PROTECTIVE CASE FOR A WILDLIFE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM

• US 20090194443A1
• Filed: 02/01/2008
• Published: 08/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Non Typical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Non Typical Incorporated
• Inventors: Cuddeback, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 8,973,751 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/316.2
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/08 Waterproof bodies or housings
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/56 Accessories carrying-cases A45C11/38

Abstract

A protective case that resists fractures, punctures, deformations, and other failures for use with a wildlife surveillance system is provided. The protective case includes a cooperating base and cover. The base and cover define a cavity therebetween, which houses the wildlife surveillance system. The base and cover interlock with each other, providing multi-dimensional stability of the entire assemblage. In addition, the protective case is made from a material that can endure manipulations, handling, or attacks from various wildlife animals, including, e.g., bears and others.

Claims

1. A protective case for housing a wildlife surveillance system, comprising:

a base for attaching the protective case to a mounting substrate;

a cover removably attached to the base;

a cavity defined between the base and the cover and configured for housing the wildlife surveillance system; and

an interlocking connector for slidingly engaging the base and the cover with each other.

2. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the interlocking connector includes corresponding slots and tabs.

3. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the interlocking connector includes a tab having a downwardly extending leg portion.

4. The protective case of claim 1, wherein multiple interlocking connectors are provided on opposing lateral portions of the protective case.

5. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the protective case has a perimeter defining a perimeter length, the protective case including multiple interlocking connectors extending about a major portion of the perimeter length.

6. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the cover has an upper wall defining a recessed edge portion.

7. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the base has an upper wall including an elongate lip protruding therefrom.

8. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the base includes multiple sidewalls, at least one of the sidewalls having a slot configured to receive a portion of the wildlife surveillance system therein.

9. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the cover has a front wall with at least one opening permitting a non-obscured path between a portion of the wildlife surveillance system and the surrounding area.

10. A protective case for housing a wildlife surveillance system having an enclosure made from a first material, the protective case comprising:

a base configured to accept the wildlife surveillance system therein;

a cover detachably connected to the base and securing the wildlife surveillance system in the protective case; and

wherein at least one of the base and the cover is made from a second material having a yield strength greater than a yield strength of the first material, the magnitude of the second material yield strength being sufficiently great to reduce occurrences of failure when the protective case experiences forces that would cause failure of the surveillance system enclosure.

11. The protective case of claim 10, wherein at least one of the base and the cover has a yield strength value of at least about 14 MPa has low as commercially significant.

12. The protective case of claim 10, wherein at least one of the base and the cover is made from a material having a thickness dimension of at least about 14 gauge.

13. The protective case of claim 10, wherein at least one of the base and the cover is made from a material having a thickness dimension of at least about 12 gauge.

14. The protective case of claim 10, wherein at least one of the base and the cover is made from a ferrous material.

15. The protective case of claim 10, wherein at least one of the base and the cover is made from steel.

16. The protective case of claim 10, further comprising a lock mechanism that secures the cover to the base, wherein the lock mechanism includes multiple interfacing shackle plates, each shackle plate configured to receive a padlock shackle therethrough.

17. The protective case of claim 16, wherein the lock mechanism further includes a lateral plate displaced from the shackle plates, the lateral plate reducing accessibility to a padlock shackle extending through the shackle plates.

18. The protective case of claim 17, wherein the lock mechanism is integral to the protective case.

19. A protective case for housing a wildlife surveillance system having user controls, the protective case comprising:

a base;

a cover removably attached to the base;

a cavity defined between the base and the cover and configured for housing the wildlife surveillance system therein; and

a lock mechanism for securing the cover to the base.

20. The protective case of claim 19, wherein the user controls of the wildlife surveillance system are inaccessible when the cover is secured to the base.

21. The protective case of claim 19, wherein the lock mechanism includes multiple interfacing shackle plates, each shackle plate configured to receive a padlock shackle therethrough.

22. The protective case of claim 19, wherein the lock mechanism includes multiple shackle plates for receiving a padlock shackle therethrough, and a lateral plate displaced from the shackle plates, the lateral plate reducing accessibility to a padlock shackle extending through the shackle plates.

23. The protective case of claim 19, wherein the base includes a lower wall having a slot extending thereinto, a portion of the lock mechanism projecting into the slot of the lower wall.