System for protecting a portable computing device

• US 7,339,783 B2
• Filed: 01/21/2005
• Issued: 03/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Technology Advancement Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Technology Advancement Group, Inc.
• Inventors: McEwan, James Stewart, McEwan, John Arthur
• Primary Examiner(s): LEA EDMONDS, LISA S
• Application Number:
  US11/038,421
• Publication Number:
  US 20060164800A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,138 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683, 361/680, 361/681
• US Class Current: 361/679.55
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• 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 1/1671 Special purpose buttons or auxiliary keyboards, e.g. retractable mini keypads, keypads or buttons that remain accessible at closed laptop G06F1/1666 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1688 the I/O peripheral being integrated loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/182 with special features, e.g. for use in industrial environments; grounding or shielding against radio frequency interference [RFI] or electromagnetical interference [EMI]

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for protecting a portable computing device wherein the system comprises a device housing adapted to protectively encase a portable computing device, a protectively hardened user input device in communication with the device housing, and a protectively hardened display in communication with the device housing. When the portable computing device is encased within the device housing, a user of the portable computing device can operate the portable computing device via the protectively hardened user input device and the protectively hardened display. The device housing may further comprise sealing elements, insulating elements, and shock-absorbing elements.

Claims

1. A system for protecting a portable computing device, the system comprising:

a device housing adapted to protectively encase the portable computing device to prevent exposure of the portable computing device to potentially harmful operational conditions, the portable computing device including at least one of a user input device and a display;

a protectively hardened user input device in communication with said device housing; and

a protectively hardened display in communication with said device housing,

wherein said device housing allows a user of the portable computing device to operate the portable computing device via said protectively hardened user input device and said protectively hardened display.

2. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 1, wherein the portable computing device is a laptop.

3. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 1, wherein the portable computing device is a personal digital assistant.

4. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 1, wherein the portable computing device is a handheld computer.

5. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 1, wherein the portable computing device is a router.

6. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 1, wherein the portable computing device is a switch.

7. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 1, wherein the portable computing device is a telephone.

8. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 7, wherein the telephone is a cellular telephone.

9. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 1, wherein the portable computing device is a hub.

10. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 1, wherein the portable computing device is optical communications equipment.

11. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 1, wherein said protectively hardened user input device is a mouse.

12. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 1, wherein said protectively hardened user input device is a touch pad.

13. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 1, wherein said protectively hardened user input device is a joystick.

14. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 1, wherein said device housing further comprises a sealing element.

15. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 14, wherein said sealing element comprises a moisture seal.

16. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 14, wherein said sealing element comprises a debris seal.

17. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 14, wherein said sealing element comprises a vapor seal.

18. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 14, wherein said sealing element comprises a electromagnetic seal.

19. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 1, wherein said device housing further comprises an insulating element.

20. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 19, wherein said insulating element comprises thermal insulation.

21. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 19, wherein said insulating element comprises an electromagnetic interference shield.

22. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 19, wherein said insulating element comprises a radio frequency interference shield.

23. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 1, wherein said device housing further comprises a shock-absorbing element.

24. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said device housing is formed of a plastic material.

25. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said device housing is formed of a metal material.

26. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said device housing is formed of Kevlar or carbon fiber.

27. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 1, wherein, when the portable computing device includes an upper housing for housing a display, a lower housing for housing a user input device, and a hinge element for pivotally connecting the upper housing to the lower housing and enabling the portable computing device to rotate around the hinge element into an open position and a closed position, said device housing further comprising a recessed portion for protectively encasing the portable computing device when the portable computing device is in the closed position.

28. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 11, wherein said device housing allows a user of the portable computing device to operate the portable computing device via said protectively hardened user input device and said protectively hardened display when the portable computing device is in the closed position and is protectively encased within said recessed portion of said device housing.

29. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 1, wherein the portable computing device is electronically coupled to said device housing.

30. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 1, wherein said protectively hardened user input device is mounted on said device housing.

31. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 1, wherein said protectively hardened display is mounted on said device housing.

32. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 1, wherein said device housing allows a user of the portable computing device to operate the portable computing device via said protectively hardened user input device and said protectively hardened display without exposing the portable computing device to potentially harmful operational conditions of use.

33. A system for protecting a communications device having at least one communications port, the system comprising:

a device housing adapted to protectively encase the communications device, said device housing having at least one interface corresponding to the at least one communications port of the communications device;

a protectively hardened user input device in communication with said device housing; and

a protectively hardened display in communication with said device housing.

34. The system for protecting a communications device of claim 33, wherein said communications device is a switch.

35. The system for protecting a communications device of claim 33, wherein said communications device is a router.

36. The system for protecting a communications device of claim 33, wherein said communications device is a hub.

37. The system for protecting a communications device of claim 33, wherein said at least one interface of said device housing enables at least one of configuration, control, and management of the communications device via said protectively hardened user input device.

38. The system for protecting a portable computing device of claim 33, wherein said communications device is an optical communications device.