WO2000025621A1

WO2000025621A1 - A protective cover for an electronic device

Info

Publication number: WO2000025621A1
Application number: PCT/AU1999/000954
Authority: WO
Inventors: Darren Wayne Eade
Original assignee: Darren Wayne Eade
Priority date: 1998-11-03
Filing date: 1999-11-03
Publication date: 2000-05-11
Also published as: AUPP687198A0

Abstract

A protective cover for an electronic device, the cover (54) being stretchable and having a non-stretchable shape which conforms to the outside shape of the device, an opening in the cover to allow the cover to be stretched over the device and sealing means (43) to seal the opening against ingress of dust and water.

Description

A PROTECTIVE COVER FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a protective cover for an electronic device, for instance a portable and personal electronic device. These devices include optical devices such as cameras and video cameras, audio devices such as CD players, radios, tape recorders; telecommunication devices such as cellular telephones, GSM receivers, game consoles and the like. The invention is particularly directed to such devices which, by being portable and personal, are quite often exposed to adverse environmental conditions such as rain and dust.

BACKGROUND ART Electronic devices, for instance digital cameras and video cameras have internal components which are delicate and easily damaged by contamination such as moisture, sand, dust, dirt, grime and the like. The contamination enters into the camera through various cracks and crevices and particularly in and around the various buttons, dials and doors on the camera body.

For this reason, virtually all owners use a camera case to protect the camera. These cases are made from rigid or semi-rigid material and extend entirely about the camera meaning that the camera must be removed from the case before use which can often be disadvantageous. For film cameras, camera cases are known where a front portion unclips or unbuttons from a rear portion and where the front portion can fall away to expose the lens to allow a photo to be taken. A disadvantage with the above known types of cases are that dust and debris can still enter into the case when the case is opened to lift out the camera and photos or videos cannot be taken very quickly and suddenly. Another type of case is known where the camera is housed within a rigid clear box and a glove is sewn to the box. A person can manipulate the camera inside the box through the glove. While this arrangement prevents contamination of the camera components, the box is quite bulky and it is difficult to remove and replace film, camera batteries, videotape and the like.

It is also known to use clear plastic bags having a sealable opening and to place the camera in the bag. While this arrangement prevents contamination from entering into the camera, the bags are not sufficiently optically clear to allow quality photos or videos to be taken through the bag wall. Also, the bags are not of any particular shape and present many loose and flapping corners which are susceptible to being torn which in turn allows contamination to enter into the bag. Another disadvantage with plastic bags is that the bag slips over the camera surface which can result in the wrong buttons and dials being manipulated on the camera body.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION A protective cover for a camera or other type of electronic device has now been developed which is pre-shaped generally to conform to the outer shape of the camera, but which can be slightly stretched over the camera body to form a snug fit. In this manner, there are no loose flapping corners (as there are with plastic bags) and the various buttons or dials of the camera can still be accessed from the outside of the cover.

It is an object of the invention to provide a cover for an electronic device which may at least partially overcome the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the public with a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in a protective cover for an electronic device, the cover being stretchable and having a non-stretched shape which conforms generally to the outside shape of the device, an opening in the cover to allow the cover to be stretched over the device and sealing means to seal the opening against ingress of dust and water.

In another form, the invention resides in a protective covering for a camera, the covering being shaped generally to conform to the particular shape of the camera, the covering having a lens opening to allow light to enter into the lens without passing through the covering, the covering being made from stretchable material and having a size slightly smaller than the size of the camera to be covered, such that in use, the covering stretches over the camera in a snug manner. Preferably, the cover is used for an electronic device which is a portable and personal electronic device.

The electronic device may be selected from the group consisting of optical devices including cameras including still cameras and video cameras; audio devices including CD players, radios, tape recorders; telecommunication devices including cellular telephones, GSM receivers and game consoles.

Preferably, the cover is substantially transparent, or has transparent zones which overlie controls, dials, or other areas of the device which need to be visible from outside of the cover.

Preferably, the cover has at least one vent opening extending through the cover and which vents heat or moisture emanating from the device to the outside of the cover.

If the cover has at least one vent opening, it is preferred that the cover has sealing means about the vent opening to prevent ingress of dust or moisture into the device apart from through the vent opening.

Preferably, the sealing means covering the opening in the cover (as distinct from the vent opening), comprises an integral thickened edge or bead adjacent the opening. Preferably, the sealing means about the vent opening comprises an integral thickened edge or bead adjacent the opening.

Preferably, the cover is formed of resilient material which naturally biases the opening in the cover to its closed position.

Preferably, the cover is slightly smaller that the outside shape of the device such that the cover is stretched over the device to provide a snug fit.

Preferably, the cover is formed of a substantially transparent plastisol. It is preferred that the plastisol comprises a PVC resin and a plasticiser. The cover may have a thickness of between 1 to 10mm.

The protective cover does not slip over the camera body which overcomes one of the disadvantages with using plastic bags. It is found that by generally shaping the covering to the shape of the camera and then stretching it over the camera body, all the various buttons, dials and the like can be manipulated through the covering. This is an advantage over the box- type coverings where some of the controls may be difficult to access via the glove.

It is found that by having a stretchable or elastic cover, the cover can fit snugly about the periphery of a lens area which minimises or eliminates any ingress of contamination into the camera body.

The protective cover can be made out of plastisol, silicone, latex, plastic, rubber, and other suitable polymers. The cover can be of any suitable thickness, for instance from less than 1 mm to up to 10mm but a typical cover thickness of between 1 to 5.0mm is suitable and provides a reasonable balance between strength and durability, stretchability and ability to manipulate the various controls. It is preferred that the cover is formed from clear or at least partially clear material to allow the various buttons and controls to be operated.

The cover material may be selected to make the surface slip resistant. This can be achieved by choice of the material or by introducing anti-slip profiles on the surface of the covering.

As many cameras (video and film) have rotating controls such as dials and knobs, various other small openings may be provided in the cover through which these controls can project. However, by having the cover elastic, an acceptable seal can be provided between the projecting knob and the remainder of the camera. Thus, the openings through which these controls pass can be made smaller than the size of the control such that the cover can snap back into position around the bottom or sides of the control to provide a good seal.

To further minimise contamination into the camera body, it is possible for the protective cover to incorporate a dial which overlies and engages with a dial on the camera body such that the dial on the camera body can be rotated without any opening being formed. The protective cover may include an access flap to allow the side view screen, camera tape or film or battery to be changed. This flap can be sealed tight using a Velcro™ seal or other type of seal.

The protective covering may include small ventilation openings if required and these may be appropriate for video cameras where heat is generated by the drive motor. These ventilation openings should be made fairly small and only where necessary to minimise intake of contamination into the camera body.

For video cameras having a microphone, an opening may be provided to minimise any reduction in fidelity, or the protective covering may be made thinner around the microphone to minimise any reduction in pick-up.

The protective covering can have a major opening to allow the camera to be removed from and placed into the protective covering. The major opening can comprise a slit in the covering which can be overlapped with a seal to minimise ingress of contamination.

As most cameras have a tripod mount on their bottom wall, the protective covering may include a small opening to allow the camera to be screwed on to the tripod mount.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which

Figure 1 shows a video camera encased by a cover according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a film camera encased by a cover according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a side view on a video camera of an alternative design encased in a protective cover.

Figure 4 is a close up view of part of the cover of Figure 3. Figures 4A and 4B are side and bottom views of the cover of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a view of the cover around the lens of the video camera. Figures 6A-6C illustrate a cover for a CD player.

Figures 7A-7C illustrate a cover for a cellular telephone.

Figures 8A and 8B illustrate a cover for a games console.

BEST MODE Referring initially to Figure 1 , there is shown a video camera protected and encased in a protective cover. The protective cover 11 is formed from a rubber latex or plastisol and is moulded to be shaped generally to the shape of the video camera. Thus, the protective cover already roughly adopts the shape of the video camera (this may mean that various different moulds are required to suit the type of video camera). In the embodiment, the cover is formed from rubber latex or plastisol material approximately 1 mm thick and which has elastic properties. The cover is formed slightly smaller than the size of the camera and is formed with a major opening (not shown) in the form of a longitudinal slot which lies under the bottom wall of the camera and which is overlapped with a Velcro™ seal. Opening of the slot allows the camera to be inserted and removed from the protective cover. The cover 11 stretches over and is a snug fit against the camera and because of this, there are no loose flapping portions which can become torn or snagged. Cover 11 has a lens opening portion 12 such that the camera lens is not obstructed by the covering. However, to minimise ingress of contamination, the wall of the lens opening 13 fits snugly against the periphery of the lens, cover 11 includes an access flap 14 which can be opened to allow the video tape to be inserted and removed and possible to also change the battery. Flap 14 is sealed using Velcro™ against the remainder of the cover. The cover 11 has a small slot 15 in it to access the focusing ring of this particular camera.

However, slot 15 may be positioned elsewhere on different cameras or may be omitted for camera having automatic focus facilities. An upper portion of cover 11 includes ventilation slots 16 to allow the camera to breath and includes a split and seamed rear slit 17 to allow the camera view finder 18 to project from the cover and be maneuvered as is desired. In the camera illustrated in Figure 1 , a forward microphone 19 is provided and it is preferred that around microphone 19, the protective cover has an array of openings 20 to allow sound to be picked-up by microphone 19. Protective cover 11 has a plastic dial 21 attached to make dial controls on the camera body easy to use and minimising ingress of contamination into the camera body.

Figure 2 shows a typical film camera 30 again covered by a protective cover 31 which is moulded to fit the particular shape of camera 30. A lens opening 32 is provided in protective cover 31 to allow the camera lens 33 to project through the cover. Opening 32 is designed to fit snugly against the walls of the projecting lens 33 to minimise ingress of contamination. If lens 33 is of the recessed type, the walls of opening 32 are designed to fit snugly against the front of the camera again to prevent contamination from entering into the camera body.

Further openings, for instance opening 34, is provided to allow the flash 35 to function without reduced intensity. Push button 36 is however enclosed by the protective covering and a separate opening is not required. Referring to Figure 3, there is shown a cover for a video camera of alternative design. The cover is substantially transparent, is formed of a plastisol and has a thickness of approximately 5mm. The cover extends substantially about the video camera and has an opening 40 which extends along a bottom wall 41 of the cover and up a portion of rear wall 42. The opening is quite large to allow easy attachment of the cover over the camera.

A flap 43 extends from each side of the opening and folds over and seals itself on the other side of the opening. The flap can be sealed using Velcro™, press studs, zippers, clips or an inserted plastic device that is incorporated with manufacture of the cover. Opening 40 has a reinforced edge 44 extending about the opening to provide extra strength, the edge being moulded into the cover.

Figure 5 illustrates a close-up of the video lens. The cover has a circular cut-out portion 45 which extends about the camera lens. The cutout portion is defined by a thickened inside edge 46 which acts as a sealing means or a washer about the lens. A foam strip 47 is placed on the inside of the cover and adjacent and inwardly from edge 46 to provide additional sealing against ingress of dust and moisture. Referring to Figure 4A, the cover has a strap moulding 48 which includes an opening 49 reinforced by a thickened edge 50 which is integrally moulded into the cover and through which an existing strap can pass. The cover is provided with an integrally formed bubble which is moulded in the cover to overlie a button 52 which needs to be operated, and which can be operated by virtue of the button being within bubble 51.

The top wall of the cover has a raised portion 53 through which the viewfinder can pass (via a slot) and for easy control of the viewfinder.

A major opening flap 54 is incorporated in the cover to allow access to change tapes and to provide access for cameras having a fold-out viewfinder. Flap 54 overlaps 5 to 10mm to the side of the opening and is sealed via Velcro™ to the remainder of the cover.

Figure 6 illustrates a cover 60 for a CD player. The cover has a major top flap 61 which allows the lid of the CD player to be opened and to allow CDs to be inserted or removed. The peripheral edge 62 of flap 61 overlaps the remainder of the cover 60 and can be sealed thereto using

Velcro™ 62A or other sealing means.

The peripheral edge 62, as illustrated in Figure 6, extends entirely over the front of the CD player and along the bottom of the CD player where it can be sealed to the bottom using Velcro™ or other sealing means. The remainder of the CD cover has a flat bottom wall 63 and an upstanding side wall 64. The CD player can be placed into the cover and is held in place by the bottom wall and the side walls. The flap 61 can then be pulled over the top of the whole unit and wrapped around underneath to double-up on the front edge of the cover. Cut-outs are provided to allow head phones and the like to be plugged into the CD player and the edges of the cut-outs are thicker for added protection.

Figures 7A-7C illustrate a cover for a cellular phone. Cover 70 approximates the shape of the cellular phone and has a flap 71 which wraps around the back of the base and can be sealed by Velcro™ 73. An aerial opening 72 is provided if the cellular telephone has an extending aerial or for telephones having a butt aerial, an opening is not required. Figures 8A and 8B illustrate a cover for a computer games console. The cover 80 is moulded into a box-like shape and has an opening 81 in the form of a closeable flap. The lid 82 has a lift up flap which can be sealed against the front wall 83 via a Velcro™ patch 84. Cut outs 85 are provided to allow leads to be plugged into the console.

MANUFACTURE OF THE COVER

The cover in an embodiment is formed from a plastisol, a standard formula of which is

PVC resin 50%

Plasticiser 45%

Colour pigment 2.5%

Heat stabiliser 2%

UV stabiliser 0.5%

Plastisols are known and are dispersions of fine particle size PVC resins in plasticising liquids. The materials are liquid at room temperature but will fuse when heated.

The PVC is typically a co-polymer, homopolymer with a low soap PVC resin being preferred.

The plasticiser may comprise a polymeric plasticiser, a parafin, or a phthlate esther. Other types of plasticisers may also be suitable.

If desired, pigments can be added as can heat and UV stabilisers.

A particular plastisol formulation would contain about 50% of

PVC resin (P70 Vinnolit, Geon 121 , Geon 138, Geon 171 or Geon 178 (trade marks)). The plastisol would additionally contain a plasticiser in the ration of approximately 45%, the plasticiser being selected from Santicizer 160, Replas

171 , Replas 333, and Replas 195 (trade marks).

A heat stabiliser of about 2% is added, the heat stabiliser being selected from Austab, Texistab, or Advastab. A thickener which may be a fumed silica, Spam 85, or Aerosil 200 (trade marks) is added.

The amount of plasticiser can be slightly increased or decreased to change the softness of the plastisol. In an example of manufacture of a cured cover, a mandrel is made having the outside shape of the electronic device and which may be slightly smaller. The mandrel can be formed of metal and is pre-heated to around 110° to 250°C. Once the mandrel has been heated, a lubricant is applied (silicon spray). The mandrel is then dipped into the PVC plastisol solution for 10 to 60 seconds. The mandrel is then removed from the solution and then rotated to provide an even flow of plastisol around the mandrel. As the plastisol contacts the hot mandrel, it sets into a gel. The gelled coated mandrel is then placed in an oven to cure between 150° to 280°C for between 5 to 20 minutes. After curing, the mandrel with the attached cover is cooled either by air cooling or water quenching.

Once the covered mandrel has cooled down, the various cuts and cut-outs are made while the cover is still on the mandrel. For instance, with a video camera cover, a circular cut-out is made about the lens area and other cuts, slits or slots are made to provide access to the video camera tape and the like. Other products will be cut in designated areas. Where slots or openings are made, the cover is provided with a thickened edge or sealing rib to act as a sealing means. These ribs are formed by providing the mandrel with the required recesses which will be filled with the plastisol to form the ribs. The ribs provide extra strength to minimise the opening tearing around the edges of the opening.

Once the cuts have been performed, and while the cover is still on the mandrel, attachments as required are incorporated. For instance, Velcro™ strips may be used to seal off flaps and these are attached at this stage. Other attachments can be placed on the cover either with adhesive, stitching, or heat welding. The cover is then taken off the mandrel and any internal attachments are made such as foam strips to cushion the sealing beads or the area around the camera lens.

The cover is lightweight, water and weatherproof, flexible, transparent or available in colours, durable and resistant to a large range of chemicals such as chlorine water, salts, acids, or caustics.

The protective cover has a number of advantages. The cover is resistant to moisture and allows video cameras to be used outdoors under adverse conditions. The cover is resistant to dust and sand both of which are highly detrimental to the sensitive inner parts of most electronic devices. When formed from plastisol, the cover remains flexible across a reasonable temperature range which can extend from -10° up to about 60°C. The cover can be impregnated with UV absorbing components to minimise damage to the electronic device by UV radiation. A plastisol cover has excellent resistance to salt and chlorine which allows the electronic device to be exposed to a beach or pool environment. By being elastic, and adopting the general shape of the electronic device, the cover fits extremely snugly and there is little or no movement of the device in the cover. The normal functions of the electronic device are not impaired by the cover and by appropriate slots or bubbles in the cover. The cover is lightweight and does not excessively increase the weight of the electronic device, especially when being carried. The cover is easy to clean with household-type cleaning products.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A protective cover for an electronic device, the cover being stretchable and having a non-stretched shape which conforms generally to the outside shape of the device, an opening in the cover to allow the cover to be stretched over the device and sealing means to seal the opening against ingress of dust and water.

2. The cover of claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is a portable and personal electronic device.

3. The cover of claim 2, wherein the electronic device is selected from the group consisting of optical devices including cameras including still cameras and video cameras; audio devices including CD players, radios, tape recorders; telecommunication devices including cellular telephones, GSM receivers.

4. The cover of claim 1 , wherein the cover is substantially transparent, or has transparent zones which overiie controls, dials, or other areas of the device which need to be visible from outside of the cover.

5. The cover of claim 4, which has at least one vent opening extending through the cover and which vents heat or moisture emanating from the device to the outside of the cover.

6. The cover of claim 5, wherein the cover has sealing means about the vent opening to prevent ingress of dust or moisture into the device apart from through the vent opening.

7. The cover of claim 1 , wherein the sealing means comprises an integral thickened edge or bead adjacent the opening.

8. The cover of claim 7, wherein the cover is formed of resilient material which naturally biases the opening in the cover to its closed position.

9. The cover of claim 1 , which is slightly smaller that the outside shape of the device such that the cover is stretched over the device to provide a snug fit.

10. The cover of claim 1 which is formed of a substantially transparent plastisol.

11. The cover of claim 9, wherein the plastisol comprises a PVC resin and a plasticiser.

12. The cover of claim 10, which has a thickness of between 1 mm to 10mm.

13. The cover of claim 1 which is used to protect a camera the cover being made into a shape which generally conforms to the particular shape of the camera, the cover having a lens opening to allow light to pass into the lens without passing through the cover, the cover having a size slightly smaller than the size of the camera, such that in use, the cover is stretched over the camera in a snug manner.

14. The cover of claim 12, which is formed of a plastisol.