Abstract:
A laptop computer case according to the present disclosure is adaptable to comfortably cradle an operating laptop computer on the user&#39;s lap without removing the laptop computer from the case. The case places the operating laptop computer at an ergonomic inclination suitable for comfortable use by the user while providing a padded user wrist support while providing accommodations for laptop computer heat dissipation. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the priority of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/458,388 filed Mar. 31, 2003. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates generally to the field of laptop computer case and more particularly to a laptop computer case adaptable to comfortably and safely cradle an operating laptop computer.  
           [0004]    2. Background Information  
           [0005]    Some laptop computer users transport their laptop computer in a protective case or bag. The computer must be removed from the protective case or bag when used, leaving the laptop computer vulnerable to shock or impact damage. The protective cases or bags are not suitable for effective support of an operating laptop computer held in the lap of the user.  
           [0006]    Laptop computers may be difficult to use when supported directly on a lap of a user. A laptop computer user&#39;s arms may tend to tire over prolonged periods of use of a lap held laptop computer without wrist support. The angle of the user&#39;s lap may make the keyboard of a laptop computer held in the user&#39;s lap slope away from the user requiring the user to adopt an uncomfortable orientation of their hands in order to access the keyboard. The bottom surface of the laptop computer may not frictionally engage the users lap making the laptop computer slide around in the users lap.  
           [0007]    Many users try to reduce these difficulties by placing a pillow on their lap and the laptop computer on the pillow. The user may orientate the pillow to provide wrist support and support the laptop computer in an ergonomic position. The soft structure of the pillow will gradually yield precluding effective user wrist support and support of the laptop computer in an ergonomic position. The pillow also tends to insulate the laptop computer hampering the heat dissipation mechanism of the laptop computer which may result in computer damage.  
           [0008]    What is needed is a laptop computer case that is adaptable to comfortably cradle an operating laptop computer on the user&#39;s lap without removing the laptop computer from the case. The case should place the operating laptop computer at an ergonomic inclination suitable for comfortable use by the user while providing a padded user wrist support while providing accommodations for laptop computer heat dissipation.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    A laptop computer case according to the present disclosure is adaptable to comfortably cradle an operating laptop computer on the user&#39;s lap without removing the laptop computer from the case. The case places the operating laptop computer at an ergonomic inclination suitable for comfortable use by the user while providing a padded user wrist support and one or more computer accessory access doors while also providing accommodations for laptop computer heat dissipation.  
           [0010]    The laptop computer case includes a tray having a plurality of engagement supports and a back edge. The engagement stops are adjustable relative to the tray to accommodate different computers. The laptop computer case also includes a lid connected to a hinge spacer at the back edge by a hinge and the hinge spacer is connected to the tray at the back edge by another hinge. The lid further includes a pad to engage the computer when the computer case is closed to provide shock resistance. When the computer case of the present disclosure is open as described, the pad insulates a user lap or other surface from heat generated by an operating laptop, and the pad also frictionally engages a users lap to provide a secure cradle for the operating laptop computer.  
           [0011]    In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the laptop computer case may include a retractable carrying strap that serves as a case carrying handle in the fully retracted position. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the laptop computer case may include an illumination device. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the laptop computer case may include a retractable mouse pad. In still another embodiment of the present disclosure, the laptop computer case may include retractable privacy and glare reducing side screens.  
           [0012]    These and other features and advantages of this invention will become further apparent from the detailed description and accompanying figures that follow. In the figures and description, numerals indicate the various features of the invention, like numerals referring to like features throughout both the drawings and the description.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a laptop computer case in a closed position according to the present disclosure.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the case of FIG. 1A in an open position.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the case of FIG. 1A in the open position cradling a laptop computer.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a section cut view of the case of FIG. 1B.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a laptop computer case in the open position according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a top view of the case of FIG. 1B in a closed position.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a top view of a laptop computer case in a closed position according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]    Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, in a currently preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, case  10  includes lid  14  attached by hinge  48  to spacer  54  and spacer  54  attached by hinge  46  to tray  12 . Hinge  46  may be located on side  24  of tray  12  at any suitable location. Hinge  48  may be located on side  32  of lid  14  at any suitable location. Case  10  is in closed position  38  when spacer  54  abuts side  24  of tray  12 , and when edge  22 B of side  22  of tray  12 , abuts edge  30 B of side  30  of lid  14 . In closed position  38  case  10  can cradle and enclose a laptop computer and provide shock resistance.  
         [0021]    Case  10  is repositioned from closed position  38  to open position  116  when lid  14  and spacer  54  are pivoted, relative to tray  12 , about hinges  48  and hinge  46 , respectively, until lid  14  is located under tray  12  as shown in FIG. 1B. In open position  116  edge  22 T of side  22  of lid  14  abuts edge  30 T of side  30  of tray  12 . A user can reposition case  10  from position  38  to position  116  without removing a cradled laptop computer. The user can operate the laptop computer without removing it from case  10  when case  10  is in position  116 .  
         [0022]    In position  116 , the connection of tray  12  to lid  14  by hinges  46  and  48  separated by spacer  54  ergonomically inclines tray  12  at angle  136  relative to top surface  14 T of lid  14 . When in position  116 , side  30  of tray  12  is at a lower elevation relative to the user than side  24  thus creating an ergonomic incline. When tray  12  is at angle  136  relative to lid  14  an operating laptop computer cradled by case  10  is placed in a comfortable position for access by a user. Angle  136  may vary with the orientation of lid  14  relative to tray  12 . The relative orientation of lid  14  and tray  12  may be controlled by engagement elements located along edges 22 T and  30 T of lid  14  and tray  12 reapectively. Angle  136  may also be changed by changing the location of hinge  46  on side  24 , the location of hinge  48  on to side  32  and/or height  52  of spacer  54 .  
         [0023]    Space  94  is formed when case  10  is in position  116 . Space  94  provides air access between tray  12  and lid  14 . Air access may aid heat dissipation from space  94 . Air access in space  94  changes with variances in angle  136 . Changes in angle  136  directly affect air access and may increase heat dissipation from between tray  12  and lid  14 .  
         [0024]    Pads  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  engage and support a laptop computer within case  10 . Pads  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  are located between the legs, feet or support structure of the laptop computer and tray  12  in any suitable location relative to tray  12  and laptop computer. Pads  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  provide shock absorption, support to the laptop computer and allow air access in space  82  between tray  12  and laptop computer  118  to aid heat dissipation as shown in FIG. 3. Pads  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  maybe any suitable shape. Pads  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  may removably engage tray  12  by any suitable means of engagement. Pads  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  may be laterally relocated, relative to tray  12  by means  130  attached at location  130 ″. Means  130  may include adhesive or slotted attachment or hook and loop attachment or any suitable means of lateral relocation attachment. Lateral relocation of pads  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  permits pad locations suitable for cradling various sized laptop computers. Pads  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  height above tray  12  may be adjusted by spacer  100  to promote cradling of the laptop computer and to secure the laptop computer between pads  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  and lid  14  when case  10  is in position  38 . Spacer  100  may include any suitable means of changing height of pads  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  above tray  12  including but not limited to pads  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  of varying heights or extendable pads  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76 . Pads  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  may be fabricated from rubber, plastic or other suitable material.  
         [0025]    Liner pad  50 , lining lid  14 , provides frictional engagement, insulation and cushioning. In position  38 , liner pad  50  may frictionally engage laptop computer  118  to secure and cushion the laptop computer between liner  50  and pads  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  within closed case  10 . In position  116 , liner  50  provides cushioning between the user and lid  14  and frictionally engages the lap of the user to increase stability and reduce slippage of case  10 . Liner  50  may reduce heat transferred from case  10  to the user while in position  116  and resting in the lap of the user. Liner  50  may be fabricated from open cell foam, closed celled foam or any suitable material. Liner  50  may be attached to lid  14  by any suitable means. As shown in FIG. 3, liner  50  may extend beyond the envelope of lid  14  to minimize the likelihood of contact between a user lap and lid  14  when case  10  is in open position  116 .  
         [0026]    Tray  12  may also include material  80  secured to surface  132 . Material  80  may conduct heat radiated from laptop computer  118 . The heat conducted into material  80  may be dissipated in spaces  94  and  82 . Material  80  may be fabricated from any suitable material. Material  80  may be attached to tray  12  by any suitable means.  
         [0027]    A laptop computer is located in case  10  so that the computer is secured against lateral movement relative to tray  12  by engagement stops  40 ,  41   42  and  44 . Engagement stops  40 ,  41 ,  42  and  44  may removably and adjustably engage the laptop computer using engagement elements  40 ′,  41 ′,  42 ′ and  44 ′ respectively. Engagement elements  40 ′,  41 ′,  42 ′ and  44 ′ engage any suitable engagement location such as engagement locations  40 ″,  41 ″,  42 ″, and  44 ″ respectively of tray  12  Engagement elements  40 ′,  41 ′,  42 ′ and  44 ′ permit lateral relocation, relative to tray  12 , of engagement stops  40 ,  41   42  and  44  respectively. Engagement elements  40 ′,  41 ′,  42 ′ and  44 ′ may also permit vertical adjustment, relative to tray  12 , of engagement stops  40 ,  41   42  and  44  respectively. Engagement elements  40 ′,  41 ′,  42 ′ and  44 ′ may include but are not limited to adhesive attachment or slotted attachment or hook and loop attachment or any suitable means lateral relocation attachment. Case  10  may be adapted to engage laptop computers of various sizes by lateral relocation of engagement stops  40 ,  41 ,  42  and  44 .  
         [0028]    Support  56  is formed by side  30  and is attached by hinge  138  or other suitable means to tray  12 . Support  56  may provide support to the wrists of a user operating a cradled laptop computer when support  56  is opened and case  10  is in position  116 . Support  56  may be fabricated from plastic, titanium, carbon fiber composite or any suitable material.  
         [0029]    Computer connector access  24 ′ may be provided through side  24 . Access  24 ′ may be a rectangular window as shown in FIG. 1B or it may be a complete removal of a portion of side  24  as shown in FIG. 4. Access  24 ′ may adopt any suitable shape and may be located in any appropriate portion of side  24 . If access  24 ′ is incorporated as a window as shown in FIG. 1B, more than one access  24 ′ may be incorporated as necessary. Care must be exercised not to remove too much of side  24  by providing access  24 ′ that the structural integrity of case  10  is endangered.  
         [0030]    A computer access door such as door  78  may be attached by hinge  86  or other suitable means to first side  26  or second side  28  or both first side  26  and second side  28  of tray  12  or other suitable locations on case  10 . Door  78  is located and sized to allow access to a laptop computer&#39;s side mounted accessories, including but not limited to CD or floppy disk drives, without removing the laptop computer from case  10 . To close door  78 , door  78  may be pivoted until door  78  is substantially flush with the side to which it is attached.  
         [0031]    Referring now to FIG. 2, laptop computer  118  may be cradled on tray  12  by pads  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  with first corner  124  and second corner  126  of laptop computer  118  engaged by engagement stops  44  and  42 , respectively. First rear corner  122  and second rear corner  122 ′ of laptop computer  118  are engaged by engagement stops  40  and  41  respectively.  
         [0032]    Support  56  may include pad  110 . Pad  110  provides cushioning between the user and support  56 . Pad  110  may be fabricated from any suitable material. Support  56  provides wrist support for the user when pivoted outward from tray  12  about hinge  138  until opened to position  68 . When closed, pad  110  provides cushioning between laptop computer  118  and support  56 . Door  78  can pivot outward from tray  12  on hinge  86  to position  88  to gain access to laptop computer  118  side mounted accessories without removing laptop computer  118  from case  10 .  
         [0033]    Referring now to FIG. 3, pads  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  may be located in any suitable location relative to tray  12  and laptop computer  118  to engage support  102 . Support  102  may be feet or legs of laptop computer  118  or other laptop computer  118  support structure. Pads  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  may be located under support  102  to promote proper load transfer into laptop computer  118 . Improper load transfer may damage laptop computer  118 . Space  82  is formed when pads  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  are placed between support  102  and tray  12 . Space  82  provides air access between laptop computer  118  and tray  12  to aid heat dissipation from laptop computer  118 . Varying the size of pads  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  will vary the amount of air access in space  82 .  
         [0034]    Referring now to FIG. 4, in a currently preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, handle  16  may be retractably attached to lid  14 . Handle  16  may adjust to varying lengths to accommodate a grip or a shoulder strap. Handle  16  may exit lid  14  through slots  18  and  20 . Slots  18  and  20  may be located in any suitable location in lid  14 . Handle  16  may be a fabric strap or a plastic strap or a combination of beaded steel cable with a padded strap or other suitable materials or combinations of materials.  
         [0035]    Screens  90  and  96  may provide glare reduction during operation of laptop computer  118  and a privacy shield to prevent viewing of laptop computer  118  by those near the user. Screens  90  and  96  may be removably attached to tray  12  so that a user may gain access to accessories mounted on the sides of laptop  118  by removing screens  90  and  96  from tray  12 . Screens  90  and  96  may be located in any suitable location. Strap  106  may removably engage laptop  118  so that when laptop computer  118  is open, strap  106  may be draped over the open laptop computer  118  to hold up screens  90  and  96 . During extension, screens  90  and  96  pivot about line  108  until screens  90  and  96  are extended. Screens  90  and  96  may have a fan shape or other suitable shape when extended. Screens  90  and  96  may be retracted against tray  12  and fit inside case  10  when in position  38 . Screens  90  and  96  may be opaque. Screens  90  and  96  and strap  106  may be fabricated from fabric or any suitable material.  
         [0036]    Light  128  may be attached to screen  90  or screen  96  or laptop computer  118  or tray  12  or lid  14  or any location suitable by any suitable means to provide illumination of laptop computer  118 . Illumination from light  128  may be provided by incandescent bulb or bulbs or light emitting diode or diodes or other suitable illumination source. Illumination power may be provided by a discrete battery or a connection to the cradled laptop computer power supply or other suitable power source.  
         [0037]    Pad  64  may be removably attached or hingeably attached or slideably attached or attached by other suitable means. Pad  64  may slideably extend or pivot out of slot  104 . Slot  104  may be located on first side  26  or second side  28  or other suitable locations on tray  12  or lid  14 . Pad  64  may be sized to provide support during operation of a computer mouse. Pad  64  may be fabricated from plastic, titanium, carbon fiber composite or any suitable material.  
         [0038]    Referring now to FIG. 5, handle  16  may be retractably attached in any suitable location in lid  14 . Handle  16  may be attached to lid  14  at attachment  114  and spooled around pulley  66 . Biasing means  112  may apply retraction force  98  to pulley  66  which then transmits this force to handle  16  to promote handle  16  retraction into case  10 . Biasing means  112  may be provided by spring or elastic material or other suitable means. Attach point  114  and pulley  66  may be located in any suitable location in lid  14 .  
         [0039]    Referring now to FIG. 6, in another currently preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, case  10  may include lock  92 . Lock  92  may be attached to case  10  at any suitable location. Handle  16  may include end  58 . End  58  may be removable from attach point  114  and withdrawn from lid  14 . Handle  16  may be wrapped around object  134  and removably engaged by lock  92  to lock case  10  to object  134  when case  10  is in closed position  38 . Lock  92  may lock lid  14  to tray  12 .  
         [0040]    Having now described the invention in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will understand how to make changes and modifications in the present invention to meet their specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the following claims and their legal equivalents.