Housing For Encasing a Tablet Computer

• US 20120314354A1
• Filed: 06/13/2012
• Published: 12/13/2012
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 9,300,344 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.01
• 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

This disclosure relates generally to an apparatus and/or system for housing a device. The apparatus includes a housing that is configured such that a device may be fitted within the housing and thereby be protected, such as from shocks and/or liquid. The housing may include top and bottom members that may be removably coupled together so as to form the housing. Each top and bottom member includes a perimeter portion defined by proximal and distal ends and opposing sides. The top and bottom members may include respective clasping mechanisms that extend along the perimeter of the top and bottom members and may be configured for engaging a third clasping mechanism, such as a locking comb or wedge feature. The clasping mechanisms are configured for coupling the top and bottom members with one another thereby sealing the housing, for instance, in a shock-proof and/or water tight seal.

Claims

1. A protective housing for an electronic device having a touch-sensitive display, the protective housing comprising:

a bottom member to house at least a first portion of the electronic device;

a top member to house at least a second portion of the electronic device, the top member having an inner edge to frame at least a portion of the touch-sensitive display to allow touch access to the portion of the touch-sensitive display; and

a coupling mechanism to couple the top member with the bottom member to house the first and second portions of the electronic device, to seal the top member with the bottom member, and to seal the inner edge of the top member with a region proximate at least the portion of the touch-sensitive display.

2. The protective housing in accordance with claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism includes a first seal between the bottom member and the top member.

3. The protective housing in accordance with claim 2, wherein the first seal provides a first water resistant seal between an outer periphery of the top member and the bottom member when the top member is coupled with the bottom member.

4. The protective housing in accordance with claim 2, wherein the first seal is provided proximate an outer periphery of both the bottom member and the top member.

5. The protective housing in accordance with claim 2, wherein the coupling mechanism includes a second seal between an inner edge of the top member and a region proximate at least the portion of the touch-sensitive display.

6. The protective housing in accordance with claim 5, wherein the second seal provides a second water resistant seal between the inner edge of the top member and the region proximate at least the portion of the touch-sensitive display when the top member is coupled with the bottom member.

7. The protective housing in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a flexible ridge proximate the inner edge of the top member.

8. The protective housing in accordance with claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism includes one or more latching mechanisms to latch the top member with the bottom member when the top member is coupled with the bottom member.

9. The protective housing in accordance with claim 8, wherein the one or more latching mechanisms comprise:

a first latching mechanism at an outer periphery of the bottom member; and

a second latching mechanism at an outer periphery of the top member and configured to latch with the first latching mechanism to latch the top member with the bottom member when the top member is coupled with the bottom member.

10. The protective housing in accordance with claim 9, wherein the one or more latching mechanisms comprise:

a third latching mechanism on the bottom member near the first latching mechanism; and

a fourth latching mechanism on the top member near the second latching mechanism and configured to latch with the third latching mechanism to further latch the top member with the bottom member when the top member is coupled with the bottom member.

11. The protective housing in accordance with claim 10, wherein the first latching mechanism includes a first wall extending up from the outer periphery of the bottom member, and a first ridge that protrudes inwardly along at least a portion of an inner face of the first wall.

12. The protective housing in accordance with claim 11, wherein the second latching mechanism includes a second wall extending down from the outer periphery of the top member, and a second ridge that protrudes along at least a portion of an outer face of the second wall to engage with the first ridge of the first latching mechanism when the top member is latched with the bottom member.

13. The protective housing in accordance with claim 12, wherein the third latching mechanism includes a third wall extending up from the bottom member and spaced apart from the first wall to form a first channel along at least a portion of the outer periphery of the bottom member, the third latching mechanism further including a plurality of detents spaced apart in the third wall.

14. The protective housing in accordance with claim 13, wherein the fourth latching mechanism includes a plurality of tabs protruding from an inward face of the second wall extending down from the outer periphery of the top member, each of the plurality of tabs to engage with a corresponding one of the plurality of detents of the third latching mechanism when the top member is latched with the bottom member.

15. The protective housing in accordance with claim 13, further comprising a first gasket disposed in the first channel to abut the second wall extending down from the outer periphery of the top member when the top member is latched with the bottom member, the first gasket providing a first water resistant seal between the top member and the bottom member when the top member is coupled with the bottom member.

16. The protective housing in accordance with claim 5, wherein the top member includes a second channel proximate the inner edge, and wherein the second seal includes a second gasket disposed in the second channel to abut the region proximate at least the portion of the touch-sensitive display when the top member is coupled with the bottom member, the second gasket providing a second water resistant seal between the top member and the bottom member when the top member is coupled with the bottom member.

17. The protective housing in accordance with claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism includes one or more of a screw, a ratchet, a bolt, a snap, a detent, a ball-and-socket connector, a ridge, a hole and an associated tang, and a mushroom snap.

18. The protective housing in accordance with claim 1, wherein the top member and the bottom member include a rigid frame member.

19. The protective housing in accordance with claim 1, further comprising one or more electrical interconnection ports.

20. The protective housing in accordance with claim 19, wherein each of the one or more electrical interconnection ports includes a sealing member.

21. The protective housing in accordance with claim 20, wherein the one or more electrical interconnection ports includes a data and charge port, and wherein the sealing member includes a latching door.

22. The protective housing in accordance with claim 21, wherein the data and charge port is through the top member, and wherein the latching door is coupled to the bottom member by a pivot and configured to latch over the data and charge port.

23. The protective housing in accordance with claim 20, wherein the one or more electrical interconnection ports includes a threaded earphone jack aperture, and wherein the sealing member includes a threaded bung to occupy and seal the threaded earphone jack aperture.

24. The protective housing in accordance with claim 19, wherein each of the one or more electrical interconnection ports is sealable by one of a number of sealing members that consists of:

a latching door, a plug, a screw with a gasket, a bayonet, a sliding door, and a latching door with a sealable aperture.

25. The protective housing in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bottom member further includes one or more external accessory physical interconnections on an outer surface of the bottom member for connecting the bottom member with an external accessory.

27. The protective housing in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a speaker grille having a sound passable and water-impermeable membrane that overlays the speaker grille.

28. The protective housing in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a camera lens provided in at least one of the top member and the bottom member.

29. The protective housing in accordance with claim 1, wherein the top member further comprises one or more teeth extending upward from an inner surface of the top member, the one or more teeth to receive and position the electronic device relative to the top member.

30. The protective housing in accordance with claim 1, further comprising one or more sealed buttons to operate a corresponding one or more buttons of the electronic device.

31. The protective housing in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a sealed actuator to operate a corresponding linear switch of the electronic device.

32. The protective housing in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an electronic device simulant having a plurality of dimensions corresponding with dimensions of the electronic device, and to simulate the electronic device being housed and sealed by the top member and the bottom member when the top member is coupled with the bottom member.

33. The protective housing in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bottom member further includes an inner edge of the bottom member to frame at least a portion of a back surface of the electronic device opposite the touch-sensitive display to allow touch access to the back surface, and wherein the coupling mechanism is configured to seal the inner edge of the bottom member with a region proximate at least the portion of the back surface of the electronic device.

34. The protective housing in accordance with claim 33, wherein the coupling mechanism includes a third seal between the inner edge of the bottom member and the region proximate at least the portion of the back surface of the electronic device.

35. The protective housing in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a removable membrane for fixed placement on at least the portion of the touch-sensitive display, the removable membrane extending over the region proximate at least the portion of the touch sensitive display to seal against the inner edge of the top member when the top member is coupled with the bottom member.

36. The protective housing in accordance with claim 35, wherein the removable membrane includes at least one button region formed of a depression provided on a top surface of the removable membrane and positioned to correspond with a position of a button on the electronic device.

37. The protective housing in accordance with claim 35, wherein the removable membrane includes a protrusion provided on a surface of the removable membrane, the protrusion region being positioned to correspond with a position of a button on the electronic device.

38. The protective housing in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a removable membrane for fixed placement on a region of the electronic device, the removable membrane being framed and sealed by the top member and/or the bottom member when the top member is coupled with the bottom member.

39. The protective housing in accordance with claim 38, wherein the removable membrane is translucent.

40. The protective housing in accordance with claim 38, wherein the removable membrane includes one or more indicia printed on a surface of the removable membrane.

41. A method comprising

housing at least a first portion of an electronic device in a bottom member of a protective housing, the electronic device having a touch-sensitive display;

housing at least a second portion of the electronic device in a top member of the protective housing, the top member having an inner edge to frame at least a portion of the touch-sensitive display to allow touch access to the portion of the touch-sensitive display; and

coupling, with a coupling mechanism, the top member with the bottom member to house the first and second portions of the electronic device, to seal the top member with the bottom member, and to seal the inner edge of the top member with a region proximate at least the portion of the touch-sensitive display.