AU2004202920A1 - Notebook Travel Harness - Google Patents

Description

A .A.q Notebook Travel Harness Field of the Invention The invention pertains to harnesses and more particularly to a harness for suspending a notebook computer or similar device, for the headrest, for example, of an automobile.

Background of the Invention Notebook or laptop Computers and portable DVD players are popular devices capable of playing digital video discs (DVD) or other forms of graphic media which require a display screen, often a large screen built into a hinged cover that folds flat against the body of the device. For the purpose of this disclosure all such media devices will be referred to as "display devices" or "devices". Most devices are adapted to run off of a variety of power sources such as batteries, external battery packs, or DC power inputs, for example, from a transformer or car's storage battery. Most devices can also provide audio outputs that can be fed into the audio system of a vehicle such as an automobile.

This can be done by direct connection or through any number of conversion devices that are readily on the market. As such, the device provides a useful platform for entertainment within an automobile. While it may be impractical for the driver or front seat passenger to view the entertainment display on a device, it may be entirely desirable to have the passengers in the rear seat, particularly children on long trips, view the screen of a device, for example, to watch DVD's.

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Obiects of the Summary of the Invention It is an object of the invention to provide a harness that is adapted to suspend a notebook computer.

It is another object of the invention to provide a harness that is particularly adapted to suspend a notebook computer from the front seats of an automobile.

It is another object of the invention to provide a means to provide rear seat passengers with an entertainment display.

Accordingly, there is provided a travel harness for a device. The harness comprises a central restraint with a top opening for receiving a device. The upper margins of the restraint are affixed to a main suspension portion. The bottom of the restraint carries a pair of adjustable tension loops.

In preferred embodiments, the main suspension loop comprises a pair of sliders and a pair of adjustable snap fittings.

In some embodiments, the main restraint further comprises a horizontal adjustment loop.

Brief Description of the Drawing Figures Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a travel harness, according to the teachings of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of a portion device depicted in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross section through lines 3-3 of Figure 4; Figure 4 is a front elevation of the front device as suspended from a pair of automobile seats; Figure 5 is a rear elevation view of the device depicted in Figure 4; Figure 6 is perspective view of the device in operation; Figure 7 is perspective view of another embodiment of the device in operation; and Figure 8 is perspective view of the device of Figure 7, showing the tilt straps.

Best Mode and Other Embodiments of the Invention As shown in Figure 1, a travel harness 10 for an entertainment device such as a notebook computer, laptop computer or DVD player comprises a central restraint 11 that is effectively suspended from a main or upper suspension loop 12. As will be explained, the main suspension loop 12 is adapted to be attached to the headrest portion of an automobile so as to suspend the main restraint 11 in a position between the seats.

It will be appreciated that the harness disclosed here is made primarily from nylon or similar webbing, and buckles, rings and sliders which are commonly used with straps and webbing. For the purposes of the present disclosure, a clasp or snap fitting consists of a male number and cooperating female number that clip together to form a stable coupling.

They are released manually without tools and one or both of the male and female members may include a strap adjustment mechanism for retaining a web and allowing the web to pull tight in one direction.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the suspension loop 12 comprises, when installed, a front web 25 and a rear web 25a. The loop is interrupted by a pair of snap fittings 27, each located between the area of the restraint 11 and an end 40 of the loop 12. These fittings open the loop for installation as will be explained.

In preferred embodiments, the main restraint 11 further comprises a pair of Shaped Vertical Straps 13. The tops of the straps 13 may be permanently or slidably attached to the suspension loop12. As seen in Figure 3, the tops of the straps 13 may be provided with sewn loops for allowing the front and rear webs 25, 25a to pass through. At the bottom of each of the vertical shaped straps there is a freely sliding shaped ring 14. This is one way of attaching the pair of tension loops 15. One adjustable tension loop is carried by each ring 14. Each tension loops 15 is intended to extend from the strap 13 that carries it to a location underneath the front seats. Each tension loop engages an under-seat fitting, rail or component so that the free ends 16 of the tension loop. This has the effect of bringing the device 10 into stable tension between the points of under-seat attachment and the headrests.

Figure 2 shows the right one of a pair of automobile seats 20. Each seat 20 includes a pair of uprights 26, 127 which are used to support a headrest 23. In this example, the right seat is shown as facing forward in the direction of the arrow 24. As shown in this figure, the main suspension loop 12 extends between the uprights 26, 127 of the front seats. The front web 25 of the loop 12 is attached (slidably or otherwise) to the front portion of each of the vertical straps 13. The front web 25 extends in front of the inner upright 26 and loops around the outer upright 127. After looping around the outer upright 127, it preferably passes in front of the inner upright 26 after which point it joins a snap fitting or clasp 27. The clasp 27 provides both a means of adjusting the loop length by pulling on the free end 28 and also as a means of coupling and uncoupling the suspension loop 12 from the uprights 26, 127 or at least the outer one 127. As shown in this figure, the suspension loop 12 also includes a pair of sliders 29 located somewhere between the inner upright 26 and the nearest vertical straps 13. The slider 29 allows the size of the main opening 30 to be adjusted. This allows computers of various widths and thick ness to be accommodated in the restraint 11.

As shown in Figure 3, the main device restraint 11 is suspended from the suspension loop 12 and in turn attaches to the tension loops 15 by, for example, a ring 14 or other ring. In some embodiments it may be sewn or glued in place. The main restraint 11 also comprises a horizontal adjustment loop 38 that is retained, for example, in loops 31 sewn or formed onto the vertical straps 13. The horizontal adjustment loop 38 preferably provides ends of a "hook and loop" fastener style or other means of adjusting the size of the central opening. The horizontal loop may be adjustable by making it elastic or including an elastic portion in the loop 38. Together the vertical shaped straps and horizontal loop form a pouch for the display device as shown in Figures 6-8.

As shown in Figure 4, the main suspension web 12 passes around the upright, 26, 127 as previously discussed and creates a means of suspending the central harness 11. The sliders 29 and horizontal adjustment loop 30 work together to determine the practical horizontal width of the central restraint 11.

As shown better in Figure 5 the front facing portion of the horizontal adjustment comprises an adjustment mechanism, such as lengths of "hook and loop" material As shown in Figure 6, the harness 10 provides a means for suspending a computer or other entertainment device 60 from between the front seats 20 of an automobile. When the main suspension loop 12 is installed correctly and properly tensioned, it creates a central opening 30 for receiving the computer 60 when inserted from the top. After the tension loops 15 are adjusted by pulling the free ends 16, the device 60 is effectively restrained in a manner which allows it to accommodate the kinds of normal vibrations and movements typical in automobile travel.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, a further embodiment of the invention comprises optional support or tilt straps 70. The tilt straps preferably attach by an adjustable buckle 71 to the front web 25, e.g. inboard of the main buckles and passing in front of the inboard headrest upright or post 26. As shown in Figure 8, the support or tilt straps 70 criss-cross at the rear of the screen 72, preferably through a slider 73. Each support or tilt strap terminates in a loop 74 that is adapted to retain a comer of the screen 75. Thus tension in the support or tilt straps 70 can be used to adjust the view angle of the screen.

While the present invention has been disclosed with reference to particular details of construction, these should be understood as having been provided by way of example and not as limitations to the scope or spirit of the invention.

Claims (11)

1. A web harness for suspending a display device having a body and a hinged cover, the device comprising: a main restraint, the restraint having a pair of shaped vertical straps, the vertical straps interconnected by a horizontal loop to form a pouch for the display device; the pouch being attached to and suspendable from a suspension loop to which it is attached.

2. The harness of claim 1, wherein: each shaped vertical strap has attached to a lower extremity, a tension loop.

3. The harness of claim 1, wherein: the horizontal loop is a closed loop that is elastic.

4. The harness of claim 1, wherein: the horizontal loop has free ends that attach to one another to close the loop.

The harness of claim 1, wherein: the suspension loop further comprises a pair of buckles that open and close to allow the suspension loop to be fitted to a pair of head rests.

6. The harness of claim 1, wherein: the suspension loop has attached to it a pair of tilt straps that affix to a folding cover of a display device.

7. The harness of claim 6, wherein: each tilt strap terminates in a loop.

8. The harness of claim 1, wherein: each vertical shaped strap is attached to the suspendion loop by loops formed in the ends of the shaped straps, so that the distance between the shaped straps can be adjusted.

9. The harness of claim 2, wherein: each tension loop is attached to a shaped strap by a sliding ring.

The harness of claim 1, wherein:. the suspension loop forms a main opening through which the display device maybe inserted.

11. The harness of claim 10, wherein: the main opening is flanked by adjusting sliders on the suspension loop.