GB2333402A

GB2333402A - A resilient protection strip for the perimeter of a remote control unit

Info

Publication number: GB2333402A
Application number: GB9900680A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tahseen Ahmed
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-01-17
Filing date: 1999-01-13
Publication date: 1999-07-21
Also published as: GB9900680D0; GB9800911D0

Abstract

The present invention provides a protection device for a remote control unit (110) or the like. The protection device covers a substantial part of only the side perimeter (108) of the remote control unit (110) or the like and comprises a closed or closable strip of flexible, resilient material (100), the strip (100) being adapted to expand in at least one direction to cover a substantial part of only the side perimeter (108) of the remote control unit (110) or the like.

Description

PROTECTION DEVICE Field of the Invention The invention relates to protection devices for lessening the damage caused by dropping or hitting an electronic apparatus having pressure responsive, manually actuatable controls. Such protection devices are to be used particularly, though not exclusively, in conjunction with hand held remote control units for televisions, video cassette recorders, Hi-Fi systems or satellite systems.

Background to the Invention Modern remote control units generally comprise a hand held rectangular unit having a plurality of push button controls. The remote control units usually include an outer housing of high impact plastics material, intended to resist damage. The high impact plastics material is generally smooth and slippery and the remote control apparatus are generally relatively small, so that they may easily held in the hand. The outcome of these two factors is that remote control units are often accidentally knocked from the table or chair arm on which they are normally kept. Although remote control units may withstand occasional impacts, many are damaged by repeated accidental impacts.

Two devices have been developed to protect a remote control unit. The first, described in United States issued patent, number US 4,733,776 to Ward, is a protective device having a resilient, deformable foam panel which curves totally around and encloses the remote control unit but has a thinner, transparent portion over the controls to allow manual actuation of the control portion. The second device, described in Australian petty patent number 666100 to Cucinello, is a protective moulded casing having four elastic sides with rigid corners and a base. The moulded casing is intended to be able to stretch to fit around several different types of remote control unit and be "universal " . A seemingly identical device is disclosed in Romanian patent application RO 111523 B1 in the name of Gabriel.

Neither of the devices described above is capable of protecting each of the vast array of different types of remote control units available today. Manufacturers are now providing many different types of remote control unit, for example having non geometric shapes. The devices described above although suitable for accommodating different length units would not be suitable for protecting different shapes, for example non geometrically shaped remote control units. Furthermore, the generally rectangular shape of the known protection devices would not lend them to being used to protect other hand held apparatus, for example cameras, calculators and electronic games devices.

It is an aim of a preferred embodiment of the present invention to overcome or obviate at least one problem associated with the prior art, whether referred to herein or otherwise.

SummarY of the Invention According to the present invention in a first aspect there is provided a protection device for covering a substantial part of only the side perimeter of a remote control unit or the like, the protection device comprising a closed or closable strip of flexible, resilient material, the strip being adapted to expand in at least one direction to cover a substantial part of the side perimeter of the remote control unit or the like.

The side perimeter of the remote control unit or the like is intended to mean those minor sides of the unit which are neither the top of the unit or the base.

Generally the top of a remote control unit will bear the manually actuatable controls. It is not the intention of the invention to substantially cover the top control side of the unit or the base, but leave the controls uncovered for actuation by the user. However, in the case of relatively slim remote control unit or the like the width of the protector device may be such that the strip may deform about edges at the top and/or base of the unit.

Such a situation is intended to be included in the present invention.

The invention provides a resilient stretchable band which may be stretched to fit around the side perimeter of a remote control unit or the like to provide a "bumper" to cushion the impact if the remote control unit or the like is dropped onto a hard surface. As the strip is flexible it may accommodate remote control units or the like of a plurality of shapes and sizes and provides a genuinely "universal" remote control unit protector.

A plurality of the strips of flexible, resilient material may be used, preferably placed one on top of the other when in use, in order to increase the thickness of the covering provided by the protection device.

Suitably, the thickness of the flexible, resilient material is within the range of 1-5mm. If a plurality of strips of material are intended to be used, the thickness of the materials is preferably at the lower end of this range, say 1-3mm.

Suitably, the strip of flexible resilient material has a plurality of raised tread markings thereon.

The tread markings on the strip allow the strip to be stretched more easily whilst still providing adequate thickness at the treads to absorb shock. The treads also provide increased grip.

Suitably, the strip is a closed band.

Alternatively, the strip is an elongate open strip comprising closing means. The closing means allow the elongate strip to be closed into a band about the remote control unit or the like.

Suitably, the closing means comprises a hook and eye fastening. Suitably, the eye is attached to one end of the elongate strip and the hook is attached at an end opposite on the elongate strip. Alternatively, the closing means comprises a VELCRO (Trade Mark) fastening.

Suitably, the strip comprises a material able to stretch in more than one direction. Preferably, the strip is made of rubber.

Suitably, the strip has an upper face and a lower face. Suitably, the lower face of the strip is smooth.

Suitably, the upper face of the strip is also smooth.

Alternatively, a plurality of raised tread markings are provided on the upper face of the strip. The tread markings provide the upper face of the strip with a rough surface having a castellated appearance.

Suitably, the tread markings are provided as a plurality of blocks on the strip. Preferably, when the strip is stretched it is the gaps between the blocks which stretch, providing an increased distance between the blocks.

Suitably, the blocks comprising the tread marking may be arranged to form a variety of different shaped markings.

Preferably, the blocks are arranged in a generally V shape along the length of the Strip. The V11 shaped tread markings provided by the blocks allows a greater block area per length than with, for example, a rectangular tread pattern, in that when the strip is stretched the tread pattern is such that the majority of the strip will still have one or more blocks in a given length whereas a rectangular tread pattern would not.

Suitably, the blocks in the tread pattern comprise a plurality of grooves running parallel to the strip length.

These grooves in the blocks of the tread pattern allow the strip to bend about corners of the remote control unit or the like. For example if the remote control unit or the like is slimmer than the strip the strip may bend about top and bottom edges of the remote control unit.

Suitably, the blocks comprise a substantial part of the upper face of the strip. Preferably, the blocks are equally spaced about the strip.

Preferred dimensions for the block thickness are 3 to 4 mm, preferably 3.5 mm. Preferably, the strip at areas without the blocks is between 0.5 and 2 mm thick, preferably 0.5 mm. Preferably, in total the strip has tread markings of 4 to 5 mm thick providing a resilient "bumper" to absorb shock if the remote control unit or the like which it is covering is dropped onto a hard surface.

Suitably, the strip further comprises an aperture.

Suitably, the aperture is dimensioned to fit about the infra red transmitting diode of a remote control unit so that the remote control unit may still be used even when the strip is covering the perimeter sides.

According to the present invention in a second aspect there is provided a method of protecting a remote control unit or the like the method comprising covering at least part of the perimeter sides only of the remote control unit or the like with a resilient, flexible strip of material.

Suitably, the method comprises providing a flexible resilient strip and stretching it to fit about the perimeter sides only of a remote control unit or the like.

Suitably, a plurality of flexible, resilient strips are stretched to fit about the perimeter sides of the remote control unit, such that the plurality of strips over lie one another.

Suitably, the resilient flexible strip further comprises a plurality of tread markings. Suitably, the tread markings are as described in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

According to the present invention in a third aspect there is provided a remote control unit or the like having a top bearing manually actuatable controls, a bottom, opposite and parallel to the top and at least one perimeter side extending between the top and bottom, the remote control unit further comprising a resilient flexible strip covering the at least one perimeter side of the remote control unit or the like.

Suitably, the remote control comprises a plurality of resilient, flexible strips covering at least the perimeter side of the remote control unit, such that the plurality of strips are located on top of one another.

Suitably, the strip comprises a plurality of raised tread markings. Suitably, the raised tread markings are as described in accordance with the first aspect of the invention In all embodiments of the present invention, the flexible, resilient material may be provided in different colours, including a "glow-in-the dark" variety. If a plurality of strips of material are intended to be used each strip may be a different colour to the other strips.

Brief Descri tion of the Drawings Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective illustration of a remote control protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a perspective illustration of a remote control protection device as shown in Figure 1, when in use around a television remote control device.

Figure 3 shows an enlarged section of the remote control protection device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows a perspective illustration of a remote control protection device according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 shows a perspective illustration of a remote control protection device as shown in Figure 4, when in use around a remote control unit.

Figure 6 shows an enlarged section of the remote control protection device of Figure 4.

DescriPtion of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings that follow there is shown an enclosed resilient strip 10. The strip 10 has an upper face 12 and a lower face 14. The lower face 14 of the strip 10 is smooth and the upper face 12 of the strip 10 has a plurality of raised blocks 16 which form a substantially V-shaped tread pattern as shown in Figure 1. The V-shaped tread is split longitudinally by grooves 18 of uniform thickness. The grooves 18 are shown more clearly in Figure 3. Between the blocks 16 the strip 10 is expandable uniformly and is of generally uniform thickness. The strip 10 has an aperture 20 which is preferably on an appropriate size to allow an infra red signal from a remote control device to pass through the aperture 20 undisturbed.

The strip 10 is adapted to be stretched about the side perimeter 22 of a remote control apparatus 24 or the like. Use of the strip 10, which is fabricated out of rubber or other resilient material will act to help in preventing damage to the remote control apparatus 24 or the like around which the strip 10 is stretched by absorbing shock thereto if dropped or hit against any hard surface. The design of the strip 10 is such that controls 26 for the remote control apparatus 24 or the like are uncovered and are accessible for touch by the user, and the aperture 20 allows the infra-red signal of a remote control apparatus 24 still to be utilised when the strip 10 is covering the perimeter sides 22 of the remote control apparatus 24 as long as the aperture 20 is placed over the infra red signal output site 28.

The longitudinal grooves 18 in the V-shaped tread pattern between the raised blocks 16 allow each block 16 forming a tread to bend accordingly to the required width of the side perimeter 22 of the remote control apparatus or the like, with excess width of strip 10 being able to bend about the corners 30, 32 between the remote control apparatus 24 top 34 and bottom (not shown) faces and the side perimeter 22, to overlap part only of the top 34 or bottom (not shown) faces of the remote control apparatus 24. As the strip 10 is flexible and resilient, the strip 10 is allowed to stretch to the required shape and size to fit a plurality of remote control apparatus shapes and sizes.

An advantage of the V-shaped tread pattern formed by the raised blocks 16 is that, when in use, for example covering the side perimeter of a remote control apparatus, as shown in Figure 2, the blocks 16 in the V-shaped tread enable the tread on the strip 10 to cover as much area as is prone to damage on the apparatus 24, especially the corners.

At vertical gaps between the blocks 16 the strip 10 is stretchable and allows the strip 10 to expand to accommodate a variety of sizes and shapes of remote controls apparatus 24 or the like, making the strip protector device more "universal" than those devices shown in the prior art.

A further advantage of the strip 10 protector device is that the raised blocks 16 provide a rough surface which is easier to grip by a user than a smooth surface.

To use the strip 10 as a protector device on a remote control apparatus 24 the aperture 20 on the strip 10 is first positioned so that it lies about the infra-red emitting diode 28 on the remote control apparatus 24. The strip 10 is then stretched about the remote control apparatus to fit around the side perimeter 22.

Preferred dimensions for the thickness of the strip 10 are 3.5mm blocks 16 on top of a 1.5mm flexible strip 10 making 5mm of resilient rubber "bumper" to absorb shocks if the remote control apparatus 24 is dropped onto a hard surface.

The strip 10, with reference to Figures 1-3 has been described as a closed resilient, flexible strip or band.

However, it is further envisaged that the protector device may initially comprise an open strip of resilient, flexible material bearing tread markings, preferably Vshaped, the open strip being closable about the side perimeter of a remote control apparatus 24 or the like, by fastening means, for example a hook and eye or Velcro (Trade Mark) fastening.

Referring now to Figures 4 to 6 of the drawings that follow there is shown an enclosed resilient strip 100.

The strip 100 has an upper face 102 and a lower face 104.

Both the upper face 102 and the lower face 104 of the strip 100 are smooth. The strip 100 is expandable uniformly. The thickness of the strip is about 1.5mm, the width being about 4cm and the circumference being about 25cm. The strip 100 has an aperture 106 which is of an appropriate size to allow an infra red signal from a remote control device to pass through the aperture 106 undisturbed. In this case, the aperture 106 has a diameter of around lcm when the strip 100 is unstretched.

The strip 100 is adapted to be stretched about the side perimeter 108 of a remote control apparatus 110 or the like. The strip 100 is preferably fabricated from rubber or other resilient material which will act to help in preventing damage to the remote control apparatus 110 or the like around which the strip 100 is stretched by absorbing shock thereto if dropped or hit against any hard surface. The design of the strip 100 is such that the controls 112 of the remote control apparatus 110 or the like are uncovered and accessible for touch by the user, and the aperture 106 allows the infra red signal of a remote control apparatus 110 still to be utilised when the strip 100 is covering the perimeter sides 108 of the remote control apparatus 110 as long as the aperture 106 is placed over the infra red signal output site 114.

In use a plurality of resilient strips 100 are stretched to fit around the perimeter 108 of the remote control device 110. Suitably at least four strips 100 are used, preferably being placed on top of one another such as to provide a total thickness of resilient material about the perimeter 108 of the remote control device 110 of about 4-6mm.

The excess width of the strip 100 is able to bend over the edges of the remote control unit 110 to cover a part only of the top surface 116 and the bottom surface (not shown) of the remote control unit 110. The strip 100 is flexible and resilient and can stretch to the required shape and size to fit a plurality of remote control apparatus of all shapes and sizes.

To use the strip 100 as a protector device on a remote control apparatus 110, the aperture 106 on the strip 100 is first positioned so that it lies about the infra red emitting diode 114 on the remote control apparatus 110. The strip 100 is then stretched about the remote control apparatus 116 to fit around the side perimeter 108. Additional strips 100 may be placed on top of the first strip 100 in the same manner as previously described. Preferably the aperture 106 of each of the plurality of strips 100 are aligned with one another such that the infra red emitting diode 114 of the remote control apparatus 116 is substantially not covered by the strips 100.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

Claims 1. A protection device for covering a substantial part of only the side perimeter of a remote control unit or the like, the protection device comprising a closed or closeable strip of flexible, resilient material, the strip being adapted to expand in at least one direction to cover a substantial part of the side perimeter of the remote control unit or the like.
2. A protection device for a remote control unit or the like according to claim 1, in which the protection device comprises a plurality of closed or closeable strips of flexible, resilient material.
3. A protection device for a remote control unit according to claim 1 or 2, in which the strip of flexible, resilient material has a plurality or raised tread markings thereon.
4. A protection device for a remote control unit according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3 in which the thickness of the strip of flexible, resilient material is within the range of 1-5mm.
5. A protection device for covering a remote control unit according to claim 1 to 4, in which the strip is a closed band.
6. A protection device for a remote control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the strip is an elongate open strip comprising closing means.
7. A protection device for a remote control unit according to any of claims 1 to 6, in which the strip comprises a material able to stretch in more than one direction.
8. A protection device for a remote control unit according to claim 7, in which the strip is made of rubber.
9. A protection device for a remote control unit according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the strip further comprises an aperture.
10. A protection device for a remote control unit according to claim 9, in which the aperture is dimensioned to fit about an infra red transmitting diode of the remote control unit.
11. A method of protecting a remote control unit or the like, the method comprising covering at least part of the perimeter sides only of a remote control unit or the like with a resilient, flexible strip of material.
12. A method according to claim 11, in which a flexible resilient strip is stretched to fit about the perimeter sides only of the remote control unit or the like.
13. A method according to claim 12, in which a plurality of flexible resilient strips are stretched to fit about the perimeter sides of the remote control unit, such that the plurality of strips overlie one another.
14. A remote control unit or the like having a top bearing manually actuatable controls, a bottom, opposite and parallel to the top and at least one perimeter side extending between the top and bottom, the remote control unit further comprising a resilient, flexible strip covering the at least one perimeter side of the remote control unit or the like.
15. A remote control unit according to claim 14, in which the remote control comprises a plurality of resilient, flexible strips covering the at least one perimeter side of the remote control unit or the like, such that the plurality of strips are located on top of one another.
16. A remote control unit according to claim 14 and claim 15, in which the resilient, flexible strip or strips further comprise an aperture arranged to fit about the infra red transmitting diode of the remote control unit.
17. A protection device for a remote control unit as herein described and with reference to the drawings hereof.
18. A method of protecting a remote control unit or the like as herein described and with reference to the drawings hereof.
19. A remote control unit or the like as described herein and with reference to the drawings hereof.