HOUSING FOR ENCASING AN OBJECT

US 20120211382A1
Filed: 10/12/2011
Published: 08/23/2012
Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2010
Status: Active Grant

First Claim

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1-10. -10. (canceled)

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Abstract

This disclosure relates generally to an apparatus and/or system for housing a device. The apparatus includes 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.

135 Citations

30 Claims

1-10. -10. (canceled)

11. A housing for an electronic device, the housing comprising:
- a top member having a front surface and a back surface surrounded by a perimeter portion defined by a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the top member further comprising a rigid frame that defines a cavity into which the electronic device may be fitted;
  
  a bottom member configured for being removably coupled with the top member, the bottom member having a front surface and a back surface surrounded by a perimeter portion defined by a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the perimeter portion of the bottom member corresponding to a shape of the perimeter portion of the top member;
  
  a membrane defining the front and back surface of the top member and being mated on a top ridge of the rigid frame, the membrane extending from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion and across the opposing side portions of the top member;
  
  a channel in a top surface of the perimeter portion of the bottom member to receive a bottom ridge of the rigid frame, the channel including a gasket to compress against the bottom ridge of the rigid frame when the top member and the bottom member are coupled together to seal the housing; and
  
  a clasping mechanism that extends along respective perimeter portions of each of the top and bottom members, each clasping mechanism interfacing with the other clasping mechanism to maintain the top member and the bottom member coupled together, the clasping mechanism of the bottom member having a groove in a side of the channel, and the clasping mechanism of the top member having a lip extending from the bottom ridge of the rigid frame, the lip engaging the groove when the top member and bottom member are coupled together.
- View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
- - 12. The housing in accordance with claim 11, wherein the rigid frame has a side wall that includes at least one aperture.
  - 13. The housing in accordance with claim 12, further comprising a door pivotally connected to the bottom member, the door for closing and sealing the at least one aperture in the side wall of the rigid frame.
  - 14. The housing in accordance with claim 13, wherein the door includes a rigid surface defining a gasket seat, and a gasket positioned in the gasket seat for sealing the at least one aperture in the side wall of the rigid frame.
  - 15. The housing in accordance with claim 12, wherein the rigid frame includes a second aperture configured for being removably connected to a sealing member.
  - 16. The housing in accordance with claim 15, wherein the second aperture is removably connected to the sealing member, and wherein the second aperture and the sealing member each have corresponding thread elements.
  - 17. The housing in accordance with claim 11, wherein a portion of the membrane is transparent, which transparent portion is sized and adapted to overlay a screen of the electronic device.
  - 18. The housing in accordance with claim 17, wherein a portion of the membrane is non-transparent and the non-transparent portion of the membrane includes at least one transparent lens.
  - 19. The housing in accordance with claim 18, wherein the at least one transparent lens includes:
    - a first transparent lens positioned to be overlaid a camera lens portion of the electronic device; and
      
      a second transparent lens positioned to be overlaid a proximity sensor portion of the electronic device.
  - 20. The housing in accordance with claim 11, further comprising a camera lens defined in the bottom member and extending through the front surface and back surface of the bottom member.

21. An apparatus comprising:
- a top member comprising;
  
  a rigid frame that defines a perimeter portion having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions of the top member, the rigid frame having a top ridge and a bottom ridge, the bottom ridge including a first clasping mechanism;
  
  a membrane defining a front and back surface of the top member and being mated on the top ridge of the rigid frame, the membrane spanning from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion and across the opposing side portions of the perimeter portion of the top member; and
  
  a bottom member, which when coupled to the top member, forms a housing to enclose an electronic device to allow touch-sensitive user inputs to the electronic device via the membrane of the top member, the bottom member comprising;
  
  a channel in a top surface of the perimeter portion of the bottom member to receive the bottom ridge of the rigid frame, the channel including a gasket positioned therein to compress against the bottom ridge of the rigid frame to seal the housing when the top member and the bottom member are coupled together, the channel further including a second clasping mechanism to interface with the first clasping mechanism to maintain the top member and the bottom member coupled together.
- View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
- - 22. The apparatus in accordance with claim 21, wherein the rigid frame includes at least one aperture in a side wall of the rigid frame.
  - 23. The apparatus in accordance with claim 22, further comprising a door pivotally connected to the housing, the door for closing and sealing the at least one aperture in the side wall of the rigid frame.
  - 24. The apparatus in accordance with claim 23, wherein the door includes a rigid surface defining a gasket seat, and a gasket positioned in the gasket seat for sealing the at least one aperture in the side wall of the rigid frame.
  - 25. The apparatus in accordance with claim 21, wherein the clasping mechanism of the bottom member includes a groove in a side of the channel, and wherein the clasping mechanism of the top member includes a lip extending from the bottom ridge of the rigid frame, the lip engaging the groove when the top member and bottom member are coupled together.
  - 26. The apparatus in accordance with claim 21, wherein at least a part of the membrane is transparent and a part of the membrane is not transparent, the non-transparent portion of the membrane including at least one transparent lens.

27. An apparatus for housing an electronic device, the apparatus comprising:
- a bottom member comprising a front and a back surface with at least one lens formed therein, and surrounded by a perimeter portion defined by a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the perimeter portion of the bottom member having a channel formed by an interior perimeter portion and an exterior perimeter portion, the channel including a compressible gasket positioned therein;
  
  a top member having an inner perimeter defined by a rigid frame that corresponds to an outer perimeter of the electronic device and the perimeter portion of the bottom member, the rigid frame extending to a ridge that is adapted to clasp within the channel of the bottom member and seal against the gasket, the top member further including a plurality of sealed buttons and a plurality of sealable apertures, and a membrane that overlays the rigid frame opposite the ridge, the membrane having a transparent area.
- View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
- - 28. The apparatus in accordance with claim 27, wherein the top member further includes a flexible portion overlaid on at least part of an exterior portion of the rigid frame and over at least part of a perimeter portion of the membrane.
  - 29. The apparatus in accordance with claim 27, wherein the bottom member includes a hinged door to latch over and seal one of the plurality of sealable apertures of the top member.
  - 30. The apparatus in accordance with claim 27, further comprising a removable sealing member for sealing one of the plurality of apertures of the top member.

Specification

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Current Assignee
Treefrog Developments Incorporated (Otter Products LLC)
Original Assignee
Treefrog Developments Incorporated (Otter Products LLC)
Inventors
Rayner, Gary

Granted Patent

US 8,342,325 B2
Time in Patent Office

Days
Field of Search
US Class Current

206/320
CPC Class Codes

A45C 11/00   Receptacles for purposes no...

A45C 13/002   Protective covers

A45C 2011/002   for portable handheld commu...

A45C 2011/003   for portable computing devi...

B65D 85/00   Containers, packaging eleme...

G03B 17/08   Waterproof bodies or housings

G06F 1/16   Constructional details or a...

G06F 1/1601   Constructional details rela...

G06F 1/1613   for portable computers cool...

G06F 1/1626   with a single-body enclosur...

G06F 1/1637   Details related to the disp...

G06F 1/1656   Details related to function...

G06F 2200/1633   Protecting arrangement for ...

H04M 1/00   Substation equipment, e.g. ...

H05K 5/0004   comprising several parts fo...

H05K 5/0013   assembled by resilient members

H05K 5/0017   with operator interface units

H05K 5/0217   Mechanical details of casin...

H05K 5/0221   Locks; Latches

H05K 5/06   Hermetically-sealed casings...

H05K 5/061 : sealed by a gasket held bet...

H05K 5/069 : Other details of the casing...

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HOUSING FOR ENCASING AN OBJECT

First Claim

14 Assignments

0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

135 Citations

30 Claims

Specification

Solutions

Use Cases

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HOUSING FOR ENCASING AN OBJECT

First Claim

14 Assignments

Subscription Required

Subscription Required

0 Petitions

Subscription Required

Accused Products

Subscription Required

Abstract

135 Citations

30 Claims

Specification

Subscription Required

Solutions

Use Cases

Quick Links