Electronic device casing

• US 9,101,184 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2015
• Issued: 08/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WIMO Labs LLC
• Original Assignee: WIMO Labs LLC
• Inventors: Wilson, Scott H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Larson, Justin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vanterpool, Lester L
• Application Number:
  US14/635,562
• Publication Number:
  US 20150164189A1
• Time in Patent Office: 162 Days
• Field of Search: 224/165, 224/152, 224/219, 224/221, 224/222, 224/170, 224/180, 224/164, 224/168, 224/177
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/14 characterised by the way of fastening to a wrist-watch or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2005/008 Hand articles fastened to the wrist or to the arm or to the leg
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0508 Portable audio devices, e.g. walkman, discman, radio, MP3 player, headphones
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/00 Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 37/1486 Arrangements for fixing to a bracelet building watches into bracelets (montre marquise) G04B37/12; arrangements for hanging pocket- or other watches on chains G04B37/1446

Abstract

A wearable electronic device holder having a retention member for retaining an electronic device, such as a smartwatch or an MP3 player, and a wrist strap attached to the retention member is disclosed. The retention member includes a protective frame comprising one or more covers or openings for receiving and allowing interaction with one or more buttons, knobs, and/or ports of the electronic device. At least one of the covers is configured to enable the dual-action functionality of a knob of the electronic device. The protective frame may also include an opening adapted to receive sound-permeable, waterproof inserts for an audio port of the electronic device. The protective frame further includes fastening holes for attachment to the wrist strap. The protective frame may be a two-piece frame that partially encloses the electronic device.

Claims

1. A wearable casing for supporting an electronic device, comprising:

a first frame member comprising;

a sidewall extending between a top leg and a bottom leg, the top and bottom legs extending perpendicularly away from the sidewall;

a top retaining extension extending from one of the sidewall or the top leg; and

a bottom retaining extension extending from one of the sidewall or the bottom leg;

a second frame member comprising;

a sidewall extending between a top leg and a bottom leg, the top and bottom legs extending perpendicularly away from the sidewall;

a top retaining extension extending from one of the sidewall or the top leg; and

a bottom retaining extension extending from one of the sidewall or the bottom leg; and

a strap having at least a first end and a second end;

wherein the first and second frame members are configured to slide together around the electronic device thereby bringing the top retaining extension of the first frame member closer to the top retaining extension of the second frame member so as to secure the first end of the strap and the bottom retaining extension of the first frame member closer to the bottom retaining extension of the second frame member so as to secure the second end of the strap.

2. The wearable casing of claim 1, wherein the strap is a wrist strap, such that the strap combines with the first and second frame members to form a circular band for securing the electronic device to a user'"'"'s wrist.

3. The wearable casing of claim 1, wherein each retaining extension presents a through hole that is parallel with the top legs and the bottom legs when the first and second frame members slide together to form the housing.

4. The wearable casing of claim 3, wherein a male fastening pin component passes through the bottom retaining extension of the first frame member, through an aperture in the second end of the strap, through the bottom retaining extension of the second frame member and connects with a female fastening pin component to at least partially secure the strap to the housing.

5. The wearable casing of claim 1, wherein the second frame member comprises at least one alignment pin for alignment with and insertion into a corresponding pin hole formed in the first frame member.

6. The wearable casing of claim 1, wherein the first frame member further comprises:

an opening in the sidewall;

a sound-permeable, water-impermeable film layer covering over the opening from an inside of the sidewall; and

a compressible boot surrounding a perimeter of the film layer and positioned to compress the film layer against the opening in the sidewall when the electronic device is installed in the housing.

7. The wearable casing of claim 1, wherein the second frame member further comprises a control cover having a push button component for translational input to the electronic device and a turn dial component for rotational input to the electronic device.

8. The wearable casing of claim 7, wherein the turn dial component further comprises a non-slip gasket that seats against a rotational control of the electronic device when the electronic device is inserted within the housing.

9. The wearable casing of claim 7, wherein the turn dial component forms a cage to retain the push button component.

10. The wearable casing of claim 9, wherein rotation of the turn dial component does not cause the push button component to rotate.

11. A casing for an electronic device comprising:

a first frame member comprising;

a sidewall extending between a top leg and a bottom leg, the top and bottom legs extending perpendicularly away from the sidewall;

a top retaining extension extending from one of the sidewall or the top leg; and

a bottom retaining extension extending from one of the sidewall or the bottom leg;

a second frame member comprising;

a sidewall extending between a top leg and a bottom leg, the top and bottom legs extending perpendicularly away from the sidewall;

a top retaining extension extending from one of the sidewall or the top leg; and

a bottom retaining extension extending from one of the sidewall or the bottom leg;

a top fastening pin extending through the top retaining extension of the first frame member and the top retaining extension of the second frame member; and

a bottom fastening pin extending through the bottom retaining extension of the first frame member and the bottom retaining extension of the second frame member;

wherein the top and bottom fastening pins serve to join the first and second frame members together to form a housing around the electronic device.

12. The casing of claim 11, further comprising a strap that connects the top fastening pin to the bottom fastening pin.

13. The casing of claim 11, wherein each retaining extension presents a through hole that is parallel with the top legs and the bottom legs.

14. The casing of claim 12, wherein the bottom fastening pin comprises a male fastening pin component and a female fastening pin component, and wherein the male fastening pin component passes through the bottom retaining extension of the first frame member, through an aperture in the strap, through the bottom retaining extension of the second frame member and connects with the female fastening pin component to at least partially secure the strap to the housing.

15. The casing of claim 11, wherein the second frame member comprises at least one alignment pin for alignment with and insertion into a corresponding pin hole formed in the first frame member.

16. The casing of claim 11, wherein the first frame member further comprises:

an opening in the sidewall;

a sound-permeable, water-impermeable film layer covering over the opening from an inside of the sidewall; and

a compressible boot surrounding a perimeter of the film layer and positioned to compress the film layer against the opening in the sidewall when the electronic device is installed in the housing.

17. The casing of claim 11, wherein the second frame member further comprises a control cover having a push button component for translational input to the electronic device and a turn dial component for rotational input to the electronic device.

18. The casing of claim 17, wherein the turn dial component further comprises a non-slip gasket that seats against a rotational control of the electronic device when the electronic device is inserted within the housing.

19. The casing of claim 17, wherein the turn dial component forms a cage to retain the push button component.

20. The casing of claim 19, wherein rotation of the turn dial component does not cause the push button component to rotate.