FR2773440A1 - CARRYING CASE FOR A LAPTOP COMPUTER AND COMBINATION OF A FLAP AND A HANDREST - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a case with compartments. It relates to a case of generally rectangular shape, the depth dimension of which is considerably less than the overall dimensions of height and width, and having an access flap (13) opening into a compartment. main whose dimension allows the housing of the computer, and straps (37) placed on the access flap and intended to hold the computer on a surface of the access flap facing inward when the flap access is closed, the rest of the case comprising pockets and flaps intended to hold various stationery items and computer accessories. Application to the transport of portable computers.

Description

The present invention relates to a case with compartments

  for transporting a portable computer.

  More specifically, the invention relates to hand luggage of the type of a briefcase, intended to protect and transport portable computers. Usually these cases

  have handles in the shape of a handle intended for trans-

  carry the case by hand (with the built-in computer), and also include a shoulder strap for the support

  and carrying the case on the user's shoulder

  tor. Similar cases are described in the drawing of the United States of America No. D340 356 (Hughes) assigned to

  assignee of the present invention. A commercial version

  ciale of these cases has side pockets having a main storage compartment (not shown) and

  a gusset compartment (shown) on the main flap

  access key. The laptop is simply supported in the main storage compartment and can be removed when the main access flap is open or can be used inside the main storage compartment. The main disadvantage of this embodiment is that, although the main access flap opens both the upper surface and a main wall of a main storage compartment, access to the laptop is extremely limited by the vertical sides of compartment

  main storage and bottom wall.

  Another construction known from the drawing of the United States of America No. D360 075 (Cross and Kelly), also used a main access opening having a U-shaped zipper. This arrangement is very similar to the arrangement of Hughes in that access to the back and side faces of the computer is relatively hampered by

  padded flaps formed on the sides.

  U.S. Patent No. 5,217,119 (Hollingsworth) allows access to a main storage compartment from the upper side of the case and includes a suspension device 24 attached to the front and rear walls of the main compartment. storage. This suspension member is intended to play the role of a shock absorber of the portable computer housed in this cradle member. For this purpose, shock absorbing members are incorporated in the cradle member mechanism for suspending the computer above the bottom of the case, so that the cradle member is used essentially to collect most of the of

  shocks if the carrying case falls on the bottom.

  The subject of the present invention is the production of a case with several compartments intended for the transport of a portable computer in a safe and easily accessible manner and making it possible to use the computer when it is still maintained or partially retained by the carrying case. The rest of the case advantageously includes pockets and flaps intended to retain

  various stationery and computer accessories.

  The invention also relates to a carrying case for a portable computer having a main access panel to the main storage compartment of the case. This main access flap includes a harness that holds the computer firmly on the internal surface of the access flap to the main storage compartment, so that

  the computer can be secured with straps and thus closed

  retained by the carrying case when the access flap is moved away from the case by articulation and is thus isolated or placed at a certain distance from the rest of the structure of the case, but, when the access flap is fixed in closed position, the computer continues to be firmly surrounded by the flap and the bottom of the

  carrying case and hanging from them for transportation.

  The invention also relates to the realization in combination of an access flap and a hand rest having a

  and intended for a computer carrying case

  nator. This access flap has a main part, the proportions of which allow the laptop to be housed on an internal surface, using a strap or a harness mechanism. The access flap further comprises a second smaller panel which is normally arranged perpendicular to the main part of the access flap when the access flap is in the closed position, this

  abutment having a hand rest fitted with a trim.

  This hand rest is placed between the computer and the user when the access flap is in the open position. In this way, the hand rest is suitably arranged for use with the computer in its working position, but it can be used as an additional lining for the upper part of the computer when the flap

access is in the closed position.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention

  will emerge better from the description which follows

  of exemplary embodiments, made with reference to the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a laptop case; Figure 2 is a view of the rear face of the case of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows the bottom surface of the laptop carrying case; FIG. 4 represents the main access flap in the open position, the computer harness being placed on its internal face; Figures 5 and 6 show end pockets of the case in the partially open position; Figure 7 is a detailed view of the main access flap with the harness and hand support; Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the assembly comprising the flap and harness of Figure 7; Figure 9 shows, in exploded view, the preferred set of hand rest; Figure 10 shows a detail of the computer case, with parts broken away, showing the organizational properties used in the main storage compartment; FIG. 11 represents a carrying case according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figures 12 and 12a show the flap forming

  case cover (with torn parts shown

  feeling the main access flap); Figure 13 shows both the cover flap and the main access flap in the fully open position; Figure 14 is similar to Figure 13 but shows the main access flap in the closed position. We now refer to the figures; the laptop carrying case 1 has a generally rectangular shape, the dimension of depth D is much smaller than the overall dimensions of height H and width W. This case has a main storage compartment 2 having a peripheral joint cover 3 delimiting the edges 4 of the end panels 5 of the main body 6 of the case. Two side pockets 7, 8 having a generally rectangular shape protrude from and are attached to the end panels. Conventional D 9 rings and fasteners for these rings are placed above the relatively short side pockets and firmly attached to the end panels of the main compartment. These D-rings house conventional shoulder straps 10 to be stapled for the transport of a portable computer, which is relatively heavy, and elements - peripherals normally contained in the main storage compartment. The front face 11 of the main storage compartment, as well as the upper face 12 of this compartment (at least in this embodiment), comprises a main access panel 13 held by a zipper. The main access panel is articulated by itself at its lower edge 14, approximately at the intersection of the bottom walls 15 and front 11 of the case. The main access panel is removably attached to this front wall and to the upper wall 17 of the main compartment by a continuous zipper 18. The external surface 19 of the main access flap has at most one pocket for 20 zippered access to hold a few pieces

  paper or other thin, non-bulky items.

  A carrying handle 21 shown in double form is fixed to the upper edge 22, at the intersection of the front wall and the upper wall of the main storage compartment. The back of the case (Figure 2) has

  preferably a second large storage compartment 23.

  Although it is smaller than the main compartment, it preferably comprises a large gusset 24 intended to give depth to this part of the case. The compartment in this case comprises a conventional zipper 25 which passes at the joint cover at the corners

  external and at the edges of the compartment. The outside pockets

  mite are shown with a similar zipper 26, 27 close to the joint cover defining the sides and outer edges. The bottom of the case (Figure 3)

  preferably has several rubber feet or pads

  chouc 28 (four in number) intended to sup-

  wear the case upright and give it a good seat while fulfilling an absorption function

shocks.

  FIG. 4 represents the main access panel or flap in the open position, ready to accommodate a portable computer (shown in broken lines) in the harness mechanism 29 fixed to its internal surface. A middle divider 30, which has several organizational elements 31

  for housing cables, disks and other media

  memory ports, etc. of the computer, is facing the

  harness (when the access panel is closed). This sepa-

  The middle rector can be made removable by using conventional fastening devices with loops and hooks, placed on the internal surface of the end panels of the main storage compartment. A removable and adjustable separator 32 is placed at the rear surface and perpendicular to it. Conventional hook and loop fasteners are also placed on the rear face of the middle divider (not shown) and on the exposed face of the rear face of the main compartment. This adjustable separator can be used to isolate other devices useful for the computer, such as power supplies, storage batteries and

possibly a printer.

  The harness comprises a flap or a strip 33 of fabric covered with plastic foam of generally triangular shape. This strip is sewn to the lower edge 34 of the flap where the flap is hinged to the underside of the case. A conventional buckle 35 with release by a push button, intended for a strap, is sewn approximately at the center of the triangular band. The loop houses a corresponding male clip 36 having an arrangement for fixing a strap, the other end of which is sewn at a central location on the internal surface of the flap. The harness mechanism preferably comprises at least one transverse strap 37, the ends of which are fixed near the lateral sides of the access flap, this strap comprising compatible fastening devices with loops and hooks 38 and being used to increase the

  lateral stability of the laptop it surrounds.

  At the outer edge of the access flap, a hand support 39 of generally rectangular shape has an additional function,

described in detail below.

  The side pockets have several organizational functions.

  station. For example, the leftmost side pocket (FIG. 5Y comprises several pockets 40 on the adjacent side

  at the end panel of the main storage compartment

  as well as on the internal surface of the access flap

  bounded by the access panel having a sliding closure

  safe. It should be noted that in FIG. 5, this access flap opens towards the entire front edge of the side pocket, on the upper edge of the pocket and over at least part of the height of the rear edge. The rightmost pocket is similarly opened and closed as shown in FIG. 6. In this case, the internal surface of the access flap has a large pocket for gussets, with loops 41 for accommodating pencils fixed to the pocket internal surface

with gussets.

  The harness is shown in detail in Figure 7.

  It should be noted that the central strap is fixed approximately at the central location of the access flap and can form a U-shaped loop at a significant distance towards the hand rest 16, before returning around the front edge of the 'computer (no

  shown) towards the classic loop placed on the upper side

  harness. This attachment 42 is placed at a distance

  tance of the rear edge of the access flap which is significantly less than the depth of the computer. Preferably, the mount is approximately 75mm from the front edge of an ordinary computer. This allows the central strap to surround the front edge of the computer and pass under and around the computer by applying a tensile force to the free end of the strap when the buckle parts are in cooperation, with the application of a significant tension between the front edge of the computer and the rear edge of the strip delimited by the long side of the strip at the rearmost edge. This band and the male staple part of the buckle can be pulled to the side and released from the computer when it is in use. This frees up the space between the hand rest and the edge

  front of the computer, without any obstacle.

  The hand support itself comprises a generally rectangular plate 43 of conventional foam, preferably of crosslinked polyethylene foam, wrapped in a thin layer of conventional rubber foam. This is

  herself surrounded in a blanket of cloth (preferably

  "Nylon"). Finally, a band 44 of fasteners

  with hooks and loops is attached to the underside

  lower (not shown) of the hand rest so that it can be removably attached to the outer edge of the flap

  access as shown for example in Figure 8.

  The generally triangular strip 33 has

  advantageous special features according to the invention

  tion. For example, this strip may be such that its dimensions are stable and it is rigid (that is to say that it resumes elastically a flat and flat configuration). In fact, unless it is secured by the straps, the preferred construction is rigid enough for the triangular strip to spring away from the computer. This allows the user to release the loop, and the tape tends to deviate from the front of the newly released computer, which is easier to access. It should also be noted in the various figures that

  virtually any computer surface, even when

  that it is still placed on the access flap, are easily accessible. For example, the sides of the computer (those which are turned laterally with respect to the user), are accessible for the fixing of various cables, for the access to slots of PCMCA cards and for the

  attaching a modem cable. The back side of the computer

  is also relatively accessible. The user only has to push the strip to move it away from the back of the case and give access to the fixing elements and members

  of cables normally present at this location.

  The strap 33 of the harness is normally formed of an envelope of a conventional fabric, preferably "Nylon", which covers a thin core of polyethylene foam. These materials give the necessary rigidity and flexibility,

  desirable for this band, while ensuring

  additional weaving towards the lower part of the computer. This additional cushioning, combined with the relatively thick layer 45 of polyethylene foam sandwiched at the bottom of the case, provides effective protection of the computer against most

the rigors of an ordinary trip.

  Likewise, when the hand support part of the access flap is folded back onto the computer when the access flap is closed, this construction gives significant damping and forms a cradle for the front face (which

  then finds up) of the computer.

  Figure 10 shows other details of the central divider. Most of the external parts of the case have been torn off in this figure so that the various pockets

  with gussets 46 placed on the front face appear.

  Another construction which takes advantage of the main panel for access to several functions is shown in FIGS. 11 to 13. The construction with upper flap 47 gives a case with a more conventional appearance. The upper flap is held in the closed position by loop straps and traction fasteners 48. The upper part is articulated at the edge of the case at the intersection 49 of the rear and upper surfaces of the main storage compartment. Figure 12 shows the upper flap partially torn off so that the central divider and a movable vertical divider

  analogous to those of the previous embodiment appear

  smells. However, in this embodiment, instead of a continuous zipper over the entire periphery

  the main access flap, the case has two closers

  separate slide tures 50, 51 which join only the intersection of the hand support part of the access flap and the part of the access flap comprising the largest

  part of the main front wall of the main compartment

  storage pal. A possible lateral flap 54 is articulated by itself at the upper edge of the end panels of the main storage compartment and comprises other possible fastening devices with loops and hooks 52 which cooperate with corresponding fixing members placed at the part upper or outside corners

  end 53 of the main access flap. The main flap

  access pal has a laptop harness

  identical to the construction already described.

  This embodiment has certain advantages over the previous one in that the parts of the main storage compartment between the rear panel and the central divider can be reached without operating a zipper giving access to the access flap of the compartment main storage. It should be noted that access to the side pockets is a little different in this embodiment. In this case, a flap 55 having a hook and loop closure allows access to the part

top of each pocket.

Claims (5)

  1. Case with several compartments intended for the transport of a portable computer in a safe and   easily accessible and allowing the user to use   read the computer when it is still partially retained by the case, characterized in that it has a generally rectangular shape whose dimension of depth (D) is significantly less than the overall dimensions of height (H) and width ( W), and having an access flap (13) opening into a main compartment whose size allows the housing of the computer, and straps (37) placed on the access flap and intended to keep the computer on a surface of the access flap facing inwards when the access flap is closed, the rest of the case comprising pockets (7, 8) and flaps intended to hold various stationery items and computer accessories.   2. Case according to claim 1, characterized in that the main storage compartment is housed in a main body of the case, the main body (6)   having end panels (5), an enclosure joint cover   lopment delimiting the edges of the end panels, the case further comprising a pair of side pockets   (7, 8) each having a generally rectangular shape exceeding   health beyond the end panels and attached to these panels. 3. Case according to claim 1, characterized in that the main storage compartment has a front side which extends over practically all the dimensions of height and width of the case, and a front side   which extends over practically all dimensions   depth and width of the case, and the   access flap (13) which opens into the main compartment   cipal includes most of the front face (11) of the main storage compartment as well as the front   upper (17) of the main storage compartment.   4. Laptop carrying case, charac-   characterized in that it comprises a main access panel (13) opening into a main compartment for storing the case, the main access panel comprising a hinge part by itself along its lower edge ( 14) and a removable device for fixing its remaining edges to the main storage compartment, the   main access flap comprises a harness (29) which   holds a laptop firmly on the inner surface of the main storage compartment access flap, so the computer can be held by straps (37) and thus securely held by the carrying case when the access flap is folded down from the case by the incorporated articulation part, and is therefore insulated or kept at. away from the rest of the case structure, but when the access flap is secured in the closed position, the laptop continues to be firmly surrounded and supported on the flap   and on the bottom of the case for its transport.   5. Combination of an access flap (13) and a support   trim hand (39) for a laptop case, characterized in that the access flap has a main portion whose proportions are such that it can support the laptop on an internal surface of the flap, a harness mechanism (29) is intended for temporary fixing of the computer to the internal surface of the access flap, the access flap further comprises a second smaller panel normally placed perpendicular to a main part of the flap access when it is in the closed position relative to the rest of the case   transport, this secondary part comprising a support   hand (39) having a trim, the hand rest is placed between the laptop and the user when the access flap is in the open position and the access flap is placed between the user and the rest of case, so the hand rest is properly positioned for use with the laptop in the working position, but forms an additional trim at the top of the computer when the access flap is in closed position.