Waterproof combined global positioning receiver and two-way radio and method of waterproof enclosure fabrication

Abstract

A combined global positioning system receiver and two-way radio communications unit (GPS/radio unit) that is configured for wirelessly communicating with one or more other such units and that includes a substantially waterproof enclosure for protection of the electronic components contained therein is provided. The substantially waterproof enclosure includes first and second cooperatively mated housing sections which, when mated, form an internal compartment or chamber for enclosing electronic components of the GPS/radio unit. The waterproof enclosure may further include a cover positioned over a plurality of tubular structures which protrude from a top end wall of the second housing section. Also provided is a method of waterproofing a GPS/radio unit including a number of different techniques for waterproofing different features and elements of the enclosure.

1 . A first waterproof combined global positioning system navigation unit and two-way radio communications unit (GPS/radio unit) configured for wirelessly communicating with a second GPS/radio unit, the second GPS/radio unit being configured to transmit radio signals indicative of the second GPS/radio unit's location, the first GPS/radio unit comprising:
 a global positioning system receiver for receiving satellite signals from a plurality of satellites;   a processor coupled with the global positioning system receiver for calculating the location of the first GPS/radio unit as a function of the received satellite signals;   a radio transceiver coupled with the processor for directly transmitting and receiving voice and data communications to and from the second GPS/radio unit, wherein the transmitted data communications is indicative of a location of the first GPS/radio unit, and wherein the processor is configured to identify the location of the second GPS/radio unit based upon the received data communications;   a display coupled with the processor for indicating the location of the second GPS/radio unit; and   a waterproof housing enclosing the global positioning system receiver, the processor, the radio transceiver, and the display.   
     
     
         2 . The waterproof GPS/radio unit of  claim 1 , wherein the waterproof housing comprises:
 a first housing section; and   a second housing section cooperatively coupled with the first housing section to create a watertight seal therewith.   
     
     
         3 . The waterproof GPS/radio unit of  claim 2 , wherein the first housing section includes a peripheral edge carrying a continuous elastomeric gasket thereon, the second housing section includes a peripheral edge against which the continuous elastomeric gasket is compressed. 
     
     
         4 . The waterproof GPS/radio unit of  claim 3 , wherein the continuous elastomeric gasket includes a continuous seal bead protruding from a face thereof, the peripheral edge of the second housing section comprises a polished flat and the continuous seal bead is compressed against the polished flat. 
     
     
         5 . The waterproof GPS/radio unit of  claim 2 , wherein—
 the housing sections each include a top wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall,   first and second tubular structures protrude upwardly from at least one of the top walls, and   a ridge extends upwardly from the top, first, and second side walls to create a cavity when the first and second housing sections are cooperatively coupled.   
     
     
         6 . The waterproof GPS/radio unit of  claim 5 , wherein the waterproof housing further comprises a cover having a body portion and at least first and second tubular cover portions, wherein the first tubular cover portion covers the first tubular structure, the second tubular cover portion covers the second tubular structure and at least a portion of the body portion of the cover is received in the cavity. 
     
     
         7 . The waterproof GPS/radio unit of  claim 6 , wherein each of the at least first and second cover tubular portions includes an annular protrusion on an interior thereof sized to compressibly contact an exterior surface of a tubular structure covered thereby. 
     
     
         8 . The waterproof GPS/radio unit of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first and 30 second housing sections includes at least one opening therein, and wherein the at least one opening is sealed to substantially prevent the ingress of water therethrough. 
     
     
         9 . A waterproof housing for a first combined global positioning system navigation unit and two-way voice and data radio communications unit (GPS/radio unit) capable of directly wirelessly communicating with a second GPS/radio unit, the second GPS/radio unit being configured to transmit radio signals indicative of the second GPS/radio unit's location, the waterproof housing comprising:
 a first housing section;   a second housing section cooperatively coupled with the first housing section to create a watertight seal therewith; and   wherein enclosed within the housing and thereby protected by the seal are—
 a global positioning system receiver for receiving satellite signals from a plurality of satellites, 
 a processor coupled with the global positioning system receiver for calculating the location of the first GPS/radio unit as a function of the received satellite signals, 
 a radio transceiver coupled with the processor for directly transmitting and receiving voice and data communications to and from the second GPS/radio unit, wherein the transmitted data communications is indicative of a location of the first GPS/radio unit, and wherein the processor is configured to identify the location of the second GPS/radio unit based upon the received data communications, and 
 a display coupled with the processor for indicating the location of the second GPS/radio unit. 
   
     
     
         10 . The waterproof housing of  claim 9 , wherein the first housing section includes a peripheral edge carrying a continuous elastomeric gasket thereon, the second housing section includes a peripheral edge against which the continuous elastomeric gasket is compressed. 
     
     
         11 . The waterproof housing of  claim 10 , wherein the continuous elastomeric gasket includes a continuous seal bead protruding from a face thereof, the peripheral edge of the second housing section comprises a polished flat and the continuous seal bead is compressed against the polished flat. 
     
     
         12 . The waterproof housing of  claim 9 , wherein—
 the housing sections each include a top wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall,   first and second tubular structures protrude upwardly from at least one of the top walls, and   a ridge extends upwardly from the top, first, and second side walls to create a cavity when the first and second housing sections are cooperatively coupled.   
     
     
         13 . The waterproof housing of  claim 12 , wherein the waterproof housing further comprises a cover having a body portion and at least first and second tubular cover portions, wherein the first tubular cover portion covers the first tubular structure, the second tubular cover portion covers the second tubular structure and at least a portion of the body portion of the cover is received in the cavity. 
     
     
         14 . The waterproof housing of  claim 13 , wherein each of the at least first and second cover tubular portions includes an annular protrusion on an interior thereof sized to compressibly contact an exterior surface of a tubular structure covered thereby. 
     
     
         15 . A waterproof housing for a first combined global positioning system navigation unit and two-way voice and data radio communications unit (GPS/radio unit) capable of directly wirelessly communicating with a second GPS/radio unit, the second GPS/radio unit being configured to transmit radio signals indicative of the second GPS/radio unit's location, the waterproof housing comprising:
 a first housing section including a peripheral edge carrying a continuous elastomeric gasket thereon, the continuous elastomeric gasket including a continuous seal bead protruding from a face thereof;   a second housing section cooperatively coupled with the first housing section to create a watertight seal therewith, the second housing section including a peripheral edge and a polished flat against which the continuous seal bead is compressed; and   wherein enclosed within the housing and thereby protected by the seal are—
 a global positioning system receiver for receiving satellite signals from a plurality of satellites, 
 a processor coupled with the global positioning system receiver for calculating the location of the first GPS/radio unit as a function of the received satellite signals, 
 a radio transceiver coupled with the processor for directly transmitting and receiving voice and data communications to and from the second GPS/radio unit, wherein the transmitted data communications is indicative of a location of the first GPS/radio unit, and wherein the processor is configured to identify the location of the second GPS/radio unit based upon the received data communications, and 
 a display coupled with the processor for indicating the location of the second GPS/radio unit. 
   
     
     
         16 . The waterproof housing of  claim 15 , wherein—
 the housing sections each include a top wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall,   first and second tubular structures protrude upwardly from at least one of the top walls, and   a ridge extends upwardly from the top, first, and second side walls to create a cavity when the first and second housing sections are cooperatively coupled.   
     
     
         17 . The waterproof housing of  claim 15 , wherein the waterproof housing further comprises a cover having a body portion and at least first and second tubular cover portions, wherein the first tubular cover portion covers the first tubular structure, the second tubular cover portion covers the second tubular structure and at least a portion of the body portion of the cover is received in the cavity. 
     
     
         18 . The waterproof housing of  claim 17 , wherein each of the at least first and second cover tubular portions includes an annular protrusion on an interior thereof sized to compressibly contact an exterior surface of a tubular structure covered thereby.