TRACKING DEVICE PROTECTIVE CASE
A protective case for a wireless tracking device featuring a flexible annular bezel. One embodiment features an annular bezel having a conforming interior channel which engages the sides of the tracking device, and an upper opening, which leaves a portion of the upper side of the tracking device exposed. Certain embodiments feature a bezel that permits the tracking device to be inserted into the protective case relatively easily, while other embodiments feature a cover which engages with a base, making removal of the tracking device impractical without damaging the case itself. One embodiment may be used with shoelaces and features a flat elastomeric surface to which graphic designs may be applied.
The embodiments described herein are accessories which allow a user to install, use, and protect small electronic tracking devices which are networked both with similar devices and with personal electronic devices primarily using short-range, low-power wireless communications systems in the ultra-high frequency (UHF) electromagnetic spectrum, i.e. the ISM band. A popular brand of such device is the AirTag™ by Apple, Inc.
SUMMARYThe embodiments disclosed herein include housings typically made of moldable materials that provide sufficient protection for the tracking device, yet are sufficiently elastomeric to permit the tracking device to be installed and removed from the case. The housings' construction permits the device to be easily installed upon a surface and removed, yet protects the device during use. Certain embodiments of these housing provide a measure of anti-tampering protection, because the device cannot be easily removed while the case is attached to a surface, unless the case is physically damaged.
The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions, or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.
Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about”, it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.
It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, many other elements which are conventional in this art. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other elements are desirable for implementing the present invention. However, because such elements are well-known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements is not provided herein.
A first embodiment of a protective case 1 is shown in
Lower cap 13 in this embodiment has locking edge 17 which engages an engagement notch 18 that is located at the inward portion of beveled annular base 14. In certain embodiments, engagement notch 18 can have a radially inward-directed lip (extending even with the bottom of annular base 14) located that exerts upward force on an edge of the corresponding locking edge 17, thereby allowing locking edge 17 to snap securely into position. In other embodiments shown in
The embodiments shown in
It should be noted that in the embodiment shown in
Embodiments of the mounting case are preferably made of elastomeric materials. Examples of suitable materials include thermosetting plastics having hardness of approximately Shore 30D to Shore 100D, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), PMMA, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high durometer thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), and thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) having hardness of approximately Shore 30D to Shore 100D.
Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to certain embodiments, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which have been presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.
Claims
1. A protective case for a tracking device, the protective case comprising:
- a semi-rigid annular bezel surrounding a cavity, the semi-rigid annular bezel terminating upwardly in a locking edge biased inwardly toward the cavity, the semi-rigid annular bezel further comprising: an interior channel disposed within the cavity, the interior channel depending from the locking edge to an interior channel bottom edge, wherein the interior channel is shaped to conform to an edge of the tracking device; wherein a portion of a bottom of the cavity comprises a flexible membrane; and
- a flexible mounting surface having an upper side and a lower side, wherein the upper side is affixed to a bottom of the cavity.
2. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the semi-rigid annular bezel further comprises:
- an upper shelf extending inwardly from the interior channel bottom edge; and
- an upper interior wall disposed between the upper shelf and a lower shelf, wherein the lower shelf extends between a bottom of the upper interior wall and the flexible membrane.
3. A protective case for a tracking device, comprising:
- an upper shell comprising: a beveled annular base comprising an inner edge and an outer edge, wherein the inner edge comprises an interiorly directed engagement notch; an annular wall extending vertically from the inner edge of the beveled annular base; and a beveled upper edge extending inwardly from a top of the annular wall, the beveled upper edge comprising: an exterior edge adjoining the top of the annular wall; an interior surface contoured to contact a first upper portion of the tracking device;
- a lower cap comprising an edge adapted to engage the interiorly directed engagement notch; and
- a mounting surface having an upper side adhered to a bottom side of the lower cap.
4. The protective case according to claim 3, wherein the beveled upper edge further comprises an opening.
5. The protective case according to claim 3, wherein the interiorly directed engagement notch comprises a first set of screw threads, and the edge of the lower cap comprises a second set of screw threads adapted to engage the first set of screw threads.
6. A protective case for a tracking device, comprising:
- an upper shell comprising: a vertical edge and a beveled edge extending from the vertical edge, wherein an interior face of the vertical edge comprises an engagement notch; and
- a lower shell comprising: an upwardly extending locking edge, wherein an outwardly facing vertical portion of the upwardly extending locking edge is adapted to engage the engagement notch; and an inwardly-facing curved wall defining a cavity adapted to contact a lower surface of the tracking device.
7. The protective case of claim 6, wherein the upper shell further comprises one or more magnets.
8. The protective case of claim 6, wherein the engagement notch comprises a first set of screw threads, and the upwardly extending locking edge comprises a second set of screw threads adapted to engage the first set of screw threads.
9. A protective case for a tracking device, comprising:
- an elastomeric shell comprising a vertical cylindrical wall, the vertical cylindrical wall comprising at least two opposing elongated holes disposed in proximity to a bottom of the vertical cylindrical wall, and a flat surface disposed perpendicularly at a top of the vertical cylindrical wall;
- wherein a cavity is defined by the vertical cylindrical wall and the flat surface, the cavity comprising an annular ring adapted to engage a lower edge of the tracking device, and wherein an upper portion of the cavity is shaped to conform to an upper surface of the tracking device.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 5, 2022
Publication Date: Sep 21, 2023
Inventors: Bryan Hynecek (Redwood City, CA), Alan Ng (San Francisco, CA), Scott Goard (Redwood City, CA), Darrick Del Moral (San Ramon, CA), Minna Chong (Frisco, TX)
Application Number: 17/960,589