Sealed window for dry box

• US 8,701,912 B2
• Filed: 11/04/2010
• Issued: 04/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: National Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: National Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Carnevali, Jeffrey D., Remmers, Chad M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stashick, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCKINLEY, CHRISTOPHER BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US12/925,992
• Publication Number:
  US 20110049175A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,265 Days
• Field of Search: 220/4.22, 220/4.02, 220/377, 206/811, 206/315.11, 114/347, 114/364
• US Class Current: 220/4.22
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 49/00 Arrangements of nautical instruments or navigational aids nautical measuring instruments G01C; radio navigation, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 206/811 Waterproof

Abstract

A window having multiple integral seals, the window being formed of a substantially optically transparent flexible membrane window panel; a substantially continuous peripheral window seal mechanism surrounding the window panel with the window seal mechanism being a continuous peripheral slot having an opening facing away from the window panel and being structured to receive thereinto a substantially rigid inner peripheral window aperture frame; a contoured skirt completely surrounding the window sealing mechanism; a substantially continuous peripheral door seal mechanism formed adjacent to an edge of the contoured skirt; and wherein the window panel, the window seal mechanism, the contoured skirt and the door seal mechanism are mutually integrally formed of a substantially water-resistant and resiliently pliable material.

Claims

1. A storage box comprising

a container having a bottom surface and a plurality of side walls that extend outward from a perimeter of the bottom surface and that collectively form a perimeter edge, the container configured and arranged to receive a portable electronic device;

a lid having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a perimeter edge configured and arranged to mate with the perimeter edge of the container along the opposing perimeter edges of the lid and the container, the lid defining a window aperture circumscribed by the perimeter edge of the lid;

a first contact surface disposed along the inner surface of the lid, the first contact surface comprising a first circumferential barrier extending around the circumference of the window aperture;

a second contact surface disposed opposite to the first contact surface, the second contact surface comprising a second circumferential barrier that forms a closed loop aligned with, and directly opposite, the first circumferential barrier; and

a window disposed along the inner surface of the lid beneath the entire window aperture, the window having a circumference that is larger than the circumference of the window aperture and smaller than the perimeter edge of the lid, wherein the window comprises

a flexible membrane having a planar surface,

at least one stiffener disposed along a portion of the flexible membrane directly beneath, and visible through, the window aperture, the at least one stiffener formed as an elongated strip of stiff yet resiliently-flexible material extending along the surface of the flexible membrane, and

a peripheral sealing lip disposed along the circumference of the window, the peripheral sealing lip formed as an increased thickness of the flexible membrane extending around the entire circumference of the window,

wherein the peripheral sealing lip is configured and arranged for being compressed between the first contact surface and the second contact surface to form a seal between the first contact surface and the second contact surface.

2. The storage box of claim 1, further comprising a latch mechanism configured and arranged to secure the lid to the container when in a closed position and the latch mechanism is engaged.

3. The storage box of claim 1, wherein the at least one stiffener comprises at least one lengthwise stiffener and at least one crosswise stiffener.

4. The storage box of claim 3, wherein the at least one lengthwise stiffener comprises two lengthwise stiffeners and the at least one crosswise stiffener comprises two crosswise stiffeners, wherein the two lengthwise stiffeners and two crosswise stiffeners intersect to form a rectangular shape.

5. The storage box of claim 1, further comprising a hinge coupling the container to the lid and configured and arranged to allow the container and lid to move between a closed position and an open position.

6. A storage box comprising

a container having a bottom surface and a plurality of side walls that extend outward from a perimeter of the bottom surface and that collectively form a perimeter edge, the container configured and arranged to receive a portable electronic device;

a lid configured and arranged to couple with the container, the lid having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a perimeter edge configured and arranged to mate with the perimeter edge of the container along the opposing perimeter edges of the lid and the container, the lid defining a window aperture having a circumference that is smaller than the perimeter edge of the lid;

a hinge coupling the lid to the container, the hinge extending along a portion of the perimeter edge of the container, the hinge also extending along a portion of the perimeter edge of the lid, the hinge configured and arranged to enable the storage box to transition between an open position and a closed position in which the perimeter edge of the lid aligns with the perimeter edge of the container;

a rigid first contact surface disposed along the inner surface of the lid, the first contact surface defining a first groove forming a closed loop extending around the circumference of the window aperture;

a rigid second contact surface disposed opposite to the first contact surface, the second contact surface defining a second groove, the second groove forming a closed loop aligned with, and directly opposite, the first groove; and

a window disposed along the inner surface of the lid beneath the entire window aperture, the window having a circumference that is larger than the circumference of the window aperture and smaller than the perimeter edge of the lid, wherein the window comprises

a flexible membrane having a planar surface and a uniform thickness,

at least one stiffener disposed along a portion of the flexible membrane extending directly beneath, and visible through, the window aperture, the at least one stiffener formed as an elongated strip of stiff yet resiliently-flexible material forming a closed loop of material extending along the surface of the flexible membrane beneath the window aperture, and

a peripheral sealing lip disposed along the circumference of the window, the peripheral sealing lip formed as an increased thickness of the flexible membrane extending around the entire circumference of the window;

wherein the peripheral sealing lip is configured and arranged for being compressed between the first contact surface and the second contact surface to form a seal between the first contact surface and the second contact surface;

wherein when compression of the peripheral sealing lip between the first contact surface and the second contact surface causes the peripheral sealing lip to fill at least one of the first groove or the second groove.

7. The storage box of claim 6, wherein the at least one stiffener comprises at least one lengthwise stiffener and at least one crosswise stiffener.

8. The storage box of claim 7, wherein the at least one lengthwise stiffener comprises two lengthwise stiffeners and the at least one crosswise stiffener comprises two crosswise stiffeners, wherein the two lengthwise stiffeners and two crosswise stiffeners intersect to form a rectangular shape.

9. The storage box of claim 6, wherein the at least one stiffener forms a closed loop that is smaller in circumference than a circumference of the window aperture.

10. The storage box of claim 6, further comprising a locking mechanism for retaining the storage box in a closed position.

11. The storage box of claim 6, further comprising an aperture configured and arranged for receiving a lanyard.