Abstract:
An electronics enclosure and a method configuring a cover and base member is disclosed. The base member includes mounting holes that secure the enclosure to a motor vehicle and safely encloses a portable electronic device that eliminates the risk of losing or damaging the portable electronic device during transport.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a protective electronics enclosure for portable electronic devices and a method of mounting portable electronic devices on motorcycles. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Cases are commonly used for storing, packing and protecting portable electronic devices, such as cellular telephones. Because cellular telephones, GPSs, music players, or radios often include touch screens, antennas, or camera lenses that can be damaged during handling and/or transport, various types of cases have been developed in an effort to protect the portable electronic device during handling and/or transport. These cases have included shock absorbing shells and bases, leather, and/or clip-ons that can be worn or easily secured and accessible within a vehicle. Various accessories have been developed to provide a secure location to store portable electronic devices while driving a motor vehicle. 
         [0003]    Various cases or saddle bag-like devices have been proposed in the past, but these types of cases generally are complained of by end users who do not feel their items are secure enough with only a strap or a hook and loop connector Velcro® piece. Utilizing conventional cases, it is difficult to safely store or transport portable electronic devices on motorcycles without fear of damaging the portable electronic device or losing it. In addition, generally these cases are inconveniently placed on the seat or behind the seat at a location where the operator of the motorcycle cannot readily access the portable electronic device while moving or upon stopping of the motorcycle while still seated. 
         [0004]    One example configuration has a cabinet made similarly to a glove compartment box that is strapped on a motor vehicle. One drawback with this type of configuration, however, is the instability of the cabinet to keep the portable electronic device stable during transportation. The portable electronic device can slide inside the cabinet or lift out of the cabinet thereby having the possibility of ruining the portable electronic device. 
         [0005]    A second example configuration includes a zipper enclosure to hold a cellular telephone to the side of a motorcycle fuel tank by use of magnets. The case is typically configured to serve as a carrying case or belt carrying case. One drawback with this type of configuration, however, is the possibility that it could become detached while the motorcycle is in use as the case is secured only by magnets. Furthermore, the zipper enclosure does not make for easy access to the portable electronic device. 
         [0006]    Other configurations include modifications to the case that holds the portable electronic device, such as a tank panel case, so that the electronic device is secured to the tank panel strapped on the motorcycle fuel tank. These types of modifications, however, generally offer little protection to a portable electronic device and are rarely visible to the operator of the vehicle during transportation. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, there is a need for alternative case configuration for providing increased protection to portable electronic devices, particularly cellular telephones that are easily damaged during transport and improving visibility and accessibility during transportation. The likelihood of damaging or losing a portable electronic device can be reduced in safely securing the portable electronic device and minimizing any shifting and/or sliding of the portable electronic device during transportation by utilizing an enclosure which mechanically mounts the portable electronic device onto a motorcycle fuel tank and allows the operator of the motorcycle to access the portable electronic device directly in front of them. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The present invention provides a solution to case configurations of portable electronic devices (herein after “PED”). An enclosure, especially for housing a cellular telephone, GPS, or music player device while riding, is disclosed. The enclosure is preferably located in front of the motorcycle rider on the fuel tank where the portable electronic device is easily visible and accessible. The shield of the enclosure is preferably made from a transparent plastic material so that the PED can be viewed through the enclosure. 
         [0009]    The enclosure includes a cover shell and a base member with a plurality of holes arranged for affixing the base member on a vehicle by a mechanical mounting scheme positioned in front of a rider. In addition, the enclosure may also include a cover shell and a base member affixed to the cover shell by some means other than a mechanical mounting scheme, such as an adhesive. The base member is structurally secured to the motorcycle without running the risk of being lost or dismantled. The cover shell includes a locking mechanism that is used to further secure the cover shell to the base member. The base member and the cover shell define a compartment in which at least one portable electronic device can be retained. In the application of the cellular telephone, the cellular telephone seats snug inside the compartment with foam inserts or other fastening arrangements to make it easily removable and replaceable. Moreover, the cover shell includes a shield that is removable to allow an operator of the PED to access a touch screen. In addition, the enclosure has a built-in rain seal positioned in the cover to provide a water resistant or weatherproof console. 
         [0010]    The cover shell includes a planar region defining an opening extending through the cover shell. The cover shell includes a lip extending downward from the planar region to form a window opening at a lower terminal end and a rim element extending below a side wall where the side wall is integral with the planar region. The cover includes a flange member extending perpendicularly from an upper terminating end of the lip. The flange member has a lower lip formed to be inserted in an opening in the base member. The lower lip is configured to releasably engage an opening in the base member to form an enclosure adapted to be attached to a vehicle. 
         [0011]    The base member further includes a cavity to receive a PED plug and a wiring channel that is milled into the base member to fit PED connectors and thereby hardwire said PED directly to the motorcycle&#39;s power and stereo system. 
         [0012]    This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that is further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a motorcycle having an electronic enclosure mounted thereto according to the principles of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a detail view of the motorcycle with the electronics enclosure shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the electronics enclosure shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the electronics enclosure shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the electronics enclosure shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of the electronics enclosure shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the electronics enclosure shown in  FIG. 3 ; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary aspects of the present disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like structure. 
         [0025]    Cases of all types are often used to secure or store a PED  200  to help prevent damage during transportation or use. It is generally difficult to store such devices on a vehicle such as a motorcycle  150 . Although a motorcycle  150  will be used as one example of a vehicle to describe the electronics enclosure  10  in accordance with the principles of the disclosure, it is understood that the electronics enclosure  10  is suitable for other vehicles, including snowmobiles, jet skis, four-wheeled all-terrain vehicles and other vehicles that contain a motor for riding purposes. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an electronics enclosure  10  attaches to a motorcycle fuel tank  100  to form a console. A cover  30  may releasably engage the base member  12  to form an electronics enclosure  10  comprising the cover  30  secured to the base member  12 . When secured to the base member  12 , the cover  30  encloses and protects a PED  200 , such as cellular telephones, GPS devices, music players, radios, and the like, seated within a frame  14  of the base member  12  without damaging the PED  200 . The electronics enclosure  10  is shown as a generally rectangular console for illustrative purposes. The electronics enclosure  10 , however, can be any shape, such as a square, circle, rectangle, or oval, as is commonly used for all types of PED cases. The base member  12  and the cover  30  can be made of material suitable for holding the PED  200 , including but not limited to plastic and metallic materials such aluminum, steel, tin, and the like. 
         [0027]    The base member  12  can be mechanically mounted to existing hardware of a motorcycle fuel tank  100  through mounting holes  22  or some other mounting scheme, for example, an adhesive. The base member  12  generally includes the frame  14  and a side wall  16  defining an interior volume of the base member  12  for receiving the PED  200 . The interior volume of the base member  12  defines a compartment  250  configured to accept and retain the PED  200 . The side wall  16  includes a lower side wall  16   a  that is integrally connected to a bottom  18  of the frame  14  and an upper side wall  16   b  that is integrally connected to a peripheral rim element  20  of the frame  14 . The side wall  16  may be oriented at an obtuse or acute angle extending upward from the frame  14 . 
         [0028]    The electronics enclosure  10  includes a built-in rain seal element  54  to provide a weatherproof compartment, a locking mechanism  34  to secure and protect the PED  200  therein, a window opening  32  that is transparent for viewing the PED  200  directly. A shield  52  is removably mounted the window opening  32  to provide the rider access to the PED  200  touch screen. Furthermore, the window opening  32  is preferably made from a plastic material and is thermoformed or injection molded. 
         [0029]    The PED  200  may be attached within the frame  14  of the base member  12  using a fastening mechanism. The fastening mechanism may be Velcro®, a clipping mechanism, an adhesive mechanism or a strapping mechanism. The PED  200  may also be held within the frame  14  of the base member  12  by inserts  210 ,  212  made of foam or a gel pad that does not leave a sticky residue, which prevents the PED  200  from slipping or sliding within the frame  14 . The location of the electronics enclosure  10  allows the rider easy access to the PED  200 . The electronics enclosure  10  may also be mounted on a surface of a harness, dashboard, or trunk, of a vehicle. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the cover  30  includes the window opening  32 , the locking mechanism  34 , and a flange  36 . The cover  30  generally includes a planar region  38  defining an opening  40  shown in  FIG. 4 . extending through the cover  30 , a lip  42  extending downward from the planar region  38  to form the window opening  32  at a lower terminal end  44 , a side edge  46  integral with the planar region  38 . The flange  36  extends perpendicularly from an upper terminating end  48  of the lip  42 . The cover  30  is joined to the base member  12  to form the electronics enclosure  10  adapted to be attached to a motorcycle fuel tank  100 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the base member  12  includes an opening  12   a  configured to receive the flange  36  to secure the cover  30  to the base member  12 . The flange  36  includes a lower lip  36   a  extending outwardly perpendicularly to an adjacent wall  36   b  integral with the flange  36 . The lower lip  36   a  rests inside the opening  12   a  of the base member  12  where it is laid against the frame  14  of the base member  12 . 
         [0032]    Referring again to  FIG. 3 , the cover  30  further includes a downward projecting rim element  50  extending below the peripheral edge  46  and the locking mechanism  34  to secure the base member  12  to the cover  30  through the opening  40  where the base member  12  defines the compartment  250  in which the PED  200  can be retained. The electronics enclosure  10  includes the shield  52 , the seal element  54 , and a pocket  56 . The seal element  54  is adapted to positively engage the pocket  56  under the side edge  46  of the cover  30  to seat on the peripheral rim element  20  of the frame  14 . The seal element  54  provides a built-in rain seal to provide a weatherproof console. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4 ,  6 , and  10 , the base member  12  also includes a cavity  26  adjacent to the compartment  250  configured to align with a PED plug and a channel  24  extending from the cavity  26  to a port on a motorcycle  150 , and the channel  24  configured to receive a PED cable. 
         [0034]    The channel  24  intercepts a lower wall  28  extending perpendicularly from the cavity  26 . The channel  24  provides a path for wire cable connections to be secured therein and protects the cable connections from being mishandled. The cavity  26  is configured to receive a PED charger or wire cable connection. The wire cable connection may be hardwired to the vehicle&#39;s power and/or stereo system at the cavity  26 . The embodiment shown is suitable for IPOD™ or other devices that have a power connection towards the base of the device. The PED  200  may be seated within the base member  12  and charged in a manner similar to being docked on a home charger. 
         [0035]    It can be appreciated that in other embodiments, a PED  200  may have a charger or wire cable connection attached to a side of the PED  200  rather than toward the bottom and the wire cable connection is guided by the channel  24  to align the cable to a PED port. 
         [0036]    The locking mechanism  34  may be used to lock the cover  30  to the base member  12  by using an external key. In some embodiments, the external key is the same key used to start the motorcycle  150 . The locking mechanism  34  is inserted through the opening  40  in the cover  30  and engages the base member  12  to secure the two together. 
         [0037]    During assembly, the electronics enclosure  10  is mounted onto existing hardware of a vehicle, for example, a motorcycle fuel tank  100  to form a console. The particular charger or wire cable connection for the PED  200  is carefully positioned within the channel  24  of the base member  12  before mounting is commenced. The base member  12  is attached via mounting holes  22  arranged in the base member  12 . Once the base member  12  is properly positioned, it is fixed to the motorcycle fuel tank  100  and is immobilized. The mechanism for attaching the base member  12  may be any type of double sided adhesive tape or conventional mechanical device, such as a threaded fastener, a thumbscrew, a pin, a bolt, a dowel, a rivet, a latch, a wire tie, and the like. 
         [0038]    Next, inserts  210 ,  212  made of foam or a gel sheet may be placed on the bottom  18  of the frame  14  compartment  250  to help prevent the PED  200  placed thereon from sliding within the compartment  250 . The inserts  210 ,  212  may be applied to the bottom  18  of the compartment  250  only or along the bottom  18  and side wall  16  of the compartment  250 . The PED  200  is placed inside the compartment  250  of the base member  12  and hardwired either at the side or bottom depending on the type of PED  200  used. Once the connection is made, the PED  200  is linked to the vehicle&#39;s power supply or radio if desired. 
         [0039]    The cover  30  includes a removable shield  52  in the window opening  32 . The shield  52  protects the PED  200  from outside elements. The shield  52  is removably mounted in the window opening  32  to allow a rider to directly interact with the PED  200 , for example, such as utilizing the touch screen. Therefore, the rider has the ability to access the touch screen of the PED  200  without removing the cover  30 . The cover  30  is affixed to the base member  12  through an opening  12   a  configured to receive the flange  36  included on the cover  30 . A lower lip  36   a  of the flange  36  rests inside the opening  12   a  of the base member  12  and the cover  30  is coupled against the frame  14  of the base member  12 . 
         [0040]    While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention and other modifications within the scope. Any such modifications or variations that fall within the purview of this description are intended to be included therein as well. It is understood that the description herein is intended to be illustrative only and is not intended to be limitative.