# US 8,783,456 B2 · Housing for encasing an object > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,783,456 B2 - Document ID: US8783456B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/029,739 - Filed: 2013-09-17 - Published: 2014-01-16 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2010-10-12 - Assignees: TreeFrog Developments, Inc. - Applicants: TreeFrog Developments, Inc. - Inventors: Gary Rayner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783456B2 ## 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 ### Claim 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 to with the top member and frame 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 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; and a frame member configured to couple with the perimeter portion of the top member and the side wall of the bottom member, the frame member having a flexible portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the 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. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, 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. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, 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. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, 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 light gasket on the front surface of the bottom member and that surrounds both the camera lens and flash lens. ### Claim 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. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) 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. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) 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. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) 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. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) 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. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) 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. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) 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. ### Claim 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. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) 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. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) 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. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) 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. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) 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. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The housing in accordance with claim 15, 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. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) 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. ### Claim 22 (depends on 15) The housing in accordance with claim 15, 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. ### Claim 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 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. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) 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. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) 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. ### Claim 26 (depends on 23) 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. ### Claim 27 (depends on 23) 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. ### Claim 28 (depends on 23) The apparatus in accordance with claim 23, 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. ### Claim 29 (depends on 23) 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. ### Claim 30 (depends on 23) 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.