Methods and apparatus for a rugged mobile device housing
First Claim
1. A housing for protecting a component in a mobile device, said housing comprising:
- a first structure comprising a first material, wherein said first material is an elastomer;
a second structure comprising a second material and bonded to said first structure, wherein said second material is a high-stiffness plastic, and wherein the component is secured to said second structure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A rugged mobile device housing is provided for protecting a component (e.g., a liquid crystal display, a keyboard, a printed circuit board, or the like) and includes one or more first structures comprising a first material provided in a region of the housing capable of withstanding deflection, wherein the first material is an elastomer, and one or more second structures bonded to the first structure, wherein the second structure is a high-stiffness plastic. In one embodiment, the first material is a high-stiffness elastomer and the second material is a long glass fiber filled thermoplastic (“LGF” plastic). In one embodiment, the first structure is located at a corner of the housing and the second structure is located in the middle of the housing. In another embodiment, the first structure is located in the center of the housing and the second structures are located at the ends. In yet another embodiment, a projecting handle and hinge are provided, where the first structure is located at the handle and the second structure is located at the hinge.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A housing for protecting a component in a mobile device, said housing comprising:
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a first structure comprising a first material, wherein said first material is an elastomer;
a second structure comprising a second material and bonded to said first structure, wherein said second material is a high-stiffness plastic, and wherein the component is secured to said second structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for forming a rugged mobile device housing for protecting a component, said method comprising the steps of:
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identifying a first region of the mobile device housing capable of tolerating deflection;
identifying a second region of the mobile device housing not capable of tolerating deflection;
forming, using an elastomer, a first structure of a first material in said first region;
forming, using a high-stiffness plastic, a second structure of a second material in said second region;
securing the component to the second structure. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A rugged mobile device comprising:
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a housing, said housing comprising;
a first structure comprising a first material, wherein said first material is a high-stiffness elastomer, and wherein said first structure is located in a region of said housing capable of withstanding deflection;
a second structure comprising a second material and bonded to said first structure, wherein said second material is a long glass fiber filled thermoplastic, and a liquid crystal display secured to said second structure. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification