Computer accessory carrying case

Abstract

A computer accessory case comprises a rectangular center board with removable pouches positioned on at least one side of the board in a manner which defines a trough extending vertically between the removable pouches to thereby enable placement of the case within a luggage item of the type having a telescoping centrally located handle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a principal aspect the present invention relates to a carrying case especially adapted for carrying of accessories and materials useful in the operation of a computer, and in particular, a personal computer. Nowadays, many business travelers transport their personal computer wherever they may be traveling. Most typically, the personal computer is carried in some type of protective case or valise so that the rigors of travel will not adversely impact upon the computer and to facilitate the ease of transport of the computer. Thus, there have developed numerous types of cases for the storage and transport of personal computers. Often, it is necessary to include auxiliary or ancillary storage capability in such cases for the inclusion of additional batteries and other paraphernalia useful in association with the operation of a personal computer and also useful for the performance of office type activities or entertainment type activities. That is, many personal computers are used for entertainment purposes in that DVD's or software programs may be installed for purposes of personal entertainment.

Thus, there has developed a need for a computer accessory case or organizer which will facilitate the storage and transport of a computer and, in particular, a personal computer in, for example, a wheeled computer case or luggage item. Such a case should include numerous storage pockets or pouches as well as means to be incorporated easily in a wheeled case or luggage item. Further, such an organizer or case should have the capability of being removable from a wheeled computer case so that its contents may be easily accessed and so that the contents may be stored safely and preferably transported independently from the wheeled case.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention comprises a computer accessory case which may be used by itself to carry various accessory items associated with a personal computer, but which also may be easily incorporated into and included as part of a wheeled carrying case of the type which would typically include a telescoping handle to facilitate transport of the case. The accessory case comprises an element or item which is designed for placement within a carrying case or which may be independently carried and transported. The accessory case includes a generally rectangular center support sheet or board which, in the preferred embodiment, is rigid or semi rigid and includes a top edge, a bottom edge, a first lateral side and an opposite or second lateral side with a front and a back side. The back side is arranged to define a number of discrete sections including an elongate, generally central section which extends from the upper edge to the lower edge with side sections positioned on opposite sides of the central section. Auxiliary pouches or cases are attachable to and detachable from the back side of the center support sheet. Typically, the sections are arrayed on opposite sides of the central section of the support sheet so that when the sheet is positioned within a carrying case of the type including a telescoping handle, the center section or trough like center section of the sheet will fit over and tightly against the telescoping handle assembly with the auxiliary pouches positioned on the opposite sides thereof fitted adjacent to the lateral sides of the telescoping handle assembly. The opposite side of the carrying case central sheet may include pockets, pouches and integral storage pockets. The carrying case may also include various straps which will facilitate maintaining items within the carrying case. A handle attached generally along the top edge of the computer accessory case enables the accessory case to be carried independently, for example, of a wheeled telescoping handle type carrying case.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved computer accessory case.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a computer accessory case which is designed and constructed in a manner which enables it to compatibly fit within a larger carrying case of the type which includes a center or centrally positioned telescoping handle and which optionally includes wheels.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved computer accessory case capable of holding and transporting various ancillary items useful, particularly with personal computers wherein the accessory case is removable from or positionable inside of a larger wheeled case.

A further object of the invention is to provide a carrying case which is a computer accessory case which is economical, rugged and which may be constructed in a manner where it is compatible with any of a number of types and sizes of larger carrying cases.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the computer accessory case or organizer of the invention as viewed from a front side;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the computer accessory case of FIG. 1 as viewed from the opposite or back side;

FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of the computer accessory organizer or case of FIG. 1 wherein the auxiliary pouches and component parts of the case are depicted as removed from mounting on the main central mounting sheet or board of the carrying case;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 as viewed from the opposite side of the auxiliary or computer accessory case;

FIG. 5 is a view of the carrying case of FIG. 4 wherein the component parts of the carrying case are assembled; and

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the carrying case of the previous figures positioned within a larger wheeled carrying case with a telescoping handle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the figures, the computer accessory case of the invention comprises a generally rectangular center sheet or board 10 which includes a generally linear straight top edge 12 and a generally linear straight parallel bottom edge 14. The sheet 10 further includes a first lateral side edge 16 and an opposite lateral side edge 18 again generally parallel to the first lateral side edge 16. The sheet 10 includes a front side generally depicted as the front side 20 and a back side generally depicted as the back side 22. A handle 24 attached by end straps 26 and 28 is, in the preferred embodiment, attached or sewn to the top edge 12. In the preferred embodiment, the main or generally rectangular center support sheet or board is preferably rigid or semi rigid. For example, the sheet or board 10 may be constructed from a polyethylene sheet which is encapsulated, by way of example, in between sheets of fabric.

The front side of the sheet 10 is constructed in the manner depicted, for example, in FIG. 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the sheet 10 includes a zipper pouch 40 along the side edge 18. The pouch 40 is fastened to the sheet 10 and includes a zipper 42 for access to the pouch 40. An elastic or mesh pocket 44 is also provided below or adjacent the lower edge 14 of the sheet 10. A center section 46 of the sheet 10 includes a series of pockets, such as pockets 48 and 50, into which paper folders or the like may be stored. The first side edge 16 includes or is adjacent to section of the front side 20 of the sheet 10 which includes a pocket or pouch 52 having an access zipper 54. A mesh pocket 56 is provided beneath the pouch 52. Preferably the sheet 10 is divided into equally sized vertical sections. Thus, the pouch 40 and mesh pocket 44 comprise approximately one third of the coverage over the front side 20 of the sheet 10. The pockets, such as pockets 48 and 50, comprise a vertical section of the sheet 10 which is equal to approximately one third of the lateral width of the sheet 10. Likewise, the pouch 52 and mesh pocket 56 comprise approximately one third vertical section of the sheet 10 and more particularly the front side 20 of the sheet 10. This arrangement of the pockets and their size facilitates maintenance of balance of the computer accessory case when it is being carried, for example, by the handle.

The opposite or back side 22 of the case as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 2 and 4, is likewise divided into vertical sections which are approximately one third of the width of the sheet 10. Thus, a first vertical section 60 is provided along one side. The first vertical section 60 includes a removable pocket assembly 62 which is retained on the sheet 10 by means of hook and loop fasteners such as hook and loop fasteners 64 and 66 in FIG. 3 which are compatible with or engage hook and loop fasteners such as the hook and loop fastener 68 in FIG. 4. In a similar fashion a central elongate pouch 68 may be provided for placement on the middle third of the back side of the sheet 10. The central pouch 68 includes hook and loop fasteners such as hook and loop fasteners 70 compatible with or engageable with similar fasteners located on the central portion 72 of the back side 20 of the sheet 10. Horizontal cross straps, such as straps 74 and 76, are positioned over the central section 72. These cross straps are useful for retaining cords, such as cord 78, in position in the central section 72 of the back side 20 of the sheet 10. A permanently affixed pouch 80 is provided beneath the auxiliary removable pouch 62. In similar fashion, on the opposite one third of the back side 20 of the sheet 10, a removable auxiliary pouch 82 is provided for mounting above a section comprising an auxiliary permanently attached pouch 84. In use then, the central section 72 may include a pouch 68 or the pouch 68 may be eliminated and not included in the assembly.

Typically, each of the sections of the front side and back side comprise approximately one third of the lateral width of the sheet 10, although various other combinations of sizing may be utilized. Various additional removable pockets may also be utilized. In practice, the configuration and arrangement of the computer accessory case is preferably as set forth in FIG. 2. This enables use of the accessory case in combination with a telescoping handle wheeled case, for example, as depicted in FIG. 6. Thus, removal of the center pouch 68 for placement within a case 90 separate from the sheet and computer accessory case 10 enables placement of the case or sheet 10 snuggly in the telescoping handle wheeled case. That is, the telescoping handle 92 is retained within a handle housing 94 generally centrally located along one side of case 90. The auxiliary pouches, such as pouches 62, 80, 82 and 84 in FIG. 2, may then be fitted into the grooves or channels 96 and 98 on opposite sides of the center section 84. In this manner, the computer accessory case is easily positioned within the larger case 90 in a manner which facilitates adequate and constructive use of the space within the case 90. In this event, as previously mentioned, the central large pouch or auxiliary case 68 may be removed from the sheet 10 and positioned, for example, within the larger case 90.

Thus, lateral side sections of the sheet 10 are spaced one from the other, and, in combination, define a trough therebetween which fits around the telescoping handle. The trough extends from the top side of the sheet 10 to the bottom side 14. All of the pockets on sheet 10 may be chosen in terms of their size and thickness to enhance the storage capacity of the larger case, such as case 90. The use of hook and loop fastening mechanisms (also known as Velcro fasteners) enables a high degree of utility by the accessory case. Again, the sections of the case on the opposite sides of the trough, for example, are on the opposite sides of the central section of the front side and are chosen to enhance the balance of the case and thus are generally symmetrical about a center line axis between the top edge and bottom edge of the sheet 10. This promotes stability and ease of access to the contents of the case and further facilitates the placement of such an auxiliary computer accessory case easily within a wheeled item of luggage. Nonetheless, it is possible to vary the construction and size of the various pouches and mesh pockets, removable pockets and sections from one side or the other of the sheet 10 without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The invention is therefore to be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A computer accessory case comprising in combination:

a generally rectangular center support sheet having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first lateral side edge, a second lateral side edge, a front side and a back side;

said back side comprising a multiple number of discrete sections incuding an elongate generally central section extending from the top edge to the bottom edge, a first lateral side section on one side of the central section and a second lateral side section on the opposite side of the central section, a first fastener mechanism on the back side first lateral section, a second fastener mechanism on the back side second lateral section;

a first auxiliary case sized to fit within the first lateral side section and attachable thereto by the first fastener mechanism,

a second auxiliary case sized to fit within the second lateral side section and attachable thereto by the second fastener mechanism,

said first and second auxiliary cases defining a trough therebetween when attached to the center support sheet for positioning of the trough over a projection within a luggage item with the auxiliary cases arranged laterally on opposite sides of the proejction.

2. The case of claim 1 further including a handle on the center support sheet.

3. The case of claim 2 wherein the handle is at the top edge.

4. The case of claim 1 further including a fastening mechanism in the central section.

5. The case of claim 4 further including a third auxiliary case sized to fit within the central section.

6. The case of claim 1 including a third lateral side section on one side of the central section including a pouch.

7. The case of claim 6 including a fourth lateral side section including a pouch on the opposite side of the central section from the third lateral side section.

8. The case of claim 7 wherein the pouches on the third and fourth sections are substantially equally sized.

9. The case of claim 1 wherein the sheet is generally at least in part rigid.

10. The case of claim 1 wherein the lateral side sections are generally symmetrical about a centerline axis between the top edge and bottom edge.

11. The case of claim 7 wherein the lateral side sections are generally symmetrical about a centerline axis between the top edge and bottom edge.

12. The case of claim 8 wherein the lateral side sections are generally symmetrical about a centerline axis between the top edge and bottom edge.

13. The case of claim 4 including at least one fastening strap in the central section.

14. The case of claim 4 wherein the fastening mechanism comprises a hook and loop mechanism.

15. The case of claim 1 wherein the fastening mechanism comprises a hook and loop mechanism.

16. The case of claim 1 in combination with luggage having an interior handle assembly.