Housing for encasing an electronic device
View Patent ↗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.
1. An apparatus for housing an electronic device having a touch screen display and one or more buttons, the apparatus comprising:
a perimeter member having a back surface, a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, opposing side portions, and a front surface having a first opening corresponding to a perimeter of the touch screen display of the electronic device, the first opening framed by a top perimeter portion, the proximal end portion, distal end portion, opposing side portions, and top perimeter portion defining an outer perimeter, and the back surface, proximal end portion, distal end portion, opposing side portions, and front surface defining an inner cavity into which the electronic device may be fitted;
a top member comprising an inner surface and an outer surface surrounded by a first rigid frame having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the proximal end portion, distal end portion, and opposing side portions of the first rigid frame of the top member being adapted to receive at least a portion of the outer perimeter and front surface of the perimeter member to mate the front surface of the perimeter member with the inner surface of the top member, the first rigid frame having a first clasping mechanism; and
a bottom member having an inner surface and an outer surface surrounded by a second rigid frame having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the proximal end portion, distal end portion, and opposing side portions of the second rigid frame being adapted to receive the back surface of the perimeter member to mate the back surface of the perimeter member with the inner surface of the bottom member, the second rigid frame having a second clasping mechanism to clasp with the first clasping mechanism to seal the perimeter member around the electronic device, at least one of the top member and bottom members further having at least one button feature to access an associated button of the one or more buttons of the electronic device.
2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the top member further comprises a membrane that at least partially overlays the touch screen display of the electronic device.
3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the perimeter member comprises a flexible material.
4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein one of the first and second clasping members comprises at least one clasping member selected from the group of clasping members consisting of: a tooth, a tooth receptacle, a ridge member, and a groove.
5. The apparatus in accordance with claim 4 , wherein the other of the first and second clasping members comprises at least one clasping member selected from the group of clasping members consisting of: a tooth, a tooth receptacle, a ridge member, and a groove.
6. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the perimeter member includes one or more sound ports.
7. The apparatus in accordance with claim 6 , wherein at least one of the top and bottom members further includes a sound port aperture corresponding with each of the one or more sound ports of the perimeter member.
8. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising:
a charge port aperture in the perimeter member proximate an electrical connection of the electronic device; and
a door for attaching to the apparatus proximate the charge port aperture, the door having an open configuration to enable access to the electrical connection of the mobile computing device, and a closed configuration to close the charge port aperture.
9. The apparatus in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the door is positioned on one of the top and bottom members.
10. The apparatus in accordance with claim 9 , wherein the other of the top and bottom members further comprises a door aperture corresponding with the door.
11. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the first rigid frame of the top member further comprises a switch receiving aperture to receive a switch protruding from the electronic device.
12. The apparatus in accordance with claim 11 , further comprising a switch mechanism including a switch actuator protruding from the outer surface of the encasement and covered by a flexible seal attached to the encasement, the switch mechanism further including a switch interface being provided proximate the inner surface of the encasement to contact the at least one switch of the electronic device and being coupled with the switch actuator such that a movement of the switch actuator controls a movement of the switch interface to actuate the at least one switch of the electronic device.
13. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein, when the second clasping mechanism is clasped with the first clasping mechanism to seal the perimeter member around the electronic device, the back surface of the perimeter member is mated with the inner surface of the bottom member, and the front surface of the perimeter member is mated with the inner surface of the top member, and the apparatus is resistant to incursion of water to the electronic device.
14. An apparatus for housing an electronic device having a touch screen display and one or more buttons, the apparatus comprising:
a perimeter member having a back surface, a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, opposing side portions, and a front surface having a first opening corresponding to a perimeter of the touch screen display of the electronic device, the first opening framed by a top perimeter portion, the proximal end portion, distal end portion, and opposing side portions, and defining an outer perimeter, and the back surface, proximal end portion, distal end portion, opposing side portions, and front surface defining an inner cavity into which the electronic device may be fitted; a top member comprising an inner surface and an outer surface surrounded by a first frame member having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the proximal end portion, distal end portion, and opposing side portions of the first frame of the top member being adapted to receive at least a portion of the outer perimeter and front surface of the perimeter member to mate the front surface of the perimeter member with the inner surface of the bottom member, the first frame member having a first clasping mechanism; and
a bottom member having an inner surface and an outer surface surrounded by a second frame member having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the proximal end portion, distal end portion, and opposing side portions of the second frame member being adapted to receive the back surface of the perimeter member to mate the back surface of the perimeter member with the inner surface of the bottom member, the second frame member having a second clasping mechanism to clasp with the first clasping mechanism to seal the perimeter member around the electronic device, at least one of the perimeter, top and bottom members further having at least one button feature to control an associated button of the electronic device.
15. The apparatus in accordance with claim 14 , wherein the top member further comprises a membrane that at least partially overlays the touch screen display of the electronic device.
16. The apparatus in accordance with claim 14 , wherein the perimeter member comprises a flexible material.
17. The apparatus in accordance with claim 14 , wherein one of the first and second clasping members comprises at least one clasping member selected from the group of clasping members consisting of: a tooth, a tooth receptacle, a ridge member, and a groove.
18. The apparatus in accordance with claim 17 , wherein the other of the first and second clasping members comprises at least one clasping member selected from the group of clasping members consisting of: a tooth, a tooth receptacle, a ridge member, and a groove.
19. The apparatus in accordance with claim 14 , wherein the perimeter member includes one or more sound ports.
20. The apparatus in accordance with claim 19 , wherein at least one of the top and bottom members further includes a sound port aperture corresponding with each of the one or more sound ports of the perimeter member.
21. The apparatus in accordance with claim 14 , further comprising:
a charge port aperture in the perimeter member proximate an electrical connection of the electronic device; and
a door for attaching to the apparatus proximate the charge port aperture, the door having an open configuration to enable access to the electrical connection of the mobile computing device, and a closed configuration to close the charge port aperture.
22. The apparatus in accordance with claim 21 , wherein the door is positioned on one of the top and bottom members.
23. The apparatus in accordance with claim 22 , wherein the other of the top and bottom members further comprises a door aperture corresponding with the door.
24. The apparatus in accordance with claim 14 , wherein the first rigid frame of the top member further comprises a switch receiving aperture to receive a switch protruding from the electronic device.
25. The apparatus in accordance with claim 24 , further comprising a switch mechanism including a switch actuator protruding from the outer surface of the encasement and covered by a flexible seal attached to the encasement, the switch mechanism further including a switch interface being provided proximate the inner surface of the encasement to contact the at least one switch of the electronic device and being coupled with the switch actuator such that a movement of the switch actuator controls a movement of the switch interface to actuate the at least one switch of the electronic device.
26. The apparatus in accordance with claim 14 , wherein, when the second clasping mechanism is clasped with the first clasping mechanism to seal the perimeter member around the electronic device, the back surface of the perimeter member is mated with the front surface of the bottom member, and the front surface of the perimeter member is mated with the back surface of the top member, and the apparatus is resistant to incursion of water to the electronic device.
27. An apparatus for housing an electronic device having a touch screen display and one or more buttons, the apparatus comprising:
a perimeter member having a back surface, a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, opposing side portions, and a front surface having a first opening corresponding to a perimeter of the touch screen display of the electronic device, the back surface, proximal end portion, distal end portion, opposing side portions, and front surface defining an inner cavity into which the electronic device may be fitted;
a top member comprising an inner surface and an outer surface surrounded by a first frame member having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the proximal end portion, distal end portion, and opposing side portions of the first frame member of the top member being adapted to receive at least a portion of the front surface of the perimeter member to mate the front surface of the perimeter member with the inner surface of the top member, the first frame member having a first clasping mechanism; and
a bottom member having an inner surface and an outer surface surrounded by a second frame member having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the proximal end portion, distal end portion, and opposing side portions of the second frame member being adapted to receive at least a portion of the front surface of the perimeter member to mate the front surface of the perimeter member with the inner surface of the bottom member, the second frame member having a second clasping mechanism to clasp with the first clasping mechanism to maintain the perimeter member around the electronic device, at least one of the perimeter, top and bottom members further having at least one button feature to control an associated button of the one or more buttons of the electronic device.
28. The apparatus in accordance with claim 27 , wherein one of the first and second clasping member comprises at least one clasping member selected from the group consisting of: a plurality of teeth; and a ridge member; and
wherein the other of the first and second clasping member comprises at least one clasping member selected from the group consisting of: a plurality of tooth receptacles; and a groove.
29. An apparatus for housing an electronic device having a touch screen display, one or more buttons, and an electrical connection for charging the electronic device, the apparatus comprising:
a perimeter member having a back surface, a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, opposing side portions, and a front surface having a first opening corresponding to a perimeter of the touch screen display of the electronic device, the back surface, proximal end portion, distal end portion, opposing side portions, and front surface defining an inner cavity into which the electronic device may be fitted;
a top member comprising an inner surface and an outer surface surrounded by a first frame member having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the proximal end portion, distal end portion, and opposing side portions of the first frame of the top member being adapted to receive at least a portion of the front surface of the perimeter member to mate the inner surface of the perimeter member with the front surface of the bottom member, the first frame member having a first clasping mechanism; and
a bottom member having an inner surface and an outer surface surrounded by a second frame member having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the proximal end portion, distal end portion, and opposing side portions of the second frame member being adapted to receive at least a portion of the back surface of the perimeter member to mate the back surface of the perimeter member with the inner surface of the bottom member, the second frame member having a second clasping mechanism to clasp with the first clasping mechanism to maintain the perimeter member around the electronic device, at least one of the top and bottom members further having at least one button feature to access an associated button of the one or more buttons of the electronic device.
30. The apparatus in accordance with claim 29 , further comprising:
a charge port aperture in the perimeter member proximate an electrical connection of the electronic device; and
a door for attaching to the apparatus proximate the charge port aperture, the door having an open configuration to enable access to the electrical connection of the mobile computing device, and a closed configuration to close the charge port aperture.