Existing devices for the protection of electronic equipment have been made of a variety of materials, in a variety of configurations. One common form is a keyboard protector, constructed from rigid, transparent plastic, each protector moulded to fit a particular keyboard. Other protectors are in the form of leather cases to accommodate an electronic device, in some cases provided with transparent plastic windows to facilitate the operation or viewing of the device. US 4922980 discloses a computer keyboard cover comprising a sheet of elastomeric material having a permanent curl, the elastomeric material designed to be stored rolled up or unrolled to cover the keyboard.

An object of the present invention is to provide a protector that will fit a wide range of sizes of devices, that will allow the device to be used while fitted with the protector and that is inexpensive.

According to a first broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a protector comprising: an elastomeric sheath having an open end, a closed end, an inside surface and an outside surface; first engaging means on the outside surface between said open end and the closed end; second complementary engaging means on the outside surface between the first engaging means and the open end; wherein an article to be protected is locatable

inside said sheath so that the inside surface contacts the article and the sheath is twistable and can be folded back upon itself so that the article is sealed in the sheath and the first and second engaging means can engage one another and secure the sheath in a closed condition.

Thus an article can be effectively sealed in the protector.

Preferably the sheath has a cross section generally conforming to the cross section of said article.

This would reduce physical stress on the protector, increase its durability, and reduce the likelihood of tears.

Preferably the first and second engaging means comprise raised ridges and most preferably comprise integral 0- rings.

The first and second engaging means may comprise a ridge and a recess for snap sealing one to the other.

The first and second engaging means may comprise engaging male and female members.

Preferably said first and second engaging means each comprise a plurality of substantially evenly spaced engagement features.

Preferably said first and second engaging means comprise a single series of substantially evenly spaced engagement features.

Preferably said features are O-rings.

Preferably said features extend from said open end 50% along said outside surface to said closed end.

More preferably said features extend from said open end 20% along said outside surface to said closed end.

Thus, a series of o-rings may extend from the open end of the protector at even intervals for about 20% the length of the outer surface of the protector.

Preferably said sheath is tapered inwardly towards said open end.

Preferably said taper starts at said first engaging means and end at said open end.

Preferably said taper is approximately 20%.

Thus, the protector may be tapered to form a tighter closure at the open end of the protector and article.

Also, rather than folding the sheath back over its body, any excess sheath beyond the end of the article can be simply cut off and the constricting means used to form the closure.

When said article is a mobile telephone, preferably said cross section is elliptical or rectangular and the aspect ratio of said cross section is preferably between 5 and 2.5 to 1, and most preferably said aspect ratio is 3 to 1.

According to a second broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a protector comprising: an elastomeric sheath having an open end, a closed end, an inside surface and an outside surface; constricting means on the outside surface near said open end; wherein an article to be protected is locatable inside said sheath so that the inside surface contacts the article and the open end is constricted by said

constricting means so that the open end is constricted so that the article is partially or wholly enclosed by the sheath.

Preferably said plurality of ridges or o-rings extends along 50% of said outside surface.

More preferably said plurality of ridges or O-rings extends along 20% of said outside surface.

Thus, even if excess sheath extends beyond the article and is removed, constricting means will remain available to close the open end.

Preferably the constricting means comprises a ridge and most preferably comprises an integral O-ring.

Preferably said ridge or O-ring is one of a plurality of ridges or O-rings.

Preferably the sheath has a cross section generally conforming to the cross section of said article.

This would reduce physical stress on the protector, increase its durability, and reduce the likelihood of tears.

When said cross section is elliptical or rectangular the aspect ratio of said cross section is preferably between 5 and 2.5 to 1.

Most preferably said aspect ratio is 3 to 1.

Preferably said sheath is tapered inwardly towards said open end.

Preferably said taper starts at said constricting means and

ends at said open end.

Preferably said taper is approximately 20%.

Preferably said sheath is substantially transparent.

Thus, although an opaque protector would be satisfactory for an article which does not require a user to inspect a display or distinguish between, for example, keys, often a transparent protector will be required. This would be the case, for example, when the protector is used with a mobile telephone.

The sheath may be of latex, neoprene or polyurethane, or other material with similar physical properties.

Preferably said constricting means comprises a first engaging means on the outside surface between said open end and said closed end and second complementary engaging means on the outside surface between the first engaging means and the open end; wherein an article to be protected is locatable inside said sheath so that the inside surface contacts the article and the sheath is twistable and can be folded back upon itself so that the article is sealed in the sheath and said first and second engaging means can engage one another and secure the sheath in a closed condition.

Thus an article can be effectively sealed in the protector.

Preferably the first and second engaging means comprise raised ridges and most preferably comprise integral 0- rings.

Thus, the closure may be formed by cutting off excess sheath, or by folding back excess sheath on itself.

The first and second engaging means may comprise a ridge and a recess for snap sealing one to the other.

In both the first and second aspect, it is preferred that said protector is provided with a outward projecting protrusion to accommodate a projecting element of said article housed within said protector.

Thus, if a particular article or device with which the protector is to be used has a projection that would not normally be comfortably accommodated by the protector, the protector may be manufactured with an accommodating recess.

Preferably said protrusion is provided with an elastomeric ridge to press said protector against said article.

Preferably said ridge is an O-ring and is located near a point where said protrusion meets said sheath.

Preferably said ridge is adapted to form a seal with said article when said protrusion is removed to accommodate protruding parts of said device larger than said protrusion.

Preferably said ridge is integral with said sheath.

When said article is a mobile telephone, preferably said cross section is elliptical or rectangular and the aspect ratio of said cross section is preferably between 5 and 2.5 to 1, and most preferably said aspect ratio is 3 to 1.

The invention in a third aspect may be said to reside in a protector comprising an elastomeric sheath having a body with a first, closed end, a second, open end, wherein said sheath is provided with a first raised elastomeric surface on an outer surface of said body between said first end and said second end, and an additional raised elastomeric

surface on said outside surface of said body nearer said second end than said first raised surface whereby, when said second end is folded back towards said first end, said additional raised surface engages said first raised surface.

Thus, in use the protector may be placed around a device, the open end of the protector twisted to close the protector, and the open end of the protector than folded back over the device until a raised surface around the open end of the protector engages other raised surfaces along the length of the protector. The open end of the protector is thereby prevented from sliding off the protector-encased device.

Preferably said elastomeric material is substantially transparent.

Thus, although an opaque protector would be satisfactory for a device which does not require a user to inspect a display or distinguish between, for example, keys, often a transparent protector will be required. This would be the case, for example, when the protector is used with a mobile telephone.

The elastomeric material may be latex, neoprene or polyurethane, or other material with similar physical properties.

Preferably said first raised surface is a continuous first ridge disposed around said sheath.

Preferably said first raised surface is a continuous first O-ring disposed around said sheath.

Preferably said additional raised surface is a continuous additional ridge disposed around said sheath.

Preferably said additional raised surface is a continuous additional O-ring running around said sheath.

Preferably said first raised surface is integral with said sheath.

Preferably said additional raised surface is integral with said sheath.

Thus, the open end of the sheath may be provided with a ridge which will engage one or more other ridges nearer the closed end of the protector.

Preferably said first raised surface is one of a plurality of raised surfaces.

Thus, a ridge near the open end of the protector can engage one of a number of ridges along the protector. The provision of more than one ridge ensures that the ridge near the open end of the protector will engage another ridge irrespective of the size of the piece of device to be protected over a large range of such sizes.

Preferably the sheath has a cross section generally conforming to the cross section of said article.

This would reduce physical stress on the protector, increase its durability, and reduce the likelihood of tears.

In one embodiment of the invention said protector is provided with a outward projecting protrusion to accommodate a projecting element of a device housed within said protector.

Thus, if a particular electronic or other device with which

the protector is to be used has a projecting surface that would not normally be comfortably accommodated by the protector, the protector may be manufactured with an accommodating recess.

In one embodiment said protector is substantially transparent over only a part of said outer surface of said protector.

Thus, it may be desirable to have transparent windows in another wise substantially opaque protector.

In one embodiment said first raised surface and/or said additional raised surface is in the form of a textured region of said sheath.

In one specific aspect of the invention, there is provided a mobile telephone protector comprising an elastomeric sheath having a body, wherein said body is provided with a first raised elastomeric surface on an outer surface of said body between a first, closed end of said sheath and a second, open end of said sheath, and an additional raised elastomeric surface on said outside surface of said body nearer said second end of said sheath than said first raised surface whereby, when said second end of said sheath is folded back towards said first end of said sheath, said additional raised surface engages said first raised surface.

Preferably said elastomeric material is substantially transparent.

Thus, a mobile telephone usually requires that both the screen and the keypad be visible to the user.

Preferably said elastomeric material is latex, neoprene or polyurethane, or other material with similar physical

properties.

The body may be substantially cylindrical. Preferably said body is of substantially elliptical or rectangular cross section.

When said cross section is elliptical or rectangular the aspect ratio of said cross section is preferably between 5 and 2.5 to 1.

Most preferably said aspect ratio is 3 to 1.

Preferably said first raised surface is a continuous first ridge running around said sheath.

Preferably said first raised surface is a continuous first O-ring running around said sheath.

Preferably said additional raised surface is a continuous additional ridge running around said sheath.

Preferably said additional raised surface is a continuous additional O-ring running around said sheath.

Preferably said first raised surface is integral with said sheath.

Preferably said additional raised surface is integral with said sheath.

Thus, the open end of the sheath may be provided with a ridge which will engage one or more other ridges nearer the closed end of the protector.

Preferably said first raised surface is one of a plurality of raised surfaces.

Thus, a ridge near the open end of the protector can engage one of a number of ridges along the body of the protector.

The provision of more than one ridge ensures that the ridge near the open end of the protector will engage another ridge irrespective of the size of the piece of device to be protected over a large range of such sizes.

In one embodiment of the invention said protector is provided with an aerial protrusion to accommodate an aerial of a mobile telephone.

Preferably said protrusion is located offset from a long axis of said protector.

Thus, although an elastomeric material can stretch to accommodate a mismatch between a device such as a mobile telephone and a protector manufactured with a central aerial protrusion, it is preferable that the aerial protrusion be offset and thus correspond with the more common positioning of an aerial of a mobile phone.

Preferably said aerial protrusion is provided with a ridge, wherein said ridge partially or completely encircles said aerial protrusion near a point at which said aerial protrusion meets said sheath.

Thus, the aerial protrusion will more tightly and tidily engage an aerial placed therein, as the ridge will press more firmly against the aerial than an aerial protrusion without such a ridge. This will ensure that the point at which the aerial protrusion meets the sheath - which will generally be concave as viewed from the outside the sheath - will fit closely around the mobile telephone. In addition, if the mobile phone has a removable or extendible aerial of a length greater than can be accommodated by the telephone protrusion, the protrusion can be cut off so that the protector - although of insufficient size to

accommodate the aerial - can nevertheless be used with the mobile phone, and the aerial protruding from the hole where the aerial protrusion was removed. With the addition of the ridge near the base of the aerial protrusion, the aerial protrusion would be removed so that the remaining hole is surrounded by the ridge, which then presses tightly against the aerial and forms a more effective seal against dust or water.

The invention in another specific aspect may be said to reside in a method for protecting an electronic or other device including: placing said device in an elastomeric sheath with a first closed end and a second open end, twisting said sheath at said second end to close said device within said sheath, and drawing said second end of said sheath back over said device.

Preferably the sheath has a cross section generally conforming to the cross section of said article.

This would reduce physical stress on the protector, increase its durability, and reduce the likelihood of tears.

Thus, this method leads to a device that is surrounded by an elastomeric sheath which, after being twisted to form a closure, is folded back upon itself to use up any excess length of the protector and to prevent the sheath from untwisting.

Preferably said method includes engaging said second end to an outer surface of said sheath after said second end has been drawn back over said sheath.

Preferably said sheath is provided with a first engaging

means on the outer surface of said sheath between said open end and said closed end, and a second complementary engaging means between said first engaging means and said open end, whereby said method includes engaging said first engaging means and said second engaging means.

Preferably said first engaging means comprises a first at least one raised surface and said second engaging means comprises a second at least one raised surface whereby said engaging of said open end and said sheath is by means of engaging said first at least one raised surface and said second at least one raised surface.

Preferably said first at least one raised surface and said second at least one raised surface comprise a plurality of ridges.

Preferably said first at least one raised surface and said second at least one raised surface comprise a plurality of O-rings.

Preferably said sheath is latex, neoprene or polyurethane, or other material with similar physical properties.

In one embodiment of the invention first and second engaging means form a press seal device comprising said first or second engaging means in the form of a female strip or socket and the other of said first and second engaging means comprising a complementary male strip or plug.

Preferably said press seal device is one of a plurality of press seal devices.

Thus, the free, open end of the protector can engage either by the overlapping of ridges or by the engagement of press seals.

Preferably said first and second engaging means are integral with said sheath.

Preferably said at least one ridge is integral with said sheath.

Preferably said one or more press seals are integral with said sheath.

In one embodiment of the invention said second end and said sheath are engaged by means of adhesive tape or an elastic band.

Preferably said method further includes accommodating a protruding part of said device within a protruding portion of said protector.

Preferably said method includes cutting off a protruding portion of said protector to permit an excessively large protruding portion of said device to project from said projector.

Preferably said method further includes forming a seal between said protector and said large protruding portion of said device.

Preferably said seal is formed by providing said protector with a ridge of elastomeric material.

Thus, even when the device is to large to fit into the protector, or is extendible beyond a length that can fit into the protector, a portion of the protector may be removed and a seal nevertheless formed with the device to prevent the ingress of dust or water.

The invention in yet another specific aspect may be said to

reside in a method for protecting an electronic or other device including: placing said device in an elastomeric sheath with a first closed end and a second open end, said sheath having constricting means near said open end; wherein an article to be protected is locatable inside said sheath so that the inside surface contacts the article and the open end is constricted by said constricting means so that the open end is constricted so that said article is partially or wholly enclosed by the sheath.

Preferably the sheath has a cross section similar to the cross section of said article.

This would reduce physical stress on the protector, increase its durability, and reduce the likelihood of tears.

The sheath may be substantially cylindrical. Preferably said sheath is of substantially elliptical or rectangular cross section.

When said cross section is elliptical or rectangular the aspect ratio of said cross section is preferably between 5 and 2.5 to 1.

Most preferably said aspect ratio is approximately 3 to 1.

Thus, this method leads to a device that is surrounded by an elastomeric sheath which is constricted beyond the end of an article thus enclosing the article.

Preferably said sheath is latex, neoprene or polyurethane, or other material with similar physical properties.

Preferably said method further includes accommodating a

protruding part of said device within a protruding portion of said protector.

Preferably said method includes cutting off a protruding portion of said protector to permit an excessively large protruding portion of said device to project from said projector.

Preferably said method further includes forming a seal between said protector and said large protruding portion of said device.

Preferably said seal is formed by providing said protector with a ridge of elastomeric material.

Preferably said ridge is an O-ring.

Preferably said constricting means is one or more integral O-rings.

The invention in a further broad aspect may be said to reside in a protector for an electronic or other device including: an elastomeric sheath provided with a protrusion to accommodate a large component of said device.

Preferably said protrusion is provided with an elastomeric ridge to press said protector against said device.

Preferably said ridge is located near a point where said protrusion meets said sheath.

Preferably said ridge is adapted to form a seal with said device when said protrusion is removed to accommodate protruding parts of said device larger than said protrusion.

Preferably the sheath has a cross section generally conforming to the cross section of said device.

When said device is a mobile telephone, preferably said cross section is elliptical or rectangular and the aspect ratio of said cross section is preferably between 5 and 2.5 to 1, and most preferably said aspect ratio is approximately 3 to 1.

It should also be noted that any or all of the preferred features referred to in the context of any of the above embodiments of the invention may be included in any one of the embodiments of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a view of a mobile telephone protector according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a view of a mobile telephone protector according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a view of a mobile telephone protector according to the present invention housing a mobile telephone; Figure 4 is a view of the protector of figure 3, indicating the method for closing the protector; Figure 5 is a view of a mobile telephone protector showing an alternative method of use in accordance with the present invention; Figure 6 is a view of a mobile telephone protector according to the present invention, illustrating the use of the protector with removable aerials; Figure 7 is a view of an alternative embodiment of engaging means for a mobile telephone protector

according to the present invention; and Figure 8 is a view of yet another embodiment of engaging means for a mobile telephone protector according to the present invention.

Details Description of the Preferred Embodiments A mobile telephone protector according to the present invention is shown generally at 10 in figure 1. The protector 10 comprises a transparent, latex sheath 12. The sheath 12 has an elliptical body 14 and a protrusion in the form of an aerial teat 16. The body of the sheath 14 is provided with a series of O-ring-like ridges 18. The ridges 18 encircle the body of the sheath 14, are of the same material as the sheath 12 and are integral with the sheath 12. An additional, essentially identical ridge 20 is disposed around the open end 22 of the sheath 12.

In practice, ridges 18 extend at equal spacing down to additional ridge 20, and are indistinguishable from additional ridge 20.

The protector 10 illustrated in figure 1 has an essentially straight sided body 14, but in a further preferred embodiment shown in figure 2 is tapered inwardly towards open end 22, so that the closure formed is more secure.

Preferably this taper would be approximately 20%, beginning around ridge 18a and ending at open end 22.

The protector 10 in use is illustrated in figure 3. A mobile telephone 24 is placed inside the protector 10, with the aerial 26 of mobile telephone 24 inside aerial teat 16 of the protector 10. The open than 22 of sheath 12 is twisted to close off protector 10 and enclose mobile telephone 24. The open end 22 is shown in figure 3 partially twisted: it will be understood that the extent to which the open end 22 is twisted may be varied depending on the tightness of the closure desired. It will also be

understood that, as additional ridge 20 is identical to ridges 18, excess sheath 12 may be cut off before the sheath 12 is twisted as shown in figure 3. The lowest of ridges 18 then becomes additional ridge 20.

Figure 4 illustrates the protector 10 when in its final configuration in use for the mobile telephone 24. After the opened end 22 has been twisted as desired (see figure 3), open end 22 is drawn back over the body of the mobile telephone 24 until additional ridge 20 elastically closes around the mobile telephone 24 within the protector 10, and is prevented from sliding off by ridges 18. As illustrated in figure 4, additional ridge 20 is finally located between ridges 18a and 18b, and thus prevented from sliding off by ridge 18b.

The mobile telephone 24 is thereby enclosed in a substantially transparent water proof and dust proof protector. The latex from which the protector is manufactured is sufficiently thin that the speaker 28 and microphone 30 of mobile telephone 24 are not significantly occluded audially, and the mobile telephone 24 may be operated by means of buttons 32 and screen 34 without significant impedients by the protector 10.

Alternatively, as illustrated in figure 5, rather than twisting open end 22 of the sheath 12 and then drawing open end 22 back over sheath 12, the excess length (if any) of sheath 12 can be cut off after the mobile telephone 24 is located within the protector 10 (at point 38 in figure 5), and the elastomeric qualities of both sheath 12 and the lowest remaining ridge used merely to constrict sheath 12 at point 38, and thus provide some measure of closure of sheath 12 and protector 10.

If aerial 26 is for any reason too long for aerial teat 16 - despite the elastic qualities of the latex of the

protector 10 - the aerial teat 16 may be snipped off. The elastic engagement of the perimeter of the hole left by the removal of aerial teat 16 and the aerial 26 of the mobile telephone 24 will provide some measure of closure of the protector 10 about the aerial 26, and hence protection of the mobile telephone 24.

This may be facilitated by the provision of an additional O-ring-like ridge 36 near the point of which aerial teat 16 meets the body of the sheath 14, as illustrated in figure 6. This ridge 36 ensures that the protector 10 conforms closely to the shape of the mobile telephone 24, and that a tent of latex is substantially prevented from forming round the base of aerial 26. In addition, if - again owing to aerial 26 being of excessive length - it is necessary to cut off aerial teat 16, aerial teat 16 can be removed on the side of ridge 36 distal from the body 14 of sheath 12, so that a tight seal is formed between the protector 10 and aerial 26 by means of reach 36. This ridge 36 is also shown in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in figure 2.

Some mobile telephones have extendible aerials: in this case it may also be desirable to cut off aerial teat 16 on the side of ridge 26 either distal or proximate to body 14 of sheath 12, so that the extendible aerial may be extended.

Further, some mobile telephones have removable aerials: in this case it may be desirable to cut off aerial teat 16 on the side of ridge 26 proximate to body 14 of sheath 12, and to attach the removable aerial through the hole left by the removable of aerial teat 16 so that the edges of the hole are held between the body of mobile telephone 24 and the removable of aerial.

Alternative forms of engaging means are illustrated in

cross section in figures 7 and 8. In these figures the location of the mobile telephone 24 is indicated, as is a portion of sheath 12. The folded back part 40 of sheath 12 is also indicated. In both illustrations the portion 42 of sheath 12 in contact with mobile telephone 24 is provided with female engaging means 44. The female engaging means 44 encircle sheath 12. The folded back part 40 of sheath 12 are, in both examples, provided with complementary male engaging means 46, which also encircle sheath 12.

Modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may readily be effected by person skilled in the art. For example, rather than having a series of ridges on the body of the protector and an additional ridge at the open end, the entire outer surface of the protector could be textured so that - when the open end is drawn back over the body of the protector - the textured surface prevents the open end from slipping off. Further, the protector could be tinted for decorative or identification purposes, or printed with logos, advertising, identification, informative, decorative or other material. It is to be understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described by way of example hereinabove.