Protective encasement for mobile computing device

• US 9,300,344 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2012
• Issued: 03/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2011
• 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): Nguyen, Hoa C
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, BINH BACH THANH
• Application Number:
  US13/517,583
• Publication Number:
  US 20120314354A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,385 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.01, 361/679.02, 361/679.21, 361/679.26, 361/679.29, 361/679.3, 361/747, 361/801, 361/803, 174/50.5, 174/50.51, 174/50.52, 174/560, 174/561, 174/563, 174/564
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 1/1628 Carrying enclosures containing additional elements, e.g. case for a laptop and a printer
• 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 1/1679 for locking or maintaining the movable parts of the enclosure in a fixed position, e.g. latching mechanism at the edge of the display in a laptop or for the screen protective cover of a PDA G06F1/1681 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/06 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof or flameproof casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/10 characterised by the material or arrangement of seals between parts, e.g. between cap and base of the container or between leads and walls of the container
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/035 Improving the acoustic characteristics by means of constructional features of the housing, e.g. ribs, walls, resonating chambers or cavities
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/18 Telephone sets specially adapted for use in ships, mines, or other places exposed to adverse environment H04M1/19 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0004 comprising several parts forming a closed casing
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 with operator interface units
• 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: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

This disclosure relates generally to an apparatus and/or system for housing a device. The apparatus includes 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 includes a perimeter portion defined by proximal and distal ends and opposing sides. The top and bottom members may include respective clasping mechanisms that extend along the perimeter of the top and bottom members and may be configured for engaging a third clasping mechanism, such as a locking comb or wedge feature. 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. A protective encasement for a mobile computing device having a housing, the housing of the mobile computing device having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion including a touch-sensitive display affixed to the first portion of the housing, the protective encasement comprising:

a bottom member to receive and encase the second portion of the housing for the mobile computing device, the mobile computing device being a separate unit from the protective encasement;

a top member to receive and encase the first portion of the housing of the mobile computing device, the top member having an inner edge to frame at least a portion of the touch-sensitive display to allow direct touch access to the portion of the touch-sensitive display; and

a coupling mechanism to couple the top member with the bottom member, to encase the first and second portions of the housing of the mobile computing device, to seal the top member with the bottom member, and to engage a sealing portion positioned proximate the inner edge of the top member directly with the first portion of the housing of the mobile computing device to form a waterproof seal proximate the portion of the touch-sensitive display, wherein the coupling mechanism includes a protrusion on the top member that extends, at least partially, into a first channel in the bottom member when the top member is coupled with the bottom member, the first channel including a first seal, the protrusion pressing against the first seal in the first channel of the bottom member to seal the top member to the bottom member when the top member is coupled with the bottom member.

2. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first seal is a water resistant seal preventing water intrusion between an outer periphery of the top member and the bottom member when the top member is coupled with the bottom member.

3. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first seal is a gasket.

4. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 3, wherein the coupling mechanism further includes one or more latching mechanisms to latch the top member with the bottom member when the top member is coupled with the bottom member.

5. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 4, wherein the one or more latching mechanisms comprise:

a first latching mechanism at a periphery of the bottom member; and

a second latching mechanism at a periphery of the top member and configured to latch with the first latching mechanism to latch the top member with the bottom member when the top member is coupled with the bottom member.

6. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 5, wherein the one or more latching mechanisms further comprise:

a third latching mechanism on the bottom member near the first latching mechanism; and

a fourth latching mechanism on the top member near the second latching mechanism and configured to latch with the third latching mechanism to further latch the top member with the bottom member when the top member is coupled with the bottom member.

7. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 6, wherein the first latching mechanism includes a first wall extending up from the periphery of the bottom member and a first ridge that protrudes inwardly along at least a portion of an inner face of the first wall.

8. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 7, wherein the second latching mechanism includes a second wall extending down from the periphery of the top member and a second ridge that protrudes along at least a portion of an outer face of the second wall to engage with the first ridge of the first latching mechanism when the top member is latched with the bottom member.

9. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 8, wherein the third latching mechanism includes a third wall extending up from the bottom member and spaced apart from the first wall to form the first channel along at least a portion of the periphery of the bottom member, the third latching mechanism further including a plurality of detents spaced apart in the third wall, and

wherein the fourth latching mechanism includes a plurality of tabs protruding from an inward face of the second wall of the top member, each of the plurality of tabs to engage with a corresponding one of the plurality of detents of the third latching mechanism when the top member is latched with the bottom member.

10. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 9 wherein the first gasket provides a first water resistant seal between the top member and the bottom member when the top member is coupled with the bottom member.

11. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 10, wherein the top member includes a second channel proximate the inner edge and a second gasket disposed in the second channel abuts the region proximate the portion of the touch-sensitive display when the top member is coupled with the bottom member, the second gasket providing a second water resistant seal between the top member and the region proximate the portion of the touch-sensitive display when the top member is coupled with the bottom member.

12. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sealing portion of the inner edge of the top member includes a second seal between the inner edge of the top member and a region proximate the portion of the touch-sensitive display when the top member is coupled with the bottom member.

13. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 12, wherein the second seal is a water resistant seal preventing water intrusion between the inner edge of the top member and the region proximate the portion of the touch-sensitive display when the top member is coupled with the bottom member.

14. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a flexible ridge proximate the inner edge of the top member, the flexible ridge to interface with a surface of the mobile computing device proximate the touch-sensitive display to prevent liquid or particulate matter from substantially intruding past the inner edge of the top member.

15. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism further includes one or more of a screw, a ratchet, a bolt, a snap, a detent, a ball-and-socket connector, a ridge, a hole and an associated tang, and a mushroom snap.

16. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of the top member and the bottom member include a rigid frame member.

17. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, further comprising one or more electrical interconnection ports.

18. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 17, wherein each of the one or more electrical interconnection ports includes a sealing member.

19. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 18, wherein the one or more electrical interconnection ports includes a data and charge port, and wherein the sealing member includes a latching door.

20. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 19, wherein the data and charge port is through the top member, and wherein the latching door is coupled to the bottom member by a pivot and configured to latch over the data and charge port.

21. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 18, wherein the one or more electrical interconnection ports includes a threaded earphone jack aperture, and wherein the sealing member includes a threaded bung to occupy and seal the threaded earphone jack aperture.

22. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 17, wherein each of the sealing members includes one or more of:

a latching door, a plug, a screw with a gasket, a bayonet, a sliding door, and a latching door with a sealable aperture.

23. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bottom member further includes one or more external accessory physical interconnections on an outer surface of the bottom member for connecting the bottom member with an external accessory.

24. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a speaker grille having a sound passable and water-impermeable membrane that overlays the speaker grille.

25. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a camera lens provided in the top member and/or bottom member.

26. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the top member further comprises one or more aligning members extending from an inner surface of the top member, the one or more aligning members to receive and position the mobile computing device relative to the top member.

27. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, further comprising one or more sealed button features to each operate a corresponding one or more buttons of the mobile computing device.

28. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a sealed actuator to operate a corresponding linear switch of the mobile computing device.

29. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a mobile computing device housing simulant having a plurality of dimensions corresponding with dimensions of the first portion and the second portion of the housing of the mobile computing device, and to simulate the first portion and the second portion of the housing of the mobile computing device being encased and sealed by the top member and the bottom member when the top member is coupled with the bottom member.

30. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bottom member further includes an inner edge to frame at least a portion of a back surface of the second portion of the housing of the mobile computing device opposite the touch-sensitive display to allow direct touch access to the portion of the back surface, and wherein the coupling mechanism is configured to seal an inner edge of the bottom member with a region proximate at least the portion of the back surface of the second portion of the housing of the mobile computing device.

31. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 30, wherein the coupling mechanism includes a second seal between the inner edge of the bottom member and the region proximate at least the portion of the back surface of the second portion of the housing of the mobile computing device.

32. A method comprising:

providing a mobile computing device having a housing, the housing having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion including a touch-sensitive display;

providing a protective encasement for the mobile computing device, the protective encasement having a top member and a bottom member, each of the top and the bottom members including a respective clasping mechanism;

receiving the second portion of the housing of the mobile computing device in the bottom member of the protective encasement, the housing being a separate unit from the protective enclosure;

receiving the first portion of the mobile computing device in the top member of the protective encasement, the top member having an inner edge to frame at least a portion of the touch-sensitive display to allow direct touch access to a portion of the touch-sensitive display; and

coupling, via the respective coupling mechanisms, the top member with the bottom member to encase the first and second portions of the mobile computing device housing, to seal the top member with the bottom member, and to seal the inner edge of the top member with a region proximate at least the portion of the touch-sensitive display;

wherein the coupling mechanisms include a protrusion on one of the top member and the bottom member that extends, at least partially, into a first channel in the other one of the top member and the bottom member when the top member is coupled with the bottom member, the protrusion pressing against and sealing against a first seal in the first channel when the top member is coupled with the bottom member.

33. A protective encasement for a mobile computing device having a housing, the housing having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion including a touch-sensitive display affixed to the first portion of the housing of the mobile computing device, the protective encasement comprising:

a bottom member to receive and encase the second portion of the housing for the mobile computing device, the housing of the mobile computing device being a separate unit from the protective encasement;

a top member to receive and encase the first portion of the housing of the mobile computing device, the top member having an inner edge to frame at least a portion of the touch-sensitive display to allow direct touch access to a portion of the touch-sensitive display, the top member further including a first seal to seal the inner edge of the top member and a region proximate the portion of the touch-sensitive display when the top member is coupled with the bottom member; and

a coupling mechanism to couple the top member with the bottom member to encase the first and second portions of the housing of the mobile computing device, to seal the top member with the bottom member, and to seal the inner edge of the top member directly with the region proximate the portion of the touch-sensitive display, the coupling mechanism including a wall on the top member, a channel on the bottom member, and a seal, the wall of the top member configured to extend into the channel of the bottom member to compress the seal in the channel when the top member is coupled with the bottom member.

34. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 33, further comprising a flexible ridge proximate the inner edge of the top member, the flexible ridge to interface with the top surface of the mobile computing device proximate the touch-sensitive display, and to prevent liquid or particulate matter from substantially intruding past the inner edge of the top member.

35. A protective encasement for a mobile computing device having a housing, the housing having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion including a touch-sensitive display affixed to the first portion of the housing of the mobile computing device, the protective encasement comprising:

a first member to receive and encase the second portion of the housing for the mobile computing device, the housing of the mobile computing device being a separate unit from the protective encasement;

a second member to receive and encase the first portion of the housing of the mobile computing device, the second member having an inner edge to frame at least a portion of the touch-sensitive display to allow direct touch access to a portion of the touch-sensitive display;

a seal; and

a coupling mechanism to couple the second member with the first member to encase the first and second portions of the housing of the mobile computing device, to seal the second member with the first member, and to seal the inner edge of the second member directly with the first portion of the mobile computing device proximate the portion of the touch-sensitive display, wherein the coupling mechanism seals the inner edge of the second member and a region proximate the portion of the touch-sensitive display when the second member is coupled with the first member, and wherein the coupling mechanism includes a protrusion on the second member that extends, at least partially, into a channel in the first member when the second member is coupled with the first member, the channel including the seal, the protrusion pressing against the seal in the channel in the first member to seal the second member to the first member.

36. The protective encasement in accordance with claim 35, further comprising a flexible ridge proximate the inner edge of the second member, the flexible ridge to interface with a top surface of the mobile computing device proximate the touch-sensitive display, and to prevent liquid or particulate matter from substantially intruding past the inner edge of the second member.