Housing for encasing a tablet computer

• US 8,531,834 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2012
• Issued: 09/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2011
• 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): Wilson, Adrian S
• Application Number:
  US13/562,219
• Publication Number:
  US 20130027862A1
• Time in Patent Office: 407 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.01, 361/679.02, 174/50, 174 505- 5057, 277644-652, 455/575.1, 455/575.8, 206/305, 206/320
• US Class Current: 361/679.56
• 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 1/1628 Carrying enclosures containing additional elements, e.g. case for a laptop and a printer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1633 Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
• 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 1/1679 for locking or maintaining the movable parts of the enclosure in a fixed position, e.g. latching mechanism at the edge of the display in a laptop or for the screen protective cover of a PDA G06F1/1681 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/06 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof or flameproof casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/10 characterised by the material or arrangement of seals between parts, e.g. between cap and base of the container or between leads and walls of the container
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/035 Improving the acoustic characteristics by means of constructional features of the housing, e.g. ribs, walls, resonating chambers or cavities
• 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 5/0017 with operator interface units
• 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: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

This disclosure relates generally to an apparatus and/or system for housing a device. The apparatus includes a housing 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 includes a perimeter portion. 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 and may be configured for engaging a third clasping mechanism, such as a locking comb or wedge feature. 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. A protective encasement for a mobile computing device having a housing defined by a back side, a perimeter, and a front side that includes a multi-touch display, the protective housing comprising:

a bottom member comprising;

a frame defining an outer perimeter of the bottom member and having an outer wall, the outer wall having a first latching mechanism;

an inner surface for receiving at least part of the perimeter or back side of the mobile computing device, and forming an inner wall spaced apart from the outer wall, the inner wall having a second latching mechanism;

a first channel formed between the outer wall and the inner wall;

a first seal disposed within the first channel;

a top member to mate with the bottom member to at least partially cover the mobile computing device, the top member comprising;

a frame having an inside edge to frame the multi-touch display, and defining an outer perimeter; and

a protrusion that extends down from an inner surface of the frame near the outer perimeter for mating against the first seal when the top member is mated with the bottom member, the protrusion having a third latching mechanism for latching with the first latching mechanism of the outer wall of the bottom member, and having a fourth latching mechanism for latching with the second latching mechanism of the inner wall of the bottom member.

2. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the top member further comprises a shoulder to mate against a top of the outer wall of the bottom member.

3. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the top member further includes a second channel defined by an inner side wall and an outer side wall proximate the inside edge.

4. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 3, further comprising a second gasket disposed within the second channel and extending out from the inner side wall and the outer side wall, to seal the front side of the mobile computing device at the multi-touch display when the top member is coupled with the bottom member.

5. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, further comprising one or more pads raised from the inner surface proximate the inner wall, the one or more pads forming a seat for the back side of the mobile computing device to offset the back side of the mobile computing device a predetermined distance from the inner surface.

6. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 5, wherein the one or more pads are interchangeable.

7. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bottom member further comprises a window formed between the outer surface and the inner surface, the window comprising a translucent membrane.

8. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 4, wherein the top member further comprises a flexible ridge at the inside edge, the flexible ridge configured to abut the front side of the mobile computing device near the periphery of the multi-touch display inside of the second gasket.

9. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bottom member further comprises:

a charge port through a bottom edge of the top member; and

a door coupled by a hinge with the bottom member to close the charge port, the door including a latch for securing the door in a closed position.

10. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 9, wherein the door further comprises a flexible pad to seal the charge port when the door is in the closed position.

11. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 10, wherein the flexible pad is configured to amplify sound emanating from the mobile computing device when the door is in an opened position.

12. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the top member further comprises one or more aligning members extending upward from an inside surface of a bottom edge of the top member, the one or more aligning members to receive a bottom edge of the mobile computing device and to position the mobile computing device relative to the top member.

13. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bottom member further comprises a camera lens formed in a top edge proximate the inner surface of the bottom member.

14. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the top member further comprises a sealed button region that is flexible to operate a button connected to the inner surface of the top member.

15. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the top member further comprises a headphone jack aperture, and wherein the protective housing further comprises a bung to occupy and seal the headphone jack aperture.

16. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bottom member further comprises a sealed toggle switch in the rigid frame for operating a corresponding toggle switch of the mobile computing device.

17. The encasement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bottom member further comprises one or more sealed button regions that extend from an outer surface of the bottom member, for operating each of one or more corresponding buttons of the mobile computing device.

18. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first latching mechanism of the bottom member includes a first ridge that protrudes along an inner face of the outer wall of the rigid frame of the bottom member.

19. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 18, wherein the third latching mechanism includes a second ridge that protrudes along an outward face of the protrusion of the top member, the second ridge to interlock with the first ridge when the bottom member is mated with the top member.

20. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second latching mechanism includes a plurality of holes spaced apart along the inner wall of the bottom member.

21. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 20, wherein the fourth latching mechanism includes a plurality of tabs protruding from an inward face of the protrusion of the top member, each of the plurality of tabs to interlock with a corresponding one of the plurality of holes when the bottom member is mated with the top member.

22. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bottom member further comprises a speaker grill provided in an inner surface of the bottom member.

23. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 22, wherein the speaker grill comprises:

a pattern of apertures in a speaker region in the rigid frame; and

a water-impermeable fabric attached to the inner surface of the bottom member over the speaker region.

24. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 13, wherein the bottom member further comprises a light sensor aperture proximate to and optically separated from the camera lens.

25. A protective encasement for a mobile computing device having a housing defined by a back side, a perimeter, and a front side that includes a multi-touch display, the protective housing comprising:

a bottom member comprising;

a rigid frame defining an outer perimeter having an outer wall;

an inner surface for receiving at least part of the perimeter or back side of the mobile computing device, and forming an inner wall spaced apart from the outer wall;

a first channel formed between the outer wall and the inner wall;

a first seal disposed within the first channel;

a top member to mate with the bottom member to at least partially cover the mobile computing device, the top member comprising;

a rigid frame having an inside edge to frame the multi-touch display, and defining an outer perimeter;

a protrusion that extends down from an inner surface of the rigid frame near the outer perimeter for insertion into the first channel and mating against the seal; and

a second channel defined by an inner side wall and an outer side wall proximate the inside edge;

a second seal disposed within the second channel and extending out from the inner side wall and the outer side wall of the top member, and being in contact with the front side of the mobile computing device when the top member is mated with the bottom member to seal the front side of the mobile computing device at the multi-touch display; and

a coupling mechanism to couple the bottom member with the top member to house the mobile computing device.

26. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 25, wherein the coupling mechanism includes:

a first latching mechanism on the outer wall of the rigid frame of the bottom member; and

a second latching mechanism on the protrusion that extends down from the inner surface of the rigid frame of the top member, the second latching mechanism for latching with the first latching member.

27. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 26, wherein the coupling mechanism further includes:

a third latching mechanism on the inner wall of the inner surface of the bottom member; and

a fourth latching mechanism on the protrusion that extends down from the inner surface of the rigid frame of the top member, the fourth latching mechanism opposite the second latching mechanism, and for latching with the third latching mechanism.

28. A protective encasement for a mobile computing device having a housing defined by a back side, a perimeter, and a front side that includes a multi-touch display, the protective housing comprising:

a top member comprising;

a frame defining an outer perimeter of the top member and having an outer wall, the frame further having an inside edge defining an inner perimeter to frame the multi-touch display;

an inner surface for receiving at least part of the perimeter or front side of the mobile computing device; and

a protrusion that extends down from an inner surface of the top member inside of the outer perimeter of the frame, the protrusion having a first latching mechanism; and

a bottom member to mate with the top member to at least partially cover the mobile computing device, the bottom member comprising;

an outer wall having a second latching mechanism to mate with the first latching mechanism

an inner wall spaced apart from the outer wall;

a channel formed between the outer wall and the inner wall; and

a first seal for being disposed at least partially in the channel and between the top member and the bottom member, and to mate with the protrusion of the top member when the top member is mated with the bottom member.

29. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 28, further comprising a second seal for being disposed between the top member proximate the frame and the mobile computing device when the top member is mated with the bottom member.