Abstract:
A protective case for use with a portable electronic device includes a protective shell and a cap. The protective shell is configured to at least partially encase the portable electronic device and includes an aperture configured to align with a receptacle of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is installed in the protective case. The aperture is configured to allow insertion of the stylus into the receptacle of the portable electronic device from outside the protective shell a cap removably insertable into the aperture of the protective shell to close the aperture. The cap is attachable to the stylus to facilitate removal of the stylus from the receptacle of the installed portable electronic device. The cap is configured to allow the stylus to extend into the receptacle to interact with the sensor of the portable electronic device while remaining attached to the stylus.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/167,554, filed May 27, 2016, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/167,223, filed May 27, 2015, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to cases, covers, shells, and enclosures for electronic devices used with a stylus. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Portable electronic devices are commonly used for communication, entertainment, and/or information purposes. Portable electronic devices include devices such as smartphones, cellular phones, mobile communication devices, computers, portable computing devices, mobile computing devices, tablet computers, cameras, video players, audio players, electronic media readers, two-way radios, global positioning satellite (GPS) devices, and/or other types of electronic computing or communication devices, including combinations thereof. Tablet computers and large smartphones often include stylus that can be utilized to interact with the display of the device. A stylus can be made of plastic, metal, or some other rigid or semi-rigid material in the shape of a writing utensil, allowing a user to interact with the display of the device in a more accurate manner than simply using a finger. A stylus can be electronically passive, or it can contain electronics, magnets, and sensors to allow a more accurate and flexible interaction with the device display. For example, the SAMSUNG® NOTE 4 device includes stylus that contains electronics and pressure sensors, and is stored in the housing of the device. The stylus includes a magnet that interacts with the device via a sensor, such as a Hall Effect sensor, that allows the device to detect when the stylus is inserted and removed from the device housing. 
     Portable electronic devices are used in a wide variety of environments that can subject the sensitive components to damage from shock, vibration, impact, external forces, sharp objects, water, dirt, dust, snow, rain, sweat, chemicals, and/or other damaging elements. Protection of an electronic device from water and other liquids while allowing a user to easily access and use an associated stylus is desirable. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, the disclosure provides a stylus for use with a portable electronic device encased in a waterproof protective shell. The portable electronic device has a housing with an aperture and slot to receive and store the stylus. When the portable electronic device is encased in the waterproof protective shell, the slot of the housing aligns with an aperture in the protective shell, such that the stylus can be inserted through the shell and into the slot of the housing. The stylus includes a first end portion, a middle portion, a second end portion, and a cap portion that is part of the second end portion. The cap portion has an outer surface that interacts with an inner surface of the aperture of the protective shell that can retain and release the cap portion. The stylus is longer than a length of the slot in the portable electronic device housing so that when the electronic device is installed in the shell, the stylus extends at least about 90% of the length of the slot, and the cap portion seals the aperture of the shell. 
     In another aspect, the disclosure provides a protective encasement for a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device has a housing with an aperture and a storage area within the housing for storing a stylus. The protective encasement includes a waterproof shell and a removable cap. The waterproof shell at least partially encloses the portable electronic device and includes an aperture aligned with the storage area of the housing to receive the stylus. The removable cap allows the stylus to be inserted through the shell aperture into the storage area of the housing such that the stylus extends at least about 90% of a length of the cavity. The removable cap also permits the stylus to be removed from the shell aperture when the stylus is inserted at least about 90% of the length of the storage area. The removable cap includes an outer surface that interacts with an inner surface of the aperture to retain the removable cap in the aperture and form a seal, as well as allow the removable cap to be released from the shell aperture. The removable cap also includes a perimeter portion defining a cavity having an inner surface that interacts with an end of the stylus to retain and release an end of the stylus. 
     In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides a protective encasement for a portable electronic device having a housing with an aperture and a receptacle within the housing for storing a stylus. The protective encasement includes a waterproof shell that at least partially encases the portable electronic device, and a removable cap that can cover an aperture in the shell. The aperture is aligned with the receptacle of the housing to allow insertion of the stylus through the shell and into the receptacle of the housing. The removable cap permits the stylus to be inserted through the waterproof shell aperture into the receptacle of the housing such that the stylus extends at least about 90% of a length of the receptacle. The removable cap also permits the stylus to be removed from the waterproof shell aperture when the stylus is inserted at least about 90% of the length of the receptacle. The removable cap includes an outer surface that interacts with an inner surface of the aperture to retain the removable cap in the aperture and form a seal, as well as allow the removable cap to be released from the shell aperture. The removable cap also includes an extended arm having one or more securing elements to allow the cap to push and pull the stylus when the stylus is inserted into and removed from the waterproof shell and the receptacle of the housing. The one or more securing elements interact with at least one corresponding stylus securing element on the outer surface of the stylus. 
     In yet another aspect, a protective case for use with a portable electronic device includes a protective shell and a cap. The protective shell is configured to at least partially encase the portable electronic device and includes an aperture configured to align with a receptacle of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is installed in the protective case. The aperture is configured to allow insertion of the stylus into the receptacle of the portable electronic device from outside the protective shell a cap removably insertable into the aperture of the protective shell to close the aperture. The cap is attachable to the stylus to facilitate removal of the stylus from the receptacle of the installed portable electronic device. The cap is configured to allow the stylus to extend into the receptacle to interact with the sensor of the portable electronic device while remaining attached to the stylus. 
     The summary of the invention described above is non-limiting and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Embodiments of the present technology are described and explained using the accompanying drawings summarized below. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a portable electronic device installed in a shell and a stylus with a cap portion aligned in front of an aperture in the shell. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective sectional view of a stylus partially inserted into a shell and a portable electronic device. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective sectional view of a stylus completely inserted into a shell and portable electronic device. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a portable electronic device installed in a shell and a stylus with a removable cap that is removed from the end of the stylus. 
         FIG. 5  shows a side view of a stylus and a removable cap attached to an end of the stylus. 
         FIG. 6  shows a side sectional view of a stylus and a removable cap. 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective sectional view of a stylus and removable cap inserted into an aperture of a shell. 
         FIG. 8  shows an exploded perspective view of a removable cap with associated tether and shell without a stylus. 
         FIG. 9  shows a side view of a removable cap and tether. 
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective sectional view of a removable cap and stylus inserted into an aperture of the shell and the receptacle of a portable electronic device. 
         FIG. 11  shows a perspective sectional view of a removable cap and stylus partially inserted into an aperture of the shell and the receptacle of a portable electronic device. 
         FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of a removable cap, tether, and stylus partially inserted into a shell and portable electronic device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is directed to shells and encasements for portable electronic devices that include a stylus and display. The shells and encasements secure the device and the stylus while allowing access to the stylus of the electronic device. 
       FIG. 1  shows an exemplary shell and stylus, with portable electronic device  150  installed in shell  100 . Stylus  120  has cap portion  122  that is configured to interact with aperture  102  in shell  100  to form a seal. The housing of portable electronic device  150  also includes an aperture and a slot (not visible in  FIG. 1 ) into which a stylus can be inserted and stored. Stylus  120  replaces the stylus normally used with portable electronic device  150 , and can be longer than the normal stylus. The additional length of stylus  120  can account for the thickness of shell  100  where aperture  102  aligns with the slot in the electronic device housing, and can allow stylus  120  to extend at least about 90% of the length of the slot in the electronic device housing. The additional length of the stylus can be important if the standard stylus utilizes a magnet or a sensor to interact with the electronic device when inserted into the electronic device housing. For example, the stylus of the SAMSUNG® GALAXY NOTE 4 includes a magnet near one end of the stylus. When the stylus is inserted into a slot in the housing of the device, the magnet interacts with a Hall Effect sensor that recognizes the proximity of the magnet and signals the presence of the stylus to the electronic device. In such instances, stylus  120  can be longer than that the standard stylus and include a similar magnet, such that stylus  120  mimics the functionality of the standard stylus. In instances of stylus  120  that includes a magnet or sensor for interaction with the electronic device, the position of the magnet or sensor in stylus  120  can be configured such that when stylus  120  is inserted through aperture  102  and into the aperture of portable electronic device  150 , the magnet or sensor is proximate enough to the corresponding sensor of the electronic device for the corresponding electronic device sensor to detect the magnet or sensor of stylus  120 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective sectional view of stylus  120  partially inserted through aperture  102  and into slot  152  of portable electronic device  150 . Cap portion  122  is depicted as being contiguous with stylus  120 , however, in some embodiments, cap portion  122  can be adhered or molded to stylus  120 . Cap portion  122  can be formed from a flexible or semi-rigid elastomer. The stylus can have any cross-sectional geometry, such as round, oval, triangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, etc. The cross-sectional geometry of cap portion  122  can be the same as or different from that of the rest of stylus  120 . Cap portion  122  also includes outer lip  128  to further facilitate sealing shell aperture  102  of shell  100  and provide additional area for exerting force against cap portion  122 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective sectional view of stylus  120  completely inserted through aperture  102  such that the outer surface of cap portion  122  is in contact with the inner surface of aperture  102  to form a seal. In some embodiments, the seal can be water resistant. Cap portion  122  also includes groove  127  that can hold a gasket (not shown) to form the seal against the inner surface of aperture  102 . The gasket can be separately molded and installed, overmolded directly into groove  127 , or dispensed into groove  127 . In some embodiments, cap portion  122  can be molded from a flexible elastomer and utilize a flexible gasket contiguous with the outer surface for interacting with the inner surface of aperture  102  to form the seal. 
       FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of portable electronic device  150  installed in another embodiment of shell  200 , as well as stylus  220  and removable cap  222  removed from the end of stylus  220 . Removable cap  222  has perimeter portion  223  defining a cavity (not visible in  FIG. 4 ; see  FIG. 6 ). A side view of stylus  220  and installed removable cap  222  is depicted in  FIG. 5 . In the embodiment shown, removable cap  222  includes gap  224  in perimeter portion  223  to allow additional flexibility of the cap, thereby aiding installation of removable cap  222  onto the end of stylus  220 . In some embodiments, perimeter portion  223  can have more than one gap, or no gap at all. Removable cap  222  can be formed of a rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible material, such as a plastic or elastomer. Removable cap  222  also includes outer lip  228  to further facilitate sealing of shell aperture  202  and provide additional area for exerting force against removable cap  222 . 
       FIG. 6  shows an exploded sectional view of stylus  220  with removable cap  222 . The inner surface of cavity  225  of removable cap  222  includes inner cap retention element  226 , configured here as a protrusion that interacts with a corresponding stylus retention element  221 , configured as a groove on an outer surface of stylus  220 . When the end of stylus  220  is inserted into cavity  225 , inner cap retention element  226  contacts stylus retention element  221  to retain removable cap  222 . In some embodiments, stylus  220  and removable cap  222  can include more than one inner cap retention elements and more than one stylus retention elements. In some embodiments, inner cap retention element  226  can be a groove and stylus retention element  221  can be a corresponding protrusion. In certain instances, stylus  220  can have a plurality of inner cap retention elements and stylus retention elements including a mixture of grooves and protrusions. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective sectional view of stylus  220  and removable cap  222  fully inserted into shell  200  and portable electronic device  150 . The outer surface of perimeter portion  223  contacts the inner surface of aperture  202  and seals aperture  202  against intrusion by water and particulates. In certain embodiments, the seal can be water resistant. In some embodiments, the outer surface of removable cap  222  can include one or more flexible protrusions that seal against the inner surface of aperture  202 . In some instances, removable cap  222  can include a channel and a gasket that seal against the inner surface of aperture  202 . 
     Certain instances of a removable cap can include one or more outer cap retention elements (e.g. grooves and/or protrusions) that interface with corresponding aperture retention elements (e.g. grooves and/or protrusions) on the inner surface of aperture  202 . 
     In some embodiments, a tether can connect removable cap  222  with shell  200 , to prevent loss of removable cap  222 . The tether can be formed from plastic or an elastomer, and can be flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid. An exemplary tether is further described below and is shown in  FIGS. 8-10 . 
     Another embodiment of removable cap  322  and shell  300  are illustrated in an exploded perspective view in  FIG. 8 , with the stylus removed for clarity. Aperture  302  of shell  300  is aligned with corresponding aperture  152  in the housing of portable electronic device  150 , to allow insertion and removable of a stylus (not shown) into a receptacle. Removable cap  322  includes channel  328  around its circumference that can hold a gasket (gasket not shown for clarity), the gasket configured to press against the inner surface of shell aperture  302  when removable cap  322  is inserted, thereby creating a seal. In some embodiments, the seal can be water resistant. Tether  340 , configured as a strap in  FIG. 8 , is connected to removable cap  322 .  FIG. 8  shows shell anchor end  342  unconnected to shell  300  for clarity, although shell anchor end  342  can be connected to shell slot  304  (see also  FIG. 10 ). The cross-sectional geometry of the cap portion can be the same as or different from that of the rest of the stylus. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of removable cap  322  and tether  340 . Removable cap  322  includes extended arm  330  on an inner end of removable cap  322 . Extended arm  330  includes cap securing element  332 , configured in  FIG. 9  as a hook or protrusion. Cap securing element  332  and its interaction with stylus  322  is shown in  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 10  shows a side sectional view of removable cap  322  and stylus  320  inserted through aperture  302  and into receptacle  154  of portable electronic device  150 . Similarly,  FIG. 11  shows a side sectional view of removable cap  322  and stylus  320  partially removed from aperture  302  and receptacle  154 . Cap securing element  332  interfaces with stylus securing element  321 , configured as a groove in  FIG. 10 , and enables stylus  320  to be slid in and out of shell  300  and portable electronic device  150 . For example, removable cap  322  can be pulled outward, thereby pulling stylus  320  outward from shell  300 . When a sufficient length of stylus  320  has been removed beyond aperture shell  302 , a user can grasp the stylus and remove stylus completely from shell  300  and portable electronic device  150 . Conversely, stylus  320  can be partially inserted through aperture  302  and into portable electronic device  150 , and removable cap  322  can be used to push stylus  320  the remaining length into shell  300  and portable electronic device  150 , with cap securing element  332  contacting stylus securing element  321  to allow future removal of stylus  320 . 
     Removable cap  322  also includes removal indentation  334  around the circumference of the removable cap  322 . Removal indentation  334  provides a region for which a fingernail or tool can be applied to pull on removable cap  322 , thus facilitating its removal from portable electronic device  150 . In some embodiments, the outer surface of removable cap  322  can include a textured surface to facilitate its removal. Such embodiments can be utilized with the removable caps and cap portions disclosed throughout this specification. 
     A tether can also be attached between removable cap  322  and shell  300 . The tether can be formed from a stretchable material, such as silicone or another elastomer, to allow removable cap  322  to move relative to shell  300  while removing and inserting stylus  320 . In some embodiments, the tether can be formed of a semi-rigid plastic and can slide along a portion of shell  300  while remaining connected to shell  300 . For example, returning to  FIG. 9 , tether  340  is configured as a flexible strap. Shell anchor end  342  is configured as a tab with a paddle-like shape that is wider than the width of the remainder of tether  340 . Shell anchor end  342  fits into shell slot  304  (see  FIGS. 8 and 12 ) and is retained in shell slot  304  by slot overhangs  305   a - b . As shown in  FIG. 12 , shell slot  304  permits shell anchor end  342  to be removed from shell slot  304 . Slot overhangs  305   a - b  do not extend the entire length of shell slot  304 , exposing an anchor removal area  306  through which shell anchor end  342  can be removed. Shell slot  304  can also be ramped at anchor removal area  306  to facilitate insertion and removal of shell anchor end  342 . In some embodiments, shell anchor end  342  can also be configured as a post oriented 90 degrees outward with respect to shell slot  304 , the post having a tab and cover that partially sandwiches the slot overhangs to retain the tether. In certain embodiments, shell slot  304  may not have an anchor removal area, and the tether may be non-removably anchored to shell  300 . In some embodiments, the slot overhangs can be replaced with a cover that retains shell anchor end  342  and can receive a portion of tether  340  when removable cap  322  is attached to shell  300 . 
     The term “about” as used herein in reference to quantitative measurements, refers to the indicated value plus or minus 10%. For example, “about 90%” would encompass 80-100%, inclusive. Moreover, where “about” is used herein in conjunction with a quantitative term it is understood that in addition to the value plus or minus 10%, the exact value of the quantitative term is also contemplated and described. For example, the term “about 90%” expressly contemplates, describes, and includes exactly 90%. 
     Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read to mean “including, without limitation” or the like; the term “example” or “exemplary” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, a group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although item, elements or components of the disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. Additionally, where a range is set forth, the upper and lower limits of the stated range are each inclusive of all of the intermediary units therein. 
     The foregoing description is intended to illustrate but not to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.