Secure Housing for a Portable Computer

• US 20140153178A1
• Filed: 07/24/2012
• Published: 06/05/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lufthansa Systems AG (Deutsche Lufthansa AG)
• Original Assignee: Lufthansa Systems AG (Deutsche Lufthansa AG)
• Inventors: Hommel, Peter, Liebe, Joerg
• Granted Patent: US 9,791,890 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.26
• 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 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: G06F 1/1633 Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626

Abstract

A secure housing for a portable computer, which has a screen, operating keys and at least one connector, can be transferred from an open state to a closed state. In order to protect the computer and the data stored thereon, the secure housing can be locked in the closed state and conceals at least one operating key of the computer while the screen is exposed.

Claims

1. A secure housing for a portable computer comprising a screen, one or more operating keys and at least one socket, said secure housing being adapted to be transferred from an open state to a closed state,

wherein

the housing is configured such that it can be locked in the closed state, covers at least one operating key of the computer, and exposes the screen.

2. The secure housing of claim 1, wherein the secure housing further comprises an electric plug contact accessible from outside the housing, said contact comprising an electric wire adapted to be connected with the at least one socket of the computer.

3. The secure housing of claim 2, wherein the wire and the plug contact are completely included within the housing when the housing is in the closed state.

4. The secure housing of claim 3, wherein the wire is configured exclusively for the voltage supply to the computer and does not form a data line.

5. The secure housing of claim 4, wherein the secure housing provides mechanical protection, heat protection, and/or moisture protection.

6. The secure housing of claim 2, wherein the secure housing is of a three-part structure comprising:

a lower shell with a holder for the computer and a holder for the wire, a first upper cover for the computer, and a second upper cover for the wire.

7. The secure housing of claim 6, wherein the first upper cover is removable only when the second upper cover has been removed, the second upper cover being adapted to be latched and locked in the closed state.

8. The secure housing of claim 2, wherein the secure housing is of a two-part structure comprising:

a lower shell with a holder for the computer and a holder for the wire, and an upper cover for the computer, the lower shell comprising a cover completely covering the wire holder and fixedly connected with the shell.

9. A portable computer comprising a screen, one or more operating keys, at least one socket, and a secure housing adapted to be transferred from an open state to a closed state, the computer having a main operating button provided for making basic settings, wherein in a closed state, the secure housing covers the main operating button such that an operation of the main operating button is prevented and exposes the screen.

10. The portable computer of claim 9, wherein the computer has an on/off switch covered by the secure housing in the closed state.

11. The portable computer of claim 9, wherein the screen is a touchscreen that can be operated in the closed state of the secure housing.

12. The portable computer of claim 9, wherein the computer has a headphone connector and, optionally, volume controls which are accessible from outside in the closed state of the secure housing.