Case structures for portable electronic devices

Abstract

A water-resistant casing for a portable electronic device is provided. The water-resistant casing may include a bottom cover. The bottom cover may include a first water-sealing structure coupled to the bottom cover and configured to provide water resistance. The water-resistant casing may also include at least one frame configured to be detachably coupled to the bottom cover. The at least one frame may include a second water-sealing structure configured to correspond to the first water-sealing structure. The water-resistant casing may further include a water-resistant film coupled to the at least one frame, and configured to enable a user to operate the portable electronic device through the water-resistant film. The water-resistant casing may further include an impact-absorbing seal configured to provide water resistance and impact absorption. The water-resistant casing may further include a mounting structure configured to enable mounting of the portable electronic device to another object.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A water-resistant casing for a portable electronic device, the water-resistant casing comprising:
 a bottom cover comprising
 an impact-absorbing housing configured to provide water resistance and impact absorption to the portable electronic device, and 
 a first water-sealing structure coupled to a perimeter of the bottom cover and configured to provide water resistance; 
   at least one frame configured to be detachably coupled to the bottom cover, the at least one frame comprising a second water-sealing structure configured to correspond to the first water-sealing structure;   a water-resistant film coupled to the at least one frame, and configured to enable a user to operate the portable electronic device through the water-resistant film;   an impact-absorbing seal coupled to a perimeter of the water-resistant film and configured to provide water resistance and impact absorption;   a coupling structure mounted on at least one edge of at least one of the bottom cover and the at least one frame, the coupling structure being configured to secure the bottom cover and the at least one frame to one another along at least a portion of the perimeter of the water-resistant casing; and   a mounting structure detachably coupled to or integrated with the bottom cover, the mounting structure being configured to enable mounting of the portable electronic device to another object.   
     
     
         2 . The water-resistant casing of  claim 1 , wherein the first water-sealing structure comprises a water-barrier and a seal strip disposed between the water-barrier and the perimeter of the bottom cover, and wherein the second water-sealing structure comprises a convex portion configured to cooperate with the seal strip to provide a water-resistant seal. 
     
     
         3 . The water-resistant casing of  claim 2 , wherein the convex portion comprises at least one protrusion configured to engage at least one opening in the water barrier, and wherein the water barrier is detachably or integrally coupled to a plurality of supporting fins configured to support the water-barrier. 
     
     
         4 . The water-resistant casing of  claim 1 , wherein the impact-absorbing seal comprises at least one of water-sealing adhesive, rubber, and an elastic material. 
     
     
         5 . The water-resistant casing of  claim 1 , wherein the water-resistant film comprises polyethylene terephthalate. 
     
     
         6 . The water-resistant casing of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one casing button configured to correspond to at least one of a lever, a button, a switch, and an operating mechanism of the portable electronic device, the at least one casing button being configured to enable operation of the portable electronic device without opening the water-resistant casing. 
     
     
         7 . The water-resistant casing of  claim 1 , further comprising a resealable portion pivotally coupled to at least one of the bottom cover and the at least one frame, the resealable portion being configured to enable at least one of charging and wired communication with the portable electronic device, wherein the resealable portion comprises:
 a resealable cover configured to enable water-resistant sealing of an opening for providing at least one of charging and wired communication with the portable electronic device; and   a first securing mechanism configured to secure the resealable portion to at least one of the bottom cover and the at least one frame.   
     
     
         8 . The water-resistant casing of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one opening in the bottom cover, and at least one lens closing the at least one opening, wherein the at least one lens is configured to enable operation of at least one of a camera function of the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         9 . The water-resistant casing of  claim 1 , further comprising a resealable cap coupled to at least one of the bottom cover and the at least one frame, the resealable cap being configured to enable operation of a headset function of the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         10 . The water-resistant casing of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting structure comprises a plurality of first engaging elements and at least one engaging slot between two of the first engaging elements, the first engaging elements and the at least one engaging slot being configured to enable a rotatable mounting or releasing of the portable electronic device with respect to the object. 
     
     
         11 . The water-resistant casing of  claim 1 , further comprising a mounting adaptor configured to be detachably coupled to the mounting structure, the mounting adaptor comprising:
 at least one second engaging element configured to rotatably couple the mounting adaptor to the mounting structure of the bottom cover; and   an adaptive structure configured to enable freedom of movement of the mounting adaptor with respect to the object, the adaptive structure being adaptively, hingedly, rotatably, movably, permanently, detachably, latchably, and/or snugly coupled to the object.   
     
     
         12 . The water-resistant casing of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling structure comprises at least two protrusions distributed along at least two edges of the bottom cover, the at least two protrusions being configured to be securely coupled to at least two corresponding holes, such that the water-resistant casing is sealed. 
     
     
         13 . The water-resistant casing of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling structure comprises at least two latches distributed along at least two edges of the bottom cover, the at least two latches being configured to secure the bottom cover and the at least one frame to one another, such that the water-resistant casing is sealed. 
     
     
         14 . The water-resistant casing of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom cover comprises a convex-concave pattern having an enhanced thickness at the convex area, the convex-concave pattern being configured to provide additional impact absorption or shock resistance. 
     
     
         15 . The water-resistant casing of  claim 1 , further comprising a carrying mechanism, wherein the carrying mechanism comprises at least one opening configured to receive a lanyard. 
     
     
         16 . A water-resistant casing for an electronic tablet, the water-resistant casing comprising:
 a bottom cover comprising
 an impact-absorbing housing configured to provide water resistance and impact absorption to the electronic tablet, and 
 a first water-sealing structure coupled with a perimeter of the bottom cover and configured to provide water resistance; 
   a frame configured to be detachably or integrally coupled to the bottom cover, the frame comprising a second water-sealing structure configured to correspond to the first water-sealing structure;   a water-resistant film coupled to the frame, and configured to enable a user to operate the electronic tablet through the water-resistant film;   an impact-absorbing seal coupled with a perimeter of the water-resistant film and configured to provide water resistance and impact absorption;   at least two latches distributed along at least two edges of the bottom cover, the at least two latches being configured to secure the bottom cover and the frame to one another, such that the water-resistant casing is sealed; and   a mounting structure detachably coupled to or integrated with the bottom cover, the mounting structure being configured to enable a mounting of the electronic tablet to an object, the mounting structure comprising three first engaging elements and three engaging slots between the three first engaging elements, the three engaging elements and three engaging slots being configured to enabling a rotatable mounting or releasing of the electronic tablet with respect to the object.   
     
     
         17 . The water-resistant casing of  claim 16 , wherein the first water-sealing structure comprises a water-barrier and a seal strip disposed between the water-barrier and the perimeter of the bottom cover, and wherein the second water-sealing structure comprises a convex portion configured to cooperate with the seal strip to provide the water-resistant seal. 
     
     
         18 . The water-resistant casing of  claim 16 , further comprising at least one casing button corresponding to at least one of a lever, button, switch, and operating mechanism of the electronic tablet, the at least one casing button being configured to enable an operation of the electronic tablet without opening the water-resistant casing. 
     
     
         19 . The water-resistant casing of  claim 16 , further comprising at least one opening in at least one of the frame and the bottom cover, and a water-resistant shield closing the at least one opening, wherein the water-resistant shield is configured to enable operation of at least one of a camera function, a speaker function, and a microphone function of the electronic tablet. 
     
     
         20 . The water-resistant casing of  claim 16 , further comprising at least one resealable cap coupled with at least one of the frame and the bottom cover, the resealable cap being configured to enable at least one of a charging of and wired communication with the electronic tablet, and a headset function of the electronic tablet. 
     
     
         21 . The water-resistant casing of  claim 16 , further comprising a mounting adaptor configured to be detachably coupled to the mounting structure, the mounting adaptor comprising:
 three second engaging elements configured to rotatably couple the mounting adaptor to the three first engaging elements of the mounting structure; and   an adaptive structure configured to enable freedom of movement of the mounting adaptor with respect to the object, the adaptive structure being adaptively, hingedly, rotatably, movably, permanently, detachably, latchably, and/or snugly coupled to the object.   
     
     
         22 . A protective casing for a portable electronic device, comprising:
 a bottom cover comprising
 an impact-absorbing housing configured to provide water resistance and impact absorption to the portable electronic device, and 
 a convex-concave pattern having an enhanced thickness at a convex area, the convex-concave pattern being configured to provide additional impact absorption or shock resistance to the portable electronic device; 
   a first frame detachably or integrally coupled to the bottom cover, the first frame comprising
 a groove configured to surround at least a portion of a periphery of the bottom cover, and 
 a plurality of protrusions being distributed along a side wall of the groove; 
   a second frame configured to be detachably coupled to the first frame, the second frame comprising
 a convex portion configured to cooperate with the groove to enclose the protective casing along at least a portion of the perimeter of the protective casing, and 
 a plurality of engaging slots corresponding to the protrusions, the engaging slots being configured to engage with the protrusions to provide a coupling of the protective casing; 
   a water-resistant film coupled to at least one of the first frame and the second frame, and configured to enable a user to operate the portable electronic device through the water-resistant film;   an impact-absorbing seal coupled to a perimeter of the water-resistant film and configured to provide water resistance and impact absorption; and   two latches distributed along two edges of the bottom cover, the two latches being configured to provide a more secure sealing of the protective casing.   
     
     
         23 . The protective casing of  claim 22 , further comprising at least one casing button configured to correspond to at least one of a lever, a button, a switch, and an operating mechanism of the portable electronic device, the at least one casing button being configured to enable operation of the portable electronic device without opening the protective casing. 
     
     
         24 . The protective casing of  claim 22 , further comprising at least one resealable cap coupled with at least one of the first frame, the second frame, and the bottom cover, the at least one resealable cap being configured to enable at least one of charging and wired communication with the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         25 . The protective casing of  claim 22 , further comprising a carrying mechanism, wherein the carrying mechanism comprises two openings configured to receive a lanyard. 
     
     
         26 . The protective casing of  claim 22 , further comprising a mounting structure detachably coupled to or integrated with the bottom cover, the mounting structure being configured to enable a mounting of the portable electronic device to an object, the mounting structure comprising three first engaging elements and three engaging slots between the three first engaging elements, the three engaging elements and three engaging slots being configured to enabling a rotatable mounting or releasing of the portable electronic device with respect to the object.