Protective cover for electronic device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10340970-B2
Application number	US-201816009360-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 15, 2018
Priority date	Nov 19, 2001
Publication date	Jul 2, 2019
Grant date	Jul 2, 2019

Abstract

A protective cover for use with an electronic device includes a protective shell, an electrical connector, and an inductive coil. The protective shell is configured to receive the electronic device and includes one or more apertures configured for accessing one or more respective features of the installed electronic device. The electrical connector is affixed to an interior surface of the protective shell and configured to engage electrical contacts of the installed electronic device. The inductive coil is disposed within the protective shell and is electrically connected to the electrical connector of the protective shell. The inductive coil is configured for producing an electrical current in response to a magnetic field generated by an external device in proximity to the protective shell.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A protective cover for use with an electronic device having an interactive control panel and electrical contacts, the protective cover comprising:
a protective shell configured to receive at least a portion of the electronic device to at least partially cover the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the protective shell, the protective shell including one or more apertures configured for accessing one or more respective features of the installed electronic device;
an electrical connector affixed to an inner surface of the protective shell and configured to engage the electrical contacts of the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the protective shell; and
an inductive coil disposed within the protective shell and electrically connected to the electrical connector of the protective shell, the inductive coil configured for producing an electrical current when exposed to a magnetic field generated by an external device in proximity to the protective shell, wherein the electrical current is conducted to the electrical connector of the protective shell.

2. The protective cover of claim 1 wherein the inductive coil is positioned between the inner surface and an outer surface of the protective shell.

3. The protective cover of claim 1 further comprising a cushioning member coupled with the inner surface of the protective shell, the cushioning member configured for contacting and cushioning the installed electronic device.

4. The protective cover of claim 3 wherein the cushioning member is overmolded onto the protective shell.

5. The protective cover of claim 1 wherein the protective shell includes a first member and a second member.

6. The protective cover of claim 1 further comprising a second electrical connector accessible at an outer surface of the protective shell.

7. The protective cover of claim 6 wherein the second electrical connector is configured to receive an electrical connector from a device external to the protective cover.

8. The protective cover of claim 1 wherein one of the one or more apertures comprises an opening in the protective shell configured to expose at least a portion of the interactive control panel of the installed electronic device.

9. The protective cover of claim 1 wherein one of the one or more apertures comprises an opening in the protective shell configured to provide optical access to a camera of the installed electronic device.

10. The protective cover of claim 1 wherein one of the one or more apertures comprises an opening in the protective shell configured to provide access to a button of the installed electronic device.

11. A protective cover for use with a portable electronic device, the protective cover comprising:
a protective shell at least partially lined with a cushioning member, the protective shell and cushioning member configured to receive at least a portion of the portable electronic device to at least partially cover the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is installed in the protective cover, the protective shell and the cushioning member including one or more openings configured for accessing one or more respective features of the installed portable electronic device;
an electrical connector affixed to an interior surface of the protective shell and configured to interface to an electrical connector of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is installed in the protective cover; and
an inductive electrical coil positioned in a wall of the protective shell, the inductive electrical coil electrically connected to the electrical connector of the protective shell through one or more electrical conductors, the inductive electrical coil configured for inductively exchanging electrical signals with another inductive electrical coil.

12. The protective cover of claim 11 wherein one of the one or more openings comprises an aperture in the protective cover configured to expose at least a portion of a touchscreen of the installed portable electronic device.

13. The protective cover of claim 11 wherein the protective cover further comprises a raised button portion configured for actuating a button of the installed portable electronic device from outside the protective cover.

14. The protective cover of claim 11 wherein one of the one or more openings comprises an aperture in the protective cover configured to provide optical access to a camera feature of the installed portable electronic device.

15. A protective case for use with a portable electronic device, the protective case comprising:
a protective shell removably attachable to the portable electronic device and configured to at least partially cover the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is installed in the protective case, the protective shell including one or more openings configured for providing access to one or more respective features of the installed portable electronic device;
an electrical connector affixed to an inner surface of the protective shell and positioned to interface to an electrical connector of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is installed in the protective case; and
an inductive coil electrically connected to the electrical connector of the protective shell through one or more electrical conductors and configured for exchanging electrical signals with the installed portable electronic device through the electrical connector of the protective cover and through the electrical connector of the installed portable electronic device, the inductive electrical coil further configured for inductively exchanging electrical signals with an external device.

16. The protective case of claim 15 wherein the protective cover further comprises a raised button portion formed from a pliable material, the raised button portion configured for actuating a button of the installed portable electronic device from outside the protective case.

17. The protective case of claim 15 further comprising a cushioning member coupled with the inner surface of the protective shell, the cushioning member configured for cushioning the installed portable electronic device.

18. The protective case of claim 15 further comprising a second electrical connector accessible at an outer surface of the protective shell.

19. The protective case of claim 18 further comprising a door that covers the second electrical connector, the door being movable from a closed position to an open position for providing selective access to the second electrical connector.

20. The protective case of claim 19 further comprising a gasket, wherein the gasket seals the door to the protective shell when the door is in the closed position.

Assignees

• Otter Products Llc

Inventors

• Richardson Curtis R
• Kempel Douglas A

Classifications

• Y10T428/24909

  Free metal or mineral containing · CPC title

• A45C13/005

  Hinges · CPC title

• A45C2200/10

  Transparent walls · CPC title

• A45C2011/001

  Human Necessities · mapped topic

• H04B1/3888 Primary

  Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers · CPC title