Portable computer case

• US 7,414,833 B2
• Filed: 07/21/2006
• Issued: 08/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Amethyst IP LLC
• Original Assignee: Rungrith Kittayapong
• Inventors: Kittayapong, Rungrith
• Primary Examiner(s): Duong, Hung V
• Application Number:
  US11/490,958
• Publication Number:
  US 20080017541A1
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 206/320, 206/521, 206/760, 224/575, 224/625, 190/1, 190/107, 190/110, 345/426, 345/462.43, 244/2, 244/76.R, 400/613, 400/693, 361679-687, 361724-727
• US Class Current: 361/679.27
• 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 13/002 Protective covers
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/003 for portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator

Abstract

Cases and methods of use of a laptop computer are provided such that the laptop computer need not be removed from the case, enabling use of the laptop computer keyboard, display and ports located on a back edge of the laptop computer while the laptop computer remains in the case. According to example of the invention, a case for a laptop computer is provided having first and second portions formed of rigid material. The first portion is adapted to be secured to a display portion of the laptop computer, and the second portion adapted to be secured to a keyboard portion of the laptop computer. Opening and closing the laptop computer is thereby permitted. A covering flap is also provided to be selectively securable across the connective portion. Another embodiment of the invention is usable with laptop computers having a multi-axis rotation display portion.

Claims

1. A case for a laptop computer, comprising:

a first portion formed of a rigid material and adapted to be secured to a display portion of the laptop computer;

a second portion formed of a rigid material and adapted to be secured to a keyboard portion of the laptop computer;

a connective portion connecting the first portion to the second portion to enable rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion, thereby permitting opening and closing of the laptop computer; and

a covering flap selectively securable across the connective portion;

wherein the first portion and second portion remain secured to the display portion and keyboard portion, respectively, during operation of the laptop computer in an open configuration.

2. The case of claim 1, wherein the covering flap is secured to one of the group of the first portion and second portion and removably securable to the other of the group of the first portion and the second portion, and the covering flap adapted to expose a plurality of ports on a back edge of the laptop computer when the covering flap is detached from the other of the first portion and the second portion.

3. The case of claim 2, wherein the covering flap is removably securable by the use of a hook and loop fastener.

4. The case of claim 2, wherein the covering flap is removably securable by the use of a zipper.

5. The case of claim 1, wherein the first portion is planar.

6. The case of claim 1, wherein the second portion is planar.

7. The case of claim 1, further comprising at least one pocket attached to an exterior surface of the first portion.

8. The case of claim 1, further comprising a first handle attached to the first portion along a first edge opposite the connective portion and a second handle attached to the second portion along a second edge opposite the connective portion, the first handle and second handle thereby configured to enable carrying of the case with the connective portion located downward and away from the first handle and second handle.

9. The case of claim 1, wherein the connective portion comprises two straps.

10. The case of claim 1, wherein the connective portion comprises a material having holes located so as to be proximate to corresponding ports on a back edge of the laptop computer.

11. The case of claim 1, further comprising a first socket located at a first corner of the first portion away from the connective portion and a second socket located at a second corner of the first portion away from the connective portion.

12. The case of claim 11, wherein the first socket and the second socket are formed of elastic.

13. The case of claim 11, further comprising a band mounted at each end to opposite edges of the first portion and proximate to the connective portion, the band sized to permit the display portion of the laptop computer to be located between the band and the first portion.

14. The case of claim 1, further comprising a first socket located at a first corner of the second portion away from the connective portion and a second socket located at a second corner of the second portion away from the connective portion.

15. The case of claim 14, wherein the first socket and the second socket are formed of elastic.

16. The case of claim 1, further comprising a closure strap attached to at least one of group of the first portion and the second portion, opposite the connective portion and removably attached to the other of the group of the first portion and the second portion.

17. The case of claim 16, further comprising a magnet for removable attachment of the closure strap to the other of the group of the first portion and the second portion.

18. The case of claim 1, further comprising a shoulder strap attached to at least one of group of the first portion and the second portion.

19. A method of use of a laptop computer, comprising:

mounting a display portion of the laptop computer to a first portion formed of a rigid material;

mounting a keyboard portion of the laptop computer to a second portion formed of a rigid material;

locating a connective portion proximate to a plurality of ports on a back edge of the laptop computer, the connective portion connecting the first portion to the second portion to enable rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion;

opening a covering flap to expose the connective portion and the plurality of ports;

inserting at least one wire in at least one port of the plurality of ports; and

inputting data into the laptop computer by the use of the keyboard portion, wherein the display portion and keyboard portion remain mounted to the first portion and second portion, respectively, during the act of inputting data into the laptop computer.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the act of opening a covering flap comprises separating a hook and loop fastener.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the act of mounting a display portion of the laptop computer includes locating corners of the display portion of the laptop computer in sockets mounted to the first portion and formed of elastic.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the act of mounting a keyboard portion of the laptop computer includes locating corners of the keyboard portion of the laptop computer in sockets mounted to the second portion and formed of elastic.

23. A case for a laptop computer, comprising:

a first portion formed of a rigid material and adapted to be secured to a display portion of the laptop computer;

a second portion formed of a rigid material and adapted to be secured to a keyboard portion of the laptop computer; and

a covering flap selectively securable between the first portion and the second portion to enable rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion along a first axis, thereby permitting opening and closing of the laptop computer when the covering flap is secured between the first portion and the second portion, the covering flap enabling rotation relative to a second axis of the first portion to the second portion when detached from one of the group of the first portion and second portion, thereby enabling rotation of the display portion of the laptop computer along the second axis;

wherein the first portion and second portion remain secured to the display portion and keyboard portion, respectively, during operation of the laptop computer in an open configuration.