System for protecting a portable computing device

• US 8,837,142 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2012
• Issued: 09/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Technology Advancement Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Technology Advancement Group, Inc.
• Inventors: McEwan, John Arthur, McEwan, James Stewart
• Primary Examiner(s): LEA EDMONDS, LISA S
• Application Number:
  US13/433,245
• Publication Number:
  US 20120181194A1
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 361/679.55
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• 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 1/1671 Special purpose buttons or auxiliary keyboards, e.g. retractable mini keypads, keypads or buttons that remain accessible at closed laptop G06F1/1666 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1688 the I/O peripheral being integrated loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/182 with special features, e.g. for use in industrial environments; grounding or shielding against radio frequency interference [RFI] or electromagnetical interference [EMI]

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for protecting a portable computing device wherein the system comprises a device housing adapted to protectively encase a portable computing device, a protectively hardened user input device in communication with the device housing, and a protectively hardened display in communication with the device housing. When the portable computing device is encased within the device housing, a user of the portable computing device can operate the portable computing device via the protectively hardened user input device and the protectively hardened display. The device housing may further comprise sealing elements, insulating elements, and shock-absorbing elements.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a device housing adapted to protectively encase a portable computing device, the device housing providing an outer casing for all sides of the portable computing device and protecting the portable computing device from potentially harmful operational conditions external to the device housing; and

at least one of a protectively hardened display or a protectively hardened peripheral;

wherein said device housing in combination with the portable computing device provides user input keys that allow a user of the portable computing device to operate the portable computing device directly through said device housing during the potentially harmful operational conditions via the housing.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable computing device is a personal digital assistant.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable computing device is a handheld computer.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable computing device is a laptop computer.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable computing device is a telephone.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable computing device is a mobile device.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the device housing comprises a recess to receive the portable computing device.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the device housing comprises a top, a bottom and four sides, and wherein the recess is formed in the top of the device housing.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the device housing comprises a top, a bottom and four sides, and wherein the recess is formed in one of the four sides of the device housing.

10. The system of claim 7, further comprising a liner in the recess.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the device housing comprises a lid engageable with the outer casting.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a seal between the lid and the outer casting.

13. The system of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of hinges attached to the lid and the housing.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the lid is integrally formed with the device housing.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable communication device is electronically coupled to the device housing.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises docking elements and wherein the portable communication device is electronically coupled to the docking elements.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises one or more insulating elements.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the user input keys are formed integrally with the device housing.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the user input keys are mounted directly on the device housing.

20. A system comprising:

a device housing adapted to protectively encase a portable computing device, the device housing providing an outer casing for all sides of the portable computing device and protecting the portable computing device from potentially harmful operational conditions external to the device housing;

wherein said device housing in combination with the portable computing device provides user input keys that allow a user of the portable computing device to operate the portable computing device directly through said device housing during the potentially harmful operational conditions via the device housing, and

the portable computing device is electronically coupled to the device housing.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the portable computing device is a personal digital assistant.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the portable computing device is a handheld computer.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein the portable computing device is a laptop computer.

24. The system of claim 20, wherein the portable computing device is a telephone.

25. The system of claim 20, wherein the portable computing device is a mobile device.

26. The system of claim 20, wherein the device housing comprises a recess to receive the portable computing device.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the device housing comprises a top, a bottom and four sides, and wherein the recess is formed in the top of the device housing.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the device housing comprises a top, a bottom and four sides, and wherein the recess is formed in one of the four sides of the device housing.

29. The system of claim 26, further comprising a liner in the recess.

30. The system of claim 20, wherein the device housing comprises a lid engageable with the outer casing.

31. The system of claim 30, further comprising a seal between the lid and the outer casing.

32. The system of claim 30, further comprising a plurality of hinges attached to the lid and the device housing.

33. The system of claim 30, wherein the lid is integrally formed with the device housing.

34. The system of claim 20, wherein the device housing comprises docking elements and wherein the portable computing device is electronically coupled to the docking elements.

35. The system of claim 20, wherein the device housing comprises one or more insulating elements.

36. The system of claim 20, wherein the user input keys are formed integrally with the device housing.

37. The system of claim 20, wherein the user input keys are mounted directly on the device housing.

38. A system comprising:

a device housing adapted to protectively encase a portable computing device, the device housing providing an outer casing for all sides of the portable computing device and protecting the portable computing device from potentially harmful operational conditions external to the device housing;

wherein said device housing in combination with the portable computing device provides user input keys that allow a user of the portable computing device to operate the portable computing device directly through said device housing during the potentially harmful operational conditions via the device housing, and

the device housing comprises docking elements and wherein the portable computing device is electronically coupled to the docking elements.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the portable computing device is a personal digital assistant.

40. The system of claim 38, wherein the portable computing device is a handheld computer.

41. The system of claim 38, wherein the portable computing device is a laptop computer.

42. The system of claim 38, wherein the portable computing device is a telephone.

43. The system of claim 38, wherein the portable computing device is a mobile device.

44. The system of claim 38, wherein the device housing comprises a recess to receive the portable computing device.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the device housing comprises a top, a bottom and four sides, and wherein the recess is formed in the top of the device housing.

46. The system of claim 44, wherein the device housing comprises a top, a bottom and four sides, and wherein the recess is formed in one of the four sides of the device housing.

47. The system of claim 44, further comprising a liner in the recess.

48. The system of claim 38, wherein the device housing comprises a lid engageable with the outer casing.

49. The system of claim 48, further comprising a seal between the lid and the outer casing.

50. The system of claim 48, further comprising a plurality of hinges attached to the lid and the device housing.

51. The system of claim 48, wherein the lid is integrally formed with the device housing.

52. The system of claim 38, wherein the device housing comprises one or more insulating elements.

53. The system of claim 38, wherein the user input keys are formed integrally with the device housing.

54. The system of claim 38, wherein the user input keys are mounted directly on the device housing.

55. A system comprising:

a device housing adapted to protectively encase a portable computing device, the device housing providing an outer casing for all sides of the portable computing device and protecting the portable computing device from potentially harmful operational conditions external to the device housing;

wherein said device housing in combination with the portable computing device provides user input keys that allow a user of the portable computing device to operate the portable computing device directly through said device housing during the potentially harmful operational conditions via the device housing,

the device housing comprises a lid engageable with the outer casing, and

a plurality of hinges is attached to the lid and the device housing.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein the portable computing device is a personal digital assistant.

57. The system of claim 55, wherein the portable computing device is a handheld computer.

58. The system of claim 55, wherein the portable computing device is a laptop computer.

59. The system of claim 55, wherein the portable computing device is a telephone.

60. The system of claim 55, wherein the portable computing device is a mobile device.

61. The system of claim 55, wherein the device housing comprises a recess to receive the portable computing device.

62. The system of claim 61, wherein the device housing comprises a top, a bottom and four sides, and wherein the recess is formed in the top of the device housing.

63. The system of claim 61, wherein the device housing comprises a top, a bottom and four sides, and wherein the recess is formed in one of the four sides of the device housing.

64. The system of claim 61, further comprising a liner in the recess.

65. The system of claim 55, further comprising a seal between the lid and the outer casing.

66. The system of claim 55, wherein the lid is integrally formed with the device housing.

67. The system of claim 55, wherein the device housing comprises one or more insulating elements.

68. The system of claim 55, wherein the user input keys are formed integrally with the device housing.

69. The system of claim 55, wherein the user input keys are mounted directly on the device housing.