Abstract:
Lightweight protective case that allows a user to adhere an article, held within the carrying case with bracket, to various surfaces including but not limited to: a surface that is covered with fabric, a complementary hook and loop surface or a surface that allows for the affixing of the case&#39;s suspension strap, and achieve maximum productivity and utilization of the article while the article continues to be held within the carrying case. As well, one is able to use the case as the case sits on a horizontal surface. An article that is used with the case can also be utilized in a landscape or portrait orientation. The present invention also enables the user to take advantage of many of the features of various articles without having to actually hold on to the article. Furthermore, the present invention can also be used with a variety of articles, thus eliminating the need to purchase multiple cases for various articles. Also, the present invention is bendable and highly flexible.

Description:
[0001]    The application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119 of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61541382, filed Sep. 30, 2011 by Curtis Stallworth and is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the technical field of package and article carriers. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of carry and display articles that are configured to allow for the carry, display and protection of various items that have display screens. Items suchs as tablet computing devices, DVD players and electronic reading devices are some of the items that would be used with this invention. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Items that are available today that are used for carrying various types of articles, such as DVD players, electronic book readers and tablet computing devices, to list but a few, do not allow for the protection, carry, display and full use of the articles. Also, any possible use of such articles while the articles are held within its carrying case is exceedingly cumbersome. Furthermore, the use of articles that have display screens is extremely difficult especially when travelling via various forms of transportation, such as airplanes, buses and cars. Such articles usually must be held within one&#39;s hands, on one&#39;s lap or on a tray or other fixture which restricts the user&#39;s movement and ability to utilize the article in a way that enables maximum productivity. Also, the cases currently available become obsolete once a user decides that he or she no longer has a use for the article for which the case was originally purchased, because the case is usually only suitable for a specific article. As well, cases currently available are usually bulky, heavy and not conducive to the demands of today&#39;s commuters and travelers. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention is a lightweight protective case that allows users to adhere an article, held within the case, to various surfaces. These surfaces include, but are not limited to: a surface that is covered with fabric, a complementary hook and loop surface or a surface that allows for the affixing of the case&#39;s suspension cord. While the case is adhered to or suspended from a particular surface, the user is still able to achieve maximum productivity and utilization of an article even while the article continues to be held within its case. In addition to adhering the article to various surfaces, one can also utilize the case as it holds an article while the case and article are upon a horizontal surface, such as a table or desk. Also an article used with the case can be utilized in a landscape or portrait orientation. The present invention also enables the user to take advantage of many of the features of various articles without having to actually hold on to the article. Furthermore, the present invention can also be used with a variety of articles, thus eliminating the need to purchase multiple cases for various articles. Also, the present invention is bendable and highly flexible. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities presented. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a view of the closed case with its top closure flap open; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a view of the closed case with its top closure flap in the closed position; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a view of the interior of the case showing the article placement area; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a view of the opposite (back) side of the article placement area of the case and the rear facing side of the hanging flap, which serves as the rear cover and reclining triangle base; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a close up view of forward facing side of the hanging flap, which creates the reclining triangle base; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a side view of case; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a side view of case in a nearly closed position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a side view of hanging flap, which creates reclining triangle base; 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a side view of hanging flap rolled to create the reclining triangle base; 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a side view of case as it is used in a vertical orientation and with the hanging flap rolled to create the reclining triangle base; 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is a side view of case as it is used in a horizontal orientation and with the hanging flap rolled to create the reclining triangle base; 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a bracket; 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  is a side view of a bracket; 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  is a view of a flat panel display article; 
           [0020]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a display article with bracket set in place and around near the flat panel display article; 
           [0021]      FIG. 16  is a side view of the case with brackets placed upon it; 
           [0022]      FIG. 17  is a side view of a display article held within brackets and placed within the article placement area of the open case; 
           [0023]      FIG. 18  is a view of passengers seated on an airplane; 
           [0024]      FIG. 19  is a view of three passengers on an airplane and one of the passengers utilizing the case; 
           [0025]      FIG. 20  is a view of the case containing a display article with both the suspension cord and stabilizing strap affixed; 
           [0026]      FIG. 21  is a view of the case as presented in  FIG. 13  as the case is affixed to a car seat. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    Referring now to the invention in more detail, in  FIG. 1  there is shown a perspective view of the exterior portion of the closed case  30  with its top closure flap  30   a  in the open position. Visible in  FIG. 1  are the front exterior cover  30   b  of the carrying case, the top closure flap  30   a  and the right side closure flap  30   c  of the case. The exterior portion of the case can be made using one type or a combination of various types of material, including but not limited to cotton, nylon, vinyl and leather. As presented in  FIG. 1 , the exterior portion of the case is constructed using vinyl. The case  30  can also be constructed using material of the same type or of different types fused together by methods such as sewing or gluing. Various other options are available when fusing together materials and this invention is not to be limited to any particular method of fusing the portions of the case  30 . 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , shown is a perspective view of the exterior portion of the case  30 . Here the top closure flap  30   a  is in a closed position. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , shown is a view of the opened case  30 . Here one sees an interior view of the case  30 , the suspension cord holes,  40   a ,  40   b  and the adjustable stabilizing strap holes  40   c ,  40   d . There are interior views of both the right side closure flap  34  with a hook and loop strip  34   a  fused to interior side of the right side closure flap  34  and left side closure flap  36  with a hook and loop strip  36   a  fused to the interior side of the left side closure flap  36 , the article placement area  38  with a hook and loop pad  38   a  fused to the article placement area  38 . Also shown, is the interior view of the front cover closure flap  42 , which has a hook and loop strip  42   a  fused to it. Fusing of hook and loop pad  38   a , to the article placement area  38  of the case  30 , fusing hook and loop strips  34   a ,  36   a  to the side closure flaps and fusing of hook and loop strip  42   a  to the front closure flap  42  can be achieved by various methods, such as sewing, gluing or by employing metal fasteners. The listing of these methods of fusing the hook strips and hook and loop pad to the interior portions of the case  30  is not meant as a limitation regarding the methods utilized when fusing the materials. In this embodiment of the instant invention fusing was achieving by sewing. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , presented is a view of the opposite (back) side of the article placement area  38   b  of the case  30  and the rear facing side of the hanging lower portion of the case  30  which serves as the rear cover  44  and the reclining triangle base  44   a . A hook and loop pad  38   c  is fused to the back side of the article placement area  38   b . As a consequence of the placement of the hook and loop pad  38   c , one is able to form a bond between the case  30  and a fabric covered surface, such as the seat on an airplane, bus or car, to name a but a few. The case  30  can also adhere to a complementary hook and loop surface. Upon adhering the case  30  to a surface, one can utilize the article that is held within the case. without having to actually hold onto the article or the case. 
         [0031]    Surfaces covered with felt and wool, to name but a few, allow for the formation of a bond and the resulting adhesion. The listing of felt and wool as surfaces for adhesion are not the only types of fabric covered surfaces that allow for adhesion and the instant invention is not to be limited by the listing of the two. Also shown are the holes for the adjustable suspension strap  40   a ,  40   b  and the holes for the stabilizing strap  40   c ,  40   d . Fusing of hook and loop pad  38   c  to the rear side of the article placement area  38   b  of the case  30  can be achieved by various methods, such as sewing, gluing or by employing metal fasteners. The listing of these methods of fusing the hook and loop pad  38   c  to the rear side of the article placement area  38   b  of the case  30  is not meant as a limitation regarding the methods utilized when fusing the materials. In this embodiment of the instant invention fusing was achieved by sewing. 
         [0032]    As indicated, the rear cover  44  also serves as a reclining triangle base  44   a  of the carrying case  30 . Inserted between two plies of the material that is used to construct the rear cover  44  are lightweight plastic slats that add rigidity to the rear cover  44 . One slat is inserted between each of the plies comprising areas  44   a   1 ,  44   a   2  and  44   a   3  of the rear cover  44 . The listing of plastic slabs is not meant as a limitation regarding the material that can be used. To achieve the desired rigidity, plastic, wood and or metal could be used as well as other suitable materials. In this embodiment of the instant invention plastic was used. The rear cover  44  of the carrying case  30  can be made using various material, such as cotton, vinyl, nylon or leather just to name a few. The listing of these materials, however, is not meant to serve as a limitation as to the materials that can be used. In this embodiment of the instant invention, vinyl was used. The rear cover  44  of the case  30  was fused to the horizontal area approximately a quarter inch below the stabilizing strap holes  40   c ,  40   d . Fusing of the rear cover  44  of the case  30  to this area of the case  30  can be achieved by various methods. such as sewing, gluing or by employing metal fasteners. The listing of these methods of fusing the rear cover  44  of the case  30  to the horizontal area approximately a quarter inch below the stabilizing strap holes  40   c ,  40   d  is not meant as a limitation regarding the methods utilized when fusing the materials. In this embodiment of the instant invention fusing was achieved by sewing. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , shown is an isolated view of the inner side of the rear cover  44  of the case  30 . This is the portion of the case  30  that forms the reclining triangle base  44   a  of the case when the rear cover  44  is rolled. A hook and loop strip  48  is fused to the lower portion of the inner side of the rear cover  44   a   3  of the case  30 . 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , shown is a side view of the open case  30 . Here we see a side view of the front cover  42  of the case  30  as it hangs, a side view of the article placement area  38  of the case  30 , a side view of the rear cover  44  of the case  30  and a side view of the back side of the article placement area  38   b  of the case  30 . When one wishes to utilize the reclining base  44   a , one would roll the rear cover  44  thus forming the reclining base  44   a . Also shown is  FIG. 7 . It presents another side view of the case  30 . In this view the front cover  42  and the rear cover  44  are pulled upward in such a way as to depict the case  30  in a nearly closed position. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , shown is an isolated side view of the rear cover  44  in a hanging position.  FIG. 9 , on the same page depicts the rear cover  44  as it is rolled so as to create the reclining triangle base  44   a .  FIG. 10 , also shown on the same page, presents the case  30  as it is used to bond the case  30  to a vertical surface  80  with the reclining triangle base  44   a  being utilized. And finally on the page is  FIG. 11 , which presents the case  30  being used on a horizontal surface  82 . Here the reclining triangle base  44   a  is also being utilized. 
         [0036]    Note that in  FIGS. 9 ,  10  and  11 , the triangle reclining base  44   a  depicts an open triangle, however in use, the triangle would be closed. 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 , there is shown a no-angle bracket  50 .  FIG. 12  presents a perspective view of ano-angle bracket  50  and  FIG. 13  presents a side view that allows one to see the bottom plate  50   a  of the no- angle bracket  50 . This bottom plate  50   a  of the no-angle bracket  50  is comprised of a hook and loop pad  50   b  fused to the bottom plate  50   a  of the no-angle bracket  50 . The fusing of the hook and loop pad  50   b  to the bottom plate  50   a  of the bracket  50  can be achieved in several ways, such by the gluing, heating, or by using metal fasteners. In this embodiment, fusing was achieved by gluing; however the construction of the instant invention is not to be limited by such a technique. No-angle brackets  50  of various sizes will be manufactured so as to provide appropriate fit for the various types of articles that will be used in conjunction with the present invention. The no-angle brackets  50  can be made from a variety of different materials, such as various types of woods, metals or high strength polymers. These are just a few of the choices in regards to the materials that can be used and the listing of them does not indicate any limitation upon the use of other materials. For this embodiment of the instant invention, no- angle brackets  50  made of metal are used. 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIG. 14 , there is generally shown a flat panel display article or more specifically a tablet personal computing article  52 .  FIG. 15  presents the same article  52 ; however this presentation of the article  52  shows two no-angle brackets  50  affixed to the article  52  as well as four no-angle brackets  50  surrounding the article  52 . The dimensions of this particular article  52  are 8.9×0.75×6.5″. The article  52  weights approximately 1.5 lbs. This article  52  and the information related to it are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not intended as a limitation upon the size, weight, style or brand of a particular article that is to be used with the instant invention. Also a user of the case  30  can use a lesser or greater number of no angle brackets  50  and the user can place the no-angle brackets  50  anywhere upon a particular article (This is not the case with angled brackets. Such as an “L” shaped/90 degree angle bracket) and anywhere within the article placement area  38 . 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 16 , presented is a side view of the case  30 . Shown are the front cover  42  of the case  30  as it hangs, the interior article placement area  38  of the case  30  with no-angle brackets  50  in place upon the article placement area  38 . The rear side of article placement area  38   b  can also be seen. Also shown is the rear cover  44  of the case  30 , in a hanging position. When the case  30  is not being used, the front cover  42  and the rear cover  44  are folded upward so as to achieve a closed case  30 . 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIG. 17 , presented is the display article  52  as referred to in  FIG. 14 . Here the display article  52  is held within no-angle brackets  50  and placed upon an opened case  30 . The hook and loop pads  50   b , which are fused to the bottom plate  50   a  of the no-angle brackets  50  and hook and loop pad  38   a , which covers the interior article placement area  38  are put in contact with each other and as a result a bond is formed that enables the article  52 , as it is held within the no-angle brackets  50 , to be securely held within the article placement area  38  of the case  30 . 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19 , shown generally in  FIG. 18  are passengers seated within the passenger seating area of an airplane  58 .  FIG. 19  presents a close up view of three passengers on seated on the plane  58 . One passenger  62  is seated in seat  62   a . Another passenger  64  is seated in seat  64   a . As presented, passenger  64  has adhered the case  30 , the instant invention, to the back of a seat  62   a . Here the case  30  is in an open position with hook and loop pad  38   c , which is fused to the back side of the article placement area  38   b  of the case  30 , making contact with the fabric covered seat  62   a . Upon the hook and loop pad  38   c  coming into contact with the fabric covered seat  62   a , a bond is formed that enables the case  30 , and the display article  52  that is held with it, to adhere to the seat  62   a . The forming of a bond between a surface is not limited to just fabric covered surfaces. Any area that has a hook and look surface can also allow for adhesion. 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIG. 20 , presented is the case  30  as shown in  FIG. 3 . However,  FIG. 20  also shows the suspension cord  56  of the case  30  threaded through the suspension cord holes  40   a  and  40   b .  FIG. 20  also shows a display article  52  placed within the interior of the case  30 . When using the suspension cord  56  one can suspend the case  30  containing an article, from any item that has an adequate anchor. The suspension cord  56  can made of materials such as cotton, nylon or vinyl. The choices of materials are not to serve as limitations, however. In the embodiment of this invention the suspension cord  56  is made of braided cotton. The cord will be produced in a length of approximately 24 to 30 inches and will be approximately one quarter of an inch in diameter. The suspension cord  56  can be adjusted by tying the suspension cord  56  to make it shorter. These are cited only as examples of how to adhere or suspend the case  30  and are not to serve as limitations of the instant invention. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIG. 21 , presented is the case  30  as it is suspended from the headrest  72  posts  70   a  and  70   b  of a car seat  70 . To allow for more stability one can also apply the stabilizing strap  56   a . The stabilizing strap  56   a  can be adjusted by tying the stabilizing strap  56   a  to make it shorter. The other elements presented in  FIG. 21  are the same as those presented in  FIG. 20 , along with the additional elements of the car seat  70 , the headrest  72  and the headrest posts  70   a  and  70   b.