U.S. patent application number 12/163875 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-31 for laptop computer carrier.
This patent application is currently assigned to Microsoft Corporation. Invention is credited to Monique Chatterjee, Ralf Groene, Lindsey Michelle Pickett.
Application Number | 20090321490 12/163875 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41446190 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090321490 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Groene; Ralf ; et
al. |
December 31, 2009 |
LAPTOP COMPUTER CARRIER
Abstract
Various embodiments of laptop computer carriers with simple, low
cost constructions are disclosed herein. One disclosed embodiment
comprises a shoulder strap, a hinge pocket that forms a closed loop
with the shoulder strap and that is configured to hold a hinged
spine of the laptop computer, and a retainer coupled with the strap
and configured to retain a side edge of the base portion of the
laptop computer.
Inventors: |
Groene; Ralf; (Kirkland,
WA) ; Chatterjee; Monique; (Seattle, WA) ;
Pickett; Lindsey Michelle; (Seattle, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICROSOFT CORPORATION
ONE MICROSOFT WAY
REDMOND
WA
98052
US
|
Assignee: |
Microsoft Corporation
Redmond
WA
|
Family ID: |
41446190 |
Appl. No.: |
12/163875 |
Filed: |
June 27, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/576 ;
224/257 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 2011/003 20130101;
A45C 11/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/576 ;
224/257 |
International
Class: |
A45C 15/00 20060101
A45C015/00; A45F 3/14 20060101 A45F003/14 |
Claims
1. A carrier for a laptop computer, the laptop computer comprising
a screen portion connected to a base portion at a hinged spine, the
carrier comprising: a shoulder strap; a hinge pocket that forms a
closed loop with the shoulder strap and that is configured to hold
the hinged spine of the laptop computer; and a retainer coupled
with the strap and configured to retain a side edge of the base
portion of the laptop computer.
2. The carrier of claim 1, further comprising a protective cover
configured to attach to the screen portion of the laptop computer
and extend over an outer face of the screen portion of the laptop
computer.
3. The carrier of claim 1, further comprising a retainer for each
side of the laptop computer.
4. The carrier of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of
connectors disposed on the shoulder strap, wherein each connector
is configured to accept attachment of an accessory with a
complementary connector.
5. The carrier of claim 4, wherein the accessory comprises a
modular pocket.
6. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the shoulder strap comprises an
integrated pocket.
7. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the shoulder strap comprises an
integrated power cord configured to connect the laptop computer to
a power supply.
8. The carrier of claim 7, wherein the integrated power cord runs
substantially a length of the shoulder strap and comprises
connectors that extend from the shoulder strap at locations
adjacent to each end of the shoulder strap.
9. A carrier for a laptop computer having a screen portion
connected to a base portion at a hinged spine, the device
comprising: a shoulder strap; a computer support sling that forms a
closed loop with the shoulder strap and that is configured to fit
between the screen portion and the base portion of the laptop
computer when the laptop computer is in a closed configuration; and
a cover coupled to the shoulder strap and configured to at least
partially cover an outside face and an inside face of the laptop
computer when the laptop computer is supported by the sling.
10. The carrier of claim 9, wherein the sling comprises a wire
having a protective coating.
11. The carrier of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of
connectors disposed on the shoulder strap, wherein each connector
is configured to accept attachment of an accessory with a
complementary connector.
12. The carrier of claim 11, wherein the accessory comprises a
modular pocket.
13. The carrier of claim 9, wherein the shoulder strap comprises an
integrated pocket.
14. The carrier of claim 9, wherein the shoulder strap comprises an
integrated power cord configured to connect the laptop computer to
a power supply.
15. A carrier for a laptop computer, comprising: a cover comprising
a first expanse configured to support a first face of the laptop
computer, a second expanse configured to support a second face of
the laptop computer, and a bottom connecting the first expanse and
the second expanse and configured to support a hinged spine of the
laptop computer, the first expanse, second expanse and bottom
defining an open first side and an open second side; a first
elastic member extending between and connecting a first side of the
first expanse to a first side of the second expanse; a second
elastic member extending between and connecting a second side of
the first expanse to a second side of the second expanse; a first
shoulder strap extending from the first expanse; and a second
shoulder strap extending from the second expanse.
16. The carrier of claim 15, wherein the first and second expanse
are flexible.
17. The carrier of claim 15, wherein the first and second expanse
are rigid.
18. The carrier of claim 15, wherein one or more of the first
shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap comprises a plurality
of connectors each configured to accept attachment of an accessory
having a complementary connector.
19. The carrier of claim 15, wherein one or more of the first
shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap comprises an
integrated pocket.
20. The carrier of claim 15, wherein one or more of the first
shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap comprises an
integrated power cord configured to connect the laptop computer to
a power supply.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Various devices have been proposed for transporting laptop
computers in a hands-free manner. One commonly used carrier is a
briefcase-like bag including a pouch or compartment for holding a
laptop computer, and one or shoulder straps connected to the pouch
to allow a user to support the weight of the pouch on a shoulder.
Such carriers also may include pockets for holding power cords,
mice, and other such accessories.
[0002] Such carriers may be made of many separate parts, and may
take many manufacturing steps to assemble the parts. Therefore,
such carriers may be relatively expensive to manufacture. Further,
a laptop computer positioned in such a carrier may be difficult to
use without removing the laptop computer from the carrier. The
effort involved in removing a laptop computer from a carrier for
use and then placing it back in the carrier after use may
discourage various types of user sessions, including but not
limited to use during transport.
SUMMARY
[0003] Accordingly, various embodiments of laptop computer carriers
with simple, low cost constructions are disclosed herein. For
example, one disclosed embodiment comprises a shoulder strap, a
hinge pocket that forms a closed loop with the shoulder strap and
that is configured to hold a hinged spine of the laptop computer,
and a retainer coupled with the strap and configured to retain a
side edge of the base portion of the laptop computer. In this
manner, a user may open and use the laptop computer while the
laptop computer is positioned in the carrier.
[0004] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify
key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed
subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not
limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages
noted in any part of this disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a laptop computer
carrier, with a laptop computer in a closed configuration
positioned in the carrier.
[0006] FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1, with the laptop
computer in an opened configuration.
[0007] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a laptop computer
carrier.
[0008] FIG. 4 shows a partially exploded view of another embodiment
of a laptop computer carrier.
[0009] FIG. 5 shows the embodiment of FIG. 4, with the laptop
computer in an opened configuration and with the protective cover
removed for clarity, and also shows an embodiment of a shoulder
strap comprising an integrated power cord.
[0010] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a laptop computer
carrier.
[0011] FIG. 7 shows the embodiment of FIG. 6, with a laptop
computer in an opened configuration positioned in the carrier.
[0012] FIG. 8 shows embodiments of a laptop computer carrier
shoulder strap and a modular accessory pocket partially attached
thereto.
[0013] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a shoulder strap comprising an
integrated accessory pocket.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] FIGS. 1 and 2 shows a first embodiment of a carrier 100 for
a laptop computer 102. The carrier 100 comprises a shoulder strap
104 and a hinge pocket 106 that forms a closed loop with the
shoulder strap and that is configured to hold a hinged spine of the
laptop computer 102. Further, one or more retainers 108 coupled
with the strap are configured to retain a side edge of a base
portion 110 (i.e. processor/keyboard portion) of the laptop
computer 102, but not a display portion 112. This allows the laptop
computer 102 to be opened when positioned in the carrier 100. In
the depicted embodiment, one retainer 108 is disposed on each side
of the shoulder strap 104 such that each side edge of the base
portion 110 of the laptop computer 102 is secured to the shoulder
strap 104. However, any other suitable number of and/or
configuration of retainers may be used, including but not limited
to a single retainer.
[0015] Referring to FIG. 2, the laptop computer 102 may be opened
with the shoulder strap 104 still positioned over a user's
shoulder. When the laptop computer 102 is opened, a display screen
114 on the display portion 112 of the laptop computer faces toward
the user. Likewise, the base portion 110 of the laptop computer 102
is positioned such that a keyboard 116, mouse pad 118, or other
input device is oriented correctly relative to the user. This
allows a user may use the laptop computer 102 without removing the
laptop computer 102 from the carrier, in contrast to a
briefcase-like bag. Once the user has finished using the computer,
the user may simply close the screen portion of the laptop to end
the use session, without having to put the laptop computer 102 back
into the carrier 100, and without having to put the carrier 100
back over a shoulder.
[0016] In this manner, a user may use the laptop computer 102
positioned in the carrier 100 either while sitting or standing. In
the standing use example, the display screen 114 faces upwardly
toward the user, while the base portion 110 of the laptop computer
rests against the user's body. The display screen 114 may be
supported in this position by the friction in the hinge of the
laptop computer 102, as well as by the shape of the laptop hinge
pocket 106. In either the sitting use or standing use example, the
carrier 100 permits a user to access and open the laptop computer
102 while standing or walking, thereby allowing the user to quickly
reference a desired item on the laptop computer 102 without removal
from the carrier. This may help to improve the computer user
experience during "shuttling" (i.e. moving from space to space,
such as between conference rooms or classrooms), as the laptop
computer may be used for short periods of time without
time-consuming unpacking and repacking.
[0017] In contrast to briefcase-style laptop bags, the carrier 100
may be manufactured using a comparatively smaller number of parts
and/or manufacturing processes. For example, the shoulder strap 104
and the hinge pocket 106 may be formed from just one or two fabric
sections joined together, for example, in an end-to-end manner to
form a closed loop. Further, the carrier 100 may utilize less
material than that used to construct a briefcase-like bag for a
similarly-sized laptop computer, thereby reducing materials costs.
Further, the retainers 108 may comprise simple clips made of
plastic, metal, sturdy fabric, etc., and therefore also may be
available at low cost.
[0018] In some embodiments, a carrier may include a protective
cover or covers that protect the outer surfaces of a laptop
computer positioned in the carrier, and that allow the computer to
be substantially enclosed within the carrier when not in use. FIG.
3 shows an embodiment of a carrier 300 comprising a protective
front cover 302 configured to extend over an outer face of the
screen portion of a laptop computer, and a protective back cover
304 configured to extend over an outer face of the base portion of
the laptop computer. The carrier further comprises a pocket 306 to
accommodate a hinged spine of the laptop computer, and a shoulder
strap 308.
[0019] The protective front cover 302 of the carrier is configured
to be attached to the display screen portion of a laptop computer.
In this manner, the front cover 302 automatically opens when a
laptop computer positioned in the carrier 300 is opened. Thus, as
opposed to other laptop computer carriers, the carrier 300 may be
opened with no additional user-performed acts (such as unzipping
zippers or opening other fasteners) other than opening the laptop
computer.
[0020] The front cover 302 may be configured to be attached to the
screen portion of a laptop computer in any suitable manner. In the
depicted embodiment, the front cover 302 includes a hooked edge 304
configured to hook over a top edge of a screen portion of a laptop
computer. In other embodiments, the front cover may include a
sleeve configured to fit over the top edge of the screen portion of
a laptop computer, a hook-and-loop fastening mechanism, or any
other suitable attachment mechanism that allows the front cover 302
to be easily attached to and removed from the laptop computer.
Likewise, in the depicted embodiment, each side of the back cover
304 is depicted as being fixed to the shoulder strap 308. However,
it will be understood that the back cover 304 may have any other
suitable configuration, and may be configured to be connected to
the base portion of a laptop computer in a similar manner as the
front cover 302 connects to the screen portion of a laptop
computer. Further, either the front cover 302 and/or the back cover
304 may be configured to cover the small space between the base
portion and the screen portion of the laptop computer when the
laptop computer is closed. In some embodiments, the back cover 304
may also be configured to provide ventilation, for example via one
or more openings, and/or via a suitable choice of material.
[0021] FIGS. 4 and 5 show another embodiment of a carrier 400. The
carrier 400 is configured to support a laptop computer 402 by
hanging the laptop computer 402 from its hinged spine 404 while the
laptop computer 402 is in a closed configuration. The carrier 400
comprises a shoulder strap 410, and a computer support sling 412
that forms a closed loop with the shoulder strap 410. The sling is
configured to fit between a screen portion 414 and a base portion
416 of the laptop computer 402 when the laptop computer 402 is in a
closed configuration, as shown in FIG. 4. Likewise, the carrier 400
may be removed or inserted from the laptop computer when the laptop
computer is in an opened configuration, as shown in FIG. 5.
[0022] The carrier 400 also comprises a cover 430 coupled to the
shoulder strap 410. The cover is shown exploded upwardly from the
laptop computer in FIG. 4, and is omitted from FIG. 5. The cover
430 is configured to at least partially cover a first face 432 and
a second face (not visible in FIG. 4) of the laptop computer when
the laptop computer is supported by the sling 404. The cover 406
may be permanently coupled to the shoulder strap 410 (for example,
sewn, glued, etc.), or may be removably coupled to the shoulder
strap 410 (for example, via buttons, snaps, hook and loop
connectors, etc.) so that a user can choose to use the cover on a
selective basis. The cover 430 may be formed from any suitable
material or materials, including but not limited to flexible
materials such as suitable fabrics, polymer sheets, leather, more
rigid materials, such as plastic materials, supported fabrics,
composite materials, and/or combinations thereof.
[0023] The computer support sling 412 may be formed from a length
of wire having an outer protective coating. A protective coating
may provide a softer surface of contact against the computer than
if the wire were uncoated. Further, a protective coating also may
provide a higher friction outer surface than uncoated wire, and
therefore may help to prevent the laptop computer 402 from sliding
on the computer support sling 412 during use. In other embodiments,
the computer support sling 412 may be formed from an uncoated wire,
a plastic or fabric cord, a strap, etc.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 5, the carrier 400 is depicted with an
embodiment of a shoulders strap 500 comprising an integrated power
cord 502 configured to connect the laptop computer 402 to a power
supply. This may allow a user to conveniently connect the laptop
computer 402 to an electrical outlet without having to carry a
separate cord. In the depicted embodiment, the integrated power
cord 502 runs substantially the length of the shoulder strap 500
within an interior of the shoulder strap. A first connector 504
configured to connect to the laptop computer 402 extends from the
shoulder strap adjacent to one end of the shoulder strap 500, and a
second connector 506 configured to connect to an electrical outlet
extends from the shoulder strap 500 adjacent to another end of the
shoulder strap 500. Because only a small portion of the integrated
power cord 502 is located outside of the shoulder strap 500, the
integrated power cord 502 may not be noticeable by a user when
carrying the laptop computer.
[0025] In some embodiments, one or both ends of the shoulder strap
500 may be configured to be selectively connected to or
disconnected from the computer support sling 412 to facilitate the
use of the integrated power cord 500. Likewise, in some
embodiments, some length of the integrated power cord 502 may be
configured to be pulled from the shoulder strap 500 during use and
then inserted or retraced back into the shoulder strap 410 for
transport. In such embodiments, the connectors 504 and 506 may be
concealed within the shoulder strap 500 when not in use, and pulled
from the shoulder strap 500 only during use. While shown in the
context of the carrier embodiment of FIGS. 4-5, it will be
appreciated that a shoulder strap with an integrated power cord may
be used with any suitable laptop computer carrier, including but
not limited to other embodiments discussed herein.
[0026] FIGS. 6 and 7 show another embodiment of a carrier 600 for a
laptop computer. Carrier 600 comprises a cover 602 including a
first expanse 604 configured to support a first face 606 of a
laptop computer 608, a second expanse 610 configured to support a
second face 612 of the laptop computer 608, and a bottom 614
connecting the first expanse 604 and the second expanse 610,
wherein the bottom 614 is configured to support a hinged spine 616
of the laptop computer 608.
[0027] The first expanse 604, second expanse 610, and bottom 614
define open first and second sides 620, 622 of the cover 602. A
first elastic member 624 and a second elastic member 626 extend
between the first expanse 604 and the second expanse 610 to connect
first and second sides of the first and second expanses 604, 610 at
locations effective to prevent the laptop computer 608 from sliding
out of the open first side 620 and open second side 622,
respectively. The carrier 600 also comprises a first shoulder strap
630 extending from the first expanse 604 and a second shoulder
strap 632 extending from the second expanse. A user may carry the
laptop computer 608 securely within the carrier 600 by placing both
shoulder straps over a shoulder. Then, when a user desires to use
the laptop computer 608 while standing or sitting, the user may
remove one of the shoulder straps and fold the screen portion 640
of the laptop computer downwardly, as depicted in FIG. 7. The
elasticity of the first and second elastic members 624, 626 allow
the user to open the laptop computer 608 when the laptop computer
608 is positioned in the carrier 600, while the locations of the
elastic members 624, 626 prevent the laptop computer 608 from
sliding out of the open sides 620, 622 of the carrier 600 both
during computer transport and computer use.
[0028] The first expanse 604, second expanse, 610, and bottom 614
may be made from any suitable material or materials, and may have
any suitable construction. For example, in some embodiments, the
first expanse 604, second expanse 610, and bottom 614 may comprise
a single piece of a flexible material, while in other embodiments
two or more of these structures may be formed from different pieces
of material joined together. Where additional strength is desired,
a sandwich of two or more sheets of material may be used to form
these structures. Additionally, any or all of the first expanse
604, second expanse 610, and bottom 614 may include a stiffener or
reinforcement such as a foam or plastic sheet, etc., to make the
first expanse 604, second expanse 610, and/or bottom 614 rigid.
[0029] Each of the above-described embodiments of carriers may
offer various advantages over briefcase-style carriers. For
example, the embodiments described herein may be easier and less
expensive to manufacture than briefcase-style laptop carriers.
Further, various embodiments described herein may enable a user to
use a laptop carrier without removing the laptop computer from the
carrier, whether standing or sitting. Therefore, the embodiments
described herein may improve the shuttling experience by
simplifying the process of accessing a laptop computer for a short
user session.
[0030] In some embodiments, a carrier may be configured to accept
the attachment of one or more accessories to accommodate
peripherals and other accessories that a user may wish to carry.
Examples of such accessories include, but are not limited to, a
mouse or other input device, a power cord, a spare battery, etc. To
accommodate such accessories, a carrier may comprise one or more
pockets, and/or may comprise one or more connectors that are
configured to accept the selective attachment of a modular
accessory pocket.
[0031] FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment of a shoulder strap 800
comprising a plurality of connectors 802 each configured to accept
attachment of an accessory, such as a modular pocket 804. In the
depicted embodiment, the connectors comprise snaps configured to
accept the attachment of an accessory via a plurality of
complimentary snaps located on the accessory. However, it will be
understood that the shoulder strap 800 may comprise any other
suitable type of connector or connectors. Likewise, it will be
understood that carrier may comprise either fewer or more
connectors 802 than those shown, and some embodiments may include
only a single connector. Further, the carrier may be configured to
accept the attachment of a single accessory, or multiple
accessories. Additionally, while the connectors 802 of the depicted
embodiment are disposed on a shoulder strap 800, it will be
understood that one or more connectors may alternatively or
additionally be disposed on another part of a carrier, such as on
any of the above-described covers 302, 430, 602.
[0032] In other embodiments, a carrier may comprise one or more
integrated pockets for carrying accessories. FIG. 9 shows an
embodiment of a shoulder strap 900 that comprises a pocket 902
configured to hold a portable mouse 904 or other such accessory.
The depicted pocket 902 has a depth greater than a width of the
shoulder strap 900 to accommodate accessories of larger sizes than
the shoulder strap width. However, in other embodiments, a pocket
may have a depth no greater than a width of the shoulder strap 900.
It will be understood that the pocket 902 may have any suitable
depth relative to the width of the shoulder strap 900.
[0033] While the concepts disclosed herein are described in the
context of specific embodiments, it will be understood that
configurations and/or approaches described herein are exemplary in
nature, and that these specific embodiments or examples are not to
be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous variations are
possible. The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all
novel and nonobvious combinations and subcombinations of the
various configurations, features, functions, and/or properties
disclosed herein, as well as any and all equivalents thereof.
* * * * *