Housing for encasing an object

• US 9,089,056 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2013
• Issued: 07/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Treefrog Developments Incorporated (Otter Products LLC)
• Original Assignee: Treefrog Developments Incorporated (Otter Products LLC)
• Inventors: Rayner, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): GEHMAN, BRYON P
• Application Number:
  US14/029,739
• Publication Number:
  US 20140016217A1
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 206/305, 206/320, 361/679.02, 361/679.03, 361/679.26, 36167955-67959, 361/724, 361/727, 455/90.3, 455/575.1, 455/575.8
• 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 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: B65D 85/00 Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials B65D71/00, B65D83/00 take precedence; hand implements or travelling equipment A45C; cosmetic or toiletry equipment A45D; packages for surgical knives, scalpels or blades therefor A61B17/3215; containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes A61J1/00; paint cans B44D3/12; oil cans F16N3/04; containers for carrying small arms F41C33/06; packaging of ammunition or explosive charges F42B39/00; containers for record carriers, specially adapted for cooperation with the recording or reproducing apparatus G11B23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/08 Waterproof bodies or housings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1613 for portable computers cooling arrangements therefor G06F1/203; constructional details or arrangements for pocket calculators, electronic agendas or books G06F15/0216; constructional details of portable telephone sets: with several bodies H04M1/0202
• 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 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• 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 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/00 Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers subscriber services or facilities provided at exchanges H04M3/00; prepayment telephone coin boxes H04M17/00; current supply arrangements H04M19/08
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0004 comprising several parts forming a closed casing
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0013 assembled by resilient members
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 with operator interface units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0217 Mechanical details of casings covers, lids, hoods or members for covering apertures H05K5/03
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0221 Locks; Latches
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/06 Hermetically-sealed casings specially adapted for small components H05K5/0095
• 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 5/069 : Other details of the casing, e.g. wall structure, passage for a connector, a cable, a shaft

Abstract

An apparatus and system for housing a device include a housing that is configured such that a device may be fitted within the housing and thereby be protected, such as from shocks and/or liquid. The housing may include top and bottom members that may be removably coupled together so as to form the housing. Each top and bottom member optionally includes front and back surfaces surrounded by a perimeter. The perimeter is defined by proximal and distal ends as well as opposing sides. The top and bottom members may include respective clasping mechanisms that extend along the perimeter of the top and bottom members. The clasping mechanisms are configured for coupling the top and bottom members with one another thereby sealing the housing, for instance, in a shock-proof and/or water tight seal.

Claims

1. An apparatus for housing an electronic device comprising:

a top member having a perimeter portion forming a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the top member having a front surface and a back surface spanning from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion and across the opposing side portions of the top member, the perimeter portion further having a first clasping mechanism;

a bottom member having a front surface, a back surface, and a side wall that extends around at least a portion of a perimeter of the bottom member, the side wall having an inner surface, and an outer surface, and a top ridge that extends around at least the portion of the perimeter of the bottom member, the bottom member, which when coupled with the top member, forms a housing to enclose the electronic device and to position the perimeter portion of the top member over the inner surface of the top ridge of the side wall of the bottom member, the bottom member further having a second clasping mechanism on the side wall of the bottom member, the second clasping mechanism to interface with the first clasping mechanism of the top member to maintain the top member and the bottom member coupled together; and

a bottom frame member configured to couple with the back surface of the bottom member and the outer surface of the side wall of the bottom frame member having a flexible portion.

2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bottom frame member further includes a port and a latch port cover that closes the port, the latch port cover having a gasket seat and a port gasket on the gasket seat, the port gasket sealing the port when the latch port cover closes the port.

3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the top member further comprises a membrane spanning between the proximal end portion to the distal end portion and across the opposing side portions.

4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a lens defined in the bottom member and extending through the front surface and back surface of the bottom member.

5. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first clasping mechanism includes one or more apertures, and wherein the second clasping mechanism includes one or more protrusions, each protrusion to fit into a corresponding aperture.

6. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electronic device includes a control feature, and wherein the top member further comprises one or more button features for operating a corresponding button on the electronic device, each of the one or more button features having a molded overlay that seals the control feature.

7. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bottom member further comprises one or more of:

a camera lens within the front surface and back surface of the bottom member;

a flash lens within the front surface and back surface of the bottom member; and

a light gasket on the front surface of the bottom member and that surrounds both the camera lens and flash lens.

8. A housing for an electronic device comprising:

a top member having a perimeter portion forming a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the top member further having a front surface and a back surface to allow touch-sensitive user inputs to the electronic device via the front and back surface, the front and back surface spanning from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion and across the opposing side portions of the top member;

a gasket positioned at least partially in the perimeter portion of the top member;

a frame member configured to couple with the perimeter portion of the top member, the rigid frame having a flexible portion and having a first clasping mechanism; and

a bottom member having a front surface, a back surface, and a side wall that extends around at least a portion of a perimeter of the bottom member, the side wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the bottom member, which when coupled to the frame member, forms a housing to enclose the electronic device and to compress the gasket of the perimeter portion of the top member with the inner surface of the side wall of the bottom member, the bottom member further having a second clasping mechanism on the outer surface of the side wall of the bottom member, the second clasping mechanism to interface with the first clasping mechanism of the rigid frame to maintain the bottom member and the rigid frame coupled together.

9. The housing in accordance with claim 8, wherein the top member further comprises a first coupling mechanism, and wherein the bottom member further comprises a second coupling mechanism to receive the first coupling mechanism of the top member to couple the top member with the bottom member.

10. The housing in accordance with claim 9, wherein the bottom member further comprises:

a camera lens within the front surface and back surface of the bottom member;

a flash lens within the front surface and back surface of the bottom member; and

a gasket on the front surface of the bottom member and that surrounds both the camera lens and flash lens.

11. The housing in accordance with claim 8, further comprising a camera lens defined in the bottom member and extending through the front surface and back surface of the bottom member.

12. The housing in accordance with claim 8, wherein the first clasping mechanism includes one or more apertures, and wherein the second clasping mechanism includes one or more protrusions, each protrusion to fit into a corresponding aperture.

13. The housing in accordance with claim 8, wherein the top member further comprises one or more button features for operating a corresponding button on the electronic device, each of the one or more button features having a molded overlay that seals the control feature.

14. The housing in accordance with claim 8, wherein the membrane includes a first optically transmissive region for being positioned over a camera of the electronic device.

15. A housing for an electronic device comprising:

a top member having a perimeter portion forming a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the top member further having a membrane defining a front surface and a back surface of the top member, the membrane spanning from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion and across the opposing side portions of the top member;

a gasket positioned at least partially in the perimeter portion of the top member;

a bottom member having a front surface, a back surface, and a side wall that extends around at least a portion of a perimeter of the bottom member, the side wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the bottom member, which when coupled to the top member, forms a housing to enclose the electronic device to allow touch-sensitive user inputs to the electronic device via the membrane, and to compress the inner surface of the side wall of the bottom member with the gasket of the perimeter portion of the top member, the bottom member further having a first clasping mechanism on the outer surface of the side wall of the bottom member; and

a rigid frame configured to couple with the perimeter portion of the top member, the rigid frame having a flexible overmold and having a second clasping mechanism to interface with the first clasping mechanism of the bottom member to maintain the top member and the bottom member coupled together.

16. The housing in accordance with claim 15, wherein the top member further comprises a first coupling mechanism, and wherein the bottom member further comprises a second coupling mechanism to receive the first coupling mechanism of the top member to couple the top member with the bottom member.

17. The housing in accordance with claim 15, wherein the membrane further comprises:

a sound port aperture; and

a sound-passing, water-impermeable material covering the sound port aperture.

18. The housing in accordance with claim 15, further comprising a camera lens defined in the bottom member and extending through the front surface and back surface of the bottom member.

19. The housing in accordance with claim 15, wherein the first clasping mechanism includes one or more apertures, and wherein the second clasping mechanism includes one or more protrusions, each protrusion to fit into a corresponding aperture.

20. The housing in accordance with claim 15, wherein the electronic device includes a control feature, and wherein the top member further comprises one or more button features for operating a corresponding button on the electronic device, each of the one or more button features having a molded overlay that seals the control feature.

21. The housing in accordance with claim 15, wherein the membrane includes a first optically transmissive region for being positioned over a camera of the electronic device.

22. The housing in accordance with claim 15, wherein the bottom member further comprises one or more of:

a camera lens within the front surface and back surface of the bottom member;

a flash lens within the front surface and back surface of the bottom member; and

a gasket on the front surface of the bottom member and that surrounds both the camera lens and flash lens.

23. An apparatus for housing an electronic device comprising:

a top member having a perimeter portion forming a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the top member further having a membrane defining a front surface and a back surface of the top member, the membrane spanning from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion and across the opposing side portions of the top member, the perimeter portion further defining a channel having a gasket positioned at least partially therein;

a rigid frame configured to couple with the perimeter portion of the top member, the rigid frame having a flexible overmold and having a first clasping mechanism; and

a bottom member having a front surface, a back surface, and a side wall that extends around at least a portion of a perimeter of the bottom member, the side wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the bottom member, which when coupled to the top member, forms a housing to enclose the electronic device to allow touch-sensitive user inputs to the electronic device via the membrane, and to compress the inner surface of the side wall of the bottom member with the gasket of the perimeter portion of the top member, the bottom member further having a second clasping mechanism on the side wall of the bottom member, the second clasping mechanism to interface with the first clasping mechanism of the rigid frame to maintain the top member and the bottom member coupled together.

24. The apparatus in accordance with claim 23, wherein the top member further comprises a first coupling mechanism, and wherein the bottom member further comprises a second coupling mechanism to receive the first coupling mechanism of the top member to couple the top member with the bottom member.

25. The apparatus in accordance with claim 23, wherein the membrane further comprises:

a sound port aperture; and

a sound-passing, water-impermeable material covering the sound port aperture.

26. The apparatus in accordance with claim 23, further comprising a camera lens defined in the bottom member and extending through the front surface and back surface of the bottom member.

27. The apparatus in accordance with claim 23, wherein the first clasping mechanism includes one or more apertures, and wherein the second clasping mechanism includes one or more protrusions, each protrusion to fit into a corresponding aperture.

28. The apparatus in accordance with claim 23, wherein the bottom member further comprises one or more of:

a camera lens within the front surface and back surface of the bottom member;

a flash lens within the front surface and back surface of the bottom member; and

a gasket on the front surface of the bottom member and that surrounds both the camera lens and flash lens.

29. The apparatus in accordance with claim 23, wherein the bottom member further includes a sealed switch having at least one fork on an inside surface of the side wall, the at least one fork to control a switch of the electronic device.

30. The apparatus in accordance with claim 23, wherein the bottom member further includes a sealed switch having at least one rocker coupled on an inside surface of the side wall, the at least one rocker to control a switch of the electronic device.