DE29608270U1 - Carrying case for portable computers - Google Patents

Description

Carrying case for portable computers

The invention relates to a transport case for a portable computer including peripherals (e.g. printer, D-network cell phone, etc.).

Developments in electronics have led to computers that are so small and light that they can be transported without any problem. These computers are not only portable, but are also able to work with a variety of peripheral devices. It is possible to connect a computer to a portable printer or a data transmission device, such as a telephone. In order to operate the computer independently of the power grid, the computer is equipped with batteries that supply the energy required when the computer is operating independently of the mains. The power supplies required to recharge the batteries can be designed as separate units or integrated into the computer. In order to use the computer's many possibilities, it is usually necessary to operate the computer together with one or more of the peripheral devices mentioned above. To do this, data and power supply lines, which usually have cables with plugs, are installed between the computer and the peripheral devices.
Before the computer and its peripherals can be used, the individual peripherals and the computer must generally be set up in close proximity to one another. The necessary cables must be installed before each use. Extensive assembly work is therefore required before the computer and its peripherals can be used. If the computer is to be used in a different location, it is necessary to dismantle the arrangement again in order to be able to stow the computer and the peripherals safely for transport.

The invention is based on the object of facilitating the simultaneous use of any portable computer with a printer and other peripheral devices as well as their transport.

This object is achieved according to the invention with the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, a transport case is provided which has a computer receiving area and a peripheral device area for accommodating a portable computer and at least one peripheral device. The transport case allows the portable computer and at least one peripheral device to be kept in at least one spatial relationship. This spatial arrangement makes it easier to operate when the computer and several devices are to be operated at the same time, since the peripheral devices are always in the same places in relation to the computer as specified by the design. The user no longer has to spend time searching for the peripheral devices.

The uniform spatial allocation also makes it easier to handle the entire computer and the individual devices, since only one part, namely the transport case containing the devices, needs to be handled.

Since the peripheral devices are only moved in a fixed path in relation to the portable computer, the power supply and data lines can also remain. It is therefore not necessary to carry out extensive assembly work before using the computer and its peripheral devices. Nor is it necessary to dismantle the arrangement for transport. The firmly defined spatial allocation also has a positive effect on the

The service life of the portable computer and peripheral devices is extended because the plug connections only need to be disconnected in exceptional cases, thus reducing wear on these plug connections.

Since today's portable computers generally have a footprint no larger than a DIN A4 sheet of paper, the size of the transport case is based on these dimensions. For this reason, at least one peripheral device area is arranged parallel to the plane described by the base of the computer. If a computer and, for example, a printer peripheral device are used at the same time, the devices must be arranged in such a way that the computer screen can be opened and the printer is in a position that is specified by the manufacturer as the working position.
For this purpose, the peripheral device area is movably connected to the transport case in such a way that it can independently carry out a guided change in position when the transport case lid is rotated about the X-axis relative to the transport case base.

In order to minimize the footprint of this transport case when it is opened, the transport case lid is not placed with its entire base on the support level (100), but is held at the smallest possible angle relative to the transport case base and supported against tipping. This arrangement also makes it easier to operate the peripheral device because in this position it is no longer covered by the open computer screen.

Today's keyboards for desktop computers have an ergonomic inclination of around 8°. This inclination is intended to prevent rapid fatigue of the wrists when typing. In order to transfer this position to working with the computer integrated in the transport case, the transport case base and thus

The computer recording area is also inclined at a certain angle to the support plane.

The transport case preferably has a device that supports both the transport case lid and the transport case base at a certain angle relative to each other or to the support plane. This device, designed as a molded part, is connected to the transport case from the outside and can be moved at two points. The fastening points and shape of the support device are selected so that it conforms to the outside shape of the case during transport, but is automatically brought into the support position when the transport case lid moves relative to the base part.

However, it is also possible to use support elements that can be moved individually and that support the transport case base and/or the transport case lid at a certain angle of inclination against the support plane.

Since the use of the portable computer does not necessarily require the simultaneous use of the peripheral device, the transport case provides at least a second working position. In this second position, the position of the peripheral device area (30) is selected so that the computer can be operated without restriction, but the peripheral device can only be used to a limited extent, since it is located directly behind the open screen of the portable computer.

If the transport case is designed appropriately, this second working position is automatically reached by just moving the transport case lid. For this purpose, rollers and holding elements are provided in the peripheral device area, which, in combination with the guide elements and pivot bearings of the transport case, cause a guided turning and tilting movement.

III ·· * *■

Due to the described spatial position of the devices 70 and 80 relative to each other, it is possible to reduce the angle of inclination of the transport case lid to the transport case floor (relative to that of the first working position). The support device described above now only lies in a very narrow area below the transport case floor on the support level, and thus further reduces the total footprint required for the transport case.

This second working position of the transport case is always useful when the peripheral device is not needed, but work on the computer is required or there is not enough space available.

Such applications are conceivable, for example, when travelling by train or in airplanes, where each traveller has a particularly small surface area available. In addition, the steeper angle of the transport case lid offers lateral privacy and glare protection from the computer screen.

The portable computers available today are characterized by a particularly compact design, and most electronic components are therefore integrated below the keyboard. This design means that the usual working height of these keyboards differs significantly from that of desktop computer keyboards. The palms of the hands cannot usually rest against a support surface when typing on portable computers, so that wrist fatigue occurs much more quickly than when typing on desktop keyboards. For this reason, the transport case provides a support surface for the palms of the hands, which is only moved into position when required. For this purpose, the transport case provides at least one appropriately shaped support plate with holding elements, which is mounted on the outside of the transport case base and is mounted so that it can rotate around the X-axis.

The transport case can also be equipped with a car adapter that allows the mounting device to be attached to the front console, the center console, the seats or the trunk of a motor vehicle. This car adapter can, for example, have angle elements that are screwed to a backrest or side rest of the motor vehicle and the transport case.

In a practical embodiment, the transport case is protected against opening when the transport case lid rests on the surface with its base. For this purpose, blocking elements are built into the lock mechanism, which allow the transport case to be opened in only one direction.

In order to be able to transport sufficient documents in the transport case, there is an external holder on the transport case lid. This holder, which has a closing flap, is also useful for storing writing utensils, cables, etc.

Further advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention emerge from the subclaims and from the drawing in conjunction with the description.

The invention is explained in more detail below using a preferred embodiment in conjunction with the drawing.

Show it:

Fig.1

a transport case according to the invention in perspective view,

Fig.2

the transport case in Fig. 1 in use with a portable computer and a printer peripheral,

Fig.3

the transport case in cross section in the first working position with the portable computer open and the peripheral device in a usable position,

Fig.4

the transport case in cross-section in the second working position with the portable computer open and the peripheral device behind it,

Fig.5

the transport case in cross section in transportable condition.

The transport case shown in Fig. 1 has a transport case base (50) and a transport case lid, which are connected to one another by the hinge (55a, 55b) so that they can rotate around the X-axis. The computer receiving area (10) is located on the inside of the transport case base (50).

The fixing elements (11a, 11b) have supports that support the computer (70) on its underside (Fig. 2). In addition, the fixing elements (11a, 11b) each have two lateral abutments, which together with the support form a stop angle and prevent the lateral movements of the computer (70) parallel to the plane defined by the supports.

In order to accommodate computers (Fig. 2) with different floor plans, the distance between the fixing elements (11a, 11b) in the X-Y plane (arrow A, arrow B) is adjustable. For this purpose, the fixing elements (11a, 11b)

on the underside, mushroom-shaped Velcro fasteners that can be snapped into complementary connecting studs (Velcro fasteners, glued to the computer mounting area (10)). In addition to the fixing elements (11a, 11b), the computer (70) is held in place in the XY plane by the front edge (59) of the transport case base (50).
-However, a variant is also conceivable in which the mushroom-shaped Velcro strips are glued to the underside of the portable computer (70) and are attached directly to the complementary connecting studs of the computer support area (10).-

The correspondingly shaped support surface for the palms of the hands is mounted on the front outside of the transport case base (50). This support plate (60) is connected to the transport case (200) at point (61) so that it can rotate around the X-axis.

If this support (60) is not required, it fits snugly against the outside of the transport case base (50). In this position it is held by Velcro straps that are attached from the outside to both the transport case base (50) and the support surface (60).

In order to make the connectors built into the computer (70) more usable, they are routed to an easily accessible location within the transport case using cables (18, 19, 20) connected to mating connectors (15, 16, 17). The connectors (13, 14) attached to the opposite end of the cables (18, 19) are firmly connected to the base of the transport case (50).
Since all cable-plug connections (15,18,14; 16,19,13; 17,20,22) are an integral part of the transport case (200), the latter has concealed cable ducts in the plane defined by the supports of the fixing elements (11a, 11b), in which the cables (18, 19, 20) are laid in a protected manner.
Where a cable must be permanently and flexibly connected to a peripheral device, and the transport case

If the design requires the cable to have room to move, cable openings (12) are provided in the computer mounting area. -Open cabling and/or the elimination of the laid cable-plug connections (15,18,14; 16,19,13; 17,20,22) are also possible.-

The peripheral device area (30) connected to the transport case at points (32a, 32b) is mounted so that it can rotate about the X-axis. For this purpose, pivot bearings are formed on the holding elements (33a, 33b) mounted on the transport case.
In addition to this bearing, rollers (31) are mounted on the rear edge of the peripheral device area (30), which engage with guide elements (23) mounted on the transport case lid (51) and support it there.

-It is also conceivable to have a design in which the rollers are replaced by pins or similar.-

If the transport case lid (51) is now rotated relative to the transport case base (50) around the X-axis, the peripheral device area (30) performs a rotating, tilting movement. (Image sequence Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5). This guided change in position determines the different spatial positions of the peripheral device (80) relative to the portable computer (70).

Fig. 3 shows a position of the devices (70, 80) in relation to one another, in which both the portable computer (70) and the peripheral device (80) are held in a position ready for use. The screen (71) of the computer (70) is open and the peripheral device (80) is in a position prescribed for use (according to the peripheral device manufacturer's instructions).

The lid part (51) of the transport case (200) is inclined at a certain angle to the transport case base (50), whereby the latter assumes a certain position angle relative to the support plane (100).

This position of the base part (50) and cover (51) is supported by the molded part (52) designed as an unequal-sided U. The shorter leg (52b), which is connected to the transport case at point (57) so that it can rotate around the X-axis, supports the base part at a certain angle relative to the support plane (100). The longer leg (52a), which also supports the transport case cover (51) at a specified angle relative to the transport case base (50) against the support plane, is also mounted with the transport case (200) at point (56) so that it can rotate around the X-axis. The material of the molded part (52) is selected so that a change in shape caused by the change in position of the transport case cover (51) is compensated for and does not lead to breakage (Fig. 3).

If the transport case lid (51) is now rotated around the X-axis in the hinge (55a, 55b), the peripheral device area (30) rotates in the same direction in the pivot point (32), while the rear part of the holder (30), guided and supported by the rail (23), moves upwards within the lid (51).

This movement is inhibited at a defined point by the holding mechanism (24) integrated in the guide rail (Fig. 4) in such a way that the case lid (51) and the peripheral device area (30) are held in this position. The transport case (200) is now in its second working position, which is described by the fact that the peripheral device is brought behind the open screen (71) of the computer (70) in such a way that operation with it is only restricted, but work on the computer (70) remains possible without restriction. In this position, the transport case base is still inclined relative to the support plane (100). The arrangement of the connection points (56, 57) requires a change in the position of the support surface (52c) of the molded part (52) as soon as the angle of the transport case lid decreases relative to the transport case base (Fig. 5). This movement causes the support surface (52c) to lift and reduces

This creates the required steep surface of the entire transport case.

As shown in Fig. 5, the computer and peripheral device are in the transport position. The transport case lid rests on the base part and is protected against opening by the locks (54, Fig. 1). The transport case (200) can only be opened in this position because gravity-dependent locking devices are built into the locks (54).

The transport case can be carried by hand using the handle (53, Fig. 1). An adjustable strap can also be attached to the fastening elements (57) so that the transport case can be carried over the shoulder.

Claims (12)

Formulation of claim 1. 1. Transport case for a portable computer, which has a computer receiving area (10) in the transport case base and a peripheral device area for receiving at least one peripheral device. The peripheral device area (30) is connected to the transport case lid with movable components in such a way that the peripheral device area or the peripheral device (80) is brought into spatial relation to the computer receiving area (10) in such a way that it moves independently from a rest position that is convenient for transport to at least one first working position. This is characterized by at least one setting angle of less than 180° of the transport case lid relative to the transport case base. 2. Transport case according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport case cover (51) and the transport case base (50) is protected against tipping over. For this purpose, holding elements are mounted on the transport case, which are automatically brought into position by opening the transport case and support it from the outside against the support level (100). 3. Support mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that both the transport case lid (51) is held at an angle relative to the transport case base (50) and the latter is forced at an angle relative to the support plane. For this purpose, the transport case has holding and supporting elements that are connected to the transport case. 4. Transport case according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the holding and support components of the transport case lid and the transport case base are combined in one construction. For this purpose, the holding, support construction is designed accordingly and is rotatably mounted at the points (56, 57) on the transport case lid on one side and on the transport case base on the other side. The transport case is automatically brought into the first working position and held by moving the transport case lid (51) relative to the transport case base (50). 5. Transport case according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the peripheral device area (30) and transport case lid (51) can assume at least one further working position and is held there. This is characterized in that the portable computer (70) can continue to be used without restrictions, while the peripheral device (80) can only be used to a limited extent. 6. Transport case according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the peripheral device area (30) second working position automatically through a guided turning and tilting movement as soon as the transport case lid is moved relative to the transport case base. For this purpose, guides and pivot bearings are mounted on the transport case, and rollers (31) or pins and abutments are mounted on the peripheral device area (30). 7. Transport case according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the palms of the hands can be supported on a support surface while working on the portable computer. For this purpose, a suitably shaped support plate (60) is attached to the base of the transport case, which can be brought into the working position if required and in this position is supported against the support surface (100). If this is not required, it nestles against the base of the transport case from the outside and is held there. 8. Transport case according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a car adapter is provided for fastening the transport case in a motor vehicle. 9. Transport case according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the transport case cannot be opened in the position in which the transport case lid rests on the support plane. For this purpose, the system has a locking device in the locks (54). 10. Transport case according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the transport case has external lockable storage compartments in which, for example, documents, writing utensils or the like can be stored. These storage compartments are attached to the outside of the transport case lid wall. ·* * · 11. Transport case according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the computer receiving area (10) has two holding elements for fixing the portable computer, each with two stop angles, whereby these can be moved against each other in both the X-axis and the Y-axis. Both fixing elements have first connecting elements which are connected to second connecting elements of the transport case. 12. Transport case according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first and second connecting elements are designed like Velcro fasteners. • · · &Lgr;&Agr;