Assembly for carrying, protecting and supporting a tablet computer or similar sized item

• US 8,544,640 B1
• Filed: 09/27/2011
• Issued: 10/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gregory L. Hilton
• Original Assignee: Gregory L. Hilton
• Inventors: Hilton, Gregory L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ackun, Jacob K
• Application Number:
  US13/246,822
• Time in Patent Office: 735 Days
• Field of Search: 383/10, 190/1, 190/124, 190/115, 206/45.2, 206/45.23, 206/45.24, 206/576, 206/320, 206/584
• US Class Current: 206/45.24
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/02 Interior fittings; Means, e.g. inserts, for holding and packing articles
• 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 2200/15 Articles convertible into a stand, e.g. for displaying purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

A carrying assembly for a tablet computer or similar object. A bag structure is provided that has an internal pocket. Padding areas exist around the internal pocket between the internal pocket and the bag structure. The padding areas are at least partially filled with padding material. The ends of a handle structure are attached to the bag structure. A fabric panel extends from the handle structure to the bag structure. The object is stored in the internal pocket. When needed, the object is removed. The bag structure is laid on one side so that the fabric panel lay flat on a surface. In this orientation, the handle structure and the bag structure combine to create a holding trough. The object is placed within the holding trough, wherein the object leans against the bag structure in an inclined orientation.

Claims

1. An assembly for carrying and supporting an object, said assembly comprising:

a bag structure having an internal pocket that is accessible through a zipper, wherein said internal pocket is sized to receive said object completely therein, and wherein padding areas exist around said internal pocket between said internal pocket and said bag structure;

padding material filling at least part of said padding areas, wherein said padding material consists of a multitude of individual soft beads that enable said bag structure and said padding areas to conform into different shapes;

a handle structure having a first end, a second end and a central section interposed between said first end and said second end, wherein said first end and said second end are affixed directly to said bag structure; and

at least one fabric panel that extends from said central section of said handle structure to said bag structure.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said at least one fabric panel attaches to said bag structure adjacent said zipper.

3. The assembly according to claim, 1, wherein said handle structure is a flexible tube of fabric filled with soft fill material.

4. The assembly according to claim 1, further including an opening in said at least one fabric panel to enable fingers to pass under said handle structure when gripping said handle structure.

5. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said handle structure is at least one inch thick and said bag structure is at least six inches thick.

6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said bas structure has two end panels and wherein at least one audio speaker is mounted to at least one of said end panels.

7. The assembly according to claim 6, further including an audio drive unit, wherein said audio drive unit is affixed to said internal pocket and is accessible within said internal pocket.

8. An assembly for supporting an object, wherein said object is selected from the group consisting of tablet computers, laptop computers, smart phones, books and magazines, said assembly comprising:

a bag structure having a side surface, wherein said bag structure is at least partially filled with padding material;

a handle structure having a first end, a second end and a central section interposed between said first end and said second end, wherein said first end and said second end are affixed directly to said bag structure; and

a fabric panel, containing no padding, that extends between said central section of said handle structure and said bag structure, wherein said handle structure and said bag structure combine to create a raised periphery around an encircled area above said fabric panel when said bag structure is positioned on said side surface.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further including an internal pocket within said bag structure.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said handle structure is a flexible tube of fabric filled with soft fill material.

11. An assembly for carrying and supporting an object, said assembly comprising:

a bag structure having an internal pocket that is accessible through an opening, wherein said internal pocket is sized to receive said object completely therein, and wherein padding areas exist around said internal pocket between said internal pocket and said bag structure;

padding material filling at least part of said padding areas, wherein said padding material enables said bag structure and said padding areas to conform into different shapes;

a handle structure having a first end, a central section and a second end, wherein said central section is interposed between said first end and said second end, and wherein said first end and said second end are affixed to said bag structure; and

a panel extending from said handle structure to said bag structure, wherein said handle structure and said bag structure are thicker than said panel.

12. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein said opening to said internal pocket has a closable zipper.

13. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein said panel attaches to said bag structure adjacent said zipper.

14. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein said handle structure is a flexible tube of fabric filled with soft fill material.