Patents by Inventor John P. Fitzgerald

John P. Fitzgerald 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).

  • Patent number: 9807211
    Abstract: A protective case for an electronic device includes an inner liner, a first aperture, a second aperture, and an outer shell. The inner liner receives the electronic device and the first aperture permits access to a touchscreen interface of the electronic device. The second aperture permits optical access to a camera of the installed electronic device. The outer shell includes an attachment mechanism for attaching an accessory. The attachment mechanism includes a receiver channel to slidably receive a rail member of the accessory to removably attach the accessory to the protective case. The receiver channel includes a lip for retaining the rail member in the receiver channel. The attachment mechanism further includes a snap feature having an interference fit with a corresponding snap feature of the rail member to removably lock the rail member into the receiver channel when the rail member is inserted into the receiver channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan H. Guerdrum, Russell J. Goldfain, John P. Fitzgerald, Jonathan B. Rayeski, Cameron D. Magness
  • Patent number: 9774713
    Abstract: A protective case system includes a mounting accessory and a protective case. The mounting accessory is attachable to an object and has a dovetail rail member, a snap feature, and an engagement feature. The protective case includes an inner liner and an outer shell. The outer shell is removably attachable to the mounting accessory to removably attach the protective case to the object through the mounting accessory. The outer shell includes a receiver channel in proximity to a first end of the outer shell. The receiver channel is adapted to slidably receive the dovetail rail member of the mounting accessory to removably attach the outer shell of the protective case to the mounting accessory. The outer shell further includes an engagement feature for engaging the engagement feature of the mounting accessory to further removably attach the outer shell to the mounting accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan H. Guerdrum, Russell J. Goldfain, John P. Fitzgerald, Jonathan B. Rayeski, Cameron D. Magness
  • Patent number: 9756916
    Abstract: A protective case for use with an electronic device includes a cushion layer and a structural layer. The cushion layer is configured to cover at least a portion of the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the protective case. The structural layer is configured to surround at least a portion of the cushion layer. The structural layer includes a back portion, at least two side walls, a slot in the back portion for removably retaining a card, and a rack and pinion system configured for selectively ejecting the card, at least partially, from the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Rebecca Lawson, Jonathan B. Rayeski, Larry Holmes, William T. Smith, John P. Fitzgerald, Lucas B. Weller, Kevin W. Witter, Peter J. Gronewoller
  • Publication number: 20170112246
    Abstract: A protective case for use with an electronic device includes a cushion layer and a structural layer. The cushion layer is configured to cover at least a portion of the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the protective case. The structural layer is configured to surround at least a portion of the cushion layer. The structural layer includes a back portion, at least two side walls, a slot in the back portion for removably retaining a card, and a rack and pinion system configured for selectively ejecting the card, at least partially, from the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: REBECCA LAWSON, JONATHAN B. RAYESKI, LARRY HOLMES, WILLIAM T. SMITH, JOHN P. FITZGERALD, LUCAS B. WELLER, KEVIN W. WITTER, PETER J. GRONEWOLLER
  • Patent number: 9560903
    Abstract: A protective case for an electronic device, the protective case having a cushion layer that covers a back surface, a left side surface, a right side surface, a top side surface, and a bottom side surface of the electronic device. A structural layer has a back portion and side wall portions that extend from the back portion and surrounds the cushion layer. A sliding drawer is attached to an outer surface of the back portion of the structural layer. The sliding drawer has a compartment that can store one or more items in the protective case. The sliding drawer can make the items accessible when open and concealed when closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Rebecca Lawson, Jonathan B. Rayeski, Larry Holmes, William T. Smith, John P. Fitzgerald, Lucas B. Weller, Kevin W. Witter, Peter J. Gronewoller
  • Publication number: 20170017268
    Abstract: A protective case system includes a mounting accessory and a protective case. The mounting accessory is attachable to an object and has a dovetail rail member, a snap feature, and an engagement feature. The protective case includes an inner liner and an outer shell. The outer shell is removably attachable to the mounting accessory to removably attach the protective case to the object through the mounting accessory. The outer shell includes a receiver channel in proximity to a first end of the outer shell. The receiver channel is adapted to slidably receive the dovetail rail member of the mounting accessory to removably attach the outer shell of the protective case to the mounting accessory. The outer shell further includes an engagement feature for engaging the engagement feature of the mounting accessory to further removably attach the outer shell to the mounting accessory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Jonathan H. Guerdrum, Russell J. Goldfain, John P. Fitzgerald, Jonathan B. Rayeski, Cameron D. Magness
  • Publication number: 20170019512
    Abstract: A protective case for an electronic device includes an inner liner, a first aperture, a second aperture, and an outer shell. The inner liner receives the electronic device and the first aperture permits access to a touchscreen interface of the electronic device. The second aperture permits optical access to a camera of the installed electronic device. The outer shell includes an attachment mechanism for attaching an accessory. The attachment mechanism includes a receiver channel to slidably receive a rail member of the accessory to removably attach the accessory to the protective case. The receiver channel includes a lip for retaining the rail member in the receiver channel. The attachment mechanism further includes a snap feature having an interference fit with a corresponding snap feature of the rail member to removably lock the rail member into the receiver channel when the rail member is inserted into the receiver channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Jonathan H. Guerdrum, Russell J. Goldfain, John P. Fitzgerald, Jonathan B. Rayeski, Cameron D. Magness
  • Publication number: 20160372973
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: John P. Fitzgerald, Carlton R. Lay
  • Patent number: 9437969
    Abstract: A connection mechanism between two components may use one or more metallic pins that are magnetically extended when the components are engaged, the pins extending into one or more slots. The components are attached in place by the pins extended into the slots during attachment. The connection mechanism may include one or more magnets mounted on either or both components. The magnets may be arranged to attract the components when the components are in the locking orientation and to repel the components when the components are in an unlocked position. The connection mechanism may include electrical connections between the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin W. Witter, John P. Fitzgerald, Jonathan Shea Robinson, Adam D. Center, Larry Holmes
  • Patent number: 9362972
    Abstract: A protective case for an electronic device having an antenna includes a first case member and a second case member. The first case member includes at least two metallic case portions joined to each other by at least one electrical insulator segment that electrically isolates the at least two metallic case portions from each other to reduce electromagnetic interference between the first case member and the antenna of the electronic device. The second case member that attaches to the first case member to form an enclosure that at least partially encloses the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the protective case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: OTTER PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Jamie L. Johnson, Aaron M. Gaylord, Julie T. Pettit, John P. Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20160119014
    Abstract: A protective case for an electronic device having an antenna includes a first case member and a second case member. The first case member includes at least two metallic case portions joined to each other by at least one electrical insulator segment that electrically isolates the at least two metallic case portions from each other to reduce electromagnetic interference between the first case member and the antenna of the electronic device. The second case member that attaches to the first case member to form an enclosure that at least partially encloses the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the protective case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Jamie L. Johnson, Aaron M. Gaylord, Julie T. Pettit, John P. Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20160088912
    Abstract: A protective case for an electronic device, the protective case having a cushion layer that covers a back surface, a left side surface, a right side surface, a top side surface, and a bottom side surface of the electronic device. A structural layer has a back portion and side wall portions that extend from the back portion and surrounds the cushion layer. A sliding drawer is attached to an outer surface of the back portion of the structural layer. The sliding drawer has a compartment that can store one or more items in the protective case. The sliding drawer can make the items accessible when open and concealed when closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: REBECCA LAWSON, JONATHAN B. RAYESKI, LARRY HOLMES, WILLIAM T. SMITH, JOHN P. FITZGERALD, LUCAS B. WELLER, KEVIN W. WITTER, PETER J. GRONEWOLLER
  • Patent number: 9264090
    Abstract: A metallic protective case for an electronic device having an antenna structure includes a first metallic case element and a second metallic case element. The first metallic case element includes at least two metallic case portions joined to each other by a first set of electrical insulators and also includes a lip. The second metallic case element is hingedly attached to the first metallic case element to form a hinged enclosure having an open position and a closed position. The hinged enclosure is adapted to receive the electronic device when in the open position and at least partially enclose the electronic device when in the closed position. The second metallic case element includes at least two metallic case portions joined to each other by a second set of electrical insulators, a first latch portion, and a second latch portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: OTTER PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Jamie L. Johnson, Aaron M. Gaylord, Julie T. Pettit, John P. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 9241551
    Abstract: A protective case for a personal electronic device can include a compartment configured to receive and store an item such as, for example, a credit card, identification card, SIM card, memory card, keys, cosmetics, or cash. The compartment can be a waterproof compartment designed to protect the contents of the compartment from damage in situations where the protective case is exposed to liquids. In some examples, the compartment can include or be configured to receive and store cosmetics, cosmetic tools, or a mirror, and can eliminate the need to carry a separate compact. In some examples, the compartment can include an ejection mechanism configured to eject a credit or identification card from the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: OTTER PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Rebecca Lawson, Jonathan B. Rayeski, Larry Holmes, W. Travis Smith, John P. Fitzgerald, Lucas B. Weller, Kevin W. Witter, Peter J. Gronewoller
  • Patent number: D742220
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: OTTER PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: James V. Eyerman, John P. Fitzgerald, Christopher J. Melanson
  • Patent number: D744471
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: OTTER PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: John P. Fitzgerald, Aaron M. Gaylord, Julie T. Pettit, Jamie Johnson, Matthew S. Firks
  • Patent number: D765643
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: OTTER PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin W. Witter, Matthew S. Krajec, John P. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: D772853
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Wicks, Ryan D. Sellden, Jonathan B. Rayeski, John P. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: D772881
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Tao-Wei Chang, Lucas B. Weller, Richard Rodriguez, John P. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: D810717
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Cameron D. Magness, Jonathan B. Rayeski, John P. Fitzgerald