Patent Publication Number: US-7216763-B2

Title: Impact protection system for carrying case

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to carrying cases. In particular, the present invention relates to carrying cases having means for protecting delicate instruments or objects stored therein against damage from impacts. 
     2. Background 
     Portable computers such as laptop or notebook computers have become increasingly popular due to their transportability, allowing such computers to be used in various places during and/or following transport. To enhance transportability, portable computers are typically designed to minimize size and weight and, therefore, do not usually include excess room for accommodating shock or impact absorbing materials or structure to protect sensitive components of the computers against damage from impacts. As a result, portable computers are vulnerable to damage if dropped, bumped against other objects or otherwise jarred or impacted, as often occurs during transport. 
     When a portable computer is stored in a closed position within a carrying case, it is particularly susceptible to damage from impacts to the side walls of the carrying case. The impact may be brief, such as when the carrying case is dropped on its side or collides with another object, or prolonged, such as when the carrying case is crammed within a crowded overhead bin of an airplane or a trunk of a car for an extended period of time. In either case, a front or back side wall impact can cause the keyboard portion of the portable computer to become pressed up against the display portion of the portable computer, thereby scratching or otherwise damaging the display. 
     Conventional solutions to this problem generally involve providing a flat layer of padding between the storage compartment of the carrying case that holds the portable computer and a front or rear side wall of the carrying case. However, in practice, such designs have done very little to prevent the damage caused by side impacts as set forth above. What is needed, then, is a system for protecting delicate instruments or objects stored in a carrying case, such as a portable computer, from the damage that may result from side impacts to the case. The desired system should improve upon and address one or more of the shortcomings of conventional impact protection solutions. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An impact protection system in accordance with the present invention includes at least one impact protection panel that is inserted in between an exterior side wall and an interior storage compartment of a carrying case, wherein the interior storage compartment is adapted for receiving a portable computer or other delicate instrument or object. The impact protection panel includes a base portion and an elevated portion and is positioned so that when an impact to the exterior side wall of the case occurs, the force of the impact is first received by the elevated portion and is then distributed via the elevated portion throughout the base portion before impacting a portable computer or other instrument or object stored in the storage compartment of the case. 
     A carrying case in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes an exterior that includes a substantially planar exterior side wall, an interior storage compartment including a substantially planar interior side wall that is parallel to the exterior side wall, and an impact protection panel disposed between the interior side wall and the exterior side wall. The impact protection panel includes a base portion having substantially planar top and bottom surfaces that are parallel to the exterior side wall and the interior side wall. The impact protection panel also includes an elevated portion surrounded by and projecting outward from the top surface of the base portion in the direction of the exterior side wall. In an embodiment, the elevated portion includes a substantially planar elevated surface that is parallel to the top surface of the base portion. 
     An impact protection panel in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a base portion having substantially planar top and bottom surfaces, and an elevated portion surrounded by and projecting outward from the top surface of the base portion. In an embodiment, the elevated portion includes a substantially planar elevated surface that is parallel to the top surface of the base portion. 
     Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. Such embodiments are presented herein for illustrative purposes only. Additional embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the relevant art(s) to make and use the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of an impact protection panel for use in a carrying case in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of an impact protection panel for use in a carrying case in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of an impact protection panel for use in a carrying case in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of an impact protection panel for use in a carrying case in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional top perspective view of an impact protection panel for use in a carrying case in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional bottom perspective view of an impact protection panel for use in a carrying case in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional top perspective view of an impact protection panel for use in a carrying case in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a cut-away view, in perspective, of a carrying case having an impact protection panel disposed therein in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9A  is a top view of an alternative impact protection panel for use in a carrying case in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9B  is a top view of another alternative impact protection panel for use in a carrying case in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     The features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference characters identify corresponding elements throughout. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. The drawings in which an element first appears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the corresponding reference number. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1–4  depict an example impact protection panel  100  for use in a carrying case in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular,  FIGS. 1–4  provide top, side, perspective and cross-sectional views of impact protection panel  100 , respectively. As will be described in more detail herein, impact protection panel  100  is adapted for insertion into a carrying case to protect a portable computer or other delicate instruments or objects stored therein from impacts to a front or back side wall of the carrying case. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1–4 , impact protection panel  100  includes a base portion  102  and an elevated portion  104 . Base portion  102  includes substantially planar top and bottom surfaces  116  and  118 , respectively. Elevated portion  104  is surrounded by and projects outward from top surface  116  of base portion  102 . In particular, elevated portion  104  includes a plurality of circular-shaped tiers or steps  106 ,  108 ,  110 , and  112  projecting outward from top surface  116  of base portion  102  and culminating in a substantially planar elevated surface  114  that is parallel to top surface  116  of base portion  102 . Each circular-shaped tier has a smaller diameter than the one beneath it. Elevated surface  114  is circular or disc-shaped and has a surface area that is smaller than the surface area of top surface  116  of base portion  102 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , elevated portion  104  defines a hollow or concave region that is surrounded by bottom surface  116  of base portion  102 . However, in an alternate embodiment (not shown), substantially planar bottom surface  116  of base portion  102  extends underneath the entirety of elevated portion  104  and impact protection panel  100  is solid throughout from bottom surface  116  of base portion  102  to elevated surface  114  of elevated portion  104 . 
     Impact protection panel  100  can be inserted into a carrying case in such a manner that bottom surface  118  of base portion  102  faces into the case and rests directly or indirectly against a flat surface of a portable computer while top surface  116  of base portion  102  faces out of the carrying case. When a side impact to the case occurs, the force of the impact is first received by elevated surface  114  of elevated portion  104  and then, due to the design of impact protection panel  100 , is distributed through the tiers of elevated portion  104  and throughout base portion  102  before impacting the portable computer itself. Impact protection panel  100  thus reduces the force that would have otherwise impacted the portable computer, thereby protecting the portable computer from damage. 
     A critical aspect of the design of impact protection panel  100  is the receiving of the impact by elevated surface  114  of elevated portion  104  and the distribution of the force of the impact to surrounding base portion  102 . Persons skilled in the relevant art(s) will readily appreciate that other designs that include an elevated portion  104  having a different size or shape than that depicted in  FIGS. 1–4  may be utilized to achieve this result. For example, elevated portion  104  may have more or less tiers than the four tiers shown in  FIG. 1–4 . Alternatively, elevated portion  104  may have tiers of a different shape than the circular-shaped tiers shown in  FIGS. 1–4  including but not limited to oval-shaped, square-shaped, or rectangular-shaped tiers. Furthermore, elevated portion  104  need not have tiers at all, but may instead provide a smooth transition between top surface  116  of base portion  102  and elevated surface  114 . These alternative embodiments are also within the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     In still alternate embodiments of the present invention, elevated portion  104  does not culminate in a generally planar elevated surface  114  at all but rather culminates in a pointed or rounded surface. Thus, for example, elevated portion  104  may be generally dome-shaped, cone-shaped, or pyramid-shaped. However, these examples are not intended to be limiting and elevated portions having other shapes may be used. 
     Impact protection panel  100  is preferably composed of a light-weight but strong material providing good impact resistance such as, but not limited to plastic, foam, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) compound, or other materials exhibiting like properties. Example foam materials include, but are not limited to, thermoplastic foams such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, polyethylene foam, or polypropylene foam. 
     The thickness of panel  100  as measured from bottom surface  118  of base portion  102  to elevated surface  114  of elevated portion  104  may be as thin as ¼ inch to 1½ inches, although this example range is not intended to be limiting. It will be appreciated, however, that a thin design will conserve space within a carrying case and reduce the overall weight of a carrying case having panel  100  inserted therein. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  depict cross-sectional perspective views of an alternate embodiment having five circular-shaped tiers. In particular,  FIGS. 5 and 6  depict an impact protection panel  200  that includes a base portion  202  and an elevated portion  204 . Base portion  202  includes substantially planar top and bottom surfaces  218  and  220 , respectively. Elevated portion  204  is surrounded by and projects outward from top surface  218  of base portion  202 . Elevated portion  204  includes a plurality of circular-shaped tiers or steps  206 ,  208 ,  210 ,  212  and  214  projecting outward from base portion  202  and culminating in a substantially planar elevated surface  216  that is parallel to top surface  218 . Each circular-shaped tier has a smaller diameter than the one beneath it. Elevated surface  216  is disc-shaped and has a surface area that is smaller than the surface area of top surface  218  of base portion  202 . 
       FIG. 7  provides a cross-sectional top perspective view of an impact protection panel  700  for use in a carrying case in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Like the previously-described embodiments, impact protection panel includes a base portion  702  having substantially planar top and bottom surfaces and an elevated portion  704  surrounded by and projecting outward from base portion  702 , wherein elevated portion  704  includes a plurality of circular tiers culminating in a substantially planar elevated surface. However, in contrast to the previously-described embodiments, in impact protection panel  700 , base portion  702  extends underneath the entirety of elevated portion  704 , thereby defining a cavity  708  between the top surface of base portion  702  and a bottom surface of elevated portion  704 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , a cushion  710  is disposed within the cavity  708  to increase the overall impact resistance of panel  700 . In an embodiment, cushion  710  is composed of foam or other impact resistant material. 
       FIG. 8  is a cut-away view, in perspective, of a carrying case  800  having an impact protection panel  802  disposed therein in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 8 , carrying case  800  has an exterior that includes a front side wall  804  opposing a back side wall  806 , left and right opposing side walls  808  and  810 , and top and bottom side walls  812  and  814 . The top, bottom, left and right side walls extend between front side wall  804  and back side wall  806  to form a generally rectangular frame with a zippered opening  816  substantially intermediate the front and back edges of the left, right and top side walls to selectively close or open carrying case  800  to allow access to an interior thereof. Preferably, at least one handle  820  is attached to front side wall  804 , back side wall  806  or top side wall  812  forming an elevated loop for grasping with one hand to transport carrying case  800 , and an attachable/detachable elongate, flexible webbing shoulder strap  822  is optionally included for ease of carry. 
     Carrying case  800  is preferably fabricated of leather, fabric or a synthetic fabric such as polyester or ballistic nylon and includes padded stiffening panels encased by the fabric material forming the outer covering. 
     The interior of carrying case  800  includes two elongate substantially planar partitions  824  and  826  which run parallel to exterior front and back side walls  804  and  806 . Partition  826  functions as a side wall to an interior storage compartment  818 . In particular, when carrying case  800  is in the closed condition shown in  FIG. 8 , partition  826 , back side wall  806 , left and right side walls  808  and  810 , and top and bottom side walls  812 ,  814  cooperate to define the boundaries of an enclosed storage compartment  818  which is adapted for receiving a laptop, notebook or sub-notebook sized portable computer (not shown) or other delicate instrument or object, for transportation or storage. 
     Partitions  824  and  826  also define an interior compartment  828  situated between interior storage compartment  818  and exterior front side wall  804 . Compartment  828  is adapted to house an impact protection panel  802 , the design of which has been described elsewhere herein. As shown in  FIG. 8 , impact protection panel  802  is inserted within compartment  828  so that a bottom surface of a base portion of panel  802  faces into case so that it may rest against a flat surface of a portable computer or other delicate instrument or object stored therein while a top surface of the base portion faces out of the carrying case. When a side impact to the case occurs, the force of the impact is first received by an elevated surface of an elevated portion of panel  802  and then, due to the design of impact protection panel  802 , is distributed through the tiers of the elevated portion and throughout the base portion before impacting the portable computer itself. 
     In an embodiment, impact protection panel  802  is permanently disposed within compartment  828 . For example, during manufacturing of case  800 , impact protection panel  802  may be inserted between partitions  824  and  826  and the partitions may be sewn or otherwise permanently affixed together to seal off compartment  828 . In an alternate embodiment, compartment  828  includes an opening so that an end user may insert and remove impact protection panel  802  into and out of compartment  828  as desired. 
     Although the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 8  depicts impact protection panel  802  inserted into compartment  828  defined by partitions  824  and  826 , an impact protection panel can be situated in other ways within a carrying case to perform an impact protection function in accordance with the present invention. For example, an impact protection panel could be inserted into a compartment that is defined by a single partition within a carrying case and an exterior side wall. Alternatively, an impact protection panel could be simply disposed between a portable computer or other instrument or object within a carrying case and an external side wall of the case. These examples are not intended to be limiting and persons skilled in the relevant art(s) will appreciate that other configurations may be used that are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the present invention (not shown), multiple impact protection panels may be used to protect more than one side wall of a carrying case. For example, a first impact protection panel could be inserted between a front side wall of a carrying case and an interior storage compartment and a second impact protection panel could be inserted between an opposing back side wall of the carrying case and the interior storage compartment, thereby protecting a portable computer or other instrument or object stored within the interior storage compartment from both front and back side wall impacts. 
     While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be understood by those skilled in the relevant art(s) that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.