Accessories for use with housing for an electronic device

• US 9,229,494 B2
• Filed: 12/24/2012
• Issued: 01/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2011
• 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): Ngo, Brian
• Application Number:
  US13/726,469
• Publication Number:
  US 20140028243A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,107 Days
• Field of Search: 320/112, 320/108, 361/701, 361/703, 361/722, 361/724
• 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 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: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/105 the horizontal axis being the roll axis, e.g. for creating a landscape-portrait rotation
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/14 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06 ; adjustable mountings employing universal joints for lighting devices F21V21/26 - F21V21/30
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2057 for tilting and rolling F16M11/2078 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/022 repositionable
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/04 for supporting on, or holding steady relative to, a person, e.g. by chains , e.g. rifle butt or pistol grip supports, supports attached to the chest or head apparatus or arrangements for taking photographs or for projecting or viewing them G03B
• 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 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• 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 1/182 with special features, e.g. for use in industrial environments; grounding or shielding against radio frequency interference [RFI] or electromagnetical interference [EMI]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 : Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 : Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3855 : carried in a belt or harness
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3894 : Waterproofing of transmission device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0264 : for a camera module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 : Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 : Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/57 : Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0013 : assembled by resilient members
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0086 : portable, e.g. battery operated apparatus casings for switching devices H01H9/02
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/061 : sealed by a gasket held between a removable cover and a body, e.g. O-ring, packing

Abstract

This disclosure relates generally to a device for retaining an electronic device as well as for methods for using the device for the purpose of doing the same. In various instances, the electronic device includes a housing and the retaining device is adapted for interfacing with the housing of the electronic device. The housing may be a separate unit from the electronic device or part of the electronic device itself. In various instances, the housing is a separate unit from the electronic device, within which the electronic device is fitted. In certain instances, the housing for the electronic device is adapted for protecting the device from one or more of shock, liquid, dust, snow, and the like. The electronic device may be any suitable electronic device, such as a computer, mobile computer, notebook computer, tablet computer, telephone, personal digital assistant, or the like.

Claims

1. An apparatus for covering at least part of a mobile computing device having a touch screen display, the mobile computing device further having an electrical connection available at an outer surface of a housing that houses the mobile computing device, the apparatus comprising:

an encasement for the mobile computing device that permits operation of the touch screen display and covers at least part of the mobile computing device that includes the electrical connection, the encasement having an outer surface and an inner surface;

an aperture passing through the inner surface and the outer surface of the encasement proximate the electrical connection of the mobile computing device;

an electrical connection adapter having a body for closing the aperture in the encasement, the electrical connection adapter having a first electrical interface connected with the body, the first electrical interface for interfacing with the electrical connection of the mobile computing device when the body closes the aperture in the encasement, the electrical connection adapter further having a second electrical interface connected with the body, the second electrical interface for transferring electrical power and/or data signals to and/or from the mobile computing device through the first electrical interface, the second electrical interface including

a plurality of sealed, electrically-conductive contacts positioned at an outer surface of the body and accessible from outside of the encasement when the aperture is closed by the body, and

a plurality of electrical conductors extending through the body, each connecting a respective one of the sealed electrically-conductive contacts with the first electrical interface; and

a gasket for sealing the electrical connection adapter with the encasement at the aperture.

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the encasement has a bottom member to cover at least a first portion of the mobile computing device, and a top member to cover at least a second portion of the mobile computing device, the top member configured to allow touch access to the touch screen display.

4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the plurality of sealed, electrically-conductive contacts are flush with the outer surface of the encasement.

5. The apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein the encasement has a coupling mechanism to couple the top member with the bottom member to cover the first and second portions of the mobile computing device, and to seal the top member with the bottom member.

6. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a coupling mechanism to couple the electrical connection adapter to the encasement.

7. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a tether that connects the electrical connection adapter with the encasement.

8. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a hinge that connects the electrical connection adapter with the encasement.

9. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the gasket is coupled with the body of the electrical connection adapter.

10. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the gasket is coupled with the aperture of the encasement.

3. An apparatus for covering at least part of a mobile computing device having a touch screen display, the mobile computing device further having an electrical connection available at an outer surface of a housing that houses the mobile computing device, the apparatus comprising:

an encasement that permits operation of the touch screen display and covers at least part of the mobile computing device that includes the electrical connection, the encasement having a frame; and

an electrical connection adapter disposed within a surface of the frame proximate the electrical connection, the electrical connection adapter having a first electrical interface connected with the frame, the first electrical interface for interfacing with the electrical connection of the mobile computing device when the mobile computing device is covered by the encasement, the electrical connection adapter further having a second electrical interface connected with the frame, the second electrical interface for transferring electrical power and/or data signals to and/or from the first electrical interface, the second electrical interface including

a plurality of sealed, electrically-conductive contacts positioned at an outer surface of the encasement and exposed to the exterior environment, and

a plurality of corresponding electrical connections that connect the sealed electrically-conductive contacts with the first electrical interface.

21. The apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein the encasement has a bottom member to cover at least a first portion of the mobile computing device, and a top member to cover at least a second portion of the mobile computing device, the top member configured to allow touch access to the touch screen display, and wherein the electrical connection adapter is positioned on the top member or the bottom member.

11. An apparatus for covering at least part of a mobile computing device having a touch screen display, the mobile computing device further having an electrical connection available at an outer surface of a housing that houses the mobile computing device, the apparatus comprising:

a liquid resistant encasement that prevents damage to the mobile computing device from a liquid when the mobile computing device is encased in the liquid resistant encasement and when the liquid resistant encasement is in a sealed configuration with the mobile computing device, the liquid resistant encasement further permitting operation of the touch screen display when the mobile computing device is encased therein, the encasement having an outer surface and an inner surface and an aperture passing therethrough proximate the electrical connection of the mobile computing device;

an electrical connection adapter having a body for sealing the aperture against liquid intrusion into the liquid resistant encasement, the electrical connection adapter having a first electrical interface connected with the body, the first electrical interface for interfacing with the electrical connection of the mobile computing device when the body seals the aperture in the liquid resistant encasement, the electrical connection adapter further having a second electrical interface connected with the body, the second electrical interface for transferring electrical power and/or data signals to and/or from the mobile computing device through the first electrical interface, the second electrical interface including

a plurality of sealed, electrically-conductive connectors positioned at an outer surface of the body and accessible at the outer surface of the encasement when the body seals the aperture, and

a plurality of electrical conductors extending through the body electrically connecting the sealed electrically-conductive connectors with the first electrical interface.

12. The apparatus in accordance with claim 11, further comprising a gasket for sealing the electrical connection adapter to the encasement at the aperture.

13. The apparatus in accordance with claim 11, further comprising a coupling mechanism to couple the electrical connection adapter to the encasement when the body closes the aperture in the encasement.

14. The apparatus in accordance with claim 11, further comprising a tether that connects the electrical connection adapter with the encasement.

15. The apparatus in accordance with claim 11, further comprising a hinge that connects the electrical connection adapter with the encasement.

16. An apparatus for covering at least part of a mobile computing device having a touch screen display, the mobile computing device further having an electrical connection attached to a housing that houses the mobile computing device, the apparatus comprising:

an encasement that covers at least part of the mobile computing device that includes the electrical connection, the encasement having a bottom member to cover at least a first portion of the mobile computing device, and a top member to cover at least a second portion of the mobile computing device, the top member configured to allow touch access to the touch screen display;

a coupling mechanism to couple the top member with the bottom member to cover the first and second portions of the mobile computing device, and to seal the top member with the bottom member;

an aperture in the encasement proximate the electrical connection of the mobile computing device, the aperture having a gasket seat;

an electrical connection adapter having a body for closing the aperture in the encasement, the electrical connection adapter having a first electrical interface connected with the body, the first electrical interface for interfacing with the electrical connection of the mobile computing device when the body closes the aperture in the encasement, the electrical connection adapter further having a second electrical interface connected with the body, the second electrical interface for transferring electrical power and/or data signals to and/or from the mobile computing device through the first electrical interface, the second electrical interface including

an array of sealed, electrically-conductive contacts positioned at an outer surface of the body and exposed to the exterior environment of the encasement, and

a plurality of electrical connections that electrically connect the sealed electrically-conductive contacts with the first electrical interface; and

a gasket for being seated on the gasket seat to seal an interface between the aperture in the encasement and the body of the electrical connection adapter.

17. An apparatus in accordance with claim 16, further comprising a second coupling mechanism to couple the electrical connection adapter to the encasement when the body closes the aperture in the encasement.

18. The apparatus in accordance with claim 16, further comprising a second coupling mechanism to couple the electrical connection adapter to the encasement when the body closes the aperture in the encasement.

19. The apparatus in accordance with claim 16, further comprising a tether that connects the electrical connection adapter with the encasement.

20. The apparatus in accordance with claim 16, further comprising a hinge that connects the electrical connection adapter with the encasement.