Protective case for portable device

Abstract

A protective case for a portable device having a touch screen is constructed from a back frame, a front frame and a stretchable cover. The back frame receives the portable device through an open front and the stretchable cover is stretched over the back frame and the device. A portion of the cover stretches over the back frame and portable device such that the portable device is securely held in the back frame and the touch screen can be accessed and used when the device is mounted in the back frame and stretchable cover. A front frame with a transparent screen protector that allows the touch screen of the portable device to be used while the device is fully enclosed in the case is removably coupled to the back frame with grasping arms that connect to mounting portions on the back frame that extend through openings in the stretchable cover. A debris resistant seal is created between the front frame and the stretchable cover through a compression fit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective case for a portable device, the protective case comprising:
 a back frame;   a stretchable cover having a button pad and configured to stretch over at least a portion of the back frame; and   a front frame having an opening and configured to clamp over a portion of the stretchable cover, wherein when the stretchable cover is stretched over the back frame and the front frame is clamped over the stretchable cover, the button pad of the stretchable cover fits in the opening of the front frame.   
     
     
         2 . The protective case of  claim 1 , wherein the front frame further comprises at least one grasping protrusion that mates with a corresponding mounting portion on the back frame. 
     
     
         3 . The protective case of  claim 2 , wherein the stretchable cover further comprises a mounting opening and the mounting portion on the back frame extends through the mounting opening. 
     
     
         4 . The protective case of  claim 1 , wherein the back frame further comprises raised shapes formed on the back of the back frame and extending through openings in the stretchable cover, wherein the raised shapes are octagons. 
     
     
         5 . The protective case of  claim 1 , wherein the back frame further comprises a cavity on an interior surface of the back frame and a compressible pad mounted in the cavity, wherein when a portable device is inserted into the back frame, the compressible pad applies pressure to the back of the portable device. 
     
     
         6 . The protective case of  claim 5 , wherein the back frame further comprises a device opening that allows a user to remove the portable device from the back frame. 
     
     
         7 . The protective case of  claim 1 , wherein the stretchable cover extends over a portable device when the portable device is mounted in the back frame and the stretchable cover is stretched over the back frame such that the portable device is held inside the back frame and stretchable cover. 
     
     
         8 . The protective case of  claim 1 , wherein the back frame further comprises raised portions that extend through openings in a back of the stretchable cover that restrict movement of the stretchable cover with respect to the back frame. 
     
     
         9 . The protective case of  claim 1 , wherein the back frame further comprises a screen formed in a microphone opening in the back frame. 
     
     
         10 . The protective case of  claim 1 , wherein the front frame further comprises a speaker opening for a speaker having a water resistant insert. 
     
     
         11 . The protective case of  claim 1 , wherein the back frame is shaped to receive a portable device. 
     
     
         12 . The protective case of  claim 11 , wherein the stretchable cover is configured to stretch over at least a portion of the back frame and the portable device when the portable device is mounted in the back frame. 
     
     
         13 . The protective case of  claim 1 , wherein the front frame further comprises a transparent screen protector. 
     
     
         14 . The protective case of  claim 13 , wherein the front frame further comprises a raised portion, and wherein the transparent screen protector is mounted on the raised portion. 
     
     
         15 . The protective case of  claim 14 , wherein the stretchable cover further comprises a front cavity shaped to receive the raised portion of the front frame to form a water resistant seal. 
     
     
         16 . The protective case of  claim 1 , wherein the stretchable cover further comprises bumper portions that extend past a front surface of the front frame when the front frame is coupled to the back frame. 
     
     
         17 . The protective case of  claim 1 , wherein the stretchable cover further comprises a recessed sunken front portion that is shaped to receive the front frame when the front frame is mounted on the back frame. 
     
     
         18 . A protective case for a portable device, the protective case comprising:
 a back frame having at least one mounting portion, a back frame opening, and a cavity on an interior surface of the back frame;   a stretchable cover having a portion that stretches over the back frame, a button pad, and a mounting opening through which the mounting portion on the back frame extends when the stretchable cover is stretched over the back frame;   a front frame configured to clamp over the stretchable cover and the back frame and having a transparent screen protector, at least one grasping protrusion that couples to the at least one mounting portion on the back frame, and an opening in the front frame configured to receive the button pad on the stretchable cover such that a seal is created between the stretchable cover and the front frame around the opening in the front frame; and   a compressible pad sized to fit in said cavity on said interior surface of said back frame.   
     
     
         19 . The protective case of  claim 18 , wherein the front frame further comprises a raised portion, and wherein the transparent screen protector is mounted on the raised portion. 
     
     
         20 . The protective case of  claim 19 , wherein the stretchable cover further comprises a front cavity shaped to receive the raised portion of the front frame to form a water resistant seal.