Integrated storage for industrial inspection handset

• US 8,253,782 B2
• Filed: 10/26/2007
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Inspection Technologies LP (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: GE Inspection Technologies LP (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Scott, Joshua Lynn, Delmonico, James J., Lopez, Joseph V., Abernethy, Todd B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Meky, Moustafa M
• Assistant Examiner(s): NANO, SARGON N
• Application Number:
  US11/925,043
• Publication Number:
  US 20090109283A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,768 Days
• Field of Search: 348/45, 348/65, 348/72, 600/101, 600/104, 600/132, 600/145, 600/164
• US Class Current: 348/65
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 with operator interface units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0018 having an electronic display

Abstract

An industrial inspection handset is disclosed, comprising a connector for connecting a peripheral device to the handset, wherein the connector is oriented such that the peripheral device can extend substantially parallel to the housing surface of the handset, and a cover tethered to the handset by a first tab, wherein the cover when mounted on the housing of the handset encloses the connector and the peripheral device. In an alternative embodiment, the handset comprises a connector oriented such that the peripheral device can extend substantially perpendicular to the housing surface of the handset, and a cover tethered to the handset by a first tab and a second tab, wherein the cover when mounted on the mounting member encloses the connector. A method of replacing a cover tethered to an industrial inspection handset is also disclosed, wherein the first cover is tethered to the handset by a first tab, comprising the steps of removing the first cover from the first tab; forcing the first tab through an opening in the handset and into the interior of the handset; and tethering a second cover to the handset by inserting a second tab attached to the second cover through the opening in the handset.

Claims

1. An industrial inspection handset, comprising:

a display for providing visual information to a user;

a housing supporting the display and enclosing internal components of said handset;

a peripheral connector bay formed as part of a side of said housing, the peripheral connector bay at least partially circumscribing a first housing surface;

a connector disposed in the peripheral connector bay adjacent said first housing surface, wherein said connector is oriented to receive a peripheral device so that the peripheral device can extend parallel to said first housing surface; and

a cover tethered to said housing by a first tab attached to said cover and inserted through and held in place by a first opening in said housing, said cover having a sealing member for mating with a lip on said housing that at least partially circumscribes the peripheral connector bay,

wherein said cover, when mounted on said housing, encloses said connector and said peripheral device.

2. The industrial inspection handset of claim 1, wherein said connector is a USB memory drive connector and said peripheral device is a USB memory drive.

3. The industrial inspection handset of claim 1, wherein said connector is a wireless transmitter connector and said peripheral device is a wireless transmitter.

4. The industrial inspection handset of claim 1, wherein said connector pivots to facilitate connection and disconnection of said peripheral device.

5. The industrial inspection handset of claim 1, wherein said connector is tethered to a circuit board within said handset.

6. The industrial inspection handset of claim 1, wherein said connector is surrounded by an elastomeric grommet.

7. The industrial inspection handset of claim 1, wherein said handset is a video endoscope.

8. The industrial inspection handset of claim 1, further comprising a battery assembly for providing power when said handset is not connected to a base unit.

9. The industrial inspection handset of claim 1, wherein said cover further comprises a second tab inserted through and held in place by a second opening in said housing.

10. The industrial inspection handset of claim 1, wherein said first tab is made from a non-conductive material.

11. The industrial inspection handset of claim 1, wherein said cover comprises an inner base made of a first material and an outer shell made of a second material.

18. The industrial inspection handset of claim 1, wherein said first tab and said second tab are made from a non-conductive material.

12. An industrial inspection handset, comprising:

a display for providing visual information to a user;

a housing supporting the display and enclosing internal components of said handset;

a peripheral connector bay formed as part of a side of said housing, the peripheral connector bay at least partially circumscribing a first housing surface;

a connector disposed in the peripheral connector bay adjacent said first housing surface, wherein said connector is oriented to receive a peripheral device so that the peripheral device can extend perpendicular to said first housing surface; and

a cover tethered to said housing by a first tab attached to said cover and inserted through and held in place by a first opening in said housing and a second tab attached to said cover and inserted through and held in place by a second opening in said housing, said cover having a sealing member for mating with a lip on housing that at least partially circumscribes the peripheral connector bay,

wherein said cover, when mounted on said housing, encloses said connector, and

wherein said cover, when opened, hangs perpendicular to said first housing surface.

13. The industrial inspection handset of claim 12, wherein said connector is a USB memory drive connector and said peripheral device is a USB memory drive.

14. The industrial inspection handset of claim 13, wherein said cover when opened provides support for said peripheral device.

15. The industrial inspection handset of claim 12, wherein said connector is a VGA connector and said peripheral device is a VGA monitor.

16. The industrial inspection handset of claim 12, wherein said handset is a video endoscope.

17. The industrial inspection handset of claim 12, further comprising a battery assembly for providing power when said handset is not connected to a base unit.