Housing for encasing an electronic device

• US 9,380,723 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2015
• Issued: 06/28/2016
• 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 A.
• Primary Examiner(s): GEHMAN, BRYON P
• Application Number:
  US14/929,153
• Publication Number:
  US 20160057879A1
• Time in Patent Office: 242 Days
• Field of Search: 206/305, 206/320, 361/679.02, 361/679.03, 361/679.26, 36167955-67959, 361/724, 361/727, 455/90.3, 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, the apparatus comprising:

a top member including a perimeter portion to bound an outer perimeter of the electronic device when the electronic device is housed in the apparatus, the perimeter portion defined by a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions;

a membrane coupled with a top surface of the perimeter portion of the top member;

one or more sealed buttons formed in the proximal end portion, the distal end portion, or the opposing side portions of the top member;

a bottom member including an inner surface and a back surface with at least one lens formed therein, the bottom member further including a perimeter portion surrounding the inner surface and the back surface, the perimeter portion having a wall to mate with the perimeter portion of the top member to couple the bottom member with the top member;

one or more sealable apertures formed in the top member or the bottom member; and

a compressible gasket seated in a channel in either the top member or the bottom member, the compressible gasket to seal between the top member and the bottom member when the bottom member is coupled with the top member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top member further includes a first clasping mechanism, and wherein the bottom member further includes a second clasping mechanism to interface with the first clasping mechanism to maintain the top member and the bottom member coupled together.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises one or more of a substantially waterproof sound transmission feature, a camera lens feature, and a proximity sensor feature.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, the apparatus further comprising

a sound port aperture;

and

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

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a switch mechanism for controlling a movement of a switch on the electronic device when the electronic device is housed by the apparatus, the switch mechanism including a switch actuator at an outer surface of the apparatus, and a switch interface proximate an inner surface of the apparatus to contact the switch of the electronic device and to couple with the switch actuator such that a movement of the switch actuator controls a movement of the switch interface to actuate the switch of the electronic device.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a sealing member formed to seal the one or more sealable apertures; and

a door for attaching to the apparatus to form a waterproof seal with the one or more sealable apertures.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a bung being sized to enter and close the one or more sealable apertures.

8. An apparatus for housing an electronic device, the apparatus comprising:

a top member including a perimeter portion to bound an outer perimeter of the electronic device, the perimeter portion defined by a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions;

one or more button features formed in the proximal end portion, the distal end portion, or the opposing side portions of the top member;

a bottom member including an inner surface and a back surface with at least one lens formed therein, the bottom member further including a perimeter portion surrounding the inner surface and the back surface, the perimeter portion having a wall to mate with the perimeter portion of the top member to couple the bottom member with the top member;

one or more sealable apertures formed in the top member or the bottom member; and

a compressible gasket seated in a channel in either the top member or the bottom member, the compressible gasket to seal between the top member and the bottom member when the bottom member is coupled with the top member.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the top member further includes a first clasping mechanism, and wherein the bottom member further includes a second clasping mechanism to interface with the first clasping mechanism to maintain the top member and the bottom member coupled together.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the apparatus comprises one or more of a substantially waterproof sound transmission feature, a camera lens feature, and a proximity sensor feature.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, the apparatus further comprising

a sound port aperture;

and

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

12. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a switch mechanism for controlling a movement of a switch on the electronic device when the electronic device is housed by the apparatus, the switch mechanism including a switch actuator at an outer surface of the apparatus, and a switch interface proximate an inner surface of the apparatus to contact the switch of the electronic device and to couple with the switch actuator such that a movement of the switch actuator controls a movement of the switch interface to actuate the switch of the electronic device.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

a cover for attaching to the apparatus proximate at least one of the sealable apertures, the cover having an open configuration, and a closed configuration to close at least one of the sealable apertures; and

a sealing member to seal at least one of the sealable apertures when the cover is in the closed configuration.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a bung being sized to enter and close the one or more sealable apertures.

15. An apparatus for housing an electronic device, the apparatus comprising:

a top member including a perimeter portion to bound an outer perimeter of the electronic device, the perimeter portion defined by a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions;

a membrane coupled with a top surface of the perimeter portion of the top member;

a button feature formed in the proximal end portion, the distal end portion, or the opposing side portions of the top member;

a bottom member including an inner surface and a back surface with at least one lens formed therein, the bottom member further including a perimeter portion surrounding the inner surface and the back surface, the perimeter portion having a wall to mate with the perimeter portion of the top member to couple the bottom member with the top member;

a sealable aperture formed in the apparatus; and

a compressible gasket seated on either the top member or the bottom member, the compressible gasket to seal between the top member and the bottom member when the bottom member is coupled with the top member.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the top member further includes a first clasping mechanism, and wherein the bottom member further includes a second clasping mechanism to interface with the first clasping mechanism to maintain the top member and the bottom member coupled together.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the apparatus comprises one or more of a substantially waterproof sound transmission feature, a camera lens feature, and a proximity sensor feature.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, the apparatus further comprising

a sound port aperture;

and

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

19. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a switch mechanism for controlling a movement of a switch on the electronic device when the electronic device is housed by the apparatus, the switch mechanism including a switch actuator at an outer surface of the apparatus, and a switch interface proximate an inner surface of the apparatus to contact the switch of the electronic device and to couple with the switch actuator such that a movement of the switch actuator controls a movement of the switch interface to actuate the switch of the electronic device.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

a door for attaching to the apparatus proximate at least one of the sealable apertures, the door having an open configuration, and a closed configuration to close at least one of the sealable apertures; and

a sealing member to seal at least one of the sealable apertures when the door is in the closed configuration.