CN113940494A

CN113940494A - Protective housing, particularly for a portable audio device system

Info

Publication number: CN113940494A
Application number: CN202110812468.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: M·E·赖特; D·戴尔莫拉尔; B·武; C·W·莱德斯马; B·L·希内切克; L·奥布赖恩; S·戈阿尔德
Original assignee: 新秀丽Ip控股有限责任公司
Current assignee: Speculative Product Design LLC
Priority date: 2020-07-17
Filing date: 2021-07-19
Publication date: 2022-01-18
Also published as: EP3939467A1

Abstract

An outer cover (510,610) for covering a hand-held electronic device or hand-held electronic device case (10), comprising: a base (520), a lid (530), and a collar (560,660). The cover is pivotally attached to the base. The collar is attached to the base and is movable away from the cover such that during movement of the collar away from the cover, the cover rotates away from the base.

Description

Protective housing, particularly for a portable audio device system

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application No.17/109,789 filed on day 12/2 2020, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application No.16/522,408 filed on day 25/7/2019, and this application claims priority to the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application No.63/053,295 filed on day 17/7/2020, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present application relates generally to audio accessories and, more particularly, to a protective case for an audio device system.

Background

Wireless ear plugs, e.g. of apple

Used in cooperation with a charging case. These charging housings are rigid to prevent damage to earplugs contained therein. The charging case is exposed to the outside and is vulnerable to scratches and damage from the environment.

Various covers for housing the charging case of the earplugs have been developed to address these issues, thereby providing significant advantages over using the charging case alone as an outer cover for a wireless earpiece. Silicone, which is soft to the touch, has been the material of choice to provide cushioning when the earplug shell is worn, to provide a friction surface to better grip the shell, and to provide significant scratch resistance.

While these covers have significant advantages over using a charging case alone as the outer cover for a wireless ear bud, such covers also have significant limitations. The use of silicone to provide an outer surface for these covers creates a high friction surface on the cover that makes them difficult to place in and remove from a user's pocket and other tight places. The external hinge of a particular housing or the groove in the base to accommodate the rotation of a cover attached to the base of a particular housing can catch on clothing or other objects in the external environment, which can subject the earplug system and housing to potential dropping or other impact and possible loss.

Enclosures on the market also tend to open involuntarily when caught on clothing or dropped on a hard surface or subjected to other impacts. Furthermore, such a housing can lead to the accumulation of dust and fluff within the charging housing and even on the earplug itself.

Thus, there is a need for safer coverings with lower friction, less snagging and enhanced environmental protection.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention, a housing for covering a handheld electronic device or a handheld electronic device case may include a base, a cover, and a connection portion. The base may include a first base layer that may be made of a first elastomeric material, and a second base layer that may be attached to the first base layer and may be made of a second material different from the first material. The cap may include a first cover layer that may be made of a third elastomeric material, and a second cover layer that may be attached to the first cover layer and may be made of a fourth material different from the third material. The connecting portion may be attached along a rear wall of the base and a rear wall of the cover. The rear wall of the base, the rear wall of the cover, and the connecting portion may be flush when the housing is in a closed state in which the cover covers an opening defined by the base. The connection may suspend the cover when the housing is in a fully open state in which the cover is spaced apart from the base.

In some arrangements, the second and fourth materials may be rigid materials.

In some arrangements, the first base layer and the first cover layer may define an interior of the housing, and the second base layer and the second cover layer may define an exterior of the housing.

In some arrangements, the first and third materials may be the same material, and the second and fourth materials may be the same material.

In some arrangements, the connection may be a hinge such that the cover rotates relative to the base via the connection in a direction away from the base toward a fully open state of the housing.

In some arrangements, the cover may include a cover flange and the base may include a base flange that is closer to an opening defined by the base in the open state of the housing than the cover flange when the housing is in the closed state.

In some arrangements, the housing may also include hooks or loops. The hook or loop may extend from the base. The hook or loop may be integrally formed with the first substrate such that the hook or loop and first substrate may not be separable without rupturing either or both of the hook or loop and first substrate. The hooks or loops may extend from the first substrate through the second substrate.

In some arrangements, the base, the cover and the connecting portion may be integral such that the base, the cover and the connecting portion may not be separable without breaking any one or any combination of the base, the cover and the connecting portion.

In some arrangements, either or both of the base and the cover may be made of a co-molded or co-cast polymer layer.

In some arrangements, either or both of the base and the cover may be made of multiple layers attached by adhesive.

In some arrangements, the first and third materials may each comprise at least one material selected from the group consisting of: thermoplastic elastomers ("TPE"), thermoplastic polyurethanes ("TPU"), silicones, rubbers.

In some arrangements, the second and fourth materials may each comprise at least one material selected from the group consisting of: hardened plastic materials, rigid or semi-rigid plastic materials, rigid rubber materials, polycarbonate materials, metals, alloys, para-aramid materials, wood, glass, mirrors, quartz.

In some arrangements, one or more of the outer surfaces of any one or any combination of the first base layer, the second base layer, the first cap layer, and the second cap layer may include an antimicrobial substance or treatment. In these arrangements, the antimicrobial substance or treatment may be selected from the group consisting of: silver and silver alloys, copper and copper alloys, organosilanes, quaternary ammonium compounds, chlorhexidine, hydroxyapatite materials incorporating chlorhexidine, chlorhexidine-containing polymers, and antibiotics.

In some arrangements, the housing may conform to and may be configured to cover a shell for storing earplugs, which may be a charging shell, which may be wireless earplugs.

In some arrangements, the housing may be configured to cover one or more earplugs, a microphone or a housing thereof, a recorder or a housing thereof, a remote control device or a housing thereof, a pager or a housing thereof, or a video game controller or a housing thereof.

In some arrangements, the housing may further comprise a gasket and a ridge. The gasket may be attached to the cover. The raised ridge may be attached to the cap on a side of the cap opposite the liner. The gasket may be configured to compress the one of the handheld electronic device or handheld electronic device case that is covered by the outer case.

In some such arrangements, the gasket may be attached to the first cover layer and the raised ridge may be attached to the second cover layer.

A handheld electronic device system may comprise: either or both of a handheld electronic device and a handheld electronic device case configured to hold the electronic device, and a housing that encloses the one or both of the electronic device and the electronic device case in a first state and exposes the one or both of the electronic device and the electronic device case in a second state. The housing may include a base, a cover, and a connecting portion. The base may include a first base layer that may be made of a first elastomeric material, and a second base layer that may be attached to the first base layer and may be made of a second material different from the first material. The cap may include a first cover layer that may be made of a third elastomeric material, and a second cover layer that may be attached to the first cover layer and may be made of a fourth material different from the third material. The connecting portion may be attached along a rear wall of the base and a rear wall of the cover. The rear wall of the base, the rear wall of the cover, and the connecting portion may be flush when the housing is in a closed state in which the cover covers an opening defined by the base. The connection may suspend the cover when the housing is in a fully open state in which the cover is spaced apart from the base.

In some arrangements, the handheld electronic device system may include both the handheld electronic device and a handheld electronic device case. In such an arrangement, the handheld electronic device may be held within the electronic device housing.

According to another aspect, a housing for covering a handheld electronic device or a handheld electronic device case includes a base, a cover, and a flexible hinge. The cover may be configured to be placed on the base. The cover may have a first state in which the cover is placed on the base, and a second state in which the cover is spaced apart from the base. The flexible hinge may be attached to the base and the cover. The flexible hinge may be in the form of a curved flap when the lid is in the first state and a parabola when the lid is in the second state.

According to another aspect of the invention, a housing for covering a handheld electronic device or a handheld electronic device case includes a base, a cover, and a collar. The cover is pivotably attached to the base. The collar is slidable along the base and away from the cover such that the cover rotates away from the base when the collar is slid away from the cover.

In some arrangements, either or both of the base and the cover may be made of a co-molded or co-cast polymer layer. In some other arrangements, either or both of the base and the cover may be made of multiple layers attached by adhesive.

In some arrangements, one or more external surfaces of any one or any combination of the base, the cover and the collar may include an antimicrobial substance or treatment. In these arrangements, the antimicrobial substance or treatment may be selected from the group consisting of: silver and silver alloys, copper and copper alloys, organosilanes, quaternary ammonium compounds, chlorhexidine, hydroxyapatite materials incorporating chlorhexidine, chlorhexidine-containing polymers, and antibiotics.

In some arrangements, the housing may conform to and may be configured to cover a shell for storing earplugs.

In some arrangements, rotation of the cover away from the base may be substantially proportional to movement of the collar away from the cover. In some such arrangements, rotation of the cover away from the base may be non-linear but substantially linearly proportional to movement of the collar away from the cover.

In some arrangements, the housing may further comprise a flexible panel. In such an arrangement, the cover may be attached to the collar via the flexible panel. In some arrangements, the flexible panel may act as a hinge. In some arrangements, the flexible panel may be made of fabric and the collar may be injection molded polycarbonate. In some such arrangements, the fabric may be elastic.

In some arrangements, the cover may be rotatable about a pivot axis away from the base. In such an arrangement, the collar may have a collar upper rim that remains below the interface between the cover and the base during rotation of the cover away from the base.

In some arrangements, the collar may include a first side attached to the flexible panel, and a second side attached to the first side. The second side of the collar may be configured to selectively secure one side of the cover to one side of the base such that the housing is in a closed position. In some arrangements, the collar is slidable along the base such that the flexible panel slides with the collar during movement of the collar away from the cover. In some arrangements, the second side of the collar may be latched to the lid in the closed position of the housing. In some arrangements, the second side of the collar may be opposite the first side of the collar.

In some arrangements, the collar may include a latch base and a collar button attached to the latch base. The collar button may be disposed in the latch portion of the lid in a resting state of the collar button. Pressing a portion of the collar button releases the collar button from the latch of the lid and thereby allows the collar to slide along the base.

In some arrangements, the collar includes a latch base and a collar button attached to the latch base. In a first position of the collar button relative to the latch base, a first portion of the collar button may be disposed within the latch portion of the cap. In a second position of the collar button relative to the latch base, a first portion of the collar button may be disposed outside of the latch portion of the cap.

In some arrangements, the collar may further include a resilient element attached to the latch base and the collar button. In some such arrangements, the resilient element may bias the first portion of the collar button towards the first position relative to the collar base.

In some arrangements, the collar may further include a stem received in the latch base. The first portion of the collar button may be located on a first side of the stem. The collar button may be rotatable about the stem such that pressing a second portion of the collar button located on a second side of the stem opposite the first side may cause the first portion of the stem to move opposite the second portion of the collar button.

In some arrangements, at least a portion of the collar may surround an exterior of the base. In some arrangements, at least a portion of the collar may slide along the base.

In some arrangements, the base or the collar may comprise one or more flanges and the other of the base and the collar may comprise one or more recessed tracks. In such an arrangement, the one or more flanges may project into and may slide along respective ones of the one or more tracks.

In some arrangements, the base may include an interior defining a base opening in which the cover may cover the base opening.

In some arrangements, the cap may have a first cap rim along at least a first portion of the cap, and the collar may have a collar upper rim. In such an arrangement, the cover may be rotated away from the base from a closed position of the housing in which the first cover rim abuts the collar upper rim to an open position of the housing in which the first cover rim is spaced from the collar upper rim.

In some arrangements, the base may have a base rim defining a top of the base, the first lid rim may define a bottom of the lid, and the first lid rim may be concave. In this way, the first cover rim may extend below the base rim, and the cover may cover the covered portion of the collar in the open position of the housing.

In some arrangements, the base may be made of a rigid plastics material and the cover may comprise an inner cover layer made of a flexible plastics material and an outer cover layer made of a rigid plastics material. In some such arrangements, the base may have a base rim, the cover outer layer may comprise the first cover rim, and the cover inner layer may comprise the second cover rim. In some such arrangements, the second cover rim may abut the base rim when the housing is in the closed position. In some such arrangements, the cap inner layer may extend beyond the cap outer layer such that the cap inner layer overlaps a portion of the collar when the housing is in the closed position.

In some arrangements, the cap outer surface of the cap and the collar outer surface of the collar are coextensive (coextensive) such that the cap outer surface and the collar outer surface are flush when the housing is in the closed position.

In some arrangements, the housing may further include an attachment member that may extend through the base and may be in the form of a ring. The attachment member may be made of fabric, which may be flexible.

In some arrangements, the base of the housing may define a base aperture that may extend through a thickness of the base. In some such arrangements, the housing may further comprise an end face mask. The end mouth mask may include a mask base attachable to a base of the housing, and a port mask door attachable to the mask base. The port cover door may be rotated from a position covering the seat hole to a position exposing the seat hole, thereby inserting a component through the seat hole. In some arrangements, the base aperture may extend through a bottom of the base of the housing. In some arrangements, the base aperture may be configured to receive a charging plug of a charging adapter known to those skilled in the art.

According to another aspect, the housing and handheld electronic device system may include either or both of a handheld electronic device and a handheld electronic device case configured to hold the electronic device. The housing may enclose or be configured to enclose one or both of the electronic device and the electronic device case in a first state and to expose one or both of the electronic device and the electronic device case in a second state. The housing may be any of the housings described above. For example, the housing may include a base, a cover, and a collar. The cover is pivotably attached to the base. The collar may be attached to the base and movable away from the cover such that during movement of the collar away from the cover, the cover rotates away from the base.

According to another aspect, a housing for covering a handheld electronic device or a handheld electronic device case includes a base, a cover, and a collar. The collar may be attached to the base and the cover such that the cover may pivot relative to the base about a pivot axis. The collar is movable in a direction away from the cover such that during movement of the collar in the direction away from the cover, the cover rotates away from the base.

In some arrangements, the housing may further comprise a resilient panel. In some such arrangements, the collar may be attached to the cover via the resilient panel.

Drawings

The subject matter of the present invention and the various advantages thereof may be more completely understood by referring to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a top perspective view of an audio device system (shown in phantom) enclosed by a protective enclosure shown in an open state, according to an embodiment;

fig. 2 is a top perspective view of the enclosure of fig. 1 shown in an open state, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the housing of FIG. 2 shown in an open state;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the housing of FIG. 2 shown in an open state;

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the housing of FIG. 2 shown in an open state;

FIG. 6 is a left side view of the housing of FIG. 2 shown in an open state;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the housing of FIG. 2 shown in an open state;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the housing of FIG. 2 shown in an open state;

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the housing of FIG. 2 shown in an open condition;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the enclosure of FIG. 1 shown in a closed state, in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a front view of the housing of FIG. 10 shown in a closed state;

FIG. 12 is a rear view of the housing of FIG. 10 shown in a closed state;

FIG. 13 is a right side view of the housing of FIG. 10 shown in a closed position;

FIG. 14 is a left side view of the housing of FIG. 10 shown in a closed position;

FIG. 15 is a top view of the housing of FIG. 10 shown in a closed state;

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the housing of FIG. 10 shown in a closed state;

FIG. 17 is a bottom perspective view of the housing of FIG. 10 shown in a closed condition;

FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of a protective enclosure shown in an open state according to another embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a front view of the housing of FIG. 18 shown in an open state;

FIG. 20 is a top perspective view of a protective enclosure shown in an open state according to another embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a right side cross-sectional view of a protective enclosure shown in a closed state according to another embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a right side sectional view of an in-process containment shield;

FIG. 23 is a bottom perspective view of an outer cover layer of the enclosure of FIGS. 1, 10, 18, and 20 according to another embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a top perspective view of a protective enclosure shown in an open state according to another embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a bottom perspective view of the housing of FIG. 24 shown in an open condition;

fig. 26 is a top perspective view of an earplug device storage system shown in an open state according to an embodiment;

fig. 27A is a front left perspective view of a housing shown in a closed state, under an embodiment;

FIG. 27B is a front left cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 27A taken along line 27B-27B;

FIG. 27C is a front left perspective view of the housing of FIG. 27A shown in an open state;

FIG. 27D is a front left cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 27A shown in an open state;

FIG. 27E is an exploded view of the housing of FIG. 27A;

FIG. 28A is a front left perspective view of the upper subassembly of the housing of FIG. 27A shown in an open state;

FIG. 28B is a left bottom perspective view of the upper subassembly of FIG. 28A shown in a closed state;

FIG. 28C is a right rear perspective view of the upper subassembly of FIG. 28A shown in a closed state;

FIG. 29 is a left bottom perspective view of the lower subassembly of the housing of FIG. 27A;

FIG. 30 is a left bottom perspective view of the upper subassembly of FIG. 28A;

FIG. 31A is a front left perspective view of the housing of FIG. 27A without the collar;

FIG. 31B is a right rear perspective view of the housing of FIG. 27A without the collar;

FIG. 32 is an enlarged view of the front of the section of the housing shown in FIG. 27B;

FIG. 33A is a bottom view of the housing of FIG. 27A;

FIG. 33B is a top cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 27A taken along line 33B-33B;

fig. 34A is a front left perspective view of the housing shown in a closed and latched state, under an embodiment;

FIG. 34B is a front left perspective cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 34A taken along line 34B-34B;

FIG. 34C is a rear view of the housing of FIG. 34A shown in a closed state;

FIG. 35A is a front left perspective view of the housing of FIG. 34A shown in a closed and unlocked state; and

FIG. 35B is a front left perspective cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 34A as shown in FIG. 35A taken along line 35B-35B.

Detailed Description

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 that are conventional in the art. Those skilled 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.

Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include each sub-range and number within the disclosed range, including whole integers and fractional numbers, individually. For example, the disclosure of a range of 1-100 is intended to disclose 10-90, 40-70, 29.5-60.2, 65, 57.3, 94.512924 individually, as well as all other ranges and numbers falling within the stated range.

Referring now to fig. 1, an audio device system 5 includes a left ear plug 6, a right ear plug 7, a charging case 10, a shackle 18, and a housing 20. The charging case 10 includes a charging base 12, and a charging cover 15 attached to the charging base. The charging base 12 comprises a left base cavity 13 and a right base cavity 14, the shape of which corresponds to the respective shape of the bottom of the left 6 and right 7 earplugs. The charging cover 15 comprises a left cover cavity 16 and a right cover cavity 17, the shape of which corresponds to the respective shape of the top of the left ear plug 6 and the right ear plug 7, such that when the cover is closed, the left ear plug is enclosed by the left base cavity 13 and the left cover cavity, and the right ear plug is enclosed by the right base cavity 14 and the right cover cavity 17.

As shown, the housing 20 includes a base 30, and a cover 40 attached to the base by a connection 50 and closable onto the base. The base 30 covers the entire outer surface of the charging base 12, and the cover 40 covers the entire outer surface of the charging cover 15, so that the entire charging case is enclosed by the housing after the cover is closed onto the base of the housing 20 with the charging case 10 arranged inside the base (see fig. 10 and 17). During use of the housing 20 in the open position as shown in fig. 2-9 or the closed position as shown in fig. 10-17, only one or neither of the left 6 and right 7 earplugs is properly received in the respective left 13 and right 14 base cavities of the charging base 12.

Referring now to fig. 2-9, the base portion 30 of the housing 20 includes an inner base layer 31 and an outer base layer 32 attached to the inner base layer to form a base receptacle 33 defined by the inner base layer. As in the illustrated embodiment, the base receptacle 33 may conform to or substantially conform to the shape of the charging base 12 of the charging enclosure 10 such that the charging base is held in place by the base receptacle in any orientation of the charging base, including when the housing 20 is in the open position. The cover portion 40 of the housing 20 includes an inner cover layer 41 and an outer cover layer 42 attached to the inner cover layer to form a cover receiving portion 43 defined by the inner cover layer. The cover receptacle 43 conforms or substantially conforms to the shape of the charging cover 15 of the charging enclosure 10 such that the charging cover is held in place by the cover receptacle in any orientation of the charging cover, including when the housing 20 is in the open position. One or both of the combination of inner base layer 31 and outer base layer 32 and the combination of inner cap layer 41 and outer cap layer 42 may be co-molded/co-cast together or otherwise permanently secured to each other, such as with an adhesive, in the manner further described in U.S. patent No.8,755,852 and U.S. patent application publication nos. 2019/0075899a1 and 2019/0075900a1, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The thickness of each of the inner base layer 31, the inner cap layer 41, the outer base layer 32, and the outer cap layer 42 may be in the range of 0.5mm to 2.0 mm. Further, the total thickness of each of the combination of the inner base layer 31 and the outer base layer 32 and the combination of the inner cap layer 41 and the outer cap layer 42 may be in the range of 1.0mm to 5.0 mm. In some arrangements, either or both of the combination of inner base layer 31 and outer base layer 32 may be a single base layer, and the combination of inner cap layer 41 and outer cap layer 42 may be a single cap layer.

As shown in the embodiment of fig. 2, the connecting portion 50 serves as a flexible hinge. In this embodiment, the connecting portion 50 extends across and along the rear wall 67 of the base portion 30 and the rear wall 77 of the cover portion 40. In this embodiment, the coupling portion 50 is overmolded onto the cover portion 40 and includes tabs (not shown) that snap into corresponding holes in the outer base layer 32 to prevent the coupling portion from being pulled out of the outer base layer and to retain the coupling portion in the outer base layer. In an alternative arrangement, the connectors may be overmolded onto the base 30 and snapped into corresponding holes in the outer cover layer 42. In other alternative arrangements, the connecting portion may be attached to the base and cover in another manner, such as by using an adhesive or by other mechanical connections. When the housing 20 is in the closed position, the connecting portion 50 is generally in the form of a curved tab, as shown in the embodiment of fig. 12-14. In this manner, when the housing 20 is in the closed position, the rear wall 67 of the base 30, the connecting portion 50, and the rear wall 77 of the cover 40 are flush so that these parts do not catch on other objects during use of the housing. The connecting portion 50 is generally in the form of a paraboloid when the housing 20 is in the open position, as shown in the embodiments of fig. 2, 5 and 6. In this way, the cover 40 attached to the connection portion 50 is rotated upward and away from the base 30 during opening of the housing 20.

As shown, the housing 20 also includes an attachment ring 60 extending from the base 30. A separate hook, key ring, shackle 18, or the like may be attached to the attachment ring 60 to facilitate carrying the housing 20 and its contents, or to facilitate attaching the housing 20 and its contents to other objects, such as a user's bag or belt. Attachment loops 60 extend from inner base layer 31 and through the openings defined by outer base layer 32. In some arrangements, attachment ring 60 is integral with inner base layer 31 such that the attachment ring is inseparable from the inner base layer without breaking. In other arrangements, the attachment ring 60 may be connected to the inner base layer 31 by: a binder; a tight interference fit within the inner base layer; a flange extending from the attachment ring and preventing separation of the attachment ring from the inner base layer; or by other means known to those skilled in the art. As in the illustrated embodiment, the corner formed by the bottom wall 34 and the side wall 36 of the base 30 may be truncated such that a majority of the attachment ring 60 (see fig. 3) extends at an oblique angle to the bottom wall and the side wall of the base within the truncated region of the base. In this manner, the attachment ring 60 is configured to minimize possible obstructions or other disturbances on objects in the external environment. The attachment ring 60 extends from the ring insert 78 and is integral with the ring insert 78 in the illustrated embodiment. The ring insert 78 includes tabs (not shown) that snap into corresponding holes in the outer base layer 32 to prevent the ring insert from pulling out of the outer base layer and to retain the ring insert in the outer base layer. In some alternative arrangements, the attachment loops 60 may be in the form of hooks. In this manner, the attachment ring 60 may be attached directly to a bag or strap loop or other object.

The front wall 37 of the base 30 of the housing 20 includes a base flange 35 disposed in and extending from a base recess 38 of the base, and the front wall 47 of the lid 40 of the housing includes a lid flange 45 disposed in and extending from a lid flap 48 of the lid. The lid flap 48 is located on the lid portion 40 and the base recess 38 is located on the base portion 30 such that, upon closing the outer shell 20, the lid flap is received in the base recess, as shown in fig. 10, 11 and 13-17. The cover flange 45 is aligned with the base flange 35 such that upon closing the housing 20, the cover flange overlaps and underlies the base flange such that the base flange is closer to the base opening 39 of the base receptacle 33 than the cover flange. As shown in the embodiment, either or both of the base flange 35 and the cover flange 45 are configured with undercuts such that a tip of the other of the base flange and the cover flange is received within such undercut or undercuts when the outer shell 20 is in the closed position. The use of undercuts inhibits relative sliding between the base flange 35 and the lid flange 45, making the closure of the base 30 onto the lid 40 more secure. In some alternative arrangements, one or more double hinge latches known to those skilled in the art may be used in place of or in conjunction with flanges like the base flange 35 and the lid flange 45. Such a double hinge latch may be in the form of a latch used on fishing tackle boxes that are commercially sold today.

As with the embodiment shown in fig. 1-17, the housing 20 may define additional openings or cutouts at various locations to allow access to various buttons, ports, or features of the protected device, such as the charging housing 10, without having to remove the protected device 10 from the housing. For example, the opening 91 through the front wall 37 of the housing 20 is configured to expose a light indicator, such as a Light Emitting Diode (LED) indicator, of the charging case 10 to allow the user to be alerted when the charging of the earplugs 6, 7 is complete or additional charging is required, depending on the default settings of the LED indicator. As another example, the opening 92 extends through the port insert 64 received in the aperture defined by the bottom wall 34 to provide access to the charging port of the charging base 12. In this embodiment, the port insert 64 includes tabs (not shown) that snap into corresponding holes in the outer base layer 32 to inhibit the port insert from being pulled out of the outer base layer and to retain the port insert in the outer base layer. The port insert 64 includes a port body 65 and

port ribs

66A, 66B attached to opposite sides of the top of the port body. The port body 65 defines a lead-in chamfer and the

port ribs

66A, 66B in combination with the top of the port body define an opening 92. The lead-in chamfer of the port body 65 and the

port ribs

66A, 66B provide a guide for insertion of a peripheral component of a connector, such as a power plug, through the opening 92, in which the port ribs provide a slight resistance during insertion of the peripheral component and thereby provide tactile feedback to the user that the connector is received in the opening.

The inner base layer 31, inner cover layer 41 and port insert 64 may preferably be made of an elastomer or other suitable flexible material. Preferred materials include thermosets with a hardness of shore 30D to shore 100D, polycarbonates, poly (methyl methacrylate) ("PMMA"), metals, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene ("ABS"), PMMA, polyethylene terephthalate ("PET"), high hardness thermoplastic elastomers ("TPEs") with a hardness of shore 30D to shore 100D, and thermoplastic polyurethanes ("TPU"), and any combination thereof. In some arrangements, one or both of inner base layer 31 and inner cover layer 41 may be made of a non-Newtonian intumescent material, as further described in U.S. patent application publication nos. 2019/0075899a1 and 2019/0075900a 1. The inner base layer 31 and the inner lid layer 41 are preferably made of the same material, although these layers may be made of different materials.

Outer base layer 32 and outer cover layer 42 preferably may be made of a rigid or hard material to create a rigid/hard shell that provides at least some impact protection as well as protection from being punctured by the impact of a sharp object. Preferred hard/rigid materials include hardened plastic materials, rigid or semi-rigid plastic materials, rigid/hard rubber materials, polycarbonate materials, metals, alloys, para-aramid materials, wood, glass, mirrors, quartz, and any combination thereof, and may have any color or texture. Such materials may be the same as or mimic the one or more materials used for the charging case 10. The outer base layer 32 and the outer cover layer 42 are preferably made of the same material, although these layers may be made of different materials.

Any one or any combination of the surfaces of inner base layer 31, outer base layer 32, inner cover layer 41, and outer cover layer 42 that are exposed to the user in one or both of the open and closed positions of housing 20 may be treated with an antimicrobial material as a coating, or any of these

layers

31, 32, 41, 42 may have an antimicrobial material embedded in such layers. Preferred antimicrobial materials include silver or silver alloys (e.g., zirconium silver sodium hydrogen phosphate), copper or copper alloys, organosilanes, quaternary ammonium compounds (e.g., dimethyloctadecyl (3-trimethoxysilylpropyl) ammonium chloride, alkyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, and didecyldimethylammonium chloride), chlorhexidine, hydroxyapatite materials incorporating chlorhexidine, polymers containing chlorhexidine (e.g., polylactide containing chlorhexidine), and antimicrobial drugs (e.g., gentamicin, cephalosporin, carbenicillin, amoxicillin, cephalosporins, tobramycin, vancomycin). Preferred antimicrobial coatings include coatings comprising any of the above antimicrobial materials, a chlorhexidine-containing polylactide coating on the anodized surface, and a polymer with chlorhexidine and a calcium phosphate coating. These antimicrobial treatments help reduce the presence of and prevent the growth of microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc.), thereby helping to prevent the spread of the associated disease, disorder, or illness.

Referring now to fig. 18-20, in an alternative arrangement, the housing 120 is identical or substantially identical to the housing 20, except that the housing 120 includes a cover 140 instead of the cover 40. The cap 140 is identical or substantially identical to the cap 40, except that the cap 140 includes an inner cap layer 141 defining a recess 151 and also includes a liner 152 received in the recess. The liner 152 extends beyond the inner cap layer 141 and is oriented such that the liner opposes the raised ridge 55 of the outer cap layer 42. In this manner, upon insertion of the charging cover 15 of the charging shell 10 into the housing 120, the gasket 152 and the raised ridge 55 each contact the charging cover to help retain the charging cover in place in the housing. In the illustrated embodiment, the gasket 152 may be made of silicone or other resilient material such that the gasket may be flexible to provide an interference fit with the inserted charging cover 15 and provide a friction surface to further assist in retaining the charging cover in the housing 120.

Referring now to fig. 21 and 22, in another alternative arrangement, the outer shell 220 is identical or substantially identical to the outer shell 20, except that the outer shell 220 includes an upper inner base layer 231A and a lower inner base layer 231B in place of the inner base layer 31. The lower inner base layer 231B is symmetrical about an axis extending from the top to the bottom of the outer shell 220 and further has a generally hourglass shape defined by upper wings 281 (only one upper wing is shown because the other wing is symmetrical to the upper wing shown) and lower wings 282 (only one lower wing is shown because the other wing is symmetrical to the lower wing shown), and the upper base layer 231A extends within the remainder of the outer shell 220 such that the upper inner base layer 231A and the lower inner base layer 231B together take the same form as the inner base layer 31 of the outer shell 20. The thickness of the lower inner base layer 231B defines an undercut 283 extending beyond the bottom 284 of the upper inner base layer 231A to prevent the upper inner base layer from being pulled out of the housing 220. The thickness of the upper inner base layer 231A extends beyond the lower wing 282 of the lower inner base layer 231B to prevent the lower inner base layer from being pulled out of the outer shell 220.

As shown in FIG. 23, the bottom side of the outer cap layer 42 includes a pair of

ridges

44A, 44B having central axes that extend in parallel planes. Outer cover 42 is used for

housings

20, 120, 220, etc.

Referring now to fig. 24 and 25, in another alternative arrangement, the housing 320 is substantially identical to the housing 20, with the notable exception that the housing 320 generally includes a base 330 in place of the base 30, a cover 340 in place of the cover 40, and a connector 350 in place of the connector 50. The base 330 includes an inner base layer 331, the inner base layer 331 having a base rib 339 defining an opening 339A along a top of the inner base layer, instead of the inner base layer 31 excluding such base rib. When the charging base is inserted into the base receptacle 333 defined by the inner base layer 331, the base rib 339 provides additional friction against the charging base 12 relative to surfaces without such ribs. Base 330 further includes a port insert 364 that is substantially identical to port insert 64, except for the following notable differences: the port insert 364 does not include

port ribs

66A, 66B so that the opening 392 defined by the port insert provides less resistance to any connectors of a power cord or other peripheral device inserted into the opening. The connecting portion 350 of the housing 320 includes

tabs

354A, 354B that are different from the corresponding tabs of the connecting portion 50 of the housing 20 and extend into

corresponding holes

368A, 368B of the inner base layer 331. In this manner, unlike inner base layer 31 of housing 20, inner base layer 331 does not press against

tabs

354A, 354B.

Instead of the inner cap layer 41 not having such a cap rib, the cap 340 includes an inner cap layer 341 having a cap rib 349 along the bottom of the inner cap layer. When the charging cover is inserted into the cover receiving portion 343 defined by the inner cover layer 341, the cover ribs 349 provide additional friction against the charging cover 15 relative to surfaces without such ribs.

Referring now to fig. 26, 27A and 27B, an earbud device storage system 501 includes a charging case 10 and a housing 510 in which the charging case is located. In the example shown, the storage system 501 is formed to include (not shown) an earplug (e.g., of apple Inc.)

A wireless headset). Referring to fig. 26 to 27D, the housing 510 includes a base 520 and a cover 530, wherein the cover 530 rotates with the cover of the charging case 10 from a closed position to an open position, as in the example shown in fig. 26, to allow access to earplugs that may be inserted into the charging case for charging and storage. In the closed position of the housing 510 (see fig. 27A), the cover 530 completely covers the opening of the base 520 for receiving the charging case 10, and the cover is further secured to the collar 560, thereby securing the charging case and its contents within the housing. In this way, the charging enclosure 10 may be dust proof, such that the housing 510 may have an IP5X rating according to IEC 60529 (also EN 60529). In the case where this criterion is satisfied, dust entering the outer case 510 during the test does not enter the charging case 10. The lid 530 is opened by depressing and pushing or pulling the collar rod 565 of the collar 560 in a direction away from the lid 530 to release the latching connection between the collar and the lid (see fig. 32), and simultaneously causing the collar to pull the lid, thereby pivoting the lid away from the base 520 and exposing the charged enclosure 10 to access the enclosure and its contents. The housing 510 operates in a substantially similar manner as the housing 520 described above with respect to storing a charging housing, such as the charging housing 10.

Referring now to fig. 27A-27E, the housing 510 further includes a flexible panel 550, a collar 560 slidably attached to the base 520 and to the cover 530 through the flexible panel, a port cover 580, and an attachment member 590. The cap 530 includes a cap inner layer 531, and a cap outer layer 533 attached to the cap inner layer, for example, by co-molding (co-molding), co-casting, or adhesive as known to those skilled in the art. The cover inner layer 531 may be a flexible layer as further described herein and have a cover inner layer rim 532, and the cover outer layer 533 may be a rigid layer as further described herein and have a cover outer layer rim 534. The lid inner layer 531 defines an interior of the lid and the lid outer layer 533 defines an exterior of the lid, with the lid inner layer extending beyond the lid outer layer rim 534 such that the lid inner layer rim 532 is spaced apart from the lid outer layer rim.

As shown in fig. 28A-29, the housing 510 may be divided into an upper sub-assembly 511 and a lower sub-assembly 512. The upper subassembly 511 includes a cover 530, a collar 560, and a flexible panel 550 that attaches the cover to the collar so that the cover can pivot away from the collar, as shown by the comparison between fig. 28A and 28B, 28C. The components of upper subassembly 511 may be assembled and held together without being attached to lower subassembly 512. As shown in fig. 30, the flexible panel 550 may be mounted and extend between the cover panel recess 539 of the cover 530 and the collar panel recess 563 of the collar 560 such that the flexible panel may be flush with the top edges of the cover panel recess and the collar panel recess, or rest below these top edges as in the example of fig. 30.

Referring again to fig. 29 and further now to fig. 31A and 31B, the lower subassembly 512 includes a base 520, a port cover 580, and an attachment member 590 that can be assembled and held together without attachment to the upper subassembly 511. As shown, the base 520 includes a base body 521 having a base rim 522,

base side flanges

523A,523B extending from the left and right sides of the base body, base

rear flanges

524A,524B extending from the rear side of the base body, and base

front flanges

525A,525B, which will be described below. As shown in figures 527B, 531A, 531B and 532, the cover inner layer rim 532 abuts the base rim 522 along the front side (i.e., the side opposite the flexible panel 550), and at least along the respective left and right sides adjacent the front side of the cover inner layer 531 and the base 52, when the housing 510 is in the closed position. In this manner, dust and other particles (e.g., lint) may be prevented from entering the housing 510 when the housing is in the closed position.

Referring now to fig. 27E and 29-31B in conjunction with fig. 27A-27D, the collar 560 includes a circumferential band 562 configured to wrap around the base 520, and a collar latch 561 attached to the circumferential band. In some arrangements, as shown in embodiments, the inner surface of the circumferential band 562 can be sized such that all or at least a portion of the circumferential band contacts all or a majority of the circumference of the outer surface of the base 520 during opening of the cover 530 by sliding the collar 560 along the base 520. As shown in fig. 27B, 27C, 28B, 28C, and 32, collar 560 has collar upper rim 564 that abuts lid outer rim 534 when housing 510 is in the closed position. In this manner, dust and other particles may be further prevented from entering the housing 510 when the housing is in the closed position. Collar 560 also includes a front rail recess 571 and rear rail recesses 573A,573B on a side of the collar opposite the front rail recess, and a left rail recess 574A and a right rail recess 574B between respective ones of the front and rear rail recesses. In this manner, when the upper subassembly 511 is properly assembled to the lower subassembly 512, the base

front flanges

525A,525B are received in the front rail recesses 571, the base

rear flanges

524A,524B are received in the respective rear rail recesses 573A,573B, and the

base side flanges

523A, 524B are received in the respective left and right rail recesses 574A,574B such that the collar can slide along the base 520 toward and away from the cover 530.

Referring now to fig. 27C, 27D, 28A-28C, and 32, the lid outer layer 533 of the lid 530 includes a lid catch 535, the lid catch 535 defining a lid catch recess 536 and having a lid catch hook head 537 at one end of the lid catch. Collar latch 561 of collar 560 includes a collar latch body that protrudes from circumferential band 562 at the front of housing 510. A collar hook 566 extends from one end of the collar latch body 561A and defines a collar hook recess 567 configured to be received into the lid snap recess 536, while a collar rod 565 extends from the other end of the collar latch body opposite the collar hook. The collar rod 565 is spaced from the base 520 such that the collar rod can be depressed inwardly toward the base to rotate the collar hook 566 away from the lid catch 535. When collar hook 566 is rotated sufficiently away from cover catch 535 while being subjected to a downward force (e.g., a pushing or pulling force in a direction toward the bottom of base 520 and thus toward the bottom of housing 510) applied to collar latch 561, cover 530 is released from the position held by the collar latch. Applying sufficient downward force to collar latch 561 or to any other portion of collar 560 while the cover is released pulls flexible panel 550 in a direction toward the bottom of base 520, pulling the rear of cover 530 opposite cover snaps 535 in the same direction, causing cover 530 to rotate about an axis defined by the rearward-most portion 534A of cover outer rim 534, as shown in fig. 28C. In this manner, in some arrangements, when collar 560 is pulled or pushed downward, flexible panel 550 is sufficiently resilient that it stretches sufficiently to create a gap through the small gap between cover outer rim 534 and collar upper rim 564 and thereby allow rearward portion 534A of cover outer rim 534 to rotate inward toward base 520 during rotation of cover 530 relative to the base. The rearward portion 534A is slightly raised relative to the rest of the lid outer rim 534 and the top ends of the track recesses 571,573A,573B of the collar 560 each provide a respective lip as a stop for their respective flanges 24A, 24B, 25A, 25B of the base 520 so that when the flanges contact the top ends of the recesses, the lid 530 rotates to a fully open state. Rearward portion 534A further creates a gap so that when cover 530 is fully rotated relative to the base, rearward portion 534A of cover outer rim 534 is below base rim 522 and below the rear of collar upper rim 564 and is not disturbed by interference from the base (see fig. 27C and 27D showing the cover and base in the middle of the cover rotation process) or from collar 560 (see fig. 27C and 28A showing the cover and collar in the middle of the cover rotation process). In the illustrated embodiment, collar 560 can slide downward such that collar upper rim 564 is initially below cover outer rim 534 when cover 530 is fully rotated, as shown in fig. 27D, but upon release of the collar, the resilience of flexible panel 550 can be sufficient to pull the collar upward such that the rear of the collar upper rim is higher than rearward portion 534A of outer rim 534. Thus, the generally raised configuration of the rearward portion 534A allows the cover 530 to be more fully opened than if the rearward portion were not raised relative to the remainder of the cover outer rim 534, and further provides a gap for the flexible panel 550 when the cover is rotated to be fully opened. When the lid 530 is rotated to full open, the rearward portion 534A of the lid outer layer rim 534 is aligned in a vertical direction generally near but below the base rim 522 such that the lid outer layer rim 534 abuts the rearward side of the base 520 in this open state.

As further shown in fig. 32, a base lens (lens)527 is inserted into base 520 and a collar lens 575 is inserted into collar 560. The base 520 further includes a base lens cavity 528 and a base lens aperture 529 that extends through the thickness of the base 520, and similarly the collar 560 further includes a collar lens cavity 576 and a collar lens aperture 577 that extends through the thickness of the collar 560 at the collar latch 561. The base lens aperture 529 and the collar lens aperture 577 are configured and aligned such that a user of the earplug apparatus storage system 501 may visually see light emitted by the charging case 10, such as a Light Emitting Diode (LED) indicating power or charging, when the housing 510 is in the closed position. Base lens 527 is inserted, for example by interference fit, adhesive or both, into base lens cavity 528 which forms the counterbore of base lens hole 529 and similarly collar lens 575 is inserted into collar lens cavity 576 which forms the counterbore of collar lens hole 577. The base lens 527 and collar lens 575, which may preferably be in the form of thin films, prevent dust and other particles from intruding while allowing light to pass through both the base 520 and collar 560 when the cover 530 of the housing 510 is in the closed position.

Referring now to fig. 27E, 33A and 33B, a port cover 580 of the housing 510 extends through the thickness of the base 520 at the bottom of the base to allow access to the housing, for example to allow a charging plug to be inserted into the charging enclosure 10 through the port cover. The end cap 580 includes a cap base 581 secured inside the base 520 and a port cap door 582 affixed along one side of the cap base such that the port cap door can be rotated from a position covering a hole through the bottom of the base 520 to a position outside the base, allowing the charging enclosure 10 to be exposed and accessed.

Still referring to fig. 27E, 33A, and 33B, the housing 510 further includes an attachment member 590 inserted through the thickness of the bottom corner of the base 520. The attachment member 590 includes a ring base 591 fixed to the interior of the base 520, and an attachment ring 592 attached to or integral with the ring base. The attachment loop 592 is configured to attach to a hook or other similar attachment and may be, but is not limited to being, made of a flexible textile such that when the attachment loop is attached to such an attachment, the attachment loop may stretch away from the attachment to enable easier access to the housing 510 and thus to the charging case 10 or other components of the earplug apparatus storage system 501 when the charging case is inserted into the housing.

The cover inner layer 531, port cover 580 and attachment member 590 preferably may be made of an elastomer or other suitable flexible material. Preferred materials include thermosets with a hardness of shore 30D to shore 100D, polycarbonates, poly (methyl methacrylate) ("PMMA"), metals, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene ("ABS"), PMMA, polyethylene terephthalate ("PET"), high hardness thermoplastic elastomers ("TPEs") with a hardness of shore 30D to shore 100D, and thermoplastic polyurethanes ("TPU"), and any combination thereof. In some arrangements, the cover inner layer 531, port cover 580, and attachment member 590 can be made of a non-newtonian expanding material, as further described in U.S. patent application publication nos. 2019/0075899a1 and 2019/0075900a 1. The cover inner layer 531, port cover 580, and attachment member 590 can be made of the same material or of a different material than the material of any or both of the cover inner layer, port cover, and attachment member.

The base 520 and cap outer layer 533 may preferably be made of a rigid or hard material to create a rigid/hard shell that provides at least some impact protection and protection from impact penetration by sharp objects. Preferred hard/rigid materials include hardened plastic materials, rigid or semi-rigid plastic materials, rigid/hard rubber materials, polycarbonate materials, metals, alloys, para-aramid materials, wood, glass, mirrors, quartz, and any combination thereof, and may be any color or texture. Such materials may be the same as the materials used for the charging case 10 or may mimic the materials used for the charging case 10. The base 520 and the cover outer layer 533 are preferably made of the same material, although the layers may be made of different materials.

Any one or any combination of the surfaces of the base 520, the cover inner layer 531, the cover outer layer 533, the collar 560, the port cover 580, and the attachment member 590 exposed to the user in one or both of the open and closed positions of the housing 520 may be treated with an antimicrobial material as a coating, or any of these

components

520, 531, 533, 560, 580, and 590 may have an antimicrobial material embedded in such layers. Preferred antimicrobial materials include silver or silver alloys (e.g., zirconium silver sodium hydrogen phosphate), copper or copper alloys, organosilanes, quaternary ammonium compounds (e.g., dimethyloctadecyl (3-trimethoxysilylpropyl) ammonium chloride, alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, and didecyldimethylammonium chloride), chlorhexidine, hydroxyapatite materials incorporating chlorhexidine, polymers containing chlorhexidine (e.g., chlorhexidine-containing polylactide), and antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin, cephalosporin, carbenicillin, amoxicillin, cephalosporins, tobramycin, vancomycin). Preferred antimicrobial coatings include coatings comprising any of the above antimicrobial materials, a chlorhexidine-containing polylactide coating on the anodized surface, and a polymer with chlorhexidine and a calcium phosphate coating. These antimicrobial treatments help reduce the presence of and prevent the growth of microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc.), thereby helping to prevent the spread of the associated disease, disorder, or illness.

It should be understood that the following are all within the scope of the present invention: housings for other audio device systems (such as, but not limited to, microphones, recorders, etc.) that may or may not be enclosed or fitted with a charging case or cradle; and housings for other hand-held electronic device systems (such as, but not limited to, remote controls, pagers, video game sticks or other controllers, etc.) that may or may not be enclosed or equipped with a charging case or charging dock.

Referring now to fig. 34A-35B, in another alternative arrangement, the housing 610 (which may be part of an earplug apparatus storage system such as system 501) is the same or substantially the same as the housing 510, except that the housing 610 includes a collar 660 instead of the collar 560. The collar 660 attaches to the base 520 and the cover 530 in the same manner as the collar 560 attaches to the base 520 and the cover 530. The collar 660 generally includes a collar latch base 661, a circumferential band 662 attached to the collar latch base and surrounding the base 520, a collar button 670, a collar fulcrum 677, and a collar resilient element 678. As shown, collar fulcrum 677 may be a rod received in collar latch base 661. The collar fulcrum 677, when in the form of a rod, may be attached to the collar latch base 661, for example, by insertion into a groove or hole of the latch base 661. As further shown, in this embodiment, the collar resilient element 678 may be a V-shaped spring that may be made of sheet metal, although other compressible or other resilient elements known to those skilled in the art, such as leaf springs, may be used. As in this embodiment, both the collar button 670 and the collar latch base 661 can be attached to opposite sides of the resilient element 678, for example, by an adhesive, a fastener such as a screw, a snap fit, or any other mechanical means known to those skilled in the art. In this manner, the collar resilient member 678 may pre-position the collar button 670 in an upright resting position, as shown in fig. 34B. Accordingly, when the cover 530 is in the closed state, the button hook 676 on one end of the collar button 670 is received in the cover snap recess 536 to lock the cover to the closed state relative to the base 520. In this closed state, a charging case (e.g., charging case 10) with or without an encapsulating earplug may be encased and secured within the housing 610 in a manner similar to the manner in which the charging case is encased and secured within the housing 510.

As shown in fig. 35A and 35B, pressing collar button release 675, which may be designated by a recess in the collar button and may be adjacent to collar cover 663, causes collar button 670 to rotate about collar fulcrum 677. In this manner, the button hook 676 rotates away from the cover snap recess and is released therefrom. In the same manner as the housing 510, sufficient downward force applied to the collar 660 causes the cover 530 to open relative to the base 520 through the flexible panel 550. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the band 662 of the collar 660 may include a rear recess 665 opposite the recess of the collar button release 675. The rear recess 655 may allow at least some users to better grip the collar than if such a recess were eliminated. Such a recess may also be included on the belt 662 as desired. As shown in fig. 34A and 35A, the collar cover 663 may extend around a portion of the collar button 670, and in particular around the collar button release 675, to prevent inadvertent depression of the collar button, and thus inadvertent opening of the outer shell 610.

It is noted that the terminology used above is used for the purpose of reference only and is not intended to be limiting. For example, terms such as "upper," "lower," "above," "below," "rightward," "leftward," "upward," "downward," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise" refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. As another example, terms such as "inwardly" and "outwardly" may refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, a geometric center of the described component. As another example, terms such as "front," "back," "side," "left," "right," "top," "bottom," "horizontal," and "vertical" describe the orientation of portions of the component within a consistent but arbitrary frame of reference, as may be clearly indicated by reference to the text and associated drawings describing the component in question. Such terms are to be construed to include the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Indeed, the disclosure set forth herein includes all possible combinations of the particular features set forth above, whether or not specifically disclosed herein. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect, arrangement, configuration or embodiment, that feature may also be used in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects, arrangements, configurations and embodiments of the invention, to the extent possible, and in the present context in general. Further, the disclosure set forth herein includes a mirror image taken from any perspective of any of the figures or other configurations shown or described herein, i.e., a mirrored configuration. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Further, it should be noted that citation or identification of any document in this application is not an admission that such document is available as prior art to the present invention.

Claims

1. An outer cover (510,610) for covering a handheld electronic device or a handheld electronic device case (10), the outer cover comprising:

a base (520, 620);

a cover (530,630) pivotably attached to the base; and

a collar (560,660) slidable along the base and away from the cover such that the cover rotates away from the base as the collar slides away from the cover.

2. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein rotation of the cover away from the base is substantially proportional to movement of the collar away from the cover.

3. The housing of claim 1, further comprising a flexible panel (550), wherein the cover is attached to the collar via the flexible panel.

4. The housing of claim 3, wherein the cover is rotatable away from the base about a pivot axis, and wherein the collar has a collar upper rim (564) that remains below an interface between the cover and the base during rotation of the cover away from the base.

5. The enclosure of claim 3 or 4, wherein the collar comprises a first side attached to the flexible panel and a second side attached to the first side, the second side configured to selectively secure one side of the cover to one side of the base such that the enclosure is in a closed position.

6. The enclosure of claim 5, wherein the collar is slidable along the base such that the flexible panel slides with the collar during movement of the collar away from the cover.

7. The enclosure of claim 5, wherein the second side of the collar is latched to the cover in the closed position of the enclosure.

8. The enclosure of claim 5, wherein the collar includes a latch base (661) and a collar button (670) attached to the latch base, the collar button being disposed within the latch of the lid in a resting state of the collar button, and wherein pressing a portion of the collar button releases the collar button from the latch of the lid and thereby allows the collar to slide along the base.

9. The enclosure of claim 5, wherein the collar includes a latch base (661) and a collar button (670) attached to the latch base, wherein in a first position of the collar button relative to the latch base, a first portion of the collar button is disposed within the latch of the lid, and wherein in a second position of the collar button relative to the latch base, the first portion of the collar button is disposed outside the latch of the lid.

10. The housing of claim 9, wherein the collar further comprises a resilient element (678) attached to the latch base and the collar button, wherein the resilient element biases the first portion of the collar button toward the first position relative to the collar base.

11. The enclosure of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least a portion of the collar is slidable along the base.

12. The enclosure of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the base or collar comprises one or more flanges (523A,523B,524A,524B,525A,525B) and the other of the base and collar comprises one or more recessed tracks (571,573A,573B,574A,574B), and wherein the one or more flanges protrude into and are slidable along respective ones of the one or more tracks.

13. The housing of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cover has a first cover rim (534) along at least a first portion of the cover and the collar has a collar upper rim (564), and wherein the cover is rotated away from the base from a closed position of the housing in which the first cover rim abuts the collar upper rim to an open position of the housing in which the first cover rim is spaced apart from the collar upper rim.

14. A handheld electronic device system (5), comprising:

either or both of a handheld electronic device and a handheld electronic device case (10) configured for storing the electronic device; and

the enclosure (510,610) of any of claims 1-4, enclosing one or both of the electronic device and electronic device case in a first state and exposing one or both of the electronic device and electronic device case in a second state.

15. An outer cover (510,610) for covering a handheld electronic device or a handheld electronic device case (10), the outer cover comprising:

a base (520);

a cover (530); and

a collar (560,660) attached to the base and the cover such that the cover is pivotable relative to the base about a pivot axis,

wherein the collar is movable in a direction away from the cap such that during movement of the collar in the direction away from the cap, the cap rotates away from the base.