Abstract:
A universal carrying apparatus for a laptop computer or other electric devices with an adhesive layer on a back side thereof for attaching to a flat surface of a computer or other smooth surfaced device. The invention also relates to a kit having a universal attachable carrying apparatus and a laptop computer or other flat surface device. The invention further relates to a method of retrofitting a laptop computer or other device with a universal carrying apparatus.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to a universal carrying apparatus with optional lock for attaching to any laptop, electronic games, DVD players or other equipment with a flat surface. 
         [0003]    2. Brief Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Laptop computers are lightweight and transportable. However, very few laptops have the convenience of an integrated carrying handle. Most laptops are transported inside of a carrying case such as a brief case or leather carrying bag. 
         [0005]    Handle-IT is the only after-market handle that screws into standard holes on the chassis of some Apple Powerbooks®. However, it is not a universal handle. 
         [0006]    Although most laptop computers and portable electronic devices are transportable, there are very few that are convenient to carry or come with a handle. 
         [0007]    Another problem with prior laptops is that not all of them have a means for locking them or tethering them to an immovable object to prevent theft. Peel and stick adhesive security locks with a tether are commercially available. However, these locking devices do not include a handle means. 
         [0008]    Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a universal carrying handle that is adaptable to any laptop or portable electronic device or otherwise with an external flat surface. 
         [0009]    It is still another object of the invention to provide a universal carrying handle that is easy to affix to a flat external surface of a laptop or electronic device via an adhesive layer. 
         [0010]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a universal handle with a locking device integral therewith for preventing theft. 
         [0011]    These and other objects will become apparent upon further reading of the disclosure. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention is directed to a universal carrying handle (also referred to as apparatus) for adhering to any flat smooth surface of a laptop or electronic device. It has a platform and a handle and adheres to a smooth surface via a peel and stick adhesive on the back side of the platform. The handle is either retractable within a casing on the platform, pivots on a hinge from the platform or is removable altogether from the platform. The handle optionally has a security lock for connecting to a tether for preventing theft. Also included in this invention is a computer with attachable universal carrying handle apparatus and a method of carrying a computer with the universal carrying handle apparatus. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0013]      FIG. 1   a  is a side plan view of a first embodiment of the invention showing a universal carrying apparatus with a hinged handle for mounting on an exterior surface of a laptop computer where the handle moves from an open to a closed position on a hinge; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a front plan view of a second embodiment of the invention showing a universal carrying apparatus with a retractable handle in the open position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3   a  is a front plan view of a third embodiment of the invention showing a universal carrying apparatus with a detachable handle for mounting on an interior surface of a laptop computer; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3   b  is a front plan view of the third embodiment of the invention showing another version of a detachable handle. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a schematic of the platform, handle, adhesive layer and peel layer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    A universally designed after-market applicable and removable laptop carrying apparatus with handle is the subject of this invention. It mounts on a smooth and preferably flat surface. It can be mounted on the keyboard deck, back side of the screen or the bottom of any laptop from any OEM, from any model year. No tools or screws are required to attach the apparatus to a laptop or other device. The universal apparatus adheres via an adhesive and connects to any smooth surface of any laptop or other device. It permits the user to move from place to place and easily transport a laptop without a carrying case. 
         [0019]    In a first embodiment of the invention, a universal carrying apparatus A has a platform  1  and a handle  2 . The handle  2  is connected to the platform via a pair of hinges  5 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the handle can be placed in a closed position and may be moved to an open position by pivoting the handle upwards on the hinges  5 . The handle  2  is made of a grip  4 . The grip  4  is connected to a handlebar(s)  3  which is connected to the platform via a hinge  5 . In operation, a user can hold the grip to raise the handle up from the platform for use or down to the platform for storage. A latch, not shown, may optionally be provided for locking the grip  4  of the handle  2  in a closed for storage position. A locking connector  6  is optionally integral to the platform  1  for connecting a tether (not shown) to a desktop or other object to prevent theft. The universal apparatus is attached to an outside surface of a laptop computer  11  via an adhesive backing  9 . 
         [0020]    In a second embodiment of the invention as shown in  FIG. 2  (open position), the universal carrying apparatus A has a platform  1  with a retractable handle  2 . The platform has opposing, parallel handlebar receiving channels  8  for receiving the handle bars  3  of the handle  2 . The handle bars  3  have a stop mechanism for engaging with the receiving channels to prevent the handle bars from disengaging completely from the receiving channels when in the open position. The stop mechanism may be any mechanical device that prevents total withdrawal of the handlebars from the receiving channels, such as notches or protrusions for example. The platform in the second embodiment has an adhesive backing,  40  ( FIG. 4 ) that securely attaches the universal apparatus to the laptop computer. The upper surface  12  of the platform is shown with a lock connector attached or integral thereto. 
         [0021]    In operation, the adhesive  9  of the platform  1  is attached to a flat surface of a laptop or other object. A user holds the grip  4  of the handle  2  and pulls the handlebars  3  through and partially outside of the recessed channel  8  until stops (not shown) prevent total withdrawal of the handlebars  3 . The laptop computer  11  is lifted by the universal apparatus A. 
         [0022]    Optionally, any retractable handle can be employed that permits a user to lift the laptop computer via the universal apparatus. For example, a single retractable handle bar with grip could be used. 
         [0023]    In a third embodiment of the invention, the handle  2  is completely removable from the platform  1 . In this embodiment, the platform  1  is adhered to a flat interior surface  30  of a laptop computer when the laptop computer is in an open orientation as shown in  FIG. 3   a  by an adhesive on the backside of the platform. A pin  17  of the handle  2  is inserted into a connector tube  14 . The connector tube is integral with or affixed to the platform  1  on a side of the platform via tabs or other connector means. The connector tube  14  has an inside diameter that is complementary with the outer diameter of the pin  17  so that the pin  17  moves freely through the connector tube  14 . The pin  17  connects the handle bars  3  of the handle  2  to the platform  1 . Alternatively, the platform may be adhered to an outside surface of the laptop computer or device. 
         [0024]    Briefly, in the third embodiment, the handle  2  comprises an elongated grip  4  for grasping with a hand. The grip  4  has a first end  27  and a second end  28  that oppose each other. Each opposing end has connected thereto a handle bar  3 . A first handle bar  3  is attached to the pin  17  at a first end  25  of the pin, a second handle bar  3  pivots about the second end  28  of the grip  4  and removably attaches to the second end  26  of the pin  17 . The second handle bar  3  has a locking mechanism for attaching to the second end  26  of pin  17 . In operation, the platform  1  is adhered to an interior or exterior surface  30  of a laptop computer  10  with the connector tube  14  positioned just outside the edge of the laptop computer. The handle  2  is connected to the platform at the location of and via the connector tube  14  by inserting the first end  26  of the pin  17  through a first end  23  of the connector tube  14  until a first handle bar  3  reaches the first end  23  of the connector tube  14 . The second handle bar  3  is pivoted down onto the second end  26  of the pin  17  that has exited the other end of the connector tube  14 . The second handle bar  3  is securely latched onto the pin by a locking mechanism on either the pin, connector arm or handle bar. In this embodiment, the first handle bar (non-pivoting) may be integral with the grip  4 ; while the second pivoting handle bar is pivotally attached to the grip  4 . 
         [0025]    Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 3   b , a simple handle  2  can be attached to the platform  1  via a pin  17 , threaded through the handle  2  and connector tube  14 . The pin may have a locking mechanism to keep the handle from falling off. The pin can be removable to remove the handle from the platform or permanent to permanently attach the handle to the platform. An adhesive backing attaches the backside of the platform to the laptop computer. 
         [0026]    In still another embodiment of the invention, the platform and handle may be a single unit with an adhesive backing attached to the backside of the platform portion of the universal apparatus. 
         [0027]    In all embodiments of the invention, an adhesive is applied to a back surface of the platform for sticking the platform of the universal apparatus to a laptop or other substantially flat surface of an object to be carried. The adhesive is preferably a peel and stick adhesive with a protectant paper or plastic layer removably attached thereto for peeling off so that the universal apparatus can be applied to a flat surface of a laptop computer or other object. The adhesive preferably has enough strength to hold 20 pounds at temperatures up to 140° F. Other adhesives are also contemplated as long as they are strong enough to hold the object they are supporting. 
         [0028]    In all embodiments of the invention, the plat form has a flat back surface for applying an adhesive. The platform can be made out of any sturdy material. The preferred material is plastic or light weight polymer material. Metals or alloys are also acceptable. The platform may also be made of a flexible soft material such as TYVEK® plastic, rubber, vinyl, polymer filled fabric or Kevlar® (aramid fabric) or any other thin adhesive backed material. An example of a suitable material with an adhesive back is 3M® 300LSE. The dimensions of the platform may vary with the proviso that the dimensions are smaller than the surface of the device that they will be attached to. The preferred dimensions of the platform are 2-6 wide inches by 2-6 inches long by ⅛-¼ inch wide (not including adhesive backing) for  FIG. 2 . For  FIG. 3   a  the dimensions of the platform are 2-6 inches wide by 2-6 inches long by 0.10 microns to 0.50 microns thick. 
         [0029]    The handle bars are metal or plastic bars, preferably hollow metal bars. The grip is metal or plastic, preferably plastic with a rubberized surface for more secure handling. Other types of handles are contemplated. A handle may also be a single unit made of a single material that is affixed in some fashion to the platform with the proviso that the handle can support the laptop or flat surface device. The preferred handle and grip is rigid. 
         [0030]    The term flat surface device includes laptop computers, electronic toys or other electronic equipment with a flat surface for mounting the platform. 
         [0031]    In all embodiments, a lock connector and tether/lock are also optional. 
         [0032]    In all embodiments, a second universal apparatus is also contemplated for using with a first universal apparatus for attaching to a laptop computer or other device wherein a user may grip both universal apparatus with one hand at the same time. In other words, attaching two universal apparatuses to one laptop computer or device. 
         [0033]    The invention also relates to a kit that contains a laptop computer or flat surface electronic device and one or more of the universal carrying apparatus(s) as described above. 
         [0034]    The invention also relates to a method of retrofitting a laptop computer or other device with a universal carrying apparatus by affixing the universal carrying apparatus of the invention to a laptop computer or other flat surface device via the adhesive layer.