Carrying case for portable computer

A carrying case for electronic equipment, such as a portable computer, includes back, front, top, bottom and side walls defining an interior including a compartment for receiving electronic equipment defined between a wall surface and a floating panel of the carrying case. The floating panel is selectively movable linearly toward and away from the wall surface to adjust the size of the compartment in accordance with the size of the electronic equipment received therein. A securing mechanism within the interior resiliently biases the floating panel toward the wall surface and provides a shock or impact absorbing effect for the electronic equipment. The carrying case has a handle including first and second handle portions rotatable between an engaged position wherein the handle portions are in abutment and a disengaged position wherein the handle portions are separated from one another. The first and second handle portions are configured to automatically matingly engage one another when rotated into abutment.

 

What is claimed is:

1. A carrying case comprising

an enclosure defining an interior;

a selectively openable, selectively closable opening in said enclosure providing access to said interior; and

a handle including first and second handle portions each comprising an arcuate segment rotatably mounted on said enclosure on opposite sides of said opening, respectively, said arcuate segments being rotatable about parallel axes, respectively, for movement between an engaged position, wherein said arcuate segments are in abutment, and a disengaged position, wherein said first and second handle portions are separated from one another, said arcuate segments having inner surfaces, respectively, configured to mate in said engaged position, said inner surface of said first handle portion being configured as a protuberance and said inner surface of said second handle portion being configured as a cavity for receiving said protuberance in said engaged position, said protuberance curving convexly and tapering in height and width, and said protuberance automatically entering said cavity as a result of rotation of said first and second handle portions to bring said arcuate segments in abutment.

2. A carrying case as recited in claim 1 wherein said arcuate segments have top surfaces, respectively, joined to said inner surfaces and forming lips, respectively, where said top surfaces join said inner surfaces, said lips being in abutment when said handle portions are in said engaged position.

3. A carrying case as recited in claim 2 wherein said protuberance curves outwardly from said lip of said first handle portion and said cavity curves inwardly from said lip of said second handle portion.

4. A carrying case as recited in claim 3 wherein said protuberance has a convex curvature and said cavity has a concave curvature resisting disengagement of said first and second handle portions from said engaged position.

5. A carrying case as recited in claim 4 wherein said top surfaces have a convex curvature, said arcuate segments have convexly curved outer surfaces, respectively, joined to said top surfaces and convexly curved bottom surfaces, respectively, joined to said inner surfaces and said outer surfaces, respectively, said arcuate segments in said engaged position forming a smooth, symmetrical grip.

6. A carrying case as recited in claim 5 wherein said first and second handle portions have straight segments, respectively, connected to opposite ends of said arcuate segments, respectively, said straight segments having central longitudinal axes, respectively, defining said axes about which said first and second handle portions are rotatable.

7. A carrying case as recited in claim 5 wherein said straight segments are mounted within sleeve formations on said enclosure.

8. A carrying case as recited in claim 5 wherein said first and second handle portions are rotatable downwardly toward said enclosure for movement from said engaged position to said disengaged position, said first and second handle portions being capable of movement to a fully rotated position wherein said arcuate segments are closely disposed alongside said enclosure.

9. A carrying case comprising

an enclosure defining an interior;

a zippered opening in said enclosure permitting access to said interior; and

a handle centrally disposed on said enclosure and including first and second handle portions each comprising an arcuate segment rotatably mounted on said enclosure on opposite sides of said opening, respectively, said arcuate segments being rotatable relative to said enclosure for movement between an engaged position, wherein said arcuate segments are in abutment, and a disengaged position, wherein said first and second handle portions are separated from one another, said arcuate segments having top surfaces, respectively, joined to inner surfaces, respectively, and having lips, respectively, formed by a juncture of said top surfaces with said inner surfaces, said lips being in abutment in said engaged position, said inner surface of said first handle portion being configured as a protuberance extending outwardly from said lip of said first handle portion and tapering in height and width, and said inner surface of said second handle portion being configured as a cavity extending inwardly from said lip of said second handle portion for receiving said protuberance when said lips are in abutment in said engaged position.

10. A carrying case as recited in claim 9 wherein said arcuate segments each have a central portion connected to opposite ends and said lips extend continuously along said central portions, respectively.

11. A carrying case as recited in claim 9 wherein said protuberance has a convex configuration and said cavity has a concave configuration.

12. A carrying case as recited in claim 11 wherein said top surfaces have a convex configuration, said arcuate segments further include outer surfaces, respectively, joined to said top surfaces and having a convex configuration, and bottom surfaces, respectively, joined to said inner surfaces and said outer surfaces, respectively, and having a convex configuration.

13. A carrying case as recited in claim 11 wherein said first and second handle portions have straight segments, respectively, connected to said opposite ends of said arcuate segments, respectively, said straight segments being mounted on said enclosure and having central longitudinal axes, respectively, defining said axes about which said arcuate segments are rotatable.

14. A carrying case as recited in claim 9 and further including a slot in said protuberance and a protruding finger in said cavity for being received in said slot when said lips are in abutment in said engaged position.

15. A carrying case comprising

an enclosure defining an interior;

a selectively openable, selectively closable opening in said enclosure providing access to said interior; and

a handle including first and second handle portions each comprising an arcuate segment rotatably mounted on said enclosure on opposite sides of said opening, respectively, said arcuate segments being rotatable about parallel axes, respectively, for movement between an engaged position, wherein said arcuate segments are in abutment, and a disengaged position, wherein said first and second handle portions are separated from one another, said arcuate segments having top surfaces, respectively, joined to inner surfaces, respectively, configured to mate in said engaged position, said arcuate segments having continuously outwardly curving upper transition surfaces, respectively, joining said top surfaces to said inner surfaces, respectively, said upper transition surfaces being in abutment in said engaged position, said arcuate segments having bottom surfaces, respectively, and continuously outwardly curving lower transition surfaces, respectively, joining said inner surfaces to said bottom surfaces, respectively, said inner surface of said first handle portion being configured as a protuberance extending from said upper transition surface to said lower transition surface of said first handle portion and said inner surface of said second handle portion being configured as a cavity extending from said upper transition surface to said lower transition surface of said second handle portion for receiving said protuberance in said engaged position, said protuberance curving convexly and said cavity curving concavely.

16. A carrying case as recited in claim 15 wherein said top and bottom surface are convexly curved.

17. A carrying case as recited in claim 16 wherein said arcuate segments further include convexly curved outer surfaces, respectively, joining said bottom surfaces to said top surfaces.

18. A carrying case as recited in claim 15 and further including a slot in said protuberance and a protruding finger in said cavity for being received in said slot when said upper transition surfaces are in abutment in said engaged position.

19. A carrying case as recited in claim 15 wherein said protuberance and said cavity are tapdered in height and width.

20. A carrying case comprising

an enclosure defining an interior and having a planar front wall and a planar back wall;

a selectively openable, selectively closable opening in said enclosure providing access to said interior; and

a handle including first and second handle portions each comprising an arcuate segment rotatably mounted on said enclosure on opposite sides of said opening, respectively, and a straight segment connecting opposite ends of said arcuate segment, said straight segments having central longitudinal axes, respectively, defining parallel axes about which said arcuate segments are rotatable, respectively, for movement between an engaged position, wherein said arcuate segments are in abutment, and a fully disengaged position, wherein said arcuate segments are separated from one another, said arcuate segments having inner surfaces, respectively, of complementary configurations to mate in said engaged position, said ends of each of said arcuate segments curving continuously inwardly and upwardly from said straight segments, respectively, in the direction of said opening in said engaged position whereby said arcuate segments are disposed closely alongside said planar front and back walls, respectively, in said fully disengaged position.

21. A carrying case as recited in claim 20 wherein said ends of each of said arcuate segments curve from said straight segments, respectively, at about a 45.degree. angle in said engaged position.

22. A carrying case as recited in claim 20 wherein said inner surface of said first handle portion is configured as a protuberance and said inner surface of said second handle portion is configured as a cavity for receiving said protuberance.

23. A carrying case as recited in claim 22 wherein said protuberance is convexly curved and tapers in height and width in the direction of said ends of said first handle portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to carrying cases for portable computers and, more particularly, to carrying cases for portable computers wherein the computers are protected against damage from impacts.

2. Brief Description of the Related Art

Portable computers such as laptop or notebook computers have become increasingly popular due to their transportability, allowing such computers to be used in various places during and/or following transport. To enhance transportability, portable computers are typically designed to minimize size and weight and, therefore, do not usually include excess room for accommodating shock or impact absorbing materials or structure to protect sensitive components of the computers against damage from impacts. As a result, portable computers are vulnerable to damage if dropped, bumped against other objects or otherwise jarred or impacted, as often occurs during transport.

Carrying cases have been proposed for portable computers incorporating foam padding or other structure to protect the computers against damage from impacts. Exemplary carrying cases for portable computers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,988 to Brown, U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,001 to Marceau, U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,119 to Hollingsworth, U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,157 to Golenz et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,754 to Hollingsworth, U.S. Pat. No. 5,622,262 to Sadow, U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,035 to Kim, U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,223 to Cunningham, U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,329 to Sadow, U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,170 to Shyr et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,497 to Krulik, U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,942 to Sadow, U.S. Pat. No. 5,909,806 to Fischel et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,270 to Shyr, and European Patent No. 0 797 939 A2.

Some carrying cases for portable computers include protective slings therein forming computer receiving compartments for receiving a portable computer. Such slings are typically formed by opposed walls that are spaced from one another at their top ends and connected to one another at their bottom ends to form a closed base upon which a portable computer is supported. One of the walls is typically pivotable about its bottom end toward the opposed wall to allow the computer to be closely held between the opposed walls. Since the pivotable wall cannot move in its entirety relative to the opposed wall, the computer receiving compartment may be much smaller in width at its bottom than at its top. Accordingly, a computer received in the computer receiving compartment may be too tightly held at the bottom of the compartment and too loosely held at the top of the compartment, thereby possibly damaging the computer or rendering it susceptible to damage from impacts.

In many carrying cases, the structure defining the computer receiving compartment is disposed within a larger storage compartment with the base or bottom of the computer receiving compartment spaced from a bottom wall of the storage compartment. When the storage compartment is used to store objects or items, such as computer accessories, documents, personal effects, etc., such items may enter the vacant space beneath the computer receiving compartment and may thusly be difficult to subsequently locate, access and retrieve.

Conventional carrying cases for portable computers are typically provided with handles for being manually grasped in order to pick up and carry the carrying cases as illustrated by the patents cited above. Various other handles have been proposed for use on carrying cases, luggage, bags, boxes and the like as represented by U.S. Pat. No. Des. 188,582 to Koffler, U.S. Pat. No. 1,374,126 to Walter, U.S. Pat. No. 2,800,940 to Riesebeck, U.S. Pat. No. 2,908,362 to Burtchaell, U.S. Pat. No. 2,913,080 to Louik et al, U.S. Pat. No. 3,023,868 to Koffler, U.S. Pat. No. 3,115,229 to Erhard, U.S. Pat. No. 3,500,973 to Bush, U.S. Pat. No. 3,529,317 to Schwarzkoph, U.S. Pat. No. 3,531,822 to Bush, U.S. Pat. No. 3,656,594 to Marks et al, U.S. Pat. No. 3,692,155 to Laurita, U.S. Pat. No. 3,813,729 to Szabo et al, U.S. Pat. No. 3,912,140 to Franges, U.S. Pat. No. 3,944,033 to Simson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,078 to Edwards et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,347,990 to Seynhaeve, U.S. Pat. No. 4,364,150 to Remington, U.S. Pat. No. 4,514,876 to Houlberg, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,707,883 to Irani et al.

Many handles used on carrying cases for portable computers are formed of pivotable handle portions that do not tend to stay in an upstanding position when the carrying case is set down in an upright position on a support surface. Rather, the handle portions tend to pivot downwardly toward the carrying case of their own accord. Accordingly, each time such a handle is to be grasped, the handle portions thereof must first be manually pivoted to the upstanding position. This can prove to be very annoying and time consuming for the user, particularly where the carrying case must be set down and picked up numerous times. A further disadvantage of such handles is that the handle portions, when pivotally moved to the upstanding position, and manually grasped together with a single hand, present conspicuous seams, separations or hard edges that are felt by the hand and result in discomfort. Also, conventional handles for carrying cases for portable computers do not effectively distribute weight over the underside of the hand and/or tend to exert undesired pressure on the outer sides of the index and pinkie fingers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of prior art carrying cases for portable computers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a carrying case for a portable computer wherein a compartment is defined in the carrying case between a wall surface and a floating panel that is movable linearly toward and away from the wall surface to adjust the size of the compartment.

A further object of the present invention is to retain a portable computer in a compartment defined in a carrying case between a wall surface and a floating panel that is movable, in its entirety, toward and away from the wall surface to provide a compartment of adjustable width.

It is also an object of the present invention to permit adjustment of both the width of a computer receiving compartment and the width of a storage compartment of a carrying case for a portable computer via linear movement of a floating panel of the carrying case.

The present invention also has as an object to provide a carrying case for a portable computer with a floating panel that is linearly movable relative to a wall surface of the carrying case to hold a computer therebetween and is resiliently biased toward the wall surface to provide an impact absorbing effect for the computer.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a carrying case for a portable computer with a handle made up of pivotable handle portions tending to remain in an upstanding, engaged position when the carrying case is supported in an upright position on a support surface.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a carrying case for a portable computer with a handle made up of handle portions that are pivotally movable to an engaged position providing a smooth, seamless feel for a hand grasping the handle.

A still further object of the present invention is to enhance the comfort experienced by the hand of a user when grasping a handle of a carrying case for a portable computer.

Some of the advantages of the present invention are that the carrying case can contain various shock or impact absorbing mechanisms, no vacant space is present between the computer and the bottom wall of the carrying case, the storage compartment does not include any difficult to access areas, the openings for the computer receiving compartment and the storage compartment have separate, independently operable closures, respectively, the wall surface and a surface of the floating panel facing into the computer receiving compartment are padded to protect the portable computer, a top restraint is provided at a top of the computer receiving compartment to resiliently bias the computer toward the bottom wall and provide a shock or impact absorbing effect, and various storage pockets can be provided on the floating panel and/or on other walls of the carrying case.

These and other objects, advantages and benefits are realized with the present invention as generally characterized in a carrying case for a portable computer, the carrying case having a back wall and a front wall connected to one another by a top wall, a bottom wall and a pair of side walls define an interior. A compartment for receiving a portable computer or other delicate electronic equipment is defined in the interior between a wall surface and a floating panel of the carrying case. The floating panel is selectively movable linearly toward and away from the wall surface to allow the size of the compartment to be adjusted in accordance with the size of the computer or other electronic equipment received therein. The carrying case includes a securing mechanism in the interior for resiliently biasing the floating panel toward the wall surface, allowing the computer or other electronic equipment to be gently, compressively held between the wall surface and the floating panel. The securing mechanism includes a securing member releasably connected between the wall surface and the floating panel, with the securing member being capable of stretching to effect absorption of shock or impact that would otherwise be experienced by the computer or other electronic equipment. The carrying case also includes a shock or impact absorbing mechanism which may comprise a pair of compressible side bumpers at opposite sides of the compartment and at least one compressible bottom bumper at the bottom of the compartment. The side bumpers extend in the same direction as the side walls such that the computer or other electronic equipment received in the compartment is disposed between the side bumpers. The bottom bumper extends in the same direction as the bottom wall such that the computer or other electronic equipment received in the compartment is supported thereon when the carrying case is in an upright position. The bumpers are capable of compressing to absorb shock or impact that would otherwise be experienced by the computer or other electronic equipment. The carrying case has a top restraint for resiliently biasing the computer or other electronic equipment toward the bottom wall and includes a restraining member releasably connected between the wall surface and the floating panel at a top end of the compartment. The restraining member is capable of stretching to absorb shock or impact that would otherwise be experienced by the computer or other electronic equipment.

A handle for the carrying case includes first and second handle portions mounted to the top wall and including arcuate segments, respectively, rotatable relative to the top wall. The arcuate segments are rotatable between an engaged position, wherein the arcuate segments are in abutment for being grasped together with one hand, and a disengaged position, wherein the arcuate segments are separated from one another. The arcuate segments include inner surfaces, respectively, configured to mate when the arcuate segments are rotated to the engaged position, the inner surface of the first handle portion being configured as a protuberance and the inner surface of the second handle portion being configured as a cavity for receiving the protuberance. Also, the arcuate segments include upper transition surfaces, respectively, from which the inner surfaces extend, and the upper transition surfaces are in abutment in the engaged position. In a preferred embodiment for the handle, the outer surface of the first handle portion is completed by an outer surface of the second handle portion in the engaged position, and no seams or other discontinuous surfaces are presented along a bottom surface of the handle that bears against the hand when the carrying case is picked up and carried via the handle.

These and other objects, advantages and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like parts in each of the several figures are identified by the same reference characters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carrying case for a portable computer in accordance with the present invention and illustrating the carrying case in an upright position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the carrying case showing an exterior front flap thereof open to reveal a storage compartment and a floating panel of the carrying case.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carrying case showing the exterior front flap open and a portion of the carrying case broken away to illustrate adjustability of the floating panel to adjust the width of a computer receiving compartment of the carrying case.

FIG. 4 is a top view, partly in section, of the carrying case showing the floating panel in a position providing a maximum width for the computer receiving compartment.

FIG. 5 is a top view, partly in section, of the carrying case showing the floating panel in an adjusted position providing less than the maximum width for the computer receiving compartment.

FIG. 6 is a front sectional view of the carrying case illustrating a shock absorbing mechanism of the carrying case.

FIG. 7 is a broken side view, partly in section, of the carrying case depicting a handle thereof in an upstanding and engaged position with first and second handle portions of the handle in cooperative mating engagement.

FIG. 8 is a broken side view, partly in section, of the carrying case showing cooperative mating engagement of the first and second handle portions.

FIG. 9 is a broken, top sectional view of the handle depicting cooperative mating engagement of the first and second handle portions.

FIG. 10 is a broken front view of a first handle portion of the handle.

FIG. 11 is a broken side view, partly in section, of an alternative and preferred handle for the carrying case and depicting the alternative handle in the upstanding and engaged position with first and second handle portions of the alternative handle in cooperative mating engagement.

FIG. 12 is a broken front view of the second handle portion of the preferred handle.

FIG. 13 is a broken rear view of the second handle portion of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a broken side view, partly in section, of the alternative handle showing cooperative mating engagement of the first and second handle portions.

FIG. 15 is a top view of the carrying case incorporating the preferred handle and illustrating the first and second handle portions rotated downwardly as far as possible toward the back and front walls, respectively, of the carrying case.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A carrying case 10 for portable computers in accordance with the present invention is best illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 and includes a front wall 12, a back wall 14, top and bottom side walls 16 and 17 and left and right side walls 18 and 19. Front wall 12 and back wall 14, which are typically planar and in parallel or substantially parallel relation, are connected by side walls 16, 17, 18 and 19 to form a generally rectangular frame with a primary opening that is selectively opened and closed by a closure such as a zipper 20. The top side wall 16 has a length extending between the left and right side walls 18 and 19, and the primary opening extends lengthwise along the top side wall and also part way along the left and right side walls. The primary opening, as defined by the length of zipper 20, is intermediate front and back edges of the top, left and right side walls 16, 18 and 19 and extends continuously from a location on the left side wall to a location on the right side wall, such locations being disposed medially along the length of the left and right side walls between the top side wall 16 and the bottom side wall 17. When zipper 20 is closed as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the primary opening is also closed and the front wall, back wall, top and bottom side walls, and left and right side walls cooperate to form an enclosure defining an interior containing a floating or adjustable interior panel 22, shown in FIGS. 2-6. Front and back walls 12 and 14, top and bottom side walls 16 and 17 and left and right side walls 18 and 19 can have any desired configuration to define an interior providing a computer or electronic equipment receiving compartment suitable in size for accommodating a portable computer, such as a laptop or notebook computer, or other delicate electronic instrument or equipment. The front and back walls 12 and 14 can have perimetrical edges 23, respectively, that protrude beyond the top, bottom, left and right side walls, with bottom segments of the perimetrical edges 23 defining a support by which the carrying case 10 may be supported in an upright position on a support surface as shown in FIGS. 1-3. Of course, the perimetrical edges 23 do not have to protrude beyond the top, bottom, left and right side walls, in which case the bottom side wall 17 can define the support by which the carrying case 10 is supported in the upright position on a support surface, and the bottom side wall can be stiffened or rigidified when used for this purpose.

Front wall 12 has an opening 24 therein forming a front or exterior flap 26 circumscribed by a perimetrical border 27 as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The front flap 12 is defined by a rectangular section of front wall 12 and has a left side edge 28 continuous with a top edge 29 which, in turn, is continuous with a right side edge 30. The left side edge 28, top edge 29 and right side edge 30 extend along the opening 24, which is provided with a closure such as a zipper 32 for selectively opening and closing the opening 24. A bottom edge 34 of flap 26 is flexibly, resiliently or pivotally connected or joined to a bottom segment of the perimetrical border 27, allowing movement of the flap 26 outwardly away from the perimetrical border 27 when zipper 32 is open as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. When the flap 26 is pivoted or moved outwardly away from the perimetrical border 27, the opening 24, which may be considered a secondary opening for the carrying case 10, is thereby opened and provides access to the interior. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the left and right side edges 28 and 30 of flap 26 can be connected to side segments, respectively, of the perimetrical border 27 by left and right connecting members 36, respectively, only the left connecting member 36 being visible in FIGS. 2 and 3. The connecting members are flexible, resilient, collapsible, bendable or foldable, such as being made of fabric with or without preformed pleats or folds, to accommodate outward movement of flap 26. The connecting members 36 can have a width selected to limit movement of flap 26 outwardly from the border 27 and a length selected to retain objects in a storage compartment defined between the front wall 12 and the floating panel 22 as explained further below. If desired, an exterior face of flap 26 can be provided with one or more pockets, with or without closures, the exterior face of flap 26 being shown with a zippered pocket 35. An interior face of flap 26 can be provided with one or more pockets, with or without closures. In a preferred embodiment, the interior face of flap 26 is provided with an open pocket extending the length of the flap.

Floating or adjustable panel 22 is disposed in the interior of carrying case 10 between the front wall 12 and the back wall 14, typically in parallel or substantially parallel relation to the front and back walls. The panel 22 is typically planar and, as best shown in FIGS. 3-5, has a left side edge 38, a top edge 39, a right side edge 40 and a bottom edge 41. The left side edge 38 and right side edge 40 extend in the same direction as side walls 18 and 19 and are connected to the back wall 14 by left and right side panels 42, respectively, having a length extending in the same direction as the left and right side walls 18 and 19. In a preferred embodiment, the side panels 42 have a length extending from the top edge to the bottom edge of panel 22. The bottom edge 41 of floating panel 22 is spaced inwardly, i.e. upwardly, from the bottom side wall 17 a small distance, with the bottom edge 41 being movable relative to the back wall 14 and the bottom side wall 17. The left and right side edges 38 and 40 of panel 22 are spaced inwardly from the left and right side walls 18 and 19 a small distance. The side panels are retractable, flexible, resilient, collapsible, bendable or foldable, such as being made of fabric with or without preformed pleats or folds. In a preferred embodiment, the side panels have one or more preformed fold lines along the length thereof forming pleats or folds when the panel 22 is moved toward the back wall 14 as explained further below. The entire panel 22 is free to move linearly from a first or fully extended position, wherein the panel 22 is disposed a maximum distance from back wall 14 with the side panels 42 straight or fully extended, to a second or adjusted position, wherein the panel 22 is disposed less than the maximum distance from back wall 14 with the side panels 42 retracting, flexing, collapsing, bending or folding to accommodate movement of panel 22 toward the back wall 14.

The panel 22 divides the interior of carrying case 10 into the computer or electronic equipment receiving compartment 46 and the storage compartment 48. The computer receiving compartment 46 is defined between panel 22 and a wall surface of carrying case 10. In the preferred embodiment, the wall surface is formed by an inner surface of an exterior wall of the carrying case and, in particular, by the inner surface of back wall 14. The storage compartment 48 is defined between panel 22 and front wall 12. Access to the computer receiving compartment 46 is best provided by the primary opening, which provides communication with an open top end of the compartment 46. Access to the storage compartment 48 is provided by both the primary and secondary openings. The computer receiving compartment 46, which typically extends parallel to the back and front walls, has a width between panel 22 and the inner surface of back wall 14, and the width of the computer receiving compartment is adjustable via adjustment of panel 22. In particular, the width of side panels 42 between panel 22 and the inner surface of back wall 14 determines the maximum width of the computer receiving compartment 46 since the panel 22 will be spaced the maximum distance from back wall 14 when the pleats of the side panels 42 are fully open and the side panels 42 are straight and fully extended as shown in FIG. 4 and in solid lines in FIG. 3. Accordingly, when the side panels 42 are straight and fully extended, the panel 22 is in the first or fully extended position, which corresponds to the maximum width for the computer receiving compartment 46. In the fully extended position, the top and bottom edges 39 and 41 of panel 22 are spaced from the back wall 14 the same amount, and the pleats or folds of side panels 42 are open. When the panel 22 is adjusted by being moved linearly toward back wall 14 in a direction perpendicular to the back wall and the floating panel, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 3, the width of the computer receiving compartment 46 is decreased. FIG. 3 (in dotted lines) and FIG. 5 illustrate the panel 22 moved to a second or adjusted position wherein the computer receiving compartment 46 has a width less than the maximum width. Since the entire panel 22 is free to move, the top and bottom edges 39 and 41 of the panel move closer to the back wall as the panel is moved toward an adjusted position. The panel 22 can be maintained parallel or substantially parallel to the back wall 14 in the first position as well as various adjusted positions such that the width of the computer receiving compartment can be maintained uniform or constant or substantially uniform or constant between the top and bottom edges 39 and 41 of the panel 22. As the panel 22 is moved from the fully extended position to an adjusted position, the side panels 42 retract in the direction of their width and the pleats or folds of side panels 42 begin to close.

When the carrying case 10 is to be used to transport a portable computer or other delicate electronic instrument or equipment, the computer or other instrument or equipment is positioned in the computer or electronic equipment receiving compartment 46 via the primary opening and the open top end of the compartment 46. FIG. 3 illustrates in dotted lines a portable computer C positioned in the compartment 46 with parallel top and bottom sides of the computer extending in the same direction as front and back walls 12 and 14 and parallel left and right sides of the computer extending in the same direction as side panels 42. The compartment 46 has a bottom end closed by bottom side wall 17, and the it computer is supported on the bottom side wall 17, directly or via a cushion interposed between the computer and the bottom side wall, when the case 10 is in the upright position. The floating panel 22 is adjusted, as necessary, to adjust the width of compartment 46 in accordance with the depth of the computer C between the computer top and bottom sides. The floating panel 22 is moved toward the back wall 14 to a selected adjusted position so that the computer C is closely or snugly held between the back wall 14 and the panel 22, with the back wall 14 and panel 22 typically being in abutment with the computer C or other electronic instrument or equipment. The back wall 14 and the panel 22 are preferably rigid or semi-rigid to provide a protective shell for the computer, with the inner surface of back wall 14 and the surface of panel 22 facing into the compartment 46 being covered with soft padding to cushion the computer. The maximum width for the computer receiving compartment is preferably larger than the maximum depth of conventional portable computers to accommodate portable computers of various sizes and to allow the panel 22 to provide a shock or impact absorbing effect as explained further below.

A securing mechanism is provided in carrying case 10 for securing the floating panel 22 in an adjusted position and allowing the panel 22 to move to provide a shock or impact absorbing or cushioning effect for the computer or other delicate electronic instrument or equipment disposed in the compartment 46. The securing mechanism for carrying case 10 includes a pair of securing members 51, one at each side of panel 22, releasably connected between back wall 14 and panel 22. Each securing member 51 includes a stretchable member such as a band 52 of stretchable or elasticized material having a first end secured to back wall 14 and a second end having a fastener 54 thereon for releasable, securing engagement with a fastener 55 provided on panel 22. The fasteners 54 and 55, which can be designed in many various ways, are illustrated as layers of cooperative Velcro.TM. style hook and loop material with layers 54 of Velcro.TM. style material on inner surfaces of the second ends of bands 52, respectively, cooperating with layers 55 of Velcro.TM. style material provided on the outer surface of panel 22 facing into the storage compartment 48. The bands 52 are located proximate the top of the computer receiving compartment 46, and the bands 52 extend forwardly from back wall 14 with each band 52 being disposed between a side panel 42 and a left or right side wall 18 or 19. The bands 52 are of sufficient length to extend the entire width of the side panels 42, to turn the corners at which the side panels 42 are joined to the floating panel 22 and to extend partway along the length of the outer surface of panel 22 for engaging fasteners 55. To facilitate grasping of bands 52, protruding tabs 56 may be provided on the second ends thereof.

Once the floating panel 22 is moved toward the back wall 14, as needed, so that the particular laptop computer C or other electronic equipment is snugly retained between the panel 22 and the back wall 14, the bands 52 are secured to the fasteners 55 with the bands 52 stretched somewhat to resiliently bias the panel 22 into abutment with the computer. The securing members resiliently bias the panel 22 toward the back wall 14 such that the computer C is compressively but gently held between the panel 22 and the back wall 14 without crushing. The back wall 14 and panel 22 limit forward and rearward movement of the computer. However, the stretchable members are capable of stretching as needed to absorb kinetic energy of the computer and thereby cushion the computer when the carrying case 10 is subjected to an impact causing an impact force or impact force component to be exerted on the computer. Accordingly, the securing members 51 stretch to permit movement of panel 22 and to absorb shock and impact that would otherwise be experienced by the computer.

A top restraint 58 is provided in the carrying case 10 for resiliently biasing the computer C or other electronic equipment toward the bottom wall 17 and providing a shock or impact absorbing effect. Top restraint 58 includes a stretchable restraining member releasably connected between the back wall 14 and panel 22 at the open top end of the computer receiving compartment. As best shown in FIGS. 3-5, top restraint 58 includes first and second straps 60 and 61 of stretchable or elasticized material secured to the inner surface of back wall 14 and panel 22, respectively. First strap 60 has a first end connected to the inner surface of back wall 14 at a location centrally disposed between left and right side walls 18 and 19, such location being disposed inwardly of or below the top edge 39 of panel 22. The first strap 60 extends forwardly from the back wall 14 to a second end carrying a fastener, which is a layer of Velcro.TM. style material, on its bottom surface. Second strap 61 has a first end connected to the surface of panel 22 facing into the computer receiving compartment, the first end of strap 61 being connected to panel 22 at a location corresponding to the location at which the first end of first strap 60 is secured to back wall 14. The second strap 61 extends rearwardly from the panel 22 to a second end carrying a fastener 62, which is a layer of Velcro.TM. style material, on its top surface for cooperative, releasable securing engagement with the fastener of strap 60.

Once the portable computer C is received in the computer receiving compartment 46 as shown in FIG. 3, the straps 60 and 61 are positioned over an upwardly facing side of the computer. The second ends of the straps 60 and 61 are secured together via the fasteners thereof, with the straps stretched somewhat, such that the restraint extends across the width of compartment 46. The straps 60 and 61 resiliently bias the computer downwardly toward the bottom side wall 17 and are capable of stretching as needed to absorb shock or impact that would otherwise be experienced by the computer. Accordingly, the top restraint 58 provides a shock or impact absorbing or cushioning effect for the computer when the carrying case is subjected to an impact causing an impact force or impact force component to be exerted on the computer. The locations at which the first ends of the straps 60 and 61 are joined to the back wall 14 and the panel 22, respectively, are disposed inwardly of or below the upwardly facing side of the computer C, thusly ensuring a downward bias on the computer.

Carrying case 10 is provided with a shock or impact absorbing mechanism providing an additional shock or impact absorbing or cushioning effect for the computer to avoid damage from impacts. The shock absorbing mechanism of carrying case 10 includes one or more shock absorbing members disposed within and extending along the sides and bottom end of the computer receiving compartment 46. Carrying case 10 has two shock absorbing members 64, each comprising an elongate substrate 65 carrying two cushions a or bumpers 66 and 67. Each substrate 65 has a length to extend partway along the length of bottom side wall 17 and partway along the length of one of the left or right side panels 42. More particularly, each substrate 65 extends from a first end near the top of one of the left or right side panels 42 to terminate at a second end near the center of bottom side wall 17. Each substrate 65 has a width the same as or slightly smaller than the maximum width of the computer receiving compartment 46 to be received between the back wall 14 and panel 22. Each substrate 65 has one or more fasteners 69 on a bottom surface thereof by which the substrate is releasably secured to the bottom side wall 17 and/or left or right side panels 42. For shock absorbing members 64, each substrate 65 has two patches 69 of Velcro.TM. style material at opposite ends of the substrate for releasable securement to the bottom side wall 17 and one of the left or right side panels 42. The bottom side wall 17 and left and right side panels 42 can be provided with complementary patches of Velcro.TM. style material for cooperative, releasable securement with the patches 69. However, the inner surfaces of bottom side wall 17 and left and right side panels 42 can be provided or made of a material, such as felt, capable of releasable locking securement with the patches 69, thusly eliminating the need for separate fasteners on the bottom side wall 17 and the left and right side panels 42. If desired, fasteners can protrude laterally from the substrates for releasable securement to the front wall 12 and/or back wall 14 as represented by fastener 69' in FIG. 6.

Cushions 66 and 67 protrude upwardly from a top surface of each substrate 65 and are longitudinally aligned with one another along the length of the corresponding substrate with the cushions 66 and 67 being longitudinally spaced from one another a small distance. Each substrate 65 is bendable at a location between its cushions 66 and 67, allowing the substrate to follow the angle, bend or curve at the corners formed by juncture of the bottom side wall 17 with the left and right side panels 42. When the shock absorbing members 64 are installed in the carrying case 10 as shown in FIGS. 4-6, cushions 66, which are side cushions, extend alongside panels 42, respectively, while cushions 67, which are bottom cushions, extend along bottom side wall 17. The cushions 66 extend in the same direction as the left and right side walls 18 and 19, and are disposed on opposite sides of the compartment 46. The cushions 66 have a length greater than the length of cushions 67 and extend along the left and right side panels 42, respectively, from proximate the first ends of the substrates to the corners formed by the juncture of the left and right side panels 42 with the bottom side wall 17. The cushions 67 extend in the same direction as bottom side wall 17 and are disposed at the bottom of the compartment 46.

Shock absorbing members 64 are of the type disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/236,292 filed Jan. 22, 1999, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Each cushion comprises one or m .ore bodies of compressible material enclosed in a pliable cover having vents 70 therein controlling the release of air when the body or bodies of compressible material is/are compressed in response to an impact force or impact force component to which the computer is subjected, the cushions naturally expanding to their original state after the impact force or force component is removed. Since the shock absorbing members 64 are of the type for which the structure and operation thereof is described in detail in the prior application incorporated herein by reference, such detailed description will not be reiterated herein.

When the computer C is received in the computer receiving compartment 46, the computer is disposed on the bottom cushions 67 when the carrying case is in the upright position and is disposed between the side cushions 66. The cushions 66 limit lateral movement of the computer C but are capable of compressing to absorb shock or impact that otherwise would be experienced by the computer when the carrying case is subjected to an impact. The cushions 67 and top restraint 58 limit upward and downward movement of the computer C while providing a shock or impact absorbing effect for the computer due to the compressibility of cushions 67 and the stretchability of straps 60 and 61. The substrate 65 and the covers are made of pliable or flexible material with the substrates and/or covers flexing or deforming and the cushions compressing as needed to accommodate adjustment of panel 22.

The perimetrical border 27, the back wall 14, the floating panel 22 and the perimetrical edges 23 are preferably made of rigid or semi-rigid material or can be made of flexible materials provided with suitable stiffeners. The top and bottom side walls 16 and 17, the left and right side walls 18 and 19 and the flap 26 are preferably made of flexible material such as durable synthetic fabric. The surface of panel 22 facing into the storage compartment 48 can be provided with one or more pockets, with or without closures. As shown in FIG. 3, the surface of panel 22 facing into compartment 48 is provided with three open pockets 72 arranged in side by side relation between left and right side edges 38 and 40 and a smaller, centrally located open pocket 73. The pocket 73 has a transparent window 74 and is adapted in size and shape to receive a single business card or a plurality of business cards arranged in a stack, with the single business card or the topmost one of the plurality of business cards being visible through the window 74. In a preferred embodiment for carrying case 10, an outer surface of back wall 14 is provided with an open pocket (not shown) extending the entire or substantially the entire length of back wall 14 between side walls 18 and 19, and having a height extending about halfway up the back wall 14. The carrying case may be provided with securing devices such as D-rings, one D-ring 90 being visible in FIG. 1, at suitable locations for attachment of a shoulder strap thereto. The carrying case can be provided with various shock or impact absorbing mechanisms and/or restraints for limiting movement of the computer and/or absorbing shocks and impacts. The carrying case 10 can be provided with additional features and/or modifications, including those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,217,119 and 5,524,754, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Carrying case 10 includes a handle 76 by which the carrying case can be manually picked up and carried by one hand. The handle 76, as best shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 7-10, comprises first and second handle portions 78 and 79, respectively, secured on opposite sides of the primary opening, i.e. on opposite sides of zipper 20. The first and second handle portions 78 and 79 have arcuate segments 80 and 84, respectively, rotatably or pivotably mounted on the enclosure formed by the front wall, back wall, top and bottom side walls and left and right side walls 12, 14, 16, 17, 18 and 19. In the case of carrying case 10, the handle portions are mounted centrally along top segments of perimetrical edges 23. The first handle portion 78 has arcuate segment 80 and a straight segment 81 joined to opposite ends 82 of the arcuate segment 80 to form a first loop. Second handle portion 79 similarly has arcuate segment 84 and a straight segment 85 joined to opposite ends 86 of the arcuate segment 84 to form a second loop. The straight segments 81 and 85, which have a cylindrical configuration, extend through sleeve formations 87, respectively, on the top segments of perimetrical edges 23, respectively. The straight segments 81 and 85 are rotatable within the sleeve formations 87, allowing each handle portion 78 and 79 to pivot or rotate about the central longitudinal axis of its straight segment as shown by arrows in FIG. 7. The central longitudinal axes of the straight segments thusly define parallel axes about which the arcuate segments 80 and 84, respectively, are rotatable relative to the top side wall 16.

The first and second handle portions 78 and 79 are pivotable or rotatable from an engaged position wherein the arcuate segments 80 and 84 are in mating engagement with one another, as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 7-9, to a disengaged position wherein the arcuate segments 80 and 84 are separated, disengaged or spaced from one another. In the engaged position, the handle portions are angled toward one another and are in an upstanding position or orientation with the first and second loops defined thereby cooperating to form a grip by which the handle can be manually grasped with a single hand in order to pick up or carry the carrying case. In the disengaged position, which would involve rotation of first handle portion 78 counterclockwise, i.e. downwardly toward the back wall 14, and rotation of second handle portion 79 clockwise, i.e. downwardly toward the front wall 12, looking at FIG. 7, the arcuate segments 80 and 84 are moved away from one another creating a space between the first and second handle portions facilitating access to the primary opening and, therefore, the interior of the carrying case 10. When the first and second handle portions are rotated downwardly counterclockwise and clockwise, respectively, as far as possible, the arcuate segments 80 and 84 will be in a fully disengaged position disposed alongside or flush with the back wall 14 and front wall 12, respectively, as shown in FIG. 15 for the handle portions of the preferred handle 176.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, ends 82 curve inwardly, i.e. in the direction of the primary opening, and upwardly from the straight segments 81 to merge with a central portion 88 of arcuate segment 80 in the upstanding, engaged position for the handle portion 78. Ends 86 curve inwardly, i.e. in the direction of the primary opening, and upwardly from the straight segment 85 to merge with a central portion 89 of arcuate segment 84 that mates with central portion 88 in the upstanding, engaged position. The ends 82 and 86 continuously curve or extend from their straight segments at approximately a 45.degree. angle to the central longitudinal axes of the straight segments, the ends 86 being symmetrical with the ends 82. The central portions of arcuate segments 80 and 84 each include an outwardly or convexly curved or rounded outer surface 91, an outwardly or convexly curved or rounded top surface 92 merging with the outer surface 91, an outwardly or convexly curved or rounded upper transition surface or lip 93 merging with the top surface 92, an inner surface 94 merging with upper transition surface 93, an outwardly or convexly curved or rounded lower transition surface 95 merging with inner surface 94 and an outwardly or convexly curved or rounded bottom surface 96 (shown in FIGS. 8 and 10) merging with lower transition surface 95 and outer surface 91. The central portions 88 and 89 of arcuate segments 80 and 84, respectively, are of greater height and width than ends 82 and 86, the central portions 88 and 89 tapering in height and width in the direction of ends 82 and 86, respectively, which taper in height to straight segments 81 and 85, respectively. As shown in FIG. 1 for handle portion 79, the outer surfaces 91 are each preferably formed of convexly or outwardly curved or rounded upper and lower outer surface segments 91a and 91b, respectively, joining one another at an arcuately extending junction 101 facilitating manual gripping. The upper transition surface 93 of handle portion 78 extends in a continuous or unbroken arcuate path along the central portion 88, and the upper transition surface 93 of handle portion 79 similarly extends in a continuous or unbroken arcuate path along the central portion 89 as shown for handle portion 78 in FIG. 10. The arcuate paths for upper transition surfaces or lips 93 are the same, and the upper transition surfaces or lips 93 meet and abut one another in the engaged position. The outer surface 91, the top surface 92, the upper transition surface 93, the lower transition surface 95 and the bottom surface 96 of handle portion 78 are symmetrical with the corresponding surfaces of handle portion 79. Accordingly, when the first and second handle portions are in the engaged position, the central portions 88 and 89 cooperate to form or define a smooth, symmetrical grip conducive to grasping and presenting an attractive appearance.

The inner surfaces 94 are disposed between the upper and lower transition surfaces 93 and 95, respectively. The inner surfaces 94 have different but complementary configurations that mate or interengage when the first and second handle portions are pivotally moved to the upstanding, engaged position. The inner surface 94 of first handle portion 78 is formed by a protuberance or protrusion 97 defining an outwardly or convexly curved or rounded surface. The protrusion 97 curves outwardly from the upper and lower transition surfaces of the first handle portion 78 and tapers in height and width in the direction of ends 82 to merge with the inner surfaces of ends 82. The inner surface 94 of second handle portion 79 is formed by a recess or cavity 98 curving or extending inwardly from the corresponding upper and lower transition surfaces 93 and 95. The cavity 98 is defined by an inwardly or concavely curved surface complementary to the outwardly curved surface of protrusion 97 and tapers in height and width in the direction of ends 86 to merge or