Abstract:
A flexible computer connection attaches to a passenger seat in an airplane to supply a personal computer used by a passenger with electrical power and communications with an external location such as a ground source for telecommunications and connecting to the internet.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a connection for a computer, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a connection for a computer that utilizes a flexible support structure for the computer connection. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     With the advent of the telecommunications and the computer age, individuals are constantly in need of electronic contact with external sources such as telecommunications networks and the internet. This direction is exemplified by the increase and advancement in wireless technology including cellphones, wireless LANs and wireless modems. Such wireless technology allows individuals to communicate with other individuals and connect to computer networks and the internet from remote areas such as inside automobiles, camp sites, and vacation resorts. As a result, individuals are able to perform their jobs and maintain communication while travelling and at locations far outside the office, thereby transforming the traditional brick and mortar office environment into a virtual office space. 
     While wireless technology is heavily used in land based locations such as land vehicles, it has not as-of-yet found widespread use in certain types of transportation. Specifically, the use of wireless technology on airplanes has not been penetrated due to the great distance between the remote computer or cellular device and the cellular hub as well as the restrictions placed upon passengers due to potential interference of the transmitting cellular device with the airplane&#39;s navigation systems. To overcome this, some airplane manufacturers have provided a single wireless link to allow passengers in the airplane to connect to a ground based cellular link for connection to a cellular or computer network. While this technological advancement serves to provide adequate transmission power to reach ground based connections and does not interfere with the airplane&#39;s navigational systems, the logistics of properly connecting to a passenger&#39;s individual computer still remains to be achieved and refined. Specifically, due to the space restrictions in airplanes and in airplane seats, such connections are difficult to establish in light of the logistics of passenger placement and cabin layout. The present invention was developed in light of these and other drawbacks. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To overcome these and other drawbacks, the present invention provides a personal computer connecting device that has a combined reading light and PC connection port especially adapted for use with an airplane seat on an airplane. The personal computer connecting device comprises a PC connector forming a communications port, a communication line connecting the PC connector to a transmission device that transmits information to or from the personal computer with ground station external to the airplane, and a flexible support structure supporting the communication line and the PC connector. Accordingly, the present invention provides a quick and efficient PC connection even in light of the small size constraints in an airplane. 
     In another aspect, the personal computer connecting device for connecting a personal computer in an airplane to a ground terminal includes a PC connector, a communications wire connecting the PC connector to a transmission device for transmitting or receiving with the ground station, a light source, a light power wire connecting the light source to a power supply to supply power to the light source, a power connector, a power supply wire connecting the power connector to the power source, and a flexible support structure. The flexible support structure has an outer sheath and a peripheral support connected to a first end of the outer sheath. The peripheral support supports the power connector, light source and PC connector. A base is connected to a second end of the outer sheath. 
     In another aspect, an airplane comprises a fuselage, a passenger seat positioned inside the fuselage, a personal computer connecting device connected to the passenger seat. The personal computer connecting device comprises a PC connector, a communications wire connecting the PC connector to a transmission device for transmitting or receiving with a ground station, a light source, a light power wire supplying power from a power source to the light source, a flexible support structure supporting the PC connector and the light source at a first end. The flexible support structure is attached to the passenger seat at a second end. 
     Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flexible computer connection attached to a passenger&#39;s seat according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a flexible computer connection according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a flexible computer connection used on a passenger&#39;s seat according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a flexible computer connection attached to a passenger&#39;s seat being used by a passenger according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a plan view of a flexible computer connection being used on a passenger seat in an airplane according to the present invention; and 
     FIG. 6 is a plan view of a flexible computer connection according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, a flexible computer connection  10  is shown attached to a passenger seat  12 . Passenger seat  12  can be any passenger seat, pilot seat or other seat in a commercial or any other type of aircraft. Such seats may be found in first, business or tourist class. Likewise, such seats may be used by the pilot, copilot or navigator or other flight crew member. A plurality of different types of designs of such seats exist in the present state of the art, and that shown and described in FIG. 1 is merely exemplary in nature. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, the flexible computer connection  10  is described in greater detail. Flexible computer connection  10  has an outer sheath  14  that contains internal wiring required to carry signals to and from a personal computer used by a passenger, supply power to the personal computer and supply power to a light bulb to illuminate the personal computer. Communications wire  16  extends up from seat  12 , through outer sheath  14  and terminates at PC connector  18 . PC connector  18  is preferably an RJ-45 phone connection allowing traditional, ethernet or other transmission and reception to and from a personal computer. However, PC connector  18  can also be another type of connector including a parallel port, serial port, USB, or other type connector. The end of communications wire  16 , opposite PC connector  18 , connects to the external transmission device of the airplane on which passenger seat  12  is attached. 
     Light power wire  20  extends from passenger seat  12 , through outer sheath  14  and terminates at light bulb  22  to provide illumination to a passenger seated in passenger seat  12 . At an end of light power wire  20 , opposite to light bulb  22 , light power wire  20  has its source at a 12 volt DC, 110 AC or other onboard power source contained in the airplane supporting passenger seat  12 . As such, light bulb  22  provides illumination for a passenger during reading, use of a personal computer or other activity requiring illumination. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, the power supply wire  40  extends through passenger seat  12  to connect to a power supply source for the supply of power to power connector  30 . As such, a passenger&#39;s PC can plug directly into power connector  30  for power supply thereof. Similar to light bulb  22 , the power supply wire  40  has its source at a 12 volt DC, 110 AC or other onboard power source. 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, outer sheath  14  is shown attached to peripheral support  24  and base  26 . Preferably, outer sheath  14  includes a plurality of large diameter sections  14   a  telescopingly and slidingly arranged outside smaller diameter sections  14   b . The slidingly arrangement between large diameter sections  14   a  and small diameter sections  14   b  allow outer sheath  14  to be flexed and bent into a plurality of positions to allow light bulb  22  to properly illuminate a desired area and to allow PC connector  18  and power connector  30  to be positioned in a suitable location. However, it should be noted that other flexible devices that allow the flexible computer connection  10  to be repositioned may be used and that the flexible support described in the present invention is merely an example. Such other devices may include, but are not limited to, wire mesh, flexible nylon or other suitable constructions. 
     Peripheral support  24  is preferably made of a plastic or other type material and is rigid to provide suitable support for PC connector  18 , light bulb  22  and power connector  30 . More specifically, peripheral support has a front face having apertures for the support of the PC connector  18 , light bulb  22  and power connector  30 . Preferably, peripheral support  24  is rectangular shaped as shown in the figure. 
     Likewise, base  26  is made of a rigid material and has screws  34  that pass through base  26  to connect the flexible computer connection  10  to passenger seat  12 . The heads of screws  34  fit into countersinks in base  26  to eliminate any exposed areas on the screws  34 . However, it should be noted that base  26  can be attached to passenger seat by any other suitable method, including gluing, adhesion and forming base  26  as one unit with passenger seat  12 . The face of base  26  that attaches to the passenger seat  12  is preferably contoured to provide the maximum tight fit. Specifically, if passenger seat  12  has a curved surface, the face of base  26  is also curved to match this contour. This ensures maximum adherence of base  26  to passenger seat  12 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, a passenger  42  positioned in passenger seat  12  utilizes combined snake reading light  10  to operate PC  44 . Accordingly, outer sheath  14  is shown flexed into a suitable position such that light bulb  22  is able to supply proper illumination to PC  44  for operation by passenger  42 . Likewise, PC communication wire  46  attaches PC  44  to PC connector  18 . And, power connector  30  supplies power to PC power wire  48  to power PC  44 . 
     Accordingly, passenger  42  can maneuver the combined snake reading light  10  into any desired position to ensure that PC communication wire does not interfere with getting into or out of passenger seat  12 . Likewise, power connector is positioned, by movement of the flexible computer connection  10 , into a suitable position to maximize comfort of the passenger  42 . Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the flexible computer connection  10  can be mounted on a side of seat  12 . In FIG. 5, airplane  50  is shown having passenger seat  12  with flexible computer connection  10  according to the present invention. 
     It will be appreciated that while the present invention has been described in connection for use with an airplane, that the invention could just as easily be used in other aircraft, or virtually any other mobile or stationary platform where it is desired to provide an adjustably positionable communications port for the user. Thus the present invention provides an adjustable and positionable PC connector. 
     The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.