Protective enclosure for electronic device

• US 9,114,923 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2015
• Issued: 08/25/2015
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Edwards, Anthony Q
• Application Number:
  US14/631,740
• Publication Number:
  US 20150166237A1
• Time in Patent Office: 181 Days
• 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 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 one or more control buttons, a front surface, and a back surface opposite the front surface, the front and back surfaces being surrounded by a perimeter device portion, the front surface including an interactive touch screen panel, the protective cover comprising:

a one-piece protective shell that is crush resistant and has a surface surrounded by a perimeter shell portion,

the surface having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having a first portion for contacting the back surface of the electronic device,

the perimeter shell portion comprising a plurality of side members, the side members defining an opening for receiving the electronic device therethrough,

the side members configured for contacting the perimeter device portion of the electronic device, and the opening being aligned to expose at least a portion of the interactive touch screen panel when the electronic device is at least partially covered by the protective shell,

the protective shell formed to at least partially cover the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective shell, the electronic device being a separate unit from the protective shell;

at least one pliable mechanism on the protective shell for allowing a user to transmit mechanical motion from outside of the protective shell to press one of the control buttons of the electronic device; and

an additive provided to at least part of the protective cover.

2. The protective cover in accordance with claim 1, wherein the additive is within a material forming the one-piece protective shell.

3. The protective cover in accordance with claim 2, wherein the additive comprises a colorant in the protective shell.

4. The protective cover in accordance with claim 2, wherein the additive comprises a conductive media embedded within the protective shell.

5. The protective cover in accordance with claim 1, wherein the additive comprises an insert attached to the protective shell.

6. The protective cover in accordance with claim 5, wherein the insert is an open cell or closed cell foam.

7. The protective cover in accordance with claim 1, wherein the additive comprises a component overmolded with the protective shell.

8. The protective cover in accordance with claim 1, wherein the additive includes metal flakes.

9. The protective cover in accordance with claim 1, wherein the additive includes a shock-absorbing material.

10. The protective cover in accordance with claim 9, wherein the shock-absorbing material is provided to at least a portion of the protective shell.

17. The protective cover in accordance with claim 1, wherein the additive includes a shock-absorbing material that is provided to at least a portion of the protective shell.

11. A protective cover for an electronic device having one or more control buttons, a front surface, and a back surface opposite the front surface, the front and back surfaces being surrounded by a device perimeter portion, the front surface including an interactive touch screen panel, the protective cover comprising:

a one-piece protective shell that is crush resistant and formed to at least partially cover the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective shell, the electronic device being a separate unit from the protective shell, the protective shell having a surface surrounded by a shell perimeter portion,

the surface having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having a first portion for contacting the back surface of the electronic device,

the shell perimeter portion comprising a plurality of side members, side members defining an opening for receiving the electronic device therein,

the side members configured for contacting the device perimeter portion of the electronic device, and the opening being aligned to expose at least a portion of the interactive touch screen panel when the electronic device is at least partially covered by the protective shell;

at least one pliable mechanism on the protective shell for allowing a user to transmit mechanical motion from outside of the protective shell to press one of the control buttons of the electronic device; and

an additive provided to at least part of the protective cover.

12. The protective cover in accordance with claim 11, wherein the additive is within a material forming the one-piece protective shell.

13. The protective cover in accordance with claim 12, wherein the additive comprises a colorant in the protective shell.

14. The protective cover in accordance with claim 12, wherein the additive comprises a conductive media embedded within the protective shell.

15. The protective cover in accordance with claim 11, wherein the additive comprises an open cell or closed cell foam insert attached to the protective shell.

16. The protective cover in accordance with claim 11, wherein the additive comprises a component overmolded with the protective shell.

18. A protective cover for an electronic device having a front surface and a back surface opposite the front surface, the front surface including an interactive touch screen panel, the protective cover comprising:

a one-piece protective shell that is crush resistant and has an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having a first portion for placement adjacent the electronic device parallel to the back of the electronic device, and a plurality of side members extending substantially perpendicular away from the first portion and arranged for covering the electronic device along at least a portion of respective edges of the electronic device, the protective shell formed to at least partially cover the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective shell, the electronic device being a separate unit from the protective shell;

an opening defined by the protective shell, the opening being aligned to expose at least a portion of the interactive touch screen panel when the electronic device is at least partially covered by the protective shell;

at least one pliable mechanism on the protective shell for allowing a user to transmit mechanical motion from outside of the protective shell to press buttons on the electronic device; and

an additive provided to at least part of the protective cover.

19. The protective cover in accordance with claim 18, further comprising a plurality of lip portions, each lip portion extending substantially perpendicular away from a respective side member and toward another of the plurality of lip portions for holding the electronic device within the protective case parallel to the back of the electronic device and opposite the electronic device from the first portion of the inner surface of the protective shell such that the first portion of the inner surface and the lip portions cooperate to retain the electronic device in the cover.

20. The protective cover in accordance with claim 19, wherein the extending lip portions are part of the one-piece protective shell.

21. The protective cover in accordance with claim 18, wherein the one-piece protective shell is formed of at least a first material, and the additive is within the first material forming the one-piece protective shell.

22. The protective cover in accordance with claim 21, wherein the additive comprises a colorant in the protective shell.

23. The protective cover in accordance with claim 18, wherein the additive comprises a conductive media embedded within the protective shell.

24. The protective cover in accordance with claim 18, wherein the additive comprises an insert attached to the protective shell.

25. The protective cover in accordance with claim 24, wherein the insert is an open cell or closed cell foam.

26. The protective cover in accordance with claim 18, wherein the additive comprises a component overmolded with the protective shell.

27. The protective cover in accordance with claim 26, wherein the additive includes metal flakes.

28. The protective cover in accordance with claim 18, wherein the additive includes a shock-absorbing material.

29. A protective cover for an electronic device having one or more control buttons, a front surface, and a back surface opposite the front surface, the front and back surfaces being surrounded by a perimeter device portion, the front surface including an interactive touch screen panel, the protective cover comprising:

a one-piece protective shell that is crush resistant and has a surface surrounded by a perimeter shell portion,

the surface having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having a first portion for contacting the back surface of the electronic device,

the perimeter shell portion comprising a plurality of side members defining an opening, the opening for receiving the electronic device therethrough, a plurality of the side members configured to flex away from a rest position and spring back into the rest position during insertion or removal of the electronic device through the opening,

the side members further configured for contacting the perimeter device portion of the electronic device, and the opening being aligned to expose at least a portion of the interactive touch screen panel when the electronic device is at least partially covered by the protective shell,

the protective shell formed to at least partially cover the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective shell, the electronic device being a separate unit from the protective shell; and

an additive provided to at least part of the protective cover.

30. The protective cover in accordance with claim 29, wherein the additive comprises a component overmolded with the protective shell.