Abstract:
A waterproof protective case can include a front portion and a back portion configured to attach to the front portion to form the protective case. The waterproof protective case may include a port cover for covering and sealing a port opening near a feature, such as an electrical port. The port cover may include a gasket to seal the port opening, as well as a flexible member with a thinned area that flexes to allow the port cover to open and close. The protective case may include an aperture covered by a membrane to allow sound transmission through the case, and the flexible member of the port cover may include at least one opening to allow sound transmission through the flexible member. The port cover may also include an aperture covered by a membrane to allow sound transmission through the port cover.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/280,664, filed May 18, 2014, which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/824,991, filed May 18, 2013, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Personal electronic devices are often used for communication and entertainment purposes. Examples of personal electronic devices include smartphones, tablets, audio players, video players, cameras, portable computers, two-way radios, and GPS receivers. To protect an electronic device from damage resulting from everyday use, a protective case can be installed around the device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of a protective case for an electronic device. 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  is a back perspective view of the protective case of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the protective case of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0006]      FIG. 4  is a back view of the protective case of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0007]      FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the protective case of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of the protective case of  FIG. 1  showing a first port cover in a partially open position. 
           [0009]      FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view of the protective case of  FIG. 1  showing a second port cover in a partially open position. 
           [0010]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the protective case of  FIG. 1  showing the first and second port covers in partially open positions. 
           [0011]      FIG. 9  is a partial back perspective view of the protective case of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 10  is a partial back perspective view of the protective case of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 11  is a partial bottom perspective view of the protective case of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 12  is a partial right side rear perspective view of the protective case of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 13  is a front view of a front portion of the protective case of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 14  is a back view of the front portion of the protective case of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 15  is a partial back perspective view of the front portion of the protective case of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 16  is a partial back perspective view of a bottom end of the front portion of the protective case of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 17  is a partial back perspective view of an upper end of the front portion of the protective case of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 18  is a partial back perspective view of the lower right corner of the front portion of the protective case of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 19  is a bottom perspective view of the front portion of the protective case of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 20  is a partial back perspective view of a lower left corner of the front portion of the protective case of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 21  is a partial back perspective view of the front portion of the protective case of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 22  is a partial back perspective view of the front portion of the protective case of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 23  is a back view of the back portion of the protective case of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 24  is a front view of the back portion of the protective case of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 25  is a back perspective view of the back portion of the protective case of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 26  is a front perspective view of the back portion of the protective case of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 27  is a back perspective view of the back portion of the protective case of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 28  includes an upper view and a lower view. The upper view shows a front perspective view of a second embodiment of a protective case for an electronic device in a disassembled state. The lower view shows a partial cross-sectional view of the second embodiment taken along Section A-A when the protective case is in an assembled state with the front portion connected to the back portion. 
           [0031]      FIG. 29  includes an upper view and a lower view. The upper view shows a front perspective view of a third embodiment of a protective case for an electronic device in a disassembled state. The lower view shows a partial cross-sectional view of the third embodiment taken along Section B-B when the protective case is in an assembled state with the front portion connected to the back portion. 
           [0032]      FIG. 30  includes an upper view and a lower view. The upper view shows a front perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a protective case for an electronic device in a disassembled state. The lower view shows a partial cross-sectional view of the fourth embodiment taken along Section C-C when the protective case is in an assembled state with the front portion connected to the back portion. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    A protective case  100  for a personal electronic device, such as a smartphone, can include a front portion  105  and a back portion  110 . The back portion  110  can attach to the front portion  105  to form a protective case  100 .  FIGS. 1-12  show the protective case  100  with the front portion  105  attached to the back portion  110 ,  FIGS. 13-22  show the front portion  105  only, and  FIGS. 23-27  show the back portion  110  only. In one example, the back portion  110  can attach to the front portion  105  to form a water-resistant protective case  100  that protects an electronic device from damage that would otherwise result from being dropped onto a hard surface from a moderate distance (e.g. dropping from a user&#39;s hand onto a tile or concrete surface) or exposure to liquids (e.g. submersion in a swimming pool or contact with a spilled beverage). 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 13 , the front portion  105  can have a front side surface  115 , a top side surface  120 , a bottom side surface  125 , a left side surface  130 , and a right side surface  135 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , the back side of the front portion  105  can include a cavity  150  configured to receive a personal electronic device. The cavity  150  in the front portion  105  can be defined by an inner front side surface  155 , an inner left side surface  160 , an inner right side surface  165 , an inner top side surface  170 , and an inner bottom side surface  175 . 
         [0035]    The front portion  105  can include a front opening  505 , as shown in  FIG. 13 . A transparent membrane  510  can be attached to the front portion  105  and can cover the front opening  505 . The membrane  510  can be made of any suitable material that permits the user to interact with the display screen of the electronic device through the membrane  510 . In one example, the membrane  510  can be made from a thin layer of thermoplastic polycarbonate (e.g. LEXAN), polyvinylchloride, high-strength alkali-aluminosilicate thin sheet glass (e.g. GORILLA GLASS), urethane, silicon, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or any other suitable material. The membrane  510  can be formed using any suitable manufacturing process, such as thermoforming, casting, stretching, heating, or injection molding. In one example, the membrane  510  can include a thin, transparent, flexible layer of polyurethane, which can serve as a clear screen protector with desirable optical qualities (e.g. high transparency and low reflectivity). The membrane  510  can have any suitable thickness. In one example, the membrane  510  can have a thickness of about 0.001-0.100, 0.001-0.050, 0.004-0.020, 0.005-0.015, or 0.005-0.010 inches. The membrane  510  can have a micro-textured surface to reduce glare. The membrane  510  can include an oleophobic surface coating on its outer surface to minimize the appearance of fingerprints or oily smudges on the membrane, thereby allowing the screen of the electronic device to be clearly viewed through the membrane without unwanted obstructions. 
         [0036]    The front portion  105  can include a first layer and a second layer. In one example, the second layer  145  can be overmolded onto the first layer  140 . The first layer  140  can be made of a relatively hard material and the second layer  145  can be a relatively soft material. The first layer  140  can be made of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, polycarbonate (PC), high impact polystyrene (HIPS), nylon, fiberglass-filled nylon, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), aluminum, aluminum alloy, titanium, wood, carbon fiber, or any combination thereof. The second layer  145  can be made of any suitable material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer. The first layer  140  can bolster the structural rigidity of the protective case  100  to enable the case to withstand a moderate drop (e.g. from a height of about 3-6 feet) without experiencing significant physical deformation upon impact, thereby ensuring that unwanted separation of the front portion  105  from the back portion  110  does not occur at impact. Separation of the front portion  105  from the back portion  110  (i.e. unwanted disassembly) is undesirable, since the electronic device will typically exit the cavity  150  of the front portion and then be unprotected and vulnerable to scratching or shattering as it makes direct contact with the ground. 
         [0037]    The second layer  145  of the front portion  105  can be made of a relatively soft but durable material that dampens and dissipates impact energy associated with a moderate drop, thereby reducing the magnitude of shock forces transmitted to the electronic device housed inside the protective case  100  at a moment of impact and immediately thereafter. 
         [0038]    The back portion  110  can be made of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, polycarbonate (PC), high impact polystyrene (HIPS), nylon, fiberglass-filled nylon, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), aluminum, aluminum alloy, titanium, wood, carbon fiber, or any combination thereof. Similar to first layer  140  of the front portion  105 , the back portion  110  can bolster the structural rigidity of the protective case  100  to enable the protective case to withstand a moderate drop (e.g. from a height of about 3-6 feet) without experiencing significant physical deformation upon impact, thereby ensuring that unwanted separation of the front portion  105  from the back portion does not occur at impact. 
         [0039]    The protective case  100  can include a plurality of relatively soft protrusions  180  on the inner surfaces of the cavity  150 , as shown in  FIG. 15 . The protrusions  180  can improve the fit of the personal electronic device within the cavity  150 . For instance, respective protrusions  180  can compress toward the inner surfaces (e.g.  160 ,  165 ,  170 , and  175 ) of the cavity  150  when the electronic device is installed in the cavity, thereby taking up any gap between the device and the inner surfaces of the cavity  150 . This permits the cavity  150  to be manufactured with a tolerance that is less restrictive than a tolerance that would be required if the cavity  150  were required to fit snugly around the device. This approach reduces manufacturing costs, since a higher percentage of manufactured front portions  110  will meet design specifications, thereby reducing the number of rejected parts and resultant waste. In addition to manufacturing considerations, the protrusions  180  serve a second important function; they isolate the electronic device from the inner surfaces of the cavity  150 . As a result, an air gap is provided around the side surfaces of the electronic device. The air gaps prevent impact forces from being transmitted directly from the first layer  140  of the front portion  105  to the electronic device. The air gaps also prevent the side surfaces of the electronic device from becoming marred as a result of constant contact and minor positional shifting relative to the harder and less forgiving surfaces (e.g.  155 ,  160 ,  165 ,  170 ,  175 ) of the cavity  150  of the first layer  140  of the front portion  105 . Consequently, the exterior condition of the electronic device is not degraded over time, which permits higher resale of the device when a user, for example, sells the device and upgrades to a newer model device. 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIG. 17 , the inner left side surface  160  can include a plurality of protrusions  180  that extend inward toward the cavity  150  and can be configured to contact a left side surface of the electronic device. The inner right side surface  165  can include a plurality of protrusions  180  that extend inward toward the cavity  150  and that can be configured to contact a right side surface of the electronic device. The inner top side surface  170  can include a plurality of protrusions  180  that extend inward toward the cavity  150  and can be configured to contact a top side surface of the electronic device. As shown in  FIGS. 18 and 20 , the inner bottom side surface  175  can include a plurality of protrusions  180  that extend inward toward the cavity  150  and can be configured to contact a bottom side surface of the electronic device. 
         [0041]      FIG. 17  shows a first button feature  205 , a second button feature  210 , and a third button feature  215 . The first and second button features ( 205 ,  210 ) can be configured to engage a first volume button and a second volume button, respectively, on a left side surface of the electronic device. The front portion  105  can include openings in the first layer  140  to accommodate the first and second button features ( 205 ,  210 ), and the first and second button features can be formed in the second layer  145 , as shown in  FIGS. 17 and 20 . The first and second button features ( 205 ,  210 ) can flex inward toward the cavity  150  when the user applies force to an outer surface of one of the button features, thereby permitting actuation of the respective button on the electronic device. The third button  215  feature can include a rocker switch feature configured to engage a rocker switch, such as a mute rocker switch, on the left side of the device. The rocker switch feature  115  can include an engagement feature  220  formed in the first layer  140 , as shown in  FIG. 17 . The engagement feature  220  can be flexibly coupled to the front portion  105  by a flexible hinge  225 . The flexible hinge  225  can be formed in the second layer  145 . During manufacturing, thin gates can be formed to permit flow of the second layer  145  material to the engagement feature  220 . The thin gates can then easily be broken by actuating the third button feature  215  during a first use. As a result, the engagement feature decouples entirely from the first layer  140  and resides only in the second layer  145 , where it can easily be actuated by the user. 
         [0042]    The back portion  110  can include an inner back surface  235  and an outer back surface  230 . As shown in  FIG. 24 , the inner back surface  235  can include an overmolded gasket  240  extending around a perimeter of the back portion  110 . The overmolded gasket  240  can establish a liquid-tight seal between the front portion  105  and the back portion  110  when the front and back portions are assembled to form a waterproof protective case  100 . In one example, the overmolded gasket  240  can be made of a thermoplastic elastomer. As shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the front portion  105  can include a mating surface  245  that is configured to mate against the overmolded gasket  240  when the back portion  110  is attached to the front portion  105 . The seal formed between the overmolded gasket  240  and the mating surface  245  on the front portion  105  can be a water-resistant seal. During assembly of the front portion  105  to the back portion  100 , the mating surface  245  can provide a compressive force against the overmolded gasket  240 , thereby compressing the overmolded gasket  240  and ensuring a water-resistant seal. 
         [0043]    The overmolded gasket  240  can include a flexible sealing surface  405  configured to mate against the sealing surface  245  of the front portion  105 . As shown in  FIG. 26 , the overmolded gasket  240  can include a groove  410  located between the flexible sealing surface  405  and an inner gasket portion  415 . The groove  410  can permit flexing of the flexible sealing surface  405  during assembly to provide a water-resistant seal between the flexible sealing surface and the sealing surface  245  of the front portion  105 . The inner gasket portion  415  may not seal against the sealing surface of the front portion  105 . Instead, the inner gasket portion  415  may improve manufacturability of the overmolded gasket. The inner gasket portion  415  can also enhance adhesion between the overmolded gasket  240  and the inner back surface  235  of the back portion  110  due to the greater contact area between the overmolded gasket and the inner back surface  235 . Consequently, the inner gasket portion  415  can enhance durability and longevity of the overmolded gasket  240 . 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 24 , the back portion  110  can include a foam layer  250  adhered to the inner back surface  235 . The foam layer  250  can isolate the personal electronic device from the inner back surface  235  of the back portion  210 . The foam layer  250  can provide impact protection by isolating the electronic device form the inner back surface  235  of the back portion  110 , thereby preventing impact forces from being directly transmitted to the device. The foam layer  250  can be made of any suitable foam material. In some example, the foam layer  250  can be made of open cell foam or closed cell foam. In some examples, the foam layer  250  can be made of urethane foam or microcellular urethane foam, such as PORON. 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 24 , the back portion  110  can include a camera flash isolator  255 . When the electronic device is installed in the protective case  100 , the camera flash isolator  255  can be located between a camera and a flash on a back side surface of the electronic device. In one example, the camera flash isolator can include a foam layer adhered to an inner back surface  235  of the back portion  110 . The foam layer can provide a light barrier between the camera and the flash and can extend from a back side surface of the electronic device to the inner back surface  235  of the back portion  110 . When a user takes a flash photo with the electronic device, the camera flash isolator  255  can prevent light emitted from the flash from reflecting off of the inner back surface  235  of the back portion  110  toward the camera, where the reflected light would result in unwanted artifacts (e.g. aberrations) or blurriness in the photo image captured by the device. 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIGS. 17 and 22 , the front portion  105  can include a top side clasping feature  260  extending from the top side surface  120 . The back portion  110  can include a first clasping surface  265  on the back side surface  230 , as shown in  FIGS. 23 and 25 . The top side clasping feature  260  can engage the first clasping surface  265 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 9 . The first clasping surface  265  can be oriented at an angle of approximately 30-60, 40-50, or 45 degrees inward with respect to a first plane that is coplanar with the top side surface  120  of the front portion  105  when the front portion is attached to the back portion  110 . 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIGS. 14-16  and  18 , the front portion  105  can include a bottom side clasping feature  270  extending from the bottom side surface  125 . The back portion  110  can include a second clasping surface  275  on the back side surface  230 , as shown in  FIGS. 23 and 27 . The bottom side clasping feature  270  can engage the second clasping surface  275 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  11 . The second clasping surface  275  can be oriented at an angle of approximately 30-60, 40-50, or 45 degrees inward with respect to a second plane that is coplanar with the bottom side surface  125  of the front portion  105  when the front portion is attached to the back portion  110 . 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 19 , the front portion  105  can include a first right side clasping feature  280  extending from the right side surface  135 . The back portion  110  can include a third clasping surface  285  on the back side surface  230 , as shown in  FIGS. 23 and 27 . The first right side clasping feature  280  can engage the third clasping surface  285 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 12 . The third clasping surface  285  can be oriented at an angle of approximately 30-60, 40-50, or 45 degrees inward with respect to a third plane that is coplanar with the right side surface  135  of the front portion  105  when the front portion is attached to the back portion  110 . 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 19 , the front portion  105  can include a second right side clasping feature  290  extending from the right side surface  135 . The back portion  110  can include a fourth clasping surface  295  on the back side surface  230 , as shown in  FIGS. 23 and 27 . The second right side clasping feature  290  can engage the fourth clasping surface  295 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 12 . The fourth clasping surface  295  can be oriented at an angle of approximately 30-60, 40-50, or 45 degrees inward with respect to the third plane that is coplanar with the right side surface  135  of the front portion  105  when the front portion is attached to the back portion  110 . 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 17 , the front portion  105  can include a first left side clasping feature  300  extending from the left side surface  130 . The back portion  110  can include a fifth clasping surface  305  on the back side surface  230 , as shown in  FIGS. 23 and 25 . The first left side clasping feature  300  can engage the fifth clasping surface  305 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 9 . The fifth clasping surface  305  can be oriented at an angle of approximately 30-60, 40-50, or 45 degrees inward with respect to a fourth plane that is coplanar with the left side surface  130  of the front portion  105  when the front portion is attached to the back portion  110 . 
         [0051]    As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the front portion  105  can include a second left side clasping feature  310  extending from the left side surface  130 . The back portion  110  can include a sixth clasping surface  315  on the back side surface  230 , as shown in  FIGS. 23 and 25 . The second left side clasping feature  310  can engage the sixth clasping surface  315 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The sixth clasping surface  315  can be oriented at an angle of approximately 30-60, 40-50, or 45 degrees inward with respect to the fourth plane that is coplanar with the left side surface  130  of the front portion  105  when the front portion is attached to the back portion  110 . 
         [0052]    The back portion  110  can include a right side retention feature  320  extending from a right side edge of the back portion, as shown in  FIG. 12 . The right side retention feature  320  can be oriented at an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to a fifth plane that is coplanar with the outer back surface  230  of the back portion  110 . The right side retention feature  320  can include an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the inner surface. The right side retention feature  320  can include one or more detents  325 , as shown in  FIG. 26 , extending from the inner surface toward the cavity  150  when the front portion  105  is attached to the back portion  110 . The front portion  105  can include one or more recesses on the right side surface  135 , and the recesses can be configured to receive the one or more detents when the front portion is attached to the back portion  110 . 
         [0053]    The back portion  110  can include a left side retention feature  330  extending from a left side edge of the back portion, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 9 . The left side retention feature  330  can be oriented at an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to the fifth plane that is coplanar with the outer back surface  230  of the back portion  110 . The right side retention feature  330  can include an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the inner surface. The left side retention feature  330  can include one or more detents  335 , as shown in  FIG. 26 , extending from the inner surface toward the cavity  150  when the front portion  105  is attached to the back portion  110 . The front portion  105  can include one or more recesses on the left side surface  130 , and the one or more recesses can be configured to receive the one or more detents  335  when the front portion is attached to the back portion  110 . 
         [0054]    The front portion  105  can include a first port cover  605  flexibly attached to the bottom side  125  of the front portion, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 13 . The first port cover  605  can be configured to cover and seal a first port opening  625  in the bottom side of the front portion  105 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The first port cover  605  can include a first O-ring  615  configured to seal against an inner surface of the first port opening  625  to provide a water-resistant seal when the first port cover is in a closed position. When in an open position, the first port cover  605  can provide access to features of the personal electronic device through the first port opening  625 . In one example, the first port cover  605  can be attached to the front portion  105  by inserting a feature of the first port cover into a slot  630  in the front portion, as shown in  FIG. 14 . The first port cover  605  can include a first hinge  635 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , to permit flexing of the first port cover during opening and closing. In one example, the first hinge  635  can be a portion of the first port cover  605  having a relatively thinner cross-sectional area than adjacent portions of the port cover. When the first port cover  605  is in a closed position, it can permit sound to pass through the first port opening  625 . In one example, the first port cover  605  can include an opening  665  that is covered with an acoustic membrane (e.g. an acoustic membrane made of GORE-TEX) that permits sound transmission. 
         [0055]    The front portion  105  can include a second port cover  610  flexibly attached to the bottom side  125  of the front portion, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 13 . The second port cover  610  can be configured to cover and seal a second port opening  640  in the bottom side of the front portion  105 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . The second port cover  610  can also be configured to cover and seal a third port opening  645  in the bottom side of the front portion  105 . The second port cover  610  can include a first O-ring  620  configured to seal against an inner surface of the third port opening  645  to provide a water-resistant seal when the second port cover is in a closed position. When in an open position, the second port cover  610  can provide access to features of the personal electronic device through the second and third port openings ( 640 ,  645 ). In one example, the second port cover  610  can be attached to the front portion  105  by inserting a feature of the second port cover into a slot  650  in the front portion, as shown in  FIG. 14 . The second port cover  610  can include a second hinge  655 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , to permit flexing of the second port cover during opening and closing. In one example, the second hinge  655  can be a portion of the second port cover  610  having a relatively thinner cross-sectional area than adjacent portions of the port cover. When the second port cover  610  is in a closed position, it can permit sound to pass through the second port opening  640 . In one example, the second port cover  605  can include an opening  660  extending to the second port opening  640 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , and the second port opening can be covered with an acoustic membrane (e.g. an acoustic membrane made of GORE-TEX) that permits sound transmission. 
         [0056]    The front portion  105  can include one or more speaker openings  705 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Each speaker opening  705  can be covered with a thin mesh layer to protect the speaker of the electronic device from physical damage, such as being punctured by a slender item (a key, paperclip, or pine needle) that inadvertently penetrates the speaker opening. The mesh layer can be covered with an acoustic membrane  715  that permits sound transmission, such as an acoustic membrane made of, for example, GORE-TEX, as shown in  FIG. 17 . 
         [0057]    The front portion  105  can include a sound isolator  710  extending around the speaker opening. The sound isolator  710  can be adhered to an inner surface of the membrane  510 . The sound isolator  710  can surround and isolate the speaker on a front surface of the personal electronic device and can be compressed against the front surface of the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the protective case. The sound isolator  710  can prevent unwanted sounds, such as reverberations or echoes that occur within the protective case, from diminishing call quality. The sound isolator  710  provides significantly improved voice quality (e.g. clarity and volume) when compared to other commercially-available waterproof cases for smartphones. 
         [0058]      FIG. 28  shows a second embodiment of a protective case  800  for an electronic device. The protective case  800  includes an overmolded gasket  240  that covers substantially the entire inner back surface  235  of the back portion  110 . By covering substantially the entire inner back surface  235  with the overmolded gasket  240 , no foam layer is needed, so manufacturing can be simplified by eliminating a manufacturing step and one component. The overmolded gasket  240  can provide impact protection and can prevent the electronic device from directly contacting the inner back surface  235  of the back portion  110 , thereby serving a similar function as the foam layer it replaces. The overmolded gasket  805  can enhance the stiffness of the back portion  110 , which can prevent flexing of the back portion and unwanted opening of the protective case  800  during an impact event, such as when the protective case is inadvertently dropped onto a hard surface. 
         [0059]    As shown in Section A-A of  FIG. 28 , the overmolded gasket  240  can include a flexible sealing surface  405  configured to mate against the sealing surface  245  of the front portion  105 . The overmolded gasket  240  can include a groove  410  located between the flexible sealing surface  405  and an inner gasket portion  415 , which can cover substantially the entire inner back surface  235  of the back portion  110 . The groove  410  can permit flexing of the flexible sealing surface  405  during assembly to provide a water-resistant seal between the flexible sealing surface and the sealing surface  245  of the front portion  105 . 
         [0060]    As shown in Section A-A of  FIG. 28 , the second layer  145  of the front portion  105  can be overmolded on the first layer  140  of the first portion. The second left side clasping feature  310  can extend from the left side surface  130  of the front portion  105 . A sixth clasping surface  315  can be located on the back side surface  230  of the back portion  110 . The second left side clasping feature  310  can engage the sixth clasping surface  315 . The sixth clasping surface  315  can be oriented at an angle of approximately 30-60, 40-50, or 45 degrees inward with respect to the fourth plane that is coplanar with the left side surface  130  of the front portion  105  when the front portion is attached to the back portion  110 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 29  shows a third embodiment of a protective case  850  for an electronic device. As an alternative to an overmolded gasket, the protective case  850  can include a form-in-place gasket  855 . The form-in-place gasket  855  can extend around the perimeter of the inner back surface  235  of the back portion  110 . The form-in-place gasket  855  can include a flexible sealing surface  405  configured to mate against the sealing surface  245  of the front portion  105 . The protective case  800  can include a foam layer  250 , including any suitable material. In one example, the foam layer  250  can be made of urethane foam, and more specifically, a micro-cellular urethane foam such as PORON. 
         [0062]      FIG. 30  shows a fourth embodiment of a protective case  900  for an electronic device. As an alternative to an overmolded gasket or a form-in-place gasket, the protective case  850  can include a removable O-ring  905 . The O-ring  905  can extend around the perimeter of the inner back surface  235  of the back portion  110 . The O-ring  905  can be installed in a channel  910  extending around the perimeter of the inner back surface  235  of the back portion  110 , as shown in Section C-C. The O-ring  905  can include a flexible sealing surface  405  configured to mate against the sealing surface  245  of the front portion  105 . The protective case  800  can include a foam layer  250 , including any suitable material. In one example, the foam layer  250  can be made of urethane foam, and more specifically, a micro-cellular urethane foam such as PORON. 
         [0063]    The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claims to the embodiments disclosed. Other modifications and variations may be possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the claims be construed to include other alternative embodiments of the invention except insofar as limited by the prior art.