Abstract:
A carry case applied to a portable computer like a wrap. Thin straps of stretchable material hook around the front corners of a computer base section and the upper corners of a computer screen section. The case is comprised of a base section holding the computer base portion and a screen section holding the computer screen portion. An additional flap of material extends from the rear of the case base section and flips over and onto the exterior of the case screen section where it is attached with releasable fasteners. The carry case has a shoulder strap, handle and built-in typing stand.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Applicants claim the priority benefits of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/319,930, filed Feb. 7, 2003. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to carry cases, and in particular, to a carry case for a portable computer which can be used without removal from the case. 
   Due to the increased popularity of the “notebook” or laptop computer, computer companies such as IBM, Hewlett Packard, Compaq, Toshiba, etc. have flooded the market with laptops of all varieties and price ranges. People of all ages and profession are now utilizing these compact, lightweight computers on a daily basis and in most cases, in replacement of traditional “desk top” systems. While the laptop computer in general decreases in price and shrinks in size over time, the products are still expensive, potentially pricing in the thousands of dollars. This portability combined with a fairly expensive piece of sensitive equipment inherently produces a certain amount of “loss of investment” risk based on damage. The prior art provides a wide range of carry cases for notebook computers. Prior art bags come in all shapes, sizes and colors. They provide you with varying room for accessories, shoulder straps, detachable pouches, or in a basic form, just a padded slipcover with a handle. 
   The main function of prior art carry bags is to provide ease of transport for your portable system, while also providing damage protection. Unfortunately, these bags have no ability to provide protection to the laptop while it is in use. Even with prior art the briefcase-like, flip open bags, it is difficult or impossible to fully utilize the computer while it is sitting in the case; i.e. the power supply is hard to plug-in, the disc drives have no room to open, the accessory ports are hard to access etc. This is a disadvantage to anyone who needs to move, with his or her laptop, over relatively short distances from one place to another within relatively short periods of time. For example, students with a few hours of classes, field technicians, or an at home office person, who want to go sit in another room at a moments notice. The time it would take to shut down the computer, successfully pack up the bag, move, then unpack and reboot it is too long. People would rather risk damage to their laptop than waste that time. Given that this type of situation is common, there is a need for a lightweight, protective carry case which will allow this type of mobility while retaining the full capability of the laptop. 
   In an attempt to solve these problems a number of hybrid products have been introduced to allow the carry case to open up and in some cases attach to the laptop in such a way as to mimic the motion of opening the computer. These newer products attempt to provide ease of use to the laptop including access to ports, drives, and ventilation areas. They also, depending on the target market, have varying degrees of physical storage capacity. It is within this realm of product that the current invention shall show novel improvements and configurations. Such a design and products will appear hereinafter. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Through a novel combination of features and construction techniques, the present invention distinguishes itself over prior art within this field. The present invention, as described herein, aims to provide protection to laptop computers during use and transport while improving many of the principle characteristics of prior art carry bags. Included in these characteristics are: ease of use, ease of manufacture, aesthetic flare, practicality, consumer comfort, and improved functionality. 
   The carry case of the present invention is applied to a portable computer like a wrap. Thin straps of material hook around the front corners of the computer base section, then flexible panels wrap around the bottom, up the back panel and back of the screen, then hooking around the top corners of the screen section. This wrap design includes at least two main sections; a base section and a screen section. This corresponds to the basic design of a portable laptop computer itself. The two aforementioned sections of the product are permanently linked together via a band of material that wraps fully around the left, front and right side of the two sections. The band of material is padded to protect the computer during transport and is split along its length by a zipper. The location of the zipper on the piece is justified towards the bottom section. The zipper stays parallel at all times with the long edge of this band, providing one smooth motion for opening. When the zipper opens, allowing the use of the laptop computer, the sides and front of the computer&#39;s base section are effectively free of obstruction from that padded margin, with only a small amount of that margin and half of the zipper teeth possibly touching any disc or cables that may enter the computer. The screen and base sections of the present invention is permanently attached at the end points of the zipper where attachment points for a shoulder strap reside. The zipper itself never actually becomes fully disengaged, meaning the user will never have to line up the zipper slide with an entry or exit point. In order to cover completely the rear of the computer, a flap of material extends from the rear of the bottom section and flip over and onto the exterior of the top section, being able to secure to the external surface of the top section upon closure using Velcro or a buckle design. 
   The present invention carry case is made from flexible material, such as leather, fabric, and some elastic. The main sections of the case may also have varying materials sewn in for stiffening plates such as on the bottom of the unit. The base section would also include a stiff, foldout stand design that will effectively tilt the computer forward, and provide a better ergonomic angle to the keyboard while in use. 
   The carry case is secured to the computer in a manner such that no material, hardware, or adhesive is permanently attached to the computer itself. The current invention has been designed to remain around the portable computer during transport or use. The method of attachment to the laptop itself would preferably be a diagonal elastic or fabric strap that would contain the corners of the unit and would provide stability in all directions. In an aim to provide a snug fit, these straps will be elastic or have an adjustment buckle to tighten them down on the computer. These straps will be thin enough to allow closure of the laptop. The nature of such a strapping system implies that the straps could block some portion of a port or drive on the sides and front of the computer. Because these straps will be easily adjustable or elastic, quick access to these potentially block ports will be made very easy. There will also be at least two other straps of adjustment between the rear of the top and bottom sections. The top or screen section will provide the straps while the base will provide an adjustable means of attachment such as a buckle or slide. This section of the invention corresponds to the rear panel of the computer, which contains many of the larger access ports. Because of this method of construction, the rear patch panel would then be almost entirely free of obstruction. Between the four corner straps and two rear straps, the computer can be strapped in an adjusted once and essentially left on the computer at all times, except during a maintenance or other non-usual situation. 
   When the computer is in use, the carry case presents itself as a protective shell concerning itself solely with the exterior surfaces, appearing to work in much the same way as a textbook cover. 
   In order to fully describe and provide understanding of all the advantages of the present invention, the following detailed drawings and descriptions thereof are presented. When referencing the following descriptions, it should be noted that certain terminology will be used to refer to the present invention. The terms “protective case”, “carry case”, or simply “case” will all refer to, in whole or in part, the present invention. It should also be noted that certain terminology will be used to refer to the portable computer for which the present invention applies. The terms “laptop”, portable computer”, and “computer” will all refer to, in whole or in part, aforementioned portable computer. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective of the invention carry case in an open state. 
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the carry case of  FIG. 1  with a portable computer contained therein. 
       FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the carry case of  FIG. 1  with a smaller notebook computer contained therein. 
       FIG. 4  is a rear view of the case and computer shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the carry case with computer in a closed state. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of  FIG. 2  with typing stand deployed. 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the case and computer of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 8  is a side view of the case and computer of  FIG. 2  with typing stand in various stages of deployment. 
       FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the carry case fully closed. 
       FIG. 10  is a top view with rear flap section opened. 
       FIG. 11  shows the case of  FIG. 10  with rear flap section closed and flap pocket expanded. 
       FIG. 12  shows the case of  FIG. 11  with flap pocket closed. 
       FIG. 13  is a top view of the carry case containing a larger portable computer. 
       FIG. 14  is a top view of the carry case containing a smaller portable computer. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
   Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like elements are indicated by like numerals, there is shown a carry case  1  for a portable computer  2 . The carry case  1  is comprised of base section  20  joined to a screen section  40 , said base section having an optional typing stand  70  and a rear flap section  60 . 
   In the example shown, the portable computer  2  is a laptop or notebook computer having a generally rectangular base portion  3  and a generally rectangular screen portion  10 . The base portion  3  has a top  4  with a keyboard and various function keys, an opposite flat bottom  5 , a front  6 , a rear  7  with various connectors and input/output jacks, and two opposite sides  8  with various media slots and connectors. The screen portion  10  has a front  11  with a display area, rear  12 , top edge  13 , bottom edge  14  and two opposite sides  15 . The case base section  20  holds the computer base portion  3 , and the case screen section  40  holds the computer screen portion  10 . 
   The case base section  20  is generally flat with a generally rectangular shape. The base section  20  has a top surface  21 , an opposite bottom surface  22 , a front edge  23 , rear edge  24 , and two opposite side edges  25 , said base section front, rear and side edges form a base section periphery  26 . The base section periphery  26  has a zipper fastener  27  attached thereto along the front and side edges  23 ,  25 . The base section top surface  21  has two sets of stretchable straps  28  anchored to two parallel strips, a forward anchor strip  29  adjacent the base section front edge  23  and a rearward anchor strip  30  a predetermined distance toward the base section rear edge  24 . The base section top surface  21  is adapted to receive a computer base portion bottom  5 , with the computer base portion  3  having the same orientation on the case base section top surface  21 . The base section straps  28  are fitted over the computer base portion top  4 , from base portion front  6  to base portion sides  8 . The differences in attachment points to the rearward anchor strip  29  by one set of straps  28  allows the case to hold computers of different sizes. 
   The case screen section  40  is generally flat with a generally rectangular shape. The screen section  40  has an external surface  41 , an opposite interior surface  42 , a front  43 , a rear  44 , and two opposite sides  45 , said screen section front, rear and sides having a screen section periphery. The front  43  and opposite sides  45  have a flange  46  formed therein, said flange  46  projecting away from the interior surface  42  in planes perpendicular to the plane of the interior surface  42 . The flange  46  terminates in a zipper fastener  47  adapted to engage the base section zipper fastener  27 . The screen section interior surface  41  has two sets of stretchable straps  48  anchored to two parallel strips, a forward anchor strip  49  adjacent the screen section front  43  and a rearward anchor strip  50  a predetermined distance toward the screen section rear  44 . The screen section interior surface  42  is adapted to receive a computer screen portion rear  12 , with the computer screen portion  10  having the same orientation with the case screen section  40 . The screen section straps  48  are fitted over the computer screen front  11 , from screen portion top edge  13  to screen portion sides  15 . The differences in attachment points to the forward anchor strip  49  by one set of straps  48  allows the case to hold computers of different sizes. The screen section external surface  41  may optionally have a pocket  56  with an opening formed adjacent to the screen section front  43 . The pocket  56  may optionally have a fastener  57  to keep it closed. 
   By capturing the corners diagonally, the straps  28 ,  48  provide an efficient means of securely holding the computer base portion and screen portion to the case base section  20  and screen section  40  and providing horizontal and vertical stability. 
   The screen section flange  46  has an extension portion  51  at the rear of each opposite side  45 . The case base section  20  and screen section  40  are fixedly attached to each other at the rear edge of the base side edges  25  and rear of the screen sides  45  at the flange extension portion  51 . Each flange extension portion terminates in a D-ring  52 . The zipper fasteners  27 ,  47  also terminate in the flange extension portions  51 . 
   The screen section  40  has a generally rectangular open portion  53  formed at its rear  44  and extending from side  45  to side  45 . The screen section  40  also has two adjustment straps  54  attached thereto adjacent the open portion  53 , said straps being parallel to the sides  45 . The base section top surface  21  has two buckles  31  attached thereto near to the base section rear edge  24 . The screen section adjustment straps  54  are adapted to engage said base section buckles  31 . 
   The base section rear edge  24  is joined to a flap section  60 , said flap section having an exterior surface  61 , an opposite interior surface  62 , a free end  63 , an attached end  64 , and two opposite side  65 . The flap section attached end  64  is joined to said base section rear edge  24 . The flap section interior surface  62  has two elongated attachment strips  66  attached thereto, said attachment strips  66  having longitudinal axes parallel to the flap opposite sides  65 . The screen section external surface  41  has two corresponding elongated attachment strips  55  attached thereto, said screen section attachment strips  55  and flap section attachment strips  66  adapted to being releasably joined. The flap section external surface  61  may have two or more pockets  67  with closure fasteners  68 . 
   The base section bottom surface  22  has a fold up typing stand  70  attached thereto. The typing stand  70  is comprised three identical, elongated, flat, stiffened elements, a free element  71 , an attached element  72 , and a middle element  73 , said elements having longitudinal axes parallel to the base section rear edge  24 . The attached element  72  is joined along one elongated side to the base section bottom surface  22  near to said base section rear edge  24 . The attachment element unattached elongated side is joined to one elongated side of the middle element  73 . The other elongated side of the middle element is attached to a free element elongated side. The free element  71  has a fastener  74  attached to an underside. The base section bottom surface  22  has a fastener strip  32  attached thereto, said fastener strip  32  adapted to releasably join with said free element fastener  74 . Before operation, the typing stand  70  is laid flat against the base section bottom surface, with the free element fastener  74  releasably engage with the base section bottom surface fastener strip  32 . To make a typing stand  70  the free element  71  is releasably disengaged from the base section bottom surface fastener strip  32 . The unattached elongated side of the free element  71  is folded under the middle element  73  and placed in an abutting relationship with the attached element elongated side attached to said base section bottom surface  22 . See  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
   The base section  20  and screen section  40  may be constructed with a stiffener such as a thin plastic plate  36 , sandwiched between resilient pads  37 , such as foam or the like. The sandwich would then be covered with a material, both protective but not abrasive to the computer and user. 
   In operation, the stretchable straps  28 ,  48  hold the computer  2  in place within the case  1  even after the case is opened. By releasing the flap section  60  from the screen section external surface, the screen section open portion  53  provides full access and ventilation to the computer base portion rear  7 . The typing stand  70  may be formed beneath the base section bottom surface  22  as desired by the user. Since the case base section does not have sides, free access and ventilation is available to the computer base portion along all sides. The stretchable straps  28 ,  48  holding the computer  2  in place within the case  1  are easily adjusted to prevent interference with any connectors or computer media. The adjustment straps  55  provide means for reducing the size of the screen section open portion, as well as provide a snugger fit between screen and base for computers of different sizes. A shoulder strap is available for attachment to the D-rings  52 . A handle  69  may be attached to the flap section external surface at the attached end  64 , thereby providing the user with another way to carry or manipulate the carry case. As may be seen in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , one of the flap section pockets  67  may have extra space material folded up within a fastener which, when released, provides extra space. 
   It is understood that the above-described embodiment is merely illustrative of the application. Other embodiments may be readily devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.