Enclosure for electronic device
First Claim
1. An enclosure for an electronic device having a switch on its outer surface, said enclosure comprising a case having a rigid base and an outwardly extending peripheral wall to form a compartment for receiving the electronic device with the switch being on an outer surface remote from said base, said case being separate and distinct from the electronic device, a rigid caseplate mounted to said peripheral wall for enclosing the electronic device, said rigid caseplate being separate and distinct from both the electronic device and said base and being detachably mounted to expose said compartment and permit the electronic device to be selectively inserted into and removed from said compartment, said caseplate having an interior surface disposed toward said base within said compartment and an exterior surface remote from said base, an access opening extending through said caseplate from said interior surface to said exterior surface for being disposed at the switch to provide access to the switch to permit the switch to be manipulated without removing the electronic device from said compartment, a liner in the form of a thin membrane mounted in surface to surface contact with one of said interior surface and said exterior surface of said caseplate, said membrane completely covering said access opening to thereby completely cover the top of the switch and to permit manipulation of the switch by a user pressing against said membrane, said caseplate and said membrane forming a unitary laminate whereby detachment of said caseplate from said compartment also results in said membrane being detached from said compartment and moved away from the switch, said membrane having an offset region and a remaining region at said access opening, said offset region being in a plane which is displaced from and non-coplanar with said remaining region, and said offset region being surrounded by said remaining region.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An enclosure for an electronic device includes a base having an outwardly extending peripheral wall which forms a compartment for receiving the electronic device. A caseplate is mounted to the peripheral wall for enclosing the electronic device. The caseplate has an access opening extending completely through the caseplate and located at a switch on the electronic device. The access opening is covered by a thin membrane which protects the electronic device and yet permits actuation of the switch. The caseplate can be decorated by art work on by another layer of material or can be clear and cover the device and an optional art work insert.
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Citations
28 Claims
- 1. An enclosure for an electronic device having a switch on its outer surface, said enclosure comprising a case having a rigid base and an outwardly extending peripheral wall to form a compartment for receiving the electronic device with the switch being on an outer surface remote from said base, said case being separate and distinct from the electronic device, a rigid caseplate mounted to said peripheral wall for enclosing the electronic device, said rigid caseplate being separate and distinct from both the electronic device and said base and being detachably mounted to expose said compartment and permit the electronic device to be selectively inserted into and removed from said compartment, said caseplate having an interior surface disposed toward said base within said compartment and an exterior surface remote from said base, an access opening extending through said caseplate from said interior surface to said exterior surface for being disposed at the switch to provide access to the switch to permit the switch to be manipulated without removing the electronic device from said compartment, a liner in the form of a thin membrane mounted in surface to surface contact with one of said interior surface and said exterior surface of said caseplate, said membrane completely covering said access opening to thereby completely cover the top of the switch and to permit manipulation of the switch by a user pressing against said membrane, said caseplate and said membrane forming a unitary laminate whereby detachment of said caseplate from said compartment also results in said membrane being detached from said compartment and moved away from the switch, said membrane having an offset region and a remaining region at said access opening, said offset region being in a plane which is displaced from and non-coplanar with said remaining region, and said offset region being surrounded by said remaining region.
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24. An enclosure for an electronic device having a switch on its outer surface, said enclosure comprising a case having a rigid base and an outwardly extending peripheral wall around at least a portion of said base to form a compartment for receiving the electronic device with the switch being on an outer surface of the device remote from said base said case being separate and distinct from the electronic device, a rigid caseplate completely detachably snap mounted to at least a portion of said peripheral wall for enclosing the electronic device to permit the electronic device to be selectively inserted into and removed from the case, said caseplate having an interior surface disposed toward said base within said compartment and an exterior surface remote from said base, an access opening extending through said caseplate from said interior surface to said exterior surface for being disposed at the switch to provide access to the switch to permit the switch to be manipulated without removing the electronic device from said compartment, a liner in the form of a thin membrane mounted in surface to surface contact with one of said interior surface and said exterior surface of said caseplate, said membrane completely covering said access opening to thereby completely cover the top of the switch and to permit manipulation of the switch by a user pressing against said membrane, and said caseplate and said membrane forming a unitary laminate whereby detachment of said caseplate from said compartment also results in said membrane being detached from said compartment and moved away from the switch.
- 25. An enclosure for an electronic device having a switch on its outer surface, said enclosure comprising a case having a rigid base and an outwardly extending peripheral wall to form a compartment for receiving the electronic device with the switch being on an outer surface remote from said base, said case being separate and distinct from the electronic device, a rigid caseplate mounted to said peripheral wall for enclosing the electronic device, said rigid caseplate being separate and distinct from both the electronic device and said base and being detachably mounted to expose said compartment and permit the electronic device to be selectively inserted into and removed from said compartment, said caseplate having an interior surface disposed toward said base within said compartment and an exterior surface remote from said base, an access opening extending through said caseplate from said interior surface to said exterior surface for being disposed at the switch to provide access to the switch to permit the switch to be manipulated without removing the electronic device from said compartment, a liner in the form of a thin membrane mounted in surface to surface contact with one of said interior surface and said exterior surface of said caseplate, said membrane completely covering said access opening to thereby completely cover the top of the switch and to permit manipulation of the switch by a user pressing against said membrane, a partial layer mounted to and covering at least a portion of said caseplate, said partial layer having an outer surface, said membrane being recessed below said outer surface of said partial layer, said partial forming part of a unitary laminate with said caseplate and said membrane whereby detachment of said caseplate from said compartment also results in said partial layer and said membrane being detached from said compartment and moved away from the switch, and said partial layer having an open area extending completely therethrough in registry with said access opening whereby said partial layer does not interfere with manipulation of the switch through said membrane.
Specification