Patent US5217119A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5217119A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Carrying case for laptop computer
Assignee: Targus Group International Inc
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Filing: 1992-06-04
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Granted: 1993-06-08
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Expires: 2012-06-04
Abstract
Abstract An improved carrying case for a laptop computer or other delicate electronic instrument is generally rectangular, having front and rear walls. A suspension system for the laptop computer or other equipment includes a cradle suspended from the front and rear walls for receiving a laptop computer, and elastic panel members supporting the cradle for absorbing shocks and impacts occurring upon placing of the case on a floor or the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Dale Hollingsworth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:01
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1628; A; A45; A45C; A45C13/00; A45C13/02; A45C2013/025; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S190/00; Y10S190/90; Y10S190/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A carrying case for electronic equipment such as a laptop computer, comprising: a substantially flat elongated bottom adapted to rest on a flat floor or the like and having front and rear edges; left and right side walls extending upwardly from respective ends of said flat bottom; front and rear walls extending upwardly from lower edges juxtaposed to said front and rear edges, respectively, of said flat bottom, said front and rear wall each having an upper edge; a top adapted to extend forwardly from said upper edge of said rear wall to meet said upper edge of said front wall, whereby said bottom, left and right side walls, front and rear walls, and top define a principal compartment for receiving a laptop computer; and a suspension member affixed to upper portions of said front and rear walls and depending downwardly therefrom within said principal compartment, said suspension member comprising a cradle for receiving said electronic equipment and resilient support means providing a shock-absorbing, weight-bearing connection between said cradle and said upper portions of said front and rear walls.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
A carrying case for electronic equipment such as a laptop computer, comprising: a substantially flat elongated bottom adapted to rest on a flat floor or the like and having front and rear edges; left and right side walls extending upwardly from respective ends of said flat bottom; front and rear walls extending upwardly from lower edges juxtaposed to said front and rear edges, respectively, of said flat bottom, said front and rear wall each having an upper edge; a top adapted to extend forwardly from said upper edge of said rear wall to meet said upper edge of said front wall, whereby said bottom, left and right side walls, front and rear walls, and top define a principal compartment for receiving a laptop computer; and a suspension member affixed to upper portions of said front and rear walls and depending downwardly therefrom within said principal compartment, said suspension member comprising a cradle for receiving said electronic equipment and resilient support means providing a shock-absorbing, weight-bearing connection between said cradle and said upper portions of said front and rear walls.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The carrying case of claim 1, wherein said cradle of said suspension member comprises a padded panel of a flexible fabric material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The carrying case of claim 2, wherein said resilient support means comprises at least one panel of elastic fabric joined at opposite edges thereof to said cradle and to the upper portion of an inner surface of the corresponding one of said front and rear walls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The carrying case of claim 1, wherein said front and rear walls are substantially planar and comprise planar stiffening and impact resistant members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The carrying case of claim 4, wherein said stiffening and impact resistant members are encased by fabric.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The carrying case of claim 1, wherein said top is hinged to the upper edge of said rear wall and is releasably latched to said front wall.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The carrying case of claim 6, wherein said top comprises an upper section and a flap section, said flap section being flexibly joined to said upper section so as to depend over said front wall when said top is latched to said front wall.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The carrying case of claim 7, further comprising cooperating latch elements fixed to said flap section of said top and to said front wall.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The carrying case of claim 7, wherein said upper section of said top comprises a stiffening member, and further comprising means for carrying said carrying case affixed to said stiffening member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The carrying case of claim 9, wherein said means for carrying comprises one or both of a handle and a shoulder strap.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The carrying case of claim 10, wherein said means for carrying comprises a shoulder strap including an anti-slip shoulder-engagement member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The carrying case of claim 11, wherein said shoulder-engagement member is flexible, defines an arcuate shape when planar, and comprises first and second ends at which said member is joined to first and second end sections of said shoulder strap.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The carrying case of claim 1, further comprising one or more releasable strap members extending transversely between said upper edges of said front and rear walls to retain a laptop computer in said cradle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The carrying case of claim 1, further comprising means defining a further compartment on the outer surface of at least one of said front and rear walls.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
57 words
The carrying case of claim 14, wherein said means defining a further compartment comprises a panel of substantially similar extent as said rear wall, said panel being joined to said rear wall by means permitting said panel to be spaced away from said rear wall, and means releasably retaining said panel in juxtaposition to said rear wall.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The carrying case of claim 15, wherein said means for releasably retaining said panel in juxtaposition to said rear wall comprises cooperating strips of hook-and-loop fastener material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
The carrying case of claim 16, wherein said means joining said panel to said rear wall and permitting said panel to be spaced away from said rear wall comprises one or more V-creased fabric strip members forming side walls and a bottom of said further compartment.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The carrying case of claim 17, wherein said V-creased side and bottom members are of substantially continuous width, whereby said panel may be spaced away from while remaining substantially parallel to said rear wall.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The carrying case of claim 17, wherein said cooperating strips of hook and loop fastener material are disposed on opposed mating surfaces of said V-creased side and bottom members.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The carrying case of claim 15, further comprising a flap fixed to an upper portion of an outer surface of said rear wall for depending over and closing an opening at the top of said further compartment.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The carrying case of claim 20, further comprising cooperating strips of hook and loop material on said flap and said panel for releasably securing said flap over and closing the opening of said further compartment.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The carrying case of claim 21, wherein said cooperating strips of hook and loop material on said flap and said panel are orthogonal to one another.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The carrying case of claim 1, further comprising one or more additional compartments formed on the outer surface of said front wall.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The carrying case of claim 23, further comprising internal pockets in one or more of said one or more additional compartments.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-06-07 | 1996-12-07 | 1997-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-06-07 | 2000-12-07 | 2001-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-06-07 | 2004-12-07 | 2005-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |