Protective holster for portable electronic device

Abstract

A holster for protecting a portable electronic device. The holster is a one-piece integral body made of a flexible material. The body has a housing and attachment structures extending from the housing for removably mounting the housing to a user of the holster. The housing has a top opening communicating with an interior cavity dimensioned and configured to receive and accommodate the portable electronic device via the top opening. An overhang portion extends from an entire perimeter of the top opening. An aperture formed in a part of the overhang portion is configured for alignment with an electronic element of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is received in the housing of the holster.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A holster for protecting a portable electronic device, the holster comprising:
 a one-piece integral body made of a flexible material, the body including:
 a housing having a top opening communicating with an interior cavity dimensioned and configured to receive and accommodate the portable electronic device via the top opening, an overhang portion extending from an entire perimeter of the top opening, and an aperture formed in a part of the overhang portion and configured to be aligned with an electronic element of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is received in the housing; and 
 a pair of attachment structures extending from the housing for removably mounting the housing to a user of the holster. 
   
     
     
         2 . The holster of  claim 1 , wherein the housing, including cavity, is rectangular shaped for accommodating an electronic device of similar profile. 
     
     
         3 . The holster of  claim 2 , wherein the attachment structures extend from respective long sides of the rectangular shaped housing. 
     
     
         4 . The holster of  claim 3 , wherein each of the attachment structures has a slot configured to receive a strap, belt or similar structure for removably mounting the integral body to the user of the holster. 
     
     
         5 . The holster of  claim 2 , wherein the attachment structures extend from respective short sides of the rectangular shaped housing. 
     
     
         6 . The holster of  claim 5 , wherein each of the attachment structures has a slot configured to receive a strap, belt or similar structure for removably mounting the integral body to the user of the holster. 
     
     
         7 . The holster of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity has a base opposite to the top opening for supporting the electronic device received therein, the base forming an underside of the integral body. 
     
     
         8 . The holster of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity has a bottom opening opposite to the top opening, the bottom opening having a larger opening area than the top opening, and the housing being configured so that the electronic device can be inserted into or removed from the cavity via either the top opening or the bottom opening. 
     
     
         9 . The holster of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible material of the integral body is an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         10 . In combination, a portable electronic device and a holster according to  claim 1  for protecting the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         11 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein the portable electronic device comprises an electronic tracking device. 
     
     
         12 . The combination of  claim 11 , wherein the electronic tracking device is solar-powered and has an electronic element in the form of a solar panel component configured for alignment with the aperture formed in the overhang portion when the electronic device is mounted in the holster for receiving sunlight to charge the solar-powered electronic tracking device. 
     
     
         13 . The combination of  claim 12 , wherein the electronic tracking device is a GPS tracking device; and wherein the holster is configured for mounting on a body part of an individual or animal, such as cattle, for tracking movements of the individual or animal.