Accessories for use with housing for an electronic device

• US 9,317,076 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2015
• Issued: 04/19/2016
• 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 A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ngo, Brian
• Application Number:
  US14/632,703
• Publication Number:
  US 20150227178A1
• Time in Patent Office: 418 Days
• Field of Search: 320/108, 320/112, 361/701, 361/723, 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 housing an electronic device having a touchscreen surrounded by a perimeter portion comprising one or more control features, the apparatus comprising:

a top member comprising a rigid frame that corresponds to an outer perimeter of the electronic device, the rigid frame having a wall extending to a ridge, the rigid frame including a first opening, the first opening being overlaid with a flexible member to form a sealed button, the sealed button being arranged to engage at least one of the one or more control features of the electronic device when the electronic device is enclosed within the housing; and

a bottom member comprising a front surface and a back surface with a battery positioned between the front and back surface, the front surface and the back surface each being surrounded by a perimeter portion defined by a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the perimeter portion having an interior bounding member and an exterior bounding member that form a channel, one of the interior and exterior bounding members to clasp with the wall of the top member, and to seal the bottom member with the top member.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rigid frame includes a plurality of openings, the plurality of openings being overlaid with one or more flexible members to form sealed buttons.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rigid frame further includes a second opening, the second opening being overlaid with a sound-passing, water-impermeable material to form a sealed sound port aperture.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a membrane coupled to the rigid frame opposite the ridge, the membrane having a transparent area overlaying the touchscreen of the electronic device.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rigid frame includes an interior edge and an exterior edge, the interior edge configured for interfacing with a surface of the touchscreen of the electronic device, and comprising a seal for directly contacting and sealing an interface between the interior edge of the rigid frame and the surface of the touchscreen of the electronic device.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, the apparatus comprising a gasket positioned in the channel, the ridge of the top member to mate with the gasket to form the seal between the top and bottom members.

7. An apparatus for housing an electronic device having a touchscreen surrounded by a perimeter portion comprising one or more control features, the apparatus comprising:

a top member comprising a rigid frame that corresponds to an outer perimeter of the electronic device, the rigid frame having a an interior bounding member and an exterior bounding member that form a channel, the channel containing a gasket, the rigid frame including a first opening, the first opening being overlaid with a flexible member to form a sealed button, the sealed button arranged to engage at least one of the one or more control features of the electronic device when the electronic device is enclosed within the housing; and

a bottom member comprising a front surface and a back surface with a battery positioned between the front and back surface, the front surface and the back surface being surrounded by a perimeter portion defined by a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the perimeter portion having an extended wall having a ridge, the wall to couple with one of the interior and exterior members, the ridge to compress the gasket in the top member and to seal the bottom member with the top member.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the rigid frame further includes a second opening, the second opening being overlaid with a sound-passing, water-impermeable material to form a sealed sound port aperture.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a membrane coupled to the rigid frame opposite the ridge, the membrane having a transparent area overlaying the touchscreen of the electronic device.

10. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the rigid frame includes an interior edge and an exterior edge, the interior edge configured for interfacing with a surface of the touchscreen of the electronic device, and comprising a seal for directly contacting and sealing an interface between the interior edge of the rigid frame and the surface of the touchscreen of the electronic device.

11. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the bottom member further comprises a coil positioned between the front and the back surface of the bottom member, the coil being operably connected to the battery.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the bottom member further comprises a microprocessor positioned between the front and the back surface of the bottom member and operably connected to one or more of the battery and the coil.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the bottom member further comprises an internal electrical interface coupled to an interior perimeter portion of the bottom member and operably connected to the battery and to the coil.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the bottom member further comprises an external electrical interface coupled to an exterior perimeter portion of the bottom member and operably connected to the internal electrical interface.

15. An apparatus for housing an electronic device having a touchscreen surrounded by a perimeter portion comprising one or more sound features, the apparatus comprising:

a top member comprising a rigid frame that corresponds to an outer perimeter of the electronic device, the rigid frame having an interior bounding member and an exterior bounding member that form a channel, the rigid frame including a first opening, the first opening being overlaid with a sound-passing, water-impermeable material to form a sealed sound port; and

a bottom member comprising a surface with a battery coupled thereto, the surface being surrounded by a perimeter portion defined by a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the perimeter portion having an extended wall to clasp one of the interior and exterior members, and to seal the bottom member with the top member.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the rigid frame further includes a second opening, the second opening being overlaid with a flexible member to form a sealed button, the sealed button configured to engage a control feature of the electronic device when the electronic device is enclosed within the housing.

17. The apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a membrane coupled to the rigid frame opposite the ridge, the membrane having a transparent area overlaying the touchscreen of the electronic device.

18. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the rigid frame includes an interior edge and an exterior edge, the interior edge configured for interfacing with a surface of the touchscreen of the electronic device, and comprising a seal for directly contacting and sealing an interface between the interior edge of the rigid frame and a surface of the touchscreen of the electronic device.

19. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the bottom member further comprises a coil coupled to the surface of the bottom member, the coil being operably connected to the battery.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the bottom member further comprises a microprocessor coupled to the surface of the bottom member and operably connected to one or more of the battery and the coil.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the bottom member further comprises an internal electrical interface coupled to an interior perimeter portion of the bottom member and operably connected to the battery and the coil.

22. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the bottom member further comprises an external electrical interface coupled to an exterior perimeter portion of the bottom member and operably connected to the internal electrical interface.

23. The apparatus according to claim 15, the apparatus comprising a gasket positioned in the channel for forming the seal between the top and bottom members.

24. A waterproof apparatus for housing an electronic device having a control feature and a touchscreen surrounded by a perimeter portion, the perimeter portion including an electrical interface for charging a battery of the electronic device, the apparatus comprising:

a two-piece housing for enclosing the electronic device, the two-piece housing having a first housing member and a second housing member configured for interfacing with one another to seal the electronic device within the housing when the first and second housing members are coupled together, one of the first or second housing member having a channel and the other of the first or second housing member having a wall that couples with at least a portion of the channel;

the two-piece housing including within one or more of the first and second housing members a coil for generating energy, a battery cell for storing the energy generated by the coil, and an internal electrical interface, the battery cell being in operable communication with both of the coil and the internal electrical interface, the internal electrical interface for coupling with the electrical interface of the electronic device so as to provide stored energy from the battery of the housing to the battery of the electronic device.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein an exterior perimeter portion of one of the first and second housing members further comprises an external electrical interface, the external electrical interface operably connected to the internal electrical interface.

26. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein at least one of the first and second housing members further comprises a first opening, the first opening being overlaid with a flexible member to form a sealed button, the sealed button for manipulating the control feature of the electronic device.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein at least one of the first and second housing members further comprises a second opening, the second opening being overlaid with a sound-passing, water-impermeable material to form a sealed sound port aperture.

28. The apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising a membrane coupled to at least one of the first and second housing members, the membrane having a transparent area overlaying the touchscreen of the electronic device.

29. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein at least one of the first and second housing members includes an interior edge, the interior edge configured for interfacing with a surface of the touchscreen of the electronic device, and comprising a seal for directly contacting and sealing an interface between the interior edge and the surface of the touchscreen of the electronic device.

30. The apparatus according to claim 24, the apparatus comprising a gasket positioned in the channel for forming the seal between the first and second housing members.