Abstract:
A personalized housing for a consumer product, such as as speaker, includes a customizable cover at least partially covering the product and a set of at least two end caps coupled to the product. The end caps are oriented in at least partial opposition to each other and installed using an interference fit. A vibration dampening connector or buffer couples the end caps to the product. The butler is arranged such that urging the end caps onto the product couples the end caps in a releasable interference fit, and the cover remains coupled to the product when the end caps are pulled from the cover. The cover allows access to controls located on the product, for example volume and input controls, may be made of at front panel covering only the front of the product, and a corresponding enclosure that covers the top, rear and sides of the product.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention generally relates to personal electronics. More specifically, the present invention relates to a customizable housing for personal electronics 
         [0003]    2. Related Art 
         [0004]    Personal electronics, such as portable stereos, computer equipment and the like are commonplace. One popular category of personal electronics is portable speakers that can be linked to an audio source, such as a cell phone, tablet computer, or similar device for playing music files. Like cell phones and tablets, design is a crucial feature consumers turn to for portable speakers and similar electronics. Although design characteristics drive sales to a large extent, the ability to provide only one industrial design for these products remains limiting. 
         [0005]    Three dimensional (3D) printing techniques have been developed as a way to create a variety of consumer products based on 3D design technology. While originally a novelty, improvements in 3D printing technology have enabled manufacturers to offer 3D printed designs on the commercial market on a large scale. One popular business model for all technology is to provide a user interface via a website or similar interactive feature allowing users to create their own designs based on a field of predetermined parameters, and have those designs 3D printed and delivered to the user. Currently customized 3D printed goods are presently limited to jewelry or other small items that are customized in their entirety and have few or no operational components. 
         [0006]    Hence, what is needed is a customizable, user designed, 3D or similarly manufactured housing to provide user customization in the field of consumer electronics. An object of the present invention is therefore to allow consumer electronics, such as speakers, to be conventionally mass produced, while permitting users to create individual designs for such consumer electronics. Another object of the invention is to provide a customized housing for consumer electronics, that can be quickly and easily removed and replaced with an alternate housing design. Another object of the invention is to allow users to customize and create several different housing designs that can be quickly and easily replaced according to user preference. Another object of the invention is to provide pre-made designs that may be combined with custom designs to provide greater choice in customizing user electronics. Another object of the invention is to provide a customized housing for a personal speaker, that provides excellent sound isolation and dampening features to enhance sound quality. 
         [0007]    These and other objects of the invention are more fully discussed in the following specification and illustrations. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    A personalized housing for a consumer product having operational components includes a customizable cover at least partially covering the product. A set of at least two end caps are coupled to the product. The end caps are oriented in at least partial opposition to each other and an interference fit vibration dampening connector or buffer couples the end caps to the product. The end caps may also be coupled to the product by being coupled solely to the cover, which at least partially covers the product. The buffer is arranged such that urging the end caps onto the product couples the end caps to the product in a releasable interference fit, and the cover may remain coupled to the product when the end caps are decoupled from the cover. 
         [0009]    The housing is designed to cover a product having exterior walls, or that is encased within a housing of its own, but in one embodiment, the product may comprise only internal components, and the housing formed by the cover and end caps will be the only housing around the components. The cover preferably allows access to controls located on the product, for example volume and input controls, etc. The cover may also be made of a front panel that covers only the front of the product, and a corresponding enclosure that covers the top, rear and sides of the product. To assist with assembling the cover, a registration feature may be included for positioning the cover relative to the product. 
         [0010]    Preferably, the cover will include as recess for seating the buffer. The recess may be a groove incorporated into the cover, or a channel incorporated into the end cap. The end cap includes a cavity for receiving the product, thereby enclosing the ends of the product, including the cover. Because the end cap encloses the cover and the product, the end cap or end caps, when installed over the cover, elevate the cover and product above a resting surface, including a flat resting surface. The end caps preferably include a recess or recessed area in which the cover seats. In instances where the buffer is located on the cover, such as on the front panel and enclosure, the end caps preferably include a channel in which the buffer seats. 
         [0011]    The end caps may include supports for elevating the product above a surface, including supports for vibration dampening. The end caps may also include brackets for fixing the housing to a vertical surface, in such an instance, the end caps may hold the product at a predetermined angle according to preference. The buffer is preferably deformable yet resilient, and may be made of a resilient band, such as a rubber or silicon band. Alternatively, the buffer may be a series of independent resiliently deformable structures. In any event, the buffer preferably prevents the end caps from touching the cover, thereby providing a vibration dampening effect. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, the customizable housing for a consumer product having operational components includes opposing end caps, each end cap having a cavity. A customizable cover is affixed to the product, and extends into the cavity of each end cap. The resilient interference lit vibration dampening buffer couples the end caps to the product and couples the end caps to the cover. The buffer prevents the end caps from contacting the product and prevents the end caps from contacting the cover once the end caps are urged onto the ends of the product. The cover preferably remains affixed to the product when the end caps are pulled from the product. 
         [0013]    A method of customizing a product to have a user-defined ornamental housing includes several steps. First a computer-based interface is provided for defining a consumer-created design. A user engages the computer-based interface, designing a cover design for at least partially enclosing the product and designing a first end cap design for at least partially enclosing the cover. Based on the user&#39;s design, a cover is formed, as well as, or alternatively, an end cap based on the end cap design. The end caps and cover are provided to the user based on the user&#39;s end caps and cover design. 
         [0014]    With the custom components of the housing in hand, the user aligns and places the cover on the product, coupling the cover to the product. The user then aligns and presses the end caps against the cover to couple the end caps to the cover, and operates the product as desired. The cover may be formed from a first piece and a second piece, and are preferably designed using a computer-based interface. The cover is provided based on the design formed using the computer-based interface. When the user wants to re-customize the housing, the user simply pulls the end caps from the cover and presses secondary end caps onto the cover, the secondary end caps having a secondary end cap design. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a product having a customized housing in perspective view; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of the product and customized housing; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates an enlarged exploded view of the left side of the product with a first portion of the housing and a fastener; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the right side of the product with the first portion and a second portion of the housing installed thereon; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of the right side of the product with the first portion, second portion installed thereon, a retainer, and an end portion prepared for installation; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of the left side of the product and the housing with an end portion removed, revealing a retainer in the end portion; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of the left side of the product and the housing with retaining stops for engaging the end portion; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  illustrates a side view of a product with a customized housing having consumer re-designed end caps; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of a product with a customized housing having a handle spanning the end caps; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of the product and customized housing and an end cap in the form of a C bracket; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of the product and customized housing having end caps with vibration dampening feet; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  illustrates an exploded view of the housing and brackets for affixing the housing to a vertical surface; 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  illustrates a view of the housing affixed to brackets, disposing the housing at an angle; 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  illustrates an exploded view of an alternative embodiment housing for surrounding a USB hub; 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  illustrates a perspective view of the USB hub housing. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided it the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a customizable, removable housing  10  is shown enclosing a product  12 . Although the housing  10  virtually completely encloses the product  12 , in the illustrated embodiment a portable speaker product  12 , access to controls  14  of the product  12  is available through a top opening  16  incorporated into the housing  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the housing  10  includes a front panel  18  covering the front of the product  12 , an enclosure  20  covering the top back and bottom of the product  12 , and end caps  22  capping the ends of the product  12 , and coupled to the front panel  18  and enclosure  20 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the product  12  is preferably a wireless speaker. In addition to optional controls  14 , it preferably includes cones  24  for sound production and other operational components (not shown). The front panel  18  preferably includes a mesh  26  to allow sound transmission through the housing  10 , and to provide a decorative appearance. The front panel  18  may also include anchoring tabs  28 , for aligning the front panel  18  with the product  12 . In addition to the top opening  16 , the enclosure  20  may include a rear opening  30  for accessing, additional areas of the product  12 , such as a wired power supply or audio jack (not shown). 
         [0033]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the end caps  22  preferably include a recessed area into which the product  12 , front panel  18 , and enclosure  20  seat. Because they are larger in circumference than the product  12 , front panel  18 , and enclosure  20 , the housing  10  ideally rests on the end caps  22  when placed on a planar surface (not shown). The end caps  22  are coupled to the front panel  18  and enclosure  20  using a connector  34 . Preferably, the connector  34  is a deformable resilient material, such as silicon or rubber, to provide a vibration dampening effect between the product  12  and the end caps  22 . In the illustrated embodiment the connectors  34  are rings of material that surround the front panel  18  and the enclosure  20 . To ensure proper installation, each connector  34  may seat in a groove  36  on the enclosure and a corresponding depression  38  on the front panel  18 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , in one embodiment, the front panel  18  includes an anchoring tab  28  for aligning with the product  12 . The product  12  may include a corresponding anchoring groove  40  into which the anchoring tab  28  seats to provide a smooth profile The anchoring tab  28  may be affixed to the product  12  using a fastener  42 , such as a threaded screw. Also shown in  FIG. 2 , the mesh  26  of the front panel  18  is preferably made in a predetermined, customized pattern, such as hexagonal openings  44  to provide an attractive appearance to the front panel  18 . Because the housing  10  is customizable by a user, the front panel  18  mesh  26  may be made in virtually any pattern according to user preference. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , when the front panel  18  is installed against the product  12  and the enclosure  20  brought over the product  12  and front panel  18 , the groove  36  and depression  38  serve to anchor the connector  34  (not shown) in position. While the connector  34  may be a standalone o-ring as shown in  FIG. 2 , it may also be incorporated into the end caps  22  according to preference, thereby allowing causing the end caps  22  to seat in the groove  36  and depression  38  and remain there under a pressure fit. In another embodiment, the fastener  42  (not shown) may be driven through the enclosure  20  as well as the front panel  18  and product  12 , thereby fastening the front panel  18  and enclosure  20  onto the product  12  regardless of placement of the end caps  22 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , in an instance where the connector  34  is separate from the end cap  22 , the connector  34  is placed over the front panel  18  and enclosure  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, the connector  34  forms a band around the front panel  18  and enclosure  20 . With the connector  34  in place, the end cap  22  slides over the connector  34 , enclosing the connector  34  and portions of the product  12 , front panel  18 , and enclosure  20  in the recessed area  32 , While the end cap  22  is coupled to the product  12 , preferably the only contact between the end cap  22  and the product  12 , front panel  18  and enclosure  20  is through the connector  34  to provide an effective vibration dampening between the end cap  22  and the product  12 . The end cap  22  is preferably retained on the connector  34  using a pressure fit, such that the end cap  22  is retained on the connector  34  by pressing the end cap  22  over the connector  34  and is removable by urging the end cap  22  away from the connector  34  under pressure. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 6  an alternative embodiment is shown wherein the connector  34  is installed in the recessed area  32  of an end cap  22 . The connector is preferably affixed to the end cap, allowing the end cap  22  to be inserted over the front panel  18  and enclosure  20 . The end cap  22  is held in place over the front panel  18  and enclosure  20  by virtue of the connector  24  seating in the groove  36  and the depression  38 . When the connector  24  is seated in place, the end cap  22  is prevented from disengaging the front panel  18  and enclosure  20  unless pulled off under pressure. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , in certain embodiments, the connector  34  may be a series of individual connectors  34  for holding the end caps  22  against the front panel  18  and enclosure  20 . In the illustrated embodiment a series of connectors  34  are affixed to the front panel  18  and affixed to the enclosure  20 . Each connector  34  is sized to engage the end cap  22  and hold it under pressure against the front panel  18  and the enclosure  20 . In this and similar embodiments where the connectors  34  are affixed to the front panel  18  and the enclosure  20 , the end cap  22  may include a channel  46  for seating the connectors  34 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , the housing  10  is customizable through a computerized user interface (not shown) allowing, users to customize the shape of the end caps  22 , and optionally the mesh pattern  26  of the front panel  18 . In the illustrated embodiment, the end caps  22  have been rendered to be multifaceted, and the mesh  26  to have a hexagonal pattern. While the outward Shape of the end caps  22  is customizable, it is anticipated that the recessed area  32 . (not shown) will remain a standard size, allowing any customized end caps  22  to be placed over the front panel  18  and the enclosure  20  (not shown). This allows a user with multiple end caps  22  having different designs to customize the housing  10  according to preference. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , in certain embodiments the housing  10  may be designed to have additional features. In the illustrated embodiment the end caps  22  appear conventional except for a raised area  48  at the top. The raised area incorporates a slot (not shown) for accommodating a handle  50  for carrying the housing  10 , and thereby the product  12  (not shown). Although lifting the housing  10  by the handle  50  tends to draw the raised areas  48  together, the resilient pressure fit of the end caps  22  against the front panel  18  and enclosure  20  (not shown) by virtue of die connector  34  (not shown) ensures that the end caps  22  remain securely anchored in place. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , it may be advantageous, or preferred by a user to have portions of the product  12  that would ordinarily be covered by the end caps  22  visible. In such instances, a modified end cap  22  may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the end cap  22  is three-sided and sized to fit along the groove  36  and depression  38  to anchor the end cap  22  in position. For further anchorage, and to provide a fool for raising the product  12  above a surface, the end caps  22  preferably include a clip  52  for completing the end cap  22 . In the illustrated embodiment the clip  52  is shown at the bottom of the end cap  22 . 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , in embodiments where the product  12  (not shown) is a speaker, vibration dampening is of great importance. Since the end caps  22  are customizable, they may be formed with vibration dampening feet  54  for resting on a surface (not shown). The feet  54  are preferably conical to decrease vibration transmission onto the surface. Operating in combination with the connector  34  coupling the end caps  22  to the product  12  (not shown), substantial vibration isolation can be achieved. In instances where audio having high bass levels is played, a user may wish to remove end caps  22  of an alternative design, replacing them with the end caps  22  having vibration dampening feet. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , it may be desirable to mount the product  12  (not shown) on a wall (not shown) or similar surface. In such an embodiment, a series of brackets  56  may be provided, attachable to the wall with fasteners  42 . The end caps  22  will are ideally formed with sliding fixtures  58  on one side, allowing them to slide in and out of the brackets  56  as desired, In such an embodiment, the end caps are coupled to the product  12  using the same connector  34  (not shown) arrangement, whereby the end caps  22  surround portions of the front panel  18  and the enclosure  20  (not shown) 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , in some cases, the product  12  is best presented at an angle to a surface (not shown. In such instances, brackets  56  may be provided that hold the housing  10  at an angle relative to the surface. The attachment is preferably a sliding attachment between the brackets  56  and the end caps  44 , which hold the front panel  18  and enclosure  20  together around the product  12 . 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the housing  10  may be used to hold and customize other electronic products  12 , such as a communications hub, or other standalone product. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 14 , a USB hub is shown in exploded view. In this view the enclosure  20  forms the main enclosure for the USB hub components  60 . In this embodiment, the end caps  22  are omitted and the connector  34  is used to hold the front panel  18  and enclosure  20  together around the components  60 . The enclosure includes sidewalls  62  that align with the components.  FIG. 15  shows the USB hub housing  10  in an assembled state. 
         [0046]    To make the customizable product housing  10 , a user engages an interactive user interlace not shown), such as a customization website or similar interface. On the customization website the user selects the housing  10 , and assigns a preferred design to the end caps  22  and optionally to the front panel  18 . The design may be of the user&#39;s own creation, using features on the interactive interface, or may be chosen from among a series of pre-made customized designs. Once the design is created or selected, the end caps  22 , front panel  18 , and enclosure  20  for the housing are made according to the user&#39;s preference. Preferably, the end caps  22 , front panel  18 , and enclosure  20  retain inner dimensions for receiving the product  12 , while being made with the preferred customized outer dimensions indicated by the user. 
         [0047]    To use the customizable product housing  10 , a user places the enclosure  20  around a product  12 , thereby covering the top back and bottom of the product  12 . The user then affixes the front panel  18  to the front of the product  12 . Optionally, the user may then affix the front panel  18 , enclosure  20  and product  12  together using a fastener  42 . With the front panel  18  and enclosure  20  substantially surrounding the product  12 , the user then presses end caps  22  on either end of the product. The connector  34  engages the front panel  18  and enclosure  20  in the process, preferably seating in the groove  36  and depression  38  and holding the end caps  22  on the front panel  18  and enclosure  20 . Alternatively, the user may install the connector  34  on the front panel  18  and the enclosure  20  and then slide the end caps  22  over the connector  34 . In such an arrangement, the connector  24  will preferably seat in a channel  46  within the recessed area  32  of the end caps  22 . The user may then operate the product  12 . 
         [0048]    To remove the housing, or replace the housing with a different customized housing, the user simply pulls the end caps  22  from the front panel  18  and enclosure  20  under pressure, and replaces the end caps  22  with end caps  22  of a different design. Alternatively, the user may also remove the front panel  18  and replace the front panel  18  with a front panel  18  of a different design. With the new end caps  22  affixed in place, the product  12  may be used or stored according to preference. 
         [0049]    The foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the present invention have been presented only for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the forms disclosed. Accordingly, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. Additionally, the above disclosure is not intended to limit the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.