Abstract:
A laptop computer bag includes a portable workspace, front extendable legs, and rear extendable legs. The portable work space is capable of being extended out from the laptop computer bag by extending the front extendable legs and the rear extendable legs from a collapsed position. The front extendable legs and the rear extendable legs provide support for the portable workspace. The back pack is the same only the workspace the main support wall that would rest on a persons back, with padding (outside of the pack) so the user does not feel the hard surface of the workstation.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally relates to the field of laptop computer bags and, more particularly, to laptop computer bags having a portable work space and power supply. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Travelers and commuters have long used backpacks, bags, and luggage to carry a variety of items. As technology has advanced, travelers and commuters have begun to carry laptops and other portable electronic devices for work, personal use, or both. However, space is limited in any bag and most certainly in bags holding laptops. Moreover, many airlines have size limitations for bags and luggage, especially for carry on items. Most traditional laptop bags fit within airline size limitations, but increasing the size of the bag to add additional features or to increase the carrying capacity of the bag would likely cause the bag to increase to a size such that it would exceed the airlines&#39; prescribed size limitations. 
   When out of the office or not at home many travelers and commuters find using a laptop to be cumbersome because such use often involves balancing the laptop on one&#39;s legs or searching for a table or ledge on which to balance the laptop. Furthermore, laptop batteries have a limited life, and many travelers and commuters often find it difficult to find a nearby power source when a laptop battery is low. Accordingly, a need exists for an improved laptop bag. Specifically, there is a need for a laptop bag with a portable workspace and power requirements designed in such a manner that the overall size of the bag is not increased, and the carrying capacity of the bag is not decreased. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   One advantage of the present invention is that a portable workspace is integrally attached to a laptop computer bag in such a way that the bag&#39;s size is not significantly increased and the bag&#39;s carrying capacity is not significantly decreased. The present invention comprises, for example, a portable workspace that extends out from a bag. When the portable workspace is pulled out from the bag, front and rear extendable legs are deployed into an upright position to support the portable workspace. 
   A second advantage of the present invention is that, for example, it provides extended power to electronic devices. For example, a built-in power pack is incorporated into the bag to allow a user to supplement the battery power of the laptop that is carried in the bag. Additionally, a power strip with retractable extension cord provide multiple electrical outlets for other electronic devices. The power strip was built into the top of the retractable table to conserve space, while providing users with the ability to have access to extended power, without having to fully open the table. Additionally the retractable extension cord can be deployed to reach power outlets that are up to 15 feet away and provide greater functionality for retrieving external power without having to place the bag or table in an awkward position in order access that power outlet. The retractable power cord can also be used to charge an optional 3rd party battery which could be contained in the compartment contained in the retractable desk top. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Various examples of objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  shows a laptop computer bag with a portable workspace; 
       FIG. 1A  shows a laptop computer bag with a portable workspace in a collapsed position inside of the laptop computer bag; 
       FIG. 1B  shows a backpack laptop bag; 
       FIG. 2  shows the footprint and size of the laptop computer bag complying with travel and space requirements; 
       FIG. 3  shows an internal side view of the laptop computer bag when the portable workspace is in a collapsed position; 
       FIG. 4  shows the footprint of the portable workspace when the portable workspace is in a collapsed position; 
       FIG. 5A  shows a portable workspace extended out of the laptop computer bag; 
       FIG. 5B  shows a portable workspace extended out of the laptop computer bag and in a horizontal position; 
       FIG. 5C  shows a portable workspace extended out of the laptop computer bag and front extendable legs providing support for the portable workspace; 
       FIG. 6  shows an exemplary of battery storage and recharging compartment located within the portable workspace; 
     FIG.  4 —Item  230  Shows the power strip contained within the frame of the portable workspace. Also show in  FIG. 5B  item  122 . 
       FIG. 7A  shows a hinged embodiment of the front extendable legs in an extended position; and 
       FIG. 7B  shows a hinged embodiment of the front extendable legs in a collapsed position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated. It should further be understood that the title of this section of this specification, namely, “Detailed Description of the Invention,” relates to a requirement of the United States Patent Office and does not imply, nor should be inferred to limit the subject matter disclosed herein. 
   In the present disclosure, the words “a” or “an” are to be taken to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference to plural items, shall, where appropriate, include the singular. 
     FIG. 1  shows a laptop computer bag  100  with a portable workspace  110 . One aspect of the present invention is that, for example, a portable workspace  110  extends out from a collapsed position inside of the laptop computer bag  100 . In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the portable workspace  110  is extended out from inside of the laptop computer bag  100  using extendable legs  130 ,  140 ,  170 , and  180 . 
     FIG. 5A  shows a portable workspace  110  extended out of the laptop computer bag  100 . When the portable workspace  110  is pulled out of the laptop computer bag  100 , the rear extendable legs  170  and  180  can be extended into an upright position as shown. A front extendable legs  130  and  140 , and a front center beam  150  are stored within the footprint of the portable workspace  110 . If desired, a retractable extension cord  200  and a built-in power source also can be stored within the footprint of the portable workspace  110 . 
     FIG. 5B  shows a portable workspace  110  extended out of the laptop computer bag  100  and in a horizontal position. When the portable workspace  110  is pulled out of the laptop computer bag  100  and the rear extendable legs  170  and  180  are extended into an upright position, the portable workspace  110  can be placed, for example, in a horizontal position that provides a workspace for a user. The portable workspace  110  provides a strong and stable workspace on which users can put, for example, their laptops or other electronic devices. The portable workspace  110  contains, for example, a hard surface and, a built in battery storage and recharging compartment (Power link) for 3rd party batteries which can be re-charged through the retractable extension cord shown in FIG.  4 —item  240  &amp; in  FIG. 1A  item  240 . There is a power strip with multiple outlets  230  located within or on the portable workspace  110 . Furthermore, the portable workspace  110  contains, for example, side edges  120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126  to form a hollow footprint area under the portable workspace  110 . The footprint of the portable workspace  110  can be designed in such a manner that a retractable extension cord  200 , a built in power source  210 , front extendable legs  130  and  140 , and a front center beam  150  can be stored within the footprint of the portable workspace  110  when the portable workspace  110  is in a collapsed position. 
     FIG. 5C  shows a portable workspace  110  extended out of the laptop computer bag  100  and front extendable legs  130  and  140  providing support for the portable workspace  110 . When the portable workspace  110  is extended out of the laptop computer bag  100 , the rear extendable legs  170  and  180  are extended into an upright position, and the portable workspace  110  is placed in a horizontal position, the front extendable legs  130  and  140  can be extended into an upright position. As shown in  FIG. 5C , the front extendable legs  130  and  140  can be, for example, extended telescopically. 
   A user can pull on a front center beam  150  located within the footprint of the portable workspace  110  to remove the front extendable legs  130  and  140  and front center beam  150  from within the footprint of the portable workspace  110  and to telescopically extend the front extendable legs  130  and  140 . As shown in  FIG. 5C , once fully extended, the rear extendable legs  170  and  180  and the front extendable legs  130  and  140  provide support for the portable workspace  110 . The front extendable legs  130  and  140  provide additional stability for the portable workspace  110  when the user places his foot on the front center beam  150  while using the portable workspace  110  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a rear legs collapse lever  190  is situated in each rear extendable leg  170  and  180 , and the rear extendable legs  170  and  180  can be collapsed when the rear legs collapse lever  190  is pressed on both sides. Pressing the rear legs collapse lever  190  releases a locking mechanism in the rear extendable legs  170  and  180 , which allows the rear extendable legs  170  and  180  to collapse. A front legs collapse lever  160  is situated within each of the front extendable legs  130  and  140 , and the front extendable legs  130  and  140  can be collapsed when the front legs collapse lever  160  is pressed on both sides. Pressing the front legs collapse lever  160  releases a locking mechanism in the front extendable legs  130  and  140 , which allows the front extendable legs  130  and  140  to collapse into a retracted state. 
   Another aspect of the present invention is that it provides extended power to electronic devices that require electricity such as, for example, laptop computers, cell phones, PDAs, handheld video games, etc. In one embodiment of the present invention, the portable workspace  110  has a built in power strip  230 .  FIG. 6  shows an exemplary power strip  230  located within the portable workspace  110 . The power strip  230  can support, for example, up to four power cords. The power strip can be accessed without having to fully deploy the workstation since it is positioned in it&#39;s retracted state so that the power strip is easily accessed by unzipping the top of the bag. The strip immediately on top.  FIG. 4  shows the footprint of the portable workspace  110  when the portable workspace  110  is in a collapsed position. The power strip  230  is wired via a power link  220  to a built in power source  210 , which is located within the footprint of the portable workspace  110 . 
   A retractable extension cord  200  is also located within the footprint of the portable workspace  110 , and the retractable extension cord  200  has, for example, an AC/DC power adapter  240 . Both AC and DC power adapters  240  allow the retractable extension cord  200  to consume power from either a car lighter outlet or any standard AC power outlet. The retractable extension cord  200  can be extended, for example, 15 feet to reach an external power source that may not be in close proximity to the laptop computer bag  100 . Furthermore, the retractable extension cord  100  is on a retractable fly wheel  250  that allows the user to extend and retract the retractable extension cord  200  by pulling on the retractable extension cord  200 . The retractable extension cord  200  can thus provide electricity to the power strip  230  and the built in power source  210  for recharging purposes. Therefore, electronic devices can receive power via the laptop computer bag  100  by plugging into the power strip  230 . Electricity will then flow from either the built in power source  210  (when AC/DC power is unavailable) or from the retractable extension cord  200  (when AC/DC power is available) to an electronic device via the power strip  230 . 
     FIG. 1A  shows a laptop computer bag  100  with a portable workspace  110  in a collapsed position inside of the laptop computer bag  100 . One aspect of the present invention is that the laptop computer bag  100  is the same size as traditional laptop bags without the novel components as described above. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, internal space in the laptop computer bag  100  is conserved when the portable workspace  110  is in a collapsed position. It will also serve as the center support structure for the bag when in its retracted state.  FIG. 3  shows an internal side view of the laptop computer bag  100  when the portable workspace  110  is in a collapsed position. The portable workspace  110  can be utilized, for example, as the center support and divider of the laptop computer bag  100 . Because the front extendable legs  130  and  140 , the front center beam  150 , the retractable extension cord  200 , and the built in power source  210  are contained within the footprint of the collapsed portable workspace  110 , space within the laptop computer bag  100  is conserved. The portable workspace  110  still allows for storage capacity around the portable workspace  110 , and the size of the laptop computer bag  100  is the same as that of traditional bags. 
     FIG. 2  shows the footprint and size of the laptop computer bag  100  complying with travel and space requirements. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the laptop computer bag  100  is the same size as traditional laptop bags and complies with size and space limitations for traveling. 
     FIG. 1B  shows a backpack laptop bag  300 . In a further embodiment of the present invention, a backpack laptop bag  300  houses the same novel components as the laptop computer bag  100  as discussed above. In this exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the portable workspace  110  is in a collapsed position, the portable workspace  110  is utilized as the main structure and support of the backpack laptop bag  300 , which is the wall of the backpack laptop bag  300  that rests directly on the back of the user. 
     FIG. 7A  shows a hinged embodiment of the front extendable legs  130  and  140  in an extended position. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the front extendable legs  130  and  140  can be extended by the use of hinges  400 ,  402 ,  404 ,  406 ,  408 , and  410 .  FIG. 7B  shows a hinged embodiment of the front extendable legs  130  and  140  in a collapsed position. The front extendable legs  130  and  140  can be folded into a collapsed position using, for example, three hinges  400 ,  402 ,  404 ,  406 ,  408 , and  410  on each front extendable leg  130  and  140 . When the user pulls on the front center beam  150 , the hinges  400 ,  402 ,  404 ,  406 ,  408 , and  410  rotate to extend the front extendable legs  130  and  140  into an upright position. 
   Here, the embodiments explained above are given in order to facilitate an understanding of the technical idea of the present invention. They do not restrict the present invention in any way. Therefore, the respective elements disclosed in the aforementioned embodiments are intended to include all design modifications and their equivalents that belong to the technical scope of the present invention. 
   The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.