Special receptacle or package – For a household appliance
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-22
2001-08-07
Foster, Jim (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
For a household appliance
C108S043000, C190S102000, C190S111000, C190S119000, C206S216000, C248S174000, C248S918000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06269948
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to luggage, carrying cases, and the like, and, in particular, to an article configured for use with a laptop electronic device such as a notebook computer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is ironic that laptop computers are often difficult to utilize when positioned on a user's lap. One reason for this is that such devices often have smooth bottom surfaces. In addition, laptop devices such as notebook computers have become increasingly smaller and lighter in weight, causing them to be more subject to physical instability when positioned across a user's thighs. In addition, the flat-panel displays manufactured for use with such devices have become larger, whereas the keyboard-containing base unit has become thinner, causing the overall configuration to become more top-heavy as compared to previous devices, which tend to be heavier and more bulky.
Various carrying cases have been devised for laptop computers. Representative examples may be found in U.S. utility Pat. Nos. 5,105,338; 5,217,119; 5,379,893; 5,494,157; and 5,524,754; and U.S. Design Pat. Nos. 344,074; 346,901; 360,075; 360,978; and 380,612. In all of these examples, the carrying case is primarily intended for stowage and transport, and not for use; that is, the computer must be removed from its carrying case and utilized separately.
Certain more recent patents enable the computer to be used in conjunction with a carrying case, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,903, which provides a suitcase-shaped unit that can to be placed on one's lap, with a cover that is unfolded, and side drawers (
75
) that may be pulled out. U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,054 resides in a folio carrying case for a notebook computer having front and rear flaps, the former of which may be folded underneath the device to provide a slanted base. U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,004, entitled CONVERTIBLE CARRYING CASE AND WORK PLATFORM FOR SMALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES, includes a neck strap enabling the user of the device to walk and compute at the same time.
In all cases just referenced, however, even those wherein the device may remain in contact with the carrying case during use of the computer, no features are provided for actually stabilizing the overall physical arrangement when positioned on one's lap which, after all, is the very environment wherein these devices are intended to be used. Even in the case of U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,054, which includes forward and rearward flaps which may be folded under the device during use, it is clear that these features provide utility only for a desktop, as opposed to a laptop, surface. Accordingly, the need remains for an article of luggage or a carrying case which may remain in contact with a piece of electronic apparatus such as a laptop computer, but which further provides means for stabilizing the configuration on one's lap during use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an article for use with a laptop computing device which both protects the device during periods of non-use, including transport, while stabilizing the device when positioned on a user's lap.
Broadly, the invention includes a base panel having front, rear and two side sections, a lower surface adapted to rest on a user's lap, and an upper surface to receive the bottom surface of the laptop device. A side panel extends outwardly from one of the side sections of the base panel which, during use of the laptop device, may be draped at least partially down the outer side surface of the user's thigh, thereby helping to stabilize the positioning of the device during use of the computer.
The preferred embodiment includes two such side panels, one on each side of the base panel, which help to keep the user's knees together. Weights may be added to each side panel though, more preferably, each side panel features a storage compartment which is accessible when the panels are in an unfolded configuration.
In the preferred embodiment the base panel is at least partially stiffened, whereas the side panels are least partially flexible, enabling them to function as flaps which may be folded over and across the top surface of the computer during periods of stowage or transport. Attachment means are preferably provided for securing the side panels or flaps to one another when folded across the top surface of the computing device.
The article may further include front and rear panels respectively attached to the front and rear sections of the base panel. These panels are also preferably flexible in nature, enabling them to function as flaps which may be folded over and onto the top surface of the computer in overlapping fashion, preferably beneath the side panels when secured to one another. When unfolded, the front panel may be draped at least partially over and in front of the user's knees, and the rear panel may be rolled into a palm rest. A carrying handle is preferably attached proximate the rear section of the base panel.
According to different alternative embodiments, the various panels and components need not be permanently affixed to one another, and may, in fact, attach to the computing device itself. One or more “tunnels” may also be provided for the purpose of dressing cabling from one part of the arrangement to another. The storage compartments may be secured through some sort of temporary fastening means, so that they may be used by themselves as a clutch bag, purse, and so forth. In addition to side pockets and pouches forward and/or rearward pockets and/or pouches may also be provided. Particularly those layers used directly beneath the device may further include air pockets or other thermally non-conducting materials to ensure that when the device is placed upon a user's lap, discomfort due to overheating is minimized.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 344074 (1994-02-01), Collins
patent: D. 346901 (1994-05-01), Dulka et al.
patent: D. 360075 (1995-07-01), Cross et al.
patent: D. 360978 (1995-08-01), Willard
patent: D. 380612 (1997-07-01), Kelley et al.
patent: 1121422 (1914-12-01), Tydings
patent: 1980683 (1934-11-01), Herrmann
patent: 2319497 (1943-05-01), Franklin
patent: 2609072 (1952-09-01), Levinson
patent: 3188046 (1965-06-01), Cervenka
patent: 4318471 (1982-03-01), Hutton
patent: 4562952 (1986-01-01), Chinman
patent: 4627223 (1986-12-01), Janhonen
patent: 5105338 (1992-04-01), Held
patent: 5127339 (1992-07-01), Hood, Jr.
patent: 5217119 (1993-06-01), Hollingsworth
patent: 5348347 (1994-09-01), Shink
patent: 5362063 (1994-11-01), Cummings
patent: 5379893 (1995-01-01), Ruiz
patent: 5400903 (1995-03-01), Cooley
patent: 5437367 (1995-08-01), Martin
patent: 5445266 (1995-08-01), Prete et al.
patent: 5467853 (1995-11-01), Pelletier
patent: 5494157 (1996-02-01), Golenz et al.
patent: 5524754 (1996-06-01), Hollingsworth
patent: 5596482 (1997-01-01), Horikoshi
patent: 5607054 (1997-03-01), Hollingsworth
patent: 5639004 (1997-06-01), Carlton et al.
patent: 5647484 (1997-07-01), Fleming
patent: 5677827 (1997-10-01), Yoshioka et al.
patent: 5680914 (1997-10-01), Reiser
patent: 5732910 (1998-03-01), Martin
patent: 5762250 (1998-06-01), Carlton et al.
patent: 5871094 (1999-02-01), Leibowitz
patent: 5878672 (1999-03-01), Ostermann et al.
patent: 5887777 (1999-03-01), Myles et al.
patent: 5971148 (1999-10-01), Jackson
patent: 92301641 (1992-02-01), None
patent: 94107300 (1994-05-01), None
patent: 97103026 (1997-02-01), None
Foster Jim
Gifford Krass Groh Sprinkle Anderson & Citkowski PC
LandOfFree
Luggage for nomadic computing does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Luggage for nomadic computing, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Luggage for nomadic computing will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2446209