Protective enclosure for a computer

• US 7,933,122 B2
• Filed: 10/14/2008
• Issued: 04/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Otter Products LLC
• Original Assignee: Otter Products LLC
• Inventors: Thomas, Brian, Thompson, Jason Michael, Richardson, Curtis R., Johnson, Jamie Lee, Morine, Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Gandhi; Jayprakash N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Edwards; Anthony Q
• Application Number:
  US12/251,161
• Publication Number:
  US 20090080153A1
• Time in Patent Office: 924 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.55, 361/679.56
• US Class Current: 361/679.55
• 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 13/002 Protective covers
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/001 for portable audio devices, e.g. headphones or MP3-players
• 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: A45F 5/00 Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0249 Details of the mechanical connection between the housing parts or relating to the method of assembly
• 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 5/0013 assembled by resilient members
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 with operator interface units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0086 portable, e.g. battery operated apparatus casings for switching devices H01H9/02
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0221 Locks; Latches
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/023 Handles; Grips
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/03 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/068 having a pressure compensation device, e.g. membrane venting means H05K5/0213
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Disclosed is a three-layer protective enclosure that provides resistance to water, dust, dirt, and bump protection for sensitive computers. In one embodiment, an inner membrane layer is provided, which is a thin, flexible layer that protects portions of a computer and allows the user to interact with keyboards, push buttons and other interactive features of the computer. A protective hard shell fits tightly over the membrane and provides additional sealing and rigidity to the protective enclosure. A stretchable cushion layer is placed over the hard shell which conforms to the hard shell and seals moisture, dust and dirt from entering the hard shell. The stretchable cushion layer provides cushioning and also allows access to certain controls on the computer. In another embodiment, a touch screen cover may be used with, or without, a membrane over other portions of the computer.

Claims

1. A protective enclosure for a computer comprising:

a flexible membrane that is molded to fit over at least a front portion of said computer that allows interactive access to controls on said front portion of said computer;

a hard shell cover that fits over said flexible membrane and said computer and that is formed to provide openings that allow a user to access said flexible membrane to have interactive access to said controls of said computer, said hard shell cover providing rigidity to said protective enclosure, said hard shell cover comprising a front shell formed to a rigid shape of a front portion of said computer and a back shell formed to a rigid shape of a rear portion of said computer;

a stretchable cushion layer that is disposed over said hard shell cover that has sufficient elasticity to substantially confirm to said hard shell cover and provide cushioning to said protective enclosure, said stretchable cushion layer exposing at least a portion of said hard shell cover and having a tab disposed to fit into a corresponding groove in said hard shell cover.

2. The protective enclosure of claim 1 wherein said computer comprises a laptop computer.

3. The protective enclosure of claim 2 wherein said flexible membrane comprises a thin, flexible layer of polycarbonate.

4. The protective enclosure of claim 2 wherein said flexible membrane comprises a thin, flexible layer of polyvinylchloride.

5. The protective enclosure of claim 1 wherein said computer comprises a handheld computer.

6. The protective enclosure of claim 1 wherein said computer comprises a tablet computer.

7. The protective enclosure of claim 1 wherein said computer comprises an ultramobile computer.

8. The protective cover of claim 7 wherein said computer comprises a laptop computer.

9. The protective cover of claim 7 wherein said computer comprises a handheld computer.

10. The protective cover of claim 7 wherein said computer comprises a tablet computer.

11. The protective cover of claim 7 wherein said computer comprises an ultra-mobile computer.

12. The protective enclosure of claim 1 wherein said flexible membrane comprises a thin, flexible layer of silicon.

13. The protective enclosure of claim 1, said front shell and said back shell having a snap connection connecting said front shell and said back shell.

14. The protective enclosure of claim 1, said front shell covering at least a portion of said rear portion of said computer.

15. The protective enclosure of claim 1, said back shell being at least partially captured by said front shell.

16. The protective enclosure of claim 1, said hard shell cover having a hook into which a portion of said stretchable cushion layer engages.

17. The protective enclosure of claim 1, at least one portion of said hard shell protruding through said stretchable cushion layer.

18. The protective enclosure of claim 1, said at least a portion of said hard shell cover being exposed through said stretchable cushion layer being a speaker opening.

19. The protective enclosure of claim 1, said at least a portion of said hard shell cover being exposed through said stretchable cushion layer being a touch screen opening.

20. A protective enclosure for a computer comprising:

a hard shell cover that fits over said computer and that is formed to provide openings that allow access to controls of said computer, said hard shell cover comprising a front shell formed to a rigid shape of a front portion of said computer and a back shell formed to a rigid shape of a rear portion of said computer;

a stretchable cushion layer that is disposed over said hard shell cover that has sufficient elasticity to stretch over said hard shell cover and substantially conform to an outer surface of said hard shell cover to cushion said hard shell cover and absorb shocks that would otherwise be transmitted to said computer, said stretchable cushion layer exposing at least a portion of said hard shell cover and having a tab disposed to fit into a corresponding groove in said hard shell cover.

21. The protective enclosure of claim 20, said front shell and said back shell having a snap connection connecting said front shell and said back shell.

22. The protective enclosure of claim 20, said front shell covering at least a portion of said rear portion of said computer.

23. The protective enclosure of claim 20, said back shell being at least partially captured by said front shell.

24. The protective enclosure of claim 20, said hard shell cover having a hook into which a portion of said stretchable cushion layer engages.

25. The protective enclosure of claim 20, at least one portion of said hard shell protruding through said stretchable cushion layer.

26. The protective enclosure of claim 20, said at least a portion of said hard shell cover being exposed through said stretchable cushion layer being a speaker opening.

27. The protective enclosure of claim 20, said at least a portion of said hard shell cover being exposed through said stretchable cushion layer being a touch screen opening.

28. A protective enclosure for a computer that has a touch screen comprising:

a hard shell cover that fits over said computer and that is formed to provide at least one opening that is aligned with said touch screen, said hard shell cover comprising a front shell formed to a rigid shape of a front portion of said computer and a back shell formed to a rigid shape of a rear portion of said computer;

a touch screen cover that is attached to said hard shell cover, said touch screen cover being sufficiently thin and disposed sufficiently close to said touch screen when said computer is disposed in said protective enclosure to allow activation of said touch screen through said touch screen cover;

a stretchable cushion layer that is disposed over said hard shell cover that has sufficient elasticity to stretch over said hard shell cover to substantially conform to an outer surface of said hard shell cover and cushion said hard shell cover to absorb shocks that would otherwise be transmitted to said computer, said stretchable cushion layer exposing at least a portion of said hard shell cover and having a tab disposed to fit into a corresponding groove in said hard shell cover.

29. The protective enclosure of claim 28 wherein said computer comprises a laptop computer.

30. The protective enclosure of claim 28 wherein said computer comprises a handheld computer.

31. The protective enclosure of claim 28 wherein said computer comprises a tablet computer.

32. The protective enclosure of claim 28 wherein said computer comprises an ultramobile computer.

33. The protective enclosure of claim 28 wherein said touch screen cover comprises a thin layer of glass.

34. The protective enclosure of claim 33 wherein said glass comprises tempered glass.

35. The protective enclosure of claim 34 wherein said thin layer of hard plastic comprises clear polycarbonate.

36. The protective enclosure of claim 34 wherein said thin layer of hard plastic comprises clear acrylic.

37. The protective enclosure of claim 28 wherein said touch screen cover comprises a thin layer of hard plastic.

38. The protective enclosure of claim 28, said front shell and said back shell having a snap connection connecting said front shell and said back shell.

39. The protective enclosure of claim 28, said front shell covering at least a portion of said rear portion of said computer.

40. The protective enclosure of claim 28, said back shell being at least partially captured by said front shell.

41. The protective enclosure of claim 28, said hard shell cover having a hook into which a portion of said stretchable cushion layer engages.

42. The protective enclosure of claim 28, at least one portion of said hard shell protruding through said stretchable cushion layer.

43. The protective enclosure of claim 28, said at least a portion of said hard shell cover being exposed through said stretchable cushion layer being a speaker opening.

44. The protective enclosure of claim 28, said at least a portion of said hard shell cover being exposed through said stretchable cushion layer being a touch screen opening.