Abstract:
This disclosure relates generally to an apparatus for covering at least part of a mobile computing device having a touch screen display and a switch that is actuated by a motion that is at least in part lateral to a surface of a housing that houses the mobile computing device. The apparatus includes an encasement that enables operation of the touch screen display and covers at least part of the mobile computing device that includes the switch, the encasement having an outer surface and an inner surface. The apparatus further includes a switch mechanism including a switch actuator protruding from the outer surface of the encasement and covered by a flexible seal attached to the encasement. The switch mechanism includes a switch interface provided proximate the inner surface of the encasement to contact the switch, and is coupled with the switch actuator such that a movement of the switch actuator controls a movement of the switch interface to actuate the switch.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/656,658 filed on Oct. 19, 2012 entitled “Housing For Encasing An Object” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/355,447 filed on Jan. 20, 2012, entitled “Housing For Encasing An Object,” now U.S. Pat. No. 8,393,466, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 13/272,156 filed Oct. 12, 2011, entitled “Housing For Encasing An Object,” now U.S. Pat. No. 8,342,325, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/392,361, with filing date of Oct. 12, 2010; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/444,085, with filing date of Feb. 17, 2011; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/471,058, with filing date of Apr. 1, 2011. The disclosures of each of the applications cited in this paragraph are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to a housing for protecting one or more objects, such as an object in need of protection from the elements, mishandling, and/or other mistreatment. For instance, in one aspect, the disclosure relates to a housing for protecting one or more components of a device or a device itself, such as an electronic device, for example, an electronic device with a touch screen interface, including but not limited to: a computer, a digital tablet computer, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, video recorder, camera, and the like, or as indicated, one or more of the components thereof. In a further aspect, the disclosure relates to a housing for protecting a non-electronic object. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Rain, dirt, dust, mud, snow, and water in all of its forms can be damaging to various objects. Additionally, objects that are fragile or otherwise breakable can be damaged by mistreatment and/or other inappropriate handling, such as by dropping. It is, therefore, useful to have a housing within which an object in need of protection may be housed so as to protect it from inclement conditions, mistreatment, and/or inappropriate handling. Types of objects in need of such protection are electronic devices and/or the components thereof, precious items, perishable entities, and the like. 
     With respect to electronic devices, such devices are well known and widely used. For instance, a mobile telephone or tablet computer are electronic devices that are convenient tools that allow people to communicate with one another while on the go and away from traditional telephone landlines or internet connections. For instance, mobile devices allow people to communicate via voice, text message, short message service (SMS), instant messaging (IM), and the like. Other such portable devices include computers, personal digital assistants, electronic digital readers, electronic game devices, video recorders, cameras, and the like. While these devices may be portable and handy to use, they suffer from some drawbacks. For example, they are often expensive and contain fragile electronic components that make them prone to damage due to inclement weather and/or mishandling. 
     Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a mechanism whereby an object, such as a portable device, for instance, an electronic device and/or the components thereof, may be protected from inclement weather and/or errant handling and/or other damage that may result from contacting a fluid, such as water, dirt, dust, mud, snow, and the like. The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus and system for housing or encasing an object, such as a device and/or the components thereof, as well as methods for using the same, in a manner that offers protection for the device from adverse environmental conditions, inclement weather, mishandling and/or damage, such as from contacting a fluid, such as water. Systems for the same are also provided. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a housing for encasing an object is provided. The object may be any object that is in need of protecting from one or more adverse environmental conditions, inclement weather, mishandling and/or damage, such as from contacting a fluid, such as water, and/or from droppage. The object may be a device, e.g., an electronic device, and the housing a casing within which the electronic device is housed; or the object may be a single component or several components of which the device, e.g., the electronic device, is comprised. For instance, the housing may be a housing within which an electronic device, such as a mobile phone or tablet computer, is to be fitted; or the housing may be the actual housing that encases the components of the mobile phone or tablet computer. The housing may be of any appropriate size and dimension so long as it is capable of housing the object and protecting it, for instance, from adverse environmental conditions and/or rough treatment. 
     In other instances, the object may not be an electronic device, but rather may be a fabricated material, such as a textile material; a manufactured material, such as a mechanical tool or instrument; a naturally occurring material; a synthesized material; a chemical or biological material; a processed material; a perishable material; a precious material; and the like. The housing may be in the form of any typical container known and used in the art for containing the particular object. For instance, the container may be a cargo or transport container configured for opening and closing, a suitcase, a briefcase, a messenger container, a food or drink container, a medicine container, first aid kit, a cooler container, a heating container, or any other form of container meant to contain an object or objects and prevent it or them from being damaged due to environmental factors and/or mishandling. 
     As indicated, in certain embodiments, the object to be contained is an electronic device, such as a mobile telephone, digital assistant, a computer, tablet computer, music player, GPS device, or the like; and the housing is configured for protecting the electronic device. In certain embodiments, the object to be contained is one or more, e.g., a plurality, of electronic components, such as electronic components that are configured for functioning together so as to perform a particular function, such as telephonic, computing, and/or photographic functions, and the housing is configured for containing the electronic component(s) of the object and protecting them as well as for assisting in the performance of the function of the electronic device. For example, where the electronic device is a mobile telephone, digital assistant, computer, etc. the components may be the components contained within the device that allow it to function in an appropriate manner. The housing, therefore, could be the actual housing of the mobile telephone, digital assistant, computer, etc. that typically houses the components, however, modified in the manner described herein below so as to be liquid proof and/or shock proof as described herein. 
     In one aspect the container is configured for containing a device, such as an electronic device, e.g., a mobile telephone, music player, GPS device, and the like. In such an instance, the container includes a housing wherein the housing is adapted for housing the device, e.g., the mobile telephone, music player, GPS device, etc. It is to be understood that although the following description is set forth with respect to describing the shape and size of a particular container for housing a particular device, i.e., a mobile telephone device, the shape and size of the container and/or the object, e.g., device, to be contained can vary, for instance, as described above. Therefore, in one instance, a housing for housing a device, such as an electronic device, is provided. 
     The housing is configured such that the device may be fitted within the housing and be protected thereby, e.g., protected from rain, dirt, dust, mud, snow, water, shock, and the like. In certain instances, the housing may include a top member and a bottom member that may be removably coupled together so as to form the housing. In certain instances, the top and bottom members are separate components capable of being separably coupled together, such as, in various embodiments, by being snapped together. In other instances, the top and bottom members are formed of a single member made to be folded on itself in such a manner as to fit the device within a cavity formed thereby, such as without the inclusion of a hinge member. In other instances, the top and bottom members may be formed of a single or a plurality of members that are configured for being coupled together via a hinge component. 
     Each of the top and bottom members of the housing includes a front and a back surface surrounded by a perimeter portion. The perimeter portion is defined by a proximal and a distal end portion as well as opposing side portions. The perimeter portion may include a plurality of perimeter portions, such as an interior and an exterior perimeter portion, as described herein below. 
     In various embodiments, the top and/or bottom members of the housing may include a clasping mechanism. For instance, the top and bottom members may include respective clasping mechanisms that extend along at least a portion of the perimeter of the top and/or bottom member, which clasping mechanisms are configured for interfacing with one another in such a manner so as to couple the top and bottom members of the housing with one another thereby sealing the housing. In certain embodiments, the clasping mechanism circumscribes the entire perimeter portion of the housing. In other embodiments, the clasping mechanism is positioned along a perimeter portion of the housing but does not circumscribe the entire perimeter portion. In certain embodiments, the clasping mechanism includes a plurality of clasping mechanisms, one or more of which may or may not circumscribe the entire perimeter of the top and bottom members. 
     In certain embodiments, the clasping mechanism is an entirely internal clasping mechanism. By “entirely internal clasping mechanism” is meant that the clasping mechanism is entirely contained within the bounds that form the interior or cavity of the housing when the top and bottom members are coupled together so as to form the housing. 
     In certain embodiments, the clasping mechanism is an entirely external clasping mechanism. By “entirely external clasping mechanism” is meant that the clasping mechanism is positioned entirely on an exterior portion of the top and/or bottom member such that when the top and bottom members are coupled together so as to form the cavity of the housing the clasping mechanism is positioned exteriorly to the bounds that form the cavity of the housing. 
     In certain embodiments, the clasping mechanism is a hybrid clasping mechanism that is partially internal and partially external to the bounds that form the cavity of the housing. Accordingly, in certain instances, the perimeter portion may include one or more clasping mechanisms, such as internal, external, and/or hybrid clasping mechanisms that are configured so as to secure the sealing of the top and bottom members together. The clasping mechanisms may be separate elements added on to the perimeter portion of the housing, e.g., where the clasping mechanism is an external clasping mechanism, or may be an integral member therewith, e.g., where the clasping mechanism is an internal or hybrid clasping mechanism. 
     In certain embodiments, the clasping mechanism may include a plurality of clasping mechanisms such as one or more internal and/or one or more external and/or one or more hybrid clasping mechanisms. For instance, in various embodiments, the housing may include a plurality of internal clasping mechanisms and/or may include one or more external and/or hybrid clasping mechanisms. For example, the housing may include a first entirely internal clasping mechanism, e.g., one that circumscribes a portion or an entire perimeter of the housing; and may include a second entirely internal clasping mechanism, e.g., a second internal clasping mechanism that circumscribes an additional portion or entire perimeter of the housing. A further, external or hybrid clasping mechanism may also be provided. 
     Accordingly, in various embodiments, a single internal, external, or hybrid clasping mechanism may be provided; and in other various embodiments, a plurality of clasping mechanism, e.g., internal, external, and/or hybrid clasping mechanisms, may be provided. For instance, in certain embodiments, a plurality of internal clasping mechanisms are provided. The clasping mechanisms are configured such that when the top and bottom members are coupled together a liquid-proof seal is provided thereby which seal protects an encased device or components thereof from liquid, such as water. 
     In one embodiment, one or both of the top and bottom members may include a channel, such as a channel that extends along the perimeter portion of the top and/or bottom member. The channel along the perimeter portion may include an interior bounding member and an exterior bounding member, which bounding members at least partially define the bounds of the channel. Hence, in such an embodiment, the perimeter portion includes an interior perimeter portion, e.g., an interior bounding member; and an exterior perimeter portion, e.g., exterior bounding member. A bottom bounding member may also be provided. Accordingly, the perimeter portion may include an interior and an exterior perimeter portion, and in certain instances, the interior and exterior bounding members of the channel are the same as the interior and exterior perimeter portions of the top and/or bottom member. A portion of the bottom member may also provide a bottom bounding for the channel. The at least one channel may additionally include a gasket, such as a compressible O-ring, positioned within the channel. 
     In certain embodiments, where one top or bottom member includes a perimeter portion containing a channel, e.g., bounded by interior and exterior bounding members, the opposing member may additionally include a perimeter portion that includes an interior perimeter portion, such as a perimeter portion that interacts with the channel, e.g., so as to compress a gasket contained therein, and an exterior perimeter portion, which exterior perimeter portion may or may not interact with the channel. For instance, where the bottom member includes a perimeter portion having a channel bounded by interior, exterior, and/or bottom bounding members, the top member may include a perimeter portion that also includes interior and exterior perimeter portions, albeit without an intervening channel there between, which perimeter portions may be configured for interacting with one or more of the perimeter portions of the bottom member. For example, the interior and/or exterior bounding member(s) of the channel of the perimeter portion of the bottom member may include a clasping mechanism, and a corresponding interior or exterior perimeter portion of the top member may include a corresponding clasping mechanism, such that when the top and bottom members are coupled together and the clasping mechanism clasped, e.g., snapped, together a liquid-proof seal is provided thereby. Accordingly, in various embodiments, the interior and/or exterior perimeter portions as well as the interior and/or exterior bounding members of the top and bottom members may include clasping mechanisms, e.g., corresponding clasping mechanisms, that are configured for interacting with one another so as to couple the top and bottom members together, e.g., in a liquid-proof seal. 
     In another embodiment, for instance, where the housing is intended to house a device with a screen, such as an interactive screen, the front and/or back surfaces of the top and/or bottom member of the housing may each include at least one or more membranes. For instance, the top or bottom member may include a membrane, such as a membrane that is configured for interfacing with an interactive screen, e.g., a touch screen, of an encased device in such a manner that when a user touches the membrane one or more characteristics of that touch are transferred to the touch screen of the underlying device, and in this manner a user is able to manipulate the screen of the encased device. 
     In certain embodiments, a front and/or bottom surface membrane is not provided or is provided as a separate element from the housing. For instance, in certain embodiments, a top and/or bottom member of the housing may include a perimeter portion only, which perimeter portion circumscribes the device to be encased but does not otherwise include a top and/or bottom surface element that spans from one perimeter portion to the other. In such an embodiment, the top and/or bottom member may be configured for interfacing with the perimeter of the top and/or bottom surface of a device to be encased in such a manner so as to provide a liquid and/or shockproof seal therewith. In certain embodiments, the top and bottom member of the housing may be formed of a single element or may be composed of separate elements. In certain instances, the top and bottom member may be adapted to interact with a separate top and/or bottom surface element, such as a top and/or bottom surface membrane member. 
     For instance, the top and/or bottom member may be configured for interacting with a surface membrane member in such a way that when the top and bottom member are coupled together, said coupling together secures the surface membrane across the surface of the top and/or bottom members. In other embodiments, the top and/or bottom member may be a single member that circumscribes the perimeter of the device to be contained, and further configured for interfacing with a separate surface membrane so as to provide a liquid proof seal therewith. For example, the surface membrane may span from one perimeter of a device to be encased to another and may include an adhesive that allows the surface membrane to securely attach to the surface of the device, while the perimeter portion fits over the perimeter of the device and may or may not interact with the surface membrane attachment, but together they function to make the device both liquid proof and shockproof. In certain embodiments, only a perimeter portion or only a front or back surface membrane portion may be provided. 
     As described herein below, one or more membranes or portions thereof may be included herein as part of the front and/or back surface of the top or bottom member or may be provided as the entire top and/or bottom member. The membrane may include a perimeter portion and/or may interact with a perimeter portion of the housing. Accordingly, the perimeter portion of the membrane may be configured so as to interface with a perimeter portion, such as an inner and/or outer perimeter portion, of the top and/or bottom member. For instance, the perimeter portion of a top and/or bottom member, such as the perimeter portion of a top member, may include a plurality of sub-portions, such as a first sub-portion, e.g., an interior perimeter portion, that includes an interior membrane interfacing member, and a second sub-portion, e.g., an exterior perimeter portion, that includes an exterior membrane interfacing member, which interfacing members are configured for interfacing with a front and back surface of a perimeter portion of the membrane, such as in an overmould fashion. 
     Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the membrane may be configured such that it spans from one side of the perimeter, e.g., of a top or bottom member, to another side of the perimeter in such a manner that the back surface of the membrane associates with at least the interior membrane interfacing member of the interior perimeter portion, and the front surface of the membrane associates with the exterior membrane interfacing member of the outer perimeter portion. 
     Hence, in some embodiments, such as where a front surface membrane is provided, e.g., on a top member, the membrane may completely cover the front surface of an electronic device when the device is encased within the housing, and in some embodiments, the membrane may cover less than the entire front surface, such as covering only a perimeter portion of the front surface thereby leaving the interactive touch portion of the front screen of the electronic device uncovered. In such an instance, the perimeter portion of the membrane may include a gasket so as to maintain the housing&#39;s overall waterproofness, such as a gasket that circumscribes the entire perimeter portion of the top member front surface membrane. 
     In other embodiments, a front and/or bottom surface membrane need not be provided. Rather, the perimeter portion of the top and/or bottom member may be configured for interfacing with an encased device in such a manner so as to make the perimeter portion of an encased device waterproof and shockproof. For instance, the perimeter portion may include a gasket that compresses against one or more of the surfaces of an encased device thereby preventing liquid from penetrating there between. One or more other gaskets may also be provided and configured as stickers that may be placed on or around an encased device so as to cover various different sound transmission ports of the encased device thereby rendering the encased device entirely waterproof. Such gasket covering stickers may be provided entirely on their own or in combination with a perimeter portion. 
     The membrane, e.g., a first membrane, may have one or more features, such as additional membrane features, for instance, an acoustic membrane feature and/or a button feature. For example, the first membrane may include an acoustic membrane feature, which acoustic membrane feature may include an aperture spanning from the front to the back surface of the first membrane. The aperture may be covered by a second membrane, such as an acoustically transmissive membrane that is offset from the first membrane. The acoustic membrane may be offset from the first membrane by any suitable element, such as by the addition of a spacer member. Accordingly, the two or more membranes may be attached to one another via a suitable adhesive. 
     The first membrane may additionally include a button feature. The button feature may include an indented region. The indented region may simply be an indented region in the first membrane or it may be a cut-out region that has been overlaid with an additional membrane. In various instances, the indented region is at least partially circumscribed by a ridge region. For instance, in one embodiment, the perimeter portion of the button feature may include a raised deformable perimeter portion that surrounds the indented region. The raised deformable perimeter portion may be configured so as to allow a measure of travel for the indented region of the button feature such that when the indented region is depressed the raised portion is deformed thereby allowing the indented region to travel without causing significant stretching of the first membrane. 
     The first membrane may also include optically opaque regions and/or optically transmissive regions, such as an optically transmissive region coincident with a proximity sensor or video camera portion of an underlying device meant to be housed by the housing. In various embodiments, a front surface membrane may be configured so as to include an optical lens, which optical lens is configured for aligning with a camera or video lens of an encased device. 
     In an additional embodiment, along with a perimeter portion and/or a front surface membrane, a bottom member may be provided. The bottom member may be comprised simply of a perimeter portion or may include a bottom surface member that spans from one perimeter portion to the other. The bottom member may include one or more features. For instance, the bottom member may include a lens feature, such as a feature that includes one or more lenses, for instance, a camera and/or video lens and/or a flash lens. The lens feature may additionally include an optical skirt, such as a skirt that surrounds the one or more lenses and prevents the transmission of light there through from one lens region to the other lens region. 
     In a further instance, a perimeter portion, such as a distal end portion, may include a latch feature, for instance, a latch feature for enclosing an opening, such as a port opening. The latch feature may include a lower latch interface, a latch, and an upper latch interface, such that the latch is configured for moving from a closed position, where the latch is in contact with both the lower and upper latch interfaces, to an open position, where the latch is in contact with only one of the lower or upper latch interfaces. In certain instances, that latch feature may be positioned entirely on a top or bottom member, and in other instances, portions of the latch feature are included on both top and bottom members. In various embodiments, the latch feature is liquid-proof and/or dust-proof and may include a gasket so as to provide a liquid and/or dust proof seal when the latch is in the closed position. 
     In another instance, the perimeter portion, such as a distal or proximal perimeter end portion, may include one or more acoustic vent features for transmitting and/or channeling sound. For instance, an acoustic vent feature may include a sound channel having an acoustic vent material positioned therein. The acoustic vent material may span the sound channel at an angle from 0 to 180 degrees in a forward or reverse direction. The sound channel may extend from an exterior portion of the perimeter to an interior portion of the perimeter so as to permit the ingress and egress of sound there through, and the acoustic vent material may transect the sound channel, e.g., at an angle with respect to a centerline there through, so as to prevent the ingress (or egress) of water there through. 
     In one instance, the perimeter portion, such as one of the opposing side portions, may include a switch feature for engaging a switch mechanism of an encased device. The switch feature may include a switch housing and an actuator having a switch interface. The switch feature may additionally include an axle configured for being coupled to the switch housing and/or the switch interface. The switch feature may be configured such that as the actuator moves, such as rotates about the axle (if included), from a first position to a second position within the switch housing, the switch interface causes the switch to move from a first to a second position, such as from an “on” to an “off” position. In certain embodiments, one or more protective bumper portions may be positioned around the one or more switches or buttons so as to protect them from impact. 
     In another embodiment, an outer perimeter portion may include a slot feature, such as a coin slot feature, for assisting in separating the top member of the housing from the bottom member of the housing. The slot feature may include an indented or cut out portion of the perimeter. The cut out portion may be positioned in one or both of the top and bottom members. Accordingly, the cut out portion may be positioned on a top and/or bottom portion and is further bounded by one or a plurality of overhang regions, which overhang region or regions may be positioned in one or both of the top and bottom members thereby bounding the cut out portion. For instance, in one embodiment, the top member includes the cutout portion, and both the top and bottom member include corresponding overhang portions. A coin may be placed within the slot and twisted thereby causing the top member to move away from the bottom member. 
     In a further embodiment, the outer perimeter portion may include a noise cancelling feature for assisting in the cancelling of noise, such as ambient noise. The noise cancelling feature may include one or more of an aperture, e.g., positioned in one or both of the top and bottom member, an acoustic membrane, and a sound guide channel. The sound guide channel may traverse from the exterior of the housing to the interior of the housing and may be configured for directing sound from the aperture toward a noise cancelling feature, such as a microphone, present on an encased electronic device. The sound channel may be intersected by an acoustic membrane feature, which acoustic membrane may be positioned so as to intersect the sound guide channel at an angle with respect to a centerline there through. In certain embodiments, the acoustic membrane is transmissive for gas, e.g., sound waves, but not for liquid. Further, in certain embodiments, the interior portion of the noise cancelling feature may include a configuration that is adapted for preventing the transmission, e.g., refraction, of sound from within the case from entering the noise cancelling microphone of an encased device and thereby causing an echo. Such a feature may include a raised portion that circumscribes the noise cancelling microphone, when the device is encased within the housing, and may further include a gasket that circumscribes the same. 
     In an additional embodiment, the outer perimeter portion may include a port feature such as a headphone port feature, for instance, for receiving either a jack (such as a jack of a headphone or speaker assembly) or a closure device or the like. The port feature may include an aperture positioned in one or both of the top and/or bottom members. The aperture extends from the exterior of the assembly to the interior of the assembly. The aperture may be bounded by one or both of a gasket, such as an O-ring, and a threaded or cammed region, which threaded or cammed region may be configured for receiving a corresponding threaded or cammed region present on either the jack or the closure device to be inserted therein. The threaded region may be configured as a typical thread feature or may be configured as a cam feature. 
     The details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other aspects will now be described in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
         FIGS. 1A-1D  provide various perspective views of the front, back, and side surfaces of a housing of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 2A-C  provide perspective views of a housing of the disclosure including a front top and front bottom view. 
         FIGS. 3A-3H  provide perspective views of a latching mechanism of a housing of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 3I-3J  provide a perspective view of another embodiment of a housing of the disclosure wherein the housing does not include a front surface membrane. 
         FIGS. 3K-3M  provide a perspective view of another embodiment of a housing of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 4A-4N  provide various side views of different latching mechanisms for use in sealing a housing of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 5A-5D  provide various views of a top member surface membrane of a housing of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 6A-6E  provide various side cut-away views of a housing of the disclosure showing the interaction between the top surface membrane and perimeter portions of the housing as well as a suitable latching mechanism. 
         FIGS. 6F-6H  provide a perspective view of various features of a membrane of a housing of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 7A-7C  provide a perspective view of a button feature and proximal portion of a housing of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 8A-8J  provide various views of a lens feature of a housing of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 9A-9K  provide various views of a latch feature positioned at a proximal end of a housing of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 10A-10K  provide various views of a sound transmission portion positioned at a proximal end of a housing of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 10L-10M  provide alternative close up cross section views of the acoustic vent assembly of  FIG. 10   k.    
         FIGS. 11A-11G  provide various views of a switch and button feature of a housing of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 12A-12D  provide various views of a coin-slot feature of a housing of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 13A-13D  provide various views of a noise cancelling feature of housing of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 14A-14D  provide various views of an accessory port feature with closure device of a housing of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 15A-15G  provide various views of closure device and a correspondingly configured port opening of a housing of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 16A-16F  provide various views of a waterproof jack and a correspondingly configured port opening of a housing of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 17A-17I  provide various views of an adapter for use with a housing of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 18A-18D  provide various views of a closure element retaining device. 
         FIGS. 19A-19K  provide various views of another embodiment of a housing of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 20A-20C  provide a perspective view of other containing elements and locking elements. 
         FIG. 21  provides a perspective view of a jig for use in producing a housing of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The subject matter described herein relates generally to a housing for encasing an object. It is to be understood that although the singular “object” is used herein, the term encompasses one or more objects. The object or objects may be any object that is capable of being fit within the housing and/or in need of protecting from one or more adverse environmental conditions, inclement weather, mishandling and/or damage, such as damage from contacting a liquid, such as water, or damage from dropping. The housing may be of any appropriate size and dimension so long as it is capable of housing the object and protecting it, for instance, from adverse environmental conditions and/or rough treatment. The object may be fabricated, e.g., a textile; manufactured; e.g., an electronic or mechanical device; synthesized; naturally occurring; processed; perishable, e.g., a food product; a precious item; and the like. The object may be a single object, like an electronic device, or may be a plurality of objects, such as components that make up an electronic device. 
     The housing may be in the form of any typical container known and used in the art for containing the particular object. For example, the container can be a cargo or transport container configured for opening and closing, a suitcase, a briefcase, a messenger container, a meal container, a medicine container, first aid kit, a cooler container, a heating container, a food or drink container, or any other form of container meant to contain an object and prevent it from being damaged due to environmental factors and/or mishandling. 
     In certain embodiments, the housing may be a case configured for encasing a device, such as an electronic device, for example, a mobile telephone device. In other instances, the housing is part of a device, such as an electronic device, which housing encases various components of the electronic device. For example, the housing may be the housing of a mobile device, or other electronic device, that encases the electronic components of the mobile device (or other electronic device). 
     Accordingly, in various aspects, a housing for encasing an object, such as device, methods of using the object, e.g., device, and/or systems for the same are provided. For instance, in one particular embodiment, a housing for encasing a device, such as an electronic device, is provided. The housing may be configured such that the device may be fitted within the housing and be protected thereby, such as from liquid or shock. The housing may include a plurality of separate members, such as a top member and a bottom member that are designed to be coupled together, or may include two members that are joined by a common member, e.g., a hinge member, which members are designed to come together around an object to be encased so as to form a liquid-tight seal. In certain embodiments, the housing may be comprised of a single member that is configured to be folded upon itself around the device to be encased, in such an instance, a portion of the member may comprise a top member and another portion of the member may comprise a bottom member. 
     There are several advantages achieved by the housings provided herein. For instance, in certain instances, a housing of the disclosure may provide a measure of shock absorbance for the protection of an encased device or components thereof. In certain instances, the housing may be configured to provide a measure of liquid-resistance for the protection of the encased device and/or components thereof. For example, in various instances, the housing may be shockproof and/or liquid proof. A housing as disclosed herein can also provide protection against the scratching, marring, chipping, breaking, fracturing, and the like of the underlying device or components thereof. In certain instances, the shock and/or liquid, e.g., water, resistance is provided while at the same time as maintaining the unique technical or design features of the encased device. In various instances, the housing is designed to increase the sound transmission qualities of the underlying device, e.g., for amplifying sound and/or sound quality. In some instances, these advantages are provided by the housing without substantially increasing the size and/or the weight of the underlying device. 
     For instance, in some embodiments, the dimensions of the housing fall within the following ranges. The thickness of the various members, e.g., a top or bottom member, which members may be separate individual members capable of being coupled together, e.g., by snapping, joined by a common hinge, or a single member, and may have a thickness of about 25.4 mm or less, such as 20 mm or less, for instance, about 15 mm or less, including about 10 mm or less, such as about 8 mm, or about 5 mm, for instance, about 4 mm or less, including about 3 mm or about 2 mm or less, for example, about 1.5 mm or 1.0 mm or less, even about 0.1 mm. 
     For example, in various instances, such as where the device to be contained is a mobile telephone or PDA device, the thickness of a top and/or bottom member may be less than about 2.5 mm, such as less than about 2.0 mm, less than about 1.5 mm, for example, less than 1 mm thick, such as about 0.1 mm thick. Where the device to be contained is a mobile computer, such as a mobile tablet computer, electronic reader, or video display, the thickness of a top and/or bottom member may be less than about 5 mm, less than about 4.5 mm or about 4 mm, such as less than 3.5 mm or less than about 3 mm or less than 2.5 mm, such as less than about 2.0 mm, less than about 1.5 mm, for example, less than 1 mm thick, such as about 0.1 mm thick. 
     In certain instances, such as where the object to be contained is a mobile electronic device, the weight of a top and/or bottom member of the housing may be less than about 5 or about 4 ounces, such as less than about 4 or about 3 ounces, for instance, less than about 2 ounces or about 1 ounce, including less than about 28 or about 27 grams. Accordingly, in one embodiment, due to the design features described herein, a housing of the disclosure is capable of providing shock and liquid resistance to a housed device, while only having a thickness and/or weight in the range recited above. 
     Further, in certain instances, the length and/or width of the top or bottom member may be such that it is no longer or wider than about 10 mm of the underlying device it is designed to encase, no longer or wider than about 8 mm or about 5 mm, for instance, no longer or wider than about 4 mm, including no longer or wider than about 3 mm or about 2 mm than the device the housing is designed to encase. For example, in various instances, the length and/or width of a top and/or bottom member may be less than 2.5 mm, such as less than 2.0 mm, less than 1.5 mm, for example, less than 1 mm more than the length and/or width of the device the housing is designed to house. Accordingly, in certain instances, a housing of the disclosure is configured so as to be substantially form fitting with the device it is meant to contain. 
     In one embodiment, due to the design features described herein, a housing of the disclosure is capable of providing shock and liquid resistance to a housed device, while only having a relative length and/or width in the ranges recited above. Several formulas may be employed for determining an adequate width and/or length of a particular housing, and thus, may be easily ascertained by determining the width and/or length of the underlying device, x, and providing a housing that has a dimension, y, such as one of the dimensions recited above, that is in addition to the dimension of the underlying device. Specifically, if the dimension of the device is x, then the dimension of the housing will be (x+y), where y is one of the dimensions set forth above, such as about 0.5 mm, about 1 mm, about 1.5 mm, about 2 mm, about 2.5 mm, about 3 mm, about 3.5 mm, etc. thicker, wider, and/or longer than the housed device. An alternative formula for determining an adequate length, width, or thickness of a housing may be to measure the distance y from the interior of the housing, which contacts the encased device, to the exterior of the housing, wherein y is within one of the ranges recited above. 
     To ensure the appropriate thickness, length, and/or width and/or weight of the housing have been provided, the device may be fitted within the housing, then the housing closed, and the housing and/or seal thereof may be tested for its ability to provide shock and/or liquid resistance, such as by experimentally dropping the housed device and/or exposing it to wet conditions. See, for instance, the examples section below. The thickness, length, and/or width and/or weight of the housing should be provided in such dimensions so that the encased device is not broken, cracked, or otherwise damaged by the dropping and/or exposure to liquid, e.g., water in all its forms. 
     It is to be noted that in certain instances, the housing may be larger, e.g., substantially larger, than the object the housing is configured to house, such as where there is little or no utility for having the size of the housing tied to the object it is configured to house. For instance, where it is determined that it would be beneficial to have a housing that is substantially thicker, wider, and longer than an underlying device, than the dimensions of the housing may be thicker, wider, and longer than those dimensions recited herein, such as greater than about 10 mm or more or greater than about 5 or about 10 ounces or more. In other instances, the housing is not substantially larger and/or heavier than the device it is designed to encase. Accordingly, in certain instances, the housing protects the device from one or more of a shock, such as that caused by dropping the device, and/or from liquid, such as that caused from contact with a liquid, such as water, without being much thicker, wider, longer, or heavier than the device it is configured to encase. 
     In certain embodiments the top member and the bottom member of the housing are configured for being coupled together so as to from a waterproof and/or shockproof seal. By water-resistant or waterproof seal is meant that a seal is formed by the coupling of the top member with the bottom member which seal does not substantially allow the passage of liquid, e.g., water, from one side of the housing (e.g., outside of the housing) to the other side of the housing (e.g., inside of the housing). 
     As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 1A , the housing may include a plurality of members, such as a top member and a bottom member that are configured for being removably coupled together so as to form the housing  1 . It is to be understood that although a particular embodiment is presented herein, such as a housing  1  for encasing an electronic device, such as a mobile phone, therein, the object to be housed may be any of a number of different objects, as described above, and the housing may, therefore, have a number of different shapes, sizes, and configurations without departing from the nature of the disclosure. For instance, as herein depicted below, the housing may include two separate members, e.g., separate individual top and bottom members, that are configured for being removably coupled together so as to surround an electronic device and thereby encase the device. In certain instances, (not shown) the top and bottom members may not be separate members, but rather may be members that are joined, for instance, by a common hinge element, or a single member configured for being folded upon itself and thereby forming the housing. Hence, the scope of the housings and systems described herein with respect to the particular embodiments set forth in reference to the figures is not intended to be unduly limiting. 
     Accordingly, with respect to  FIG. 1B , in particular embodiments, the housing  1  may include a top member  2  and a bottom member  3  that when removably coupled together form the housing  1 . The top and bottom members may be fabricated from any suitable material but typically are fabricated from materials that are capable of providing one or more of shock and liquid resistance to an encased device when the top and bottom members are properly coupled together. In certain embodiments, the top and bottom members may be composed of various different components and therefore may be fabricated from a plurality of different materials. Suitable materials from which the top and bottom member may be fabricated include rigid, semi-rigid, and flexible materials that may be fabricated together so as to provide shock and/or liquid resistance to the housing. Such materials may include but are not hereby limited to plastics, metals, polycarbonates, nylon, liquid crystal polymers, and/or rubber, thermal plastic urethanes, polyethylenes, and/or polypropylenes, mixtures thereof and the like. 
     As can be seen with respect to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the top member  2  of the housing  1  includes a front surface  25   a  and a back surface  25   b  that is surrounded by a perimeter portion  20 . The perimeter portion  20  is defined by a proximal end portion  21  and a distal end portion  22  as well as opposing side portions  23  and  24 . The perimeter portion  20  may include a plurality of additional features, such as an “on” and “off” switch  16 , a headphone port sealing member  53 , button protection elements  12   a  and  b , which protection elements are configured for protecting a switch element  90  and button features  99   a  and  99   b , as well as a latch door  71 , which may be positioned in between sound inlet/outlet apertures  11   a  and  11   b . The front and back surfaces of the top member may be composed of the same material or different materials which materials may be the same or different from the material or materials of the perimeter portion. In certain embodiments, the front  25   a  and back  25   b  surface of the housing  1  are comprised of at least one membrane. 
     Additionally, a bottom member  3  of the housing  1  includes a front  35  and a back  36  surface surrounded by a perimeter portion  30 . The perimeter portion  30  is defined by a proximal and a distal end portions  31  and  32  as well as opposing side portions  33  and  34  respectively. The front and back surfaces of the bottom member may be composed of the same material or different materials which materials may be the same or different from the material or materials of the perimeter portion. In certain embodiments, the front  35  and back  36  surface of the housing  1  are comprised of at least one membrane. In other instances, the front  35   a  and a back  35   b  surface of the housing  1  is formed of a semi-rigid material, such as polypropylene, that is capable of vibrating in such a manner that it amplifies the sound characteristics emitted from an encased device. As depicted the front surface  35   a  of the bottom member  3  includes standoffs  16 . These standoffs may be positioned anywhere along the front surface  35   a  of the bottom member, or they may be positioned in such a manner so as to create an audio channel so as to increase the transmission and/or amplification of sound, for instance, be creating an air gap between the front bottom surface  35   a  and a back surface  135  of a housed device. Such an air gap can both channel sound away from the housing  1  and may further amplify sound by reflecting off of the two surfaces. 
       FIG. 1C  provides a housing  1  including a top member  2  and a bottom member  3  prior to being fitted around an electronic device  100  to be fitted therein. As depicted, the top  2  and bottom member  3  are aligned with respect to a device  100  to be contained within the housing  1 , prior to them being fitted around the device and snapped together. Also depicted are top  2  and bottom  3  members as they would be subsequent to being coupled together around device  100 .  FIG. 1D  provides a perspective view of the housing  1  of  FIG. 1C  this time from a bottom up view. 
     Depicted are the top  25  and bottom surface  35  as well as perimeter portions  20  and  30  of the housing  1 . The top  25  or bottom  35  surface may include one or more features, such as an acoustic membrane feature  44  and/or a button feature  40 . One or more of the outer perimeter portions  20  and/or  30  may also include features. For instance, an outer perimeter portion, e.g.,  20  or  30 , may include a slider switch  90 , one or more button features  99   a, b , and/or a latch feature  71 . As depicted, the slider switch  90  and button features  99   a, b  are positioned on the top member  2 , and the latch feature  71  spans from the bottom member  3  to the top member  2 . In other embodiments, one or more of these positions may be reversed. 
       FIG. 1D  provides a perspective view of the bottom back surface  36  and perimeter portions  20  and  30  of the housing  1 . The bottom back surface  36  may include one or more features, such as a camera portion  80 , which camera portion  80  may include a plurality of sub-portions, such as an optical skirt  82 , a camera lens  84 , and/or a flash lens or orifice  86 . 
       FIG. 2A  provides a perspective view of an assembled housing  1 , wherein a device to be encased therein is not present. The top front and back surface  25   a,b  and outer perimeter portion  20  of the top member  2  as well as the bottom front surface  35  and perimeter portion  30  of the bottom member  3  are depicted. In this embodiment, the top front and back surface  25  is composed of a single translucent membrane. Accordingly, the bottom front surface  35  of the bottom member  3  is seen through the translucent membrane  25  of the top member  2 . A portion of the translucent membrane  25  may be configured so as to include one or more opaque regions, such as towards the perimeter of the membrane, which opaque region circumscribes a visibly translucent area. An opaque region may be entirely opaque or may include optically transmissive sub-regions. 
     As depicted, the top membrane  25  includes a plurality of features. For instance, the top membrane  25  includes a button feature  40 , optically clear regions  47  and  48 , e.g., corresponding to a video camera portion and a proximity sensor portion of an encased device, respectively; and an acoustic membrane portion  44  including apertures  46  for transmitting sound. Apertures  46  are prevented from passing liquid there through by the presence of a waterproof gasket  45 , which gasket is permissive to sound but not to liquid. Such a gasket may be comprised of several different water phobic materials such as GoreTex® and the like. As depicted, the outer perimeter portion also includes a plurality of features including a plurality of speaker sound transmission portions  60  and a latch feature  70  including a latch cover  71  for covering a charge port. Also depicted are stand-offs  16  which may be included on the bottom front surface  35  so as to allow separation between and encased device and the bottom member, for instance, for greater shock absorbance and enhanced sound transmission. 
       FIG. 2B  provides an up close view of the front top portion of the housing  1  of  FIG. 2A . The top front surface  25  comprises a transparent membrane that includes an opaque perimeter. As illustrated in this embodiment, the top front membrane  25  includes an acoustic membrane portion  44 , including an aperture  46 , e.g., for transmission of sound through an acoustic vent  45 , an optically clear region  47 , configured for being used in conjunction with a video camera of an underlying device, and another optically clear region  48 , configured for being used in conjunction with a proximity sensor of an underlying device. It is to be noted that if desired, the optically clear region  47  may be configured to include a lens  80 , which lens may be aligned with a camera lens of an underlying device. 
       FIG. 2C  provides an up close view of a front bottom portion of the housing  1  of  FIG. 2A . The bottom portion of the front surface  25  comprises a membrane which includes a button feature  40 . The membrane  25  is transparent but includes an optically transmissive portion and an opaque perimeter that is not optically transmissive. Also depicted are sound transmission portions  60   a  and  b  and a perimeter latch feature  70  both of which, in this embodiment, are positioned at the proximal end  21 , 31  of the housing  1 . 
     The front and/or back surfaces of the top and/or bottom member of the housing include a perimeter portion. In certain embodiments, the perimeter portion of the top and/or bottom member may include a plurality of sub-portions. For instance, the perimeter portion of a top member  2  may include an interior  20   a  and an exterior  20   b  perimeter portion, which perimeter portions may be configured for interacting with different portions of a top member membrane  25 . In certain embodiments, the perimeter portion of a bottom member  3  may include an interior  30   a  and an exterior  30   b  perimeter portion. In certain instances, one or both of the interior  30   a  and exterior  30   b  portions may form an interior bounding member and an exterior bounding member which together may in turn form a channel  10 . As depicted, the channel  10  is positioned on the bottom member  3 , but this configuration may alternatively be included on the top member  2  and vice-versa. 
     The perimeter portion of a top and bottom member, or a sub-portion thereof, may be fabricated from any suitable material. The perimeter portion may be fabricated from the same material as a top and/or bottom surface member or may be fabricated from one or more different materials than the top and/or bottom surface members. For instance, in various instances, such as when there is an interior and exterior perimeter portion, such as on a top member, the interior perimeter portion may be fabricated from a rigid material, such as a rigid plastic, polycarbonate, or the like, so as to provide structural integrity to the housing, whereas the outer perimeter portion may be fabricated from a more flexible, e.g., semi-rigid or flexible material, such as a polyethylene or polypropylene material, or the like, so as to provide the perimeter of the housing with a measure of shock absorbance and protection. 
     Hence, in certain instances, the top member includes a more rigid interior perimeter portion  20   a  that is coupled with a more flexible exterior perimeter portion  20   b . The rigid interior perimeter portion  20   a  provides structure to the top member of the housing, while the flexible exterior perimeter portion  20   b  of the housing provides shock absorbance. As depicted the interior  20   a  and exterior  20   b  perimeter portions are integrally formed together, such as in the manufacturing process, but in other embodiments they may be two separate elements that are capable of being coupled together after the manufacturing process. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the top member  2  may include a perimeter portion  20  that includes a rigid skeletal frame  20   a , such as a polycarbonate frame, which frame is further associated with, e.g., is overmoulded with, a more flexible material, such as a rubber or a urethane material such as a polyethylene or the like, so as to form an exterior perimeter portion  20   b.    
     Further, in certain instances, a perimeter portion of a top or bottom member may include an interior and exterior bounding member. For instance, bottom member  3  includes a perimeter portion  30 , which perimeter portion  30  further includes an interior bounding member  30   a  and an exterior bounding member  30   b . The interior and exterior bounding members may be fabricated from the same or different materials, such as a rigid material, like a rigid plastic, or the like, or a semi-rigid material, such as a polypropylene material, so as to provide structural integrity to a channel positioned between the interior and exterior bounding members of the bottom member of the housing. The interior  30   a  and exterior  30   b  bounding members may be configured in such a manner so as to form a channel  10  there between. 
     Hence, in one embodiment, one or both of the top and bottom members may include a channel, such as a channel that extends along at least a portion of the perimeter portion of the top and/or bottom member. It is to be noted that with respect to this instance, the top and bottom members may be separate members configured for being removably coupled together, or they can be a single or a plurality of members joined by a hinge element. The channel may comprise an interior bounding member and an exterior bounding member, which bounding members may at least partially define the bounds of the channel. The channel may further include a gasket, such as an o-ring, positioned within the channel. 
     In certain instances, the interior and exterior bounding members may run along a portion or the entire perimeter of the top and/or bottom member of the housing. The interior  30   a  and exterior  30   b  bounding members forming channel  10  circumscribe the entire perimeter portion  30  of bottom member  3 . One or both of the interior or exterior bounding members may include a clasping mechanism that also runs along a portion or the entire perimeter of the top and/or bottom member. In this instance, the exterior bounding member  30   b  runs along the entire perimeter of the bottom member  3  of the housing  1 . The exterior bounding member  30   b  includes a clasping mechanism  37  that also runs along a portion or the entire perimeter of the bottom member. It is to be noted that where an interior or exterior bounding member of a channel, e.g., of a bottom member, includes a clasping mechanism, the opposing member of the housing, e.g., top member  2 , may also include a clasping mechanism  27  that is configured for interacting with the clasping mechanism  37  on the interior or exterior bounding member of the bottom member  3 . 
     The clasping mechanisms of the top and bottom member may have any suitable configuration so long as they are capable of interacting with one another in such a manner so as to couple the top member of the housing with the bottom member of the housing. In certain instances, this coupling is in such a manner so as to provide a liquid-proof seal between the top and bottom members of the housing. 
     Accordingly, the top  2  and bottom  3  members of the housing  1  may include corresponding clasping mechanisms  27 ,  37  that extend along the perimeter portion of the top and bottom member, which clasping mechanisms may be configured for interfacing with one another in such a manner so as to couple the top  2  and bottom  3  members of the housing with one another thereby sealing the housing. 
     The clasping mechanism may extend around the entire perimeter of the housing members or a portion thereof. For instance, the clasping mechanisms may extend around about 99% or more, about 95%, about 90%, about 85%, about 80%, about 75%, about 70%, about 65%, about 60%, about 55%, about 50%, about 40%, about 30%, about 25%, about 20%, about 10%, or less of the perimeter, such as where the top and bottom members are joined by a suitable hinge element. For instance, where a top or bottom member includes an interior or exterior perimeter portion and/or a channel bounded by an interior or exterior bounding member, the interior and/or exterior perimeter portion may be configured such that a portion thereof forms the clasping mechanism. 
     In certain embodiments, the clasping mechanisms may be configured such that they lessen and/or remove the deflection that would be typical when coupling the two members of the housing together when employing a classic latching mechanism known in the art. For instance, when employing a typical latching mechanism known in the art, e.g., one that clasps at single point along a perimeter portion, deflection often occurs as a result of a latching mechanism that only exerts a closing force on discrete locations on the opposing surfaces. Such a latching mechanism leaves substantial gaps between the various tensioning points. A configuration such as this results in deflection as the two parts of the housing work against each other, because these tensioning points between the gaps are where the opposing forces get integrated and therefore are maximized. 
     In certain instances, the present housing and features thereof are configured for constraining these oppositional forces. For instance, the top or bottom members of the housing may include opposing clasping mechanism that are configured for dispersing these oppositional forces along the length of the housing thereby minimizing the deflection that may be caused by the sealing of the two members of the housing. In certain instances, one or both of the top or bottom member includes a channel, such as a channel that contains a gasket, a portion of which channel may include a clasping mechanism that is configured for dispersing the opposing forces throughout the channel. 
     For example, a channel  10  may be included within a member of the housing, e.g., bottom member  3 , which channel  10  is configured so as to constrain the oppositional forces caused by clasping the members of the housing  2  and  3  together within the channel  10 . In such an instance, the oppositional forces can be constrained to the small space of the channel and further be minimized by a tight coupling of the clasping mechanisms of the top and bottom members  27  and  37 , respectively. This is especially beneficial where a gasket  15 , such as an o-ring, is included in the channel  10  so as to further compress the gasket and thereby generate a liquid-tight seal. 
     Gaskets of different sizes may be included so as to facilitate a liquid-tight sealing of the housing. A gasket may be positioned wherever a watertight sealing is beneficial, such as within channel  10 . The inclusion of such a gasket, however, creates additional opposing forces as the gasket resists the compression caused by the coupling together of the two members of the housing. The clasping mechanism, therefore, may be configured to be substantially continuous along a substantial circumference of the perimeter so as to better disperse these oppositional forces. Such a continuous, circumferential clasping system may wrap around the entire or a substantial portion of the circumference of the device, minimizing transitional gaps and dispersing the oppositional forces that build up in gaps between tensioning points. 
     A unique feature of the perimeter portion clasping mechanisms is that they are entirely internal to the housing  1 . By “entirely internal to the housing” is meant that the corresponding clasping mechanisms  27  and  37  are entirely within the bounds of the housing  1  such that when the top member  2  is coupled to the bottom member  3  (See  FIG. 1B ), the corresponding clasping mechanisms  27  and  37  are contained within the inside of the housing and not exterior thereto, e.g., the clasping mechanisms may be positioned along the inside of the perimeter of the housing  1 . Additional latching elements, such as external latching mechanisms, can further be included, e.g., along an outside perimeter of the housing, so as to further ensure that a liquid-tight seal is provided. Additional internal latching mechanisms may also be provided. 
     Accordingly, a clasping system of the disclosure can provide a small cross section that solves the problems of: how to close/assemble the housing and keep it joined together, how to minimize the material necessary to make the housing (so thicker materials are not required in order to resist the band inflection), and ensuring the gasket, e.g., O-ring, is suitably compressed between the two case housings, thereby creating a liquid-proof and seamless seal. 
     As set forth above, a plurality of clasping mechanisms both internal and/or external may be included as part of the housing. For instance, the housing may include one or a plurality of internal clasping mechanisms and/or one or a plurality of external clasping mechanisms. As explained below, the clasping mechanisms may have a variety of different configurations. For example, the top and bottom members may each include an internal clasping mechanism that is configured as opposing catches or hooks and/or extended portions and grooves, which clasping mechanisms circumscribe an internal portion of the perimeter of the top and bottom members. Alternatively, or in addition to the opposing catch mechanisms, the top and bottom member may include an internal clasping mechanism that is configured as male and female counterparts, e.g., teeth and holes. Additionally or alternatively the housing may include an external clasping mechanism that may have any suitable configuration such as a clip or peg and slot configuration. One or more of these configurations are detailed further herein below. 
     In certain instances, the perimeter of the housing may include one or more additional features, such as an earphone port. In such an instance, it may be beneficial for a perimeter portion, such as an internal perimeter portion having a clasping mechanism associated therewith, to have an altered configuration so as to compensate for the space occupied by the additional perimeter feature. 
     For instance, in certain embodiments, the perimeter portion  30  of the bottom member  3  includes a channel  10  defined by an interior  30   a  and exterior  30   b  bounding member. The channel  10  may have at least a portion of a gasket  15  therein, such as an O-ring, as well as a clasping mechanism  37 , e.g., associated with the exterior  30   b  (or interior) bounding member. In such an instance, the exterior  20   b  (or interior) perimeter portion of the top member  20  may include a respective clasping mechanism  27  configured for being coupled to the clasping mechanism  37  associated with the exterior bounding member  30   b  of the bottom member  3 . Where an additional feature, such as a port feature  50 , is further included along the perimeter portion  30  of the bottom member  3 , the perimeter portion  30  and clasping mechanism  37  of the bottom member  3  may have a configuration, such as a raised portion, that is adapted to accommodate the additional feature, e.g., port  50 . 
     For example, the perimeter portion may include an increased length region, e.g., an upper lip ridge region, which region runs along a portion of the perimeter, such as along a corner region thereof. This upper ridge lip region may be configured as a ramp up. Where the ramp up is included along with a channel having a gasket therein, the ramp up will extend beyond the height of a gasket fitted within the channel. Such a feature results in a transition with a step up/step down configuration which thereby allows the top and bottom members to be joined in a manner sufficient to form a tight seal without the additional perimeter feature, e.g., earphone port, interfering with the sealing of the housing. 
     Specifically, an upper lip ridge feature may be included so as to allow the clasping mechanisms to clear the additional perimeter features. Such a step up/down may be positioned anywhere along the perimeter where there are features that need to be avoided, but may be of particular use around the corners of the housing. Hence, in various embodiments, an upper lip ridge feature may be included so as to allow the consistent coupling, e.g., snapping, of the top and bottom members together without having to add substantial additional material to the width or thickness of the housing member, e.g., so as to compensate for the additional perimeter feature/gasket interaction. 
     Additionally, such upper ridge lip features may be included along the corners of the perimeter of the housing so as to ensure better sealing regardless of whether additional features are provided. Such upper ridge lip features, therefore, may allow the closing of the housing in such a way that there is not a gap in the closure and thus the seal will be continuous. Because the seal, in this embodiment, is a continuous seal, it is able to snap down all around the circumference of the housing. 
     As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 3A , the front  25  and back  35  surfaces of the top  2  and bottom  3  members of the housing  1  include a perimeter portion  20  and  30 , respectively. As depicted, the top member  2  includes a perimeter portion  20 . The perimeter portion  20  includes an interior perimeter portion  20   a  and an exterior perimeter portion  20   b . The interior perimeter portion  20   a  is composed of a rigid material, such as a polycarbonate material, and is configured for associating with an enclosed device so as to secure the device within the housing  1  and to dampen the transference of shock from the outer side of the housing to the interior of the housing. The exterior perimeter portion  20   b  is composed of a flexible material, such as TPE, and is positioned above and along a side of the interior perimeter portion  20   a . The outer perimeter portion  20   b  may function to absorb shock due to impact. 
     The interior  20   a  and exterior  20   b  perimeter portions may be fabricated together, such as in an overmould process, or be fabricated separately and joined together. For instance, in certain embodiments, the outer perimeter portion  20   b  may be removable from the interior perimeter portion  20   a . In other instances, the interior  20   a  and exterior  20   b  perimeter portions are fabricated together along with the front surface membrane  25 , when included, in such a manner that the interior perimeter portion  20   a  associates with a bottom surface of the membrane, the exterior perimeter portion  20   b  associates with a top surface of the membrane. In such a manner as this, the membrane  25  may be integrally associated with the perimeter portion  20  of the top member  2 . 
     A benefit of this overmould process may be the generation of a flexible protective rim, e.g., composed of the flexible TPE perimeter portion  20   b , that circumscribes the perimeter portion  20  of the top member  2  and/or the membrane  25 . It is to be noted however that such a rim may be fabricated and associated with the perimeter portion  20   a  of the top member  2  in other ways not involving such an overmould process. Additionally, in other instances, the front surface membrane  25  may be attached to an interior perimeter portion  20   a  of a top member  2  through the application of an adhesive, such as a temperature or pressure activated adhesive. In such an instance, the membrane  25  may be attached to a top surface of the perimeter portion  20   a  or a bottom surface thereof. A flexible outer perimeter portion  20   b  may then be added in either an integrated fixed manner or a removable manner. It is further noted, that in various embodiments, the interior bounding member  20   a  includes a clasping mechanism  27 . 
     The bottom member  3  includes a perimeter portion  30 . The perimeter portion  30  also includes an interior perimeter portion  30   a  and an exterior perimeter portion  30   b . In this instance, the interior perimeter portion forms an interior bounding member  30   a  and the exterior perimeter portion forms an exterior bounding member  30   b . Together the interior and exterior bounding members  30   a, b  bound a channel  10 . The exterior bounding member  30   b  includes a clasping mechanism  37 . 
     The clasping mechanisms  27  and  37  can have any configuration so long as either clasping mechanism is capable of interacting with the corresponding clasping mechanism. In this instance, clasping mechanism  27  on top member  2  interacts with corresponding clasping mechanism  37  on bottom member  3  so as to provide a seal thereby, such as a liquid-tight seal. Hence, clasping mechanism  27  of the top member  2  is configured for interacting with a corresponding clasping mechanism  37  of the bottom member  3 , which clasping mechanisms are configured for coupling the top and bottom members together, such as in a liquid-proof sealing. 
     As depicted, the clasping mechanism  37  is associated with exterior bounding member  30   b  of the bottom member  3 , and the clasping mechanism  27  is associated with interior perimeter portion  20   a  of top member  2 . It is to be noted, however, that clasping mechanism  37  may be associated with interior bounding member  30   a  of the bottom member  3 , and the clasping mechanism  27  may be associated with exterior perimeter portion  20   b  of top member  2 . The channel  10  further includes a gasket  15 , such as an O-ring gasket. In this embodiment the clasping mechanisms  27  and  37  are configured as corresponding catches but may have other configurations, such as a rib with extended protrusion member and groove configuration, and the like. It is to be noted, that in this embodiment, the clasping mechanisms  27  and  37  are entirely internal clasping mechanisms. By “entirely internal clasping mechanisms” is meant that the clasping mechanisms are configured for being coupled together in such a manner that when the top and bottom members are coupled together and the housing formed, the clasping mechanisms are entirely internal to the outer bounds of the housing, e.g., they are internal to the housing, such as contained within an internal cavity within the housing. Such internal clasping mechanisms are internal to the housing and not observable by looking at the external perimeter portion. 
     It is to be noted that although the bottom member perimeter portion  30  is depicted as having bounding members  30   a  and  30   b , and the top member perimeter portion  20  is depicted as having interior and exterior perimeter portions  20   a  and  20   b , in certain instances, the top member perimeter portion  20  may have bounding members, e.g.,  20   a  and  20   b , bounding channel  10 ; and the bottom member perimeter portion  30  may have interior and exterior perimeter portions, e.g.,  30   a  and  30   b , which do not bound a channel. 
     Also depicted is a plurality of spacer elements on bottom member  3 . These one or more spacer elements create acoustic space within the housing for the amplification of sound and further perform the function of increasing shock absorbance. Additionally, such structures can be configured as tensioning elements that may be used to increase the tension on a front membrane  25  when an electronic device to be housed is inserted within the housing  1 . For instance, the tensioning elements may be adapted such that as a device is inserted into the housing  1 , it presses against the tensioning elements, causing the perimeter portion  20  to press outwards thereby increasing tension on the front membrane  25  attached to the perimeter portion  20  consequently causing the screen to flatten and making for a more responsive user interface. 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the catch clasping mechanisms of the top  2  and bottom  3  members of  FIG. 3A . The top member  2  includes an interior perimeter portion  20   a  and an exterior perimeter portion  20   b . In this embodiment, the interior perimeter portion  20  is fabricated from a rigid material, such as a rigid plastic or polycarbonate, and includes top clasping mechanism  27 . The rigid plastic provides a structure for the housing  1 . The rigid plastic material of the interior perimeter portion  20   a  is overlaid with a more flexible, e.g., semi-rigid material, such as rubber, TPE, or the like, which material forms the outer perimeter portion  20   b , which material may be included so as to provide protection, e.g., against shocks, to the housing. 
     As set forth above, the top clasping mechanism  27  of the interior perimeter portion  20   a  of the top member  2 ; and the bottom clasping mechanism of the exterior perimeter portion, e.g., bounding member  30   b , may have any suitable configuration. However, in this instance, the top and bottom clasping mechanisms  27  and  37  are configured as corresponding catches. Accordingly, the clasping mechanisms includes a catch or lip region. 
     The catch region  27  includes a slanting surface  28  that is intersected by an intersecting surface  29 . Together the slanting surface  28  and the intersecting surface  29  form an edge, or lip, that comprises the catch clasping mechanism  27  of the top member  2 . The slanting surface  28  and intersecting surface  29  form an angle. Additionally, the catch region  37  includes a slanting surface  38  that is intersected by an intersecting surface  39 . Together the slanting surface  38  and the intersecting surface  39  form an edge, or lip, that comprises the catch clasping mechanism  37  of the bottom member  3 . The slanting surface  38  and intersecting surface  39  form an angle. For instance, the slanting surfaces may slope with respect to the intersecting surface at a degree that ranges from 0 to about 90 degrees, such as from about 5 or about 10 degrees to about 80 or 85 degrees, for instance, from about 15 or 20 degrees to about 70 or 75 degrees, such as from about 30 or 40 degrees to about 50 or 60 degrees, including about 45 degrees. 
     Accordingly, the catch clasping mechanism  27  of the top member  2  is configured for engaging a corresponding catch clasping mechanism  37  of bottom member  3 . The corresponding clasping mechanisms may have corresponding surfaces, e.g., lip or edge regions or may have different, but complimentary surfaces. In this instance, the top member  2  has a perimeter portion  20  having a catch clasping mechanism  27  that includes a lip or edge region that comprises a slanting surface  38  that is intersected by an intersecting surface  39 . The bottom member  3  has a perimeter portion  30  having a catch clasping mechanism  37  that also includes a lip or edge region that comprises a slanting surface  38  that is intersected by an intersecting surface  39 . In this embodiment, the corresponding lip or edge regions are configured for being coupled together. It is to be noted that although a particular configuration of clasping mechanisms  27 ,  37  are depicted, e.g., as corresponding catch clasping mechanisms, other configurations may also be suitable, for instance, where the slanted surfaces  28  are straight or substantially straight, etc. For example, in one embodiment, one of a top or bottom member may have a clasping member configured as described above, e.g., having a lip edge region, and the corresponding member may have a clasping member that is configured as a receiving element, such as a groove, e.g. a circumferential groove, that is adapted for receiving the corresponding lip edge of the opposing member. 
     However, in this instance, the slanting surface  38  and the intersecting surface  39  comprise the clasping mechanism  37  of the bottom member  3 , which clasping mechanism is configured for engaging corresponding surfaces of the top member  2  clasping mechanism  27 . Together the top and bottom clasping mechanisms  27  and  37  respectively form opposing snap closures that are configured for interacting with one another in such a manner that when they are coupled together, e.g., snapped together, they seal the housing, for instance, in a liquid-proof seal. It is to be noted in this embodiment, the clasping mechanisms  27  and  37  are entirely internal clasping mechanism that circumscribe the entire perimeter of the housing. Although the top and bottom clasping mechanisms have been described herein with respect to one particular configuration, e.g., entirely internal and circumscribing the entire perimeter portion, it is to be understood that this configuration is a non-limiting example and may be modified in various ways so long as the clasping mechanisms are capable of being joined together in a manner sufficient to couple the top and bottom members together and thereby seal the housing. 
       FIG. 3C  illustrates another embodiment of a representative clasping mechanisms of the top and bottom members. The top member  2  includes a perimeter portion  20 . The perimeter portion  20  includes an interior perimeter portion  20   a  and an exterior perimeter portion  20   b . As depicted the interior perimeter portion  20   a  of the top member  2  includes a clasping mechanism  27 . It is to be noted that although the interior perimeter portion  20   a  includes the clasping mechanism  27 , in certain embodiments, the exterior perimeter portion  20   b  may include the clasping mechanism  27 . 
     The top member clasping mechanism  27  includes a surface  28 , which surface is depicted as slanted. It is to be noted that although this surface is depicted as slanted, in certain embodiments, it may have a different configuration, for instance, it may be substantially straight. The top surface clasping mechanism  27  also includes an intersecting surface, which in this instance is also an interfacing surface  29 . The interfacing surface  29  is depicted as a horizontal surface that intersects surface  28 . However, this configuration may be modified so long as a suitable clasping mechanism is formed thereby. In this manner a lip or edge is formed, which edge is configured for interfacing with a corresponding clasping mechanism, e.g., a lip edge or groove member, of a bottom member so as to couple and seal the top and bottom members together. 
     The bottom member  3  also includes a perimeter portion  30 . The perimeter portion  30  includes an interior bounding member  30   a  and an exterior bounding member  30   b , which bounding members bound channel  10 . As depicted the exterior bounding member  30   b  of the bottom member  3  includes a clasping mechanism  37 . However, in other instances, the interior bounding member  30   a  of the bottom member  3  may include the clasping mechanism  37 . 
     The bottom member clasping mechanism  37  includes a surface  38 , which surface is depicted as slanted. It is to be noted that although this surface is depicted as slanted, in certain embodiments, it may have a different configuration, for instance, it may be substantially straight. The bottom surface clasping mechanism  37  also includes an intersecting surface which in this instance is also an interfacing surface  39 . The interfacing surface  39  is depicted as a horizontal surface that intersects surface  38 . It is to be understood that the configuration of these surfaces may differ from that depicted so long as it is capable of forming a clasping mechanism for interfacing with a corresponding clasping mechanism on the top surface  2 . In a manner such as this a lip or edge is formed, which edge is configured for interfacing with a corresponding edge of a top member so as to couple and seal the top and bottom members together. It is to be noted that although the exterior bounding member  30   b  includes the clasping mechanism  37 , in certain embodiments, the interior bounding member  30   b  may include the clasping mechanism  37 . It is also to be noted, that one of the top or bottom clasping mechanisms may have a configuration as a receiving member, such as a groove, rather than the lip edge configuration described above. 
     Also depicted is channel  10 . Channel  10  is formed in part by the interior and exterior bounding members  30   a, b  as well as the bottom back surface  36  of the bottom member  3  perimeter portion  30 . It is to be noted that although as depicted the channel  10  is included as part of the bottom member  3 , in certain embodiments, the channel can be included as part of the top member  2 , with the corresponding changes being made to the structures of the top and bottom members. The channel  10  includes a gasket  15 , such as an O-ring, which at least partially fills the channel  10 . 
     The interior perimeter portion  20   a  with the clasping mechanism  27  of the top member  2  is configured for being inserted into the channel  10  and may further be configured for engaging the gasket  15 ; and may additionally be configured for engaging the clasping mechanism  37  of the exterior bounding member  30   b  of the bottom member  3  in such a manner as to couple the top and bottom members together, for example, in a liquid-proof seal. In this embodiment, therefore, the interior perimeter portion  20   a  includes a gasket interfacing portion that is configured for interfacing with the gasket in such a manner as to compress the gasket and thereby from a liquid-proof seal. 
     It is to be noted that in certain embodiments a gasket need not be present within the channel. Further, in certain embodiments, the interior and/or exterior bounding members may be configured differently or not included at all. A different clasping mechanism may be included, e.g., a separate clasping mechanism that is external or distinct from the perimeter portions of the top and bottom members, although the clasping mechanism as depicted herein has certain advantages over such an external clasping mechanism. Nevertheless, an external clasping mechanism may be provided, such as a clamp or other form of external clasping mechanism. Such an external clasping mechanism may be included in addition to the internal clasping mechanisms described herein or in substitution therefore. 
     For instance,  FIG. 3D  illustrates a further embodiment of a suitable clasping mechanism of the disclosure. In this embodiment, the clasping mechanism is depicted in conjunction with a coin slot feature, which feature is described in greater detail herein below. The perimeter portion  20  of the top member  2  includes an interior perimeter portion  20   a  and an exterior perimeter portion  20   b . In one embodiment, the interior perimeter portion  20   a  is fabricated from a rigid material, such as a plastic, polycarbonate, metal, or the like, so as to provide stability and structure to the perimeter portion  20  of the top member  2 . In one embodiment, the exterior perimeter portion  20   b  is fabricated from a malleable material, such as an elastomeric material, such as rubber, TPE, polyethylene, polypropylene, and the like so as to provide flexibility and/or shock absorbance to the perimeter portion of the top member. 
     The perimeter portion  30  of the bottom member  3  includes perimeter portion  30  having an interior bounding member  30   a  and an exterior bounding member  30   b  which along with a bottom back surface member  36  form a channel  10 . In one embodiment, the interior bounding member  30   a  is fabricated from a semi-rigid material, such as a plastic, or polypropylene material, or the like, so as to provide stability and structure to the perimeter portion  30  of the bottom member  30 , while maintaining flexibility. Additionally, the exterior bounding member  30   b  may also be fabricated of the same or a different semi-rigid material, such as a plastic, or polypropylene material, or the like from which the interior bounding member is made. However, in certain instances, the exterior bounding member  30   b  may be fabricated or overlaid with a more flexible material, such as flexible or semi-flexible material, for instance, a rubber or polyethylene material. 
     The bottom back surface  36  may also be fabricated from the same rigid material, such as polypropylene, as the material from which the interior and/or exterior bounding members are made. The interior and exterior bounding members  30   a,b  along with the bottom back surface  36  form the channel  10 . Channel  10  includes a compressible gasket  15 , which gasket may be compressed when contacted with a gasket interfacing region of the top member, e.g., an interior perimeter portion of the top member. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 3D , the configuration of the top and bottom members  2 ,  3  is such that when they are coupled together a coin-slot feature  18  is formed. The coin slot feature is formed as a cut out  18 . A portion of the top member  2  exterior perimeter portion  20   b  forms a top bounding member  17  of the coin slot feature  18 . Further, an extended portion of the bottom perimeter portion  30   b  of the bottom member  3  includes a bottom bounding member  19  of the coin slot feature  18 . 
     Accordingly, the perimeter of the housing may include a coin slot feature  18  that is comprised of a top bounding member  17 , e.g., an overhang portion of a perimeter portion, and a bottom bounding member  19 , e.g., an extended portion of a perimeter portion. In certain embodiments, the coin slot feature  18  is included within a single perimeter portion of a top or bottom member, and in other embodiments it is formed by the joining of the top and bottom member. In various embodiments, the coin slot feature is a cut out in one or both perimeter portions of the top and bottom members. The coin slot feature is configured such that a tool may be inserted therein and employed so as to de-couple the top and bottom members and thereby detach and de-seal the top and bottom members one from the other. 
     Other clasping mechanisms may also be employed with respect to joining the top and bottom members of the housing together in addition to or in substitution for those detailed above. For instance, as can be seen with respect to  FIG. 3E , a housing  1  of the disclosure may include a top member  2  and a bottom member  3 . The housing  1  may additionally include an external latch feature  5 . This external latch feature  5  may be included in addition to the clasping mechanisms described above or may be included in substitution therefore. 
     The external latch feature may be an entirely external latch feature, such as one or more clamps or clamp regions. The one or more clamps can be positioned on the outside of the housing and configured for clamping down and thereby exerting a coupling force onto the top and bottom members so as to couple the two members together and seal the housing. Alternatively, the external latch feature may be a hybrid external/internal latch feature such as that depicted in  FIG. 3E . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 3E , the external latch feature  5  may be included on one or more sides, e.g., two or four opposing sides, of the housing  1 . Accordingly, a plurality of latch features  5  may be included and positioned around the perimeter of the housing  1 . For example, sides  23 ,  33  and  24 ,  34  may each include 1 or 2 or 3 or more latch features  5 . The latch feature  5  may extend along the entire perimeter portion or one or more sections thereof. 
     As can be seen, the latch feature  5  includes two interfacing regions  6  and  8 . As depicted the top member  2  includes latch region  6 , and bottom member  3  includes latch region  8 . However, the top member  2  may include latch region  8 , and bottom member  3  may include latch region  6 . Latch region  6  includes one or more pegs  7 , and latch region  8  includes one or more corresponding peg receiving members  9 . Specifically, the latch region  6  of top member  2  includes one or more pegs  7 , which peg(s)  7  is configured for being received within a peg receiving member  9  of latch region  8  of bottom member  3 . As depicted, latch region  6  includes a plurality of pegs  7 , which pegs  7  are configured for being received within a plurality of peg receiving members  9  of latch region  8 . Accordingly, as the top member  2  is coupled to the bottom member  3 , the pegs  7  are received within the peg receiving members  9  thereby sealing and/or adding an additional seal to the housing  1 . 
     As described above, the perimeter portion  20  of top member  2  may include an interior perimeter portion  20   a  and an exterior perimeter portion  20   b . The latch region  6 , therefore, may be formed out of one or both of the interior and exterior perimeter portions  20   a  and  20   b  of top member  2 . For instance, a portion of the exterior perimeter portion  20   b  and the interior perimeter portion  20   a  may together make up latch region  6 . For example, the exterior perimeter portion  20   b  that makes up part of latch region  6  may include a concave or cutout region, which cutout region exposes the interior perimeter portion  20   a . The exposed interior perimeter portion  20   a  that makes up part of latch region  6  may include the pegs  7 . 
     Accordingly, the latch region  6  may include a concave portion that is a cutout region of exterior perimeter portion  20   b . For instance, in an instance where the exterior perimeter portion  20   b  of top member  2  is comprised of a flexible material that overlays a rigid framework that comprises the interior perimeter portion  20   a  of top member  2 , the concave region of exterior perimeter portion  20   b  may be a cutout region in the flexible material of perimeter portion  20   b . The cutout region may expose the interior perimeter portion  20   a , which perimeter portion may include one or more pegs  7 . For instance, in an instance where the interior perimeter portion  20   a  of top member  2  is comprised of a rigid material, the rigid material may also include one or more pegs  7  that are exposed by the cut-out region in perimeter portion  20   b . The peg(s)  7  may be configured for being received within one or more complementary peg receiving members  9  positioned in the latch region  8  of bottom member  3 , so as to aid in coupling the top member  2  and bottom member  3  together in the formation of the housing  1 . 
     The peg(s)  7  and peg receiving member(s)  9  may be configured such that when the pegs  7  are received within the peg receiving members  9  the latch regions  6  and  8  of the perimeter portions  20  and  30  are flush with the rest of the perimeter portion  20  and  30 . In certain instances, the peg(s)  7  and/or peg receiving member(s)  9  may be sized so that the latch regions  6  and  8  are not flush with the rest of the perimeter portions  20  and  30  but are extended or indented. For example, in certain instances, the pegs  7  on the top member  2  may be positioned on the exterior perimeter portion  20   b  or positioned on the interior perimeter portion  20   a  but sized such that they extend outward therefrom away from the perimeter portions  20   a  and  20   b . The corresponding latch region  8  on bottom member  3  may therefore include extended peg receiving members  9 . This, for instance, could be useful when thicker and longer pegs are employed so as to form an extra secure seal. 
     Hence, the latch region  6  of top member  2  may be formed in part from a cutout region of the exterior perimeter portion  20   b  that exposes the interior perimeter portion  20   a . The pegs  7  of latch region  6  may be formed as a portion of the interior perimeter portion  20   a  and may be fabricated of a rigid material, such as a stiff plastic, polycarbonate, metal, or the like. The pegs  7  may be formed so as to be integral with, e.g., of the same material as, the interior perimeter portion. Additionally, the latch region  8  may be formed as a laterally lengthened region of the exterior bounding member  30   b  of the bottom member  3 . The laterally lengthened region  8  may include peg receiving members  9 . As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 3E , the laterally lengthened region  8  may be configured for fitting within the cutout region  6  such that the perimeter portions  20  and  30  are flush along their length. As set forth above, one or more of the latch regions  5  and  8  may be configured such that the perimeter portion is not flush along its length. 
     The cutout region of the latch region  6  of the top member  2  and the laterally lengthened region of the latch region  8  of the bottom member  3  are configured such that as the top member  2  is coupled to the bottom member  3 , the laterally lengthened region  8  is fitted within the cutout region  6 , the pegs  7  are fitted within the peg receiving apertures  9 , and the housing is further sealed by the coupling of the latch region  6  with the latch region  8 . It is to be understood that although this latching feature  5 , e.g., additional latching feature, has been described with respect to the particular embodiment provided in  FIG. 3E , it is to be understood that other configurations for latching the top member with the bottom member and thereby sealing the housing can also be employed without departing from the nature of this disclosure. 
     The front surface  35  of the bottom member  3  may include stand-offs  16  that are of a size and position so as to generate air-channels between the housed device and the bottom member  3 . The air channels are adapted to channel and transmit sound through the housing and out through one or more sound ports  60   a  and  b , or other sound transmission surfaces, such as a front or back surface of the housing (as described below), thereby enhancing the quality and clarity of sound transmission from an underlying device through the housing  1 . 
     In certain instances, the housing  1  may be configured to enhance the sound quality of sound transmission of an underlying device. For instance, the top front surface membrane  25  of the housing  1  may be configured so as to include an air-gap  12  that may be positioned between the housing  1 , e.g., membrane  25 , and a housed sound emitting device. The air gap  12  may be positioned along a perimeter portion of the top member and may circumscribe the entire or a portion of the perimeter, and may be adapted so as to be in communication with one or more sound ports  60  of the housing  1 . 
     To further enhance sound transmission, the bottom member  3  of the housing  1  may be fabricated of a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as polypropylene, that is capable of resonating and thereby amplifying the sound generated by an encased device. As depicted, the bottom member  3  includes a bottom surface having a bottom member front surface  35  and a bottom member back surface  36 . 
       FIG. 3F  provides a perspective view of the top  2  and bottom  3  members of the housing  1 . As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 3F , the top member  2  includes a perimeter portion  20  and a front membrane  25 . The front membrane  25  includes an optically opaque region and an optically clear region. The top surface of the bottom member  3  and standoffs  16  positioned thereon may be seen through the optically clear region. 
       FIGS. 3G and 3H  provide a perspective view of the top  2  and bottom  3  members of the housing  1 . As can be seen with respect to  FIGS. 3G and 3H , the top member  2  includes a perimeter portion  20 . The perimeter portion  20  includes an interior perimeter portion  20   a  and an exterior perimeter portion  20   b . The bottom member  3  includes a perimeter portion  30 . The perimeter portion  30  also includes an interior perimeter portion  30   a  and an exterior perimeter portion  30   b  wherein the interior and exterior perimeter portions bound a channel  10 . Accordingly, the interior perimeter portion of the bottom member  3  comprises an interior bounding member  30   a , and the exterior perimeter portion of the bottom member  3  comprises an exterior bounding member  30   b , which bounding members  30   a  and  30   b  bound the channel  10 . 
     As can be seen with respect to  FIGS. 3G and 3H , the housing  1  further includes an interior clasping mechanism  27  and  37 . As depicted, the interior clasping mechanisms  27  and  37  are an entirely internal clasping mechanism. In this instance, the entirely internal clasping mechanisms  27  and  37  circumscribe the entire internal circumference of the perimeter of the housing  1 , however, in other instances, the clasping mechanisms  27  and  37  need not circumscribe the entire perimeter portions of the top  2  and bottom  3  members. These entirely internal clasping mechanisms  27  and  37  effectively seal the housing in such a manner that the seal is internal to the housing. As depicted, the entirely internal clasping mechanism is configured as a catch and groove clasping mechanism, e.g., clasping mechanism  27  of top member  2  is configured as a circumferential hook or catch element that fits into the clasping mechanism  37  of bottom member  3 , which is configured as a circumferential groove that is adapted for receiving the hook element of the top member and locking the two housing members together so as to form the housing  1 . 
     Specifically, in this embodiment, the top member  2  includes an internal clasping mechanism catch or hook  27 , and the bottom member includes a corresponding internal clasping mechanism groove  37 . The top catch  27  and bottom groove  37  are configured for being coupled together so as to seal the housing members  2  and  3  one with the other. It is to be noted that although the entirely internal clasping mechanism  27  has been set forth herein in a certain embodiment, other variations to the entirely internal clasping mechanism  27  and  37  can be provided without departing from the nature of this disclosure. For instance, in certain instances, the clasping mechanism need not circumscribe the entire perimeter portion of the top and/or bottom member, need not be entirely internal, and may be configured differently from the catch and groove configuration set forth herein. 
     In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the clasping mechanisms set forth herein above, e.g., clasping mechanisms  27  and  37 , the housing may include an entirely internal clasping feature having a different configuration than the hook and groove clasping mechanisms described above. For instance, as depicted with respect to  FIG. 3F , the housing  1  may include a tooth and receptacle clasping mechanism  13 . As depicted, this tooth and receptacle clasping mechanism  13  may be in addition to the hook and groove clasping mechanisms  27  and  37 , or in other instances, it may be substituted therefore. 
     The entirely internal tooth and receptacle clasping feature  13  of  FIGS. 3G and 3H  may include one or more sections of one or more teeth  13   a . The entirely internal clasping feature  13  may also include one or more sections of one or more teeth receiving members  13   b . The tooth or teeth  13   a  may be configured for interfacing with the tooth or teeth receiving members  13   b  in such a way that as the teeth  13   a  are coupled with the teeth receiving members  13   b , the top member  2  and bottom member  3  are coupled together so as to form the housing  1 . 
     For instance, in certain embodiments, the teeth  13   a  may be positioned along a perimeter portion of a top  2  or bottom  3  member, and the corresponding top or bottom member will have the corresponding teeth receiving members  13   b . In this instance, the teeth  13   a  are positioned along a perimeter portion  20   a  of the top member  2 , and the teeth receiving members  13   b  are positioned along a perimeter portion  30   a  of the bottom member  3 . However, in other instances, the teeth  13   a  may be positioned along a perimeter portion  30  of the bottom member  3 , and the teeth receiving members  13   b  may be positioned along a perimeter portion  20  of the top member  2 . 
     As depicted with respect to  FIGS. 3F and 3G , there are three teeth regions positioned along the perimeter portion  20   a  of the top member  2 . Each teeth region may include one or a plurality of teeth. In this instance, each teeth region  13   a  includes a plurality of teeth. The teeth  13   a  extend laterally and internally toward the internal cavity of the housing away from the longitudinal length of the interior perimeter member  20   a  of the top member  2 . The teeth  13   a  are configured for being received within corresponding teeth receiving members  13   b  of the bottom member  3 . 
     Consequently, as depicted, there are three teeth receiving regions  13   a , positioned along the interior perimeter, e.g., interior bounding member,  30   a  of the bottom member  3 . As depicted, the teeth receiving members  13   b  are configured as apertures within which the teeth  13   b  may be fitted. Accordingly, as the top member  2  is coupled to the bottom member  3  the teeth  13   a  of the three teeth regions interface and engage with the corresponding teeth receiving members  13   b  of the three teeth receiving member regions of the bottom member  3 . Consequently, the housing  1  is therefore formed by the coupling of the top member  2  with the bottom member  3  and sealed by the clasping mechanisms  27  and  37  as well as clasping mechanisms  13   a  and  143   b  joining together. It is noted that in various embodiments, either clasping mechanisms  27  and  37  or  13   a  and  13   b  may be provided individually by themselves or in combination as depicted in  FIGS. 3G and 3H . Additionally, although clasping mechanisms  13   a  and  b  have been described herein as being positioned around the perimeter portion in 3 different regions, they can be so positioned in more or less than three regions, so long as they are capable of providing a liquid proof and shock proof sealing thereby. 
     Accordingly, it is to be noted that the teeth and teeth receiving members may have any suitable configuration so long as they are capable of interacting with one another so as to couple the top and bottom members of the housing together. Hence, the number, size, and location of the teeth and/or corresponding teeth receiving members may vary. For example, one long tooth or several short teeth may be included. The teeth may be positioned along the entire perimeter portion or any number of sub-portions thereof. As depicted, there are three teeth regions positioned along three sides of the top member. However, the teeth can be positioned on the bottom member instead of the top member and/or where desired one, two, three, or more teeth regions can be included along one, two, three, or more sides of the top or bottom member. 
     Likewise, one long tooth receiving member or several short teeth receiving members may be included. The teeth receiving members may be positioned along the entire perimeter portion or any number of sub-portions thereof. As depicted, there are three teeth receiving member regions positioned along three sides of the bottom member. The teeth receiving members are configured so as to correspond to and interact with the teeth members so as to secure and seal the housing when the top and bottom members are coupled together. It is to be noted that the teeth and/or teeth receiving members can be positioned on either or both of the top or bottom members as well as on the interior or exterior perimeter portions, as desired. 
       FIGS. 3I and 3J  provide another embodiment of a housing  1  of the disclosure, however, in this instance, the top member  2  does not include a front membrane  25 . Rather, an additional gasket  15   b  is provided between the interface of a perimeter portion  20  and the front surface  125  of a housed device  100 . This additional gasket  15   b  functions to prevent liquid from entering through the top housing member where the housing interfaces with the front screen  125  of a housed device. 
     Specifically, the housing includes a top member  2  and a bottom member  3  that are configured for being coupled together, as described above, so as to form the housing  1 . However, it has been found that the clamping force generated by the top and bottom member clasping mechanisms, as described herein, is sufficient to create a liquid proof seal at the top member device interface, such that a top surface membrane  25  is not necessary. The inclusion of an additional gasket, or even an adhesive, at the top member device interface, is sufficient to produce a water and dirt proof seal. 
     Accordingly, as depicted in  FIGS. 3I and 3J , the top surface of the top member  2  includes a top surface perimeter portion  20   c  that at least partially circumscribes a top perimeter portion of the top member  2 . This top surface perimeter portion  20   c  may be fabricated from any suitable material such as a rigid or semi-rigid plastic, such as polycarbonate. It may cover a larger or a smaller portion of the top surface of the top member, but typically does not cover the entire top surface. Rather, a windowless window region is provided so that a user may have direct access to the touchscreen of an underlying device. 
     As can be seen with respect to  FIGS. 3I and 3J  the gasket circumscribes a substantial portion, e.g., an entire portion, of the perimeter portion  20   c  thereby providing a circumferential seal between the perimeter portion  20   c  and the front screen of a housed device. For instance, as the top member  2  is coupled to the bottom member  3 , the clasping force is sufficient to compress the gasket  15   b  between the perimeter portion  20   c  and the front screen of a housed electronic device thereby generating a liquid and dirt proof seal there between. The gasket  15   b  may be attached to the top member  2 , e.g., to the top surface perimeter portion  20   c  by an sufficient mechanism, such as by the addition of an adhesive. 
     It is noted that in this embodiment, the top surface perimeter portion  20   c  would cover a substantial perimeter portion of a housed electronic device, so as to cover the non-capacitive interactive front screen portion of a typical housed device. These non-capacitive interactive portions of the housed device typically include additional features such as button feature  140 , sound outlet feature  144 , video lens feature  147 , and proximity sensor  148 . Accordingly, the top surface perimeter portion  20   c  may be configured to include corresponding feature elements, as described herein, to allow these underlying functionalities of a housed device to continue to function. For instance, the top surface perimeter portion may include one or more of additional features such as button feature  40 , sound outlet feature  44 , video lens feature  47 , and proximity sensor  48 , as described herein. For example, with respect to button feature  40 , the button element  40  may be comprised as a cutout region in the top surface perimeter portion and a gasket portion  15   b  that has been formed to fill the aperture created by the cutout region. The top surface perimeter portion  20   c  may be optically clear, optically opaque, a mixture of the two, and/or screen printed so as to include one or more decals. Further, as depicted the gasket member  15   b  circumscribes the entire top surface perimeter portion  20   c , however, in certain instances, it need not circumscribe the entire perimeter portion. 
       FIGS. 3K-3L  provide another embodiment of a housing of the disclosure. In this embodiment, there are three different housing elements that may be applied to device to be housed individually or in combination, each adding a different layer of protection. For instance, as can be seen with respect to  FIG. 3K , in certain embodiments, a housing  1  of the disclosure may be composed simply of a top member  2 , which in this instance, is comprised of a membrane. The membrane  2  includes several portions that are designed to be attached to an electronic device  100  and folded there around so as to provide a modicum of shock and scratch resistance for the underlying device, e.g., to a front or back surface thereof, and also to provide waterproof protection. 
     As depicted, the housing  1  includes several features that may or may not be included in a final embodiment. For instance, in certain instances, the membrane  2  may include a face, form fitting portion  25  that is configured to be attached to the front screen portion  125  of an electronic device  100 . It further may include a plurality of internal or edge perimeter portions  20   a , which internal perimeter portions  20   a  are configured for being attached to side edges of an underlying device  100 . It may additionally include a plurality of external perimeter or back portions  20   b , which external perimeter portions  20   b  are configured for wrapping around and covering a back portion  135  of a housed device. 
     The membrane  2  may include a plurality of additional feature elements as described herein. For instance, the internal perimeter edge portions  20   a  of membrane  2  may include a bumper portion, such as a portion comprised of a flexible material, such as a rubber or TPE material. Further, the edge portions  20   a  may include formed button  99   a  and  b  or switch features, which features may be formed into the membrane  2  or the side bumper portions, if included. The front surface of the membrane  25  may include one or more of a button feature  40 , a sound transmission portion  44 , a proximity sensor portion  48  and/or or a video or camera portion  47 . These portions may be formed into the membrane  25  in a manner such as that described above. In certain instances, for instance, the home button element  40  may simply be an formed indented region on the front surface membrane  25  or it may be an added feature such as a rubber or TPE formed button. The membrane  2  may additionally include top  22  and/or bottom  21  foldable regions, which regions may be configured for folding over top or bottom edge portions  22  and  21  respectively. 
     It is to be noted that although the membrane  2  is depicted as having side wing portions  20   a  and  20   b  as well as top and bottom foldable portions, in various embodiments, one or more of these portions may be omitted or configured differently. For instance, in certain instances, the top  22  and bottom  21  foldable portions and/or the side wing portions  20   a  and  b , need not be included. In other embodiments, the side wing and/or top and/or bottom foldable portions are provided, but the front membrane portion  25  is omitted. When included, the top and bottom foldable portions  22  and  21  may be configured to cover various features of an underlying device  100 , such as a headphone  150  or charge port  170  feature, or they may include openings coincident with the same, and thus be configured to interact with one or more plug or cover elements (such as those described herein) that are designed to be fitted within the port feature and interact with the membrane  2  so as to provide a liquid and/or dirtproof sealing of the port feature, such as described above. 
     The membrane  2  may be configured for being attached directly to an electronic device to be housed, or it may be employed in combination with one or more other structural elements. For instance, in various instances, the membrane  2  may be adhered directly to an electronic device  100  to be housed, e.g., via an adhesive or static pressure or the like, or it may be attached to an external framework  3 , such as that provided in  FIG. 3L , which framework  3  is coupled to the electronic device  100  prior to the application of the membrane  2  to the framework  3 . In such an instance, the housing  1  would be comprised of a bottom member framework  3  to which a top member membrane  2  is attached so as to form the housing  1 . 
     As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 3L , in certain embodiments, a housing  1  of the disclosure may be composed simply of a perimeter framework member  3 , which in this instance, is comprised of a rigid or semi-flexible material, such as polycarbonate, polypropylene, TPE, rubber, and the like. The framework  3  includes several portions that are designed to be coupled to an electronic device  100  and/or folded there around so as to provide a modicum of shock and scratch resistance, such as to the edges, of the underlying device, and may also provide a modicum of waterproof protection. 
     As depicted, the housing  1  includes several features that may or may not be included in a final embodiment. For instance, in certain instances, the framework  3  may include a form fitting top  32  and bottom  31  member, which members are configured for being fitted over a distal and proximal portion of an underlying electronic device  100 . The proximal  31  and distal  32  cap members may be comprised of a rigid or semi-rigid or flexible material so as to be formfitting to the proximal and distal portions of the electronic device to be housed. The proximal  31  and distal  32  cap members may additionally include one or more features so as to accommodate corresponding features of an underlying device  100 . For instance, a proximal  31  or distal  32  end portion may include one or more of an accessory, e.g., headphone, inlet port  50 , a sound transmission port  60 , a charger port  70 , and the like. These features may be formed into the housing member as described herein. 
     In various instances, the framework member  3  may additionally include a back member  35 , which back member may be integral with the end cap members  31  and  32 , such as where the framework member is composed of a flexible or semi-flexible material, or may otherwise be attachable thereto, e.g., where the framework member is composed of a rigid material such as polycarbonate. As depicted the back framework member  35  does not cover the entire back portion of a housed device  100  or the side portions. However, in various embodiments, the framework member  3  may include a back member  35  that covers a substantial portion if not the entire back portion and/or may include perimeter, e.g., side edge, portions as well. As depicted, the back member  35  further includes a window portion and further includes a lens portion  80  with a camera and flash lens set therein. 
     The framework member  3  may be configured for being attached directly to a device  100  to be housed and used by itself as a housing  1  or it may be configured for being used in conjunction with one or more other housing elements, such as in conjunction with one or more of a membrane, e.g., front membrane, portion  2 , and/or with a an over-framework portion  4 , such as that provided with respect to  FIG. 3M . 
       FIG. 3M  provides an external framework feature  4  that may be employed as a housing  1  by itself or in combination with a membrane  2  and internal framework portion  3 , as described herein. As depicted, the external framework portion  4  includes a back member (not shown), which back member is configured for cradling an electronic device  100  to be housed and/or for interacting the membrane  2  and internal framework  3  so as to do the same. The back member includes a plurality of clip portions, which clip portions are configured for wrapping around respective edges of a device  100  to be housed therein. In this instance, there are five clip portions, a distal clip portion  4   a , proximal clip portions  4   b  and  4   c , as well as side clip portions  4   d  and  4   e . Although 5 clip portions are provided herein, in other instances 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, or more clip portions may be provided. The external framework portion  4  may be fabricated from any suitable material, such as a rigid, semi-rigid, or even flexible material. However, in this instance the external framework member  4  is composed of a semi-rigid material that is capable of flexing in such a manner that the clip portions may be snapped over the edges of a device  100  so as to be retained therein. The back member may also be configured for being associated with one or more other features, such as a belt clip member, a bike clip member, an armband member, and the like. It may also include a cut out portion to accommodate a lens portion or speaker or microphone portion of an underlying device. 
     As mentioned, the membrane  2 , internal framework member  3 , and external framework portion  4  are configured for either being used separately, e.g., by being directly attached to a device  100 , or may be used in combination with one or both of the others. Accordingly, one or more of the housings disclosed herein can be packaged separately or together for instance as a kit. 
       FIG. 4  provides several different variations for a housing of the disclosure.  FIG. 4A  provides a top member  2  having a clasping mechanism  27 , and a bottom member  3  having a clasping mechanism  37 . In this embodiment, the top member  2  and bottom member  3  may be comprised of perimeter portions, however a front and/or back surface of the housing, such as a front  25  and/or  35  back membranes, may also be provided in addition to the perimeter portions  2  and  3 . A gasket  15  may also be included. The top  2  and bottom  3  member and/or gasket  15  may circumscribe an electronic device. An adhesive  26  may also be provided so as to join the top  2  and bottom  3  members together along with the gasket  15  and front screen  125  of a housed electronic device  100 . 
       FIG. 4B  provides a close up view of a latching mechanism of the disclosure. A top member  2  and a bottom member  3  are provided. The top member  2  includes an interior perimeter portion  20   a  and an exterior perimeter portion  20   b . The interior and exterior perimeter portions may be composed of the same or different materials. For instance, the interior perimeter portion may be composed of a stiff plastic, such as polycarbonate, and the exterior perimeter portion  20   b  may be composed of a more flexible material such as TPE. The top member  2  additionally includes a clasping mechanism  27 . The clasping mechanism  27  may include a stiff element, such as a polycarbonate. The bottom member  3  may also include an interior and exterior member. As depicted a perimeter portion  30  is provided. The perimeter portion  30  includes a clasping mechanism  37   c , which clasping mechanism may be configured as one or more apertures or grooves that are adapted for receiving the clasping mechanism  27  of the top member, which clasping mechanism may be configured as a ridge member or one or more teeth members. The clasping mechanism  27  of the top member  2  may be held within the clasping mechanism  37  by an elastic force provided by the flexible material of the exterior perimeter portion  20   b . The perimeter portions of the top  2  or bottom members  3  may be flat or substantially curved. 
       FIG. 4C  provides a close up front and side view of two different embodiments of a perimeter portion clasping mechanism  37   c  of  FIG. 4B . As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 4C , the clasping mechanism  37   c  may be configured as a receptacle, such as for a corresponding toothlike clasping mechanism  27  of a top member, or it may be configured so as to include one or more groove elements. Front views and side views are depicted. 
       FIG. 4D  provides another embodiment of a suitable clasping mechanism of a housing of the disclosure. The housing includes a top member  2 , having a clasping mechanism  27  that may be foldable, and a bottom member  3 , having a clasping mechanism  37  that may be foldable. A further perimeter portion  4  may be included, which perimeter portion  4  may include a plurality of clasping mechanisms  4   a  and  b . The perimeter portion  4  and clasping mechanisms  4   a  and  b  may be designed to receive the clasping mechanisms  27  and  37  of the top  2  and bottom  3  members respectively. A compressible gasket  15  may also be provided between the perimeter portion  4  and a perimeter of a housed device, such that as the top and bottom members are coupled with perimeter portion  4 , e.g., snapped together, the gasket may be compressed causing a tension to be exerted against the clasping mechanisms thereby locking them into place. An additional clasping member  6  may further be coupled to the top, bottom, and perimeter members for further security. Additionally, one or more adhesive members  25  may be included for additional security and a stronger attachment. In this manner, by assembling the housing a watertight seal may be provided. 
       FIG. 4E  provides another embodiment of a housing  1  of the disclosure. The housing  1  includes a top member  2 , a bottom member  3 , and a perimeter member  4 . The top and bottom members may be comprised of a semi-flexible or flexible material and the perimeter portion may be composed of a rigid member. The top member  2  may include a clasping mechanism  27  which corresponds to a clasping mechanism  4   a  on the perimeter member  4 . The bottom member  3  may include a clasping mechanism  37  which corresponds to a clasping mechanism  4   b  on the perimeter member  4 . One or more gaskets  15  may also be included. In various embodiments, the top and/or bottom members may be fabricated from a rigid or semi-rigid plastic or metal, such as a pressed or formed metal. The perimeter portion may composed of a plastic such as a rigid plastic like polycarbonate or a more flexible material such PTE. In this embodiment, a front and/or back membrane need not be included. 
       FIG. 4F  provides a side view of the housing  1  of  4 E as it would be when assembled around an electronic device  100 , such as a mobile telephone. The housing  1  includes a top member  2 , a bottom member  3 , and a perimeter member  4 . Clasping mechanisms  27   c  are shown as they would be when the top, bottom, and perimeter portions are assembled together and clasping mechanisms  27 ,  37 ,  4   a , and  4   b  are coupled together so as to seal the housing  1  around the device  100  in a waterproof sealing. 
       FIG. 4G  provides another similar embodiment to that of  FIG. 4E . In this embodiment, both the top member  2  and the bottom member  3  include undulating clasping mechanism  27  and  37  having either male or female locking elements, and the perimeter member  4  also includes corresponding female and/or male locking elements  4   a  and  4   b , such that as the top  2  and bottom  3  members are coupled, e.g., snapped, together the male and female locking elements are joined thereby sealing the housing  1  around the device  100  in a watertight seal. 
       FIG. 4H  provides another embodiment of  FIG. 4E  with a modified configuration, this time without an intervening perimeter member  4  between the top  2  and bottom  3  members. In this embodiment, the top member  2  and the bottom member  3  include corresponding clasping mechanisms  27  and  37  that are configured for being coupled together thereby forming and sealing the housing  1  around a device  100 . In this embodiment, the top and bottom members may additionally include several additional standoffs, e.g.,  16   a, b, c, d , etc. One or more gaskets  15  may additionally be included. The top  2  and/or bottom  3  member may further include one or more bumper portions  8   b , such as TPE corner bumper portions that are inserted between one or more hard plastic, e.g., polycarbonate, exterior portions  8   a.    
       FIG. 4I  provides another embodiment of a housing of the disclosure. The housing includes a top member  2  having a clasping receptacle  27   a , and a bottom member  3  having a clasping receptacle  37   b . The top member  2  and bottom member  3  are coupled together and sealed by the addition of an additional clasping mechanism  27   c , which may include a plurality of end portions configured for being inserted within and thereby attaching to the clasping receptacles  27   a  and  37   a . The clasping mechanism  27   c  may be configured as a flexible, e.g., spring, clip member that when associated with the top  2  and bottom  3  members, the housing  1  is formed and sealed in a liquid-proof sealing. The top  2  and bottom  3  members may further include an additional locking mechanism. For instance, the top  2  and bottom  3  members may include additional corresponding male and female clasping mechanisms  27   b  and  37   b , which are configured for being coupled together and thereby seal the members of the housing  1  together. In various embodiments, the top and bottom members are configured such that as they are joined they form a channel  10  into which a gasket  15  may be inserted. A waterproof adhesive may also be employed at a housing device interface to effectuate the sealing. In this embodiment a front surface membrane need not be included as an adhesive may be used to seal the top member  2  with the front screen  125  of the electronic device  100 . 
       FIG. 4J  provides another embodiment of  FIG. 4H , however, in this embodiment, when the top  2  and bottom  3  members are coupled together, the channel  15  is formed on a top surface of the housing  1 , rather than on a bottom surface of the housing  1 . It is also noted that in this embodiment, the top  2  and bottom  3  members include corresponding clasping mechanisms  27  and  37  that are configured for being coupled together so as to seal the housing in a watertight sealing. In this embodiment an external clipping mechanism  27   c  is not provided, however, if desired the top and bottom members could be configured so as to include an additional clasping mechanism configuration as embodied in  FIG. 4I . 
       FIG. 4K  provides another embodiment of  FIG. 4H  wherein the top  2  and bottom  3  members include extended clip receiving elements  27   a  and  37   a  respectively. An external clipping mechanism  27   c  is also provided. In this embodiment, the top  2  and bottom  3  members are configured for being coupled together in such a manner that as the housing  1  is formed clip receiving elements  27   a  and  37   a  are aligned. When so aligned, the clip mechanism  27   c  may be slid over the corresponding clip receiving elements so as to lock the top and bottom members together and thereby provide a liquid-tight sealing for the housing  1 . It is noted that the clip receiving elements and clip mechanism may additionally include corresponding male and female elements so as to further secure the snapping together of the housing members. 
       FIG. 4L  provides another embodiment of a housing of the disclosure. The housing  1  includes a top member  2  and a bottom member  3  that are configured for being coupled together by the joining of corresponding clasping mechanisms  27  and  37 . A combination gasket and adhesive  26  may further be provided so as to ensure a waterproof engagement between the housing  1  and a housed device  100 . In this embodiment, a binding clip  27   c , as described above, is further provided to additionally secure the housing. The clip element  27   c  may be a clamping member that is flexible enough to be fitted over the top and bottom members, but rigid enough so as to seal the two members together in a liquid proof seal. 
       FIG. 4M  provides an alternative embodiment of a housing of the disclosure. The housing  1  includes a top member  2  having a clasping mechanism  27  and a bottom member  3  having a clasping mechanism  37 . A clip element  4  is also provided. In this embodiment, the clip element  4  includes locking elements that are configured so as to be coupled with corresponding clasping mechanisms  27  and  37  respectively. Further, in this embodiment, the clip element  4  includes an internal member  4   b  and an external member  4   a . In various instances, both internal  4   a  and external  4   b  clipping members may include one or more apertures within which a securing member  27   c , such as a screw member, may be joined so as to further lock the members of the housing together. The securing member  27   c  may be configured for being attached to the clip element from a vertical or horizontal entry point. 
       FIG. 4N  provides a front and back view of the housing of  FIG. 4M , housing a device  100 , with the screw elements  27   c  locked into place along a perimeter portion of the housing  1 . 
       FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a top surface  25  of a top member  2  of the disclosure. The top surface  25  comprises a membrane. The membrane may be fabricated from any suitable material. The membrane is typically transparent, but may contain one or optically opaque regions. An opaque region may be entirely opaque or may include one or more optically transmissive regions. Accordingly, as depicted in  FIG. 5A  the membrane  25  includes an optically transmissive region and an opaque region, which opaque region includes two features, an optically clear region, e.g., a proximity sensor feature  48 , and a button feature  40 . 
       FIG. 5B  illustrates several other features, and their components, which may be included in a top member, e.g., membrane  25 , of the housing  1 . These features include button feature  40  (or home aperture), an acoustic aperture feature  44 , a camera lens portion  47 , and a proximity sensor portion  48 . 
     In this embodiment, the button feature  40  includes a plurality of sub-features. For example, the button feature  40  may include a button feature membrane with a button feature first transition  41  that interacts with a button feature pivot  42  such that as the button is depressed, the button feature pivot deforms. The button feature  40  may also include a standoff or actuator that is coupled to the button feature membrane, such as to the underside of the button feature membrane via a suitable adhesive. The button feature standoff may be configured such that as the button feature is depressed the standoff interfaces with a button of an underlying device so as to effectively manipulate said button. The home button  40  may be fabricated in any suitable manner such as being fabricated from component parts and assembled together, as described herein, or may be formed, such as thermal formed, in conjunction with the front membrane  25 . Accordingly, it is to be noted that while in this embodiment the button feature  40  is composed of several different elements, in various other embodiments the button feature may simply be an indented portion, e.g., a thermally formed indented portion, of the front membrane  25  circumscribed by a raised region. Although not shown herein, in certain embodiments, an inward facing surface of the home button may include a standoff, such as an adhesive spacer element, that may function so as to allow the home button  40  better engage a home button  140  of an underlying device. 
     In various embodiments, the acoustic aperture feature  44  may be comprised of an acoustic exit aperture  49  that is overlaid with water-impermeable gasket, e.g., an acoustic membrane or vent material  45 , which membrane material covers the acoustic aperture  49  thereby preventing the ingress of water there through while at the same time allowing the transmission of sound. With respect to  FIG. 5B , in this embodiment, the acoustic aperture feature  44  includes a plurality of sub-elements. For instance, the acoustic aperture feature  44  includes an acoustic membrane material  45   a , the acoustic membrane material  45   a  includes an acoustic exit aperture  49 . The acoustic membrane material  45   a  is offset from the membrane  25  and attached therewith by an adhesive ring  46  and is further associated with an acoustic vent material  45   b , which acoustic vent material is sound permeable but liquid impermeable. The acoustic vent material  45   b  may be associated with the acoustic membrane material  45   a  such that it covers the acoustic exit aperture  46  so as to prevent the ingress of water there through while at the same time allowing the transmission of sound. 
     The membrane  25  may also include video camera  47  and proximity sensor  48  regions, which regions may be configured for interacting with a video camera and proximity sensor of an underlying device. In this embodiment the video camera and proximity sensor regions are optically clear regions. In various other embodiments, the camera region may include a lens configured to be aligned with the camera lens of a housed device. 
     In certain instances, the proximity sensor  148  of the underlying electronic device  100 , if included therein, is typically incorporated into the device, e.g., touch screen device, such that when the device is placed close to the face of a user or bounds of a pocket or other storage element, etc. the touch capabilities of the touch screen  125  are disabled, so as to prevent unintended operation of the touch interface by the face, ear, or other object. As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 5C , such proximity sensors  148  are typically comprised of an infra-red transmitter  148   a , and an infra-red receiver  148   b  to detect reflections from the infra-red transmitter from objects, such as a face or pocket, etc., that is in close proximity. 
     In certain instances, such as depicted in  FIG. 5C , when the device  100  is housed within a housing  1 , an air-gap can develop between the screen or membrane  25  of the housing  1  and the screen surface  125  of the electronic device  100  having the proximity sensor  148 , thereby causing the proximity sensor  148  to detect a reflection of its own beam, resulting in a false trigger of the proximity sensor, and consequently unintended disabling of the touch screen interface  125 . 
     In certain embodiments, the housings  1  of the present disclosure may overcome these problems in a variety of ways, as depicted in  FIG. 5C . For instance, an unintentional air-gap may be prevented and/or reduced, thereby mitigating the false-triggering of the proximity sensor  148 , in one or more of the following ways. An optically transparent member  48   a , e.g., spacer, of a determined thickness may be molded or otherwise adhered to the membrane  25  to fill the air-gap. The adhesive could be any suitable adhesive, such as, in certain instances, the adhesive could be glue, adhesive tape, heat-welding, molding, static cling, surface tension, and/or the like. Further, a physical deformation  48   b  may be added to the membrane  25  so as to form the optically clear region of the proximity sensor portion  48  of the membrane  25  to reduce the air-gap. Such a depression may be performed with cold-pressing, or by thermo-forming the membrane. Additionally, the membrane  25  may be over-formed to provide a continuous positive tension thereon. Also, a member of double-sided optically clear adhesive with a pre-determined thickness can be applied to membrane  25 , and then the membrane  25  may be adhered to the screen of the electronic device  100  to completely eliminate the air-gap. The adhesive may be formed by surface tension, static cling, viscous fluids, adhesive, and/or the like. 
       FIG. 5D  is a cross section view of the membrane  25  of  FIG. 5A . As depicted in  FIG. 5D  the top surface membrane  25  spans from one side  23  of the top member  2  to the other side  24  of the top member. The membrane  25  may include a raised ridge portion  43  which circumscribes the membrane  25 . The raised ridge portion may be configured for interfacing with a perimeter portion  20  of the top member  2  in a manner such as described with respect to  FIG. 6  below. In certain embodiments, the membrane  25  is flat across its surface and therefore the perimeter portion  43  of the membrane  25  is not a raised ridge portion. 
     However, as illustrated in  FIG. 5D , in certain instances, the membrane  25  may include an interior portion and an outer perimeter portion  43 , such as a portion that may interface with a perimeter portion, e.g., of the housing  1 , e.g., top member. As described above, the perimeter portion  20  of the top member  2  may include a plurality of sub-portions, such as a first sub-portion or interior perimeter portion  20   a  that includes an interior membrane interfacing member, and a second sub-portion or exterior perimeter portion  20   b  that includes an exterior membrane interfacing member. The membrane  25 , therefore, may be configured such that it spans from one side of the perimeter  23  to another  24  in such a manner that the back surface of the membrane  25  associates with at least a portion of the interior membrane interfacing member of the interior perimeter portion  20   a , and the front surface of the membrane  25  associates with at least a portion of the exterior membrane interfacing member of the exterior perimeter portion  20   b . See, for instance,  FIG. 6  below. 
       FIG. 6 . Illustrates an exemplary embodiment of how the membrane  25  of  FIG. 5D  may associate with the perimeter portion  20  of the top member  2 . As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 6A  the membrane  25  includes an interior portion that spans across the top member  2  and a perimeter portion  26  that interfaces with the perimeter portion  20  of the top member  2 . The perimeter portion  20  of the top member  2  includes an interior perimeter portion  20   a  that includes an interior membrane interfacing member; and an exterior perimeter portion  20   b  that includes an exterior membrane interfacing member. 
     The membrane  25  is configured such that it spans from one side  23  of the top member to the other side  24  of the top member  2 . The membrane has a front surface  25   a  and a back surface  25   b . The back surface of the membrane  25   b  associates with at least a portion of the interior membrane interfacing member of the interior perimeter portion  20   a  of top member  2 ; and the front surface of the membrane  25   a  associates with at least a portion of the exterior membrane interfacing member of the exterior perimeter portion  20   b  of top member  2 . 
     In this embodiment, the interior perimeter portion  20   a  comprises an under-moulded material, such as a rigid material, for instance, a rigid plastic, metal, polycarbonate, and the like, that is fabricated in a first moulding process; the membrane  25  is then added and attached thereto; and the exterior perimeter portion  20   b  comprises an over-moulded material, such as a semi-flexible material, such as rubber, TPE, polyethylene, or the like, that is fabricated in a second moulding process, for instance, after the rigid interior perimeter portion  20   a  has been fabricated and the membrane  25  attached thereto. Hence, once the rigid first perimeter portion  20   a  has been fabricated, the membrane  25  may be applied from one side of the perimeter  23  to the other  24  and attached thereto, such as by an adhesive layer. Subsequently, the semi-flexible or flexible exterior perimeter portion  20   b  may be fabricated and applied to the interior perimeter portion  20   a  and over a perimeter portion  43  of the membrane  25 , e.g., in an over-mould process. 
     In such an instance, the interior perimeter portion  20   a  of the top member  2  includes an interior or back surface membrane interfacing region which associates with a back surface of the membrane  25   b , either directly or through an intermediary adhesive layer(s); and the exterior perimeter portion  20   b  includes an exterior or top surface membrane interfacing region that associates with the top surface of the membrane  25   a , either directly or through an intermediary adhesive layer(s). In this undermould/overmould process the membrane  25  is secured to the perimeter portions in a liquid-proof seal. It is noted that as depicted the membrane  25  includes an exterior perimeter ridge feature  26 , however, in certain embodiments this ridge feature need not be included. 
       FIG. 6B  illustrates a cross section of a side portion of the device of the disclosure. Depicted therein are sides  23  and  33  of top and bottom members  2 ,  3  respectively of the housing  1 . With respect to top side member  23  of top member  2 , the side member  23  comprises a perimeter portion  20  of the top member  2 . The perimeter portion  20  in this embodiment includes an interior perimeter portion  20   a  and an exterior perimeter portion  20   b . The interior perimeter portion  20   a  is fabricated from a rigid or semi-rigid material. A membrane  25  spans across from one side  23  of top member  2  to another side  24  (not shown). The membrane  25  includes a front or top surface  25   a  and a back or bottom surface  25   b . The back or bottom surface of the membrane  25   b  is moulded or otherwise attached to the interior perimeter portion  20   a.    
     For instance, the membrane  25  may be attached to the interior perimeter portion  20   a  via a suitable adhesive or directly via the fabrication, e.g., moulding, process. The exterior perimeter portion  20   b  is fabricated from a flexible or semi-flexible material. The exterior perimeter portion  20   b  may be associated with the interior perimeter portion  20   a  by various means known in the art, such as by a moulding, e.g., overmoulding, process. The front or top surface of the membrane  25   a  is moulded or otherwise attached to the exterior perimeter portion  20   b . For instance, the membrane  25  may be attached to the exterior perimeter portion  20   b  via a suitable adhesive or directly via the moulding process. In this manner the membrane  25  is attached to the perimeter portion  20  to form a reliable, tight seal. It is to be noted that although a particular embodiment has been depicted, various aspects of the configuration may be changed without digressing from the depicted embodiment. For instance, in certain instances, the membrane  25  may be attached directly to the rigid frame  20   a  of the perimeter portion  20  of the top member  2 , while the flexible outer perimeter portion  20   b  is not overmoulded therewith but is adapted so as to be removable therefrom. A gasket, such as a circumferential gasket may or may not be included therewith. 
       FIG. 6C  illustrates an embodiment of how the membrane  25  associates with a top side portion  23 . The top side portion  23  includes an interior perimeter portion  20   a , which portion comprises a rigid framework body that can be fabricated in a first process. The membrane  25  can then be attached either directly during the fabrication process, e.g., the moulding process, or indirectly through the addition of one or more intervening adhesive layers, e.g.,  25   c  and  d . In certain embodiments, the one or more adhesive layers need not be included. 
     In one embodiment, once the rigid internal framework  20   a  has been fabricated and the membrane  25  attached thereto, a second, more flexible perimeter portion  20   b  may be fabricated and overlaid or otherwise moulded over the interior perimeter portion  20   a  and membrane  25 . In certain instances, the membrane  25  may be attached to the perimeter portions  20   a  and/or  b  via one or more adhesives  25   c  and/or  d . In a manner such as this a liquid-tight seal is produced between the membrane  25  and the perimeter portion  20 , wherein the interior perimeter portion  20   a  interfaces with a bottom surface  25   b  of membrane  25  (e.g., via adhesive  25   c ), and an outer perimeter portion  20   b  is configured with respect to the top member  2  such that it interfaces with a top surface  25   a  of the membrane  25  (e.g., via adhesive  25   d ). 
       FIG. 6D  depicts a further embodiment of the overmoulded top member  2  of  FIG. 6C . The rigid interior member  20   a  is fabricated such as from a hard polycarbonate material and a membrane  25  is associated therewith, e.g., by the application of an intervening adhesive. Any suitable adhesive or molecular bonding material may be employed. Once the membrane  25  has been attached to the rigid body  20   a , a second more flexible member  20   b , e.g., a semi-flexible or flexible material such as TPE, may be fabricated and molded over both the rigid body  20   a  and a perimeter portion  26  of the membrane  25 , so as to circumscribe the perimeter thereof. In this manner the internal rigid body  20   a  will give the top member  2  a strong internal framework and the flexible external body  20   b  will provide a layer of shock absorbance to the top member  2 . Furthermore, an over-moulding process such as this will enhance the bonding of the membrane  25  to the external and internal bodies  20   a, b  of the perimeter portion  20  thereby enhancing reliability of the seal and ensuring that the seal is liquid-proof. 
     As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 6D , the rigid interior perimeter portion  20   a  of top member  2  includes a clasping mechanism  27  that is designed to associate with a corresponding clasping mechanism  37  of the exterior perimeter portion, e.g., bounding member  30   b , of the bottom member  3  in a liquid tight seal. The liquid tight seal is further insured by the presence of the gasket  15  within the channel  10  of bottom member  3 . For instance, as the clasping member  27  of the interior perimeter portion  20   a  of the top member  2  slides into the channel  10  of the bottom member  3  so as to associate with its corresponding clasping member  37  of the exterior bounding member  30   b , a portion of the interior perimeter portion  20   a  of the top member  2  contacts and presses down on the gasket  15  thereby compressing the gasket and further insuring a liquid tight seal therewith. In this embodiment, the clasping member  37  of the exterior perimeter portion  30   b  is formed as a circumferential groove that circumscribes at least a portion of the channel  10 . Hence, the clasping mechanism  27  of the interior perimeter portion  20   a  of the top member  2  is configured for at least partially being received within the groove  27  so as to be coupled therewith and therefore at least partially circumscribes the channel  10  when the top member  2  is coupled to the bottom member  3 . 
     Also depicted is top surface membrane  25 , which top surface membrane  25  includes an acoustic vent feature  44 , which acoustic vent feature  44  includes an acoustic exit aperture  49  that is overlaid with water-impermeable gasket, e.g., an acoustic membrane  45 , which membrane material covers the acoustic aperture  49  thereby preventing the ingress of water there through while at the same time allowing the transmission of sound. In this instance, the acoustic membrane material  45  is offset from the membrane  25  and attached therewith by an adhesive ring  46 . Further depicted is lens feature  80  positioned on a back surface member  35  of bottom member  3 . The top surface  35   a  of bottom surface member  35  also includes standoffs  16 . As depicted, the standoffs are illustrated as bump portions  16 , although in certain instances they may be elongated, raised line members, which may be positioned anywhere along an interior portion  35   a  of the bottom member  3 , such as in a central portion of the bottom member  3 . For instance, the bottom member  3  may include a plurality of parallel raised standoff members in the center portion of the bottom member  3 . Such a position may be optimal for maximizing sound resonance without creating increased distortion. 
       FIG. 6E  illustrates an overmould process as described above. This manufacturing process may be employed for fabricating the members of the housing. First a rigid interior structure  20   a  is fabricated from a rigid material such as polycarbonate. Second, a membrane  25 , such as an IMD-PET film, may be provided. In certain instances, the film or membrane may include one or more graphics thereon and in such an embodiment, the graphics, such as 3D graphics, may be printed on the film. The membrane is then cut to size and loaded into a fabrication tool. The membrane, e.g., film, is then associated, e.g., overmoulded, with the rigid polycarbonate structure  20   a . The membrane  25  may include a hard or semi-hard coating which may be positioned so that the hard coat is facing up. This surface may be hard to bind to. This coating may be positioned on a top surface of the membrane  25   a , so as to be facing up. The rigid material perimeter structure  20   a , and in certain embodiments the membrane  25  may then be overmoulded with a more flexible material, such as with TPE, to form a more flexible outer perimeter portion  20   b . For instance, an additional, semi-rigid or semi-flexible material  20   b , such as TPE, may be added over the rigid material  20   a  and a perimeter  26  of the membrane  25 . In this manner the membrane  25  may be attached to the rigid internal structure  20   a  of the housing  1  and a more flexible second structure  20   b  may be moulded there over so as to form a secure seal therewith. 
     Accordingly, as can be seen with respect to  FIGS. 6A-E , the perimeter portion  20  of the top member  2  of the housing  1  may include a plurality of sub-portions, a first sub-portion being an interior perimeter structure portion  20   a  with a membrane interfacing region, e.g., a region that interfaces with a perimeter portion  26  of the bottom of the front membrane  25   b ; and a second sub-portion being an exterior perimeter flexible portion  20   b  with an additional membrane interfacing region, e.g., a region that interfaces with a perimeter portion  26  of the top of the membrane  25   a . Hence, the membrane  25  is configured such that it spans from one side  23  of the perimeter to another  24  in such a manner that the back surface  25   b  of the membrane associates with the interior perimeter portion  20   a  at the membrane interfacing region; and the front surface  25   a  of the membrane  25  associates with the exterior perimeter portion  20   b  at the membrane interfacing region. The membrane may further comprise one or more surface features as described herein. 
     For example, in certain embodiments, the top or bottom member may include a front and/or back surface, wherein the top and/or back surface comprises a membrane, the membrane may be a single or a plurality of membranes associated with one another. The membrane may include one or more features, such as features that allow the housing to accommodate particular features of an underlying device to be housed therein. Such features may include an acoustic membrane feature, button feature, a proximity sensor aperture, a video camera aperture and/or lens feature, and/or the like. 
     Accordingly, as can be seen with respect to  FIGS. 6F-6H , the membrane  25  may include a plurality of features, such as an acoustic membrane feature  44 , a lens feature  47 , and a proximity sensor feature  48 .  FIG. 6F  provides a cut-away view of the housing  1 . The acoustic membrane feature  44  may include an acoustic exit aperture  49  in the membrane  25  to which a second membrane  45 , e.g., an acoustic membrane, may be coupled, such as in an offset fashion. However, in this embodiment, an acoustic membrane  45  is not attached. Rather, the acoustic aperture  49  is left open. The lens feature  47  may include a lens, such as a video camera lens, as described herein below with reference to the bottom member  3 , or it may include an optically transparent region. In this embodiment, the lens feature is simply an optically clear region. The proximity sensor feature  48  may include an optically transparent region and/or may include a proximity sensor gasket  17 . In this embodiment, a proximity sensor gasket  17  is not included. 
     Additionally, although not depicted herein, a spacer element, such as a long strip of adhesive tape may be applied to a back surface  25   b  of the top membrane  25 . The space may run along one or more sides and may run substantially all the length or a lesser portion thereof. Such a spacer element could be useful for creating a slight gap between the back surface  25   b  of the front membrane  25  and the front surface  125  of a screen of an electronic device  100 . This gap may be useful for a number of reasons such as for enhanced sound transmission, such as that caused by allowing sound to more freely resonate between the front membrane  25  and the front screen  125  of a housed device  100 , and/or for preventing a “rainbow,” or Newton ring, from forming due to the internal reflection of light that may be caused by the front membrane  25  sticking to the front surface of a housed electronic device. Although the spacer element is described as being an adhesive strip, it may have any of a number of configurations so long as it is capable of attaching to a front membrane  25  or a perimeter portion  20  and capable of preventing Newton rings (e.g., reflective rainbow circles) from forming between the front membrane  25  and the screen of a housed device. 
       FIG. 6G  depicts the top member  2  back surface membrane  25   b  of the housing  1  as depicted in  FIG. 6F , wherein a liquid proof acoustic vent membrane  45  is attached to the acoustic vent portion  44 , and a spacer gasket  17  is attached to the proximity sensor portion  48 . As can be seen, the top member  2  comprises a membrane  25 . The membrane  25  includes a plurality of regions. A first region, e.g., a center region, includes an optically clear region through which the touchscreen interface of a touchscreen electronic device may be interacted with; and a second region, e.g., a perimeter region, that is masked so as to be opaque. In this embodiment, the opaque region is not entirely opaque but includes a plurality of optically clear regions, such as video camera optical aperture  47  and a proximity sensor  48 . The opaque region also includes an acoustic vent feature  44  having an acoustic aperture  49  covered by a water-impermeable gasket  45 . 
     In this embodiment, a water impermeable acoustic membrane  45  is attached to the membrane  25  enclosing the aperture  49  in a liquid proof sealing that allows sound to pass there through but not water. In a manner such as this sound from a speaker portion  144  of an underlying device  100  may be transmitted through the aperture  49 , but liquid cannot. The proximity sensor feature  48  not only includes an optically transparent region it further includes a proximity sensor gasket  17 . The proximity sensor gasket  17  functions to reduce if not entirely eliminate the reflection of light from the membrane  25  being directed back to the proximity sensor  148  of an underlying device thereby activating it, such as described with reference to  FIG. 5C . The gasket  17  may have any suitable configuration, but in various instances it may be configured to circumscribe the proximity sensor region  48  and may further include a transecting element that travels from one perimeter to the other so as to transect the gasket. This transecting region may function to further prevent the membrane  25  from activating the proximity sensor  148  of an underlying device  100 . 
       FIG. 6H  provides a cut-away, close up view of the acoustic membrane feature  44  of  FIG. 6F . As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 6H  a membrane  25  is depicted. The membrane  25  includes an aperture  49  configured for allowing sound to exit through the top member  2  of the housing  1 . The aperture  49  is overlaid with a secondary membrane, such as an acoustic membrane  45 . The second membrane  45  is offset from the first membrane  25  and attached thereto by an adhesive rim  46 . The second membrane  45  is permeable to sound but not to liquid, such as water. 
     For instance, as can be seen with respect to  FIG. 6H , the adhesive rim may further be configured as a spacer  46  that may be adhered to the acoustic membrane  45 , e.g., along a perimeter thereof, so as to offset the acoustic membrane  45  from the membrane  25 . Accordingly, in certain instances, a spacer may be included and adhered to the acoustic membrane  45  and the membrane  25  by an adhesive. In other instances, a spacer need not be included, rather, the acoustic membrane  45  may be offset from the membrane  25  by the mere presence of the adhesive. 
     The second membrane  45  may be an acoustic membrane that is transmissive to sound and/or gas but not to liquids or solids. For example, the acoustic membrane  45  may be a semi-permeable membrane such as GorTex®. The adhesive may be any suitable adhesive and may be applied to the second, e.g., acoustic membrane,  45  so as to attach it to the first membrane  25 . As such, the acoustic membrane  45  will allow sound to travel through the acoustic exit aperture  46  of the membrane  25  at the same time as keeping liquid, e.g., water, and dirt from passing there through. As depicted, the acoustic membrane  45  includes two portions  45   a  and  45   b . The first portion  45   a  includes an opening therein and is attached directly to the underside  25   b  of the front membrane  25  in such a manner that the openings aligned. An adhesive spacer  46  is positioned on top of the membrane  45   a  and is further attached to an additional water impermeable membrane  45   b , which membrane  45   b  spans the openings in membranes  45   a  and  25 . The acoustic membrane  45   b  covers the acoustic vent aperture  49  so as to prevent the ingress of liquid, such as water, but to allow the egress of sound out of the housing  1 . 
     A common feature of electronic devices, such as mobile telephones, is a navigation button, e.g., a home button, that when manipulated allows a user to navigate through various menus contained within the programming of the underlying device. Accordingly, a housing  1  of the disclosure may include a front surface  25  having a corresponding navigation interface feature, such as a button feature  40 . As can be seen with respect to  FIGS. 7A  (a)-(f), in certain embodiments, the front surface of the top member  2  may be a membrane  25  having a button feature  40 . 
       FIG. 7A  illustrates three various embodiments of a button feature  40  that may be employed with the housing  1  of the disclosure. The button feature  40  may have any suitable configuration so as to allow the membrane  25  of the top member  2  to effectively interact with an underlying button feature  140  of an encased device  100 , e.g., without substantial deformation of the membrane  25 . 
     For instance, the button feature  40  may simply be a specifically designed detent that is integral with the membrane material  25 , or it may be an additional feature added to the membrane, such as a feature that includes a layer of stiff or flexible material that has been molded, adhered, or otherwise attached to the membrane  25  as a button area. If the button feature  40  is an additional feature to be added to the front membrane  25 , the button feature may be configured such that the button feature does not increase the thickness of the membrane  25  so as not to decrease the functionality and aesthetics of the housing  1 . 
     As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 7A  (a) the top surface  25  of the housing  2 , e.g., the membrane, such as a PET membrane, includes an indented region  40  that is at least partially surrounded by a raised ridged or pivot region  42 , which pivot region  42  may be associated with at least a first transition  41 . The indented button feature  40 , the first transition  41 , and the pivot region  42  are configured such that as the button feature  40  is depressed, the ridged pivot region deforms  42  allowing the indented portion to travel without causing substantial stretching of the membrane  25  outside of the button region. In certain embodiments, the pivot region  42  comprises a ridged circumference that can be adapted so as to create a pivot point with an increased pivot radius. 
     Accordingly, in a manner such as this the button feature  40  may be manipulated in such a manner that it interfaces with a navigation region  140  of an underlying device  100  thereby allowing a user to easily navigate through the various menus of an encased device. As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 7A  (a) and (b), a three dimensional form of a button feature  40  may be present in the top surface  25  of the housing  1 , e.g., the membrane. For instance, the membrane  25  may include an indented region that may or may not be surrounded by a ridged circumference having a first and/or second transitions  41  and  42 , respectively. 
     For example, where a ridged circumference is included, the ridged circumference may have a first transition  41  and may further have a second transition  42 , such that the ridged circumference surrounds a flat or an indented button surface of the button feature  40 . As the button surface is depressed, at least the first transition  41  of the ridged region deforms thereby allowing the indented portion to travel without causing substantial stretching of the membrane  25  outside of the button region  40 . 
     Additionally, the ridged circumference can be adapted so as to create a pivot point  42  with an increased pivot radius. See  FIG. 7A  (b). As the button surface is depressed, the first transition  41  of the ridged region deforms pivoting about the second transition  42  which further allows the indented portion to travel without substantially stretching the membrane  25 . 
     In a further embodiment, as can be seen with respect to  FIG. 7A  (c) and (d), the button feature  40  may be configured as a substantially flat surface or a surface having a minor detent therein and having a formed or attached nipple associated with a back surface of the membrane  25   b . The nipple may be positioned in the direct center of the button feature or may be offset therefrom, e.g., so as to accommodate different features of a home button and/or different configurations thereof. In this embodiment, an indented region and/or ridged circumference  42  is not included. Rather, the first transition  41  is linear and sharp thereby creating a sharp pivot interface. Further, as seen with respect to  FIGS. 7(   c ) and ( d ), the button feature  40  is substantially flat all the way across but includes a nub or nipple on an underside of the membrane  25  that may be pressed into the button of the underlying device when the button feature is depressed. The button feature  40 , first transition  41 , and nipple are configured such that as the button feature  40  is depressed, the membrane  25  flexes along the sharp pivot  41  and the nipple interfaces with the navigation button  140  of an underlying device  100  thereby allowing a user to navigate through the various menus of an encased device. 
     In an additional embodiment, as can be seen with respect to  FIG. 7A  (e) and (f), the button feature  40  may be configured as a raised membrane member  40  having a knob associated with a back surface of the membrane  25   b . The knob feature may be positioned in the direct center of the button feature or be offset therefrom. In this embodiment, a ridged circumference is not included. Rather, the first transition  41  is raised and the membrane  25  is stretched over the knob. The button feature  40 , raised first transition  41 , and knob are configured such that as the button feature  40  is depressed, the raised membrane portion is lowered and the knob interfaces with the navigation button  140  of an underlying device  100  thereby allowing a user to navigate through the various menus of an encased device. Hence, the button feature  40  may include a raised, but depressible knob portion having the membrane  25  material stretched over it. The knob portion may be positioned so as to allow the button feature to interact with the button  140  of an underlying device  100 . 
       FIG. 7B  provides a side cut-away, cross section view of a housing  1  of the disclosure, showing the indented button feature  40  of  FIG. 7A  (a). The housing  1  includes a top member  2  and a bottom member  3 . The top member  2  includes a front surface, which in this embodiment is composed of a flexible membrane  25 . The front membrane includes a button feature  40 , which button feature includes a pivot edge  41  and a raised pivot ridge  42 . The button feature  40  is indented and configured to interface with the “home” or “menu” button of an encased device. The pivot ridge portion  42  is raised and at least partially circumscribes the button feature  40  so as to accommodate the travel pursuant to the button  40  being depressed. For instance, as the button  40  is depressed, pivot edge  41  flattens and pivot ridge  42  extends downwards. 
     The top member  2  further includes a charge port feature  70  on its proximal end  21 . The charge port feature  70  includes a charge port opening  71   a , which charge port opening is covered by a charge port latch cover or door  71   b . The charge port opening  71   a  is bounded by a bounding member. The bounding member may be formed of any suitable material and may be in any suitable shape. 
     For instance, the charge port bounding member may be composed of the same material from which the interior and/or exterior perimeter portions  20   a  and/or  b  are made. Hence, the charge port bounding member may be integrally formed along with the interior perimeter portion  20   b  and/or further formed along with the exterior perimeter portion  20   b . In certain embodiments, the charge port bounding member may be integrally formed along with the stiff and/or rigid interior perimeter portion  20   a  of the top member  2  so as to form a charge port opening  71   a . A second flexible perimeter portion  20   b  may then be overlaid upon the rigid interior perimeter portion  20   a , wherein a charge port cutout may be cut into the flexible perimeter portion  20   b  so as to at least partially bound the charge port opening  71   a  of the interior perimeter portion  20   a.    
     However, in certain instances, as depicted in  FIG. 7B , the charge port bounding member may include a plurality of materials from which the charge port opening  71   a  is composed. For instance, the charge port opening  71   a  may be bounded by a plurality of materials having a different stiffness. For instance, a first bounding material may be a stiff material  72  which material is provided to give structure to the charge port opening  71   a . A second more flexible material  73  may be included which material is configured for receiving a portion of a charge port door gasket  78 . 
     The charge port feature  70  may further include a charger port door  71   b  that may include a charge port door gasket  78 . Together the charge port door  71   b  and gasket  78  function to provide a waterproof sealing of the charge port orifice  71   a . For instance, in this embodiment, the charge port bounding member includes a charge port door latch ramp receiving member  76 , and the charge port door  71   b  includes a corresponding charge port door latch ramp  77 . The charge port door latch ramp  77  is configured for being received within the charge port door latch ramp receiving member  76  thereby latching the charge port door  71   b  to the bounding member. Thus, when the charge port door  71   b  is closed, the gasket  78  covers the charge port opening  71   a  thereby effectively sealing the opening  71   a  and preventing the entrance of liquid there through. The gasket may be composed of any suitable compressible material, which if desired may be further overlaid with a less flexible rubber material so as to provide greater resilience to the gasket  78 . 
     The charge port door  71   b  is configured for opening and closing so as to allow and/or prevent access to the charge port opening  71   a . Hence, the charge port feature  70  may further include a charge port axle  74 . The charge port door  71   b  therefore may be configured to include an axle receiving orifice  75  though witch the axle  74  is fitted. In a manner such as this, the charge port door  71   b  may be rotated about the axle  74  from an opened to a closed position thereby permitting access to the charge port opening  71   a , when in the opened position, or preventing access thereto by providing a waterproof seal when the charge port door  71   b  is in the closed position. 
     Also depicted is bottom member  3 . The bottom member  3  may include a perimeter portion  30  having a channel  10  therein. The channel  10  may be bounded by an interior perimeter portion  30   a  and an exterior perimeter portion  30   b . The bottom member  3  is configured for being connected to the top member  2 , such as via corresponding latching mechanisms  27  and  37 , so as to form a waterproof sealing of the housing  1 . Specifically, the top member  2  may include an interior perimeter portion  20   a  that further includes an internal clasping mechanism  27 . The exterior perimeter portion  30   b  of the bottom member  3  may include the clasping mechanism  37 . The clasping mechanisms  27  and  37  may be configured for being coupled together so as to clasp the top  2  and bottom  3  members together thereby forming the housing  1 . 
     To further insure a waterproof sealing, a channel  10  may also be included along a perimeter portion of the housing  1 . The channel  10  may include a gasket  15  positioned therein. Accordingly, as the interior perimeter portion  20   a  of the top member  2  is aligned with the exterior perimeter portion  30   b  of the bottom member  3 , and the corresponding clasping mechanisms  27  and  37  are coupled together, the interior perimeter portion  20   a  of the top member  2  compresses the gasket  15  within the channel  10  of the bottom member  3  thereby creating a waterproof sealing of the housing  1 . 
     Also depicted on a front surface  35   a  of bottom member  3  are standoffs  16 . In certain embodiments, a bottom or top member may include one or more stand-offs  16 . For instance, in certain embodiments, such as for increased shock protection and/or sound transmission, a top and/or bottom member may include one or more preformed standoffs  16 , such as on an interior surface of the top  2  or bottom member  3 . As indicated above, the stand-offs  16  can be configured with a size, shape, and configuration so as to enhance the transmission of sound throughout the housing  1 . 
       FIG. 7C  provides a close up view of another embodiment of the button feature  40 . As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 7C , in various embodiments, a top member  2  and/or a bottom member  3  may include the channel  10 , which channel  10  may include gasket  15 . For instance, in this embodiment, the top member  2  includes an interior perimeter portion  20   a , wherein the interior perimeter portion  20   a  is further configured to include an interior channel bounding member  20   a   1  and an exterior channel bounding member  20   a   2 . In this instance, the exterior channel bounding member  20   a   2  includes clasping mechanism  27 , and the exterior perimeter channel bounding member  30   b  of bottom member  3  includes corresponding clasping mechanism  37 . However, in various instances, this configuration could be reversed. Accordingly, where included, the channel  10  of the housing  1  may be included in either a top member  2  or a bottom member  3  or in both top and bottom members  2  and  3  respectively. 
     In certain embodiments, a bottom member may additionally include one or more features. For instance, although a top or bottom member may include a lens feature, in certain instances, the bottom member  3  includes a lens feature  80 . For example,  FIG. 8A  provides a perspective view of a back surface  35   b  of a bottom member  3 . The bottom member  3  includes both distal and proximal end portions  31  and  32  as well as bottom side portions  33  and  34 . A camera portion  80  is also included. The camera portion  80  may include one or more of a raised lip portion  81  surrounding an optical skirt  82 . The optical skirt  82  is configured for housing at least a camera lens region  83  having a camera lens therein and may additionally include a flash lens region  85 , having a flash lens therein. Either lens can be replaced by an optically transmissive region. 
     Accordingly, in certain embodiments, a top and/or a bottom member  2 , 3  may include a camera portion  80  having a lens feature, such as a camera and/or flash feature  83  and/or  85  respectively. In typical cases, a lens and/or flash feature is not provided. Rather, there is simply an optically transmissive region provided. Such a region may be problematic because it may interfere with the clarity of pictures taken by a camera and/or flash of a housed device. For instance, where a flash is provided, an unprotected optically clear region may allow the transmission of light incident to the camera lens of the underlying device thereby causing pictures taken to be washed out. In other instances, the camera portion simply comprises a cut-out portion of the casing through which pictures may be taken. However, this is not ideal as it may prevent the case from being water resistant. If a camera and/or lens is to be provided in a housing of the disclosure, it may be so provided in such a manner as to be stepped up from the housing. This, however, may not be ideal because it may be hard to clean, easy to scratch, and hard to protect. 
     Accordingly, as can be seen with respect to  FIG. 8A  in certain embodiments, a lens feature  80  is provided wherein one or more lenses, such as a camera  83  and/or a flash  85  lens, are positioned within the top  2  or bottom  3  member of the housing  1  so as to be integral therewith and not substantially stepped up there from. The lens feature may include a lens  83  for a camera and/or another lens  85  for a flash, and may further include an optical skirt  82  surrounding the one or more lenses so as to prevent inerrant light transmission, e.g., to reduce internal reflection and thereby reduce flair. 
     In fabricating a lens feature, the one or more lenses may be pressed into the top or bottom member, so as to be pressed flush against the housing material. Such a fabrication method may be better than molding because typical molding process using rubber and other such materials are difficult with respect to glass due to the difference in thermal expansions and contraction. Further, it is difficult to make such seals watertight. 
     Accordingly, in one embodiment, a housing containing a lens element is provided wherein one or more lenses are provided therein. The lenses may be designed to have a diameter that is less, equal, or greater than that of the lenses provided in the underlying device. In fabricating a housing member having a lens element, the housing member may be fabricated, e.g., molded, and a suitable lens provided separately. A mandrel, or other such tool, may then be employed to press the lens feature into the housing member. This will give the lens feature a clean, well fit interface with the surrounding material of the housing member. The lens feature should be configured such that the transition is flush with no cavities between the lens feature and the housing material. 
     In certain instances, the camera feature  80  may include an elastomer material into which one or more lenses may be pressed. The elastomer may be configured so as to form an optical divider separating one lens from another, such as a camera lens from a flash lens. Such optical divider may be useful in preventing radiating light from one lens, such as a flash lens  85 , from impinging into the other lens, such as the camera lens  83 . The elastomeric lens containing material may then be added directly to the bottom member  3  or may be added to another material, such as an optically clear plastic material, which plastic material may then be attached to the bottom member  3 , e.g., via an adhesive. For example, a bottom member  3  may be fabricated, such as from a polypropylene material, wherein the bottom member  3  includes a lens feature orifice. A lens containing elastic material may then be fabricated, as described above. A plastic base member may be fabricated and the lens containing elastic material may then be inserted therein. The plastic material may then be attached to the polypropylene bottom member  3 , e.g., via adhesive, so as to cover the lens feature orifice. It is to be noted that the elastomeric skirt may completely circumscribe the lens, e.g., the camera lens  83  or flash lens  85 , or may partially circumscribe the lens, such as in a tong like configuration. 
     Also depicted in  FIG. 8A  is latch door  71 , described above, as well as sound inlet and outlets  60   a  and  b , described herein in greater detail below. 
       FIG. 8B  provides a cut-away cross section view of the lens feature  80 , e.g., camera feature, of  FIG. 8A . In this embodiment, the lens feature  80  is provided on a bottom member  3  of the housing  1 , although in various other embodiments, the lens feature  80  may be provided on a top member  2 . The camera feature  80  includes a raised lip portion  81  that surrounds an optical skirt  82 . The optical skirt  82  includes a camera lens orifice  84  containing a camera lens  83  and a flash lens orifice  86  containing a flash lens  85 . 
       FIG. 8C  provides a close up view of the lens feature of  FIG. 8B . The camera feature  80  includes a raised lip portion  81  that surrounds an optical skirt  82 . This configuration provides a liquid proof interface between the bottom housing  3  and the camera feature  80 . The optical skirt  82  includes a camera lens orifice  84  containing a camera lens  83  and a flash lens orifice  86  containing a flash lens  85 , wherein the optical skirt is configured for preventing the transmission of light from one lens to another. 
       FIG. 8D  provides a top-down view of the lens feature  80  of  FIG. 8C  showing the interior of the bottom housing member  3 . The lens feature  80  includes an optical skirt  82 . The optical skirt  82  includes a camera lens orifice  84  containing a camera lens  83  and a flash lens orifice  86  containing a flash lens  85 . It is to be noted that in this embodiment a flash lens  85  is provided, however, in other embodiments, a flash lens need not be present. Rather, a simple optically clear transmissive region may be provided instead. The optical skirt  82  may be configured so as to prevent the transmission of light from the flash to the camera lens. 
       FIG. 8E  provides a cut-away view of the optical skirt  82  of  FIG. 8D  showing the camera lens region  84  and the flash lens region  86 . 
       FIG. 8F  provides a cut-away cross-section view of the optical skirt  82  of  FIG. 8E , showing the camera lens orifice region  84  with camera lens  83  and the flash lens region  86  with flash lens  85 . 
       FIG. 8G  provides a cross section view of the optical skirt  82  of  FIG. 8F  showing the interior of the bottom housing member  3 . The optical skirt  82  includes a camera lens orifice  84  containing a camera lens  83  and a flash lens orifice  86  containing a flash lens  85 . 
       FIG. 8H  provides an illustration of the lens  83  and lens skirt  82  interface of the housing  3 . The lens skirt  82  includes a concentric baffle detail which provides an enhanced field of view for the lens  83 . Also provided is an illustration of a suitable camera lens  83  and flash lens  85 . 
       FIG. 8I  provides an illustration of a camera lens  83  to be fitted within a camera lens aperture  84  of an optical skirt  82 . 
       FIG. 8J  provides an illustration of a flash lens  85  to be fitted within a flash lens aperture  84  of an optical skirt  82 . 
     As described briefly above, in certain embodiments, the housing may include a port opening, such as an electrical interface port, for instance, or a charge port. To ensure increased protection of the underlying device, such as to protect the underlying device from dirt, liquid, snow, shock, etc., the housing may additionally include a port cover latch that is capable of opening and closing so as to cover and seal the port opening. The port and/or latch cover may be positioned, for instance, along a perimeter of the housing, such as at a proximal or distal end or a side thereof. In certain instances, the port and port cover latch is a shock and water resistant latch port cover. The port and latch cover may be positioned on a top or a bottom perimeter member of the housing and may be configured for spanning across from one side of the opening to another. 
     For example, as can be seen with respect to  FIG. 9A , in certain instances, a latch feature  70  may be positioned on a proximal end of the housing  1 . The latch feature  70  includes a port or latch opening bounding member  71   a , having a port opening therein, and may further include a latch cover  71   b . The port opening bounding member  71   a  circumscribes the opening, wherein the opening may be configured to receive a charge member for charging an underlying electronic device. The latch feature  70  may also include a latch cover  71   b  that is configured for covering the latch opening bounding member  71   a . In this embodiment, the latch opening bounding member  71   a  is formed integrally with an interior perimeter portion  20   b  of the top member  2 , which perimeter portion forms a port opening. 
     The latch feature  70  and port opening bounding member  71   a  may have any suitable configuration. In one embodiment, the latch feature  70  is positioned entirely in one of the upper  2  or lower  3  housing members. Consequently, all of the latch feature components will be positioned entirely on that housing member. In an alternative embodiment, as depicted in  FIG. 9A , the latch feature  70  is configured for spanning from one housing member, e.g.,  2 , to the other housing member, e.g.,  3 . Thus, the opposing housing members  2  and  3  will have corresponding latch feature interfaces that are configured for engaging the latch cover  71   b  so as to seal the port opening bounded by  71   a . In either instance, the port opening bounding member  71   a  includes an opening, and the port covering  71   b , e.g., a latch cover, is configured for moving from an open to a closed position so as to cover the port opening. 
     As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 9A , the latch feature  70  is configured for spanning from one housing member  2  to the other housing member  3 . Accordingly, each of the housing members  2 ,  3  will include corresponding latch interfaces. For instance, the latch feature bounding member  71   a  is positioned within the proximal end portion  21  of top member  2 , and the latch feature cover  71  is positioned upon the proximal end portion  31  of bottom member  3 . The latch feature  70  also includes a plurality of latch cover interfaces, such as a latch cover connector  74 , which connector  74  connects the latch cover  71   b  to the bottom member  3 . 
     The latch cover connector  74  may have any suitable configuration so long as it is capable of interfacing with a latch cover  71   b , connecting the latch cover  71   b  to a top  2  or bottom  3  member, and facilitating the movement of the latch cover  71 , such as from an opened to a closed position. In this instance, the latch cover connector  74  is configured as a latch axle that is positioned on the proximal end portion  31  of the bottom member  3 . The latch cover connector  74  is positioned below the latch feature bounding member  71   a , which is contained in top member  2 . The latch cover connector  74  is configured for engaging the latch cover  71   b  via a latch connector orifice  75  so as to assist the latch cover  71   b  in moving from an opened to a closed position, where in the closed position the latch cover  71   b  spans the opening bounded by the latch cover bounding member  71   a . Thus, the moving of the latch cover  71   b  from an opened to a closed position results in the covering and/or sealing of the opening bounded by the latch cover bounding member  71   a . In this instance, the latch cover  71   b  is configured for rotating about the latch cover connector  74 . 
     Above the latch cover bounding member  71   a  is another latch cover interface that is configured for engaging the latch cover  71   b  so as to secure the latch cover  71   b  in a closed position. In this instance, the latch cover interface above the latch cover bounding member  71   a  is a latch ramp receiving member  74 , which latch ramp receiving member  74  is configured for engaging a corresponding latch ramp interface portion  77  of the latch cover  71   b  when the latch cover is in the closed position thereby securing the latch cover  71   b  in the closed position. As depicted, the latch ramp receiving member  74  is positioned on the top member  2  above the latch port opening bounding member  71   a.    
     In certain embodiments, the closing of the latch cover  71   b  closes the port opening in a liquid-tight seal. To ensure a liquid-tight seal, the latch feature  70  may have one or more additional features. For instance, the latch feature  70  may include a gasket  78 , such as an O-ring or other depressible gasket. For example, as depicted in  FIG. 9A , the latch cover  71   b  includes a gasket  78 , which gasket is of a dimension so as to be fitted within the opening of the latch opening bounding member  71   a  such that as the latch cover  71   b  is moved from an opened to a closed position, the gasket  78  is fitted within the port opening, thereby sealing the port. In other embodiments, the gasket  78  is configured for not fitting entirely within the latch port opening, but rather surrounding it. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 9B , the latch opening bounding member  71   a  includes a gasket interface surface  73  that is positioned in such a manner so as to interact with the gasket  78   a  and thereby provide a watertight seal when the latch cover  71   b  is in the closed configuration, e.g., when the latch ramp interface  77  is coupled to the latch ramp  76 . One or more of the gasket seat  73  and gasket  78   a  may be positioned on a latch cover bounding member  71   a  or may be positioned on a latch cover  71   b  or both. In certain embodiments, the gasket  78   a  may further include an over-gasket  78   b , which over gasket may be less compressible, less porous material, such as rubber, laminated material, or elastomeric or formed elastomeric material, so as to effectuate a firmer sealing of the latch feature  70 . 
     To facilitate this interaction, in certain embodiments, it may be beneficial for the housing member, e.g., housing member  2 , having the port opening bounding member  71   a  therein to include an additional rigid structural feature  72 , which structural feature  72  may be positioned in such a manner as to provide increased structural integrity to the port opening bounding member  71   a  and thereby provide additional support for the port opening. For example, in certain instances, when there is a port opening bounding member  71   a  in a top member  2  of the housing  1 , the port opening may have a tendency to make the immediate surrounding material weaker. Therefore, a rigid support material  72  may be associated with this material so as to support the region surrounding the port opening. 
     Without the inclusion of the rigid support material the top and bottom portions surrounding the opening may be forced away from one another thereby compromising the ability of the opening to be sealed in a watertight manner. In such an instance, the rigid stiffening material may be added so as to insure the integrity of the port opening. In certain instances, this reinforcing is accomplished without thickening the material of the housing member because this might result in making the overall housing thicker, wider, and/or longer, although it can be done in this manner. 
     In an alternative embodiment, therefore, as provided in  FIG. 9B , a rigid element  72  is added to the top member  2  having the port opening  71   a  therein. For instance, an injection molded stiffener, such as a stainless steel, magnesium, rigid plastic component, polycarbonate, or the like may be included in the top member  2  and associated with the material surrounding the port opening  71   a  so as to provide increased rigidity thereto, thereby maintaining the physical integrity of the port opening and preventing flexing. It is to be understood that although the above has been described with respect to the port opening being positioned in the top member  2 , the port opening can be positioned in the bottom member  3  as well with consequent changes to the other latch features. 
     Accordingly,  FIG. 9B  provides a cut-away view of the proximal end of the housing  1  having the latch feature  70  of a housing of the disclosure. The latch feature  70  includes a port opening bounding member  71   a  having a latch cover  71   b . As depicted, the top member  2  includes the port opening bounding member  71   a  having a latch ramp receiving member  76  associated therewith. The latch opening bounding member  71   a  bounds an opening, e.g., a port opening, in the top member  2 . The bottom member  3  includes a latch axle, e.g., a pivot axle  74 . A latch cover  71   b  interfaces with the pivot axle  74  on the bottom member  3  via axle receptacle  75 . The latch cover  71   b  additionally includes a latch ramp interface portion  77  that interfaces with the latch ramp receiving member  76  of the port opening bounding member  71   a  of the top member  2 . Accordingly, when the latch cover  71   b  is in the closed position the latch ramp interface portion  77  couples with the latch ramp  76  to close and/or seal the port opening. It is to be noted, in this embodiment, both the top and bottom members  2  and  3  include corresponding channel members  10 . 
       FIG. 9C  depicts a cross section of a latch feature  70  of the disclosure. The latch feature  70  is in a closed position. Depicted is a bottom member  3 , having a back surface  35   b  and a proximal end  31  perimeter portion  30 . The bottom member  3  includes a channel  10 , which channel is bounded by bounding members  30   a  and  b . The channel  10  includes a gasket  15 . The bottom member  3  also includes a pivot axle  74 . 
     A latch cover  71   b  is also provided. The latch cover  71   b  interfaces with the pivot axle  74  on the bottom member  3  via a pivot axle interface  75 . The latch cover  71   b  therefore includes a pivot axle interface, e.g., configured as an axle orifice  75 . The axle orifice  75  is configured for receiving the pivot axle  74  therein. The interaction between the pivot axle  74  and the pivot orifice  75  allows the cover  71   b  to rotate about the axle  74  so as to move from an open to a closed position. Additionally, the latch cover  71   b  includes a latch ramp interface portion  77  that interfaces with the latch ramp receiving member  76  of the latch opening bounding member  71   a  of the top member  2  so as to secure the latch cover  71   b  in the closed position. 
     Accordingly, also depicted is top member  2  having a top surface membrane  25 . The top member  2  includes a proximal end portion  21 . The proximal end portion  21  includes an outer perimeter portion  20   b , which outer perimeter portion is comprised of a semi-flexible material, and an interior perimeter portion  20   a , which interior perimeter portion is comprised of a rigid material. 
     The proximal end portion  21  of the top member  2  also includes a port opening. The port opening is bounded by a port opening bounding member  71   a . In this instance, the outer perimeter portion  20   b  includes a cutout portion, which cutout portion accommodates the port opening bounding member  71   a . The port opening bounding member  71   a  may therefore be contiguous with, e.g., formed by, the rigid material comprising the interior perimeter portion  20   a , or may be added thereto. 
     For instance, as depicted, the top member  2  may include a rigid stiffening member  72  which stiffening member may be associated with the port opening bounding member  71   a . For example, in certain embodiments a rigid member  72  may be included around the port opening so as to increase the dimensional integrity of the proximal end portion  21  of the housing  2  surrounding the opening. The port opening bounding member  71   a  may also include a gasket interface  73  that is configured for interfacing with a gasket, such as a gasket  78  associated with a latch cover  71   b , e.g., a gasket that is dimensioned for fitting within or over the port opening and sealing the port opening when the latch cover  71   b  is in a closed position. 
     The port opening bounding member  71   a  and/or rigid stiffener  72  of the top member  2  may be formed from the interior perimeter portion  20   a  of the top member  2 , or may be one or more separate elements added thereto. Where the port opening bounding member and/or rigid stiffener  72  are a separate element added to the proximal end  21  of the top member  2 , the port opening bounding member  71   a  and/or stiffener  72  may additionally be configured for engaging the components of a bottom member  3  clasping mechanism  37 . The port opening bounding member  71   a  and/or stiffener  72 , therefore, may be configured to include a clasping mechanism component that is configured for interfacing with the clasping member  37  of the bottom member  3 . In this manner, the bottom member interfacing portions of the port opening bounding member  71   a  and/or stiffener  72  and/or gasket seat  73  are configured for maintaining the consistent sealing along the perimeter of the housing  1 . 
     The port opening bounding member  71   b  further includes a latch ramp receiving member  76  that is configured for coupling with a corresponding latch ramp interface portion  77  of a latch cover  71   b . Accordingly, when the latch cover  71   b  is in the closed position the latch ramp interface portion  77  couples with the latch ramp receiving member  76  to close and/or seal the port opening. The port opening bounding member may additionally include a gasket seating member  73 , which member may be a rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible member that is configured for interfacing with a gasket  78  of the latch cover  71   b  so as to provide a liquid-tight seal when the latch cover  71   b  is in the closed position. 
       FIG. 9D  provides a cross section view of the housing  1  set forth in  FIG. 9A . A top member  2  having a port opening bounding member  71   a  is provided, wherein the port opening bounding member  71   a  is integrally formed as part of the interior perimeter portion  20   a  of the top member  2  and forms a port opening which in part makes up the latch feature  70 . The latch feature  70  also includes a latch cover  71   b  positioned on the bottom member  3 . The latch cover  71   b  is in a closed position. The latch cover  71   b  includes an axle orifice  75  that interfaces with the pivot axle  74  on the bottom member  3 . Additionally, the latch cover  71   b  includes a latch ramp interface portion  77  that interfaces with the latch ramp receiving member  76  of the latch opening  71   a  of the top member  2  so as to secure the latch cover  71   b  in the closed position. 
       FIG. 9E  provides an angle view of the proximal end portion of the housing  1  of  FIG. 9D  showing the latch assembly  70  having port opening bounding member  71   a , a latch cover  71   b , and a pivot axle  74 . As depicted the latch cover  71   b  is disassembled from the latch assembly  70  and disassociated from the pivot axle  74 . The port opening bounding member  71   a  is formed in conjunction with the interior perimeter portion  20   a  of the top member  2 . As can be seen, the exterior perimeter portion  20   b  of the top member  2  has been cut away to make room for the latch feature  70 . However, in this embodiment, the port opening bounding member  71   a  includes a latch mechanism that is configured slightly differently than the latching mechanism of  FIG. 9D . In this instance, the latching mechanism includes a latch ramp  76  that is configured as extended member that is adapted for associating with a corresponding latch ramp receiving interface portion  77  of the latch cover  71   b . The latch cover  71   b  further includes a depressible gasket  78 . 
       FIG. 9F  provides another cross section view of the proximal end portion depicted in  FIG. 9E , with the latching assembly provided in  FIG. 9A . The latch assembly  70  includes a port opening bounding member  71   a  and a latch cover  71   b  having an axle orifice  75 , wherein the latch cover  71   b  is disassembled from the latch assembly  70  and the axle orifice  75  is disassociated from the pivot axle  74 . The port opening bounding member  71   a  is formed in conjunction with the interior perimeter member  20   a  of top member  2 . As shown, the exterior perimeter portion  20   b  of the top member  2  has been cut away to make room for the latching feature  70 . Accordingly, the rigid gasket seat  73  is comprised of the same material as the port opening bounding member  71   a . It is understood that in different embodiments, the gasket seat  73  may be comprised of a different material than that of the interior perimeter portion  20   a  of the top member  2 , such as a semi-rigid or flexible material. The port opening bounding member  71   a  additionally includes a latch ramp receiving member  76  that is configured for associating with the latch ramp interface portion  77  of the latch cover  71   b . As depicted, an interior sound transmission portion  60   b  is also shown. 
       FIG. 9G  provides a side cross section view of the proximal end portion depicted in  FIG. 9B . The latch assembly  70  includes a port opening bounding member  71   a  and a latch cover  71   b  having an axle orifice  75 . The latch cover  71   b  is disassembled from the latch assembly  70  and the axle orifice  75  is disassociated from the pivot axle  74 . The port opening framing member  71   a  is formed and a rigid stiffener member  72  and gasket seat  73  is then associated therewith. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the top member  2  includes both a rigid stiffening member  72  and a semi-rigid gasket seat  73 , which members are associated with the port opening framing member  71   a.    
     As depicted, the rigid stiffening member  72  and/or gasket seat  73  includes a gasket engaging portion that fits within the channel  10 , e.g., between the interior and exterior bounding members  30   a  and  b  of the bottom member  3 , so as to contact and/or compress the gasket  15 . One of the port opening framing member  71   a , rigid stiffener  72 , and gasket seat  73  includes a clasping mechanism  27  that is configured for coupling with the clasping mechanism  37  of the bottom member  3  so as to maintain a consistent seal with the top and bottom members when they are coupled together to form the housing  1 . 
     It is to be noted, however, in certain instances, the port opening bounding member  71   a  and/or stiffening member  72  and or gasket seat  73  may be fabricated so as to be fit within the interior perimeter portion  20   a  and/or exterior perimeter portion  20   b  of the top member  2 . In such instances, the port opening bounding member  71  and/or rigid stiffening member  72  and/or gasket seat  73  may not need to have these gasket engaging and/or clasping elements. For instance, where the interior bounding member  71   a  is fabricated in conjunction with the interior perimeter portion of the top member  2 . It is also to be noted that in various instances, a separate port opening bounding member  71  and rigid stiffening member  72  may not be included, rather, in various instances, their separate functions may be fulfilled by a single port bounding member that is rigid enough to bound the port opening without unduly increasing the dimensions of the housing as a whole. 
     As depicted, a gasket interface  73  is also included. The gasket interface is configured as a gasket seat that is adapted for interfacing with a gasket, such as a closed cell form or solid gasket  78  associated with a latch cover  71   b . The gasket seating member  73  is configured for interfacing with the gasket  78  of the latch cover  71   b  and thereby provides a liquid-tight seal when the latch cover  71   b  is in the closed position. In various instances, the gasket seating member  73  is the same element as the port opening bounding member  71   a  and/or may be the same member as a rigid stiffener  72 . 
       FIG. 9H  provides a proximal end exploded view depicted in  FIG. 9F . The latch assembly  70  includes a port opening bounding member  71   a  and a latch cover  71   b  having an axle orifice  75 , wherein the latch cover  71   b  is disassembled from the latch assembly  70  and the axle orifice  75  is disassociated from the pivot axle  74 . The port opening bounding member  71   b  is formed in conjunction with the rigid stiffener  72  and the rigid gasket  73 . 
     As can be seen, the port opening bounding member  71   a  is configured to include a clasping mechanism portion  27  that is adapted for interfacing with a corresponding clasping mechanism  37  of a bottom member  3 . The port opening bounding member  71  is configured for engaging the gasket  15  and interior bounding member  20   a  of channel  10  and is further configured for engaging the bottom member clasping mechanism  37 . It is to be noted, however, that in certain embodiments the port opening bounding member  71   a  may be formed in conjunction, e.g., integral, with an interior perimeter portion  20   a  of the top member  2 , and therefore in certain instances, the port opening bounding member  71   a  does not include a separate rigid stiffener, gasket seat, and/or clasping mechanisms. The port opening bounding member  71   a  additionally includes a latch ramp receiving member  76  that is configured for associating with the latch ramp interface portion  77  of the latch door  71   b . Also depicted is a sound transmission port  60   b.    
       FIG. 9I  provides a side cross section view of the latch feature  70  positioned at the proximal end of the housing of  FIG. 9A . As can be seen, the port opening bounding member  71   a  is configured to include a clasping mechanism portion  27  that is adapted for interfacing with a corresponding clasping mechanism  37  of a bottom member  2 . The port opening bounding member  71   a  also includes a portion for engaging the gasket  15  and interior channel boundary member  20   b . The port opening bounding member  71   a  further includes a latch ramp receiving member  76  that is configured for associating with the latch ramp interface portion  77  of the latch cover  71 . The latch cover  71  is in the closed position and the latch ramp receiving member  76  is coupled with the latch ramp interface  77 . The gasket  78   a  is further associated with an over-material  78   b , which material functions to provide increased structural integrity to the gasket  78   a.    
       FIG. 9J  provides a side, close up, cross section view of the latch ramp sealing surface  76  of the port opening bounding member  71   a , and the latch ramp interface  77  of the latch cover  71   b . The latch cover  71   b  is further associated with a gasket  78 . 
       FIG. 9K  provides a side, close up view of the port opening bounding member  71   a  showing the association between the rigid stiffener  72  and the rigid gasket seat  73 . The rigid stiffener  72  is configured so as to assist in maintaining the dimensional integrity of the bounding member  71   a  and to assure that a suitable sealing pressure is asserted between the gasket seat  73  and the gasket  78  thereby insuring a liquid-proof seal when the latch cover  71   b  is in the closed position. The bounding member  71   a  includes a portion for engaging the gasket  15  and interior channel boundary member  20   a , thereby ensuring a firm seal is established upon the coupling of the top and bottom members. The bounding member  71   b  also includes a clasping mechanism  27  for engaging clasping mechanism  37 . As depicted, sound transmission port  60   b  is also illustrated. 
     Accordingly, in certain embodiments, a perimeter portion of the housing may include additional features, such as one or more sound ports configured for enhancing the transmission of sound through the housing. One such sound port is configured as an acoustic vent portion, which acoustic vents are adapted for transmitting and/or directing sound there through such as toward a microphone portion, or away from a speaker portion, of an underlying electronic device housed within the housing. 
     For instance, the perimeter portion, such as a distal or proximal end portion, may include an acoustic vent feature for transmitting sound. The acoustic vent feature may include a sound channel having an acoustic vent material positioned therein. The acoustic vent material may span the sound channel at an angle from 0 to 180 degrees in a forward or reverse direction. The sound channel may extend from an exterior portion of the perimeter to an interior portion of the perimeter and the acoustic vent material may transect the sound channel, e.g., at an angle with respect to a centerline there through. 
     As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 10A , a proximal end portion of the housing  1  may include one or more, such as a plurality of sound transmission portions  60   a  and  b  having a plurality of acoustic vents, for instance, a microphone acoustic vent  65   a  and a speaker acoustic vent  65   b . The proximal end portion of the housing may further include a latch feature  70  having a port opening latch cover  71   b  and a coin slot feature  18 , which coin slot opening is configured for assisting in the separating of the top member  2  from the bottom member  3 . 
       FIG. 10B  provides an interior outward view of the proximal end portion of  FIG. 10A . As depicted the sound transmission portions  60   a  and  b  are positioned on the top member  2 . However, it is understood that they may alternatively be positioned on the bottom member  3 . The proximal end portion  21  of the top member  2  includes a plurality of sound transmission portions  60   a  and  b  including a sound channel  66   a  leading to a microphone acoustic vent  65   a , and a second sound channel  66   b  leading to a speaker acoustic vent  65   b.    
     As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 10B , the sound transmission portions  60  are positioned within a top member  2  and traverse from the outside of the housing  1 , through the exterior and interior perimeter portions  20   a, b  of the top member  2  and into the interior of the housing  1 . The acoustic channels  66   a, b  include respective acoustic membranes  65   a, b  that transect the acoustic channels  66   a, b.    
     The housing surrounding the acoustic membranes  65   a, b  may be configured so as to be overmoulded therewith. Hence, the sound channels  66   a  and  b  may further include overmould portions  67   a, b , which portions are configured to interface with a perimeter portion of the membranes  65   a, b  so as to be overmoulded therewith and thereby secure a liquid-tight seal between the housing and the acoustic membranes. 
     However, in various embodiments, elements  67   a, b  may simply form a gasket seat upon which acoustic vent membranes  65   a, b  are positioned. Nevertheless, in this embodiment, as can be seen with respect to  FIG. 10B , the sound transmission channel  60   a  channels sound to a microphone portion of a housed device. In such an instance, it may be useful to have an overmould portion, e.g.,  68   a , which overmould portion circumscribes the acoustic membrane so as to provide an interface between the acoustic membrane  65   a  and the speaker portion of an underlying device. This interface may be useful for preventing the internal transmission of sound from the speaker channel  60   b  to the microphone channel  60   a , which transmission could create interference with respect to the microphone portion of the underlying device. Additionally, such a raised, circumscribing element can also prevent the degradation of sound entering the microphone channel  66   a  by focusing and directing it to the microphone portion of an underlying device. 
     The acoustic membranes  65   a, b  are transmissive for sound but are non-transmissive for liquid. Thus, sound can travel through the sound channels  66   a  and  b  in the housing but liquid, such as water, cannot because it cannot pass through the acoustic vent membranes  65   a  and  b . A latch feature  70  and latch cover  71   b  are also provided on the proximal end of the housing  1  in between the two sound transmission portions  60   a  and  b.    
       FIG. 10C  provides an exterior inward view of the proximal end portion of the housing  1  of  FIG. 10A . The proximal end portion may include a plurality of sound transmission portions, e.g.,  60   a  and  b , each of which may include a sound channel  66  that is transected by an acoustic membrane  65 . For instance, one sound transmission portion, such as  60   a , may be configured as a microphone transmission portion that includes a sound channel  66   a  leading toward a microphone portion of an underlying device. The sound channel  66   a  is transected by microphone acoustic vent  65   a . The second sound transmission portion, such as  60   b , may be configured as a speaker sound transmission portion that includes a sound channel  66   b  leading toward a speaker portion of an underlying device. The sound channel  66   b  is transected by a speaker acoustic vent  65   b . It is understood that these positions could be reversed. One or more of the sound channels  66   a  and  b  may further include a molded grill portion  68   a  and/or  b , which functions to provide structural integrity to the sound channel and/or support to the acoustic vent materials  65   a  and/or  b.    
     As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 10C , the acoustic vent portions  60  and b are positioned within a top member  2  and traverse from the outside of the housing  1  into the interior of the housing. However, they could just as well be positioned on a bottom member  3 . The acoustic channels  60   a, b  include respective acoustic membranes  65   a, b  and grille portions  68   a, b , which grille portions are configured for providing additional support for the acoustic membranes. A latch feature  70  and latch cover  71   b  are also provided on the proximal end of the housing  1  in between the two sound transmission portions  60 . 
       FIG. 10D  provides a top-down, inside out view of the microphone acoustic vent  60   a  portion of a housing  1  of the disclosure. The acoustic vent portion  60   a  includes a sound channel  66   a , wherein the sound channel  66   a  tappers toward a microphone acoustic vent material  65   a , which sound channel is configured for directing sound toward a microphone portion of an underlying electronic device housed within the housing  1 . An acoustic vent bounding member, e.g., an overmoulded skirt sea  67   a  is also included and circumscribes the acoustic vent membrane  65   a . For instance, a portion of the acoustic vent material  65   a  has been overmoulded with a rigid material  67   a  so as to facilitate the isolation and reduction of internal transmission of sound, such as from the speaker vent portion, so as to prevent interference therewith, and may further strengthen the seal between the housing and the acoustic membrane thereby ensuring the liquid-proof nature of the acoustic vent  60   a . As indicated above, in various embodiments, the acoustic vent bounding member  67  may be configured simply as a gasket seat, which gasket seat is adapted so as to be coupled with a suitable acoustic vent material  65   a , e.g., via a suitable adhesive. Also provided is an additional structural support, e.g., grille  68   a , which grille  68   a  provides additional structural integrity to the acoustic membrane  65   a.    
       FIG. 10E  provides an inside view of the speaker acoustic vent portion  60   b  of  FIG. 10C . The acoustic vent portion  60   b  includes a sound channel  66   a  that tappers toward an acoustic vent material  65   b . An overmoulded acoustic vent bounding member  67   b , is also included, wherein the bounding member  67   b  at least partially circumscribes the perimeter of the acoustic vent material  65   b  so as to enhance the sealing contact between the housing and the vent material as well as providing an additional contact for directing sound from a speaker portion of an underlying device through the speaker sound channel  66   b . It is noted that although in this embodiment a bounding member  67   b  is included herein, in various embodiments it need not be. 
       FIG. 10F  provides a cross section of the speaker acoustic sound transmission assembly  60   b . The assembly includes a sound channel  66   b  for transmitting and directing the transmission of sound toward an acoustic vent material  65   b . The acoustic vent material  65   b  may be a membrane, such as a GoreTex® membrane, which membrane may be cantered at an angle from 0 to 180 degrees, such as from 90 to 180 degrees. The acoustic vent material  65   b  is bounded by an acoustic vent bounding member  67   b  that may be overmoulded therewith or fabricated prior to attachment of the acoustic vent material  65   b . The acoustic vent assembly  60   b  may also include an acoustic grille  68   b  to provide additional structural integrity to the acoustic vent. It is to be noted that although the sound transmission portions  60  are positioned on a proximal end of the housing  1 , they could be positioned anywhere along the perimeter of the housing without departing from the nature of the disclosure. 
       FIG. 10F  provides a cross section of the microphone acoustic sound transmission assembly  60   a . The assembly includes a sound channel  66   a  for transmitting and directing the transmission of sound toward an acoustic vent material  65   a . The acoustic vent material  65   a  may be a membrane, such as a GoreTex® membrane, which membrane may be cantered at an angle from 0 to 180 degrees, such as from 90 to 180 degrees. The acoustic vent material  65   a  is bounded by an acoustic vent bounding member  67   a  that may be overmoulded therewith or fabricated prior to attachment of the acoustic vent material  65   a.    
     In this embodiment, the acoustic vent bounding member  67   b  has a straight horizontal edge configuration. However, in various other embodiments, the edge of the acoustic vent bounding members  67   a  and/or  67   b  may be slanted. Such a slanted edge could be useful so as to create an air gap, which air gap could be useful in directing sound toward the bottom or top of the case whereby increased sound amplification and or transmission may result. 
     For instance, one or more air gaps may be positioned within the housing  1  so as to direct sound to be emitted through the front or back surface of the housing thereby increasing surface of sound transmission. For example, the sound channels  66   a  and  b  have a limited capacity for transmitting sound there through. Placing one or more sound gaps, such as along a sound channel perimeter portion  67   a  and  b , e.g., along a top or bottom facing surface, can act as a sound channel funneling sound toward and through the larger top and/or bottom surface thereby acting like sound resonator and enhancing the sound transmitting surface. Additional air gaps may be positioned along the top  2  and/or bottom  3  members of the housing  1 , e.g., along the circumference such as where a front  25  or bottom  35  surface meets a perimeter portion, so as to enhance sound transmission. In this manner at least 10%, for instance, at least 15%, such as at least 20%, for example, at least 30%, such as at least 40%, for instance, at least 50% of the sound energy emitted from a housed device may be directed and emitted from a front  25  or back  35  surface of the housing. 
     The acoustic vent assembly  60   a  may also include an acoustic grille  68   a  to provide additional structural integrity to the acoustic vent. It is to be noted that although the sound transmission portions  60  are positioned on a proximal end of the housing  1 , they could be positioned anywhere along the perimeter of the housing without departing from the nature of the disclosure. 
       FIG. 10G  provides a close up view of the acoustic vent assembly  60   b  of  FIG. 10F . The vent assembly  60   b  includes an acoustic port  66   b  including a shaped channel leading to an acoustic membrane  65   b . The acoustic membrane  65   b  is overlaid with an acoustic grille  68   b  and bounded by housing portion  67   b . The acoustic grille  69   a /acoustic membrane  67   a  interface includes one or more air gaps to facilitate the transmission of sound. Although not depicted herein, in various embodiments, a vent assembly, such as vent assembly  60   b  may include an additional vent overlay or screen, such as a mesh scrim, which scrim may be positioned over, e.g., attached to, the acoustic membrane, e.g.,  65   b , so as to reduce distortion, such as distortion from a speaker portion of a housed device. Such a scrim may be fabricated from any suitable material so long as it is capable of transmitting sound energy in an efficient manner, such as a thin plastic material membrane, which membrane may be adhesively attached or otherwise mounted to the acoustic membrane  65   b.    
       FIG. 10H  provides a cross section view of a speaker acoustic vent assembly  60   b . The acoustic vent assembly  60   b  includes a port  66   b  configured as a tapered channel for directing sound toward a speaker acoustic material  65   b , such as a membrane, e.g. a GoreTex® membrane, configured for receiving and transmitting sound, but is not transmissive to liquids, such as water. The acoustic membrane  65   b  is circumscribed by an bounding region  67   b  and may further be overlaid by an acoustic grille  68   b.    
       FIG. 10I  provides a further cross section view of the speaker acoustic vent assembly of  FIG. 10H . The acoustic vent assembly  60   b  includes a port  66   b  configured as a tapered channel for directing sound toward a speaker acoustic material  65   b , such as a membrane configured for receiving and transmitting sound. The acoustic membrane  65   b  is circumscribed by a bounding region  67   b  and may further be overlaid by an acoustic grille  68   b . The interface between the grille and acoustic membrane may be configured to include various airgaps there between. 
       FIG. 10J  provides another example of an acoustic vent assembly. In this instance, the acoustic vent assembly is fabricated as a single member including both a microphone acoustic vent assembly  60   a  and a speaker acoustic vent assembly  60   b , such as could be used in an embodiment provided with respect to that of  FIG. 19 . As depicted the microphone and speaker assemblies  60   a  and  b  are formed within a larger framework portion  5 , which framework portion is adapted as an end portion that is capable of being inserted into a larger housing  1 . The framework portion  5  includes a plurality of sound transmission portions  60  and  b , having sound channels  66   a  and  b , and further includes a latch port portion  70 . 
     Additionally, the framework portion  5  may include one or more clasping mechanisms, gaskets, gasket seats, and or channels as described herein. For instance, where the framework portion is meant to be inserted into a housing  1 , the framework portion  5  may include a circumferential clasping mechanism that may additionally include a circumferential gasket and/or gasket seat, which together are designed to create a waterproof sealing between the housing  1  and framework portion  5  when the two are sealably coupled together. 
     As depicted, the sound channels  66   a  and  b  include acoustic vent membrane seats  67   a  and  b  that are angled with respect to a transverse central line of the channels  66   a  and  b . Hence, when the acoustic vent membranes  65   a  and  b  are attached thereto they are angled. The angling of the acoustic vents  65   a, b  is configured such that the surface area of the included vent material is increased thereby increasing the transmission of sound through the sound channels  66   a  and  b . A latch feature  70 , as described herein, is also included, as well as grooves that are adapted to receive an external latching mechanism, which may be employed so as to further secure the framework portion  5  to the housing  1 . For instance, see  FIG. 19 . 
       FIG. 10K  provides a cross section view of the end member framework portion  5  having the acoustic vent assembly of  FIG. 10J . The framework portion  5  is attached to the housing  1  via corresponding clasping mechanisms  27  and  37 . The framework portion further includes a channel  10  having a gasket  15  therein, such that as the end member framework portion  5  is coupled to the housing  1   a  liquid tight seal is provided thereby. The framework portion  5 , further includes a microphone acoustic vent portion  60   a . The microphone acoustic vent portion includes an acoustic channel  66   a  leading to a microphone acoustic vent material  65   a , which vent material  65   a  is held in place by an acoustic vent seat  67   a . The acoustic vent material  65   a  is positioned within the channel  66   a  at an angle so as to increase the cross sectional area of the vent material for improved sound transmission. 
       FIGS. 10L and 10M  provide a close up cross section view of the acoustic vent assembly  6   a  of  FIG. 10  providing a microphone sound channel  66   a  leading to an acoustic vent material  65   a , which vent material is angled with respect to the channel  66   a . As can be seen, the end member  5  includes a channel  10  within which a gasket  15  may be positioned. 
     In certain embodiments, a perimeter portion of a housing of the disclosure may include one or more fabricated switch or button features. For instance, a switch or button feature for engaging a switch or button mechanism of an encased device, such as a silence switch or volume control or “on”/“off” button, may be provided. As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 11A , a switch feature  90  may be included on a portion of the housing  1 , such as on one of the opposing side portions. The perimeter of the housing  1  may further include other features such as one or more volume control buttons  99   a, b ; a coin slot feature  18 ; one or more sound transmission portions  60 , a latch feature  70 ; and the like. 
     The switch  90  and button  99  features are fabricated along with the housing  1  and are specifically configured for engaging the corresponding switches and buttons of a housed device. Hence, the switches and buttons are designed to model and ensure both the functionality and aesthetics of the underlying switches and buttons of the underlying device. 
       FIG. 11B  provides a close up view of  FIG. 11A  showing the perimeter portion of the housing  1  that contains the silence switch feature  90  and volume buttons  99 . The housing  1  includes a top housing member  2  having a perimeter portion  20 , and a bottom housing member  3 , having a perimeter portion  30 . As depicted, the switch feature  90  and volume buttons  99  are positioned along a perimeter portion  20  of the top member  2 , but in other embodiments may be positioned on the bottom member  3 . 
     In this embodiment, the style of the switch  90  and button  99  features are designed to retain the stylistic features and functionality of the switches and buttons of the underlying device. The silence switch  90  is configured for engaging a respective silence switch of a housed device so as to silence the noise feature of the housed device. The volume control toggles or buttons  99   a  and  b  are configured for engaging their corresponding buttons on a housed device for the increasing and decreasing of the volume of an underlying device. These configurations may differ as the configuration of the underlying device differs. For instance, one or more extension elements, such as compressible plug elements may be included to increase the functionality of the button or switch members. 
     The perimeter portion  20  of top member  2  additionally includes an earphone jack  50  having a port sealing bung  53  inserted therein. It is to be noted that one or more of these features could be positioned along the perimeter portion  30  of a bottom member  3  as well. Additionally depicted is a top surface membrane  25  of top member  2 , which top member  2  includes a video camera lens or optically clear region  47 , a proximity sensor  48 , and an acoustic vent portion  44  including an sound transmission aperture  49  for transmitting sound through the top member membrane  25 . The bottom front surface  35   a  of the bottom member  3  includes stand-offs  16 . 
       FIG. 11C  provides a cutaway side view of the silence switch feature  90 , volume toggles  99   a, b  as well as earphone jack port  50  with port sealing bung  53  inserted therein as depicted in  FIG. 11A . The silence switch feature  90  includes an actuator base  92 , which may be fabricated from a rigid material, and may include an axle or rocker  95  that pivots along with the base  92  so as to effectively engage a silence switch of a housed device. Also depicted are switch interfaces  93 , which interfaces are configured for engaging opposing sides of a switch of an underlying device such that as the switch feature  90  rotates about rocker  95 , the switch is translated from one position to another. It is to be noted that the rigid actuator  92 , the rocker  85 , and the switch interfaces  93  may be configured as one complete element or two or three separate elements that are joined together. 
     Volume control toggles  99   a  and  b  include a flat user engagement surface portion, which may be engaged by a user and an extended button engagement portion that is configured for engaging a button of a housed device. One or more additional spacers may be added to the extended button engagement portions so as to enhance the engagement of the buttons of a housed device. 
     Also depicted is earphone jack port  50  having port sealing bung threads  54   a . A port sealing bung  53  having corresponding threads  54   b  to the earphone jack port threads  54   a  is also provided. The port sealing bung  53  further includes a gasket  55  circumscribing the port sealing bung  53 . It is noted that although the gasket  55  is depicted as being associated with the port sealing bung  53 , it other instances it may be associated with the earphone jack port  50 . In this embodiment, the port sealing bung  53  is inserted into the earphone jack port  50 , bung threads  54   b  are aligned with port threads  54   a , and the gasket  55  is compressed by the screwing of the port sealing bung  53  into the bung port  50  thereby creating a watertight sealing therewith. 
       FIG. 11D  provides a cross section view of the silence switch feature  90 . The switch feature may be configured as a slider switch  90 , which slider switch  90  includes a switch housing  91 , an actuator top member  94 , having a rigid actuator switch base  92  and switch interface  93 . The silence switch feature  90  further includes an axle or rocker  95  about which the actuator top member  94  and switch interface  93  rotates. The switch interface  93  may include two opposed teeth members or a cavity portion for surrounding opposing sides of a switch, e.g., a silence switch, of an underlying device. 
     Accordingly, the switch interface  93  couples with a slider switch, such as a silence switch of an underlying device, so as to manipulate the silence switch, e.g., from a normal to a silenced position. For instance, a user may place a downward force on the rigid actuator top member  94  thereby causing the base member  92  to rotate along with axle  95  and causing the wings or cavity of the switch interface  93  to move upward. In a manner such as this the downward force on the actuator top member  94  is translated into an upward force on the switch interface  93  and silence switch of an underlying device thereby moving the silence switch from a first to a second position, e.g., from an “off” to an “on” position. 
     It is to be noted, that although the switch feature  90  has been described as having various switch components with respect to  FIG. 11D , various of the switch components may be included or excluded or modified without departing from the nature of the switch feature  90  so long as the switch feature is capable of engaging and manipulating a switch of an underlying device. For instance, in certain instances, a switch feature  90  may include a flexible, semi-rigid switch housing  91 , which housing includes one or more switch interface portions  93  that are associated with an inside surface of the housing  91 , which switch interface portions  93  are configured for engaging a switch of the underlying device. In such an instance, the switch housing  91  may be a raised member that is configured for being depressed in an up or down direction, which depression allows one of the switch interface portions  93  to engage and manipulate the switch of a housed device either upwards or downwards. A reinforced base portion  92  may also be included if desired. 
       FIG. 11E  illustrates several different views of a silence switch feature  90 . The silence switch feature  90  shows a housing  91  configured to include a slider switch top member  94  and a silence switch interface  93 . As depicted the silence switch top member  94  is associated with a rigid actuator base member  92  and rigid actuator switch interface  93 , which elements rotate about a rocker, e.g., axle, member  95  as the switch feature  90  is manipulated to move the switch interface  93  upwards or downwards and consequently moving a silence switch of an underlying device “on” or “off”. 
     As illustrated the silence switch feature  90  includes an actuator switch housing  91  that overlays the switch top member  94 , axle  95 , and base member  93 . The switch feature  90  may additionally include an adhesive, such as applied to a top member  94 , or a barb features such as applied to the axle portion  95 , so as to secure the top member  94  within the housing member  91 . As the top member  94  is manipulated, e.g., moved upward or downward in a linear direction, the base member  93  rotates about the axle  95  thereby causing the switch interface  93  to translate the switch of an underlying device in an opposing linear direction, e.g., thereby silencing or un-silencing the underlying device. 
     Also depicted is a housing for the switch feature  90 . As depicted, an interior perimeter portion  20   a  of a top member  2  is provided. The interior perimeter portion  20   a  of the top member includes a switch cutout portion into which a switch feature  90 , as described above, may be fitted. The switch feature  90  therefore extends from an insider perimeter of the housing  1  toward an outside perimeter portion of the housing  1 . The exterior perimeter portion  20   b  of the top member  2  forms an exterior portion of the switch housing  91  so as to cover the external switch components. Consequently, the top member  2  may be fabricated so as to form a switch housing portion  91  on its perimeter portion into which a suitable switch  90  is fitted, e.g., post production. 
       FIG. 11F  provides an inside view of the silence switch mechanism  90 , which switch mechanism  90  includes a switch top member  94  that is not seen, which top member  94  extends from an interior portion  20   a  of the top member  2  to an exterior portion  20   b  thereof. As the top member  94  is engaged by a user it thereby moves about axle  95 . The axle  95  is adapted for allowing the rigid actuator base  92  to also rotate around the axle  95 . Hence, the switch feature  90  is configured such that as the switch top member actuator  94  rotates about the axle  95  within the switch housing  91 , the switch interface  93  causes the switch to move from a first to a second position, such as from an “on” to an “off” position. 
       FIG. 11G  provides a cross section view of the switch feature of  FIG. 11A . It is to be noted, that this configuration is such that as the design of an underlying device is changed over time, the switch feature  90  should be able to accommodate minor changes in the configuration of the underlying device and still be effective in performing its function. 
     Additionally, the top and/or bottom member may be configured so as to include a slot region to facilitate in separating the top member from the bottom member of the housing. For instance, a tool may be placed within the slot and twisted thereby causing the two members of the housing to separate, e.g., unzip. In this regard, the flexible material of the housing, e.g., the overmoulded exterior perimeter portion  20   b  of the top member  2  and the semi-rigid, e.g., polypropylene, material of the bottom member  3  may facilitate such an interaction because if the material of the housing were exclusively rigid such an interaction would be hard to achieve in addition to a consistent seal. 
     Accordingly, in certain embodiments, as depicted in  FIG. 12A  an outer perimeter portion of the housing  1  may include a slot feature  18 , such as a coin slot feature, for assisting in separating the top member  2  of the housing from the bottom member  3  of the housing. The slot feature may include an indented, e.g., cut out, portion  17  of the perimeter. The cut out portion  17  may be positioned in top member  2 , and further be bounded by a plurality of bounding members  19   a, b , such as overhang (or non-cutout) portions in top housing  2  and bottom housing  3 , respectively. 
       FIG. 12B  provides a close up cross section view of the coin slot feature  18  of  FIG. 12B . The top member  2  includes both a concave configuration  17  and a convex overhang or non-cutout configuration  19   a , while the bottom member  3  also includes a convex or non-cutout configuration  19   b , such that as the top  2  and bottom  3  members are joined together a coin slot feature  18  is formed so as to assist a user in opening the opposing members of the housing  1 , such as by inserting a tool, such as a coin, into the concave region  17  and twisting thereby forcing the top member  2  away from the bottom member  3 . 
       FIG. 12C  provides a cross section view of the coin slot feature  18  of  FIG. 12A . The coin slot feature  18  is formed within the top member  2  and includes a concave region  17  and a convex region  19   a  that overhangs the concave, cutout region  17 . The corner portion of the bottom member  3  naturally forms the other bounding member  19   b  of the coin slot feature  18 . 
       FIG. 12D  provides a cross section view of the coin slot feature  18  of  FIG. 12A , which coin slot feature  18  includes a concave region  17  bounded by a plurality of convex regions  19   a  and  19   b , wherein the convex region  19   a  is positioned on top member  2  and the convex region  19   b  is positioned in bottom member  3 . 
     In a further embodiment, as seen with respect to  FIG. 13A  the outer perimeter portion of the housing  1  may include a sound transmission portion  60   c  that is configured as a noise cancelling feature. In this configuration, the noise cancelling feature  60   c  functions for assisting in directing ambient noise toward a noise cancelling microphone present on an encased device thereby facilitating in the cancelling of ambient noise. The noise cancelling feature  60   c  may be positioned anywhere on the housing  1 , on a top member  2  or bottom member  3 , such as along the perimeter  20  or  30 . As depicted, the noise cancelling feature  60  is positioned on a top member  2  and is offset from a liquid proof headphone jack outlet  50 , which headphone jack includes a port sealing bung  53 . For instance, it is to be noted that in various instances, a noise cancelling feature may be included within an earphone port  50 , more specifically, within earphone port closure  53 . For example, the port sealing bung  53  could include the noise cancelling feature  60 , such as where an underlying electronic device has a noise cancelling feature associated with its accessory, e.g., headphone, connection inlet. 
       FIG. 13B  provides a cross section view of the noise cancelling feature  60   c  of  FIG. 13A . The noise cancelling feature  60   c  includes an acoustic inlet aperture  61  that communicates with a sound guide channel  62 , which channel  62  directs sound toward an acoustic membrane  63  positioned in a transverse manner within the sound guide channel  62 . The acoustic inlet aperture  61  is offset from a noise cancelling microphone of an encased device, but configured for directing ambient noise thereto. Additionally, as can be seen with respect to the accessory inlet aperture  50 , e.g., headphone port, of  FIG. 13B , in various embodiments, the head phone port  50  may include a structural circumferential feature that is designed to contact and/or at least partially circumscribe an earphone inlet port  150  of a housed device  100  so as to protect the inlet port  150  of the device  100  form being subjected to dirt or liquid that might otherwise enter the housing  1 . 
     It is further to be noted that although in this embodiment the noise cancelling feature  60  is in an offset fashion, in certain embodiments it can be configured to be directly in-line with a noise cancelling feature of a housed device. For instance, where a noise cancelling feature of an underlying device is positioned within an accessory inlet portion, such as in a headphone jack receiving portion, then the noise cancelling feature  60  may be positioned within an earphone jack port  50  plug. In such an instance, the port sealing bung  53  would be configured to include the noise cancelling feature  60 , which in turn would include one or more of an acoustic inlet aperture  61 , e.g., positioned on closure top member  58 , which communicates with a sound guide channel  62 , positioned underneath thread portion  54 , which channel  62  would direct sound toward an acoustic membrane  63  positioned in a transverse manner within the sound guide channel  62 . In such an instance, the noise cancelling feature  60  would be directly in line with a noise cancelling feature of a housed device. 
     As depicted, the noise cancelling feature  60   c  includes one or more sound inlet apertures  61 , a sound guide channel  62 , and an acoustic vent membrane  63 , which are positioned on a perimeter portion  20  of a top member  2 . The sound guide channel  62  is configured for directing sound toward a noise cancelling microphone present on an encased electronic device. The acoustic vent membrane  63  may be positioned so as to intersect the sound guide channel  62 . 
     Further, in certain embodiments, as can be seen with respect to  FIG. 13C , the noise cancelling feature  60   c  may additionally include an echo cancelling gasket  64   b  that may be positioned on a gasket seat  64   a , which gasket seat  64   b  and gasket  64   a  circumscribe the interior perimeter of the noise cancelling feature  60   c.    
     For instance, in certain configurations, when a housed device, such as a mobile telephone, having a noise cancelling microphone is entirely enclosed within the bounds of a housing, sound emitted from the housed device may be reflected internally to the noise cancelling microphone thereby causing echoing. For example, where the enclosed device is a mobile telephone, sound emitted from the device from a person speaking on the other end of the line may sometimes hear an echoing of their words because of the internal reflection of the sound of their speaking. This reflection of noise makes communication through the enclosed device more difficult than it otherwise would be. 
     To prevent such echoing a gasket  64   b  may be placed on an internal perimeter portion  20   a  of the top member  2  in such a manner that it circumscribes the internal perimeter portion of the noise cancelling feature  60   c . The gasket  64   b  may be composed of any suitable material, such as a compressible foam material, elastic material, rubber material, a mixture of the same, and/or the like, and should be positioned such that it surrounds the noise cancelling microphone feature inlet of the enclosed device thereby preventing internally reflected sound from entering the noise cancelling microphone inlet of the enclosed device and thereby causing echoing. With an appropriately positioned gasket  64   b  positioned around the noise cancelling microphone inlet of an enclosed device, this echoing is diminished if not completely prevented. For further effect, the noise cancelling gasket  64   b  may be positioned on a gasket seat  64   a  which gasket seat  64   a  functions to more firmly position the gasket  64   b  against the encased device. See  FIG. 13C . 
     Accordingly,  FIG. 13C  provides an inside out view of the noise cancelling feature  60   c  of  FIG. 13A . Depicted is an acoustic vent membrane  63  that transects a sound guide channel  62 . The sound guide channel  62  is circumscribed by a echo cancelling gasket seat  64   a , upon which gasket seat  64   a  is positioned an echo cancelling gasket  64   b . The sound guide channel  62  is offset from an earphone jack port  50 , which earphone port is coupled with the port sealing bung  53 . Although the sound guide channel is offset from the earphone jack port  50 , it is configured for guiding sound to a noise cancelling microphone on the body of an encased electronic device, such as a mobile telephone. 
     As indicated,  FIG. 13C  provides a noise cancelling feature with a noise cancelling gasket  64   a  present. As can be seen, the noise cancelling gasket  64   a  sits within gasket seat  64   b  and circumscribes the internal perimeter portion of the noise cancelling feature  60   c  thereby preventing the internal reflection of sound from entering a noise cancelling microphone inlet of an encased device thereby preventing the experience of echoing. 
       FIG. 13D  provides a cut away view of the noise cancelling feature  60   c  of  FIG. 13A . The noise cancelling feature  60   c  includes a sound inlet aperture  61 , a sound guide channel  62 , an acoustic vent membrane  63 , and a noise cancelling gasket  64   a  positioned on a gasket seat  64   b . The acoustic vent is in an offset position so as to facilitate the transmission of sound there through. In the same manner described above, the acoustic membrane  63  may be associated with the housing  1  in an overmoulded configuration and/or an adhesive may be included to secure the membrane to the housing. 
     In an additional embodiment, as can be seen with respect to  FIG. 14A , the outer perimeter portion of the housing  1  may include a port feature aperture  50 , for instance, for receiving either a jack, such as a jack of an accessory, such as a headphone or speaker assembly, or a closure device, e.g., a bung, or the like. The headphone port feature may be included in a top and/or bottom member  2 ,  3 . A noise cancelling feature inlet aperture  61 , as described above, is also depicted. 
       FIG. 14B  provides a cross section view of the headphone port feature  50  of  FIG. 14A . The headphone port feature  50  may include an aperture bounding member  51  positioned in one or both of the top and bottom members  2 ,  3 . The aperture bounding member  51  bounds an aperture. The bounding member includes a threaded region  54   a  that is configured to correspond to a threaded region  54   b  on the port sealing bung  53 , which port sealing bung  53  is adapted to be inserted into the port feature aperture  50 . In various embodiments, the bounding member may also include a gasket seat and a gasket, such as an o-ring. However, as depicted, although aperture bounding member  51  includes a gasket seat  52 , the gasket seat is configured for interfacing with a gasket  55  positioned on the earphone port bung  53 . 
     The threaded region  54   a  may be configured for receiving a corresponding threaded region  54   b  present on an accessory, such as a headphone jack  57  or a closure device, such as an earphone port sealing bung  53 . Accordingly, a suitable headphone jack  57  or closure device such as port sealing bung  53  will include a corresponding thread feature  54   b  and may additionally include a gasket  55 . If the headphone jack  57  and/or port sealing bung  53  includes a gasket, then the aperture bounding member  51  need not include a gasket  52   b , rather it will simply include a gasket seat  52  and a threaded feature  54   a . If the headphone jack  57  and/or closure device does not include a gasket  55 , then the aperture bounding member  51  will include a gasket seat  52   a  as well as a gasket  52   b  and a threaded feature  54   a . The threaded region  54   a  may be configured as a typical thread feature or may be configured as a cam feature. Hence, it is to be noted, that a gasket  52   b  may be present within the housing of the aperture bounding member  51  or may be present on the earphone port bung  53  or headphone jack  57 . 
       FIG. 14C  provides a cross-section view of the headphone port feature  50  of  FIG. 14A . The headphone port feature  50  includes an aperture  51  positioned in top member  2 . As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 14C , in certain instances, the headphone port feature  50  may be configured to be coincident with or otherwise include a clasping mechanism interface  27  for coupling with a clasping mechanism  37  of a bottom member  3 . However, in other embodiments, the port feature  50  includes an aperture  51  that is entirely positioned in a top  2  or bottom  3  member, wherein the port feature  50  is positioned above a respective clasping mechanism  27  or  37 . 
     For instance, the port feature  50  may be entirely positioned in a top member  2 , wherein the aperture spans from a semi-rigid exterior perimeter portion  20   b , through the rigid interior perimeter portion  20   a , into the interior of the case. Therefore, the perimeter portion  20  of the top member  2  is configured to entirely accommodate the port feature  20 . In such an instance, although the port feature  50  spans the interior and exterior perimeter portions  20   a, b  of the top member  2 , it does not interfere with the clasping mechanism  27  of the top member  2  that is positioned on either the interior or exterior perimeter portion  20   a, b . In such an instance, the perimeter portion of the bottom member  3  may include an arched cutout region so as to accommodate the port feature  50 , so long as the cutout does not interfere with the clasping mechanism  37 . 
     The aperture bounding member  51  may include both a gasket seat  52   a  and gasket  52   b  (e.g., if not included in a corresponding port bung  53  and/or jack  57 ), and a threaded region  54   a , which threaded region  54   a  is configured for receiving the corresponding threaded region  54   b  on port sealing bung  53  and/or corresponding threaded region  58  on an earphone or speaker jack  57 . In this configuration, the coupling of the earphone port sealing bung  53  or jack  57  with the headphone port feature  50  results in a liquid and dirt tight seal, which seal prevents a liquid, such as water, and/or dirt from entering the housing  1  through the headphone port  50 . 
     Additionally, as can be seen with respect to  FIG. 14D , in certain embodiments, the perimeter  20  of the top member  2  may include a stepped up configuration so as to allow the separate housing members  2  and  3  to more closely interface with one another, despite the presence of one or more features of the housing and/or an underlying device, such as headphone port feature  50 . 
     For instance, where the interior perimeter portion  20   a  of the top member  2  includes the clasping mechanism  27 , the interior perimeter portion  20   a  and clasping mechanism  27  may have a transition that moves from lower d 1 , along the sides of the housing, to higher d 2 , along the corners of the housing. This transition may be included along all the corners to ensure a tight seal, and/or may be included anywhere suitable so as to accommodate for the presence of a perimeter feature such as the headphone port feature  50 . 
     Accordingly,  FIG. 14D  provides a view of a corner edge detail showing the transition of interior perimeter portion  20   a  and clasping member  27  from low to high, which transition accommodates for the presence of the headphone port  50  by providing the necessary clearance. It is to be noted that this transition may be included without reference to its relation to any other perimeter feature and may be included in a top or bottom member with consequent changes being made to its components. 
     As indicated above, an element of the housing  1  may be a port opening, such as a headphone port  50 , that is configured for acting as an interface between a headphone, speaker, or other jack containing accessory device  57  and a jack port  150  of an underlying electronic device  100  so as to provide a liquid-proof interface between the headphone  57 , speaker jack, etc. and the underlying device  100 . In such an instance, the interface is a liquid and dirt proof seal. 
     In certain instances, however, a headphone, speaker, or other device containing a waterproof jack interface  57  may not be included or may not otherwise be associated with the housing  1  or an underlying device  100  associated therewith. In such an instance, a port sealing bung  53  may be associated with the port  50  of the housing  1  so as to maintain a liquid and dirt proof seal when a liquid-proof jack  57 , such as the one described herein below, is not associated with the port of the housing. 
     Accordingly, as can be seen with respect to  FIG. 15A , in certain instances, a port sealing bung  53  is provided for sealing an associated port  50  of a housing  1 . The port sealing bung  53  may include a top member  58 , which top-member may further include a grip feature region  56 . The port sealing bung  53  may also include a gasket region containing a gasket  55  and a threaded region containing threads  54   b , which threads are configured for coupling with corresponding threads  54   a  of a jack port  50  so as to establish a liquid and dirt tight seal there between. It is to be noted that the threaded regions may be configured as a thread feature or a cam feature. 
     As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 15B  instead of the threaded region depicted in  FIG. 15A , a cam feature, such as a bayonet cam feature  54   c  can be provided. The cam feature  54   c  is configured for coupling the jack port sealing bung  53  with the jack port  50  in a liquid-tight seal when the port  50  is not associated with a corresponding liquid-proof jack interface  57 . The port sealing bung  53  also includes a top member  58  having a grip feature  56  and gasket  55 . 
       FIG. 15C  provides a bottom-up perspective view of the port sealing bung  53  of  FIG. 15B . The port sealing bung  53  includes a top member  58  with grip features  56 . The port sealing bung  53  includes a gasket region with gasket  55  and a bayonet cam feature, which in this instance is an indented region  54   c . It is to be noted that when the cam feature  54   c  is included in the port sealing bung  53 , a corresponding protruding cam feature is substituted for the threaded region  54   a  of the port jack  50 . 
       FIG. 15D  provides a bottom-up view of another embodiment of the jack port bung of  FIG. 15B . The port sealing bung  53  includes a top member  58  with grip features  56 . The port sealing bung  53  includes a gasket region with gasket  55  and a bayonet cam feature this time with an expanded region  54   c . It is to be noted that when this expanded cam feature is included in the port sealing bung  53 , a corresponding indented cam receiving feature is substituted for the threaded region  54   a  of the port jack  50 . See  FIG. 15E . 
       FIG. 15E  provides a jack port  50  of a housing  1 , wherein the jack port  50  has a bayonet thread receiving feature  54   a  that is configured for being coupled with a corresponding bayonet thread protruding feature  54   c  of a closure device  53  or cam protruding feature  58  of a waterproof jack  57 . In this instance, the corresponding locking features are configured as a bayonet cam features, but they could alternatively be configured as corresponding threaded regions. The bayonet cam feature  54   c  or  58  is configured to act as an entry gate between the bung  53  or jack  57  and the jack port  50 . The jack port  50  also includes a gasket sealing surface that is configured for interacting with a gasket feature  55  of the bung  53  or gasket feature  59  on jack  57  for assisting in providing a liquid-tight seal between the bung  53  or jack  57  and the jack port  50 . 
       FIG. 15F  provides a view of a housing  1  of the disclosure with an earphone port sealing bung  53  not installed therein. 
       FIG. 15G  provides a view of a housing  1  of the disclosure with an earphone port sealing bung  53  installed therein. 
     As indicated above, an element of the housing may be a port that is configured for acting as an interface between a headphone, speaker, or other jack containing accessory device and a jack port of an underlying electronic device. Accordingly, in certain instances, a headphone, speaker, or other accessory device having a jack interface may be included and associated with the housing and/or an underlying device associated therewith in such a manner that a liquid-proof seal is formed by the coupling of the jack with the jack port of an underlying device through the housing&#39;s jack port interface. Hence, in certain embodiments, a device, such as a headphone, speaker, or other such accessory device having a jack interface is provided, wherein the jack interface of the device is configured so as to provide a liquid-proof seal between the jack and the jack port interface of the housing, which interface is adapted for receiving the headphone, speaker jack, etc., in such a manner so as to produce a liquid-proof seal thereby. 
     Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIG. 16A , a device having a plug, e.g., a jack interface  57 , is provided. The jack is configured for providing a liquid-tight seal between the jack interface  57  and a jack-port receiving feature  50  of the housing  1 . The jack may include a gasket  59 , such as an o-ring, and a threaded or cam feature  58 . It is to be noted that where the jack interface  57  includes a threaded or cam feature  58 , a corresponding threaded or cam feature  54   a  will be included in the jack port feature  50  of the housing  1 . The jack plug comprises an electronic device interface. 
     The jack electronic device interface or bung  57  is configured for passing through the jack port  50  so as to associate with an encased electronic device, and also to associate with the jack port feature  50  of the housing  1  in such a manner as to establish a liquid-tight seal there with. In this instance, the jack  57  includes a thread feature  58  configured as a thread feature locking mechanism  58 , however, in other embodiments, the thread feature is configured as a bayonet cam locking mechanism. 
     With respect to  FIG. 16A , provided is a perspective view of an electronix interface of an accessory having a jack interface  57 , e.g., a plug. The jack interface  57  is configured for providing a liquid-tight seal between the jack  57  and a jack-port  50  receiving feature of a housing  1 . The jack  57  includes a gasket seat for a gasket  59  and a threaded feature  58 . The jack  57  further includes an electronic device interface. The jack  57  is configured for passing the electronic device interface through the jack port  50  so as to associate with an encased electronic device and also to associate with a jack port feature  50  of the housing  1  in such a manner as to establish a liquid-tight seal there with. In this instance, the jack  57  includes a threaded feature locking mechanism  58 , which is configured for interfacing with a corresponding threaded region  54   a  of the jack port  50 . 
       FIG. 16B  provides a view of a threaded jack port.  16  into which a threaded bung  53  or threaded jack interface  57  could be associated, In this instance a port sealing bung  53 , as described above, is installed therein. In this embodiment, the jack port  50  and the bung  53  have corresponding thread feature locking mechanisms  54   a  and  b , respectively. The port sealing bung  53  additionally includes a gasket  55  which enhances the liquid-tight seal. It is noted, that in order for the jack electronic device interface  57  of the jack of  FIG. 16A  to be inserted into the jack port  50  of the housing  1  of  FIG. 16B , the port sealing bung  53  must be unscrewed from the jack port  50  and the jack  57  must be screwed therein. 
       FIG. 16C  a bayonet jack electronic device having a jack interface  57  is provided. The jack includes a gasket  59 , e.g., an o-ring, and a cam feature  58 . It is to be noted that where the jack interface  57  includes a cam feature  58 , a corresponding cam feature  54   a  will be included in the jack port feature  50  of the housing  1 . Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIG. 16C , the jack interface  57  is configured for passing through the jack port  50  so as to associate with an encased electronic device, and also includes a cam feature  58  that is adapted for associating with a corresponding cam feature  54   a  of the jack port feature  50  of the housing  1  so as to establish a liquid-tight seal there with. See  FIG. 16D . 
       FIG. 16D  provides a close-up view of a cammed jack-port  50  of a housing  1 . The jack-port  50  includes a cammed feature  54   a . The jack-port  50  is adapted to receive either a port bung  53  or a jack interface with corresponding threaded feature  54   b  or  58 . When the port bung  53  or jack interface  57  is received within the jack-port  50 , a liquid tight seal is provided thereby. This liquid tight seal is enhanced by including a gasket (e.g.,  55  or  59 ) along with the bung  53  or jack interface  57   
       FIG. 16E  provides an interior view of the bayonet cam jack port  50  of  FIG. 16B  with the port sealing bung  53  installed. 
       FIG. 16F  provides a cross section interior view of the bayonet cam jack port  50  of  FIG. 16E  the port sealing bung  53  installed. 
       FIG. 17A  provides a view of a liquid-proof adapter and cable for use in conjunction with a housing of the invention. The adapter includes a receiving or female member  88  that is configured for receiving a typical electronic device jack interface, e.g., plug, such as a headphone, speaker jack, other accessory, and/or the like to be inserted therein. The adapter further includes a liquid-proof jack  57  or male portion, e.g., plug, for being coupled to a liquid-proof jack port  50  of a housing  1  of the disclosure, so as to provide a liquid-proof sealing between the jack  57  and the port  50 . 
     In this manner, a typical electronic device jack may be associated with the liquid proof adapter and employed with a housing  1  of the disclosure in a liquid-tight sealing. The liquid proof jack  57  portion of the adapter and cable includes a jack gasket  59  and a threaded jack interface  58 . 
     The adapter may further include a storage port  87  which may be adapted for receiving one or both of the liquid proof jack  57  and/or a port sealing bung  53 . The storage port  87  may also include a plurality of covers  89   a  and  b . It is to be noted that although the above description has been set forth with respect to the adapter being liquid-proof, in various embodiments the adapter need not be liquid-proof. For instance, the gasket, e.g., O-ring,  59  and/or locking mechanism, e.g., threads,  58  need not be present. In such an instance, the adapter may be a non-waterproof adapter. 
       FIG. 17B  provides other instances of the liquid-proof adapter of  FIG. 17A . The adapter includes an earphone jack receiving member  88 , which is configured for receiving a standard electronic device jack plug interface. The adapter also includes a liquid proof jack  57 . The adapter further includes a storage port  87  that may be configured for receiving one or both of a portion of the liquid proof jack  57  and/or a port sealing bung  53 , such as in a port bung storage receiving element  87 . As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 17B , in a first instance, the storage element  88  is closed, having a bung  53  stored therein. In a second instance, the storage element  88  is open, the bung  53  having been removed therefrom. In a third instance, the storage element is closed, having receiving therein the jack plug  57 . Accordingly, the adapter is adapted for being bent about itself, so that the waterproof jack  57  may be inserted into the storage element  87  (for better storage capabilities); and/or the adapter is adapted for being coupled to a liquid-proof port  50  of the housing  1  via the liquid proof jack  57 . 
     Consequently, the liquid proof jack  57  includes an earphone jack gasket, e.g., O-ring,  59  as well as a locking mechanism, such as threads  58 . In a manner such as this an accessory may be inserted into the female portion  88  of the adapter and the male end  57  of the adapter inserted into the case, associated with a jack inlet port of a housed device, and locked into place via locking element  58 . Hence, an accessory plug that would otherwise not be able to be inserted into the housing, such as in a waterproof manner, can via the adapter be electronically connected with an underlying device. This in turn allows for a jack-port interface having the smallest possible profile. 
       FIG. 17C  provides a view of various different locking members for locking a jack  57  in combination with a housing  1  of the disclosure. For instance, one or more locking tethers  69   a  and/or  b  may be associated with a jack  57 . The one or more locking tethers  69   a  and/or  b  may be configured for being coupled with one or more corresponding locking elements  69   c  and/or  d  on the housing, such as by snapping, see  FIG. 17C   1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4  or  5 ; or by inserting and twisting. See  FIG. 17C   5 ,  6 , and/or  7 . For example, the locking tether may be a part of the jack  57 , see numbers  1  and  2 , which slides onto a corresponding receiving member on the housing, or it may be a locking tether on the housing that slides into a corresponding groove on the jack  57 , see # 3  and  4 . In certain instances, one or more of the locking tethers may include a locking screw thread and/or gasket, etc. See # 5 . In other instances, the jack  57  may include one or more wings  69   a  and  b , which wings are configured for being coupled with one or more wing receiving members  69   c  and  d , such as by inserting the jack wings  69   a  and  b  into the wing receiving members  69   c  and  d  and twisting so as to lock in place. See, for instance,  FIG. 17C , reference numbers  6 ,  7 , and  8 . 
       FIG. 17D  provides various methods for securing a port sealing bung  53  when it is not secured within the housing  1 . For instance, the port sealing bung  53  may be tethered to the housing  1  by a leash  69 . The port sealing bung  53  may also be placed into a bung holding receptacle  14  that is built into the housing  1 . Alternatively, the port sealing bung  53  may be stored into a bung holding receptacle  87   a  that is part of an adapter. 
     As depicted, in one embodiment the bung holding receptacle  87   a  may also include a plug receiving receptacle  87   b  as well, into which a plug, e.g.  57  may be inserted, e.g., for storage. For instance, in certain embodiments, the liquid-proof adapter member includes an earphone jack adapter receiving member  88 , which is configured for receiving a standard electronic device jack interface  57 . For example, on one end, the adapter includes a liquid proof jack  57 , which is configured for being coupled to a liquid-proof port  50  of the housing  1 , such as in a liquid-proof seal. The other end of the adapter member includes a storage receptacle that includes both a port  87   a  that is configured for receiving a liquid proof port sealing bung  53 , and a port  87   b  that is configured for receiving the jack port interface, e.g., of the adapter. As depicted, the port sealing bung  53  is coupled to the port bung receiving member  87   a  and the jack interface  57  is coupled to the jack port receiving member  87   b.    
       FIG. 17E  provides a perspective view of another embodiment of a liquid-proof adapter member having a port bung storage element  96  associated therewith. The adapter includes a jack receiving member  88 , such as a female plug receiving member, a storage device  96  having a port bung storage element, adapted for receiving and storing a port sealing bung  53  when not in use, and a liquid-tight jack  57 . The jack  57  is an earphone jack that is configured so as to form a water tight seal between the earphone jack  57  and the earphone jack port  50 . Accordingly, the water-tight jack  57  includes a jack gasket  59 , such as an O-ring, which is positioned on a gasket stand of the jack  57 . Also included is a threaded region, such as a jack threaded region  58  that is configured for being coupled to a corresponding threaded region  52  of the jack port  50  of the housing  1 . It is to be noted that as depicted the jack port  50  is configured so as to have a gasket  59  and a threaded region  58  positioned thereon, in certain instances, the jack port  50  may be configured for housing the gasket, e.g.,  55 , and instead of a threaded region the jack and jack port may be configured with corresponding cam features. 
       FIG. 17F  provides a close up perspective view of the water-proof adapter member with port bung storage element  96  of  FIG. 17E . The adapter includes an earphone a port bung storage element  96 , having a port bung receiving member  87 , and a liquid-tight earphone jack  57 . The liquid-tight jack  57  includes a jack gasket  59 , which is positioned on a gasket stand of the jack. The water-tight jack  57  also includes a jack threaded region  58  that is configured for being coupled to a corresponding threaded region  54   a  of the jack port  50 . 
       FIG. 17G  provides a close up perspective view of the water-proof adapter member with port bung storage element  96  of  FIG. 17E , wherein the bung storage element  96  is uncoupled from its association with the adapter member. The adapter includes an earphone jack adapter  88  (not shown), a port bung storage element  96  having a receiving portion  87  for receiving and storing a port sealing bung  53 , and a liquid-tight earphone jack  57 . The port bung storage element  96  includes a receiving member  87  that is configured for receiving a port sealing bung  53 . The storage device  96  is further configured for being associated with the adapter, e.g., through a coupling interface, such as via a clasping member. As depicted the port bung storage element  96  is uncoupled from the adapter and the port sealing bung  53  is dissociated from the bung holder  87  of storage element  96 . The water-tight jack  57  includes a jack gasket  59 , which is positioned on a gasket stand of the jack  57 . The water-tight jack  57  also includes a jack threaded region  58  that is configured for being coupled to a corresponding threaded region  44   a  of the jack port  50 . 
       FIG. 17H  provides a perspective view of the bung storage element  96  as it is attached to a non waterproof adapter. The bung storage element  96  includes a bung receiving member  87 , which includes a clasping member that is configured for being coupled to a cable of an auxiliary device, such as a headphone or speaker device, and further includes a storage element  96  for storing a port sealing bung  53 . The earphone jack interface in this embodiment is not a waterproof interface. 
       FIG. 17I  depicts a waterproof jack port adapter of the disclosure as it would be when the jack port interface member  57  is coupled to a corresponding jack port  50  of the housing  1 . In this embodiment, the adapter is a liquid proof adapter that includes a liquid proof jack  57 , which jack is coupled to a liquid-proof port  50  of the housing  1  in a liquid-proof seal. As described above, the jack  57  includes both a locking element  58  as well as a gasket  59  (not shown), both of which enhance the waterproof seal between the jack  57  and the port  50 . The adapter cable further includes a storage device  96  that includes a port  87  that is configured for receiving a liquid proof port sealing bung  53 , wherein the port sealing bung  53  is coupled to the port bung receiving member  87 . Also depicted is the plug receiving member  88  of the adapter. In this embodiment, an accessory, such as a pair of waterproof headphones, could be coupled to the external adapter member so as to be electrically connected with a housed device in a waterproof connection. The adapter could also be used for accessories having plug members that would not otherwise be able to fit through the bounds of the port  50  or where an extension is desirable. 
     In certain instances, such as that provided in  FIG. 18A , a storage element  96  is provided wherein the storage element is configured as a key chain. The storage element  96  includes a key chain interface  98  that is configured for being coupled at least to a key chain and further includes a plurality of storage elements, for instance, one storage element  87   a  for storing a port sealing bung  53 , and another storage element  87   b  for storing a latch cover  71 , such as where the latch cover is designed to be removable. In certain embodiments, the key chain storage device  96  may further include a tool  97  for separating the corresponding members of the housing one from the other. For instance, a tool  97  may be provided wherein the tool is configured for being inserted between the members of the housing  2  and  3 , such as at a slot region  18  positioned along a perimeter of the housing  1 . Inserting the tool  97  into the slot feature  18  and twisting will effectuate the separating of the top member  2  from the bottom member  3 . 
       FIG. 18B  provides a side-view of the key chain storage element  96  of  FIG. 18A . The storage element  96  includes a key chain interface  98  and further includes a storage element  87   a  for storing a port sealing bung  53 , and another storage element  87   b  for storing a latch cover  71 . The key chain storage device  96  further includes a tool  97  for separating the corresponding members of the housing one from the other. As depicted, the key chain storage device is further configured for opening and closing, and in this embodiment, the key chain storage device is in the opened position. 
       FIG. 18C  illustrates the key chain storage device  96  of  FIG. 18B , wherein the key chain storage device  96  is in the closed position. The key chain storage device  96  includes a key chain interface  98 , a storage element  87   a  for storing a port sealing bung  53 , another storage element  87   b  for storing a latch cover  71 , and a tool  97  for separating the corresponding members of the housing one from the other. 
       FIG. 18D  is a further representation of the key chain storage device  96  of  FIG. 18C . 
       FIGS. 19A-K  provide another embodiment of a device of the disclosure. Accordingly,  FIGS. 19A-C  provide a segmental illustration wherein various elements of a housing  1  are provided in a segmented fashion. In accordance with this embodiment, the housing  1  may include a top housing member  2  and a bottom member  3 . Additionally, in this embodiment, the housing further includes an intermediate structural member  4 . The top member  2  includes a top-surface  25   a , which in this embodiment is configured as a membrane that is attachable to top member  2 . The membrane  25   a  includes an acoustic membrane feature  44 , video camera optically clear region  47 , a proximity sensor  48 , and a button feature  40 . The top member  2  further includes an outer perimeter portion that includes a jack port  50   a , several cutout regions configured for receiving various feature elements as described above, and an interface region so as to interface with the intermediate member  4 . 
     The intermediate member  4  is configured for interfacing with both the top member  2  and the bottom member  3 . The intermediate member  4  includes a jack port  50   b , a slider switch receiving aperture, and a camera portion  80 . A slider switch  90  is also provided and configured for being fit within the slider switch receiving aperture of the intermediate  4  and top member  2 . The bottom member  3  is configured for interfacing with the intermediate member  4  and/or the top member  2 . The bottom member  3  includes a slider switch interface region for interfacing with the slider switch  90 . 
     The top member  2 , intermediate member  4 , and bottom member  3  are configured for being coupled to one another so as to form the housing  1 . In this embodiment, each of the top  2 , intermediate  4 , and bottom  3  members are configured such that when they are coupled together an opening is formed at the proximal end of the housing  1 . Any of the top, intermediate, and bottom members  2 ,  3  or  4  may be configured to be separable one from the other, or they may be fabricated such that once joined they are not further capable of being disjoined without destroying the housing or its ability to provide a liquid tight seal. 
     However, as the one or more components, e.g., 2, 3, and 4, come together to form the housing  1 , the proximal end of the housing  1  includes an opening, such as an opening through which an electronic device, such as a mobile telephone or other like device, can be received. The proximal end of the housing  1 , therefore, is further configured for being coupled to a removable proximal end portion  5 , so as to seal the housing in a liquid and dirt tight seal. 
     It is to be noted that although the housing  1  is herein described as including three component parts, i.e., a top  2 , intermediate  4 , and a bottom  3  member, in various embodiments, one or more of these component parts may be excluded and/or their functions be performed by one or more of the other component parts. For instance, in certain embodiments, the housing  1  may simply include a top member  2  and a bottom member  3 , e.g., in a configuration as that described above with the addition of a removable proximal end portion  5 , as described herein below. 
     In other embodiments, the housing  1  includes a single member, i.e., the top and bottom members are not removable from one another, e.g., they may be fabricated from a single material, and further configured for being removably coupled to a removable proximal end portion  5 , as described herein below. In any of these instances, the functional features as described herein above, button features, slider switch, port, coin slot, etc., can be included into any form of the housing, whether the housing is formed from a single or multiple members. 
     The proximal end portion  5  may have any suitable configuration so long as it is capable of removably coupling to the housing  1  and providing a liquid, dirt, and/or shockproof seal therewith. For instance, the proximal portion of the housing  1  and the proximal end portion  5  may have corresponding clasping mechanisms, as described above with respect to the perimeter portions of the housings  2  and  3 . Accordingly, either of the proximal portion of the housing  1  and the proximal end portion  5  may have interior and exterior perimeter portions, bounding portions, channels, and corresponding clasping mechanism, as described above. Further, it is noted that although the configuration herein detailed is with respect to a proximal portion, this configuration can be changed such as to be a distal end portion or a side portion, with respective changes to the various components of the housing in adaptation for the change in configuration. 
     As depicted with respect to  FIG. 19A , proximal end member  5  is configured for being coupled to several different elements. For instance, proximal end member  5  is configured for being coupled to a sound transmission portion  60  as well as latch door system  70 . The sound transmission system  60  includes acoustic vents  65   a  and  b . These elements are capable of being coupled together via latches  69  that slide into corresponding grooves thereby joining the sound transmission portion  60  into the proximal end portion  5 . The latch door assembly includes a rigid stiffener  72 , gasket  78 , as well as latch door  71   b . These may be snapped into a corresponding latch door orifice  71   a  positioned in proximal end  5 . In a manner such as this, once the housing assembly  1  is assembled and the proximal end portion  5  is assembled, an electronic device  100  may then be inserted into the housing  1 , the end portion  5  coupled therewith, and the housing sealed in a liquid proof seal. See for instance,  FIGS. 19C-F . 
       FIG. 19B  provides another exploded, segmental illustration of the device of  FIG. 19A . The housing  1  of the disclosure may include a top housing member  2 , an intermediate member  4 , and a bottom member  3 . The top member  2  includes a top-surface membrane  25 . The membrane  25  includes an acoustic membrane feature  44  and a button feature  40 . The top member  2  further includes an outer perimeter portion  20  having both a jack port  50  and a slider switch aperture. 
     The intermediate member  4  is configured for interfacing with both the top member  2  and the bottom member  3 . The intermediate member  4  includes a jack port  50   b , a slider switch receiving aperture, and a camera portion  80 . A slider switch  90  and volume toggles  99  are also provided and configured for being fit within the slider switch receiving aperture of the intermediate  4  and top member  2 . The bottom member  3  is configured for interfacing with the intermediate member  4  and/or the top member  2  and further includes a camera feature  80  with lens  84 , etc. The bottom member  3  includes a slider switch interface region for interfacing with the slider switch  90  as well as a port opening  50   c.    
     The top member  2 , intermediate member  4 , and bottom member  3  are configured for being coupled to one another so as to form the housing  1 . Each of the top  2 , intermediate  4 , and bottom  3  members are configured such that when they are coupled together an opening is formed at the proximal end of the housing  1 . This opening is configured for being coupled to a proximal end member  5  in such a manner that a liquid, dirt, and/or shock-proof seal is formed thereby. 
     The housing  1  couples with the proximal end portion  5  in a liquid-tight seal. The end portion  5  may be configured so as to include one or more features, such as a sound transmission portion  60 , including both a structural framework  67 , having acoustic channels  66   a  and  b  and acoustic vents  65 , as well as a latch feature  70 . The acoustic membrane feature includes a sturdy framework  67  having sound channels  66   a  and  b  included therein. The sound channels form a microphone acoustic vent portion  66   a  having a microphone acoustic vent membrane  65   a  therein, and further includes a speaker acoustic vent portion  66   b  forming a speaker acoustic channel and having a speaker acoustic vent membrane  65   b . The latch feature  70  includes a latch cover  71   a , which latch cover  71   a  includes a gasket  73 . Further, the end portion  5  may include a pair of latches for securing the acoustic membrane feature to the end portion  5 . The housing  1  and/or end member  5  also includes a bottom sealing member, e.g., gasket  15 , for interfacing with the top  2 , intermediate  4 , and/or bottom member  3 . 
     Accordingly, with respect to  FIGS. 19A and 19B , the housing members are adapted to be coupled together and therefore include a top member  2 , bottom member  3 , optionally an intermediate member  4  and/or a proximal end portion  5 . As depicted the end portion  5  is configured for interfacing with a plurality of features, such as one or more sound transmission features, e.g., acoustic membrane features  65   a  and  b , and a latch feature  70 . The sound transmission feature is configured as an acoustic membrane feature, which includes a plurality of acoustic membranes, such as a microphone acoustic membrane  65   a  and a speaker acoustic membrane  65   b . The latch feature  70  includes a latch cover  71   b , which latch cover  71   b  includes a gasket  73  and is further configured for interfacing with a rigid stiffener region  72  that may be positioned within the proximal end portion  5  or the proximal portion of the housing  1 . 
     Further, as depicted, the acoustic channel feature  60  may include one or more, e.g., a pair of latches for securing the acoustic channel feature  60  to the end portion  5  and/or a gasket for enhancing the sealing thereof. The housing  1  is configured for receiving the proximal end portion  5  and therefore the housing  1  and the end portion  5  will have corresponding clasping mechanisms and may further include a gasket, e.g., an o-ring, to enhance the sealing of the housing  1  with the end portion  5 . Also depicted is a liquid-proof adapter member, as described above, which adapter member is coupled to the housing  1  via the port  50 . As the latch member  70   b , in this instance, may be removable, a separate storage element (as described above) may also be included. 
       FIG. 19C  provides an example of a method of assembling a housing of the disclosure. For instance, a housing  1  may be fabricated as a single framework portion or a multiplicity of framework portions that are assembled together so as to make a single composite framework portion, as described above. Added to this framework portion is attached a top surface membrane  25 . Of course, the housing  1  can be configured as having two members, e.g., a top and bottom member, or more than two members, e.g., a top, intermediate, and bottom member, as described above. Further, the housing  1  is configured for being coupled to an end portion, e.g., a proximal or distal end portion  5 . Of course, the housing  1  could be, in an alternative embodiment, configured for coupling to a side member in like manner. With respect to  FIG. 19  C, the housing  1  is adapted to form a liquid tight seal by coupling to end portion  5 . 
     Thus, the housing  1  and the end portion  5  may be fabricated so as to be independent pieces capable of being coupled together, as described above. For instance, the housing  1  and end portion  5  may have corresponding clasping mechanisms, as described above. A channel and/or gasket may also be included at this interface to ensure the coupling of the housing  1  and the end portion  5  form a liquid-tight seal upon coupling. For instance, the end portion could be configured as a plug portion, having a groove, or channel, or other form of gasket seat to which a gasket may be attached. As the end portion  5  is slid into the housing  1 , the gasket is compressed thereby providing a liquid proof seal therewith. Accordingly, the clasping mechanisms, channel, and/or gasket may entirely or partially circumscribe the perimeter portions of the opening of the housing  1  and/or the end portion  5 , e.g., at a housing interfacing portion of the end portion  5 . 
     As stated above, the housing  1  may be fabricated to have two separate halves, e.g., a top member  2  and a bottom member  3 , which halves are configured for being coupled together so as to form the housing  1  with an opening in one of its ends so as to be coupled with end member  5 . Likewise a top member  25  may be fabricated from a suitable membrane member independently and then attached to the completed housing  1 , or may be fabricated at the same time as the housing  1 , such as in an overmould process. 
     Accordingly, the membrane  25  may be associated with the housing through any suitable method such as by bonding, such as by an adhesive and/or in an over-moulded fashion such as described above. The membrane  25  may further include one or more additional elements associated therewith, such as a touch membrane that may be bonded to the top membrane, such as during an in-mould process, via an adhesive, or by over-moulding. The bottom member  3  of the housing may further be associated with a film, such as a PET film upon which a graphic decal may be positioned. In certain instances, the film may be a scratch resistant film. 
       FIG. 19D  provides a perspective view of a housing  1  of the disclosure with associated end portion  5  and membrane  25 . All of the various functional feature elements described above may be added to the housing  1 , end portion  5 , and/or membrane  25  in the manner described above. In this embodiment, the housing  1  is assembled, end portion  5  is coupled to the housing  1  and is in the closed position. 
       FIG. 19E  provides a perspective view of a bottom of the housing  1  of  FIG. 19D . The bottom surface of the housing  1  includes a transparent membrane  35 . This membrane may be attached to the housing in the manner described above with respect to the top surface membrane  25 . The housing  1  further includes an end portion  5  both of which have been coupled to an electronic device  100  that is housed within the housing  1 . The end portion  5  is associated with the main body of the housing  1  and is therefore in the closed position so as to form a liquid, dirt, and shock-proof seal thereby. The housing  1  therefore houses the electronic device  100  and provides protection to the device against inclement weather, contact with liquids such as water, and/or damage due to shock, such as by dropping. 
     In this embodiment, the housing is not much wider, longer, or thicker than the underlying device to be housed therein. For instance, the housing may have a thickness of about 4.5 or about 3.5 mm or less, such as about 3 or about 2.5 mm, for instance, about 2 mm or about 1.5 mm, including about 1 mm or about 0.9 mm or less, for example about 0.75 mm to about 0.5 mm; dependent upon which materials the housing is made of. It is also to be noted that the when the device is housed within the housing the width dimension of the housing as compared to the device, as shown in  FIG. 19E , may be about 0.5 mm or about 0.75 mm to about 3.5 mm or about 4 mm wider than the device, such as about 1 mm or about 1.5 mm to about 3 mm or about 2.5 mm wider, such as about 2 mm wider than the device. 
     Further, when the device is housed within the housing, the length dimension of the housing as compared to the device, as shown in  FIG. 19E , may be about 1 mm or about 2 mm to about 20 mm or about 15 mm longer than the device, such as about 3 mm or about 4 mm to about 12 mm or about 10 mm longer, such as about 7.5 mm or about 5 mm longer than the housed device, dependent upon from what materials the housing is made and what perimeter features are to be include. For instance, where no perimeter features to be included, the housing could be less than about 1 mm, such as less than about 0.9 mm, including less than about 0.75 or 0.5 mm longer, wider, and thicker than the housed device. 
       FIG. 19F  provides a perspective view of a bottom of the housing  1  of  FIG. 19E . The bottom surface of the housing  1  includes a transparent membrane  35 . As can be seen, the front surface of the housing  25  also includes a transparent membrane  25 . The housing  1  further includes an end portion  5  both of which are coupled to the electronic device. The housing  1  coupled to member  5  houses the device. As depicted the housing  1  and end portion  5  are uncoupled from one another and therefore are in the open position. 
       FIG. 19G  provides a perspective view of a top of the housing  1  of  FIG. 19E . The top surface of the housing  1  includes a membrane  25  having a button feature  40  associated therewith as well as the other features described herein above. As can be seen, the button feature  40  aligns with the button feature of the underlying device so as to allow the manipulation of the navigation button. The housing  1  is depicted as coupled to the end member  5  and therefore is in the closed position, housing an electronic device. The housing  1  is further positioned next to an exemplary electronic device so as to provide a perspective as to the length, width, and thickness of the housing  1  relative to the device  1 . 
       FIG. 19H  provides a perspective view of a top of the housing  1  of  FIG. 19G . The top surface of the housing  1  includes a transparent membrane  25  having a button feature  40  associated therewith as well as other membrane features described herein above. The housing  1  further includes an end portion  5  coupled to the electronic device. The housing  1  houses the device. As depicted the housing  1  and end portion  5  are uncoupled from one another and therefore are in the open position. It is to be noted, the end portion  5  has additional latching mechanisms positioned on opposing sides for further latching the end portion  5  with the housing  1  and ensuring a tight seal thereby. The housing  1  further include latch receiving members for receiving and securing the latching mechanisms of end portion  5 . It is to be understood that this configuration could be reversed. 
       FIG. 19I  provides a close up view of a top end portion of the housing  1  of  FIG. 19H . As can be seen the housing  1  includes a transparent bottom membrane portion  35  as well as a camera aperture  80  and a port  50  with port bung  53  associated therewith. 
       FIG. 19J  provides a perspective view from a top end portion of the housing  1  of  FIG. 19I . As can be seen the housing  1  includes a transparent bottom membrane portion  35  as well as a camera aperture  80  and a port  50  with port sealing bung  53  associated therewith. 
       FIG. 19K  provides a housing  1   a - d  with various decals positioned at various locations thereon. For instance, a top member  2  front membrane  25  may be adapted so as to include an optically masked region, which may be in the form or may additionally include a graphical feature, such as a decal. Hence, one or more decals may be added to the housing after fabrication, e.g., by an adhesive coating layer, or other attachment mechanism, or can be added during the fabrication process. 
     It is to be noted that in various instances the top member may include an adhesive layer such that the top member comprises a layer that may be applied directly to the perimeter of a top member of the housing as well as to the top surface of an electronic device and be wrapped there around and thereby provide a liquid-proof seal for the case. 
       FIGS. 20A-C  provide additional aspects of housings of the disclosure. As can be seen with respect to  FIGS. 20A and 20B , a housing of the disclosure may be configured to house virtually anything capable of being housed and transported.  FIG. 20A  provides a housing  1  that is in the form of a case, such as a brief case, suitcase, messenger case, and the like.  FIG. 20B  provides a housing  1  that is in the form of a storage container, cooler, warmer, or the like. The storage container  20 B can be configured to store anything in need of being protected from the environment, such as food, liquids, ice, paper, notebooks, books, household items, work items, office supplies, medical items, sports items, clothing, fragile items, precious items, and the like. The housings of  FIGS. 20A and 20B  each include a top member  2  and bottom member  3 , which top and bottom members include respective clasping mechanisms  27  and  37 , as described above. A channel  10  and gasket  15  are also provided, in this instance, in the bottom member, although they could as well be positioned in the top member  2 . The top member  2  of  FIG. 20A  is connected to the bottom member  3  via a hinge element  11 . In such an embodiment, the clasping mechanisms, channel, and/or gasket, may not need to entirely circumscribe the perimeters of the top and bottom members, however, in various embodiments, one or more of the clasping mechanisms, channel, and gasket do circumscribe the entire perimeter portions, e.g., of the respective top and/or bottom members  2 ,  3 . As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 20B  the top member  2  is configured for being completely removed from the bottom member  3 . In this instance, the clasping mechanisms  27  and  37  circumscribe the entire perimeter portions of the top and bottom members  2 ,  3 , and the channel  10  and gasket  15  entirely circumscribes the perimeter portion of the bottom member  3 . 
     As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 20C  an additional latching mechanism may be included to either of the housings of  FIG. 20A  or B for further securing of the sealing of the top and bottom members  2 ,  3 . This latching mechanism may be in any configuration so long as it is capable of facilitating the coupling and/or securing of the top member  2  with the bottom member  3 . For instance, the latching mechanism may be one commonly known in the art. In certain embodiments it may include a locking mechanism known in the art, such as a lock and key mechanism, a combination mechanism, a hoop mechanism through which an external lock is added, and the like. 
     In one aspect, a method of manufacturing a housing  1  as described herein is provided. The method includes individually producing a bottom member and a top member in such a manner that they are capable of being coupled together so as to produce a waterproof and dirtproof housing. As indicated above, the housing  1  includes several component parts. Primarily, in various embodiments, a housing  1  of the disclosure includes a top member  2  and a bottom member  3 . However, to be more precise, the top member  2  is more particularly a perimeter portion  20  having a latching mechanism  27  configured thereon. The bottom member includes a front and back surface as well as a perimeter portion that includes, in various instances, a channel and a clasping mechanism  37  positioned therein. The clasping mechanisms are configured to be corresponding and function to lock the top and bottom members together. 
     The top  2  member perimeter portion  20  and the bottom member  3  may be produced in any suitable manner in accordance with the methods well know in the art. For instance, a suitable top member perimeter portion  20  and a bottom member  3  may be produced by moulding such as by injection moulding. Although it is recognized that other suitable moulding and/or fabrication techniques may also be employed, such as by casting and/or machining. As indicated above, a top member perimeter portion  20  may be composed of any suitable material, but is typically composed of a rigid or semi-rigid material such as a stiff plastic, such as polycarbonate. Likewise, the bottom member may be composed of any suitable material, such as from a rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible material, such as polypropylene. 
     As detailed herein, both top  2  and bottom  3  members have various additional features therein, which features may be produced thereon in various suitable ways, an exemplified version of which is herein described. For instance, in certain embodiments, such as provided in  FIGS. 3L and 3M , the bottom member includes a channel  10  having internal teeth receptacles  13   b  and the top member includes teeth  13   a  on a perimeter thereof. The channel  10  includes an exterior perimeter portion  30   b  having a clasping mechanism, such as a circumferential groove provided therein, e.g., by tooling, and further includes an interior bonding member  20   a.    
     The channel  10  may be produced during the injection moulding process wherein the polypropylene material is injected into a suitable mould, the channel formed, and one or more sliding elements, e.g., sliders, are positioned thereon so as to push through the interior bounding member  20   a  and partially enter the channel  10 . For instance, the teeth receptacles  13   b  of the interior perimeter portion  20   a  of the channel  10  of the bottom member  3  may be produced by the use of a plurality of elements that are capable of producing undercut features, such as sliders, that once the bottom member has been injected into the mold and cooled to an insertion temperature, are positioned exterior to the interior bounding member  20   a  in a central portion of the bottom member  3 . In one embodiment, five sliders are employed, but more or less sliders may be used dependent on the configuration. The sliders are positioned around an interior perimeter portion of the bottom member and as the moulded bottom member continues to cool the sliders are moved, e.g., sequentially, inward toward the center of the bottom member  3 , forming the teeth receptacles  13   b , and then the sliders are retraced upwards. The sliders therefore come down, move laterally in, move laterally out, and then are retracted. 
     The top member  2  perimeter portion  20  can also be produced by injecting polycarbonate into a suitable mould. Once moulded and suitably cooled cutout tools, as described above, may be employed to produce one or more apertures therein, such as various port, switch, or button openings may be produced therein. Suitable water impermeable vent materials may be placed to cover various sound inlet/outlet apertures as described above such as by a suitable adhesive and/or by overmoulding. 
     Once cooled a top surface membrane  25  may be attached thereto, e.g., via an adhesive, such as a pressure or thermal activated adhesive. The membrane  25  may be attached to a top surface portion of the polycarbonate frame or to an underneath top surface portion. In certain embodiments, an outer perimeter portion  20   b  of the top member  2  is to be added to the polycarbonate frame, such as via an overmould process, as described above. In this manner the top member  2  having the features described herein above may be produced. 
     Additionally, as indicated above, atop surface membrane  25  may include several features. These features may be formed, punched, and/or cut into the membrane  25 . For instance, the button feature  40  may be cut into the membrane  25  and its components assembled therein or it can be thermal formed as an indented region of the membrane  25 . The lens feature  47  may be punched and/or the sound transmission portion  44  may be cut into the membrane and the associated elements attached thereto, such as via suitable adhesives. 
     Once these features have been formed, suitable associated elements, such as impermeable vent materials, scrims, screens, and gaskets can then be added by hand or machine to ensure every aperture is sealed, plugged, or otherwise covered. It is to be noted, with respect to the sound transmission channel  60 , e.g., microphone or speaker channel, the vent material  65  may be overmouled with one or both of an overmould material  67  and/or a grille material  68 . The vent material, may therefore be added prior to the overmould process described above. It is to be noted that the various assembling of screens and attachment thereof my include one or more of the addition of a suitable adhesive, such as a glue, a pressure or thermal sensitive or other suitable adhesive, and/or an over moulding process. Also, it is understood that where the housing does not include a front membrane  25 , one or more of the described vent materials, screens, or plugs may be applied directly to a device to be housed, such as by use of an adhesive (e.g., stickers configured for acting as water impermeable vents) or by using compressible pug elements, and the like. 
     Once these features have been formed, a suitable formed charge port door feature  70  and earphone port cover  53  may be assembled, gaskets added, and then they may be coupled to their respective top and bottom members and the housing  1  formed by the coupling of the top member with the bottom member. 
       FIG. 21  provides a jig device  500  that may be employed in a method of attaching a front membrane  25  to a perimeter portion  20  of a top member  2  of the housing  1  of the disclosure. The jig  500  includes moving housing engagement members  501  that are capable of moving laterally inwards and outwards. The engagement members  501  are configured so as to fit a perimeter portion  20  of the housing therein. The jig  500  further includes tensioning elements  502  which can be employed in moving the engagement elements  501  inwards and outwards, thereby compressing or expanding the perimeter portion  20 . The jig also includes securing bolts  503  that function to secure the jig in place. 
     In use, in certain embodiments, a formed perimeter portion  20  is inserted into the moveable engagement members  501 . The engagement members  501  are contacted to the perimeter portion  20  and the tensioning elements  502  are engaged so as to compress the interior dimension of the perimeter portion  20 , e.g., to compress its sides inwards. A suitably formed membrane material  25  is then attached to the perimeter portion  20 , e.g., via a suitable adhesive, such as a pressure or thermal sensitive adhesive. In this instance, the membrane  25  is configured for attaching to the perimeter portion  20  in its compressed configuration. Once attached, the tensioning element  502  may be adjusted to relax the tension and the perimeter portion  20  may then be removed from the jig  500 . Once the tension is released the perimeter portion  20  will return to its pre-compressed dimension thereby causing the membrane  25  to be stretched. In a manner such as this a top member  2  having a perimeter portion  20  and a top surface membrane  25  may be produced, wherein the top surface membrane  25  is taught and flat across its surface. Further, once attached, the perimeter portion  20   a  and membrane  25  may then be overmoulded to form a suitable exterior perimeter portion, such as with a more flexible rubber or TPE material. Accordingly, this process results in a top member  2 , as described herein, with a front membrane  25  interface region that is flat, smooth, and responsive to touch, which in turn makes the user interface with a hosed device more efficient, easier to use, and more enjoyable. 
     The above figures may depict exemplary configurations for an apparatus of the disclosure, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that can be included in the housings described herein. The apparatus is not restricted to the illustrated architectures or configurations, but can be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Additionally, although the apparatus is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments with which they are described, but instead can be applied, alone or in some combination, to one or more of the other embodiments of the disclosure, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the present disclosure, especially in any following claims, should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments. 
     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” 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 limitations of the range are 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.