PROTECTIVE ENCLOSURE FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20170099074A1
• Filed: 12/15/2016
• Published: 04/06/2017
• 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.
• Granted Patent: US 9,735,827 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 case for use with a portable electronic device includes a protective shell including a cavity for receiving the portable electronic device and a pliable surface disposed in an opening of the protective shell. The pliable surface being 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 installed portable electronic device to actuate the control feature of the installed portable electronic device. The protective case also includes a feature disposed in a wall of the protective shell for accessing an electrical connector of the installed portable electronic device from outside the protective shell.

Claims

1. A protective case for use with a portable electronic device, the protective case comprising:

a protective shell configured for covering at least a portion of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is installed in the protective shell;

a pliable molded surface disposed in an opening of the protective shell, the pliable molded surface aligning with a corresponding control button of the installed 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 installed portable electronic device to actuate the control button of the installed portable electronic device;

an electrical connector attached to an interior surface of the protective shell, the electrical connector configured to mate with an electrical interface of the installed portable electronic device; and

audio headphones having a headphone cable, the headphone cable attached to the protective shell and electrically interconnected through a wall of the protective shell to the electrical connector such that electrical audio signals generated by the installed portable electronic device are transmitted from the electrical interface of the installed portable electronic device through the electrical connector and through the headphone cable to the audio headphones.

2. The protective case of claim 1 wherein the protective shell includes an aperture through which a touchscreen interface of the installed portable electronic device is visible and operable.

3. The protective case of claim 1 wherein the protective shell comprises a waterproof cavity for the installed portable electronic device.

4. The protective case of claim 1 wherein the electrical interface of the portable electronic device comprises a headphone jack and the electrical connector of the protective case comprises a headphone plug to mate with the headphone jack of the portable electronic device to conduct the audio signals from the installed portable electronic device to the audio headphones.

5. The protective case of claim 1 wherein the electrical connector 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 installed into the protective shell.

6. The protective case of claim 1 wherein the electrical connector includes an electrical plug rigidly affixed to the interior surface of the protective shell such that the electrical plug inserts into the electrical interface of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is installed in the protective shell.

7. The protective case of claim 6 wherein the electrical plug affixed to the interior surface of the protective shell pivots in one axis to accommodate the installation of the portable electronic device into the protective shell.

8. The protective case of claim 1 wherein the portable electronic device comprises a smartphone and the electrical interface of the portable electronic device comprises a headphone jack of the smartphone.

9. The protective case of claim 1 wherein the protective shell further includes a cable management feature for storing the headphone cable.

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

a protective shell having an interior surface for receiving the mobile computing device when the mobile computing device is installed in the protective enclosure;

a plurality of pliable areas disposed in the protective shell, the pliable areas each aligning with a corresponding control button of the installed 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 installed mobile computing device to actuate the corresponding control button of the installed mobile computing device;

an electrical connector attached to the interior surface of the protective shell, the electrical connector positioned to mate with an electrical connector of the mobile computing device when the mobile computing device is installed in the protective enclosure; and

a headphone cable connected to the exterior surface of the protective shell, the headphone cable configured for electrically interconnecting audio headphones to the electrical connector of the protective enclosure such that audio signals generated by the installed mobile computing device are transmitted through the electrical connector of the mobile computing device and through the electrical connector of the protective enclosure to the headphone cable.

11. The protective enclosure of claim 10 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.

12. The protective enclosure of claim 10 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 installed in the protective shell.

13. The protective enclosure of claim 10 wherein the electrical connector of the protective enclosure comprises an electrical plug rigidly affixed to the interior surface of the protective enclosure such that the electrical connector of the protective enclosure engages the electrical connector of the installed mobile computing device.

14. The protective enclosure of claim 10 wherein the protective shell includes an aperture having a substantially transparent membrane such that an interactive touchscreen of the installed mobile computing device is visible through the transparent membrane and operable through the transparent membrane.

15. A protective case configured for use with a portable electronic device, the protective case comprising:

a protective shell including a cushioning liner and a cavity for receiving the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is removably installed in the protective shell;

a pliable surface disposed in an opening of the protective shell, the pliable surface aligning with a control feature of the installed portable electronic device, 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 installed portable electronic device to actuate the control feature of the installed portable electronic device;

an electrical pass-through disposed at least partially in a wall of the protective shell for accessing an electrical connector of the installed portable electronic device from outside the protective shell; and

an electrical cable configured to electrically connect a peripheral device to the electrical connector of the installed portable electronic device through the electrical pass-through such that electrical signals from the installed portable electronic device are conducted to the peripheral device through the electrical cable.

16. The protective case of claim 15 wherein the protective shell further includes a cable management feature for storing the electrical cable.

17. The protective case of claim 15 wherein the protective shell comprises a first case portion, a second case portion, and a gasket for sealing between the first case portion and the second case portion to make the cavity of the protective shell water resistant.

18. The protective case of claim 17 further comprising one or more latch mechanisms to removably secure the first case portion to the second case portion.

19. The protective case of claim 15 wherein a connector housing of the electrical cable seals to the protective shell at the electrical pass-through.

20. The protective case of claim 15 wherein the protective shell includes an aperture spanned by a substantially transparent membrane, wherein a touchscreen interface of the installed portable electronic device is visible and operable through the transparent membrane.