FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a carrying case for a tablet computer that offers protection for the tablet computer while allowing easy ergonomic access to the touch screen.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Tablet computers are becoming more popular and there is a demand for convenient carrying cases which offer easy access as well as protection for the computer. A tablet computer has a touchscreen technology which allows the user to operate the computer with a stylus or digital pen, or a fingertip, instead of a keyboard or mouse. Traditional protective cases for tablet computers store the computer with one side of the case open to allow the user full access to the touchscreen while the computer remains in the case. However, typical cases have not offered easy adjustability to be used easily with tablet computers of varying sizes, and to also allow easy attachment and detachment of the computer from the case, while also providing ease of carrying, ergonomic use, and adequate protection for the computer while in use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, a carrying case for a tablet computer includes a case with a plurality of holders to secure the tablet computer to the case allowing easy mobility, access and ergonomically comfortable use of the tablet computer while the computer is secured in the case. The carrying case can be further adapted such that at least one of the holders can be either slidably or elastically extended and retracted for easily attaching and detaching a tablet computer of varying size to the case. The case is formed to fit a tablet computer snugly and protect the computer ports while having an open front face to allow easy access to the touch screen. In one embodiment, the holders can be adapted to secure the carrying case to the lock-slot commonly found on tablet computers. Universal lock-slots have become standard on personally computers, and the holders can be adapted with an extension that will engage a universal lock-slot.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a top view thereof;
FIG. 3 is a bottom view thereof;
FIG. 4 is a top view of an alternate embodiment illustrating the slidability of the holders;
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is and exploded view of one embodiment for a support surface used in the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a bottom view of one corner of the support surface for an alternate embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a bottom view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment for a holder used in the present invention; and
FIG. 11 is a bottom view of one corner of the support surface for an alternate embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As shown in FIG. 1 through 4, a carrying case 10 has a support surface 20 which has a top-oriented face 21 for supporting a tablet computer that can be secured to the carrying case 10 and a bottom-oriented face 22 for securing a handle 41 for the user to carry the case, or in the alternative, attaching a strap to buckles 42.
Holders 31 are attached to the support face 20. Holders 31 engage the tablet computer thereby securing the tablet computer on the top-oriented face 21 of the support surface 20. The user can hold the carrying case 10 in an ergonomically comfortable position by sliding one hand into handle 41, leaving the other hand free to interact with the screen of the secured tablet computer.
In preferred form, at least one of the holders 31 is slidably fitted within mating openings in support surface 20. In such an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, holders 31 can be extended to new positions 31a; and preferably all three illustrated holders 31 are slidably fitted within support surface 20. Alternatively, holders 31 can be constructed of an elastic material.
In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the inward-facing surface 37 of holder 31 and the bottom-oriented face 22 of support surface 20 can be fitted with respective adhering material 36. Such adhering material 36 would preferably be conventional hook-and-loop material. The bottom-oriented surface 22 is fitted with a plurality of strips of adhering material 36 such that the respective adhering material 36 on holder 31 can be attached in varying locations enabling the support surface 20 of the carrying case 10 to be adapted to support varying tablet computer sizes. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, adhering material 36, can be used with strap 39 which is secured to bottom-oriented face 22 of support surface 20. In such an embodiment, holders 31 have opening 38 such that strap 39 can be passed through opening 38, and the adhering material 36 on strap 39 secures holder 31 in place in a selected position.
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, holders 31 can also be adapted to attach to the tablet computer by the addition of extension 35 to the inward-facing surface 37 of holder 31. Extension 35 is adapted to engage the a universal lock-slot present on a tablet computer.
FIG. 5 shows a construction for the support surface 20 which includes a top-oriented face 21, a bottom oriented face 22, and an interior rigid support 23. On one side, two of the holders 31 are attached in a fixed position between the bottom-oriented face 22 and the interior rigid support 23, and on the adjacent and opposing sides three additional holders 31 have a retractable end 34 which is adapted to be slidably secured between the bottom-oriented face 22 and the interior rigid support 23. Holders 31 may also be further secured by support brackets 33.
FIG. 6 shows a similar embodiment which provides an additional interior rigid support 23, wherein the holders 31 are secured between the top-oriented face 21 and the interior rigid support 23. An additional support plate 40 can also be secured to the bottom-oriented face 22 to provide additional support for securing buckles 42, or handle 41.
FIG. 7 depicts an alternate embodiment for the construction of a support surface 20. Support surface 20 is constructed of three portions, top-oriented surface 21, bottom oriented surface 22, and interior rigid support 23. Holders 31 are slidably secured on opposing sides of support surface 20, wherein the holders 31 have retractable ends 34 adapted to slide along recessed guide path 35 within interior rigid support 23.
The embodiments shown depict two through five holders 31, however the number and location of the holders 31 may vary according to expected requirements of the size and expected loads of the carrying case. Holders 31 may also have additional pockets 32 for easy access to stored items and computer accessories, as shown in FIG. 1. In preferred form, top-oriented surface 21, and bottom oriented surface 22 are provided with padding for additional ergonomic comfort.
Patent Application
20100084291
