Housing for encasing an electronic device

• US 9,107,299 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2014
• Issued: 08/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Treefrog Developments Incorporated (Otter Products LLC)
• Original Assignee: Treefrog Developments Incorporated (Otter Products LLC)
• Inventors: Rayner, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): GEHMAN, BRYON P
• Application Number:
  US14/244,870
• Publication Number:
  US 20140217863A1
• Time in Patent Office: 495 Days
• Field of Search: 206/305, 206/320, 361/679.03, 361/679.26, 36167955-67959, 455/575.1, 455/575.8
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 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: B65D 85/00 Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials B65D71/00, B65D83/00 take precedence; hand implements or travelling equipment A45C; cosmetic or toiletry equipment A45D; packages for surgical knives, scalpels or blades therefor A61B17/3215; containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes A61J1/00; paint cans B44D3/12; oil cans F16N3/04; containers for carrying small arms F41C33/06; packaging of ammunition or explosive charges F42B39/00; containers for record carriers, specially adapted for cooperation with the recording or reproducing apparatus G11B23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/08 Waterproof bodies or housings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1613 for portable computers cooling arrangements therefor G06F1/203; constructional details or arrangements for pocket calculators, electronic agendas or books G06F15/0216; constructional details of portable telephone sets: with several bodies H04M1/0202
• 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 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• 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 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/00 Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers subscriber services or facilities provided at exchanges H04M3/00; prepayment telephone coin boxes H04M17/00; current supply arrangements H04M19/08
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0004 comprising several parts forming a closed casing
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0013 assembled by resilient members
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 with operator interface units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0217 Mechanical details of casings covers, lids, hoods or members for covering apertures H05K5/03
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0221 Locks; Latches
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/06 Hermetically-sealed casings specially adapted for small components H05K5/0095
• 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 5/069 : Other details of the casing, e.g. wall structure, passage for a connector, a cable, a shaft

Abstract

An apparatus and system for housing a device include a housing that is configured such that a device may be fitted within the housing and thereby be protected, such as from shocks and/or liquid. The housing may include top and bottom members that may be removably coupled together so as to form the housing. Each top and bottom member optionally includes front and back surfaces surrounded by a perimeter. The perimeter is defined by proximal and distal ends as well as opposing sides. The top and bottom members may include respective clasping mechanisms that extend along the perimeter of the top and bottom members. The clasping mechanisms are configured for coupling the top and bottom members with one another thereby sealing the housing, for instance, in a shock-proof and/or water tight seal.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a top member comprising;

a rigid frame having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions of the top member, the rigid frame having a top ridge and a bottom ridge, the rigid frame including a first clasping mechanism;

a membrane defining a front surface and a back surface of the top member and being mated to the rigid frame proximate the top ridge, the membrane spanning from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion and across the opposing side portions of the top member; and

a channel proximate the bottom ridge in a perimeter portion of the rigid frame, the channel including a gasket positioned at least partially therein; and

a bottom member, which when coupled to the top member, forms a housing to enclose an electronic device to allow touch-sensitive user inputs to the electronic device via the membrane of the top member, the bottom member comprising;

a front surface, a back surface, and a second channel, the second channel having a side wall that extends around at least a portion of a perimeter of the bottom member, the side wall having an inner surface and an outer surface; and

a second clasping mechanism on the inner surface of the side wall of the bottom member, the second clasping mechanism to interface with the first clasping mechanism to maintain the top member and the bottom member coupled together and to compress the inner surface of the side wall of the bottom member with the gasket of the top member.

2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a first port opening in the proximal end portion of the top member;

a gasket formed to fit over the first port opening; and

a latch door pivotally connected with the bottom member, the latch door to compress the gasket over the first port opening to form a waterproof seal around the first port opening.

3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the top member further comprises a flexible member overmolded at least partially over the membrane and the rigid frame.

4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the membrane further comprises:

a sound port aperture; and

a sound-passing, water-impermeable material covering the sound port aperture.

5. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a camera lens defined in the bottom member and extending through the front surface and back surface of the bottom member.

6. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first clasping mechanism includes a ridge protruding from the top member and proximate the channel.

7. The apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein the second clasping mechanism includes a groove in the bottom member positioned for receiving the ridge when the top member and the bottom member are coupled together.

8. An apparatus comprising:

a top member comprising;

a semi-rigid frame having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the semi-rigid frame having a top surface and a bottom surface, the semi-rigid frame including a first clasping mechanism;

a membrane having a front surface and a back surface, the front surface of the membrane being mated to the bottom surface of the semi-rigid frame, the membrane spanning from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion and across the opposing side portions of the semi-rigid frame; and

a channel in a perimeter portion of the semi-rigid frame proximate the bottom surface, the channel including a gasket positioned at least partially therein; and

a bottom member, which when coupled to the top member, forms a housing to enclose an electronic device to allow touch-sensitive user inputs to the electronic device via the membrane of the top member, the bottom member comprising;

a front surface, a back surface, and a perimeter portion having a gasket interface member, the gasket interface member to at least partially enter into the channel of the top member and to interface with the gasket; and

a second clasping mechanism to interface with the first clasping mechanism to maintain the top member and the bottom member coupled together and to compress the gasket interface member of the bottom member with the gasket positioned in the channel of the top member.

9. The apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the semi-rigid frame of the top member includes a sound transmission port, the sound transmission port extending between the top surface and the bottom surface of the semi-rigid frame.

10. The apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the semi-rigid frame of the top member includes a plurality of sound transmission ports, each of the plurality of sound transmission ports extending between the top surface and the bottom surface of the semi-rigid frame.

11. The apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein at least one of the plurality of sound transmission ports is a microphone port.

12. The apparatus in accordance with claim 9, wherein the sound transmission port of the semi-rigid frame is formed by an aperture that is sealed with a sound transmission membrane.

13. The apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the bottom member further comprises a camera feature, the camera feature comprising a camera lens portion and a flash lens portion.

14. The apparatus in accordance with claim 13, wherein the camera feature comprises a camera lens portion and a plurality of flash lens portions.

15. The apparatus in accordance with claim 13, wherein the camera feature comprises a light blocking gasket between the camera lens portion and the flash lens portion.

16. The apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the bottom member further comprises a sound transmission port extending from the bottom surface to the top surface of the bottom member.

17. The apparatus in accordance with claim 16, wherein the sound transmission port of the bottom member is formed by an aperture that is sealed with a sound transmission membrane.

18. The apparatus in accordance with claim 17, wherein the sound transmission port further comprises a raised sound gasket that circumscribes the aperture to form a sound transmission channel.

19. The apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the bottom member further comprises a plurality of sound transmission ports, each of the plurality of sound transmission ports extending between the top surface and the bottom surface of the bottom member.

20. The apparatus in accordance with claim 19, wherein at least one of the plurality of sound transmission ports of the bottom member is a microphone port.

21. An apparatus comprising:

a top member comprising;

a semi-rigid frame having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions that define an aperture, the semi-rigid frame having a top surface and a bottom surface;

a channel in a perimeter portion of the semi-rigid frame proximate the bottom surface, the channel including a gasket positioned at least partially therein; and

a first clasping mechanism; and

a bottom member, which when coupled to the top member, forms a housing to enclose an electronic device to allow touch-sensitive user inputs to the electronic device via the aperture of the top member, the bottom member comprising;

a front surface, a back surface, and a perimeter portion to at least partially enter into the channel of the top member; and

a second clasping mechanism to interface with the first clasping mechanism to maintain the top member and the bottom member coupled together and maintain the perimeter portion of the bottom member within the channel of the top member.

22. The apparatus in accordance with claim 21, wherein the semi-rigid frame of the top member includes a plurality of sound transmission ports, each of the plurality of sound transmission ports extending between the top surface and the bottom surface of the semi-rigid frame.

23. The apparatus in accordance with claim 21, wherein the semi-rigid frame of the bottom member includes a plurality of sound transmission ports, each of the plurality of sound transmission ports extending between the top surface and the bottom surface of the semi-rigid frame.

24. The apparatus in accordance with claim 21, wherein the bottom member further comprises a camera feature, the camera feature comprising a camera lens portion and a flash lens portion.

25. The apparatus in accordance with claim 24, wherein the camera feature comprises a camera lens portion and a plurality of flash lens portions.

26. An apparatus comprising:

a top member comprising;

a semi-rigid frame defining an aperture, and having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the semi-rigid frame having a top surface and a bottom surface;

a channel proximate the bottom surface in a perimeter portion of the semi-rigid frame, the channel including a gasket positioned at least partially therein; and

a first clasping mechanism; and

a bottom member, which when coupled to the top member, forms a housing to enclose an electronic device to allow touch-sensitive user inputs to the electronic device via the aperture defined by the semi-rigid frame, the bottom member comprising;

a front surface and a back surface circumscribed by a perimeter portion;

a second clasping mechanism to interface with the first clasping mechanism to maintain the top member and the bottom member coupled together; and

a camera feature between the front surface and the back surface of the bottom member, the camera feature comprising a camera lens portion and a flash lens portion.

27. The apparatus in accordance with claim 26, wherein the camera feature comprises a light blocking gasket between the camera lens portion and the flash lens portion.

28. The apparatus in accordance with claim 26, wherein the camera feature comprises a camera lens portion and a plurality of flash lens portions.

29. The apparatus in accordance with claim 28, wherein the camera feature comprises a light blocking gasket between the camera lens portion and each of the flash lens portions.

30. The apparatus in accordance with claim 26, wherein the semi-rigid frame of the top member includes a plurality of sound transmission ports, each of the plurality of sound transmission ports extending between the top surface and the bottom surface of the semi-rigid frame.