Carrying Case for Laptop Computer

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a carrying case for a laptop computer or other delicate electronic instrument. More particularly, this invention relates to a carrying case providing very secure carriage of a delicate laptop computer as well as convenient storage for floppy disks, peripherals and other equipment, while not being excessively bulky or heavy.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Recent years have seen a proliferation of so-called "laptop" computers, that is, personal computers so reduced in size and weight as to be conveniently carried and employed while traveling or the like. The art has not provided a suitable carrying case for such laptop computers. A suitable carrying case for a laptop computer would provide substantial protection against: impact and shock, as might commonly occur if the computer in its case were dropped on the floor from a typical carrying height; impacts against sharp corners of furniture or the like; and damage due to rough handling by the owner, e.g., placing the case on a baggage rack or the like. Such a carrying case for a laptop computer would also desirably include a number of small pockets, compartments or the like for storing floppy disks, printouts and other documents such as owner's manuals, as well as other equipment such as modems, portable printers, connecting cables and the like. Similar considerations apply to the provision of suitable carrying cases for other sorts of electronic equipment and associated items, such as portable compact disc players and the associated discs, or video cameras and associated microphones, tapes and the like. Such a case should also not be excessively costly, heavy, or bulky. Further, it would be desirable that such a case provide a neat and professional appearance whether relatively full, that is, having each of its compartments full of equipment or the like, or relatively empty.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved carrying case for a laptop computer or other delicate electronic instrument protecting the equipment from substantial shock, impact, and the like, while also providing convenient storage for documents and various other items, but without incurring excessive penalties as to weight, cost, or bulk.

These and other objects of the invention which will be apparent from the discussion below are satisfied by the carrying case according to the present invention wherein a carrying case for a laptop computer or the like comprises a bottom, front and rear walls, left and right side walls, and a top. The top is hinged to the rear wall and has a flap depending over the front wall. A latch secures the flap to the front wall, thus securely closing a principal compartment for receiving a laptop computer or other electronic equipment. A suspension system for supporting the laptop computer is mounted within the principal compartment. The suspension system comprises a U-shaped padded fabric cradle section connected on either side to the upper inner surfaces of the front and rear walls by elastic panels. The elastic of the panels is such that the lowermost surface of a typical laptop computer is supported well above the inner floor of the bottom of the carrying case under normal circumstances. Accordingly, if the carrying case is dropped onto its bottom surface, as might occur upon its being set down hurriedly, the elastic allows the laptop computer to slowly decelerate to a stop, rather than violently impacting the floor of the carrying case; that is, the elastic panels stretch to absorb the kinetic energy of the falling laptop computer.

The front and rear walls of the carrying case according to the invention comprise padded stiffener members. The stiffener members give the case its basic shape, support the suspension system, ensure that the case sits upright on its bottom whether laden or empty, and provide protection to the laptop computer against sidewise impacts, punctures or the like. Additional auxiliary compartments may be provided for convenient storage and carrying of various items.

The invention will be better understood if reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals in the various figures are employed to designate like components, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the carrying case of the invention from its front right three-quarter view, with the compartments of the case closed;

FIG. 2 is a view comparable to that of FIG. 1, but with several of the compartments of the carrying case of the invention open;

FIG. 3 is a view in section taken along lines 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective three-quarter view of the carrying case of the invention, again showing several of the compartments of the case open; and

FIG. 5 is a bottom view in plan of the carrying case of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5 in greater detail, the carrying case 10 according to the invention includes a front wall 12, a rear wall 14, a bottom surface 16, left and right side walls 15 and 17 respectively, and a top 40. Front and rear walls 12 and 14, left and right walls 15 and 17, bottom 16, and top 40 together define a principal compartment 22 for receiving a laptop computer 26, shown in phantom in FIG. 3, or another delicate electronic device.

As more particularly shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, front and rear walls 12 and 14 include impact-resistant stiffening panels 18 and 20, respectively. Stiffeners 18 and 20 ensure that the carrying case 10 retains its shape and provide support for a suspension system 24 for a laptop computer 26, as discussed below. Stiffeners 18 and 20 may be formed of relatively stiff, tough plastic such as "ABS", may be padded, and are preferably encased by the case fabric material as indicated generally at 21. Such fabric material forms the principal visible surfaces of the carrying case 10 of the invention.

A suspension system 24 for a laptop computer 26 (or other electronic equipment) depends from the upper portions 12a and 14a of the inner surfaces of front and rear walls 12 and 14, respectively. The suspension system 24 comprises a U-shaped cradle 28, typically a relatively flexible member formed of padded cloth, and two panels 30 of resilient material, preferably a knitted fabric comprising elastic fibers or strands. That is, the elastic panels are of suitable rubberized fabric material as used throughout the garment and luggage industries. Elastic panels 30 are sewn or otherwise joined to cradle 28 at upper edges 28a and 28b thereof. Elastic panels 30 are then adhesively bonded and/or stitched or otherwise joined to upper portions 12a and 14a of inner surfaces of the front and rear walls of carrying case 10 of the invention.

The tensile characteristics and the dimensions of elastic panels 30 are chosen so that the lowermost surface or edge of a typical laptop computer 26 disposed in cradle 28 is normally space above the inner surface of the bottom 16 of case 10. That is, elastic panels 30 are chosen such that the weight of a typical laptop computer 26 disposed in cradle 28 is insufficient to stretch elastic panels 30 to the point that the lower surface 28a of the cradle contacts the inner floor surface of bottom 16 of carrying case 10 under normal circumstances. Preferably a clearance C of at least about one inch remains when a laptop computer 26 of typical weight is placed in cradle 28. In this way, if carrying case 10 with laptop computer 26 therein is set down roughly, as might typically occur during travel, elastic panels 30 are capable of stretching to absorb the shock and impact otherwise experienced by the laptop computer. That is, when the carrying case according to the invention is set down rapidly, its motion is brought abruptly to a stop when its bottom surface 16 meets a flat floor or the like. If the laptop computer were similarly abruptly stopped, sudden dissipation of its kinetic energy might cause damage to its disc drives and other delicate components. By instead supporting the laptop computer 26 on a suspension member 24 including resilient elastic panels 30, with a space provided between the suspension member and the floor of compartment 22, the elastic panels can stretch as needed to absorb the kinetic energy of the laptop computer 26, thereby cushioning it, and absorbing any shock which would otherwise occur due to the carrying case being abruptly set down.

The weight of laptop computer 26 in its cradle 28 is borne by front and rear walls 12 and 14. In order that walls 12 and 14 may withstand the loads occurring when the case is set down, in the preferred embodiment they are strengthened by stiffening panels 18 and 20. Stiffening panels 18 and 20 in the front and rear walls 12 and 14 further protect laptop computer 26 against localized impacts from the corners of furniture, sharp instruments, or the like.

A pair of mating strap members 34 and 36 secure the laptop computer 26 within suspension member 24.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the principal compartment 22 of the carrying case according to the invention is completed by end walls 15 and 17 and by a top 40. Preferably top 40 is hinged by a rigid hinge 42 to the upper edge of rear wall 14. When top 40 is closed, a horizontal portion 40a of top 40 extends between the front and rear walls. Portion 40a is reinforced as indicated generally at 44, providing a secure mounting structure for handle 43 and shoulder strap 45. Top 40 further comprises a flap portion 46, depending downwardly over the front wall 12 of the case in the closed position shown in FIG. 1. Mating latch members 48 and 50 on the flap 46 and the front of case 10 respectively secure top 40 closed.

As discussed above, it is an object of the invention to provide a carrying case for a laptop computer also providing convenient storage for papers, manuals and other useful peripherals such as modems, portable printers and the like. To this end, a large auxiliary compartment 60 is formed by a panel 62 attached to the rear wall 14 of carrying case 10 by means of a creased band 64 of fabric extending around the sides and bottom of the auxiliary compartment 60. In order that panel 62 can be retained neatly and compactly against back wall 14 of the carrying case while not being used, opposed strips of cooperating hook and loop material 68 and 70 are provided on opposed faces of the creased band of fabric. When compartment 60 is substantially empty, cooperating hook and loop strips 68 and 70 may be employed to secure panel 62 against rear wall 14 in a neat and compact arrangement.

The top of rear compartment 60 is closed by a flap 72 secured to panel 62 by further strips 74 and 76 of hook and loop material. As shown in FIG. 4, cooperating strips 74 on flap 72 and strips 76 on panel 62 may be arranged orthogonal to one another so as to render their relative alignment less critical.

Additional compartments may be formed on the front panel of the carrying case of the invention; for example, a large compartment 87 may be formed by a panel 86 on front wall 12 of case 10. Access to compartment 87 may be by way of a flap 88 closed by a zipper 89. Mesh pockets 90 may be provided in compartment 87 for the convenient storage of various and sundry items. A lower compartment 83 may be defined by a further flap 80 on the lower portion of panel 86. Compartment 83 may include a number of pockets 82 and 84 of various sizes formed by sewing mesh material to the surfaces of panel 86 and flap 80 within compartment 83.

As mentioned, a handle 43 and a shoulder strap 45 may both be secured to reinforced section 40a of top 40. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 4, a shoulder-engaging member 96 is provided between the ends of the shoulder strap 45. Member 96 may be of generally arcuate configuration when lying in the same plane as the strap 94, ensuring that member 96 will conform to the user's shoulder for convenient carrying of case 10. Member 96 may have a surface of a wear-resistant suede-like anti-slip material.

As shown in FIG. 5, bottom 16 of carrying case 10 may include feet 98 to ensure that the lowermost edges of front and rear walls 12 and 14 are not abraded by wear on floors and the like, preserving the neat and attractive appearance of the carrying case 10 of the invention.

The construction of carrying case 10 of the invention is generally conventional where not indicated differently above. In general the various compartments and panels are formed of suitable synthetic nylon fabrics or other durable materials, reinforced by stiffeners 18 and 20 in front and rear panels 12 and 14, and by stiffener 44 in horizontal portion 40a of top 40. The components of case 10 may be assembled by sewing, by adhesives, by both, or by other known techniques.

Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to many variations, modifications and changes in detail, it is intended that all subject matter discussed above or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative only and not be taken in a limiting sense.