Search

US-12626086-B1 - Housings for tracking devices

US12626086B1US 12626086 B1US12626086 B1US 12626086B1US-12626086-B1

Abstract

Housings ( 10 ) for tracking devices ( 12 ) comprise a housing body ( 16 ) and an elongate retainer ( 58 ). The housing body ( 16 ) has an internal volume ( 18 ) configured to selectively receive and retain the tracking device ( 12 ). The elongate retainer ( 58 ) is rigid and extends from the housing body ( 16 ). The elongate retainer ( 58 ) and the housing body ( 16 ) collectively define a passage ( 60 ) configured to receive at least a portion of an article ( 14 ).

Inventors

  • Casey Hopkins
  • Jacob Hull

Assignees

  • Elevation Lab, Inc.

Dates

Publication Date
20260512
Application Date
20250710

Claims (17)

  1. 1 . A housing ( 10 ) for a tracking device ( 12 ), the housing ( 10 ) comprising: a housing body ( 16 ) having an internal volume ( 18 ) configured to selectively receive and retain the tracking device ( 12 ); and an elongate retainer ( 58 ) extending from the housing body ( 16 ), wherein the elongate retainer ( 58 ) and the housing body ( 16 ) collectively define a passage ( 60 ) configured to receive at least a portion of an article ( 14 ), wherein the elongate retainer ( 58 ) is rigid, and wherein the elongate retainer ( 58 ) comprises end regions ( 62 ) positioned within the housing body ( 16 ); wherein the housing body ( 16 ) is configured to restrict removal of the end regions ( 62 ) from within the housing body ( 16 ).
  2. 2 . The housing ( 10 ) of claim 1 , wherein the elongate retainer ( 58 ) is removably coupled to the housing body ( 16 ).
  3. 3 . The housing ( 10 ) of claim 1 , wherein each end region ( 62 ) of the end regions ( 62 ) defines a circumferential channel ( 64 ); and wherein the housing body ( 16 ) comprises a protrusion ( 66 ) that extends into each circumferential channel ( 64 ).
  4. 4 . The housing ( 10 ) of claim 3 , wherein the housing body ( 16 ) comprises a first body portion ( 36 ) and a second body portion ( 38 ) that collectively define the internal volume ( 18 ); wherein the first body portion ( 36 ) and the second body portion ( 38 ) collectively define the protrusion ( 66 ) that extends into each circumferential channel ( 64 ); wherein, when the first body portion ( 36 ) and the second body portion ( 38 ) are operatively coupled together, the end regions ( 62 ) are restricted from being removed from the housing body ( 16 ); and wherein, when the first body portion ( 36 ) and the second body portion ( 38 ) are operatively separated, at least one of the end regions ( 62 ) is permitted to be removed from the housing body ( 16 ).
  5. 5 . The housing ( 10 ) of claim 1 , wherein the internal volume ( 18 ) is configured to selectively receive and retain the tracking device ( 12 ) in a close-fit relationship, wherein the internal volume ( 18 ) has a width ( 20 ) and a height ( 21 ); and wherein the housing ( 10 ) further comprises a seal ( 22 ) positioned within the internal volume ( 18 ).
  6. 6 . The housing ( 10 ) of claim 5 , wherein the seal ( 22 ) has an outermost seal dimension ( 24 ) that is less than the width ( 20 ) of the internal volume ( 18 ).
  7. 7 . The housing ( 10 ) of claim 5 , wherein the seal ( 22 ) has an enclosed shape.
  8. 8 . The housing ( 10 ) of claim 5 , wherein the seal ( 22 ) is positioned within the internal volume ( 18 ) to protect less than an entirety of the tracking device ( 12 ) from environment external to the housing ( 10 ) when the tracking device ( 12 ) is operatively received in the internal volume ( 18 ).
  9. 9 . The housing ( 10 ) of claim 5 , wherein the seal ( 22 ) has an outermost seal dimension ( 24 ); wherein the tracking device ( 12 ) defines a battery compartment ( 26 ) and a device opening ( 28 ) to the battery compartment ( 26 ); wherein the device opening ( 28 ) has an outermost opening dimension ( 30 ) that is less than the outermost seal dimension ( 24 ); and wherein the seal ( 22 ) extends around the device opening ( 28 ) when the tracking device ( 12 ) is operatively received within the internal volume ( 18 ).
  10. 10 . The housing ( 10 ) of claim 9 , wherein the tracking device ( 12 ) comprises a device body ( 32 ) and a device cover ( 34 ) removably coupled to the device body ( 32 ) to close the device opening ( 28 ); wherein the device body ( 32 ) defines the device opening ( 28 ); wherein the seal ( 22 ) engages the device body ( 32 ) around the device cover ( 34 ) when the tracking device ( 12 ) is operatively received within the internal volume ( 18 ).
  11. 11 . The housing ( 10 ) of claim 10 , wherein the seal ( 22 ) further engages the device cover ( 34 ) when the tracking device ( 12 ) is operatively received within the internal volume ( 18 ).
  12. 12 . The housing ( 10 ) of claim 10 , wherein the device body ( 32 ) comprises a circular planar surface ( 56 ) extending around the device opening ( 28 ); and wherein the seal ( 22 ) engages the circular planar surface ( 56 ) when the tracking device ( 12 ) is operatively received within the internal volume ( 18 ).
  13. 13 . The housing ( 10 ) of claim 1 , wherein the housing body ( 16 ) comprises a first body portion ( 36 ) and a second body portion ( 38 ) that collectively define the internal volume ( 18 ).
  14. 14 . The housing ( 10 ) of claim 13 , wherein the second body portion ( 38 ) is removably coupled to the first body portion ( 36 ) to permit placement and removal of the tracking device ( 12 ) in and from the internal volume ( 18 ).
  15. 15 . The housing ( 10 ) of claim 13 , wherein the housing body ( 16 ) comprises a hinge ( 42 ), and wherein second body portion ( 38 ) is hinged to the first body portion ( 36 ).
  16. 16 . The housing ( 10 ) of claim 15 , wherein the housing first body portion ( 36 ) and the second body portion ( 38 ) collectively define a fastener bore ( 46 ); and wherein the housing ( 10 ) further comprises a fastener ( 44 ) that extends into the fastener bore ( 46 ) to restrict the first body portion ( 36 ) and the second body portion ( 38 ) from being hinged apart and thus to restrict removal of the tracking device ( 12 ) when the tracking device ( 12 ) is operatively received in the internal volume ( 18 ).
  17. 17 . The housing ( 10 ) of claim 13 , wherein the housing ( 10 ) further comprises a seal ( 22 ) positioned within the internal volume ( 18 ), and wherein the seal ( 22 ) engages only one of the first body portion ( 36 ) or the second body portion ( 38 ) when the first body portion ( 36 ) and the second body portion ( 38 ) are operatively coupled together.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 19/012,635, filed on Jan. 7, 2025 and entitled HOUSINGS FOR TRACKING DEVICES, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. FIELD The present disclosure relates to housings for tracking devices. BACKGROUND In recent years, wireless tracking devices have become popular amongst consumers. Typically, wireless tracking devices are small and require additional hardware to be physically mounted or coupled to an object that a user desires to track. Consumers often use wireless tracking devices for keys, sports equipment, pets, electronic equipment, etc. In some applications, keeping dirt, debris, and water away from the wireless tracking device is important, as is providing a housing for a tracking device that is rugged and withstands impacts. Examples of housings for tracking devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 11,694,058; 11,910,888; 11,931,643; 11,934,902; and 12,014,236, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. SUMMARY Housings for tracking devices comprise a housing body and an elongate retainer. The housing body has an internal volume that is configured to selectively receive and retain the tracking device. The elongate retainer is rigid and extends from the housing body. The elongate retainer and the housing body collectively define a passage that is configured to receive at least a portion of an article. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration representing housings for tracking devices according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an example housing according to the present disclosure, shown secured to a pet collar. FIG. 3 is a front view of the example housing and pet collar of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the example housing of FIG. 2 with an Apple AirTag™ device, taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is an isometric view of another example housing according to the present disclosure, shown secured to a key ring. FIG. 6 is a front view of the example housing of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the example housing of FIG. 5 with an Apple AirTag™ device, taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is an isometric view of another example housing according to the present disclosure with an Apple AirTag™ device. FIG. 9 is a front view of the example housing and Apple AirTag™ device of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the example housing and Apple AirTag™ device of FIG. 8, taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the example housing and Apple AirTag™ device of FIG. 8, taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 9. FIG. 12 is an isometric view of another example housing according to the present disclosure with an Apple AirTag™ device. FIG. 13 is a front view of the example housing and Apple AirTag™ device of FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the example housing and Apple AirTag™ device of FIG. 12, taken along line 14-14 in FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the example housing and Apple AirTag™ device of FIG. 12, taken along line 15-15 in FIG. 13. FIG. 16 is an isometric view of another example housing according to the present disclosure. FIG. 17 is a front view of the example housing of FIG. 16. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the example housing of FIG. 16 with an Apple AirTag™ device, taken along line 18-18 in FIG. 17. DESCRIPTION Housings 10 for securing tracking devices 12 to articles 14 are disclosed herein. Examples of tracking devices 12 include wireless (e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth™, GPS) tracking devices (e.g., Apple AirTag™, Tile™, Samsung Galaxy SmartTag™, Chipolo One™, CubePro™, Orbit™, and Baseus™ branded tracking devices); and examples of articles 14 include sports equipment, snowboards, skis, skateboards, surfboards, paddle boards, stand-up paddle boards, wake boards, water skis, bicycles, hard-sided articles, land vehicles, trailers, All-Terrain-Vehicles (ATVs), motorcycles, watercraft, power tools, cases, luggage, camera gear, coolers, camping equipment, apparel, pet collars, etc. Functionally, a housing 10 may be used to secure a tracking device 12 to an article 14 that a user desires to keep track of. FIG. 1 schematically illustrates housings 10 according to the present disclosure. Generally, in FIG. 1, elements that are likely to be included in a given example are illustrated in solid lines, while elements that are optional to a given example or that correspond to one or more specific examples are illustrated in broken lines. However, elements that are illustrated in solid lines are not essential to all examples of the present disclosure, and an element shown in solid lines may be omitted from a particular example without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As schematically represented in FIG. 1, housings 10 generally comprise at least a housing body 16 and a seal 22. The housing body 16 has