Patent Publication Number: US-9900041-B2

Title: Accessory for use with housing for an electronic device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/148,515 filed May 6, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 9,450,634 filed Mar. 4, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 9,317,076 filed Feb. 26, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 9,229,494 filed on Dec. 24, 2012, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/579,636 filed on Dec. 22, 2011, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/649,911 filed on May 21, 2012, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/694,744 filed on Aug. 29, 2012, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/708,629 filed on Oct. 1, 2012, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to a device for retaining an electronic device as well as for methods for using the device for the purpose of doing the same. In various instances, the electronic device includes a housing and the retaining device is adapted for interfacing with the housing of the electronic device. The housing may be a separate unit from the electronic device or part of the electronic device itself. In various instances, the housing is a separate unit from the electronic device, within which the electronic device is fitted. In certain instances, the housing for the electronic device is adapted for protecting the device from one or more of shock, liquid, dust, snow, and the like. The electronic device may be any suitable electronic device, such as a computer, mobile computer, notebook computer, tablet computer, telephone, personal digital assistant, or the like. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices are well known and widely used. For instance, mobile computers, tablet PCs, telephones, personal digital assistants, and the like are electronic devices that are capable of receiving inputs, calculating data pertaining to those inputs, and generating outputs concerning the same. Such data may be important in maximizing ones efficiency and/or enjoyment when participating in the various activities of daily life. Consequently, such electronic devices that are capable of collecting, compiling, and outputting such data are also important in maximizing ones efficiency and/or enjoyment when interacting with such varied activities present in daily life. 
     However, in participating in these various activities can expose such electronic devices to conditions such as rain, dirt, dust, mud, snow, and water (in all of its forms) that can be damaging to these electronic devices. Additionally, the typical housing that encases the components of these electronic devices are fragile or otherwise breakable and 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 electronic device, or the components thereof, in need of protection may be housed so as to protect it from inclement conditions, mistreatment, and/or inappropriate handling. Consequently, the housing of the actual electronic device itself may be ruggedized, or a separate housing designed to house the electronic device may be provided so as to protect the electronic device, or its components, from such damage. Various housings of this nature may be provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,342,325 and 8,393,466, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     An unfortunate circumstance of ruggedizing a housing of the electronic device itself and/or providing a separate protective housing for the same is that it increases the size of the electronic device making transportation of the device more cumbersome. Accordingly, on one hand, providing environmental protection for such electronic devices allows them to be used in situations wherein the fear of breakage would otherwise prevent their use, however, such protection makes their transport more difficult and therefore decreases their usability. There is therefore a need in the art for a mechanism whereby such portable electronic devices are capable of being protected at the same time as being easily transported. It would further be useful to develop a transportation mechanism that increases the usability of such electronic devices during transportation. 
     The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus and system for more easily transporting a housing of an object, such as a device and/or the components thereof, as well as methods for using the same, in a manner that offers both protection for the device from adverse environmental conditions, inclement weather, mishandling and/or damage, such as from contacting a fluid, such as water, at the same time as increasing its usability while being transported. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one exemplary embodiment, a sled for retaining an electronic device positioned in a housing is provided. The sled includes an elongated member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the elongated member circumscribed by a perimeter portion. The sled also includes a plurality of support elements positioned along the perimeter portion of the elongated member and configured to support and/or retain the housing. The plurality of support elements include a first proximal support element positioned in a first corner of the proximal portion, a second proximal support element positioned in a second corner of the proximal portion, a first distal support element positioned in a first corner of the distal portion, and a second distal support element positioned in a second corner of the distal portion. The sled also includes a clasping mechanism for releasably retaining the housing at least partially within the sled. The clasping mechanism includes a locking portion having a locking aperture and a retaining portion ending in a retaining catch configured for contacting a top surface of the housing retained in the sled, the clasping mechanism rotatable from a first position configured to retain the housing to a second position to release the housing. The sled also includes a locking element adapted to engage the locking portion to selectively lock the clasping mechanism in the first position or the second position, the locking element including a top portion including a gripping feature and a bottom portion including an extended engagement portion configured for being inserted through the locking aperture of the clasping mechanism. 
     In one example, a protective cover for an electronic device for use with a detachable optical camera lens is provided. The protective cover includes a top member for receiving at least a portion of the electronic device, a compressible gasket, and a bottom member. The top member has a perimeter and a first clasping mechanism proximate the perimeter. The bottom member has a perimeter and a second clasping mechanism proximate the perimeter of the bottom member. The second clasping mechanism engages the first clasping mechanism of the top member to compress the compressible gasket between the bottom member and the top member to removably couple the bottom member to the top member to form a waterproof cavity for receiving the electronic device. The bottom member further includes an optically clear area that aligns with the camera of the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the waterproof cavity of the protective cover and an attachment feature on an external surface of the bottom member for detachably connecting the optical camera lens to the bottom member. The attachment feature is proximate the optically clear area of the bottom member and configured to align the optical camera lens with the camera of the electronic device when the optical camera lens is attached to the bottom member and when the electronic device is installed in the waterproof cavity. In some configurations, the protective cover and one or more lens may be provided as a system. 
     In another example, an apparatus for housing an electronic device having a touchscreen and control features includes a top member and a bottom member. The top member includes a frame having a wall that extends to a ridge. The frame includes an opening overlaid with a flexible member to form a sealed button feature. The bottom member includes a rechargeable battery positioned between a front surface and a back surface. The rechargeable battery provides electrical power to the installed electronic device. The bottom member further includes a perimeter including a channel bounded by two walls. The channel receives the ridge of the top member. The channel includes a clasping mechanism for removably clasping the bottom member to the ridge of the frame of the top member. The channel also includes a gasket for sealing against the ridge of the frame of the top member to seal the bottom member with the top member. 
     In another example, a device or a system of devices for one or more of protecting, retaining, and/or transporting an object, such as a device, for instance, an electronic device, is provided. In its most basic form, the device may be a sled, which sled is configured for retaining an electronic device and/or an electronic device that has been housed within a housing such as a ruggedized housing. The retaining sled itself may then be adapted in various manners so as to be easily transported in one or more of a multiplicity of ways. 
     Accordingly, in one instance, a sled for retaining an electronic device is provided. The sled includes an elongated member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, which elongated member is circumscribed by a perimeter portion. The elongated member is configured for interfacing with a surface of an electronic device or a housing that is capable of housing the same, e.g., a front or back surface of an electronic device or a housing, such as a ruggedized housing, therefore. One or both of the elongated member or the perimeter portion are configured for supporting the electronic device while in the sled. 
     The sled further includes at least one clasping mechanism that is configured for removably retaining the electronic device within the sled. Any suitable clasping mechanism may be employed so long as such clasping mechanism is capable of interfacing with a portion of the electronic device, and/or a housing therefore, as well as the sled in such a manner that by said interaction the electronic device is retained within the sled. The clasping mechanism may be positioned anywhere along the sled, and in some instances, is positioned along the perimeter portion, such as at one or both of said proximal and/or distal portions of the elongated member. 
     The object to be retained may be any suitable object capable of being retained within such a sled. In certain instances, the object is a device, such as an electronic device. Suitable electronic devices may include one or more of a mobile computing device, such as a personal computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, an electronic reader, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, and other such electronic devices and/or a combination of the same. In certain instances, the object is a housing configured to house a device, such as an electronic device. 
     It is understood that the sled herein disclosed may be configured for retaining an electronic device itself, or a housing within which an electronic device is to be housed, such as a ruggedized housing. For the purpose of enhancing clarity and for ease of reference only, the following disclosure will be described with reference to the sled being configured for retaining a housing, which housing is adapted for housing the electronic device. It is nevertheless to be understood that the sled may just as easily be adapted for interfacing directly with the electronic device itself rather than through the medium of a housing for said electronic device. 
     Accordingly, in various embodiments, one or more of the aforementioned electronic devices may be provided in conjunction with a housing, such as a waterproof and/or shockproof housing, such as that described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,342,325 and 8,393,466, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. In such embodiments, the sled may be configured for interfacing with and retaining the housing, which housing houses the electronic device. Such a housing, therefore, may be configured such that the electronic device may be fitted within the housing, so as to be protected thereby, and the sled may be configured for receiving and retaining the housing therein. 
     In certain instances, therefore, the sled may include one or more support elements, such as along a perimeter portion of the sled, wherein the support members are configured for supporting and/or retaining the housing and/or electronic device within the sled. One or more support elements may be provided such as along one or more perimeter edges and/or corners. For instance, in certain embodiments, two supporting elements may be provided, such as at the corners of the distal portion of the elongated member, and/or two supporting elements may be provided, such as at the corners of a proximal portion of the elongated member. In another instance, one or more sides or edges of the sled may include suitable supporting elements. 
     The support element may have any suitable configuration so long as it is capable of interacting with a housing and/or electronic device and supporting and/or retaining the housing within the sled. For instance, in certain instances, the supporting element may be configured as a pocket and/or a dead stop. For example, in certain instances, a plurality of support members may be provided, such as at the proximal and/or distal corners of the sled, wherein some of the support members are configured as a pocket, such as at the distal corners, and some of the support members are configured as hard stops, such as at the proximal corners. Additional or alternative support members may also be provided, such as along one or more of the side edges of the sled. 
     In certain embodiments, the sled is configured for receiving a utility attachment. For instance, the sled may be adapted for being coupled to a utility member such as a belt clip member, a bike clip member, an armband member, a universal mounting member, a car mounting system, a windshield mounting system, an external or internal battery charging system, a solar panel system, an external speaker system, and the like. For example, a portion of the sled may be configured for being removably or non-removably coupled to one or more utility members the coupling of which converts the sled into one or more accessories for use with an electronic device, more specifically for use in transporting and/or using an electronic device during transportation. In certain embodiments, the one or more accessory attachments may be interchangeable with the sled making the sled and attachments an interchangeable system, in other embodiments, once an attachment is coupled to the sled it is coupled in a non-removable fashion. The disclosure provides an apparatus for covering at least part of a mobile computing device having a touch screen display. The mobile computing device can also have an electrical connection in a housing that houses the mobile computing device. The apparatus includes a liquid resistant encasement that prevents damage to the mobile computing device from a liquid when the mobile computing device is encased in the liquid resistant encasement and when the liquid resistant encasement is in a sealed configuration with the mobile computing device, the liquid resistant encasement further enabling operation of the touch screen display when the mobile computing device is encased therein, the encasement having an outer surface and an inner surface and an aperture passing therethrough proximate the electrical connection; a charging mechanism adapted to sealably occupy the aperture in the encasement, the charging mechanism having a charge carrier proximate the interior surface of the encasement, the charging mechanism further having an electrical connection adapter having a first electrical interface for interfacing with the electrical connection of the mobile computing device when the encasement covers the at least part of the mobile computing device that includes the electrical connection, and the electrical connection adapter further having a second electrical interface electrically coupled with the charge carrier for transferring electrical charge from the charge carrier to the first electrical interface. 
     The disclosure also provides an apparatus for covering and charging a mobile computing device having a housing that comprises a touch screen display. The mobile computing device can also include one or more liquid permeable features. The one or more liquid permeable features can include an electrical connection for charging the mobile computing device. The apparatus includes an encasement that enables operation of the touch screen display of the housing of the mobile computing device, the encasement to cover at least part of the mobile computing device that includes the electrical connection, the encasement having one or more sealing members for providing a liquid resistant seal to the one or more liquid permeable features of the mobile computing device, the encasement having an outer surface and an interior surface; and a charging mechanism having a charge carrier proximate the interior surface of the encasement, the charging mechanism further having an electrical connection adapter having a first electrical interface for interfacing with the electrical connection of the mobile computing device when the encasement covers the at least part of the mobile computing device that includes the electrical connection, and the electrical connection adapter further having a second electrical interface electrically coupled with the charge carrier for transferring electrical charge from the charge carrier to the first electrical interface. 
     In one embodiment, the charge carrier is an induction plate. In another embodiment, the charge carrier is a battery. 
     The disclosure also provides an apparatus for covering at least part of a mobile computing device having a touch screen display including an electrical connection in a housing that houses the mobile computing device. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an encasement that covers at least a part of the mobile computing device. In certain embodiments, the encasement includes at least one aperture in the encasement proximate the electrical connection, the at least one aperture having a gasket seat. The apparatus can also include an electrical connection adapter having a body for enclosing the at least one aperture in the encasement, the electrical connection adapter having a first electrical interface connected with the body, the first electrical interface for interfacing with the electrical connection of the mobile computing device when the body encloses the at least one aperture in the encasement, the electrical connection adapter further having a second electrical interface connected with the body, the second electrical interface for transferring electrical power and/or data signals to and from the first electrical interface, the second electrical interface including a plurality of sealed, electrically-conductive members; and a gasket for being seated on the gasket seat to seal an interface between the at least one aperture in the encasement and the body of the electrical connection adapter. 
     In certain embodiments, the apparatus includes an encasement that covers at least part of the mobile computing device that includes the electrical connection, the encasement having a bottom member to cover at least a first portion of the mobile computing device, and a top member to cover at least a second portion of the mobile computing device, the top member configured to allow touch access to the touch screen display; and a coupling mechanism to couple the top member with the bottom member to cover the first and second portions of the mobile computing device, and to seal the top member with the bottom member. 
     In certain embodiments, the apparatus also includes a second coupling mechanism to couple the electrical connection adapter to the encasement when the body encloses the at least one aperture in the encasement. 
     The disclosure also provides an apparatus for covering at least part of a mobile computing device having a touch screen display. The mobile computing device also includes an electrical connection in a housing that houses the mobile computing device. In certain embodiments, 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 electrical connection, the encasement having a frame; and an electrical connection adapter disposed within a surface of the frame proximate the electrical connection, the electrical connection adapter having a first electrical interface connected with the frame, the first electrical interface for interfacing with the electrical connection of the mobile computing device when the mobile computing device is covered by the encasement, the electrical connection adapter further having a second electrical interface connected with the frame, the second electrical interface for transferring electrical power and/or data signals to and from the first electrical interface, the second electrical interface including a plurality of sealed, electrically-conductive members. 
     In certain embodiments, an electrical connection adapter can be embedded, attached to, integrated with, interior to or exterior to a surface of the frame proximate the electrical connection. 
     The disclosure also provides an apparatus for covering at least part of a mobile computing device having a touch screen display. The mobile computing device further having an electrical connection in a housing that houses the mobile computing device. In certain embodiments, 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 electrical connection, the encasement having an outer surface and an inner surface; an aperture passing through the inner surface and the outer surface of the encasement proximate the electrical connection; an electrical connection adapter having a body for enclosing the at least one aperture in the encasement, the electrical connection adapter having a first electrical interface connected with the body, the first electrical interface for interfacing with the electrical connection of the mobile computing device when the body encloses the at least one aperture in the encasement, the electrical connection adapter further having a second electrical interface connected with the body, the second electrical interface for transferring electrical power and/or data signals to and from the first electrical interface, the second electrical interface including a plurality of sealed, electrically-conductive members; and a gasket for being seated on the gasket seat to seal an interface between the at least one aperture in the encasement and the electrical connection adapter. 
     In certain embodiments, the encasement has a bottom member that covers at least a first portion of the mobile computing device, and a top member that covers at least a second portion of the mobile computing device. The top member can be configured to allow touch access to the touch screen display. 
     The disclosure also provides an apparatus for covering at least part of a mobile computing device having a touch screen display. The mobile computing device can also include an electrical connection in a housing that houses the mobile computing device. In certain embodiments, the apparatus includes a liquid resistant encasement that prevents damage to the mobile computing device from a liquid when the mobile computing device is encased in the liquid resistant encasement and when the liquid resistant encasement is in a sealed configuration with the mobile computing device, the liquid resistant encasement further enabling operation of the touch screen display when the mobile computing device is encased therein, the encasement having an outer surface and an inner surface and an aperture passing therethrough proximate the electrical connection; an electrical connection adapter having a body for sealing the at least one aperture against liquid intrusion into the liquid resistant encasement, the electrical connection adapter having a first electrical interface connected with the body, the first electrical interface for interfacing with the electrical connection of the mobile computing device when the body encloses the at least one aperture in the liquid resistant encasement, the electrical connection adapter further having a second electrical interface connected with the body, the second electrical interface for transferring electrical power and/or data signals to and from the first electrical interface, the second electrical interface including a plurality of sealed, electrically-conductive members. 
     The disclosure also provides a system for covering and charging a mobile computing device having a housing that comprises a touch screen display. The mobile computing device also including one or more liquid permeable features. The one or more liquid permeable features can also include an electrical connection for charging the mobile computing device. In certain embodiments, the system includes an encasement that enables operation of the touch screen display of the housing of the mobile computing device. In certain embodiments, the encasement covers at least part of the mobile computing device that includes the electrical connection. The encasement can include one or more sealing members for providing a liquid resistant seal to the one or more liquid permeable features of the mobile computing device, the encasement having an outer surface and an interior surface; a first induction plate proximate the interior surface of the encasement; and an electrical connection adapter having a first electrical interface for interfacing with the electrical connection of the mobile computing device when the encasement covers the at least part of the mobile computing device that includes the electrical connection, the electrical connection adapter further having a second electrical interface electrically coupled with the first induction plate for transferring electrical charge from the first induction plate to the first electrical interface. The encasement can also include a base unit having a second inductive plate for inducing a transfer of inductive charge to the first inductive plate of the encasement, which transfers the charge to the electrical connection adapter and to the electrical connection of the mobile computing device. 
     In certain embodiments, the base unit includes one or more alignment members that provide alignment for the encasement when the encasement is mated with the base unit, and to align the first induction plate with the second induction plate. In other embodiments, the liquid is water. 
     The disclosure also provides an apparatus for covering and charging a mobile computing device having a housing that comprises a touch screen display. The mobile computing device can also include one or more liquid permeable features. The one or more liquid permeable features can include an electrical connection for charging the mobile computing device. The apparatus can include an encasement that enables operation of the touch screen display of the housing of the mobile computing device, the encasement to cover at least part of the mobile computing device that includes the electrical connection. Optionally, the encasement having one or more sealing members for providing a liquid resistant seal to the one or more liquid permeable features of the mobile computing device. The encasement can also include an outer surface and an interior surface; a charging mechanism having an induction plate proximate the interior surface of the encasement, the charging mechanism further having an electrical connection adapter having a first electrical interface for interfacing with the electrical connection of the mobile computing device when the encasement covers the at least part of the mobile computing device that includes the electrical connection, and the electrical connection adapter further having a second electrical interface electrically coupled with the first induction plate for transferring electrical charge from the induction plate to the first electrical interface. 
     In certain embodiments, the encasement is a liquid resistant encasement that prevents damage to the mobile computing device from a liquid when the mobile computing device is encased in the liquid resistant encasement and when the liquid resistant encasement is in a sealed configuration with the mobile computing device, the liquid resistant encasement further enabling operation of the touch screen display when the mobile computing device is encased therein, the encasement having an outer surface and an inner surface and an aperture passing therethrough proximate the electrical connection. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIGS. 1A-1C  are directed to a sled of the disclosure, wherein the sled is configured for retaining an electronic device and/or a housing therefor.  FIGS. 1D-1I  are directed to an alternative embodiment of the sled of the disclosure, wherein the sled is configured for retaining an electronic device and/or a housing therefor. 
         FIGS. 2A-2G  are directed to implementations of a clasping and/or locking mechanism for use in conjunction with the sled of the disclosure.  FIGS. 2H-2M  are directed to alternative embodiments of a clasping and/or locking mechanism for use in conjunction with the sled of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  provide various perspective views of a distal portion of the sled. 
         FIGS. 4A-4H  provide various implementations of a mechanism for coupling the sled with a number of utility attachments, and  FIGS. 4I-4N  provide an alternative embodiment of a sled for implementing coupling to utility attachments. 
         FIGS. 5A-5F  are directed to a suitable belt-clip accessory that may be coupled to the sled of the disclosure.  FIGS. 5G-5J  are directed to an alternative embodiment of a sled of the disclosure coupled to an alternative embodiment of a belt clip accessory. 
         FIGS. 6A-6I  are directed to implementations of a bike mount adapter and assembly that may be coupled to a sled of the disclosure.  FIGS. 6J-6T  are directed to implementations of a bike-mounted ball assembly for coupling to a sled of the invention having a bike mount assembly attached to or integrated therewith.  FIGS. 6U-6X  are directed to an alternative embodiment of a sled and locking mechanism implemented with a bike mount and adapter. 
         FIGS. 7A-7T  are directed to implementations of an armband assembly that may be coupled to a sled of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 8A-8E  are directed to implementations of a float adapter that may be coupled to sleds and cases of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 9A-9G  are directed to implementations of a mount adapter that may be coupled to a sled of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 10A-10G  are directed to implementations of a mounting system for a sled of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 11A-11H  are directed to other implementations of a mounting system for a sled of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 12A-12C  are directed to other implementations of a mounting system for a sled of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 13A-13B  are directed to other implementations of a mounting system for a sled of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 14A-14D  are directed to other implementations of a mounting system for a sled of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 15A-15D  are directed to other implementations of a mounting system for a sled of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 16A-16F  are directed to implementations of an electrical device charging system for charging the electrical device as it is enclosed. 
         FIGS. 17A-17H  are directed to other implementations of an electrical device charging system for charging the electrical device as it is enclosed. 
         FIGS. 18A-18D  are directed to other implementations of an electrical device charging system for charging the electrical device as it is enclosed. 
         FIGS. 19A-19F  are directed to other implementations of an electrical device charging system for charging the electrical device as it is enclosed. 
         FIGS. 20A-20B  are directed to other implementations of an electrical device charging system for charging the electrical device as it is enclosed. 
         FIGS. 21A-21G  are directed to other implementations of an electrical device charging system for charging the electrical device as it is enclosed. 
         FIGS. 22A-22M  are directed to other implementations of an electrical device charging system for charging the electrical device as it is enclosed. 
         FIGS. 23A-23H  are directed to other implementations of an electrical device charging system for charging the electrical device as it is enclosed, and in particular using a 30-pin connector or the like, having an O-ring to seal a charge port of the housing that encloses a charging electrical device. 
         FIGS. 24A-24C  are directed to implementations of an electronic device charging system including a battery associated with a case that provides additional energy storage capacity for an electronic device.  FIG. 24D  is directed to a representative embodiment that includes a flash unit integrated into a case. 
         FIGS. 25A-B  are directed to imaging systems that include a case for an electronic device having a camera and a lens that can be manually attached and detached from the case 
         FIGS. 26A-C  are directed to embodiments of cases and water sealed connectors that, when connected, result in a water tight seal that inhibits entry of water or other liquids. 
         FIG. 27  is directed to an implementation of a waterproof microphone and controller. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus and system for more easily transporting a housing of an object, such as a device and/or the components thereof, as well as methods for using the same, in a manner that offers both protection for the device from adverse environmental conditions, inclement weather, mishandling and/or damage, such as from contacting a fluid, such as water, at the same time as increasing its usability while being transported. The present disclosure is also directed to systems and methods for charging an electronic device within a housing, preferably as the electronic device is fully enclosed within the housing using, for example, induction or electrical adapters. 
     In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a device or a system of devices for one or more of protecting, retaining, and/or transporting an object, such as a device, for instance, an electronic device. In one embodiment, such as provided with respect to  FIG. 1A , in its most basic form, a device  1  of the disclosure may be configured as a sled  1 . The sled  1  may be adapted for retaining an object such as a device. The sled may be adapted for retaining a device, such as an electronic device, either directly and/or may be adapted for retaining an electronic device that has been housed within a housing such as a ruggedized housing. The retaining sled  1  itself may then be adapted in various manners so as to be easily transported in one or more of a multiplicity of ways. 
     Although, in one instance, a sled for retaining an electronic device is provided, in various instances, the sled is adapted for retaining a housing, which housing is adapted for housing the electronic device. Accordingly, for the purpose of clarity only, the description provided herein below is directed to a sled  1  that is configured for retaining a housing  100  which housing is adapted for housing an electronic device  110 . However, it is understood that such description applies equally well to the sled  1  being adapted for retaining the electronic device  110  directly without the electronic device  110  first being fit within a housing  100 . 
     Accordingly, in various embodiments, an object, such as an electronic device, to be retained within a sled of the disclosure may be provided in conjunction with a housing, such as a waterproof and/or shockproof housing. In such embodiments, the sled may be configured for interfacing with and retaining the housing, which housing houses the electronic device. Such a housing, therefore, may be configured such that the electronic device may be fitted within the housing, so as to be protected thereby, and the sled may be configured for receiving and retaining the housing therein. 
     As the object to be retained, e.g., electronic device, may differ in its configuration, e.g., form factor and/or function, so to the configuration of the sled may differ so as to accommodate the different form factors and/or functions of the electronic device and/or housings for such electronic devices that are meant to be retained within the sled. A suitable electronic device for retention within the sled may be, for example, one or more of a mobile computing device, such as a personal computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, an electronic reader, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, and other such electronic devices and/or a combination of the same. In certain instances, the object is a housing configured to house a device, such as an electronic device. 
     As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 1A , the sled  1  includes an elongated member  10  having a front surface  10   a  and a back surface  10   b . The elongated member  10  is circumscribed by a perimeter portion  12 , which perimeter portion includes a proximal portion  12   c  and a distal portion  12   d  as well as first and second sides  12   a  and  12   b , respectively. 
     The elongated member  10  is configured for interfacing with a surface of an electronic device or a housing that is capable of housing the electronic device. For instance, a front surface  10   a  of the sled  1  is configured for interfacing with a front or back surface of an electronic device  100  or a housing  110  therefore and/or for supporting the same. For example, one or both of the elongated member  10  or the perimeter portion  12  are configured for supporting the electronic device  100  or housing  110  while in the sled  1 . 
     Accordingly, in certain instances, therefore, the sled  1  may include one or more support elements, such as  16  or  30 , for instance, positioned along a perimeter portion  12  of the sled  1 . The support members may have any suitable configuration so long as they are capable of supporting and/or retaining the housing  110  and/or electronic device  100  within the sled  1 . One or more support elements may be provided such as along one or more perimeter edges and/or corners. For instance, as depicted, two supporting elements  16   a  and  16   b  may be provided, such as at the corners of the proximal portion  12   c  of the elongated member  10 , and/or two supporting elements  30   a  and  30   b  may be provided, such as at the corners of a distal portion  12   d  of the elongated member  10 . In other instances, one or more sides or edges, e.g.,  12   a  or  12   b , of the sled  1  may include suitable supporting or attachment elements. 
     The support element may have any suitable configuration so long as it is capable of interacting with a housing  110  and/or electronic device  100  and supporting and/or retaining the same within the sled  1 . For instance, in certain embodiments, a suitable supporting element may be configured as a dead stop, such as  16   a  and  16   b , and/or in other instances, suitable supporting elements, such as  30   a  and  30   b , may be configured as a pocket. For example, in certain instances, a plurality of sets of support members may be provided, such as at the proximal  12   c  and/or distal  12   d  corners of the sled  1 , wherein some of the support members are configured as hard stops,  16   a  and  16   b , such as at the proximal  12   c  corners, and some of the support members are configured as pockets,  30   a  and  30   b , such as at the distal  12   d  corners the support members, or vice versa. Additional or alternative support members may also be provided, such as along one or more of the side edges  12   a  and/or  12   b  of the sled  1 . 
     The sled  1  may further include at least one clasping mechanism  14  that is configured for retaining and/or releasing an electronic device, and/or a case therefore, within the sled  1 . Any suitable clasping mechanism may be employed so long as such clasping mechanism is capable of interfacing with a portion of the electronic device, and/or a housing therefore, as well as the sled in such a manner that by said interaction the electronic device and/or housing is retained within the sled  1 . The clasping mechanism may be positioned anywhere along the sled, and in some instances, is positioned along the perimeter portion, such as at the proximal portion  12   c  and/or the distal portion  12   d  of the elongated member  10 . In other instances, the clasping mechanism may be positioned along one or more sides  12   a  and/or  12   b  of the elongated member  1 . 
     Hence, in certain embodiments, as can be seen with respect to  FIGS. 1B and 1C  a portion of the sled  1 , such as the proximal portion  12   c , may be configured for being coupled with a clasping mechanism, which clasping mechanism functions to engage a device, such as an electronic device or a housing therefore, and thereby to retain the device within the sled  1 . As depicted the proximal portion  12   c  of the sled  1  is adapted so as to be functionally associated with a clasping mechanism  14 , which clasping mechanism  14  is configured for being coupled to a device to be retained within the sled and is therefore configured for moving from a first clasped position to a second unclasped or released position or vice versa. 
     For instance, as shown in  FIG. 1B , the front side  10   a  of the proximal portion  12   c  of the elongated member  10  of the sled  1  of  FIG. 1A  is illustrated. The front surface  10   a  of the sled  1  includes a cavity into which the clasping mechanism  14  is fitted. This cavity is useful in that it allows for a smooth, flat interface between the top surface  10   a  of the elongated member  10  and the contacting surface of the electronic device and/or housing to be retained by the sled  1  despite the presence of the clasping mechanism  14  within the cavity. 
     Additionally,  FIG. 1B  provides a view of the back side  10   b  of the proximal portion  12   c  of the elongated member  10  of the sled  1  of  FIG. 1B . The back surface  10   b  of the sled  1  includes an extended portion that forms the boundaries of the cavity into which the clasping mechanism  14  is fitted. This extended portion is useful in that it allows for the smooth, flat interface between the top surface of the sled and the contacting surface of the device to be retained by the sled  1 , e.g., despite the presence of the clasping mechanism and/or the locking member within the cavity. 
     Accordingly, in this instance, the proximal portion  12   c  includes a cavity configured for receiving one or more of the elements that together form the clasping mechanism  14 . The clasping mechanism  14  is configured for being fit within the cavity and therein is adapted for being capable of movingly engaging a device so as to retain the device within or to release and/or eject the device from the sled. In this configuration, to effectuate these purposes, the clasping mechanism  14  is configured for rotating from a first position to a second position, whereby a device to be retained may be engaged within and/or released from the sled. In certain instances, it may be useful to lock the clasping mechanism in a released or a retained position. Therefore, the cavity of the proximal portion of the sled and/or the clasping mechanism may further be configured for being coupled to a locking element as well. 
     Accordingly, the cavity of the proximal portion  12   c  of the sled  1  may be configured for interfacing with a locking element  15 , which locking element  15  is adapted for interacting with the clasping mechanism  14  within the cavity so as to lock the clasping mechanism  14  in the clasped or released position. For instance, the cavity may include an opening  14   a  into which the locking element  15  may be fitted so as to engage one or more portions of the clasping mechanism  14  thereby effectuating the locking or the releasing of the clasping mechanism  12 . For example, the locking element  15  is configured for being fit through the opening  14   a  of the proximal portion  12   c  of the sled  1  and into a portion of the cavity wherein it couples to one or both of the sled  1  and the clasping mechanism  14 . Within the cavity, the locking element  15  is capable of moving proximally and distally such as from an unlocked to a locked position. 
     More specifically, as depicted in  FIG. 1B , for effectuating the interaction, e.g., locking, of the locking element  15  with the clasping mechanism  14 , the clasping mechanism cavity may include one or more, e.g., a plurality, of locking member stops  14   b  and/or  14   c  that are positioned on opposite sides of the opening  14   a  and configured for engaging the locking element  15 . For instance, a portion of the locking element  15  impinges through the opening  14   a  and into the cavity. In the cavity the locking element  15  is capable of moving, e.g., laterally, so as to engage one or both of the clasping member  14  and/or the locking member stops  14   b  and/or  14   c  within the cavity of the sled  1  in a manner sufficient to lock the clasping mechanism  14  in a locked position. 
     For instance, as can be seen with respect to  FIG. 1C , the cavity includes an opening  14   a  through which a portion of the locking member  15  is fitted so as to interface with a corresponding portion of the clasping member  14 . Also depicted are the locking member stops  14   b  and  14   c , which stops function to stop the movement of the locking member  15  within the cavity once in a locked position. The cavity is further bounded by a plurality of opposing stop posts, which stop posts function to further effectuate the locking of the clasping mechanism  14  such as by engaging a locking portion of the locking member  15  and preventing movement of the locking member  15  in a manner that is normal to the plane of the cavity. For example, as the locking member  15  moves within the cavity into a locked position it contacts the locking member stops  14   b  and  14   c  which stops act to prevent the further movement of the locking member  15 . The locking member stops  14   a  and  14   b  and a corresponding feature of the clasping mechanism  14  are adapted for interfacing with a corresponding surface on the locking member  15  as the locking member  15  moves distally from an unlocked to a locked position, thereby locking the clasping mechanism into a fixed, e.g., retained position. 
     Also depicted are support members, e.g., dead stops,  16   a  and  16   b  positioned at the corners of the perimeter portion of the elongated member  10  as well as a camera aperture  18 , which camera aperture is positioned so as to be aligned with a corresponding camera portion of a retained electronic device or housing therefore. 
     As described above, a clasping mechanism for use in conjunction with the elongated member and/or support members of the sled for retaining an electronic device and/or housing therefore may have any suitable configuration so long as it is capable of functioning to retain the device within the sled. The clasping mechanism may be integral to the sled or it may be a separate element meant to be coupled to the sled, such as by clipping thereto. For instance, a suitable clasping mechanism may be an external clip, clamp, band or fastener, such as a hook and loop fastener, or adhesive, a combination of the same and the like that is a separate unit from but added to the sled. 
     An alternative embodiment of sled  1  is depicted in  FIGS. 1D-1I .  FIG. 1DH  depicts a front view of an alternative embodiment of sled  1 , including extended portion  10 , a proximal portion  12   c , distal portion  12   d , front surface  10   a , pockets  16   a  and  16   b , supporting elements  30   a  and  30   b , clasping mechanism  14 , camera aperture  18 , and cutout portions  32   a  and  32   b  positioned on the front surface near the supporting elements  30   a  and  30   b , which cutout portions function for transmitting sound to and/or away from a retained device. The pockets  16   a  or  16   b  are present in some embodiments to help secure the housing to the sled  1 . Likewise, the supporting elements  30   a  and  30   b  can be present in certain embodiments. These supporting elements  30   a  and  30   b  allow access to the speakers of the electronic device while allowing the housing encasing the electronic device to be secured to the sled  1 . Also, the cutout portions  32   a  and  32   b  are present in certain embodiments to improve sound transmission from the encased portable electronic device through the housing and the sled  1 . 
     In certain embodiments, clasp retaining elements  14   o  and  14   p  shown in  FIG. 1D , can be used to mate with an alternative embodiment of a clasping element described infra and shown in  FIGS. 2H-2J .  FIG. 1E  shows a front view of the proximal portion  12   c  of the alternative embodiment of sled  1  in  FIG. 1D , including the clasping mechanism  14 , pockets  16   a  and  16   b , and camera aperture  18 . The camera aperture  18  can be any shape as long as it allows a camera on an electronic device encased in a housing secured to the sled, access to take pictures or video. The camera aperture can be an oval as show in  FIG. 1D , but it can also be a circle, square, rectangle, parallelogram, trapezoid or 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or more sided aperture. 
       FIG. 1F  shows a rear view of the proximal portion  12   c  of the alternative embodiment of sled  1  in  FIG. 1D , including the rear surface  10   b ,  14   q  that allows for attachment of a clasping element (clasping element described infra and shown in  FIGS. 2H-2J ), and camera aperture  18 .  FIG. 1G  shows a front view of the distal portion  12   d  of the alternative embodiment of sled  1  in  FIG. 1D , including front surface  10   a , supporting elements  30   a  and  30   b , and cutout portions  32   a  and  32   b . The supporting elements  30   a  and  30   b  can be any shape as long as they hold the housing for an electronic device securely to the sled while allowing access to the sound apertures in the housing so that sound can be transmitted through the housing and allow for access to the door at the proximal end of the housing for accessing the power and data ports of the portable electronic device. 
       FIG. 1H  shows a rear view of the rear surface  10   b  of the distal portion  12   d , including cutout portions  32   a  and  32   b .  FIG. 1I  shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of sled  1  (as shown in  FIG. 1D ), including pocket  16   b , supporting element  30   b , supporting element cutout  30   d , and clasp retaining element  14   o . The elongated element  10  is curved slightly, such that when a case containing an electronic device is inserted into the sled, the elongated element curves away from the body of the case. Element cut out  30   d  can be any shape that allows for transmission of sound through the housing secured in the sled. The curvature of the elongated member of the sled is configured to aid in the removal of a case from the sled. In addition, the curvature of the elongated member improves retention of a case coupled with the sled, as the force retaining the case in the sled is concentrated at the four corners of the sled, hard stops  16   a  and  16   b  (hard stop  16   b  not shown), and supporting elements  30   a  and  30   b  (supporting element  30   b  not shown). The curvature of the sled also improves shock resistance of the sled, as it allows the sled to flex if dropped or struck. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 2A-2B , the clasping mechanism  14  is an internal clasping mechanism that is configured for being integral with the sled  1 . The clasping mechanism  14  is configured so as to include a locking and/or ejection portion  14   e  as well as a retaining portion  14   d , which portions are joined together at a junction portion  14   g  so as to form an “L” shape. For instance, the locking and/or ejection portion forms the base of the “L” shape and is adapted so as to be fit within the cavity of the sled  1 . The retaining portion  14   d  forms the extended portion of the “L” shape, which portion extends away from the plane of the surface  10   a  of the elongated member  10 . The retaining portion  14   d  ends in a retaining element or catch  14   f , which retaining catch is configured for contacting a top surface of the electronic device or housing therefore and retaining the same within the bounds of the sled  1 . 
     The clasping mechanism  14  is configured for moving from a first, e.g., retained, position to a second, release, position such as by rotating with respect to the plane of the top surface  10   a  of the elongated member  10   a . For example, the junction  14   g  where the retaining portion  14   d  meets the ejection portion  14   e  may include an axle orifice through which an axle, such as a pin, may be fit. Such axle may function not only to join the clasping mechanism  14  to the sled  1 , but may also function as a pivot point about which the clasping mechanism  14  rotates. 
     Specifically, in the retained position, the catch  14   f  of the clasping mechanism  14  is engaged with a top surface of a retained device, e.g., electronic device, housing device, or other object, and functions to retain the device, within the sled  1 . When ejection of the device from the sled  1  is desired, a releasing pressure is applied to the catch  14   f  so as to disengage the catch  14   f  from the top surface of the device. Such force causes the retaining portion  14   d  to rotate backwards, which rotation further causes the ejection portion  14   e  to rotate upwards out of the cavity away from the plane of the top surface  10   a  of the elongated member  10  and against the bottom surface of the retained device thereby assisting in the effectuation of the ejection of the device. 
     In certain instances, it may be desired that the clasping mechanism  14  be locked so as to prevent its rotation and thereby prevent the ejection of the retained device from the sled  1 . Accordingly, as described above, the proximal portion  12   c  of the sled and/or the clasping mechanism  14  may be configured for interacting with the locking element  15  so as to be locked into place, e.g., within the cavity of the sled  1 . The locking element may have any suitable configuration so long as it is capable of interacting with one or both of the sled and the clasping mechanism so as to lock the clasping mechanism in an engaged and/or released position. 
     Consequently, the proximal portion  12   c  of the sled  1  may have an opening  14   a  and the locking and ejection portion  14   e  of the clasping mechanism  14  may include a corresponding locking aperture  14   h  through which a portion of a locking element  15  may be fitted. Additionally, to effectuate the locking of the clasping mechanism  12 , such as in an engaged position, the cavity of the sled  1  may include one or both locking element stops  14   b  and  14   c  as well as one or more opposing stop posts, which stops function to further effectuate the locking of the clasping mechanism  14  such as by engaging corresponding portions of the locking element  15  and/or clasping mechanism  14 . 
     For instance, the clasping mechanism  14  may include a locking engagement element  14   i , which engagement element  14   i  is adapted for engaging a portion of the locking element  15  in such a manner that when engaged the locking element  15  prevents the clasping mechanism  14  from rotating thereby preventing the disengagement of the catch  14   d  from the retained device, e.g., from a top surface of the retained device, and the ejection of the same. Further, one or both of the locking element stops and/or stop posts are configured for engaging a portion of the locking element  15  to additionally ensure the locking of the clasping mechanism. 
       FIGS. 2C and 2D  depict a locking element of the disclosure. As described above, the sled  1  of the disclosure, e.g., a proximal portion thereof, may be configured so as to include a locking element  15 . For instance, the sled  1  includes a proximal portion  12   c  having a front surface  10   a , in which a cavity for receiving a clasping mechanism  14  is positioned, and having a back surface  10   b , in which an extended structure adapted to receive a locking mechanism  15  is positioned. The cavity includes an opening through which a portion of the locking element  15  may be fitted. Consequently, the locking element  15  includes a portion that is configured for being inserted through the opening in the cavity and additionally through the locking aperture  14   a  so as to couple to a portion of the clasping mechanism  14  and thereby being able to lock and/or release the clasping mechanism  14 . 
     Accordingly, as can be seen with respect to  FIGS. 2C and 2D , to effectuate the locking of the clasping mechanism, the locking element  15  includes a top portion  15   a , in this instance, having a gripping feature, and a bottom portion  15   b , in this instance, having an extended engagement portion  15   d , which extended engagement portion  15   d  includes a locking groove  15   c . The extended engagement portion  15   d  is configured for being inserted through the opening  14   a  of the sled  1 , and further configured for extending through the locking aperture  14   h  of the clasping mechanism  14 . 
     The extended engagement portion  15   d  further includes a locking groove  15   c , which groove is configured for being coupled with one or more of: the locking member stops  14   b  and  14   c , which function to stop the movement of the locking member  15  within the cavity once in a locked position; stop posts, which function to effectuate the locking of the clasping mechanism by engaging the locking groove  15   c  of locking member  15 ; and the locking engagement element  14   i  of the clasping mechanism  14 , which locking engagement element  14   i  functions for engaging the locking groove  15   c  of the locking element  15 , thereby locking the clasping mechanism in a fixed position. 
     For example, as can be seen with respect to  FIGS. 2E to 2G , the locking element  15  is configured for being coupled to the clasping mechanism  12 , e.g., by being fit through the opening  14   a  of the cavity. Specifically, the extended engagement portion  15   d  of the locking element  15  is configured for being inserted through the opening  14   a  of the sled  1 , and further configured for extending through the locking aperture  14   h  of the clasping mechanism  14 . The extended engagement portion  15   d  further includes a locking groove  15   c  which groove is capable of being engaged with one or both of a corresponding locking post stop, within the cavity, and/or the locking engagement element  14   i  of the clasping mechanism  14 , which engagements function for locking the clasping mechanism in a fixed position, e.g., by the distal translation of the locking element  15 , within the back surface  10   b  boundaries of the channel. 
       FIG. 2E  depicts the clasping mechanism  14  and the locking element  15  prior to being coupled together (without the intervention of the sled  1 ).  FIG. 2F  depicts the clasping mechanism  14  and the locking element  15  in the process of being coupled together.  FIG. 2G  depicts the clasping mechanism  14  and the locking element  15  after having been coupled together. Additionally,  FIG. 2G  depicts the clasping mechanism  14  and the locking element  15  after being coupled together in conjunction with the intervening sled  1 . 
     For instance,  FIG. 1B  provides a depiction of a top surface  10   a  of the proximal portion  12   c  of a sled  1  of the disclosure. The proximal portion  12   c  is configured to include a cavity into which a clasping mechanism  14  is inserted. A back surface  10   b  of the cavity includes an opening  14   a  through which an extended portion  15   d  of a locking element extends. The extended portion  15   d  not only extends through the opening  14   a  but further it extends through an opening  14   h  positioned in the locking and engaging portion  14   e  of the clasping mechanism  14 . In this position, the locking element  15  may be slid, e.g., downward from a released to a locked position. 
     For example, an electronic device and/or a housing therefore may be inserted into the sled  1 . In order to accomplish this, the engagement portion  14   e  of the clasping mechanism  14  may be moved freely upwards, e.g., rotated, away from the top surface  10   a  of the elongated member  10 , thereby allowing a space to be created into which the device may be fitted. The clasping mechanism  14  may additionally include a biasing member  14   j , e.g., a spring, that biases the clasping mechanism  14  into an engaged position such that once the clasping mechanism  14  has been rotated backwards allowing a device to be inserted into the sled  1 , the biasing member  14   j  biases the clasping mechanism  14  such that it returns clasping mechanism back to its rest, e.g., engaged, position, whereby the inserted device is capable of being retained within the sled  1 . The biasing member  14   j  may be coupled to both the sled  1  and the clasping member  14  by any suitable mechanism, such as by a pin  14   k  that extends from one side of the cavity, through a retaining element aperture  14   l  in the clasping mechanism  14  and the biasing member  14   j , to the other side of the cavity, where the pin  14   k  is further received within corresponding apertures within the bounds of the cavity. 
     It is to be noted that given the “L” shaped configuration of the clasping mechanism  14 , as the engagement portion  14  extends away from the sled  1 , such as in releasing a retained device, the ejection portion  14  also moves away from the cavity and top surface  10   a  of the elongated member  10  not only engaging a surface, e.g., back or front surface (depending on how the device is inserted into the sled, but also applying a force, e.g., an ejecting force, to the inserted device thereby in assisting in its ejection from the sled. 
     Further, in certain instances, it may be desirable to prevent such ejection, and therefore, in certain instances, the clasping mechanism  14  may be removably coupled to a locking element  15 , as described above, which locking element  15  is capable of moving from a released position, such as where the locking element  15  is not coupled to the clasping mechanism  14 , to a locked position, wherein the locking element  15  is engaged with and/or coupled to the clasping mechanism  14 , thereby locking the clasping mechanism  14  in place. The locking element  15 , for instance, may be configured such that as it moves into coupling alignment with the clasping mechanism  14 , the locking groove  15   e  slides over the locking engagement element  14   i  of the clasping mechanism  14  and may further contact the locking member stops,  14   b  and  14   c , and/or the stop posts, thereby locking the clasping mechanism in a fixed position. 
     Accordingly, as can be seen with respect to  FIG. 2  in various instances, the sled  1  may include a clasping mechanism  14 , such as at its proximal portion  12   c , which clasping mechanism  14  may include one or both of a moveable retaining  14   d  and/or ejecting element  14   e  as well as a locking element  15 . The retaining portion  14   d  may include a retaining element  14   f  that includes a hook or catch interface, which catch interface is adapted for engaging a retaining surface, e.g., a top or bottom surface, of an electronic device or housing therefore, thereby retaining the electronic device within the sled. 
     The clasping mechanism  14  may additionally include an ejection portion  14   h , which ejection portion may further include a switch receiving interface, e.g., an opening configured for receiving an extended portion of the locking mechanism  15  there through. Hence, the clasping mechanism  14  may include two legs  14   d  and  14   e  that are joined at a joint  14   g  so as to from an “L” shape, wherein one leg comprises the retaining portion and one leg comprises an ejection and/or lock receiving portion. 
     The retaining  14   d  and ejection  14   e  portions may therefore be coupled together by a joint  14   g , which joint may include an axle aperture  14   k  that is configured for receiving a retaining element  14   i , e.g., an axle or pin, there through, which axle  14   i  functions to couple the clasping mechanism  14  to the elongated member  10  of the sled  1 . The clasping mechanism  14 , therefore, is configured for rotating about the axle element  14   i , e.g., with respect to the stationary elongated member  10 . The rotation of the retaining and ejecting portions about the pin from a first position to a second position allows for the insertion of an electronic device into the sled. Additionally, the rotation back from the second position to the first position results in the engagement of the hook interface  14   f  of the retaining portion  14   d  with a retaining surface of the device and retention of the device within the sled  1 . 
     Once the device is engaged with the hook portion  14   f  and retained within the sled  1 , rotation of the retaining element  14   d  about the axle  14   g  results in the disengagement of the hook portion from the retaining surface of the device, and engagement of the ejecting portion with an ejection surface of the device, which continued rotation results in the ejection of the device form the sled  1  by the movement of the ejection element  14   e  away from the top surface  10   a  of the sled  1 . The clasping mechanism  14  may further include a biasing, e.g., a spring, element  14   h , that is configured for biasing the rotating retaining portion in the first, e.g., engaged position. The biasing element  14   h  therefore may be functionally associated with both the axle  14   g  and the retaining portion  14   f  so as to bias the retaining portion in the engaged position. 
     Additionally, as indicated above, in certain instances it may be useful to lock the clasping mechanism in place and in such instances a locking mechanism may be included as part of the sled. Although the locking mechanism may have any suitable configuration, so long as it is capable of locking the device into the sled thereby preventing the removing of it there from, in certain instances, the locking mechanism is an element that functions to lock the clasping mechanism in the engaged position. Accordingly, in certain instances, the sled  1  includes a locking element that is configured for engaging the clasping mechanism, which locking element is configured for preventing the movement of the retaining and/or ejection element in place thereby locking the clasping mechanism in place, such as in the retained position. 
     In certain instances the locking element includes a sliding latch member. The sliding latch member includes an elongated member having a front and a back surface, wherein the front surface may include a gripping feature, and the back surface includes an extended portion, extending away from the back surface, and a latching element, such as a locking groove, or the like, which latching element is configured for interfacing with a portion of the clasping mechanism so as to lock the clasping mechanism in place. For instance, where the clasping mechanism includes a retaining portion and an ejection portion, e.g., coupled at a junction portion, the ejection portion may include a switch interface, such as an extended rail member configured to be fit within the locking groove, that when engaged with the latching element prevents the clasping mechanism from moving thereby locking the retained device within the sled. 
     As indicated above, the perimeter portion  12  of the sled  1  may include one or more support elements, which support elements may be adapted for supporting the electronic device, or housing therefore, within the sled. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the perimeter portion  12  includes a plurality of support elements positioned on one or both of the proximal  12   c  and/or distal  12   d  portions of the elongated member  10 , such as at the corners of the elongated member  10 . For instance, as can be seen with respect to  FIG. 2 , the sled  1  may include a plurality of support elements, such as support elements  16   a  and  16   b  positioned at the corner of the proximal portion  12   c.    
     As described above, a support element, such as support elements  16   a  and  16   b , may have any suitable configuration so long as it is capable of engaging a portion of the device to be retained and supporting the same within the sled. As depicted, support elements  16   a  and  16   b  are configured as dead stops, each of which dead stop engages a corner of the device, and thereby supports the device within the sled. The dead stop may engage the entire proximal or distal portion, an entire corner region, or substantial portions thereof, and likewise the support element may circumscribe the entire corner region or a substantial portion thereof. As depicted, the dead stops  16   a  and  16   b  engage a substantial portion of the corner regions of the proximal portion  12   c  so as to form an edge that curves around the corner portion of the sled  1  and thereby supports an end portion of the device to be retained. 
     In an alternative embodiment of a clasping mechanism, the locking element is inserted through the top of a clasping element and both the locking element and clasping element are mated to the sled.  FIG. 2H  shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a clasping element  14 . The clasping element  14  has two clasp alignment elements  14   l  and  14   m  that allow the clasping element to be attached to the proximal portion  12   c  between the clasp retaining elements  14   o  and  14   p  and over cutaway portion  14   q  (e.g. see  FIGS. 1E and 1F ). The clasping element  14  also has a locking aperture  14   h , retaining portion  14   d , and catch or retaining element  14   f .  FIG. 2I  shows a side view of clasping element  14 , with clasp alignment element  14   l , retaining portion  14   d , and catch or retaining element  14   f .  FIG. 2J  shows a bottom view of clasping element  14 , with clasp alignment elements  14   l  and  14   m , locking aperture  14   h , retaining portion  14   d , and catch or retaining element  14   f .  FIG. 2K  shows a perspective view of a locking element  15  that attaches to the clasping element  14  (shown in  FIGS. 2H-2J ) and the sled of  FIG. 1D . The locking element  15  includes a top portion  15   a , an extended engagement portion  15   d , and clasp alignment recesses  15   e  and  15   f  (not shown). The extended engagement portion  15   d  of locking element  15  is inserted through the locking aperture  14   h  of clasping element  14 , and the combination of the locking element  15  and clasping element  14  is fit over the proximal portion  12   c  of the sled  1 , such that clasp alignment elements  14   l  and  14   m  are in between clasp retaining elements  14   o  and  14   p  and over cutaway portion  14   q.    
     In this assembled configuration, the retaining portion  14   d  extends perpendicular to the elongated element  10  such that a case inserted into the sled  1  is held in place by the retaining portion  14   d  and catch  14   f . In certain embodiments, locking element  15  can be slid along the axis defined by the two clasp retaining elements by applying lateral pressure on the top portion  15   a  of locking element  15  and sliding the locking element back and forth. When the locking element  15  is slid in one direction, for example, to the right, towards clasp retaining element  14   p , the locking element is unlocked from the sled and can be removed from the locking mechanism. When the locking element is slid in the other direction, for example, to the left, towards clasp retaining element  14   o , the locking mechanism is locked in place and cannot be removed from the locking mechanism without sliding the locking element to the right. Clasping element  14  also has a locking indicator element  14   r . When locking element  15  is attached to clasping element  14  and slid to the right, locking indicator element is visible and indicates to a user that the locking mechanism is not locked. The locking indicator element is preferably a different color from the locking element and clasping elements. For example, the locking indicator element may be red, orange, green, blue, white, black, purple or pink. 
       FIG. 2L  shows a front view of locking element  15 , including top portion  15   a , extended engagement portion  15   d . Top portion  15   a  includes handling grooves  15   g ,  15   h , and  15   i  that allow a user to apply lateral force and slide locking element back and forth. In some embodiments of locking element  15 , handling grooves  15   g - i  are replaced with one or more ridges that extend upwards beyond the top portion  15   a .  FIG. 2M  is a side view of locking element  15 , including top portion  15   a , and extended engagement portion  15   d.    
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  provide another configuration of a support element of the disclosure. In this instance, the support element is configured as a plurality of pockets  30   a  and  30   b  positioned at the corners of the distal portion  12   d  of the elongated member  10 . As depicted, the support pockets  30   a  and  30   b  are configured as cups that engage the entire portion of the corner region of the distal portion  12   d  so as to form a pocket that curves around the corner portion of the sled  1  and thereby supports an end portion of the device to be retained. In this instance, there is a gap between the two support pockets  30   a  and  30   b . This gap may be useful for allowing access to a portion of a retained device, such as a port portion of the retained device. 
     The gap can be of any suitable size and/or dimension, such as of a size and dimension so as to allow a port of a retained device to be accessed, such as a charge port, which charge port may be accessed directly or through a charge port door positioned in a housing in which an electronic device is contained. Accordingly, in certain instances, a plurality of support elements are positioned at the corners of the distal portion of the sled, wherein there is a gap between the two support elements, which gap is of a size so as to allow a charge port to be accessed by a charge interface of a charger for an electronic device when the device is retained within the sled. For instance, the gap is of a size so as to allow a charge port of a retained electronic device to be functionally accessed by a portion of a charger that is capable of being inserted between the support elements so as to interface with the retained device and be charged thereby. 
     It is to be understood that as depicted a plurality of supports are positioned on the corners of the sled, however, in various instances, the supports may extend along the entire proximal and/or distal portions or simply cover one or two corners of the device. For instance, the sled may include a plurality of support elements, such as at least one of the plurality of support elements is positioned at a corner of the proximal portion and at least one of the plurality of support elements is positioned at a corner of the distal portion. In other instances, a support element is positioned at each of the corners of the sled. In other instances, the support elements circumscribe the entire distal and/or proximal and/or side portions. 
     In various instances, one or more of the support elements may additionally include one or more functional features, such as one or more aperture or cutout features. For instance, as can be seen with respect to  FIG. 3A , the support elements  30   a  and  30   b  may include a cutout portion  34   a  and  34   b . Such a cutout portion may have any configuration, however, in certain instances, the cutout portion is of a size, shape, and dimension that is capable of transmitting sound toward or away from a retained device. Accordingly, in such instances, the apertures may be positioned so as to align with a speaker or microphone portion of a retained device. In this embodiment, the cutout apertures  34   a  and  34   b  are positioned on a top surface of the pockets  30   a  and  30   b.    
     Further, as can be seen with respect to  FIG. 3B , in certain instances, the pockets  30   a  and  30   b  may include cutout portions  32   a  and  32   b  positioned on a side surface of the pockets, which cutout portions function for transmitting sound to and/or away from a retained device. It is noted that although the depicted pockets  30   a  and  30   b  include two sets of pockets, in various instances, the pockets may not include any cutout portions, one, two, three, or more cutout portions and/or the pockets and/or cutout portions may have a different configuration as that embodied with respect to  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
     In certain instances, it may be useful for the sled to include one or more attachment elements. For instance, the sled  1  may include an interface that is configured for allowing the sled to be coupled to an attachment element, such as a utility element that further allows the sled to function in a particular useful way. For example, in various embodiments, the sled is configured for receiving a utility attachment. 
     Accordingly, the sled may be adapted for being coupled to a utility member such as a belt clip member, a bike clip member, an armband member, a universal mounting member, a car mounting system, a windshield mounting system, an external or internal battery charging system, a solar panel system, an external speaker system, and the like. For instance, a portion of the sled may be configured for being removably or non-removably coupled to one or more utility members the coupling of which converts the sled into one or more accessories for use with an electronic device or a housing therefore, more specifically for use in transporting and/or using an electronic device during transportation. In certain embodiments, the one or more accessory attachments may be interchangeable with the sled making the sled and attachments an interchangeable system, in other embodiments, once an attachment is coupled to the sled it is coupled in a non-removable fashion. 
     Although the sled  1  may be coupled to a utility attachment in any suitable manner that allows for said coupling,  FIGS. 4A-4C  provide a particular exemplary embodiment of a mechanism for coupling the sled  1  with a plurality of utility attachments. For instance,  FIG. 4A  provides a depiction of an attachment aperture  20  of the sled  1 , which attachment aperture  20  is configured for receiving a portion of a utility attachment and being coupled therewith. In this embodiment, the attachment aperture  20  of the sled is configured as a circular aperture, however, the shape and the size of the aperture may differ so long as it is capable of facilitating the coupling of the sled  1  with the utility attachment. 
     Accordingly, it is to be understood that although the descriptions herein provide an exemplified manner in which the utility attachment is to be coupled to the sled  1  via the attachment aperture  20 , the particular coupling mechanism employed may differ from that set forth herein in many various suitable manners. For instance, in various instances, a utility attachment as herein described may be coupled to a sled through a corresponding bolt or screw-like interface, as depicted in  FIG. 9A , a corresponding hinge interface, also depicted in  FIG. 9 , a corresponding clip interface, a differently configured snap interface, an adhesive interface, a hook and loop interface, a bolt or rivet interface, a slide and catch interface, and the like. 
     As depicted, the sled  1  includes an attachment aperture  20 , which aperture  20  is configured for receiving a snap interface  25  of a utility attachment. This particular attachment aperture  20  includes a snap-tooth receptacle portion  20   b , configured for receiving a portion of a snap  25  therein, such as snap teeth  26 . Additionally, the attachment aperture  20  includes an attachment ledge  20   c  which ledge  20   c  is configured for engaging a portion of a snap interface  25  so as to prevent the snap interface  25  from being removed from the aperture once inserted therein and coupled thereto. 
     For instance, as can be seen with respect to  FIG. 4B , a utility attachment to be coupled to the sled  1  may include a snap-tooth interface  25 , which snap-tooth interface includes one or more teeth  26 , each of which teeth may include an attachment ledge interface  27 , which ledge interface  27  is configured for being coupled to the attachment ledge  20   c  in either a removable or non-removable manner. 
     For example, as depicted in  FIG. 4B , the snap-tooth interface  25  includes a plurality of snap-teeth, such as  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   c , and  26   d , each of which snap-teeth includes an attachment ledge interface  27   a ,  27   b ,  27   c , and  27   d  that is configured for being coupled to the attachment ledge  20   c . Specifically, each tooth member  26  may be fabricated so as to be at least partially flexible such that as the tooth portion  26  of the snap-tooth interface  25  is inserted into the attachment aperture  20 , the tooth body flexes and/or otherwise bends inwards toward the center of the snap-tooth interface such that the attachment ledge interface  27  moves from a first, rest position to a second retracted position while being inserted, and once completely inserted the snap-tooth body snaps back into its first, rest position and in such process the snap-tooth ledge interface  27  couples to the ledge  20   c  thereby preventing the snap-tooth interface  25 , and the utility attachment having said interface  25  from being removed from the sled  1  while the teeth ledge interfaces  27  are engaged with the ledge  20   c.    
     The snap-tooth interface  25  may be configured to be moveable and/or removable or may be configured for being stationary and non-removable. For instance, as depicted in  FIG. 2B , the teeth  26  of the snap-tooth interface  25  can be decoupled from the ledge  20   c  by applying inward pressure against the teeth  26  thereby causing the ledge interface  27  to withdraw from its engagement from the ledge  20   c  and thereby allowing the attachment to be decoupled from the sled  1 . Such inward force may be applied by the fingers or other such tool. Further, the teeth  26  are capable of being moved circumferentially around the aperture  20  so as to change the orientation of the utility attachment. 
     However, if desired, the teeth can be permanently fixed by the addition of an adhesive and/or by preventing the inward movement of the teeth once coupled to the ledge  20   c . In certain embodiments, a further attachment, e.g., a snap-interface cap  19 , may be provided, wherein the cap  19  is capable of attaching to a front surface of the elongated member  10   a  at the attachment aperture  20   a , such as by attaching to the teeth  26  of the snap-tooth interface  25 . 
     For instance, as can be seen with respect to  FIG. 4C , a cap  19  may include one or more snap-tooth attachment elements, e.g.,  19   c ,  19   d ,  19   e , and  19   f  that are configured for being coupled to one or more of the teeth  26  of the interface  25 . Such a cap  19  may include a top surface  19   a  and a bottom surface  19   b  having one or more tooth attachment elements. The cap  19  may serve one or more of a number of functions; the cap covers the aperture  20  so as to make the front surface  10   a  of the elongated member  10  smooth, flat and/or planar. Further, it can prevent access to the snap-teeth  26 , thereby preventing their removal, e.g., movement planar to elongated member  10 , but not preventing their movement, e.g., circumferentially within the aperture  20 . Additionally, it can be configured to prevent circumferential movement of the teeth  26 , such as by being locked into place within the aperture  20 , such as by an adhesive, having an additional groove or receptacle and extended catch configuration, and the like.  FIG. 4D  provides a top surface  19   a  of the cap  19  of  FIG. 4B . 
     As depicted, the teeth  26  of the snap-tooth interface  25  are configured for being inserted into the aperture  20  and being coupled thereto, and yet moveable, e.g. circumferentially, therein, so as to allow a utility attachment element having the snap tooth interface  25  positioned thereon to change its orientation. Accordingly, the attachment aperture  20  on the front  10   a  or back surface  10   b  of the elongated member  10  may further have a configuration adapted to modulate this movement. 
     As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 4E , a surface of the elongated member  10 , such as that surrounding the aperture  20  may include articulating members  22 , which members are adapted to modulate the rotation of the interface  25  circumferentially within the aperture  20  so as to modulate the orientation of an associated accessory containing the snap-tooth interface  25 . In a manner such as this the position of a utility attachment may be changed with respect to the elongated member. A suitable articulating member  22  may have any suitable configuration so long as it is capable of modulating the movements of the utility attachment with respect to the elongated member. However, in this embodiment, the articulating members include a plurality of raised blocks  22   a  that surround the aperture  20 , have a height indicated by  22   b  and are separated from one another by troughs  22   c . Also included are home articulating members  22   d  and  22   e  which are positioned on a surface of the elongated member  10  so as to orientate a utility attachment in a home position, such as a position wherein an elongated plane of the utility attachment is parallel to a corresponding elongated plane of the elongated member  10 . 
       FIG. 4F  depicts a sled  1  of the disclosure having a utility attachment coupled thereto via the association of a snap-tooth interface  25  with an attachment aperture  20 . As can be seen, the snap-teeth  26  are affixed within the aperture  20  by the coupling of the snap-tooth ledge interface  27  with the attachment ledge  20   c .  FIG. 4F  depicts the sled  1  without the snap-tooth cover  25  coupled thereto, and  FIG. 4G  depicts the sled  1  with the snap-tooth cover  25  associated with the snap-teeth  26  and the front surface  10   a  of the elongated member  10  of the sled  1 . Also depicted are the dead stops  16   a  and  16   b , the clasping mechanism  14 , and camera orifice  18 , as well as distal portion pockets  30   a  and  30   b .  FIG. 4H  depicts a front view of a sled  1  with a snap interface cap  19  attached at the attachment aperture  20   a  (not shown). 
       FIG. 4I  provides an alternative embodiment of sled  1  of the disclosure without a snap tooth cover  25  applied, wherein the proximal and distal portions of the sled are configured as shown in  FIGS. 1D-1I .  FIG. 4I  shows a rear view of the rear surface  10   b  of sled  1 , including elongated member  10 , locking mechanism  14 , clasp retaining elements  14   o  and  14   p , camera aperture  18 , raised blocks  22   a , height  22   b , troughs  22   c , home articulating members  22   d  and  22   e , and cutout portions  32   a  and  32   b .  FIG. 4J  is a perspective view of the rear surface  10   b  of sled  1 , including raised blocks  22   a , troughs  22   c , and home articulating members  22   d  and  22   e . In certain embodiments, the raised blocks  22   a  and troughs  22   c  allow for the space interface cap or any apparatus attached to such a cap to be rotated in relation to the sled and held at various angles to the sled based on the positioning of the troughs  22   c.    
       FIG. 4K  is a perspective view of the front surface  10   a  of an alternative embodiment of sled  1 , as configured in  FIG. 1D . The sled includes including extended portion  10 , a proximal portion  12   c , distal portion  12   d , front surface  10   a , pockets  16   a  and  16   b , supporting elements  30   a  and  30   b , supporting element cutouts  30   c  and  30   d , clasp retaining elements  14   o  and  14   p , camera aperture  18 , cutout portions  32   a  and  32   b , and snap interface  25 .  FIG. 4L  is a perspective view of the front surface  10   a  of a sled  1 , including a snap interface  25 . The snap interface  25  includes a snap aperture  20   a . In certain embodiments, snap teeth  26   a - d  are sitting on attachment ledge  20   c  and abutting the snap tooth receptacle  20   b .  FIG. 4M  shows an alternative embodiment of a snap-interface cap  19  that can be attached to the snap interface shown in  FIG. 4L . The exemplary snap-interface cap  19  of  FIG. 4L  includes snap-tooth elements, e.g.  19   c ,  19   d , and  19   e , configured for being coupled to the snap teeth  26   a - d  of the snap interface  25 . Snap tooth stop  19   g  prevents the snap-interface cap  19  from rotating, while the accessory tooth  19   h  connects the snap-interface cap directly to an accessory associated with the sled. For instance, the accessory could be a belt clip or any of a variety of mounting apparatus described herein.  FIG. 4N  shows a perspective view of snap-interface cap  19 , including snap-tooth elements  19   c - d , snap tooth stop  19   g  and accessory tooth  19   h.    
       FIG. 5  provides an exemplary embodiment of a utility attachment  40  for attachment to the sled  1 . This particular utility attachment is configured as a clip, such as a belt clip. The belt clip  40  can have any suitable size and any suitable shape so long as it is capable of being coupled to the sled  1  and further capable of attaching the sled  1  to a belt. For instance, in certain instances, the length of the belt clip  40  may be about 0.5 inches, 1 inch, 1.5 inches, 2 inches, and the like. 
     As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 5A , an exemplary belt clip  40  to be attached to a sled  1  of the disclosure may include a top member  42  and a bottom member  44 , wherein the bottom member  44  includes a snap-tooth interface  25  configured for being fit within a utility attachment aperture  20  of the sled  1  as described above. Accordingly, the snap-tooth interface  25  includes a plurality of, e.g., four, snap teeth,  26   a - 26   d , each snap tooth including an attachment ledge interface  27   a - 27   d  for being coupled with an attachment ledge  20   c  of an attachment aperture  20 . In a manner such as this, the belt clip  40  may be either removably or non-removably attached to the sled  1 , as described above. In this embodiment, the belt clip  40  is configured for being removably attached to the sled  1 , and thus, when coupled with other utility accessory attachments, as described herein below, may form a kit of interchangeable utility attachments, each of which removable utility attachments may be interchanged with one another in their coupling to the sled  1 . 
     The bottom member  44  and top member  42  of the clip  40  are capable of being associated with one another. Although the top member  42  may be coupled to the bottom member  44  in any suitable manner, in this instance, this coupling is in such a manner that the top member  42  is capable of moving, e.g., rotating, relative to the bottom member  44 . Thus, the top member  42  is moveably coupled to the bottom member  44 , such as at an axle  45  interface. For instance, the top and bottom members  42  and  44  may have corresponding axle receptacle  45   a  and  45   b , which axle interfaces are configured for receiving an axle  45  there through such that when coupled together via the axle  45  the top member  42  is capable of rotating away from the bottom ember  44  about the axle  45 . 
     The top member  42  further includes a belt retention element  47 . The belt retention element  47  includes an extended member  47   a  that displaces the top member  42  away from the bottom member  44  a distance suitable such that a belt may be received in between the top  42  and bottom  44  members. The extended member  47   a  further includes a belt retention member  47   b , which belt retention member is configured for interfacing with a belt such that the sled  1  may not be removed from its attachment to a belt until the belt retention member  47  is disengaged from the belt. It is to be noted that the belt clip  40  includes a circular snap-tooth interface  25 , which snap-tooth interface  25  is associated with the attachment aperture  20  in such a manner that the belt clip  40  is capable of rotating about the sled  1 , such as in an articulated manner. 
       FIG. 5B  depicts a top surface  42   a  of the top member  42  of a belt clip  40 . Also depicted is a grip feature that is positioned on a proximal portion of the top member  44  and designed to facilitate the rotation of the top member relative to the sled  1 . 
       FIG. 5C  provides a depiction of a bottom surface  42   b  of a top member  42 , which top member  42  is configured for being rotatably coupled to a bottom member  44 , such as at an axle interface  45   a . The axle interface  45   a  is configured as a receptacle that is adapted to receive an axle member  45 , e.g., a pin, there through. Also depicted are the extended member  47   a  and belt retention member  47   b  of the top member  42 . 
       FIG. 5D  depicts a top surface  44   a  of a bottom member  44  of the belt clip  40 . The bottom member  44  is configured for being coupled to a top member  42 , such as at an axle interface  45   b . The axle interface  45   b  is configured as a receptacle that is adapted to receive an axle member  45 , e.g., a pin, therethrough. Also depicted are the base members for snap teeth  26   a - 26   d.    
       FIG. 5E  depicts a bottom surface  44   b  of the bottom member  44  of the clip  40 . The bottom surface  44   b  of the bottom member  44  includes a snap-tooth interface  25 , which snap-tooth interface includes a plurality of, e.g., four, snap teeth,  26   a - 26   d .  FIG. 5F  depicts a back surface  10   b  of the elongated member  10  of the sled  1  with a belt clip accessory  40  attached thereto. Also depicted is a camera feature  18  and a locking slide  15 , which locking slide  15  is coupled to a clasping mechanism  14 . Further depicted are the back surface of the support pockets  30   a  and  30   b , which pockets are separated from one another by a gap, such as a gap sized so as to allow a charger port interface to be inserted there between thereby allowing a retained electronic device to be charged while within the sled  1 . 
       FIG. 5G  provides an alternative embodiment of a sled attached to a belt clip, as described supra and in  FIGS. 1D-1H .  FIG. 5G  depicts a perspective view of the rear side of a sled  1 , including belt clip  40 , and a housing  100 .  FIG. 5H  provides a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a bottom member  44  of a belt clip, including: top surface  44   a ; axle receptacle  45   a ; axle interface  45   b ; belt clip attachment tongues  26   e ,  26   f ,  26   g ; and belt clip attachment grooves  26   h ,  26   i ,  26   j .  FIG. 5I  depicts a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a bottom member  44  of a belt clip, including: bottom surface  44   b ; axle receptacle  45   a ; axle interface  45   b ; belt clip attachment tongues  26   e ,  26   f ,  26   g ; and belt clip attachment grooves  26   h ,  26   i ,  26   j . The belt clip attachment tongues and belt clip attachment grooves are formed from an attachment pedestal  26   k  that extends outward from the bottom surface  44   b  of the bottom member  44 . The bottom member is configured so that the belt clip attachment tongues  26   e - g  mate with cap grooves in a cap attached to a sled (described infra and depicted in  FIG. 5J ). Similarly, belt clip attachment grooves  26   h - 26   j  are configured to mate with cap tongues that extend outward from the rear surface of a cap attached to a sled (see  FIG. 5J  infra). The bottom member of the belt clip can then be rotated to secure the bottom member into the cap.  FIG. 5J  depicts a perspective view of the front surface  10   a  of a sled  1  with a cap  19 , including cap tongues  19   i ,  19   j ,  19   k , and cap grooves  19   l ,  19   m ,  19   n . The cap tongues extend towards the rear surface of the sled and are not seen in their entirety. 
       FIG. 6  provides another utility accessory attachment this time configured as a bike mount sled attachment  60 . As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 6A , a sled  1  of the disclosure may be coupled to a bike mount sled attachment  60 , so as to allow the sled  1  to be removably attached to a portion of a vehicle, such as a bar portion of a bicycle, motorcycle, hang glider, and the like. Accordingly, the bike mount accessory includes a sled attachment base member  60  having a top  60   a  and a bottom surface  60   b . In a manner similar to that described above, a back surface  10   b  of a sled  1  may be coupled to a back surface  60   b  of the bike mount sled attachment base  60  via a suitable snap-tooth interface  25 , which interface is capable of being coupled to the sled  1 , as described above. 
     The snap-tooth interface  25  of the bike accessory attachment base  60 , however, is configured a bit differently than the snap-tooth interface of the belt clip attachment  50 , because in this embodiment, the snap-tooth interface  25  includes eight separate snap-teeth  25   a - 25   h , which snap teeth are configured for engaging an attachment ledge  20   c  of the attachment aperture  20  of the sled  1  as described above. The additional teeth function in part to prevent the bike mount attachment from rotating about the aperture  20 , and further function to provide a firmer coupling between the bike mount sled attachment base  60  with the sled  1 . The bottom surface  60   b  of the bike mount sled base  60  additionally includes attachment edge rails  61   a  and  61   b  that are configured for engaging the edges  12   a  and  12   b  of the sled  1  in a manner such that the rails  61   a  and  61   b  wrap at least partially around the edges  12   a  and  12   b  so as to further prevent the bike mount sled attachment base  60  from rotating with respect to the sled  1 . The bike mount sled attachment base  60  need not move with respect to the sled  1  because a top surface  60   a  of the bike mount sled attachment base  60  includes a rotatable ball member receptacle  62 , which rotatable ball member receptacle  62  includes a plurality of joint walls  62   a - 62   d , which joint walls are configured for forming the receptacle  62  adapted for receiving a rotatable ball attachment member  67   b  that forms a rotatable ball joint  66 . 
     Specifically,  FIG. 6B  provides a top surface  60   a  of a bike mount sled attachment base member  60 , which top surface includes a ball member receptacle  62 , which ball member receptacle includes four receptacle walls  62   a ,  62   b ,  62   c , and  62   d , which walls are configured to define a cavity  62  within which a corresponding ball attachment member  67   b  may be positioned therein. Accordingly, the bike mount sled attachment includes a base member  60 , which base member  60  is configured for being coupled to a sled  1  of the disclosure, and further includes ball member receptacle walls  62   a - 62   d  defining a ball member receiving receptacle  62  that is configured for being coupled with a ball attachment member  67   b  so as to form a rotatable ball joint. The walls of the ball attachment member receptacle  62   a - 62   d  include threads  63   a - 63   d , which threads are configured for being removably coupled to corresponding threads  68   f  of a tensioning member  68 , which tensioning member  68  functions to tighten the ball joint  66  and thereby locking it down and preventing its movement.  FIG. 6C  provides a side view of a bottom surface  10   b  of a sled  1  of the disclosure wherein the sled  1  is coupled to a base  60  of a bike mount sled attachment member.  FIG. 6D  provides a side view of a top surface  10   a  of a sled  1  of the disclosure wherein the sled  1  is coupled to a base  60  of a bike mount sled attachment member. 
       FIG. 6E  depicts exemplary elements of a bike accessory sled attachment element  60  having a ball member assembly  67  and tensioning element  68  capable of being associated therewith so as to form a ball joint attachment member  66 . The ball joint assembly  66  therefore includes a ball member assembly  67  and a tensioning element  68 , both of which are configured for being moveably associated with the bike accessory sled attachment base  60 . Accordingly, as depicted, the bike accessory sled attachment element  60  includes a ball attachment member receiving receptacle  62 , which ball attachment member receiving receptacle  62  is configured for receiving a ball member  67   b  of a ball member assembly  67 , wherein the ball assembly  67  allows for an electronic device to be retained within the sled  1  and further to be attached to a bar member, such as a bar member of vehicle, such as a bicycle, and yet be allowed to rotate despite being attached thereto. 
     The ball member assembly  67  includes a bar attachment member  67   a , a ball member  67   b , and a clasping mechanism  67   c . The bar attachment member  67   a  is configured so as to be attached to a portion, such as a bar portion, of a bicycle, a motorcycle, or other such vehicle, or any object having a bar member to which the ball member assembly  67  may be attached, and the like. In one instance, the bar attachment member  67   a  is composed of a flexible or semi-flexible member that is configured to form an orifice into which orifice a substrate, e.g., a bar member, may be positioned, and thus, the bar attachment member  67   a  is configured for being fit around a substrate. 
     Further, the bar attachment member  67   a  is configured to be coupled to a clasping mechanism  67   d , which clasping mechanism  67   d  is adapted for locking the bar attachment member  67   a  down into position around the substrate to which it is attached. This clasping mechanism  67   d  may have any suitable configuration so long as it is capable of locking the bar attachment member  67   a  in place. 
     In this instance, the bar attachment member  67   a  includes a clasping mechanism interface that corresponds to a similar interface on the clasping mechanism  67   c , which interfaces are designed to interface with one another so as to couple the attachment member  67   a  to the clasping mechanism  67   c . A suitable interface includes an extended member positioned on an end of the attachment member  67   a , and an indented portion positioned on an end of the clasping mechanism  67   c , wherein the indented portion has a “Y” configuration that is configured for receiving the extended portion in between the legs of the “Y”. Both the extended member and indented portion may include orifices through which an axle, e.g., a pin, may be inserted so as to couple the two together. The clasping member  67   c , therefore, may be configured for rotating about the axle so as to effectuate the locking of the attachment member  67   a.    
     The clasping member  67   c  may further include a locking unit  67   d , which locking unit  67   d  is configured for interfacing with a ridged locking region on the attachment member  67   a  so as to be able to lock the attachment member  67   a  in place. For instance, the clasping member  67   c  is rotates about the axle from a first, unengaged position, to a second, engaged position, so as to allow the locking unit  67   d  to engage the ridged locking region of the attachment member, e.g., between the ridges. Once engaged, the clasping member  67   c  is rotated back from its second engaged position to a third, locked, position, thereby locking the attachment member  67   a  in a locked position, e.g., around a bar member of a vehicle. The first and third positions may be the same general position. 
     Further, in this instance, the bar attachment member  67   a  further includes a ball member  67   b . As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 6F , the ball member  67   b  is configured for being attached to a ball attachment member receiving receptacle  62  of a bike accessory sled attachment element  60 . Specifically, in this instance, the ball member  67   b  is configured for being received within the ball attachment member receiving receptacle  62  of the sled attachment element  60 . This engagement allows the bar attachment member  67   a  to be coupled to the sled  1  via the ball member  67   b  being coupled to the sled attachment element  60  via the ball attachment member receiving receptacle  62 , in a moveable engagement. For example, the ball member  67   b  may move and/or rotate within the receiving receptacle  62  around the ball of the ball member  67   b . This, therefore, allows the sled  1  to move through a variety of orientations once attached to a bar portion of a vehicle. 
     In various instances, it may be useful to lock the sled  1  into a given orientation once positioned on a suitable substrate via the bar attachment member  67 . Accordingly, in such an instance, a locking element may be included to lock the sled  1  into a given orientation. Such a locking element may have any suitable configuration so long as it is capable of engaging the attachment member  67  and/or the sled attachment member  60  in such a manner so as to lock the orientation of the sled into a desired orientation. 
     For instance, in this instance, a tensioning element  68  may also be included. The tensioning element  68  may have any suitable configuration, and in this instance, the tensioning element  68  includes an orifice, which orifice is configured for receiving the walls of a ball attachment member receiving receptacle  62  therein. For example, the interior boundary  68   f  of the tensioning element  68  and the walls of the receiving receptacle  62  may have corresponding threadlike interfaces so as to allow them to be “screwed” together. 
     Accordingly, the tensioning element  68  is configured for interfacing with the wall members of the ball attachment member receiving receptacle  62 , so as to decrease the aperture of the receptacle  62 , e.g., by moving the walls  62  inwards via screwing, and thereby engage the ball member  67   b  in such a manner that the ball member  67   b  is no longer capable of moving within the receptacle  62 , consequently locking the sled  1  into a desired orientation. To facilitate this coupling, the tensioning element  68  may include grip features  68   a - 68   e , for increasing the grip-ability of the tensioning element  68 . The tensioning element  68  further includes thread feature  68   f , which threads correspond to a like threaded region on the sled attachment member  60 . 
     As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 6G , the tensioning element  68  may engage the wall members  62   a - 62   d  of the ball attachment member receiving receptacle  62  of the sled attachment element  60 , in any suitable manner. However, in this instance, this engagement is configured as corresponding screw-threads, which threads allow the tensioning element  68  to be screwed around the wall members  62   a - 62   d  thereby modulating the dimensions of the aperture  62 , so as to lock the orientation of the ball member  67   b  in place. The wall members  62   a - 62   d  include thread features  63   a - 63   d , which thread features correspond to thread features  68   f  of the tensioning member  68 . 
       FIG. 6H  provides a suitable a bike mount sled attachment, wherein a bike mount sled attachment base member  60  is attached to a bar attachment member  67 , wherein the two members are locked into place by tensioning member  68 .  FIG. 6I  provides the bike mount sled attachment as it is when coupled to a suitable sled  1 . 
       FIGS. 6J-6T  provide several preferred ball assemblies for removably attaching a utility accessory attachment according to any of  FIGS. 6A-6I  to a threadless bicycle headset (not shown) using a headset bolt or stem cap screw. 
     As those in the art will appreciate, the representative embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 6J-6T  may be readily adapted for use with other vehicles, including bicycles having threaded headsets, motorcycles, hang gliders, and the like. In such embodiments, the use of a ball and socket, or “rotatable ball member receptacle”,  62 , as shown in these figures forms an adjustable ball joint that allows the user to manually adjust the sled&#39;s position in relation to the bicycle in order to mount the sled at a desired position. When the desired position is achieved, the user can secure the ball in the receptacle  62  or cavity by adjusting the tensioning member (e.g., element  68 ,  FIG. 6G ) to tighten the ball joint and thereby lock it down so as to prevent movement of the ball in the socket, thereby securing the user-selected position of the sled in relation to the bicycle&#39;s headset. 
     Turning to the figures,  FIG. 6J  shows an exploded view of one embodiment of a ball assembly  500  according to the invention. The ball  501  contains a threaded bore  503  accessible through an opening  505  in its underside. The threaded bore  503  is adapted to receive the threaded portion  507  of a stem cap having an integrated post  509 . The stem cap and post  505  has a through-bore  511  having two diameters. The diameter “x” of the upper portion of the through-bore is larger than the diameter “y” of the upper portion of the through-bore, as lower portion of the must be sufficiently sized to accommodate the threaded portion  523  of the stem cap screw  520 , while the upper portion of the through-bore  511  must be sufficiently sized to accommodate the head  521  of the stem cap screw  520 . The intersection of the upper and lower portions of the through-bore  511  is bounded by a seat  510  configured to engage the lower engaging surface  522  of the head  521  of a stem cap screw  520 . 
     The ball assembly shown in  FIG. 6J  is assembled onto a threadless bicycle headset (not shown) by positioning the stem cap and post  505  atop a threadless bicycle headset, inserting the stem cap screw  520  into the through-bore  511 , tightening the stem cap screw  520 , and then screwing the ball  501  onto the stem cap and post  505 . A cross-section of such an assembled ball assembly  500  is shown in  FIG. 6K . A utility accessory attachment as shown, for example, in  FIG. 6D , can then be securely yet removably attached to the bicycle-mounted ball assembly using a tensioning element (e.g., element  68 ,  FIG. 6G ) capable of being associated therewith. A bicycle having such a utility accessory attachment so mounted is then suited to retain a portable electronic device, e.g., a cellular phone, in the sled, with the sled, and hence the electronic device, positioned in manner determined by the particular user. 
       FIG. 6L  shows an alternative embodiment of an integrated ball assembly  530  according to the invention. Here, the ball  531 , stem cap  535 , and threaded stem cap screw  540  are unitary, single piece. In this embodiment, the ball  531  is elevated above the stem cap portion  535  by a post  532 , which can be any suitable height.  FIG. 6M  shows a similar alternative embodiment, wherein a conventional stem cap screw (not shown) is replaced by a ball-topped stem cap screw  550  have a ball portion  552  opposite its threaded portion  554 . Such an embodiment does not require replacement of the stem cap  558 , which, if desired, can be reused. In this embodiment, the original stem cap screw (not shown) is removed and replaced with the ball-topped stem cap screw  550  shown in  FIG. 6M . The ball portion  552  is positioned above a post region  553 , which is disposed on top of a spacer  551  which, when the ball-topped stem cap screw  550  is screwed into position in the headset (not shown), fits within and closely associates with the wall of cylindrical bore  559  in the stem cap  558 . 
       FIGS. 6N-6T  show further alternative embodiments of a ball-topped stem cap screw ( 560 ,  570 ,  580 ,  590 ,  600 ,  610 ,  620 , respectively) that can be used, for example, to replace an existing stem cap screw on a threadless bicycle headset (not shown). These embodiments are interchangeable with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6M , and thus the stem cap ( 558 ) is not shown. In these embodiments, the ball portion ( 561 ,  571 ,  581 ,  591 ,  601 ,  611 ,  621 , respectively) is disposed opposite the threaded portion ( 562 ,  572 ,  582 ,  592 ,  602 ,  612 ,  622 ), with the ball portion ( 561 ,  571 ,  581 ,  591 ,  601 ,  611 ,  621 , respectively) positioned above a post region ( 563 ,  573 ,  585 ,  593 ,  603 ,  613 ,  623 , respectively), which is disposed on top of a spacer ( 551 ) that again fits within and closely associates with the wall of the cylindrical bore that extends through the stem cap. 
     The differences between the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 6N-6T  ( 560 ,  570 .  580 ,  590 ,  600 ,  610 ,  620 , respectively) concern features useful in securing the ball-topped stem cap screw to a threadless bicycle headset. The embodiments shown in  FIGS. 6N and 6O  include a plurality of wrench flats (2 or 6, for example; elements  564 ,  574 ,  584 ,  594 ) on the post regions  563 ,  573 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 6P and 6Q , wrench flats (for example, 2 or 6) can be included in the ball portion  581 ,  591 . The embodiment depicted in  FIG. 6R  includes a wrench socket ( 604  disposed on the top of the ball portion  601 . In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 6S and 6T , the post region ( 613 ,  FIG. 6S ) or ball region  621  includes a cylindrical spanning bore  614 ,  624  (which may or may not extend through the entire post region so as to be accessible from either side) into which a spanner wrench, bar, or pin can be inserted for tightening the ball-topped stem cap screw  610 ,  620 . 
       FIG. 6U  shows an alternative embodiment of a sled attached to a bike mount incorporating the sleds of  1 D- 1 I and the clasping and locking elements of  FIGS. 2H-2M . In certain embodiments, the sled includes a clasping element  14  and locking element  15  held between clasp retaining elements  14   o  and  14   p . The sled also includes hard stops  16   a  and  16   b , supporting elements  30   a  and  30   b , cutout portion  32   b  (cutout portion  32   a  not shown), and supporting element cutouts  30   c  and  30   d . The bike mount  60  is attached to the sled at elongated member  10 , the bike mount  60  including bar attachment member  67  and tensioning member  68 .  FIG. 6V  provides a side view of the sled attached to a bike mount of  FIG. 6U , including bike mount  60 , bar attachment member  67 , tensioning member  68 , and elongated member  10 . The curvature of the elongated member of the sled is configured to aid in the removal of a case from the sled. In addition, the curvature of the elongated member improves retention of a case coupled with the sled, as the force retaining the case in the sled is concentrated at the four corners of the sled, hard stops  16   a  and  16   b  (hard stop  16   b  not shown), and supporting elements  30   a  and  30   b  (supporting element  30   b  not shown). The curvature of the sled also improves shock resistance of the sled, as it allows the sled to flex if dropped or struck.  FIG. 6W  provides a perspective view of the rear side of the sled attached to a bike mount of  FIG. 6U , including rear surface  10   b , bike mount  60 , bar attachment member  67 , tensioning member  68 , rotatable ball member receptacle  62 , and elongated member  10 . The sled is rotated horizontally relative to the bar attachment member  67 .  FIG. 6X  provides a perspective view of the rear side of the sled attached to a bike mount of  FIG. 6W , including and a case or housing  100  partially contained in the sled at supporting elements  30   a  and  30   b  (supporting element  30   a  not shown), and includes bike mount  60 , bar attachment member  67 , tensioning member  68 , rotatable ball member receptacle  62 , and elongated member  10 . 
       FIG. 7  provides another embodiment of a sled  1  of the disclosure this time configured for being coupled with a band such as an arm band, a leg band, a waist band, wrist band, a head band, and the like. The sled  1  is similar to that described above in that it includes an elongated member  10  having front and back surfaces  10   a  and  10   b , which elongated member  10  is surrounded by a proximal portion  12 . The elongated member  10  further has a proximal portion  12   c  and a distal portion  12   d , wherein the proximal portion includes a plurality of dead stops  16   a  and  16   b , configured for supporting a device to be retained in the sled  1 , and further includes a clasping mechanism  14  that is adapted for clasping onto a device to be retained within the sled  1  and thereby retaining it therein. The distal portion  12   d  also includes a plurality of support members configured as pockets  30   a  and  30   b , which pockets are configured for associating with the corners of a retained device so as to support and facilitate the retention a distal portion thereof. 
     With respect to  FIG. 7 , however, instead of depending on an attachment element  20 , which allows the sled  1  to be coupled to a clip-like attachment element, such as provided in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the sled  1  of  FIGS. 7A and 7B  includes retaining apertures  13 , which apertures are configured for being coupled with a band  215 , such as an arm band, etc., that is configured for allowing the sled  1  to be removably attached to an object, such as a user&#39;s arm, leg, wrist, waist, head, or the like.  FIGS. 7A and 7B  provide one instance of a sled  1  of the disclosure, wherein the sled  1  is configured for being coupled with a band  215 .  FIG. 7A  provides a front surface of the sled  1 , and  FIG. 7B  provides a back surface of the sled  1 . The sled  1 , therefore, includes retaining apertures  13  on its opposing sides  12   a  and  12   b , which apertures  13  are configured for receiving a portion of the band  215  therethrough so as to allow the sled  1  to be attached to an object. It is to be understood, however, that this configuration may be modified without departing from the spirit of the disclosure, such as by changing the number, size, shape, dimensions, and positions of the receptacles  13  and/or bands  215 . In this embodiment, two sets of receptacles  13   b  and  13   d  are provided on opposite sides  12   a  and  12   b  of the sled  1 . The receptacles  13   b  and  13   d  are bounded by bounding members  13   a  and  13   c . The receptacles  13   b  and  13   d  are configured for receiving there through a portion of a band  215 , such as the band provided in  FIGS. 7C and 7D . 
       FIGS. 7C and 7D  provide a front  215   a  and a back  215   b  surface of a band  215  of the disclosure. The band  215  includes central portion front and back surfaces  215   a  and  215   b , having two side portions stretching therefrom, which side portions are configured for being inserted through corresponding side receptacles  13  of the sled  1 , in such a manner that the front surface  215   a  aligns up with the back surface  10   b  of the sled  1 , and the corresponding sides spread out laterally therefrom, see, for instance,  FIG. 7E . The side portions may then be wrapped around an object and removably coupled to one another so as to be attached around the object. 
     For instance, a left hand side portion may be composed of a single or multiple materials, and in this instance, is composed of a plurality of materials. The left hand side portion therefore includes a middle portion  215   c , which middle portion may be comprised of a stretchable material, an opposing band attachment portion  215   d , e.g., a buckle, configured for attaching the left hand side of the band  215  with the right hand side of the band  15 , and a central portion attachment portion  215   e , which in this instance is also a buckle that is configured for attaching the middle portion  215   c  of the left hand strap with the central portion  215   a.    
     The right hand side strap portion may be composed of a single material or a plurality of materials, and in this instance, includes a single material having three portions. For example, the right hand strap includes a middle portion  215   f , which middle portion may be comprised of a stretchable material and may further have an attachment member included thereon; an opposing band attachment portion  215   g , e.g., a hook and loop fastener member, configured for engaging the left hand side of the band  215 , and further configured for engaging the attachment member of the middle portion  215   f ; and a side receptacle engagement portion  215   h  configured for attaching the right hand side portion to the sled  1  of  FIGS. 7A and 7B . 
     For instance, the right hand strap may include a middle portion  215   f  having the loop portion of a hook and loop attachment element. The opposing band attachment portion  215   g  may include the hook portion of a hook and loop fastener element, and may be configured for being fed through the buckle  215   d  of the left hand side portion and then folded back upon itself so as to fasten with the loop fastening element of the middle portion  215   f  and in a manner such as this, the band  215  may be wrapped around an object, thereby effectuating the coupling of the sled  1  with the object. Additionally, the side receptacle engagement portion  215   h  may have the hook portion of a hook and loop attachment element, and may be configured for being fed through the retaining apertures  13   b  and  13   d  of the right hand side  12   b  of the sled  1  and then folded back upon itself so as to fasten with the loop fastening element of the middle portion  215   f , and in a manner such as this, the band  215  may be coupled to sled  1 . It is to be understood that the various elements of the described configurations of the left and right hand strap portions of the band  215  may be mixed and matched or modified to enhance the various attachment features of the band, without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. 
       FIG. 7C  provides a front surface  215   a  of the band  215 .  FIG. 7D  provides a back surface  215   b  of the band  215  of  FIG. 7C . As can be seen, the back surface  215   b  of the band  215  includes a raised locking mechanism receiving receptacle  215   i  and a plurality of raised cushion members  215   r  positioned at the side perimeter portions of the back surface  215   b . Also depicted are raised grip features positioned on the two opposing central member attachment portions  215   e  and  215   h , which raised features function to secure the attachment of the band  215  to the sled  1  by making it more difficult for side members to slip out of engagement with the receiving receptacles  13  once threaded there through. Also depicted are various apertures positioned on the various band portions which serve the function of both increasing elasticity of the band and air vents. 
       FIG. 7E  provides a front view of another embodiment of a strap system for the sled  1 . According to this system the opposing band attachment portion  215   d , e.g. a buckle, is attached to the middle of the left hand portion of the strap  215   c  via a post and aperture system  215   j . Also, in some embodiments, instead of having a central portion attachment portion  215   e  as shown in  FIG. 7C , the middle portion  15   c  attached directly to the central portion of the strap  215 . Likewise, in certain embodiments, the side receptacle attachment portion on the right side of the strap  215   h  is found on the front side  215   a .  FIG. 7F  shows a back view  215   b  of the strap. 
       FIG. 7G  shows a front view of the post and aperture system  215   j  connecting the opposing band attachment portion  215   d , e.g. a buckle, to the middle portion of the left hand portion of the strap  215   c . The end of the middle portion of the left hand strap  215   c  is sandwiched between a connector  215   k  and the opposing band attachment portion  215   d . The posts  215   l  are shown extending from the opposing band attachment portion  215   d  through the middle of the left hand portion of the strap  215   c  and through the connector  215   k.    
       FIG. 7H  shows a front view of the disassembled post and aperture system  215   j . The middle portion of the left hand portion of the strap  215   c  has apertures  215   m  through it throughout its length. These apertures can be any size or shape or in any configuration as long as they allow the opposing band attachment portion  215   d  to be locked into the connector  215   k  using the posts  215   l  found on the opposing band attachment portion  215   d . These apertures also serve the function of both increasing elasticity of the band and air vents. Of course, the connector  215   k  could also have posts that lock into apertures  215   o  found in the opposing band attachment portion  215   d . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7H , the connector  215   k  contains apertures  215   n  that allow the posts  215   l  on the opposing band attachment portion  215   d  to pass through the middle portion of the left hand portion of the strap  215   c  and the connector  215   k . This locks the opposing band attachment portion  215   d.    
     It should be noted that the post and aperture system  215   j  allows the opposing band attachment portion  215   d  to be attached to any set of apertures  215   m  found in the middle portion of the left hand portion of the strap  215   c . The end of the middle portion of the left hand portion of the strap  215   c  can either be folded back or cut to shorten the strap and allow the opposing band attachment portion  215   d  to be attached to the shortened end of the strap. This allows for the length of the strap  215  to be adjusted depending on the appendage or object the strap is intended to fit around. 
       FIG. 7I  provides a back view of the opposing band attachment portion  215   d . This back view shows the apertures  215   o  found in the attachment portion  215   d . These apertures are optional, and could be solid if desired.  FIG. 7J  provides a front view of the opposing band attachment portion  215   d . In this view, the posts  215   l  of the attachment portion  215   d  are shown. The posts  215   l  are shaped so that they have a broader tip  215   q  than base  215   p . In certain embodiments, the broader tip  215   q  is about the same or slightly larger than the apertures in the strap  215   m  and/or the apertures  215   n  in the connector  215   k . This allows for the posts  215   l  to lock into the apertures and hold the attachment portion  215   d  to the strap  215   c  and the connector  215   k.    
       FIG. 7K  is a view of the connector  215   k . In certain embodiments, the connector is symmetrical and could be applied to the middle portion of the left hand portion of the strap  15   c  to lock the opposing band attachment portion  215   d  on either surface. 
       FIG. 7L  is a view of where the middle portion of the left hand portion of the strap  15   c  joins the central part of the strap  215  and the sled  1 . The middle portion of the left hand portion of the strap  215   c  enters the retaining aperture  13   d  of the sled  1 . Similarly,  FIG. 7M  is a view of where the middle portion of the right hand portion of the strap  215   f  joins the central part of the strap  215  and the sled  1 . The middle portion of the right hand portion of the strap  215   f  enters the retaining aperture  13   d  of the sled  1 . The receptacle engagement portion  215   h  is found on the front face of the strap in this embodiment. 
       FIG. 7N  is a view of the same perspective as  FIG. 7M , with the receptacle engagement portion  215   h  lifted up to show the underside. As shown, the underside of the receptacle engagement portion  215   h  has a hook and loop connector system that engages the corresponding part of the system on the front face of the middle portion of the right hand portion of the strap  215   f . Also, the receptacle engagement portion  215   h  is directly attached to the middle portion of the right hand portion of the strap  215   f  before the strap enters the retaining aperture  13   d  of the sled  1 . 
       FIG. 7O  shows a view of the left  215   c  and right  215   f  portions of the strap and where they join the front surface of the strap  215   a . As shown, the left  215   c  and right  215   f  portions of the strap are fixedly attached to the front surface  215   a  of the strap. Thus, there is no need for a functional central portion attachment portion  215   e  or receptacle engagement portion  215   h  as shown in  FIG. 7E . The strap in this embodiment is all one piece. 
       FIG. 7P  shows a back view of the left side  215   c  of the strap  215 . The middle portion of the left hand portion of the strap  215   c  contains a plurality of raised cushion members  215   r  positioned at the side perimeter portions of the back surface of the strap. Likewise,  FIG. 7Q  shows a back view of the right side  215   f  of the strap  215 . The middle portion of the right hand portion of the strap  215   f  contains a plurality of raised cushion members  215   r  positioned at the side perimeter portions of the back surface of the strap. 
       FIG. 7R  shows an alternative embodiment of a sled that includes retaining apertures coupled with a band, wherein the locking mechanism is that described supra and shown in  FIGS. 2H-2M . In the illustrated embodiment, the sled  1  is connected with a band  215 , the sled including a clasping element  14  and locking element  15  held between clasp retaining elements  14   o  and  14   p . The sled also includes hard stops  16   a  and  16   b , supporting elements  30   a  and  30   b , supporting element cutouts  30   c  and  30   d . The sled also includes raised support elements  30   e  and  30   f  ( 30   f  not shown). A portion of the front surface  10   a  of the sled is curved such that when a case containing a mobile device is inserted into the sled, a portion of the front surface  10   a  does not touch the entire back surface of the case. The curvature of the front surface of the sled is configured to aid in the removal of a case from the sled. In addition, the curvature of the sled improves retention of a case coupled with the sled, as the force retaining the case in the sled is concentrated at the four corners of the sled (hard stops  16   a  and  16   b , and supporting elements  30   a  and  30   b ). The curvature of the sled also improves shock resistance of the sled, as it allows the sled to flex if dropped or struck. The strap  215  associated with the sled and locking mechanism as shown in  FIG. 7R  can encompass any of the embodiments described above.  FIG. 7S  provides a front view of the sled of  FIG. 7R , including front surface  10   a , hard stops  16   a  and  16   b , supporting elements  30   a  and  30   b , clasping element  14 , clasp retaining elements  14   o  and  14   p , and locking element  15 .  FIG. 7T  provides a perspective view of the sled of  FIG. 7R  and a case or housing  100  partially contained in the sled at supporting elements  30   a  and  30   b , and includes strap  215 . 
     In some embodiments, part of the back surface of the sled contains a sensor, such as a galvanic sensor, that is in communication with posts that correspond with the connectors in the case (see, for example, supra and  FIG. 18A ). When the case containing the device is installed in the sled, software in the device can be used to detect signals received from the sensor. When used in conjunction with the sled, the case, and the mobile device, the sensor can be used to detect the blood pressure, pulse rate, temperature, carbon dioxide levels, or hemoglobin saturation of the user. In some embodiments, the sensor may be in communication with the sled, either with wires or wirelessly, but is not attached to the sled; for example, the sensor may be attached to another armband or chestband. A microcontroller may be attached to the band, or to the sled, to allow processing of data sent to and/or from the sensor. 
       FIG. 8  provides various perspective views of a float for use to house an electronic device and/or a housing or case for the same. The float disclosed herein may also be used to house an electronic device attached to sleds disclosed herein. Accordingly, the float is of a size and dimension so as to receive an electronic device or a housing for said device, and is further configured for protecting the device from shocks, such as from falls, and for protecting the device from sinking when subjected to a body of water. Consequently, the float is composed of a material that is capable of floating when subjected to a body of water. Hence, the float may be of any suitable size and dimension, such as a size to fit over a mobile phone, such as an Apple iPhone®, or a case therefore, or it may be sized to fit a tablet PC, such as an Apple iPad®, or a case therefore. For instance, in certain embodiments, the float may be configured for receiving therein a housing, which housing houses a mobile electronic device, such as a mobile telephone, and in such an instance, the float may have a width that ranges from about 40 mm to about 250 mm, such as from about 100 mm to about 200 mm, for instance, from about 150 mm to about 200 mm, including about 88 mm in width, and may have a length that ranges from about 50 mm to about 300 mm, such as from about 100 mm to about 250 mm, including from about 150 mm to about 200 mm, such as about 175 mm in length, and may have a thickness that ranges from about 5 mm to about 100 mm, such as from about 10 mm to about 50 mm, including from about 20 mm to about 40 mm, such as about 30 mm thick. In other instances, the float may be configured for receiving therein a housing, which housing houses a tablet computing device, such as a tablet PC or an electronic reader, and in such an instance, the float may have an exterior width that ranges from about 50 mm to about 500 mm, such as from about 100 mm to about 450 mm, including from about 150 mm to about 400 mm, such as from about 200 mm to about 350 mm, including from about 250 mm to about 300 mm, including about 242 mm in width, and may have an exterior length that ranges from about 50 mm to about 600 mm, such as from about 100 mm to about 550 mm, including from about 150 mm to about 500 mm, such as from about 200 mm to about 450 mm, including from about 250 mm to about 400 mm, for instance, from about 300 mm to about 350 mm in length, and may have an exterior thickness that ranges from about 5 mm to about 50 mm, such as from about 10 mm to about 45 mm, including from about 15 mm to about 40 mm, such as from about 20 mm to about 35 mm, including from about 25 mm to about 30 mm, including about 38 mm in thickness. It is understood that the float&#39;s interior dimensions will vary with the dimensions of the electronic device or housing therefore that is configured for being received within the float, and hence, both the exterior and interior dimensions will vary accordingly. The preceding description is not meant to be unduly limiting. 
     For instance, the interior dimensions of a float of the disclosure, such as for receiving a mobile telephone housing therein, may vary, and in certain instances may have an interior width that ranges from about 30 mm to about 225 mm, such as from about 40 mm to about 150 mm, for instance, from about 50 mm to about 100 mm, including about 66 mm in width, and may have an interior length that ranges from about 40 mm to about 250 mm, such as from about 60 mm to about 200 mm, including from about 75 mm to about 200 mm, such as from about 100 mm to about 150 mm, including about 131 mm in length, and may have an interior thickness that ranges from about 5 mm to about 75 mm, such as from about 10 mm to about 50 mm, including from about 15 mm to about 30 mm, such as about 20 mm thick. Additionally the interior dimensions of a float of the disclosure, such as for receiving a tablet computer housing therein, may vary, and in certain instances may have an interior width that ranges from about 25 mm to about 450 mm, such as from about 75 mm to about 400 mm, including from about 100 mm to about 350 mm, such as from about 150 mm to about 300 mm, including from about 200 mm to about 250 mm, including about 210 mm in width, and may have an interior length that ranges from about 30 mm to about 550 mm, such as from about 50 mm to about 500 mm, including from about 100 mm to about 450 mm, such as from about 150 mm to about 400 mm, including from about 200 mm to about 350 mm, for instance, from about 250 mm to about 300 mm, including about 266 mm in length, and may have an interior thickness that ranges from about 5 mm to about 45 mm, such as from about 10 mm to about 40 mm, including from about 15 mm to about 35 mm, such as from about 20 mm to about 30 mm, including from about 22 mm to about 25 mm in thickness. In certain embodiments, the thickness of a wall of the float may be from about 5 mm to about 50 mm, such as from about 10 mm to about 40 mm, including from about 15 mm to about 35 mm, for instance, from about 20 mm to about 30 mm, including about 25 mm for a proximal, distal, side walls, and/or a bottom wall. 
       FIG. 8A  provides a view of a float  70  of the disclosure wherein the float is coupled with a lanyard  75  which lanyard is configured for allowing the float  70  to easily be carried such as by being strung about a user&#39;s head, neck, wrist, waist, or other object. Like the sled  1 , the float  70  includes an elongated member having a perimeter portion, wherein the perimeter portion includes perimeter walls. The float  70  further includes a cavity defined by the perimeter walls into which cavity an electronic device or a housing therefore may be inserted. The float  70  includes four corners, and each of the corners may include a structural feature  71  that serves one or more functions. As depicted the structural features  71   a - 71   d  function to give structural support to the corners of the float  70 , as well as to provide an element by which the float  70  to be connected to a carrying mechanism  75 , such as a lanyard. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 8A , the lanyard  75  includes an elongated body ending in two opposing connector interfaces  75   a , which interfaces are coupled to a connector  75   b  that is configured for engaging a portion of the float  70  or a portion thereof. As depicted the connectors  75   b  are configured for engaging a hook portion of a support member  72 , which support members are positioned at the proximal corner hook receiving portions  74   a  and  74   b.    
     In this implementation, the supports  71   a - 71   d  are positioned at each corner and are configured for engaging an interior corner portion and passing through the interior corner portion to the exterior corner portion and forming a receptacle at the exterior corner so as to be capable of being coupled to a carrying mechanism so as to be carried thereby. As depicted four supports  71   a - 71   d  are provided at each of the corners thereby allowing the carrying device  75  to be connected to any of the corners and consequently allowing the housed device to be carried in a variety of orientations, e.g., horizontally and/or vertically. The corners, therefore, are configured for receiving a hook element portion of the support member, and consequently the corners include indented receiving portions  74   a - 74   d . In various instances, three, or two, or even just one corner may be coupled to a support element  71 , or the support member may be positioned not in a corner but at one or more sides, and/or the support member  71  will have a different configuration then provided herein so long as it is capable of supporting a side or a corner of the float and/or allowing for a carrying device to be connected thereto for carrying the float. 
     The float also includes several apertures, such as along its perimeter and/or its elongated surface. For instance, there may be one or a plurality of apertures positioned along its perimeter portion and/or one or more apertures on its elongated surface member. For example, exemplified in  FIG. 8B , there are two apertures  72   a  and  72   b  positioned on its proximal portion, e.g., so as to align with an earphone jack port and/or on on/off button of an underlying housed device thereby allowing access thereto, and there are two apertures  72   c  and  72   d  positioned on its distal portion, e.g., so as to align with a microphone and/or speaker portion of an underlying housed device. There is also an aperture  72   e  on one of its side portions, e.g., so as to align with a volume control and/or silence toggle, as well as an aperture  76  positioned on its elongated member, e.g., so as to align with a camera feature of an underlying housed device. Also depicted are support apertures  74   c  and  74   d  that receive the hook portion of the support members  72   c  and  72   d.    
       FIG. 8C  provides a distal portion of the float  70  wherein the lanyard connectors  75   b  are configured for engaging the hook portion of the support members  71   c  and  71   d , which support members are positioned at the distal corner hook receiving portions  74   c  and  74   d .  FIG. 8D  provides a distal corner of the float of  FIG. 8C  showing in detail the hook element portion of the support member  71   c  as well as its attachment to the lanyard connector  75   b .  FIG. 8E  provides a front view of an alternative embodiment of a float  70 , including aperture  76 . The aperture for the camera of the underlying portable electronic device can be any shape that allows for operation of the camera but does not interfere with the buoyant properties of the float. 
       FIGS. 9A-9G  provides various perspective views of a mount adapter  80  for use in conjunction with a sled  1  of our disclosure. The mount adaptor  80  is configured on one end so as to be coupled with a sled  1  of the disclosure, such as via association with an attachment aperture  20  of the sled  1 , and on the other end the mount adapter  80  is configured so as to be coupled to a mounting system, such as the one described herein. The mount adapter  80  may have any suitable configuration so long it is capable of coupling to a sled  1  of the disclosure and then coupling the sled  1  with one or more other tertiary mounting members. 
     As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 9A , in this embodiment, the mount adapter  80  is configured for being associated with the sled  1  via coupling with the attachment aperture  20 . For instance, the mount adapter  80  includes a base member having a top surface  80   a  and a bottom surface  80   b , wherein the bottom surface  80   b  of the mount adapter base  80  is configured for being associated with the sled  1  via the attachment aperture  20 . The base member  80  further includes sled attachment edge rails  81   a  and  81   b , such as on the perimeter portion of the bottom surface  80   b  of the base member  80 , which are configured for engaging a perimeter edge portion of the sled  1  to which the mount adapter  80  is to be attached. The base member  80  may have any suitable configuration so long as it is capable of associating the mount adapter  80  with the sled  1 . 
     Accordingly, in this embodiment, the base member  80  includes attachment edge rails  81   a  and  81   b  that are configured for engaging the edges  12   a  and  12   b  of the sled  1  in a manner such that the rails  81   a  and  81   b  wrap at least partially around the edges  12   a  and  12   b  so as to further prevent the mount adapter attachment base  80  from rotating with respect to the sled  1 . The mount adapter attachment base  80  need not move with respect to the sled  1  because it includes a mount adapter element  83 , which mount adapter element  83  is configured for interfacing with a suitable mount element in a moveable engagement. 
     Accordingly, although the moveable engagement of the mount adapter element  83  with the mount element may be configured in any suitable form so long as the engagement allows for the coupling of the sled  1  with the mount element, such as in a moveable engagement, in this embodiment, the engagement is accomplished via hinge element  84 . Specifically, the adapter base  80  includes a projection  83 , e.g., a mount adapter element, which projection includes on its distal portion a mount engagement member  84  that in this embodiment is configured as a hinge member. The hinge member  84  may include one or more prong elements, which in this instance includes two prong elements  84   a  and  84   b , however it is understood that one, two, three, or more prong elements could be included. 
     Further, as can be seen with respect to  FIG. 9A , the adapter base member  80  includes an aperture  86   a , which aperture  86   a  is configured for receiving a bolt member  86   b , e.g., a screw, a rivet, or other attachment mechanism, there through, which bolt member  86   b  may be employed to attach the adapter base member  80  to the sled  1 , such as at the attachment aperture  20 , which aperture  20  in this instance is a corresponding aperture sized to snuggly receive the bolt member  86   b  there through. 
     It is to be understood, however, that this attachment configuration may be configured in any suitable manner. For instance, although the descriptions herein provide an exemplified manner in which the adapter base member  80  is coupled to the sled  1  via corresponding attachment apertures  20  and  86   a  by a suitable bolt member  86   b , the particular coupling mechanism employed may differ from that set forth herein in many various suitable manners. For example, in various instances, the adapter base member  80  may be coupled to a sled  1  through a corresponding snap interface, as depicted with reference to  FIG. 4G , a corresponding clip interface, corresponding hinge interfaces, a snap interface, an adhesive interface, a hook and loop interface, a bolt or rivet interface, a slide and catch interface, and the like. Specifically, in certain instances, instead of having a bolt-receiving interface  86 , the adapter base member  80  may include a snap-tooth interface  25 , as depicted in  FIG. 4B , which snap-tooth interface may include one or a plurality of snap-teeth, each of which snap-teeth may include an attachment ledge interface that is configured for being coupled to an attachment ledge, e.g.,  20   c , of an attachment member  20 . 
       FIG. 9B  provides a perspective view of a back surface  80   b  of the mount adapter  80 . The adapter base member  80  includes an aperture bolt retaining member  87   a , which retaining member forms a boundary around a bolt receiving aperture  86   a . As indicated above, the aperture  86   a  is configured for receiving a bolt member  86   b , e.g., a screw, a rivet, or other attachment mechanism, there through. The mount adapter  80  includes a projection  83  that is configured as a mount adapter element that is configured as a hinge member  84 . The hinge member  84  includes two prong elements  84   a  and  84   b , which hinge prong elements  84   a  and  84   b  define a hinge receiving aperture  85   a  that is configured for receiving corresponding hinge prong elements from a mounting member. The mount adapter element  83  also includes an aperture  85   b , such as a pin receiving aperture that is configured for receiving a connection element, such as a pin, which pin may be inserted through the corresponding hinge apertures of the mount adapter member and mounting member so as to couple the two together in a moveable alignment. Also depicted are attachment edge rails  81   a  and  81   b.    
       FIG. 9C  provides a perspective view of the mount adapter  80  attached to a sled  1  of the disclosure. The front surface  80   a  of the mount adapter  80  is contacted with a back surface  10   b  of the sled  1 . The bolt receiving aperture  86   a  of the adapter is aligned with the attachment aperture  20  of the sled and a connector  86   b , e.g., a bolt, is inserted there through so as to couple the sled and adapter together. A connector retaining element  87   b , e.g., a nut, is then positioned in the connector retaining member  87   a  and the nut is applied to the bolt so as to secure the coupling of the sled  1  with the adapter. In this embodiment, this connection is a fixed connection, wherein the adapter is fixed to the sled in a non-moveable coupling. However, in other instances, such as that provided with respect to  FIG. 9E-9G , the mount adapter may be configured for being coupled to the sled in a moveable manner. 
       FIG. 9D  provides a perspective view of the front surface  10   a  of the sled  1  of  FIG. 9C  with the adapter  80  coupled thereto. 
       FIG. 9E  provides another embodiment of a mount adapter  90  for use in conjunction with a sled  1  of the disclosure so as to enable the sled  1  to be coupled to a suitable mounting member. In this embodiment, the mount adapter  90  is configured as an elongated member, which elongated member is defined by front and back opposed surfaces that are offset from one another by opposed side surfaces. The elongate member is further defined by a proximal portion and a distal portion, which portions each include a coupling interface  91  and  94 , respectively. The coupling interfaces of the proximal and distal portions of the elongated member may have any suitable configuration so long as they are capable of interfacing in a coupled engagement with the sled  1  and/or with a mounting member or an accessory therefore. 
     As can be seen with respect to  FIG. 9E , in this embodiment, the proximal and distal coupling portions of the elongated member  90  are configured as hinge interfaces  91  and  94 . The proximal hinge interface  91  in this instance includes three prong members  91   a ,  91   b , and  91   c  that are separated from one another by a space  92   a , which space is sized so as to receive corresponding prong members of another mount adapter, sled, or mounting member so as to be coupled therewith. It is to be understood however that less or more than three prong members may be included. The prong members each include a connector, e.g., pin, interface  92   b , which interface is configured as an aperture through which a connector  93 , e.g., a pin, may be inserted so as to couple the adapter  90  to the other adapter, sled, or mounting member. 
     The distal hinge interface  94  also includes prong members. In this instance, the distal hinge interface  94  includes two prong members  94   a  and  94   b , however, it is understood that said interface may include one, two, three, or more prong members dependent upon the desired configuration. The prong members  94   a  and  94   b  are separated from one another by a space  95   a , which space is sized so as to receive corresponding prong members of another mount adapter, sled, or mounting member so as to be coupled therewith. Accordingly, the prong members each include a connector, e.g., pin, interface  95   b , which interface is configured as an aperture through which a connector, e.g., a pin, may be inserted so as to couple the adapter  90  to the other adapter, sled, or mounting member. 
       FIGS. 9F and 9G  provide a perspective view of the mount adapter  90  of  FIG. 9E  coupled to a sled  1 . Specifically,  FIG. 9F  provides a perspective view of a mount adapter  90  coupled to a back surface  10   b  of a sled  1  of the disclosure. The connection interface  91  of the proximal portion of the mount adapter  90  is aligned with the aperture  20  of the sled  1  so that the adapter  90  is contacted with a back surface  10   b  of the sled  1 . The sled aperture  20  has a connector, e.g., a pin, such as a screw or bolt or the like, inserted there through, which pin passes through the connector interface  92   a , e.g., the pin aperture of the prong members  91 . A locking member, e.g., a nut, is further coupled to the connector so as to couple the adapter  90  to the sled  1 . In this embodiment, this connection is not a fixed connection, because the mount adapter  90  may rotate around the bolt or pin member. If a fixed connection is desired, an additional connection member, e.g., a screw may be inserted, such as through the distal interface portion, so as to pass through the sled  1  and thereby lock the alignment of the adapter member  90 .  FIG. 9G  provides a perspective view of the front surface  10   a  of the sled  1  of  FIG. 9F  with the adapter  90  coupled thereto. 
       FIG. 10A  provides a perspective view of a mount  107  for the sled  1  using the adapters  80 ,  90  shown in  FIGS. 9A-9G . The proximal end of the mount  107  includes a hinge region  108  with three hinge regions,  108   a ,  108   b  and  108   c  that interact with one of the hinge regions of the adapters  80  or  90 , joined by a pin  109 . The distal end of the mount includes a base attachment region  110 . The base attachment region includes a left  110   a  and a right slot  110   b  for connecting to a base. It also includes a left  111   a  and right distal hook  111   b  as well as a left  111   c  and right proximal hook  111   d  for removably connecting to a base. The mount  107  also includes a central region  112  that connects the proximal end of the mount  107  to the base attachment region  110  at the base attachment region connection point  113 . The central region  112  then curves from this attachment point  113  to the hinge region  108 . This curvature reduces the mass of the mount and provides additional flexibility. 
       FIG. 10B  provides a perspective view the mount  107 . A left  112   a  and a right slot  112   b  are shown in the central region provide flexibility to the mount and reduces the mass of the mount. The central region of the mount  112  attaches to the proximal end of the base attachment region. 
       FIG. 10C  provides a perspective view of a base  114  that attaches to the base attachment region  110  of the mount  107  shown in  FIG. 10B . The base attachment region  110  of the mount  107  shown in  FIG. 10B  slides into the right  105   a  and left slots  105   b  shown on either side of the mount attachment region  118  of the base  114  shown in  FIG. 10C . The center protrusion  116  shown in mount attachment region  118  of the base  114  of  FIG. 10C  holds the mount  107  from  FIG. 10B  in place when it is slid under the right  115   a  and left slots  115   b  on the base  114 . 
       FIG. 10D  provides a perspective view of the mount  107  of  FIG. 10B  attached to the base  114  of  FIG. 10C . The base attachment region  110  of the mount  107  is slid into the mount attachment region  118  of the base  114 . The right slot  115   a  of the base  114  is shown interacting with the right slot  110   a  of the mount  107 . The right slot  115   a  of the base  114  covers the right slot  110   a  of the mount  107 , so it cannot be seen in this perspective. In this configuration, the sled  1  can be attached to the hinges shown on the mount using the adapters  80 ,  90  shown in  FIGS. 9A-9G . The base can be attached to an article or structure. For example, the article or structure could be a helmet, skateboard, surfboard, hat, lanyard or wall. 
       FIG. 10E  provides a perspective view of the mounts shown in  FIG. 10D  and  FIG. 9G . The mount attached to the sled  1  protrudes two hinges  94   a  and  94   b  that interlock with the hinges  108   a ,  108   b  and  108   c . The pin  109  is inserted through the hole made when these hinges properly interlock. A mount tensioning member  116  allows for tension to be applied to the hinges across the length of the pin. This holds the sled  1  in place in relation to the mount  107  and base  114 . 
       FIG. 10F  provides a side perspective view of the mount  107  attached to the base  114  as well as the mount adapter  90  shown in  FIG. 9E . The use of the mount  107  and mount adapter  90  together allows the sled  1  to be articulated in relation to the base  114  at two points, providing additional flexibility to the positioning of the sled  1 .  FIG. 10G  provides a perspective view of the mount  107  and mount adapter  90  shown in  FIG. 10F  and  FIG. 9E  joined to the sled  1  and the base  114  of  FIG. 10C . The hinge interfaces  91   a ,  91   b  and  91   c  interlock with the hinge interfaces of  94   a  and  94   b . These form a channel that the pin  93  passes through. The assembly further includes a mount tensioning member  117  analogous to the pin tightener described above for  FIG. 10E . 
       FIG. 11A  provides a perspective view of the mount  107  and mount adapter  90  attached to a suction cup base  125 . In the embodiment shown, two mounts are used with the sled as shown in  FIG. 10G . The mount  107  shown in  FIG. 10G  is then attached to the suction cup base  125  instead of the base shown in  FIG. 10G . The suction cup base  125  can be adjusted using the mount tensioning member  119  and/or the arm hinge tensioning member  121 . Thus, the orientation of the mount with respect to the suction cup  122   b  can be adjusted at two points on the suction cup base  125 . Vacuum is created within the suction cup  122   b  by manipulating the vacuum arm  122   c  on the top casing of the suction cup  122   a . The vacuum can be release by pressing the vacuum release button  122   d .  FIG. 11B  shows the suction cup base  125  and mounts from a different perspective with the sled  1  attached to the mount adaptor  90 . 
       FIG. 11C  shows a perspective view of a different embodiment of a base with a suction cup bottom  97 . This base has a ball mount  98  for interacting with the tensioning member  68  described in  FIG. 6E . This mounting system allows for the sled  1  to be articulated at the position that the tensioning member  68  interacts with the ball mount  98 , but also at the ball mount hinge  99   a , tightened by the ball mount hinge tensioning member  99   b . Thus, a sled  1  positioned on the ball mount  98  would be able to rotate and bend via its interaction via the tensioning member  68 . Also, the ball mount  98  itself can articulate from side via its ball mount hinge  99   a . Further, the arm hinge  99   c  allows the entire arm comprising the ball mount hinge  99   a  and ball mount hinge tensioning member  99   b  to articulate along another axis, via manipulation of the arm hinge tensioning member  99   d.    
     Vacuum is created within the suction cup  100   d  by manipulating the vacuum arm  100   b  on top casing of the suction cup  100   c . The vacuum can be release by pressing the vacuum release button  100   a.    
       FIG. 11D  shows a perspective view of the ball mount  98 , as well as its ball mount hinge  99   a  and ball joint hinge tensioning member.  FIG. 11E  shows a view of the bottom of the suction cup base  97 . This view shows the suction cup  100   d  as well as the vacuum release tab  100   e . After the vacuum arm  100   b  and vacuum release button  100   a  have been manipulated, the vacuum release tab can be pulled to release the vacuum and remove the suction cup base  97  from a surface. 
       FIG. 11F  shows a perspective view of the suction cup base  97  attached to a sled  1  via its tensioning member  68  at the ball mount. This allows for the sled  1  to be rotated and articulated in any direction and removes the necessity of two or more mounts as described in  FIG. 11B . However, the mounts and sled described herein are compatible with either the hinged or ball joint mechanism. 
       FIG. 11G  shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a sled attached to a suction cup base. Similar embodiments of the sled are also shown in  FIGS. 1D-1H  and similar embodiments of the clasping element  14  and the locking element  15  are shown in  FIGS. 2H-2M . The sled includes a clasping element  14  and locking element  15  held between clasp retaining elements  14   o  and  14   p . The sled also includes hard stops  16   a  and  16   b , supporting elements  30   a  and  30   b , cutout portion  32   b  (cutout portion  32   a  not shown), and supporting element cutouts  30   c  and  30   d . The suction cup base is attached to the sled at elongated member  10 , the suction cup base including a tensioning member  68 , an suction cup arm  120  attached to a ball mount (not shown), an arm hinge tensioning member  121  that allows adjustment of the orientation of the suction cup arm  120 .  FIG. 11H  provides a perspective view of an alternative configuration of the sled attached to a suction cup base of  FIG. 11G , in which the sled is rotated horizontally on the ball mount (not shown) relative to the suction cup arm  120 . 
       FIG. 12A  is a perspective view of a broad base  123  similar to the one described in  FIG. 10C . However, the broad base  123  of  FIG. 12A  has a larger surface area to contact an article or structure. This surface area is made up of a skirt region  124  around the mount attachment region  118 . For example, the article or structure could be a helmet, skateboard, surfboard, hat, lanyard or wall. This larger surface area allows greater stability for the base when it is attached to an article or structure. The cut out  126  on the broad base  123  allows for easier removal of the broad base  123  from an article or structure after it has been adhered to an article or structure. 
       FIG. 12B  shows the broad base  123  of  FIG. 12A  with the mount  107  shown in  FIG. 10B  attached.  FIG. 12C  shows the sled  1  attached to the same mount  107  and broad base  123 . In other embodiments, the mount could include the ball mount  98  shown in  FIGS. 11C-F . 
       FIG. 13A  shows a sled  1 , mount tensioning member  116 , and mounting system for a tube  135 , for example, a tube on the frame of a bicycle. The mounting system for a tube  135  allows the tube to pass through its central cavity  134 . The tightening screws  129   a  and  129   b  are then adjusted to decrease the size of the central cavity  134  to fit the tube. The hinge mount  131  found on the mounting system for a tube  135  can then interact with the sled like the mounts shown in  FIGS. 11A-B .  FIG. 13B  shows the mounting system assembled with the sled  1 . In other embodiments, the mount could include the ball mount  98  shown in  FIGS. 11C-F . 
       FIG. 14A  shows a harness system  136  for mounting the sled  1  on a human body. The harness system  136  is attached to a mounting system  137  that is positioned on the body of the wearer. The mount  107  on the mounting system  137  is the same mount shown in  FIG. 10B  and can be positioned on the mounting system using a similar mount attachment region  118 . However the mount could include the ball mount  98  shown in  FIGS. 11C-F .  FIG. 14B  shows the same mounting system  136  with a sled  1  attached.  FIG. 14C  shows the mounting system as it would be arranged as worn by a person from the front.  FIG. 14C  shows how the strap system  138  is applied to a person. The right  138   a  and left shoulder straps  138   b  pass over the shoulders of the subject and attach to the top end of the mounting system. The right  138   d  and left waist straps  138   c . The size of the straps in the strap system  138  can be adjusted using the adjustor  139  shown on the left waist strap. In other embodiments, it could be on any of the straps.  FIG. 14D  provides a back view. The right  138   a  and left shoulder straps  138   b  meet at the shoulder strap connector  141 . The right  138   d  and left waist straps  138   c  meet at the waist strap connector  142 . The back strap  138   e  connects the shoulder strap connector  141  and the waist strap connector  142 . The strap system can be one as shown in  FIGS. 14A-D  or the strap system shown in  FIGS. 7E-7Q  could also be used. 
       FIG. 15A  shows a head harness system  143  for mounting the sled  1  to a human head. The head strap system  144  is attached to a mounting system  145  that is positioned on the head of the wearer. The mount  107  on the mounting system  145  is the same mount shown in  FIG. 10B , however the mount could include the ball mount  98  shown in  FIGS. 11C-F . The sled  1  is also shown in  FIG. 15A .  FIG. 15B  shows the same head harness system  143  with the sled  1  attached.  FIG. 15C  shows the head harness system  143  as it would be arranged as worn by a person from the front. The left strap  144   a , right strap  144   b  and top strap all contact the mounting system and pass to the back of the head of the wearer.  FIG. 15D  provides a view of the mounting system  143  with the sled  1  attached as worn by a person. The strap system  144  can be one as shown in  FIGS. 14A-C  or the strap system shown in  FIGS. 7E-7Q  could also be used. 
       FIG. 16A  provides a front proximal perspective view of a case with a charging system  146  that allows an electronic device contained within the case  146  without opening the case  146 . The four connectors  147   a ,  147   b ,  147   c  and  147   d  at the bottom of the case  146  are electrically joined to the electronic device within the case  146 . Two of the connectors are electrically + and − leads, while the other two connectors send and receive data. This arrangement of connectors is exemplary. Any arrangement could be used that allowed the electronic device to be charged without opening the case.  FIG. 16B  provides a front distal perspective view of the same case  146 .  FIG. 16C  provides a rear proximal view of the same case  146 .  FIG. 16D  provides a rear distal view of the same case.  FIG. 16E  provides a rear proximal view of the same case  146 .  FIG. 16F  provides another rear proximal view of the same case. 
       FIG. 17A  shows a front proximal view of the same case  146 . Here, the proximal door  148  of the case  146  has been removed, showing the 30 pin connector  149  that interfaces with the electronic device to provide power and data syncing. The proximal aperture  150  of the case  146  is also shown. The proximal aperture  150  has a 30 pin socket  153  for insertion of the 30 pin connector  149 . According to certain embodiments, the proximal aperture interacts with the proximal door  148  to create a water tight seal. Tabs on the front  151  and rear  152  sides of the case  146  allow the proximal door  148  to be attached securely to the case  146 . 
       FIG. 17B  shows the opposite perspective of the proximal door  148  of the case  146 . The connection between the four connectors  147   a ,  147   b ,  147   c  and  147   d  that pass through the proximal wall  155  of the proximal door  148  and the 30 pin connector  149  are shown. The wires connecting the four connectors  154   a ,  154   b ,  154   c  and  154   d  with the 30 pin connector  149  are exaggerated in size to show the connection. 
       FIG. 17C  shows the same perspective with the four connectors  147   a ,  147   b ,  147   c  and  147   d  hidden behind a circuit board  156  and the wires  154   a ,  154   b ,  154   c  and  154   d  connecting the circuit board  156  and four connectors  147   a ,  147   b ,  147   c  and  147   d  with the 30 pin connector  149  are hidden behind the 30 pin connector  149 .  FIG. 17D  provides a side perspective of the proximal door  148  of the case  146 . The proximal door  148  has a U-shaped design. The front  157  and rear walls  158  of the proximal door  148  contain tabs  157   a  and  158   a  that allow the proximal door  148  to attach to the front  151  and rear  152  sides of the proximal aperture  150  and thereby attach to the case  146 . These tabs  157   a  and  158   a  interact with the front  151  and rear walls  152  of the proximal opening  150  to create tension, holding the proximal door  148  in place when it is inserted into the proximal opening  150  in the case  146 . 
       FIG. 17E  provides a view of the proximal opening of the case  146  as well as a side view of the proximal door  148 .  FIG. 17F  shows outside and inside perspectives of the proximal door  148 .  FIG. 17G  shows the proximal door  148  being inserted into the proximal opening  150  of the case  146 .  FIG. 17H  is a side view of the proximal door being inserted into the proximal opening of the case. The tabs  157   a  and  158   a  in the front  157  and rear walls  158  of the proximal door  148  are shown. 
     In some embodiments of the case, the proximal door is detachable from the case, and may or may not remain connected to the case by a tether. In some embodiments, the proximal door is attached to the case by a hinge. The proximal door may be chamfered in order to guide the door into the case and allow the interface connector (e.g. a 30 pin connector) attached to the proximal door to contact a port for a device in the case. A gasket may be affixed to either the proximal aperture or the proximal door to aid in creating a water tight seal. The circuit board in the proximal door may also aid in creating a water tight seal. 
     In some embodiments of the case, only two connectors may be used, for example as electrical + and − leads, or as connectors to send and receive data. In some embodiments, more than four connectors may be used. The connectors may be able to transmit digital, analog, or optical signal data, such as audio, video, control signals, security signals, biometric data, and the like. In some embodiments, the connectors may be able to transmit fluids, such as gas or liquid as part of supplying power from a fuel cell. The connectors may be proud, recessed, or flush with the edge of the case. The connectors may be tensioned or sprung. 
     The interface connector may be, for example, a 30 pin connector, a USB connector (standard, mini, or micro), a Lightning connector, or a DisplayPort connector (standard or mini). The connectors that pass through the proximal door are sealed to prevent liquid from passing through the proximal door. The connectors that pass through the proximal door may be constructed from any suitable material that can transmit a signal, such as beryllium copper. Preferably, the connectors are resistant to corrosion, and may be coated in a corrosion resistant substance, such as gold or gold alloy. 
     In some embodiments the proximal door may also contain an integrated circuit (IC) in communication with the interface connector. The IC may be an authentication IC that allows one or more software applications on the device to confirm that the case is in use with the device. The authentication IC may also confirm that the case is not a counterfeit. In some embodiments, an authentication IC is housed within the interface connector. In some embodiments, the authentication IC is housed in a sled, such as the sled shown in  FIGS. 18A-C  and described infra. 
     In some embodiments, the proximal door may also contain a sensor to ensure that a signal or electrical power only passes through when the case containing the device is actually docked. The sensor may have a transmitter, a receiver, or both a transmitter and receiver and communicates with the circuit board in the proximal door. The sensor may be any sensor suitable for detecting docking, such as an optical sensor, magnetic sensor, pressure sensor or voltage sensor. In some embodiments, a radio frequency identification chip (RFID chip) may be attached to the proximal door. The RFID chip may passive, active, or battery-assisted passive. The device inside the case, or another device, may be able to interrogate the RFID chip and receive radio signals transmitted therefrom. If the proximal door is detached from the case, the device in the case, or another device, may be able to detect the RFID chip in the proximal door when it is within the interrogation zone of the RFID chip, regardless of whether the proximal door is clearly visible to the user. In some embodiments, a sensor or RFID chip is housed in a sled, such as that shown in  FIGS. 18A-C  and described infra. 
       FIG. 18A  provides a front perspective of a sled  1  that has been fitted with a charging system for an electronic device held inside the case  146  described in  FIGS. 17A-17H  or a case with similar power transmission mechanism in its proximal region. At the proximal end  162  of the sled  1  are four electronic posts  159  that correspond with four connectors in the proximal door  148  of a case for an electronic device. These posts  159  could be arranged to fit with any arrangement of connectors on the proximal door  148  or proximal end of a case. The four posts  159  are connected to a 12V car plug  161  by a wire  160 . However, any plug to a power source could be used. A two prong or three prong plug for any wall socket could be used. Also, any data/power plugs that interact with a computer including USB and FireWire plugs could also be used. 
       FIG. 18B  shows the same sled  1  shown in  FIG. 18A  mounted on a suction cup base  163  via a ball mount. The suction cup base  163  is attached to the sled via a ball mount held within a tensioning element  68  attached to the sled  1 . The suction cup base includes a suction cup  163   c  in which a vacuum is created using the vacuum lever  163   a . The cup body  163   b  provides stability for the suction cup base  163  on the suction cup  163   c . The suction cup tab  163   d  allows for easier removal of the suction cup  163   c  upon release of the vacuum lever  163   a.    
       FIG. 18C  shows the same sled  1  and suction cup base  163  from the opposite side.  FIG. 18D  shows the same sled with a suction mount from the bottom. From this perspective, the ball joint  164  can be seen within the ball attachment member receiving receptacle  62  surrounded by the tensioning member  68 . This perspective also provides a view of a 30 pin socket  165  for powering and providing data connection to the four posts. This sled could be used with any mount, including those shown in  FIGS. 11A-11F . 
       FIG. 19A  shows a magnified view of the four posts  159  on the proximal end  162  of the sled  1  that interact with four connectors on the proximal end of a case. The posts are held inside the proximal corners of the sled  1 .  FIG. 19B  shows the back proximal end of the sled. This end has a socket for a 30 pin connector  165  to connect the four posts  159  to power and/or data. Also shown is a 30 pin connector  166  that could connect via the wire to a plug for transmission of power or data.  FIG. 19C  shows a 30 pin connector  166  being inserted into the socket  165  on the proximal rear end  162  of the sled  1 . Also shown is the tensioner  68  surrounding the ball joint  164 .  FIG. 19D  shows a magnified view of the four posts  159  on the sled  1  that interact with the four connectors  147   a ,  147   b ,  147   c  and  147   d  on the proximal door  148  of the case  146 .  FIG. 19E  provides a front proximal perspective view of a case  146  with a charging system that allows an electronic device contained within the case without opening the case.  FIG. 19F  shows the same view as  FIG. 19B  without the 30 pin connector plug. 
       FIG. 20A  shows the sled  1  with the four posts  159  and the case  146  with the four connectors  147   a ,  147   b ,  147   c  and  147   d  on its proximal door  148 . The suction cup base  163  is also shown.  FIG. 20B  shows how the case  146  fits into the sled  1 . 
       FIG. 21A  shows an embodiment, where the proximal door  148  is directly connected to a source of power/data transmission via a wire  165 . In this embodiment, the inner walls  157  and  158  of the door have triangular tabs  157   b  and  158   b  on them that assist the proximal door  148  in attaching to the proximal opening  150  on the case  146 .  FIG. 21B  is a side view of the same proximal door  148 . The proximal door  148  is the same as described above, except that the four connectors are replaced with a plug directly wired  165  to a power source or data transmission source. In certain embodiments, an O-ring is placed around the inner door plug  166  from which the 30 pin connector  149  extends. This O-ring enhances the waterproof aspect of the case. Also shown are the triangular tabs in the front  157   b  and rear walls  158   b  of the proximal door  148 . The front wall tab  157   a  is also present.  FIG. 21C  is a perspective view of the proximal door. 
       FIG. 21D  provides a side perspective of a USB connector  167 . In certain embodiments, this USB connector  167  is used to connect the wire  165  integrated into the proximal door  148  to a computer or plug for access to a power or data source.  FIG. 21E  provides a proximal side view of the proximal door  148 . In this embodiment, the triangular tabs  157   b  and  158   b  are absent on the front  157  and rear  158  sides of the proximal door  148 . In this embodiment, the tabs  157  and  158   a  shown on the front  157  and rear  158  sides of the proximal door  148  hold the door in place when it is inserted into the proximal aperture  150  of the case  146 .  FIG. 21F  provides a rear view of the case  146  showing an additional embodiment of the proximal door  148 . In this embodiment, the proximal door  148  is attached to the case  146  by a hinge  167 .  FIG. 21G  shows a front view of the back half of the case  168  with the attached proximal door  148  attached via a hinge  167 . This embodiment has the curved tabs  157   a  and  158   a  shown in  FIG. 21E . 
       FIG. 22A  shows a front view an inductive coil  170  that, in certain embodiments, is installed into the cases  146  described, herein. The inductive coil  170  allows for charging of the electronic device inside the case  146  without opening the case  146 . Indeed, the inductive coil  170  allows for charging of the electronic device without penetrating the case  146  with a wire of any kind. The inductive coil  170  is linked to a 30 pin plug  149  via a circuit board  171  and wires  172 . When the inductive coil in the case is in sufficient proximity to a second induction coil connected to a power source, the proximity of the two induction coils forms a transformer and allows a charging voltage to be supplied to the device. In some embodiments, the inductive coil is connected to another type of connector or plug capable of supplying power to the device, such as a USB connector (standard, mini, or micro) or a Lightning connector. The 30 pin connector  149  can be inserted into the electronic device or into an adapter in the case  146  to charge the device from the coil  170 .  FIG. 22B  shows a rear view of the same inductive coil  170 . In some embodiments, the connector or plug for supplying power is part of a waterproof proximal door, such as that described supra and in  FIGS. 16-17 . In some embodiments, the case lacks a proximal door and the connector for supplying power is attached directly to the case. 
       FIG. 22C  provides a front detailed view of the wire  172  and 30 pin connector  149 . The 30 pin connector  149  is pointed back toward the inductive coil  170 . Thus, the electronic device can plug into the connector  149  on its proximal end and be laid on top of the coil  170   FIG. 22D  shows a rear detailed view of another embodiment of the wire  172  and 30 pin connector  149 . In this embodiment, the 30 pin connector  149  projects 90 degrees from the wire  172  perpendicular to the surface of the wire  172  and the inductive coil  170 . This orientation is appropriate for electronic devices with a connector on their rear surface or for interacting with an adapter that plugs directly into the electronic device. 
       FIG. 22E  provides a proximal rear perspective of the case  146  including an inductive coil  170 . This proximal end of the case has a proximal aperture  150  that has not been covered by a proximal door  148 .  FIG. 22F  shows the inductive coil  170  shown in  22 B positioned along the rear portion  168  of a case  146 . The wire  172  extending from the coil  170  enters the proximal aperture  150  at the proximal end of the case  146 .  FIG. 22G  provides a rear proximal view of the case  146  with the shape of the inductive coil  170  shown through the surface of the rear portion  168  of the case. The circuit board  171  at the proximal end of the wire  172  extends from the inductive coil  170  to the proximal aperture  150 .  FIG. 22H  provides a proximal view of the case  146  showing the interior of the proximal aperture  150  and the circuit board  173  within. Again, the inductive coil  170  is shown through the rear surface of the rear portion  168  of the case  146 .  FIG. 22I  is a front view of the proximal end of the rear portion  168  of the case  146 . Here, the circuit board  171  is shown while the inductive coil  170  is hidden, embedded in the rear wall of the rear portion  168  of the case  146 . The proximal door  148  is configured with a hinge  167  and is shown closed.  FIG. 22J  provides a perspective view of the rear portion  168  of the case  146  with the inductive coil  170  embedded in the rear wall of the rear portion  168  of the case  146 . The proximal door  148  is shown configured with a hinge  167  and open. In some embodiments, the proximal door is not connected to the case, or is linked to the case via a tether. The circuit board  171  is connected to the door  148  by a wire  172 .  FIG. 22K  shows the rear view of the case. The inductive coil and associated circuitry is embedded inside the wall of the case  146 . 
       FIG. 22L  shows a charger  174  that is associated with the inductive coil embodiment of the case  146 . The charger  174  is shaped to hold the case  146  over a second induction coil  175  that energizes the inductive coil  170 . The second induction coil receives electrical power from a power source, such as a battery, generator, or from a wall socket. The wire  176  at the distal end of the charger  174  is connected to a power source, and is electrically connected with the second induction coil.  FIG. 22M  shows the case  146  with an inductive coil  170  containing an electronic device interacting with the inductive charger  174 . Note that the case  146  does not have to directly contact the inductive charger  174  in order for power to flow to the inductive coil  170  and thus to the electronic device. In certain embodiments, the inductive charger  174  is shaped so that the case  146  can be laid down into it, but the charger  174  could also be flat with the case  146  laid on top of it in any orientation, such as the perpendicular orientation shown in  FIG. 22M . The induction coil in the case and the second induction coil in the inductive charger merely need to be in sufficient proximity and alignment to allow the two coils to interact electromagnetically and allow power transfer between them. In some embodiments, the inductive charger is sealed in a manner to prevent liquid, such as water, from entering the inductive charger. In some embodiments, the inductive charger allows charging of a device inside a case when exposed to a liquid, such as water. 
       FIG. 23A  shows a sled  1  with a 30 pin connector  177  associated with it. This 30 pin connector  177  can plug directly to an electronic device contained within a case  146  that has a proximal door  148  that allows direct access to the device.  FIG. 23B  shows a similar sled  1 , wherein instead of a 30 pin connector  177 , the sled  1  includes a four post device  178  that can interact with the four connector embodiment of the case  146 . 
       FIG. 23C  shows a socket for a 30 pin connector for receiving a 30 pin insertion portion there within for the purpose of charging and/or transmitting data when coupled to both an electronic device and a 30 pin connector power cord/data transfer cord. The socket may be positioned any suitable place on the stand, and in this instance is positioned at the proximal rear end. In certain embodiments, the socket is positioned on the proximal rear portion of the sled  1 . 
       FIG. 23D  shows a front proximal perspective of the rear portion  168  of the case  146  with a proximal door  148  with four pins  181   a ,  181   b ,  181   c , and  181   d  for interacting with the posts shown in  FIG. 23B . These pins  181   a ,  181   b ,  181   c , and  181   d  can be in any number or any configuration appropriate for transmitting power and/or data to the electronic device inside the case  146 . The pins in the proximal door  148  communicate electronically to the electronic device via the wires  154   a ,  154   b ,  154   c  and  154   d  and 30 pin connector  149 . The wires  154   a ,  154   b ,  154   c  and  154   d  sizes are exaggerated to show the connection. 
       FIG. 23E  shows view of the proximal interior of a stand  182  for an electronic device held with the case  146  shown above in  FIG. 23D . The four pins  181   a ,  181   b ,  181   c , and  181   d  on the proximal door  148  of the case  146  meet with the pins  180   a ,  180   b ,  180   c  and  180   d  at the proximal base  183  of this stand  182 .  FIG. 23F  shows a rear view of the stand  182 . A socket for a 30 pin connector  184  is shown in the rear portion of the stand  182  connecting to the four pins  180   a ,  180   b ,  180   c  and  180   d  shown in  FIG. 23E . This form of connection to power and/or data is exemplary. Any connection form can be used to transmit power and/or data to the stand and thereby to the electronic device in the case  146 . This perspective also provides a view of the base  185  of the stand  182 .  FIG. 23G  shows the case  146  positioned inside the stand  182  so that the pins  181   a ,  181   b ,  181   c , and  181   d  in the proximal door  148  of the case  146  are in contact with the pins  180   a ,  180   b ,  180   c  and  180   d  in the stand  182 . This allows the electronic device inside the case  146  to be charged and/or synced without opening the case  146 .  FIG. 23H  is a front view of the case  146  inside the stand  182 . 
       FIG. 24A  shows a front view of a battery  101   a  that can be used in conjunction with the case described herein to provide a supplemental power source to an electronic device. The battery  101   a  is connected to a circuit board  102  by two wires, a left wire  101   b  and a right wire  101   c . The connection between the battery and a circuit board can be made using any method known in the art. In certain embodiments, a circuit board is not needed and the battery is connected directly to an electronic device through a wire and/or a connector. Also, shown in a 30 pin connector  103  that connects the battery to a socket on the electronic device. This 30 pin connector  103  can be oriented in any direction that allows easy access for the 30 pin connector  103  to the electronic device. In addition to a 30 pin connector, the connector that connects the battery to a socket on the electronic device may be any suitable connector known in the art, such as a USB connector (standard, mini, micro) or Lightning connector. 
       FIG. 24B  shows the battery  101   a  from a rear view. The left  101   b  and right  101   c  wires are both shown connecting the battery  101   a  to the circuit board  102 . Also shown on the circuit board is a micro-USB connector  104 . The micro-USB connector  104  is used to provide data access to the electronic device while it is electronically coupled to the battery  101   a . The micro-USB connector  104  or any other type of connector serving the same function, can be positioned near the proximal end of the circuit board or the battery to allow access to the connector.  FIG. 24C  shows the battery  101   a  positioned on the rear portion of a case  105 . The battery  101   a  is positioned on or within the rear portion of the case  105 . The micro-USB connector  104  can be accessed through the proximal door  106  at the proximal end of the case  105 . This way, data can be transmitted to and from the electronic device without disconnecting it from the battery  101   a . In certain embodiments, the micro-USB connector  104  is replaced with other connection options, such as other USB configurations or a 30 pin configuration. In certain embodiments, the electronic device and the battery  101   a  can both be charged through connecting through micro-USB connector  104 , or another type of connector to a power source. 
     The invention also envisions cases, including battery-containing cases (see e.g.,  FIGS. 24A-C ), which also include a powered flash unit integrated into the rear portion of a case. Depending on the number and position of the electronic digital camera(s) included in the electronic device to be housed inside the case, the flash unit may either serve as the primary or sole flash for the associated camera or as a supplementary flash to a flash unit included in the electronic device. 
     Preferably, the case-mounted flash will be synchronized with the digital camera with which it is associated when the device is housed within the case. In many embodiments this accomplished using a preferably programmable electronic timing circuit, which can either be in the device or in the case. When the timing circuit is in the device, the case-mounted flash of the invention is in electrical communication with device so that it can be triggered under when necessary. In such embodiments, the interior of the case includes the electronic circuitry and connections required to provide electrical communication and control between the timing circuit and flash unit. When the timing circuit is in the case, the case includes the required electronics. 
     In other embodiments, there is no electrical connection between the camera and case-mounted flash for purposes of controlling the case-mounted flash. For example, if the device itself includes a flash unit associated with the electronic digital camera, in some embodiments the case-mounted flash unit can be triggered using a case-mounted optical sensor to sense firing of the device&#39;s flash. When the case-mounted sensor senses a flash from the master flash of the device, an electronic controller in the case that controls firing of the case-mounted flash triggers the case-mounted flash to fire. Energy for the case-mounted flash can be drawn from the battery of the supplemental power source housed inside the case, although in some embodiments, energy may be drawn from the device&#39;s internal power supply. In such embodiments, the case includes circuitry that provides electrical communication between the device&#39;s power supply and the case-mounted flash. 
       FIG. 24D  depicts a representative example of a case that includes a flash unit. In the illustrated embodiment, the case-mounted powered flash unit  190  is integrated into the rear portion of a case  105 . Required electrical connections between the case-mounted flash unit and device are provided on the interior portion of the case (not shown). 
     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. 
       FIGS. 25A-B  show an imaging system that a case  200  for an electronic device (not shown) having at least one built-in camera, such as a smart phone (e.g., an iPhone 4S, an iPhone 5, a Galaxy S, etc.) and a detachable lens  210 . The case  200  can include an attachment point or mount  201  for an easily mounted, detachable camera lens  210  in a region of the case  202  that includes an optically clear region  203  that aligns with the device when it is properly positioned in the case. In other embodiments, instead of an optically clear region that aligns with an electronic device when positioned in the case, this region of the case includes a feature (or combination of features), preferably providing a watertight connection, that allow for attachment of any complementary detachable lens. For example, this region of the case may include a threaded port into which a threaded plug having an optically clear window can be inserted. When desired, the plug can be readily removed and replaced by a detachable camera lens having a complementary threaded connection. 
     The detachable lens  210  can be of any suitable variety, including a fish-eye, wide-angle, telephoto, zoom, or macro lens or assembly of lenses. If desired, the lens  210  can also accommodate one or more optical filters adapted for attachment to the front of the lens, opposite the end of the lens adapted for detachable connection with the case. 
     The attachment point or mount  201  of the case can include any mechanical or other attachment element, or combinations or grouping of mechanical or other attachment elements, compatible with the complementary mounting feature(s) on the mounting surface  211  of the detachable lens  210 . Such attachment features include threaded or flange-type connectors, as well as magnetic connectors. Also included in the invention are embodiments wherein the connection between the case  200  and detachable lens  210  is waterproof. Preferably, a watertight seal between the case and lens is achieved using a gasket or seal disposed on periphery of the mounting surface of the detachable lens. 
       FIG. 25A  shows a representative example of a particular mounting system that uses ferromagnetic force to detachably connect the lens to the case. As is known, magnetic force can be used to detachably connect components that each have a magnet, the poles of which are preferably oriented to maximize magnetic attraction between the magnets so as to facilitate and/or stabilize lens attachment to the case. Alternatively, one of the two components (i.e., the detachable lens or the case) may contain a magnet while the other component contains a ferromagnetic material (e.g., iron, nickel, cobalt, alloys containing such substances, lodestone, and the like). In such embodiments, magnetic force can be used to rapidly, easily, and reversibly attach the detachable lens to the case. If desired, other features, such as one or more complementary alignment pins and holes, ridges, bumps, etc. can be included on the mounting surface  211  of the detachable lens  210  and attachment point or mount  201  of the case to ensure proper alignment of the lens with the case, and ultimately, with a camera disposed on the device housed within the case. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 25B , the mounting surface  211  of the detachable lens  210  includes a ring-shaped magnet or magnetized region  212 . As those in the art will appreciate, other magnet configurations can be used, including those where a face or surface of the magnet(s) are not exposed and instead are positioned just below the mounting surface  211  of the lens  210 . Similarly, the component(s) in the attachment point or mount  201  of the case can include one or more appropriately oriented magnets or be ferromagnetic such that the ferromagnetic magnet(s) are magnetically attracted to the magnetized region of the lens  210  when the two are positioned near enough for secure yet detachable connection. 
       FIGS. 26A-C  illustrate cross section side views of an embodiment of a case that has a proximal opening and a connector that forms a water tight seal when inserted into the proximal opening.  FIG. 26A  shows a portion of a mobile device  280  with a port  282  to receive a connector. The mobile device is inside a case  283  having a proximal opening  285  that is proximate the port  282 . A water sealed connector  286  is near the proximal opening  285 . The water sealed connector can mate with the port, and may be any suitable connector, such as a 30 pin connector, a USB connector (e.g. standard, mini, or micro), Lightning connector, or DisplayPort connector. The water sealed connector is sealed from entry by water or aqueous liquids at connector sealed points  289   a ,  289   b ,  289   c ,  289   d . Sealing of the connector sealed points may be accomplished, for example, using a sleeve or coating formed from a material that resists or repels water (e.g. rubber or silicon). The water sealed connector  286  may have a connector gasket  287  that surrounds a portion of the water sealed connector  286 , such that when the connector is inserted through the proximal opening and mated with the port, a water tight seal is formed between the proximal opening of the case and the water sealed connector.  FIG. 26B  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the proximal opening, in which a proximal opening gasket  284  is molded to a portion of the inner face  285   b  of the proximal opening  285   a  of the case  283 . 
       FIG. 26B  also illustrates an embodiment of the water sealed connector  286  that includes a connector face gasket  281 . One of skill in the art would understand that the connector face gasket of  FIG. 26B  could be used in combination with the connector gasket shown in  FIG. 26A . The connector face gasket can also be used to provide a water tight seal between the water-sealed connector and the mobile device. When the water sealed connector is inserted into the proximal opening and mated with the port of the mobile device, a water tight seal is formed between the inner face of the proximal opening of the case and the water sealed connector.  FIG. 26C  illustrates the water sealed connector  286  of  FIG. 26A  inserted into the proximal opening of the case  283  and mated with the mobile device port  282 . Proximal opening gasket  284  seals the proximal opening from entry of water or other aqueous liquids. 
       FIG. 27  shows a waterproof microphone and controller  300  for an electronic cord, in accordance with preferred implementations. The waterproof microphone and controller  300  can be used with a mobile computing device, or with an encasement for a mobile computing device, as described herein. The waterproof microphone and controller  300  includes a body  302  that encases an electronic controller and microphone (not shown). The body  302  can be formed of any type of water or liquid resistant material, and may include one or more sealing members to seal the electronic controller and microphone from intrusion by a liquid such as water. In some implementations, the material is silicone, but may include plastic, metal, or any other material that can be sealed against liquid intrusion. 
     In some implementations, the body  302  includes opposing sock members  304  for receiving and coupling with distal ends of electric cables  305 . The distal ends of the cables  305  may include a special electronic interface. In preferred implementations, the sock members  304  are configured for being overlaid on the distal ends of the cable. One or more collets  303  can be coupled around each of the sock members  304 , preferably as a final assembly step. The collets  303  slightly crush the material that forms the body  302  and/or sock members  304  to form a water tight seal, so that no water can get in by the cable insulation jacket and/or sock members  304 . In some implementations, the opposing sock members  304  are unitary with at least part of the body  302 . In other implementations, the body  302  can include additional jackets for overlaying the sock members  304 . 
     The body  302  includes one or more control button regions  306  for enabling operation and control of control buttons, switches, latches, etc., of the electronic microphone and controller within the body  302 . For instance, the body  302  can include a volume up, volume down, mute, or other button. The body  302  further includes one or more sealed apertures  308  that are sealed by a water impermeable film or fabric, coupled with the material of the body  302  and overlaying a water permeable electronic feature such as a microphone or speaker. With the waterproof microphone and controller  300  described herein, and its variants, an accessory such as a headphone, earpiece, microphone, camera or other peripheral can be used with a waterproof encasement to encase a mobile computing device.