Patent Application
20160194133
1. Field
Embodiments of the present invention relate to protective cases for electronic devices, More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to protective cases for electronic devices having a protective bumper located at the bottom of the storage case for protecting the edges of the electronic device.
2. Background
Cases for electronic devices are useful for carrying, storing, and protecting the electronic devices, for example, laptop computers. Some laptop cases include protective elements, but these add cost and make manufacturing more difficult.
In certain embodiments, a storage case for an electronic device includes a front panel and a back panel attached to the front panel along a first side, a second side, and a bottom edge, forming an interior. The front and back panels can each include an outer layer, an inner lining, and a foam layer disposed between the outer layer and the inner lining. The storage case can also include a protective bumper disposed between the front panel and the back panel, which extends along a length of the interior between the first side and the second side. In certain embodiments, the protective bumper can have a cushioning member and an attachment element extending below the cushioning member. A seam along the bottom edge can attach the front panel, the back panel, and the attachment element of the protective bumper so that the protective bumper is affixed within the interior of the storage case.
In certain embodiments, the attachment element can be a sleeve that is disposed around the cushioning member of the protective bumper. The sleeve can extend below the cushioning member. In certain embodiments, the cushioning member can have a cylindrical shape. In certain embodiments, the cushioning member can be a foam material. In certain embodiments, the cushioning member can form a concave surface extending upward along an interior surface of the front panel and an interior surface of the back panel. In certain embodiments, the cushioning member can have a first wing and a second wing. The first wing can extend along an interior surface of the front panel and the second wing can extend along an interior surface of the back panel. The cushioning member can be shaped to cradle an electronic device and prevent the electronic device from entering space between the cushioning member and the front and back panels.
In certain embodiments, the storage case can also include a first side panel that attaches the back panel to the front panel along the first side, and a second side panel that attaches the back panel to the front panel along the second side. The first side panel can attach to a right edge of the back panel and to a left edge of the front panel. The second side panel can attach to a left edge of the back panel and to a right edge of the from panel.
In certain embodiments, the attachment element of the protective bumper can be a stem integral with the cushioning member. The bottom seam can extend along the stem. In certain embodiments, a portion of the stem can extend beyond the seam and protrude to an exterior of the storage case. The protruding portion can be visible from the exterior of the storage case.
In certain embodiments, the storage case can also include an edge binding disposed along the bottom edge that substantially covers the seam. In certain embodiments, the seam can be a stitched seam.
In certain embodiments, the storage case includes a front panel having a left edge, a right edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge, and a back panel having a left edge, a right edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge. The storage case also includes a first side panel having a front edge, a back edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge, and a second side panel having a from edge, a back edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge. The left and right edges of the front panel are attached to the front edges of the first and second side panels, respectively, and the left and right edges of the back panel are attached to the back edges of the second and first side panels, respectively. The storage case also includes a cushioning member having a foam cylinder disposed between the front panel and the back panel and extending along a length between the first side panel and the second side panel. A sleeve can be disposed around the cushioning member. The sleeve can have an attachment portion extending below the cushioning member. A seam can attach the bottom edges of the front panel, the back panel, the first side panel, the second side panel, and the attachment portion of the sleeve. In certain embodiments, seams can attach the left and right edges of the front panel to the front edges of the first and second side panels, respectively, and seams can attach the left and right edges of the back panel to the back edges of the second and first side panels, respectively. The storage case can also include a zipper along the top edges of the front panel, back panel, first side panel, and second side panel.
Methods of making a storage case for an electronic device are also disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, an exterior cover of the storage case can be formed by attaching a left edge of a front panel to a front edge of a left side panel, attaching a right edge of the front panel to a front edge of a right side panel, attaching a right edge of a back panel to a back edge of the left side panel, and attaching a left edge of the back panel to a back edge of the right side panel. An inner lining of the storage case can be formed by attaching a left edge of a front liner portion to a right edge of a back liner portion and attaching a right edge of the front liner portion to a left edge of the back liner portion. The inner lining can be inserted within the exterior cover. At least one padding member can be inserted between the inner lining and the exterior cover. Top edges of the exterior cover, the padding member, and the inner lining can be attached. A cushioning member can be wrapped in a sleeve. The sleeve can have a portion extending below the cushioning member. The cushioning member can be inserted between the front liner portion and the back liner portion and the bottom edges of the exterior cover, the inner lining, and the sleeve can be attached. In certain embodiments, the edges can be attached by stitching.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the embodiments and to enable a person skilled in the relevant art(s) to make and use the embodiments.
The features and advantages of the embodiments will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference characters identify corresponding elements throughout. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements.
The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “certain embodiments”, etc., indicate that the embodiment(s) described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic, Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
The term “invention” or “present invention” as used herein is a non-limiting term and is not intended to refer to any single embodiment of the particular invention but encompasses all possible embodiments as described in the application.
Some laptop bags include protective elements, for example, padding, to protect the laptop from damage during transport. Some bags have a soft base with foam to protect the laptop when it is placed into the bag or when the bag is placed or dropped on a hard surface. Typically, these bags have at least two sides and a separate base forming a flat bottom between at least two vertical sides. These bags also typically have separate, flat side portions. The bags are therefore generally rectangular in shape. Manufacturing bags of this type is costly and involves many steps for production and inserting foam in the base. Each edge of the base must be attached to the sides of the bag, requiring multiple seams along the bottom of the bag. The flat bottom also makes these bags wider and more bulky for the carrier.
As described in further detail herein, embodiments of the storage case 100 provide one or more advantages over these and other types of laptop bags. For example, embodiments of storage case 100 are easier and less expensive to manufacture than some laptop bags because it eliminates the flat bottom. This reduces the number of seams required to assemble the bag. Rather than needing up to four seams to attach a padded rectangular base, the bottom of storage case 100 can be attached with just a single seam 220 in some embodiments. This can simplify the manufacturing process. This design also reduces the size of the bag, thereby making it smaller and fighter to carry.
The sleek design of embodiments of storage case 100 still provides protection for electronic devices along the bottom of storage case 100. Protective bumper 200 is disposed between front panel 110 and back panel 120 of storage case 100. As shown, for example, in
The assembly of protective bumper 200 within storage case 100 is also improved over bags with flat padded bottoms. In certain embodiments, protective bumper 200 can include a sleeve 204 that can be wrapped around cushioning member 202. Sleeve 204 can have an attachment element 210 that extends below cushioning member 202 and can be attached to the bottom edges of front panel 110 and back panel 120 along a single seam 220. In some embodiments, this single seam may allow for quick, simple assembly, thereby reducing production costs.
As shown in
Referring now specifically to the drawings,
Front panel 110 and back panel 120 can be a single layer of material or one or both of these components can be multi-layered. For example, front panel 110 and back panel 120 can each include outer layer 160, inner lining 164, and padding layer 162. Different materials can be used for outer layer 160, inner lining 164, and padding layer 162. Materials other than those disclosed herein for outer layer 160, inner lining 164, and padding layer 162 are contemplated and the materials are not limited to the examples disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, outer layer 160, inner lining 164, and/or padding layer 162 can include multiple materials. For example, outer layer 160 can have a patchwork design made from different materials.
In certain embodiments, padding layer 162 can be made of a foam material. For example, padding layer 162 can be a polyethylene (PE) foam. Other padding and cushioning materials, for example, polystyrene or composite materials, can also be used. The thickness of padding layer 162 can be adjusted to provide more or less padding. For example, in one embodiment padding layer 162 can be about 1-10 mm thick. In one embodiment, padding layer 162 is about 5 mm thick.
Outer layer 160 and inner lining 164 can be woven or non-woven materials. Outer layer 160 and inner lining 164 can be natural, synthetic, or composite materials of varying stiffness, flexibility, durability, etc. For example, outer layer 160 can be canvas, leather, cloth, polyester, or any other material. In certain embodiments, inner lining 164 can be polyester.
A protective bumper 200 can be located within an interior 150 of storage case 100 between interior surface 170 of front panel 110 and interior surface 172 of back panel 120. In certain embodiments, protective bumper 200 can contact interior surfaces 170 and 172. Generally, protective bumper 200 runs along a length of storage case 100 at the bottom of storage case 100. Protective bumper 200 can run along the entire length or only part of the bottom of storage case 100.
Protective bumper 200 is configured to cushion and protect an electronic device that is inside storage case 100. For example, if a laptop is dropped into storage case 100, protective bumper 200 cushions the laptop as it hits the bottom of storage case 100. In particular, protective bumper 200 can protect the edges of the laptop from dents or scratches. Protective bumper 200 also reduces the impact and dampens vibrations as the laptop hits the bottom of storage case 100, thereby protecting the components of the laptop from damage. Similarly, if storage case 100 itself is dropped, protective bumper 200 cushions the electronic device from the impact.
In certain embodiments, protective bumper 200 includes a cushioning member 202. Cushioning member 202 can be a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. For example, as illustrated in
Generally, cushioning member 202 is made from a material that provides cushioning to the electronic device and dampens vibrations when the electronic device hits the bottom of storage case 100 or when storage case 100 is dropped. For example, cushioning member 202 can be made from a foam material. In certain embodiments, cushioning member 202 can be made from polyethylene (PE) foam. Other padding and cushioning materials, for example, polystyrene or composite materials, can also be used. Cushioning member 202 can be formed, for example, by extruding, injection molding, blow molding, knitting, or other manufacturing processes. For example, a piece of material can be cut, shaved, shaped, etc. to form cushioning member 202.
The size of cushioning member 202 can be based on the size of storage case 100. Generally, cushioning member 202 can extend along an entire length of the bottom of storage case 100. In certain embodiments, cushioning member 202 extends only along part of the length of storage case 100. In certain embodiments, multiple cushioning members 202 can be used, each extending along part of the length of storage case 100. Generally, cushioning member 202 is configured to fit between front panel 110 and back panel 120 and to minimize and space between cushioning member 202 and the front and back panels 110 and 120. In certain embodiments, cushioning member 202 can contact both front and back panels 110 and 120.
The thickness of cushioning member 202 can also be based on the size of the storage case 100 and also, for example, the anticipated size and weight of the electronic device to be stored in storage case 100. For example, if storage case 100 is configured to hold a heavy article, such as a laptop, the thickness of cushioning member 202 may be greater than if storage case 100 is configured to hold a lighter article, such as a tablet. In certain embodiments where cushioning member 202 is cylindrical, the diameter of cushioning member 202 can be about 10 mm. Larger and small diameters for cushioning member 202 are also contemplated. For example, cushioning member 202 can have a diameter between about 5 mm to about 30 mm.
Protective bumper 200 can have an attachment element 210 which extends below cushioning member 202. In certain embodiments, attachment element 210 can be part of a sleeve 204 which wraps around all or a portion of cushioning member 202. In one embodiment, sleeve 204 may extend along the length of cushioning member 202. In another embodiment, sleeve 204 may extend partially along the length of cushioning member 202. Sleeve 204 can be made from the same material as inner lining 164 or from a different material. Attachment element 210 can be attached to bottom edges of front panel 110 and back panel 120 to affix protective bumper 200 within interior 150 of storage case 100. For example, a seam 220 along the bottom edges of attachment element 210, front panel 110, and back panel 120 can attach these components together. In certain embodiments, seam 220 can be a stitched seam, for example, sewn using a mechanical sewing device or by hand. In some embodiments, seam 220 may comprise a stitchless seam made, for example, by using heat sealing, laminating, adhesives, thermoplastic tape, and other suitable methods. In some embodiments, seam 220 may include a stitched seam and a stitchless seam.
In some embodiments, a single seam 220 is provided. Having a single seam attach the front panel 110 and back panel 120 that also affixes the protective bumper 200 between them can simplify the manufacturing process, thereby reducing production costs. In other embodiments, more than one seam 220 may be provided and the features of the protective bumper 200 may provide similar advantages.
In certain embodiments, edge binding 230 can be used to cover all or part of seam 220 along the bottom of storage case 100. Edge binding 230 can provide protection to seam 220, making storage case 100 more durable. Edge binding 230 can be made from the same material as outer layer 160 or from a different material. In certain embodiments, edge binding 230 can be a grosgrain material.
In certain embodiments, left edge 112 of front panel 110 can be attached to front edge 132 of first side panel 130 and right edge 114 of front panel 110 can be attached to front edge 142 of second side panel 140. Similarly, as illustrated in
In certain embodiments, front panel 110, first side panel 130, and second side panel 140 can be attached along their respective bottom edges 118, 138, and 148 by seam 220. In certain embodiments, edge binding 230 can cover part or all of seam 220. In certain embodiments, edge binding 230 can extend upward along first side panel 130 and/or second side panel 140, as also shown in
In certain embodiments, front panel 110, first side panel 130, and/or second side panel 140 can have one or more pockets. For example, as shown in
In certain embodiments, one or more attachments points 310 can be located on back panel 120. Attachment points can be located on other panels as well. Attachment points 310 can include, for example, loops or hooks for a attaching a detachable shoulder strap to facilitate carrying storage case 100. In certain embodiments, attachment points 310 can be located symmetrically on back panel 120. In other embodiments, attachment points 310 can be located asymmetrically on back panel 120.
The panels can be attached in the order described above or in a different order. In certain embodiments, the panels are attached by seams, for example, stitched seams. Other means of attaching the panels are contemplated, for example, by laminating the edges of the panels together or using an adhesive.
The length of stem 212 can vary, but generally stem 212 is long enough so that seam 220 can attach front panel 110, back panel 120, and stem 212. For example, a stitched scam can run through front panel 110, back panel 120, and stem 212 of cushioning member 202. As shown in
In certain embodiments, cushioning member 202 can include first wing 214 and second wing 216. First wing 214 and second wing 216 can contact interior surface 170 of front panel 110 and interior surface 172 of back panel 120, respectively. In certain embodiments, first wing 214 and second wing 216 can extend upward along interior surface 170 of front panel 110 and interior surface 172 of back panel 120, respectively. This can provide a curved upper surface of cushioning member 202 to cradle and stabilize the electronic device inside storage case 100. Wings 214 and 216 can also provide a greater surface area to cushion the electronic device. Wings 214 and 216 can also prevent an electronic device placed within storage case 100 from entering a space between protective bumper 200 and front panel 110 or back panel 120. If the electronic device enters this space, rather than resting on protective bumper 200, it may not receive the protective benefits of protective bumper 200.
It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and not the Brief Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments of storage cases as contemplated by the inventor, and thus, are not intended to limit the present invention and the appended claims in any way.
The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance.
The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
