Luggage for nomadic computing

• US 6,269,948 B1
• Filed: 06/22/1999
• Issued: 08/07/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shaun Jackson Design Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Jackson W. Shaun
• Inventors: Jackson, W. Shaun
• Primary Examiner(s): FOSTER, JIMMY G
• Application Number:
  US09/337,774
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• Field of Search: 108/25, 108/43, 108/166, 206/305, 206/320, 206/576, 206/216, 224/267, 229/87.01, 229/87.15, 190/102, 190/107, 190/111, 190/119, 190/902, 364/708.1, 248/174, 248/918, 248/919
• US Class Current: 206/320
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2013/025 for holding portable computers or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 7/0095 comprising a plurality of hinged panels to be unfolded in one plane for access purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 23/002 supported only by a person
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1628 Carrying enclosures containing additional elements, e.g. case for a laptop and a printer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen

Abstract

An article for use with a laptop computing device protects the device during periods of non-use, including transport, while stabilizing the device when positioned on a user'"'"'s lap. The article provides 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. The preferred embodiment includes two side panels, each with a storage compartment, which may be dressed over the user'"'"'s thighs to assist in stabilizing the laptop device during use. Attachment means are preferably provided for securing the side panels to one another across the top surface of the computing device during periods of non-use or transport. Preferably flexible front and rear panels may also be folded over and onto the top surface of the computer in overlapping fashion beneath the secured side panels to create a protective device wrapper in conjunction with surrounding closure means and a carrying handle. 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.

Claims

1. An article for use with a laptop computer having top and bottom surfaces, the article comprising:

a base panel having front, rear and two opposing side edges, a lower surface, and an upper surface dimensioned to receive the bottom surface of the laptop computer;

a pair of side panels, each having a first edge hinged to one of the side edges of the base panel and a second edge including fastening means;

at least one storage compartment associated with each side panel; and

wherein, in the folded state, each side panel is folded over the base panel with the second edges of each side panel being attached to one another using the fastening means.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein the base panel is at least partially stiffened.

3. The article of claim 1, wherein the side panel is at least partially flexible.

4. The article of claim 1, further including a wrist rest extending from front edge of the base panel.

5. The article of claim 1, further including a mouse pad.

6. An article for use with a laptop computer having top and bottom surfaces, the article comprising:

a base panel having front, rear and two opposing side edges, a lower surface, and an upper surface dimensioned to receive the bottom surface of the laptop computer;

a pair of side panels, each having a first edge hinged to one of the side edges of the base panel and a second edge including fastening means;

at least one storage compartment associated with each side a panel; and

wherein, in the unfolded state, the base panel and side panels assume a flattened, horizontal orientation when positioned on a desktop, providing convenient access to the storage compartments with the computer positioned on the upper surface of the base panel.

7. The article of claim 6, wherein the base panel is at least partially stiffened.

8. The article of claim 6, further including a wrist rest extending from front edge of the base panel.

9. The article of claim 6, further including a mouse pad.

10. The article of claim 6, wherein, in the unfolded state, wherein, in the unfolded state, the base panel is adapted to assume a generally horizontal orientation when positioned on a user'"'"'s lap, the construction of the side panels being such that they readily drapes at least partially down the outer side surface of a user'"'"'s thigh during use of the computer when positioned on the upper surface of the base panel.

11. An article for use with a laptop computer having top and bottom surfaces, the article comprising:

a base panel having front, rear and two opposing side edges, a lower surface, and an upper surface dimensioned to receive the bottom surface of the laptop computer;

a wrist rest extending from front edge of the base panel;

a pair of side panels, each having a first edge hinged to one of the side edges of the base panel and a second edge including fastening means;

at least one storage compartment associated with each side panel; and

wherein, in the folded state, each side panel is folded over the base panel with the second edges of each side panel being attached to one another using the fastening means.

12. The article of claim 11, wherein the base panel is at least partially stiffened.

13. The article of claim 11, further including a mouse pad.

14. The article of claim 11, wherein the side panels are at least partially flexible, such that they readily drapes at least partially down the outer side surface of a user'"'"'s thighs during use of the computer on a user'"'"'s lap.