Housing for encasing an object having an electrical connection

• US 8,526,180 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2012
• Issued: 09/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Treefrog Developments Incorporated (Otter Products LLC)
• Original Assignee: Treefrog Developments Incorporated (Otter Products LLC)
• Inventors: Rayner, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): GEHMAN, BRYON P
• Application Number:
  US13/689,663
• Publication Number:
  US 20130088130A1
• Time in Patent Office: 278 Days
• Field of Search: 206/305, 206/320, 361/679.55, 361/679.56, 361/679.59, 361/681, 361/679.57, 361/679.58, 4555751-5758
• 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 2011/002 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: B65D 85/00 Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials B65D71/00, B65D83/00 take precedence; hand implements or travelling equipment A45C; cosmetic or toiletry equipment A45D; packages for surgical knives, scalpels or blades therefor A61B17/3215; containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes A61J1/00; paint cans B44D3/12; oil cans F16N3/04; containers for carrying small arms F41C33/06; packaging of ammunition or explosive charges F42B39/00; containers for record carriers, specially adapted for cooperation with the recording or reproducing apparatus G11B23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/08 Waterproof bodies or housings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1613 for portable computers cooling arrangements therefor G06F1/203; constructional details or arrangements for pocket calculators, electronic agendas or books G06F15/0216; constructional details of portable telephone sets: with several bodies H04M1/0202
• 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 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• 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 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/00 Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers subscriber services or facilities provided at exchanges H04M3/00; prepayment telephone coin boxes H04M17/00; current supply arrangements H04M19/08
• 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 5/0217 Mechanical details of casings covers, lids, hoods or members for covering apertures H05K5/03
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0221 Locks; Latches
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/06 Hermetically-sealed casings specially adapted for small components H05K5/0095
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/061 : sealed by a gasket held between a removable cover and a body, e.g. O-ring, packing
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/069 : Other details of the casing, e.g. wall structure, passage for a connector, a cable, a shaft

Abstract

This disclosure relates generally to an apparatus and/or system for housing a device. The apparatus includes a housing that is configured such that a device may be fitted within the housing and thereby be protected, such as from shocks and/or liquid. The housing may include top and bottom members that may be removably coupled together so as to form the housing. Each top and bottom member optionally includes front and back surfaces surrounded by a perimeter. The perimeter is defined by proximal and distal ends as well as opposing sides. The top and bottom members may include respective clasping mechanisms that extend along the perimeter of the top and bottom members. The clasping mechanisms are configured for coupling the top and bottom members with one another thereby sealing the housing, for instance, in a shockproof and/or water tight seal.

Claims

1. An apparatus for covering at least part of a mobile computing device having a touch screen display, the mobile computing device further having an electrical connection in a housing that houses the mobile computing device, the apparatus comprising:

an encasement that covers at least part of the mobile computing device that includes the electrical connection, the encasement having a bottom member to cover at least a first portion of the mobile computing device, and a top member to cover at least a second portion of the mobile computing device, the top member configured to allow touch access to the touch screen display;

a coupling mechanism to couple the top member with the bottom member to cover the first and second portions of the mobile computing device, and to seal the top member with the bottom member;

an aperture in the encasement proximate the electrical connection, the aperture having a gasket seat;

a door for attaching to the encasement proximate the aperture, the door having an open configuration to enable access to the electrical connection of the mobile computing device, and a closed configuration to close the aperture in the encasement; and

a gasket for being seated on the gasket seat to seal the aperture in the encasement when the door is in the closed configuration, the gasket being connected with the encasement by a tether.

2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the gasket is formed to create a water resistant seal against the gasket seat of the aperture.

3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the gasket is formed to seal the gasket seat of the aperture against entry of fine particles into the electrical connection.

4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the gasket is attached to the door by any of being molded, adhered, latched, friction-fit, and bonded to the door.

5. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the gasket is seated on the gasket seat by the door being in the closed configuration to abut the gasket.

6. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the door further includes a second gasket seat to which the gasket is coupled when the door is in the closed configuration.

7. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the gasket includes a bung that is sized for entry into the aperture.

8. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the door includes the gasket.

9. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the gasket is unconnected with the encasement.

10. An apparatus for covering at least part of a mobile computing device having a touch screen display, the mobile computing device further having an electrical connection in a housing that houses the mobile computing device, the apparatus comprising:

an encasement that enables operation of the touch screen display and covers at least part of the mobile computing device that includes the electrical connection, the encasement having an outer surface and an inner surface;

an aperture passing through the inner surface and the outer surface of the encasement proximate the electrical connection, the aperture having a gasket seat;

a door for attaching to the encasement proximate the electrical connection, the door having an open configuration to enable access to the electrical connection of the mobile computing device, and a closed configuration to close the aperture in the encasement, the door being connected with the encasement by a tether; and

a gasket on the door for being seated on the gasket seat to seal the aperture in the encasement when the door is in the closed configuration.

11. The apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein the gasket is formed to create a water resistant seal against the gasket seat of the aperture.

12. The apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein the gasket is formed to seal the gasket seat of the aperture against entry of fine particles into the electrical connection.

13. The apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein the gasket is attached to the door by any of being molded, adhered, latched, friction-fit, and bonded to the door.

14. The apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein the gasket is seated on the gasket seat by the door being in the closed configuration to abut the gasket.

15. The apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein the door further includes a gasket seat to which the gasket is coupled when the door is in the closed configuration.

16. The apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein the gasket includes a bung that is sized for entry into the aperture.

17. The apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein the door includes the gasket.

18. The apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein the gasket is unconnected with the encasement.

19. The apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein the tether includes a hinge.

20. An apparatus for covering at least part of a mobile computing device having a touch screen display, the mobile computing device further having an electrical connection in a housing that houses the mobile computing device, the apparatus comprising:

an encasement that enables operation of the touch screen display and covers at least part of the mobile computing device that includes the electrical connection, the encasement having an outer surface and an inner surface;

an aperture passing through the inner surface and the outer surface of the encasement proximate the electrical connection;

a cover for attaching to the encasement proximate the electrical connection, the cover having an open configuration to enable access to the electrical connection of the mobile computing device, and a closed configuration to close the aperture in the encasement, the cover being connected with the encasement by a tether; and

a gasket to seal the aperture in the encasement when the cover is in the closed configuration.

21. The apparatus in accordance with claim 20, wherein the gasket is formed to create a water resistant seal around the aperture.

22. The apparatus in accordance with claim 20, wherein the gasket is formed to seal the aperture against entry of fine particles into the electrical connection.

23. The apparatus in accordance with claim 20, wherein the gasket is attached to the cover by any of being molded, adhered, latched, friction-fit, and bonded to the cover.

24. The apparatus in accordance with claim 20, wherein the gasket is seated on the gasket seat by the cover being in the closed configuration to abut the gasket.

25. The apparatus in accordance with claim 20, wherein the cover further includes a gasket seat to which the gasket is coupled when the cover is in the closed configuration.

26. The apparatus in accordance with claim 20, wherein the gasket includes a bung that is sized for entry into the aperture.

27. The apparatus in accordance with claim 20, wherein the cover includes the gasket.

28. The apparatus in accordance with claim 20, wherein the gasket is unconnected with the encasement.

29. An apparatus for covering at least part of a mobile computing device having a touch screen display, the mobile computing device further having a sound transmission feature in a housing that houses the mobile computing device, the apparatus comprising:

an encasement that covers at least part of the mobile computing device that includes the sound transmission feature, the encasement having a bottom member to cover at least a first portion of the mobile computing device, and a top member to cover at least a second portion of the mobile computing device, the top member configured to allow touch access to the touch screen display;

a coupling mechanism to couple the top member with the bottom member to cover the first and second portions of the mobile computing device, the coupling mechanism including a water resistant seal to seal the top member with the bottom member when the top member is coupled with the bottom member;

an aperture in the encasement proximate the sound transmission feature, the aperture having a gasket seat;

a door for attaching to the encasement proximate the aperture, the door having an open configuration to enable access to the electrical connection of the mobile computing device, and a closed configuration to close the aperture in the encasement; and

a gasket for being seated on the gasket seat to form a water-resistant seal at the aperture in the encasement when the door is in the closed configuration, the gasket being connected with the encasement by a tether.