Explosion proof assembly

• US 9,867,438 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2013
• Issued: 01/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xciel, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Xciel, Inc.
• Inventors: Balourdet, Xavier
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Lana N
• Application Number:
  US14/431,676
• Publication Number:
  US 20150265018A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,573 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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 13/008 for making water- or air-tight
• 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 2200/15 Articles convertible into a stand, e.g. for displaying purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/52 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
• 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: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An explosion proof assembly includes a case configured to receive a waterproof assembly having a waterproof enclosure housing a computing device, wherein the case is configured to prevent combustion within an internal cavity of the waterproof enclosure. The assembly may include a flap coupled to the case to retain the computing device in the case, wherein the flap includes a tool-operated retention member configured to retain the flap in a closed position, wherein the retention member of the case is configured to be unfastened using a tool, and wherein the case and the tool-operated retention member are configured to prevent combustion within an internal cavity of the computing device.

Claims

1. An explosion proof assembly comprising:

an outer case formed at least partially from a nylon material, and further comprising an aperture;

a waterproof assembly comprising;

a computing device comprising an input connector, the computing device being operably configured for taking photos via a camera lens, and being operable via a touchscreen; and

a waterproof enclosure sealingly engaged therearound the computing device while leaving touch access to the touchscreen, the waterproof enclosure having a body formed from a flexible material, the body further comprising;

a front face, a rear face, and a charging port therebetween,

wherein the charging port is configured to move between a closed position and an open position, wherein when the charging port is in the closed position the ingress or egress of water or dust thereby is restricted, wherein when the charging port is in the open position access to the input connector is provided, wherein the rear face comprises a lens disposed over the camera lens, and wherein the waterproof assembly is disposed within the outer case in a manner whereby the camera lens, the lens, and the aperture are aligned.

2. The explosion proof assembly of claim 1, wherein the input connector is an electrical connector, and wherein the outer case is configured to prevent any sparks, electrical energy, or thermal energy from within the waterproof enclosure from escaping therefrom and into a surrounding environment while also allowing a user to interface with the touch screen.

3. The explosion proof assembly of claim 2, wherein the computing device comprises one of a tablet computer and a smartphone.

4. The explosion proof assembly of claim 3, wherein the outer case comprises a flap having a tool-operated retention mechanism configured to secure the flap in a closed case position.

5. The explosion proof assembly of claim 4, wherein when the flap is in the closed case position the input connector of the computing device is prevented from being exposed to an external environment of the explosion proof assembly.

6. The explosion proof assembly of claim 5, wherein the retention mechanism comprises a screw that is configured to mechanically couple to a rear panel of the outer case.

7. An explosion proof assembly comprising:

an outer case, and further comprising an aperture;

a waterproof assembly comprising;

a computing device comprising an input connector, the computing device being operably configured for taking photos via a camera lens, and being operable via a touchscreen; and

a waterproof enclosure sealingly engaged therearound the computing device while leaving touch access to the touchscreen, the waterproof enclosure having a body further comprising;

a front face, a rear face, and a charging port therebetween,

wherein the charging port is configured to move between a closed position and an open position, wherein when the charging port is in the closed position the ingress or egress of water or dust is restricted, wherein when the charging port is in the open position access to the input connector is provided, wherein the outer case comprises a flap having a tool-operated retention mechanism configured to secure the flap in a closed case position, and wherein when the flap is in the closed case position the explosion proof assembly is configured to prevent combustion products from escaping therefrom and into an external environment of the explosion proof assembly.

8. The explosion proof assembly of claim 7, wherein the outer case is further configured to allow a user to actuate the touch screen.

9. The explosion proof assembly of claim 8, wherein the rear face comprises a lens positioned proximate to the camera lens, and wherein the waterproof assembly is disposed within the outer case in a manner whereby the camera lens, the lens, and the aperture are aligned.

10. The explosion proof assembly of claim 9, wherein the computing device comprises one of a tablet computer and a smartphone.

11. The explosion proof assembly of claim 10, wherein the outer case is formed at least partially from a nylon material, the body is formed from a flexible material, and wherein the retention mechanism comprises a screw that is configured to mechanically couple to a rear panel of the outer case.

12. The explosion proof assembly of claim 7, the assembly further comprising:

a first ring secured to the flap;

a second ring secured to a rear panel of the outer case; and

a lock secured to the first ring and the second ring.

13. An explosion proof assembly comprising:

an outer case formed at least partially from a nylon material, and further comprising an aperture;

a waterproof assembly comprising;

a tablet computer comprising an input connector, the computing device being operably configured for taking photos via a camera lens, and being operable via a touchscreen; and

a waterproof enclosure sealingly engaged therearound the computing device while leaving touch access to the touchscreen, the waterproof enclosure having a body formed from a flexible material, the body further comprising;

a front face, a rear face, and a charging port,

wherein the charging port is configured to move between a closed position and an open position, wherein when the charging port is in the closed position the ingress or egress of water or dust is restricted, wherein the rear face comprises a lens aligned and disposed over the camera lens, wherein the waterproof assembly is disposed within the outer case in a manner whereby the camera lens, the lens, and the aperture are aligned, wherein the outer case comprises a flap having a retention mechanism configured to secure the flap in a closed case position, and wherein when the flap is in the closed case position the input connector of the computing device is prevented from being exposed to an external environment of the explosion proof assembly.

14. The explosion proof assembly of claim 13, wherein the outer case is configured to prevent electrical or thermal energy from escaping into the external environment while at the same time allowing a user to actuate the touch screen.

15. The explosion proof assembly of claim 14, wherein the retention mechanism comprises a screw that is configured to mechanically couple to a rear panel of the outer case.

16. The explosion proof assembly of claim 14, wherein the retention mechanism comprises:

a first ring secured to the flap of the case;

a second ring secured to a rear panel of the case; and

a lock secured to the first ring and the second ring,

wherein the lock secures the flap in a closed position.