Abstract:
An article of swimming apparel includes a swimsuit adapted for wear in a wet environment and a waterproof receptacle coupled with the swimsuit for receiving a personal electronic device and protecting the personal electronic device against exposure to water or other liquids. The receptacle includes a waterproof speaker that facilitates transmitting audio signals from a personal electronic device disposed within the receptacle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/840,116, filed Jun. 27, 2013 (pending), the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to garments and, more particularly, to garments configured to protect an electronic device from exposure to water. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The use of personal electronic devices, such as cellular telephones, digital audio players, and other electronic devices, is increasing in popularity. Many users enjoy listening to music, communicating with others, accessing the Internet, or viewing photos or videos during leisure or sport activities. In some environments, such as at or near a pool or beach, the use of electronic devices presents a danger that the device may become damaged if exposed to water. To protect electronic devices from exposure to water and other liquids, and to avoid the need for users of electronic devices to constantly hold their electronic devices while enjoying such sport or leisure activities, there is a need for a garment that allows users access to, and enjoyment of, their electronic devices while also permitting them to participate in sport or leisure activities where there is a risk of exposure to water. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present invention overcomes the foregoing and other shortcomings and drawbacks associated with the need for a garment that allows users access to and enjoyment of their electronic devices while also permitting them to participate in sport or leisure activities where there is a risk of exposure to water. While the invention will be described in connection with certain embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention includes all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0005]    In one aspect in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, an article of swimming apparel includes a swimsuit adapted for wear in a wet environment, and a waterproof receptacle coupled with the swimsuit for receiving a personal electronic device and protecting the personal electronic device against exposure to water or other liquids. The receptacle may include a waterproof speaker that facilitates transmitting audio signals from a personal electronic device disposed within the receptacle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration depicting an exemplary garment including a waterproof electronic device receptacle in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a front view of an exemplary waterproof electronic device receptacle in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3A  is a front view an alternative embodiment of an exemplary waterproof electronic device receptacle in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3B  is a rear view of the exemplary waterproof electronic device receptacle of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the exemplary waterproof electronic device receptacle of  FIG. 3A , with an electronic device disposed within the reservoir. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a front view of yet another exemplary waterproof electronic device receptacle, illustrating an output connection. 
       
    
    
       [0013]    It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The specific features disclosed herein, including, for example, any specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes of various illustrated components, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment. Certain features of the illustrated embodiments may have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate visualization and provide a clear understanding. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]      FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary garment  10 , in the form of swim trunks, which may be worn by a user during the enjoyment or performance of sport or leisure activities where the user and garment  10  may be exposed to water. A waterproof electronic device receptacle  12  is coupled with the garment  10  for receiving and containing a personal electronic device  14  such as a cellular telephone, a digital audio player, or any other electronic device. The receptacle  12  may be provided in a pocket  16  of the garment  10 , or may be attached to an inner surface or an outer surface of the garment  10 , or at any other suitable location on the garment  10 . The receptacle  12  may be selectively removably coupled to the garment  10 , such as by buttons, zippers, snaps, hook-and-loop type fasteners (such as Velcro®), or by any other suitable method. Alternatively, the receptacle  12  may be permanently coupled with the garment  10 , such as by stitching, riveting, or other suitable methods. The receptacle  12  may also be attached to the garment  10  by a flexible tether to facilitate limited movement of the receptacle  12  relative to the garment  10 , while still securing the receptacle  12  to the garment  10 . 
         [0015]      FIGS. 2-4  depict different embodiments of waterproof electronic device receptacles  12 ,  12   a  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , and referring further to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 A,  3 B, and  4 , the waterproof electronic device receptacle  12 ,  12   a  comprises a flexible enclosure  20  having an interior reservoir  22  sized to receive the personal electronic device  14 . In the embodiment shown, the receptacle  12 ,  12   a  has a generally rectangular shape. However, it will be appreciated that the receptacle  12 ,  12   a  may have various other shapes suitable for receiving a personal electronic device  14  and for being coupled with a garment  10 . At least one end of the receptacle  12 ,  12   a  includes an opening  24  that provides access to the interior reservoir  22  for receiving and removing the personal electronic device  14 . A selectively sealable closure  26  is provided adjacent the opening  24  to thereby seal the interior reservoir  22  against the intrusion of water, so that a personal electronic device  14  disposed therein is protected from exposure to water or other liquids. The sealable closure  26  may comprise a zipper-type seal, or various other structures suitable to facilitate sealing the enclosure  20  against intrusion of water or other liquids. 
         [0016]    The waterproof electronic device receptacle  12 ,  12   a  may further include a waterproof speaker  30 ,  30   a  coupled with the flexible enclosure  20 . In the embodiments shown, the speaker  30 ,  30   a  is depicted on a side panel of the enclosure  20 . However, it will be appreciated that the speaker  30 ,  30   a  may be located on various other portions of the enclosure  20 , as may be desired. The receptacle  12 ,  12   a  further includes a speaker input connection  32  coupled with the speaker  30  and configured to be connected with an electronic device  14  disposed within the reservoir  22 . When the electronic device  14  is disposed in the reservoir  22  and sealed with the closure  26 , a user may operate the electronic device  14  whereby the speaker  30 ,  30   a  transmits audio signals from the electronic device  14  such that the audio signals can be heard by the user during enjoyment of leisure or sports activities in and around water. Controls may be provided on the speaker  30 , or other suitable structure, for adjusting the volume of sound transmitted by speaker  30  or for performing various other functions. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3B , the speaker  30   a  includes controls in the form of a button  34  for controlling the volume of sound, and a button  36  for controlling power to the speaker  30   a.  The waterproof electronic device receptacle  12 ,  12   a  may further include a pocket  38  or other structure (best seen in  FIGS. 3A and 3B ) for receiving one or more batteries (not shown) within the interior reservoir  22  to provide power to speaker  30 . 
         [0017]    In another embodiment, the waterproof electronic device receptacle  12   b  may further include a waterproof output connection, or jack, communicating with the exterior of the reservoir  22  and configured to receive a corresponding connection to waterproof headphones, ear buds, or other suitable components that can play audio signals from the electronic device  14  disposed within the interior reservoir  22 .  FIG. 5  depicts an exemplary embodiment of a waterproof electronic device receptacle  12   b  having a waterproof output connection  40  that can be coupled with an electronic device  14  disposed in the reservoir  22 , and also with headphones, ear buds, or other suitable components (not shown) outside the receptacle  12   b.  In this embodiment, the waterproof electronic device receptacle  12   b  does not include a speaker as described above. However, it will be appreciated that other embodiments of a waterproof electronic device receptacle  12   b  having an output connection  40  may also include a waterproof speaker as described above. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments, the waterproof electronic device receptacle  12 ,  12   a,    12   b  may be constructed of materials that facilitate manipulation and operation of the electronic device  14  disposed in the interior reservoir  22 , such as, but not limited to, thermoplastic urethane (TPU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or other suitable materials. For example, at least a portion of the flexible enclosure  20  may comprise a material that facilitates actuation and operation of an electronic device  14  having touch screen functionality while the device  14  is disposed within the interior reservoir  22  of the receptacle  12 ,  12   a,    12   b.  In another embodiment, at least a portion of the flexible enclosure  20  may comprise a material that is transparent, or at least translucent, so that the electronic device  14  may be operated to take photographs while disposed within the interior reservoir  22  and while the waterproof electronic device receptacle  12 ,  12   a,    12   b  is underwater. Advantageously, the waterproof electronic device receptacle  12 ,  12   a,    12   b  enables users to operate the electronic device  14  without having to access the device  14  through the opening  24 . 
         [0019]    In another embodiment, the speaker  30 ,  30   a  may be adapted to receive audible commands from a user and transmit corresponding signals to the electronic device  14  disposed within the interior reservoir  22 , such as by speaker input connection  32  or other suitable connections with the electronic device  14 . Alternatively, the receptacle  12 ,  12   a,    12   b  may further include a separate microphone (not shown) adapted to receive audible commands from a user and transmit corresponding signals to an electronic device  14  disposed within the interior reservoir  22 . 
         [0020]    While the garment  10  has been shown and described herein as comprising swim trunks, it will be appreciated that the garment  10  may alternatively be styled in the form of a bikini, a tank top, or various other garments intended for use in and around a wet environment. In another embodiment, the garment  10  may further include a waterproof lining coupled with the garment  10  and sized to receive the waterproof electronic device receptacle  12 ,  12   a,    12   b  therein. 
         [0021]    While the present invention has been illustrated by a description of one or more embodiments thereof, and while these embodiments have been described in considerable detail, they are not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the various features, applications, and devices disclosed herein may also be used alone or in any combination. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope of the general inventive concept.