Armored peripheral case

• US 6,896,134 B2
• Filed: 05/24/2002
• Issued: 05/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Chu, Benjamin, Simmons, Michael L., Bradley, Christopher M., Edwon, John Christopher, Koch, Christophe Phillipe Guy, Russell, Paul G., Hebold, Daren W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu, Mickey
• Assistant Examiner(s): PICKETT, JOHN G
• Application Number:
  US10/155,657
• Publication Number:
  US 20030217940A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,096 Days
• Field of Search: 206/320, 206/477, 206/523, 206/586, 206/453, 206/592, 206/594, 206/769, 206772-775, 190/111, 190/112, 190900-902, 150/119, 312/223.2
• US Class Current: 206/320
• 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 3/02 Briefcases or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1628 Carrying enclosures containing additional elements, e.g. case for a laptop and a printer

Abstract

A protective carrying case for a computer includes a top portion and a bottom portion for supporting the computer. The top portion is configured to close over the computer and mate with the bottom portion to form a complete enclosure around the computer, with padding to protect the computer. The bottom portion advantageously provides a low peripheral profile, allowing access to peripheral ports disposed on the sides of the computer while the computer is disposed thereon. The case may also include enlarged cushioned corners for providing additional protection to the corners of the computer, and an openable back portion, configured to selectively expose the computer'"'"'s external connector ports, to allow connection of the computer to external components while the computer remains substantially enclosed within the case.

Claims

1. A protective carrying case for a computer having external connector ports, comprising:

a) a bottom portion, configured to support the computer, having enlarged cushioned corners and a low peripheral profile, allowing access to peripheral ports disposed on a side of the computer while the computer is disposed thereon, and including a channel, configured to allow circulation of cooling air to an underside of the computer;

b) a top portion, having a forward section and a rearward section, having enlarged cushioned corners, and configured to close over the computer and mate with the bottom portion to form a complete enclosure therearound;

c) padding components, disposed within the bottom portion and top portion;

d) said top portion including a connector port cover, comprising the rearward section of the top portion, extending between and including the enlarged cushioned corners at the rearward section of the top portion, configured to raise to expose the external connector ports on a rear of the computer, to allow connection of the computer to external components while the computer remains substantially enclosed within the case; and

e) a retainer mechanism, associated with the forward and rearward sections of the top portion, configured to retain the connector port cover in a raised position when opened.

2. A carrying case in accordance with claim 1, further comprising support feet, disposed on the bottom portion, configured to support the bottom portion on a support surface.

3. A carrying case in accordance with claim 1, wherein the enlarged cushioned corners on the bottom portion comprise support feet.

4. A carrying case in accordance with claim 1, wherein the connector port cover comprises a hinge, hingedly connecting the connector port cover to the forward section of the top portion, whereby the connector port cover may be selectively moved between an open position, wherein the external connector ports are exposed, and a closed position, wherein the external connector ports are covered.

5. A carrying case in accordance with claim 4, wherein the retainer mechanism is configured to selectively retain the connector port cover in a closed position.

6. A carrying case in accordance with claim 1, wherein the computer is removably attached to the bottom portion.