Patent Publication Number: US-2010116860-A1

Title: Backpack Laptop Tray

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     NOTICE OF COPYRIGHTS AND TRADE DRESS 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. This patent document may show and/or describe matter which is or may become trade dress of the owner. The copyright and trade dress owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any one of the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright and trade dress rights whatsoever. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to backpacks, and more particularly to a backpack particularly suited for carrying and facilitating use of a laptop computer. 
     DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART 
     Laptop computers and similar computing devices are frequently carried in a variety of bags and/or cases. Such bags may be used to protect the laptop computers from minor impacts during transit, and to allow a user of the bag to have his or her hands free while transporting the laptop computer. While hand-held bags or briefcases, which may or may not include a shoulder strap, are frequently used to transport laptop computers, backpacks may also be used. 
     However the bag is carried, conventional laptop computer bags may cause inconvenience to users because the laptop computer must generally be removed from the bag entirely to be used. Because removing and replacing the laptop computer from the bag may entail removing the laptop computer from restraints and/or from a compartment designed for the laptop computer and/or shuffling around other contents of the bag, it can be time consuming and inefficient to the user. Furthermore, adjusting the bag&#39;s contents to remove or replace the laptop computer while traveling can increase the risk that the laptop computer is dropped, which can cause damage to the laptop computer that is expensive and time-consuming to repair. 
     Laptop bags are known in the art. For example, U.S. App. No. 20070159781 filed by Zbikowski on Jan. 5, 2007 describes a laptop computer bag (including a backpack embodiment) that includes a fold-out, desk-like portable workspace with extendable front and rear legs. Such a laptop computer bag requires time-consuming assembly of the portable workspace whenever the user wishes to utilize the workspace, causing inconvenience for the user. Also, the portable workspace, even when folded up, seems bulky and would add significant weight and size to the laptop computer bag, reducing the portability of the laptop computer bag and making the laptop computer bag impractical for elder, younger, and physically frail users. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,655,565 to Godshaw et al. filed on Mar. 29, 2001 describes a backpack that includes a storage enclosure divided by an interior front panel that permits access to the storage enclosure from the front of the backpack as well as the top of the backpack. Such an apparatus still requires removal of a laptop computer from the storage enclosure to be used, and furthermore does not provide any support for the laptop computer to be used. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,658 to Hoffman et al. filed on Mar. 3, 1995 describes a backpack with a fold-out infant changing pad contained in an auxiliary backpack compartment. The Hoffman patent does not address using a laptop in any way. Furthermore, the fold-out changing pad seemingly must be placed on a hard surface to be able to bear any substantial weight, and therefore does not provide any support that could be used to support a laptop computer. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a device that may be used as a laptop computer bag and can allow use of a laptop computer without requiring that the laptop computer be removed from the bag. Furthermore, such a device would not require much assembly by a user, provide sufficient support to bear the weight of the laptop computer during operation, and do so without any straps that would interfere with use of the laptop computer. The present invention accomplishes these objectives. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present device is a backpack for storing and facilitating the use of a laptop computer by a user. The backpack includes an enclosure having a front side, a back side, and at least one peripheral edge, where the sides and edges together define an internal volume. The front side includes a laptop compartment flap selectively closable to seal a laptop compartment that makes up at least a portion of the volume of the enclosure. The laptop compartment flap is hinged across a horizontal fold line and pivotable between a closed and an open position. The laptop compartment flap also includes a stop means preventing the laptop compartment flap from extending past the open position. 
     The back pack also includes a pair of shoulder straps fixed to the back side of the enclosure for encircling the user&#39;s shoulders to be supported thereby. With the laptop stored in the laptop compartment of the enclosure, the user may support the backpack in front of the user by the shoulders using the shoulder straps, the laptop compartment flap being selectively opened, the laptop removed and supported on an inside surface of the laptop compartment flap, the weight of the laptop being supported by the flap and the stop means, and the user&#39;s hands being thereby unencumbered when using the laptop computer. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the stop means may include a rigid member fixed at least partially within the laptop compartment flap and at least partially within the enclosure, the enclosure further including a channel for receiving the rigid member and allowing pivotal travel thereof only through a predefined arch therein. 
     The present invention may be used as a laptop computer bag and can allow use of a laptop computer without requiring that the laptop computer be removed from the bag. Furthermore, the present invention does not require much assembly by a user, and provides sufficient support to bear the weight of the laptop computer during operation. The present invention can do so without any straps that would interfere with use of the laptop computer. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a backpack for storing and facilitating the use of a laptop computer with a laptop compartment flap in a closed position; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the invention, illustrating an exemplary embodiment wherein the laptop compartment flap is in an open position; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the invention in use; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a partially transparent view of a stop means of the invention that includes a rigid member that is allowed to travel only through a defined arc; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a partial front view of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a partial cross-section cut-away view of the invention wherein the laptop compartment flap is in a closed position; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the rigid member and a stop means of the invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is a partial side elevational view wherein the laptop compartment is lined with a resilient shock-absorbing material. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. The following explanation provides specific details for a thorough understanding of and enabling description for these embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments. 
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the claims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items in the list. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a backpack  10  for storing and facilitating the use of a laptop computer  20  with a closed laptop compartment flap  55 . The backpack  10  includes an enclosure (e.g., the bag portion of the backpack  10 ) having a front side  42 , a back side  48 , and at least one peripheral edge  45 , the sides and edges  42 , 48 , 45  together defining an internal volume  90 . The peripheral edge  45  can be a single piece that wraps around the entire backpack  10 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , or can include several discrete pieces. The backpack  10  may, in some embodiments, include a top side  43  as well coupled to the front side  42  and the back side  48  (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) that is located on the top side  43  of the backpack  10 . The top side  43  may, in an exemplary embodiment, include a selectively sealable top compartment  230 , which may conserve space in the internal volume  90  and add to the storage capacity of the backpack  10 . 
     The front side  42  includes a laptop compartment flap  55  hinged across a horizontal fold line  60  pivotable between a closed position  70  and an open position  80 . The laptop compartment flap  55  is shown in the closed position  70  in  FIG. 1 . The laptop compartment flap  55  includes a stop means  90  preventing the laptop compartment flap  55  from extending past the open position  80 , which shall be described in further detail below. 
     The backpack  10  also includes a pair of shoulder straps  100  fixed to the back side  48  of the enclosure  40  for encircling the user&#39;s shoulders to be supported thereby. As will be described below, with the laptop computer  20  stored in the laptop compartment  50  of the enclosure  40 , the user may support the backpack  10  in front of the user by the shoulders using the shoulder straps  100 , the laptop compartment flap  55  being selectively opened, the laptop  20  removed and supported on an inside surface  56  of the laptop compartment flap  55 , the weight of the laptop  20  being supported by the flap  55  and the stop means  90 , the user&#39;s hands being thereby unencumbered when using the laptop computer  20 . 
     The backpack  10  may thereby be used as a laptop computer bag and allow use of the laptop computer  20  without requiring that the laptop computer  20  be fully removed from the backpack  10 , since the laptop computer  20  is supported on the inside surface of the laptop compartment flap  55 . Furthermore, the backpack  10  does not require substantial assembly by a user since to use the laptop computer  20  the user need only open the laptop compartment flap  55  and place the laptop computer  20  thereon. The backpack  10  provides sufficient support to bear the weight of the laptop computer  20  during operation, without using any straps that would interfere with use thereof, because the weight of the laptop computer  20  is supported by the flap  55  and the stop means  90 . No external hard surface is needed, nor is there a need for a table-like setup requiring user assembly. 
     The backpack  10  may additionally include other elements that may improve the functionality of the backpack  10 . For example, the backpack  10  may further including at least one selectively sealable pocket  160  on the peripheral edge  45  of the enclosure  40 , which may be used to store smaller items or laptop accessories (not shown), thereby conserving space in the internal volume  49  and/or adding to the storage capacity of the backpack  10 . In an exemplary embodiment, the backpack  10  may also include a sealing means  180  adapted to allow the selective closure of the laptop compartment flap  55  with the enclosure  40 . The sealing means  180  may keep the laptop compartment flap  55  in the closed position  70  so that it is not accidentally opened, and may be any suitable device or combination of devices that can seal the laptop compartment flap  55 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the sealing means  180  is a two-part mechanical fastener  190 , such as a zipper  200 . 
     Also, in an exemplary embodiment, the backpack  10  may further include a selectively sealable front pocket  210  on the front side  42  of the enclosure below the horizontal fold line  60  of the laptop compartment flap  55 , the front pocket further  210  supporting the laptop compartment flap  55  when the laptop compartment flap  55  is in the open position  80 . The selectively sealable front pocket  210  may provide this support, for example, by being composed of a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as hard plastic, metal wire, or a similar material, and may be used to contain small items as well, thereby conserving space in the internal volume  49  and adding to the storage capacity of the backpack  10 . 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the backpack  10  may further include a second selectively sealable front pocket  220  on the front side  42  of the enclosure  40  above the horizontal fold line  60  of the laptop compartment flap  55 . The second selectively sealable front pocket  220  may also be used to contain small items and thereby conserve space in the internal volume  49  and add to the storage capacity of the backpack  10 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the invention, illustrating of an exemplary embodiment wherein the laptop compartment flap  55  is in the open position  80 . The laptop compartment flap  55  is selectively closable to seal the laptop compartment  50  that includes at least a portion of the volume of the enclosure  40 . The laptop compartment flap  55 , as stated above, is hinged across the horizontal fold line  60  and pivotable between the closed and open positions  70 , 80 , respectively. The laptop compartment flap  55  including the stop means  90  preventing the laptop compartment flap  55  from extending past the open position shown in  FIG. 2 . In addition to the laptop compartment  50 , the backpack  10  may in an exemplary embodiment include at least one additional compartment  57  comprising at least another portion of the internal volume of the enclosure  40 . An example of the at least one additional compartment  57  may be seen in  FIG. 8 . 
     The backpack shown in  FIG. 2  also illustrates an exemplary embodiment wherein the laptop compartment flap  55  includes an inside surface  56  that further includes a plurality of heat sink strips  140  fixed thereto, whereby heat from the laptop  20  when resting on the heat sink strips  140  allows air to enter between two of the heat sink strips  140  to convey heat from the laptop  20  upwards and out from between the laptop  20  and the laptop compartment flap  55 . The heat sink strips  140  may be advantageous to prevent the laptop computer  20  from overheating when used with the backpack  10 . In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of heat sink strips  140  may each be pivotally fixed to the laptop compartment flap  55 , such that each heat sink strip may be pivoted towards an edge of the inside surface  56  of the laptop compartment flap  55  so that the inside surface  56  may further serve as a flat writing surface, further adding to the functionality of the backpack  10 . 
     Also shown in the exemplary embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2  are a pair of shoulder straps  100 , each including an adjustable buckle means  150 . The adjustable buckle means  150  allows the length of the shoulder straps  100  to be adjusted to account for a user-desired comfort level, and may also be pivoted out of the way when the backpack  10  is worn in front of the user (e.g., while the laptop is being used). The adjustable buckle means  150  may be any suitable device that allows the length of the shoulder straps  100  to be adjusted (e.g., a buckle and/or a locking device). Clearly the backpack  10  may be worn conventionally on the back of the user (not shown) when the laptop  20  is not in use. 
     The backpack  10  in  FIG. 2  also displays an exemplary embodiment that further includes a carrying handle  240  fixed to the top side of the enclosure  40 . The carrying handle  240  is capable of bearing the weight of the backpack  10  and may permit a user to carry the backpack  10  using his or her hands. The backpack in  FIG. 2  also displays an exemplary embodiment wherein the laptop compartment  50  is lined with a resilient shock-absorbing material  250 . The resilient shock-absorbing material  250  can reduce the force of impacts with the backpack  10  upon the laptop computer  20 , which may be sensitive to such impacts. The shock-absorbing material  250  may be composed of any suitable material, including foam, cloth, and/or a gel enclosed in a separate bag, and may be deployed in any configuration that provides support and reduces the force of impacts upon the laptop computer  20 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention in use. The backpack  10  for storing and facilitating the use of the laptop computer  20  by the user  30  includes the enclosure  40  having the front side  42 , the back side  48 , and the at least one peripheral edge  45 , the sides and edges together defining the internal volume  49 .  FIG. 3  shows the user  30  supporting the backpack  10  in front of the user  30  by the shoulders using the shoulder straps  100 . The laptop compartment flap  55  is illustrated in its open position  80 , the laptop  20  is removed (from the laptop compartment  50  in the exemplary embodiment shown) and supported on the inside surface  56  of the laptop compartment flap  55 , the weight of the laptop  20  being supported by the flap  55  and the stop means  90 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the user&#39;s hands are thereby unencumbered when using the laptop computer  20 . Additional elements shown in  FIG. 3  include the least one selectively sealable pocket  160  on the peripheral edge of the enclosure, described above, and the plurality of heat sink strips  140  fixed to the inside surface of the laptop compartment flap  55 .  FIG. 3  clearly illustrates the spaces between the heat sink strips  140 , which may allow air to enter between two of the heat sink strips  140  to convey heat from the laptop  20  upwards and out from between the laptop  20  and the laptop compartment flap  55 . 
     Preferably the width of the peripheral edge  45  of the backpack  10  is such that the user  30  is able to easily reach around the backpack  10  when worn on the user&#39;s front side, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Likewise, the height of the backpack  10  overall must not be so high that the top of the top side  43  thereof obscures the user&#39;s view of the laptop  20  when in use. A ratio of the overall backpack height to the peripheral edge  45  width may be 4:1, for example. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a stop means  90  of the invention that includes a rigid member  110  that is allowed to travel only through a defined arc  130 . Because the front side  42 , the back side  48 , and the at least one peripheral edge  45  of the enclosure  40  are transparent in  FIG. 4 , the internal volume  49  defined by the sides  42 , 48  and edges  45  together may be seen. In an exemplary embodiment, the stop means  90  preventing the laptop compartment flap  55  from extending past the open position may include a rigid member  110  fixed at least partially within the laptop compartment flap  55  and at least partially within the enclosure  40 . The rigid member  110  may be of sufficient rigidity to support the weight of the laptop computer  20  when in the open position, meaning that it does not deform or break under the weight of the laptop computer  20 . The rigid member  110  may be made of any suitable material, such as metal or plastic, and may be a wire extending around the perimeter of the laptop compartment flap  55 , for example. In such embodiments, the rigid member  110  may also be shaped and sized appropriately so that the laptop computer  20  rests on the rigid member  110  on both sides of the laptop compartment flap  55 , and does not fall between the two sides. In another embodiment, the rigid member  110  may be a solid plate extending beneath the entirety of the laptop compartment flap  55 . The rigid member  110  is shown in the closed position  70  (using a dashed line) and in the open position  80  (the solid line) in  FIG. 4 . 
     The enclosure may further including a channel  120  for receiving the rigid member  110  and allowing pivotal travel thereof only through a predefined arch  130  therein. In an exemplary embodiment, the channel  120  receives the end portion of the rigid member  110  at each side of the backpack  10 , and inhibits the movement of the rigid member  110  after it reaches the end of the predefined arch  130 . The predefined arch  130  can be one-fourth of a full 360-degree rotation, thereby causing the laptop compartment flap  55  to form a 90-degree angle with the enclosure  40  as shown in  FIG. 4 . In an exemplary embodiment, the channel  120  can have a plurality of grooves, thereby allowing the user  30  to select between a plurality of predefined arches  130  to suit the user&#39;s preferences. This can be advantageous, for example, if the user wishes to adjust the viewing angle of the laptop computer  20  based upon the user&#39;s seating position. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a partial front view of the invention. The backpack  10  includes the enclosure  40 , wherein the front side  42  is partially transparent. The front side  42  includes the laptop compartment flap  55  selectively closable to seal a laptop compartment  59  that makes up at least a portion of the internal volume  49  of the enclosure  40 . The remainder of the internal volume  49  may be used to store additional items  270  (not shown in  FIG. 5 ) separately from the laptop computer  20 . Having the laptop computer  20  in a separate laptop compartment  59  can facilitate removal of the laptop computer when in use.  FIG. 5  also displays the rigid member  110  in the closed position. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a partial cross-section cut-away view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention wherein the laptop compartment flap  55  is in a closed position.  FIG. 6  shows the laptop computer  20  in the laptop compartment  59 , where it is held so that it is substantially unable to move about when the backpack  10  is moved by laptop compartment flap  55 , which includes the rigid member  110  and the heat sink strips  140  that function as described above in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 . The backpack  10  shown in  FIG. 6  also includes the channel  120  for receiving the rigid member  110  that allowing pivotal travel thereof only through the predefined arch  130  therein when the laptop compartment flap  55  is in the open position  80 . While the channel  122  is shown to have a particular shape in  FIG. 6 , the present invention is not limited in this regard, and may have any suitable shape that allows pivotal travel through the predefined arch  130  (e.g., a triangular shape, a rectangular shape, etc.). 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the rigid member  110  and the stop means  90  of the invention.  FIG. 7  shows the enclosure  40 , wherein the laptop compartment flap  55  is in the open position  80 . In the exemplary embodiment displayed in  FIG. 7 , the stop means  90  preventing the laptop compartment flap  55  from extending past the open position includes the rigid member  110 , which is fixed at least partially within the laptop compartment flap  55  and at least partially within the enclosure  40 . The channel  120  is shown in  FIG. 7  as well, which functions as described above. 
       FIG. 8  is a partial side elevational view wherein the laptop compartment  59  is lined with a resilient shock-absorbing material  250 , which functions as described above. Additionally,  FIG. 8  shows an exemplary embodiment of a backpack with a partition wall  260  within the enclosure separating the laptop compartment  59  from the at least one additional compartment  57 . Additionally, in the exemplary embodiment, the partition wall  260  is flexible and made at least partially from the shock-absorbing material  250 , such that the partition wall  260  is able to expand into the at least one additional compartment  57  to create more volume in the laptop compartment  59 , and the partition wall  260  is further able to expand into the laptop compartment  59  to create more volume in the at least one additional compartment  57 . Having a flexible partition wall  260  permits more flexibility for the user in arranging items  270  into the enclosure  40 , for example, if the user is not carrying a laptop computer, or if the user wishes to carry additional items in the laptop compartment  50 . 
     While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, instead of using a pair of substantially identical shoulder straps  100  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , two unequally sized shoulder straps may be used with an adjustable harness connecting the two. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims. 
     The teachings provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described herein. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention. 
     These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the above Detailed Description. While the above description details certain embodiments of the invention and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may vary considerably in its implementation details, while still being encompassed by the invention disclosed herein. 
     Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention. 
     The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above or to the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. 
     All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention. 
     Changes can be made to the invention in light of the above “Detailed Description.” While the above description details certain embodiments of the invention and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. Therefore, implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the invention disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. 
     In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention under the claims. 
     While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention.