The present invention relates to the field of communications device housings, namely housings for the support and protection of hand-held electronic devices having data input features and video screens. In particular, the present invention relates to housings for electronic devices such as smartphones, for example, which housings protect the electronic devices and can be easily cleaned with infection control chemicals.
A smartphone—the term being derived from a contraction of smart and telephone—is a class of a combined mobile phone and a multi-purpose mobile computing device. Smartphone are distinguished from feature phones by their advanced hardware capabilities and extensive mobile operating systems, which facilitate wider software, internet capability (including web browsing over mobile broadband), and multimedia functionality including data-transfer, video, etc., together with traditional core phone functions such as voice calls and text messaging. Smartphones typically include various sensors that can be utilised by their software, such as a GPS position determining sensors, proximity sensing and pressure sensing, and support wireless communications protocols such as Bluetooth™. Equally, a smartphone can also be considered as a mobile computer with a touchscreen display, circuitry and battery in a single, hand-size, hand-held device. Certain smartphones can include physical buttons for basic features such as speaker volume and power, and ports for network communications and battery charging. Smartphones are typically significantly smaller than tablet computers and laptop computers, typically being of a general cuboid form with a thickness or depth of 0.25″-0.4″ (6.3 mm-10.1 mm) and a screen generally less than 7″ (18 cm) as measured diagonally.
Present day functionality of smartphones is substantially determined through a touch screen, namely almost all instructional and interactional input on smartphones is provided through the touch screen, many of which can interpret complex gestures using multi-touch; the use of an operator's finger or a stylus can be employed to use the device and input or amend data/script. This can permit a user to navigate easily and type with a virtual keyboard on the screen. Such systems respond to a touch of the screen rather than a depression of a keyboard or movement of a “mouse”, which allows integrated hand-eye operation, a natural use of the somatosensory system. The smartphone's interaction techniques enable the user to move the content up or down by a touch-drag motion of the finger. For example, zooming in and out of web pages and photos can be performed by the placement of two fingers on the screen and spreading them farther apart or bringing them closer together whilst remaining in contact with the screen, commonly referred to as “pinching”. Scrolling through a long list or menu can be achieved by sliding a finger over the display from bottom to top, or vice versa to go back. In either case, the list moves as if it is pasted on the outer surface of a wheel, slowly decelerating as if affected by friction. In this way, the interface simulates the physics of a real object.
Touchscreens usually come in one of two forms: Resistive touchscreens are passive and respond to pressure on the screen. They allow a high level of precision, useful in emulating a pointer, as is common in the use of smartphone computers, but may require calibration. In view of the high levels of resolution possible, a stylus or fingernail is often used, although this also means that they are less suited to multi-touch functioning. In contrast, capacitive touchscreens tend to be less accurate, but more responsive than resistive devices. However, because they require a conductive material, such as a fingertip, for input, they are not common among stylus-oriented devices, but are prominent with consumer devices. Finger-driven capacitive screens do not currently support pressure input.
A smartphone's size can vary considerably, but marketplace trends can determine current preferred dimensions. For example, the Apple iPhone 8 has a screen-to-body ratio of 86% and a screen size of 6.5″,—the same as the Honor 8X—with corresponding dimensions of the Samsung Galaxy Note 9, LG V40 ThinQ being 84% and 6.4″. It is notable that a one-time ethos of Steve Jobs, a founder of Apple was that a 7-inch (17.5 cm) screen would be “too small to express the software”.
A smartphone display can be responsive to other controlling factors: an ambient light sensor can cause screen brightness to vary; a 3-axis accelerometer can be deployed to determine smartphone orientation and switch between portrait and landscape modes. Certain devices enable screen rotation in all four orientations, including upside-down. Consequently, a device may have no intrinsic “native” orientation; only the relative position of the home button changes.
The use of smartphones, in modern day life is ubiquitous; not only for social reasons but increasingly for business reasons and many employers provide smartphones as part of a standard employee package. However, smartphones—whether an iPhone or not—are electronic devices which need to be protected from damage in use, whether from mishandling including being dropped onto hard surfaces, splashed with water, chemicals etc. and they need to be capable of being cleaned with harsh infection control chemicals and wipes—especially in healthcare facilities, for example, whilst, of course, retaining their functionality. There are a number of cases for smartphones like the Apple IPhone®, Samsung Galaxy® and other smartphones commercially available.
The commercially available cases for smartphone devices may not meet some of the needs of consumers, and may be more difficult and/or costly to manufacture than is desirable. Not only must the functionality be retained, the case must be sufficiently robust to withstand the effects of being dropped upon a hard surface; it is a moot point as to whether an employee is more or less careful with an employer provided device. For business continuity reasons, accidental knocks etc must have no effect upon the performance of the device, noting that functionality of a screen of a smartphone must be maintained for, inter alia, and business continuity reasons. The mechanical ruggedness of a case will be paramount in importance for engineers, surveyors and for employees who work outside and in engineering situations; equally for healthcare professionals, such physical ruggedness will need to be supplemented by an ability to be cleaned, autoclaved and to have a reduced capability to transfer dirt and disease arising from contact with foreign bodies, splashes and the like.
US2018249799 (Otter Products LLC) teaches of a protective enclosure for an electronic device, which protective enclosure is configured such that the electronic device can fit within the protective enclosure and be protected from drops, shocks, damage, misuse, and the like. The enclosure comprises a “clamshell” housing for receiving an electronic device. GB2500943 (Paramount Medical Solutions) provides an enclosure comprises a “clamshell” housing for receiving a non-sterile electronic device. The clamshell housing comprises: a first part for receiving the electronic device, a second part whereby the first part can be closed off, and fastening means used to connect the first and second parts, thereby to retain the first part in its closed-off state. The clamshell comprises a flexible, non-rigid material—such as a PET, PE or PVC material—which allows the display and the one or more operating elements of the electronic device to be reliably viewed and operated. Whilst this system can be cleaned, it is provided with a plastics screen that can be scratched in use resulting in a reduced functionality. Adoption of this device has not been widespread.
The present invention seeks to provide a solution to the problems addressed above. The present invention seeks to provide a smartphone enclosure that can be readily used in a medical environment, be easily and reliably cleaned by aseptic techniques whereby to minimize the possibility that microorganisms remain associated with an enclosure.
Furthermore, the present invention seeks to provide an enclosure that does not impede any functionality of smartphone control, via screen manipulation and/or switches whilst maintaining providing a fully waterproof enclosure i.e. to IP 65, IP 64 or other suitable standards, that can be sterilised by way of infection control chemicals or wipes or using newer sterilisation techniques such as UV Sterilisation or low temperature sterilisation, including the ability to be autoclaved.
In a general sense, there is provided an enclosure for a smartphone device having a flat screen display, the enclosure comprising first and second body members which are removably coupled together, to define a cavity therein for the placement of a communications device therein.
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an enclosure for a communications device having a flat screen display, the enclosure comprising first and second body members operably defining a closed, generally rectangular-prism cavity for the placement of a communications device therein, the first and second body members each being provided with peripheral opposing mating surfaces; wherein the first body member of the enclosure is formed of a rigid material and comprises a substantially rectangular frame about a transparent planar screen, defining a primary axis, with side walls depending from an inside surface of the member along a first end and two parallel sides, to define an open “C”-section aperture; wherein the second body member of the enclosure is formed from a rigid material and comprises a substantially rectangular panel having an outside surface and an inside surface, one end defining a tongue-like element for reception within the “C”-section of the first body member, the other end forming an end member opposite the first end with side walls upstanding from an inside surface, to extend in an overlapping fashion with respect to the first member; wherein the side and end walls of first and second body members, when brought together provide a circumferential wall to the enclosure, which walls are provided with outwardly extending elastic shock absorbing portions; Wherein the inside surfaces of the parallel upstanding sidewalls of the first member provide opposing channel engagement means to provide an entrance portion for the tabs to be inserted in a state of incomplete overlap of the two body members, to permit the tabs to move parallel with the main axis towards a state of overlap of the two members; wherein the channel further comprises abutment members operable to abut against engagement projection members of the second member and wherein the abutment members are shaped to engage with the tabs and cause the second body to be brought toward the first body as the two members fully overlap; Wherein a locking mechanism is provided to enable the first and second body members in a fixed relative position once fully overlapped. Thus, there is provided an enclosure that provides a robust enclosure for a communications device.
Conveniently, the enclosure has first and second body members manufactured from a plastics moulding, such as a medical grade resinous plastics polycarbonate. Elastic shock absorbing properties can be provided by a plastics material such as a thermoplastics elastomer of the types such as a styrene-ethylene butylene-styrene thermoplastics elastomer, preferably provided as an over-moulded feature.
A plastics enclosure can be provided with anti-bacterial/antiseptic properties. The enclosure is conveniently generally rectangular-shaped, having a thickness determined by the thickness of the basic communications device, which may be provided with compartments for the provision of electrical cells to provide additional functionality. Accordingly, the enclosure can be readily used in a medical environment, be easily and reliably cleaned by aseptic techniques is minimize the possibility that microorganisms remain associated with an enclosure.
Conveniently, the enclosure comprises first and second members and each of first and second members have a tongue portion which is received in a correspondingly shaped portion of the respective other member, whereby to sealingly engage in a mated position. A detent or a ramp-like feature can be provided, whereby to enable the two members to remain in a mated position. Conveniently, there is provided a gasket member that enables the mutually contacting surfaces between the two housing members to sealingly engage together. The gasket can be provided as a separate gasket member, which is manufactured from a plastics rubber such as silicone rubber, which possesses an excellent resistance to temperature, ozone and weathering. Nitrile rubbers can be provided where the enclosure would be subject to fuel, oil, aromatic solvents and alcohols. Alternatively, the gasket could be defined at the same time that an over-mould process for protective elements is provided. Accordingly, there can be provided an enclosure that provides a robust waterproof and fluidproof enclosure.
The enclosure lends itself to extension of the basic data storage and transfer capabilities of the communications device. The camera can be adapted to read bar-codes whether of the traditional linear style or of the two-dimensional format. In another embodiment, there can be provided a speculum to locate over the rear facing camera of the communications device, whereby to provide an operation otoscope. A further feature of the invention can be the provision of a single housing electrical cell re-charge facility.
Thus the present invention provides a rugged case or enclosure for a communications device having a display, such as a smartphone and the like. The rigid material can one of a number of materials, but it will be appreciated that a plastics moulding that can be easily and simply mass produced. Inventor has determined that polycarbonate resinous materials can be provided with suitable characteristics. In particular, one such plastics material that is readily available is Makrolon® which is available from Bayer AG, which material has been used for over fifty years and is a well-known material, having a high flexural rigidity and has been used in many industries, including the food preparation and healthcare industries, with known and approved (e.g. FDA) characteristics. Makrolon benefits from its ability to be manufactured reliably with high tolerances and can be autoclaved and, importantly, has a high resistance to all commonly used antiseptic agents, such as high concentration bleach or sporacidal sprays.
The elastic shock absorbing plastics material can conveniently comprise a thermoplastics elastomer, whereby over-moulding manufacturing processes can be employed, whereby to provide a housing that has a finish that can be easily cleaned—and optionally sterilised—and does not have gaps between the two plastics materials, which would otherwise be susceptible of harbouring dirt and germs. Inventor has determined that styrene-ethylene butylene-styrene thermoplastics elastomer, sold under the trade name Evoprene™, can provide not only suitable levels of shock absorption but also adheres well to Makrolon. Additionally, many plastics are easily provided with specific chemicals to provide a range of finished colours.
In common with electronics devices, such as a smartphone, the enclosure is generally rectangular-shaped, having a thickness determined to a large degree by the thickness of the electronics device, although the cavity may be provided with storage compartments for additional functionality. Conveniently, when the first and second members are brought together, there is effectively no space therebetween, whereby no dirt and contaminants can reside, which is important generally and specifically with regard to use of the housing in healthcare facilities and laboratories.
Conveniently, there is provided a separate gasket member, which is manufactured from a plastics rubber such as silicone rubber, which possesses an excellent resistance to temperature, ozone and weathering. Nitrile rubbers can be provided where the enclosure would be subject to fuel, oil, aromatic solvents and alcohols. Alternatively, the gasket could be defined at the same time that the overmoulded elements are provided.
The screen of the housing can be made from a number of materials, for example form a polycarbonate screen or a silicon screen. A further benefit of the present invention, in having rigid first and second housing members is that the screen for viewing the display can be manufactured form a glass without fear of the glass cracking due to an inherent flexibility of the enclosure. Inventor has determined that glasses made using a high-ion exchange process, such as Asahi Dragontrail™ glass, Schott's Xensation™ glass or Corning's Gorilla™ glass can provide glass that is suitably scratch resistant and This type of glass—alumina-silicate glass benefits from being capable of being manufactured using float processing techniques and is readily available in thicknesses of 0.3-5 mm, although other thicknesses available.
A stiff material needs more force to deform compared to a soft material. The Young's modulus of a material is a measure of the stiffness of a solid material, noting that the strength of material is the amount of force it can withstand and still recover its original shape. The geometric stiffness of a product depends on its shape, whilst the hardness of a material defines the relative resistance that its surface imposes against the penetration of a harder body. In contrast, the; flexible cases as have been employed hitherto cannot provide a required degree of rigidity to prevent flexural cracking of glass. Notwithstanding this, plastic films may be provided over the glass to contain any shards in the unlikely event that the glass shatters.
Conveniently, the first and second housings, the overmoulded elastomers and the glass can provide an anti-bacterial effect, to minimise risk of contamination and spread of disease, which is especial benefit when an enclosure in accordance with the present invention is employed by healthcare professionals. Conveniently the screen, whether plastics or glass is adhesively attached by means of a glue gasket, conveniently cut by laser, when the peripheral dimensions are complex and intricate. The design of the first housing that retains the glass screen includes a feature to be discarded if necessary, typically if and extreme G-shock is applied to the screen it would break, rendering the entire housing useless, however by making the screen housing discardable, it can be replaced with a spare screen and render the entire case useable again. The intention is the first housing can be replaced by a non-technical clinician easily and with special tools.
For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the Figures as shown in the accompanying drawing sheets, wherein:
There will now be described, by way of example only, the best mode contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the present invention. In the following description, numerous specific details are set out in order to provide a complete understanding to the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that the present invention may be put into practice with variations of the specific.
A first embodiment of the invention, comprising an enclosure or housing 20 shall now be discussed with reference to
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
Once the edge 27f is brought against lower edge element 26U and the respective sealing elements brought against each other and the clip 29 is engaged in recess 37, then the two upper and lower housing components are sealed against water ingress and impact damage, as may be encountered if, for example, the device is dropped onto a hard floor etc.
With reference to
Returning to
The front and rear panels 21, 25 are conveniently formed from a relatively rigid material, whereby when formed they substantially resist deformation. It has been determined that polycarbonate resinous materials can be provided with suitable characteristics. In particular, one readily available plastics material is Makrolon® in the name of Bayer, which has been used for over fifty years and is a well-known material, having a high flexural rigidity (Flexural Modulus of 2.4 GPa), and has been used in many industries, including the food preparation and healthcare industries, with well-defined characteristics; it can be manufactured reliably with high tolerances and can be autoclaved and, importantly, has a high resistance to all commonly used antiseptic agents. Inventor has found that by employing a rigid enclosure, the screen can be provided by high ion exchange glasses with typical values of a Young's modulus being of the order of 70-80 GPa, Vicker's Hardness being of the order of 600-800 kgf/mm2, preferably 665-685 kgf/mm2, Fracture Toughness being of the order of 0.6-0.8 MPa m0.5 Furthermore, glass produced using high ion exchange process can have anti-microbial coatings applied, such as silver ion and copper ion coatings, which are commonly used, although other metals such as the noble metals (including gold and platinum) can also be employed. Of the metallic ions with anti-microbial properties (i.e. they provide oligodynamic action), silver is perhaps the best known due to its unusually good bioactivity at low concentrations. It is well known that glasses provide substantially greater resistance to scratching compared with plastics screens. It will be appreciated that there are a number of other plastics manufacturers: for example, Inventor has employed polyurethanes as manufactured form PORON Industrial Polyurethanes to provide durable, long-term performance plastics operable in a products being rigid yet providing good sealing qualities with complementary products enabling sealing and cushioning or vibration management that will not become brittle and crumble. A further benefit in the use of a rigid material for the manufacture of the enclosure, Applicants have determined that the sealing qualities between the first and second panels are extremely good, with the inside faces of the sealing edge presenting minimal edge separation, whereby the harbouring of dirt (and germs) is effectively substantially reduced with regard to any known enclosures. In order to provide this sealing effect, care has been taken to ensure that the hinges ensure closure and assist in lateral rigidity. It is also pertinent to point out that the choice of material of construction must not substantially impair transmission of wifi communications as between a communications device 10 retained by the housing. Different devices will have their wifi antenna arranged in different configurations, as will be appreciated.
Inventors have thus designed the enclosure such that the screen can be made from scratch resistant glasses, such as toughened glass, in particular glasses made using a high-ion exchange process, such as Asahi Dragontrail™ glass, Schott's Xensation™ glass or Corning's Gorilla™ glass. This type of glass—alumina-silicate glass—benefits from being capable of being manufactured using float processing techniques and is readily available in thicknesses of 0.5-5 mm, although other thicknesses available. It has been found that such glass with a thickness of 0.7 mm has provided sufficient for manufacturing and use; as a precaution, a 0.12 mm anti-shatter film can be advantageously provided, where a degree of security from glass shards being spread in the unlikely event that the limits of structural integrity of the glass are exceeded, noting that insurance providers frequently stipulate the provision of such materials in, for example, medical environments. Notwithstanding this, it will be inevitable that a glass will become damaged by accident. Inventor has configured the glass such that the glass can be separated through the use of suitable solvents, whereby a polymeric seating gasket and adhesive can be removed from the front cover 21 and a replacement glass and seal. It is anticipated that this would be performed by users but a refurbishment service could also be offered.
It will be appreciated that in particular environment, regard will be had to the operating conditions; whilst polycarbonates such as Makrolon are resistant to mineral acids (even in high concentrations), a large number of organic acids, many oxidizing and reducing agents, neutral and acidic saline solutions, some greases and oils, saturated aliphatic and cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons, and most alcohols, certain operating circumstances may dictate that other specific material choices may be made. Conveniently, the plastics and resins contain an internal mould release additive. Further, many plastics and resins are available in natural, clear tints, select transparent, translucent, opaque colours and special effects.
Inventors have determined that one type of styrene-ethylene butylene-styrene thermoplastics elastomer, sold under the trade name Evoprene™, can provide not only suitable levels of shock absorption but also adheres well to Makrolon. Indeed, these polymers are fully saturated so the resistance to oxidation, ozone and general outdoor weathering is excellent. Evoprene™ Standard Compounds are easy to mould/process on standard thermoplastic processing equipment and similar materials with the same mechanical/chemical properties are envisaged. Whilst the embodiment of
It will be apparent to those skilled that the rigidity of the housing provides benefits in that the screen of the electronic device 20 can be placed in an abutting relationship with an inside face of the screen, whereby the capacitive touch technology employed by most smartphone providers is not compromised by the housing screen glass, which also enables capacitive touch technology to be maintained. It will be appreciated that when an electronic device is placed within the enclosure of the present invention, upon closure of the housing elements, the base member is provided with resilient elements which act against the rear of the device, whereby the screen of the device is in touching contact with the inside face of the enclosure screen 22. The glass can be adhesively mounted to the Makrolon, but it has been found that a double-sided polyethylene foam tape 34 can be employed. The thickness can be of the order of 0.5 mm and an acrylic adhesive treated to provide a high degree of tack can be employed. Such foam tapes are widely available since they are presently used in a number of diverse applications such as mirror attachment applications, trim fitment to white goods etc; furthermore, they can also resist the high temperatures as used in sterilising equipment—for example, Tesa Tape Inc of Charlotte USA or 3M specialised gaskets provides a wide range of adhesive tapes/gaskets. Conveniently, the material is provided in planar form and is cut using laser cutting techniques or similar, to ensure that the attachment is consistent in quality.
As is known, many communications devices, such as the iPhone 8 are designed to be controlled by bare fingers. The present invention, through the use of a glass such as a high ion exchange glass can enable control of the device though the use of gestures and the like, enabling effective capacitive functioning of the screen of the device. Importantly, such capacitive control can be maintained despite use of surgical gloves. Surgical gloves have more precise sizing with a better precision and sensitivity and are generally made to a higher standard than for general medical gloves, being disposable gloves used during medical examinations and procedures that help prevent contamination between caregivers and patients.
The mating seal 34 or gasket can be made from a number of different materials, such as silicone rubber, which possess an excellent resistance to temperature, ozone and weathering. Silicone rubbers can easily be manufactured from FDA approved materials and also provides good insulation (electrical) properties but poor resistance to petroleum based fluids. Nitrile rubbers can be provided where the enclosure would be subject to fuel, oil, aromatic solvents and alcohols. Nitrile rubbers benefit from being rugged and have high tear strength and abrasion resistance, but suffer from ozone exposure and low temperature performance. In a further alternative, the gasket could be defined at the same time that the overmoulded elements are provided. Whilst this might assist in the manufacture of the enclosure, by simplifying the number of manufacturing/assembly steps, in the event of damage, the gaskets would not be easily be replaced.
bi shows a hand 93 of a patient presenting a lesion 94. The present invention enables a communications device 10 enclosed by the housing 20 to safely record a skin condition. Given that such a condition may be infectious, the present invention can reduce the risk of infection of other by providing contamination by providing an enclosure that is wholly capable of being sterilized, as shown in
The present invention thus provides a rugged enclosure for smartphone devices. It will be appreciated that the rigid design can provide effective shock absorption from incidents that are likely to happen in general usage. Different designs of smartphone—if of similar general sizes can be accommodated with one enclosure; padding being provided not only to enable differ thicknesses of devices, but also to prevent lateral movement of a device once placed within the enclosure. It is expected that in certain institutions, the smartphones will be provided by the operating body; however, in other institutions, smartphones may be the personal property of specific users. By the provision of a cleaning department in a hospital or other healthcare facility, a pharmacy and pharmacological environments and food preparation areas, standards of cleanliness can be monitored and maintained. The present invention by the use of a rigid body with slide-to-close features can reliably prevent ingress of water into an enclosure, once closed and accordingly, it will be appreciated that the enclosure can be employed in many other environments where use of a smartphone is required, but that such use in an unprotected environment can destroy the i/o ports, switches etc. Thus the present invention can be safely employed in many engineering situations from water processing plants, engineering works, forestry and in fisheries and outdoor research facilities. Furthermore the present invention can be applied in several marine areas, including research, whilst military versions (including casualty evacuation scenarios) are also envisioned. Lanyards may be adopted such that they can connect with the handle, for example, such that loss in an outdoor environment or to prevent damage from significant drops can be prevented.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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1917278.2 | Nov 2019 | GB | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2020/025544 | 11/27/2020 | WO |