Hand held electronic device or game impact protector

• US 6,616,111 B1
• Filed: 08/12/2002
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gabriel A. White
• Original Assignee: Gabriel A. White
• Inventors: White, Gabriel A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Application Number:
  US10/216,991
• Time in Patent Office: 393 Days
• Field of Search: 248/309.1, 248/310, 248/314, 248/176.1, 220/8, 206/320, 206/305, 206/328, 206/334, 206/216, 206/591
• US Class Current: 248/309.1
• 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 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0242 Protective enclosures; Cushioning means

Abstract

An elastomeric impact protector includes one trough-like piece conformed to receive one edge of an electronic device attached along one edge of a generally X-shaped elastomeric web. A set of corner receiving pockets at the free ends of the web are then engageable to the opposite edge of the device by stretching the web. The piece and the pockets are each formed to a thickness to extend beyond the plane of the corresponding surface of the device captured therein.

Claims

1. Apparatus for forming an impact attenuating set of shields along selected edge portions of an electronic device, comprising:

a generally rectangular, elongate recessed piece defined by a forward wall spaced in an adjacent alignment along a rear wall;

a first and second pocket structure; and

a web connected between the ends of said piece and the respective ones of said pocket structures, said web being of a planar structure of a generally X-shaped plan form extending from the ends of said rear wall wherein said piece, said first and second pocket structures are formed of an elastomeric material structure said piece being conformed for elastic receipt of one edge of said electronic device and said web being conformed for elastic extension for inserting the ends of the opposite edge of said device in the respective ones of said first and second pocket structures.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said piece and said first and second pocket structures are each formed to a thickness to project beyond the surfaces of said device received therein.

3. Apparatus useful as an impact attenuating set of shields along selected edges of an electronic device, comprising:

a generally rectangular, elongate recessed piece defined by a forward wall spaced in an adjacent alignment along a rear wall;

a first and second pocket structure;

a generally planar web of an X-shaped plan form connected between the ends of said rear wall of said piece and the respective ones of said pocket structures wherein said piece, said web and said first and second pocket structures are each formed of an elastomeric material, said piece being conformed for elastic receipt of one edge of said electronic device, said web being conformed for elastic extension for accommodating the insertion of the ends of the opposite edge of said device in the respective ones of said first and second pocket structures.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein:

said piece and said first and second pocket structures are each formed to a thickness to project beyond the surfaces of said device received therein.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:

said electronic device includes a front and rear surface; and

said web and said rear wall are aligned along said rear surface.

6. Apparatus for protecting an electronic device from impact damage, comprising:

an elastomeric elongate edge retaining piece defined by a front and rear wall to form a trough therebetween conformed for elastic receipt of one edge of said device;

an elastomeric web of a generally planar configuration and a generally X-shaped plan form extending from the ends of said rear wall along the proximate edge thereof and including a distal edge at the free ends thereof; and

a first and second elastomeric corner receiving pocket attached to the respective ends of said free edge and adapted to engage the ends of the opposite edge of said device upon the elastic extension of said web.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:

said piece and said first and second pockets are each formed to a thickness to project beyond the surfaces of said device received therein.