Case with strap comprising computer cable coupled thereto

• US 10,139,855 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2016
• Issued: 11/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Rane, Peter Carlson, Perelli, Thomas, Ent, Ali Kathryn, Truong, Cuong Huy, Ferrell, Lisa Marie L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Jinhee
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wright, Ingrid
• Application Number:
  US15/013,112
• Publication Number:
  US 20170220067A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,029 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/00 Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/001 Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/103 Arrangement of zip-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/30 Straps; Bands
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 15/00 Purses, bags, luggage or other receptacles covered by groups A45C1/00 - A45C11/00, combined with other objects or articles A45C1/08, A45C3/14, A45C11/321, A45C13/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/003 for portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2013/025 for holding portable computers or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 3/02 Briefcases or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2004/006 Pack-frames, pack-carrying harnesses, carrying straps or shoulder-pads convertible into articles for other use
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/02 Sacks or packs carried on the body by means of one strap passing over the shoulder
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/12 Shoulder-pads
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1628 Carrying enclosures containing additional elements, e.g. case for a laptop and a printer

Abstract

In one aspect, a case includes at least one exterior surface, at least one compartment internal to the exterior surface and in which at least one system component cars be placed, a strap removably engageable with the exterior surface, and a cable coupled to the strap that is useable to transmit at least one of data and power between two devices.

Claims

1. A case, comprising:

at least one exterior surface;

at least one compartment internal to the exterior surface and in which at least one system component can be placed; and

a strap removably engageable with the exterior surface;

a cable coupled to the strap and that is useable to transmit at least one of data and power between two devices, wherein the cable comprises a connector at a first end of the cable;

a first port at which the connector is connectable, the first port disposed at the exterior surface; and

a second port accessible from inside the at least one compartment, the second port electrically coupled to the first port, the second port connectable to a system component.

2. The case of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the cable is sown into the strap.

3. The case of Claim 1, comprising at least one system component.

4. The case of claim 3, wherein the at least one system component comprises a hard drive.

5. The case of claim 3, wherein the at least one system component comprises a power supply.

6. The case of claim 1, wherein the second port forms part of a port replicator, the port replicator accessible from the compartment, the port replicator connectable to at least one system component.

7. The case of claim 1, wherein the connector is a universal serial bus (USB) connector.

8. The case of claim 1, wherein the compartment is a first compartment, and wherein the strap comprises a zipper providing access to a second compartment in the strap.

9. A method, comprising:

providing a case comprising at least one exterior surface and at least one compartment in which at least one system component can he placed;

providing a strap removably engageable with the exterior surface;

providing an electrical wire coupled to the strap that transmits at least one of data and power between two devices, wherein the electrical wire comprises a first connector at a first end of the electrical wire and a second connector at a second end of the electrical wire;

providing a first port at which the first connector is connectable, the first port being disposed on the exterior surface of the case for exterior connection to the first connector and

providing a second port at which a third connector is connectable, the second port being disposed interior to the case for interior connection to the third connector.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the second port is disposed on an interior surface of the case for interior connection to the third connector.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the electrical wire is a first electrical wire, and wherein the method comprises:

providing the third connector and a second electrical wire, wherein the third connector is connected to the second electrical wire at a first end of the second electrical wire, and wherein the second electrical wire connects to the system component a second end of the electrical wire.

12. The method of claim 9, comprising:

providing a cover slideably positioned on the exterior surface to protect the first port from the elements.

13. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one exterior surface;

at least one compartment internal to the exterior surface and which accommodates at least one system component;

a strap removably engageable with the exterior surface;

a cable coupled to the strap and that is useable to transmit at least one of data and power between the at least one system component and another device, wherein the cable comprises a first connector at a first end of the cable and a second connector at a second end of the cable;

a first port at which the first connector is connectable, the first port being disposed on the exterior surface for exterior connection to the first connector; and

an electrical component electrically connected to the first port and disposed interior to the apparatus.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one system component comprises a hard drive.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the electrical component comprises a second port at which a third connector is connectable, the second port being disposed interior to the apparatus for interior connection to the third connector.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the second port is disposed on an interior surface of the apparatus for interior connection to the third connector.

17. The apparatus of Claim 13, wherein the cable is a first cable, and wherein the electrical component comprises a second cable having a first end electrically connected to the first port and a second end that is connectable to the system component.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the electrical component comprises a port replicator.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one system component is sown into the at least one compartment internal to the exterior surface.

20. The apparatus of claim 13, comprising the at least one system component.

21. A method, comprising:

providing an apparatus comprising at least one exterior surface;

providing at least one compartment internal to the exterior surface and which accommodates at least one system component;

providing a strap removably engageable with the exterior surface;

providing a cable coupled to the strap and that is useable to transmit at least one of data and power between the at least one system component and another device, wherein the cable comprises a first connector at a first end of the cable and a second connector at a second end of the cable;

providing a first port at which the first connector is connectable, the first port being disposed on the exterior surface for exterior connection to the first connector; and

providing an electrical component electrically connected to the first port and disposed interior to the apparatus.