US 6,659,319 B2 · Laptop transport and support system for mobile environments

Abstract

A laptop computer transport and support system for a mobile environment such as an airplane, bus or train is embodied as a wheeled clamshell style backpack carrying case with a retractable handle. The system is employed by unzipping three case edges and lifting a hinged protective cover thereby exposing a computer. The backpack straps unhook from the cover and secure to a user's seatback or around a user's headrest while strap posts at an opposite backpack strap end extend from the case and prevent strap interference with the user. A foldable or detachable handle permits retractable handle posts to extend on each side of the user and support the system against the seatback instead of the user when the system is used. Optionally, computer peripherals within a compartmentalized base are connected within the base to a docking station port and provide the computer with quick access to the peripherals.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A transport and support system for a portable computing device for use in a vehicle, the system comprising:

a base portion for supporting the computing device during use thereof;
a cover secured to the base portion to enclose the computing device within said system when said computing device is not in use;
at least one strap element secured to one of said base portion and said cover, and adapted to have a portion thereon secured to a first portion of a component of said vehicle adjacent to where a user is positioned on said vehicle;
a retractable handle assembly adapted to be substantially enclosed within one of said base portion and said cover when said system is not in use, and to be extended into an operative position to engage a second component of said vehicle, to thereby assist in supporting said base portion and said computing device in front of said user for convenient use.

1 more element

A laptop transport and support system for mobile environments comprising:

a base portion and a cover portion, said base portion and said cover portions being connected by a hinge to secure said cover portion to said base portion;
a first handle rod having a first end and a second end, said first end of said first handle rod retractable into said base portion;
a second handle rod having a first end and a second end, said first end of said second handle rod retractable into said base portion;
a handle connecting said second end of said first handle rod and said second end of said second handle rod, said handle comprising a first handle piece and a second handle piece, said first handle piece and said second handle piece being detachable from each other;
a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder strap, each of said first and second shoulder straps having a first end and a second end, said first end of said first and said second shoulder strap connected to said cover portion, said second end of said first and said second shoulder strap connected to said base portion;
and
a first “C” hook at said first end of said first shoulder strap and a second “C” hook at said first end of said second shoulder strap, said first and said second “C” hooks to facilitate the hanging of said cover portion and said base portions during laptop use.

4 more elements

A laptop transport and support system for mobile environments comprising:

a base portion and a cover portion, said base portion and said cover portions being connected by a hinge to secure said cover portion to said base portion;
a first handle rod having a first end and a second end, said first end of said first handle rod retractable into said base portion;
a second handle rod having a first end and a second end, said first end of said second handle rod retractable into said base portion;
a handle connecting said second end of said first handle rod and said second end of said second handle rod, said handle comprising a first handle piece and a second handle piece, said first handle piece and said second handle piece being detachable from each other;
a first strap rod and a second strap rod, said first and second strap rods retractable relative to said base portion wherein said first strap rod connects with said second end of said first shoulder strap and said second strap rod connects with said second end of said second shoulder strap;
a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder strap, each of said first and second shoulder straps having a first end and a second end, said first end of said first shoulder strap and said first end of said second shoulder strap connected to said cover portion and said second end of said first shoulder strap is connected to said first strap rod and said second end of said second shoulder strap is connected to said second strap rod;
and
a first “C” hook at said first end of said first shoulder strap and a second “C” hook at said first end of said second shoulder strap, said first and said second “C” hooks to facilitate the hanging of said cover portion and said base portion during system use.

5 more elements

A laptop transport and support system adaptable to any seatback secured to a stationary object or a seatback within a mobile environment such as a plane, bus, automobile or other vehicle, the system comprising:

a base portion and a cover portion, said base portion and said cover portions being connected by a ratcheting piano hinge to secure said cover portion to said base portion, said base portion further comprising:
a plurality of compartments to accommodate peripheral devices, said compartments providing a not-in-use storage location and an in-use location for such devices;
a plurality of externally accessible slots in said compartments to permit accessories to connect inter-compartmentally with one another or directly to said laptop or other computing device;
a first handle rod having a first end and a second end, said first end of said first handle rod retractable into said base portion;
a second handle rod having a first end and a second end, said first end of said second handle rod retractable into said base portion;
a handle connecting said second end of said first handle rod and said second end of said second handle rod, said handle comprising a first handle piece and a second handle piece, said first handle piece and said second handle piece being detachable from each other;
a first strap rod and a second strap rod, said first and second strap rods retractable relative to said base portion wherein said first strap rod connects with said second end of said first shoulder strap and said second strap rod connects with said second end of said second shoulder strap;
a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder strap, each of said first and second shoulder straps having a first end and a second end, said first end of said first shoulder strap and said first end of said second shoulder strap connected to said cover portion and said second end of said first shoulder strap is connected to said first strap rod and said second end of said second shoulder strap is connected to said second strap rod;
and
a first “C” hook at said first end of said first shoulder strap and a second “C” hook at said first end of said second shoulder strap, said first and said second “C” hooks to facilitate the hanging of said cover portion and said base portion during system use.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Laptop transport and support system for mobile environments

Life of this patent

Laptop transport and support system for mobile environments

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21