Housing for encasing an object

• US 9,179,562 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2015
• Issued: 11/03/2015
• 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:
  US14/597,182
• Publication Number:
  US 20150122854A1
• Time in Patent Office: 293 Days
• Field of Search: 206/305, 206/320, 361/679.02, 361/679.03, 361/679.26, 36167955-67959, 361/724, 361/727, 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 for housing an electronic device having a control button, the apparatus comprising:

a top member having a perimeter portion forming a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, opposing side portions, and a top ridge, the top ridge having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top member further having a membrane coupled underneath the bottom surface of the top ridge and spanning from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion and across the opposing side portions of the top member, the perimeter portion further having a first clasping mechanism;

a bottom member having a front surface and a back surface;

an interior bounding member that extends around at least a portion of a perimeter of the bottom member, the interior bounding member having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a top ridge that extends around at least the portion of the perimeter of the bottom member, the interior bounding member further having a second clasping mechanism on the outer surface proximate the top ridge, the second clasping mechanism to interface with the first clasping mechanism of the top member to maintain the top member and the interior bounding member coupled together to at least partially enclose the electronic device with at least some of the inner surface of the interior bounding member and at least some of the front surface of the bottom member; and

an exterior bounding member that extends over the outer surface and top ridge of the interior bounding member.

2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the perimeter portion of the top member further includes an aperture to overlay the control button of the electronic device.

3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bottom member comprises the interior bounding member.

4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the exterior bounding member and interior bounding member are formed of the same material.

5. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the exterior bounding member is offset by a distance from the interior bounding member.

6. The apparatus in accordance with claim 5, wherein the distance forms a channel between exterior bounding member and the interior bounding member.

7. The apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein the channel has a width corresponding to the distance between the exterior bounding member and the interior bounding member.

8. An apparatus for housing an electronic device having a control button, the apparatus comprising:

a top member having a perimeter portion forming a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, opposing side portions, and a top ridge, the top ridge having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top member further having a membrane coupled underneath the bottom surface of the top ridge and spanning from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion and across the opposing side portions of the top member, the perimeter portion of the top member further having a first clasping mechanism and an aperture to overlay the control button of the electronic device;

a bottom member having a front surface and a back surface;

an interior bounding member that extends around at least a portion of a perimeter of the bottom member, the interior bounding member having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a top ridge that extends around at least the portion of the perimeter of the bottom member, the interior bounding member further having a second clasping mechanism on the outer surface proximate the top ridge, the second clasping mechanism to interface with the first clasping mechanism of the top member to maintain the top member and the interior bounding member coupled together to at least partially enclose the electronic device with at least some of the inner surface of the interior bounding member and at least some of the front surface of the bottom member; and

an exterior bounding member that extends over the outer surface and top ridge of the interior bounding member.

9. The apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the bottom member comprises the interior bounding member.

10. The apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the exterior bounding member and interior bounding member are formed of the same material.

11. The apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the exterior bounding member is offset by a distance from the interior bounding member.

12. The apparatus in accordance with claim 11, wherein the distance forms a channel between exterior bounding member and the interior bounding member.

13. The apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein the channel has a width corresponding to the distance between the exterior bounding member and the interior bounding member.

14. The apparatus in accordance with claim 13, wherein the channel further comprises a gasket material.

15. An apparatus for housing an electronic device comprising:

a top member having a perimeter portion forming a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the top member having a front surface and a back surface spanning from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion and across the opposing side portions of the top member, the perimeter portion of the top member further having a first clasping mechanism;

a bottom member having a front surface, a back surface, and a perimeter portion surrounding the bottom member;

an interior bounding member that extends around at least a portion of the perimeter portion of the bottom member, the interior bounding member having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a top ridge that extends around at least the portion of the perimeter of the bottom member, the interior bounding member further having a second clasping mechanism on the outer surface proximate the top ridge, the second clasping mechanism to interface with the first clasping mechanism of the top member to maintain the top member and the interior bounding member coupled together to at least partially enclose the electronic device with at least some of the inner surface of the interior bounding member and at least some of the front surface of the bottom member; and

an exterior bounding member that extends over the outer surface of the interior bounding member.

16. The apparatus in accordance with claim 15, wherein the perimeter portion of the top member further comprises an aperture overlaying the control button of the electronic device.

17. The apparatus in accordance with claim 15, wherein the bottom member comprises the interior bounding member.

18. The apparatus in accordance with claim 15, wherein the exterior bounding member and interior bounding member are formed of the same material.

19. The apparatus in accordance with claim 15, wherein the exterior bounding member is offset by a distance from the interior bounding member.

20. The apparatus in accordance with claim 19, wherein the distance forms a channel between exterior bounding member and the interior bounding member.

21. The apparatus in accordance with claim 20, wherein the channel has a width corresponding to the distance between the exterior bounding member and the interior bounding member.

22. An apparatus for housing an electronic device comprising:

a top member having a perimeter portion forming a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the perimeter portion further having a first clasping mechanism;

a bottom member having a front surface and a back surface;

an interior bounding member that extends around at least a portion of a perimeter of the bottom member, the interior bounding member having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a top ridge that extends around at least the portion of the perimeter of the bottom member, the interior bounding member further having a second clasping mechanism on the outer surface proximate the top ridge, the second clasping mechanism to interface with the first clasping mechanism of the top member to maintain the top member and the interior bounding member coupled together to at least partially enclose the electronic device; and

an exterior bounding member that extends over the outer surface and top ridge of the interior bounding member.

23. The apparatus in accordance with claim 22, further comprising a front surface and a back surface spanning from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion and across the opposing side portions of the top member.

24. The apparatus in accordance with claim 23, wherein the front surface and back surface comprise a membrane.

25. The apparatus in accordance with claim 22, wherein the bottom member comprises the interior bounding member.

26. The apparatus in accordance with claim 22, wherein the exterior bounding member and interior bounding member are formed of the same material.

27. The apparatus in accordance with claim 22, wherein the exterior bounding member is offset by a distance from the interior bounding member.

28. The apparatus in accordance with claim 27, wherein the distance forms a channel between exterior bounding member and the interior bounding member.

29. The apparatus in accordance with claim 28, wherein the channel has a width corresponding to the distance between the exterior bounding member and the interior bounding member.

30. The apparatus in accordance with claim 22, wherein the perimeter portion of the top member further comprises an aperture overlaying the control button of the electronic device.