Impact protector for fragile article

An impact protector for securement to an edge of a fragile article, for example, a pen-based computer. The protector includes a pair of opposing support legs having support surfaces located thereon which prevent the computer-contacting walls of the protector from directly striking the ground if the computer is accidently dropped or jarred.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to an impact protector and, more 
particularly, to an impact protector for securement to an edge of a 
fragile article. 
It is oftentimes desirable to protect a fragile article from accidental 
"dropping" or "jarring" during handling of such article. It is most 
important to protect the edges and, particularly, the corners, from 
sustaining direct blows. Specifically, if an impact blow is delivered 
directly to the edge or corner of an article, the impact energy will be 
concentrated over a relatively small surface area, typically resulting in 
damage to the article. 
One such article particularly susceptible to impact damage is the portable 
computer. As is well-known, there is an ever increasing use of portable 
computers (e.g., pen-based computers) in the field. For example, pen-based 
computers are commonly employed by delivery companies to electronically 
record deliveries. The delivery person typically carries the computer on 
his person from delivery to delivery. The computer is, for the most part, 
continuously in use and is therefore likely, at some point, to be 
accidentally dropped or jarred. 
Various carrying cases, which generally enclose the entire computer, 
already exist. However, these cases are somewhat impractical in the field. 
Particularly, because the computer is, for the most part, continuously in 
use, such cases can become a nuisance to the user. The user is therefore 
likely to simply discard the conventional case, leaving the computer 
permanently unprotected. 
The prior art has considered impact protectors for other applications. For 
example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,047,142 discloses a hollow-ribbed mirror corner 
protector. The disclosed protector includes hollow ribs that project 
outwardly from the edge of the corner protector. These ribs, although 
sufficient to protect the edge of a mirror during static conditions, would 
be insufficient to protect a pen-based computer from an impact if, for 
example, such computer were dropped onto a hard surface. 
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,238,031, which discloses an edge protector for 
the edge of a fragile article (e.g., a sheet of glass) and U.S. Pat. No. 
4,925,149, which discloses a shock absorbing unit (e.g., for a remote 
controlled device), would also be unable to sufficiently protect the edge 
or corner of a fragile article, such as a pen based computer, if such 
computer were dropped onto a hard surface. 
It would therefore be desirable to provide an impact protector for 
securement to the edge of a fragile article, such as a pen based computer, 
that would protect the edges and corners of the article from impact forces 
if such article is accidently dropped or jarred during its use. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention, which addresses the needs of the prior art, provides 
an impact protector for securement to an edge of a fragile article. The 
protector is a generally resilient member having a pair of opposing side 
walls and a bottom wall extending therebetween. The walls define an 
article-receiving groove sized to accommodate the edge of the article. The 
member further includes a pair of opposing support legs attached thereto 
and having support surfaces located thereon which prevent the walls from 
directly striking a ground plane when the member is dropped. 
In a preferred embodiment, each of the walls has an inner 
article-contacting surface and an outer free surface. The support legs are 
positioned at the intersections of the side and bottom walls. Each of the 
support legs includes first and second support surfaces. The first support 
surfaces are laterally offset from the outer free surface of the bottom 
wall and are formed substantially parallel thereto. The second support 
surfaces are laterally offset from the outer free surfaces of the side 
walls and are formed substantially parallel thereto. 
The present invention also provides a method for protecting a fragile 
article from impact damage. The method includes the step of securing a 
generally resilient member having a pair of opposing side walls and a 
bottom wall extending therebetween to an edge of a fragile article. The 
walls define an article-receiving groove sized to accommodate the edge of 
the article. The member also includes a pair of opposing support legs 
attached thereto and having support surfaces located thereon which prevent 
the walls from directly striking a ground plane when the member is dropped 
thereon. 
As a result, the present invention provides an impact protector for 
securement to an edge of an article. The impact protector ensures that the 
article-contacting walls cannot directly strike a ground plane (whereby 
the impact energy would be concentrated over a small surface area) if the 
article is dropped. Rather, the impact energy is dispersed throughout the 
protector, thereby reducing the likelihood of the article being damaged.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to the drawings, an impact protector 10 is shown in FIG. 1. The 
impact protector is preferably a resilient member configured for 
securement to the outside edges of a fragile article, for example, a 
pen-based computer 12. 
As shown in FIG. 2, the impact protector has a generally H-shaped 
cross-section. The protector includes a pair of opposing side walls 14, 
which are symmetrical about an axis S, and a bottom wall 16, which extends 
between the two side walls. Each of side walls 14 includes an inner 
article-contacting surface 18 (which define locating planes X) and an 
outer free surface 20. Similarly, bottom wall 16 includes an inner 
article-contacting surface 22 (which defines locating plane Y), and an 
outer free surface 24. Locating planes X and locating plane Y intersect 
along lines P. 
As illustrated, side walls 14 and bottom wall 16 define an 
article-receiving groove sized to accommodate the edge of a fragile 
article. Preferably, the groove releasably engages the edge of the article 
through a friction fit. However, the protector may also be attached to the 
article by fasteners, adhesives, etc. The width w and height h of the 
groove can be readily modified to accommodate edges of various dimensions. 
The impact protector further includes a pair of opposing support legs 26 
positioned at the intersections of the side and bottom walls. Each of the 
support legs includes support surfaces 28, 30. These support surfaces 
prevent the outer free surfaces of the walls from directly striking a 
ground plane when the article is dropped. 
Specifically, support surfaces 28 are formed substantially parallel to the 
outer free surface of the bottom wall and, further, are laterally offset 
therefrom. Support surfaces 30 are formed substantially parallel to the 
outer free surfaces of the side walls and, further, are laterally offset 
therefrom. The side walls are preferably formed substantially 
perpendicular to the bottom wall, and therefore support surfaces 28, 30 
are formed substantially perpendicular to one another. However, other 
geometric configurations of the support surfaces and/or arrangements 
thereof that prevent the article-contacting walls of the protector from 
directly striking the ground if the article is dropped are also 
contemplated. 
Referring to FIG. 3, each of side walls 14 is formed with a width w.sub.1, 
while each of support legs 26 is formed with a width w.sub.2. As shown, 
width w.sub.2 is preferably greater than width w.sub.1. Further, support 
surfaces 28 are laterally offset a distance d.sub.1 from outer free 
surface 24, while support surfaces 30 are laterally offset a distance 
d.sub.2 from outer free surfaces 20. 
If the protector/computer combination is dropped with its side 32 parallel 
to ground surface T (as shown in FIG. 4), the protector/computer 
combination will land on support surfaces 28. As shown, support surfaces 
28 are preferably positioned on the outward sides of locating planes X. 
Accordingly, a direct path (i.e., a path perpendicular to ground surface T 
between such ground surface T and bottom wall 16) does not exist. The 
impact energy imparted on the protector (through forces F.sub.1) is 
therefore dispersed throughout the protector (resulting in flexing of the 
protector) and is not delivered directly to bottom wall 16. 
Referring to FIG. 5, if the protector/computer combination is dropped with 
its face 34 parallel to ground surface T, the protector/computer 
combination will land on support surfaces 30. As shown, support surfaces 
30 are preferably positioned on the outward side of locating plane Y. 
Again, a direct path (i.e., a path perpendicular to ground surface T 
between such ground surface T and side wall 14) does not exist. The impact 
energy imparted on the protector is therefore dispersed throughout the 
protector and is not delivered directly to the article-contacting wall, 
i.e., side wall 14. 
The edge protector of the present invention also protects the computer when 
the protector/computer combination is dropped on an angle with respect to 
ground surface T such that it lands on only one support leg (as shown in 
FIG. 6). Specifically, because of the relative stiffness of support legs 
26 (with respect to the walls), the protector will tend to flex along its 
side and bottom walls in response to the impact. This flexing will 
effectively disperse the impact energy such that it is not delivered 
directly to the edge of the article. 
As mentioned, if the protector/computer combination is dropped or jarred, 
the protector is able to effectively dissipate the impact energy imparted 
thereto. This dissipation is accomplished by both flexing of the protector 
and absorption of the energy by the protector itself. 
In one preferred embodiment, the thickness w.sub.2 of the support legs, 
together with the material durometer, provide relatively stiff support 
legs (as compared to the walls) that are locally resistant to flexing. 
Accordingly, the support legs do not collapse under impact. Rather, the 
impact energy is dispersed throughout the protector, resulting in both 
flexing of the protector along the side and bottom walls and absorption of 
the energy by the protector itself. Moreover, the relative stiffness of 
the support legs provides a stable support base for the computer during 
use thereof. 
Preferably, the protector is fabricated from a polymeric material such as 
polyurethane, although other resilient materials are also contemplated. 
The material employed in the protector preferably has a durometer on the 
order of 80, which provides the protector with a sufficient degree of 
stiffness to effectively disperse the impact energy. 
In one preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the protector (i.e., 
protector 110) is formed as two symmetrical halves 150, 152 which allow 
such impact protector to be readily installed on and removed from computer 
112. In another preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the protector 
(i.e., protector 210 ) is integrally formed with the article itself. For 
example, the protector may be integrally formed with the casing of 
computer 212. In such an embodiment, it may be desirable to form the 
protector as halves 250, 252. In a further preferred embodiment, the 
protector may be formed as four individual pieces sized for securement to 
each of the four corners of the article. 
Thus, while there have been described what are presently believed to be the 
preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will 
realize that various changes and modifications may be made to the 
invention without departing from the spirit of the invention, and is 
intended to claim all such changes and modifications which fall within the 
scope of the invention.