Abstract:
A protective enclosure for an electronic device includes a hard shell cover and a stretchable cushion shaped to conform to an outer surface of the hard shell cover. The hard shell cover includes a back shell to correspond with the back and sides of the electronic device. The hard shell cover includes an opening that provides access to controls of the electronic device, and provides rigidity to the protective enclosure. The stretchable cushion provides cushioning to the hard shell cover and the enclosed electronic device. The stretchable cushion includes one or more gaps that expose at least a portion of the hard shell cover. The stretchable cushion also has an opening that corresponds to the opening of the hard shell cover. A retention structure of stretchable cushion is disposed to engage a corresponding retention structure of the hard shell cover.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/710,217, filed Dec. 10, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/043,205, filed on Mar. 8, 2011 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,395,894), which is in turn a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/251,161, filed on Oct. 14, 2008 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,933,122), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/134,120, filed Jun. 5, 2008, which application claims benefit of and priority to both U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/942,429, entitled “Protective Enclosure for an Electronic Device” by Curtis R. Richardson, et al., filed Jun. 6, 2007, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/029,432, filed Feb. 18, 2008, the entire contents of all of which are specifically incorporated herein by reference for all that they disclose and teach. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Various types of electronic devices currently exist for communications and entertainment purposes. These include various types of computers, including laptop computers, hand-held computers, ultra-mobile computers, tablet computers, MP3 players that play music, video players, smart phones, other types of communication devices such as walkie talkies, navigational devices such as GPS devices and other types of electronic devices. These devices often utilize touch screens, interactive panels including, but not limited to, capacitive coupled interfaces, interactive touch screens, keyboards, scroll wheels, tilt switches, push-button switches and other interactive controls. Due to the sensitive nature of these electronic devices, it is desirable to provide protection for these devices so that they can be used in various environments. 
     SUMMARY 
     An embodiment may therefore include a protective enclosure for an electronic device, including a hard shell cover and a stretchable cushion layer. The hard shell cover may include a back shell rigidly formed to correspond with a shape of at least rear and side portions of the electronic device. The hard shell cover may include one or more openings that provide access to respective interactive controls of the electronic device when the protective enclosure is disposed over the electronic device, and may provide rigidity to the protective enclosure. The stretchable cushion layer may be shaped, and have sufficient elasticity, to conform to an outer surface of at least the hard shell cover and to provide cushioning to the hard shell cover and the electronic device when the stretchable cushion layer is disposed over the hard shell cover and the protective enclosure is disposed over the electronic device. The stretchable cushion layer may have one or more gaps or openings that expose at least a portion of the hard shell cover. The stretchable cushion layer may further include one or more openings that correspond to the respective openings of the hard shell cover. The stretchable cushion layer may also have a retention structure disposed to engage a corresponding retention structure of the hard shell cover. 
     A disclosed implementation includes an apparatus for housing an electronic device. The apparatus may include a hard shell and a stretchable cushion layer. The hard shell may have at least first and second shell members, which together cover at least a portion of the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the hard shell. A perimeter of the first shell member may include a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions. Front and back surfaces of the first shell member may span from the proximal end portion of the first shell member to the distal end portion of the first shell member and across the opposing side portions of the first shell member. The perimeter of the first shell member may include a first clasping mechanism. One or more openings may be formed in the second shell member, and at least one of the openings may be formed to substantially align with at least one respective control area of the electronic device. This opening may also provide access to the respective control area when the apparatus is installed on the electronic device. A second clasping mechanism may be formed on the second shell member and may have a structure complementarily corresponding to the first clasping mechanism. The first and second clasping mechanisms, when engaged, may separably join the first shell member to the second shell member. The stretchable cushion layer may be disposed over at least a portion of the first shell member. The cushion layer may have sufficient elasticity to substantially conform to the first shell member and to provide cushioning to the apparatus. The stretchable cushion layer may have one or more openings that expose at least a portion of the hard shell cover. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of one embodiment of a protective enclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a line drawing of an exploded view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of one embodiment of the assembled hard shell and membrane. 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of one embodiment of the assembled hard shell and membrane being inserted into a stretchable cushion layer. 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of one embodiment of the assembled protective enclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the embodiment of the protective enclosure illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a back view of the embodiment of the protective enclosure illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  is a right side view of the embodiment of the protective enclosure illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 9  is a left side view of the embodiment of the protective enclosure illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom view of the embodiment of the protective enclosure illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of the embodiment of the protective enclosure illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 12  is an isometric view of another embodiment of a protective enclosure. 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded assembly diagram of the protective enclosure illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is an isometric view of another embodiment of a protective enclosure. 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded close-up view of the cutaway portion of the protective enclosure illustrated in  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a side cutaway view of another embodiment of a protective enclosure. 
         FIG. 17  is a close-up view of a portion of the protective enclosure illustrated in  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 18  is an isometric view of another embodiment of a protective enclosure for a computer. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  shows an exploded view of one embodiment of a protective enclosure  100 . The protective enclosure includes a membrane  102 , a front shell  104 , a back shell  106  and a stretchable cushion layer  108 . When assembled, the protective enclosure substantially surrounds and provides protection for electronic device  110 . Electronic device  110  can be any type of electronic device that requires interactivity with a user of the device, including various types of MP3 players, video players, cell phones, smart phones, satellite phones, walkie talkies, GPS navigational devices, telematics devices, pagers, monitors, personal data assistants, bar code scanners, as well as various types of computers, including portable computers, laptop computers, handheld computers, ultra-mobile computers, tablet computers, and various hybrid devices that combine two or more of these functions. In addition, these devices may operate with only a touch screen interface or only with a keyboard or other type of manual input and are not limited to devices that includes keyboards or buttons, as well as a touch screen. The membrane  102  can be made from a soft, plastic layer such as a soft, thin Lexan (polycarbonate), PVC, urethane, or silicon material that can be molded, such as by thermoforming, casting, stretching, heating, or injection molding, or otherwise shaped to fit to the front surface of the electronic device  110  and other surfaces of the electronic device  110 . The membrane has a thickness on the order of 0.004 to 0.020 inches. The membrane  102  may be made from a single material or multiple materials that are welded, glued or formed together into a single membrane  102 . For example, for the portion of the membrane  102  that is disposed over the display screen  115 , it may be desirable to use a clear, thin, hard layer of glass or plastic to provide a clear, transparent material over the display screen that protects the display screen from scratches. The other part of the membrane  102  may be made of a thin layer of Lexan (polycarbonate), PVC or a silicon material that is highly flexible so that a keyboard and other buttons may be pressed through the membrane  102 . 
     Similarly, if the electronic device  112  has a capacitive interface, such those used on iPod devices, a separate material, such as Lexan, or other types of polycarbonates, that are on the order of 0.010, but may be in the range of 0.004-0.020, inch thick, may be used for the capacitive interface. Alternatively, PVC or silicon may be used with a cross sectional thickness that allows interactability. With regard to the thickness of various materials to be used as a capacitive coupling interface, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,646,864; 6,995,976; 7,158,376; and 7,180,735; and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/270,732; 11/420,683; 11/456,157; 11/466,342 and 11/676,986 are specifically incorporated herein by reference for all that they disclose and teach. With regard to the various types of materials and thicknesses of those materials for use with an interactive touch screen, the above-referenced applications disclose these materials and thicknesses. For example, it can be envisioned that a device may have a keyboard or a number of buttons, together with a capacitive interface and a touch screen in which various combinations of materials can be used. For example, a thin layer of glass may be used for the touch screen. 
     Further, it may be desirable to not use the membrane  102 , but rather, leave the keyboard or buttons open, through the keyboard opening  122 , to allow better access to the keys on the keyboard  114 . Although elimination of the membrane  102  may subject the electronic device  110  to contamination of dust and dirt and subject the electronic device  110  to damaging water, some users may desire to have open access to the keyboard  114 . In that regard, the second and third layer of protection, i.e. the assembled front shell  104  and back shell  106  with the stretchable cushion layer  108 , provides protection against dropping and crushing of the device. 
     In addition, the membrane  102 , illustrated in  FIG. 1 , may be made so that just the area around the keyboard opening  122  is open to allow direct access to the keyboard  114 , while the other areas that are covered by the membrane  102  remain covered. In addition, various portions of the membrane can be made clear, translucent, opaque or any desired color, or any combination of these alternatives. The membrane  102  is shown as covering a front portion of the electronic device  110 , but can also be made to wrap around a portion of, or all of, the backside of the electronic device  110  and be at least partially sealed together, especially if a self-adhering material is used for the membrane  102 . For example, if a camera is included on the backside of the electronic device  110 , a clear portion of the membrane  102  can be used to cover a camera lens (not shown). The membrane  102  can also have some elasticity so that the membrane fits tightly to the electronic device  110 . The membrane  102  can be thermoformed or otherwise molded to fit the specific shape of all, or a portion of, the surfaces of the electronic device  110 , to provide a tight, form fit to the electronic device  110 . The molding or thermoforming process can be quickly and easily performed by simply generating a mold of the surfaces of the electronic device  110  to be covered and using that mold to generate a thermoforming mold or other mold. In this manner, a precisely formed membrane that fits tightly to the surfaces of the electronic device  110  can be simply and easily formed. Overlapping flaps (not shown) can also help to seal the membrane to the electronic device. 
     The membrane  102  may also have openings. For example, some electronic devices, such as Blackberry Smart Phones, include scroll balls on the front. An opening in the membrane  102  can be provided to allow access to the scroll ball. The membrane  102  can be thermomolded to fit tightly in the opening around the scroll ball to provide as much water and dust protection as possible. In addition, openings may be provided in the membrane  102  for microphones and speakers, such as speaker  117  and earphone  112 , to allow for proper transmission of audio waves to the microphone and from the speakers. Some electronic devices have adequate microphones and speakers so that openings do not have to be provided in the membrane  102 . For the instances in which an opening must be formed in the membrane  102  to accommodate speakers and microphones, an acoustical screen, such as acoustical screen  126 , can be placed on an opening in the membrane  102 . The acoustical screen may be made of a material such as GORE-TEX, or other material, that allows transmission of acoustical waves while also preventing the flow of water, or other contaminants, through the acoustical vent  124 . 
     As also shown in  FIG. 1 , the front shell  104  fits snuggly over the membrane  102  and snaps together with the back shell  106 . The assembly of the front shell  102  and back shell  106  form a hard shell housing  150  that has a thickness on the order of 0.030 to 0.060 inches. The front shell  104  and the back shell  106  can be made of a polycarbonate, ABS materials, propylene, thermal plastics, metals, composite materials, and other rigid materials used in injection molding. The firm fit of the front shell  104 , and portions of the back shell  106 , to the membrane  102  and electronic device  110 , helps to seal the hard shell  150  to the membrane  102 , which provides water resistance and prevents dirt and dust from entering the membrane  102 . The molded, snug fit of the membrane  102  to the electronic device  110 , as well as the tight fit of the front shell  104  and back shell  106  to the electronic device  110  and the membrane  102 , helps to seal the electronic device  110  within the protective enclosure  100 . Further, the tight fit of the stretchable cushion layer  108  also helps to keep water, dirt and dust out. Around each of the openings in the front shell  104  and back shell  106  that are adjacent to the membrane  102 , a small ridge can be formed that applies additional pressure to the membrane  102  to further seal the membrane  102  to the front shell  104  and back shell  106 . Each of the small ridges around these openings, such as the display screen opening  120  and the keyboard opening  122 , slightly deforms and seals the edge of the openings to the membrane  102 , which helps in preventing the entry of dust, dirt or moisture into the hard shell  150  and the electronic device  110 . 
     As further shown in  FIG. 1 , the front shell  104  is formed to provide a keyboard opening  122  and a display screen opening  120  that allow access to the shaped membrane  102  that covers the keyboard  114  and display screen  115  of the electronic device  110 . As mentioned above, the front shell  104  is also formed to provide an acoustical vent  124 . The acoustical screen  126  may be mounted in the acoustical vent  124  to prevent the passage of water, dust or dirt either onto the membrane  102  or onto the earphone  112  of the electronic device  110 . Acoustical screen  126  can be made of a material that prevents the passage of dust through the acoustical screen  126  or may also be made of a material that prevents the passage of both dust and water through the acoustical screen  126 . Some degree of water protection is provided by a waterproof acoustical screen. However, such screens may not have the ability to transmit acoustical signals as well as other screens that do not provide water protection. In many instances, the earphone  112  and speaker  117  are sufficiently loud that apertures do not have to be formed in the membrane  102  so that the acoustical waves are transmitted through the membrane  102 . The thickness and selection of the materials for the membrane  102  may allow the membrane to be aperture free. For example, the membrane  102  may be thermoformed or otherwise molded so the membrane  102  may be sufficiently thin in the areas that cover the earphone  112  and speaker  117  to allow the transmission of acoustical waves through the membrane so that the user may adequately hear the acoustical transmissions. In addition, the membrane  102  may also be made sufficiently thin over the area that covers the microphone to allow acoustical voice transmissions to be adequately received by the microphone. Also, other types of materials may be used over the earphones and microphones that allow transmission of acoustical waves. Further, some personal electronic devices do not require any type of keyboard, but operate simply by using a touch screen. For these types of devices, a membrane  102  is not required, but rather a display screen cover that comprises a thin, hard plastic or glass material can be used that is either removably or permanently attached to the front shell  104 . 
     The back shell  106 , illustrated in  FIG. 1 , snaps tightly onto the front shell  104 . The back shell  106  has an opening  132  that allows access to tilt or double-button switch  118  that allows adjustment of the volume of the electronic device  110 . The acoustical vent  136  provides an opening in the back shell  106  for the speaker  117 . An acoustical screen  134  can also be optionally connected over the opening of the acoustical vent  136  to prevent water and dust from entering the enclosure of the front shell  104  and back shell  106  when the shells are snapped together. Another opening  128  is also formed in the back shell  106  that allows access to electrical ports (not shown) in the electronic device  110 . An opening may be formed in the membrane  102  to allow electrical cables to access the electrical ports in the electronic device  110 . Alternatively, the membrane  102  may be formed so that the edge of the membrane  102  does not extend downwardly to the electronic ports on the electronic device  110 . Another opening  130  may also be formed in the back shell  106  to allow access to a button (not shown) on the side of the electronic device  110 . Again, an opening may be formed in the membrane  102 , or the membrane may not extend to the position of the “enter” button. 
     As indicated above, the material of the membrane  102  may be sufficiently thin to allow a user to interact with a touch screen on the electronic device  110 . Further, the material of the membrane  102  that can be accessed by the user through the display screen opening  120  can be a different material that may allow a user to interface with a capacitive interactive screen, or a touch screen, such as a harder and thinner material that is attached the membrane  102 , which may include a polycarbonate, a hard acrylic material, any other hard, thin plastic, or glass. A hard, thin plastic or glass layer can also be removably or permanently connected directly to the display screen opening  120  of the front shell  104 . Such a protective layer may be used in addition to the membrane  102 , or in place of the membrane  102 , over the display screen  115  of the electronic device  110 . The keyboard opening  122  allows access to the portion of the membrane  102  that covers the keyboard  114  of the electronic device  110 . The membrane  102  can be molded, thermoformed or otherwise formed to the shape of the keys and is a flexible, thin material that allows the user to easily access and utilize the keys of the keyboard  114 . Alternatively, some keyboards are sufficiently flat that thermoforming the membrane  102  to the keyboard is not needed. Both the thinness and flexibility of the membrane  102  over the keyboard area allows the user to access the keyboard  114  in a manner that allows easy tactile input similar to the tactile input that is achievable through direct contact with the keyboard  114 . Plastic materials that have self-adhering properties, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, etc. can be used for the membrane  102 . The advantage of the use of such devices is that greater sealing occurs between the electronic device  110  and the membrane  102  to further seal out dust, dirt and moisture. 
     As also illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a stretchable cushion layer  108  is provided that fits snugly over the assembled hard shell  150  that includes the front shell  104  and back shell  106 . The stretchable cushion layer  108  provides cushioning in a drop situation and fits snugly over portions of the outside of the assembled hard shell  150 . The softness specifications can vary, as long as the softness does not interfere with the functionality of the protective enclosure  100 . The stretchable cushion layer  108  can be made of a variety of thermoplastic materials (such as rubber or silicon), urethane, or other material that is capable of stretching sufficiently to allow the hard shell  150  to slide into the opening  138  of the stretchable cushion layer  108 . The stretchable cushion layer  108  has a modulus of elasticity, which varies, but allows the stretchable cushion layer  108  to conform to the assembled hard shell  150 . The stretchable cushion layer may include pads, such as tilt switch/push button pad  142 , that are connected to the stretchable cushion layer  108  with a thinner portion  140  to allow actuation of the switches. The pads, such as pad  142 , can then be depressed by a user to activate a tilt switch or push button switch, such as tilt/push button switch  118  on the electronic device  110 . Opening  132  allows the pad  142  to directly access switch  118  for activation by a user. The thinner portion  140  allows the pad  142  to easily flex with respect to the stretchable cushion layer  108 . Other pads can also be incorporated in the stretchable cushion layer that allow a user to interface with various controls on the electronic device  110 . 
       FIG. 2  is a line drawing illustrating the clear membrane  102 , the front shell  104  and the back shell  106 . In addition,  FIG. 2  illustrates the stretchable cushion layer  108  that at least partially covers the assembly of the clear membrane  102 , the front shell  104  and the back shell  106 . 
       FIG. 3  is an illustration of the assembly of the membrane  102  and the assembled hard shell  150 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the assembled rigid hard shell  150  provides a secure, rigid enclosure for the electronic device  110 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the portion of the membrane  150  that is disposed over the display screen of the electronic device is accessible through the display screen opening  120  in the front shell  104 . Similarly, the portion of the membrane  152  that is disposed over the keyboard is accessible through the keyboard opening  122  in the front shell  104 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the back shell  106  is connected to the front shell  104 . The front shell  104  and back shell  106  may be coupled together by a snap connection provided on the edge of the front shell  104  and the back shell  106 . The snug fit of the front shell  104  and the back shell  106  over the membrane  102  creates a secure environment for the enclosure  100 . 
       FIG. 4  is an illustration of the assembled hard shell  150  and membrane  102  being inserted in the stretchable cushion layer  108 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the assembled hard shell  150  is placed through the front opening  138  of the stretchable cushion layer  108 . The stretchable cushion layer  108  is resilient and has an elasticity that allows the assembled hard shell  150  to be inserted through the front window of the stretchable cushion layer  108 . 
       FIG. 5  is an illustration of an embodiment of the assembled protective enclosure  100 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the stretchable membrane layer  108  surrounds the assembled hard shell  150 . The stretchable cushion layer  108  has an elasticity that tightly holds the assembled hard shell  150  together in a cushion layer  108 . The elasticity of the stretchable cushion layer  108  prevents the assembled hard shell  150  from separating in a drop situation. In addition, the elasticity of the stretchable cushion layer  108  provides a tight fit, which further adds to the water resistance of the protective enclosure  100 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the entire back portion of the stretchable cushion layer is sealed, which increases the water, dust and dirt resistance of the protective enclosure  100 . In other embodiments, openings may be formed in the back portion that reduce the water, dust and dirt resistance of the protective enclosure  100 . As disclosed above, the stretchable cushion layer  108  provides cushioning protection for the assembled protective enclosure  100 . The assembled hard shell  150  provides stiffness and structural rigidity to the assembled protective enclosure  100  that further protects the electronic device  110 . The combination of the membrane layer  102 , the hard shell  150  and the cushion layer  108  provides water resistance, dust and dirt protection, and allows the user easy access to the electronic device  110 . The thickness of the assembled protective enclosure  100  is approximately 0.10 to 0.15 inches. As such, the protective enclosure  100  does not add substantially to the bulkiness of the electronic device  110  while still providing water, dust and dirt resistance, and bump protection. Because the membrane layer is thin, activation of the keypads or other buttons and display screen, which may be a touch screen, is not significantly affected. If the membrane layer  102  becomes scratched or contaminated in some fashion, the membrane layer  102  can be easily replaced by simply removing the stretchable cushion layer  108 , the hard shell case  150  and peeling the membrane  102  from the electronic device  110 . Replacement membranes  102  can be provided for use with the protective enclosure  100 . 
       FIG. 6  is a front view of the protective enclosure  100 . As can be seen in  FIG. 6 , the front shell  104  is not fully covered by the stretchable cushion layer  108 . Front shell  104  appears around the opening  138  in the cushion layer  138 . The front shell  104 , as well as the back shell  106 , can be made to have a different color than the stretchable cushion layer  108 . For example, the front shell  104  and the back shell  106  can be made of a bright yellow plastic, or other color, while the stretchable cushion layer  108  may be black, gray or any other color, to provide sharp contrast which is pleasant and appealing. The stretchable cushion layer  108  can be made from a thermoplastic rubber or silicon material that has a thickness of approximately 0.050 to 0.100 inches. Colorant can be added to these materials that does not affect the performance of these materials, so as to obtain the desired color of the stretchable cushion layer  108 , front shell  104  and back shell  106 . The clear membrane may also be colored to provide a transparent, translucent or opaque membrane layer in portions of, or all of, the membrane  102 . 
       FIG. 7  is a back view of the protective enclosure  100 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the back of the stretchable cushion layer  108  provides cushioning to the back and corners of the electronic device  110 . 
       FIG. 8  is a left side view of the protective enclosure  100 . As can be seen in  FIG. 8 , switch pad  162 , in the stretchable cushion layer  108 , is aligned with opening  130  in the back shell  106  ( FIG. 1 ) to allow user access to a push switch, such as an enter switch on the electronic device  110 . 
       FIG. 9  is a right side view of the protective enclosure  100  showing switch pad  142  in the stretchable cushion layer  108  that aligned with opening  128  in the back shell  106  ( FIG. 1 ). The switch pad  142  allows the user to access the push button/tilt switch  118 . 
       FIG. 10  is a bottom view of the protective enclosure  100  illustrating the unitary nature of the stretchable cushion layer  108 . The stretchable cushion layer  108  has built in padding, especially around the corners of the electronic device  110  to provide cushioning to protect the electronic device  110  in a dropped situation. 
       FIG. 11  is a top view of the protective enclosure  100 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , a plug  164  is formed in the stretchable cushion layer  108 . The plug  164  is a plug that can be opened, which provides a water-resistant seal and allows access to an electronic port in the electronic device  110 . 
       FIG. 12  is an isometric view of another embodiment of a protective enclosure  1200 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the protective enclosure  1200  has a stretchable cushion layer  1202  that can be made of a thermoplastic rubber or silicon material, neoprene or other cushioning material that is capable of stretching over and forming to the assembled front shell  1204  and back shell  1324  ( FIG. 13 ). The modulus of elasticity of the stretchable cushion layer  1202  is sufficient to allow the stretchable cushion layer  1202  to conform tightly to the shells. The stretchable cushion layer  1202  enhances the grip of the protective enclosure  1200  and is made of a soft cushioning material that cushions the electronic device  1302  ( FIG. 13 ) if the protective enclosure  1200  is dropped on a hard surface. The stretchable cushion layer  1202  has sufficient elasticity to hold the assembled front shell  1204  and back shell  1324  ( FIG. 13 ) together and be form fit to the assembled shells. The stretchable cushion layer  1202 , in addition, provides a decorative layer and can be made of different colors and provide a contrast of colors with the portions of the front shell  1204  and back shell  1324  ( FIG. 13 ) that show through the stretchable cushion layer  1202 . The stretchable cushion layer  1202  has a microphone opening  1206  that allows transmission of acoustical waves through the stretchable cushion layer  1202  to a microphone  1314  ( FIG. 13 ) that is disposed in the electronic device  1302  ( FIG. 13 ). Similarly, the stretchable cushion layer  1202  includes a speaker opening  1208  for transmission of acoustical waves through the stretchable cushion layer  1202  from a speaker  1316  ( FIG. 13 ) of the electronic device  1302  ( FIG. 13 ). The stretchable cushion layer  1202  also includes a plug opening  1210  that allows for various types of plugs to be inserted into ports in the electronic device  1302  ( FIG. 13 ), such as earplugs, etc. The protective enclosure  1200  also includes a touch screen cover  1304  ( FIG. 13 ) that can be made of a thin, hard plastic material, such as polycarbonate or acrylic, a thin, rigid, or non-rigid clear or transparent material, or a thin glass layer, such as thin tempered glass, or other thin, hard materials that are transparent, so that the touch screen  1312  ( FIG. 13 ) of the electronic device  1302  ( FIG. 13 ) can be operated through the touch screen cover  1304  ( FIG. 13 ). Various other openings may be formed in the stretchable cushion layer  1202  for various purposes. The protective enclosure  1200 , illustrated in  FIG. 12 , does not utilize a membrane, but rather, is designed to operate with electronic devices that simply have a touch screen and do not include a keyboard. In the embodiment of  FIG. 12 , switch openings  1330  allow interactive access to switches through the stretchable cushion layer  1202 . Similar openings can be provided on the front shell  1204 . Hence, the primary method of interacting with the electronic device is through the touch screen cover  1304 , which, as disclosed above, can comprise a thin, hard plastic that is somewhat flexible or a thin glass layer. Various openings, such as microphone opening  1206 , speaker opening  1208 , etc. can be covered by an acoustical screen, such as a Gortex layer, that resists water, but allows sound waves to pass through the acoustical screen. Other similar water-resistant materials can be used. In addition, a sealing material may be coated on the inside of the stretchable cushion layer  1202  and/or on the outside of the front shell  1204  and back shell  1324  to seal the stretchable cushion layer  1202  to the front shell  1204  and back shell  1324 . Such a sealing material may permanently seal the stretchable cushion layer or may allow easy removal of the stretchable cushion layer and provide additional water resistance for the protective enclosure  1200 . Alternatively, the stretchable cushion layer  1202  can be made of a material or coated with a material that has high affinity to the material of the front shell  1204  and the back shell  1324  to assist in sealing the stretchable cushion layer  1202  to front shell  1204  and back shell  1324 . 
       FIG. 13  is an exploded assembly diagram of the protective enclosure  1200  ( FIG. 12 ) and the electronic device  1302 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , the electronic device  1302  fits snugly between the assembled front shell  1204  ( FIG. 12 ) and back shell  1324 . The front shell  1204  ( FIG. 12 ) and back shell  1324  latch together with a snap fit using precisely manufactured male and female snaps, such as female snaps  1338 ,  1342 ,  1336  on the front shell  1204  ( FIG. 12 ) that engage male snaps, such as male snaps  1344 ,  1346 ,  1347  on back shell  1324 . In addition, ridges  1348 ,  1350  in the back shell  1324  fit tightly within a groove (not shown) in the front shell  1204  to create a tight snap fit between the front shell  1204  ( FIG. 12 ) and back shell  1324 . 
     Front shell  1204  ( FIG. 12 ), as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , also includes a microphone opening  1332 , to allow transmission of acoustical waves to the microphone  1314  of the electronic device  1302 . An acoustical screen may be attached to the interior surface of the front shell  1204  ( FIG. 12 ) around the microphone opening  1332  to prevent the passage of water into the interior portion of the assembled front shell  1204  ( FIG. 12 ) and back shell  1324 , while still allowing the passage of acoustical sound waves. In fact, acoustical screens may or may not be employed on each of the openings in the assembled front shell  1204  ( FIG. 12 ) and back shell  1324  to provide different levels of protection against moisture and different pricing of the protective enclosure. Such an acoustical screen may be secured around the interior surface surrounding the speaker opening  1334  to allow acoustical waves to be transmitted from the speaker  1316  of the electronic device  1302  and substantially preventing water from entering speaker opening  1334 . Plug opening  1352  in the front cover  1204  ( FIG. 12 ) matches plug opening  1354  in the back shell  1324  and is aligned with the plug opening  1210  ( FIG. 12 ) in the stretchable cushion layer  1202 , as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
     As also shown in  FIG. 13 , the stretchable cushion layer  1202  ( FIG. 12 ) is illustrated, which shows the microphone opening  1206  ( FIG. 12 ) and the speaker opening  1208  ( FIG. 12 ). As also shown in  FIG. 13 , the side portions of the stretchable cushion layer  1202  ( FIG. 12 ) include openings  1306 ,  1358 . The upper edge of the stretchable cushion layer  1202  ( FIG. 12 ) that surrounds openings  1306 ,  1358  include tabs, such as tab  1360 , that are inserted in tab slots, such as tab slot  1354  on the front shell  1204  ( FIG. 12 ). The purpose of the tabs, such as tab  1360  and the tab slots, such as tab slot  1354 , is to hold the stretchable cushion layer  1202  ( FIG. 12 ) in position and tightly around the front portion of the front shell  1204  ( FIG. 12 ) to ensure that the stretchable cushion layer  1202  ( FIG. 12 ) fits tightly against and engages the front shell  1204  around the entire periphery of the front shell  1204  ( FIG. 12 ). The stretchable cushion layer  1202  ( FIG. 12 ) also includes switch pads  1362 ,  1364  that comprise raised portions of the stretchable cushion layer  1202  ( FIG. 12 ) that engage switches (not shown) on the side of the electronic device  1302 . These raised portions allow an operator to operate the switches on the side of the electronic device  1302  through the stretchable cushion layer  1202  ( FIG. 12 ). In that regard, switch opening  1330  in the back shell  1324  and the front shell  1204  ( FIG. 12 ) allow access of the switch pads  1362 ,  1364  to the switches (not shown) on the electronic device  1302 . Plug opening  1210  ( FIG. 12 ) includes a flap that allows the stretchable cushion layer  1202  ( FIG. 12 ) to at least partially seal the plug opening  1352 ,  1354  that is formed in the front shell  1204  ( FIG. 12 ), and back shell  1324 , respectively, when a plug is not inserted into a port in the electronic device  1302 . The stretchable cushion layer  1202  ( FIG. 12 ) also includes a camera opening  1356  that is aligned with camera opening  1328  of the back shell  1324 , so that the camera (not shown) of the electronic device  1302  has an optical passage through the protective enclosure  1200  ( FIG. 12 ). Other openings on the back of the stretchable cushion layer  1202  ( FIG. 12 ) allow portions of the back shell  1324  to show through the stretchable cushion layer  1202  ( FIG. 12 ), so that logos and other information appear through the protective enclosure  1200  ( FIG. 12 ). 
     The protective enclosure  1200  ( FIG. 12 ) also includes a touch screen cover  1304 . Touch screen cover  1304  may include an adhesive  1306  around the periphery of the touch screen cover  1304  to attach the touch screen cover  1304  to the inside surface of the front shell  1204  ( FIG. 12 ). Various types of adhesives can be used to permanently or removably attach the touch screen cover  1304  to the inside surface of the front shell  1204  ( FIG. 12 ). Alternatively, the touch screen cover may be attached around an interior rim in the touch screen opening  1340  of the front shell  1204  ( FIG. 12 ). All of these attachments may be made using an adhesive, or the cover  1304  may be welded to the front shell  1204  using thermal welding, sonic welding, etc. The touch screen cover  1304  may also be attached to the front surface of the front shell  1204  ( FIG. 12 ). Alternatively, the touch screen cover  1304  may constitute a portion of the front shell  1204  ( FIG. 12 ). In other words, the front shell  1204  ( FIG. 12 ) may be formed so that it includes a touch screen cover that comprises a thinner portion of the front shell  1204  ( FIG. 12 ) that is transparent. Further, the touch screen cover  1304  may include a speaker opening  1308  to allow acoustical waves to be transmitted through the touch screen cover  1304 . An acoustical vent may be placed around speaker opening  1308  to prevent passage of water. Window  1310  in touch screen cover  1304  comprises a window for the transmission of light, through the touch screen cover, to sensors on the enclosed device. The window  1310  has an adhesive layer surrounding the window  1310  to secure the window  1310  to the back shell  1324 . 
     Since the protective enclosure  1200 , illustrated in  FIG. 12 , is to be used in conjunction with a touch screen device, the type of touch screen cover  1304  that is used on the protective enclosure  1200  will depend on the type of touch screen  1312  that is used by the electronic device  1302 . Essentially, there are three basic types of touch screens that are currently used, i.e., the resistive, capacitive and surface acoustic wave types of touch screens. Resistive touch screens have a glass panel that is covered with a conductive and a resistive metallic layer. These two layers are held apart by spacers. An electric current is separately applied to the two layers. When a user touches the screen, the two layers make contact at the spot where the user touches the screen. A change in the electric field is detected and the coordinates of the point of contact are then calculated by a processor in the electronic device. Once the coordinates are known, the information is used by the electronic device. 
     In a capacitive type of touch screen, a layer that stores electrical charge is placed on a glass panel that forms part of the touch screen system. When a user touches the touch screen with a finger, the charge is transferred to the user, so that the charge on the layer that stores the electrical charge decreases. This decrease in the electrical charge is measured by circuits located at each corner of the touch screen. The relative differences in the charge at each corner are measured and these measurements are used by a processor to calculate exactly where the touch event took place on the touch screen. The calculated location is then used by the electronic device to process the information. 
     Surface acoustic wave touch screens operate using two transducers. One transducer is used to receive surface acoustic waves and the other one is used to send surface acoustic waves. These transducers are placed along the X and Y axis of the glass plate of the touch screen. Reflectors are also placed on the glass plate of the touch screen that reflect an electrical signal sent from one transducer to the other. The receiving transducer is able to tell if the wave has been disturbed by a touch event at any instant and can locate the touch event accordingly. Surface acoustic wave touch screens have no metallic layers on the screen, which allows 100 percent of the light to penetrate the touch screen system. 
     Another type of touch screen system is a multi-touch screen system that is used in the iPhone. The multi-touch system includes a layer of capacitive material, but the capacitors are arranged in a coordinate system. Circuitry is used to sense changes at each point along the grid of the capacitors, so that every point on the grid generates its own signal when touched, which is sent to a processor in the electronic device  1302 . This allows the touch screen to determine the location and movement of simultaneous touches in multiple locations. Because of the reliance of this type of system on capacitive material, the iPhone works only if it is touched with a fingertip and will not work with a stylus, or if the user wears non-conductive gloves. Further, these types of systems can either use mutual capacitance or self-capacitance. In mutual capacitance systems, the capacitive circuitry requires two distinct layers of material. One layer of material houses drive lines, which carry current, and the other layer of material houses sensing lines, which detect the current at nodes. In self capacitance systems, there is only one layer of individual electrodes connected with capacitance sensing circuitry. 
     Hence, selection of the touch screen cover  1304  requires that the material that is used for the touch screen cover  1304  be amenable to the type of touch screen  1302  used by the electronic device  1304 . For example, for iPhones, a material suitable for transmitting capacitive inputs must be used, as more fully disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,646,846; 6,995,976; 7,158,376 and 7,180,735; and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/270,732; 11/1420,683; 11/456,157; 11/466,342 and 11/676,986; which are specifically incorporated herein by reference for all that they disclose and teach. Suitable materials include Lexan or other types of polycarbonates that are on the order of 0.010 inches thick, to transmit the capacitive input. Alternatively, PVC or silicon may be used with a cross-sectional thickness that is sufficiently thin to allow interactability. For example, thin layers of glass can be used that are capable of transmitting the capacitive input. Although thicknesses on the order of 0.010 inches may be preferable, thicknesses ranging from 0.005-0.035 inches will still allow operation of a capacitive type of touch screen. Of course, any type of thin material, such as glass, polycarbonate, Lexan, PVC, or other thin plastic material, as indicated above, can be used, as long as the layer is sufficiently thin to allow transmission of the capacitive input and the plastic material is a material that is nonconductive and will allow transmission of the capacitive input. 
     If a resistive type of touch screen is used, the touch screen cover  1304  may be flexible to allow deflection of the touch screen cover  1304  to flex against the resistive touch screen  1312  of the electronic device  1302 , so that the layers of the resistive touch screen are deflected and touch each other, 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the touch screen cover  1304  is adhered to the inner surface of the front shell  1204  ( FIG. 12 ), so that the touch screen cover  1304  is adjacent to the touch screen  1312 , when the electronic device  1302  is disposed in the protective enclosure  1200  ( FIG. 12 ) and is adjacent the touch screen  1312  to allow proper activation of touch screen  1312 . By disposing the touch screen cover  1304  on the inside surface of the front shell  1204  ( FIG. 12 ), the touch screen cover  1304  is recessed from the first surface of the front shell  1204  ( FIG. 12 ). Further, the touch screen cover  1304  is protected by the front shell  1204  ( FIG. 12 ) that extends above the recessed touch screen  1304  and prevents damage to the touch screen cover  1304  and touch screen  1312 . The recess also prevents scratching of the touch screen  1304  and other types of damage. 
     As also shown in  FIG. 13 , the adhesive  1320 , on the logo cover  1321 , and adhesive  1322  on the camera lens cover  1318 , is used to seal the camera lens cover  1318  and logo cover  1321  to the back shell  1324 . In this manner, the logo opening  1326 , as well as the camera opening  1328 , are sealed on the back shell  1324  from water, dirt and dust. 
     Of course, the electronic device, such as electronic device  110  ( FIG. 1 ), electronic device  1302  ( FIG. 13 ), and electronic device  1402  ( FIG. 14 ) can be any type of electronic device that requires interactivity with a user of the device, including various types of MP3 players, cell phones, satellite phones, telematics devices, pagers, walkie talkies, GPS navigational devices, bar code readers, as well as various types of computers, including portable computers, laptop computers, handheld computers, ultra-mobile computers, tablet computers, and various hybrid devices that combine two or more of these functions. In addition, these devices may operate with only a touch screen interface or only with a keyboard or other type of manual input and are not limited to devices that include keyboards or buttons in combination with a touch screen. 
       FIG. 14  is an isometric cutaway view of another embodiment of a protective enclosure  1400 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , the protective enclosure  1400  protects an electronic device  1402 . The protective enclosure  1400  includes a stretchable cushion layer  1404  that surrounds an assembled front shell  1406  and back shell  1408 . 
       FIG. 15  is an exploded close-up view of the cutaway portion of the protective enclosure  1400  that is illustrated in  FIG. 14 . As shown in  FIG. 15 , the stretchable cushion layer  1404  ( FIG. 14 ) has a tab  1506  that is inserted in a groove  1508 . The groove  1508  includes hooks  1500 ,  1504  that assist in holding the tab  1506  in place in the groove  1508 . Further, the stretchable cushion layer  1404  ( FIG. 14 ) includes an angled insert  1510  that is inserted in a recessed groove  1502 . The length and depth of the recessed groove  1502  and angled insert  1510  help to hold the stretchable cushion layer in position along the edge of the display screen. Although the stretchable cushion layer  1404  is shown as having a tab  1506 , and the front shell  1406  is shown as having a groove  1508 , the opposite type of structure could also be used. For example, the front shell  1406  could include a tab, while the stretchable cushion layer  1404  could include a groove that interfaces with the tab to hold the stretchable cushion layer  1404  to the front shell  1406 . Further, plugs, such as plug  164  that is illustrated in  FIG. 11 , that are formed in the stretchable cushion layer  108 , illustrated in  FIG. 11 , could also contain grooves that interface with a lip or hook, such as hook  1500 , illustrated in  FIG. 15 , to hold the plug  164  in place. As indicated above, this structure can also be reversed. 
       FIG. 16  is a side cutaway view of a protective enclosure  1600 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , the protective enclosure includes a front shell  1604  that is assembled to a back shell  1606 . A stretchable cushion layer  1602  is mounted over and conformed to the assembled front shell  1604  and back shell  1606 . 
       FIG. 17  is a close-up view of a portion of the protective enclosure  1600  illustrated in  FIG. 16 . As shown in  FIG. 17 , the stretchable cushion layer  1602  ( FIG. 16 ) has a tab  1702  that is inserted in a groove  1704 . Tab  1702  helps to hold the edge of the stretchable cushion layer  1602  ( FIG. 16 ) against the front shell  1604  ( FIG. 16 ) in a tight configuration so that the stretchable cushion layer  1602  ( FIG. 16 ) fits tightly against the front shell  1604  ( FIG. 16 ). The tab  1702  fits tightly in the groove  1704  to hold the stretchable cushion layer  1602  ( FIG. 16 ) in place. 
       FIG. 18  is an isometric view of a protective enclosure  1800  for a computer. As shown in  FIG. 18 , the protective enclosure  1800  includes a hard shell  1802  that is surrounded by a stretchable cushion layer  1804 . The hard shell provides protection for the computer from impacts, while the stretchable cushion layer  1804  provides cushioning and shock protection, in the same manner as described above, with regard to the various other embodiments. A touch screen cover  1806  can be permanently or removably mounted on the hard shell  1802 . The touch screen cover  1806  provides scratch protection to the computer touch screen and is disposed adjacent to the computer touch screen to allow interactive use of the touch screen. As indicated above, various suitable materials can be used for the type of touch screen employed in the computer. Although the embodiment of  FIG. 18  depicts a protective enclosure  1800  for a computer that has an interactive touch screen, a form fitted membrane can also be used in conjunction with the touch screen cover  1806  to allow access to a keyboard on a computer. As disclosed above, the protective enclosure  1800  can also be used without such a membrane. Of course, all of the features mentioned above, with respect to the various other types of protective enclosures, can be utilized in the protective enclosure  1800  for a computer device. 
     The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and other modifications and variations may be possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include other alternative embodiments of the invention except insofar as limited by the prior art.