Impact-resistant case with sealable opening

Abstract

The present invention is a cost effective impact-absorbing insert which combines multiple functionality with parts consolidation and ease of customization that allows wide application anywhere tailored impact protection is desired. The impact-absorbing insert of the present invention mates with a user defined enclosure to produce a protective case for any fragile articles that are used in a portable environment, for example portable electronic devices such as cameras (35 mm and digital), instrumentation, tools, PDAs, web tablets, hand held computers, cell phones, pagers, gaming devices, electronic music players, voice recorders, global positioning systems (GPS), and the like.

1 . An impact-absorbing insert for a protective case designed for containing and protecting a fragile article wherein the insert comprises one or more impact-absorbing portion and one or more tethered plug for insertion into an access tunnel contained in a mating user defined enclosure, wherein said access tunnel provides access to features of the article without opening the protective case.  
   
   
       2 . A protective case for a fragile article comprising the impact-absorbing insert and user defined enclosure of  claim 1  wherein the protective case provides impact protection and, when the access tunnel is plugged, a water tight and dust tight seal for the fragile article.  
   
   
       3 . The impact-absorbing insert of  claim 1  wherein the fragile article is a portable electronic device.  
   
   
       4 . The impact-absorbing insert of  claim 3  wherein the portable electronic device is a 35 mm camera, digital camera, instrumentation, a tool, a personal data assistant, a web tablet, a cell phone, a hand held computer, a pager, a gaming device, an electronic music player, a voice recorder, a global positioning system.  
   
   
       5 . The protective case of  claim 2  wherein the fragile article is a portable electronic device.  
   
   
       6 . The protective case of  claim 5  wherein the portable electronic device is a 35 mm camera, digital camera, instrumentation, a tool, a personal data assistant, a web tablet, a cell phone, a hand held computer, a pager, a gaming device, an electronic music player, a voice recorder, a global positioning system.  
   
   
       7 . The impact-absorbing insert of  claim 1  further comprises an integral energy absorbing web and rib feature that compresses or deforms to absorb impact loading, a molded-in button, a rib, an aesthetics feature, an engagement rib, an interference tolerance to enable positive fit and function for the life of the article, or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       8 . The protective case of  claim 2  containing a portable electronic device passes the MIL-STD-81 OF, Table 516.5-VI Transit Drop Test at a minimum height of 24 inches.  
   
   
       9 . The impact-absorbing insert of  claim 1  comprises a molded elastomeric material, having a hardness between about Shore 40 A and about Shore 65 D.  
   
   
       10 . The Impact-absorbing insert of  claim 1  comprising thermoplastic polyurethane.  
   
   
       11 . A method to retain the impact-absorbing insert of  claim 1  in a user defined enclosure by designing attachment features which produce a tight fit between the impact-absorbing insert with the user defined enclosure.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the design features comprise molded fingers and mating grooves, wherein the fingers are on the impact-absorbing insert and the grooves are on the user defined enclosure, the fingers are on the user defined enclosure and the grooves are on the impact-absorbing insert, or a combination thereof.