Abstract:
A bag apparatus for carrying a portable computer comprising six panels where the computer is mounted to an inside surface of the bag and aligned with an opening in the front panel of the bag for quick and convenient access where a user can perform computing tasks ergonomically with the hands and eyes in their normal positions. The bag includes a storage compartment for carrying additional computer components and for general storage.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/001,428, filed Nov. 30, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0002]    This applications is a divisional of and claims the filing benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 of application Ser. No. 11/163,763 filed Oct. 28, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to a carrying case for a computer and peripherals. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Most computer bags are made for a lap top with the primary purpose of carrying them from desk to desk in safety. Further, most carrying cases for portable computers enclose the computer within the case. Some carrying cases are adapted for use as both a carrying case for a computer and as a work platform for the computer. One apparatus has been described as an article of luggage or a carrying case which protects the laptop computing device during periods of non-use, including transport and further provides a means for stabilizing the computing device on one&#39;s lap during use. The carrying case remains in contact with the computing device during use of the computer when positioned on a user&#39;s lap. However, the problem is that the carrying case is designed so that the user can only use the computer on a user&#39;s lap while the computer is in contact with the carrying case. A user cannot perform computing functions while standing and when mobile. 
         [0005]    Others describe a carrying case for small electronic devices that serves as both a carrying case and work platform for use while the wearer is sitting or standing and particularly when the wearer is also mobile. The carrying case comprises a case structure, and a strap arrangement which supports the case over a wearer&#39;s shoulder for transporting a computer contained within the case structure. The strap arrangement is attached to the case structure in a manner which enables the wearer to position the case structure in a generally horizontal position in front of the wearer when the wearer is standing. The problem here is that the structure of the carrying case is strictly designed to carry only the portable computer. The case does not provide any storage means should the user desire to carry additional peripherals. 
         [0006]    Still others describe a laptop computer support which provides a portable computer support that a user may wear over the shoulders and across the back so that a user may stand erect and be mobile while using a portable computer. The support base is attached with quick connect/disconnect buckles to shoulder straps near the support base&#39;s leading edge, and back straps attached near the support base&#39;s trailing edge. When the laptop computer is not use, utility flaps are folded over the computer and joined to each other, providing a protective pocket in which the computer may be kept. However, the disadvantage is that the computer unit is stored within the carrying case and must first be unpacked before it is used. Further, besides the utility flaps and pockets, the carrying case does not provide general storage for other computer peripherals. 
         [0007]    Still others describe a protective carrying bag which allows a user to carry as well as operate a general purpose portable computer without removing the computer from the bag. This carrying bag provides a foldable protective jacket for the portable computer. The problem here is similar to other apparatuses such that the protective carrying bag is strictly designed to carry only the portable computer. The case does not provide any additional storage room for the user to carry additional peripherals. 
         [0008]    Other apparatus for providing an improved protective case for carrying portable electronic devices are available. One such apparatus describes a flexible, protective case for a disc or tape drive unit having adjustable windows in the case. Wiring connections pass through the windows and to the ports to establish wiring connections to the power source and to the computer. While the carrying case provides a means to pass wiring connections to a computer through adjustable windows in the case, the computer drive case does not provide housing for a computer unit. A separate carrying case is required for carrying the computer. 
         [0009]    While these prior computer bags are mainly for use with a laptop computing device which protects the device during transport as well as provides a work platform for a portable computer, these bags do not provide additional storage compartments for computer peripherals. Additionally, many prior carrying cases have the portable computers enclosed within the carrying case and require unpacking and set-up of the computer before use. 
         [0010]    Therefore, there is a need in the art for a carrying case for a computer unit that allows a user to have the computer ready to use with no unpacking and limited set up because the computer is accessible by the user from the outside of the bag. The prior approaches are primarily focused on enclosing the computer within the case for protection during transport. Other prior art disclose a computer carrying case that allows a user to carry as well as operate a general purpose portable computer without removing the computer from the bag while the wearer is sitting or standing and particularly when the user is also mobile. However, these carrying cases do not provide extra storage for carrying additional computer components, accessories or peripherals. 
         [0011]    Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a carrying apparatus for a portable computer and desired peripherals which enables a user to use and carry a computer ergonomically with the hands and eyes in their normal resting positions. 
         [0012]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a carrying apparatus which allows quick and ready access to the computer with minor set up because the computer is accessible by the user from the outside and while the bag is in a closed position. 
         [0013]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a carrying apparatus that appears as a normal accessory item and does not interfere with the users everyday clothing. 
         [0014]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a carrying case that can be used as both a computer bag and a general purpose bag such that extra baggage is not needed. 
         [0015]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a carrying case that can be used with various computer makes and models. 
         [0016]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a carrying case that allows the user to move the computer with all files and programming to a new bag for purpose of style, replacement or upgrading. 
         [0017]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a carrying case that is easy to manufacture. 
         [0018]    Further objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    The embodiments of the present invention solve the problems and address the drawbacks of the approaches in the above description. An embodiment of the present invention includes a bag apparatus for mounting a computer to the bag where a user can perform computing tasks ergonomically with the hands and eyes in their normal, resting positions. 
         [0020]    An embodiment of the present invention is a bag apparatus for carrying a portable computer unit having an opening in a front panel of the bag for providing access to the computer without having to open the bag. A rigid rim may be disposed around the opening for aligning the computer to the opening. A mounting apparatus assembly is fixed onto an inside surface of the front panel. The mounting apparatus assembly may comprise of one or more fasteners such as, but not limited to, clips, flaps, pins, toggles, bolts and hole, or elastic bands, for securing the computer to the front panel. 
         [0021]    A further embodiment of the present invention is a bag apparatus for carrying a portable computer further including a docking port. The docking port is adapted for mounting the computer to the inside of the front panel. Fasteners attach the docking port to the front panel. 
         [0022]    Still another embodiment of the present invention is a bag apparatus for carrying a portable computer wherein the front panel may be configured as a rigid molded front. A mounting assembly or alternatively a partition panel may be used to secure the computer to the rigid molded front. 
         [0023]    Another embodiment of the present invention is a bag apparatus for carrying a portable computer further comprising a slide-in holder such as a cage or channels. The holder is adapted for slidably receiving the computer. 
         [0024]    In a further embodiment of the present invention the computer is mounted to the outside surface of the front panel. The opening in the front wall allows computer peripheral accessories to access and connect to ports located on the back of the computer. 
         [0025]    Another embodiment of the present invention is a bag apparatus for carrying a portable computer having no front panel. A docking port for mounting the computer is attached to the top, bottom, left, and right panels of the bag. 
         [0026]    Other features that may be added to the computer bag apparatus include: a lining attached to an inside surface of the bag for covering wiring and for supporting one or more computer peripheral accessories; one or more pockets attached to an outside surface of the bag with access for electrical wiring through the bag panel to the interior, and a protective flap attached to the top, back, or front panel. 
         [0027]    These and other embodiments of the present invention are further made apparent, in the remainder of the present document, to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    In order to more fully describe embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are not to be considered limitations in the scope of the invention, but are merely illustrative. 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  shows an exploded perspective view of a basic structure of a computer bag apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded perspective view of a computer bag apparatus having a rigid front panel and docking port according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 3A  shows an exploded perspective view of a computer bag apparatus having a rigid front panel and a holder configured as a cage according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 3B  shows an exploded view of a computer bag apparatus having a rigid front panel and a holder configured as tubular channels according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded perspective view of a computer bag apparatus having a rigid molded front panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  shows an exploded perspective view of a computer bag apparatus with no front panel and a docking port attached directly to the top, bottom, left, and right panels according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  shows an exploded perspective view of a computer bag apparatus with a mounting assembly attached to the outside surface of the front panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0036]    The description above and below and the drawings of the present document focus on one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention and also describe some exemplary optional features and/or alternative embodiments. The description and drawings are for the purpose of illustration and not limitation. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize variations, modifications, and alternatives. Such variations, modifications, and alternatives are also within the scope of the present invention. Section titles are terse and are for convenience only. 
         [0037]    An embodiment of the present invention includes a computer bag apparatus  10  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Bag  10  is comprised of a front panel  11 , an opposing back panel  16 , a top panel  15 , a bottom panel  12 , a left panel  14 , and a right panel  13 , each panel having an inside surface and an outside surface. Left panel  14 , right panel  13 , top panel  15 , and bottom panel  12  connect front panel  11  to back panel  16 . Top panel  15  includes a top opening  15   a  for providing access to an interior of bag  10 . The preferred material for bag panels  11 - 16  is a waterproof synthetic fabric, although not limited to this material. Bag  10  further comprises an opening  17  in front panel  11  for providing access to a computer  18  while computer  18  is inside bag  10 . The connection of front panel  11  to back panel  16  creates an interior storage compartment  10   a  within bag  10 . A rigid rim  11   a  may be disposed around opening  17  for creating an opening  17  with a precision edge. A mounting assembly  19  is fixed to the inside surface of front panel  11  for aligning and securing computer to opening  17  in front panel  11 . Mounting assembly  19  may also provide a seal between computer  18  and front panel  11 . Mounting assembly  19  may comprise of snaps, clips, flaps, pins, toggles, bolts and holes, velcro, screws, hooks, or elastic bands. Mounting assembly  19  attaches to complementary fixture parts  19   a  on computer. Mounting assembly  19  may attach or mold to front panel  11  by heat fusing, adhesives, or riveting. 
         [0038]    In alternative embodiments, bag  10  may further comprise a footing  12   a  and a flap  15   b  for further securing computer  18  to front panel  11 . Footing  12   a  may be made of bag material and may attach to the inside surface of bottom panel  12 , front panel  11 , or side panels  13 ,  14 . Footing  12   a  is configured to accept a bottom edge of computer  18 . Footing  12   a  may include compressible foam to optimize fit to computer  18 . Footing  12   a  may further include fasteners that attach to computer  18 . Flap  15   b  is configured to hold a top edge of computer  18  against front panel  11 . Flap  15   b  may attach to the inside surface of top panel  15  or front panel  11 . Flap  15   b  may include compressible foam to optimize fit to computer  18 . Flap  15   b  may further include one or more fasteners that attach to computer  18 . 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 2  is a bag apparatus  20  further comprising a rigid front panel  21  and docking port  22 . Rigid front panel  21  may be placed between two layers of bag material. Docking port  22  is adapted for mounting computer  18  to the inside surface of rigid front panel  21  and aligning computer  18  with opening  17 . One or more fasteners  23  secures docking port  22  to rigid front panel  21 . Fasteners  23  are selected from the group consisting of snap pins, stamped plate, stamp plate with receptacle mounts, clips, bent or molded edge, screw, and hook and pin. Left panel  14 , right panel  13 , top panel  15 , and bottom panel  12  may attach to rigid front panel  21  by crimping, heat fusing, adhesives or other means. The outer edges of docking port  22  may coincide with the outer edges of rigid front panel  21 . Alternatively, the outer edges of docking port  22  may be smaller than the rigid front panel  21  to accommodate computers and bags of different sizes. The inner edges of docking port  22  may coincide with opening  17  in rigid front panel  21  in which case computer  18  may be mounted from either the inside or outside of bag  20 . 
         [0040]    Another embodiment may include a computer bag apparatus  30  further comprising a holder  32  attached to the inside surface of a rigid front panel  31 , as shown in  FIGS. 3A-3B . Referring to  FIG. 3A , holder  32  has a receiving slot  33  for slideably receiving computer  18  and aligning computer  18  with opening  17 . Holder  32  may be configured as a cage  32  for receiving and mounting computer  18 . Alternatively, cage  32  may attach to rigid front panel  31  by hinging, as shown in  FIG. 3A . An opening in cage  32  allows for access to the back of computer  18 . Holder  34  may also be configured as channels  34  secured to rigid front panel  31  by heat fusing, adhesives, riveting, or other means, as shown in  FIG. 3B . Attachment pins  35  fixed to computer  18  may be used for securing computer  18  to channels  34 . Holder  32  may also be configured as an intermediate panel attached to the interior panels of bag  30 . The intermediate panel has four sides and may be comprised of bag material. A first side of the intermediate panel may attach to the inside surface of left panel  14 . A second side of the intermediate panel may attach to the inside surface of right panel  13 . A third side of the intermediate panel may attach to the inside surface of bottom panel  12 , thus accommodating computer  18 . The intermediate panel may include an opening which may have a rigid rim disposed around the opening to retain computer  18  and provide access to the back of computer  18 . The intermediate panel may also be reduced to one or more bands, each band having two ends. The bands stretch between and attach left panel  14  to right  13  panel. Computer  18  fits between rigid front panel  31  and the bands. The band(s) may be made of elastic or other material. Alternatively, the band(s) may be split vertically into two halves connected with a fastener such as velcro, snaps, hooks, lacing, or other types of fasteners. Thus allowing computer  18  to enter the mounting assembly from the back instead of the top. 
         [0041]    A further embodiment may include a computer bag apparatus  40  having a front panel configured as a rigid molded front  41 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Rigid molded front  41  comprises a plurality of rigid short walls  42  extending into bag  40  forming an opening  43  for receiving and accessing a computer  18 . The placement of rigid short walls  42  on rigid molded front  41  may vary depending on the shape and size of computer  18 . Rigid short walls  42  may coincide with the outer edges of rigid front panel  41 . Alternatively, rigid short walls  42  may coincide with opening  43  in rigid front panel  41  to allow computer  18  to be mounted either from the inside or outside of bag  40 . Computer  18  secures within opening  43  by a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly may include clips, flaps, pins, toggles, bolts and holes, velcro, and elastic bands. Rigid molded front  41  attaches to left panel  14 , right panel  13 , top panel  15 , and bottom panel  12  by thermal bonding, adhesives, crimping, or other means. An outside surface of rigid molded front  41  may be covered with bag material. 
         [0042]    Another embodiment may include a computer bag apparatus  50  without a front panel. Top panel  15 , bottom panel  12 , left panel  14 , and right panel  13  connect back panel  16  to a docking port  51 . Docking port  51  forms an opening  52  in bag  50 . Opening  52  is shaped and fitted with fasteners for accepting and securing in place a computer unit  18 . Docking port  51  may be joined to bag  50  by thermal bonding, adhesives, crimping, or other means. 
         [0043]    Still another embodiment may include a computer bag apparatus  60  with a mounting assembly  62  attached to the outside surface of front panel  61  for securing computer  18  to the outside of bag  60 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . Mounting assembly  62  provides a seal between computer  18  and bag  60 . Provisions for a separate seal are adaptable and may be readily made. An opening  17  in front panel  61  allows peripherals and other electrical connections within bag  60  to directly access or connect to ports located on a back side of computer  18 . 
         [0044]    Other features that may be added to the computer bag apparatus may include bumpers on the sides and/or bottom of the front edges of the bag. On the top edge of the bag above the computer there may be an opening for sound. This sound opening may be covered with a small cover flap, grill, or sound permeable material. Additional features include a partition panel hinged to the inside surface of the bottom panel or the front panel. The partition panel is adapted for levering the computer against the front panel. The partition panel may include a wiring mount adapted for connecting the computer to computer peripherals within the bag. A lining may be attached to the inside surface of the bag for covering wiring and for supporting computer peripheral accessories. Additionally, pockets may be attached to the outside surface of the bag. The pockets may be adapted to pass electrical wiring through the bag panel to the interior of the bag to accommodate peripherals held in the pocket such as a head mounted display, or batteries. A protective flap may be attached to the back, front, or top panel. The flap may have hold down fixtures to match ones on the bag, computer or docking port. The flap may completely or partially cover the front panel opening. The flap may comprise of a material that is soft, rigid, or rigid in specific areas. 
         [0045]    Throughout the description and drawings, example embodiments are given with reference to specific configurations. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms. Those of ordinary skill in the art would be able to practice such other embodiments without undue experimentation. The scope of the present invention, for the purpose of the present patent document, is not limited merely to the specific example embodiments of the foregoing description, but rather is indicated by the appended claims. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents within the claims are intended to be considered as being embraced within the spirit and scope of the claims.