Computer bag with cross-brace support

A carrying case or bag that includes a soft pouch portion that is supported with a more rigid support structure. The soft pouch portion is supported by a cross-brace support system that allows limited movement relative to the support structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a carrying case that protects items from damage if the carrying case is dropped, and more particularly, to a computer bag that includes a cross-brace support system.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Personal electronic devices such as, for example, notebook computers, portable DVD players, personal digital assistants (PDAs), etc., are common in today's society. People carry one or more of these electronic devices when commuting, traveling, etc. for both business and pleasure. Accordingly, most people carry these devices in carrying cases. These carrying cases generally include a fair amount of padding, insulation and other types of materials in order to protect the item from being damaged in the event that the carrying case is dropped or “banged around”. Many of the carrying cases strap the electronic device within the carrying case or secure it in some other type of fashion so that it rigidly secured within the carrying case.

Even with the padding and other types of materials, as well as securing the item within the carrying case, the portable electronic device is still susceptible to damage if the carrying case is dropped or banged around. When the carrying case is dropped, a great deal of energy or shock is created at the point of contact. When electronic devices are secured such that they do not move within the carrying case, the energy or shock of the impact is concentrated at the point of contact and absorbed by the portable device. Accordingly, the electronic device may be severely damaged due to the impact. Thus, an improved carrying case is desirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Broadly, the present invention provides a carrying case or bag that includes a soft pouch portion that is supported with a more rigid support structure. The soft pouch portion is supported by a cross-brace support system that allows limited movement relative to the support structure.

Thus, a compartment for a bag for carrying an item in accordance with the present invention includes a main portion and a second portion within the main portion. A support arrangement is provided to support the second portion within the main portion and allows limited movement of the second portion relative to the main portion.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the support arrangement includes two straps, each strap extending from a respective top corner on a first side of the second portion, under the second portion of the compartment and a respective top corner on a second side of the second portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a bag for carrying a portable electronic device includes a main body and a device compartment within the main body. The device compartment includes a support structure consisting of a substantially rigid material and a soft pouch within the support structure. A cross brace support system is provided that supports the soft pouch such that the soft pouch has limited movement relative to the support structure. Also, the cross brace support structure dissipates energy from an impact throughout the support structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description will be described with reference toFIGS. 1-3.FIG. 1illustrates a computer (or other portable electronic device) compartment10in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2is a partial sectional view of a compartment supported by a cross-brace system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3is a sectional view of a carrying case with a compartment supported by a cross-brace system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention as seen along the line3-3ofFIG. 2. Although embodiments of the present invention are described with respect to a computer compartment and a computer pouch, it will be understood that embodiments of the present invention may be used with devices other than computers, such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), cellular phones, pocket PCs, video game systems, etc.

Computer compartment10is preferably used with a computer bag, briefcase, or similar type carrying case11; however, computer compartment10may be used without carrying case11. Computer compartment10preferably includes a computer pouch12that is made up of soft material to protect the computer. A support structure13is provided that is made up of fairly rigid materials. Computer pouch12is preferably made up of a fabric outer material14, such as nylon, surrounding some type of soft foam or cushion15. Preferably, the interior material is some kind of soft cloth16to protect the surface of computer17(or other portable electronic device) placed therein. Those skilled in the art will understand that other appropriate materials or constructions may be utilized.

Support structure13is preferably made up of some type of rigid plastic, hard pressed wood, or other rigid, sturdy materials. Preferably support structure13includes at least two side walls20,21and a bottom wall22coupling the two side walls. If desired, end walls may also be provided.

Computer pouch12is preferably coupled to support structure13with a fabric skirt30. Preferably, pouch12is sewn to the fabric skirt and the fabric skirt is placed over the support structure. Zippers and/or hooks and loops and/or snaps or other types of connection devices may also be used to close, couple or “seal” the skirt around the support structure. Those skilled in the art will understand that other arrangements may be used to couple computer pouch12to support structure13. Although pouch12is described as being sealed to support structure13, it will be understood that pouch12may not be sealed to support structure13. For example, pouch12may be removably sealed or not sealed at all.

Computer pouch12is supported within support structure13. As may be seen in the Figures, in one embodiment, at least two straps40,41are provided that are coupled to support structure13and traverse under computer pouch12. Preferably, first strap40is coupled to an upper corner42of the support structure and passes diagonally along one wall20of support structure13, passes through a grommet or hole43within the rigid support structure13, traverses under computer pouch12and traverses diagonally along opposite wall21, finally being coupled to an upper corner44of the opposite wall. Second strap41is coupled to second corner45of first wall20, traverses diagonally along the first wall, passes through a grommet or a hole46defined within the rigid support structure13, traverses under computer pouch12and then traverses diagonally along the opposite wall, finally being coupled to a top corner47of the opposite wall. The straps may be coupled in any suitable manner such as, for example, stitching, snaps, etc. In one embodiment, the straps are coupled to the walls with hooks48coupled to holes49defined within walls20,21. Preferably, as straps40,41pass under computer pouch12, they are coupled thereto with stitching or some other type of connection.

As may be seen in the Figures, some type of restraining device60amay be provided. In this embodiment the device is illustrated as a strap of material that may be placed over a computer that is placed within the soft pouch. Strap60amay be removably coupled to the compartment with hooks and loops at60b. Other types of connections may be used if desired.

Once computer compartment10is assembled, it is placed within a computer bag, briefcase or similar carrying case11. In a preferred embodiment, computer compartment10is coupled to carrying case11with at least one zipper61a,61b. Computer compartment10may have been removed from carrying case11by unzipping zippers61a,61b.

In another embodiment, computer compartment10may also be a removable sleeve and may not include zippers61a,61b. For example, computer compartment10may be adapted to slide into the carrying case11. Computer compartment10may then be easily removed from the carrying case11. Thus, if a user desires, computer compartment10may be used with other bags or carrying items.

Foam layer70or other soft material may be provided if desired along side20, which faces other compartments or items within bag11.

Thus, computer compartment10provides a soft, protective pouch for the computer that is placed within protective, rigid material. Computer pouch12is capable of movement with respect to support structure13. Straps40,41include some element of elastic to facilitate shock dampening movements. As shown, straps40,41support a bottom side of computer pouch12. Thus, straps40,41act as a type of shock absorber in the event that carrying case11, and thereby computer compartment10, are dropped. The elasticity of straps40,41allow computer pouch12to move when the computer compartment is dropped or is contacted by an object. Also, computer pouch12“floats” inside of support structure13. As shown, space is provided between computer pouch12and support structure13. This allows computer pouch12to move when carrying case11is impacted or moved. Accordingly, the shock of any impact is lessened because computer pouch12may move within support structure13. Elastic straps40,41, however, also are strong enough to support computer pouch12such that movement of pouch12is limited during normal use. This provides extremely good protection for a computer within computer pouch12.

In addition to providing shock dampening movements, support structure13is able to absorb impact when carrying case11is impacted. For example, a point of impact receives a large amount of energy from the shock of the impact. Thus, a point of impact on carrying case11may distribute a large amount of energy to a point on computer compartment10. Conventionally, a computer is rigidly strapped into a carrying case and the shock is mainly absorbed at the point of impact. The shock is especially harmful when carrying case11is dropped and falls on a corner of case11or is not perfectly dropped on the spine of case11.

Straps40,41on support structure13serve to dissipate or transmit energy throughout support structure13. For example, support structure13dissipates energy created on one side of the spine or corner to the other corner or sides of structure13. By anchoring straps40,41on one corner, traversing straps40,41diagonally across and under support structure13, and diagonally across the opposite side of support structure13, impact on one corner or side is transmitted or dissipated to other parts of support structure13. For example, the energy is dissipated to the other side or corner. Thus, the impact at a single point of carrying case11and a corresponding point of support structure13is lessened because the energy of the impact is dissipated throughout support structure13. An electronic device being carried may be better protected because the force of an impact at a single point is lessened in lieu of distributing the force of the impact throughout support structure13. The electronic device may not be able to withstand the energy of the large impact but may be able to withstand the energy of the impact if it is dissipated throughout the device. The goal of any protection system is to dissipate the kinetic energy that is a result of a mass (electronic device) moving at a certain speed (velocity at ground=0). By using angled supports, the energy is distributed between vertical and horizontal components. The configuration helps dissipate the kinetic energy that is present during a fall by dissipating the energy in two directions, vertical and horizontal. As the unit decelerates to a static position, the kinetic energy is dissipated in the shock absorption system.

In use, carrying case11may include computer compartment10. A user may insert a computer into computer pouch12. The computer is now supported in computer pouch12with straps40,41. As carrying case11is being carried, it may be dropped or banged around. When carrying case11is impacted, straps40,41flex such that straps40,41act as a shock absorbers. Also, straps40,41brace support structure13such that energy from the impact at a point is dissipated throughout support structure13. For example, the energy is dissipated to an opposing side or corner from the point. Accordingly, the computer is better protected while being carried in carrying case11.

Carrying case11may also include a contoured panel100. Preferably, contour panel100is made of a rigid plastic and thus, offers protection against hard, bulky or sharp accessories and other computer peripheral devices that are often carried within briefcases and computer bags. This helps prevent such devices from poking the user.

Thus, in use a person holds the bag such that contour panel100is against their body, preferably adjacent to their hip. The contour panel will “hug” the person's body due to its convex curvature, thereby moving the center of gravity of the bag closer to the center of gravity of the person. By moving the center of gravity of the bag closer to the center of the person carrying the bag, shoulder, back and neck fatigue and discomfort may be minimized. For example, the contour panel reduces weight impact by 35%. Contoured panel100is described in more detail in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/717215, filed Nov. 18, 2003, entitled “BAG INCLUDING A CONTOUR PANEL”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

In addition, a shock absorbing strap102may be coupled to carrying case11. Strap102reduces shock to a user's shoulder when the carrying case11is jerked or moved. Strap102is described in more detail in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/717215, filed Nov. 18, 2003, entitled “BAG INCLUDING A CONTOUR PANEL”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

Embodiments of the present invention provide many advantages. For example, carrying case11is able to dampen the shock any impacts. Thus, electronic devices being carried may be less susceptible to damage. The shock may be dampened in many ways. For example, straps40,41hold computer pouch12and limit its movement. Straps40,41, however, provide elastic support such that computer pouch12may move within support structure13upon impact. Thus, the shock of the impact is lessened because computer pouch12moves with the momentum of the impact. Also, straps40,41form a cross brace structure that serves to dissipate energy from one side or corner of the bag to an opposing corner or side. This lessens the impact at a point of contact. Accordingly, a device being carried may be better protected by carrying case11.