Patent Publication Number: US-7721778-B2

Title: Convertible laptop bag

Description:
This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/670,173, filed Apr. 11, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a simple, minimalist laptop bag that has, as its key feature, the ability to convert from a tote bag to a protective sleeve in what is believed to be a new and unique fashion. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Most laptop computer bags are equipped to carry a number of accessories, but when no such accessories are needed the bags essentially become excess weight. At the same time, most laptop computer sleeves are ill-equipped to carry much more than accessories and a few papers. When carrying books or traveling for business, it may be desirable to simply carry one&#39;s laptop in another, general-purpose bag and thereby avoid carrying two bags. It is believed that no laptop computer bag can satisfy both of these needs. 
   The present invention is intended to overcome these deficiencies in the art by providing a laptop computer bag that has two alternative uses, one as a tote and the other as a skin (or sleeve). 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a convertible bag for carrying a laptop that can be converted from a tote configuration to a skin or sleeve configuration and back again. The convertible bag includes a body that is shaped and configured to receive a laptop computer; a pair of handles connected to the body, each handle defining an aperture that is sized to receive a hand or a portion thereof; and at least three fasteners, one fastener attached to each handle and one fastener attached to the body, whereby two or more of the at least three fasteners are positioned to engage one another when the pair of handles are in a first position that exposes the apertures and when the pair of handles are in a second position folded against the body. 
   Preferably, the convertible bag includes: a body that has first and second panels that are joined together, and has an opening along one edge thereof, a first handle connected to the first panel of the body and a second handle connected to the second panel of the body, each handle defining an aperture; and at least three fasteners, one fastener attached to each handle and one fastener attached to the second panel of the body, whereby two or more of the at least three fasteners are positioned to engage one another when (i) the pair of handles are in a first position that exposes the apertures of the handles and (ii) the pair of handles are in a second position with the second handle tucked into the opening and the first handle folded over the second handle and against the second panel of the body. 
   As noted above, the present invention affords a laptop computer bag that has two alternative uses, one as a tote and the other as a skin (or sleeve). Because the carrying bag of the present invention is convertible between these two different configurations, the carrying bag can satisfy the above-noted needs in the art. Importantly, when used in the tote configuration and when used in the sleeve configuration, the present invention provides much-needed protection for the enclosed laptop computer while allowing the user the flexibility of carrying a minimal amount of material (computer accessories, other electronics, papers, etc.) and/or for carrying the encased and protected laptop computer within another bag. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a convertible bag according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The bag is shown in the tote configuration. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the first embodiment, with the handles unfastened, exposing mating fasteners on the handles and the body. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the first embodiment with one handle inserted into the body (as one step in the conversion to a sleeve configuration). 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the first embodiment with the bag shown in the sleeve configuration. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a convertible bag according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The handles are positioned to illustrate two different sets of fasteners, one for securing the handles in the tote configuration and the other for securing the handles in the sleeve configuration. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The convertible bag of the present invention is characterized by a body that is shaped and configured to receive a laptop computer, a pair of handles that are integral with or connected to the body, with each handle defining an aperture that is suitably sized to receive a user&#39;s hand, and at least three fasteners that can secure the handles in one of two positions. Specifically, the handles can be joined together by two of the at least three fasteners to secure the handles in a first position (i.e., in a tote configuration), or one of the handles can be joined with the body by two of the at least three fasteners to secure the handles in a second position (i.e., in a sleeve configuration). 
   Preferably the body has first and second panel (i.e., front and back sides) that are joined together, and an opening along one edge (i.e., the top) through which a laptop computer can be inserted and removed. The pair of handles is connected to the first and second panels of the body such that they are positioned opposite one another across the opening. The fasteners on the two handles mate to join the handles together while they are in the first position (i.e., the tote configuration). A fastener is also attached to exterior of the second panel of the body. A fastener on the first handle mates with the fastener attached to the exterior of the second panel of the body when the second handle is folded through the opening (and tucked into the bag), and the first handle is folded over the exposed portion of the second handle and against the exterior of the second panel of the bag. 
   Exemplary fasteners include, without limitation, hook and loop fasteners, male and female snap fasteners, other mechanical fasteners, and magnetic fasteners. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , according to one embodiment the bag  10  is shown in its conversion from the tote configuration to the sleeve configuration. The bag  10 , as described above, includes a body  12 , first and second of handles  14   a ,  14   b  that define openings  16   a ,  16   b , and three fasteners  18 ,  19 , and  20 . Fastener  18  is connected to handle  14   a , fastener  19  is connected to handle  14   b , and fastener  20  is connected externally of body  12 . Fasteners  18  and  19  are connected to the handles  14   a ,  14   b  such that they engage one another to secure the handles in the first position (i.e., tote configuration) with the two handles confronting one another and openings  16   a ,  16   b  aligned to receive a user&#39;s hand. Fastener  20  is connected externally of body  12  such that fasteners  18  and  20  engage one another to secure the handles in the second position (i.e., sleeve configuration). In the second position, the openings  16   a ,  16   b  are obstructed. 
   The bag  10  can be converted from the first position ( FIG. 1 ) to the second position ( FIG. 4 ) by first disengaging fasteners  18  and  19 , which allows the two handles to move freely of one another ( FIG. 2 ). Then handle  14   b  is tucked between a laptop and the side of the bag to which the other handle  14   a  is connected ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ). At this point, handle  14   a  can be folded over handle  14   b  and the side of the bag to which handle  14   b  is connected ( FIG. 4 ). With fasteners  18  and  20  engaged in this configuration, the handle  14   a  is secured in the second position ( FIG. 4 ). 
   In this embodiment, fastener  18  mates with each of fasteners  19  and  20 . Thus, fasteners  19  and  20  are the same type of fastener, and fastener  18  is a corresponding mate thereof. 
   As shown in  FIG. 5 , the bag  10  is preferably characterized by the presence of a durable outer layer  24 , an inner lining  26 , and a layer of padding  28 . The bag  10  can be formed of any suitable material, the selection of which will largely depend upon non-functional aspects, such as style and fashion. For example, outer layer  24  is preferably formed of synthetic or natural products such as ballistic nylon, leather, canvas, or suede. The padding and lining materials can be selected from known materials. One preferred inner lining  26  material is a light-weight nylon, such as 420 Denier pack cloth. The padding is preferably an open or closed cell foam material, such as ETHAFOAM® (Dow Chemical Co.) or sponge foam. 
   The bag and handles can be formed from the same blank of material or they can be connected together during construction and assembly via stitching, heat welding, or other appropriate means. 
   Construction of the bag can be carried out using a continuous side and bottom panel, which is secured to the body panels along the length thereof (forming an opening between the body panels). If the handles are not integrally formed with the body panels, the handles can be connected to respective body panels on either side of the opening. Any of a wide variety of finishing materials can be applied to the seams. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6 , according to a second embodiment the bag  30  is shown in its conversion from the tote configuration to the sleeve configuration. The bag  30  includes a body  32 , handles  34   a ,  34   b  (with openings  36   a ,  36   b ) as described in connection with the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , and four fasteners  38 ,  39 ,  40 , and  41 . Fasteners  38  and  39  are connected to the handles  34   a ,  34   b , respectively, such that they engage one another to secure the handles in the first position (i.e., tote configuration) with the two handles confronting one another and openings  36   a ,  36   b  aligned to receive a user&#39;s hand. Fasteners  40  are connected externally of body  32  and fasteners  41  are connected to handle  34   a  such that fasteners  40  and  41  engage one another to secure the handles in the second position (i.e., sleeve configuration). In the second position, the openings  36   a ,  36   b  are obstructed. 
   The conversion of bag  30  from the first position to the second position is consistent with the description above with regard to bag  10 . The only difference is that handle  34   a  has two fasteners  38  and  41  rather than one. Fastener  38  mates with fastener  39  only when the handles are in the first position, and fastener  41  mates with fastener  40  only when the handles are in the second position. Thus, fasteners  38  and  40  are incapable of mating engagement, either due to their position or to the type of fastener that is utilized. 
   In this embodiment, fasteners  38  and  39  can be the same type of fastener pair as fasteners  40  and  41 , or they can be different. If the fastener pairs are different from one another, e.g., fasteners  38  and  39  are male/female snap fasteners, respectively, while fasteners  40  and  41  are magnetic fasteners, respectively, then fasteners  38  and  41  can be located either at the same general site on handle  34   a  or at different locations. The latter is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
   As shown in the accompanying figures, in the first configuration (i.e., tote configuration) the computer bag has the appearance of a conventional tote bag and can be carried as such given the confronting alignment of handles. This configuration is desirable for persons who have little need to carry their laptop with additional accessories or documents. In the second configuration (i.e., in the “sleeve” configuration), the computer bag can be used to protect a laptop inside another bag. This configuration is desirable for persons who intend to carry their laptop in a larger bag, in which case the sleeve will protect the computer from damage that may be caused by books or other accessories also contained in the larger bag. 
   The convertible bag of the present invention converts from the tote position to the sleeve position (and back again) in a fluid and simple motion: the second handle is tucked between a laptop and the opposite body panel of the bag, and then the first handle is folded over the second handle and externally of the opposite body panel of the bag. To convert the bag from sleeve position to tote position, the opposite manipulation can be performed. 
   Although preferred embodiments have been depicted and described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various modifications, additions, substitutions, and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and these are therefore considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims which follow.