Abstract:
The present invention relates to a carrying case with an internal suspension system which is provided to reduce acceleration, shock, and the vibrational loads on an electronic device positioned within by placing the suspension system in a state of constant tension.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims priority to pending U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/444,774 which was filed on Feb. 3, 2003 and is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to carrying cases for delicate or fragile articles such as notebook computers and other electronic equipment, and more specifically an integral shock absorption system adapted to protect articles from acceleration, shock, and vibrational loads to prevent damage during transportation and storage.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Electronic devices such as notebook computers, DVD players, radio equipment, and other similar non-electronic products such as survey equipment are very susceptible to acceleration and shock loads due to their internal circuitry and delicate componentry. As referred to herein, these devices are collectively called “electronic devices.” These types of devices are frequently hand carried or transported via automobile, train, aircraft, etc. to perform everyday tasks and are prone to damage in the form of acceleration, shock, or vibration loading which can occur when the devices are impacted, dropped, or transported. Previous methods of protecting notebook computers have generally utilized the addition of padding materials such as foam and rubber positioned within the lateral edges or on the bottom of a typical notebook carrying case or attache. Although padding may be helpful as a protective cushioning, the majority of shock loads from a dropped carrying case may still be transmitted to the electronic device due to the compressibility of the padding. In addition, padding materials are quite ineffective from protecting an article from acceleration loads, since the load will be transmitted in the same fashion as shock loads.  
         [0004]     Isolation of an article generally provides an improved means of protection. Isolation can come in the form of a separate padded compartment in a carrying case which is attached to a wall of the carrying case with a flexible material that acts as a spring to dampen shock and acceleration forces originating from the outside of the case or as a result of the carrying case being dropped or impacted. An ideal carrying case thus supports the electronic device in all six possible degrees of travel, but systems of this type are generally too complicated and large to be economically feasible to manufacture or carry. Thus, there is a significant need for an affordable shock resistant attache or carrying case for delicate articles such as electronic componentry that can restrain and protect the delicate electronic componentry from damage during impact or as a result of acceleration loading.  
         [0005]     One prior art method of isolating a notebook computer is to add an isolated compartment to a carrying case. The compartments allow the notebook computer to be slid into the case and be oriented such that the bottom of the computer is at or near parallel with the bottom of the case, and thus suspended above a bottom portion of the case. Generally, the compartment may be equipped with conventional foam or other padding materials to protect the electronic device. In addition, the bottom surface of the compartment may employ flexible fabrics to isolate the notebook computer from loads emanating from the bottom of the case due to a drop. However, no case currently exists which provides a means for protecting electronic componentry in a carrying case in substantially all six directions, nor provides any type of external viewing device which identifies the internal position of the electronic device positioned within the carrying case. Furthermore, no prior art storage devices are known to exist which store the electronic device within an internal suspension system which is preloaded and in tension when it is interconnected to the electronic device.  
         [0006]     In view of the above, there is a long felt but unsolved need for a carrying case that isolates fragile electronic devices, such as notebook computers, in more than one direction, and that avoids the above-mentioned deficiencies of the prior art.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     Accordingly, it is one aspect of the present invention to provide a cost effective and portable carrying case which provides protection from acceleration and shock loads to an electronic device positioned within the carrying case. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention a portable carrying case or attache is provided which has a separate compartment for holding electronic componentry and which has a suspension system to provide protection in a plurality of directions.  
         [0008]     It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a compartment in a carrying case which is capable of providing protection to an electronic device in at least six directions or travel. More specifically, a combination of flexible materials and conventional padding may be used to absorb loads caused by impact from any direction or from dropping the case in a generally vertical direction. The advantage of this concept is that more protection is afforded to the carried item than in traditional cases which depend solely on padding for protection or limit the use of flexible materials for protection in limited directions. Further traditional cases do not protect electronic devices if the case is inadvertently tipped over or dropped on its upper surface.  
         [0009]     It is yet another aspect of the present invention that, while the case affords more protection, it remains light weight. A shock absorbent or loads resistant case can be made of any number or combination of materials which will dictate the weight of the finished product. A substantially indestructible and protective shock absorbent or load resistant case would generally be not feasible to construct because of the significant weight and cost. Thus, materials that are preferably used to protect and isolate electronic devices are generally light, and more specifically, organic materials such as NYLON, TEFLON, elastic fiber, etc. are used. By altering the way these materials are used with each other, and with the addition of padding, an electronic device can be protected in substantially six directions of travel.  
         [0010]     It is yet another aspect of the present invention that the compartment which holds the electronic device be expandible. By using flexible materials to isolate an electronic device from loads, an added advantage of expandability emerges. Some cases that do not use flexible materials, or limit their use, commonly have carrying compartments of fixed volumes. A user of a case with a fixed volume may be forced to buy a new case when purchasing a new electronic device. Electronic devices vary in size and shape, and a compartment that is compliant with different electronic devices is of great utility to a user.  
         [0011]     It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide an internal suspension system which is placed in constant tension when retaining the electronic device. More specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention a flexible gusset material such as rubber is utilized which stretches and thus provides constant tension. By preloading the suspension system with the use of a retention strap or other device, it has been found that the electronic device is much less likely from contacting a lower compartment of the case, and thus substantially preventing impact damage. Further, the suspension system is effective even when the case is inadvertently inverted or dropped on its upper surface.  
         [0012]     It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide an external indicator device on the exterior of the carrying case which indicates the relative amount of tension being applied to the internal suspension system. Thus, depending on what type of electronic device is being stored, a user can quickly identify the amount of tension provided on the electronic device within the carrying case. In one embodiment of the present invention, the external indicator device comprises a color coded mechanism which identifies the amount of vertical travel of the suspension system, or which alternatively has a mechanism which identifies a relative degree of vertical travel when viewed with respect to a stationary reference indicator. It is still a further aspect of the present invention that the carrying case and carrying compartment may be designed from inexpensive materials that are well-known in the art.  
         [0013]     These include nylon, rubber, plastics and other similar materials which are generally flexible as opposed to rigid.  
         [0014]     Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention a carrying case with an internal suspension system adapted for supporting and protecting an electronic device, comprising: 
        an enclosure defined by a front panel, a rear panel, a bottom panel, a top panel and opposing side panels;     a selective opening means interconnected to at least said top panel to allow access to an internal portion of said enclosure;     a support platform positioned within said internal portion of said enclosure and elevated above said bottom panel, said support panel adapted to support a notebook computer;     a first stretchable suspension cord operably engaged to said support platform and interconnected to one of said opposing side panels;     a second stretchable suspension cord operably engaged to said support platform and interconnected to an opposite end of said opposing side panels, wherein said support platform is biased from downward movement yet travels upwardly and downwardly within said enclosure, but is substantially impeded from contacting said bottom panel of said computer case.       
 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]      FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a cutaway front elevation view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , and identifying the internal components of the internal suspension system;  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a rear elevation view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a right elevation view of the invention shown in  FIG. 1 , and depicting the external force indicator mechanism;  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  is a front elevation view of an internal panel positioned within the carrying case shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 6  is an alternative embodiment of an internal panel positioned within the invention shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 7  is a front elevation view of an external force indicator device used in association with the carrying case depicted in  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0027]      FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention as positioned within an attache case. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0028]     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  depicts a front elevation view of one embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, the notebook computer case  2  generally comprises a front panel  4 , a rear panel  6 , a top panel  8 , a bottom panel  10  and opposing side panels  12  positioned between the top panel  8  and the bottom panel  10 . Although generally designed to carry a notebook computer, the carrying case  2  may be used to retain and safely store any type of electronic device which may be fragile and prone to breakage when being dropped or receiving an impact. The computer case  2  shown in  FIG. 1  generally includes one or more openings which allow access to the computer case and insertion and removal of the electronic device. The opening may be selectively implemented with the use of one or more zippers  16 , buckles, or other types of opening mechanisms commonly known in the art. Generally, the opening is included in the top panel  8 , but the opening feature may also be positioned in the front panel  4 , rear panel  6 , or within one of the side panels  12 .  
         [0029]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a front elevation view of the carrying case  2  depicted in  FIG. 1  is provided in a cutaway view, and which more clearly identifies the various internal components of the present invention. More specifically, a storage compartment  28  is provided within the internal confines of the computer case  2 , and which is sized to receive an electronic device. The storage compartment lower surface  34  is positioned above the carrying case inner bottom surface  32 , which defines a gap  30  which is designed to retain the electronic device above the lower portion of the computer case  2 . This gap  30  allows reciprocal travel of the storage compartment  28  within the computer case  2  by the use of one or more internal tension straps  24 . The internal tension straps  24  are operably positioned or interconnected to the storage compartment  28 , and are generally comprised of rubber, elastic, or other resilient materials which are capable of repeated stretching. Upon insertion of the electronic device into the storage compartment  28 , the storage compartment  28  is allowed to travel upwardly and downwardly in a generally vertical motion defined between the bottom panel  10  and the top panel  8 .  
         [0030]     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and again referring to  FIG. 2 , an internal suspension strap  38  is provided which may include a Velcro strap, a buckle mechanism, or other common retention device known in the art which is designed to place the internal tension straps  24  in tension upon placement of the electronic device into the storage compartment  28 . More specifically, the dimensions of the storage compartment  28  may generally be smaller than the size of an electronic device, and thus requires that the electronic device be pushed downward while securing the internal suspension strap  38 . By providing constant tension on the internal tension strap  24 , it has been found that the electronic device is protected from travel and subsequent impact in both a downward direction, upward direction and laterally within the storage compartment  28 . As further shown in  FIG. 2 , the internal tension strap  24  preferably extends outside of the side panel  12  by means of a panel aperture  46 . By securing the internal tension strap  24  on an exterior side panel  12 , a force indicator  22  may be provided a shown in  FIG. 7 , and which shows relative travel of the internal tension strap  24 , and thus the amount of loading on the internal storage compartment  28 . Furthermore, by pre-loading the internal tension strap by placing it in tension, the storage compartment  28  has less room for travel and acceleration, and has been found to be much more effective.  
         [0031]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a rear elevation view of the notebook computer case  2  of the present invention is provided herein. More specifically, the rear panel  6  of the present invention may include one or more separate openings to provide storage for accessory items such as extension cords, compact discs, writing materials, telephones and other items commonly stored in an attache or briefcase. The openings to the rear panel  6 , are generally facilitated with zippers  16 , or any other opening means such as Velcro. Furthermore, a handle  14  may be positioned on the top panel  8 , or in any other convenient location.  
         [0032]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a right elevation view of the present invention is provided herein. More specifically, the internal tension strap  24  extending outwardly from a panel aperture  46  is shown, along with a force indicator  22  which in this embodiment is a plurality of vertical marks extending next to the internal tension strap  24 . As appreciated by one skilled in the art, the force indicator may be a series of horizontal or vertical lines or any type of indicia which indicates vertical movement of the tension strap  24 . As the electronic device is loaded in the storage compartment  28  and forced downwardly, the internal tension strap  24  moves downwardly in a generally vertical direction, and thus indicates the amount of tension being applied to the internal tension strap  24 . Thus, a user is always mindful of the amount of loading and force being applied to the internal tension strap  24 , and the relative size of the gap  30  between the carrying case inner bottom surface  32  and the storage compartment lower surface  34 .  
         [0033]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , one embodiment of an internal panel positioned within the rear panel  6  of the present invention is provided herein. More specifically, one or more internal accessory compartments  42  are provided and may be used to secure pens, telephones, compact discs and DVDs and other materials commonly used with an attache or briefcase. With regard to  FIG. 6 , an alternative internal panel of the present invention is provided herein, and which may be included on either the interior of the front panel  4  or rear panel  6 , or positioned there between as appreciated by one skilled in the art.  
         [0034]     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a front elevation view of the force indicator  22  of the present invention is provided herein. More specifically, the force indicator as shown in  FIG. 4  is generally positioned on a side panel  12  of the computer case  2 , but may be placed in other locations. By extending the internal tension strap  24  through the panel aperture  46 , the internal tension strap  24  is easily viewed from an exterior of the computer case  2 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , one end of the tension strap  24  is generally attached to the side panel  12  with one or more rivets  48  or other type of interconnection device. When the internal storage compartment  28  is loaded with an electronic device or other product, the internal tension strap  24  is stretched, moving the indicator arrows  50  in a downward direction, and thus identifying relative movement with respect to one or more force indicator marks  22 . When loading is removed from the internal storage compartment  28 , and tension is released from the internal tension strap  24 , the indicator arrows  50  would generally move in an upward direction identifying that the loading has been reduced or eliminated.  
         [0035]     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention is provided, and more specifically showing the front panel  4  in an open position. As shown, the internal storage compartment  28  may include side panels which include suspension gussets  20  or other flexible materials which provide resilience if there is movement in a longitudinal or transverse direction. Furthermore, the internal tension strap  24  is shown positioned below the internal storage compartment  28 , and which may be interconnected to a nylon, cloth, cotton or other non-stretchable material along the bottom surface of the storage compartment  28 . Thus, it is not necessary for the entire portion of the internal tension strap  24  to be resilient, but only a portion which allows sufficient movement in the vertical or “Z” direction. Furthermore, an alternative type of internal suspension strap  38  is provided herein, and which may be interconnected to a rear panel  6  with hook and loop materials or other similar materials. In one embodiment of the present invention, it is anticipated that the internal suspension strap  38  also be comprised of a resilient elastic or rubber material which would provide tension to an electronic device and also provide additional padding when there is movement in the vertical or “Z” direction.  
         [0036]     As further appreciated by one skilled in the art, internal padding materials may additionally be placed throughout the carrying case  2  to provide additional protection and support. More specifically, the back of the storage compartment is the existing rear panel of the case. Preferably, this wall is equipped with padding  40  to help dissipate energy that emanates from a rear direction. This rear panel  6  will be the attachment surface for at least three sides of the protective compartment. Flexible suspension gussets  20  are provided to interconnect the padded front panel  4  to the rear panel  6 . These flexible suspension gussets  20  prevent damage when the carrying case  2  is dropped by allowing the flexible gussets  20  to absorb the acceleration energy of a moving electronic device. In addition, the flexible gussets  20  will help prevent the transmission of loads in a vertical or transverse direction.  
         [0037]     As a further protective feature, a gap  30  is positioned between the inner bottom surface  32  of the carrying case and the bottom surface  34  of the storage compartment, so that an electronic device in the compartment does not impact the lower inner surface of the case if inadvertently dropped, and would deflect the suspension gussets  20  and dissipate the energy.  
         [0038]     The nature of the invention can also be shown from the perspective of the article being carried. For example, an electronic device would be constrained in the positive transverse direction by the padded front panel  4  of the storage compartment  28 , which in turn may be connected by flexible gussets to the padded rear panel  6 . In the negative transverse direction  20 , the electronic device is constrained by the padded rear panel. In the longitudinal direction the electronic device would be supported by the suspension flexible gussets  20 . In the upward direction  27  the computer is supported by the suspension strap  38 , and possibly other padding materials. Finally, in the downward direction, the computer may be supported by a padded bottom which is separated from the bottom inner surface of the case. Therefore, the computer is flexibly constrained in four and potentially six distinct directions of travel, including downward, upward, transversely, and laterally.  
         [0039]     To assist in the understanding of the present invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein:  
                                             #   Component                                2   Notebook computer case       4   Front panel       6   Rear panel       8   Top panel       10   Bottom panel       12   Side panel       14   Handle       16   Zipper       18   Support panel       20   Suspension gussets       22   Force indicator       24   Internal tension strap       26   Strap ring       28   Storage compartment       30   Gap       32   Carrying case inner bottom surface       34   Storage compartment lower surface       36   Electronic device       38   Internal suspension strap       40   Padding       42   Internal accessory compartments       44   Internal storage panel       46   Panel aperture       48   Rivets                  
 
         [0040]     While various embodiment of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and variations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications are within the scope and spirit of the present invention.