Pressurized waterproof case electronic device
First Claim
1. A pressurized waterproof case for an electronic device, comprising:
- a housing defining a rigid container having an open front face and an access opening;
a flexible touch screen panel disposed over the front face;
a rigid hatch selectively disposed over the access opening, the rigid hatch, the touch screen panel, and the housing defining a substantially waterproof and fluid-tight case when the rigid hatch is disposed over the access opening, the substantially waterproof and fluid-tight case being dimensioned and configured for enclosing an electronic device having a touch screen user interface with the touch screen disposed beneath the touch screen panel;
a regulator valve mounted in the housing, the regulator valve being selectively openable to admit pressurized gas into the container to space the touch screen panel from the touch screen; and
a pressure relief valve mounted in the housing, the pressure relief valve being configured to release pressured gas from the container when pressure inside the container exceeds ambient pressure.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pressurized waterproof case for an electronic device is particularly adapted for fluid-tight containment and operation of a touch-screen electronic device or the like therein at some appreciable water depth. In one example, the case may be formed as an enclosure having an open top panel or face covered by a flexible, transparent membrane or the like for the operation of the touchscreen device within the case. A pressurizing system is provided for the case to pressurize the case and the electronic device therein to slightly greater than ambient in order to prevent the external water pressure from bearing against the transparent membrane and pressing it against the touch screen, thereby precluding operation of the touch screen device within the case. The pressurizing system may include a small gas cartridge or may be provided from an external source.
18 Citations
34 Claims
-
1. A pressurized waterproof case for an electronic device, comprising:
-
a housing defining a rigid container having an open front face and an access opening; a flexible touch screen panel disposed over the front face; a rigid hatch selectively disposed over the access opening, the rigid hatch, the touch screen panel, and the housing defining a substantially waterproof and fluid-tight case when the rigid hatch is disposed over the access opening, the substantially waterproof and fluid-tight case being dimensioned and configured for enclosing an electronic device having a touch screen user interface with the touch screen disposed beneath the touch screen panel; a regulator valve mounted in the housing, the regulator valve being selectively openable to admit pressurized gas into the container to space the touch screen panel from the touch screen; and a pressure relief valve mounted in the housing, the pressure relief valve being configured to release pressured gas from the container when pressure inside the container exceeds ambient pressure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A pressurized waterproof case for an electronic device, comprising:
-
a housing defining a rigid container having an open front face and an access opening; a flexible touch screen panel disposed over the front face; a rigid hatch selectively disposed over the access opening, the rigid hatch, the touch screen panel, and the housing defining a substantially waterproof and fluid-tight case when the rigid hatch is disposed over the access opening, the substantially waterproof and fluid-tight case being dimensioned and configured for enclosing an electronic device having a touch screen user interface with the touch screen disposed beneath the touch screen panel;
a regulator valve mounted in the housing, the regulator valve being selectively openable to admit pressurized gas into the container to space the touch screen panel from the touch screen;a cartridge of compressed gas attached to the housing external to the container, the cartridge being connected to the regulator valve; and a pressure relief valve mounted in the housing, the pressure relief valve being configured to release pressured gas from the container when pressure inside the container exceeds ambient pressure. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A pressurized waterproof case and a touch-screen electronic device for use therein, comprising in combination:
-
a housing defining a rigid container having an open front face; a flexible touch screen panel disposed over the front face, the housing and the touch screen panel defining a substantially waterproof and fluid-tight enclosure; an electronic device having a touch screen, the electronic device being disposed in the enclosure with the touch screen aligned with the touch screen panel; and pressurized gas disposed in the enclosure, the gas having a pressure slightly greater than ambient pressure in order to space the touch screen panel from the touch screen, the touch screen panel being compressible against the touch screen when pressed by a user'"'"'s finger. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A fluid-tight case for a touch-screen electronic device, comprising:
-
a housing that is substantially fluid-tight; a flexible panel on a surface of the housing configured to allow operation of a touch screen of an electronic device located within the housing; and a regulator valve connected to the housing, wherein the regulator valve is configured to admit pressurized gas into the housing to space the flexible panel away from the touch screen. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
-
Specification