Abstract:
A computer carrying case is formed from a single set of connected panels foldable around personal computers or other items having a variety of sizes of dimensions including semi-rigid front and back panels connected by oversized, flexible or living hinges and connecting flyer.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This is a divisional application of Ser. No. 09/887,806, filed Jun. 22, 2001, which is a utility application from provisional Serial No. 60/213,298 filed Jun. 22, 2000 entitled “Computer Carrying Case” upon which we claim priority.  
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    In a principal aspect the present invention relates to a padded case especially adapted for packing and/or carrying of a personal computer regardless of the size and configuration of the personal computer.  
           [0003]    It is commonplace for individuals to transport their personal computer with them. Typically, the personal computer is placed in a briefcase or some type of large luggage item. In such circumstances, the computer may be subjected to unintended abuse and damage. Thus, there has developed a need to provide an improved personal computer case which is easily transportable, which may be incorporated with and used in combination with various types of luggage items and which accommodates personal computers regardless of their size and configuration.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    Briefly, the present invention comprises a computer carrying case which is formed from a single padded planar set of connected panels that are foldable in a manner which accommodates personal computers or other items having a wide variety of size or dimensions. Specifically, semi-rigid front and back panels are connected by a living or flexible hinge. Side flaps on the front panel fit over the back panel to fold the panels tightly together and a top flap is provided along the top edge of the back panel to fit over the front panel to provide a full enclosure for the personal computer, or other item. Two versions of the carrying case are disclosed.  
           [0005]    Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved personal computer carrying case.  
           [0006]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a personal computer carrying case which is formed from a series of planar padded panels that may be secured together by flexible padded living hinges.  
           [0007]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide an economical, easy to use computer carrying case which may be used to carry and protect a personal computer or which may be inserted and maintained within a larger business case. These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0008]    In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the computer carrying case or pouch wherein the pouch is in the unfolded condition with the interior thereof exposed;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the case or pouch of FIG. 1 wherein the various sections thereof have been folded to define an enclosure or housing for a computer or similar item as viewed from the back side thereof;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the pouch of FIG. 2 viewed from the front side thereof;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the carrying case as viewed from the front side panel thereof with the carrying case partially assembled;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the carrying case of FIG. 4 wherein the case has been fully assembled about a personal computer; and  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 depicts in an isometric view the carrying case of FIGS. 4 and 5 wherein the top flap thereof has been positioned for attachment of the case by means of a zipper into a larger case or business container.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0015]    Referring to the figures, the computer protection and carrying case comprises a single, flat planar element or sheet which includes a plurality or number of semi-rigid, internally padded side sections or panels connected together by flexible hinge sections. The case is thus a single integral series of panels connected together so that the sections may be folded about the hinge sections to create the case with a padded interior. The rigid sections or panels and flexible hinge sections are designed so that when the case is folded, the sections conform to the unique size and shape of a personal computer, for example, stored within the case. Thus, the single foldable pouch or case may be folded in a manner which accommodates the specific dimensions of a computer or similar item. The case may then be supported by a handle or strap to carry a computer, or placed within a larger case to protect the computer. This construction is described in greater detail below.  
         [0016]    The pouch or case includes a generally internally or inside padded, at least semi-rigid, back side section  10 . The back side section  10  includes a lower margin  12  and a top margin  14 . The lower margin  12  and top margin  14  are parallel and spaced from one another to define two sides of the rectangular back side section  10 . The back side section  10  further includes a first side margin  16  and a spaced, parallel, second side margin  18  to define the opposite and remaining sides of the rectangle defining the back side section  10 .  
         [0017]    Extending from the lower margin  12  as extensions of the side margins  16  and  18  is a bottom hinge section  20  which is comprised of a generally flexible material. The lower hinge section  20  has a bottom margin  24  connected to a generally rectangular front side panel  22 . Bottom margin  24  is parallel to the lower margin  12  of back side section or panel  10 . The front side section  22 , further includes a top margin  26  which is generally parallel to the margin  12  of back panel  10  and margin  24  of section  20 . The front section  22  further includes a first side flap  28  on one side thereof and a second side flap  30  on the opposite side thereof. The side flaps  28  and  30  extend outwardly in opposite directions from extension boundaries or lines  25 ,  27  defined respectively by extensions of the lines defined by the lateral side margins  16  and  18  respectively. A fastener material  32  is provided on the inside surface of the front side section  22 . The fastener material  32  generally comprises a Velcro-type fastening material.  
         [0018]    The front side section  22  top margin  26  has a convex shape to facilitate grasping an item in the folded case. Also, the front side section has a dimension or extent upward from the bottom margin  24  which is less than the dimension between margins  12 ,  14  of the back side section  10  also to facilitate access to the folded case contents.  
         [0019]    Extending upwardly from the top margin  14  of the back section  10  and having spaced lateral sides as extensions of the lateral side margins  16  and  18  thereof is a flap  40 . The flap  40  is connected to the back side section  10  by a flexible top hinge section  42 . The flap  40  includes a strip of flat fastener material  46  on the inside surface thereof. FIG. 1 depicts, with respect to all of the described sections, flaps, etc., the inside surface of the pouch or case.  
         [0020]    In practice, a personal computer or other item  50  is positioned over the inside of the back side section  10 . The front side section  22  is then folded over the computer  50  and the side flaps  28  and  30  are folded against the outside of the back side section  10  as depicted in FIG. 2. The outside  52  of the back side section  10  includes strips of fastener means  54  which cooperate with the fastener means  32  associated with the front side section  22 . The flaps  28  and  30  include flexible or hinge sections  29  and  31 , respectively, which enable folding over the sides of computer  50  by flaps  28 ,  30  and thereby tightly retain the computer  50 . Because the hinge section  20  is also flexible, it accommodates only the thickness of the computer  50  when folded. The top hinge section  42  also is flexible and thus accommodates the thickness of the computer  50  and is adjustable to accommodate such thickness. The hinge sections (e.g. section  20 ,  28 ,  30 ) are also padded on the inside to protect the case contents. The fastening means such as the fasteners  32  and  54  are provided over a large face area of the various flaps and side sections to permit such accommodation of the thickness of various items, such as computer  50 . Velcro fasteners are typical, though releasable adhesive and other types of fasteners may be used.  
         [0021]    A handle  60  is attached to the outside of the back section  10  or to flap  40  at the juncture or margin  14  as depicted in FIG. 2. The flap  40  folds over the item within the pouch or case and the fastener material  46  cooperates with fastener material  56  on the outside of the back side  10  shown in FIG. 3 to hold the case shut and thereby entirely enfold a computer  50 , for example, by a padded, protective covering.  
         [0022]    Alternatively, a strap (not shown) may be attached to the case for carrying the case and its contents. Also, a zipper strip  62  may be incorporated adjacent handle  60  for zipper attachment within a larger case (not shown). Other fasteners may be used to retain the case within a larger case such as clips or Velcro type fasteners.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIGS. 4, 5 and  6  illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention. The general arrangement of configuration of the separate panels is substantially the same as the embodiment of FIGS.  1 - 3 . However, there are additional features and configurational changes that distinguish the embodiment of FIGS. 4, 5 and  6 . Thus, as shown in those figures, a front panel  70  includes a first side flap  72  and a second side flap  74  which may be joined around the backside of back panel  76  so as to encapsulate or protect a personal computer  78 . A flap  80  is attached to the back or rear panel  76  along a flexible or living hinge  82 . The flap  80  includes a clip or fastener  84  which joins with a compatible fastener  86  mounted on a strap  88  affixed to the front panel  70 . In this manner, the flap  80  may be adjustably and tightly held in position over the personal computer  78  in the manner depicted in FIG. 5. Mesh pockets  90  and  92  are provided on the outside face of the front panel  70 . The inside of the front panel  70  is, of course, padded as are all the inside surfaces formed about the personal computer  78 . The mesh pockets  90  and  92  thus are provided for holding paper, pens, and other items such as computer disks and the like.  
         [0024]    As depicted in FIG. 5, a shoulder strap  94  is attached to the back side panel  76  on the outside thereof at attachment or connection points  96  and  98  as shown in phantom in FIG. 5. Thus, the strap  94  which includes a shoulder pad  100  enables ease of transport of the carrying case.  
         [0025]    As shown in FIG. 6, the carrying case of the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 may optionally include a zipper attachment  102  which cooperates with or may be attached to a compatible zipper within a larger case, briefcase, luggage, or the like.  
         [0026]    With the case as described, it is possible to accommodate items of multiple sizes, shapes and thicknesses in a padded enclosure. With the back side  10  and front side  22  being semi-rigid and padded, the item  50  within the case is protected against abuse. Various fastening means other than Velcro-type fasteners may be utilized to accommodate the adjustability of the size of the pouch. The invention is, therefore, to be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.