Protective enclosure for electronic device

• US 9,560,435 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2015
• Issued: 01/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Otter Products LLC
• Original Assignee: Otter Products LLC
• Inventors: Richardson, Curtis R., Kempel, Douglas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Edwards, Anthony Q
• Application Number:
  US14/798,562
• Publication Number:
  US 20150319520A1
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• 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 13/005 Hinges
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/02 Interior fittings; Means, e.g. inserts, for holding and packing articles
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/36 Reinforcements for edges, corners, or other parts
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/001 for portable audio devices, e.g. headphones or MP3-players
• 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: A45C 2200/10 Transparent walls
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 5/00 Rigid or semi-rigid luggage collapsible or extensible luggage, bags or the like A45C7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/02 specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage containers of polygonal cross-section provided with internal protecting elements for contents B65D5/50; devices to locate articles in containers B65D25/10
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/022 Containers made of shock-absorbing material B65D81/03 takes precedence; for thermal insulating purposes B65D81/3813
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/05 maintaining contents at spaced relation from package walls, or from other contents B65D81/022, B65D81/025, B65D81/03 take precedence
• 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 1/1633 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 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 : Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 : Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3894 : Waterproofing of transmission device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 : Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 : Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/185 : Improving the rigidity of the casing or resistance to shocks
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 : associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1033 : Cables or cables storage, e.g. cable reels cord reels per se H02G11/02; arrangements for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of conductors or cables B65H75/34; extensible conductors or cables, e.g. self-coiling cords H01B7/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/02 : Details casings, cabinets or mounting therein for transducers covered by H04R1/02 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 : with operator interface units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/02 : Details
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0247 : Electrical details of casings, e.g. terminals, passages for cables or wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/03 : Covers
• 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 5/068 : having a pressure compensation device, e.g. membrane venting means H05K5/0213
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/069 : Other details of the casing, e.g. wall structure, passage for a connector, a cable, a shaft
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24355 : Continuous and nonuniform or irregular surface on layer or component [e.g., roofing, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24413 : Metal or metal compound
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24909 : Free metal or mineral containing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/25 : Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and including a second component containing structurally defined particles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31507 : Of polycarbonate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31605 : Next to free metal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31692 : Next to addition polymer from unsaturated monomers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31696 : Including polyene monomers [e.g., butadiene, etc.]

Abstract

A protective enclosure for a mobile computing device that has an interactive touchscreen includes a first case member and a second case member. The second case member is attachable to the first case member via a latching mechanism, and the combined case members provide a protective interior of the enclosure. Pliable areas of the first and/or second case member align with a control button of the mobile computing device and transfer external force to the control button. An electrical connector of the protective enclosure is structured to engage a corresponding connector of the mobile computing device. The protective cover includes audio headphones and a headphone cable that connects between the audio headphones and an exterior surface of the second case member, electrically connecting the audio headphones to the electrical connector of the protective enclosure.

Claims

1. A protective enclosure for a mobile computing device having an interactive touchscreen, the protective enclosure comprising:

a first case member having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a perimeter portion;

a second case member having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a perimeter portion, the second case member removably attachable to the first case member with one or more latching mechanisms, wherein attachment of the second case member to the first case member forms a protective interior of the protective enclosure for receiving the mobile computing device, the protective interior of the protective enclosure including at least a portion of the interior surface of the first case member and at least a portion of the interior surface of the second case member;

a plurality of pliable areas disposed in one or more of the first case member and the second case member, the pliable areas each aligning with a corresponding control button of the mobile computing device such that at least a portion of a force applied at an external surface of one of the pliable areas is transferred to the corresponding control button of the mobile computing device to actuate the corresponding control button of the mobile computing device when the mobile computing device is in the protective interior of the protective enclosure;

an electrical connector attached to the interior surface of the second case member, the electrical connector of the protective enclosure structured to mate with an electrical connector of the mobile computing device when the mobile computing device is inside the protective enclosure;

audio headphones; and

a headphone cable connected to the audio headphones and connected to the exterior surface of one of the first and the second case member, the headphone cable electrically interconnecting the audio headphones to the electrical connector of the protective enclosure such that audio signals generated by the mobile computing device inside the protective interior are transmitted through the electrical connector of the mobile computing device through the electrical connector of the protective enclosure and through the headphone cable to the headphones outside the protective enclosure.

2. The protective enclosure of claim 1, wherein the electrical connector of the mobile computing device comprises a headphone jack and the electrical connector of the protective enclosure comprises a headphone plug to mate with the headphone jack of the mobile computing device to conduct the audio signals from the mobile computing device to the audio headphones.

3. The protective enclosure of claim 1, wherein the electrical connector of the protective enclosure includes a flexible electrical cable enabling the electrical connector of the protective enclosure to be mated with the electrical connector of the mobile computing device before the mobile computing device is fully inserted into the protective enclosure.

4. The protective enclosure of claim 1, wherein the electrical connector of the protective enclosure comprises an electrical plug that is rigidly affixed to the interior surface of the protective enclosure such that the electrical plug engages the electrical connector of the mobile computing device, when the mobile computing device is inserted into the protective enclosure, and conducts the audio signals to the headphone cable outside of the protective enclosure.

5. The protective enclosure of claim 1, wherein the first case member includes an aperture having a transparent membrane such that the interactive touchscreen of the mobile computing device is visible through the transparent membrane and operable through the transparent membrane.

6. The protective enclosure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the control buttons of the mobile computing device is an electrical switch.

7. The protective enclosure of claim 1, wherein the audio headphones comprise earbuds.

8. The protective enclosure of claim 1, wherein the first case member includes an aperture and a transparent membrane spanning the aperture such that at least a portion of an interactive control panel of the mobile computing device is visible and operable through the transparent membrane.

9. A protective case for a portable electronic device, the protective case comprising:

a first case portion having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a perimeter portion;

a second case portion having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a perimeter portion, the second case portion removably attachable to the first case portion to form a protective shell having a cavity for the portable electronic device inside the protective shell, the cavity defined by at least a portion of the interior surface of the first case portion and at least a portion of the interior surface of the second case portion;

a pliable molded surface disposed in an opening of one of the first case portion and the second case portion, the pliable molded surface aligning with a corresponding control button of the portable electronic device and configured to transmit a mechanical pressure applied at an exterior surface of the pliable molded surface to the control button of the portable electronic device to actuate the control button of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is inside the shell;

an electrical connector attached to the interior surface of the second case portion, the electrical connector configured to mate with an electrical interface of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is inside the shell; and

audio headphones having a headphone cable, the headphone cable connected to the exterior surface of the second case portion and electrically interconnected through a wall of the second case portion to the electrical connector of the protective case such that electrical audio signals generated by the portable electronic device inside the shell are transmitted from the electrical interface of the portable electronic device through the electrical connector and through the headphone cable to the headphones.

10. The protective case of claim 9, wherein the cavity for the portable electronic device inside the protective shell is waterproof.

11. The protective case of claim 9, wherein the electrical interface of the portable electronic device comprises a headphone jack and the electrical connector attached to the interior surface of the second case portion comprises a headphone plug to mate with the headphone jack of the electronic device to conduct the audio signals from the portable electronic device to the headphones.

12. The protective case of claim 9, wherein the electrical connector attached to the interior surface of the second case portion conductor includes a flexible electrical cable enabling the electrical connector to be mated with the electrical interface of the portable electronic device before the portable electronic device is fully inserted into the shell.

13. The protective case of claim 9, wherein the electrical connector comprises an electrical plug that is rigidly affixed to the interior surface of the second case portion such that the electrical plug inserts into the electrical interface of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is inserted into the cavity.

14. The protective case of claim 13, wherein the electrical plug affixed to the interior surface of the case pivots in one axis to accommodate the insertion of the portable electronic device into the protective case.

15. The protective case of claim 9 further comprising one or more latch mechanisms to secure the first case portion to the second case portion to form the protective shell and the cavity.

16. The protective case of claim 9, wherein the portable electronic device comprises a smartphone and the electrical interface of the portable electronic device comprises a headphone jack of the smartphone.

17. The protective case of claim 9, wherein the first case portion includes an aperture through which a touchscreen interface of the portable electronic device is visible and operable when the portable electronic device is inside the shell.

18. A protective case for a portable electronic device, the protective case comprising:

a protective shell including;

a first case portion having an exterior surface and an interior surface;

a second case portion having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the second case portion removably attachable to the first case portion, wherein attachment of the second case portion to the first case portion forms a protective cavity for the portable electronic device;

a pliable surface disposed in an opening of one of the first case portion and the second case portion, the pliable surface aligning with a control feature of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is inside the protective cavity, the pliable surface adapted to transmit at least a portion of a mechanical force applied at an external surface of the protective shell to the control feature of the portable electronic device to actuate the control feature when the portable electronic device is inside the protective cavity in the protective shell; and

an electrical pass-through for accessing a headphone jack of the portable electronic device from outside the protective shell when the portable electronic device is inside the protective cavity in the protective shell;

audio headphones; and

a headphone cable affixed to the headphones and electrically connected to the audio headphones, the headphone cable adapted to electrically connect the audio headphones to the headphone jack of the portable electronic device inside the protective shell through the electrical pass-through such that audio signals from the portable electronic device inside the protective shell are conducted to the audio headphones through the headphone cable.

19. The protective case of claim 18, wherein the protective shell further includes a cable management feature for storing the headphone cable when the audio headphones are not in use.

20. The protective case of claim 18 further including a gasket wherein the gasket seals the first case portion to the second case portion to make the protective cavity for the portable electronic device water resistant.

21. The protective case of claim 18 further comprising one or more latch mechanisms to secure the first case portion to the second case portion to form the protective cavity of the protective shell.

22. The protective case of claim 18, wherein the first case portion includes an aperture spanned by a transparent membrane, wherein a touchscreen interface of the portable electronic device is visible and operable through the transparent membrane when the portable electronic device is inside the protective cavity.