Systems for Securing a Mobile Device in a Waterproof Case

Abstract

A mobile device case comprises a seal member and a sealing channel to receive the seal member. The sealing channel exerts a force of the seal member perpendicular to a direction of travel of an upper section of the mobile device case. The mobile device case may further comprise a latching system and an accessory rail mounting fixture integrated into a hinge mechanism.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of mobile device cases, and more specifically to sealing systems for mobile device cases.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed a mobile device case. An exemplary mobile device case may comprise a case upper section. The case upper section may comprise an upper rim encircling at least a portion of an outer edge of the case upper section, and a first portion of a hinge mechanism coupled to an outer surface of the upper rim. The case upper section may further comprise a sealing channel. The exemplary mobile device case may further comprise a case lower section. The case lower section may comprise a lower rim encircling at least a portion of an outer edge of the case lower section. A second portion of the hinge mechanism may be coupled to an outer edge of the case lower section. The second hinge portion may be pivotably engaged with the first hinge portion and may form a rail mounting fixture in conjunction with the first hinge portion when the upper and lower case sections are in a closed relationship. The lower case section may further comprise an elastomeric seal member comprising a seal bead extending outward from a body of the seal member. The seal member may be adapted to engage the sealing channel when the case upper and lower sections are in the closed relationship. The seal bead may be urged in a direction generally perpendicular to a direction of travel of the case upper section and may contact a sidewall of the sealing channel.

According to additional exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure may be directed to a mobile device case. An exemplary mobile device case may comprise a case upper section comprising an upper rim encircling at least a portion of an outer edge of the case upper section, and a case lower section comprising a lower rim encircling at least a portion of an outer edge of the case lower section. The upper rim may comprise a generally U-shaped sealing channel comprising opposing first and second sidewalls and a top wall disposed between the first and second sidewalls. The first sidewall may be oriented at an obtuse angle to the top wall, and the second sidewall may be oriented generally perpendicular to the top wall. The exemplary mobile device case may further comprise an elastomeric seal member comprising a body section coupled at a proximal end to the case lower section. The body section may extend upward from the case lower section adjacent to the lower rim and may terminate at a distal end. The distal end may comprise a seal bead. The first sidewall of the sealing channel may contact the distal end of the seal member when the case upper and lower sections are in a closed relationship, thereby urging the seal bead in a direction generally perpendicular to a direction of travel of the case upper section such that the seal bead contacts the second sidewall.

According to further exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure may be directed to a seal system for a mobile device case. An exemplary seal system may comprise a case upper section comprising a generally U-shaped sealing channel. The sealing channel may comprise opposing first and second sidewalls and a top wall disposed between the first and second sidewalls. The first sidewall may be oriented at an obtuse angle to the top wall, and the second sidewall may be oriented generally perpendicular to the top wall. The exemplary seal system may further comprise a case lower section, and an elastomeric seal member comprising a body section coupled at a proximal end to the case lower section. The body section may extend upward from the case lower section and terminate at a distal end. The distal end may comprise a seal bead. The first sidewall of the sealing channel may contact the distal end of the seal member when the case upper and lower sections are in a closed relationship, thereby urging the seal bead in a direction generally perpendicular to a direction of travel of the case upper section such that the seal bead contacts the second sidewall. A plurality of latch members may be pivotably coupled to the case upper section. Each latch member may comprise an inner surface and an outer surface. An elastomeric engagement feature may extend generally perpendicular from the latch member inner surface and terminate at a distal end. A flange may be disposed around the distal end. The exemplary seal system may additionally comprise a mating feature disposed within the case lower section, comprising an opening adapted to receive the engagement feature therein, a diameter of the opening less than a diameter of the flange. The flange may be compressed when received by the mating feature and may expand when the flange passes through the opening, thereby releasably coupling the latch member to the case lower section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile device case in an open position according to various embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a mobile device case in an open position with a mobile device positioned in the case according to various embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a mobile device case according to various embodiments.

FIG. 4A is a side cross-sectional view of a mobile device case according to various embodiments.

FIG. 4B is a detail view of a hinge mechanism of a mobile device case according to various embodiments.

FIG. 5A is a perspective cross-sectional view of a mobile device case according to various embodiments.

FIG. 5B is a detail view of a seal system of a mobile device case according to various embodiments.

FIG. 5C is a detail view of a seal system of a mobile device case according to various embodiments.

FIG. 6A is a perspective cross-sectional view of a mobile device case according to various embodiments.

FIG. 6B is a detail view of a latch member of a mobile device case according to various embodiments.

FIG. 6C is a detail view of a latch member of a mobile device case according to various embodiments.

FIG. 6D is a detail view of a latch member of a mobile device case according to various embodiments.

FIG. 7A is a side view of a mobile device case in an open position according to various embodiments.

FIG. 7B is a detail view of a combination hinge mechanism and rail mounting fixture of a mobile device case according to various embodiments.

FIG. 8A is a partial perspective view of a mobile device case illustrating port plugs in an open position according to various embodiments.

FIG. 8B is a partial perspective view of a mobile device case illustrating port plugs in a closed position according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to various embodiments of a mobile device case with a waterproof seal system. The mobile device case may comprise an upper and lower section coupled by a hinge mechanism. One of the upper and lower sections may comprise a seal member and the other may comprise a sealing channel to receive the seal member such that a seal geometry and the sealing channel reduce a reaction force acting against the upper and lower sections, thereby increasing initial contact compression pressure on the seal member. The seal system may be energized with external pressure applied to the upper and lower sections to couple the sections. The seal system may further comprise a plurality of latch members pivotably coupled to the upper section and a plurality of mechanical interlocks positioned along a rim of the upper and lower sections. The hinge mechanism may also comprise a rail mounting system for coupling accessories to the mobile device case.

I. Overview

FIG. 1 illustrates various embodiments of a mobile device case 100 in an open position, and FIG. 2 illustrates a mobile device 200 positioned within the exemplary mobile device case 100. The mobile device case 100 may comprise an upper section 105 and a lower section 110. The case upper section 105 may comprise an upper rim 115 that may completely encircle an outer edge of the case upper section 105, or any portion thereof. The upper rim 115 may at least partially form a sealing channel 130 that also encircles the outer edge of the case upper section 105. The case upper section 105 may further comprise a plurality of latch members 145 hingedly coupled to the case upper section. Each latch member 145 may comprise an engagement feature 155 with a flange 160 extending from an inner surface 150. Various embodiments may also comprise a plurality of mechanical interlocks disposed about the upper rim 115.

The case lower section 110 according to various embodiments may comprise a lower rim 140 that may completely encircle an outer edge of the case lower section 110, or any portion thereof. The lower rim 140 may define an opening or chamber 180 adapted to receive the mobile device 200 as illustrated in FIG. 2. An elastomeric seal member 135 may be coupled to the case lower section 110 and extend upward generally in a parallel arrangement with the lower rim 140. The seal member 135 may releasably engage the sealing channel 130 when the case upper section 105 and the case lower section 110 are in a closed relationship. In various embodiments, the lower rim 140 may comprise a plurality of mating features 165 corresponding to each of the plurality of latch members 145. Each mating feature 165 may comprise an opening 170 adapted to receive the latch member engagement feature 155 therein. The lower rim 140 may also comprise a plurality of mechanical interlocks 175 corresponding to the plurality of mechanical interlocks 175 of the upper rim 115. The mechanical interlocks 175 of the upper rim 115 and the lower rim 140 may releasably couple with one another when the case upper section 105 and the case lower section 110 are in a closed relationship.

In various embodiments, the case upper section 105 may comprise a first portion 120 of a hinge mechanism 185, and the case lower section 110 may comprise a second portion 125 of the hinge mechanism 185. Each of the first and section portions 120, 125 of the hinge mechanism 185 may comprise alternating, interlocking sections of a rail mounting fixture 300 (see FIG. 3).

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the mobile device case 100 according to various embodiments in which the case upper section 105 is in a closed relationship with the case lower section 110. In this relationship, the alternating, interlocking sections of the rail mounting fixture 300 are aligned to form a continuous mounting surface. FIG. 3 also illustrates sections A-A and B-B which are used in many of the figures referenced below.

FIG. 4A illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the mobile device case along section A-A, and FIG. 4B illustrates a detail view of the hinge mechanism 185 according to various embodiments. In these views, the interrelationship of the hinge mechanism 185 and the rail mounting system 300 are apparent. The first and second portions 120, 125 may pivot about a hinge pin 405, and may extend to form the rail mounting fixture 300.

II. Seal System

FIG. 5A is a perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of the mobile device case 100 along section A-A, and FIGS. 5B and 5C are detail views of the seal system according to various embodiments. The seal system may comprise the seal member 135 coupled at a proximal end 530 to the case lower section 110. A seal member body 505 may extend upward from the case lower section 110 and generally parallel to the lower rim 140. The seal member 135 may terminate at a distal end 535. A seal bead 510 may extend outward from the distal end 535 beyond a side surface of the seal member body 505 in the direction of the lower rim 140. As illustrated in FIG. 5C, a height H2 of the seal member 135 may be greater than a height H1 of the lower rim 140 such that the distal end 535 of the seal member 135 extends above the lower rim 140.

The sealing channel 130 of the case upper section 105 may comprise first sidewall 515, second sidewall 520, and top wall 525 disposed between the first and second sidewalls 515, 520. The second sidewall 520 may be positioned at an angle θ2 generally perpendicular to the top wall 525, and the first sidewall 515 may be positioned at an angle θ1 obtuse to the top wall 525 (see FIG. 5C). As the case upper section 105 is moving in the z-direction as indicated in FIG. 5B toward a closed relationship with the case lower section 110, the distal end 535 of the seal member 135 may engage the sealing channel 130. The first sidewall 515 of the sealing channel 130 may contact a side of the distal end 535 of the seal member 135 opposite the seal bead 510, thereby urging the seal bead 510 in the y-direction as indicated in FIG. 5B generally perpendicular to the direction of travel (the z-direction) of the case upper section 105. This movement of the seal bead 510 may urge the seal bead 510 into the second sidewall 520, and the contact between the seal bead 510 and the second sidewall 105 may form a water tight seal.

As illustrated in FIG. 5C according to various embodiments, the first sidewall 515 may exert a force F1 in the y-direction. Since this force is exerted perpendicular to the z-direction of travel of the case upper section 105 when closing the mobile device case 100, significantly less resisting force is exerted on the case upper section 105, making the mobile device case 100 easier to close while forming a more substantial and reliable water tight seal. In various embodiments, the sealing channel top wall 525 may contact the distal end 535 of the seal member 135 exerting a force F2 on the seal member 135 when the case upper section 105 and the case lower section 110 are in a closed relationship. The contact between the seal member 135 and the top wall 525 may provide a secondary water tight seal to augment the seal provided by the seal bead 510 and the second sidewall 520. Since forces F1 and F2 are exerted in different directions, one may serve as a failsafe for the other should a malfunction within the mobile device case 100 structure lessen or eliminate one of the forces. In various embodiments, the force F1 may be greater than the force F2.

The seal member 135 may comprise any polymer or elastomeric material, such as but not limited to, a saturated rubber such as ethylene propylene rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, polyacrylic rubber, silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, fluoroelastomer, perfluoroelastomers, polyether block amides, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, and ethylene-vinyl acetate. Further examples of the seal member 135 may comprise unsaturated rubbers such as natural polyisoprene, synthetic polyisoprene, polybutadiene, chloroprene rubber, butyl rubber, halogenated butyl rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, and hydrogenated nitrile rubber. Still further examples of the seal member 135 may comprise thermoplastic elastomers, resilin, elastin, polysulfide rubber, and elastolefin. One skilled in the art will readily recognize that any material with elastic properties may suffice for the seal member 135 and is within the scope of the present disclosure.

III. Latch Member

FIG. 6A is a perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of the mobile device case 100 along section B-B, and FIGS. 6B through 6D are detail views of the latch member 145 according to various embodiments. The latch member 145 may be at least partially comprised of an elastomeric material (similar to that described previously) such that the latch member 145 is hingedly coupled to the case upper section 105. Although the latch members 145 may be positioned at any point along the circumference of the case upper section 105, placing the latch members 145 at the corners is advantageous because the elastomeric material may provide impact resistance when the mobile device case 100 is dropped and lands on a corner.

The latch member engagement feature 155 may extend generally perpendicular from the inner surface 150 of the latch member 145. The engagement feature 155 may terminate at a distal end, and the flange 160 may be disposed about the distal end. The latch member engagement feature 155 and flange 160 may also comprise an elastomeric material such that each may be temporarily deformed and then return to essential its original shape. The opening 170 of the mating feature 165 in the lower rim 140 may comprise a restriction that has a smaller diameter D1 than an outer diameter D2 of the engagement feature flange 160 (see FIG. 6D). As the latch member 145 moves in the direction of travel as indicated in FIG. 6B, the flange 160 may encounter the opening 170 in the mating feature 165 and deform in order to pass through the opening 170. The mating feature 165 may have a length generally equal to a length of the engagement feature 155 such that the flange 160 will pass completely through the engagement feature 155. Once the flange 160 passes through the engagement feature 155, the flange 160 may return to its normal shape on the inner side of the opening 170 and releasably couple the latch member 145 to the lower rim 140 of the case lower section 110 as illustrated in FIG. 6C, which thereby releasably couples the case upper section 105 to the case lower section 110 in the close relationship.

Although the figures generally represent the engagement feature 155, engagement feature flange 160, and the mating feature opening 170 as being round, one skilled in the art will readily recognize that any convenient shape may be used for these components and any such shape is within the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, both a cylindrical and tapered mating feature 165 are within the scope of the present disclosure.

IV. Hinge Mechanism and Rail Mounting Fixture

FIG. 7A is a perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of the mobile device case 100 along section A-A in the open position, and FIG. 7B is a detail view of the hinge mechanism 185 and rail mounting fixture 300 according to various embodiments. The first portion 120 of the hinge mechanism 185 may be coupled to an outer edge of the upper rim 140 of the case upper section 105. The second portion 125 of the hinge mechanism 185 may be coupled to an outer edge of the lower rim 140 of the case lower section 110. In various embodiments, each of the first and second portions 120, 125 may comprise alternating, interlocking sections. Each section may comprise a hinge portion 120 or 125 which extends to form a portion of the rail mounting fixture 300. As illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the first alternating, interlocking sections of the first and second portions 120, 125 of the hinge mechanism 185 are visible. As the mobile device case 100 is opened by rotating the case upper section 105 and the hinge mechanism first portion 120 about the hinge pin 405, the portion of the rail mounting fixture 300 coupled to the first portion 120 moves out of alignment (is no longer parallel) with the portion of the rail mounting fixture 300 coupled to the second portion 125 of the hinge mechanism 185. Closing the mobile device case 100 returns each portion of the rail mounting fixture 300 into alignment as illustrated in FIG. 4B.

Integrating the rail mounting fixture 300 with the hinge mechanism 185 reduces the overall size of the mobile device case 100 and simplifies manufacturing. Alternatively, the rail mounting fixture 300 would have to be mounted on a side of the mobile device case 100 other than the hinge side, which would increase the overall dimensions of the mobile device case 100 which is undesirable to users.

V. Accessory Port Plugs

Nearly every mobile device 200 has a variety of accessory ports for plugging in a power supply, headphones, ear buds, storage devices, transfer cables, and the like. It is desirable to be able to access and use these ports while the mobile device 200 is enclosed in the mobile device case 100. As illustrated in FIG. 8A, various embodiments may comprise one or more case access ports 810 which may be located in the case lower section lower rim 140. The case access ports 810 may comprise an opening through the lower rim 140 and the seal member 135 without compromising the waterproof seal formed by the seal member 135 and the sealing channel 130. In order to maintain the waterproof integrity of the mobile device case, an elastomeric case access port plug 805 may be coupled adjacent to each case access port 810. When the case access port plugs 805 are inserted into the case access ports 810 as illustrated in FIG. 8B, a resistance fit between the case access port plugs 805 and the case access ports 810 may restore the waterproof integrity of the mobile device case 100.

While the present disclosure has been described in connection with a series of preferred embodiments, these descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure to the particular forms set forth herein. The above description is illustrative and not restrictive. Many variations of the embodiments will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of this disclosure. The scope of this disclosure should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents. The present descriptions are intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and otherwise appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. In several respects, embodiments of the present disclosure can act to close the loopholes in the current industry practices in which good business practices and logic are lacking because it is not feasible to implement with current resources and tools.

Spatially relative terms such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper”, and the like, are used for ease of description to explain the positioning of one element relative to a second element. These terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to different orientations than those depicted in the figures. Further, terms such as “first”, “second”, and the like, are also used to describe various elements, regions, sections, etc. and are also not intended to be limiting. Like terms refer to like elements throughout the description.

As used herein, the terms “having”, “containing”, “including”, “comprising”, and the like are open ended terms that indicate the presence of stated elements or features, but do not preclude additional elements or features. The articles “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural as well as the singular, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Claims

1. A mobile device case, comprising: a case upper section, comprising: an upper rim encircling at least a portion of an outer edge of the case upper section;a first portion of a hinge mechanism coupled to an outer surface of the upper rim;a sealing channel;a case lower section, comprising: a lower rim encircling at least a portion of an outer edge of the case lower section;a second portion of the hinge mechanism coupled to an outer edge of the case lower section, the second hinge portion pivotably engaged with the first hinge portion and forming a rail mounting fixture in conjunction with the first hinge portion when the case upper and lower sections are in a closed relationship; andan elastomeric seal member comprising a seal bead extending outward from a body of the seal member, the seal member adapted to engage the sealing channel when the case upper and lower sections are in the closed relationship, the seal bead urged in a direction generally perpendicular to a direction of travel of the case upper section and contacting a sidewall of the sealing channel.

2. The mobile device case of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of latch members pivotably coupled to the case upper section, each latch member comprising an inner surface and an outer surface;an elastomeric engagement feature extending generally perpendicular from the latch member inner surface and terminating at a distal end, and a flange disposed around the distal end;a mating feature disposed within the lower rim of the case lower section, comprising an opening adapted to receive the engagement feature therein, a diameter of the opening less than a diameter of the flange such that the flange is compressed when received by the mating feature and expands when the flange passes through the opening, thereby releasably coupling the latch member to the case lower section.

3. The mobile device of claim 2, wherein the engagement feature is essentially round.

4. The mobile device of claim 2, wherein the mating feature comprises a cylindrical passage through the lower rim.

5. The mobile device of claim 2, wherein the mating feature comprises a tapered passage through the lower rim.

6. The mobile device of claim 2, wherein a length of the mating feature corresponding generally to a length of the engagement feature such that the flange returns to its uncompressed shape after passing through the passage.

7. The mobile device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of latch members are disposed along a side of the case upper section opposite the hinge mechanism.

8. The mobile device case of claim 2, wherein the plurality of latch members are disposed along three sides of the case upper section other than a side to which the hinge mechanism is coupled.

9. The mobile device case of claim 2 wherein the plurality of latch members are disposed at one or more corners of the upper case section.

10. The mobile device case of claim 2, wherein the latch members comprise an elastomeric material that provides impact resistance when the mobile device case is dropped.

11. The mobile device case of claim 2, further comprising one or more mechanical interlocks positioned along the upper rim and lower rim between the latch members, each interlock on the upper rim positioned to releasable engage a corresponding interlock on the lower rim.

12. The mobile device case of claim 1, wherein the sealing channel comprises opposing first and second sidewalls and a top wall disposed between the first and second sidewalls.

13. The mobile device case of claim 12, wherein the first sidewall contacts the seal member opposite the seal bead and urges the seal bead into the second sidewall.

14. The mobile device case of claim 12, wherein the first sidewall urges the seal bead in a direction towards the upper rim with a greater force than the top wall exerts on the seal member.

15. The mobile device case of claim 12, wherein the second sidewall is generally perpendicular to the top wall, and the first sidewall is oriented at an obtuse angle to the top wall.

16. The mobile device case of claim 1, wherein a height of the seal member is greater than a height of the lower rim.

17. The mobile device case of claim 2, wherein the engagement feature is formed integrally with the latch member.

18. A mobile device case, comprising: a case upper section, comprising an upper rim encircling at least a portion of an outer edge of the case upper section;a case lower section comprising a lower rim encircling at least a portion of an outer edge of the case lower section;a generally U-shaped sealing channel in the upper rim, the sealing channel comprising opposing first and second sidewalls and a top wall disposed between the first and second sidewalls, the first sidewall oriented at an obtuse angle to the top wall, and the second sidewall oriented generally perpendicular to the top wall;an elastomeric seal member comprising a body section coupled at a proximal end to the case lower section, the body section extending upward from the case lower section adjacent to the lower rim and terminating at a distal end, the distal end comprising a seal bead; andthe first sidewall of the sealing channel contacting the distal end of the seal member when the case upper and lower sections are in a closed relationship, thereby urging the seal bead in a direction generally perpendicular to a direction of travel of the case upper section such that the seal bead contacts the second sidewall.

19. The mobile device case of claim 18, further comprising: a plurality of latch members pivotably coupled to the case upper section, each latch member comprising an inner surface and an outer surface;an elastomeric engagement feature extending essentially perpendicular from the latch member inner surface and terminating at a distal end, and a flange disposed around the distal end;a mating feature disposed within the lower rim of the case lower section, comprising an opening adapted to receive the engagement feature therein, a diameter of the opening less than a diameter of the flange such that the flange is compressed when received by the mating feature and expands when the flange passes through the opening, thereby releasably coupling the latch member to the case lower section.

20. The mobile device case of claim 19, wherein the engagement feature is essentially round.

21. The mobile device case of claim 19, wherein the mating feature comprises a cylindrical passage through the lower rim.

22. The mobile device case of claim 19, wherein the mating feature comprises a tapered passage through the lower rim.

23. The mobile device case of claim 19, wherein a length of the mating feature corresponding generally to a length of the engagement feature such that the flange returns to its uncompressed shape after passing through the passage.

24. The mobile device case of claim 19, wherein the plurality of latch members are disposed along a side of the case upper section opposite the hinge mechanism.

25. The mobile device case of claim 19, wherein the plurality of latch members are disposed along three sides of the case upper section other than a side to which the hinge mechanism is coupled.

26. The mobile device case of claim 19 wherein the plurality of latch members are disposed at one or more corners of the upper case section.

27. The mobile device case of claim 19, further comprising one or more mechanical interlocks positioned along the upper rim and lower rim between the latches, each interlock on the upper rim positioned to releasable engage a corresponding interlock on the lower rim.

28. A seal system for a mobile device case, comprising: a case upper section comprising a generally U-shaped sealing channel, the sealing channel comprising opposing first and second sidewalls and a top wall disposed between the first and second sidewalls, the first sidewall oriented at an obtuse angle to the top wall, and the second sidewall oriented generally perpendicular to the top wall;a case lower section;an elastomeric seal member comprising a body section coupled at a proximal end to the case lower section, the body section extending upward from the case lower section and terminating at a distal end, the distal end comprising a seal bead, the first sidewall of the sealing channel contacting the distal end of the seal member when the case upper and lower sections are in a closed relationship, thereby urging the seal bead in a direction generally perpendicular to a direction of travel of the case upper section such that the seal bead contacts the second sidewall;a plurality of latch members pivotably coupled to the case upper section, each latch member comprising an inner surface and an outer surface;an elastomeric engagement feature extending generally perpendicular from the latch member inner surface and terminating at a distal end, and a flange disposed around the distal end; anda plurality of mating features disposed within the case lower section, each mating feature comprising an opening adapted to receive the engagement feature therein, a diameter of the opening less than a diameter of the flange such that the flange is compressed when received by the mating feature and expands when the flange passes through the opening, thereby releasably coupling the latch member to the case lower section.

29. The seal system of claim 28, wherein the engagement feature is essentially round.

30. The seal system of claim 28, wherein the mating feature comprises a cylindrical passage through the lower rim.

31. The seal system of claim 28, wherein the mating feature comprises a tapered passage through the lower rim.

32. The seal system of claim 28, wherein a length of the mating feature corresponding generally to a length of the engagement feature such that the flange returns to its uncompressed shape after passing through the passage.

33. The seal system of claim 28, wherein the plurality of latch members are disposed along a side of the case upper section opposite the hinge mechanism.

34. The seal system of claim 28, wherein the plurality of latch members are disposed along three sides of the case upper section other than a side to which the hinge mechanism is coupled.

35. The seal system of claim 28, wherein the plurality of latch members are disposed at one or more corners of the upper case section.

36. The seal system of claim 28, wherein the latch members comprise an elastomeric material that provides impact resistance when the mobile device case is dropped.

37. The seal system of claim 28, further comprising one or more mechanical interlocks positioned along the upper rim and lower rim between the latch members, each interlock on the upper rim positioned to releasable engage a corresponding interlock on the lower rim.