Protective enclosure for electronic device

• US 8,976,512 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2014
• Issued: 03/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Otter Products LLC
• Original Assignee: Otter Products LLC
• Inventors: Richardson, Curtis R., Kempel, Douglas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Hoa C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cunningham, Xanthia C
• Application Number:
  US14/229,806
• Publication Number:
  US 20140211387A1
• Time in Patent Office: 347 Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.01
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/00 Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/002 Protective covers
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/005 Hinges
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/02 Interior fittings; Means, e.g. inserts, for holding and packing articles
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/36 Reinforcements for edges, corners, or other parts
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/001 for portable audio devices, e.g. headphones or MP3-players
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/002 for portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/003 for portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2200/10 Transparent walls
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 5/00 Rigid or semi-rigid luggage collapsible or extensible luggage, bags or the like A45C7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/02 specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage containers of polygonal cross-section provided with internal protecting elements for contents B65D5/50; devices to locate articles in containers B65D25/10
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/022 Containers made of shock-absorbing material B65D81/03 takes precedence; for thermal insulating purposes B65D81/3813
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/05 maintaining contents at spaced relation from package walls, or from other contents B65D81/022, B65D81/025, B65D81/03 take precedence
• 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 1/1633 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 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 : Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 : Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3894 : Waterproofing of transmission device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 : Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 : Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/185 : Improving the rigidity of the casing or resistance to shocks
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 : associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1033 : Cables or cables storage, e.g. cable reels cord reels per se H02G11/02; arrangements for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of conductors or cables B65H75/34; extensible conductors or cables, e.g. self-coiling cords H01B7/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/02 : Details casings, cabinets or mounting therein for transducers covered by H04R1/02 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 : with operator interface units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/02 : Details
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0247 : Electrical details of casings, e.g. terminals, passages for cables or wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/03 : Covers
• 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: H05K 5/068 : having a pressure compensation device, e.g. membrane venting means H05K5/0213
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/069 : Other details of the casing, e.g. wall structure, passage for a connector, a cable, a shaft
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24355 : Continuous and nonuniform or irregular surface on layer or component [e.g., roofing, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24413 : Metal or metal compound
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24909 : Free metal or mineral containing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/25 : Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and including a second component containing structurally defined particles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31507 : Of polycarbonate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31605 : Next to free metal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31692 : Next to addition polymer from unsaturated monomers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31696 : Including polyene monomers [e.g., butadiene, etc.]

Abstract

A protective cover for an electronic device that has an interactive control panel and one or more electrical contacts includes a protective shell having first member and a second member. The second member is configured to join with the first case member to at least partially cover the electronic device. An aperture defined by the protective shell is aligned with the interactive control panel when the electronic device is at least partially enclosed by the protective shell. A securing mechanism secures the first member with the second member. An electrical connection attached to the protective shell is configured to connect an electrical source to at least one of the electrical contacts of the electronic device to provide an electrical connection to the electrical source when the electronic device is received by the first member.

Claims

1. A protective cover for an electronic device having a touch screen control panel and one or more electrical contacts for receiving electrical power, the protective cover comprising:

a protective shell that is crush resistant and has an inner surface, an outer surface, and a plurality of side members defining a perimeter of the protective shell, the perimeter at least partially covering a peripheral side of the electronic device and having one or more compliant portions formed to flexibly engage a portion of the electronic device to at least partially cover the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective shell, the electronic device being a separate unit from the protective shell;

an aperture defined by the perimeter of the protective shell, the aperture being aligned to expose at least the touch screen control panel when the electronic device is at least partially covered by the protective shell;

a cushioning member coupled with the inner surface of the protective shell; and

an electrical port in one of the plurality of side members of the protective shell, the electrical port including an electrical connector affixed to an internal portion of the protective shell, the electrical port for connecting an electrical source to at least one of the one or more electrical contacts of the electronic device to provide the electrical power from the electrical source to the electronic device after the electronic device is received by the inner surface of the protective shell.

2. The protective cover in accordance with claim 1, wherein the protective shell has a first member and a second member, and the electrical connector is attached to the first member of the protective shell.

3. The protective cover in accordance with claim 2, wherein the protective shell includes a clasping mechanism that secures the first member to the second member.

4. The protective cover in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a membrane configured to be disposed over and adjacent to the touch screen control panel of the electronic device when the electronic device is at least partially covered by the protective shell, the membrane and the protective shell forming the protective cover for the electronic device having the touch screen control panel, the membrane being sufficiently thin to allow inputs on a front side of the membrane to be received by the touch screen control panel.

5. The protective cover in accordance with claim 1, wherein the protective shell includes one or more light transmissive features disposed to transmit light from one or more respective indicator lights that are proximate a surface of the protective cover.

6. The protective cover in accordance with claim 5, wherein at least one of the one or more indicator lights is associated with the electrical source.

7. The protective cover in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electrical connector includes an electrical cable.

8. The protective cover in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electrical connector comprises a spring loaded probe.

9. The protective cover in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electrical connector is a fixed electrical connector.

10. A protective cover for an electronic device having a touch screen control panel and one or more electrical contacts for receiving electrical communication, the protective cover comprising:

a protective shell that is crush resistant and has an inner surface, an outer surface, and a plurality of side members defining a perimeter of the protective shell, the perimeter at least partially covering a peripheral side of the electronic device, to at least partially cover the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective shell, the electronic device being a separate unit from the protective shell;

an aperture defined by the perimeter of the protective shell, the aperture being aligned to expose at least the touch screen control panel when the electronic device is at least partially covered by the protective shell;

a cushioning member coupled with the inner surface of the protective shell; and

an electrical port in one of the plurality of side members of the protective shell, the electrical port for connecting to at least one of the one or more electrical contacts of the electronic device and enabling conveyance of at least one of data communication and electrical power between the at least one of the one or more electrical contacts of the electronic device and an electrical communication source when the electronic device is at least partially covered by the protective shell and the electrical port is operably connected with the electrical communication source.

11. The protective cover in accordance with claim 10, wherein the protective shell has a first member and a second member, and the electrical port is disposed in the first member of the protective shell.

12. The protective cover in accordance with claim 10, wherein the protective shell comprises a securing mechanism that secures the first member of the protective shell to the second member of the protective shell.

13. The protective cover in accordance with claim 10, further comprising a membrane configured to be disposed over and adjacent to the touch screen control panel of the electronic device when the electronic device is at least partially covered by the protective shell, the membrane and the protective shell forming the protective cover for the electronic device having the touch screen control panel, the membrane being sufficiently thin to allow inputs on a front side of the membrane to be received by the interactive control panel.

14. The protective cover in accordance with claim 10, wherein the protective shell includes one or more light transmissive features positioned to transmit light from an indicator light that is proximate a surface of the protective cover.

15. The protective cover in accordance with claim 14, wherein at least one of the one or more light transmissive features is configured to convey light that presents information associated with the electrical communication source.

16. The protective cover in accordance with claim 10, wherein the electrical port includes an electrical cable.

17. A protective cover for an electronic device having a touch screen control panel and one or more electrical contacts, the protective cover comprising:

a protective shell having an inner surface and an outer surface bounded by a proximal end, a distal end, and opposing side portions defining a perimeter of the protective shell, the perimeter at least partially covering a peripheral side of the electronic device and having one or more compliant portions formed to flexibly engage a portion of the electronic device, the protective shell formed to at least partially cover the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective shell, the electronic device being a separate unit from the protective shell, the inner surface formed to receive the electronic device;

an aperture defined by the perimeter of the protective shell, the aperture being aligned to expose at least the touch screen control panel when the electronic device is at least partially covered by the protective shell;

a cushioning member coupled with the inner surface of the protective shell; and

a port in one of the plurality of side members of the protective shell, the port for connecting an electrical source to at least one of the one or more electrical contacts of the electronic device to provide the electrical power from the electrical source to the electronic device after the electronic device is received by the inner surface of the protective shell.

18. The protective cover in accordance with claim 17, wherein the port comprises an electrical port that includes an electrical connector affixed to an internal portion of the protective shell when the electrical source provides electrical power to charge a battery of the electronic device, the electrical port provides a path between at least one of the one or more electrical contacts of the electronic device and the electrical source.

19. The protective cover in accordance with claim 18, wherein the protective shell is sized to mate with a cradle having the electrical source, and the electrical connector is configured to electrically connect the at least one of the one or more electrical contacts to the electrical source provided by the cradle when the protective shell is mated with the cradle.

20. The protective cover in accordance with claim 17, wherein the protective shell has a first member and a second member, the protective shell further comprising:

a securing mechanism configured for securing the first member to the second member.

21. The protective cover in accordance with claim 17, wherein the electrical port conveys electrical communication signals between the electrical source and the electronic device.

22. The protective cover in accordance with claim 17, further comprising a membrane configured to be disposed over and adjacent to the touch screen control panel of the electronic device when the electronic device is at least partially covered by the protective shell, the membrane and the protective shell forming the protective cover for the electronic device having the touch screen control panel, the membrane being sufficiently thin to allow inputs on a front side of the membrane to be received by the interactive control panel.

23. The protective cover in accordance with claim 17, wherein the protective shell includes one or more light transmissive features positioned to transmit a light signal from an indicator light that is proximate a surface of the protective cover.

24. The protective cover in accordance with claim 23, wherein the light signal represents a condition of a power source that provides power to the electronic device.

25. The protective cover in accordance with claim 23, wherein the light signal represents a condition of a power source that charges the electronic device.

26. The protective cover in accordance with claim 17, wherein the electrical port includes one or more electrical cables positioned for coupling to at least one of the electrical contacts of the electronic device.

27. The protective cover in accordance with claim 17, wherein the electrical source includes a data communication source, and wherein the electrical port conveys data between the electronic device and the data communication source.

28. A protective cover for an electronic device having a capacitance-sensing interactive control panel, an electrical interface, and at least one control button, the protective cover comprising:

a protective shell base that has an inner surface, an outer surface, and a plurality of side members defining a perimeter of the protective shell base, the perimeter at least partially covering a peripheral side of the electronic device and having one or more compliant portions formed to flexibly engage a portion of the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective shell base, the electronic device being a separate unit from the protective shell base;

an opening defined by the perimeter of the protective shell base, the opening being aligned to expose at least the capacitance-sensing interactive control panel when the electronic device is disposed in the protective shell base;

a cushioning member coupled with the inner surface of the protective shell base;

at least one hole in at least one of the plurality of side members, the at least one hole being positioned proximate the at least one control button of the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective shell base;

a sealing member in the at least one hole, the sealing member being formed to engage the at least one control button of the electronic device; and

an access port in at least one of the plurality of side members, the access port being positioned proximate the electrical interface of the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective shell base.

29. The protective cover in accordance with claim 28, wherein the access port communicates electrical power from a power source to the electrical interface of the electronic device.

30. The protective cover in accordance with claim 28, wherein the access port comprises an electrical port, the electrical port including an electrical connector affixed to an internal portion of the protective shell for communicating electrical power from a power source to the electrical interface of the electronic device.