GB2312160A

GB2312160A - Carrying case for computer equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2312160A
Application number: GB9608062A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Huw Thomas
Original assignee: Mike Ward
Current assignee: Mike Ward
Priority date: 1996-04-16
Filing date: 1996-04-16
Publication date: 1997-10-22
Also published as: GB9608062D0

Abstract

A carrying case for computer equipment comprises first and second portions (1 and 2) which are attachable to one another to close the case thereby enclosing the computer equipment. The first portion (2) includes means for securing the visual display screen of the computer thereto and the first and second portions are at least partially separable from one another to open the case and expose the visual display screen. Means (14) are provided for removably mounting the open case on a vehicle steering wheel (15) thereby supporting the visual display screen.

Description

A CASE The present invention relates to a case for carrying computer equipment and for supporting that equipment in use. In particular the invention relates to a case for carrying and supporting personal computer equipment comprising a visual display component which does not have an integral keyboard.

Compact portable personal computers, commonly referred to as "lap-tops", are well known and widely used. Such lap-tops typically comprise a display screen, processor and input keyboard integrated together as a single unit which forms its own carrying case. Also available are portable computers which do not require a keyboard for inputting data but are provided with stylus or other touch-screen data inputting systems. Such compact personal computer systems are sometimes refered to as "tablet" computers, and this terminology is used accordingly throughout this specification. For increased versatility, such tablet computers are often provided with interfaces to enable connection to a separate keyboard.

An object of the present invention is to provide a carrying case suitable for both carrying a tablet computer and supporting it in use and in particular for carrying/supporting such a computer together with a separate keyboard.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a carrying case for computer equipment comprising a visual display screen, the case comprising first and second portions which are attachable to one another to close the case thereby enclosing the computer equipment, said first portion including means for securing the visual display screen thereto, and the first and second portions being at least partially separable from one another to open the case and expose the visual display screen, wherein means are provided for removably mounting the open case on a vehicle steering wheel thereby supporting the visual display screen.

The mounting means is preferably provided on said first portion of the case such that the display screen is supported at a convienient viewing angle when the open case is mounted on a vehicle steering wheel. The preferred viewing angle will generally be an inclined angle, but depending upon the vehicle layout may, for instance, be vertical.

A raised support portion may be provided on the outside of the first portion of the case, the raised support portion being positioned on the first portion such that in use with the case mounted on a steering wheel the support portion rests on a non-central portion of the steering wheel so that the first portion of the case does not contact the central portion of the steering wheel. This would, for instance, prevent the case from resting on and thus activating a central horn pressure switch.

Such a raised support portion may serve a dual fUnction by defining a pocket, for example a pocket accessible from inside the case and which may be used to stow computer or related equipment.

The case according to the present invention is particularly useful for carrying/supporting computer equipment comprising a separate display screen (e.g. a tablet type personal computer) and keyboard. For example, in a preferred embodiment of the invention the first and second portions of the case are hingedly connected to each other and said second portion is provided with means for supporting a computer keyboard, such that when the case is open and mounted on a steering wheel the keyboard may be supported in a generally horizontal position below the display screen. The second portion of the case, and thus the keyboard, may thus be supported on the lap of a user sat in front of the steering wheel facing the screen.

The means for mounting the case on the steering wheel may take a variety of forms.

For instance appropriate attachment straps or buckles could be provided.

Preferably the mounting means comprises a portion of the case, such as one or more appropriately positioned and dimensioned pockets, which receive(s) a portion of the steering wheel rim. For instance, in a preferred embodiment of the invention the mounting means comprises an elasticated pocket provided on an external surface of the case to fit over and thus receive an upper portion of the steering wheel rim.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a carrying case for computer equipment comprising a visual display screen and a separate keyboard, the case comprising first and second portions which are hingedly connected to each other for movement between closed and open positions, said first portion including means for securing the visual display screen thereto and said second portion including means for supporting the keyboard, wherein support means are provided for supporting the case in an open position on a horizontal surface with the second portion and keyboard generally horizontal and the first portion and display screen at a desired working angle.

Thus whilst the first aspect of the invention provides means for supporting computer equipment for in vehicle use, the second aspect of the invention provides means for supporting such equipment for use at, for example, a desk. The desired working angle will generally be an inclined angle.

The support means may be provided on the outside of said first portion of the case such that in use it bears against said horizontal surface to maintain the first portion of the case, and thus the display screen, in an inclined position.

The support means may take a variety of forms. For instance, the support means may comprise a flap a first end of which is fixed to the case such that the flap is moveable about said first end between a first position in which it lies substantially flat against the case and a second position in which it extends from the first portion of the case to support it in said inclined position.

For example, a second end of the flap remote from said first end may be releasibly securable to the first portion of the case at two locations, a first location to hold the flap in said first position and a second location to hold the flap in said second position, the second location being between the first end of the flap and said first location such that when in said second position the flap is folded along a transverse line intermediate its ends thereby forming an angled portion which in use bears against said horizontal surface.

A variety of means could be used to releasibly secure the second end of the flap to the case, including such things as buckles, press studs, Velcro (TM) etc.

It will be appreciated that a single case could advantageously incorporate features of both the first and second aspects of the present invention. For instance, in a preferred embodiment of the invention a single pocket provides both the means for mounting the case on a vehicle steering wheel and the means for securing the second end of the abovementioned support flap to the case when the flap is in its first position (by insertion of the end of the flap in the pocket).

A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a closed case in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the closed case of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an end perspective view of the closed case of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 illustrates the case of Fig. 1 mounted to a vehicle steering wheel; Fig. 5 corresponds to Fig. 4 but with the case open; Fig. 6 is a perspective illustration of the closed case of Fig. 1 in a configuration which it is supported on a horizontal surface; and Fig. 7 corresponds to Fig. 6 but shows the case in an open position for use.

Referring firstly to Figs. 1 to 3, the illustrated case is substantially constructed from a synthetic plastics material (for example a nylon material such as is used in the manufacture of ruck sacks) and as such may be referred to as a "soft" case. The case comprises front and back generally rectangular portions 1 and 2 respectively. The front and back portions 1 and 2 are permanently joined along their bottom edges indicated by reference 3 and are releasibly securable to one another around the remaining three edges by a zip indicated by reference 4.

The upper end of the back portion 2 terminates in a flap 5 which folds over the front portion 1 (when the case is closed) and is secured thereto by buckles 6. The flap 5 is provided with a carrying handle 7 (which is positioned at the top of the case when closed) and hoops 8 which may be used to locate a shoulder strap (not shown).

A semi-cylindrical portion 9 extends from the front portion 1 of the case lying adjacent its bottom edge between (but falling short of) its side edges. A substantially identical semi-cylindrical portion 10 is located at a corresponding position on the back portion 2 of the case.

The back portion 2 of the case is fitted with a flap 11 a bottom edge of which is stitched (or otherwise secured) to the lower end of the back portion 2 of the case along the line indicated by the reference 12. The flap 11 is provided with a rectangular aperture 13 dimension to fit over the semi-cylindrical portion 10 so that the flap 11 can lie flat against the back of the case as is illustrated in Fig. 3. With the flap positioned as illustrated in Fig. 3 the second end of the flap is tucked into an elasticated pocket 14 which is stitched (or otherwise secured) to the back portion 2 of the case along edges indicated by references 14a, 1 4b and 1 4c but which is open along edge 14d. The pocket 14 not only receives the end of the flap 11 but also provides means for mounting the case to a vehicle steering wheel as is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.

Referring to Fig. 4, the case is readily mounted to a vehicle steering wheel 15 by slipping the elasticated pocket 14 over an upper portion of the steering wheel rim. The rear semi-cylindrical portion 10 rests against a lower portion of the steering wheel 15 and thus holds the back of the case away from the central region of the steering wheel 15 which might typically be the site of a horn switch or air bag. The case may then be opened (by releasing the buckles 6 and zip 4) so that the front portion 1 of the case drops down to the lap of a user seated in front of the steering wheel 15 (see Fig. 5).

With the case in the open configuration it will be seen that the inside of the rear portion 2 of the case is provided with a raised rectangular support section 16 provided with a windowed front flap 17 and which houses, and supports, a tablet type personal computer indicated by reference 18. Similarly, the inside of the front portion 1 of the case is adapted to support a separate computer keyboard 19 which interfaces with the tablet computer 18 via an appropriate lead 20. In the configuration illustrated in Fig. 5 part of the front portion 1 of the case is conveniently folded back on its self. It will also be seen that the front semi-cylindrical portion 9 serves to raise the keyboard up to a comfortable working level.

Both semi-cylindrical portions 9 and 10 define internal pockets which provide stowage space for components such as computer leads etc. The pocket defined by semicylindrical portion 10 is accessed via a flap indicated by reference 21 which may be held shut by any suitable means such as Velcro (trade mark). Similarly, the pocket defined by semicylindrical portion 9 may be accessed through a flap positioned below the keyboard 19.

Although the portions 9 and 10 as illustrated have a semi-cylindrical shape, they may be given other shapes, such as for example a simple rectangular shape.

It will be appreciated that the inside of the case may be provided with a number of advantageous features. For instance, the windowed flap 17 may be releasibly secured to the side support portions 16 by Velcro (trade mark) to enable quick and easy insertion and removal of the tablet computer 18. One or more of the side support portions 16 could be adapted to provide access to interface sockets of the computer 18. Additional flaps/compartments could be included for mounting auxilary units such as interface units which may be connected to the tablet computer 18. Similarly, appropriate covered channels may be provided to conceal leads, etc. interconnecting the various components of the computer equipment. The essence of the aspect of the present invention as illustrated is that the case provides not only means for carrying the computer equipment but also for supporting the equipment in a convenient position for in-vehicle use by provision of means (i.e. the elasticated pocket 14) for mounting the case on the vehicle steering wheel. As is described below in relation to Figs. 6 and 7, the case is also provided with means for supporting the computer equipment for use on a horizontal surface.

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate the function of the flap 11 in supporting the case on a horizontal surface such as a desk top. In this configuration the upper end of the flap 11 is removed from the pocket 14 and secured lower down the back portion 2 of the case, for instance using a velcro attachment. In doing so, the flap 11 is folded about a transverse line intermediate its ends so that it assumes the triangular support configuration illustrated in Figs.

6 and 7. In Fig. 6 the case is shown closed whereas in Fig. 7 the case is shown in an open configuration, in which the front portion 1 of the case is lowered to the horizontal surface, again with part of the front portion folded back upon its self to prevent it obstructing comfortable access to the keyboard. The case thus provides means for supporting the tablet computer screen 18 at a convenient inclined angle relative to the keyboard.

Many modifications could be made to the detailed design of the illustrated case. For instance, the case preferably includes relatively rigid support panels in its front and rear portions which may be formed from, for example, hard-board or a compressed plastics foam.

Also, the flap 5 of the case may be provided with a bendable supporting insert (such as a thin lead sheet) which enables the flap 5 to be held in a position bent away from the computer screen when the case is open for use. The flap 5 could thus provide a sun-shield to effectively shield the computer screen from strong light. As one possible alternative, the case could be fabricated from a substantially rigid material, such as a tough plastics material, to provide a "hard" case.

It will be appreciated that whilst the combination of the pocket 14 and flap 11 in a single case is advantageous, a case could be provided with only one of these features if it is intended for use primarily in a vehicle or alternatively at a desk top. If the pocket 14 is omitted, for instance, a suitable attachment such as a velcro strip, could be provided for holding the flap 11 against the case when it is not in use to support the case (i.e. one of the functions formed by the pocket 14 in the illustrated example).

It will also be appreciated that the detailed features of the pocket 14 and/or flap 11 could be varied. For instance, the pocket 14 need not necessarily be constructed of an elasticated material, but could be a none elastic material, such as a nylon material, but be connected to the case by elasticated portions. Furthermore, although advantageous the pocket need not necessarily be elasticated at all.

As a further modification, the pocket 14 could be replaced by, for instance, two side by side pockets with openings angled towards one another. Alternatively, the pocket could be replaced by a simple strap extending across the back portion of the case 1 which could be similarly used to "hang" the case over the steering wheel. For instance, referring to the illustrated example, the edge 1 4b of the pocket 14 could be open so that it is no longer strictly a "pocket". Although with such a configuration an upper part of the steering wheel may pass through the opening along edge 14b the case will still be supported on the steering wheel provided the distance between edges 14a and 14c is less than the diameter of the steering wheel.

Similarly, the particular flap 11 shown in the illustrated example could be replaced by alternative structures for supporting the case on a surface. For instance, a shorter flap could be provided which is secured along one edge midway between the top and bottom of the rear portion 2 of the case so that it can be pivoted from a position in which it lies flat against the rear portion of the case and a position in which it extends therefrom with its "free" end leaning against the surface. Simple flexible means such a cords or straps could be used to interconnect the "free" end of the flap to the case to restrict the distance through which it can pivot away from the wall of the case.

Further possible modifications will be evident to the appropriately skilled person.

Claims

1. A canying case for computer equipment comprising a visual display screen, the case comprising first and second portions which are attachable to one another to close the case thereby enclosing the computer equipment, said first portion including means for securing the visual display screen thereto, the first and second portions being at least partially separable from one another to open the case and expose the visual display screen, wherein means are provided for removably mounting the open case on a vehicle steering wheel thereby supporting the visual display screen.

2. A case according to claim 1, wherein the mounting means is provided on said first portion of the case such that the display screen is supported at a suitable viewing angle when the open case is mounted on a vehicle steering wheel.

3. A case according to claim 2, wherein a protruding support portion is provided on the outside of said first portion, the protruding support portion being positioned on the first portion such that in use with the case mounted on a steering wheel the support portion rests on a non-central portion of the steering wheel so that the first portion of the case does not contact the central portion of the steering wheel.

4. A case according to claim 3, wherein the raised support portion defines a storage area.

5. A case according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein said first and second portions are hingedly connected to each other and said second portion is provided with means for supporting a computer keyboard, such that when the case is open and mounted on a steering wheel the keyboard may be supported in a generally horizontal position below the display screen.

6. A case according to any preceding claim, wherein said means for mounting the case on a vehicle steering wheel comprises a portion of the case which is adapted to receive a portion of the steering wheel rim.

7. A case according to claim 6, wherein the mounting means comprises at least one pocket provided on an external surface of the case to fit over and thus receive an upper portion of the steering wheel rim.

8. A case according to claim 7, wherein the or each pocket is at least partially elasticated.

9. A carrying case for computer equipment comprising a visual display screen and a separate keyboard, the case comprising first and second portions which are hingedly connected to each other for movement between closed and open positions, said first portion including means for securing the visual display screen thereto and said second portion including means for supporting the keyboard, wherein support means are provided for supporting the case in an open position on a horizontal surface with the second portion and keyboard generally horizontal and the first portion and display screen at a desired working angle.

10. A case according to claim 9, wherein said support means is provided on the outside of said first portion of the case and in use bears against said horizontal surface to maintain said first portion in said desired working position.

11. A case according to claim 10, wherein the support means comprises a flap a first end of which is fixed to the case such that the flap is moveable about said first end between a first position in which it lies substantially flat against the case and a second position in which it extends from the first portion of the case to support it in said desired working position.

12. A case according to claim 11, wherein a second end of the flap remote from said first end is realeasibly securable to the first portion of the case at two locations, a first location to hold the flap in said first position and a second location to hold the flap in said second position, the second location being between the first end of the flap and said first location such that when in said second position the flap is folded along a transverse line intermediate its ends thereby forming an angled portion which in use bears against said horizontal surface.

13. A case according to claim 12, wherein an external pocket is provided at said first location of the first portion of the case to receive said second end of the flap when in said first position, the pocket providing the means for realisably securing the second end of the flap to the case at said first location.

14. A case according to claim 13, wherein said pocket is adapted to fit over and thus receive a portion of a vehicle steering wheel to thereby removably mount the case to said steering wheel and support the visual display screen.

15. A case according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the pocket is at least partially elasticated.

16. A carrying case for computer equipment, the case combining the features of any one of claims 1 to 8 with the features of any one of claims 9 to 12.

17. A carrying case for computer equipment, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.