Electronic device case for mobile point of sale

• US 8,844,817 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 09/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Otter Products LLC
• Original Assignee: Otter Products LLC
• Inventors: Glanzer, Matthew M., Weller, Lucas
• Primary Examiner(s): Labaze, Edwyn
• Application Number:
  US13/839,598
• Publication Number:
  US 20140191034A1
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• Field of Search: 235/449, 235/375, 235/493, 235/486, 235/462.45
• US Class Current: 235/449
• 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 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0004 Hybrid readers
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/01 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/082 using inductive or magnetic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/089 hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10009 sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10544 by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00304 Overcurrent protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00308 Overvoltage protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00309 Overheat or overtemperature protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/342 : The other DC source being a battery actively interacting with the first one, i.e. battery to battery charging with circuits for polarity protection H02J7/0034
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3883 : Arrangements for mounting batteries or battery chargers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 : Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers

Abstract

A case for an electronic device is provided. The case can include a front shell attachable to a back shell, a flexible insert disposed between the front shell and the back shell and configured to at least partially surround an electronic device when installed in the case, a payment device reader attached to the case and configured to be electrically connected to the electronic device, a product information input device attached to the case and configured to be electrically connected to the electronic device, and a battery configured to be electrically connected to the electronic device. The case can also include a rotatable mount that is removably attachable to an outer surface of the case and a hand strap attached to the rotatable mount.

Claims

1. An electronic device case for a mobile point of sale, the case comprising:

a front shell attachable to a back shell;

a flexible insert disposed between the front shell and the back shell and configured to at least partially surround an electronic device when installed in the case;

an air channel formed in the flexible insert, wherein the air channel extends from an outer surface of the electronic device to an opening in an outer surface of the case, and wherein the air channel allows for convective dissipation of heat from the electronic device through the opening in the outer surface of the case;

a payment device reader attached to the case and configured to be electrically connected to the electronic device;

a product information input device attached to the case and configured to be electrically connected to the electronic device; and

a battery configured to be electrically connected to the electronic device.

2. The electronic device case of claim 1, further comprising:

a rotatable mount attached to an outer surface of the case; and

a hand strap attached to the rotatable mount.

3. The electronic device case of claim 2, wherein the rotatable mount comprises a first mount portion and a second mount portion, wherein the second mount portion is rotatably captured between the first mount portion and an outer surface of the back shell, and wherein the second mount portion can rotate with respect to the first mount portion and the back shell.

4. The electronic device case of claim 3, wherein the second mount portion comprises a first opening and a second opening, and wherein the hand strap extends between the first opening and the second opening to form a hand slot configured to receive a user'"'"'s hand, and wherein the hand strap is attached to the second mount at the first opening and at the second opening.

5. The electronic device case of claim 3, wherein the first mount portion comprises an external ring gear comprising at least one tooth, the external ring gear extending at least partially around an outer cylindrical surface of the first mount portion, and wherein the second mount portion comprises an internal ring gear comprising at least one tooth, the internal ring gear extending at least partially around an inner cylindrical surface of a thru hole in the second mount portion, wherein the thru hole in the second mount portion is configured to receive the first mount portion when the first and second mount portions are assembled to the back shell, and further comprising a radial clearance distance between the external ring gear and the internal ring gear to allow the second mount portion to rotate freely with respect to the first mount portion when the first and second mount portions are assembled to the back shell.

6. The electronic device case of claim 5, wherein the radial clearance distance between the external ring gear of the first mount portion and the internal ring gear of the second mount portion is about 0.010-0.050 inches.

7. The electronic device case of claim 5, wherein the second mount portion comprises a first upright portion and a second upright portion, and wherein deflection of the first upright portion and the second upright portion toward each other causes the internal ring gear of the second mount portion to engage the external ring gear of the first mount portion.

8. The electronic device case of claim 7, wherein applying a clockwise rotational force to the second mount portion while the internal ring gear of the second mount portion is engaged with the external ring gear of the first mount portion allows for installation of the first and second mount portions to the back shell, and wherein applying a counterclockwise rotational force to the second mount portion while the internal ring gear of the second mount portion is engaged with the external ring gear of the first mount portion allows for removal of the first and second mount portions from the back shell.

9. The electronic device case of claim 1, further comprising an arcuate trigger on an outer surface of the back shell, wherein depressing the arcuate trigger is configured to actuate at least one button mounted within the case.

10. The electronic device case of claim 9, wherein the at least one button is configured to activate a product information input device, and wherein the product information input device is a bar code reader.

11. The electronic device case of claim 9, wherein the at least one button is configured to activate the payment device reader, and wherein the payment device reader is a magnetic card reader.

12. The electronic device case of claim 9, further comprising:

a trigger member comprising;

a base portion;

a plurality of fingers; and

an arcuate portion, wherein the base portion is attached to an inner surface of the back shell, wherein the fingers extend from the base portion to the arcuate portion of the trigger member, wherein the arcuate portion of the trigger member is located proximate an inner surface of the arcuate trigger, and wherein depressing the arcuate trigger causes the arcuate portion to deflect relative to the base portion and actuate the at least one button.

13. The electronic device case of claim 12, wherein depressing a first portion of the trigger member actuates a first button, and wherein depressing a second portion of the trigger member actuates a second button.

14. The electronic device case of claim 13, wherein the first button is configured to scroll through a menu displayed on a screen of the electronic device, and wherein the second button is configured to select an option from the menu.

15. The electronic device case of claim 1, further comprising a shoulder strap comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attachable to a first attachment point on a first side surface of the case, wherein the second end is attachable to a second attachment point on a second side surface of the case, and wherein the case can swivel with respect to the first and second ends of the shoulder strap when the first and second ends of the shoulder strap are attached to the first and second attachment points, respectively.

16. The electronic device case of claim 1, further comprising a flexible membrane covering a display opening in the front shell of the case, wherein the flexible membrane allows for operability of a touch screen of the electronic device.

17. The electronic device case of claim 16, wherein the flexible membrane has a thickness ranging from about 0.004 to 0.020 inches.

18. The electronic device case of claim 1, further comprising a fan mounted in the air channel and configured to provide forced convection over a surface of the electronic device.

19. The electronic device case of claim 1, further comprising a heat dissipation device within the case, wherein the heat dissipation device comprises a heat sink in physical contact with an outer surface of the electronic device, and wherein the heat sink is thermally connected to a fin structure on an outer surface of the case.

20. An electronic device case for a mobile point of sale, the case comprising:

a front shell attachable to a back shell;

a flexible insert disposed between the front shell and the back shell and configured to at least partially surround an electronic device when installed in the case;

a payment device reader attached to the case and configured to be electrically connected to the electronic device;

a product information input device attached to the case and configured to be electrically connected to the electronic device;

a battery configured to be electrically connected to the electronic device;

a rotatable mount attached to an outer surface of the case; and

a hand strap attached to the rotatable mount;

wherein the rotatable mount comprises a first mount portion and a second mount portion rotatably captured between the first mount portion and an outer surface of the back shell, and wherein the second mount portion can rotate with respect to the first mount portion and the back shell; and

wherein the first mount portion comprises an external ring gear comprising at least one tooth, the external ring gear extending at least partially around an outer cylindrical surface of the first mount portion, and wherein the second mount portion comprises an internal ring gear comprising at least one tooth, the internal ring gear extending at least partially around an inner cylindrical surface of a thru hole in the second mount portion, wherein the thru hole in the second mount portion is configured to receive the first mount portion when the first and second mount portions are assembled to the back shell, and further comprising a radial clearance distance between the external ring gear and the internal ring gear to allow the second mount portion to rotate freely with respect to the first mount portion when the first and second mount portions are assembled to the back shell.

21. The electronic device case of claim 20, wherein the second mount portion comprises a first upright portion and a second upright portion, and wherein deflection of the first upright portion and the second upright portion toward each other causes the internal ring gear of the second mount portion to engage the external ring gear of the first mount portion.

22. The electronic device case of claim 20, further comprising an arcuate trigger on an outer surface of the back shell, wherein depressing the arcuate trigger is configured to actuate at least one button mounted within the case.

23. An electronic device case for a mobile point of sale, the case comprising:

a front shell attachable to a back shell;

a flexible insert disposed between the front shell and the back shell and configured to at least partially surround an electronic device when installed in the case;

a payment device reader attached to the case and configured to be electrically connected to the electronic device;

a product information input device attached to the case and configured to be electrically connected to the electronic device;

a battery configured to be electrically connected to the electronic device; and

a shoulder strap comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attachable to a first attachment point on a first side surface of the case, wherein the second end is attachable to a second attachment point on a second side surface of the case, and wherein the case can swivel with respect to the first and second ends of the shoulder strap when the first and second ends of the shoulder strap are attached to the first and second attachment points, respectively.