Abstract:
Provided is a system for attaching an external hard drive to a portable or laptop computer. The system comprises a laptop case with a built-in hard drive enclosure. The case also includes a SATA to USB converter for interfacing between the hard drive and the laptop. The hard drive enclosure may be sized to accommodate a 2.5 inch hard drive of various dimensions. The hard drive enclosure may have sloped sides to limit snagging and/or catching.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for attaching an external hard drive to a portable or laptop computer. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    At present, laptop computers are limited in the amount of permanent storage capacity they contain. Most laptops contain a hard disk drive with a limited amount of storage, and it is generally difficult to add further storage capacity. There exist external hard disk drives, and hard disk drive enclosures, but the drives and/or enclosures presently existing require the user go through a tedious procedure each time the laptop is transported. All open files being run from the drive must be shut down, and the hard disk drive and associated cable(s) must be packed. Many users find this procedure annoying. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The present invention comprises a laptop protective case that simultaneously serves as a hard drive enclosure for a hard drive. The hard drive can be of any form factor, e.g., 2.5 inches. 
         [0004]    An object of the present invention is to develop a laptop case that can quadruple the storage capacity of today&#39;s laptops, including ultrabooks, while minimally affecting the aesthetic appeal of the original device, and without reducing its mobility. 
         [0005]    Another object of the present invention is to develop a laptop case where an external hard drive be inserted and set up to run very quickly. 
         [0006]    Another object of the present invention is to develop a laptop case where an external hard drive can be easily swapped for another hard drive, and the external hard drive doesn&#39;t need to be disconnected when the user needs to transport the laptop, e.g., wants to put the laptop in a bag or backpack. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a top hardshell according to an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates another embodiment of a top hardshell according to an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates yet another embodiment of a top hardshell according to an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates another embodiment of a bottom hardshell according to an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of a bottom hardshell according to an aspect of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    The following detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show illustrations in accordance with example embodiments. 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention. Laptop case top hardshell  100  includes hard drive enclosure  110  for the easy insertion and removal of external hard drive  120 . Hard drive enclosure  110  may be variously sized to accommodate various sizes of hard drives. For example, hard drive enclosure  110  may be sized to accommodate 2.5 inch form factor hard drives, which can range in thickness between 5 mm and 9.5 mm. Hard drive enclosure  110  may also be sized to accommodate other sizes and/or types of external drives, without limitation. 
         [0015]    Top hardshell  110  further comprises converter device  130 , including an internal interface (not shown) inside hard drive enclosure  110  to which hard drive  120  attaches. This interface can be any of the current or future standard hard drive interfaces, e.g., Parallel ATA (PATA), IDE, Serial ATA (SATA), SCSI, Serial Attached SCSI (SAS), and/or Fibre Channel. Converter device  130  also includes external interface  140 , which attaches to the laptop at a port. External interface  140  can be any of the current or future standard laptop interfaces, e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB) 3.0 and prior versions. External interface  140  may be low profile, so that it minimally extrudes from the side of the laptop when inserted. 
         [0016]    External interface  140  is connected to the internal interface (not shown) using cable  150 . Cable  150  may be Flat Flexible Cable (FFC) or Flat Printed Cable (FPC) in order to maintain mobility, sleekness, and low profile. Cable  150  runs from the internal interface housed in the top (monitor side) of the hardshell, to external interface  140 . External interface  140  may be plugged into a USB slot on the laptop. Converter device  130  enables hard drive  120  to interface with the laptop, and may be one of the commercial SATA to USB adapter devices presently available. Converter device  130  is installed in such a manner as to remain secured during the use of the product 
         [0017]    Top hardshell  110  further comprises a means of being secured to the laptop. In one embodiment, the hardshell is secured using plastic tabs that grasp the laptop around the edges. In an alternative embodiment, the hardshell is secured by a rib which functions in much the same way as a tab, except instead of being discrete, the rib runs along the entire rim of the laptop case. Using a rib can be less invasive since the rib can be a very small protrusion, but still secure the case to the laptop since it has a greater total contact with the laptop edges. Which particular method will be used depends on the laptop for which the hardshell will be fitted, and the material used for the hardshell. More flexible materials may mandate tabs or ribs, and of different sizes, in order to secure the case. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize alternative means for securing the hardshell to the laptop. 
         [0018]    Top hardshell  110  may be made out of one, or a combination of, various plastics, as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The plastic chosen will depend on the style of the hardshell design, including transparent, colored and matte finishes, etc. Other materials may also be used, as one of ordinary skill in the art will understand. 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  shows hardshell  100  from a different angle. In  FIG. 2 , hard drive  120  and converter device  130  are not shown for clarity. 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of hardshell  300  including sloped sides  320 . In this embodiment, hard drive enclosure  310  extrudes from the laptop surface, but this extrusion is gradual enough so as not to snag on anything, but not so broad and gradual as to increase the general thickness of the laptop. Sloped sides  320  of hard drive enclosure  310  enable the extrusion to be relatively local, but not so local as to have sides or edges that could easily catch on fabric, books, or anything else that may be in a bag or backpack. The angle of sloped sides  320  can vary depending on the application. 
         [0021]      FIG. 4  illustrates the bottom half of the hardshell  400 . 
         [0022]    The laptop case according to the present invention may also include a bottom hardshell  400 , which may comprise slots built into the hardshell to enable external interface  140  to be inserted into a USB or other port of the laptop. 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of bottom hardshell  400  with cable  150  extending from top hardshell  110  through bottom hardshell  400 . 
         [0024]    Bottom hardshell  400  may be made out of one, or a combination of, various plastics, as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The plastic chosen will depend on the style of the hardshell design, including transparent, colored and matte finishes, etc. Other materials may also be used, as one of ordinary skill in the art will understand. 
         [0025]    Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of the teachings herein, will be able to generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of, or exceeding the scope of, the claimed invention. This invention is not limited to using the particular elements, materials, or components described herein, and other elements, materials, or components will be equivalent for the purposes of this invention. Accordingly, it is understood that the drawings and the descriptions herein are proffered only to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.