TSA Computer Travel Bag

Abstract

A travel bag for a laptop computer for easing scanning at a security checkpoint including a first compartment for storing a laptop computer and a second compartment for storing other typical travel items. The compartment for storing a laptop computer is free of metal and pockets or organizers capable of holding items that may interfere with the scanning of the laptop computer. The two compartments are adapted to be opened so that they lie adjacent to one another with aligned edge surfaces interconnected by a hinge structure provided to align the edge surfaces. A carry handle is provided to be above the hinge and the aligned edge surfaces.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The application claims priority of provisional patent application, Ser. No. 61/074,085 filed Jun. 19, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to travel bags for computer laptops that enables the laptop to be screened by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) without removal from the travel bag

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Due to increased screening efforts by the TSA, delays at airport screening facilities can often be a burden to travelers. To allow the TSA to reduce waiting times at security screening areas at airports, a travel bag has been designed to allow passengers to move quickly through security without having to remove their laptop from the travel bag. Inasmuch as the laptop remains in the travel bag the screening efficiency is improved and the potential for damaged laptops is reduced. Further, the potential for mistaken identity of a laptop is reduced.

[0004] After x-ray visualization and screening of the laptop inside the travel bag, passengers can in one easy motion, and with just one hand, remove the bag from the screening area.

[0005] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a travel bag for a laptop computer that would enable a person to quickly and conveniently pass through a security check point.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] A travel bag for a laptop computer for easing scanning at a security checkpoint includes a first compartment for storing a laptop computer and a second compartment for storing other items typically carried by a traveler. The first compartment for storing a laptop computer is free of metal and pockets or organizers capable of holding items that may interfere with the scanning of the laptop computer. The two compartments are able to be spread apart to lie adjacent one another with aligned edge surfaces and a hinge structure is provided to interconnect the aligned edge surfaces. A carry handle is provided to be above the aligned edge surfaces.

[0007] In this way, the aligned edge surfaces are located below the carrying handle so the two compartments may be separated from one another while still connected through the hinge structure, and arranged to lie adjacent one another on a moving belt of a security scanner. Upon passing through the security scanner, the travel bag may be removed easily from the belt by grasping the handle to lift the travel bag and allow the two compartments to lie adjacent one another for removal from the security checkpoint.

[0008] In preferred form the two compartments each has respective surfaces of mating adhering members to hold them together upon removal from the security checkpoint. The compartment for the laptop computer may have a padded sleeve for receiving the laptop computer and the surface area adjacent the sleeve is free of any pockets or organizers capable of holding items that may interfere with the scanning of the laptop computer. This compartment is also free of any metal closures that may interfere with the scanning of the laptop computer.

[0009] The travel may also straps enabling the travel bad to be secured to a traveler's back.

[0010] These and other objects, and advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the description given below which is made in conjunction with the following drawing figures:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a side view thereof;

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates the embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1 with the two compartments spread apart to lie adjacent one another;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a top view of FIG. 3;

[0015] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of FIG. 3;

[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates the sequence of operation of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 7a illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention!

[0018] FIG. 7b illustrates the second embodiment of the present invention with the two compartments spread apart to lie adjacent one another on a TSA conveyor belt;

[0019] FIG. 8a illustrates a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 8b illustrates the third embodiment of the present invention with the two compartments spread apart to lie adjacent one another on a TSA conveyor belt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate a travel bag 10 for a laptop computer. The travel bag 10 has a first compartment 12 for storing a laptop computer 14 and a second compartment 16 for storing other items 18 that may be carried by a traveler. The first compartment 12 and the second compartment 16 are able to be spread apart as shown in FIG. 3 to lie adjacent one another with aligned edge surfaces 20 and 22, and a hinge structure 24 is provided to interconnect the aligned edge surfaces. A carry handle 26 has respective end portions 27 and 28 connected to the aligned edge surfaces.

[0022] In this way, the aligned edge surfaces 20 and 22 are located below the carrying handle 26 so the two compartments 12 and 16 may be separated from one another while still connected through the hinge structure 24. As shown in FIG. 61, the two compartments 12 and 16 may be separated by unlocking buckle 30 and arranged to lie adjacent one another in a side-by-side configuration on a moving belt 32 of a security scanner 34. Upon passing through the security scanner 34, the travel bag 10 may be removed easily from the belt by grasping the handle 26 to lift the travel bag and allow the two compartments to fall against one another for removal from the security checkpoint. Buckle 30 may take any conventional forms, including the snap-in buckle, or as shown in phantom in FIG. 2, a strip 30b of adhering material connected to one compartment and a mating patch 30a of adhering material connected to the other. Such adhering materials would preferably be conventional hook-and-loop materials.

[0023] In preferred form, the two compartments 12 and 16 each has respective surfaces of mating adhering members 32, for example hook-and-loop materials to hold the compartments together upon removal form the security checkpoint. The number and location of the mating adhering members may vary according to expected requirements of the size and expected loads within the travel bag.

[0024] The compartment for the laptop computer may have a padded sleeve 34 for receiving the laptop computer and the surface area of the travel bag adjacent the sleeve is free of any pockets or organizers capable of holding items that may interfere with the scanning of the laptop computer. This compartment is also free of any metal closures that may interfere with the scanning of the laptop computer. Any zippers or the like are fabricated from synthetic plastics materials.

[0025] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a travel bag 40 comparable to that of FIGS. 1 through 6, but with wheels 42 and a retractable handle structure 44. The laptop would be placed in the front compartment 46 so it can be scanned without interference from the remaining contents of the travel bag. Zippers and other closure elements of the travel bag for compartments 46 can be of a synthetic plastics material so as not to interfere with the scanning of a computer laptop in compartment 46. Again, the compartment 46 for the laptop computer may have a padded sleeve for receiving the laptop computer and the surface area of the travel bag adjacent the sleeve is free of any pockets or organizers capable of holding items that may interfere with the scanning of the laptop computer. This compartment 46 is also free of any metal closures that may interfere with the scanning of the laptop computer.

[0026] The two compartments also have on engaging inner surfaces mating adhering members, for example hook-and-loop materials, to hold the compartments together upon removal form the security checkpoint The number and location of the mating adhering members may vary according to expected requirements of the size and expected loads within the travel bag, but preferably are in the lower corners to assure the two compartments are secured in an aligned condition after the bag has lifted from a belt of a security scanner.

[0027] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a travel bag 50 comparable to that of FIGS. 1 through 6, but with shoulder straps 52. The laptop would be placed in the rearward compartment 54 so it can be scanned without interference from the remaining contents of the travel bag. Again, the compartment 54 for the laptop computer may have a padded sleeve for receiving the laptop computer and the surface area of the travel bag adjacent the sleeve is free of any pockets or organizers capable of holding items that may interfere with the scanning of the laptop computer; and zippers and other closure elements of the travel bag for compartment 54 can be of a synthetic plastics material so as not to interfere with the scanning of a computer laptop in compartment 54. The straps 52 enable the travel bag to be secured to a traveler's back. As noted in FIG. 8B, the handle 56 may be located solely on the compartment 54.

[0028] AS in the previous embodiments, the two compartments have on engaging inner surfaces mating adhering members, for example hook-and-loop materials, to hold the compartments together upon removal from the security checkpoint. The number and location of the mating adhering members may vary according to expected requirements of the size and expected loads within the travel bag, but preferably are at least in the lower corners to assure the two compartments are secured in an aligned condition after the bag has lifted from a belt of a security scanner.

[0029] These and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be understood from the detailed description made above; and it is understood that the present invention is not limited by any other details set forth above, but by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A travel bag for a laptop computer for easing scanning at a security checkpoint, said travel bag including a first compartment for storing a laptop computer and a second compartment for storing other items typically carried by a traveler, said first and second compartments being adapted to lie adjacent one another with aligned edge surfaces, a hinge structure interconnecting said aligned edge surfaces, and a carrying handle connected to be positioned above said aligned edge surfaces whereby said first and second compartment may be separated from one another while connected through said hinge structure and arranged to lie on a moving belt of a security scanner, and upon passing through the security scanner the travel bag may be removed easily from the belt by rasping the handle to lift the travel bag and allow the first and second compartments to lie adjacent one another for removal from the security checkpoint.

2. A travel bag as set fort in claim 1, the surfaces of said first and second compartments adapted to lie adjacent one another each having respective surfaces of mating adhering members to hold said first and second compartments adjacent one another upon removal form the security checkpoint.

3. A travel bag as set fort in claim 2, the first compartment includes a padded sleeve for receiving the laptop computer and the surface area adjacent the sleeve is free of any pockets or organizers capable of holding items that may interfere with the scanning of the laptop computer and is also free of any metal closures that may interfere with the scanning of the laptop computer.

4. A travel bag as set fort in claim 3, respective end portions of said carry handle being connected to said aligned edge portions.

5. A travel bag as set fort in claim 1, the first compartment includes a padded sleeve for receiving the laptop computer and the surface area adjacent the sleeve is free of any pockets or organizers capable of holding items that may interfere with the scanning of the laptop computer and is also free of any metal closures that may interfere with the scanning of the laptop computer.

6. A travel bag as set fort in claim 1, respective end portions of said carry handle being connected to said aligned edge portions.

7. A travel bag as set fort in claim 1, the second compartment includes wheels and a retractable handle.

8. A travel bag as set fort in claim 7, the surfaces of said first and second compartments adapted to lie adjacent one another each having respective surfaces of mating adhering members to hold said first and second compartments adjacent one another upon removal form the security checkpoint.

9. A travel bag as set fort in claim 8, the first compartment includes a padded sleeve for receiving the laptop computer and the surface area adjacent the sleeve is free of any pockets or organizers capable of holding items that may interfere with the scanning of the laptop computer and is also free of any metal closures that may interfere with the scanning of the laptop computer.

10. A travel bag as set fort in claim 7, the first compartment includes a padded sleeve for receiving the laptop computer and the surface area adjacent the sleeve is free of any pockets or organizers capable of holding items that may interfere with the scanning of the laptop computer and is also free of any metal closures that may interfere with the scanning of the laptop computer.

11. A travel bag as set fort in claim 1, the second compartment includes straps enabling the travel bad to be secured to a traveler's back.

12. A travel bag as set fort in claim 11, the surfaces of said first and second compartments adapted to lie adjacent one another each having respective surfaces of mating adhering members to hold said first and second compartments adjacent one another upon removal form the security checkpoint.

13. A travel bag as set fort in claim 12, the first compartment includes a padded sleeve for receiving the laptop computer and the surface area adjacent the sleeve is free of any pockets or organizers capable of holding items that may interfere with the scanning of the laptop computer and is also free of any metal closures that may interfere with the scanning of the laptop computer.

14 A travel bag as set fort in claim 11, the first compartment includes a padded sleeve for receiving the laptop computer and the surface area adjacent the sleeve is free of any pockets or organizers capable of holding items that may interfere with the scanning of the laptop computer and is also free of any metal closures that may interfere with the scanning of the laptop computer.