Abstract: A retention device includes a ruggedized electrical cable including a first electrical connector at a first end and a second electrical connector at a second end, and a cap including a threaded interior for removably capturing the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector, wherein the threaded interior is configured to screw onto a corresponding threaded surface comprising the exterior of the first end and the exterior of the second end.
Abstract: A beacon includes a housing, multiple directional radio frequency antennas, a multiplexer, and a signal source that produces a signal output. The directional radio frequency antennas are attached to the housing such that each directional radio frequency antenna points out radially from an axis of the housing in a direction different than the other directional radio frequency antennas. The multiplexer is electrically connected to each of the directional radio frequency antennas and to the signal source. The multiplexer is configured to sequentially conduct the radio signal output from the signal source to each of the directional radio frequency antennas to produce a wireless signal, wherein the signal output is only conducted to one of the directional radio frequency antennas at any given time and includes a unique identifier identifying the antenna it is currently being transmitted from. The beacon may also include electrical hardware for performing time of flight measurements.
Abstract: A protective case for an electronic device and an associated electrical peripheral device includes a structural member for receiving at least a portion of the electronic device and protecting the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the protective case, an aperture that provides access to a user interface of the installed electronic device, a docking receptacle for removably retaining the electrical peripheral device, and a flexible member attached to the structural member and positioned in proximity to the docking receptacle. The docking receptacle includes a cavity for receiving at least a portion of the electrical peripheral device and an engagement mechanism for removably retaining the electrical peripheral device in the cavity. The flexible member is configured to temporarily deform toward the cavity of the docking receptacle in response to an external force applied to the flexible member.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 12, 2018
Date of Patent:
March 5, 2019
Assignee:
Otter Products, LLC
Inventors:
Peter J. Gronewoller, Edward J. Taylor, Michael P. Denham
Abstract: A protective enclosure for an electronic device is provided. The protective enclosure includes a structural member, a cushioning member permanently affixed to the structural member, and a cavity. The structural member has a back portion and a plurality of side portions. The cushioning member extends from an upper edge configured to extend beyond the front surface of the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the protective enclosure to a lower edge configured to extend beyond the back surface of the electronic device and be in direct contact with a portion of the back surface of the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the protective enclosure. The cavity is configured to extend between the inner surface of the structural member to the back surface of the installed electronic device and is at least partially bounded by the lower edge of the cushioning member.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 10, 2018
Date of Patent:
February 19, 2019
Assignee:
Otter Products, LLC
Inventors:
Nathan Northrup, Kevin W. Witter, James M. Prestien, David C. Russell, Erika E. Johnson, Matthew S. Krajec
Abstract: A protective enclosure for an electronic device includes a top member adapted to be removably coupled to a bottom member to enclose the electronic device. A first back engagement feature is disposed on an inside surface of a perimeter wall portion of the bottom member, and the first back engagement feature is adapted to engage a first front engagement feature disposed on an inner perimeter wall of the top member to removably secure the top member to the bottom member. A second back engagement feature is disposed on an outside surface of the perimeter wall portion of the bottom member, and the second back engagement feature is adapted to engage a second front engagement feature disposed on an outer perimeter wall of the top member to further removably secure the top member to the bottom member.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 17, 2016
Date of Patent:
January 15, 2019
Assignee:
Otter Products, LLC
Inventors:
Alfonso Martinez, Oscar Lopez, Stephen James McFadden
Abstract: A protective case includes an inner liner, a first aperture, a second aperture, and an outer shell. The inner liner is configured for receiving the electronic device and the first aperture is configured to permit access to the touchscreen interface of the electronic device. The second aperture is configured to permit optical access to the camera of the installed electronic device. The outer shell includes an attachment mechanism for attaching an accessory to the protective case. One of the attachment mechanism of the outer shell and the accessory includes a receiver configured to slidably receive a rail member of the other of the attachment mechanism of the outer shell and the accessory. The attachment mechanism of the outer shell may include a snap feature having an interference fit with a corresponding snap feature of the accessory to keep the accessory removably secured to the protective case.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 24, 2018
Date of Patent:
January 15, 2019
Assignee:
Otter Products, LLC
Inventors:
Jonathan H. Guerdrum, Russell J. Goldfain, Greg D. Caster, Cory R. Bloor, Matthew M. Glanzer
Abstract: A protective cover for use with a portable electronic device includes a flexible membrane configured to wrap around at least a portion of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is installed in the flexible membrane The flexible membrane is configured to cover at least sides and a back of the installed portable electronic device. The flexible membrane has elasticity such that it snugly fits the installed portable electronic device to protect the installed portable electronic device. The flexible membrane includes a first opening that aligns with a microphone of the installed portable electronic device for allowing sound transmission from outside the protective cover to the microphone of the installed portable electronic device and a second opening for accessing one or more interactive control features of the installed portable electronic device.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 2, 2018
Date of Patent:
January 1, 2019
Assignee:
Otter Products, LLC
Inventors:
Curtis R. Richardson, Alan V. Morine, Brian P. Thomas, Jamie L. Johnson, Jason M. Thompson
Abstract: A protective cover for a portable electronic device includes a protective shell for receiving and at least partially covering the portable electronic device. The protective cover includes a rechargeable power storage device and an electrical coil proximate a back surface of the shell. The protective cover also includes electrical circuitry configured to transfer first electrical power from the rechargeable power storage device to the installed portable electronic device. The electrical circuitry is also configured to transfer second electrical power from the rechargeable power storage device to the electrical coil. The electrical coil is configured to wirelessly transfer at least a portion of the second electrical power to a second portable electronic device. The protective cover may also include a visual indicator for indicating a status of the wireless transfer of the second electrical power to the second portable electronic device.
Abstract: A protective case for a wearable electronic device, the wearable electronic device having a touch-sensitive display. The protective case having a shell that encases a portion of the wearable electronic device and a hinged cover attached to the shell. The cover has an open position and a closed position for covering and allowing direct access to the touch-sensitive display. The cover includes one or more flexible buttons configured to be pressed by a user and configured to activate a corresponding area of the encased touch-sensitive display of the encased wearable electronic device when the cover is in a closed position and the wearable electronic device is encased in the shell.
Abstract: A protective enclosure for an electronic device is provided. The protective enclosure includes a structural member, a cushioning member permanently affixed to the structural member, and a cavity. The structural member has a back portion and a plurality of side portions. The cushioning member has a top section, a bottom section, and one or more side sections. The cushioning member includes an upper edge configured to extend beyond the front surface of the installed electronic device. The cushioning member further includes a protective rim extending beyond the back surface of the electronic device and be in direct contact with the a portion of the back surface of the installed electronic device. The cavity is at least partially bounded by the protective rim of the cushioning member and extends between the inner surface of the structural member to the back surface of the installed electronic device.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 30, 2018
Date of Patent:
November 27, 2018
Assignee:
Otter Products, LLC
Inventors:
Nathan Northrup, Kevin W. Witter, James M. Prestien, David C. Russell, Erika E. Johnson, Matthew S. Krajec