EXPLOSION PROOF ASSEMBLY

• US 20150265018A1
• Filed: 09/26/2013
• Published: 09/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xciel, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Xciel, Inc.
• Inventors: Balourdet, Xavier
• Granted Patent: US 9,867,438 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/00 Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/008 for making water- or air-tight
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/002 for portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/003 for portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2200/15 Articles convertible into a stand, e.g. for displaying purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/52 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3894 Waterproofing of transmission device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An explosion proof assembly includes a case configured to receive a waterproof assembly having a waterproof enclosure housing a computing device, wherein the case is configured to prevent combustion within an internal cavity of the waterproof enclosure. The assembly may include a flap coupled to the case to retain the computing device in the case, wherein the flap includes a tool-operated retention member configured to retain the flap in a closed position, wherein the retention member of the case is configured to be unfastened using a tool, and wherein the case and the tool-operated retention member are configured to prevent combustion within an internal cavity of the computing device.

Claims

1. An explosion proof assembly comprising:

a case configured to receive a waterproof assembly comprising a waterproof enclosure housing a computing device;

wherein the case is configured to prevent combustion within an internal cavity of the waterproof enclosure.

2. The explosion proof assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

the waterproof assembly comprising;

the computing device having an electrical connector; and

the waterproof enclosure, wherein the computing device is disposed in the waterproof enclosure;

wherein the waterproof enclosure is configured to restrict the ingress of water and dust into the waterproof enclosure.

3. The explosion proof assembly of claim 2, wherein the computing device comprises a tablet computer.

4. The explosion proof assembly of claim 2, wherein the computing device comprises a smartphone.

5. The explosion proof assembly of claim 2, wherein the computing device comprises an electrical connector.

6. The explosion proof assembly of claim 5, wherein the case comprises a flap having a tool-operated retention mechanism configured to secure the flap in a closed position.

7. The explosion proof assembly of claim 6, wherein when the flap is in a closed position the electrical connector of the computing device is prevented from being exposed to the surrounding environment.

8. The explosion proof assembly of claim 6, wherein the retention mechanism comprises a screw that is configured to mechanically couple to a rear panel of the case.

9. The explosion proof assembly of claim 6, further comprising:

a first ring secured to the flap of the case; and

a second ring secured to a rear panel of the case.

10. The explosion proof assembly of claim 9, further comprising a lock secured to the first and second rings, wherein the lock secures the flap in a closed position.

11. An explosion proof assembly comprising:

a case;

a computing device received in the case;

a flap coupled to the case to retain the computing device in the case, wherein the flap comprises a tool-operated retention member configured to retain the flap in a closed position;

wherein the retention member of the case is configured to be unfastened using a tool;

wherein the case and the tool-operated retention member are configured to prevent combustion within an internal cavity of the computing device.

12. The explosion proof assembly of claim 11, wherein the retention member comprises a screw configured to couple to a rear panel of the case.

13. The explosion proof assembly of claim 11, wherein the retention member comprises:

a first ring secured to the flap of the case;

a second ring secured to a rear panel of the case; and

a lock secured to the first and second rings, wherein the lock secures the flap in a closed position.

14. The explosion proof assembly of claim 11 further comprising a waterproof enclosure having a flexible body and a cavity, wherein the computing device is disposed in the cavity of the waterproof enclosure.

15. The explosion proof assembly of claim 14, wherein the computing device comprises a touch screen and wherein the waterproof enclosure comprises a seal disposed about the touch screen.

16. The explosion proof assembly of claim 11, wherein the computing device comprises an electrical connector.

17. The explosion proof assembly of claim 16, wherein, when the flap of the case is in the closed position the electrical connector of the computing device is isolated from the surrounding environment.

18. A method of forming an explosion proof assembly comprising:

disposing a computing device in a waterproof enclosure;

disposing the computing device and waterproof enclosure in an outer case; and

fastening a retention mechanism of the outer case to retain the computing device and waterproof enclosure in the outer case and form the explosion proof assembly in an assembled configuration;

wherein, when in the assembled configuration, the explosion proof enclosure is configured to prevent combustion within an internal cavity of the waterproof enclosure from escaping into the surrounding environment.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein fastening a retention mechanism comprises fastening a flap of the case to a rear panel of the case.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising mechanically securing the flap of the case in a closed position.