Patent Abstract:
A carrying case for a computer is made of webbing to permit security personnel to view the computer without removing it from the case. The laptop can be opened and used without removing the case.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to the field of personal computers, usually referred to as laptops, and, more particularly, to the carrying case used for manual transport.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Since 9/11, the world of public transportation has changed significantly. In fact, there is now a government agency, the Transportation Security Agency (TSA), that is responsible for the heightened security at airports and other facilities. The security measures taken by TSA personnel to check each passenger and all packages carried on board airplanes has resulted in long lines and increased pre-flight boarding times.  
           [0003]    While the TSA personnel use sophisticated instruments to determine the absence of illegal compounds and objects, there remains a requirement for visual inspection of certain devices. Packages, boxes, carry-on bags must be opened for such visual inspections. Because the airlines have been permitting the passengers to carry on just about anything, opening and closing of these articles adds to the delays of clearing security points.  
           [0004]    The laptop computer has become a normal accessory for many travelers, both for work and entertainment, during the trip. The conventional laptop has no integrated carrying devices and, therefore, usually is placed in a carry case. Most cases have various pockets and compartments to carry peripheral equipment and other things the owner may include with the computer. The carrying cases may be made of soft or hard materials which may be padded and completely enclose the computer for protection.  
           [0005]    Akins, U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,001, discloses a carry case made of thin flexible material with pockets that fits about a laptop like a glove. The case has openings for attaching power cords and other peripherals but completely encloses the computer.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,497 to Krulik discloses a cradle for a laptop that has two major planar pads connected by Velcro tabs. The pads are placed on each side of the computer for protewction during movement.  
           [0007]    Holter et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,505, discloses a harness with shoulder straps and waist belt that can be attached to a rigid case for carrying the case. Certain modifications of the case are required to provide attachment points for the harness.  
           [0008]    Therefore, what is needed is a device for carrying a laptop computer that permits visual identification and is easily mounted and dismounted from the computer.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The instant invention is a carrying case for use in combination with a laptop computer. The carrying case permits visual inspection of the computer by use of a case formed from webbing having a plurality of longitudinal elements extending along the edges of the computer and a plurality of horizontal tapes extending across the width of the computer. Each of the longitudinal elements and horizontal tapes have opposite ends, the longitudinal elements are perpendicular to the horizontal tapes and are connected together at the opposite ends. A carrying handle is connected to each of the horizontal tapes whereby the longitudinal elements may be folded approximately in half about the computer to place said the horizontal tapes adjacent to each other and presenting said carrying handles to be gripped by one hand.  
           [0010]    Thus, an objective of this invention is to provide a lightweight webbing for carrying a laptop that would allow travelers to simply place the laptop on the moving belts of the security machines in airports and retrieve them without having to open any bags, pockets or other containers.  
           [0011]    Another objective of this invention is to provide a one piece harness which includes carrying handles that can be attached to a laptop without any modifications of the computer case or use of any tools.  
           [0012]    Still another objective of this invention is to provide a carrying case that allows opening of the computer without removal from the webbing.  
           [0013]    A further objective of this invention is to provide a harness that allows the use of the computer without removal.  
           [0014]    Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective of a laptop contained within the webbing of this invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of this invention; and  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is a detail view of elastic fasteners for attaching the webbing to a laptop.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]    Although the invention will be described in terms of a specific embodiment, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art that various modifications, rearrangements and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.  
         [0019]    In FIG. 1, the webbing  10  is shown attached to a laptop  11  with the carrying handles  12  and  13  positioned to be gripped by the user. The webbing  10  may be of any suitable material having the requisite strength and non-toxic properties to electronic parts and human contact. For example, leather, polyethylene, cellulose acetate, rayon or nylon webbing may be used though any other polymer may be suitable. The webbing may be woven, knitted or film with or without apertures in the film. The webbing  10  fits about the laptop  11  in a manner that leaves the normal portals free from obstruction to permit use of the computer.  
         [0020]    As seen in FIG. 2, the harness or webbing  10  is formed in a rectangular grid. The longitudinal elements  14  are connected to horizontal tapes  15  at each cross over point  16 . The connections  16  may be mechanical fasteners, such as brads, grommets, or stitches, or chemical, such as adhesives, autologous bonding by heat and pressure or solvents, or combinations thereof. The longitudinal elements and the horizontal tapes may be integrally molded or otherwise formed. The left marginal longitudinal element  17  is connected at one end to an end of a horizontal tape  18  which extends perpendicular to the element  17 . The other end of the marginal longitudinal element  17  is connected to an end of another horizontal tape  19 . The right marginal longitudinal tape  20  is connected at one end to the other end of horizontal tape  18  and at the other end to horizontal tape  19 . The horizontal tapes are shorter than the longitudinal elements resulting in a rectilinear form.  
         [0021]    Carrying handles  12  and  13  are formed by a loop of webbing with left longitudinal portion  21  and right longitudinal portion  22  parallel with left and right marginal longitudinal elements  17  and  20 . The left portion  21  and the right portion  22  are connected to the horizontal tapes  18  and  19  at the cross over points.  
         [0022]    Near the center of the left and right marginal longitudinal elements  17  and  20 , a pair of bottom tapes  23  and  24  extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal elements and the left and right longitudinal portions of the carrying handles. The bottom tapes are connected to the marginal elements and the carrying handles at the cross over points. The bottom tapes  23  and  24  are located on opposite sides of an imaginary center line bisecting the marginal longitudinal elements. The spacing between the tape  23  and the tape  24  is approximate to the thickness of a laptop folded for carrying. The bottom tape  31  is disposed inside the closed computer during transport.  
         [0023]    While the marginal longitudinal elements and the left and right longitudinal portions of the carrying handles have been described as continuous, it is possible that the area between the bottom tapes  23  and  24  could be reinforced or made of a different material.  
         [0024]    The harness  10  is mounted on the laptop by elastic loops  25 ,  26 ,  27  and  28  located at the four corners of the rectilinear form. The elastic loops are oriented at approximate 45 degrees angle to the four corners. The opposite ends  29  and  30  of the elastic loops are each connected to a marginal longitudinal element and a horizontal tape. The materials of the elastic loops may be the same as the webbing and the connection to the webbing may be the same as used in the webbing.  
         [0025]    It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described certain forms of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0