Adapter for releasably securing a computer and a printer in fixed, spatial relation

An adapter (10) to releasibly retain a lap top computer and a printer to an enclosed carrying case. The adapter comprises a frame made up of a floor (15), two side walls (12) and (14), and a partially closed top bordered by rails (16) and (18) perpendicular to and integral with the side walls (12) and (14). Both ends (22) and (24) are substantially open. A partition (20) across the side walls (12) and (14) connecting one to the other divides the frame into an electrical compartment (36) and a paper compartment (34). The lap top and the printer rest on the base rails (16) and (18), the printer receiving paper resting in the paper compartment (34) and coming through the open end of the paper compartment (34). The power supplies to the lap top and the printer, respectively, reside in the electrical compartment (36) with cords from an external AC power source having access through the open end of the electrical compartment (36).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a portable computer work station having an 
adapter designed to hold a portable computer in fixed spatial relation 
with a printer, and to enclose within the adapter the printer paper and 
the power supplies for the computer and the printer. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Recent years have seen a trend to down size computers. Presently there are 
generally speaking, physical size classifications for computers that are 
arranged as follows( largest to smallest): main frame, personal, desk top, 
lap top, note pads (notebook) and hand held. The latter three categories 
include computers which are easily carried by a person. Printers for 
computers have kept a pace with the down sizing trends also. They too are 
easily carried by a person and come in portable sizes. 
The consumer often desires portability as a feature of his computer work 
station, the work station having the computer, the printer, at least one 
power supply and paper. Thus, the computer, printer, paper and related 
accessories such as power supplies and electrical cables (collectively the 
"components") are often packed into a case, bag or the like for ease of 
transportation. 
These components, being fragile, must be packed carefully. Typically, they 
are packed in hard case or soft cases. The soft case is often a canvas or 
vinyl bag with a foam lining. Such a bag does not physically hold the 
components and accessories together as a working unit but does form some 
limited protection from interference from outside. Typical hard cases 
comprise a small, hinged suitcase (similar to those used for luggage) 
containing cut-out foam. Such cases are typical of those for video cameras 
and for hand held cameras. The cut-out foam generally contains two main 
pockets, one pocket for the lap top and one pocket for the printer. A 
number of pockets are also cut out for the accessories (power supplies, 
cables, paper and the like). The accessories are usually disassembled and 
need to be placed together before use. These cases have no place for paper 
or printer stand. The accessories still need to be assembled before use. 
Moreover, the hard case/foam type generally collect dust or create their 
own by the dissolution of the foam. The dust gets into the components and 
creates problems. Additionally, as the foam settles, the fit loosens. The 
typical hard case/foam when turned upside down will allow the components 
to fall loosely within, or out of, the case. The components in such cases 
cannot be removed as a unit assembly, but require assembly. Thus, none of 
the typical hard or soft cases can be defined as a portable work station. 
That is, a portable work station requires the two main components of the 
system, the computer and the printer, to be held rigidly within the case 
in pre-assembled, ready to use positions. None of the typical hard or soft 
cases adapt the computer, the printer, the paper (in position for use) and 
related accessories to the case in a manner which allows ready use of the 
system upon opening the case, without any pre-assembly. 
One such case which does provide such portability is the Gemini I, II and 
III from Gemini, Inc., Canon Falls, Minn., as more fully described in U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,896,776 (1990, Kabanok et al). The Gemini is a portable work 
station enclosed in a hard case which allows the user, upon opening the 
case, to use the system without further assembly of the components. The 
Gemini consists of a molded plastic floor with a support pedestal for the 
lap top and the printer permanently attached to the bottom of the case. 
The paper feeds the printer through a storage compartment beneath the 
printer stand. The lid of the hard case is detachable. However, the Gemini 
is not adapted to store accessory items. Nor is the Gemini adapted to 
properly guide paper from the paper storage compartment to the printer. 
The lack of proper paper guides, the lack of proper accessory storage 
compartment areas, as well as the generally limited ability of the Gemini 
to portably maintain all the components of the work place in a 
self-contained system, has presented severe shortcomings to the consumer. 
Last, the Gemini unit is integral with the bottom shell of the case and not 
removable from it. Thus, there is needed a portable work station having a 
hard case in which is contained an adapter which spatially fixes a lap top 
computer and a printer over a paper and accessories' compartment, which 
adapter may be easily removed from the hard case, without the use of 
tools. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is the object of the present invention to provide for an adapter for 
holding a computer, a printer, paper and related accessories therefore in 
a protective hard case, spatially arranged to be used as a portable work 
station without pre-assembly. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide for an adapter 
which organizes a lap top computer, a printer and a stack of paper, along 
with the necessary power adapters, electrical cords, and signal cables in 
a ready to go, pre-arranged package which only requires an external 
voltage source (or internal batteries) in order to compute and print. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide for an aluminum 
frame which may be permanently or removably attached to a shell of a 
protective hard case, which frame contains rails on top and compartments 
beneath, the rails for holding a small, portable computer and a printer in 
the same general plane, the compartments for holding paper and electrical 
accessories. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adapter for a 
lap top computer which will hold the computer and the printer in a fixed 
spatial relation, and which will removably attach to the bottom section of 
a detachable, hinged, protective hard case. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide for an adapter 
for holding a lap top computer and a printer in fixed, spatial relation, 
the adapter having a floor, two side walls, two base rails, a means for 
attaching a lap top printer to the top side of the base rails, and further 
having a partition within the adapter providing for a paper compartment 
beneath the printer and an accessory compartment beneath the lap top. 
This and other purposes will be obvious from the specifications as set 
forth more further below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate views of the adapter (10). Thus, it can 
be seen with reference to FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B and 2C that adapter (10) is made 
up of a left side wall (12), a right side wall (14), the walls bordering a 
generally rectangular floor (15). With further reference to the FIGURES, 
adapter (10) can be seen to have a left base rail (16) and a right base 
rail (18). The base rails have a top and a bottom surface. On the top 
surface thereof are attachment means (19). Side walls (12) and (14) 
contain dimples (21) at one end thereof. Thus, the side rails, the floor 
and the base rails are configured to generally form a rectangular open 
topped frame. 
A divider partition (20) separates an interior portion of the frame into 
two compartments. Divider partition (20) can be seen to be generally 
closer to one end of the frame than the other. The compartments of the 
frame have an open end (22) and (24) at either end. Open end (24) has a 
tab (26) and side walls (12) and (14) of cross brace (28) at one end 
thereof. Tab (26) does not extend all the way across to the side walls. 
This makes it easy to insert and remove paper from the interior of adapter 
(10), while generally holding the paper in its compartment. 
Along cross brace (28) is lip guide (30). Lip guide (30) assists in 
alignment of the edge of the printer when placed on base rails (16) and 
(18), supports side walls (12) and (14), and is curved to assist the paper 
in making a smooth transition into the printer. The floor contains on an 
exterior surface thereof four cushions (31) made of rubber or the like, to 
provide for resting on a surface without scratching or sliding the same. 
Fasteners (32), such as rivets, welds, or the like are located as 
indicated in FIG. 1 to provide for sturdy structure. On an interior of 
floor (15) are located additional attachment means (19). 
Thus, it can be seen that the adapter consists of floor, side walls, base 
rails and a divider partition which creates paper compartment (34) and 
electrical compartment (36). In addition, clips (38) allow for convenient 
fastening of electrical cords or other conductors at various locations on 
adapter (10). As can be further be seen, windows (34a) and (34b) provide 
access through either or both of the side walls thus, allowing electrical 
cords and the like to reach electrical accessories located in electrical 
compartment (36). 
FIGS. 2A-2C provide a greater appreciation for the dimensions of adapter 
(10). Thus, it can be seen that the length of the floor is about 15 
inches, the width about 9.6 inches and the height of side walls about 2.3 
inches. 
Dimensions are illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C and include tab (26) being 
approximately 4 to 7 inches wide and 0.5 to 1 inch high. The exterior 
dimensions of the adapter are generally 15 to 20 inches.times.9 to 10 
inches.times.1.5 to 3 inches. The paper compartment will hold over one 
inch of standard tractor feed paper. The adapter, thus dimensioned, will 
accommodate most note pads, lap tops and printers. These dimensions will 
allow the adapter to facilitate the new "note pad" sized computer. 
Printers which the adapter may use include, but are not limited to, the 
Kodak Diconix 150 Plus and the Canon BJ-10e; the lap tops include, but are 
not limited to, Toshiba, Compaq, Zenith or Grid. The note pad size is 
generally 8.5 inches.times.11 inches.times.2 inches. The paper compartment 
is about 11 inches long and 9.6 inches wide. The electrical compartment is 
approximately 4.3 inches long and 9.6 inches wide. 
FIG. 3 illustrates a release bracket (40) which is used in conjunction with 
adapter (10) to releasibly fix the adapter, with the components thereon, 
to the bottom of a hard case (not shown). Release bracket (40) is made up 
of a base (42), a catch lip (44) and ears (46) with holes (48) therein. As 
can be further appreciated from FIG. 3, base (42) is fixedly attached to 
the bottom of a hard case. Ears (46) are bent slightly inward, making an 
interior angle of slightly less than 90.degree. with the base of release 
bracket (40). Thus, adapter (10), on which is placed the lap top computer 
and the printer, and which further contains a load of paper in paper 
compartment (34) and sorted electrical components in electrical 
compartment (36), is placed onto base (42) one end thereof under catch lip 
(44). Ears (46) spread slightly apart, allowing the side walls of adapter 
(10) to fall within the ears. Holes (48) are dimensioned to properly 
receive dimples (21), the tension of ears (46) against the side walls and 
the dimples, protruding through the holes, thereby holding in locked 
relation, adapter (10) to base (42) and thus to the floor of the hard 
case. Therefore, it is seen how adapter (10), with all of its components 
on top and within, is easily removed, if you spread ears (46), from a hard 
case for desk top use. Thus, it can be further seen that the unique 
release bracket (40) holds down adapter (10) with the unique locking 
mechanism to insure that adapter (10) is secure in the case, yet permits 
easy removal. 
The floor, side walls, base rails, divider partition and the release 
bracket are preferably constructed of 0.050 inch aluminum, which may be 
anodized. This provides for a durable yet lightweight adapter. The 
cushions on the bottom of the floor may be made of rubber. The attachment 
means of preferably industrial strength ("Dual Lock.RTM."--a registered 
trademark of the 3M Company), and are used to attach the computer and 
printer components to the base rails. 
In an alternative embodiment, the base rails are supplanted by a full, 
covered top. However, this is heavier and creates more drag when the paper 
is pulled out. Another alternative embodiment would omit attachment means 
(19) and simply have the computer and printer permanently fastened to the 
adapter. 
USE OF THE ADAPTER 
The computer, with attachment means located on a flat bottom side thereof, 
is placed above the electrical compartment on the top surface of the two 
base rails. The printer is placed likewise over the paper compartments so 
the edge of its flat bottom abuts or sits within the lip guide. The paper 
is inserted through the open end of the paper compartment and sits flush 
on the floor thereof. The paper feeds out the open end and into the 
printer. Thus, as the paper feeds into the printer, it gets dragged across 
the underside of the side rails. The open top of the adapter, afforded by 
side rails that extend inward only partially, thus insures a minimum of 
drag on the paper. This overcomes shortcomings of the prior art, with a 
fully enclosed paper compartment imparting too much drag on the paper, and 
therefore jamming the feeder. 
Operating the computer and printer off conventional 110 volt alternating 
current requires electrical adapters for the computer and printer. These 
electrical adapters are stored in the electrical compartment. Electrical 
cards and conductors going to and from these components may be routed 
through optional window(s) or the open end of the electrical compartment. 
The clips allow holding the cards to the adapter. 
Thus assembled, the adapter with components secured therein is fixedly or 
removably attached to the bottom shell of a hinged, protective case such 
as those manufactured by SKB, Samsonite, and Halliburton. The case may be 
hard or soft, but is preferably hard. In use, one only need open the case 
and either remove the adapter or unhinge (hard case) or unzip (soft case) 
the top shell of the case for use as a portable work station. Moreover, 
removal of the adapter allows the work station to maintain its portability 
without the case. Therefore, the adapter lets the work station to be 
transported and set up in the work place or in an automobile, as by 
placement in the pedestal mount disclosed above. 
Terms such as "left", "right", "up", "down", "top", "buttom", "front", 
"back", "in", "out" and the like are applicable to the embodiment shown 
and described in conjunction with the drawings. These terms are merely for 
the purposes of description and do not necessarily apply to the position 
or the manner in which the invention may be constructed or used. 
Although the invention apparatus has been described in connection with the 
preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the invention to a 
particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover 
such alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within 
the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by dependent claims.