Ruggedized enclosure for data storage device

Abstract

The embodiments provide a rugged enclosure for an external drive. The enclosure is configured to provide shock protection and protect the external drive from contaminants. The enclosure may be provided with a set of cushions and spacers to accommodate different sizes and types of external drives. In addition, the enclosure may comprise a port that allows for use of the external drive while enclosed. Furthermore, the enclosure may comprise a retaining feature like a loop or lanyard that allows the enclosure to be easily transported and secured.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A modular cushion assembly for an enclosure of an electronic device, the modular cushion assembly comprising:
 a spacer comprising a surface configured to be in contact with a top of the enclosure for the electronic device; and   a cushion configured to be removably coupled to the spacer, the cushion comprising:
 a side wall extending around a perimeter of the cushion; and 
 a plurality of cushioning arms extending away from the side wall and configured to extend away from the top of the enclosure, the cushioning arms each including an electronic device contact surface at their free end configured to be away from the top of the enclosure, 
 wherein the side wall is integral to and configured to provide structural support to the plurality of cushioning arms, 
   wherein the spacer and cushion are configured to dampen shocks to the electronic device in the enclosure.   
     
     
         23 . The modular cushion assembly of  claim 22 , wherein at least one of the plurality of cushioning arms has a trapezoidal shape. 
     
     
         24 . The modular cushion assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the spacer is configured to be interference-fit to the top of the enclosure. 
     
     
         25 . The modular cushion assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the spacer is configured to be removably attached to the top of the enclosure. 
     
     
         26 . The modular cushion assembly of  claim 22 , wherein each of a first and a second adjacent cushioning arm of the plurality of cushioning arms comprises a first and a second major surface such that the first major surface of the first cushioning arm faces the second major surface of the second cushioning arm. 
     
     
         27 . The modular cushion assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the first and second major surfaces of each of the first and second cushioning arms comprise straight surfaces. 
     
     
         28 . The modular cushion assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the first major surface of the first cushioning arm is not parallel to the facing second major surface of the second cushioning arm. 
     
     
         29 . The modular cushion assembly of  claim 22 , further comprising an other spacer and an other cushion that is configured to be removably coupled to the other spacer and that comprises an other side wall and an other cushioning arm that are similar to those of the cushion, wherein the electronic device contact surface of one of the plurality of cushioning arms of the cushion is aligned with an electronic device contact surface of the other cushioning arm of the other cushion. 
     
     
         30 . A modular cushion assembly for an enclosure of an electronic device, the modular cushion assembly comprising:
 a spacer configured to be removably attached to a wall of the enclosure; and   a cushion configured to be coupled to the spacer such that the cushion is configured to be further away from the wall of the enclosure than is the spacer, the cushion comprising a side wall and a cushioning arm configured to extend away from the side wall and away from the wall of the enclosure,   wherein the spacer is configured to be interference-fit to the wall of the housing, and   wherein the spacer and cushion are configured to dampen shocks to the electronic device in the enclosure.   
     
     
         31 . The modular cushion assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the spacer is configured to be snap-fit to the wall of the enclosure. 
     
     
         32 . The modular cushion assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the spacer is configured to be semi-permanently snap-fit to the wall of the enclosure. 
     
     
         33 . The modular cushion assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the cushion is configured to be removably coupled to the spacer. 
     
     
         34 . The modular cushion assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the side wall is integral to and configured to provide structural support to the cushioning arm. 
     
     
         35 . The modular cushion assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the spacer is configured to be attached to the wall of the housing by a fastener. 
     
     
         36 . The modular cushion assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the spacer comprises a lattice of internal walls that defines a plurality of voids. 
     
     
         37 . The modular cushion assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the side wall extends at least one of around or within a perimeter of the cushion. 
     
     
         38 . A modular cushion assembly for an enclosure of an electronic device, the modular cushion assembly comprising:
 a cushion means for cushioning shocks to the electronic device in the enclosure;   a spacer means for spacing the cushion means in the enclosure away from a top of the enclosure, the spacer means configured to be removably attached to the top of the enclosure, the cushion means configured to be removably coupled to the spacer means; and   wherein the spacer means is configured to be interference-fit to the top of the housing.   
     
     
         39 . The modular cushion assembly of  claim 38 , wherein the spacer means comprises a clip means for clipping to the top of the enclosure. 
     
     
         40 . The modular cushion assembly of  claim 38 , wherein the spacer means comprises a snap-fit means for snap-fitting to the top of the enclosure. 
     
     
         41 . The modular cushion assembly of  claim 38 , wherein the spacer means comprises a retaining means for retaining the spacer means to the top of the enclosure.