Enclosure for electronic device

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an enclosure for electronic devices. The enclosure includes a rigid cover and a rigid frame movable between an open position and a closed position. An electronic communication link may pass through the rigid cover and is configured to enable external access to an electronic device inside of the enclosure. The rigid frame is sealed to a flexible sheet including a transparent portion. The rigid frame and the rigid cover may be hingedly connected and may be secured in the closed position by a latching mechanism. The enclosure may also incorporate a battery configured to charge the electronic device. The enclosure may be incorporated into a wearable article. Methods of connecting an electronic device to an electronic port through an enclosure are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An enclosure for an electronic device including a device display and a device port, the enclosure comprising:
 a rigid cover including an electronic communication link comprising an external port electronically connected through the rigid cover to an internal port, the internal port being configured to connect to the device port of the electronic device disposed inside the enclosure, the external port being configured to allow an external device to electronically connect with the electronic device when the electronic device is inside of the enclosure;   a rigid frame sealed to a flexible sheet including a transparent portion, through which the device display can be viewed, the rigid frame being connected to the rigid cover by a hinge and configured to be movable between an open position configured to allow an electronic device to be inserted into the enclosure and a closed position configured to form a watertight seal with the rigid cover;   a latching mechanism configured to releasably lock the rigid frame to the rigid cover in the closed position;   a sealing element configured to form a seal between the rigid cover and the rigid frame when the rigid frame is in the closed position; and   a battery configured to facilitate charging of the electronic device.   
     
     
         2 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid cover, the rigid frame, and the flexible sheet form a closed chamber around the electronic device, the chamber being resistant to fluid ingress. 
     
     
         3 . An enclosure for an electronic device including a device display and a device port, the enclosure comprising:
 a rigid cover including an electronic communication link comprising an external port electronically connected through the rigid cover to an internal port, the internal port being configured to connect to the device port of the electronic device disposed inside the enclosure, the external port being configured to allow an external device to electronically connect with the electronic device when the electronic device is inside of the enclosure; and   a rigid frame sealed to a flexible sheet, the rigid frame being configured to be movable between an open position configured to allow an electronic device to be inserted into the enclosure and a closed position configured to form a watertight seal with the rigid cover.   
     
     
         4 . The enclosure of  claim 3 , wherein the rigid cover, the rigid frame, and the flexible sheet form a closed chamber around the electronic device, the chamber being resistant to fluid ingress. 
     
     
         5 . The enclosure of  claim 4 , wherein the flexible sheet comprises a transparent portion, through which the device display can be viewed. 
     
     
         6 . The enclosure of  claim 4 , further comprising a battery. 
     
     
         7 . The enclosure of  claim 6 , wherein the battery is configured to facilitate charging of the electronic device. 
     
     
         8 . The enclosure of  claim 6 , further comprising solar cells located on the outside of the enclosure, the solar cells being configured to power the electronic device. 
     
     
         9 . The enclosure of  claim 4 , further comprising a sealing element configured to form a seal when the rigid frame is in the closed position. 
     
     
         10 . The enclosure of  claim 9 , further comprising a latching mechanism configured to releasably lock the rigid frame in the closed position. 
     
     
         11 . The enclosure of  claim 9 , wherein the enclosure is configured to compress the sealing element between the rigid frame and the rigid cover when the latching mechanism locks the rigid frame in the closed position. 
     
     
         12 . The enclosure of  claim 11 , further comprising a hinge connecting the rigid cover to the rigid frame. 
     
     
         13 . The enclosure of  claim 5 , wherein the rigid cover and the rigid frame comprise polycarbonate. 
     
     
         14 . The enclosure of  claim 13 , wherein the flexible sheet comprises polyurethane. 
     
     
         15 . The enclosure of  claim 4 , further comprising controls disposed on an external surface of the enclosure, the controls including controls configured to increase and decrease the volume of the electronic device. 
     
     
         16 . The enclosure of  claim 4 , further comprising a water resistant breathable membrane configured to allow airflow between the interior and exterior of the enclosure. 
     
     
         17 . The enclosure of  claim 4 , further comprising a band configured to secure the enclosure to a user's arm or wrist. 
     
     
         18 . A wearable enclosure for an electronic device including a device display and a device port, the wearable enclosure comprising:
 a rigid cover including an electronic communication link comprising an external port electronically connected through the rigid cover to an internal port, the internal port being configured to connect to the device port of the electronic device disposed inside the enclosure, the external port being configured to allow an external device to electronically connect with the electronic device when the electronic device is inside of the enclosure;   a rigid frame sealed to a flexible sheet including a transparent portion, through which the device display can be viewed, the rigid frame being configured to be movable between an open position configured to allow an electronic device to be inserted into the enclosure and a closed position configured to form a seal with the rigid cover;   controls disposed on an external surface of the enclosure, the controls including controls configured to increase and decrease the volume of the electronic device; and   a band configured to secure the wearable enclosure to a user's arm or wrist.   
     
     
         19 . The enclosure of  claim 18 , further comprising a battery configured to facilitate charging of the electronic device. 
     
     
         20 . The enclosure of  claim 18 , wherein the rigid cover, the rigid frame, and the flexible sheet form a closed chamber around the electronic device, the chamber being resistant to fluid ingress.