CA2996587A1 - Support for portable computer in a receiving case with cover - Google Patents

Abstract

A support for a portable computer comprises a receiving case having a hinged cover and cover-positioning sockets fitted along one or both side edges of the receiving case. The cover carries one or more advanceable locking pins for detachable engagement with a corresponding anchor socket when the cover is swung open into a deployed position that is substantially coplanar with the receiving case. Once such engagement has been established the cover can serve as a propping member against the body of the user. A locking pin may be fitted to a shaft which is slideably positioned along the lateral edge of the cover. Or a locking pin may be slideably mounted within a pin housing carried by the cover so that it can slide with respect to the pin housing from a retracted position into an advance position wherein it will engage with the cover-positioning socket.

Description

Title: Support for Portable Computer in a Receiving Case with Cover Field of the Invention This invention relates to a carrier and support for a portable computer preferably of the tablet type.
Background to the Invention Numerous proposals have been made for supports that will allow a portable computer to be "worn" by a user while they are walking around. Such configurations may be said to render the computer "wearable". The inventor of this present invention has also made the following further patents and patent applications for inventions in this field, the contents of which are adopted herein by reference:
PCT/CA2012/000342 now US Patent 9,690,327 issued June 27, 2017 Portable Computer Support PCT/CA2015/000276 PCT filed April 30, 2015 now US application 20170068270 Improved Support for a Portable Computer US application 20170152990 filed November 28, 2016 Wearable Body Supported Computer "Portable computer" as used herein extends to include tablet computers, appropriately sized cell phones and includes traditional portable computers each of which is of a dimension which is compatible with being worn and used in association with the invention. This invention is particularly applicable to tablet computers that have a gravity sensor that inverts the display when the screen is inverted.
Since portable computers of the tablet type had been introduced into the market a secondary market for a type of receiving case has developed. These receiving cases are generally plastic molded box-type enclosures into which a portable computer may be fitted. Such receiving cases generally have openings around their periphery to allow access to the various ports and switches positioned along the edges of a portable computer.
According to one variation of receiving cases, a cover for covering the face or screen of the portable computer is provided in the form of a flexible flap hinged along one edge of the receiving case. This hinge has a width that allows it to wrap around the edge of the receiving case and contained computer when the cover is closed. The prior art cover may have hinge-lines embossed into its surface to allow the cover to be folded to form a triangular cylinder when opened from serving as a screen cover. When so configured, the cylinder can conveniently serve as a prop for the computer on a tabletop surface. Such covers have also been provided with magnetically responsive elements which are sensed by the computer when the cover is closed over the screen of the computer, serving to provide a signal that the computer display is to be turned off.

Receiving cases of this type serve to protect a portable computer from being scratched, and, to a degree, from damage when dropped. The outside surfaces of such a case as well as its cover may also be textured so as to allow for a more reliable gripping of the computer when it is being carried by hand.
Examples of prior art within this field include the following:
U.S. Patent Documents 5667114 September 1997 Bourque 5762250 June 1998 Carlton et al.
5887777 March 1999 Myles et al.
5938096 August 1999 Sauer et al.
6006970 December 1999 Piatt 6349864 February 2002 Lee 6381127 April 2002 Maddali et al.
6655540 December 2003 Shimoda et al.
6995977 February 2006 Yang 7051910 May 2006 Sprague et al.
7780049 August 2010 Baranoski 8418629 April 2013 Yu 2004/0155859 August 2004 Lee 2006/0037987 February 2006 Lin 2007/0164987 July 2007 Graham 2009/0159630 June 2009 Ko 2009/0272779 November 2009 Vu 2010/0025444 February 2010 Tipton et al.
2010/0116860 May 2010 Tello 2013/0038995 February 2013 Fang

2 2013/0214022 August 2013 Harvey Foreign Patent Documents FR2867958 Sep 2005 Bonnan FR (belly bar) KR10-20080032818 Apr 2008 Fang KR (slide-out side arms) KR20100020295 Feb 2010 Kim KR (telescopic arm) In particular Lee (US 6,349,864) provides a body hanging member in the form of a neck strap and a hinged U-shaped propping unit for separating the portable computer from the user's body in which this strap may be connected either to the computer or to the arms of the propping unit.
Fang (US 2013/0038995) discloses a support for a tablet computer with an expandable supporting board stored beneath the computer but deployable from beneath the computer to prop the computer in front of the user's body, allowing the use of both hands to operate the computer.
There is a need for a new format of support for portable computers that takes advantage of combinations of the above features plus further elements. This invention addresses such a need.
The invention in its general form will first be described, and then its implementation in terms of specific embodiments will be detailed with reference to the drawings following hereafter. These embodiments are intended to demonstrate the principle of the invention, and the manner of its implementation. The invention in its broadest and more specific forms will then be further described, and defined, in each of the individual claims which conclude this Specification.
Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the invention a support for a portable computer in front of a user is provided in the form of a receiving case having a hinged cover which may be either rigid or foldable. The cover is joined to the inner, user-facing, edge of the receiving case by a flexible hinge that allows for the thickness of the receiving case and computer. In the storage position, the cover overlies the portable computer.
Along one or both sides of the receiving case proximate to the hinge-line for the cover is at least one, preferably a pair of cover-positioning sockets along opposite edges of the receiving case, each respectively in the form of cover-positioning socket mount having a hole formed therein to serve as a socket. Along one or both of the sides of the cover are mounted locking pins for detachable engagement with a corresponding cover-positioning socket. The cover-positioning socket(s) and locking pin(s) are oriented for engagement when the cover is swung open into a position that is substantially coplanar with the receiving case and portable computer contained therein, if present. The coplanar alignment need not be exact. Once such engagement has been established by advancing the locking pin into the cover-positioning socket, the cover is held firmly in such substantially coplanar alignment.

3 The locking pin is engageable by being slid into the cover-positioning socket.
This action may be provided by fitting the locking pin into a pin housing carried on a pin-supporting shaft which is slideably positioned along the lateral edge of the cover. The pin-support shaft may be fitted to the edge of the cover by a slit or channel formed in the shaft that permits the shaft to slide with respect to such edge. In the case of a cover which is foldable this shaft also serves to stiffen the cover, removing the ability of the cover to fold in the normal manner.
Alternately, the cover may preferably be in the form of a stiff panel which carries the pin housing. Having a stiffened cover substitutes for having a full length sliding shaft, if the sliding shaft feature is retained. Alternately the pin housing may be formed integrally with the cover or at least be non-sliding with respect to the cover in conjunction with having a sliding pin feature as next described below. Optionally, the sliding pin feature may be incorporated into a sliding shaft or the pin may slide within its own housing.
In the configuration where the locking pin is mounted in a pin housing so that it can slide with respect to the pin-housing (and shaft, if present), the pin may slide from a retracted position into an advanced position wherein it will engage with the cover-positioning socket.
A spring or other resilient means may be provided between the pin housing and the locking pin to bias the locking pin for advancement, or for advancement and retraction about a central toggle point. Alternately, the pin may be provided with 0-rings or other frictional engaging features which will stabilize it in position when advanced or retired. With the locking pin slideable within its pin housing, the shaft if present need not be free to slide with respect to the edge of the cover. Nevertheless, the pin-housing with slideable pin may optionally be either mounted to the shaft portion that can be removably affixed to the cover or can be integrally formed with the cover.
A feature of the invention is that, with the cover deployed into a substantially coplanar outwardly extending alignment with the receiving case and with a locking pin engaged with the cover-positioning socket, the cover so positioned can serve as a propping member or stand-off support between the computer and the torso of the user. This conveniently stabilizes the computer in front of the user for use and access to the computer keyboard. When the computer is handheld, the computer support may be held more stably by one hand, allowing the user to access a keyboard or a touch sensitive surface on the face of the computer display with the other hand.
The stand-off effect of the propping member allows for easier access to the keyboard or display screen by the user's free hand.
As a further feature of the invention, the receiving case may be provided with a support strap or cord for extending around the upper body of a user. The strap or cord is anchored at its respective outer ends along the corresponding edges of the receiving case through strap anchors affixed thereto. The strap anchors can be integral with the socket mount or be separately positioned along the edges of the receiving case.
In one configuration, this support strap may pass around the back of the user's neck. In another configuration, to avoid the fatigue of having a weight press against the back of the neck of the user, this support strap may pass over one shoulder of the user and diagonally across the user's back to pass under an armpit, returning forwardly for its attachment to the receiving case at its strap anchor point. This configuration reduces the effect of neck fatigue and facilitates rapid

4 deployment between a closed side-wearing transport mode and an opened, front-wearing operational mode.
In either case, the support strap allows the receiving case with its associated computer when present to be positioned in front of the user without the necessity of the user having to hold the combination with one hand. In particular, with the cover deployed and locked into its substantially coplanar deployed alignment, the combination provides a substantially hands-free support for the computer, allowing access to the keyboard by both of the user's hands.
For additional convenience, the support strap may be adjustable in its length, preferably in the manner of the neck strap described in US patent 9,690,327, the description of which in this respect is adopted herein by reference.
Fairleads As a further additional convenience the receiving case may be provided with fairleads along the outer corners of the receiving case in the manner described in PCT application PCT/CA2015/000276 now pending as US application 20170068270. By extending the length of the neck strap, one or both of the strap end portions, preferably, its circular cord variant, may be routed to pass from the strap anchor points along the sides of the receiving case up to the fairleads before proceeding towards the body of the user. This opens-up better access for a user to place their hands on the touch sensitive screen of the computer, or a mechanical keyboard, if present.
Table Support The fairleads may also serve to assist in propping the receiving case with a computer therein on a table surface. The cover may be bent back through more than 180 from its closed position, preferably to around 270 , to serve as a prop against the table surface. The outer edge of the cover remote from the cover hinge will then lie along the table surface.
In this configuration, a strap portion may be guided to extend from its strap anchor along the side of the casing to an associated fairlead, from which it may be routed backwardly along the table surface from the fairlead to underlie the edge of the cover bearing against the tabletop surface.
The natural friction between these two components will help stabilize the cover in its proper orientation, or adjustable slides on the strap may be positioned to lock the outer edge at a given distance from the computer support. Optionally, strap portions from each of the two strap anchors may be deployed in this manner.
Handle feature As a further convenience, the strap may have a sleeve akin to that depicted in US patent 9,690,327 the description of which is adopted herein by reference, whereby portions of the strap are contained therein as they pass behind the neck or over the back of the user. The ends of this sleeve may be provided with openings similar to button holes formed in a fabric. Other alternate connecting elements such as hooks, snaps, loops and other equivalent coupling elements may be provided as an alternative to the buttonholes.
The sides of the receiving case, preferably on the locking pin housing, may be provided with sleeve-engaging protrusions which function equivalently to two buttons or hooks. Alternately, the receiving case may be provided with similar complimentary coupling means to the coupling elements as described. The sleeve is dimensioned, or may be elastically extendable, to fit and engage when extended, between the pair of sleeve-engaging protrusions (or complimentary coupling means) and thereby function as a carrying handle for the receiving case and computer, if contained therein.
Bag Feature The presence of a receiving case for a computer provides an opportunity for a bag for carrying small articles to be attached thereto. Preferably, the bag is removably attached to the outer surface of cover. By dimensioning the bag to match the size of the cover, the actual presence of a computer in its receiving case can be masked. The lid or receiving case may be provided with a portion of a hook-and-loop fastener to permit the attachment thereto of articles having complementary strips fastened thereon. Such articles may include not only the carrying bag as described, but also alternately, articles that have complementary strips fastened thereto.
In this matter the outwardly directed face of the bag may be provided with a loop finish for engagement with a hook fastener in the manner of a hook-and-loop fastener to permit sundries small items containing a complementary hook portion to be attached thereto.
Such a bag may have a closable opening, optional based on a hook and loop fastener or, more preferably, a zipper which is positioned in close alignment to the hinge connecting the folding cover to the receiving case.
By providing for the bag to be removable from the cover, a further advantage arises that enhances the ability of this computer support arrangement to function in the manner of a purse.
When used in conjunction with the support strap as described above, the bag serves as a wearable shoulder bag for carrying sundry items. Different bags providing different decors may be mounted on the computer support cover. The outer surface of the bags may be printed with images and logos appropriate to the preferences of a user. This could include, for example, logos for a company when the user is on the job. But on a later occasion, when the computer with its associated purse is being carried for social occasions, a more decorative bag may be substituted.
This "fashion" feature can be enhanced further by providing bags which have a printable outer surface on which images personal to the owner may be displayed. The bags may be made with an outer fabric that readily accepts images created by the known procedure of sublimation printing.
According to this known process, images printed on a transfer sheet in a special ink that will sublimate under heat. The transfer sheet and a fabric to be printed are then laid flat under a heat press that is able to cover the surface area of the fabric. The process is completed as the press sublimates the ink onto the fabric.

Automobile Dash Mount Fastener strips formed on the cover may also be positioned thereon for engagement with complementary strips positioned on an automobile or truck dashboard. This connection can be arranged to present the computer for viewing by a vehicle operator, allowing maps, etc., to be conveniently displayed.
These descriptions are presented with sufficient details to provide an understanding of one or more particular embodiments of broader aspects of the inventive subject matter. These descriptions exemplify particular features of those particular embodiments without limiting the inventive subject matters to the explicitly described embodiments and features. Variations on these embodiments and features can be present without departing from the scope of the inventive subject matter.
Although the term "step" may be expressly used or implied relating to features of processes or methods, no implication is made of any particular order or sequence among such expressed or implied steps unless an order or sequence is explicitly stated.
Wherever ranges of values are referenced within this specification, sub-ranges therein are intended to be included within the scope of the invention unless otherwise indicated or are incompatible with such other variants. Where characteristics are attributed to one or another variant of the invention, unless otherwise indicated, such characteristics are intended to apply to all other variants of the invention where such characteristics are appropriate or compatible with such other variants.
Summary of the Figures Figure 1 is a perspective view of a computer mounted in the receiving case portion of a computer support of the invention, the support having body straps and an open cover stiffened by two side shafts, each side shaft carrying a locking pin engaged with a socket mounted on the edge of the case.
Figure 2 depicts the computer support of Figure 1 with the computer removed, showing the hinge between the cover and the casing of the computer support.
Figure 3 is a close-up perspective view of the combination anchor block for the shoulder strap and the cover-positioning socket mount located along the case edge with a locking pin in a locking pin housing aligned with the socket for engagement therein.
Figure 4 is a perspective view similar to that of Figure 3 wherein the locking pin and its shaft are mounted on a non-folding cover and the pin advanced to the cover positioning socket.
Figure 4A is an enlarged view similar to that of Figure 3 wherein the locking pin is slidable within a housing that is integral with the cover, the pin having an actuator button protruding from the pin housing that allows the user to slide the pin into the socket.

Figure 5 depicts the computer support of Figure 1 positioned in the orientation suited for a person reclining in bed to watch the computer screen, similar to the image of this reclined wearing mode that is displayed on the screen in the figure.
Figure 6 depicts a version of the support of Figure 1 wherein a fairlead on one outer corner of the computer support has been used to route a shoulder strap above the screen of the computer, clearing the screen for manual access.
Figure 7 shows the computer support of Figure 1 in folded mode on a tabletop, anchored in place by a portion of the shoulder cord routed through the fairlead of Figure 6 and extending across the table surface.
Figure 8 depicts the computer support of the invention in hanging mode for carriage over a user's shoulder, the carrying cord being divided into two parts that each pass through a cushioning sleeve having buttonholes allowing the sleeve to serve as a handle. Also shown in Figure 8 is a bag attached to the cover.
Figure 8A is a large-scale view of the carrying cord shown in Figure 8; it clarifies how the cushioning sleeve can be attached to the computer support's receiving case in a manner that enables it to temporarily serve as a carrying handle.
Figure 9 is an exploded view showing the bag of Figure 8 displaced from the computer cover upon which it is to be mounted, both carrying complementary fastening strips for anchoring the bag in place on the cover. Also shown in exploded view are two pin-holding shafts positioned to be clamped to the edges of the cover once the cover is opened into a deployed orientation.
Figure 10 depicts an automobile dash with a computer support in exploded view positioned above where it will be mounted onto the dash.
Figure 11 shows the computer support of Figure 10 mounted on the automobile dash.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments In Figure 1 a receiving case 10 for a portable computer 17 has a main case portion or casing 11 (shown in Figure 2) and a hinged cover 12. The cover 12 may be foldable along creases or fold lines 12A that serve as flexible hinges or else rigid (as shown in Figure 4).
The cover 12 is connected to the casing 11 by its own flexible cover hinge 13 which is wide enough to wrap around the thickness of the casing 11 and computer 17, if one is contained therein. This insures that the cover 12 can overlie the display screen 18 of the computer 17 when the cover 12 is closed. The cover hinge-line 13A lies approximately along the center of the cover hinge 13 itself.
If a laptop style of portable computer is being mounted in the casing 11, then the screen of the portable computer when it overlies the keyboard can, in turn, be covered by the receiving case cover 12.

Along the lateral sides of the casing 11 proximate to the cover hinge-line 13A
are a pair of cover-positioning socket mounts 15. Socket holes or sockets 16 are contained in socket mounts 15.
The socket mounts 15 may be formed as an extension of the casing 11 or may be separate socket mounts 15 that are attached to the casing 11. The socket mounts 15 each provide a central hole serving as the socket 16 for a corresponding locking pin 20 described next, below. The central hole constituting the socket 16 is preferably aligned to be generally, though not necessarily precisely, parallel to the plane of the casing 11 and, correspondingly, the plane of the face 18 of the computer 17. However, other alignments are possible and, optionally, multiple sockets may be formed at different angles in the socket mounts.
Along the sides of the cover 12 are mounted locking pins 20 supported by pin housings 21 for detachable sliding engagement with a corresponding socket 16 carried by the receiving case 10.
The locking pins 20 in one variant shown in Figures 2 and 3 are themselves carried by a support shaft 22 connected along the sides of the cover 12, or by the actual border portions of the cover 12 itself. The locking pins 20 are located proximate to the hinge line 13A for the cover 12 and are oriented for engagement with the sockets 16 when the cover 12 is swung open into a position that is substantially coplanar with the casing 11 of the receiving case 10.
The pins 20 are shiftable from a retracted location where they will not interfere with the rotation of the cover 12, to an advanced location where they can penetrate the holes constituting the sockets 16 once these components are aligned with each other.
According to the variant in Figure 3 each locking pin 20 may be slid into its associated socket 16 by being mounted within pin bosses or pin housings 21 carried on the support shaft 22 which is slideably positioned along a lateral edge of the cover 12. The shaft 22 may be fitted to the edge of the cover 12 by a slit or channel 23 formed in the shaft 22 that permits the shaft 22 to slide with respect to such edge. In the case of a cover 12 which is foldable this shaft 22 serves to stiffen the cover 12, limiting the ability such a cover 12 to fold in the normal manner.
Note in Figure 3 that the length of locking pin 20 and the depth of its associated socket 16 may be substantially reduced with respect to the dimensions shown yet still provide a robust locking function for the stiffened cover 12. If the pin 20 and socket mounts 15 are shorter then the cover 12 can be more easily swung closed flush against screen 18 without interference from the retracted pin 20. Note also in this hidden-line view of socket-mount 15, neckstrap cord 30 can be seen anchored to casing 11 via anchor point 31; in this case comprised of a dual-diameter bore that engages the enlarged end of neckstrap cord 30.
In Figure 4 the locking pins 20 are engaged with their respective sockets 16 while being mounted on a stiff cover 12C within sliding shafts 22. This non-folding cover configuration enables shafts 22 to be shorter than shown.
According to the variant in Figure 4A the cover 12 may be in the form of a stiff panel 12C that is sufficiently rigid along its lateral edge to support and align a locking pin 20 carried in a pin housing 21 supported by the cover 12C. The locking pin 20 preferably in this variant and optionally in the case of a separate shaft 22 may be slideably mounted within a pin bore 26 within the pin housing 21 to allow the pin 20 to be moved from an advanced, socket-engaging position, to a retired, socket-clearing position. To accommodate this change in position, the pin housing 21 may have a pin housing positioning slot 24 through which a pin-positioning button 25 connected to the locking pin 20 protrudes. The button 25 provides manual access for shifting the position of the locking pin 20.
The locking pin 20 may be provided, as shown, with one or more 0-rings or the equivalent such as an interference fit that will allow it to be frictionally stabilized in its advanced or retracted positions. Optionally, a spring or other equivalently functioning resilient means may be provided between the pin housing and the locking pin to bias the locking pin 20 for advancement into its corresponding socket 16 from a detent in the pin housing slot 24.
As shown in Figure 5 a feature of the invention is that, with the cover 12 deployed into substantially coplanar alignment with the receiving case 10 and the locking pin 20 engaged with the socket 16, the cover 12 so positioned can serve as a propping member or stand-off support between the computer 17 and the torso of a user 19. The stand-off effect of the propping member allows for easier hands-free access to the on-screen keyboard by the user when neckstrap 30 is engaged around the back of their neck.
As shown in Figure 6 the receiving case 10 may be provided with a support strap or cord 30 for extending around the upper body of a user. The strap or cord 30 is anchored at its respective ends at strap anchors 31 positioned along the corresponding edges of the receiving case casing 11 portions, preferably proximate to the cover hinge line 13A. Parachute cord having a circular cross-section has been found to be a suitable material for this purpose. This support strap 30 serves to support the receiving case 10 and computer 17 when present by being hung around the upper body of the user. Optionally, the anchor point 31 where the strap or cord 30 is connected to the edges of the casing 11 may provide a detachable coupling, allowing the strap or cord 30 to be removed when desired.
The strap anchor 31 may be integrated into the same mount 15 as for the socket 16. Alternately, the anchor 31 may be displaced along the edge of the casing 11 or outwardly as shown in Figure 4A to a location which avoids any interference in the swinging of the cover 12 from its deployed position as a body prop to its closed, storage position overlying the computer 17.
Fairleads As shown in Figure 6 the receiving case 10 may be provided with fairleads 40 along the outer corners of the receiving case 10 in the manner described in PCT application PCT/CA2015/000276 now pending as US application 20170068270. The contents of that document describing the fairlead features are adopted herein by reference. As shown in Figure 6 one or both of the strap 30 terminating region portions 30A, preferably in its cord variant, may be routed to pass from the strap anchor 31 on the sides of the casing 11 up to the fairleads 40 before proceeding towards the body of the user. This opens-up better access for a user to place their hands on a keyboard or the touch sensitive display screen 18 of a tablet computer 17.
The asymmetric cord-routing configuration shown in Figure 6 results in the quite heavy computer 17 being suspended from diagonally opposite corners (one at fairlead 40 and the other at neckstrap anchor point 31). By diagonally supporting the computer's weight through its center of mass, the bending stresses on the cover and its locking mechanism are minimised, thereby enabling the device to be constructed of smaller-dimensioned materials than would be needed if suspended along either the hinge-line 13A or at both fairleads 40..
Table Support As shown in Figure 7, when the receiving case 10 with a computer 17 present is to be supported on a table surface 41, the cover 12 may be bent back through more than 1800 from its closed position, preferably to around 270 , to serve as a prop against the table surface 41. The outer edge 12A of the cover 12 remote from the cover hinge 13 then lies along the table surface 41.
In this configuration, a strap 30B portion may be guided to extend from its strap anchor 31 along the side of the casing 11 to an associated fairlead 40, from which it may be routed backwardly along the table surface 41 from the fairlead 40 to underlie the edge 12A of the cover 12 bearing against the tabletop surface 41. The natural friction between these two components will help stabilize the cover 12 in its proper orientation. Optionally, strap portions 30B from each of the two strap anchors 31 may be deployed in this manner.
Additionally, sliding clamps 36A, 36B as shown in Figure 8 may be adjusted in their position along the strap parts 35A, 35B to limit the lengths of the strap portions 30A, 30B. In turn, this feature can be used to adjust the angle of the receiving case 10 when propped up on the table 41 Handle feature As a further convenience, the shoulder strap 30 may have a strap sleeve 32 as shown in Figure 8 and as depicted in US patent 9,690,327 whereby portions of the strap 30 are contained therein as they pass behind the neck or over the back of the user. The strap 30 may be in the form of two parts, 35A, 35B, passing through the sleeve 32 and respectively terminating at sliding clamps.
36A, 36B carried on opposite cord parts 35B, 35A. By sliding these clamps, 36A, 36B the length of the overall length of the strap 30 can be adjusted.
Figure 8A clarifies the structure of the strap sleeve 32 shown in Figure 8.
The ends of this sleeve 32 may be provided with openings 33 similar to button holes formed in its fabric that serve as coupling elements. Other alternate contact connecting means such as hooks, snaps, and other equivalent coupling elements may be provided as an alternative to the buttonholes. The sides of the receiving case 10, preferably on the locking pin housing 15, may be provided with sleeve-engaging protrusions 34 which function equivalently to two buttons, serving as complimentary coupling elements. The sleeve 32 is dimensioned, or may be elastically extendable, to fit when extended, between and to engage with the respective complementary coupling elements on the receiving case 10 and thereby function as a carrying handle for the receiving case 10 and computer 17, if contained therein.
As described above, the neck strap 30 may be adjustable in its length, preferably in the manner of the neck strap described in US patent 9,690,327 the contents of which document describing the strap adjustment features are adopted herein by reference. This adjustability may be used to shorten the strap 30 when the sleeve 34 is being used as a handle, reducing the presence of an excess, slack, portion.
Bag Feature As shown in Figure 9, a bag 44 for carrying small articles is removeably attached to the cover 12 by a complementary pair of hook and loop bag fasteners. The bag 44 is dimensioned to match the size of the cover 12 to mask the computer 17 and receiving case 10. The bag 44 has a closable opening 45 provided with a zipper which is positioned in close alignment to the hinge 13 connecting the cover 12 to the receiving case10.
The outer surface 46 of the bag 44 is a printable surface for carrying images 47. As a further feature, the outer surface 46 of the bag 44 may be provided with a loop finish for engagement with a hook fastener in the manner of a hook-and-loop fastener to permit sundry small items carrying a complementary hook portion to be attached thereto.
As shown in Figure 9 the cover 12 or casing 11 may be provided with a portion 48 of a hook-and-loop fastener to permit the attachment thereto of the bag 44 which carries a complementary fastener portion 48A to the portion 48. Other articles having complementary strips may also be fastened thereon. Such articles may include not only the carrying bag as described, but also alternately, articles that have complementary strips fastened thereto, including the detached locking shafts 22.
As a further feature, the outwardly directed face 46 of the bag 44 may be provided with a loop finish for engagement with a hook fastener in the manner of a hook-and-loop fastener to permit sundries small items containing a complementary hook portion to be attached thereto.
As a further option, the upwardly directed face 46 alone may be provided in lieu of the bag 44 itself in order to provide the printable surface and fastening functions that this face 46 can provide as described above.
Automobile Dash Display As shown in Figures 10 and 11 hook-and¨loop fastener strips 50 formed on the reverse side of the cover 12 may also be positioned thereon for engagement with complementary strips 51 positioned on an automobile or truck dashboard 53. This connection can be arranged to present the computer screen 18 for viewing by a vehicle operator, allowing maps, etc., to be conveniently displayed.
Conclusion A description has been provided for preferred embodiments of the invention.
This description is not intended to delimit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is addressed in the claims which now follow.

Claims (16)

Claims I claim

1. A support for a portable computer comprising:
a) a receiving case having a hinged cover with a hinge-line, the cover being either rigid or foldable, and positioned to overlie the portable computer when present in the receiving case, b) one or a pair of cover-positioning sockets fitted along one or both side edges of the receiving case proximate to the hinge-line for the cover , c) one or more advanceable locking pins for detachable engagement with a corresponding cover-positioning socket, the pin(s) being carried in pin housings supported by the cover, the cover-positioning socket(s) and locking pin(s) being oriented for engagement when the cover is swung open into a deployed position that is substantially coplanar with the receiving case and portable computer contained therein, if present, and such pin or pins are advanceable into their respective sockets, whereby, once such engagement has been established by advancing a locking pin into a cover-positioning socket, the cover is held in such deployed alignment.

2. A support as in Claim 1 wherein the locking pin is engageable with the cover-positioning socket by being fitted to a pin support shaft which is slideably positioned along the lateral edge of the cover for sliding the pin into the cover-positioning socket.

3. A support as in Claim 2 wherein the shaft comprises a slit that permits the shaft to slide with respect to the edge of the cover.

4. A support as in Claim 3 wherein the cover is foldable and the shaft serves to stiffen the cover, removing the ability of the cover to fold in the normal manner when the shaft is present along an edge of the cover.

5. A support as in Claim 1 wherein the cover is in the form of a stiff panel and the pin is carried in a pin housing that is formed integrally with the cover, the locking pin being mounted in the pin housing so that it can slide with respect to such housing from a retracted position into an advance position wherein the pin will engage with the cover-positioning socket.

6. A support as in Claim 5 wherein friction is provided between the pin housing and the locking pin to stablize the locking pin in its advanced and retracted positions.

7. A support as in any of the above claims wherein the receiving case is provided with a strap or cord for extending around the upper body of a user, the strap or cord being anchored at its respective ends at strap anchors positioned along the corresponding edges of the receiving case.

8. A support as in Claim 7 wherein the strap or cord is adjustable in its length to allow adjustment of the position of the receiving case with respect to the torso of the user.

9. A support as in Claim 7 wherein the receiving case is provided with fairleads along the outer corners of the receiving case to permit one or both of the respective end portions of the strap to be routed to pass from the strap anchors on the sides of the receiving case up to the fairleads before proceeding towards the body of the user.

10. A support as in Claim 7 comprising a strap sleeve whereby portions of the strap or cord can be contained as they pass behind the neck or over the back of the user, the ends of the sleeve being provided with coupling elements and the sides of the receiving case being provided with complimentary coupling elements for engagement with the sleeve coupling elements, the sleeve being dimensioned, or being elastically extendable, to fit when extended between the pair of complimentary coupling elements and thereby function as a carrying handle for the receiving case.

11. A support as in Claim 10 wherein the coupling elements on the sleeve comprise openings formed therein and the complementary coupling elements respectively comprise sleeve-engaging protrusions mounted on the receiving case.

12. A support as in Claim 1 in combination with a bag for carrying small articles which bag is removeably attachable to the receiving case or cover wherein the bag is dimensioned to mask the receiving case.

13. A support and bag as in Claim 12 wherein the outer surface of the bag is a printable surface for carrying images.

14. A support and bag as in Claim 12 wherein the outer surface of the bag has a loop finish for engagement with a hook fastener in the manner of a hook-and-loop fastener to permit sundry small items carrying a complementary hook portion to be attached thereto.

15. A support and bag as in Claim 13 wherein the outer surface of the bag has a loop finish for engagement with a hook fastener in the manner of a hook-and-loop fastener to permit sundry small items carrying a complementary hook portion to be attached thereto.

16. A support as in Claim 1 in combination with a computer having a display screen, the support comprising fastener strips formed on the cover, such fastener strips being engaged with complementary strips positioned on an automobile or truck dashboard at a location to present the computer screen for viewing by a vehicle operator present in the automobile or truck.