Carrying case for a laptop computer

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WO 02/070373 PCT/US02/07097

Carrying Case for a Laptop Computer

Background of the Invention

This invention relates to cases, usually made from panels of soft textile material or leather, used to transport laptop computers. More particularly, the invention relates to such cases that permit the user to both transport the laptop computer in the case as well as operate the laptop computer while the laptop computer is substantially contained in the case.

For example, this type of carrying case opens up and unfolds adequately to perm it the user to access the keyboard and to view the display screen of the laptop computer while the computer is resting at least partially within a compartment of the carrying case. One such type of computer case is shown in published U.K. patent applicati on no. GB2333033 assigned to Samsonite Corporation. In the laptop computer case construction disclosed in this patent, the laptop computer is intended to be strapped to the inside surface of a door accessing the main compartment of that case. The side wa Ils of the case flanking both sides of the main compartment are defined by upright zipper opening compartments which store accessories for the laptop computer such as its power supply or disk storage media, as well as conventional stationery like pens, pencils and note pads. While adequate for many purposes, this case tends to be a bit bulky. The main compartment of the case is intended to stand vertical while the laptop computer is operated from its position attached to the inner side of the main compartment door. In restricted conditions this main compartment can be cumbersome, for example, when the user is trying to work on the laptop computer on the tray of a passenger aircraft.

Another carrying case for portable computers is shown in US Patent 5,445,266. Here, however, the keyboard and display portion of the computer to be transported are separate pieces and the carrying case is constructed to support the display portion by

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WO 02/070373 PCT/US02/07097 providing for releasable attachment means such as hook and loop fasteners to hold the display portion in a fixed position against portions of the carrying case. While less bulky than the previously described carrying case, the disclosed carrying case is a special type. Also, the keyboard is not positioned optimally for use on the lap of the user.

Accordingly, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a simple, lightweight carrying case that permits carrying a laptop computer as well as operating the laptop computer while substantially contained within the main compar tment of the carrying case.

It is another object of the invention to provide a hammock-like support for the laptop computer within the confines of the main packing compartment. This hammock includes passages or openings through a central portion thereof, as well as openings in the walls of the main compartment which lead to a secondary compartment adjacent the main packing compartment. The secondary compartment is sized to receive the power supply, power cords and the like for the laptop computer case. I n this way, the laptop computer can be connected to the wiring for powering the laptop computer when the laptop computer is enclosed in the main compartment of the carrying case. The laptop computer can be powered during use by the batteries or other power supply normally contained in the secondary compartment, whereby the laptop computer can be recharged by the power supply.

It is another object of this invention to provide a carrying case with a hammock which engages the laptop computer in its closed or transport position as well as when the computer is in the use position with the keyboard hinged at a substantial angle away from the display portion of the laptop computer. The ends of the hammock are affixed to the two main walls of the main packing compartment so that when the laptop computer is opened at an obtuse angle, the keyboard and the display portion are suspended on the hammock at optimum angles for viewing as well as for operating the keys of the keyboard.

It is another object of the invention to provide a hammock suspension in the main

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WO 02/070373 PCT/US02/07097 compartment ofthe carrying case of such material that permits air circulation to the bottom and back of the laptop computer, to thus aid in cooling the laptop computer during use, even while the computer is contained substantially in the main compartment ofthe laptop computer carrying case. These and other objects of the invention will become apparent with regard to the following disclosure ofthe preferred embodiment.

Brief Description ofthe Invention

Accordingly, the invention provides for a carrying case for a laptop computer, the laptop computer being the usual type that has a portable source of electric power. The keyboard portion and display portion are hinged to one another such that the laptop computer is normally transported with the keyboard portion and display portion in a face -toface orientation. The inventive carrying case has a main packing compartment for receiving the laptop computer. This main packing compartment has two main walls that are generally planar and rectangular, and a perimeter wall extending around all four sides of and between the two main walls. The perimeter wall includes a portion that hingedly links the two main walls together and also has a sliding fastener for select ively opening the main compartment to provide access to the laptop computer contained therein. A sling or hammock is suspended within the main packing compartment. This hammock has end portions attached to inside surfaces of the main walls of the compartment and a center portion connecting the two end portions and positioned therebetween. The hammock normally engages the outer surfaces of the keyboard portion and display portion of the laptop computer when the laptop computer is in its closed condition while being carried within the main compartment. The center portion ofthe hammock has passages therethrough. The carrying case includes at least one secondary compartment sized to receive at least the wiring used to power the laptop computer or to recharge its portable power supply. This secondary compartment has

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WO 02/070373 PCT/US02/07097 a wall with an opening sized to permit a portion of that wiring to pass therethrough and the main wall has an opening sized to permit a portion of the wiring to pass therethrough which is near the opening in the wall of the secondary compartment. The hammock has an opening sized to permit a portion of the wiring to pass therethrough which is normally near the opening in the main wall, whereby a laptop computer contained in the main compartment can be electrically connected to wiring in the secondary compartment by wires extending from the secondary compartment through openings in the main wall of the secondary compartment, the hammock and main wall.

Description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the computer carrying case according to this invention.

Figure 2 shows the back of the computer carrying case and the secondary compartment for holding wiring, such as the power supply, of the laptop computer.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but with the door of the secondary compartment shown in phantom.

Figure 4 shows the carrying case with the main compartment in the opened position ready to receive the laptop computer to be carried.

Figure 5 is a detail of Figure 4 showing a hook and loop fastener portion holding the front edge to the lower half of the main packing compartment.

Figure 6 shows the main packing compartment in the full open position with the sling pulled up and away from the base to reveal details.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 4 but with a typical laptop computer placed in operative position on the hammock portion.

Figure 8 is a side view of a portion of the carrying case showing the power cord or the

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WO 02/070373 PCT/US02/07097 like connected to the back of a laptop comput er being fed through openings in the sling.

Figure 9 shows the inside of the secondary compartment of the carrying case with a power supply transformer for a laptop computer positioned within the compartment.

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view of the case showing details of its operation.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring to the figures, the laptop computer carrying case 10 is a generally rectangular flat carrying case with main walls 12 and a perimeter wall 14 that connects the perimeters of the main walls. Down the center of three of the sides of the perimeter wall is a conventional slide-type fastener 16. The main walls are self- hinged to the remaining side 18 of the perimeter wall; thus the main packing compartment of the case is self -hinging to permit the main walls to hinge away from one another to open up the main compartment. The main compartment walls can hinge beyond 90 ° to one another as will be detailed later. This hinging permits a laptop computer “C” to be opened to assume its “in use” position within the main compartment and thus the user can spontaneously operate the laptop computer without having to remove it completely from the carrying case. This is an important function forthose laptop computer users who w ish to rapidly access their computer and use it occasionally while traveling.

The outside surface of a first of the main walls 12,12 includes a flat panel of a high friction, rubbery material 20, preferably a known type of synthetic or simulated leather. A pair of handles 22 with a patch of similar high friction material slides into and out of slits in the main walls 12. Shoulder strap attachments, not shown, could also be provided.

An auxiliary compartment 26 shares a portion of the main wall 12 on the side of the case 10 opposite to that having the anti- slip panel 20. This compartment is preferably smaller than the main compartment. Inside of compartment 26 are elastic straps 28 attached

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WO 02/070373 PCT/US02/07097 to the main wall 12. Openings 34, large enough to easily letwi res and their electrical connectors pass through, form passages into the main packing compartment.

The sling or hammock support 30 is a central feature of the preferred embodiment.

As can be seen from the figures, this hammock or sling consists of a gener ally rectangular strip of mesh material. Preferably this mesh comprises an open work, basket weave textile preferably coated with a non-slip vinyl emulsion. Stiffening, high friction panels 38, of the same material as that used on the outside portions of the case, further enhance the stabilizing and computer gripping functions of the hammock 30. The primary function of the hammock 30 is to grip the bottom and back surfaces of a laptop computer to help hold it in position during use, as well as permit circulation of cooling air around the laptop computer during use. The open mesh helps ambient air dissipate the heat of the operating computer while still permitting the user to maintain the laptop computer in position. The sling or hammock 30 is fixedly attached to the upper portion of the inside of the main wall 12 main packing compartment, preferably about a third of the way up from the self -hinging portion toward the top edge of the case. The other edge of the sling (remote from the fixed edge) is an edge provided with a hook-type fastener strip 36 (Figure 5), which can be used to selectively engage a portion of the interior surface of the other side of the main packing compartment. This interior surface of the main packing compartment is covered or comprises a corresponding loop- type fabric to which this remote edge of the sling can be selectively but fixedly engaged.

At a central portion of the sling is a series of large openings 40 through which power cords, accessory cords (such as for computer mouse, portable printer and the like) can pass from the laptop computer C suspended on the sling, through these openings 40, and to such accessory equipment secured in the auxiliary compartment 26. Alternatively, as will be detailed, connecting wires passing through these openings can also pass directly into the secondary compartment through openings 34, rather than to the outside of the case.

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The inner surface of the upper half of the main wall 12 in the main packing compartment can also preferably include various organizational features such as slit pockets for disks, pens, pencils, etc. These pockets are conveniently arrayed above the connection to the upper edge of the sling as shown.

In Figure 6, the sling has been pulled away from the lower main wall 12 in the main packing compartment wall to reveal the openings 34 into the secondary compartment. These openings are normally near to and approximately correspond to the position and size of the passages through the sling such that, whether the case is open or closed, these openings generally align with one another to permit easy passage of power cords, computer mouse connecting cords, and wiring W to auxiliary computer equipment such as printers that extend through the aligned openings and into the auxiliar y compartment.

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate this use of the secondary compartment. The secondary compartment 26 consists of a simple gusseted pocket which shares one of the main walls of the main packing compartment and preferably includes one or more elastic straps 28 sewn to this shared wall. The elastic straps can be used to hold a power transformer T (as shown) so that the electrical lead or wiring W (schematically shown in Figure 10) to the computer can extend from the power supply transformer while the power cord P can be fed out of the power supply compartment to a convenient electrical outlet adjacent to the user, if such is available. There is room between the self -hinging portion of the case and the bottom of the hinge for some wires and their co nnectors to protrude.

Note that the laptop computer to be carried is typical of most in that the keyboard portion is hinged to the screen portion. When placed on the sling within the carrying case, the laptop computer tends to be suspended by the hammock such that the hammock hangs above the corresponding walls of the main packing compartment. The screen portion, as is typical of many laptop computers, can be oriented at different angles relative to the keyboard portion, the friction connection between the screen portion and the keyboard portion being

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WO 02/070373 PCT/US02/07097 adequate to hold this relative position or angle. This adjustment also serves to adjust the angle at which the keyboard is held up by the sling portion during use. In this manner the user can adjust the screen and the angle of the keyboard, and perhaps place the keyboard in a better, more comfortable position. This is especially desirable if the laptop computer is used while the carrying case is positioned on the upper surfaces of the thighs of the user when the user is in a seated position. Usually the upper legs form a downward angle relative to horizontal. This in turn places the keyboard in a corresponding sloping position away from the user. However, when the laptop computer is used while in the invented carrying case, this angle can be adjusted and compensated for in order to place the keyboard in more of a level position. For some this could be a more comfortable orientation. In order to further accommodate using the laptop computer on the upper thigh surfaces of the user, the high friction panel 20 helps makes the carrying case less likely to slide off the lap of the user during keyboarding.

There are several other benefits of the inventive carrying case as described. First, the openings in the sling permit power cords and the like to remain attached at least for short periods of time between uses, such as when the laptop user has to move or change positions in the waiting room of an airport or the like. The convenience of not having to detach the cords and remove the laptop computer from the carrying case can add precious minutes to the time available for keyboarding and the like. Secondly, the sling arrangement permits improved positioning of the keyboard portion of the laptop computer by the hammock 30 supporting the back hinged edge of the laptop computer as detailed above. Also, the sling aids heat dissipation by letting the air circulate to and around the laptop computer while in position on the sling. Since the case includes the power supply compartment with its opening directly into the main compartment, some of the disadvantages of recharging batteries of a laptop computer are reduced.