Special receptacle or package – For a household appliance
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-20
2001-07-10
Foster, Jim (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
For a household appliance
C206S305000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257407
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to the field of luggage and more particularly to the field of a briefcase for a laptop computer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Briefcases come in a variety of styles, shapes and sizes. Currently there are specialized briefcases for computers. Computers are delicate so the briefcases are padded and include special compartments to hold a laptop or portable computer. In most instances, users of such briefcases, such as business travelers, have to open up the briefcase and remove the computer from its padded compartment in order to use the computer. Alternatively, the computer is removed from a pocket of the carrying case. In either scenario, the user has to dig out all the various items, such as papers, which are needed to complete a task, before the briefcase is stowed. If something additional is needed, the briefcase must be retrieved from the place it is stowed so that the additional items may be accessed.
In addition to problems associated with working with these current computer briefcases, these briefcases also are not expandable. In other words, these briefcases are very specialized to carrying a laptop or a personal computer. The briefcases typically provide spaces for AC/DC adapters, cables, floppy disks, several pens and pencils and not much else. Typically, computer briefcases do not leave much room for files, books, or other items not related to the computer. As a result, many users are forced to carry one briefcase to hold the computer and another briefcase to hold papers and other items necessary to accomplishing work tasks. For a business traveler, this turns into a logistical problem. The business traveler may carry on all his or her luggage. As a result, the business traveler going to stay overnight will have two or three bags. For example, a business traveler going on an overnight trip may be required to carry a hanging bag, a specialized computer briefcase and a general briefcase for holding items necessary for completing work tasks. This can be difficult to handle if the business traveler desires to carry on all his or her baggage. Fumbling with three bags can be difficult even for the most savvy business traveler. To simplify slightly, the business traveler can cut the luggage down to two bags by placing any additional items or papers needed for work into a compartment of the hanging bag. Handling two bags is fairly straight-forward; however, airlines are now restricting the number of carry-on bags each passenger may bring into the passenger cabin for safety reasons. Some airlines now allow passengers to carry on only one bag. Therefore there is a need for a system that allows passengers to present one bag to the airlines that can be carried on and which organizes clothes, a computer and related peripheral items, as well as papers and other items necessary for doing work.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A briefcase for a computer includes a first compartment for carrying the computer and peripherals. The first compartment includes a cover which has a hinge mechanism intermediate said cover and a sliding drawer that is advanced in the direction of the briefcase handle. The computer briefcase also includes a second compartment attached to the first compartment. The first compartment is accessible from the exterior of the computer briefcase. In other words, the access can be gained to the computer and its peripherals by leaving the computer within the case and opening a cover. The cover is hinged so that the top of the first compartment does not extend above the top of the opened computer. The briefcase also includes a holding mechanism for holding the computer within the first compartment. The first compartment also has a floor which includes several portions for holding computer peripherals. The computer briefcase can also be part of a luggage system. The bag for holding a computer includes a first portion of an attachment mechanism attached to the exterior of the bag for holding a computer. The first portion of the attachment mechanism can be attached to another briefcase or to a hanging bag.
Advantageously, the bag for holding the computer is part of a luggage system on which various bags may be attached to one another so that one bag is formed for purposes of carry on luggage for airline travel. This allows the traveler to handle one bag until he or she gets to his or her seat. He or she can then detach the computer bag portion for use and stow the remaining portion of the luggage. The system is flexible in that a hanging bag may be attached to the computer bag or another briefcase section can be attached to the computer bag or both of the above may be attached to the computer bag. The end result is that the traveler can configure the luggage to match his or her needs for a particular trip.
In addition, the computer bag is advantageous since it can be used on a plane or in other situations without having to remove the computer from the first compartment. The first compartment holds the computer and several needed peripherals. The second compartment can be accessed to get papers or other items needed for work. The hinged cover and sliding tray of the first compartment also provides adequate clearance between the briefcase and the chair back in front of the user.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4929948 (1990-05-01), Holmberg
patent: 5010988 (1991-04-01), Brown
patent: 5437367 (1995-08-01), Martin
patent: 5445266 (1995-08-01), Prete et al.
patent: 5524754 (1996-06-01), Hollingsworth
patent: 5547052 (1996-08-01), Latshaw
patent: 5647484 (1997-07-01), Fleming
patent: 5678666 (1997-10-01), Shyr et al.
patent: 5808865 (1998-09-01), Alves
patent: 5881934 (1999-03-01), Hung
patent: 6012557 (2000-01-01), Derelanko
Nelson Daryl G.
Truwit Charles L.
Foster Jim
LapCase, LLC
Schwegman Lundberg Woessner & Kluth P.A.
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