초록 ▼

Impacts to the case of a portable electronic unit including a display are dissipated by a plurality of thermoplastic elastomeric damping elements which isolate an internal frame unit, carrying the display and associated electronic components, from contact with the enclosure. Each damping element is

Impacts to the case of a portable electronic unit including a display are dissipated by a plurality of thermoplastic elastomeric damping elements which isolate an internal frame unit, carrying the display and associated electronic components, from contact with the enclosure. Each damping element is provided with corresponding positioning structures within the case to ensure that the frame unit “floats”on protective shock absorbing material to provide three-dimensional support and damping of impacts incident from any direction. Damping elements may take the form of small caps of elastomeric material at spaced positions around the periphery of the frame unit. Electronic connections to the display screen are accomplished using flexible connectors to maintain the mechanical isolation of the display screen from the rest of the unit.

대표청구항 ▼

A shock resistant portable electronic unit, comprising: a three-dimensional enclosure of shock resistant material, including at least two separable sections; a frame unit having peripheral dimensions proportioned to fit within said enclosure without physical contact therewith and adapted to support

A shock resistant portable electronic unit, comprising: a three-dimensional enclosure of shock resistant material, including at least two separable sections; a frame unit having peripheral dimensions proportioned to fit within said enclosure without physical contact therewith and adapted to support at least one electronic component, said frame unit including a plurality of projections extending outward from said peripheral portions, each said projection having an end and a cross-sectional geometry; and shock absorbing means comprising resilient damping material located along peripheral portions of said frame unit and positioned between contact areas of two separable sections of said enclosure and arranged to support said frame unit within said enclosure so as to prevent dislocation of said frame unit by drop shock forces incident upon said enclosure from any direction, and provide three-dimensional cushioning between said frame unit and said enclosure effective to dampen transmittal to said frame unit of drop shock forces incident upon said enclosure from any direction, said shock absorbing means comprising a plurality of damping caps each having an end, a cross-sectional geometry and an opening extending partially through said damping cap and configured to accept insertion of one of said projections; and wherein said enclosure comprises cooperating first and second sections, said first section including a plurality of first cradle supports each having a contact area corresponding to a first portion of the cross-sectional geometry of one of said mounting caps, said second section including a plurality of second cradle supports each having a contact area corresponding to a second portion of the cross-sectional geometry of one of said mounting caps, and said second section also including a plurality of lateral supports each positionable adjacent to an end of one of said mounting caps.