertight sealing of at least one of the at least one port, and wherein the port is positioned to receive therethrough an electrical plug connected into an electrical connector of the mobile electronic device. 
     
     
         6 . The buoyant waterproof case of  claim 5 , wherein the closure defines an opening for releasably receiving and retaining the plug when the plug is removed from the at least one port. 
     
     
         7 . The buoyant waterproof case of  claim 4 , further comprising a micro-screen closing at least one of the at least one port, the micro-screen providing sound transmission through the at least one port and preventing penetration of water at atmospheric pressure through the at least one port. 
     
     
         8 . The buoyant waterproof case of  claim 7 , wherein the buoyancy cradle defines openings adjacent the at least one of the least one port to allow transmission of sound to the micro-screen. 
     
     
         9 . The buoyant waterproof case of  claim 4 , further comprising a flexible membrane watertight sealing at least one of the at least one port, the membrane allowing mechanical actuation therethrough of a switch of the mobile electronic device. 
     
     
         10 . The buoyant waterproof case of  claim 9 , wherein the buoyancy cradle is open along at least one side and between the first and second end, the open side exposing the flexible membrane for finger access when the cradle is attached to the enclosure. 
     
     
         11 . A buoyant waterproof case adapted to receive a mobile electronic device having a touchscreen, the case comprising:
 an enclosure having a front side and a backside and defining a cavity therebetween, the enclosure having a first and second end, the second end defining an opening for slidingly receiving into the cavity the device therethrough, a portion of the front side of the enclosure defined by a transparent film that enables finger stroke communication with the device's touchscreen through the film;   a closure sized for enclosing the second end of the enclosure;   a sleeve coupled to the opening of the enclosure, the sleeve releasably and watertight sealingly coupling the closure to the enclosure; and   a detachable buoyancy cradle having a panel, a first cap extending upward from a first side and first end of the panel, and a second cap extending upward from the first side and a second end of the panel, at least one of the first and second cap outwardly flexible to receive and retain the first end and the second end of the enclosure, releasably securing the first side of the panel against the backside of the enclosure, the cradle having sufficient buoyancy to float the mobile electronic device in water.   
     
     
         12 . The buoyant waterproof case of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one port defined through the sleeve. 
     
     
         13 . The buoyant waterproof case of  claim 12 , further comprising a plug for watertight sealing of at least one of the at least one port, and wherein the port is positioned to receive therethrough an electrical plug connected into an electrical connector of the mobile electronic device. 
     
     
         14 . The buoyant waterproof case of  claim 12 , further comprising a micro-screen closing at least one of the at least one port, the micro-screen providing sound transmission through the at least one port and preventing penetration of water at atmospheric pressure through the at least one port. 
     
     
         15 . The buoyant waterproof case of  claim 12 , further comprising a flexible membrane watertight sealing at least one of the at least one port, the membrane allowing mechanical actuation therethrough of a switch of the mobile electronic device. 
     
     
         14 . A buoyant waterproof case adapted to receive a mobile electronic device, the case comprising:
 a sleeve having a front side and a backside and defining a cavity therebetween, the sleeve having a first and second end, the first end closed and the second end defining an opening for slidingly receiving into the cavity the device therethrough, a portion of the front side of the sleeve defined by a transparent film;   at least one port defined through the sleeve;   a sealing structure providing a watertight seal of the opening at the second end; and   a buoyant structure having a panel releasably secured to a backside of the sleeve.   
     
     
         15 . The buoyant waterproof case of  claim 14 , wherein the sleeve is rigid. 
     
     
         16 . The buoyant waterproof case of  claim 14 , wherein the buoyancy cradle is formed from closed cell foam. 
     
     
         17 . The buoyant waterproof case of  claim 14 , further comprising a plug for watertight sealing of at least one of the at least one port, and wherein the port is positioned to receive therethrough an electrical plug connected into an electrical connector of the mobile electronic device. 
     
     
         18 . The buoyant waterproof case of  claim 14 , further comprising a micro-screen closing at least one of the at least one port, the micro-screen providing sound transmission through the at least one port and preventing penetration of water at atmospheric pressure through the at least one port. 
     
     
         19 . The buoyant waterproof case of  claim 14 , further comprising a flexible membrane watertight sealing at least one of the at least one port, the membrane allowing mechanical actuation therethrough of a switch of the mobile electronic device. 
     
     
         20 . The buoyant waterproof case of  claim 14 , wherein the buoyancy cradle is open along at least one side and between the first and second end, the open side exposing the flexible membrane for finger access when the cradle is attached to the sleeve.