# US 9,439,314 B2 · Housing for encasing an electronic device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,439,314 B2 - Document ID: US9439314B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/938,036 - Filed: 2015-11-11 - Published: 2016-03-03 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2010-10-12 - Assignees: Treefog Developments, Inc. - Applicants: TreeFrog Developments, Inc. - Inventors: Gary A. Rayner; Alfred Blochlinger; Andrew C. Crawford - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9439314B2 ## CPC - G06F 1/1626: {with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]} - 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) - A45C 13/002: {Protective covers} - B65D 85/00: Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials (bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport B65D71/00) - G03B 17/08: Waterproof bodies or housings - G06F 1/16: Constructional details or arrangements - G06F 1/1601: {Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays (constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64)} - G06F 1/1613: {for portable computers (cooling arrangements therefor G06F1/203; constructional details or arrangements for pocket calculators, electronic agendas or books G06F15/0216; constructional details of portable telephone sets: with several bodies H04M1/0202)} - G06F 1/1637: {Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing} - 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)} - G06F 1/1679: {for locking or maintaining the movable parts of the enclosure in a fixed position, e.g. latching mechanism at the edge of the display in a laptop or for the screen protective cover of a PDA (G06F1/1681 takes precedence)} - H04M 1/00: Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers (subscriber services or facilities provided at exchanges H04M3/00; prepayment telephone coin boxes H04M17/00; current supply arrangements H04M19/08) - H05K 5/0217: {Mechanical details of casings (covers, lids, hoods or members for covering apertures H05K5/03)} - H05K 5/0221: {Locks; Latches} - H05K 5/06: Hermetically-sealed casings {(specially adapted for small components H05K5/0095)} - H05K 5/061: {sealed by a gasket held between a removable cover and a body, e.g. O-ring, packing} - H05K 5/069: {Other details of the casing, e.g. wall structure, passage for a connector, a cable, a shaft} - H05K 5/10: comprising several parts forming a closed casing - H05K 5/15: assembled by resilient members - A45C 11/002: {for storing portable handheld communication devices, e.g. pagers or smart phones} - A45C 11/003: {for storing portable computing devices, e.g. laptops, tablets or calculators} - G06F 2200/1633: Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - A45C: PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ## 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 may be 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 A protective housing for housing an electronic device having a touch screen display, a headphone connector, and a control button, the protective housing for protecting the electronic device from a liquid at an outer surface of the protective housing, the protective housing comprising: a perimeter sealing member having a back surface, side portions, and a front surface that includes a first opening corresponding to a perimeter of the touch screen display of the electronic device when the electronic device is housed in the protective housing, wherein the back surface, the front surface, and the side portions of the perimeter sealing member extend around at least a portion of the housed electronic device; a top member having an inner surface and an outer surface surrounded by a first frame having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the proximal end portion, the distal end portion, and the opposing side portions of the first frame adapted to receive at least a first portion of the perimeter sealing member, the top member having a first clasping mechanism; a bottom member having an inner surface and an outer surface surrounded by a second frame having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the proximal end portion, the distal end portion, and the opposing side portions of the second frame adapted to receive at least a second portion of the perimeter sealing member, the second frame having a second clasping mechanism to engage the first clasping mechanism of the top member to couple the bottom member to the top member and to compress the perimeter sealing member to provide a liquid resistant seal to protect the housed electronic device from the liquid; a button feature in the protective housing, the button feature enabling user interaction with the control button of the housed electronic device from outside the protective housing; an access port in the protective housing to provide direct physical access to the headphone connector of the housed electronic device from outside the protective housing; and a port sealing member sized to plug the access port and to provide a second liquid resistant seal at the access port. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The protective housing of claim 1 further comprising a membrane that at least partially overlays the touch screen display of the housed electronic device and permits interaction with the touch screen display of the housed electronic device through the membrane. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The protective housing of claim 1, wherein one of the first clasping mechanism and the second clasping mechanism comprises a first clasping element selected from the group of clasping elements consisting of: a tooth, a tooth receptacle, a ridge member, and a groove. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The protective housing of claim 3, wherein the other of the first clasping mechanism and the second clasping mechanism comprises a second clasping element selected from the group of clasping elements consisting of: a tooth, a tooth receptacle, a ridge member, and a groove. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The protective housing of claim 1 further comprising a sound aperture in one of the top member and the bottom member, the sound aperture corresponding with an audio feature of the housed electronic device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The protective housing of claim 5 further comprising a second sound aperture in one of the top member and the bottom member, the second sound aperture corresponding with a second audio feature of the housed electronic device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The protective housing of claim 1 further comprising a lens feature permitting optical access to a camera of the housed electronic device from outside the protective housing. ### Claim 8 A protective housing for housing an electronic device having a touch screen display, a headphone connector, an audio feature, and a control button, the protective housing for protecting the electronic device from a liquid at an outer surface of the protective housing, the protective housing comprising: a perimeter sealing member corresponding to a perimeter of the electronic device, the perimeter sealing member comprising a compressible material; a top member having an inner surface and an outer surface surrounded by a first frame having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the proximal end portion, the distal end portion, and the opposing side portions of the first frame adapted to receive at least a first portion of the perimeter sealing member, the top member having a first clasping mechanism; a bottom member having an inner surface and an outer surface surrounded by a second frame having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the proximal end portion, the distal end portion, and the opposing side portions of the second frame adapted to receive at least a second portion of the perimeter sealing member, the second frame having a second clasping mechanism to engage with the first clasping mechanism of the top member to couple the bottom member to the top member and to compress the perimeter sealing member to provide a liquid resistant seal to protect the housed electronic device from the liquid; a button feature in the protective housing, the button feature permitting actuation of the control button of the housed electronic device from outside the protective housing; a sound aperture in the protective housing, the sound aperture corresponding with the audio feature of the housed electronic device and including a water impermeable membrane; an access port in the protective housing to provide access to the headphone connector of the housed electronic device from outside the protective housing; and a port sealing member sized to close the access port and to provide a second liquid resistant seal at the access port. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The protective housing of claim 8 further comprising a transparent membrane that at least partially overlays the touch screen display of the housed electronic device and permits interaction with the touch screen display of the housed electronic device through the transparent membrane. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The protective housing of claim 8, wherein one of the first clasping mechanism and the second clasping mechanism comprises a channel. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The protective housing of claim 10, wherein the other of the first clasping mechanism and the second clasping mechanism comprises a ridge that inserts into the channel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The protective housing of claim 8 wherein the perimeter sealing member comprises a gasket that is compressed between perimeter portions of the top member and the bottom member when the top member is coupled to the bottom member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The protective housing of claim 8 further comprising a second sound aperture in one of the top member and the bottom member, the second sound aperture corresponding with a second audio feature of the housed electronic device. ### Claim 14 A protective housing for an electronic device having a touch screen display, a headphone connector, a speaker, and a control button, the protective housing for protecting the electronic device from a liquid at an outer surface of the protective housing, the protective housing comprising: a sealing member corresponding to a perimeter of the protective housing, the sealing member comprising a compressible material; a first housing member having an inner surface, an outer surface, a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the proximal end portion, the distal end portion, and the opposing side portions adapted to receive at least a first portion of the electronic device and interface with at least a first portion of the sealing member, the first housing member having a first clasping mechanism; a second housing member having an inner surface, an outer surface, a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the proximal end portion, the distal end portion, and the opposing side portions adapted to receive at least a second portion of the electronic device and interface with at least a second portion of the sealing member, the second housing member having a second clasping mechanism to engage with the first clasping mechanism of the first housing member to couple the second housing member to the first housing member and to compress the sealing member to provide a liquid resistant seal between the first housing member and the second housing member to protect the housed electronic device from the liquid; a button feature in at least one of the first housing member and the second housing member, the button feature permitting actuation of the control button of the housed electronic device from outside the protective housing; a sound aperture in at least one of the first housing member and the second housing member, the sound aperture corresponding with the speaker of the housed electronic device; an access port in at least one of the first housing member and the second housing member to provide access to the headphone connector of the housed electronic device from outside the protective housing; and a bung sized to plug the access port and to provide a second liquid resistant seal at the access port. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The protective housing of claim 14 further comprising a membrane that at least partially covers the touch screen display of the housed electronic device and enables interaction with the touch screen display of the housed electronic device through the membrane. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The protective housing of claim 14, wherein one of the first clasping mechanism and the second clasping mechanism comprises a channel and the other of the first clasping mechanism and the second clasping mechanism comprises a ridge that inserts into the channel. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The protective housing of claim 16, wherein the channel includes a groove and the ridge includes a lip that engages the groove. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The protective housing of claim 16, wherein the sealing member is at least partially in the channel when the second housing member is coupled to the first housing member. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The protective housing of claim 14 wherein the sealing member comprises a gasket that is compressed between perimeter portions of the first housing member and the second housing member. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The protective housing of claim 14 wherein the sound aperture is covered with a water impermeable membrane.