Abstract:
An enclosure comprised of at least two members creates a sealable enclosed space. At least one of the members is a vessel that absorbs thermal energy from the enclosed space and transfers it into material it holds. Built into the enclosure is a connection means for connecting an enclosed device to outside devices. Disclosed is a moat based sealing configuration for a top and base enclosure. Also disclosed is an easily detachable heat transfer apparatus in which thermal energy transfer contact from an enclosed device to a housing member is formed as a housing portion is moved into closed position and concluded as the housing portion is moved away from closed position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to housings for electrical devices and, more particularly, to tightly sealed enclosures for electrical devices to protect humans from the chemicals released by electrical devices. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Outgassing is a term referring to the release of a gas that was trapped, frozen, absorbed, or adsorbed in some material. In reference to indoor air quality, outgassing is sometimes referred to as offgassing. Household items that release chemicals into the air include plastic, plywood, particleboard, carpeting, vinyl flooring, adhesives, paints, fabrics, and much more. The rate of outgassing tends to correspond directly with the temperature of an item; the warmer its temperature, the more chemicals it releases into the environment. 
         [0005]    Although wires, circuit boards, and plastic housings of modern devices are embedded with flame retardants to conform with current fire safety standards, some widely used flame retardants are suspected of posing health risks. Certain types of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) have been banned in Europe while remaining legal in America. Older devices also contain dangerous chemicals including heavy metals and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and can continue to release chemicals into the air over their entire life span. 
         [0006]    The Electronics Take Back Coalition, formerly known as the Computer Take Back Campaign, states that flame retardants used in electrical devices are suspected of being endocrine disruptors, immunotoxins, and neurotoxins. This is especially worrisome because, as a device&#39;s components warm up, flame retardants are outgassed into the surrounding environment and can be inhaled by people. A 2004 study conducted by the coalition found that flame retardants suspected of causing health problems are showing up in blood samples around the world. The same group also found that women in North America have the highest levels of flame retardants in their breast milk of those sampled. 
         [0007]    Some electrical devices, although small in size, release a large amount of chemicals into the air. For example, the plastic housing of a computer modem, which is embedded with flame retardants, is continually heated by internal components. Computer modems usually do not have an off button. Therefore, unless they are unplugged, they are always releasing chemicals into the air. 
         [0008]    Such chemicals are especially troublesome to some people. The inventor of the present invention has at various times experienced unpleasant symptoms including headaches, abdominal pain, sleeplessness, worsened mood, worsened cardio-vascular function, increased dental plaque, loss of mental clarity, loss of visual acuity, vague feelings of physical discomfort, enervation, and depression, among other symptoms. These symptoms are set off by using TVs, kitchen blenders, computers, computer modems, computer monitors, stereos, and other electrical devices for prolonged periods of time. 
         [0009]    In an effort to rule out a suspected cause of these negative symptoms, the inventor constructed a tightly sealed enclosure for his computer&#39;s modem from aluminum foil, duct tape, and school glue. The use of this enclosure resulted in a noticeable decrease in symptoms. Additionally, the inventor has repeatedly found that maintaining a flow of outdoor air through the environment surrounding the computer increases the length of exposure time which can be tolerated before negative physical symptoms are experienced. This, too, supports the conclusion that released chemicals are the cause of his negative symptoms and that an enclosure could be used to protect himself and others like himself. 
         [0010]    An electrical device&#39;s heat must be dissipated or the device can sustain damage. The typical heat management scheme requires that air go through the device. The exiting air brings with it the device&#39;s waste heat and chemicals released by the device. When fans are necessary to move the air, they are often found to be too noisy for workplace and home environments. 
         [0011]    Within an enclosure for an electrical device, sometimes convection can effectively be used to transfer heat from the device to the enclosure and from the enclosure to the external environment. However, the enclosure must be thick enough to prevent hot spots and uneven heat distribution, whereas enclosures are usually thin in order to achieve a reasonable weight. If the thermal absorption potential of the enclosure could be increased by adding material to the enclosure, and if heat could be transferred across a larger portion of the enclosure, the thermal absorption ability and thermal management ability of the enclosure would be improved without greatly increasing the enclosure&#39;s weight. Water could be used for such a purpose. If combined with a fan, water might also offer the possibility of evaporative cooling. If a portion of the enclosure was surrounded by and in contact with fan cooled water, an enclosed device&#39;s waste heat would be absorbed much faster. Despite the benefits which might be realized, the inventor is unaware of any enclosure for electrical devices using water in this way. 
         [0012]    Heat transfer apparatuses, such as heat pipes and conductive heat transfer assemblies, can effectively transfer heat from an enclosed device directly to portions of the enclosure, but their use can pose an inconvenience. A heat transfer apparatus must be detached from the device before the device can be removed from an enclosure or housing. Also, thermal bonding gel must be reapplied every time the heat transfer apparatus is re-attached. 
         [0013]    In addition, the liquescent synthetic filler materials used to seal enclosures usually release undesirable odors and undesired chemicals into the air. Furthermore, such sealant materials cannot be reused. Wax, on the other hand, can be melted and thus reused repeatedly without losing its effectiveness and does not outgas undesired chemicals. Wax might prove an ideal sealing material. However, enclosures for electrical devices heretofore have not been designed to be sealed with wax. 
         [0014]    Enclosures for electrical devices often have doors to give access to enclosed devices, but door seals have problems. It is difficult to create an airtight seal. In addition, over time, as the door is repeatedly opened and closed, the seal may be weakened, gradually losing its effectiveness. Door seals themselves are, moreover, made from chemicals that outgas and have bad odors. A two-part enclosure consisting of a top and a base offers advantages over an enclosure with a door, advantages which seem to have been unappreciated thus far. A moat could be included on the base, and the hem of the top could fit into the base&#39;s moat. Wax could be poured into the moat to seal the enclosure. In this type of enclosure, there would be no seal degradation problems because wax can be melted and reformed. 
         [0015]    In such a two-part clam-shell type enclosure in which the enclosed device is sitting on the base, it would be useful to transfer heat from the enclosed device directly to the top enclosure member. However, in such an arrangement, connecting the enclosed device to the top enclosure member presents a challenge. For the heat transfer apparatus to be attached to both the enclosed device and the top enclosure member, the top must be resting on the base in normal operating position. However, the normal operating position is the closed position. Thus, there is no way to access the enclosed space for the purpose of attaching the heat transfer apparatus. It would be ideal if heat transfer contact between the enclosed device and the top enclosure member could be initiated as the top is lowered onto the base and severed as the top is lifted from the base. Unfortunately, to the best of the inventor&#39;s knowledge, no such heat transfer configuration for an electrical device enclosure currently exists. 
         [0016]    Enclosures have previously been made primarily to protect the enclosed device from the outside world, rather than protecting the outside world from the device. Companies making computer enclosures include Electrorack Enclosure Products of Anaheim, Calif.; PC Enclosures of Lehighton, Pa.; Envirosafe Technologies Inc. of Jacksonville, Fla.; GizMac Accessories of Torrance, Calif.; ITS Enclosures of Mt. Pleasant, Pa.; Aitech Defense Systems, Inc. of Oakland, Calif.; and Armagard of Birmingham, United Kingdom. Most of the enclosures offered by these companies do not confine the released chemicals, but release them into the outside environment. The rest of the enclosures are too noisy, bulky, or have cooling systems that are too expensive. 
         [0017]    Inventions have been made to protect users from electrical radiation, but these inventions do not protect users from released chemicals. 
         [0018]    Likewise, patented enclosures for electrical devices do not offer an acceptable solution. U.S. Pat. No. 7,165,413 to Symons, 2007, is an integrated liquid cooling device with immersed electronic components. Immersing devices in liquid is not a practical way to enclose most devices. U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,562 to Knoblauch, 2001, is a device for the exchange of thermal energy between the interior of a housing and the exterior. It relies too heavily on the use of fans or pumps. It would be too noisy. U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,712 to Hastings, 1978, is an enclosure for data processing equipment. It is overly complicated. U.S. Pat. No. 3,997,819 to Eggert et. al., 1976, is a housing for electrical communications and measuring devices. It is not practical for most existing devices. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    Accordingly, the objects and advantages of the present invention are: 
         [0000]    (a) to significantly reduce a human&#39;s exposure to an enclosed electrical device&#39;s released chemicals;
 
(b) to have an increasable thermal absorption ability and to spread heat evenly;
 
(c) to have a simple, low cost, and quiet cooling system and more specifically to provide water based evaporative cooling or totally silent cooling;
 
(d) to provide reasonably easy access to an enclosed device without requiring a door;
 
(e) to be easily sealed with wax;
 
(f) to accommodate existing devices of varying sizes;
 
(g) to be practical for home or workplace use;
 
(h) to provide easily detachable and easily re-attachable conductive heat transfer; and
 
(i) to provide conductive heat transfer in which heat transfer contact from an enclosed device to an enclosure member is formed as the enclosure is closed and concluded as a the enclosure is opened.
 
         [0020]    To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides an enclosure for confining an electrical device and its released chemicals. The enclosure is comprised of a plurality of members. The enclosure&#39;s members define within their union at least one sealable enclosed space for enclosing an electrical device. At least one of the enclosure&#39;s members is a vessel. When the vessel is filled with material, the material absorbs thermal energy from the enclosed space and spreads heat evenly over a larger area. Also included is at least one means for connecting an enclosed electrical device to an external power source or device. 
         [0021]    Alternately, the members include at least a base member and at least a top member. The base member comprises a moat, into which a sealant material such as wax can be deposited. The top member comprises a hem that fits into the base member&#39;s moat. Also included is a means for connecting an enclosed electrical device to an external power source or device. 
         [0022]    Moreover, the present invention also provides a heat transfer apparatus for a housed electrical device. The apparatus includes a housing portion and a displaceable heat conductive mass. As the housing portion is closed, the displaceable heat conductive mass is contacted and thermal energy flows from a housed electrical device to the housing portion. As the housing portion is opened, contact is concluded. Thereby, the electrical device transfers heat directly to its housing and is easily detached from its housing as well. 
         [0023]    Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]      FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 1B  shows a front sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 1C  shows a side sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 1D  shows a rear sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 1E  is a schematic view showing the base&#39;s sealant receptacle of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 1F  is a schematic view showing the DVD compartment of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 1G  shows a right side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 1H  is a schematic view showing the displaceable heat conductive material and the protrusion prior to contact of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 1I  is a schematic view showing the displaceable heat conductive material and the protrusion during contact of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
           1  material (water) 
           2  vessel 
           4  enclosed space 
           5  base 
           7  wax 
           8  glass 
           9  base&#39;s bottom surface 
           10  moat 
           11  base&#39;s perimeter wall 
           12  drain 
           13  drain valve 
           15  gap between perimeter wall and sealant receptacle 
           20  video screen 
           21  chassis for video screen and motherboard 
           22  motherboard 
           23  CPU 
           24  hard disc drive 
           25  power supply 
           26  absorber 
           30  vessel&#39;s hem 
           36  extruded heat sink fins 
           40  sealant receptacle (perimeter wall) 
           41  power button 
           42  reset button 
           43  video screen buttons 
           50  dvd drive 
           51  dvd compartment 
           52  sealant receptacle (DVD compartment) 
           60  heat transfer apparatus constituents 
           61  displaceable heat conductive material (mineral oil) 
           62  protrusion 
           63  cup 
           64  cup chassis 
           67  integument 
           68  screw 
           70  dust cover 
           71  dust cover&#39;s downward recession 
           72  dust cover&#39;s perimeter edges 
           73  dust cover&#39;s water 
           74  dust cover&#39;s extension 
           80  fan
         90  cable     
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0075]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1A-1I . As shown in  FIG. 1A , it is an enclosure for a personal computer. It has two members. It has a top member  2  and a bottom member  5 . Both members are made from aluminum. Aluminum is the preferred material due to its good thermal conductivity and its resistance to water corrosion. Other heat conductive and water resistant materials could be used, such as copper or ceramic. 
         [0076]    As shown in  FIG. 1B , lining most of the top member  2  are fins  36 . The fins  36  improve the thermal absorption and dissipation of the enclosure. The fins  36  face inward in the enclosed space  4  and outward on the outside. 
         [0077]    The top member  2 , which can hold material, is hereinafter referred to as the vessel. The bottom member  5  on which electrical devices are secured or placed is hereinafter referred to as the base. 
         [0078]    As shown in  FIG. 1A , the base  5  is rectangular and trough shaped. The base  5  has a perimeter wall  11  around its perimeter. There is a moat  10  around the top of the perimeter wall  11 . As shown in  FIG. 1B , the vessel has an edging, downward facing rim, or hem  30  along its bottom. When the members are assembled or in the closed position, the vessel&#39;s hem  30  sits in the base&#39;s moat  10 . 
         [0079]    As shown in  FIG. 1E , a sealant receptacle  40  is built into the base  5 . The sealant receptacle  40  is accessible from both in the enclosed space  4  and outside of the enclosure. The base&#39;s perimeter wall  11  extends into the sealant receptacle  40 . There is a gap  15  between the base&#39;s perimeter wall  11  and the sealant receptacle  40 . The gap  15  allows the enclosed devices&#39; cables to pass through. After one or more of the cables  90  are passed through, the enclosure can be sealed by pouring wax  7  into the sealant receptacle  40 . 
         [0080]    As shown in  FIG. 1B , included in this embodiment is a video screen  20 . As shown in  FIG. 1D , also included is a motherboard  22 . As shown in  FIG. 1C , the motherboard  22  is directly behind the video screen  20 . 
         [0081]    As shown in  FIGS. 1B-1D , also included are a DVD drive  50 , DVD compartment  51 , hard disc drive  24 , power supply  25 , and absorber  26 . The enclosed devices are connected to each other as in a normal computer. The internal connecting wires have been omitted from the drawings for the sake of simplicity. The video screen  20  and the motherboard  22  are supported by and secured to a support chassis  21 . The chassis  21  is secured to the base  5 . The absorber  26  rests on the DVD compartment  51 . The absorber  26  is preferably a fine-mesh bag filled with activated carbon. It is meant to absorb the enclosed devices&#39; released chemicals and reduce their accumulation within the enclosed space  4 . The hard disc drive  24  and the power supply  25  rest on the base&#39;s bottom surface  9 . 
         [0082]    As shown in  FIGS. 1B-1D , the vessel  2  is filled with material  1 . The vessel walls lining the enclosed space  4 , act as a thermal interface between the material  1  the vessel holds and the enclosed space  4 . In this embodiment, the material chosen to fill the vessel  2  is water  1 . Water  1  is preferred because, in addition to being heat conductive, it is readily available and it is transparent allowing the video screen  20  to be viewed. The vessel  2  forms an upside down sink shaped cavity for holding material. The vessel&#39;s water  1  extends down along all four vertical sides of the enclosed space  4 . Having the water  1  extend down in this way limits hot spots in the enclosure and allows heat to evenly spread out and be dissipated from a larger area. It also greatly increases the thermal absorption ability of the enclosure. 
         [0083]    As shown in  FIG. 1C , the water  1  extends down in the front of the vessel between two panes of glass  8 . This allows the user to view the video screen  20 . It also allows heat to pass through the water and escape through the glass. Preferably the glass is high-strength, fracture-resistant glass to protect the sensitive enclosed devices. The glass pieces are sealed to the aluminum with an adhesive. Many types of adhesives could be used; a silicon adhesive would be effective, for example. 
         [0084]    As shown in  FIGS. 1C and 1D , this embodiment also has a heat transfer apparatus  60 . The heat transfer apparatus  60  forms a thermal interface between the housed or enclosed CPU  22  and an enclosure-member/housing-portion  2 . The heat transfer apparatus&#39;s constituents  60  include a displaceable heat conductive material  61  and a housing portion  2 . The housing portion in this embodiment is the vessel  2 . The vessel  2  is also the top enclosure member. Also included with the heat transfer apparatus  60  is a protrusion  62 . As shown in  FIG. 1D , the protrusion  62  is attached to the vessel  2  with screws  68  and is thermally bonded to the vessel  2 . The protrusion  62  extends down from the top of the enclosed space  4 . Liquids, gels, or even compressible solids could be used as the displaceable heat conductive material  61 . In addition to being displaceable, the selected material should transfer heat well. In this embodiment, the displaceable heat conductive material  61  is mineral oil  61 . Mineral oil  61  is preferred because, unlike water, it is not harmful to most electrical components. 
         [0085]    As shown in  FIGS. 1H-H , the displaceable heat conductive material  61  is encased in an integument  67 . Together, the displaceable heat conductive material  61  and its integument  67  make up a displaceable heat conductive mass. The integument  67  is comprised of solid material and prevents the displaceable heat conductive material  61  from spilling. The integument  67  is preferably heat conductive and pliable. A heat conductive rubber could be used to make the integument  67 . 
         [0086]    A cup  63  for holding the displaceable heat conductive material  61  and its integument  67  is thermally bonded to the CPU  23 . The cup  63  is thermally conductive and made from aluminum. The cup  63  contacts the integument  67 , transferring heat through the integument  67  to the displaceable heat conductive material  61 . The cup  63  is held steady by and attached to its own aluminum chassis  64 . 
         [0087]    As shown in  FIGS. 1H-1I , as the top member or vessel  2  is lowered onto the base  5 , the protrusion  62  comes into contact with the integument  67 . When the vessel  2  is resting on the base, the protrusion  62  extends down from the top of the enclosed space  4  contacting the integument  67  enabling conductive heat transfer from the CPU  23  to the vessel  2  and from the vessel  2  to the vessel&#39;s material (water)  1 . In situations where no integument is necessary, the protrusion or a housing-portion/enclosure-member itself could contact the displaceable heat conductive material directly. 
         [0088]    As shown in  FIG. 1D , in this embodiment the protrusion  62  is a separate structure from the enclosure. Alternately, the vessel  2  could be shaped to form a protrusion. For example, a protrusion could be a downward water filled extension of the vessel  2 . 
         [0089]    As shown in  FIG. 1F , there is a DVD compartment  51  built into the base  5 . The DVD compartment  51  allows the DVD drive  50  to be accessed from the outside like a normal DVD drive. The DVD drive  50  sits in the DVD compartment  51 . Alternately, the DVD drive  50  could be fastened in place. The DVD drive  50  is a normal DVD drive. It is not sealed. DVD drives are typically not used frequently and are not major outgassers. However, the DVD drive could itself be sealed or could be accessible through a sealed door. The DVD compartment  51  has a sealant receptacle  52  similar to the base&#39;s previously discussed sealant receptacle  40 . The DVD compartment&#39;s sealant receptacle  52  allows the DVD drive  50  to be connected to the motherboard  22  while maintaining the enclosure&#39;s seal. Like the base&#39;s sealant receptacle  40 , the DVD compartment&#39;s sealant receptacle  52  is sealed with wax  7 . 
         [0090]    As shown in  FIG. 1D , there is an aluminum dust cover  70  sitting on the vessel  2 . Its perimeter edges  72  bend down fitting outside the vessel&#39;s upper portion. It keeps dust out of the vessel&#39;s water  1 . It limits evaporation of the vessel&#39;s water  1 . It is downward recessed. Its downward recession  71  makes contact with the vessel&#39;s water  1 . Its downward recession  71  also holds water  73 . Its water  73  is exposed to the outside environment and can be blown on with the included fan  80 . 
         [0091]    As shown in  FIG. 1A , included with this embodiment is a fan  80 . The fan  80  preferably includes an extremely quiet setting. The fan  80  blows on the exposed surface of the dust cover&#39;s water  73 . The fan  80  is mounted on the dust cover&#39;s extension  74 . It is turned on manually by the user. 
         [0092]    As shown in  FIG. 1G , there is a drain  12 . It is located in the front, near the bottom of the vessel  2 . The drain has a valve  13 . 
       Operation 
       [0093]    As shown in  FIGS. 1E-F , to connect an enclosed device to an outside power source or an outside device, or to connect the DVD drive  50  to the motherboard  22 , the appropriate cables are extended through the sealant receptacles  40  and  52 . The sealant receptacles  40  and  52  are filled with wax  7 . 
         [0094]    In a similar way, wax is poured into the base&#39;s moat  10 , filling the moat about halfway. As the enclosure is assembled, the vessel&#39;s hem  30  is lowered into the moat  10  and submerges in the wax. 
         [0095]    As shown in  FIGS. 1H-I , as the vessel  2  comes down to rest on the base, the protrusion  62  contacts the integument  67  enabling conductive heat transfer. As the vessel  2  is lifted from the base  5 , contact is concluded. 
         [0096]    The moat&#39;s wax, used to seal the enclosure, should be melted prior to lifting the vessel  2  from the base  5 . The sealant receptacles&#39; waxes  7  should be melted prior to removing an enclosed device&#39;s cables. The moat&#39;s and sealant receptacles&#39; waxes are melted by applying a heat source. Many different types of heat sources could be used. A blow dryer could be used effectively. To make the vessel  2  easier to lift, the drain&#39;s valve  13  is turned, allowing the water to be drained. After the water has drained, the vessel  2  can be more easily lifted off 
         [0097]    Objects can be placed in the dust cover&#39;s water  73 . In this way, cold packs from a refrigerator or freezer can silently and powerfully cool the enclosure. When using cold packs, it is not necessary to use the fan  80 . Thus, the enclosure is capable of being totally silent, while also maintaining a lower temperature in the vessel&#39;s water  1 . 
         [0098]    The above described enclosure provides many useful and unique features. However, while the description above contains many specific details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention&#39;s application, but rather as one implementation of the concepts developed here. Many other variations are possible. 
         [0099]    For example, to give easier access to enclosed devices, an enclosure could have one or more doors. The doors could have inflatable seals. To compensate for any leaks in the doors, a large absorber could be used. A burp valve could be included to release pressure from the enclosed space as it initially warms up. The enclosure could have a rounded shape both internally and externally. A cut off switch could turn off the enclosed devices if they become too hot. 
         [0100]    The enclosure&#39;s members could be one vessel and one door or several vessels and several doors. The enclosure could have one base with several moats and a top for each moat, forming several separate enclosed spaces. The enclosure could be larger or smaller depending on the intended device. Enclosed devices could be attached to or hang from any of the members. 
         [0101]    Instead of sealant receptacles, airtight connectors could be used. The enclosure&#39;s surfaces could be entirely flat with no fins. The enclosure&#39;s fan could be thermostatically controlled. The enclosure could have multiple fans or no fans. A fan could be placed inside the enclosed space. 
         [0102]    The heat transfer apparatus could include a phase-change device such as a heat pipe, thermosiphon, or other similar device. A pump could be used to circulate the material held by the vessel. The displaceable heat conductive material could sit directly on a heat producing element with or without an integument and with our without a cup. The housing-portion/enclosure-member could contact the integument directly with no protrusion. 
         [0103]    The protrusion could be comprised of a flexible fluid filled fabric tube wherein the fabric does not leak and is either heat conductive or has a heat conductive portion. The enclosure could have several protrusions for multiple devices. The displaceable heat conductive material could be a compressible mass of solid material such as heat conductive silicone rubber. It would therefore require no additional covering to prevent spills. 
         [0104]    The displaceable heat conductive material could be attached to the housing portion and the protrusion could be attached to the device. 
         [0105]    The vessel could be filled with a material other than water. For example, it could be filled with gel, oil or another suitable material. The material the vessel holds could lie next to a smaller portion of the enclosed space. For example, it could lie next to just a portion of one side of the enclosed space. 
         [0106]    An air pressure valve and gauge could be built into the enclosure to maintain a pressure differential and let the user be confident of the seal&#39;s condition. 
         [0107]    Furthermore, it is worth noting that although this enclosure is intended to be used to protect the outside world from an enclosed device, it might also prove useful for protecting devices from the outside world. 
         [0108]    Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.