Abstract:
A cover for a laptop computer being unique in that a user will not have to remove the laptop from a computer bag is disclosed. The cover provides similar protection than that of a computer bag; however users will likely prefer the convenience the cover provides in transporting a laptop and further transitioning between a deployed position and a carrying position. Multiple embodiments provide options for easily storing items such as a mouse, power cord, memory stick, documents or notebook, pens, highlighters, and business cards. Further multiple embodiments optionally provide a handle, a shoulder strap, or both. The cover is also applicable to a tablet computer.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to devices for protecting, covering and carrying portable electronic devices. More particularly, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention pertains to a covering case for a portable/laptop computer with accessory pockets and other important features. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Art 
         [0004]    Recently, as more electronic devices have become more prevalent, so have accessories to accompany them. When personal computers were first introduced in the 1970s, the idea of portable personal computers soon followed. Around the 1980&#39;s, the first flip form or clamshell designs were embodied in a portable personal computer, also called a laptop or a notebook. 
         [0005]    The portable aspects of such computers further brought forth carrying cases for the computers to assist ease of transport and provide protection. Additionally, the carrying cases provide pockets for computer accessory equipment such as power cords, USB cables, mice, media storage devices, etc. 
         [0006]    More recently, laptop carrying cases have emerged that provide an advantage of being able to use the computer without having to remove it from the case. One such example has been proposed by Pichahchi. U.S. Pat. No. 2007/0019734. entitled “Protective Case for Portable Computer.” While some users may find Pichahchi&#39;s design suitable for their needs, the present invention provides advantages and features not currently available in the art. As an example, airport security would still require a user to remove the laptop from Pichahchi&#39;s design, since it is a full enclosure. Conversely, a solution provided by the present invention would not be required to be separated and disassembled from the laptop during airport security screening. Other attributes and advantages are also provided as described herein. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above mentioned deficiencies associated with the prior art. More particularly, the present invention, in a first aspect, is directed to a cover for a portable computer, the portable computer having a clam shell design including a monitor half and a keyboard half, the cover comprising: a rectangular shape having four corners, the four corners each including a retaining strap, the retaining straps removably secured to respective four corners of the monitor half, wherein the keyboard half remains untouched by the cover. 
         [0008]    The cover for a portable computer is further characterized as having a main compartment comprising: a front side, two lateral sides, a closure flap, and a plurality of sub-compartments within the compartment. Additionally in a preferred embodiment, the plurality of sub-compartments includes a cylindrical loop to secure a pen or a pencil, and various additional sub-compartments. Also, the two lateral sides are made from elastic material as to provide a measure of forgiveness for oversized items. Alternatively the lateral sides may be pleated in nature. 
         [0009]    Further to the invention in the first aspect, a handle strap is provided, wherein the handle strap comprises a single loop forming a race track shape, the race track shape additionally has first and second ends, further wherein, in a carrying position, the first and second ends mate together for further mating to a user&#39;s hand. Also, a special pocket is provided, the pocket being inverted with respect to a top of the cover. The pocket is for securing excess handle strap when the handle is not in the carrying position, but rather in an operating position. Other enclosures or restraints could also be provided for this purpose. 
         [0010]    In a second aspect, the invention is directed to a cover for a portable computer, the portable computer having a clam shell design including a monitor half and a keyboard half, the cover comprising: a first cover portion removably secured to the monitor half; and a second cover portion pivotally attached to the first cover portion, wherein the first cover portion comprises two lateral sides, the two lateral sides each comprising front and rear edges, the front and rear edges comprising a first and a second zipper tracks respectively, further wherein the second cover portion has a third zipper track, and further wherein the third zipper track is able to be secured to either the first or the second zipper track. 
         [0011]    In this aspect, the invention is further characterized in that the first cover portion has four corners each having a transparent and elastic retaining strap, the retaining straps being removably secured to respective four corners of the monitor half. Further, the invention is characterized in that first and second loops are coupled to the first cover portion. Additionally, first and second D-rings are coupled to first and second loops, respectively; and a shoulder strap having first and second ends is coupled to first and second D-rings respectively. Further, a shoulder pad is also slidingly connected to the shoulder strap. It is further envisioned that the computer cover could be of a patterned material such as a flower pattern, for example. 
         [0012]    In yet another aspect, the invention is directed to a cover for a tablet computer such as an iPad, the tablet computer including a monitor portion, the cover comprising a first cover portion removably secured to the monitor portion, the first cover portion including an outwardly facing side, the outwardly facing side comprising a first upwardly facing pocket at a mid-portion thereof. 
         [0013]    The invention in this aspect is further characterized in that the outwardly facing side further comprises a second upwardly facing pocket adjacent to the first upwardly facing pocket; a rectangular transparent insert for receiving a business card, the rectangular transparent insert opposite the second upwardly facing pocket with respect to the first upwardly facing pocket; and a third upwardly facing pocket opposite the second upwardly facing pocket with respect to the first upwardly facing pocket, the third upwardly facing pocket secured by a zipper. 
         [0014]    The invention in this aspect is additionally characterized wherein the cover comprises an upper edge, the upper edge forming a pocket opening along the entire upper edge, the pocket opening suitable for receiving documents. Also, a handle strap according to the invention has first and second ends. Further, a downwardly facing pocket is coupled to the outwardly facing side of the cover and is used for securing the handle strap second end. 
         [0015]    The present invention can be better visualized by turning now to the following drawings wherein like elements are referenced by like numerals. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a carrying case of the present invention shown not coupled to a personal computer; 
           [0018]      FIG. 1B  illustrates the invention embodiment of  FIG. 1A  in a carrying position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of a carrying case of  FIG. 1A  shown coupled to a laptop computer; 
           [0020]      FIG. 1D  is rear perspective view thereof; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a second preferred computer cover of the present invention shown not coupled to a personal computer; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective illustration of the invention embodiment of  FIG. 1A  in a carrying position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2C  and  FIG. 2D  illustrate how the invention is applicable to a tablet computer; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2E  and  FIG. 2F  are perspective illustrations showing how invention accessory areas are compartmentalized; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B  are front and rear perspective views of an invention embodiment having accessory pockets arranged and an alternative fashion; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3C  illustrates the invention embodiment of  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B  in a carrying position; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3D  is a bottom plan view of the invention illustrating optional extra retaining straps; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4A  is a front perspective view of yet another invention embodiment having accessory pockets arranged and an alternative fashion; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4B  illustrates the invention embodiment of  FIG. 4A  in a carrying position; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  illustrate still more variations according to the invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5C  is an underneath perspective view thereof; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  is a front view illustrating yet still more invention variations; 
           [0033]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrates a flower pattern embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 8A  and  FIG. 8B  are front views illustrating further still alternatives according to the present invention; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view illustrating still more variations according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0036]    With regard to  FIG. 1A  through  FIG. 1E , a first preferred embodiment  100  is illustrated in various views. The cover  100  is designed for a portable computer such as a laptop having a clam shell design including a monitor half  991  and a keyboard half  992 . However, the invention  200  ( FIG. 2A ) could also be configured to a tablet computer, such as an iPad, as described further herein. Initially, the cover comprises a first cover portion  110  removably secured to the monitor half  991 . The first cover portion  110  has a rectangular shape to complement a shape of the monitor  991  wherein four retaining straps are secured to respective four corners of the monitor half  991 . 
         [0037]    This particular embodiment  100  optionally includes a second cover portion  160  pivotally attached to the first cover portion  110  about an edge thereof. Further, the edge may comprise hinges that connect partially along the edge so that a power cord or other wired device could extend out adjacent to the edges. The second cover portion  160  may optionally lie underneath the keyboard  992  or pivot around to be juxtaposed to the first cover portion  110 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1E . The first cover portion  110  further has two lateral sides  112 ,  113 , each having front  165 ,  166  and rear  163 ,  164  edges. The front and rear edges further comprise first  165 ,  166  and a second  163 ,  164  zipper tracks respectively. A third zipper track  161 ,  162  is provided to the second cover portion  160 . As shown, the third zipper track  161 ,  162  is reversible so that it can either be secured to the second zipper track  163 ,  164 , or to first zipper track  165 ,  166 . When the third  161 ,  162  and second  163 ,  164  zipper tracks are secured to one another, the cover  100  is in the carrying position for transporting the laptop  991 ,  992 . When the third  161 ,  162  and first  165 ,  166  zipper tracks are secured to one another, the cover  100  is in the operating position for using the laptop  991 ,  992 . As stated, the second cover portion  160  could lie underneath laptop keyboard  992  in the operating position, as preferred by a user to improve appearance and how the laptop  922  can sit on a horizontal surface. 
         [0038]    In the preferred embodiment  100 , retaining straps  131 ,  132 ,  133 ,  134  are angled about four corners of the monitor half  991 . Also, retaining straps  131 ,  132 ,  133 ,  134  comprise transparent elastic material as to not obstruct viewing of a laptop monitor  991 . Additionally, first  157  and second  158  loops are provided to an upper area of the first cover portion  110 . The loops  157 ,  158  in turn are coupled to first  151 ,  152  and second D-rings for attachment to a shoulder strap  150 . A shoulder pad  153  is provided for comfort and is slidingly connected to the shoulder strap  150 . 
         [0039]    With regard to  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  an additional embodiment  200  of the present invention is illustrated. It  200  is very similar to the  FIG. 1A  et seq. embodiment  100 , however it does not include optional features; but however, it  200  retains most of the original functionality. More particularly, the second cover portion  160  has been omitted and therefore zippers  161 ,  162 ,  163 ,  164 ,  165 ,  166  are likewise not required. It should be noted that cover portion  210  is provided to the monitor  991 ; however, cover  210  does not touch the keyboard half. Rather, handle strap  240  is provided to wrap around keyboard half  992 . Also as illustrated in  FIG. 3D , handle strap  240 ,  340  is a singular piece of material  240 ,  340  having a racetrack shape. The race track shape  240 ,  340  has first and second ends  241 ,  242 . When the invention  100 ,  200  is in the carrying position ( FIG. 1A ), first  241  and second  242  ends mate together for further mating to a users hand. Additionally, VELCRO closure handle  243  wraps around first  241  and second  242  ends of the racetrack  240  to assist the carrying position. 
         [0040]    Similar to the first  100  preferred embodiment, the invention  200  herein ( FIG. 2A  through  FIG. 2F ) is directed to a cover  210  having a front  211  and a back  215 , the back  215  supported by a plastic sheet liner. Retaining straps  231 ,  232 ,  233 ,  234 , are provided to secure to a monitor  991  and are affixed to the back  215  at four corners. Lateral sides  212 ,  213  are comprised of elastic material so that slightly oversized items may be accommodated. Cover  210  has a main inner compartment secured by a closure flap  214 . Additionally, first and second loops are provided to an upper area of the cover portion  210 . The loops in turn are coupled to first  251  and second  252  D-rings for attachment to a shoulder strap  250 . A shoulder pad  253  is provided for comfort and is slidingly connected to the shoulder strap  250 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 2C  and  FIG. 2D  illustrate that handle strap  240  and shoulder strap  250  are optional.  FIG. 2E  and  FIG. 2F  illustrate compartments  220 ,  221 ,  222 ,  223 ,  224  of the cover  210  for storage of typical work/school items such as mouse, power cord, USB cord, memory stick, handheld media player, etc. More specifically, the cover  210  comprises a main compartment comprising: a front side  211 , two lateral sides  212 ,  213 , a closure flap  214 , and a plurality of sub-compartments  221 ,  222 ,  223 ,  224  within the compartment. Further, one of the plurality of sub-compartments  223  includes a cylindrical loop  226  to secure a pen or a pencil. And one of the plurality of sub-compartments  223  (for example) includes an additional sub-compartment  224 , the additional sub-compartment including an opening  224  secured by a zipper  225 . Main compartment  227  additionally comprises a pocket opening  227  along an entire length thereof, the pocket opening  227  suitable for receiving documents, 8½″×11″ for example. 
         [0042]    With regard to  FIG. 3A  through  FIG. 3D , another embodiment  300  of the present invention is illustrated in various views. Herein  300 , the first cover portion  310  includes an outwardly facing side  311 , the outwardly facing side  311  has a first upwardly facing pocket  321  at a mid-portion thereof. Also, the outwardly facing side  311  further comprises a second  322  upwardly facing pocket adjacent to the first upwardly facing pocket  321 . Also, a rectangular transparent insert  324  is provided for receiving a business card. The rectangular transparent insert  324  is located opposite the second upwardly facing pocket  322  with respect to the first upwardly facing pocket  321 . 
         [0043]    Also, a third upwardly facing pocket  323  is provided opposite the second upwardly facing pocket  322  with respect to the first upwardly facing pocket  321 . Additionally, the third upwardly facing pocket  323  is secured by a zipper  325 . 
         [0044]    Also with regard to  FIG. 3A  through  FIG. 3D , the cover  300 /cover portion  310  comprises an upper edge, the upper edge forming a pocket opening  320  along the entire upper edge, the pocket opening  320  suitable for receiving documents. 8½″×11″ for example. In a preferred embodiment  300 , extra retaining straps  333   b ,  334   b  may be provided to supplement straps  331 ,  332 ,  333 ,  334  according to  FIG. 3D . Extra retraining straps  333   b ,  334   b  are juxtaposed to upper retaining straps  333   a  and  334   a  as shown. 
         [0045]    Turning now to  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B , an additional computer cover embodiment is provided  400 . As in other similar embodiments, the cover portion  410  is secured to monitor half  991  and there is no cover per se to the keyboard half  992 . Herein  400 , the first cover portion  410  includes an outwardly facing side  411 , the outwardly facing side  411  has a first upwardly facing pocket  421  at a left side of the cover portion  410 . A right side of the outwardly facing side  411  comprises a second upwardly facing pocket  422  secured by a zipper. A rectangular transparent insert  424  is located on top of the second upwardly facing pocket  422 . 
         [0046]    An additional preferred embodiment  500  of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 5A through 5C . Snaps  545 ,  546 ,  547  are provided to handle strap  540  so that ends  541 ,  542  can mate together. A VELCRO closure  570 , or more specifically a cylindrical material  570  that opens and closes along a longitudinal edge of the cylinder  570  is provided to retain excess straps  540  when in the operating position as preferred by the user. 
         [0047]    An additional preferred embodiment  600  of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Here  600 , excess strap  640  can be taken up by a downwardly facing pocket  671  coupled to the outwardly facing side  611 , the downwardly facing pocket  671  for securing the handle strap  640  second end  641 .  FIG. 7A  and  FIG. 7B  illustrate a cover  700  comprising a hibiscus flower pattern. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate an additional embodiment of the present invention. Initially, the first cover portion  810  includes an outwardly facing side  811 , the outwardly facing side  811  has a first upwardly facing pocket  821  at a mid-portion thereof. Also, the outwardly facing side  811  further comprises a second  822  upwardly facing pocket adjacent to the first upwardly facing pocket  821 . Cylindrical pen pockets  826  are provided on top of the second upwardly facing pocket  822 . Also, a third upwardly facing pocket  823  is provided opposite the second upwardly facing pocket  822  with respect to the first upwardly facing pocket  821 . Additionally, the third upwardly facing pocket  823  is secured by a zipper  825 . Optionally, with regard to  FIG. 8B , a mesh pocket  827  is provided on top of the third upwardly facing pocket  826 . Also, a downwardly facing pocket  871  is provided to secure excess strap  840  when in the operating position. In other words, the pocket  871  is inverted with respect to a top of the cover portion  810 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 9  illustrates an additional alternative  900  having lateral sides  912  that are pleated. It should further be appreciated that certain invention embodiments  100 ,  200 ,  900 , herein could be comprised of rigid material therefore resembling an attaché case. 
         [0050]    Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed above even when not initially claimed in such combinations. 
         [0051]    Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. 
         [0052]    While the particular Portable Computer Cover Case Having Accessory Compartments as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims (to be added upon conversion).