Protective cover for electronic device

• US 10,044,396 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2018
• Issued: 08/07/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Otter Products LLC
• Original Assignee: Otter Products LLC
• Inventors: Richardson, Curtis R., Kempel, Douglas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Aminzay, Shaima Q
• Application Number:
  US15/872,079
• Publication Number:
  US 20180138937A1
• Time in Patent Office: 203 Days
• Field of Search: 4555751, 455 903, 455128
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/00 Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/002 Protective covers
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/005 Hinges
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/02 Interior fittings; Means, e.g. inserts, for holding and packing articles
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/36 Reinforcements for edges, corners, or other parts
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/001 for portable audio devices, e.g. headphones or MP3-players
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/002 for portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/003 for portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2200/10 Transparent walls
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 5/00 Rigid or semi-rigid luggage collapsible or extensible luggage, bags or the like A45C7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/02 specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage containers of polygonal cross-section provided with internal protecting elements for contents B65D5/50; devices to locate articles in containers B65D25/10
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/022 Containers made of shock-absorbing material B65D81/03 takes precedence; for thermal insulating purposes B65D81/3813
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/05 maintaining contents at spaced relation from package walls, or from other contents B65D81/022, B65D81/025, B65D81/03 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1633 Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 : Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 : Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3894 : Waterproofing of transmission device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 : Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 : Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/185 : Improving the rigidity of the casing or resistance to shocks
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 : associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1033 : Cables or cables storage, e.g. cable reels cord reels per se H02G11/02; arrangements for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of conductors or cables B65H75/34; extensible conductors or cables, e.g. self-coiling cords H01B7/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/02 : Details casings, cabinets or mounting therein for transducers covered by H04R1/02 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 : with operator interface units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/02 : Details
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0247 : Electrical details of casings, e.g. terminals, passages for cables or wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/03 : Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/061 : sealed by a gasket held between a removable cover and a body, e.g. O-ring, packing
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/068 : having a pressure compensation device, e.g. membrane venting means H05K5/0213
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/069 : Other details of the casing, e.g. wall structure, passage for a connector, a cable, a shaft
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24355 : Continuous and nonuniform or irregular surface on layer or component [e.g., roofing, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24413 : Metal or metal compound
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24909 : Free metal or mineral containing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/25 : Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and including a second component containing structurally defined particles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31507 : Of polycarbonate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31605 : Next to free metal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31692 : Next to addition polymer from unsaturated monomers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31696 : Including polyene monomers [e.g., butadiene, etc.]

Abstract

A protective cover for an electronic device includes a protective shell and a cushioning member configured for cushioning the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective shell. The protective cover includes a first opening configured to align with and expose at least a portion of a touch screen display of the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective shell. The protective cover also includes a second opening configured to align with a camera of the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective shell. The protective cover further includes an access port positioned to be proximate an electrical interface of the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective shell.

Claims

1. A protective cover for an electronic device, the electronic device having a camera feature, an electrical port, a front surface including a touch screen display, a back surface, and a plurality of sides, at least one of the plurality of sides of the electronic device having one or more control buttons, the protective cover comprising:

a protective shell adapted to removably retain the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the protective cover, the protective shell having a back and a plurality of side members that define a perimeter of the protective shell, the protective shell adapted to at least partially cover the back surface and the sides of the installed electronic device, the protective shell including a cushioning member affixed to at least an inner surface of the protective shell, wherein the cushioning member is adapted to receive at least a portion of the back surface of the installed electronic device, and wherein the electronic device is a separate unit from the protective cover;

a first opening in the protective cover, the first opening adapted to expose at least a portion of the touch screen display of the installed electronic device;

a second opening in the protective cover, the second opening adapted to provide optical access to the camera feature of the installed electronic device; and

a third opening in the protective cover, the third opening adapted to provide access to the electrical port of the installed electronic device.

2. The protective cover of claim 1 further comprising an access region in one of the plurality of the side members of the protective shell, the access region adapted to provide access to at least one of the one or more control buttons of the installed electronic device.

3. The protective cover of claim 2 further comprising a pliable molded surface covering at least a portion of the access region, wherein the pliable molded surface covering the portion of the access region is adapted to transmit a mechanical pressure applied at an exterior surface of the pliable molded surface to the control button of the installed electronic device for actuation of the control button.

4. The protective cover of claim 3 wherein the cushioning member includes the pliable molded surface covering the access region.

5. The protective cover of claim 2 wherein the protective shell includes an access hole for accessing the access region.

6. The protective cover of claim 1 further comprising an optically clear insert affixed to the protective shell and overlaying at least a portion of the second opening.

7. The protective cover of claim 6 wherein the optically clear insert comprises an optical lens.

8. The protective cover of claim 6 wherein the optically clear insert is molded into the protective shell.

9. The protective cover of claim 1 further comprising a movable door adapted to cover the third opening.

10. A protective cover for use with an electronic device, the electronic device having an interactive touch screen display, at least one control button, a camera feature, and an electrical interface, the protective cover comprising:

a protective shell base having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a plurality of side members defining a perimeter of the protective shell base, the side members of the protective shell base at least partially covering sides of the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective cover, the electronic device being a separate unit from the protective shell base;

a cushioning member coupled with the inner surface of the protective shell base, the cushioning member configured for cushioning the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective cover;

a first opening in the protective shell base, the first opening configured to align with and expose at least a portion of the interactive touch screen display of the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective cover;

a second opening in the protective shell base, the second opening configured to align with the camera feature of the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective cover; and

a pliable molded surface covering the at least one control button of the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective cover, wherein the pliable molded surface is configured to transmit a mechanical pressure applied at an exterior surface of the pliable molded surface to the control button of the electronic device for actuation of the control button while disposed in the protective cover.

11. The protective cover of claim 10 wherein the cushioning member includes the pliable molded surface covering the control button.

12. The protective cover of claim 10 further comprising an access port in at least one of the plurality of side members of the protective shell base, the access port configured to be proximate the electrical interface of the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective cover.

13. The protective cover of claim 12 further comprising a second access port in at least one of the plurality of side members of the protective shell base, the second access port configured to be proximate and provide access to a headphone jack of the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective cover.

14. The protective cover of claim 10 further comprising an opening in the cushioning member for accessing the electrical interface of the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective cover.

15. The protective cover of claim 10 further comprising a sealing member, the sealing member configured to seal at least one of the first opening and the second opening to a surface of the installed electronic device.

16. The protective cover of claim 15 wherein the cushioning member comprises the sealing member.

17. An apparatus for use with an electronic device, the electronic device having a housing, an interactive touchscreen display, a control button, a camera, and an electrical interface, the apparatus comprising:

a protective cover having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a plurality of side members defining a perimeter of the protective cover, the protective cover configured to receive at least a portion of the electronic device and cover at least a portion of the housing of the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the protective cover, the protective cover having a rigid shell and a cushioning member configured for cushioning at least a portion of the installed electronic device in the protective cover, wherein the cushioning member is configured to contact at least a portion of a back surface of the housing of the installed electronic device;

a first opening in the protective cover, the first opening configured to align with and provide access to at least a portion of the interactive touchscreen display of the installed electronic device;

a second opening in the protective cover, the second opening configured to align with the camera of the installed electronic device and provide optical access to the camera of the installed electronic device; and

a third opening in at least one of the plurality of the side members of the protective cover, the third opening positioned to be proximate the electrical interface of the installed electronic device and configured to provide access to the electrical interface of the installed electronic device from an area outside the protective cover.

18. The protective cover of claim 17 further comprising a door for covering the third opening, the door movable between a closed position and an opened position for accessing the electrical interface of the installed electronic device from an area outside of the protective cover.

19. The protective cover of claim 17 wherein the control button is on a side of the electronic device and the cushioning member is configured to extend over the control button of the installed electronic.

20. The protective cover of claim 17 further comprising a fourth opening in at least one of the plurality of the side members, the fourth opening positioned to be proximate a second electrical interface of the installed electronic device and configured to provide access to the second electrical interface of the installed electronic device from the area outside the protective cover.