Protective enclosure for electronic device

• US 9,402,122 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2015
• Issued: 07/26/2016
• 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:
  US14/642,330
• Publication Number:
  US 20150175333A1
• Time in Patent Office: 505 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 first member and a second member. 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. A securing mechanism secures the first member with the second member. An electrical connection attached to the protective shell is configured to connect an electrical source 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 a capacitance-sensing interactive touch screen display, at least one control button, a camera feature, and an electrical interface, the protective cover comprising:

a protective shell base that has an inner surface, an outer surface, and a plurality of side members defining a perimeter of the protective shell base, the perimeter at least partially covering a peripheral side of the electronic device and having one or more compliant portions formed to flexibly engage a portion of the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective shell base, the electronic device being a separate unit from the protective shell base;

a first opening defined by the perimeter of the protective shell base, the first opening being aligned to at least expose the capacitance-sensing interactive touch screen display when the electronic device is disposed in the protective shell base;

a cushioning member coupled with the inner surface of the protective shell base;

at least one hole in at least one of the plurality of side members, the at least one hole being positioned proximate the at least one control button of the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective shell base;

a second opening, passing through the inner and outer surfaces of the protective shell base and disposed for alignment with the camera feature of the electronic device; and

an access port in at least one of the plurality of side members, the access port being positioned proximate the electrical interface of the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective shell base.

2. The protective cover according to claim 1, wherein the access port comprises an electrical port, the electrical port including an electrical connector affixed to an internal portion of the protective shell base for communicating electrical power from a power source to the electrical interface of the electronic device.

3. The protective cover according to claim 2, wherein the cushioning member is molded with the inner surface of the protective shell base.

4. The protective cover according to claim 3, further comprising a sealing member, the sealing member to seal the at least one hole, and being formed to engage the at least one control button of the electronic device.

5. The protective cover according to claim 4, wherein the cushioning member comprises the sealing member.

6. The protective cover according to claim 4, wherein the protective shell base is comprised of four corners, and the cushioning member is positioned in at least the four corners of the protective shell base.

21. The protective cover according to claim 1, further comprising an optically clear insert assembled into the protective shell base at the second opening.

22. The protective cover according to claim 21, wherein the optically clear insert comprises a lens.

23. The protective cover according to claim 22, wherein the lens is integrally molded into the protective shell base.

24. The protective cover according to claim 1, wherein the second opening includes a lens area surrounded by an additive.

25. The protective cover according to claim 24, wherein the additive includes at least one of paint, plating, and overmolding.

26. The protective cover according to claim 1, further comprising a door removably covering the second opening.

7. A protective cover for an electronic device having a front surface including a capacitance-sensing touch screen display, a back surface, and a plurality of peripheral sides at least one peripheral side having one or more control buttons positioned along said peripheral side, the electronic device including a camera feature, the protective cover comprising:

a protective shell base having an inner surface and an outer surface bounded by a plurality of side members defining a perimeter of the protective shell base, the perimeter at least partially covering the peripheral sides of the electronic device and having one or more compliant portions formed to flexibly engage the electronic device, the protective shell base formed to at least partially cover the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective shell base, the electronic device being a separate unit from the protective shell base, the inner surface formed to receive the back surface of the electronic device;

a first opening defined by the perimeter of the protective shell base, the first opening being aligned to expose at least the capacitance-sensing touch screen display of the electronic device when the electronic device is at least partially covered by the protective shell base;

a cushioning member molded with the inner surface of the protective shell base;

an access hole in one of the plurality of side members of the protective shell base, the hole for accessing at least one of the one or more control buttons of the electronic device after the electronic device is received by the inner surface of the protective shell base; and

a second opening, passing through the protective shell base and providing visual access to the camera feature of the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective shell base.

8. The protective cover according to claim 7, wherein the protective shell base further includes a masking area comprising masking positioned proximate the second opening.

9. The protective cover according to claim 7, further comprising an optically clear insert coupled to the protective shell base and overlaying the second opening.

10. The protective cover according to claim 9, wherein the optically clear insert comprises a lens.

11. The protective cover according to claim 10, wherein the lens is overmolded with the protective shell base.

12. The protective cover according to claim 7, further comprising a sealing member, the sealing member to seal the at least one hole, and being formed to engage the at least one control button of the electronic device.

13. A protective cover for an electronic device having a front surface including a capacitance-sensing touch screen display, a back surface, and a plurality of peripheral sides at least one peripheral side having one or more control buttons positioned along said peripheral side, the electronic device including a camera feature, the protective cover comprising:

a protective shell base having an inner surface and an outer surface bounded by a plurality of side members defining a perimeter of the protective shell base, the perimeter at least partially covering the peripheral sides of the electronic device and having one or more compliant portions formed therein, the protective shell base configured to at least partially cover the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective shell base, the electronic device being a separate unit from the protective shell base, the inner surface formed to receive the back surface of the electronic device;

a first opening defined by the perimeter of the protective shell base, the first opening being aligned to expose at least the capacitance-sensing touch screen display of the electronic device when the electronic device is at least partially covered by the protective shell base;

a cushioning member molded with the inner surface of the protective shell base; and

a second opening, passing through the protective shell base and providing visual access to the camera feature of the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective shell base.

14. The protective cover according to claim 13, further including a masking area comprising masking positioned proximate the second opening.

15. A protective cover for an electronic device having a front surface including a capacitance-sensing touch screen display, a back surface, and a plurality of perimeter sides at least one perimeter side having one or more control buttons positioned along said perimeter side, the electronic device including a camera feature, the protective cover comprising:

a protective shell base having an inner surface and an outer surface bounded by a plurality of side members defining a perimeter of the protective shell base, the side members at least partially covering the perimeter sides of the electronic device and having one or more compliant portions, the protective shell base formed to at least partially cover the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective shell base, the electronic device being a separate unit from the protective shell base, the inner surface formed to receive the back surface of the electronic device;

a first opening defined by the perimeter of the protective shell base, the first opening being aligned to expose at least the touch screen display of the electronic device when the electronic device is at least partially covered by the protective shell base;

a cushioning member overmolded with the inner surface of the protective shell base; and

a port in one of the plurality of side members of the protective shell base, the port for accessing at least one of the one or more control buttons of the electronic device after the electronic device is received by the inner surface of the protective shell.

16. The protective cover according to claim 15, further comprising a sealing member, the sealing member to seal the port, and being formed to engage the at least one control button of the electronic device.

17. The protective cover according to claim 15, further comprising a second opening, passing through the protective shell base and providing visual access to the camera feature of the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective shell base.

18. The protective cover according to claim 17, further including a masking area comprising masking positioned proximate the second opening.

19. A protective cover for an electronic device having a front surface including a capacitance-sensing touch screen display, a back surface, and a plurality of perimeter sides, at least one perimeter side having one or more control buttons positioned along said perimeter side, the electronic device including a camera feature, the protective cover comprising:

a protective shell base having an inner surface and an outer surface bounded by a plurality of side members defining a perimeter of the protective shell base, the perimeter at least partially covering the perimeter sides of the electronic device and having one or more compliant portions, the protective shell base formed to at least partially cover the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective shell base, the electronic device being a separate unit from the protective shell base, the inner surface formed to receive the back surface of the electronic device;

a first opening defined by the perimeter of the protective shell base, the first opening being aligned to expose at least the touch screen display of the electronic device when the electronic device is at least partially covered by the protective shell base;

an access port in one of the plurality of side members of the protective shell base, the port for accessing at least one of the one or more control buttons of the electronic device after the electronic device is received by the inner surface of the protective shell; and

a second opening passing through the protective shell base and disposed to provide visual access to the camera feature of the electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in the protective shell base.

20. The protective cover according to claim 19, further including a masking area comprising masking positioned proximate the second opening.