Abstract:
A laptop pc bag provides not only a standard laptop carrying case for carrying and protecting a laptop PC but also a desk. The height of the bag can be adjusted by extending the legs as far as desired, from approximately six inches to thirty-six inches, thereby providing the right height of the desk for the user. This allows users of all ages and sizes to take advantage of bag in its desk format, regardless of where they are. The legs ultimately provide the user more freedom with their laptop PC and will allow the user to perform the tasks at hand in an easier and more comfortable manner than previously possible. A considerably more versatile laptop bag is provided, one that can be transformed from a normal standard laptop carrying case into a portable workstation, for today&#39;s more versatile user and workplace.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/470,369, filed May 14, 2003, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/505,225, filed on Sep. 23, 2003. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The invention relates to bags and stands for notebook personal computers (also known as, PC&#39;s or laptops).  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    Notebook PC&#39;s have changed how business is conducted by providing the ability to access your computer on your lap: hence the name laptop. However, as the notebook computer evolved and uses and needs therefore grew, the notebook computer became a more important part of everyday life. Unfortunately, most people are still using laptop computers on their laps, which is not a very comfortable way to work.  
           [0006]    Business travelers need a desk at which they can work when out of the office. However, any portable desk must comply with airport security guidelines. In particular, parts of any portable desk should not be able to be disassembled into any potential weapon.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a convertible laptop PC bag to workstation with legs that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices of this general type and that provides a carrying case that can convert to a desk-like workstation wherever the user takes their laptop.  
           [0008]    With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a convertible laptop pc bag &amp; workstation, including a standard laptop pc bag, and three adjustable legs. The invention enables the bag to transform into a desk.  
           [0009]    The invention, an improved laptop carrying case, has the ability to turn into a desk regardless of where the user is. The legs are lightweight, yet very strong, and fit neatly in the bottom of the laptop bag when not being used. Once the legs have been extended, one has a desk to work on rather than your lap: thus, a more ergonomic comfortable working position. In addition, since there is no direct contact between the laptop and one&#39;s legs, the bag can virtually eliminate the chances of leg burns, which can occur from the extraordinary heat laptops can reach, as high as 140° F. Finally, since the laptop computer is in the confines of the bag, the computer is protected at all times, rather than being completely exposed, possible leading to the computer being more easily dropped or broken.  
           [0010]    More importantly, according to an Intel article published in March of 2002, “92% of all corporate travelers use a laptop pc while on the road.” Additionally, and even more recently and compelling, for the first time ever, in quarter two of 2003, laptop computer sales outpaced desktop computer sales, proving the growing trend of laptop popularity. Therefore, this invention is one that will likely be in great demand.  
           [0011]    In accordance with a further object of the invention, the adjustable legs will provide an improved laptop carrying case. A more comfortable working environment for the user while using their laptop will serve multiple uses and overall will provide a more user-friendly, enhanced laptop bag. Further, this enhanced laptop carrying case will remain economically comparable to the existing standard laptop bag on the market. The actual bag will be a standard laptop bag, similar to one found in a computer store or one that comes with the computer. A preferred size is approximately fifteen by seventeen by eight inches. However, the bag will be manufactured in different sizes to accommodate various size laptop computers and other versions such as, but not limited to, a briefcase version made of leather, aluminum, or plastic, a portable DVD Player bag/stand version for viewing, a wheeling version more appropriate for airline travel, a hair and make-up case and stand, a disc jockey/music carrying case and stand, etc. All the previously mentioned embodiments can be made of various materials.  
           [0012]    In accordance with a further object of the invention, the bag can be made in various sizes, various colors, various materials, and various formats and purposes, for example a portable DVD viewing bag/stand made of leather. The DVD version would be considerably smaller bag than the average laptop PC bag.  
           [0013]    Above are listed various formats for the bag, such as the briefcase version, and the DVD player versions, as well as different possible materials and sizes for the bag and legs. However, the favored format or best mode is the standard black nylon bag, with the lightweight, heavy-duty black anodized aluminum legs, with rubber stoppers at the ends to provide a stable non-skid base.  
           [0014]    In accordance with a further object of the invention, a single leg can be attached to the center of the bottom of the bag. A tripod at the bottom of the leg stabilizes the workstation.  
           [0015]    With the objects of the invention in view, there is also provided a second embodiment of an improved laptop carrying case that has the ability to turn into a desk regardless of where the user is. The legs are lightweight, yet very strong, and fit neatly in the laptop bag when not being used. The four legs individually screw into the four designated sockets on the bottom portion of the bag. Once installed the user has a desk on which to work, rather than their lap.  
           [0016]    Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.  
           [0017]    Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a convertible laptop PC bag to workstation with legs, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.  
           [0018]    The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic front perspective of a bag according to a first embodiment of the invention in a closed position;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the first embodiment;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the first embodiment in an opened position;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4 is a partial front side view of a leg of the first embodiment;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the first embodiment;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 6 is a front side view of the leg first embodiment;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the first embodiment with the legs deployed;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic bottom side view of a second embodiment of the bag according to the invention;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 9 is front perspective view of the second embodiment in an opened position;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the second embodiment in the opened position and with the legs deployed;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 11 is a front side view of an unextended leg of the second embodiment; and  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 12 is a front side view of an extended leg of the second embodiment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0031]    Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a bottom side of bag  14  constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. The top part of bag  14  has handle  8  made of strong plastic and may be covered in the same material as bag  14 . Bag  14  has two compartments, the top being computer storage compartment  18 , and the bottom being leg storage compartment  16 . Unzipping their appropriate zippers (zipper for computer storage compartment  10  and zipper for leg storage compartment  12 ) opens the respective compartment.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of bag  14  in a closed state. Zipper for computer compartment  10  is in the top left corner of bag  14  when closed; when unzipped, computer storage compartment  18  is exposed, and the user is able to begin their task. Zipper for leg compartment  12  is in the bottom left corner of bag  14  when closed as well, and when unzipped legs  20  are exposed.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the inside of the leg storage compartment  16 , the bottom part of bag  14 . The user pulls each leg  20  out and down individually from leg storage compartment  16 . At which point, each leg  20  swivels from a horizontal position to a vertical position. The back two legs  20  are connected to the corners of bag  14  by hinge  32  that is bolted into the two back corners of leg storage compartment  16 . The front leg  20  is in the center of the front part of leg storage compartment  16 , and is also attached by hinge  32 , which is bolted in as well. It is hinge  32  that enables the leg to swivel and move from a horizontal packed bag position to a vertical desk position, enabling the conversion from bag to desk.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of leg  20  with rubber stopper  22  at the bottom of leg  20  and quick-release lock  38 . This is leg  20  in its shortest form, before it is extended out, to a possible maximum of six times its shortest form. Leg  20  will measure approximately six inches, when not extended, and can extend out as far as approximately thirty-six inches. Legs  20  in the most favored form will be made of lightweight, heavy-duty black anodized aluminum and will have rubber stoppers  22  at the ends to provide a stable non-skid base. Legs  20  may also be made in materials such as, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, and plastic.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of bag  14  and computer storage compartment  18  in an open state. The inside of flap from computer compartment  30  has pockets for files  34  to hold files, papers folders, etc., and a pocket for disks  36  to hold standard computer accessories, such as computer disks, compact discs, DVD&#39;s, pens, etc. FIG. 5 shows bag  14  separated into two separate compartments: one compartment housing the computer equipment, computer storage compartment  18 , which will be padded with shock absorbing EVA foam for the laptop&#39;s protection and accommodating various size laptops, and the leg storage compartment  16  housing the legs. Legs  20  are exposed by unzipping flap from leg compartment  24 . Legs  20  are in a desk position and are at their shortest form, providing elevation from the ground, ones lap, or surface that one is working on. Additional compartments, which may or may not be added, may include small pockets for extra cords, computer accessories or personal items.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of leg  20  once it has been extended out to its greatest length, preferably, thirty-six inches. The adjusted height is determined by placing the spring-loaded button  26  into respective holes on legs  28 . This feature will be similar to an aluminum adjustable walking cane.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of bag  14  in its final form as a desk. Legs  20  are at their longest length, completing the transformation from bag to desk. Legs  20  are fully extended, and spring-loaded buttons  26  are locked into the respective holes on legs  28 . Flap  24  hangs down in the back so legs  20  can be exposed and extended out.  
         [0038]    In operation, one uses bag  14  in a normal manner, for carrying and protecting. Once the user has reached the destination where he or she plans to use the laptop, bag  14  turns from a carrying case into a desk/workstation. One can adjust the height of the workstation appropriately for the user&#39;s most comfortable ergonomic working position.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 1 shows the bottom side of bag  14 . It is in this part of bag  14  where the user will find leg storage compartment  16 , which is where legs  20  are housed when not being used. The user will carry bag  14  while it is in its bag format, by carrying it by handle  8 .  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 2 shows bag  14  in a closed state, lying on its bottom side, showing the top side of bag  14 . The user will open and expose computer storage compartment  18  by unzipping flap for computer compartment  30  by using zipper  10 .  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 3 shows the inside of leg storage compartment  16 . Legs  20  are housed in this section of bag  14 . There are two legs in the back corners, and one leg in the center of the front of leg storage compartment  16 . The user will swivel each leg  20  individually down towards the ground into a vertical positioning, turning the bag into a desk. However, at this point in FIG. 3, legs  20  are still in a packed position.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 4 shows leg  20  in its smallest form, as it will be when stored in leg storage compartment  16  and before being extended. The user will swivel each leg  20  individually, and move legs  20  from a horizontal position to a vertical position, enabling the base of the desk to be made. Also shown is quick-release lock  38 , which the user must twist to loosen the grasp of the other pieces of the telescoping legs, enabling leg  20  to extend, then one can tighten leg  20  once it is in an extended locked position. Rubber stopper  22  when in operation will provide a stable non-skid base.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of bag  14  and computer storage compartment  18  in an open state, with legs  20  at the shortest possible length. The user would be using the bag  14  in its desk format, however this would likely be used while the user is sitting on the floor, and they simply need their laptop to be elevated. The user of course has many options as to the exact height they wish to work on, by simply extending legs  20 .  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 6 shows leg  20  in its fully extended form. The user can extend leg  20  to the appropriate length by first twisting the quick-release locks  38 , which allows each leg  20  section to telescope down to the floor, once the appropriate height is reached. The user simply places the spring-loaded button  26  into the appropriate hole on leg  28 , and this can be done any where along each section of leg  20 , maximizing the number of different heights the desk can be set at, just like an adjustable aluminum walking cane. The user has the option to sit in a chair and extend leg  20  to fit the user&#39;s height or the chair&#39;s height, or the user could sit on the floor, grass, sand, or virtually any surface, and just have the legs extended out slightly to provide elevation and a more comfortable ergonomic working position, instead of being hunched over. Typically, a table surface is about thirty inches high. A minimum length of the legs is a size that can fit within the smallest dimension (length or width) of the bag; this is usually about ten inches.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 7 shows bag  14  in its desk format. Legs  20  have been fully extended and locked into place. The user can adjust the height of legs  20 , to match their appropriate height, or the appropriate height for the seat they are using, by simply telescoping out leg  20 . To assure the appropriate height and a stable workstation to work on, the user will use quick-release locks  38  and spring-loaded buttons  26 , locking the legs  20  into a locked stable position.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 8 is a bottom side view showing the bottom side of bag  114  constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. The top part of bag  114  has handle  108  made of strong plastic and may be covered in the same material as bag  114 . On the bottom of bag  114 , are four designated areas  110 , encasing four sockets  112 , where legs  120  will screw and lock in. The four designated areas  110  where legs  120  screw in, will be made of the same material as legs  120 , the most favored format being lightweight, heavy-duty black anodized aluminum.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of bag  114  in an open state. Leg storage compartment  130  has flap  118  made of nylon secured by steel zipper  116 . Once flap  118  is unzipped using zipper  116 , four legs  120  are revealed and visible. Hook and loop fastener straps  132 , such as those sold under the trade name VELCRO®, secure legs  120  in leg storage compartment  130 . Flap  118  has pockets on the front side when zipped and closed, to hold standard computer accessories, such as disks, DVD&#39;s, compact disks, pens, etc. Flap  118  separates bag  114  into two separate compartments: one compartment housing the computer equipment (hereinafter the “main compartment”), which will be padded with shock absorbing EVA foam for the laptop&#39;s protection, and one compartment housing the legs (hereinafter the “leg storage compartment”). Additional compartments, which may or may not be added, may include small pockets for extra cords or personal items.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the bag  114  when it is opened and legs  120  have been fully extended and attached, completing the transformation from bag to desk. In leg storage compartment  130  when zippered closed, the user will have two pockets, one pocket for files  134  and one pocket for disks  136 , other cords, cables, and peripherals can be stored in these pockets as well. Legs  120  are fully extended out and buttons  126  are in the appropriate holes  128 .  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a leg  120 , a rubber stopper  122  at the bottom of leg  120 , and a screw  124  at the top of leg  120 . This is leg  120  in its shortest form, before it is extended to a possible maximum of three times its shortest form. Preferably, leg  120  will measure approximately ten inches, when not extended, and can extend out as far as approximately thirty inches. Legs  120  in the most favored form will be made of lightweight, heavy-duty black anodized aluminum and will have rubber stoppers  122  at the ends to provide a stable non-skid base. Legs  120  may also be made in materials such as, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, and plastics.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of leg  120  once it has been extended out to its greatest length, thirty inches. The adjusted height is determined by the location of button  126  in appropriate hole  128 . This feature of leg  120  will be similar to an adjustable metal walking cane.  
         [0051]    In operation, one uses the second embodiment of the bag  114  in a normal manner, for carrying and protecting. Once the user has reached the destination where he or she plans to use the laptop, bag  114  turns from a carrying case into a desk/workstation. One can adjust the height of the workstation appropriately for the user&#39;s most comfortable ergonomic working position.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 8 shows the bottom side of bag  114 . It is in this part of bag  114  where the user will find four designated areas  110  and four designated sockets  112 , which is where legs  120  screw and lock in. The user will carry bag  114  while it is in its bag format, by carrying it by handle  108 .  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 9 shows bag  114  in an open state. The user will expose legs  120  by unzipping flap  118  with zipper  116 . Legs  120  will be removed from the leg storage compartment  130  by opening the hook and loop fastener straps  132 , which will free legs  120  so they can be installed into the four designated areas  110 .  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 10 shows bag  114  in its desk format. Legs  120  have been fully extended and installed. The user can adjust the height of legs  120 , to match their appropriate height, or the appropriate height for the seat they are using, by simply telescoping out leg  120 . To assure the appropriate height and a stable workstation to work on, the user will lock in button  126  into appropriate hole  128  that suits the user.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 11 shows leg  120  in its smallest form, as it will be when stored in bag  114  and before being extended. The user will take leg  120  and screw it into bag  114  using screw  124 , which is part of and at the top of leg  120 . Also shown is rubber stopper  122 , which is where the leg is extended from and when in operation will provide a stable non-skid base.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 12 shows leg  120  in its fully extended form. The user can extend leg  120  to the appropriate length by pulling out from rubber stopper  122  and locking in button  126  into the appropriate hole  128 . The user will also have the option to sit in a chair and extend leg  120  to fit their height or their chair&#39;s height. Or, the user could sit on the floor, grass, or sand and just have the legs extended slightly to just provide a more comfortable ergonomic working position, instead of being hunched over. This is all accomplished while still protecting your computer.