Abstract:
An adjustable, impact resistant cushion for use in a carrying case or the like has a first pad including a compressible, substantially rectangular foam piece covered with a pliable non-porous cover. The cover continuously covers the foam piece and includes an air flow controlling vent. Air escapes from the pad through the vent at a controlled rate when the foam material is compressed and so the pad absorbs shock by providing resistance to compression which increases with increasing compression velocity. Preferably, open cell urethane foam is employed in the compressible foam piece. The adjustable impact resistant cushion includes a second pad hingedly connected by a flexible hinge segment of webbing or plastic. The adjustable cushion includes, on a back surface, one or more releasable hook and loop type fasteners elements (e.g., either hooks or loops). Preferably, two of the impact resistant cushions are used in a luggage insert (for insertion into a carrying case or other luggage) or are incorporated directly into the interior portion of a carrying case having compartment with an interior surface covered with felt or loop material for attachment using hook fasteners carried by the adjustable cushions. An adjustable cushion may also carry one or more flexible tabs extending outwardly from the cushion pad major axis and so can be positioned in cushion pairs at selected separations and angular orientations, thereby accommodating portable computers having different widths.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional application of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/235,292 filed Jan. 22, 1999, U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,734 which claims benefit of provisional application Serial No. 60/072,296 filed Jan. 23, 1998, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to impact resistant cushions adapted for use in carrying cases and to carrying cases for securely transporting delicate instruments such as portable computers. 
     2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
     “Laptop” and “Notebook” portable personal computers have reduced size and weight and are conveniently carried and used while traveling. Manufacturers of portable personal computers strive to provide the smallest, lightest computer possible. Unfortunately, it is difficult to manufacture a small, light, portable computer rugged enough to withstand being dropped or otherwise subjected to shock loading. The small size of today&#39;s portable computers leaves little or no internal room for shock absorbing materials to protect the vulnerable operating parts of the computer such as the LCD screen, the hard drive, the mother board, the various electrical connectors or the plastic outer case. 
     The effect of being dropped or hit is measured in terms of acceleration as compared to the earth&#39;s gravitational pull; one “G” represents an acceleration (or deceleration) of thirty two feet/sec 2 . Each computer manufacturer&#39;s design is different, and so there is no universally safe level of shock for portable computers. Manufacturers of hard drives typically specify that drives can withstand shocks in the range of seventy five to two hundred Gs. Manufacturers of LCD screens, on the other hand, guarantee their screens to withstand shocks of only as much as fifty Gs, a level reached by dropping a portable computer from a height of only six to seven inches. Since carrying cases for portable computers are usually hand held or hung from shoulder straps more than six inches from the ground, it is important that the cases provide adequate protection from the falls and bumps typically encountered in every day travel and use. 
     Many manufacturers of carrying cases for portable computers incorporate foam padding into their cases, the padding typically ranges in thickness from one half to about three inches. Foam padding will protect a computer, unless the padding is compressed completely (i.e., compressed to half the thickness of the foam pad). Thus, three inches of padding will protect the computer through a deceleration distance of one and one half inches. Tests have shown that in carrying cases provided with two inches of foam padding, the fifty G threshold (for LCD screens) is exceeded in drops from as little as eight inches in height. 
     A carrying case offering superior protection against shocks is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,119 and is marketed by PORT Computer Cases of South Norwalk, Conn. The case disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,119 includes a suspension system using an elastic sling. The computer is protected within the sling through the full distance of the decelerating fall, without resting on a foam barrier. The empty space below the sling, to the bottom of the case, provides twice as much protection as an equivalent amount of foam rubber padding. U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,754, assigned to PORT, Inc., discloses a carrying case for a notebook computer having a suspension system elastically supporting and protecting the computer during transport and allowing the computer to be used without removal from the case. The disclosures of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,217,119 and 5,524,754 are incorporated herein by reference, in their entireties. 
     While the carrying case structures of the &#39;119 and &#39;754 patents provide a high level of protection against shocks, it is desired to produce a computer carrying case exhibiting the same high level of protection from shocks while also allowing the user to adapt the computer support structure to accommodate a portable computer or other instruments of varying sizes, and allowing more economical manufacture. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to support a portable computer (or other delicate instrument) of virtually any size or shape in a carrying case having a system of adjustable impact resistant cushions. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a luggage insert including a system of adjustable cushions specially adapted to conform to the shape of a portable computer. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a carrying case having an adjustable cushion system releasably fastened into the carrying case interior and positionable by the user, to accommodate computers having irregular sizes or shapes. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide adjustable, impact resistant cushions using a reduced quantity of cushion material and permitting relatively easy and economical manufacture. 
     Another object of the present invention is to protect delicate instruments with one or more adjustable, impact resistant cushions having improved dynamic resistance to shock loading. 
     The aforesaid objects are achieved individually and in combination, and it is not intended that the present invention be construed as requiring two or more of the objects to be combined unless expressly required by the claims attached hereto. 
     In accordance with the present invention, an adjustable, impact resistant cushion for use in a carrying case or the like has a first pad including a compressible, substantially rectangular foam piece, formed of one or more foam blocks, covered with a pliable non-porous cover. The cover contiguously envelops the foam piece and includes an air flow controlling vent. Air escapes from the enveloped foam piece at a controlled rate through the vent when the foam material is compressed, and so the pad absorbs shock by providing velocity-dependent resistance to compression, wherein compression resistance force increases with increasing compression velocity, in the same manner as a shock absorber or dashpot. Preferably, the compressible foam piece is open cell urethane foam. 
     The adjustable impact resistant cushion also includes a second pad having a substantially rectangular compressible foam piece, preferably of a greater thickness than the first pad foam piece, and a pliable non-porous cover contiguously enveloping the foam piece. The second pad also includes an air flow controlling vent for controlling the escape of air to absorb shock and provide velocity dependant resistance to compression. 
     The first and second pads of the adjustable cushion are hingedly connected to one another by a flexible hinge segment of webbing or plastic, and the adjustable cushion includes, on a back surface, one or more releasable hook and loop type fastener elements. 
     In another embodiment of the adjustable impact resistant cushion of the present invention, the cushion has a substantially planar backing having a first elongate leg or resilient support member hingedly connected to a second elongate leg or support member. The first leg is connected at a distal end to the end of the first pad and hingedly connected at a second end opposing the distal end to the second leg connected at a distal end to the opposite end of the second pad, thereby forming a folded parallelogram of cooperatively hinged elongate pads and hinged elongate support members attached only at the distal ends. In the second embodiment of the cushion of the present invention, releasable hook and loop fastener elements are carried by the first and second legs of the planar backing. 
     Preferably, two adjustable, impact resistant cushions are used in a luggage insert (for insertion into a carrying case or other luggage) or are incorporated directly into the interior portion of a carrying case having a compartment with an interior surface covered with felt or loop material for attachment using complementary hook fastener arrays carried by the adjustable cushions or vice versa. An adjustable cushion may also carry one or more flexible tabs bearing hook fastener arrays and extending perpendicularly or outwardly from the cushion pad major axis. The cushions are readily positioned in cushion pairs at selected separations and angular orientations, thereby accommodating portable computers having different widths and shapes. 
     A luggage insert in accordance with the present invention provides impact resistant support for a portable computer or other delicate instrument and includes a container or receptacle portion having a compartment interior surface with loop fastener elements, felt, or another surface adapted to receive and hold the cushion hook fastener elements. Preferably, the insert is shaped substantially as a six-sided box having a front wall opposing a back wall and adjacent a top wall opposing a bottom wall which is also adjacent a left side wall opposing a right side wall. In the simplest embodiment, one pair of opposing walls (on the container interior or compartment) carry fastener elements (e.g., loops) for receiving complementary fastener elements (e.g., hooks) on the adjustable impact-resistant cushions. Each impact resistant cushion preferably includes a hinge segment and is placed with a first pad on a compartment side wall, for example, and a second pad on the bottom wall of the compartment and positioned substantially at a right angle to the first pad. The second impact resistant cushion is placed with a first pad on the compartment side wall opposing the side wall having the first impact resistant cushion first pad and has the second pad positioned substantially at a right angle thereto, on the bottom wall, substantially in line with the second pad of the first impact resistant cushion. The compartment has a lineal dimension (e.g., along the bottom wall) greater than the combined dimensions of the second pads of the first and second cushions. Using the fasteners on the flexible tabs carried by, preferably, at least one of the adjustable impact resistant cushions, it is possible to adjustably position the cushion with a first pad spaced apart from the side wall of the compartment while the second pad rests on the bottom wall, thereby accommodating a portable computer having a narrower outer case or housing. The carrying case receives and supports the user-adjustable cushions in a plurality of positions or angular orientations, thereby accommodating irregularly shaped delicate instruments or computers. 
     The above and still further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of a specific embodiment thereof, particularly when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals in the various figures are utilized to designate like components. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a cut-away view, in perspective, of a carrying case in accordance with the present invention, illustrating the user-positionable, impact resistant, adjustable cushions supporting a portable computer. 
     FIG. 2 is a cut-away view, in perspective, of a carrying case in accordance with the present invention showing the adjustable cushions positioned against the carrying case sidewalls, at the maximum separation. 
     FIG. 3 is a cut-away view, in perspective, of the carrying case of FIG. 2, showing the adjustable cushions of the present invention positioned close to one another. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the impact resistant adjustable cushion of the present invention including three pad segments, oriented in a “C” shape. 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the cushion of FIG. 4 positioned in the linear orientation. 
     FIG. 6 is a top view of the cushion of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7 is a cut-away view, in perspective, of a luggage insert or receptacle illustrating the segmented cushions of FIG. 4, in a spaced apart orientation. 
     FIG. 8 is a cut-away view, in perspective, of the adjustable cushions of FIG. 4 in a luggage insert or receptacle, showing the cushions spaced closely together. 
     FIG. 9 is a cut-away view, in perspective, of a second embodiment of the carrying case of the present invention, showing spaced apart positioning of the adjustable cushions. 
     FIG. 10 is a cut-away view, in perspective, of the carrying case of FIG. 9 showing the cushions positioned closely together. 
     FIG. 11 is a top view of an adjustable cushion with outwardly extended fastener tabs. 
     FIG. 12 is a side view of the adjustable cushion of FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 13 is a side view of the adjustable cushion of FIG. 12 arranged in an L-shape. 
     FIG. 14 is a side view of the adjustable cushion of FIG. 12, with the backing member spaced apart from the first and second pads. 
     FIG. 15 is a top view of an adjustable cushion for use in conjunction with the adjustable cushion of FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 16 is a side view of the adjustable cushion of FIG.  15 . 
     FIG. 17 is a side view of the adjustable cushion of FIG. 16 arranged in an L-shape. 
     FIG. 18 is a side view of the adjustable cushion of FIG. 16, with the backing member spaced apart from the first and second pads. 
     FIG. 19 is a cut-away perspective view of a luggage insert or receptacle in which are disposed first and second adjustable impact absorbing cushions in a spaced apart orientation. 
     FIG. 20 is a cut-away perspective illustration of the luggage insert of FIG. 19 with the adjustable cushions positioned close together. 
     FIG. 21 is a side view of the compartment within the luggage insert of FIG. 19, showing a spaced apart and vertical orientation of the adjustable cushions. 
     FIG. 22 is a side view of the luggage insert of FIG. 21 showing an angled orientation for the adjustable cushions of the present invention. 
     FIG. 23 is another side view of the luggage insert of FIG. 21 showing another angled orientation of the adjustable cushions of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring specifically to FIGS. 1,  2  and  3 , a carrying case  10  enclosing an inner compartment  11  is adapted to support a portable computer  12  or other delicate instrument within first adjustably positionable impact resistant cushion  14  and second adjustably positionable impact resistant cushion  16 . 
     Carrying case  10 , according to the present invention, includes a box shaped exterior with a front wall  18  opposing a back wall  20  and adjacent left and right opposing side walls  22  and  24 , and top and bottom side walls  26  and  28 . Top, bottom, left and right side walls  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  extend between front wall  18  and back wall to form a generally rectangular, enclosed box-like frame with a zippered opening  30  substantially intermediate front and back edges of the left wall  22 , right wall  24  and top wall  26  to selectively close or open case  10  and allow access to interior compartment  11 . In the closed condition shown in FIG. 1, front wall  18 , back wall  20 , left and right side walls  22 ,  24 , and top and bottom side walls  26 ,  28  cooperate to define the boundaries of an enclosed compartment  11  which is adapted for receiving a laptop, notebook or sub-notebook sized portable computer  12  or other delicate instrument or object for transportation or storage. Preferably, at least one handle  32  is attached to front wall  18 , back wall  20  or top wall  26  forming an elevated loop for grasping with one hand to transport or maneuver case  10 . Optionally, a shoulder strap  33  can be detachably attached, preferably on rings affixed to the side walls,  22 ,  24 , forming a second larger elevated loop for transporting case  10 . Bottom side wall  28  includes a flexible region or hinge  34  to allow pivoting of front wall  18  away from back wall  20  when zippered opening  30  is divided and case  10  is spread in an opened condition, thereby allowing access to compartment  11 . An elongate substantially planar partition  36  (shown in hidden lines) within compartment  11  provides a stabilizing lateral support or boundary and extends from left side wall  22  to right side wall  24 ; partition  36  preferably is detachably fastenable to the side and bottom walls with flexible tabs bearing hook fasteners or the like (not shown). Front and back walls  18 ,  20 , left and right side walls  22 ,  24  and top and bottom side walls  26 ,  28  can have any desired configuration for defining boundaries of compartment  11  in a suitable size for holding portable computer  12  or the like and form a carrying case of the type commonly referred to as an attache or portfolio. Carrying case  10  is preferably fabricated of leather, fabric or a synthetic fabric such as ballistic nylon and may include padded stiffening panels encased by the fabric material forming the outer covering. In the carrying case shown in FIGS. 1-3, hinge  34  is also integrally formed of the covering material. 
     In accordance with the present invention, an adjustable support system comprises first user positionable, adjustable, impact resistant cushion  14  and second user positionable, adjustable, impact resistant cushion  16 . First cushion  14  and second cushion  16  are releasably fastened to an interior surface of compartment  11  to define a perimeter of cushion supporting elements easily repositionable around portable computer  12 , by the user, through releasably attaching hook and loop fasteners or the like. FIG. 2 is a cut-away view, in perspective, of carrying case  10  showing first and second adjustable three segment cushions  14 ,  16  coupled to bottom wall  28  and positioned apart, with first three segment cushion  14  positioned against and coupled to the inside surface of left side wall  22  and second three segment cushion  16  positioned against and coupled to the inside surface of right side wall  24 . FIG. 3 is a cut-away view, in perspective, of carrying case  10  showing the adjustable, three segment cushions  14 ,  16  positioned close to one another, with first cushion  14  positioned against and coupled to the inside surface of left side wall  22  and second cushion  16  spaced apart from the inside surface of right side wall  24  and closer to first cushion  14 , with both cushions  14 ,  16  coupled to bottom wall  28 . The interior compartment  11  of case  10  includes fastener elements such as Velcro™ style loops, or felt surfaces, for coupling with Velcro™ style hooks carried on the adjustable cushions  14 ,  16 . It is to be understood that nearly any kind of releasable cooperative fastener elements could be employed in releasably fastening the adjustable cushions  14 ,  16  within the compartment  11 . For example, the cushions  14 ,  16  could carry any of a variety of fastening elements such as buttons for engaging any of several button holes in the compartment; the cushions  14 ,  16  could carry snaps for engaging any of several cooperating snap receiving elements in the compartment, or the cushions  14 , 16  could carry screws for engaging any of several threaded holes in the compartment  11 . 
     Turning now to FIGS. 4,  5  and  6 , there is illustrated a three segment, user positionable, adjustable impact resistant cushion (e.g.,  14 ) including a first pad  40 , a second pad  42  and a third pad  44 , each mounted upon a flexible substrate  46  fabricated from a pliable non-porous plastic and hingedly connecting pads  40 ,  42  and  44  together at a first hinge  45  and a second hinge  47 . Each pad  40 ,  42 ,  44  includes a substantially box-shaped foam piece preferably made from open-cell urethane foam and is enclosed within a pliable non-porous plastic cover  48  which envelops and contiguously covers the foam piece. Each of the pads  40 ,  42 ,  44  includes first and second nozzles or vents  50  (as best seen in FIG. 6) providing a conduit in fluid communication with the atmosphere and permitting controlled escape of air from the foam material of each pad when the pad is compressed. 
     In each pad made in accordance with the present invention, non-porous cover  48  is breached only through vent  50  which restricts the flow of air into and out of the open cell foam piece within. Thus, each pad acts like a shock absorber or dashpot and the force required to compress the pad is a function of the speed of compression. 
     As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, first, second and third pads  40 ,  42 ,  44  have the same width of approximately one and one half inches. Third pad  44  has a thickness of one and one half inches while second and third pads  40 ,  42  each have a thickness of three quarters of an inch. The length of first pad  40  is three and one quarter inches; the length of second pad  42  is ten and one half inches, and the length of third pad  44  is four and three quarter inches. As seen in FIG. 6, the top surface of each pad  40 ,  42 ,  44  is stippled with a periodic two-dimensional array of frictionally engaging surface features or dimples  51 . 
     Flexible substrate  46  carries four fastener elements in the form of patches of hooks  52  for engagement with the interior of compartment  11 . Preferably, at least one fastener element  52  is disposed on either side of each hinge  45 ,  47 . FIG. 4 is a side view of the impact resistant adjustable cushion (e.g.  14 ), in which the three pads  40 ,  42 ,  44  are oriented in a “C” shape; the hinges  45 ,  47  are bent at an angle of approximately ninety degrees from the straightened orientation of FIG. 5; bend angles of greater than ninety degrees are possible. 
     FIG. 7 is a cut-away view, in perspective, of a luggage insert or receptacle  60  illustrating the position of the segmented cushions  14 ,  16  in a spaced apart orientation. Luggage insert  60  preferably includes a left side wall  62  opposing a right side wall  64  and proximate to a front wall  66  (not shown) opposite a back wall  68  and a top side wall  72  opposite a bottom side wall  70 . Front and back walls  66 ,  68 , left and right side walls  62 ,  64  and bottom and top side walls  70 ,  72  can have any desired configuration for defining boundaries of an enclosed compartment  74  in a suitable size for holding a portable computer or the like and, as thus far described, form an insert or receptacle to be inserted within a carrying case or luggage. Luggage insert  60  is fabricated of leather, fabric or a synthetic fabric such as ballistic nylon and typically includes one or more padded stiffening panels encased by the fabric material forming the outer covering. An adjustable support system comprises first adjustable impact resistant cushion  14  and second adjustable impact resistant cushion  16  fastened to an interior surface of compartment  74  to define a perimeter of cushion supporting elements easily repositionable around a portable computer or other instrument, by the user, through releasably attaching hook and loop fasteners or the like. FIG. 7 shows the adjustable cushions  14 ,  16  positioned apart with first cushion  14  positioned against the inside surface of left side wall  62  and second cushion  16  positioned against the inside surface of right side wall  26 . FIG. 8 is a cut-away view, in perspective, of luggage insert  60  showing the adjustable cushions  14 ,  16  positioned close to one another, with first cushion  14  positioned against the inside surface of left side wall  62  and second cushion  16  spaced apart from the inside surface of right side wall  64  and closer to first cushion  14 . The interior compartment  74  of luggage insert  60  is accessible through a hinged side wall with a releasable clasp closure or the like (not shown) and, within compartment  74 , includes a fastener element such as Velcro™ style loops, or a felt surface, for coupling with Velcro™ style hooks carried on the adjustable cushions  14 ,  16 . It is to be understood that nearly any kind of releasable cooperative fastener element could be employed in releasably fastening the adjustable cushions  14 ,  16  within the compartment  74 . Luggage insert or receptacle  60  could be integrally made as part of a carrying case, could be formed as a pouch or have one or more carrying handles, a shoulder strap, or the like. 
     FIG. 9 is a cut-away view, in perspective, of a second embodiment of the carrying case  80  having an interior compartment  82 , showing spaced apart positioning of a second embodiment of the user positionable, adjustable, impact resistant cushions  84 ,  86 . Carrying case  80 , according to the present invention, includes a front wall  110  opposing a back wall  112 , left and right opposing side walls  114  and  116 , and top and bottom side walls  118  and  120 . The top, bottom, left and right side walls extend between front wall  110  and back wall  112  to form a generally rectangular frame with a zippered opening  122  substantially intermediate front and back edges of the left, right and top side walls to selectively close or open case  80  and allow access to interior compartment  82 . In the closed condition shown in FIG. 9, front wall  110 , back wall  112 , left and right side walls  114 ,  116 , and top and bottom side walls  118 ,  120  cooperate to define the boundaries of an enclosed compartment  82  which is adapted for receiving a laptop, notebook or sub-notebook sized portable computer (e.g.,  12 , not shown) or other delicate instrument or object, for transportation or storage. Preferably, at least one handle  124  is attached to front wall  110 , back wall  112  or top side wall  118  forming an elevated loop for grasping with one hand to transport case  80 , and an elongate, flexible webbing shoulder strap  126  is optionally detachably attachable, for ease of carry. An elongate substantially planar partition  128  (shown partially cut away) within compartment  82  is used to provide a stabilizing lateral support or boundary and extends from left side wall  114  to right side wall  116 , and optionally from top  118  to bottom  120 . Front and back walls  110 ,  112 , left and right side walls  114 ,  116  and top and bottom side walls  118 ,  120  can have any desired configuration for defining boundaries of compartment  82  in a suitable size for holding a portable computer or the like and, as thus far described, form a carrying case of the type commonly referred to as an attache or portfolio. Carrying case  80  is preferably fabricated of leather, fabric or a synthetic fabric such as polyester or ballistic nylon and includes padded stiffening panels encased by the fabric material forming the outer covering. 
     An adjustable support system in accordance with the present invention comprises a first user positionable, adjustable, impact resistant, two segment cushion  84  and a second user positionable, adjustable, impact resistant, two segment cushion  86  fastened to an interior surface of compartment  82  to define a perimeter of supporting elements easily repositionable around a portable computer or other instrument, by the user, through releasably attaching hook and loop fasteners or the like. FIG. 9 is a cut-away view, in perspective, of carrying case  80  showing the adjustable cushions  84 ,  86  positioned apart with first cushion  84  positioned against the inside surface of left side wall  114  and second cushion  86  positioned against the inside surface of right side wall  116 . FIG. 10 is a cut-away view, in perspective, of carrying case  80  showing the adjustable cushions  84 ,  86  positioned close to one another, with first cushion  84  positioned against the inside surface of left side wall  114  and second cushion  86  positioned spaced apart from the inside surface of right side wall  116  and closer to first cushion  84 . The interior compartment  82  of case  80  includes at least one fastener element such as a patch bearing an array of Velcro™ style loops, or a felt surface, for coupling with Velcro™ style hooks carried on the adjustable cushions  84 ,  86 . It is to be understood that nearly any kind of releasable cooperative fastener element could be employed in releasably fastening the adjustable cushions  84 ,  86  within the compartment  82 . 
     FIG. 11 is a top view of an adjustable, user positionable, impact resistant, two segment cushion (e.g.,  86 ) with first and second opposing flexible outwardly extended fastener tabs  140 ,  142 . Adjustable impact resistant cushion  86  has a substantially planar backing  144  (as shown in FIGS. 12,  13  and  14 ) having a first leg or resilient support member  146  connected at a distal end  148  to the end of a first pad  150  and hingedly connected at a proximal end in hinge  152  to a proximal end of a second leg or support member  154  which is connected at its distal end  156  to the opposite end of a second pad  158 , thereby forming two hinged pieces attached only at the distal ends. Backing  146  preferably includes a substantially planar, resilient, flexible, plastic core wrapped in a sewn-on felt covering, and backing hinge  152  is a weakened region perforated by stitching running through the felt covering. In this embodiment of the adjustable, impact absorbing cushion  86 , a releasable hook and loop fastener element  160  (e.g., a patch bearing an array of hooks) is carried on the back of the second leg  154 . As noted above, cushion  86  also carries first and second fastener tabs  140 ,  142  upon first support leg  146 . Adjustable impact resistant cushion  86  includes first pad  150  and a second pad  158 , each mounted upon a flexible substrate  162  fabricated from a pliable non-porous plastic and hingedly connecting the pads together at a second hinge  164 . Backing hinge  152  and second hinge  164  are aligned to bend cooperatively together when the entire cushion  86  is flexed to form an L-shape, as in FIG.  13 . Each pad  150 ,  158  is enclosed within a pliable non-porous cover  166  which envelops and contiguously covers pad foam pieces preferably made from open-cell urethane foam. Each of the pads  150 ,  158  includes first and second nozzles or vents  168  providing a conduit permitting controlled escape of air from the foam material of each pad when the pad is compressed. In each pad  150 ,  158 , non-porous cover  166  is breached only through at least one vent  168  which restricts the flow of air into and out of the open cell foam piece within. Thus, as above, each pad acts like a shock absorber or dashpot and the force required to compress the pad is a function of the speed of compression. 
     As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, first and second pads  150 ,  158  have the same width of approximately one and seven eighths inches. Second pad  158  has a thickness of one and one half inches while first pad  150  has a thickness of three quarters of an inch. The length of first pad  150  is eight and one half inches, and the length of second pad  158  is five inches. As seen in FIG. 11, the top surface of each pad  150 ,  158  is stippled with a periodic two-dimensional array of surface features or dimples  170 . FIG. 14 is a side view of adjustable cushion  86 , showing that the backing member  144  can be pulled away from the flexible substrate  162  bearing first and second pads  150 ,  158  to form a parallelogram. 
     FIG. 15 is a top view of user positionable, adjustable, impact resistant, two segment cushion  84  which is substantially identical to cushion  86  except for lacking the flexible fastener tabs  140 , 142  found on cushion  86 . For purposes of nomenclature, cushion  86  (of FIGS. 11-14) shall be identified as the movable cushion and cushion  84  (of FIGS. 15-18) shall be identified as the fixed cushion. Fixed cushion  84  includes a patch bearing hook and loop fastener elements  160  on first leg  146  of backing  144  (instead of the tabs); in all other respects, fixed cushion  84  and movable cushion  86  are identical. FIG. 16 is a side view of the fixed cushion  84 , and FIG. 17 is a side view of fixed cushion  84  arranged in an L-shape. FIG. 18 is a side view of fixed cushion  84 , with the backing member  144  spaced apart from the flexible substrate  162  to form a parallellogram. 
     Turning now to FIG. 19, a luggage insert or receptacle  174  adapted to be carried alone or within a carrying case has an interior compartment  176  in which are disposed a fixed two segment cushion  84  and a movable two segment cushion  86 , in a spaced apart orientation. Luggage insert  174  preferably includes a left side wall  178  opposing a right side wall  180  and proximate to a front wall  182  (not shown), which is opposite a back wall  184  and, optionally, a top side wall  186  (not shown) opposite a bottom side wall  188 . Front and back walls  182 ,  184 , left and right side walls  178 ,  180  and top and bottom side walls  186 ,  188  can have any desired configuration for defining boundaries of a pocket or compartment  176  in a suitable size for holding a portable computer or the like and, as thus far described, form an insert or receptacle to be inserted within a carrying case or luggage. Luggage insert  174  is fabricated of leather, fabric or a synthetic fabric such as ballistic nylon and can include one or more padded stiffening panels encased by the fabric material forming the outer covering. An adjustable support system comprises fixed cushion  84  and moveable cushion  86  fastened to an interior surface of compartment  176  to define a three sided perimeter of supporting elements easily repositionable around a portable computer, by the user, through releasably attaching hook and loop fasteners or the like. FIG. 19 shows the adjustable cushions  84 ,  86  positioned apart with fixed cushion  84  positioned against the inside surface of left side wall  178  and moveable cushion  86  positioned against the inside surface of right side wall  180 . Hook fastener elements  160  on the second pads  158  of both cushions  84 ,  86  are releasably coupled to bottom wall  188 . First fastener tab  140  and second fastener tab  142  of moveable cushion  86  are coupled to back wall  184  and front wall  182  (not shown), respectively. FIG. 20 is a cut-away view, in perspective, of luggage insert  174  showing the adjustable cushions  84 ,  86  positioned close to one another, with fixed cushion  84  positioned against the inside surface of left side wall  178  and movable cushion  86  positioned with first leg  146  spaced apart from the inside surface of right side wall  180  and closer to fixed cushion  84 . The position of first leg  146  of movable cushion  86  is supported by first fastener tab  140  and second fastener tab  142  which are coupled to back wall  184  and front wall  182  (not shown), respectively. The second pad segments  158  of both adjustable cushions  84 ,  86  are coupled to the interior surface of bottom wall  188 , once the cushion fastener elements  160  are brought into contact therewith, thus placing the thicker pads upon the bottom wall, for greatest protection against shock from drops. 
     The interior compartment  176  of luggage insert  174  is accessible through the open top end as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, or, if the optional top side wall  186  is present, a hinged side wall with a releasable clasp closure or the like (not shown) provides access. Compartment  176  includes one or more fastener elements such as Velcro™ style loops, or a felt surface, for coupling with Velcro™ style hooks carried on the adjustable cushions  84 ,  86 . It is to be understood that nearly any kind of releasable cooperative fastener element could be employed in releasably fastening the adjustable cushions  84 ,  86  within the compartment  176 . Luggage insert or receptacle  174  could be integrally made as part of a carrying case or could have one or more carrying handles, or the like. 
     FIG. 21 is a side view of compartment  176  within luggage insert  174 , showing a spaced apart and vertical orientation of the adjustable cushions  84 ,  86 , as in FIG.  19 . Many angular orientations are possible when positioning movable cushion  86 ; FIG. 22 is a side view of compartment  176  showing an angled orientation for the movable adjustable cushion  86  in which the second pad  158  is laterally displaced (to be more closely spaced to the second pad  158  of fixed cushion  84 ) and first pad  150  of cushion  86  is disposed at an acute angle (with respect to second pad  158 ). FIG. 23 is a side view of compartment  176  showing another angled orientation for the movable adjustable cushion  86  in which the second pad  158  is laterally displaced (to be even more closely spaced to the second pad  158  of fixed cushion  84 ) and first pad  150  of cushion  86  is disposed at an obtuse angle (with respect to second pad segment  158 ). FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate that the adjustable cushions  84 ,  86  can be positioned to provide a protective perimeter of impact resistance for instruments having a wide variety of shapes and sizes. 
     Alternatively, an adjustable support system comprises first and second opposing moveable cushions (e.g.,  86 ) fastened to the interior surfaces of a compartment (e.g.,  176 ) to define a three sided perimeter of repositionable supporting elements readily repositioned by the user, through releasably attaching hook and loop fastener arrays  140 ,  142 . 
     From the above, it will be appreciated that the carrying case and the user-positionable impact resistant cushions of the present invention can be used to provide a closely fitted perimeter of support to protect a portable computer during transport or storage. The carrying case or luggage insert compartment (e.g.,  176 ) has a lineal dimension (e.g.,  190 , along the bottom wall  188  as shown in FIG. 22) greater than the combined dimensions of the pad segments (e.g.,  158 ) of the first and second cushions when positioned upon and coupled with the compartment wall. The user may position the adjustable cushions in any manner to provide a perimeter of a wide range of widths or having irregular, non-parallel sides. As used herein, “portable” computer refers to any computing device reduced in size and weight as to be carried and employed while traveling, or any other delicate instrument which will fit within the compartment of the case. By “adjustable cushion” is meant a cushion which may include a flexible hinge or other flexible, bendable or changeable feature permitting the cushion to be converted to a selected shape. By “user positionable” is meant that the individual cushions can be removed, uncoupled or unfastened and replaced in a different position and/or angular orientation. The impact resistant cushions disclosed as examples above are adjustable, but a carrying case or luggage insert in accordance with the present invention need not include adjustable cushions; instead, user positionable cushions having a single pad can be releasably fastenable within the compartment; a plurality of such cushions can be fastened individually to define a protective perimeter for a portable computer, or the like. By “non-porous” is meant substantially impermeable to air, so that, during compression, the great majority of air is expelled from a pad through the vent. By “pliable” is meant deformable in response to force generated by a decelerating computing device or instrument stored or carried in the case or luggage insert. The vented pads disclosed in the examples given above include urethane foam pieces, but other shock absorbing and highly compressible materials which will readily expel air through the vents, upon compression, can be employed. Further, the cushions of the present invention can include a rigid and unhinged substrate or backing member carrying releasable fastening elements; substitute rigid cushions of a variety of sizes and shapes can be provided to the user so that rigid cushions to fit a user&#39;s particular portable computer can be selected and inserted into the carrying case compartment. 
     In as much as the present invention is subject to various modifications and changes in detail, the above description of a preferred embodiment is intended to be exemplary only and not limiting. It is believed that other modifications, variations and changes will be suggested to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings set forth herein. It is therefore to be understood that all such variations, modifications and changes are believed to fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.