US20080041683A1

US20080041683A1 - Combination laptop desk and carrying case

Info

Publication number: US20080041683A1
Application number: US11/507,714
Authority: US
Inventors: Javier Dorquez
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-08-21
Filing date: 2006-08-21
Publication date: 2008-02-21

Abstract

A laptop computer carrying case and stand having an arched foot that has a first and a second end, an arched leg extension system that has a first and a second end, wherein the first end of arched leg extension attaches to the second end of the arched foot and a housing attached to the second end of the arched extension system. The housing opens from a central location outward and when opened provides armrests for the user.

Description

BACKGROUND

The inventor of this invention initially only wanted to create a portable table that he could use with his laptop. The table had to be lightweight and practicable. After some thought, the inventor decided that the portable table should also be able to house his laptop.
The inventor looked in stores and online for a portable laptop desk carrying case. He was not able to find one to fit his needs. The tables that he found did not serve his needs because they were not portable, they did not provide enough space to use a mouse, or they were not stable.
This cause the inventor to design a desk to meet his needs. Because the inventor did not have a stable work environment, he needed a table carrying case that he could use in all work environments that was portable.
He decided that the carrying case had to be light, compact, and stable. When he investigated tables that could be converted into carrying cases, he realized that there were disadvantages to the cases that had been previously invented. Many of the cases were bulky, others heavy, and still others unstable.
The inventor then invented a stable support for the combination laptop desk carrying case. Through trial and error he realized the support structure had to have a base with an arched footprint in order for the desk to withstand force. Then the inventor determined that to make the carrying case compact he needed retractable legs attached to the base, the retractable legs had to have the same arch as the base in order to collapse/fold into the base. Then the inventor decided that the carrying case had to receive the collapsed arched base and legs and house a computer.
The inventor further decided that the carrying case had to have the benefits of a desk. He realized that the carrying case had to have case covers that opened from a central location outward. The covers, when opened, would serve as armrests or mouse pad holders to the user.
Information relevant to attempt to address these problems can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,471,019 B1, 6,439,133 B1, 5,941,352, and 5,535,683. However, each one of these references suffers from one or more of the following disadvantages: no armrests, to bulky, unstable, no legroom, and not made to house a laptop.

SUMMARY

To address the above-discussed disadvantages of the prior art, the present invention provides a combination laptop desk and carrying case. A combination laptop desk ands carrying case having features of the present invention comprises an arched foot that has a first and a second end, an arched leg extension system that has a first and a second end, wherein the first end of arched leg extension attaches to the second end of the arched foot, and a housing that attaches to the second end of the arched extension system.
The arched foot of the present invention comprises a pair of arched bases that have a first and a second end, wherein the first end of each arched base defines a first base aperture and the second end of each base defines a second base aperture, and a first spring loaded cylinder inserts and attaches to each arched base at each second base aperture.
The arched extension system of this invention comprises a pair of first leg elements, each first leg element has a closed and open end, and a top, bottom, inner and an outer side, each first leg element is hollow and each closed end of each first leg element has a first spring receiving stop and further defines a first leg element aperture adjacent the closed end, the first spring loaded cylinder inserts an attaches to each first leg element at each first leg element aperture, each first leg element further defines a second first leg element aperture adjacent to the open end, a spring is housed within the first leg element and attaches to the first spring receiving stop, and wherein the top side of each first leg element has a first channel running from the open end to a position adjacent the first spring receiving stop and wherein the inner side of each first leg element defines a holding channel, and a pair of second leg elements, each second leg element has an open and a closed end, adjacent to the closed end of each second leg element a second leg element aperture is defined and a first stop element is adjacent to the second leg element aperture, adjacent to the open end of each second leg element a second spring receiving stop is defined and a second stop element is adjacent to the second spring receiving stop, a stabilizing bar, the stabilizing bar defines a pair of bar guides, each bar guide located adjacent to the ends of the stabilizing bars, each bar guide fixedly attaches to each second leg element at a position adjacent each second leg element's open end, the second leg elements are housed within the first leg elements, a pair of caps, each cap attaches to the open end of each first leg element after each second leg element 208 is housed within the first leg element, and a second spring loaded cylinder inserts and attaches to each second leg element at each second element aperture.
The housing of this invention comprises a body, the body has a first and a second end and a top and a bottom, the second end of the body defines a groove adjacent and running parallel to the second end, adjacent to the first end of the body a pair of first body apertures are defined at the top, and adjacent to the first end of the body a pair of second body apertures are defined at the bottom, a pair of body resting guides attached at the edges of the body and perpendicular to the groove of the of the body, and a pair of arched covers, each arched cover has a first and second end and a top and a bottom, the first end of each arched cover has a first cover aperture, the second spring loaded cylinder inserts and attaches to each first body aperture and each first cover aperture, the second end of each arched cover defines a second cover aperture at the top, and a pair of cover guides, each cover guide attaches to each arched cover at each second cover aperture and further attaches to the body at the groove.
The present invention is made using lightweight materials such as polymers, alloys, plastics, and any other water impermeable material. This invention opens semi-automatically by releasing at-least one certain release point. The invention releases in a serial order.
The invention uses the well known principle that arched structures provide stable supports. The inventor designed this invention so that when force is applied to his invention, when his invention is opened to the desk position, the force would be evenly distributed towards the apex of each base of the desk.
This invention is designed to house a laptop having a weight of approximately ten pounds. The invention, when opened, will have a height of at-least twenty-six inches from the ground. The height allows a user to sit in most chairs and comfortably open the invention so that the user can place his legs under the invention and use the laptop computer.
The invention opens and closes using a spring actuated system that works systematically.
An object of this invention is to provide a compact combination laptop desk carrying case.
Yet another advantage of this invention is to provide a stable combination laptop desk carrying case.
A further object of this invention is to provide a lightweight combination laptop desk carrying case.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows the present invention in the closed position;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective of the present invention;

FIGS. 4-6 show a sequence of how the invention of FIG. 1 opens;

FIGS. 8-9 show how the housing of the present invention opens;

FIG. 10 shows a top side view of the leg elements;

FIG. 11 shows the present invention in the closed position;

FIG. 12 shows a user carrying the present invention;

FIG. 13 shows how the arched handle drag extension is opened;

FIG. 14 shows a user dragging the present invention; and

FIG. 15 shows a user sitting before the present invention when released into the present invention is expanded to the desk position.

DECRIPTION

As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention is a combination laptop desk and carrying case and desk comprises an arched foot 100, having a first 100 a and a second end 100 b, an arched leg extension system 200, having a first 200 a and a second end 200 b, wherein the first end 200 a of arched leg extension system attaches to the second end 100 b of the arched foot, and a housing 300 attaches to the second end 200 b of the arched extension system.
The arched foot 100 of the present invention comprises a pair of arched bases 102 having a first 102 a and a second 102 b end, wherein the first end 102 a of each arched base defines a first base aperture 102 c and the second end 102 b of each base defines a second base aperture 102 d, and a first spring loaded cylinder 104 inserts and attaches to each arched base 102 at each second base aperture 102 d.
The arched extension system 200 of the present invention comprises a pair of first leg elements 202, each first leg element has a closed 202 a and open end 202 b, and a top 202 a 1, bottom 202 a 2, inner 202 a 3 and an outer 202 a 4 side, each first leg element 202 is hollow and each closed end 202 a of each first leg element has a first spring receiving stop 202 c and further defines a first leg element aperture 202 d adjacent the closed end 202 a, the first spring loaded cylinder 104 inserts an attaches to each first leg element 202 at each first leg element aperture 202 d, each first leg element 202 further defines a second first leg element aperture 202 e adjacent to the open end 202 b, a spring 204 is housed within the first leg element 202 and attaches to the first spring receiving stop 202 c, as shown in FIG. 10 wherein the top side 202 a 1 of each first leg element has a first channel 220 running from the open end to a position adjacent the first spring receiving stop 202 c and wherein the inner side 202 a 3 of each first leg element defines a holding channel 222, a pair of second leg elements 208, each second leg element has an open 208 a and a closed end 208 b, adjacent to the closed end 208 b of each second leg element a second leg element aperture 208 c is defined and a first stop element 208 d is adjacent to the second leg element aperture 208 c, adjacent to the open end 208 a of each second leg element a second spring receiving stop 208 e is defined and a second stop element 208 f is adjacent to the second spring receiving stop 208 e, a stabilizing bar 230, the stabilizing bar defines a pair of bar guides 232, each bar guide 232 located adjacent to the ends of the stabilizing bars 230, each bar guide 232 fixedly attached to each second leg element 208 at a position adjacent each second leg element's open end 208 a, the second leg elements 208 are housed within the first leg elements 202, a pair of caps 250, each cap 250 attaches to the open end 202 b of each first leg element after each second leg element 208 is housed within the first leg element 202, and a second spring loaded cylinder 210 inserts and attaches to each second leg element 208 at each second element aperture 208 c.
The housing 300 of the present invention comprises a body 302, the body 302 has a first 302 a and a second 302 b end and a top 302 c and a bottom 302 d, the second end 302 b of the body defines a groove 302 e adjacent and running parallel to the second end 302 b, adjacent to the first end 302 a of the body a pair of first body apertures 302 f are defined at the top 302 c, and adjacent to the first end 302 a of the body a pair of second body apertures 302 g are defined at the bottom 302 d, a pair of body resting guides 308 attached at the edges of the body 302 and perpendicular to the groove 302 e of the of the body 302, and a pair of arched covers 304, each arched cover has a first 304 a and second 304 b end and a top 304 c and a bottom 304 d, the first end 304 a of each arched cover has a first cover aperture 304 e, the second spring loaded cylinder 210 inserts and attaches to each first body aperture 302 f and each first cover aperture 304 e, the second end 304 b of each arched cover defines a second cover aperture 304 f at the top 304 c, and a pair of cover guides 306, each cover guide 306 attaches to each arched cover 304 at each second cover aperture 304 f and further attaches to the body 302 at the groove 302 e.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the body further comprises a pair of cover extending springs 320, the springs 320 mount the second spring loaded cylinder 210 and one end of each cover extending spring 320 is attached to the area surround the first cover aperture 304 e and the other end of each cover extending spring 320 is attached to the area surrounding the first body aperture 302 f.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the laptop desk and carrying case further comprises a pair of cover releases 210 a, each cover release 210 a attaches to each end of the spring loaded cylinder 210. The cover releases 210 a allow a user to open the arched covers 304 while the laptop carrying case is in the closed position.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the top of the body 302 further defines at least one indentation 302 h. The indentation 302 h allows air to circulate under a laptop computer.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a pair of body hook and loop fasteners 302 i attach to the top of the body 302. The body hook and loop fasteners are to be attached to the bottom of a computer having hook and loop fasteners.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the arched foot 100 further comprises an arched handle drag extension 106 that attaches to the first end 102 a of the arched bases at each first base aperture 102 c.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the arched foot 100 further comprises a pair of release extensions 108, each release extension 108 attaches to the first end 102 a of each arched base 102 a at each first base aperture 102 c.
In still a further embodiment of the present invention the arched foot 100 further comprises a pair of wheels 107, each wheel 107 attaches to the second end 102 b of each arched base.
In another embodiment of the present invention, each arched cover 304 further defines a cover groove 304 g running from the second end to the first end of each arched cover 304 and adjacent to each cover groove 304 g a cup holder 304 h is defined, each arched cover 304 further comprises a mouse pad 304 i, the mouse 304 i pad attaches to the arched cover 304 at the cover groove 304 g.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a waterproof folder 310 attaches to the bottom of the body 302 d. The waterproof folder 310 might be attached to the body 302 using hook and loop fasteners 312.
This invention is made using lightweight materials. The legs should be made of alloys or similar materials in strength. The housing should be made of plastics or other similar lightweight materials that are impermeable to liquids. The springs used to extend the carrying case to the desk position must possess sufficient strength to extend having a laptop computer weighing at-least ten pounds in the carrying case.
The present invention extends/releases into the desk position by releasing at least one release. The desk is meant to release automatically and sequentially. As seen in FIGS. 2-5 in order, the invention is first placed on a flat surface and a release is pressed, then the first leg elements 202 will flip open to an angle that is approximately forty-five degrees from the flat surface. Upon the first legs 202 reaching the open angle, the second leg elements 208 will release outwardly from the first leg elements 202 until fully extended, while at the same time the housing 300 is being released from the holding channel 222, the holding channel 222 holds the body resting guides 308 of the body 302 when the invention is locked. When the second leg elements 208 reach their maximum extension, the body resting guides 308 will be released from holding channel 222 thereby allowing the housing 300 to be sprung to a desired angle, the housing 300 will eventually rest near parallel to the flat surface. The covers 304 are opened manually, but in one of the embodiments of the present invention they will be sprung by cover extending springs 320.
An advantage of this invention is that it provides a compact combination laptop desk carrying case.
Yet another advantage of this invention is that it provides a stable combination laptop desk carrying case.
A further advantage of this invention is that it provides a lightweight combination laptop desk carrying case.
Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. The spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.

Claims

1. A combination laptop desk and carrying case and desk comprising:

an arched foot, having a first and a second end;

an arched leg extension system, having a first and a second end, wherein the first end of arched leg extension attaches to the second end of the arched foot; and

a housing attaches to the second end of the arched extension system.

2. The laptop desk and carrying case of claim 1, wherein the arched foot comprises:

a pair of arched bases having a first and a second end, wherein the first end of each arched base defines a first base aperture and the second end of each base defines a second base aperture; and

a first spring loaded cylinder inserts and attaches to each arched base at each second base aperture.

3. The laptop desk and carrying case of claim 2, wherein the arched foot further comprises an arched handle drag extension that attaches to the first end of the arched bases at each first base aperture.

4. The laptop desk and carrying case of claim 3, wherein the arched foot further comprises a pair of release extensions, each release extension attaches to the first end of each arched base at each first base aperture.

5. The laptop desk and carrying case of claim 4, wherein the arched foot further comprises a pair of wheels, each wheel attaches to the second end of each arched base.

6. The laptop desk and carrying case of claim 2, wherein the arched extension system comprises:

a pair of first leg elements, each first leg element has a closed and open end, and a top, bottom, inner and an outer side, each first leg element is hollow and each closed end of each first leg element has a first spring receiving stop and further defines a first leg element aperture adjacent the closed end, the first spring loaded cylinder inserts an attaches to each first leg element at each first leg element aperture, each first leg element further defines a second first leg element aperture adjacent to the open end, a spring is housed within the first leg element and attaches to the first spring receiving stop, wherein the top side of each first leg element has a first channel running from the open end to a position adjacent to the first spring receiving stop and wherein the inner side of each first leg element defines a holding channel;

a pair of second leg elements, each second leg element has an open and a closed end, adjacent to the closed end of each second leg element a second leg element aperture is defined and a first stop element is adjacent to the second leg element aperture, adjacent to the open end of each second leg element a second spring receiving stop is defined and a second stop element is adjacent to the second spring receiving stop, a stabilizing bar, the stabilizing bar defines a pair of bar guides, each bar guide located adjacent to the ends of the stabilizing bars, each bar guide fixedly attached to each second leg element at a position adjacent each second leg element's open end, the second leg elements are housed within the first leg elements;

a pair of caps, each cap attaches to the open end of each first leg element after each second leg element is housed within the first leg element; and

a second spring loaded cylinder inserts and attaches to each second leg element at each second element aperture.

7. The laptop desk and carrying case of claim 6, wherein the housing comprises:

a body, the body has a first and a second end and a top and a bottom, the second end of the body defines a groove adjacent and running parallel to the second end, adjacent to the first end of the body a pair of first body apertures are defined at the top, and adjacent to the first end of the body a pair of second body apertures are defined at the bottom, a pair of body resting guides attached at the edges of the body and perpendicular to the groove of the of the body; and

a pair of arched covers, each arched cover has a first and second end and a top and a bottom, the first end of each arched cover has a first cover aperture, the second spring loaded cylinder inserts and attaches to each first body aperture and each first cover aperture, the second end of each arched cover defines a second cover aperture at the top, and a pair of cover guides, each cover guide attaches to each arched cover at each second cover aperture and further attaches to the body at the groove.

8. The laptop desk and carrying case of claim 7, wherein the body further comprises a pair of cover extending springs, the springs mount the second spring loaded cylinder and one end of each cover extending spring is attached to the area surrounding the first cover aperture and the other end of each cover extending spring is attached to the area surrounding the first body aperture.

9. The laptop desk and carrying case of claim 8, wherein each arched cover further defines a cover groove running from the second end to the first end of each arched cover and adjacent to each cover groove a cup holder is defined, each arched cover further comprises a mouse pad, the mouse pad attaches to the arched cover at the cover groove.

10. The laptop desk and carrying case of claim 9, further comprising a pair of cover releases, each cover release attaches to each end of the spring loaded cylinder.

11. The laptop desk and carrying case of claim 10, wherein the top part of the body further defines at least one indentation.

12. The laptop desk and carrying case of claim 11, further comprising a pair of body hook and loop fasteners attached to the top of the body.

13. The laptop desk and carrying case of claim 12, further comprising a waterproof folder attached to the bottom of the body.

14. The laptop desk and carrying case of claim 13, wherein the waterproof folder is attached to the body using hook and loop fasteners.

15. The laptop desk and carrying case of claim 14, further comprising a handle that is centrally attached to the first end of the body.

16. The laptop desk and carrying case of claim 15, wherein the arched foot further comprises an arched handle drag extension that attaches to the first end of the arched bases at each first base aperture.

17. The laptop desk and carrying case of claim 16, wherein the arched foot further comprises a pair of release extensions, each release extension attaches to the first end of each arched base at each first base aperture.

18. The laptop desk and carrying case of claim 4, wherein the arched foot further comprises a pair of wheels, each wheel attaches to the second end of each arched base.

19. The laptop desk and carrying case of claim 13, wherein the arched foot further comprises a pair of wheels, each wheel attaches to the second end of each arched base.