TITLE OF THE INVENTION LUGGAGE ITEM FOR TABLET COMPUTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention 100011 The present invention relates to a support for a tablet computer or display screen, for example of the type popularised by the Apple @ iPad @. The support may be in the form of a luggage item such as a travel case. 2. Description of Related Art 100021 The recent release of the Apple @ iPad@ has brought increased popularity to the existing market segment of tablet computers, which are a type of portable computer having a touch screen display instead of the keyboard and pointer device of the conventional laptop computer. 100031 Luggage design for tablet computers offers different challenges in securing and safely transporting the computer than luggage for laptops. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 100041 In one aspect, the invention provides a support for a portable display screen, such as a tablet computer, the support including a support structure and a retaining arrangement comprising a pair of opposed channels mounted to the support structure in parallel configuration and adapted to receive respective opposite parallel edge portions of the display screen so as to removably retain the display screen.. [00051 In one preferred embodiment, the retaining arrangement further includes securing formations associated with one or more ends of the channels for restraining the computer or display screen against longitudinal movement along the channels.
2 [00061 In one embodiment the securing formations comprise formations for engaging with corner regions of the screen. Preferably the formations are resiliently flexible to flex upon insertion and removal of the screen from the channels. 100071 A further aspect of the invention provides a travel case incorporating a support as described herein, and in one embodiment the opposed channels are mounted to a panel of the case. 100081 In a further aspect of the invention, the case is reconfigurable between in a travel mode in which the retaining arrangement retains the tablet computer or display screen inside the case, and a display mode in which the retaining arrangement retains the tablet computer or display screen in a display position on an outside surface of the case. [00091 Further aspects of the invention are described below, and as set out in the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 100101 Further preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [00111 Fig. I illustrates a pair of opposed retaining channels for a tablet computer, in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; [00121 Fig. 2 illustrates a retaining arrangement incorporating the channels of Fig 1, in use; 100131 Figs. 3A and 3B illustrate a portfolio according to a further embodiment incorporating the retaining arrangement of Fig.2, in a travel mode; 100141 Figs. 4A and 4B illustrate the portfolio of Figs. 3A and 3B when reconfigured to a display stand mode; 100151 Figs 5A and 5B illustrate a computer bag according to a further embodiment, in travel and display stand modes respectively; 3 [00161 Figs 6A and 6B are front and rear views of the computer bag of Figs 5A and 5B, when opened out and laid flat; 100171 Fig 7 is a plan view of a retaining channel configuration according to second embodiment; 100181 Fig 8 is a plan view of an opposite pair of the channels of Figs 7 in use retaining a tablet computer; and [00191 Figs. 9A and 9B are respectively left and right retaining channels according to a further embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 100201 With reference to Figs 1 and 2, a first embodiment of the invention comprises a pair of contoured retaining channels 10 each having a curved, C shape section with an extended rear flange 12 for fixing to a support panel structure (not shown) of a support article for a tablet computer or other display screen. In one embodiment, the support may form a part of a luggage item. In Fig. 1, it will be seen that the rear flanges of the channels each have a thread channel 14 for stitching of the channels to a panel structure of the luggage item in parallel orientation. [00211 The channels and their spacing are configured and adapted to closely receive a specific type of display screen, for example the illustrated channels are adapted to fit the 2010 model Apple @ iPad @ tablet computer - see Fig. 2 - and may have one or more apertures 16 for access to control buttons of the peripheral frame of the computer, such as the one/off button on the iPad. 100221 Both ends of each channel have an inwardly curved end portion 20 adapted to retain a corner portion of the computer (see Fig. 2) so as to retain the computer against sliding longitudinally out of the channel. [00231 The channels may be formed of any suitable material, and by any suitable forming process, but preferably are moulded from a resilient plastics material 4 such as nylon which allows the channels and their end portions to flex for inserting and removing the computer. 100241 Figs 3A to 4B show a first travel case - in the form of a portfolio which incorporates the arrangement of Figs I & 2. 100251 The portfolio 24 has front 26 and rear 28 generally rectangular panels hinged together at one side along a spine 30 so as to form a book-like configuration. Preferably, the spine extends along a longer edge of the rectangular panels, so that the portfolio has a portrait aspect. The front and rear panels of the portfolio are preferably formed of relatively stiff plastics material such as polyethylene, and may have a soft liner fabric on their inside surfaces, and be bound along their edges. 100261 A pair of retaining channels 10 such as those of Figs I and 2 are stitched or otherwise attached to the inside of the rear panel 28 at a spacing adapted to retain an iPad between them as described above, for example about 190mm (7.5 inches) apart. 100271 The portfolio further includes a closure means, such as a flexible clasp 32 with a press stud, Velcro @, magnetic or other suitable closure means, for keeping the portfolio closed. Alternatively, the portfolio may have a zip fastener extending around 3 sides for closure. [00281 Extending across a portion of the front and rear panels and across the spine of the portfolio is an exterior layer 34, which may be formed of an elastomer such as Hypalon @ (a synthetic rubber) and attached to the front and rear panels by any suitable means such as stitching or adhesion. [00291 As seen in Figs 4A and 4B, the layer 34 includes a series of parallel slots 36 at the front face of the portfolio, and a fold out leg 38 at the rear face of the portfolio. 100301 In use, the fold out leg 38 forms a strut which engages with one of the slots 36 to support the portfolio in the display mode position shown in Figs 4A and 5 4B, wherein the panels of the portfolio are folded back to a reflex angle greater than 270 degrees such that the front panel forms a base laying on a table top or other support surface, and the strut holds the rear panel with the retained tablet computer in an inclined display position. The inclination angle of the display may be adjusted by selecting which of the slots 36 the strut engages. 100311 Figs 5A to 6B show a tablet computer travel case incorporating the retaining arrangement of Figs I and 2. [00321 Fig 5A shows the case when closed. The case exterior comprises front 126 and rear 128 panels hinged together by a web 122 joining part of one edge of the panels, and having a zip closure - for example a double zipper 123 as shown extending around three edges and part way along the fourth edge to meet the web 127. 100331 The exterior panels 126 and 128 may include further pockets and openings such as zippered pocket 140 on the outside of the front panel 126 for storage of personal items or stationery. The front and rear panels may also have attachment formations such as rings 142 for attachment of a travel strap or handle (not shown). [0034] The front and rear panels may be formed of any suitably stiff and/or padded material to protect the contents of the case, and may have an inner lining for example formed of a soft material which will help avoid scratching of the computer screen or surface. The inside of the rear panel 128 may have one or more slots 136 formed therein, the purpose of which will be described below. 100351 Fig 5B shows the case of Fig 5A when opened and in a display mode adapted to hold a tablet computer in a display position. Figs 6A and 6B show the case of Figs 5A and 5B when unzipped and opened flat, Fig 6A showing the case from the exterior side of the panels and Fig 6B from the interior side of the panels. [00361 As apparent from Fig 5B and Figs 6A and 6B, the case includes a generally rectangular computer support panel 144 which is hinged along one edge to the distal edge of the case lower panel 128. This computer support panel incorporates a computer retaining arrangement generally as previously described, including the 6 opposed channels I 10 of Figs I and 2. The computer retaining arrangement cooperates to hold a tablet computer (not shown) within the case in the manner previously described. 100371 On the opposite side of the support panel 144 has a leg 138 attached to its rear surface to pivot between a retracted position (Fig 6B) against the computer support panel surface and a support position (Fig 5B) at an acute angle to the computer support panel. In this support position the bottom edge of the leg engages a selected one of the slots in the rear panel inner surface, acting as a strut to hold the computer support panel and the retained tablet computer at an inclined display position. 100381 To reconfigure the case for travel, the user simply disengages the leg 138 form its slot 136, and folds and zips up the case, without needing to remove the tablet computer from the channels. 100391 Figs 7 and 8 illustrate a further embodiment of the invention, comprising an alternative channel arrangement which may be used in conjunction with any of the previously described luggage items, or other support structures such as display stand or tripod. 100401 Fig 7 is a plan view of one of a pair of channels 210a, 210b according to a second embodiment, adapted for the 2010 model Apple @ iPad @. The other of the channels is mirror reversed. 100411 The channel 21 Oa comprises a generally C-shape channel with an elongated bottom leg 212, with spaced fixing apertures 218 on the overhanging portion of the bottom channel leg to receive fasteners such as rivets or screws fixing the channel to a computer support panel of the luggage or other support structure (not shown). The fixing apertures are preferably countersunk to accommodate the head of the fastener so that the head does not sit proud of the surface of the channel, to prevent scratching of the computer.
7 100421 The channel may be moulded of a resilient plastics material such as nylon having sufficient stiffness and resilience to retain the computer in place against accidental removal from the channel but to allow deliberate flexing to remove the computer. [0043] By way of example, the channels 210a, 210b may be approximately 240-250mm long in total, and 13-14mm high internally. The main portion of the channel is about 10mm deep, or about 16mm-20mm deep including the extended bottom leg 212. [00441 At one end of the channel is an inwardly curved end portion 220 to engage the corner of the iPad, generally similar in form and function to the end portion 20 of the embodiment of Figs 1 and 2. 100451 At the other end of the channel is a resilient catch 250 which extends beyond the end of the channel, comprising a leg 252 which is a continuation of the channel, and head portion which extends inwardly a small distance from the channel to engage the corner of the computer, and which also forms a tab 254 which the user may use to manipulate the catch. 100461 The catch portion may be formed integrally with the channel, as shown, or may be formed separately and attached. 100471 In use (see Fig 8), a reversed pair of channels will be mounted in parallel relationship with their catches at the same end. The user inserts the computer from the end with the pair of catches, which will flex outwardly and ride over the surface of the computer to allow insertion into the channels. Once the computer is fully inserted the catches will snap inwardly behind the corner of the computer to secure it in the channels. 100481 To remove the computer from the channels, the user grips the tabs 254 and flexes the catches apart from each other to allow the computer to slide out of the channels.
8 [00491 Figs. 9A and 9B are respectively left and right channels 310a, 310b according to an alternative embodiment. 100501 The channels are formed with recessed portions 317 at spaced locations along the rear flange 312, with fixing apertures 318 for receiving fasteners for securing the channels to the support panel or other structure. [00511 The channels have inwardly curved ends for resiliently retaining the computer, and one or both channels further has an aperture 316 for access to the computer's control buttons, as described with reference to previous embodiments. [00521 In this specification, the word "comprising" is to be understood in its "open" sense, that is, in the sense of "including", and thus not limited to its "closed" sense, that is the sense of "consisting only of'. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words "comprise, comprised and comprises where they appear. 100531 The travel case may take any appropriate luggage form, including without limitation as a portfolio, backpack, shoulder bag, briefcase, computer sleeve or wheeled bag. [00541 While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. It will further be understood that any reference herein to known prior art does not, unless the contrary indication appears, constitute an admission that such prior art is commonly known by those skilled in the art to which the invention relates.