GB2547692A

GB2547692A - A casing

Info

Publication number: GB2547692A
Application number: GB1603369.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hartgill Laurence; Phelps Ernie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-02-26
Filing date: 2016-02-26
Publication date: 2017-08-30
Also published as: GB201603369D0

Abstract

A forearm casing 8 for receiving an electronic device 4 comprising a bezel part (20 fig.2) formed of a rigid material that is not resiliently deformable. The casing may comprise an attachment formation 38 for attaching a band 10 for mounting the casing to a forearm 6. The casing may be mountable within a docking station (100 fig.11) to dock or charge the electronic device. The electronic device may be a tablet or smartphone or it may be a mobile electronic point of sale device (EPOS). The backplate 22 of the casing may be curved to provide an ergonomic fit for the forearm of a wearer.

Description

A casing

This invention relates to a casing. More preferably, the invention relates to a casing for an electronic device, such as a point of sales device. This invention further relates to a docking station for such a casing or holder. A typical electronic point of sales device is either stationary, such as a till point in a shop, or it is mobile such as a tablet that is stored in a server’s pocket or a pouch attached to a belt. While a mobile electronic point of sales device is more convenient and useful to a server, a tablet can sustain damage and be misplaced or stolen in a typical serving environment.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide an electronic point of sales device which at least alleviates some of these problems.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a casing arranged, adapted and/or suitable for forearm attachment for receiving an electronic device, the casing having a bezel part formed of a rigid material that is not resiliently deformable.

Because the bezel part is formed of a rigid material that is not resiliently deformable under normal use (by a human operator) it can sustain a high level of rough handling and can thus enable mobile use of an electronic device (such as an electronic point of sales device) for an extended period in an environment where exposure to liquids and impacts with other objects are likely.

The material may have a Young’s modulus greater than 0.5GPa, and preferably greater than 1GPa. The material may have a shear modulus greater than 0.1 GPa, and preferably greater than 0.5GPa.

For user comfort and secure attachment the casing (and preferably the bezel part) may comprise an attachment formation at either side of the bezel part for attaching a band. The attachment formation is preferably adapted to receive a band. The bezel part preferably comprises two attachment formations, one arranged at either side of the bezel part.

For robustness and versatility the attachment formation may comprise two protrusions from the bezel part for suspending a pin between. The casing may further comprise a pin for suspending between protrusions at the attachment formation. The attachment formation may comprise a pin suspended between two protrusions from the bezel part. The casing preferably comprises two pins, one for either attachment formation.

For versatility the pin may be detachably mountable to the two protrusions. For detachable mounting the pin preferably comprises a resiliently deformable clip formation.

For user comfort the attachment formation may extend at an angle of approximately 150° to 100°, and preferably approximately 120°, to the face of the bezel parts.

For user comfort a back side of the casing that in use faces the forearm may present a curved surface adapted to conform to the shape of a forearm. This can also promote convenient alignment of the casing for manipulation.

For versatility the radius of curvature may be between 3cm and 8cm, and preferably between 4cm and 7cm, and more preferably approximately 5cm. The radius of curvature may be an average adult wrist radius of curvature. The curved surface may be formed by part of the bezel part, a back side of the bezel part, protrusions from the bezel part and/or a backplate part.

For user comfort a back side of the casing that in use faces the forearm may present a chamfered surface at edges that in use lie across the forearm. The chamfer angle may be between 5° and 25°, and preferably approximately 15°. The chamfered surface may be formed by part of the bezel part, a back side of the bezel part, protrusions from the bezel part and/or a backplate part.

For user comfort a corner of the casing may be rounded. The radius of the rounded corner may be at least 5mm. The corner may be rounded in an oblong shape.

For user comfort an edge of the casing may be rounded. The radius of the rounded edge may be between 5mm and 10mm, and preferably approximately 7mm.

For secure encasement and protection against liquids the bezel part may comprise an aperture for receiving an electronic device at a back side that in use faces the forearm.

For secure encasement and protection against liquids the casing may further comprising a backplate part forming a portion of a back side of the casing that in use faces the forearm. The backplate part may be adapted to close the aperture at the back side of the bezel part.

For versatility the backplate part may be adapted for detachable attachment to the bezel part. For simple and convenient attachment the backplate part may comprise a resiliently deformable clip formation for detachable attachment to the bezel part.

For user comfort the backplate part may present a curved surface adapted to conform to the shape of a forearm. This can also promote convenient alignment of the casing for manipulation. The backplate part may comprise formations extending outward from the inner surface to form a curved surface.

For protection against liquids and impacts the backplate part may comprise a seal and/or a padding.

For protection against liquids and impacts the bezel part may comprise a seal and/or a padding.

For easy access and manipulation the bezel part may comprise an aperture at a face of the bezel part for presenting an electronic device that in use faces away from the forearm.

For secure retention and protection against liquids a face of the bezel part may provide an internal lip surface for retaining an electronic device.

For secure retention the internal lip surface may be at least 2 mm wide, and preferably at least 4 mm wide.

For secure retention and protection against liquids the internal lip surface may extend around the aperture.

For secure retention and protection against inadvertent shifting the bezel part may comprise an inner surface adapted to receive an electronic device with the inner surface defining a cavity less than 2 mm wider and less than 2 mm higher than an intended electronic device, and preferably less than 1 mm wider and less than 1 mm higher than an intended electronic device.

For protection against liquids and for user convenience the casing may further comprise a plug part for actuating a button of an electronic device concealed in the casing.

For protection against liquids and for user convenience the casing may further comprise an electrical connector arranged for contact with an electronic device at the casing interior and presenting a connection interface at the casing exterior.

For convenience the casing may be adapted for insertion into docking station.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a holder for forearm attachment comprising a casing as aforesaid and a band arranged to attach the casing to a forearm.

The band may be arranged at either side of the casing. The band may be arranged such that in use the band does not lie between the casing and the forearm.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided docking station adapted to receive a casing as aforesaid and/or a holder as aforesaid. This can enable convenient supply of power to an electronic device in a casing as well as data exchange to/from the electronic device.

For convenient storage and docking the docking station may comprise a plurality of recesses adapted to receive a casing.

For ease of docking and connection the docking station may comprise a connection interface arranged at the floor of each recess for supplying power and/or data to an electronic device retained in a casing.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a casing for forearm attachment for receiving an electronic device, the casing having a bezel part formed of a material with a Young’s modulus greater than 0.5 GPa, and preferably greater than 1GPa. The material may have a shear modulus greater than 0.1 GPa, and preferably greater than 0.5GPa.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a casing for forearm attachment for receiving an electronic device, the casing having a bezel part formed of a rigid plastics material.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a casing for forearm attachment for receiving an electronic device, the casing having a stiff bezel part. This can enable secure encasement of the electronic device.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a casing for forearm attachment for receiving an electronic device, the casing having a bezel part that is not resiliently deformable.

The invention extends to a casing substantially as herein described and/or as illustrated with reference to the figures. The invention also extends to a holder substantially as herein described and/or as illustrated with reference to the figures. The invention also extends to a docking station substantially as herein described and/or as illustrated with reference to the figures. The invention also extends to a method of using an electronic device substantially as herein described and/or as illustrated with reference to the figures.

Any apparatus feature as described herein may also be provided as a method feature, and vice versa. As used herein, means plus function features may be expressed alternatively in terms of their corresponding structure.

Any feature in one aspect of the invention may be applied to other aspects of the invention, in any appropriate combination. In particular, method aspects may be applied to apparatus aspects, and vice versa. Furthermore, any, some and/or all features in one aspect can be applied to any, some and/or all features in any other aspect, in any appropriate combination.

It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features described and defined in any aspects of the invention can be implemented and/or supplied and/or used independently.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following exemplary embodiments that are described with reference to the following figures in which:

Figure 1 shows a casing containing an electronic point of sales device attached to a wrist;

Figure 2 shows component parts of the casing of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows the component parts of Figure 2 arranged for assembly of a casing;

Figure 4 shows a bezel part of the casing of Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows a backplate part of the casing of Figure 1;

Figure 6 shows the backplate part of Figure 5 assembled with the bezel part of Figure 4;

Figure 7 shows an enlarged portion of the bezel part of Figure 4;

Figure 8 shows an enlarged portion of the backplate part of Figure 5;

Figure 9 shows a plug part of the casing of Figure 1;

Figure 10 shows an enlarged portion of a pin of the casing of Figure 1; and Figure 11 shows a docking station with a number of the casings of Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows a holder 2 attaching an electronic point of sales device 4 to a wrist 6. The holder 2 contains the electronic point of sales device 4 within a casing 8. A band 10 is attached to the casing 8 for fastening the casing 8 to the forearm.

Figure 2 shows the component parts of the casing 8. Figure 3 shows the component parts of the casing 8 arranged for assembly. A bezel part 20 defines a cavity 24 for receiving an electronic point of sales device. The electronic device is retained in the cavity 24 by attachment of a backplate part 22 to the bezel part 20. Two pins 26 are inserted into protrusions 38 in the bezel part 20 for attachment of the band 10 to the casing 8. A plug part 30 is provided for insertion into a through hole 32 defined in the bezel part 20 for actuation of buttons or other controls on the side of an inserted electronic device.

The bezel part 20 defines an aperture 24 at the back side (facing the user’s wrist) that is shaped to permit insertion of a particular electronic device such as an iPod®, an iPad®, a tablet, or a smart phone. The electronic device (and accordingly the aperture 24) typically has a diagonal dimension of approximately 15 cm to be large enough for convenient manipulation by hand (for entering a sales transaction) and at the same time small enough to be worn over a period of time without discomfort to the wearer. At the interior of the bezel part 20 an electronic device retaining internal surface 72 is provided. The internal surface 72 is shaped to conform relatively closely to the shape of the electronic device to permit snug encasement and so minimise movement of the electronic device within the bezel part 20. The cavity defined by the internal surface 72 is less than 1mm wider than the electronic device and less than 1mm higher than the electronic device to permit insertion. In the illustrated example the aperture 24 is substantially aligned with and has the same width and height as the cavity defined by the internal surface, but in a variant the aperture 24 may be larger and shaped to guide an electronic device toward the internal surface 72. The cavity defined by the bezel part 20 and the backplate part 22 for receiving the electronic device is less than 1mm deeper than the electronic device. Padding may be included between the casing and the electronic device in order to minimise movement of the electronic device within the casing and also in order to prevent damage to the electronic device in case of impact to the casing.

Figure 4 shows the bezel part 20 with the face side visible. The bezel part 20 includes four protrusions 38 for receiving a pin. The protrusions 38 are at a side of the bezel part 20 so that no structures at the backplate are necessary for band attachment, which in turn can promote wearer comfort.

The comers 40 of the bezel part 20 are rounded to prevent the casing from catching objects inadvertently in use. To minimise casing material and weight, the edges 42 of the bezel part 20 are chamfered toward the protrusions 38. At the underside of the bezel part 20 the edges 48 are rounded in order to avoid discomfort and injury to a wearer. The edges 46 of the bezel part 20 are chamfered toward the screen of the electronic device. The chamfer can facilitate cleaning and prevent accumulation of dirt on the electronic device at the edge 46 of the bezel part 20.

The bezel part 20 is open at the face 44 for unhindered access to a screen of an electronic device in the casing. The aperture in the face 44 of the bezel part 20 is dimensioned such that it overlaps the face of the electronic device by approximately 2 to 4 mm at each edge 46. This can enable secure retention of an electronic device in the casing while avoiding significant obstruction of a screen of an electronic device in the casing. The bezel part 20 is approximately 1 to 2 mm thick at the face 44 and approximately 2 to 5 mm thick at the sides. Figure 7 shows an enlarged portion of the interior of the bezel part 20 with an internal lip 45 that abuts against the face of an electronic device for retaining an electronic device in the casing. The bezel part is dimensioned such that an electronic device fits relatively snuggly against an internal surface 72 of the bezel part 20, and substantially the whole width of the lip 45 overlies the face of the electronic device. The lip 45 is of constant width around the internal surface 72. Optionally a seal may be provided at the ledge in order to seal the electronic device in the casing and protect it from liquids for example. In an example a suitably shaped O-ring is inserted between the lip 45 and an electronic device. In a variant the ledge may be shaped differently, for example with varying width or with cut away portions.

In addition to the through hole 32 defined in the bezel part 20 for access to actuation buttons or other controls on the side of an inserted electronic device another through hole 50 is defined in the bezel part 20 for access to a connection interface of an electronic device, for example for power connection or data connection. This can enable use of the device including charging the device and using physical connections for data transfer without requiring removal of the casing.

The bezel part 20 is formed of a rigid material such as a polymer or a metal. Suitable polymers include polycarbonates, polyamides, polystyrenes and PEEKS. The bezel part 20 can be formed for example by 3D printing or by injection moulding. Because the bezel part 20 is formed of a rigid material it can provide a high degree of protection to an electronic device in the casing. In particular protection against impacts is very important in a service use. The material is in particular rigid enough that the electronic device cannot be inserted or removed through the face 44 of the bezel part 20. The rigid material is in particular not resiliently deformable. The other parts of the casing may be formed of the same material as the bezel part, or they may be formed of a different material.

Figure 5 shows the backplate part 22 from a further perspective. The inner surface 62 of the backplate 22 facing the electronic device is planar to accommodate an electronic device that has a planar opposing face. The inner surface 62 may comprise padding in order to minimise movement of the electronic device within the casing and also in order to prevent damage to the electronic device in case of impact to the casing. The external surface 60 of the backplate is curved to conform to the wrist/forearm of a wearer. The curvature can also assist in preventing the holder from slipping in tangential direction around the wearer’s wrist, and can encourage the holder back into an orientation with the flatter portion of a wrist facing the backplate. The radius of curvature is larger than that of an average wrist to avoid discomfort to a wearer. At the sides of the backplate 22 formations 68 extend outward from the inner surface 62 such that the curved surface 60 segues smoothly into the protrusions 38 of the bezel part 20, as seen in Figure 6 showing a side view of the casing with the backplate 22 inserted into the bezel part 20. The band 10 of the assembled holder is attached at the protrusions 38 such that the band, when secured around a wearer’s wrist, lies approximately in an extension to the protrusions. In effect the curved backplate, bezel with protrusions, and band conform to the wrist and segue smoothly into one another without any protruding edges or ridges and accordingly can promote wearer comfort for wearing the holder for an extended period. To promote wearer comfort further the casing adjacent a wearer’s wrist may include padding. For example a foam mat may be attached to the curved surface 60 of the backplate.

Figure 7 shows an enlarged portion of the bezel part 20 for receiving the backplate part 22. Figure 8 show an enlarged portion of the backplate part 22 for insertion in the bezel part 20. As described above, the bezel part is formed to receive an electronic device. In the illustrated example the electronic device has rounded corners, so the bezel part 20 has an internal surface 72 that is rounded to accommodate the electronic device. The bezel part 20 includes ledge formations 70, in the illustrated example above the four rounded corners of the inner surface 72, for abutment of the backplate part 22 against. Other lip formations would be equally suitable. In order to attach the backplate part 22 to the bezel part 20 a number of interlocking features are included. Figure 5 shows two tongue formations 64 in the backplate part 22 that fit into two corresponding recesses 74 of the bezel part 20 (seen in Figure 2). Two clip formations 66 in the backplate part 22 fit into two corresponding recesses 76 of the bezel part 20. The clip formations 66 comprise a protrusion on a resiliently deformable clip arm such that the protrusion can be moved relative to the main body of the backplate. In order to attach the backplate part 22 to the bezel part 20 the two tongue formations 64 are inserted into the two corresponding recesses 74. The backplate is tilted into position to bring the two clip formations 66 adjacent the two corresponding recesses 76. Resilient deformation of the clip arms permits the protrusions to be inserted into the recesses 76. For removal of the backplate the clip arms are deformed to withdraw the protrusions from the recesses 76, for example with a tool such as a screw driver or by using fingernails. The backplate is tilted back and the tongue formations 64 are slid out of the recesses 74.

Backplate attachment occurs at the portion of the casing that is facing and in contact with a wearer’s wrist in use. Hence backplate removal is hardly possible while the holder is worn. This can help ensure the electronic device in the holder is not inadvertently removed, for example by theft or by rough handling. The clip formations require manipulation such that even when the holder is not worn removal of the electronic device is unlikely to occur inadvertently. It is intended that the electronic device is dedicated to use in the holder and remain in the holder for an extended period of time, possibly even for the lifetime of the electronic device. At the same time removal of the electronic device is possible if necessary, for example in order to clean the electronic device or to replace a faulty electronic device.

In a variant the parts of the casing may be bonded together with an electronic device contained within the casing, such that the electronic device can only be removed by damaging or destroying the casing.

Figure 5 shows the plug part 30 in more detail. The plug part 30 is long enough to extend substantially through the bezel part 20 for actuation of buttons of an inserted electronic device. The plug part 30 is dimensioned for a snug fit in the bezel part 20 that permits longitudinal movement in the bezel part 20 and to an extent prevents entry of liquids to the electronic device. A suitable seal such as an elastic diaphragm may further reduce liquid leaking into the casing at the plug part. The plug part 30 is retained in the plug cavity 32 by virtue of an enlargement at one end in the form of a rim 34. The plug part 30 is inserted in the plug cavity 32 with the rim 34 facing the electronic device. The plug part 30 may be biased in a desired arrangement by means of a suitably arranged spring. A recess 36 in the inner surface of the bezel part 20 is provided in order to accommodate the rim 34 such that the plug part 30 can lie flush within the bezel part 20. The plug part 32 may be dimensioned such that in use it protrudes slightly at the exterior of the bezel part 20 so as to facilitate using it for actuation. The plug part 32 may alternatively be dimensioned such that in use it is slightly recessed from the exterior of the bezel part 20 so as to avoid inadvertent actuation.

Figure 5 shows an end of a pin 26 in more detail. Two protrusions 38 on the same side of the bezel part 20 receive a mutual pin 26, as shown in Figure 3. One protrusion 38 comprises a though hole 29 and the other protrusion 38 comprises a blind hole 28. A pin 26 is inserted through the through hole 29 and into the blind hole 28. In the assembled configuration one end of a pin 26 abuts the end of the blind hole 28 and the other end of the pin 26 lies in the through hole 29 flush with the face of the protrusion 38. In order to retain a pin 26 in the assembled configuration in the bezel part 20 suitable interlocking features are provided. At an end of each pin 26 a clip formation is provided with a resiliently deformable clip arm 80 bearing a jut 82 such that the jut 82 can be moved relative to the main body of the pin 26. The protrusion 38 with the though hole 29 comprises an annular recess to accommodate a jut 82. Resilient deformation of a clip arm 80 permits the pin to be clipped into the bezel part with a jut 82 inserted into the annular recess. For removal of a pin 29 from the bezel part a clip arm 80 is deformed to withdraw the jut 82 from the recesses and the pin is allowed to slide out. For this unclipping a tool such as a screw driver may be used, or it may be performed by using fingernails. By providing pins a band can be attached to a casing. The clip formations require manipulation such that pin removal is unlikely to occur inadvertently. It is intended that a band remain attached to a casing for an extended period of time, possibly even for the lifetime of the holder. At the same time removal of a band is possible if necessary, for example in order to clean or replace a band. In a variant the pins are integrally formed in the bezel part, or an end of a band may be bonded to the bezel part, or an alternative form of attachment of the band to the casing may be used. A band 10 is attached to the casing 8 to permit fastening the casing 8 to the forearm. The band 10 is relatively wide, for example approximately 5-6cm wide, to promote wearer comfort, especially for prolonged wearing. A band is threaded between the bezel part and the pins and looped around the pins for secure attachment of the band to the casing. The band in the illustrated example comprises a hook and loop fastening with a grip for pulling the hook and loop fastening apart. Such a fastening is easily adjustable to wrists of different girth, permits quick and easy fastening to the wrist even with a single hand, and permits secure attachment even with rough handling.

The holder with an electronic device is intended for use by service personnel for example in a hospitality business such as a bar, restaurant, or night club; at a retail venue such as a shop or market; at an entertainment venue such as a circus, race track, amusement park or casino; in a vehicle such as a train, bus, ferry or airplane; and generally in situations where a sales transaction can be made at various locations throughout a venue. The service personnel receive a holder with an electronic device mounted within the casing. The electronic device may be turned on by pushing the plug part 30 of the holder to push a button of the electronic device. The user fastens the holder to his wrist or forearm by inserting his arm through the band, pulling the band tight and fastening the band with the hook and loop fastener. A sleeve may be used between the user’s skin and the holder if so desired, for example a sweatband. The holder is typically attached near the narrowest region of the wrist, near the hand, and at sufficient distance from the wrist joint to minimise obstruction of wrist movement. The holder may be attached nearer the elbow if so desired. The holder is typically attached such that the casing lies on the dorsal (back) side of the wrist, but may be attached on the volar (palm) side of the wrist if so desired. Dorsal attachment can enable particularly comfortable access to and manipulation of an electronic device in the holder, but volar attachment may provide better protection against impacts. The holder is typically attached to the left wrist for right-handed users, for right-handed manipulation of the electronic device; and vice versa to the right wrist for left-handed users. The user may enter a personal identification to the electronic device for the period he uses the holder.

The user moves throughout a venue with the holder attached to his wrist and finds a customer desirous of entering a transaction. The transaction is entered to the electronic device, for example by selection of graphical elements in a graphical user interface of the electronic device. Because the device is attached at the user’s wrist the user can position the electronic device for convenient viewing and manipulation by suitable wrist movement, and use the other hand to manipulate the electronic device for order entry. The user may use a finger to manipulate the electronic device, use voice commands, a stylus may be provided or another tool used. The user may also display the electronic device to the customer by suitable wrist movement to inform the customer or to permit customer manipulation of the device, for example regarding available options and prices or for obtaining a signature confirming receipt of goods. An order summary may be provided for the customer to check and confirm. Payment for the transaction may be taken immediately following entry of the transaction, for example by card reading functionality of the electronic device. Cash payment may be facilitated by the electronic device sending a signal to a cash register to open the cash register and/or by displaying required change for an amount of cash received from the customer. The electronic device may send a command to a printer to print a receipt and/or a confirmation of an order. The electronic device may be configured to communicate with a computing device for order processing, credit/debit card processing, inventory/stock management, financial management and reporting, employee timekeeping, and other information exchange. The communication may occur following a transaction, periodically, or when a device is returned to a docking station following a period of use. Communication may occur wirelessly or by way of a physical communication link.

In between transactions the user performs other services that typically require both hands, for example bringing and serving food and drinks, clearing away used tableware, demonstrating products and advising and interacting with customers. The holder permits freedom of movement with both hands and provides protection to the electronic device in the course of the user’s work. The user may wear the holder for an extended period of time, typically for 4-6 hours consecutive or longer. Because the holder is light and provides wearer comfort such extended use is possible a work shift. In the course of use the holder may be exposed to liquid spills, impacts from collisions with objects, and hazards such as heat (e.g. from cooking or cigarettes). The holder can offer protection to the electronic device from such adverse exposure.

At the end of a period of use the user removes the holder from his wrist or forearm by unfastening the hook and loop fastener to release the band, loosening the band and withdrawing his arm. The user may log out from the electronic device. The electronic device may be switched off by device manipulation (for example with the plug part of the holder, or via a graphical user interface of the electronic device). The electronic device may be connected to a power supply and/or data connection, for example via a suitable hole 50 of the holder that gives access to a connection interface of an electronic device. Such connection permits charging a battery of the electronic device, transferring data from the electronic device to a computing device (e.g. regarding transactions placed during a shift, activity of an employee, etc.), and/or transferring data from a computing device to the electronic device (e.g. software updates for the electronic device, adaptation of options available for transactions, etc.). In a variant a docking station is provided for one or more holder containing an electronic device.

Figure 11 shows an example of a docking station 100 with eight docking recesses 102 containing three holders 2. The docking station is connected to a power source and/or a computing device by a cable 104. The docking station 100 provides at each recess 102 a connector for connecting a power supply and/or data connection to an electronic device in a holder. Such connection permits charging a battery of the electronic device and/or transferring data to/from the electronic device. For connection the docking station 100 provides at the floor of each docking recess 102 a protrusion that is located and dimensioned such that it slots through a hole 50 in the casing and into a connection interface of an electronic device. In use the user fits a casing into a docking recess 102; because the docking recess 102 is shaped such that a casing can only be inserted in certain orientations, the user can let the docking recess 102 guide the casing for easy alignment and insertion of the protrusion into the connection interface of an electronic device.

In a variant the casing of the holder does not provide a through hole for access to a connection interface of an electronic device. Instead, the casing provides electrical connectors that are arranged for contact with an electronic device at the casing interior. These electrical connectors extend through the casing and at the casing exterior present a connection interface such as number of pads. When an electrical device is inserted into such a casing, a contact is established between a connection interface of the electronic device and the electrical connectors of the casing. Because no through hole is necessary to establish connection to the electronic device, the risk of exposure of the electronic device to liquids (as may damage an electronic device) is reduced. It may be necessary to arrange the casing interior for receiving a particular make of electronic device, as not all electronic devices present the same connection interface topography. A docking station is adapted for these casings such that contact is established at the exterior of the casing.

It will be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

Each feature disclosed in the description, and (where appropriate) the claims and drawings may be provided independently or in any appropriate combination.

Reference numerals appearing in the claims are by way of illustration only and shall have no limiting effect on the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A casing arranged for forearm attachment for receiving an electronic device, the casing having a bezel part formed of a rigid material that is not resiliently deformable.

2. A casing according to Claim 1 wherein the bezel part comprises an attachment formation at either side of the bezel part for attaching a band.

3. A casing according to Claim 2 wherein the attachment formation comprises two protrusions from the bezel part for suspending a pin between.

4. A casing according to Claim 3 further comprising a pin for suspending between protrusions at the attachment formation.

5. A casing according to Claim 4 wherein the pin is detachably mountable to the two protrusions.

6. A casing according to any of Claims 2 to 5 wherein the attachment formation extends at an angle of approximately 150° to 100°, and preferably approximately 120°, to the face of the bezel parts.

7. A casing according to any preceding claim wherein a back side of the casing that in use faces the forearm presents a curved surface adapted to conform to the shape of a forearm.

8. A casing according to Claim 7 wherein the radius of curvature is between 3cm and 8cm, and preferably between 4cm and 7cm, and more preferably approximately 5cm.

9. A casing according to any preceding claim wherein a back side of the casing that in use faces the forearm presents a chamfered surface at edges that in use lie across the forearm.

10. A casing according to Claim 9 wherein the chamfer angle is between 5° and 25°, and preferably approximately 15°.

11. A casing according to any preceding claim wherein the bezel part comprises an aperture for receiving an electronic device at a back side that in use faces the forearm.

12. A casing according to any preceding claim further comprising a backplate part forming a portion of a back side of the casing that in use faces the forearm.

13. A casing according to Claim 12 wherein the backplate part is adapted to close the aperture according to Claim 11 at the back side of the bezel part.

14. A casing according to Claim 12 or 13 wherein the backplate part is adapted for detachable attachment to the bezel part.

15. A casing according to Claim 14 wherein the backplate part comprises a resiliently deformable clip formation for detachable attachment to the bezel part.

16. A casing according to any of Claims 12 to 15 wherein the backplate part presents a curved surface adapted to conform to the shape of a forearm.

17. A casing according to any of Claims 12 to 16 wherein the backplate part comprises a seal and/or a padding.

18. A casing according to any preceding claim wherein the bezel part comprises a seal and/or a padding.

19. A casing according to any preceding claim wherein the bezel part comprises an aperture at a face of the bezel part for presenting an electronic device that in use faces away from the forearm.

20. A casing according to any preceding claim wherein a face of the bezel part provides an internal lip surface for retaining an electronic device.

21. A casing according to Claim 20 wherein the internal lip surface is at least 2 mm wide, and preferably at least 4 mm wide.

22. A casing according to Claim 20 or 21 wherein the internal lip surface extends around the aperture.

23. A casing according to any preceding claim wherein the bezel part comprises an inner surface adapted to receive an electronic device with the inner surface defining a cavity less than 2 mm wider and less than 2 mm higher than an intended electronic device, and preferably less than 1 mm wider and less than 1 mm higher than an intended electronic device.

24. A casing according to any preceding claim further comprising a plug part for actuating a button of an electronic device concealed in the casing.

25. A casing according to any preceding claim further comprising an electrical connector arranged for contact with an electronic device at the casing interior and presenting a connection interface at the casing exterior.

26. A casing according to any preceding claim adapted for insertion into docking station.

27. A holder for forearm attachment comprising a casing according to any preceding claim and a band arranged to attach the casing to a forearm.

28. A docking station adapted to receive a casing according to any of Claims 1 to 26 and/or a holder according to Claim 27.

29. A docking station according to Claim 28 comprising a plurality of recesses adapted to receive a casing.

30. A docking station according to Claim 29 comprising a connection interface arranged at the floor of each recess for supplying power and/or data to an electronic device retained in a casing.

31. A casing substantially as herein described and/or as illustrated with reference to the figures.

32. A holder substantially as herein described and/or as illustrated with reference to the figures.

33. A docking station substantially as herein described and/or as illustrated with reference to the figures.

34. A method of using an electronic device substantially as herein described and/or as illustrated with reference to the figures.