Abstract:
A cover assembly for an electronic device including a laptop or like portable computer, wherein the base is formed of an at least partially protective material and corresponds in dimension and configuration to an outer surface configuration of the electronic device. A retainer assembly comprises a plurality of retaining structures disposed within interior portions of the electronic computer and removably connected thereto so as to maintain the cover assembly in an operative position relative thereto. The retaining structures are disposed and dimensioned to facilitate a complete closure of the electronic device, while remaining at least partially, on the interior of the electronic device. An access structure includes at least one opening formed therein in aligned relation with connecting ports of the electronic device so as to facilitate access to the connecting ports through the at least one opening.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to a cover assembly for an electronic device, specifically including a laptop computer, having a base removably mounted in an operative, protective position on the electronic device and movable therewith between open and closed positions. A retaining assembly is disposed at least partially on the interior of the electronic device and is structured to facilitate selective and complete closure thereof. The base is structured to provide access to the connecting ports and other operative components of the electronic device, whether it is in the open or closed positions. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Various electronic devices, including laptop or notebook computers are currently being used in commercial, domestic and educational environments. In particular, the younger generation has made ubiquitous use of small, lightweight portable computers in a school or educational environment, wherein such portable computers are carried from class to class. The portability of the laptop computer also lends itself to being carried or utilized during travel on both private and commercial modes of transportation including airlines, automobiles and the like. 
   Therefore, laptop computers are designed for substantial portability thereby facilitating an individual&#39;s access in almost an unlimited number of locations. As such, one problem commonly associated with the transport and use of a portable computer is the requirement for at least some minimal protection against situations where the computer may be dropped or otherwise be subjected to other traumatic forces. In order to overcome such potential problems, there have been developed a variety of different “carrying case” structures. These known structures are similar to luggage type products, inclusive of shoulder straps, handles, etc. 
   These known carrying cases are available in a wide variety of styles and sizes and are used not only to protect the computer against damage but also to facilitate the transport of the computer in a convenient and comfortable manner. Also, many of the known carrying case devices are structured to protect the portable computer against adverse weather conditions, as well as damage from being dropped, etc. However, many of the known structures of this type are bulky, somewhat heavy and commonly involve relatively complicated enclosure or locking assemblies. As such, known devices of this type mandate that the computer be removed from the interior of the device, placed on an appropriate support structure then disposed in an open orientation for use. 
   Accordingly, there is a long existing need in the area of cover assemblies for portable computers, which provide protection from both adverse weather conditions as well as traumatic impact. Such a proposed cover assembly should be lightweight, easily mounted in an operative, protective position on the laptop computer in an efficient manner. Further, such a proposed cover assembly should be capable of maintaining the preferred operative position in protective, covering relation to the portable computer or other electronic device during its use, storage or transport. More specifically, the operative position of the proposed cover assembly is maintained when the computer, etc. is in an open position, such as when it is being used, as well as a closed position, such as when the computer is being stored or carried. The ability to maintain the proposed cover assembly in its operative position thereby eliminates the necessity of removing it in order to use the portable computer as is common place with most protective, carrying case type of structures, now available. 
   Therefore, a proposed cover assembly of the present invention should be formed of a lightweight material having capabilities which facilitate the protection of the computer from adverse weather conditions, as well traumatic force or impact. Moreover, the various structural and operative features of such a proposed cover assembly should enable the portable computer or like device to be used in an intended, conventional manner. Such conventional use would include it being opened and fully closed, while certain retaining structures associated with the proposed cover assembly remain in place. Thereby the proposed cover assembly would be securely but removably disposed in its intended operative position without interfering with the orientation or use of the portable computer or other electronic device. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a cover assembly dimensioned and configured to facilitate its use on an electronic device specifically, but not exclusively, a laptop, notebook or similar type portable computer. Moreover, the cover assembly comprises a base formed from a protective, lightweight, weather resistant, cushioning material such as, but not limited to, Neoprene™. Further, the overall dimension of the cover assembly is such as to overlie, cover and therefore protect at least a majority of the outer surfaces of the top, bottom and rear portions of the portable computer or other electronic device. More specifically, the top, bottom and intermediate segments of the base may move with the top, bottom and rear portions of the electronic device to which they are attached. 
   In order to securely, but removably maintain the cover assembly in its intended operative position, a retainer assembly is secured thereto. The retainer assembly includes a plurality of retaining elements each fixedly connected to appropriate portions of the cover assembly necessary to maintain it in the aforementioned protective, operative position on the electronic device. Moreover, the disposition, structure and configuration of the plurality of retaining structures are such that they are disposed at least partially on an interior of the electronic device in a manner which facilitates disposition of the electronic device in a completely closed position. 
   By way of example, as commonly structured and utilized, a conventional laptop computer includes a top portion comprising the display screen of the computer and a bottom portion including operative circuitry and wiring and a keyboard. The top portion is pivotally connected to the bottom portion such that the laptop computer may assume a completely open position for utilization or a completely closed position. In the closed position, the top portion releasably interlocks with the bottom portion. As such, the plurality of retainer assemblies are capable of being removably connected to appropriate and correspondingly disposed parts of the computer or other electronic device such that they are disposed at least partially on the interior of the laptop device when in a closed position. Accordingly, there is a cooperative disposition and structuring of the plurality of retainer structures such that they may be disclosed in substantially overlapping or confronting relation to one another. Alternatively, other embodiments of the cover assembly include an offset but substantially adjacent positioning of the retaining structures relative to one another on the interior of the electronic device or laptop computer when it is in the aforementioned closed position. 
   Other structural features of the cover assembly of the present invention include an access structure which comprises at least one opening or window formed in the base. In one preferred embodiment the intermediate segment of the base contains the at least one opening or window extending there through. This at least one opening is disposed in aligned relation to connecting ports and other operative components of the electronic device or portable computer so as to facilitate access thereto when it is in either the open or closed position. Similarly, the access structure may additionally include one or more open peripheral sides such as, but not limited to, the opposite peripheral sides of the base as well as the open front side thereof. 
   By virtue of the dimensions, positions and configurations of the open peripheral sides, access is provided to the connecting ports and/or DVD/ROM, speakers, vent portions, etc. which may typically be disposed about the peripheral sides of the computer or electronic device. The front peripheral side, which is also included in the access structure is sufficiently disposed, configured and dimensioned to provide clear access to the locking/unlocking feature serving to removably interconnect the top portion to the bottom portion of the electronic device, when in a closed position. 
   Yet additional structural features of the cover assembly of the present invention also include a vent assembly comprising an apertured construction or a plurality of substantially adjacent, spaced apart apertures formed in a preferred location on the base and extending therethrough. This apertured construction would therefore be disposed in overlying or direct fluid communication with the vent facilities, including air intake and/or air passage vents formed on the electronic device or laptop computer to facilitate the cooling thereof during operation. It is noted that the aforementioned vent assembly, including the apertured construction, may be disposed at various locations and/or a plurality of appropriate locations on the base in order to provide fluid communication between one or more vents on the electronic device and the exterior of the cover assembly. 
   These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer when the drawings as well as the detailed description are taken into consideration. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the cover assembly of the present invention mounted on an electronic device, such as a portable, laptop computer in an operative position. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , wherein the electronic device is in a closed position. 
       FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective front view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 through 3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom view representing a vent assembly formed in the cover assembly of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 through 3  such as, but not limited to, being formed in a bottom segment of the cover assembly. 
   

   Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   As shown in the accompanying drawings, the present invention is directed to a cover assembly, generally indicated as  10 , structured to cover and protect an electronic device, especially, but not limited to, a portable, laptop or like computer generally indicated as  12 . It is emphasized that while the cover assembly  10  is particularly structured, dimensioned and configured to be utilized with a variety of portable computers, it may also be used with a variety of other electronic devices specifically of the type including a top portion  14 , a bottom portion  15  and a back portion  16 . 
   As such, the cover assembly  10  comprises a base  11  having a top segment  18 , a bottom segment  19  and an intermediate segment  20 . The intermediate segment  20  may be integrally or otherwise fixedly connected to the other segments  18  and  19  and serves to movably interconnect these top and bottom segments  18  and  19 . Also, the base  11  of the cover assembly  10 , specifically including the top, bottom and intermediate segments  18  through  20 , are respectively dimensioned and configured to overlie a significant or major portion of the outer surface of each of the top, bottom and rear portions  14  through  16  of the portable computer or other electronic device  12 . 
   As with most conventional portable computers  12 , the top portion and the bottom portions  14  and  15  are pivotally connected to one another and are selectively disposable between an open position as represented in  FIG. 1  and a closed position as represented in  FIGS. 2 through 4 . The versatility of the cover assembly  10  is such that each of the top, bottom and rear segments  18  through  20  are individually dimensioned and configured to overlie and substantially correspond to the dimension and configuration of the respective portions  14 ,  15  and  16  with which they are correspondingly disposed. 
   Also, the base  11  of the cover assembly  10 , including each of the top, bottom and rear segments  18  through  20 , is formed of a relatively soft, at least partially flexible and resilient, cushioning material such as, but not limited to Neoprene™. Therefore, the cushioning material of which the base  11  is formed provides significant protection of the structure of the portable computer or electronic device  12 , specifically including the outer surface portions thereof, against traumatic forces. 
   It should be apparent that the specific dimensions and configurations of the base  11  may vary so as to be readily usable on different models, styles or brands of electronic devices or laptop computers  12 . However, the variation in such overall configuration and dimension does not derogatorily affect the uniqueness of the cover assembly  10  but rather adds to its versatility. 
   As also represented in  FIGS. 1 through 4 , the cover assembly  10  comprises a retainer assembly preferably including a plurality of retainer structures  24 , securely but movably connected to the base  11  preferably adjacent to the four corners thereof, as clearly represented in  FIG. 1 . Each of the retainer structures  24  have the opposite ends thereof fixedly secured preferably to the inner surfaces of the top and bottom segments  18  and  19  adjacent the outer corners thereof. In addition, each of the retainer structures  24  may at least partially surround the corner portions  14 ′ and  15 ′ of the top and bottom portions  14  and  15  of the electronic device or laptop computer  12 . Therefore, the base  11  is removably but securely disposed in its operative position on the electronic device  12 . Such operative position is further defined by the top, bottom and intermediate segments  18  through  20  disposed in overlying, at least partially covering relation to the corresponding top, bottom and rear portions  14  through  16 , as set forth above, of the electronic device  12 . Further, due to the fact that the base  11  is formed of a flexible material, the various top, bottom and intermediate segments  18  through  20  are movable with the corresponding top, bottom and rear portions  14  through  16 , respectively, of the electronic device  12 , such as when the electronic device is disposed between the open position and the closed position as represented in  FIGS. 1 through 4 . 
   Additional features of the retaining assembly specifically including the preferably four retaining structures  24 , include their disposition and structure facilitating the selective positioning of the top and bottom portions  14  and  15  in a fully closed position as clearly represented in  FIGS. 2-4 . As such, the correspondingly disposed retaining structures  24 , when the electronic device  12  is in the closed position, may be disposed in a side by side, offset but substantially adjacent relation to one another when the electronic device or portable computer  12  is in the closed position. However, with reference to  FIG. 4 , another embodiment of the retainer assembly, including the preferably four retaining structures  24 , is their disposition in overlapping, substantially confronting relation to one another. In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the retaining structures  24  are disposed and structured to be at least minimally compressed when in overlapping, confronting relation to one another. This confronting relation to one another further facilitates the complete closure of the top and bottom portions  14  and  15  of the laptop computer or electronic device  12 . 
   With primary reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , another feature of the cover assembly  10  of the present invention is the provision of an access structure  30 , at least partially formed in the base  11 . More specifically, the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the access structure  30  comprises at least one opening or window  32  formed in the rear segment  20  of the base  11  and extending therethrough. The one opening  32  is dimensioned and configured to be disposed in substantially aligned relation with connecting ports or other facilities or operative components located in the rear portion  16  of the computer  12 . Such connecting ports and other input facilities and operative features are collectively and generally indicated as  34  and may include one or more USB ports, serial ports, etc. As such, the at least one opening  32  is disposed in aligned relation to the connecting ports, etc.  34  and thereby facilitates clear and easy access thereto through the one opening  32  of the base  11 , when the electronic device or laptop computer  12  is either in the open or closed position. In addition, the access structure  30  may also include one or a plurality of open peripheral sides of the base  11  including opposite lateral peripheral sides  36  and an open front side  38 . 
   With primary reference to  FIG. 4 , the open peripheral sides  36  extend along opposite sides of the base  11  and are more prominent when the base  11  is in its operative position and the laptop computer  12  is in its closed position. As such, the open peripheral sides  36  and/or  38  are disposed so as to provide clear access to the various input facilities, including a DVD/ROM as at  40  and one or more input or output vents as at  42 , as well as a variety of other connecting ports and other operative facilities as is common with portable laptop computers and other electronic devices. 
   With primary reference to  FIG. 5 , an additional preferred embodiment of the present invention also includes a vent assembly generally indicated as  50 . The vent assembly preferably includes a grouping, array or overall apertured construction generally and collectedly indicated as  52 . The plurality of apertures defining the apertured construction  52  may be collectively arranged in a variety of different configurations and may be disposed on and through the top, bottom and/or intermediate segments  18  through  20  of the base  11 . As such, the vent assembly  50 , including the apertured construction  52  is disposed in overlying or fluid communication with one or more vent structures formed in the electronic device or portable computer  12 . Therefore, the vent assembly  50  is not intended to be limited to any one of the plurality of top, bottom and intermediate segments  18  through  20  of the base  11 , but may be positioned at various locations in order to correspond to the disposition of one or more vents of the electronic device or laptop computer  12 . 
   Yet additional features associated with the cover assembly  10  may also include a display area or display field  56  disposed on or being a part of the exterior surface of one or more segments  18  through  20  of the base  11 . The display field or area  56  is such as to accommodate the disposition of any type of indicia, logo, advertisement, informative data, etc. thereon. Therefore, such indicia, etc. mounted or otherwise disposed on the displayed field or area  56  is readily viewable from an exterior of the base  11  whether it is in its open or closed position in accordance with the position or orientation of the electronic device or laptop computer  12 . 
   Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 
   Now that the invention has been described,