Impact-resistant case with sealable opening

Abstract

The present invention is a cost effective impact-absorbing insert which combines multiple functionality with parts consolidation and ease of customization that allows wide application anywhere tailored impact protection is desired. The impact-absorbing insert of the present invention mates with a user defined enclosure to produce a protective case for any fragile articles that are used in a portable environment, for example portable electronic devices such as cameras (35 mm and digital), instrumentation, tools, PDAs, web tablets, hand held computers, cell phones, pagers, gaming devices, electronic music players, voice recorders, global positioning systems (GPS), and the like.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to an impact-resistant case with a sealable opening, in particularly to a dust and watertight seal. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Electronic enclosures and housings are basically cases designed to provide protection for product contents. Aesthetics, ergonomics, weight, decoration, and additional functionality are provided as well since the case is usually the basis of human interface to the product. This interface may be sensory (visual) only, or it may be the basis for product use—e.g. the user holds onto the package to use the product. For example, a portable drill where the case is also the tool housing and the housing is what the operator holds to use the tool. Consequently, the case is a multifunctional product in its own right and the design is the result of fulfilling all the necessary functional requirements. [0003] Recent developments in portable electronics has resulted in the need for ruggedized supplemental...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The present invention is a cost effective impact-absorbing insert which combines multiple functionality with parts consolidation and ease of customization that allows wide application anywhere tailored impact protection is desired. The impact-absorbing insert of the present invention mates with a user defined enclosure to produce a protective case for any fragile article that is used in a portable environment, for example portable electronic devices such as cameras (35 mm and digital), instrumentation, tools, PDAs, web tablets, hand held computers, cell phones, a pagers, gaming devices, electronic music players, voice recorders, global positioning systems (GPS), and the like.

[0008] It is further objective of the invention to reduce part count and to improve ease of use of the impact-absorbing insert.

[0009] It is a still another objective of the invention to provide versatility by designing an impact-absorbing insert which can fit into one or more different user defined enclosures. This reduces the level of complex engineering necessary for each product while allowing sophisticated design of the energy absorbing features in the insert alone.

[0015] It is still another embodiment of the invention to allow easy manufacture of the insert by utilizing common injection molding technology and tooling with open and shut operation.

Problems solved by technology

There are numerous hazards for which a protective case may be required, two primary ones being impact (drop) and environmental (water and / or dust).

Challenges arise when the protection functionality is combined with aesthetics or ergonomics.

However, this approach yields a large and bulky package.

If in addition to impact resistance, the case needs to provide the “user interface”, this approach is typically much larger than is practical and, on a sensory basis, it will appear as large, unwieldy, and even ugly.

As a user interface enclosure, it's totally impractical.

In addition to the energy absorbing requirement, incorporating a functional requirement, such as access, traditionally has resulted in increasing the number of parts, the complexity to design and the cost to manufacture a protective case.

The conventional approach to this problem has been to tailor the design of the protective case for portable electronic device, unfortunately, this approach is time consuming and expensive.

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