WO2014027169A1

WO2014027169A1 - Protective carry case incorporating a driven, geared cleaning element, for portable electronic devices.

Info

Publication number: WO2014027169A1
Application number: PCT/GB2013/000342
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan Wilkinson
Original assignee: Alan Wilkinson
Priority date: 2012-08-15
Filing date: 2013-08-12
Publication date: 2014-02-20
Also published as: GB2505044A; GB201214571D0; GB2505044B; GB2504974A; GB201310617D0

Abstract

The current invention relates to a protective carry case (1) for an electronic device which cleans and disinfects one or more faces of said device by the kinetic energy harnessed from the action of introduction into, or withdrawal from the case (1) so that a moist cleaning cylinder element (2) is driven at a speed greater than that of the introduction, and in a direction counter to movement of the mobile telephone relative to the case (1), so enhancing cleaning action over a non-driven cleaning element.

Description

Protective carry case incorporating a driven, geared cleaning element, for portable electronic devices.

Background

As the number of portable electronic devices continues to increase both in absolute numbers and screen size, so does the need to keep these screens clean from grease, dirt and bacteria for reasons of hygiene, aesthetics and viewing quality. This is particularly true for touch sensitive screens.

The following applications are known to exist:

6B 2458474A, US2009/0286581A1, US2004/0166910A1, US2008/0257921A1 EP2389830A1 KR201205272U

These devices clean and disinfect to differing degrees via the action of cleaning materials such as microfiber cloths and squeegees, either as static cleaning elements or rollers which rotate in the same direction as the electronic device being introduced into the case by frictional action of the device against said cleaning elements or rollers.

The current invention relates to a protective carry case for an electronic device which cleans ^{^}and disinfects by the kinetic energy harnessed from the action of introduction into or withdrawal from the case so that a moist cleaning element, for example in the form of a cylinder, rotates at a speed greater than the introduction, and in the opposite direction of said introduction, rather than by only the friction of the device's contact with the cleaning elements, thus enhancing the cleaning action without the requirement of electrical power from the device's battery or external power source.

The cleaning elements may be mounted so as to clean one or more of the faces of the electronic device simultaneously.

The case housing the cleaning mechanism is made of a rigid, lightweight material offering protection of the contents against dropping or crushing, and ensuring that the cleaning elements are adequately mounted so as to remain in uniform contact with the device's screen during the cleaning cycle which would not be possible in a flexible case.

The design may include a means of allowing the user to disengage the cleaning cycle if, for example, the device is withdrawn and introduced frequently and the user does not require that the device be cleaned every time this occurs.

Description

Rigid case (1) lined with a suitable material for dust removal and cushioning, for example microfiber, contains a cleaning cylinder (2) which revolves around spindle (7) and within hermetically sealed chamber (25) made up of inner case (27) and outer case (28) mounted at the top of case (1) at the point of aperture (31) where the electronic device is inserted and withdrawn.

Squeegee blade (3) is mounted under cleaning cylinder (2) to remove excess liquid from the electronic device's screen, channeling said liquid back into interior cover (27) of hermetic chamber (25).

Squeegee blade (3) is mounted on spindle (7), the latter being free to rotate through holes (39) in its supporting arms (38) but it being prevented from moving backward or forward by its connection to tubes (33) which fit telescopically into tubes (34). Tubes (34) are fixed to the interior of chamber (25).

Cables (18) are attached at one extreme to the interior base of tube (33), travel through tubes (34), are guided through angles by curved channels (29) and are attached to lever (16) at the other extreme. The function of cables (18) is to pull cleaning cylinder (2) into hermetic chamber (25) when not in cleaning cycle or allow (2) to stand proud of chamber (25) when in cleaning cycle.

Cables (18) are prevented from moving , when in the taut position dictating that the cleaning cylinder (2) is inside chamber (25) by pegs (19) which are attached to cables (18), and are pulled though holes (41) located on the cylindrical wall of (27), the wedge shape of pegs (19) and the angle of cables (18) preventing them from slipping back through holes (41) until required to do so by the contact of cover (28) at points (40) as it snaps open.

Roller (9) is located on the opposite side of aperture (31) and is covered with a non slip material for example rubber. It contains a ratchet (20) allowing it to freewheel in reverse. It is connected to cylinder (2) by belt (8) which runs around pulleys (4) and (5) which are fixed to roller (9) and cylinder (2) respectively so that downward/counter-clockwise movement of roller (9) on the back of the phone, drives cylinder (2) via belt (8), in the same counterclockwise direction resulting in cylinder (2) traveling in a direction opposite to the introduction of the front face of the phone i.e. the screen. This enhances the cleaning action if compared to a cleaning cylinder driven in the same direction as the phone's introduction relative to the case. Pulleys (4) and (5) are differing diameters so gearing is achieved, so that a larger diameter for pulley (4) fixed to roller (9) than pulley (5) fixed to cylinder (2) will result in cylinder (2) rotating at a faster speed than roller (9), again enhancing the cleaning ability over a slower rotation.

Interior cover (27) of hermetic chamber (25) is static, being fixed to the interior of case (1).

Catches (23) are released by the action of sprung lever (21) causing springs (22) which are contained in curved tubes (42) to pull cover (28) open, so opening the hermetic chamber (25). Stops (32) mounted on exterior cover (28) provide stability to force open catches (23) when electronic device is pushed onto lever (21). Springs (35) mounted between lever (21) and exterior case (28), allow lever (21) to spring upwards when electronic device is removed.

The pulling action of straps (26) which are attached to base plate (14) at one extreme, and to hubs (30) fixed to section (28) of hermetic chamber (25), at the other extreme, provide the means of pullin cover (28) over the aperture in cover (27) as the electronic device is pushed to the extreme of the case's (1) base.

The area surrounding oval aperture (24) in end plate of cover (27) has a double wall or channel (36) which allows sliding door (37) to close aperture (24) hermetically while sliding along its length. Snug fitting hole (43) allows spindle (7) to pass through and rotate, but prevents liquid loss from chamber (25)

Tube (34) is attached to the interior of inner section (27). Tube (33) connected to arm (38), through which spindle (7) passes and is free to rotate within, fits telescopically into tube (34).

Squeegee blade (3) is mounted to arm (38), enabling squeegee blade (3) to retract into, or protrude from, hermetic chamber (25) at the same time as cleaning cylinder (2) while preventing squeegee blade (3) from rotating around spindle (7).

Base plate (14) is operated by lever (17) moving through slot (10) by manual action of handle (15) which protrudes to the outside of case (1) and facilitates the withdrawal of the device from the case as well as activating straps (26).

Liquid reservoir (11) is serviceable through service flap (6). Cleaning and antibacterial liquid travels through tube (12) to reach cleaning cylinder (2) by the pump action of button (13) located on the exterior of case (1).

Referring to figures, as the electronic device is introduced into rigid case (1), through aperture (31), it pushes hinged lever (21) to contact stops (32), causing catches (23) to release. This allows springs (22) to pull exterior cover (28) of hermetic chamber (25) to open said chamber exposing cleaning cylinder (2) and squeegee blade (3). As cover (28) is pulled open to the end of its travel, points (40) contact pegs (19), pushing them through holes (41) and releasing the tension of cables (18). This causes belt (8) which connects pulley (4) fixed to roller (9) with pulley (5) fixed to spindle (7), to pull spindle (7) across oval aperture (24) so that cleaning cylinder (2) and squeegee blade (3) are pulled into contact with the electronic device's screen. As the device is further introduced into case (1), the back of the electronic device contacts with non-slip roller (9), causing it to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction. This rotation causes pulley (4) to transmit anticlockwise rotation of spindle (7) via pulley (5) and so to cleaning cylinder (2), on the face in contact with the electronic device's screen, which is connected to pulley (4) by belt (8).

The counter-clockwise rotation (in relation to the telephone's entrance direction relative to the case) of cleaning cylinder (2), comprised of a suitably absorbent cleaning material which covers the rigid cylinder, together with the cleaning fluid which reaches hermetic chamber (25) via pump action of button (13) through tube (12), provides cleaning cycle more effectively than a cleaning cylinder rotating in the same direction as the entering telephone relative to the case. Any excess liquid is removed by squeegee blade (3) which directs it back into interior cover (27).

The cleaning cycle continues for the duration of the introduction of the electronic device, ensuring that the screen is cleaned along its length.

As the electronic device reaches the end of its travel, it contacts base plate (14) causing base plate (14) to push down on levers (16), pulling cables (18) taut. This pulls tubes (33) telescopically into tubes (34) so pulling spindle (7) and pulley (4) across oval apertures (24), against the tension of belts (8) and causing cleaning cylinder (2) and squeegee blade (3) to retract into interior cover (27). Cleaning cylinder (2) and squeegee blade (3) are no longer in contact with the electronic device's screen.

As the electronic device is inserted over the final part of its insertion travel, base plate (14) causes straps (26) to pull on hub (30) which is joined to exterior cover (28) of hermetic chamber (25) until it engages in catches (23) which secures it and forms a hermetic seal with interior cover (27).

The electronic device is now stored clean in its protective case (1). Hermetic chamber (25) is closed and not in contact with the device's screen. In this position cleaning cylinder (2) and squeegee blade (3) are protected from the entry of dirt and the hermetic seal prevents loss of cleaning liquid.

To remove the electronic device, handle (15) is pushed up. This causes lever (17) to travel up slot (10), causing attached base plate (14) to move upward, pushing the electronic device out of the case (1) through aperture (31), sprung lever (21) pivoting upwards and ratchet mechanism (20) in the free-wheeling direction allowing this to happen . Once the device is sufficiently withdrawn by this action, the user completes the withdrawal with their fingers.

Lever (21) springs back into place due to springs (35) and the case is ready for its next cleaning cycle.

Hinged service flap (6) allows access to consumable components i.e. the cleaning cylinder (2), hinged squeegee blade (3), belt (8), non-slip roller (9), and cleaning fluid reservoir (11).

Figures

Figure 1 shows side views of the case with end plate of hermetic chamber removed to show from left to right: Phone fully inserted, empty case, and case in cleaning cycle.

Figure 2 shows a detailed front view of the cleaning cylinder, squeegee blade, and hermetic chamber

Figure 3 shows detail of the squeegee blade mounting and aperture mechanism which slides to engage or disengage cleaning cycle. Figure 4 shows amplified side views of the upper part of the case with end plate of hermetic chamber removed to show from left to right: Phone fully inserted, empty case, and case in cleaning cycle.

Figure 5 shows a blow-up image of the hermetic chamber and its surrounding components in the cleaning cycle.

Claims

A protective case for a mobile telephone, the case comprising:

a movable cleaning element having a contact area adapted to contact at least one face of said telephone as the telephone is inserted into or removed from the case; and a drive arrangement including energy harvesting means for harvesting kinetic energy from a moving mobile telephone as it is inserted into or removed from the case, and drive means adapted to move the cleaning element, the movement of a contact area of the cleaning element relative to the case being at a velocity greater than the movement of the mobile telephone relative to the case.

A protective case for an electronic device as described in all previous claims having a drive means adapted to move the cleaning element, the movement of a contact area of the cleaning element relative to the case being at rotational direction counter to movement of the mobile telephone relative to the case.

A protective case for an electronic device as described in all previous claims having a cylinder covered with an anti-slip material such as rubber, mounted at the top, interior of the case, facing the back of the electronic device and rotated by the frictional force of the device's introduction into the case, said cylinder being connected to a cleaning cylinder by a flexible belt at each end of the cleaning cylinder, causing it to rotate.

A protective case for an electronic device as described in all previous claims which includes a gearing mechanism to vary the rotational speed of one or more cleaning elements in relation to the speed of introduction and or withdrawal of said device from the case.

A protective case for an electronic device as described in all previous claims, having a cleaning element comprised of a cylinder covered in an absorbent, tufted, rotating pad, moistened in a chamber receiving cleaning and antibacterial fluid.

A protective case for an electronic device as described in all previous claims having a squeegee blade mounted under the cleaning cylinder in such a way as to be the last part of the cleaning element in contact with the electronic device's screen as the cleaning element is disengaged at the end of its travel, so ensuring a smear free finish.

A protective case for an electronic device as described in all previous claims whose cleaning element is retracted into a hermetically sealed cover when not in the cleaning cycle, to protect against dirt and evaporation and escape of cleaning liquid.

A protective case for an electronic device as described in all previous claims which has an interior plate which can be slid manually upwards through a channel in the case by a control connected to the outside via a bar passing through the case, serving to facilitate the removal of the electronic device from its necessarily snug fitting case.

9. A protective case for an electronic device as described in all previous claims offering access to a fluid reservoir and the cleaning element via a hinged flap in the case body allowing servicing and refilling of consumables.

10. A protective case for an electronic device as described in all previous claims having a means of dispensing cleaning fluid onto the cleaning element from the fluid reservoir as and when required, by the manual action of a control mounted on the case exterior.

11. A protective case for an electronic device as described in all previous claims having an option of temporarily disengaging cleaning element.