Laptop transport and support system for mobile environments

• US 6,796,473 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2003
• Issued: 09/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Purpura, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cronin, Stephen K.
• Application Number:
  US10/704,475
• Publication Number:
  US 20040094591A1
• Time in Patent Office: 326 Days
• Field of Search: 224/153, 224/576, 224/577, 224/578, 224/579, 224/580, 224/581, 224/582, 224/585, 224/586, 224/628, 224/630, 224/270, 224/275, 206/576, 206/305, 206/449
• US Class Current: 224/576
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/02 Interior fittings; Means, e.g. inserts, for holding and packing articles
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/262 for wheeled luggage
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/34 Stays or supports for holding lids or covers open
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2013/025 for holding portable computers or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 5/00 Rigid or semi-rigid luggage collapsible or extensible luggage, bags or the like A45C7/00
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 5/14 with built-in rolling means
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 9/00 Purses, Luggage or bags convertible into objects for other use sacks or packs carried on the body and convertible into other articles A45F4/02; trunk-wardrobes A47B61/06; trunk-beds A47C17/82
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/04 Sacks or packs carried on the body by means of two straps passing over the two shoulders
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0015 Back-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0059 using clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/043 mounted on or under a seat
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1628 Carrying enclosures containing additional elements, e.g. case for a laptop and a printer

Abstract

A laptop computer transport and support system for a mobile environment such as an airplane, bus or train is embodied as a wheeled clamshell style backpack carrying case with a retractable handle. The system is employed by unzipping three case edges and lifting a hinged protective cover thereby exposing a computer. The backpack straps unhook from the cover and secure to a user'"'"'s seatback or around a user'"'"'s headrest while strap posts at an opposite backpack strap end extend from the case and prevent strap interference with the user. A foldable or detachable handle permits retractable handle posts to extend on each side of the user and support the system against the seatback instead of the user when the system is used. Optionally, computer peripherals within a compartmentalized base are connected within the base to a docking station port and provide the computer with quick access to the peripherals.

Claims

1. A method for supporting a portable computing device adjacent a seat for use by an occupant seated in the seat, the method comprising:

using a base to support the computing device firmly thereon;

using a cover that is at least partially releasably securable to the base to enclose the computing device between the base and the cover when the computing device is not in use and being carried about;

using at least one elongated support strap coupled to one of the base and the cover to partially support the base from the seat when the base is positioned in front of a seatback portion of the seat and said occupant is seated in said seat; and

using a support member associated with said base, and extending from said base, to contact said seatback and maintain said base at a desired distance from said seatback when said computing device is being used by said occupant, without interfering with a torso portion of said occupant while said occupant is seated in said seat.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising using a pair of support members arranged relative to said base to abut a portion of said seatback on opposite sides of said torso of said occupant.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising using a pair of support members that are retractable into said base when said base and said cover are closed relative to one another and said laptop is being transported about.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising using at least one wheel for supporting said base for rolling movement along a ground surface.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising hingedly coupling said cover to said base.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising using a zipper to secure said cover to said base.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising using a ratcheting hinge to control movement of said base relative to said cover.

8. A method for suspending a personal electronic device from a seat of an occupant, so as to position said personal electronic device in front of said occupant for convenient use thereof, and without interfering with a torso of said occupant while said occupant is seated in said seat, said method comprising:

using a base to form a support surface for supporting said personal electronic device firmly thereon for use by said occupant, when said occupant is seated in said seat;

using a cover secured to said base to cover said base when said personal electronic device is not being used;

using an elongated member to support said base from an upper area of said seat, without interfering with said occupant seated in said seat; and

using a handle system extendable from said base to abut a portion of said seat to maintain said base portion in front of said occupant at a comfortable position to enable said user to conveniently use said personal electronic device.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said handle system can be used to transport said base and said cover.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said handle system is at least partially retractable to reside within said base portion.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said cover is securable to said base by a zipper.

12. The method of claim 8, further using at least one shelf member extendable from said base as an additional support surface.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising using at least one wheel for supporting said base for rolling movement along a ground surface.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein a pair of elongated members are used to support said base from said upper area of said seat.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising using said pair of elongated members to configure said base and cover as a backpack when said base and said cover are closed relative to one another and being transported by said occupant.

16. A method for forming a combination backpack/support surface for a personal electronic device, comprising:

a base for forming a support surface able to firmly support said personal electronic device thereon;

a cover partially releasably securable to said base component to form a backpack when said cover is fully coupled to said base, said backpack operating to encapsulate said personal electronic device therein when a user is transporting said personal electronic device; and

a plurality of flexible straps coupled to one of said base and said cover, and having lengths sufficient to engage an upper portion of a seatback of a seat in which said user is seated, to thus place said base component comfortably in front of a torso of said user to enable said personal electronic device to be easily accessed by said user while positioned on said base.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising forming said cover with a recess shaped to receive said personal electronic device.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising using at least one handle member moveable supported from said base to abut a portion of said seat, to thus assist in suspending said base in front of said user without interfering with a torso of said user.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising using a pair of handle members that abut portions of said seat on opposite sides of a torso of said user when said user is seated in said seat.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising retracting said at least one handle member substantially into said base when said base and said cover are configured as said backpack.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising using said at least one handle member to carry said base and said cover when said base and said cover are configured as a backpack.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising using at least one wheel to support said base for rolling movement along a ground surface, to thus enable said base and said cover to be rolled along said ground surface when said base and said cover are configured as said backpack.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising using said handle member as a brace to support said base in front of said user when said user is seated in said seat and when said base is being used to support said personal electronic device in front of said user for use.

23. A method for forming a combination backpack, rollable carrying case and support surface for use with a personal electronic device, comprising:

using a base component as a support surface to support said personal electronic device thereon, when said personal electronic device needs to be accessed by a user while seated in a seat;

using at least one flexible support member to partially suspend said base from an upper area of said seat such that said base is positioned in front of a torso of said user when said user is seated in said seat;

using a cover secured to said base to enclose said personal electronic device within said base when said personal electronic device is not being used;

using a handle member operably associated with one of said base and said cover to facilitate handling of said base and said cover when said base and said cover are secured to one another in a manner enclosing said personal electronic device therebetween;

using at least one wheel to support one of said base and said cover for rolling movement along a ground surface, and wherein said handle member is used to assist in rolling said base and said cover along said ground surface; and

using flexible support member to enable said base and said cover to be carried as a backpack by said user.