PROTECTIVE ENCLOSURE FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20140247545A1
• Filed: 05/20/2014
• Published: 09/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Otter Products LLC
• Original Assignee: Otter Products LLC
• Inventors: Richardson, Curtis R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,995,127 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.3
• 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 cover for an electronic device that has an interactive control panel and one or more electrical contacts includes a protective shell having a first member and a second member. The first member has a first coil arranged to convey electromagnetic energy with respect to a second, external coil. The second member is configured to join with the first case member to at least partially cover the electronic device. An aperture defined by the protective shell is aligned with the interactive control panel when the electronic device is at least partially enclosed by the protective shell. An electrical connection attached to the protective shell is configured to directly or indirectly convey electrical power received at the first coil to at least one of the electrical contacts of the electronic device to provide an electrical connection to the electrical source when the electronic device is received by the first member.

Claims

1. A protective cover for an electronic device having an interactive control panel and one or more electrical contacts for receiving electrical power from an electrical power source external to the electronic device, the protective cover comprising:

a protective shell having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a perimeter member at least partially circumscribing at least one of the inner and outer surfaces, the first portion formed to receive the electronic device, the second portion coupled with the first portion of the protective shell to at least partially cover the electronic device when the electronic device is received by the protective shell;

a securing member that secures the first portion of the protective shell with the second portion of the protective shell when they are coupled;

an electrical connector affixed the protective shell and positioned to contact at least one of the one or more electrical contacts of the electrical device when the electronic device is received within the protective shell; and

an inductive coil disposed with the protective shell and physically coupled with the electrical connector affixed to the first portion of the protective shell, the inductive coil providing an electrical current to the electrical connector in electromagnetic response to a magnetic field generated by the electrical power source external to the electronic device.

2. The protective cover in accordance with claim 1, wherein the inductive coil is integrally formed with the first portion of the protective shell.

3. The protective cover in accordance with claim 1, wherein the inductive coil is positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface of the first portion of the protective shell.

4. The protective cover in accordance with claim 2, wherein the inductive coil is disposed at the outer surface of the first portion of the protective shell.

5. The protective cover in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electrical connector includes an insulated metal conductor.

6. The protective cover in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electrical connector includes a fixed connector mounted to an inner surface of the perimeter member of the protective shell.

7. The protective cover in accordance with claim 6, wherein the fixed connector includes one or more spring-loaded probes that contact the one or more electrical contacts of the electronic device when the electronic device is received by the inner surface of the first portion of the protective shell.

8. The protective cover in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electrical connector includes an electrical contact interface that connects with the one or more electrical contacts of the electronic device when the electronic device is received by the inner surface of the first portion of the protective shell.

9. The protective cover in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a second electrical connector disposed at an opening in an outer surface of the perimeter member of the protective shell.

10. The protective cover in accordance with claim 9, wherein the second electrical connector is sized to receive an electrical plug from a device external to the protective cover.

11. A protective cover for an electronic device having first surface and a second surface opposed to the first surface, the second surface having an interactive control panel, and the electronic device having one or more electrical contacts for receiving electrical power from an electrical power source external to the electronic device, the protective cover comprising:

a protective shell comprising a first portion having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface of the first portion to contact the first surface of the electronic device, the protective shell further comprising a second portion having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of the second portion to contact the first surface of the electronic device, the first and second portions forming the protective shell to at least partially cover the electronic device when the electronic device is contacted with the inner surface of the first and second portions and the first and second portions are coupled together to form the protective shell;

a coupling mechanism that couples the first portion of the shell with the second portion of the shell;

an electrical connector affixed to the protective shell and contacting at least one of the one or more electrical contacts of the electrical device when the electronic device is contacted with the inner surface of the first and second portions of the protective shell; and

conductive media disposed within the first portion of the protective shell and coupled with the electrical connector, the conductive media conveying an electrical signal at a tuned frequency in a radio frequency spectrum from the electrical power source external to the electronic device to the one or more electrical contacts of the electronic device via the electrical connector attached to the first portion of the protective shell.

12. The protective cover in accordance with claim 11, wherein the conductive media is positioned between the inner surface of the first portion and the outer surface of the first portion of the protective shell.

13. The protective cover in accordance with claim 11, wherein the electrical connector includes an insulated metal conductor.

14. The protective cover in accordance with claim 11, wherein the electrical connector includes a fixed connector mounted at the inner surface of the protective shell.

15. The protective cover in accordance with claim 14, wherein the fixed connector includes one or more spring-loaded probes that contact the one or more electrical contacts of the electronic device when the electronic device is received by the inner surface of the first portion of the protective shell.

16. The protective cover in accordance with claim 11, wherein the electrical connector includes an electrical contact interface that connects with the one or more electrical contacts of the electronic device when the electronic device is received by the inner surface of the first portion of the protective shell.

17. The protective cover in accordance with claim 11, further comprising a second electrical connector disposed at an opening in one of the outer surface of the first portion and the outer surface of the second portion of the protective shell.

18. The protective cover in accordance with claim 17, wherein the second electrical connector is sized to receive an electrical plug from a device external to the protective cover.

19. The protective cover in accordance with claim 11, wherein the electrical connector includes an electrical contact interface that connects with the one or more electrical contacts of the electronic device when the electronic device is received by the inner surface of the protective shell.

20. A protective cover for an electronic device having an interactive control panel and one or more electrical contacts for receiving electrical power from an electrical power source external to the electronic device, the protective cover comprising:

a protective shell having an inner surface to receive the electronic device to at least partially cover the electronic device when the electronic device is received by the inner surface of the protective shell;

an electrical connector coupled with the inner surface of the protective shell and contacting at least one of the one or more electrical contacts of the electrical device when the electronic device is received by the inner surface of the protective shell; and

an inductive coil attached to the protective shell and coupled with the electrical connector, the inductive coil to convey inductively coupled electrical power from the electrical power source external to the electronic device to the one or more electrical contacts of the electronic device via the electrical connector coupled with the inner surface of the protective shell.

21. The protective cover in accordance with claim 20, wherein the inductive coil is positioned between the inner surface and an outer surface of the protective shell.

22. The protective cover in accordance with claim 21, wherein the inductive coil is disposed at the outer surface of the protective shell.

23. The protective cover in accordance with claim 20 wherein the electrical connector includes an insulated metal conductor.

24. The protective cover in accordance with claim 20, wherein the electrical connector includes a fixed connector mounted at the inner surface of the protective shell.

25. The protective cover in accordance with claim 24, wherein the fixed connector includes one or more spring-loaded probes that contact the one or more electrical contacts of the electronic device when the electronic device is received by the inner surface of the protective shell.

26. The protective cover in accordance with claim 20, wherein the protective shell comprises a first portion and a second portion connected together by a securing mechanism, the first portion having an aperture that allows access to the interactive control panel.

27. The protective cover in accordance with claim 26, wherein the electrical connector is attached to the first portion.

28. The protective cover in accordance with claim 20, further comprising a second electrical connector, disposed at an outer surface of the protective shell.

29. The protective cover in accordance with claim 28, wherein the second electrical connector is sized to receive an electrical plug from a device external to the protective cover.

30. A protective cover for an electronic device having a first surface and a second surface, the second surface having an interactive control panel, and the electronic device having one or more electrical contacts for receiving electrical power from an electrical power source external to the electronic device, the protective cover comprising:

a protective shell comprising a first portion having an outer surface and an inner surface bounded by a perimeter surface, the inner surface of the first portion to contact the first surface of electronic device, the protective shell further comprising a second portion having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of the second portion for contacting the second surface of the electronic device, the first and second portions forming the protective shell to at least partially cover the electronic device when the electronic device is received between the first and second portions and the first and second portions are coupled together;

a coupling mechanism for coupling the first portion of the shell with the second portion of the shell;

an electrical connector affixed to the protective shell and contacting at least one of the one or more electrical contacts of the electrical device when the electronic device is received between the first and second portions of the protective shell; and

conductive media that conveys inductively coupled electrical power at a tuned frequency in a radio frequency spectrum from the electrical power source external to the electronic device to the one or more electrical contacts of the electronic device via the electrical connector affixed to the first portion of the protective shell, the conductive media disposed within the first portion of the protective shell and coupled with the electrical connector.