Patent Publication Number: US-2010122924-A1

Title: Case and stand for a portable computer

Description:
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a case and stand for a portable computer. 
     2. Summary of the Prior Art 
     Portable computers (often known as “laptops” or “notebook computers”) are widely used by people who wish to be able to work or use their computers for leisure in a variety of places. This offers their users great convenience. Such computers are not without their disadvantages. A portable computer is a complex and expensive piece of equipment that can be damaged quite easily. Therefore, users of such computers must run the risk of damaging their machines, or transport them in a protective case. Some users find such a case inconvenient, because it adds to the bulk and weight of the computer, and the user must find somewhere to temporarily store the case when the computer is in use. 
     Moreover, the compact nature of such computers imposes limitations upon the shape, size and configuration of their components, which can be detrimental to their ergonomics. This can be compounded by ad-hoc arrangements that typically are imposed by working in places that are not fully equipped as an office. For example, when a portable computer is placed on a desktop, its keyboard will often be too flat and its display too low to allow an operator to sit in an optimal position. While there have been various proposals for stands upon which a portable computer can be rested while in use, they have some disadvantages. If a stand is bulky or heavy to carry, it defeats the portability of the computer, so it is unlikely to be used, other than in one location. 
     The inventor has realised that problems with known devices can be overcome, or at least ameliorated, with a minimum of inconvenience to the user by providing a device that can serve both as a protective case and a support for a computer. An aim of the invention is to provide such a device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,723 provides a foldable jacket for a portable computer comprising interconnected folded panels that can be used to support a computer in a raised position. However, as can be seen in these figures, when the stand is used in a raised configuration, a laptop projects well beyond the top of the support panel. When the screen of the laptop is opened, this causes significant instability, there being a tendency for the laptop to topple rearwards from the stand. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention provides a device for use with a portable computer that, in a first configuration, can serve as a protective storage container for a portable computer and, in a second configuration, serves as a support upon which a portable computer can be placed for use. More specifically, it provides a device for use with a portable computer. 
     This provides an particular advantage that is not obtained from a stand or a protective case alone: the device is always useful to the user, and does not become an inconvenience, irrespective of whether the computer is being transported or is in use. Thus, it lacks the disincentives to use that are present in known stands and carrying cases. It also presents the computer to a user in an ergonomic disposition, raised from a supporting surface, that allows it to be used safely and comfortably. 
     Most advantageously, the device may be placed in several alternative configurations in which it can serve as a support, in which the computer adopts several alternative arrangements. For example, in one such configuration, the computer may lie substantially flat with relation to a supporting surface. This arrangement allows a computer to be used on many flat or uneven surfaces, including a users lap. It also acts as a barrier to the transmission of heat from the computer to the supporting surface. 
     Further preferred but non-essential features of embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of a first surface of a computer stand and transportation device being a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of a second surface of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows the embodiment of  FIG. 1  folded to receive a computer; 
         FIG. 4  shows a computer prepared for use with the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 5   a  to  5   c  show installation of the computer of  FIG. 2  on the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 6   a  to  6   i  show how a laptop that is contained in the embodiment of  FIG. 1  can be brought into use in a flat configuration; 
         FIGS. 7   a  to  7   c  show how a laptop that is contained in the embodiment of  FIG. 1  can be brought into use in a raised configuration, in a variation of the sequence shown in  FIGS. 6   a  to  6   i;    
         FIG. 8  shows the upper part of fourth, fifth and connecting panels of a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8   a  shows the lower part of the fifth panel of the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  shows a support panel for the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  shows the second embodiment in a closed configuration; 
         FIGS. 11 and 12  are general and side views of a third embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 13 to 16  show a fourth embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 17  shows an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the drawings, a computer stand and transportation device being a first embodiment of the invention comprises an approximately rectangular elongate sheet  10  of flexible material, in this case, a double layer of tough, woven nylon material with resilient padding, and, in some cases, stiffening material, between the layers. The sheet has a long axis A-A and a short axis B-B. 
     The sheet  10  is divided into several (in this embodiment, five) panels by lines of stitching  12  that extend across the sheet  10  through both of its layers parallel to the short axis B-B. Thus, the sheet  10  can be considered to comprise a plurality of panels interconnected by flexible strips at the lines of stitching that allow the panels to fold over one another. In this embodiment, the lines of stitching  12 , and, therefore, the fold lines are parallel to one another. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the panels will be identified, from left to right, as the first to the fifth panels,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24 . 
     A cover flap  26  is attached to the fourth panel  22  on the first surface of the sheet  10 . The cover flap  26  is secured to the sheet  10  by a seam that extends parallel to the short axis B-B. In this embodiment, the cover flap  26  is formed from the same material as the sheet  10 . The cover flap  26  is shaped to have a periphery that is approximately a regular trapezium, attachment to the sheet  10  being along the shorter parallel side of the flap  26 . The cover flap  26  carries a strip of hook-and-look fastener (not shown) close to an edge that is opposite the edge by which it is attached to the sheet  10 . 
     The fifth panel  24  will be referred to as the “support panel”. A rectangular stiffening card is located within the sheet  10  between the layers and located by adjacent lines of stitching  12 . In this embodiment, the stiffening card is formed from sheet plastic, but it could, in other embodiments, be metal, board (e.g. cellulosic or paper-derived), or another material. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the support panel  24  is folded along a line of stitching  12  to overlie the fourth panel  22  and the third panel  20 . 
     The support panel  24  has a support surface (part of the first surface, shown in  FIG. 1 ) upon which two strips of hook-and-loop fastener  30  are disposed parallel to one another and perpendicular to the lines of stitching  12 . The strips  30  extend the length of the support panel  24  and are spaced from its edges. The support surface is dimensioned such that a typical portable computer, of a type with which the embodiment is intended to be used, can be supported upon it. A strip of hook-and-loop fastener  36  is provided along a free edge of the support panel  24  remote from the fourth panel. 
     The third panel  20  contains a semi-rigid stiffening card (or could be flexible), while there is a card within the fourth panel  22 . These are, together, approximately the same length in the direction of the long axis A-A as the length of the support panel  24 . The second panel  18  likewise is without a stiffening card, and is much shorter in the direction of the long axis A-A than the other panels: its length is selected to be approximately the thickness of a typical portable computer of a type with which the embodiment is intended to be used. 
     The first panel  16  will be referred to as the “cover panel”, and is of approximately the same dimension as the support panel  24 . The cover panel  24  contains a stiffening card. In this embodiment, the sides of the cover panel  16  that are substantially parallel to the long axis A-A are slightly concave, principally for aesthetic reasons. On the surface of the cover panel  16  that is contiguous with the support surface of the support panel  24 , a strip of hook-and-loop fastener  32  extends parallel to the short axis B-B, close to an edge of the cover panel remote from the second panel  18 . On the opposite surface of the cover panel  16 , a wide strip of hook-and-loop fastener  34  extends from the edge of the cover panel remote from the second panel  18 . 
     Use of the device with a portable computer will now be described. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , a portable computer  40  is prepared for use with the device by application of several self-adhesive patches  42  of hook-and-loop fastener to the underside of the computer  40 . The patches  42  are spaced in two parallel rows extending generally from front to back of the computer  40 , the rows being spaced apart by substantially the same distance as the strips  30  on the support panel  24 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5   a  to  5   c , once the computer  40  is thus prepared, it can be installed into the device. First, the device is placed on a flat surface and the support panel  24  is folded to overlie the third and fourth panels  20 ,  22  with the strips uppermost, while the cover flap  26  extends away from the support panel  24 . Having been prepared as described above, the computer  40  is placed onto the support panel  24 , such that the front of the computer  40  is adjacent to the fourth panel  22 . The patches  42  engage with the strips  30  whereby the computer  40  is retained in place on the support panel  24 . 
     To store and protect the computer  40 , the cover and second panels  16 ,  18  are folded such that the second panel  18  protects a front surface of the computer  40  and the cover panel  16  protects its top. In this configuration, the cover panel  18  is approximately parallel to the support panel  24  and the strip of hook-and-loop fastener  32  is exposed. The cover flap  26  is then folded to cover the still-exposed face of the computer  40 , and is secured by interaction of the strips of hook-and-loop fastener on the cover flap  26  and the cover panel  16 . In this configuration, the device surrounds the computer, thereby protecting it from damage. This is the configuration shown in  FIG. 6   a.    
     Deployment of the computer  40  for use in a flat configuration will now be described. 
     The packaged computer  40  is placed on a flat surface with the cover flap  26  uppermost. The cover flap is then folded back from the cover panel  16  against the resistance of the hook-and-loop fasteners, to the configuration shown in  FIG. 6   c . The cover panel  16  can now be folded back to lie on the surface thereby exposing the computer  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 6   d  and  6   e . The front of the computer  40  is now lifted. As shown in  FIG. 6   f , the support panel  24  is lifted with it by the action of the hook-and-loop fastener strips  30  and patches  42 . This allows the cover panel  16  to be folded inwards, to overlie the second, third and fourth panels  18 ,  20 ,  22  ( FIG. 6   g ). The computer  40  and the support panel  24  are then lowered to the configuration shown in  FIG. 6   h . The computer  40  can then be opened for use ( FIG. 6   i ). When used in this way, at least three double layers of the sheet are present between the computer  40  and the support surface. This provides a thermal barrier between the support surface and the computer  40 , and also absorbs small irregularities in the support surface, thereby reducing the tendency for the computer to wobble or otherwise be unstable. 
     Deployment of the computer  40  for use in a flat configuration will now be described. 
     The procedure for deployment initially follows the steps described above with respect to  FIGS. 6   a  to  6   e , at which point, the sheet is lying flat on the support surface. The sheet is then folded at the line of stitches  12  between the third and fourth panels  20 ,  22  until the fourth panel  22  is approximately vertical ( FIG. 7   a ). The support panel  24  is then dropped onto the cover panel  16  to the position shown in  FIG. 7   b . The strip of hook-and-loop fastener  36  on the edge of the support panel  24  engages with the wide strip of hook-and-loop fastener  34  on the cover panel  16 , which locates the relative positions of the support panel  24  and the cover panel  16  such that the support panel  24  is supported on a slope. Thus, the computer is supported for convenient, comfortable use, as shown in  FIG. 7   c . The position at which the edge of the support panel  24  makes contact with the cover panel  16  determines the angle of the support panel  24 . 
     The hook-and-loop fasteners may be of a type commonly known by the registered trade mark “Velcro”. 
     It will be appreciated that the embodiment described above requires a user to attach fastening patches  42  to their computer. A user may not always be willing or permitted to do this. If the user simply omits the step of attaching the patches  42  to their computer, it will not stay in place on the support panel when it is in use. This embodiment serves to address this problem. 
     In this embodiment, the support panel  24  is replaced with a support panel  124  formed of stiff material, such as stiff plastic or metal plate, separately from the other panels. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the support panel  124  is connected to the fourth panel  122  by way of a connecting panel  128 . The connecting panel  128  is formed as part of the sheet, and is connected to and can pivot with respect to the fourth panel  122 . The connecting panel  128  is secured to an upper part of the support panel  124  by fasteners  138 . Thus, the support panel  124  can pivot with respect to the fourth panel  124  in much the same manner as in the first embodiment. 
     The support panel  124  has several slots  130  formed through it. The slots  130  are arranged in two groups, disposed symmetrically about the long axis A-A. Within each group, the slots  130  are parallel to one another, extending parallel to the fold lines, and each slot extends in alignment with a corresponding slot  130  in the other group. In order to prevent a computer placed on the support panel  124  from sliding from it, a respective L-shaped stop  132  is placed in each of two aligned slots  130 , one from each group. The stops  132  may be formed of metal, plastic, or other stiff material. Note that this embodiment may also carry strips of hook-and-loop fastener on the support panel  124  for the convenience of those users who are willing to apply patches to their computer. Alternatively or additionally, a lower edge portion  134  of the support panel  124  may be turned upwards, as shown in  FIG. 8   a  to provide a ledge that can support a computer placed upon the support panel  124 . 
     There is a risk that the computer will slide sideways out of the case since it is not firmly fixed to the support panel. Therefore, this embodiment includes a respective tab  140  secured close to opposite short sides of the support panel  124  on the surface opposite the support surface. A portion of hook-and-loop fastener is secured to each tab  140 . 
     When the case is closed, each tab  140  is looped around to make contact with a portion of hook-and-loop fastener carried on the cover panel  16 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . (Alternatively, mechanical fasteners could be used in place of hook-and-loop fasteners.) The tabs then serve to resist movement of a computer in a direction generally parallel to the short axis B-B. The tabs are peeled back to separate the hook-and-loop fastener before opening the case. 
     An alternative approach to preventing a computer sliding from the case is to provide a peripheral zip fastener  200  that can interconnect the fourth panel  222  and the cover panel  216 , as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . Since the zip fastener holds the case securely closed, it avoids the need to provide a cover flap. This allows the case to be closed securely, and protects a computer carried within it by way of a carrying handle  202 . 
     A fourth embodiment of the invention incorporates a modification to the support panel that can be applied to any of the embodiments described above. This will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 13 to 16 . 
     In this embodiment, the support panel  324  is in the form of a pouch with an opening indicated at  300 . The pouch is formed of padded fabric material. As with previous embodiments, the support panel  324  has hook-and-loop fasteners on its supporting surface  330  that can optionally be used to secure a laptop  340  computer to it. A lower portion of the supporting panel  324  has a bulbous portion  302  that extends across the short axis of the case. As shown in  FIG. 14 , a computer  340  can be placed on the supporting surface, and it will be prevented from sliding off the stand by the bulbous portion  302 . 
     For storage, the computer can be placed in the pouch where it is protected by the padded fabric. This leaves the supporting surface free for other uses, such as supporting papers or a book. When the case is folded, the computer is safely retained within it. 
     This embodiment can be folded as shown in  FIG. 16  whereby the support panel  324  overlies the other panels. In this configuration, the stand can support a computer  340  on a table, supporting surface, or a users lap. In this configuration, the fabric of the support panel  324  acting as a thermal barrier between the computer and its support. 
     This embodiment also includes a strap  304  to allow it to be carried on a user&#39;s shoulder and a detachable carrying pack  306 . 
     A further alternative embodiment is shown in  FIG. 16 . The functions of the device and its principle of operation are essentially the same as the first embodiment. However, the panels are formed from sheets of stiff material, which is, in this case, metal formed such as by laser cutting, interconnected by flexible elements. Rather than using hook-and-loop fasteners to locate the support panel on the cover panel, there is a tab on the support panel that can engage with one of several slots on the cover panel.