HOUSING FOR ENCASING A TABLET COMPUTER

• US 20140233167A1
• Filed: 02/13/2014
• Published: 08/21/2014
• 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 8,995,126 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.3
• 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

An apparatus and a system for housing a device are described. 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. The perimeter is defined by proximal and distal ends as well as 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 encasement for a mobile computing device having a housing defined by a back side, a perimeter, and a front side that includes a touch screen display and a navigation button, the protective housing comprising:

a top member to at least partially cover the mobile computing device, the top member comprising;

a frame having an inside edge spaced apart from an outside edge, the inside edge to frame the touch screen display when the top member at least partially covers the mobile computing device, the outside edge defining an outer perimeter;

a button feature in the frame between the inside edge and the outside edge; and

a protrusion that extends down from an inner surface of the frame between the inside edge of the frame and the outer perimeter of the frame; and

a bottom member to mate with the top member, the bottom member comprising;

a inner surface and an outer surface with at least one lens formed therein, the inner surface for receiving at least part of the perimeter or back side of the mobile computing device,

an inner wall extending from the inner surface;

an outer perimeter defining an outer wall, the outer wall being spaced apart from the inner wall;

a first channel formed between the outer wall and the inner wall, the first channel to receive the protrusion of the top member;

a first seal disposed within the first channel to mate with the protrusion of the top member when the top member is mated with the bottom member to seal the first channel.

2. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the button feature includes an aperture to enable access to the navigation button of the mobile computing device.

3. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 2, wherein the button feature further includes a membrane that covers the aperture.

4. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 3, wherein the membrane comprises a gasket.

5. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 4, wherein the gasket is waterproof.

6. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 5, wherein the button feature further includes a button.

7. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the inside edge comprises a second seal to mate with and seal against the front side of the mobile computing device proximate the touch screen display.

8. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 7, wherein the second seal is formed of an injection molded material.

9. A protective encasement for a mobile computing device having a housing defined by a back side, a perimeter, and a front side that includes a touch screen display, the mobile computing device further having a control switch, the protective housing comprising:

a top member to at least partially cover the mobile computing device, the top member comprising;

a frame having an inside edge spaced apart from an outside edge, the inside edge to frame the touch screen display when the top member at least partially covers the mobile computing device, the inside edge having a first seal to mate with and seal against the front side of the mobile computing device proximate the touch screen display, the outside edge defining an outer perimeter; and

a protrusion that extends down from an inner surface of the frame between the inside edge of the frame and the outer perimeter of the frame; and

a bottom member to mate with the top member, the bottom member comprising;

a inner surface and an outer surface with at least one lens formed therein, the inner surface for receiving at least part of the perimeter or back side of the mobile computing device,

an outer perimeter defining an outer wall;

a second seal disposed along the outer perimeter of the bottom member to mate with the protrusion of the top member when the top member is mated with the bottom member to seal the protective encasement between the top member and the bottom member.

10. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 9, wherein the bottom member further comprises:

an inner wall extending from the inner surface and being spaced apart from the outer wall; and

a first channel formed between the outer wall and the inner wall, the first channel to receive the protrusion of the top member to mate with the second seal.

11. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 9, wherein either the top member or the bottom member further comprises a switch feature positioned to operate the control switch of the mobile computing device when the top member is mated with the bottom member to encase the mobile computing device.

12. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 11, wherein the switch feature includes a switch interface to control the control switch of the mobile computing device, and one or more actuators coupled between the switch interface and a user interface.

13. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 12, wherein the switch interface includes two or more teeth to abut the control switch of the mobile computing device.

14. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 12, wherein the switch interface includes a receptacle to receive at least a portion of the control switch of the mobile computing device.

15. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 12, wherein the switch interface rotates about the one or more actuators of the switch feature.

16. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 12, wherein the user interface includes a knob.

17. A protective encasement for a mobile computing device having a housing defined by a back side, a perimeter, and a front side that includes a touch screen display, the mobile computing device further having a volume control, the protective housing comprising:

a top member to at least partially cover the mobile computing device, the top member comprising;

a frame having an inside edge spaced apart from an outside edge, the inside edge to frame the touch screen display when the top member at least partially covers the mobile computing device, the inside edge having a first seal to mate with and seal against the front side of the mobile computing device proximate the touch screen display, the outside edge defining a top outer perimeter; and

a bottom member to mate with the top member, the bottom member comprising;

a inner surface and an outer surface with at least one lens formed therein, the inner surface for receiving at least part of the perimeter or back side of the mobile computing device; and

an outer wall defining a bottom outer perimeter; and

a second seal disposed between the bottom outer perimeter of the bottom member and the top outer perimeter of the top member when the bottom member is mated with the top member to seal the protective encasement between the bottom member and the top member.

18. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 17, wherein the frame of the top member further includes a rigid portion having an inner frame surface and an outer frame surface.

19. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 18, wherein the rigid portion further comprises an aperture extending between the inner frame surface and the outer frame surface and being aligned with the volume control of the mobile computing device, the aperture having a button feature positioned therein to operate the volume control.

20. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 19, wherein the button feature comprises a flexible actuator.

21. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 20, wherein the flexible actuator is sealed within the aperture of the rigid portion of the frame.

22. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 17, wherein the bottom member further comprises a rigid frame.

23. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 21, wherein a flexible actuator portion is overmolded on the flexible actuator.

24. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 23, wherein the flexible actuator portion includes a gasket.

25. A protective encasement for a mobile computing device having a housing defined by a back side, a perimeter, and a front side that includes a touch screen display, the mobile computing device further having a sound transmission feature, the protective housing comprising:

a top member to at least partially cover the mobile computing device, the top member comprising;

a frame having an inside edge spaced apart from an outside edge, the inside edge to frame the touch screen display when the top member at least partially covers the mobile computing device, the outside edge defining a top outer perimeter; and

a bottom member to mate with the top member, the bottom member comprising;

a inner surface and an outer surface with at least one lens formed therein, the inner surface for receiving at least part of the perimeter or back side of the mobile computing device; and

an outer wall defining a bottom outer perimeter;

a first seal disposed between the bottom outer perimeter of the bottom member and the top outer perimeter of the top member when the bottom member is mated with the top member to seal the protective encasement between the bottom member and the top member; and

an acoustic port in either the top member or the bottom member, and being positioned proximate the sound transmission feature of the mobile computing device.

26. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 26, wherein the acoustic port comprises a sound channel extending from an interior to an exterior of the protective encasement.

27. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 26, wherein the acoustic port further comprises a membrane that traverses the sound channel.

28. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 27, wherein the membrane is sound transmissive and liquid impermeable.

29. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 28, wherein the membrane is attached to the interior or exterior of the protective encasement.

30. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 29, wherein the membrane further includes a perimeter portion that is overmolded on the interior or exterior of the protective encasement.