Abstract:
A spring-loaded or like biased platform for support of the components carried with a case, such as a computer case so that, when the case is closed, the computer or other component is securely held within the case. In addition, a foldable shade is placeable with the case lid and deployable when the case is opened. A novel connection between the case and a light stand is provided, including an improved set screw attachment. Furthermore, the computer is secured to the top surface of the spring-loaded or like biased platform by hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro® fasteners), the platform has openings in it to provide ventilation. Brackets in the bottom surface of the platform enable a battery to be inserted within the brackets and to the platform. Included also within and attached to the bottom of the case are such components as a power supply and an external hard drive and associated wiring.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/324,810 filed 19 Apr. 2016 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/441,892 filed 3 Jan. 2017. 
     
    
     REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERAL SPONSORSHIP 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates to a computer case platform, fold-out shade and lock set screw which is particularly suited for enclosing, transporting, deploying and using a portable computer, e.g., a laptop computer. 
       2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS 
       [0005]    There has been found a need for improved portability of camera, computers and the like for better protection of them from damage, such as amelioration from shock, and for enclosing, transporting, deploying and using a portable computer, including their being set up on a stand, and for shading them from ambient light. In particular, while there exist varied computer suitcases, not all have provided a betterment of such protection, enclosure, transport, deployment and use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    These and other problems are successfully addressed and overcome by the present invention by providing a spring-loaded or like biased platform for support of the components carried with a case, such as a computer case or suitcase so that, when the case is closed, the computer or other component is securely held within the case. The spring-loaded or like biased platform ameliorates shocks onto the computer. In addition, a foldable shade is placeable with the case lid and deployable when the case is opened. The foldable shade includes a terminal segment comprising a drop-down daylight visor with an interior opening for enabling one to have a better view of the computer screen when the surrounding ambient light, such as daylight, might otherwise prevent an adequate view of the computer screen. A novel connection between the case and a light stand is provided, including an improved set screw attachment. Furthermore, the computer is secured to the top surface of the spring-loaded or like biased platform by hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro® fasteners), the platform has openings in it to provide ventilation. Brackets in the bottom surface of the platform enable a battery to be inserted within the brackets and to the platform. Included also within and attached to the bottom of the case are such components as a power supply and an external hard drive and associated wiring. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprising a computer case secured to a light stand with interior elements including a computer support including a platform, a laptop computer swivably hinged to the platform and a fold-out shade; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a portion of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1  including the laptop computer swivably hinged to the platform and spring-loaded thereon; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of an embodiment of the present invention comprising a computer case, with its lid closed upon its bottom shell, as supported on a light stand taken from its backside; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is an expanded partial view of the computer case shown in  FIG. 3  added with a power cord extending therefrom; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3  depicting the computer case as supported on the light stand taken from its front side and viewed from its underside but with the light stand slightly distanced from its coupling with the bottom of the computer case; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 5  and similarly taken as that shown in  FIG. 5  but with the light stand coupled to the bottom of the computer case; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  depicts an isometric and exploded view of the interior components of the computer case as previously illustrated showing a platform, as linearly movable with respect to a base which is coupled to the computer case bottom, and biasing springs which are adapted to support and securely hold a laptop computer within its base when the computer lid is closed upon its bottom, a portion of one such biasing spring being illustrated in  FIG. 7A  as taken along line  7 A- 7   a  of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  shows an isometric exploded view of the interior components of the computer case as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , showing the mechanisms now coupled and pressed together when the case lid is closed upon and latched to its bottom for securely supporting a laptop computer; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is an exploded three-dimensional view illustrating the mechanical parts permitting linear movement of the platform with respect to its base; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view of the previously shown computer case (a) opened with a laptop computer placed within it and upon the linearly movable platform and with its computer lid open and (b) with a foldable shade positioned behind the open laptop lid; 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is an isometric view of the assemblage illustrated in  FIG. 10  but with the computer lid closed upon the laptop, thus fully illustrating the folded shade; 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a frontal view of the assemblage depicted in  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is an isometric view of the computer case as closed so as to press the computer as positioned upon its platform compressing the platform upon its base and thus securing the laptop within the case; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 14-20  isometrically illustrate the deployment of the shade from being folded within the case lid to being fully deployed onto the case shell and about the computer, thus enabling shading of the laptop computer when used; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 22-24  are isometric views of the mechanisms for enabling the computer case to be secured to the light stand as detailing the coupling and support of the computer case upon the light stand from that as depicted in  FIGS. 1-6 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view of the mechanisms illustrated in  FIGS. 22-24 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 26  is an isometric view of the stand adapter coupled to the bottom of computer case bottom by means of a locking screw and the tool employed to rotate the screw; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 27 and 28  are isometric views of the stand adapter shown in  FIG. 26  taken from it top and its bottom, with  FIG. 26  depicting the offset of a threaded hole in the stand adapter; 
           [0025]      FIG. 29  is a top view of the stand adapter illustrated in  FIGS. 27 and 28 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 30  is an isometric view of the screw and tool shown in  FIG. 26  as separated from one another; 
           [0027]      FIG. 31  is an isometric view of the screw and tool shown in  FIG. 30  as engaged with one another; 
           [0028]      FIG. 32  is an isometric view of the screw itself; 
           [0029]      FIG. 33  is an isometric view of a coupling enabling the tool to engage the screw. 
           [0030]      FIGS. 34-36  are isometric views of a computer case, similar to that previous depicted, with added platform features for enabling attachment of a computer thereto on its upper surface, for providing a differently configured ventilation for the computer, and for enabling attachment of a battery on its lower surface; and 
           [0031]      FIGS. 37-40  are isometric views of a portion of the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 34-36  disclosing how the battery can be and is attached to the platform lower surface by brackets and how such additional components as a power supply and an external drive can be incorporated onto the base of the computer case. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    Accordingly,  FIGS. 1-6  illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprising a computer case  30  for housing a computer  86 , herein shown as a laptop computer. Case  30  includes a lid  32  and a bottom shell  34 . The case is supported on a light stand  36 . Lid  32  is conventionally hinged to the bottom shell by hinges  38  for movement therewith as illustrated by double-headed arrow line  32   a  and latches  40 . A handle  42  completes the basic parts of computer case  30 . Bottom shell  34  includes sides  35 , a backside  37  and a bottom  44  which is adapted to be secured to light stand by a securing mechanism as later described in association with  FIGS. 22-33 . In addition to other embodiments of the present invention as described and shown in  FIGS. 6-33 , electrical connection of the computer within case  30  is accomplished by means of a power inlet  45  ( FIG. 3 ) in backside  37 , e.g., by use of an outlet splitter. 
         [0033]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 7-9  which detail a computer support  46  contained within the interior of computer case  30 . Support  46  includes a base  48  and a platform  50  which is linearly movable therewith. Openings  62  are formed in platform  50  which form an access to any devices existing beneath the platform as well as ventilation for the heat developed by the computer. Base  48  includes a flat baseplate  52  and flat side plates  54  upstanding therefrom. Flat baseplate  52  is secured to bottom  44  of bottom shell  34  by screws or bolts and nuts  56  (shown in  FIGS. 22 and 25  and symbolically shown as circles in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) or the equivalent so as to immobilize platform base  48  with respect to bottom  44  of shell  34 . Platform  50  includes a flat surface  58 , which is disposed to support laptop computer  86 , and downwardly extending side plates  60 . As shown in  FIG. 22 , securement of the computer may be effected by hook-and-loop fasteners  81  (e.g., Velcro® fasteners) on the computer and the platform between pads on hinge  80  and similar mating fasteners on the computer bottom. 
         [0034]    The linear movement of platform  50  with respect to base  48  is effected by a coupling that includes slots  64  or elongated apertures formed in upstanding side plates  54  and circular holes or openings  66  in downwardly extending side plates  60 . As best shown in  FIG. 9 , side plates  54  and  60  are joined together by a combination of quick-release pins  67  and shoulder bolts  68  extending through holes  66  and slots  64 , Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (Teflon® PTFE) and other washers  70  and  72 , and nuts  74 . Quick-release pins  67  are appropriately placed between side plates  54  and  60 . Bolts  68  operate as pivots at a first connection between the platform and base  48  while quick-release pins  67  form a coupling or link that acts as a second connection to base  48 . The second connection enables a separation of the platform from the base so as to enable pivoting of the platform with respect to the base about the pivot (bolts  68 ) and to permit access to all components underlying the platform. 
         [0035]    Computer support  46  further includes biasing springs  76  which are positioned between flat baseplate  52  of base  48  and flat surface  58  of platform  50 . Raised domed circles  78  (one of which is shown in  FIG. 7 a   ) are incorporated onto baseplate  52  and, if needed, onto both of the facing surfaces of baseplate  52  and flat surface  58  for holding springs  76  in place. Hinge  80  on the rear of platform  50  is coupled to computer  86  (e.g., see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) so that the computer may be swivelled up as illustrated by double-headed arrow line  80   a  in  FIGS. 1 and 2  to permit access to devices contained in the lower case so that, as suggested in the comparison between  FIGS. 7 and 8 , when the lid is closed upon bottom shell  34  and onto the top of the laptop computer, the laptop computer forces platform  50  downwardly against the bias of springs  76  as depicted by double-headed arrow line  32   a  to support and securely hold the laptop computer within computer case. Such compression also occurs when shades (see  FIGS. 10-21 ) are built into the case lid. 
         [0036]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 710-21  and the description relating thereto of a fold out shade assembly  84 . Included within these figures is laptop computer  86 , referred to in prior figures, having a laptop screen  87 . Fold out shade assembly  84  is formed of a plurality of segments  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98  and  100 . The segments preferably are formed from a single sheet of plastic or comparable material with creases, acting as hinges, placed between adjacent segments to enable the assembly to the folded into lid  32  and deployed into its shaded condition, specifically to shade the computer screen (see  FIGS. 20 and 21 ) and anything else within the case from ambient light. A pair of brackets or slots  102  (e.g.,  FIGS. 10-12 ) are built in into bottom shell  34  of computer case  30  at its sides  35  for enabling respective shade segments  88  to be latched or fitted into its respective bracket or slot  102  as depicted in  FIGS. 15-21 . Unfolding of shade assembly  84  is accomplished by the respective unfolding of each segment or pairs thereof in seriatim as best depicted in  FIGS. 14-21 . As shown in  FIG. 21 , segment  100  is a drop-down daylight visor with an interior opening for enabling a viewer to have a better view of computer screen  87  when the surrounding ambient light, such as daylight, might otherwise prevent an adequate view of the computer screen. 
         [0037]    Reference to the attachment (indicium  104 ) of the computer case to its light stand is now made with reference to  FIGS. 22-33  in conjunction, for example, with  FIGS. 1-7 . As shown in  FIGS. 22-25 , computer stand attachment  104  includes a bracket  106  which is adapted to be secured, indirectly through baseplate  52  of base  48 , to the underside of bottom  44  of bottom shell  34  by screws  109  ( FIGS. 24 and 25 ). Computer stand attachment  104  also includes a stand adapter  114  which includes a circular flange  130 , an upstanding enclosure  131 , and an internal element  114   a . Bracket  106  includes a flange  108  into which an opening  110  is provided. Bolts and nuts  107  secure bracket  106 , flat baseplate  52 , circular flange  130  and bottom shell  34  together into a sandwich arrangement. Opening  110  enables a set screw mechanism  112  to be affixed within flange  108  and its bracket  106  at one end and to upstanding enclosure  131  of stand adapter  114 . The set screw mechanism more fully depicted in  FIGS. 23-33  includes a plurality of elements comprising a set screw  116 , a lock nut  118 , three washers  120  and a compression spring  122 . Spring  122  is adapted to hold at least one of the washers in place. Stand adapter  114  and set screw mechanism form components on shell  34  underlying platform  50 . 
         [0038]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 25-29 , stand adapter  114  includes a tubular opening  124  for receipt of the light stand  36  and its pole  36   a , a threaded hole  126  for receipt of a set screw  116  which bears against internal element  114   a . Of importance, tubular opening  124  is purposely not centered within stand adapter  114  but offset as depicted by the spacing denoted by double-headed arrow line  134  so as to provide additional length within the stand adapter for receipt and securement of set screw  116 . When light stand pole  36   a  is fitted within tubular opening  124 , set screw  116  is screwed into threaded opening  126  to affix the connection between light stand pole  36   a  and stand adapter  114 . 
         [0039]    The tools for screwing set screw  116  into and out of threaded opening  126  include a rod  136  having a knob  138  at its end. Set screw  116  is tubularly constructed with a round hole  140  at one end and a hexagonally-shaped opening  142  at its other end. Rod  136  is shaped with a hexagonal cross-section which is adapted to be insertable into the hexagonally-shaped opening in the set screw. Such mating enables rod  136  to rotate set screw  116  into and out of threaded opening  126 . Because of the tubular construction of set screw  116 , rod  136  is enabled to have a slidable connection with the set screw. 
         [0040]    In addition to all the features described and illustrated above,  FIGS. 34-40  illustrate a computer case  210  which in many aspects is similar to that as previously described and illustrated using a  200  indicia identification, e.g., computer case  210  is similarly configured as computer case  10 . Computer case  210  includes a shell  212  and lid  214 , which lid is appropriately hinged to the shell. Shell  212  includes a bottom  216 . A platform  218  is secured to shell bottom  216  and spaced therefrom by a plurality of springs  220  in like manner as previously set forth. A laptop computer  222  is disposed to be attached to the platform, preferably by hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro® fasteners)  224  which are exemplified as being configured as strips. A plurality of ventilation openings  226  are formed in platform  218  to aid in the removal of heat from the laptop computer. Bolts  228 , like bolts  68 , in platform side  260  form pivot points. Quick release spring-loaded pins  227  couplable with slots  227   a  in platform side  260  enable the platform  218  to pivot and provide access to be attained to shell bottom  216  in a like manner as before described and shown. 
         [0041]    A fold-out shade  230  is placed in lid  214  and performs like the fold out shade assembly as before shown and described. 
         [0042]    Reference is now directed to  FIGS. 37-40  in which case  210  provides for the inclusion of a back-up battery  232 . Enablement therefor includes the use of brackets  234  which are secured to the underside of platform  218 . Insertion of the battery is depicted as performed by a user&#39;s hand  236  ( FIGS. 38 and 39 ). 
         [0043]    Case  210  further provides for the addition of further electronic elements, such as a power supply  238  and an external hard-drive  240  which are secured on or otherwise placed on shell bottom  216  or the base of the computer support opposite its platform  218 . Like stand adapter  114  and set screw mechanism  112  as described and illustrated in  FIGS. 1-29 , such electronic components also form components on shell  234  underlying platform  250 . 
         [0044]    A stand adapter  242  and associated elements are provided within shell  212  ( FIGS. 37-40 ) and an AC inlet  244  ( FIG. 34 ) are also included as described and illustrated in  FIGS. 1-33 . 
         [0045]    Although the invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments thereof, it should be realized that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.