WO2007015086A1

WO2007015086A1 - Clip-on laptop cover

Info

Publication number: WO2007015086A1
Application number: PCT/GB2006/002872
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philip Nenman
Original assignee: Philip Nenman
Priority date: 2005-08-03
Filing date: 2006-08-02
Publication date: 2007-02-08
Also published as: GB2418298A; GB0515994D0; GB2418298B

Abstract

The invention can be described as a clip on 'over' cover, with a selection of various corner and side fitting designs that allow for easily flexing the cover's sides into position, whilst staying tight to the laptop or notebook computer lid (combined A and B cover see Figure (1)) once fitted. The integrated invention allows the application of graphical designs to be secured to the outer screen section (combined A and B cover as per Figure (1)) of a laptop/notebook computer. The invention is integrated into the manufacturing process of the clip-on cover via a vacuum forming and injection moulding processes with full colour graphics (see Figure 10.) applied either to the topside or underside of the clip-on cover by various processes. The completed clip-on cover can be applied without unnecessary force or damage to the laptop/notebook computer.

Description

CLIP-ON LAPTOP COVER

The invention can be described as a clip on 'over' cover, with a selection of various corner and side fitting designs that allow for easily flexing the cover's sides into position, whilst staying tight to the laptop or notebook computer Hd (combined A and B cover see Figure 1.) once fitted. The integrated invention allows the application of graphical designs to be secured to the outer of a laptop/notebook computer without the need to make any alterations to the laptop/notebook casket at the manufacturing stage.

Many computer products (laptops, notebooks, palmtops, screens, tablets and similar products) are similar in look and feel and therefore 'customer appeal'. The invention, the super-flex integral clip mechanism (SICM) - when integrated with the clip-on cover - will allow manufacturers to offer multiple designs to customers at very low cost. This is without having to adjust any manufacturing process to the A, B, C or D covers (see Figure L). Prior to this invention laptop/notebook cover variations were manufactured at great expense, and would be fitted using screw fixings replacing the original A cover (see Figure L), or fitted on top of original A-cover using industrial adhesives.

The invention overcomes the problem of how to design a clip on cover with corner fittings that are engineered to 'flex out' without the substrate material failing, tearing or breaking at the corners. Solutions:

1. Use a semi rigid material with good clarity for print, flexible enough to bend out over the edges, yet tough enough not to fail at the main stress points. Vacuum forming allows the material to be thin and light weight, yet flat and stable.

2. Relieve stress on the corners by having a slot at each corner so that only one side is flexed at one time (see Figure 2. and Figure 5.). A round hole design option at the top of the split allows the stress to stretch without tearing from the corner split (see Figure 6.). 3. Having the material not clip over the corners, only along the sides, by stopping the material extending underneath at the corners. Alternative options for profiling the clip on edges: i.) adding a lip return TYPE Z that is retained in the part line/split line between A and B covers (see Figure 7.) ii.) adding a recess to either the A or B cover which will require a manufacturing adjustment to the laptop/notebook to take the TYPE X lip return iii.) adding recesses to the sides of either the A or B cover for molded locking

TYPE Y tabs on the clip-on cover to locate into and hold in place (see Figure

9.)-

The invention is manufactured via either vacuum forming and injection moulding processes. The combined unit is made from semi-rigid materials (see Figure 2. and Figure 3.) which include Polycarbonate, ABS or Acrylic, PET and PVC. Full colour graphics (see Figure 10.) are applied either to the topside or underside of the invention by using pre-printed material, water slide, (IMD) in-mould transfer printing, screen printing, hot foil printing, lenticular, hologram or spray finish. The outer finish can be either matt or gloss (see figure 10.).

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings:

FIGURE 1 shows the standard construction of a laptop/notebook computer - demonstrating the A, B, C and D covers.

FIGURE 2 shows the outer view and features of the invention and the TYPE A super- flex integral clip mechanism (SICM) i.e. the expandable joint mechanism to support easy application and removal of the invention, together with a recessed area to accommodate the hinge

FIGURE 3 shows the inner view and features of the invention and the TYPE A super- flex integral clip mechanism (SICM) i.e. the expandable joint mechanism to support easy application and removal of the invention, together with a recessed area to accommodate the hinge

FIGURE 4 shows the inner view of the invention used on the clip-on covers as applied to a laptop/notebook (with additional photographic reference)

FIGURE 5 shows the outer view and features of the invention and the TYPE B super- flex integral clip mechanism (SICM) i.e. the expandable joint mechanism to support easy application and removal of the invention, together with a recessed area to accommodate the hinge

FIGURE 6 shows the outer view and features of the invention and the TYPE C super- flex integral clip mechanism (SICM) i.e. the expandable joint mechanism to support easy application and removal of the invention, together with a recessed area to accommodate the hinge

FIGURE 7 shows the TYPE Z lip return that secures to the part line or split line between the A and B covers

FIGURE 8 shows the TYPE X lip return that secures to a dedicated or manufactured recess added to either the A or B covers

FIGURE 9 shows the TYPE Y recess locking tab design which locates into dedicated recesses added to either the A or B covers

FIGURE 10 shows various outer views of the clip-on covers as applied to a laptop/notebook with the application of various personalised styles in full colour graphics - combined with gloss finishes

Claims

1. The invention is a clip on 'over' cover, with a selection of various corner and side fitting designs that allow for easily flexing the cover's sides into position, whilst staying tight to the laptop or notebook computer lid (combined A and B cover see Figure 1.) once fitted.

2. The super-flex integral clip mechanism (SICM) is the result of research and development as claimed in Claim 1 which is designed at the corners to expand sufficiently to allow it to be applied, by hand, without use of machinery or excessive force.

3. A clip-on cover as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 which has full colour graphics applied either to the topside or underside of the invention by using pre-printed material, water slide, (IMD) in-mould transfer printing, screen printing, hot foil printing, lenticular, hologram or spray finish.

4. A lip return as claimed in any preceding claims which fits into the part/split line between the A and B covers of a laptop or notebook computer

5. A recess locking tab mechanism as claimed in any preceding claims which locates into dedicated recesses added to either the A or B covers

6. A clip-on cover as claimed in any preceding claims which is manufactured as one piece via vacuum forming and injection moulding processes out of semirigid substances which include Polycarbonate, ABS or Acrylic, PET and PVC.

7. A clip-on cover as claimed in any preceding claims which provides a protective outer-skin to a laptop/ notebook computer

8. A super-flex integral clip mechanism (SICM) combined with a clip-on cover described above is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.