Pocket pager protector

• US 8,706,177 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2013
• Issued: 04/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wireless Resident Nurse Alert Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Wireless Resident Nurse Alert Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Norris, Joseph, Lefebvre, Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): Bilodeau, David
• Application Number:
  US13/938,554
• Publication Number:
  US 20140024419A1
• Time in Patent Office: 286 Days
• Field of Search: 455/575.8
• US Class Current: 455/575.8
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/223 using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• 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

Abstract

A shock and water resistant wireless pager enclosure, and a tamper-proof lockable enclosure system. The enclosure comprises a bottom container, which supports a transparent film, secured by a cover hinged to the bottom container. The enclosure system comprises an enclosure cover provided with securing members which lockingly engage the bottom container. A lock release tool comprises latching means for engagement with the securing members, and a cam and cam followers which operate on the latching means to pull the securing members outwards to release the locked engagement.

Claims

1. A lockable enclosure system for a wireless device, the system comprising

(i) an enclosure comprising

(a) a bottom portion with an open top and comprising a base, a pair of opposing first and second side walls and a pair of opposing first and second end walls, each said wall comprising a substantially planar upper edge region and a perimetric flange, the first and second side walls and the first end wall each further comprising engagement members extending normally from the flange, the second end wall comprising a protrusion defining a recess region, the bottom portion being adapted to receive and releasably secure the wireless device in a snug fit and to cushion the wireless device from shock;

(b) a flexible, tear-resistant transparent film capable of accepting and transmitting pressure inputs to the wireless device, the film being configured to extend over and cover the common plane and be supported by the said walls and to completely cover the wireless device;

(c) a removable cover having a lower surface adapted to press the film against the said walls to produce a water-resistant seal about the wireless device and comprising

(1) a planar outer surface including a central display aperture;

(2) three securing members each extending from a respective one of three outer edges of the cover, the securing members being adapted to lockably engage the first and second side walls and the first end wall of the enclosure;

(3) recess regions between the three securing members adapted to receive and engage the engagement members; and

(4) a projecting member extending from the fourth outer edge of the cover, adapted to be received in the recess region of the enclosure; and

(ii) a lock release tool comprising

(a) a base plate configured to be receivable over the cover;

(b) three latch members each adapted to engage a respective one of the three securing members;

(c) a cam and a plurality of cam followers each cam follower being operatively connected to a respective one of the three latch members; and

(d) a rotatable handle operatively connected to the cam to move the cam followers selectively between a minimum engaged position in which the latch members are secured to the removable cover of the enclosure, and a maximum engaged position in which pressure exerted by the cam followers moves the latch members to pull the three securing members away from the enclosure walls to release the cover from the enclosure.

2. An enclosure system according to claim 1, wherein the projecting member of the cover includes a bore adapted to receive a hinge pin securable within the recess region of the enclosure.

3. An enclosure system according to claim 2, wherein the hinge pin is removably securable.

4. An enclosure system according to claim 1, further comprising reinforcements secured within the bottom portion and substantially adjacent to each said wall.

5. An enclosure system according to claim 4, wherein the reinforcements comprise compressible material.

6. An enclosure system according to claim 5, wherein the compressible material is a foam strip.

7. An enclosure system according to claim 4, wherein the reinforcements comprise thickened sections of the bottom portion.

8. An enclosure system according to claim 1, wherein the bottom portion of the enclosure further comprises a sub-enclosure adapted to receive an additional device.

9. An enclosure system according to claim 8, wherein the additional device is selected from a passive location identification element and an active tracking device.

10. An enclosure system according to claim 1, wherein the cam followers are retained in alignment by resilient means biased to return the latch members to the minimum engagement position in response to a returning movement of the handle.

11. An enclosure system according to claim 10, wherein the resilient means comprises spring means.

12. An enclosure system according to claim 10, wherein the resilient means comprises a band of elastomer material.