Protective cover for electronic device

• US 10,340,970 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2018
• Issued: 07/02/2019
• 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:
  US16/009,360
• Publication Number:
  US 20180294831A1
• Time in Patent Office: 382 Days
• Field of Search: 4555758
• 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 use with an electronic device includes a protective shell, an electrical connector, and an inductive coil. The protective shell is configured to receive the electronic device and includes one or more apertures configured for accessing one or more respective features of the installed electronic device. The electrical connector is affixed to an interior surface of the protective shell and configured to engage electrical contacts of the installed electronic device. The inductive coil is disposed within the protective shell and is electrically connected to the electrical connector of the protective shell. The inductive coil is configured for producing an electrical current in response to a magnetic field generated by an external device in proximity to the protective shell.

Claims

1. A protective cover for use with an electronic device having an interactive control panel and electrical contacts, the protective cover comprising:

a protective shell configured to receive at least a portion of the electronic device to at least partially cover the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the protective shell, the protective shell including one or more apertures configured for accessing one or more respective features of the installed electronic device;

an electrical connector affixed to an inner surface of the protective shell and configured to engage the electrical contacts of the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the protective shell; and

an inductive coil disposed within the protective shell and electrically connected to the electrical connector of the protective shell, the inductive coil configured for producing an electrical current when exposed to a magnetic field generated by an external device in proximity to the protective shell, wherein the electrical current is conducted to the electrical connector of the protective shell.

2. The protective cover of claim 1 wherein the inductive coil is positioned between the inner surface and an outer surface of the protective shell.

3. The protective cover of claim 1 further comprising a cushioning member coupled with the inner surface of the protective shell, the cushioning member configured for contacting and cushioning the installed electronic device.

4. The protective cover of claim 3 wherein the cushioning member is overmolded onto the protective shell.

5. The protective cover of claim 1 wherein the protective shell includes a first member and a second member.

6. The protective cover of claim 1 further comprising a second electrical connector accessible at an outer surface of the protective shell.

7. The protective cover of claim 6 wherein the second electrical connector is configured to receive an electrical connector from a device external to the protective cover.

8. The protective cover of claim 1 wherein one of the one or more apertures comprises an opening in the protective shell configured to expose at least a portion of the interactive control panel of the installed electronic device.

9. The protective cover of claim 1 wherein one of the one or more apertures comprises an opening in the protective shell configured to provide optical access to a camera of the installed electronic device.

10. The protective cover of claim 1 wherein one of the one or more apertures comprises an opening in the protective shell configured to provide access to a button of the installed electronic device.

11. A protective cover for use with a portable electronic device, the protective cover comprising:

a protective shell at least partially lined with a cushioning member, the protective shell and cushioning member configured to receive at least a portion of the portable electronic device to at least partially cover the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is installed in the protective cover, the protective shell and the cushioning member including one or more openings configured for accessing one or more respective features of the installed portable electronic device;

an electrical connector affixed to an interior surface of the protective shell and configured to interface to an electrical connector of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is installed in the protective cover; and

an inductive electrical coil positioned in a wall of the protective shell, the inductive electrical coil electrically connected to the electrical connector of the protective shell through one or more electrical conductors, the inductive electrical coil configured for inductively exchanging electrical signals with another inductive electrical coil.

12. The protective cover of claim 11 wherein one of the one or more openings comprises an aperture in the protective cover configured to expose at least a portion of a touchscreen of the installed portable electronic device.

13. The protective cover of claim 11 wherein the protective cover further comprises a raised button portion configured for actuating a button of the installed portable electronic device from outside the protective cover.

14. The protective cover of claim 11 wherein one of the one or more openings comprises an aperture in the protective cover configured to provide optical access to a camera feature of the installed portable electronic device.

15. A protective case for use with a portable electronic device, the protective case comprising:

a protective shell removably attachable to the portable electronic device and configured to at least partially cover the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is installed in the protective case, the protective shell including one or more openings configured for providing access to one or more respective features of the installed portable electronic device;

an electrical connector affixed to an inner surface of the protective shell and positioned to interface to an electrical connector of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is installed in the protective case; and

an inductive coil electrically connected to the electrical connector of the protective shell through one or more electrical conductors and configured for exchanging electrical signals with the installed portable electronic device through the electrical connector of the protective cover and through the electrical connector of the installed portable electronic device, the inductive electrical coil further configured for inductively exchanging electrical signals with an external device.

16. The protective case of claim 15 wherein the protective cover further comprises a raised button portion formed from a pliable material, the raised button portion configured for actuating a button of the installed portable electronic device from outside the protective case.

17. The protective case of claim 15 further comprising a cushioning member coupled with the inner surface of the protective shell, the cushioning member configured for cushioning the installed portable electronic device.

18. The protective case of claim 15 further comprising a second electrical connector accessible at an outer surface of the protective shell.

19. The protective case of claim 18 further comprising a door that covers the second electrical connector, the door being movable from a closed position to an open position for providing selective access to the second electrical connector.

20. The protective case of claim 19 further comprising a gasket, wherein the gasket seals the door to the protective shell when the door is in the closed position.