Housing for encasing a mobile computing device

• US 10,090,877 B2
• Filed: 04/17/2017
• Issued: 10/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Treefrog Developments Incorporated (Otter Products LLC)
• Original Assignee: Treefrog Developments Incorporated (Otter Products LLC)
• Inventors: Rayner, Gary A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mayo, III, William H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gonzalez, Hiram E
• Application Number:
  US15/489,231
• Publication Number:
  US 20170237460A1
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1613 for portable computers cooling arrangements therefor G06F1/203; constructional details or arrangements for pocket calculators, electronic agendas or books G06F15/0216; constructional details of portable telephone sets: with several bodies H04M1/0202
• 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 1/1628 Carrying enclosures containing additional elements, e.g. case for a laptop and a printer
• 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 1/1679 for locking or maintaining the movable parts of the enclosure in a fixed position, e.g. latching mechanism at the edge of the display in a laptop or for the screen protective cover of a PDA G06F1/1681 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/06 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof or flameproof casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/10 characterised by the material or arrangement of seals between parts, e.g. between cap and base of the container or between leads and walls of the container
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/035 Improving the acoustic characteristics by means of constructional features of the housing, e.g. ribs, walls, resonating chambers or cavities
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/18 Telephone sets specially adapted for use in ships, mines, or other places exposed to adverse environment H04M1/19 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0004 comprising several parts forming a closed casing
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 with operator interface units
• 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: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An apparatus and a system for housing a device are described. The housing may include top and bottom members that may be removably coupled together so as to form the housing. The bottom member includes a bottom peripheral portion having a sound transmission portion configured to allow sound to traverse through the bottom member. The sound transmission portion is positioned on a back surface of the bottom peripheral portion proximate a speaker portion of the mobile computing device when the mobile computing device is encased by the protective encasement. The speaker transmission port includes a plurality of apertures translating from the interior surface of the bottom member to the external surface of the bottom member and an acoustic vent membrane overlaying the plurality of apertures, the acoustic vent membrane configured to allow sound but not water to pass through the acoustic vent membrane.

Claims

1. A protective encasement for a mobile computing device having an electronic port, the protective encasement comprising:

a top member to at least partially cover the mobile computing device and a bottom member to mate with the top member, the top and bottom members each having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surfaces to receive at least a portion of the mobile computing device to at least partially encase the mobile computing device, the bottom member including a bottom peripheral portion having a speaker transmission port configured to be proximate a speaker portion of the mobile computing device when the mobile computing device is received by the bottom member, wherein the speaker transmission port includes;

one or more apertures extending from the interior surface of the bottom member to the exterior surface of the bottom member to facilitate a transmission of sound from the speaker portion of the received mobile computing device to the exterior surface,

a speaker grille overlaying the one or more apertures, and

a sound passable but liquid-impermeable membrane configured to allow the transmission of sound through the membrane and to prevent the ingress of water into the encasement through the apertures;

a microphone transmission port positioned on a proximal bottom member end portion of the bottom member, the microphone transmission port including a port aperture covered by a second membrane configured to allow the transmission of sound through the membrane and to prevent the ingress of water into the encasement through the port aperture;

a noise cancelling feature positioned on a perimeter portion of the bottom member and including an acoustic inlet aperture in communication with the interior surface of the bottom member and configured to direct ambient noise through a sound guide channel towards a noise cancelling microphone of the mobile computing device when the mobile computing device is received by the protective encasement, the sound guide channel being transected by a third membrane configured to allow the transmission of sound through the membrane and to prevent the ingress of water into the encasement through the sound guide channel; and

a coupling mechanism to couple the top member with the bottom member.

2. The protective encasement of claim 1 further comprising a waterproof gasket surrounding the speaker transmission port, the waterproof gasket configured to seal the bottom member with the mobile computing device when the mobile computing device is received by the bottom member.

3. The protective encasement of claim 1, wherein the back surface of the bottom member includes an offset proximate the speaker grille, the offset configured to lift the back surface from a surface on which the back surface is set.

4. The protective encasement of claim 1, wherein the one or more apertures comprise a plurality of horizontal bars in the speaker grille.

5. The protective encasement of claim 1, wherein the one or more apertures comprise a plurality of vertical bars in the speaker grille.

6. The protective encasement of claim 1, wherein the one or more apertures comprise a plurality of circular openings in the speaker grille.

7. The protective encasement of claim 1, wherein the one or more apertures comprises a plurality of square-shaped openings.

8. The protective encasement of claim 1, wherein the speaker transmission port is located proximate a corner of the back portion.

9. The protective encasement of claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism includes a seal positioned in a channel in one of the top member and the bottom member, a protrusion extending from the other of the top member and the bottom member pressing against the seal in the channel to seal the top member to the bottom member when the top member is coupled with the bottom member.

10. The protective encasement of claim 1, wherein the top member includes:

a frame having an inside edge spaced apart from an outside edge, the inside edge configured to frame a touch screen display of the received mobile computing device;

a protrusion that extends down from an inner surface of the frame between the inside edge of the frame and the outside edge of the frame; and

a second seal proximate and attached to the inside edge of the frame, the second seal configured to form a seal between the inside edge of the frame of the top member and the received mobile computing device proximate the touch screen display.

11. A protective encasement for a mobile computing device having a port for receiving a charger to charge the mobile computing device, the protective encasement comprising:

a top member to at least partially cover the mobile computing device and a bottom member to mate with the top member, the top and bottom members each having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surfaces to receive at least a portion of the mobile computing device to at least partially encase the mobile computing device, the bottom member including a bottom peripheral portion having a sound transmission portion configured to allow sound to traverse through the bottom member, the sound transmission portion configured to be proximate a speaker portion of the mobile computing device when the mobile computing device is encased by the protective encasement, wherein the sound transmission portion includes a plurality of apertures translating from the interior surface of the bottom member to the exterior surface of the bottom member and an acoustic vent membrane overlaying the plurality of apertures, the acoustic vent membrane configured to allow sound but not water to pass through the acoustic vent membrane;

a microphone transmission port positioned on a proximal bottom member end portion of the bottom member, the microphone transmission port including a port aperture covered by a second membrane configured to allow the transmission of sound through the membrane and to prevent the ingress of water into the encasement through the port aperture;

a noise cancelling feature positioned on a distal end of the bottom member and including an acoustic inlet aperture in communication with the interior surface of the bottom member and configured to direct ambient noise through a sound guide channel towards a noise cancelling microphone of the mobile computing device when the mobile computing device is encased by the protective encasement, the sound guide channel being transected by a third membrane configured to allow the transmission of sound through the membrane and to prevent the ingress of water into the encasement through the sound guide channel; and

a coupling mechanism to couple the top member with the bottom member.

12. The protective encasement of claim 11, wherein the sound transmission portion is positioned proximate a right proximal end of the bottom member.

13. The protective encasement of claim 11 further comprising a speaker sound channel for directing sound away from the speaker portion when the mobile computing device is encased by the protective encasement, wherein the sound channel is configured to taper towards the acoustic vent membrane.

14. The protective encasement of claim 13, wherein the speaker sound channel includes an overmold portion configured to interface with a perimeter portion of the acoustic vent membrane to form a liquid-tight seal with the membrane.

15. The protective encasement of claim 11 further comprising a microphone acoustic vent and a microphone sound channel for directing sound toward the microphone acoustic vent.

16. The protective encasement of claim 11 further comprising a waterproof gasket surrounding the sound transmission portion, the waterproof gasket configured to seal the bottom member with the mobile computing device when the mobile computing device is received by the bottom member.

17. The protective encasement of claim 11, wherein the coupling mechanism includes a seal positioned in a channel in one of the top member and the bottom member, a protrusion extending from the other of the top member and the bottom member pressing against the seal in the channel to seal the top member to the bottom member when the top member is coupled with the bottom member.

18. The protective encasement of claim 11, wherein the top member includes:

a frame having an inside edge spaced apart from an outside edge, the inside edge configured to frame a touch screen display of the received mobile computing device;

a protrusion that extends down from an inner surface of the frame between the inside edge of the frame and the outside edge of the frame; and

a second seal proximate and attached to the inside edge of the frame, the second seal configured to form a seal between the inside edge of the frame of the top member and the received mobile computing device proximate the touch screen display.

19. A protective encasement for a mobile computing device having an electronic port, the protective encasement comprising:

a top member to at least partially cover the mobile computing device;

a bottom member to mate with the top member, the top and bottom members each having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surfaces forming an interior of the protective encasement configured to receive at least a portion of the mobile computing device to at least partially encase the mobile computing device, the bottom member including a speaker transmission port configured to be proximate a speaker portion of the mobile computing device when the mobile computing device is received by the bottom member, the speaker transmission port including one or more apertures extending from the interior surface of the bottom member to the exterior surface of the bottom member to facilitate a transmission of sound from the speaker portion of the received mobile computing device to the exterior surface, and a membrane configured to allow the transmission of sound through the membrane and to prevent the ingress of water into the encasement through the apertures;

a microphone transmission port positioned on a proximal bottom member end portion of the bottom member, the microphone transmission port including a port aperture covered by a second membrane configured to allow the transmission of sound through the membrane and to prevent the ingress of water into the encasement through the port aperture;

a noise cancelling feature spaced apart from the microphone transmission port and positioned on one of a perimeter portion of top member or a perimeter portion of the bottom member, the noise cancelling feature including an acoustic inlet aperture in communication with the interior of the protective encasement and configured to direct ambient noise through a sound guide channel towards a noise cancelling microphone of the mobile computing device when the mobile computing device is encased by the protective encasement, the sound guide channel being transected by a third membrane configured to allow the transmission of sound through the membrane and to prevent the ingress of water into the encasement through the sound guide channel; and

a coupling mechanism to couple the top member with the bottom member.

20. The protective encasement of claim 19, wherein the top member includes:

a frame having an inside edge spaced apart from an outside edge, the inside edge configured to frame a touch screen display of the received mobile computing device;

a protrusion that extends down from an inner surface of the frame between the inside edge of the frame and the outer perimeter of the frame; and

a second seal proximate and attached to the inside edge of the frame, the second seal configured to form a seal between the inside edge of the frame of the top member and the received mobile computing device proximate the touch screen display.