Patents by Inventor Curtis R. Richardson

Curtis R. Richardson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20090009945
    Abstract: A protective enclosure for a personal electronic device having a shell that is capable of enclosing and substantially surrounding the electronic device disposed to make the shell substantially watertight, substantially rigid and substantially crush-resistant. The enclosure has a transparent protective membrane that is attached to the shell so that the protective membrane is positioned over the touch screen of the electronic device when the electronic device is enclosed in the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Jamie Lee Johnson, Brian P. Thomas, Curtis R. Richardson, Alan Morine
  • Publication number: 20080316687
    Abstract: Disclosed is a three-layer protective enclosure that provides resistance to water, dust, dirt, and bump protection for sensitive electronic devices. In one embodiment, an inner membrane layer is provided, which is a thin, flexible layer that protects portions of the electronic device and allows the user to interact with keyboards, push buttons and other interactive features of the electronic device. A protective hard shell fits tightly over the membrane and provides additional sealing and rigidity to the protective enclosure. A stretchable cushion layer is placed over the hard shell which conforms to the hard shell and seals moisture, dust and dirt from entering the hard shell. The stretchable cushion layer provides cushioning and also allows access to certain controls on the electronic device. In another embodiment, a touch screen cover may be used with, or without, a membrane over other portions of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Curtis R. Richardson, Alan Morine, Brian Thomas, Steven Brian Shockley, Jamie Lee Johnson, Jason Michael Thomas
  • Patent number: 7449650
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-directional activation button disposed on a protective case for activating a multi-directional control device on an electronic device. The multi-directional activation button has a flexible membrane with a top side divided into directional surfaces that are aligned with a plurality of directions of operation of said multi-directional activation button. A membrane supports an extension that engages the multi-directional control device. The membrane has a length from a pivot point that controls the direction and the amount of movement of an activation extension wherein movement from the pivot point simulates an extension of a user's finger depending upon which directional surface of the rubber membrane is depressed by the user's finger. The multi-directional activation button may be utilized for push button activation, toggle slide operations, dial wheel, or joy stick like operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis R. Richardson, Alan Morine, Douglas Kempel
  • Publication number: 20080017493
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-directional activation button disposed on a protective case for activating a multi-directional control device on an electronic device. The multi-directional activation button has a flexible membrane with a top side divided into directional surfaces that are aligned with a plurality of directions of operation of said multi-directional activation button. A membrane supports an extension that engages the multi-directional control device. The membrane has a length from a pivot point that controls the direction and the amount of movement of an activation extension wherein movement from the pivot point simulates an extension of a user's finger depending upon which directional surface of the rubber membrane is depressed by the user's finger. The multi-directional activation button may be utilized for push button activation, toggle slide operations, dial wheel, or joy stick like operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventors: Curtis R. Richardson, Alan Morine, Douglas Kempel
  • Patent number: 7312984
    Abstract: A protective enclosure is disclosed for an interactive flat-panel control device. The protective enclosure is watertight, crush-resistant, and impact-resistant. An electrical adapter may disposed within the protective enclosure and covered with an elastomeric covering that permits a connector of the adapter to flex with respect to the lower shell of the enclosure so that the connector may easily be inserted into an interface jack of the electronic device. The elastomeric covering also provides a watertight seal that enables the protective enclosure to be submersibly watertight. While providing protection, the protective enclosure simultaneously allows smooth and accurate interaction with the interactive flat-panel controlled device. The protective enclosure has a protective membrane that permits RF and touch screen stylus inputs, as well as capacitance, such as from a finger, to be transmitted accurately to the flat-panel control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis R. Richardson, Brian P. Thomas, Douglas A. Kempel, Alan V. Morine
  • Patent number: 7230823
    Abstract: A protective membrane is disclosed for an electronic device that has a touch screen. The touch screen is protected with a membrane adapted to the specific contour and profile of the electronic device and allows the user to use the touch screen interface with no shortcomings. The protective case is further adapted to allow infrared and other communication signals while the device is secured inside the case. Further, electrical connections can be made through the case without affecting the protection afforded the electronic device inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis R. Richardson, Douglas Kempel
  • Patent number: 7180735
    Abstract: A protective enclosure is disclosed for an interactive flat-panel control device. The protective enclosure is watertight, crush-resistant, and impact-resistant. An electrical adapter may disposed within the protective enclosure and covered with an elastomeric covering that permits a connector of the adapter to flex with respect to the lower shell of the enclosure so that the connector may easily be inserted into an interface jack of the electronic device. The elastomeric covering also provides a watertight seal that enables the protective enclosure to be submersibly watertight. While providing protection, the protective enclosure simultaneously allows smooth and accurate interaction with the interactive flat-panel controlled device. The protective enclosure has a protective membrane that permits RF and touch screen stylus inputs, as well as capacitance, such as from a finger, to be transmitted accurately to the flat-panel control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Brian P. Thomas, Curtis R. Richardson, Douglas A. Kempel, Alan V. Morine
  • Patent number: 7158376
    Abstract: A protective enclosure is disclosed for an interactive flat-panel controlled device. The protective enclosure is watertight, crush-resistant, and impact-resistant. While providing protection, the protective enclosure simultaneously allows smooth and accurate interaction with the interactive flat-panel controlled device. The protective enclosure has a protective membrane that permits RF and touch screen stylus inputs, as well as capacitance, such as from a finger, to be transmitted accurately to the flat-panel control. The hardness and texture of the protective membrane allows a stylus or finger to glide smoothly along the surface of the membrane without catching or sticking. The protective enclosure is further adapted to allow infrared and other communication signals while the device is secured inside the case. Further, electrical connections can be made through the case without affecting the protection afforded the electronic device inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis R. Richardson, Douglas A. Kempel
  • Patent number: D514808
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Alan V. Morine, Douglas A. Kempel, Curtis R. Richardson
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    Patent number: D516309
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis R. Richardson, Douglas A. Kempel
  • Patent number: D516553
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis R. Richardson, Douglas A. Kempel
  • Patent number: D516554
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis R. Richardson, Douglas A. Kempel
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    Patent number: D516807
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis R. Richardson, Douglas A. Kempel
  • Patent number: D526780
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis R. Richardson, Douglas A. Kempel
  • Patent number: D530079
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Brian P. Thomas, Curtis R. Richardson, Douglas A. Kempel, Alan V. Morine
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    Patent number: D542524
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis R. Richardson, Alan V. Morine, Douglas A. Kempel
  • Patent number: D557264
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis R. Richardson, Jamie L. Johnson, Alan Morine, Douglas Kempel, Dan Hoekstra
  • Patent number: D557897
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis R. Richardson, Alan Morine
  • Patent number: D581155
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis R. Richardson, Jason M. Thompson, Matthew M. Glanzer, Jamie Lee Johnson, Alan V. Morine
  • Patent number: D581421
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis R. Richardson, Douglas Kempel