COVER SYSTEM FOR COMPUTING DEVICE PORTS

A cover system for a housing, such as a computing device housing, includes a channel defined by a housing and including each of a first opening and a second opening. The channel includes a first portion and a second portion separated by an aperture. During use, a protrusion of a cover is inserted through the aperture from the first portion of the channel into the second portion of the channel. The tip and aperture are sized such that the aperture retains the tip in the second portion of the channel after insertion. In the event the tip breaks off of the protrusion within the channel, each of the second portion and the second opening are sized and shaped to permit rapid removal of the tip from within the channel.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to cover systems and, in particular, cover systems for openings in computing device housings and similar devices.

BACKGROUND

Computing devices include many electronic components that are highly susceptible to dust, liquids, and other substances. Such susceptibility is particularly a concern for computing devices intended for rugged applications, such as cycling computers, where exposure to dirt, mud, and water is inevitable. Although device designers limit potential ingress points for devices, many devices require ports for communication, charging, and similar functions. As a result, computing devices may include caps, flaps, or similar covers that enable access to the ports when necessary and that seal or otherwise protect the ports when the ports are not in use. Regular use of a cover (e.g., regular insertion and removal from the port) can lead to wear and failure of the cover. In many conventional devices, covers can be difficult or impossible to repair, resulting in increased risk that the port may be damaged by foreign substances or that the port may provide an ingress point for foreign substances that may cause damage to internal components of the computing device.

SUM MARY

One aspect of the present disclosure includes a computing device with a housing. The housing defines a compartment containing electronic components. The housing further includes a channel extending through the housing and isolated from the compartment. The channel includes each of a first portion, a second portion including an opening to an exterior of the housing, and an aperture between the first portion and the second portion. The channel is shaped to receive a protrusion of a cover through the first portion to couple the cover to the housing. When the protrusion is received by the channel, a tip of the protrusion is disposed within the second portion and retained by the aperture, and, when the tip is decoupled from the protrusion, the opening permits access to and removal of the tip from the second portion.

In certain implementations, the opening defines a normal and the opening has a shape that encompasses maximum cross-sectional dimensions of the tip perpendicular to the normal.

In other implementations, the computing device includes the cover.

In other implementations, the electronic components include a port extending from the compartment, through a wall of the housing, and to an exterior of the housing. In such implementations, the cover may form a waterproof seal about the port when the cover is coupled to the housing and the port may be a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port.

In still other implementations, the first portion includes a first opening defined by the housing and the opening through which the tip is removable is a second opening defined by the housing. In such implementations, the first opening may be oriented perpendicular to the second opening.

In yet other implementations, the housing further defines a compartment opening extending from the compartment to an exterior of the housing. In such implementations, the compartment opening may be covered by the cover when the cover is coupled to the housing and the housing may further define one of a recess and a channel disposed on an opposite side of the compartment opening from the channel.

Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a housing including a housing body. The housing body defines a compartment and a channel extending through the housing body and isolated from the compartment. The channel includes each of a first portion, a second portion including an opening to an exterior of the housing, and an aperture between the first portion and the second portion. The channel is shaped to receive a protrusion of a cover through the first portion to couple the cover to the housing body. When the protrusion is received by the channel, a tip of the protrusion is disposed within the second portion and retained by the aperture, and when the tip is decoupled from the protrusion, the opening permits access to and removal of the tip from the second portion.

In certain implementations, the opening defines a normal and the opening has a shape that encompasses maximum cross-sectional dimensions of the tip perpendicular to the normal.

In other implementations, the housing further includes the cover.

In still other implementations the first portion includes a first opening defined by the housing and the opening through which the tip is removable is a second opening defined by the housing. In such implementations, the first opening is oriented perpendicular to the second opening.

In yet another implementation, the housing further defines one of a recess and a channel disposed on an opposite side of the opening from the channel.

Yet another aspect of this disclosure includes a cycling computer with a housing. The housing defines a compartment and a channel extending through the housing and isolated from the compartment. The channel includes each of a first portion, a second portion including an opening to an exterior of the housing, and an aperture between the first portion and the second portion. A computing device disposed within the housing includes a port extending through a port opening defined by the housing to an exterior of the housing. The channel is shaped to receive a protrusion of a cover through the first portion to couple the cover to the housing. When the protrusion is received by the channel, a tip of the protrusion is disposed within the second portion and retained by the aperture. When the tip is decoupled from the protrusion, the opening permits access to and removal of the tip from the second portion.

In certain implementations, the opening defines a normal and has a shape that encompasses maximum cross-sectional dimensions of the tip perpendicular to the normal.

In other implementations the cycling computer includes the cover.

In still other implementations, when the cover is coupled to the housing, the cover forms a waterproof seal about the port opening.

In other implementations, the port is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port.

In other implementations, the first portion includes a first opening defined by the housing and the opening through which the tip is removable is a second opening defined by the housing such that the first opening is oriented perpendicular to the second opening.

In another implementation, the cycling computer further includes a display on a first side of the housing and the opening is disposed on a second side of the housing opposite the first side.

In yet another implementation, the housing further defines one of a recess and a channel disposed on an opposite side of the port opening from the channel.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate and understand that, according to common practice, various features and elements of the drawings described above are not necessarily drawn to scale, and that the dimensions of the various features and elements may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure described therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure provides enabling teachings of exemplary embodiments of a cover system that may be used for ports or other openings defined in containers and housings, such as computing device housings. Although this disclosure relies primarily on a cycling computer as an example computing device within which the cover system may be integrated, it should be understood that the cover system is more broadly applicable to any computing device and, in particular, computing devices that may benefit from a waterproof or similar cover, e.g., to protect a port of the computing device or to otherwise prevent ingress of unwanted fluid and debris into a port or housing of the device, which may include computing elements that may be damaged from water ingress. For example, computing devices such as smartphones, tablet computers, laptop computers, and the like may incorporate aspects of this disclosure, particularly when such computing devices are for use in environments or for applications requiring water or other ingress protection. Even more generally, the cover system described herein may be implemented into any suitable housing or container structure, regardless of the contents of the housing or container structure or intended application. Accordingly, to the extent the cover system is described herein in the context of a cycling computer, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to cycling computer applications.

The disclosed cover system may be implemented to provide a waterproof or similar seal or cover for a port or other opening of a housing. Cycling computers, for example, may include a housing defining one or more openings or ports. One example is a peripheral port (e.g., a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port) that facilitates charging, data transfer, and other functions of the cycling computer. Such ports may provide access to and include sensitive electronic components/connections and/or provide a potential ingress point for dirt, fluid, debris, etc. To protect the various components of the cycling computer ports and other ingress points of a cycling computer may be covered and/or sealed when not in use, such as during a ride.

In certain applications, housing openings may be covered/sealed by a cover that includes a body and protrusions extending from the body. To cover the port, a user may insert the protrusions into corresponding receptacles of the housing such that the cover extends over the port and, in certain cases, seals the port. To uncover the port for access, the user may remove one or more of the protrusions from its corresponding receptacle, thereby allowing the cover to be removed, rotated, bent, or otherwise moved out of the way to expose the opening.

With repeated insertion and removal, the protrusions of the cover may become weakened and, in some cases, break off or otherwise decouple from the body of the cover. In some cases, the broken protrusion may become lodged within the receptacle for the protrusion and may require removal before a user can install a new cover. Depending on the design of the housing, removal of the broken protrusion may require disassembly of the housing. In certain cases, the broken protrusion may not be removable from its receptacle and, as a result, may preclude use of a new cover without first replacing some or all of the housing. Regardless, broken protrusions that become lodged within their receptacles are often a time-consuming and costly issue to fix and, if not fixed such that the corresponding port is exposed, the risk that dust, fluids, and debris may enter and damage the device is increased.

To address the foregoing issues, among others, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to an improved cover system for a housing that facilitates removal of cover protrusions that may break or otherwise decouple from a cover and become lodged within a receptacle of the housing. Housings according to this disclosure define each of a primary compartment and a channel extending through the housing that is separate from the primary compartment. The primary compartment may, for example, house electronic components and may be in communication with an exterior of the housing through an opening in the housing, such as an opening for accommodating a peripheral port. A cover may be inserted or repositioned over the opening to protect the opening. When the cover is installed, receptacles of the housing receive and retain protrusions of the cover with at least one of the receptacles corresponding to the channel defined through the housing.

The channel includes two distinct portions separated by an aperture, with each portion being accessible by a respective opening to an exterior of the housing. More specifically, the channel includes a first opening that is sized and shaped to allow insertion of the protrusion through the first opening. During insertion, a tapered or similarly shaped tip portion of the protrusion is inserted through the aperture and subsequently retained within the second portion of the channel by the aperture due to the tapered tip having a base or that exceeds the dimensions of the aperture. The housing further defines a second opening in communication with the second portion of the channel to facilitate removal of the tip portion in the event the tip portion breaks off of the protrusion and becomes disposed within the channel. Accordingly, the second opening and the second portion of the channel are generally sized and shaped to allow access to and/or removal of the disassociated tip.

Referring now in more detail to the drawing figures, wherein like parts are identified with like reference numerals throughout the several views,FIGS. 1-9illustrate one embodiment of a cycling computer10. As noted above, the cycling computer10is provided as just one example computing device within which the cover system disclosed herein may be integrated. The cover system may be used with other cycling computers having substantially different configurations other than the inclusion of a corresponding cover. Also, applications and embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to cycling computers and more generally include any housing or container including a cover regardless of the contents of the housing or container. Although not limited to computing device housings, the cover system disclosed is particularly beneficial in such housings given the general sensitivity of computing devices to dust, fluids, debris, etc.

The cycling computer10includes a computer housing20for enclosing and protecting an electronics package of the bicycling computer. The computer housing20generally includes an electronic display24formed into a top surface22of the computer housing20. The cycling computer10further includes a computer mount50, such as “out front” mount54, which includes a mounting adapter60at a proximal end52for coupling to the front of a bicycle (e.g., to handlebars of the bicycle), a substantially horizontal cradle70at a distal end58for removably receiving the computer housing20, and a bracket arm64extending between the mounting adapter60and the cradle70. The bottom surface of the computer housing20can be removably received within or attached to the top of the cradle70to secure the computer housing20in a locked and “in-use” position within the cradle, with a front end30extending forwardly from the distal end58of the computer mount, and out in front of handlebars of the bicycle. As further shown in more detail inFIGS. 3-9, the computer housing20can further include push buttons26formed into the top surface22and side surfaces46that allow for adjustment of the display, as well as a number of LED indicators28that may be used to convey additional useful information to the rider. The display may also be a touch screen display.

As discussed below in further detail, the computer housing20may include one or more ports for connecting the cycling computer10to a power source, a computing device, headphones, or other external elements. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1-9and as discussed below in further detail, a port may be disposed on a back end38of the computer housing20. An example of a port106can be seen inFIG. 10, which is discussed below in further detail.

As shown inFIGS. 4, 5, and 8, in at least certain embodiments, the cycling computer10may include a first coupling member48that is formed with and/or extends downward from a bottom surface44of the housing20. The first coupling member48can be configured to engage a second coupling member formed into a top side or surface of the cradle70to removably secure the computer housing20to the cradle70of the computer mount50. For example, the two coupling members can form a rotary-type attachment system in which the first coupling member48rotatably engages with the second coupling member by pivoting around an axis of rotation located at the center point49of the first coupling member48.

FIG. 10is a rear topside perspective view of the housing20in a partially disassembled state and, more specifically, a bottom portion102of the housing20. As illustrated, the housing20generally defines a compartment104within which various electronic components may be disposed. As noted above, in at least certain embodiments, cycling computers according to this disclosure may include one or more ports, such as port106, or similar openings. Such ports may be used, for example, to couple the cycling computer to external power sources or to interface with other devices. In the specific embodiment illustrated inFIG. 10, the port106is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port; however, in other embodiments, the port106may be any suitable port (e.g., for inter-device communication, charging, audio output, or any other function) currently known or later developed. Non-limiting examples of ports include USB ports (including any standard, mini-, or micro-style USB ports for any version of USB); FireWire ports; Thunderbolt ports; audio ports; microphone ports; HDMI, DVI, or other video-related ports; Ethernet or other network communication ports; serial ports; parallel ports; PS/2 or other peripheral ports; and power connections. More generally, the port106may correspond to any port, socket, or connection point for the computing device with the specific type of port, socket, or connection being based on the type and functionality of the computing device. In other embodiments, the port may be a more general opening into the housing20or a recess in an exterior surface of the housing20.

As illustrated inFIG. 10, the housing20includes an opening108in communication with the compartment104and through which the port106extends. The port106may be coupled to the housing20in a manner that provides suitable ingress protection; however, elements of the port106(e.g., pins or contacts) may remain exposed. Accordingly, a cover200may be provided with the housing20to cover the port106when the port106is not in use, thereby protecting any exposed components of the port106from dust, fluids, and debris. Similarly, when the port106is instead a more general opening into the housing20or a recess defined on the exterior surface of the housing20, the cover200may be used to prevent dust, fluid, etc. from entering the housing20or recess.

Referring toFIG. 11, in certain embodiments, the cover200may include a cover body202from which multiple protrusions may extend. For example, the cover200includes a retention protrusion204extending from a first portion205of the cover body202and a closure protrusion208disposed on a second portion209of the cover body202. When used to cover the port106, the retention protrusion204is inserted into a retention channel80(shown inFIG. 10) through a primary retention channel opening81and the closure protrusion208is inserted into a closure recess82(also shown inFIG. 10) such that the cover body202extends across and covers the port106. The cover200may further include a flange210shaped to be inserted into the opening108, thereby providing improved sealing and retention of the cover200. The retention channel80is generally isolated from the compartment104such that the retention channel80does not provide an additional opportunity for ingress into the compartment104.

In at least certain embodiments, the cover200is formed from a flexible material, such as, but not limited to, silicone rubber. In certain implementations, flexible materials enable at least partial deformation of the cover200during use and, as a result, generally provide better sealing and retention than more rigid materials. For example, flexible materials may allow the flange210to deform when inserted into the opening108such that the flange210forms an interference fit with the opening108. Nevertheless, this disclosure contemplates any suitable material or combination of materials (e.g., a rigid body with one or more flexible gaskets) for forming the cover200.

As illustrated, the retention protrusion204includes a stem212and a tip214. During use and with reference toFIGS. 12 and 13(which are a bottom view and partial cross-sectional view of the housing20, respectively, with the cover200omitted) andFIGS. 14 and 15(which are a bottom view and partial cross-sectional view of the housing20, respectively, including the cover200), the stem212and the tip214are inserted into the retention channel80through the primary retention channel opening81such that the tip214passes through and is retained by an aperture250defined within the retention channel80. The aperture250separates a first portion82of the retention channel80from a second portion84of the retention channel80and has smaller cross-sectional dimensions than those of the tip214. As a result, the tip214is compressed/deformed as it passes through the aperture250. After passing through the aperture250, the tip214returns to its original shape and is retained within the second portion84of the retention channel80by virtue of the tip214having a larger maximum cross-sectional area than the aperture. For example, in the specific embodiment ofFIGS. 14 and 15, the tip214has a frustoconical shape in which a diameter of a top of the tip214is smaller than a diameter of the aperture250(thereby facilitating insertion of the tip214through the aperture250) and a diameter of the base of the tip214is larger than the diameter of the aperture250(thereby improving retention after the tip214has been inserted through the aperture250).

Referring back toFIGS. 10 and 11, once the cover200is coupled to the housing20by inserting the retention protrusion204into the retention channel80, the closure protrusion208may be used to cover and uncover the port106without decoupling the cover200from the housing20. For example, when the port106is covered, the closure protrusion208may be inserted into the closure recess82and retained within the closure recess82by an interference or press fit. The fit of the closure protrusion208within the closure recess82may be such that retention of the closure protrusion208within the closure recess82is less than retention of the retention protrusion204within the retention channel80. As a result, the closure protrusion208may be removed from the closure recess82without removing the retention protrusion204from the retention recess80and access to the port106may be provided by bending, rotating, or otherwise manipulating the cover body away from the port106. As illustrated inFIG. 11, the cover body202may include a hinge (e.g., living hinge216disposed between the first portion205and the second portion209of the cover body202) or similar structure to facilitate movement of the cover body202away from the port106while maintaining the retention protrusion204within the retention channel80.

The cover200ofFIG. 11is an illustrative example only and other cover configurations are contemplated by this disclosure. For example, the cover200may be configured to cover multiple ports. As another example, the cover200may omit the closure protrusion208(e.g., by relying instead on a press or interference fit between the cover body202and walls of a recess within which the port106is disposed). As yet another example, the cover200may include more than one retention-style protrusion. The cover200is also not limited to any specific size or shape. Rather, covers contemplated by this disclosure may be sized and shaped to accommodate any port or opening of a housing or container.

In certain instances, and as shown inFIG. 16, the tip214of the retention protrusion204may shear off the stem212of the protrusion and remain disposed within the second portion84of the retention channel80. For example, repeated insertion and removal of the retention protrusion204through the aperture250may cause the tip214to shear or otherwise break off of the stem212. In such cases, the broken tip214typically must be removed from within the retention channel80before another cover may be used. Removal of the tip214by way of the primary opening81of the retention channel80may be extremely difficult or not possible due to the relative dimensions of the tip214and the aperture250. To address this issue, the housing20further defines a secondary opening83of the retention channel80that is in communication with the second portion84of the retention channel80and that is generally sized and shaped to facilitate easy removal of the tip214if the tip214breaks off within the retention channel80, as indicated by arrow252.

As illustrated inFIGS. 12-16, the secondary opening83may be disposed on the bottom surface44of the housing20and, as a result, is oriented perpendicular to the primary opening81of the retention channel80. Accordingly, if and when the tip214of the retention protrusion204shears off of its stem, the tip214may be readily removed via the secondary opening83. If the size and shape of the secondary opening83are sufficient, the tip214may simply fall out of the retention channel80by gravity when the secondary opening83is made to face downward. Removal of the tip214may also be facilitated by shaking, bumping, etc. the housing20and/or by the insertion of a tool or other object into the retention channel80through the secondary opening83.

The secondary opening83and the second portion84of the retention channel80are not limited to any specific shape or size; however, in general, the secondary opening83may have a shape and the second portion84may have a cross-sectional shape that accommodate the maximum dimensions of the tip214to facilitate easy removal of the tip214. For example, the secondary opening83may generally define a normal88and the shape of the secondary opening83and the cross-sectional shape of the second portion84may be such that they accommodate the maximum cross-sectional dimensions of the tip214perpendicular to the normal88when the tip214is oriented in the position in which it is likely to break off within the retention channel80. So, for example, in the embodiment ofFIG. 16, the width of each of the secondary opening83and the cross-section of the second portion84of the retention channel80may exceed the maximum width of the tip214, which, in the case of the frustoconical shape of the tip214, corresponds to the width at the base of the tip214. Similarly, the height of each of the secondary opening83and the cross-section of the second portion of the retention channel80may exceed the maximum height of the tip214. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the size and shape the secondary opening83and the second portion84of the retention channel80may be readily adapted to accommodate a wide range of tip shapes and sizes and that, as a result, this disclosure is not limited to implementations including only frustoconically shaped protrusions.

Although the second portion84and the secondary opening83of the retention channel80are illustrated in the figures as being perpendicularly oriented relative to the first portion82and first opening81of the retention channel80, in other embodiments, non-perpendicular arrangements may be possible depending on the size and shape of the tip214of the retention protrusion204. Moreover, while illustrated as opening to the bottom surface40of the housing20, the secondary opening83may instead be disposed on the front or side surfaces of the housing20with the second portion84of the retention channel80routed accordingly and each of the second portion84and the secondary opening83sized and shaped to accommodate the corresponding orientation of the tip214.

Although discussed in the context of a cycling computer and although the cover design described herein is particularly useful for cycling computers due to the prevalence of dirt, fluid, and other debris in cycling, the concepts disclosed herein are not limited to cycling computer applications. Rather, the retention channel and related concept discussed herein may be implemented in any computing device or, even more broadly, in any housing or container. Moreover, while this disclosure focuses primarily on applications related to covers for computing device ports, the retention channel and related concepts discussed herein may be more broadly applied to any port, opening, recess, or similar structure that may require or generally benefit from being covered.

As indicated above, the retention channel and related aspects of the present disclosure has been described herein in terms of preferred embodiments and methodologies considered by the inventor to represent the best mode of carrying out the invention. It will be understood by the skilled artisan, however, that a wide range of additions, deletions, and modifications, both subtle and gross, may be made to the illustrated and exemplary embodiments of the cycling computer without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. These and other revisions might be made by those of skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention that is constrained only by the following claims.