Description
Technical field
This invention relates to a device to cover and transport a portable computer
wherein the device comprises a lower flap and an upper flap covering the outside faces of
the computer with a parallelepipedal shape articulated around an edge comprising at least
one opening permitting access to the connections and ports located at the rear of the
computer.
The prior art discloses (Patent Abstract of Japan, vol. 2000, n° 11) a device of this
type. This document describes a bag for transporting a portable computer. However, the
lateral sides, as well as the front side of the computer are not accessible, such that the
computer has to be removed in order to access the various sockets on its sides.
Furthermore, the computer is not held inside the transport bag and does not feature any
insertable handles.
The purpose of this invention is to provide a device to cover and transport a
portable computer which overcomes these disadvantages. These purposes are achieved, in
compliance wit the invention, by the fact that the lower flap and/or the upper flap
comprise slide grooves into which a sliding attachment strap closed into a loop is inserted,
wherein said slide grooves permit the adjustment to the correct height of the position of
the strap, in order to leave free access to the ports (USB, RJ45) and drives (DVD, CD, disc)
of the portable computer and to access all of the keys of the keyboard and the mouse,
according to their various positions according to the models.
The said slide grooves are preferably rectilinear and parallel to one another.
The sliding strap advantageously comprises an extendable part which permits a
portable computer to be accommodated, by adapting to its format. In another variant, it
could be entirely extendable.

Advantageously, the sliding strap is sufficiently thin to allow the user to close the
portable computer while keeping the sliding strap in the same position as when the
portable computer is in use.
Thanks to these characteristics, the device of the invention permits:
- a bag or cover to be attached to all types of portable computer according to the
various forms, designs, dimensions and positions of the keyboard and various drives (disc,
CD or DVD);
- while maintaining the attachment of the portable computer, to access all of the
ports (USB, power, RJ45, printer, Ethernet board and others) as well as the various drives
(disc, CD or DVD) by adjusting the position of the sliding strap, as well as to access all of
the keys of the keyboard and mouse according to their various positions according to the
models;
- to conserve the cover permanently attached to the portable computer regardless of
whether the user wishes to work on the computer or close it without being obliged to
modify the attachment manually.
Preferably, the parallelepipedal flaps are flat in shape so as to permit free access to
the sides of the computer, whether it is open or closed.
Thanks to this characteristic, the invention has many additional advantages:
- it permits the portable computer to be protected from scratches and other damage
that may occur to the outside surface;
- it facilitates use or transport of the portable computer by avoiding the insertion in
a carrying case as the cover remains attached to the portable computer for normal use as
for transport, thus allowing it to be transported or used simply by opening or closing it;

- it provides more ergonomic transport of the portable computer as the cover is
thinner, lighter and more attractive;
- it permits access to all of the ports (USB, power, RJ45, printer, Ethernet board
and others) as well as the various drives (disc, CD or DVD) of the portable computer at all
times by conserving the transport cover on the portable computer.
Preferably, the flaps are made up of several layers, wherein one of these layers has
a recess into which handles may be inserted.
Preferably, the sliding strap is closed into a loop which reveals the non extendable
part of the strap and conceals the extendable part of the strap, which passes through the
channel formed between the layers.
Advantageously, the handles have end pieces that are wider than the orifices of the
recesses into which the handles are inserted in order to maintain the handles attached to
the flaps.
Advantageously once again, the upper flap has on its external corners straps that
can hold the thickness of the computer and which are sufficiently thin that they allow the
computer to be closed.
Advantageously once again and in one specific embodiment of the invention, the
handle is of the same thickness as the flaps so that the flaps maintain their flat appearance
and especially so that the computer resting on the lower flap remains stable.
Advantageously, springs are fitted to solicit the handles in the open position. A clip
allows them to be held in the closed position. To remove the handles, pressure is simply
exerted on them in order to release the clip. The handles thus come out under the pressure
of the springs.

In one specific embodiment of the invention, the device comprises, at the comer
formed by the flaps and on their outside face, a reinforcing and protective zone comprising
pads which allow the cover to be stood in the vertical position.
Advantageously, the device to cover and transport a portable computer comprises
an edge featuring at least one opening permitting access to the connections and ports at the
rear of the computer.
In one specific embodiment of the invention, the lower flaps comprises a
ventilation zone 22 intended to improve the ventilation of the computer by allowing air to
pass to cool its processor. This ventilation zone, by way of non restrictive example, is
formed by a cut-out in the surface of the lower flaps covered by a fine protective mesh
24. Air inlet channels are advantageously provided on the lower flap face.
For this purpose and in one specific embodiment of the invention, all of the layers
are perforated according to the form and position of the ventilation zone. The layers have
the specific feature of being partially perforated (mesh or several holes) in this same zone.
In one specific embodiment of the invention, the lower flap or the upper flap
comprises on its surface an attachment system which permits efficient attachment of the
portable computer inside the cover and transport device and to keep the flaps closed.
By way of non restrictive example, this attachment system comprises a strap onto
which a press stud is fitted. On the opposite flap, and at the same height on this flap, there
is a also a press stud to be paired with the press stud or Velcro or other means (magnet,
etc.) and thus to close the attachment. This strap comprises a part that is incorporated into
the lining of the flap on which it is located so that it remains discreet when the cover and
transport device is in the open position and the computer is in the open working position.
This strap is also sliding so that the outside part of the strap may extend to allow
the press studs to be fastened to close the cover and transport device.

Advantageously, the strap also comprises at the end of its part located inside the
lining a wider shape with respect to the shape of the strap so as to keep the strap attached
inside the lining of the flap.
Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will become clearer upon
reading the following description, made in reference to the appended drawings. In these
drawings:
- figure 1 is a front view of a device to cover and transport a portable computer in
compliance with the invention;
- figure la is a detailed view of the sliding strap;
- figure 2 is a three quarter rear view of the cover and transport device shown in
figure 1;
- figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cover and transport device of the
invention.
In figures 1 and 2, the device to cover and transport a portable computer which is
designated as an assembly by the general reference 2, comprises a lower flap 4 and an
upper flap 6. The lower flap 4 is designed to cover the lower face of the computer,
whereas the upper flap 6 is designed to cover the upper face of the computer (not shown).
The lower face 4 and the upper face 6 are connected to one another by means of an edge 8
that is rounded or substantially flat in shape. The edge comprises at least one partial or
complete opening 10 of the zone (two openings in the example shown) and/or one or more
zip or Velcro fasteners (not shown). By way of non restrictive example, the openings 10
are rectangular. They permit access to the connections and ports at the rear of the
computer.
The parallelepipedal flaps 4 and 6 are flat so as to permit free access to the shorter
sides 12 and to the large side 14 of the portable computer.

The upper parallelepipedal flap 6 comprises, in the example shown, at these
external corners attachment straps 16 which can contain the thickness of a portable
computer and sufficiently thin to allow the portable computer to be closed without having
to move these attachments. In one variant of the embodiment, the lower parallelepipedal
flap 4 may also comprise such straps at its external corners.
The sliding strap 3 of the part located at the bottom of the upper flap is designed to
avoid the cover from gaping open by attaching it to the computer.
The sliding function is designed to adjust the strap so that it is not positioned on the
bottom of the screen and so that consequently it does not impair the visibility of the screen
for the user.
The cover and transport device also comprises a reinforcing and protective zone,
such that rubber pads located on the edge 8 and on the outside permit the cover and
transport device to be stood in the vertical position.
The lower 4 and upper 6 flaps respectively comprise on their upper part a sliding
handle 36 so that the external part of the handle 36 may be extended and make it easier to
grip to transport the portable computer. The handle 36 may thus be retracted in order to
remain discreet and maintain an attractive appearance for the cover and transport device
by fitting into the lining of the flap. In figure 1, the handle is shown in its retracted
position on the lower flap 4 and in the extended position on the upper flap 6. Furthermore,
as may be seen from figures 1 and 2, the lower flap 4, by way of non restrictive example,
comprises two rectilinear and parallel slide grooves 40. A sliding attachment strap 42 (see
figure la) that can hold the thickness of a portable computer slides in the two slide
grooves 40. The sliding strap 42 is closed into a loop. Consequently, part of the sliding
strap 42 appears above the lower flap 4 and part of the sliding strap 42 is situated
underneath the same lower flap 4. The strap 42 comprises an extendable part 44 permitting
the sliding strap to extend and to adapt to the shape and size of the computer that it is to
hold.

As may be seen from the figures, the two slide grooves 40 substantially extend
along the entire height of the lower flap 4, which allows the strap to be adjusted to a
position in which it does not prevent access to any of the ports or connections of the
computer. Preferably, the strap is thin enough to allow the user to close the portable
computer while conserving the strap in the same position as when the portable computer is
in use.
Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the various layers forming the cover and
transport device of the invention. As may be seen in this figure, the device is composed of
six different layers, which is to say respectively an outer layer of leather 46 and an inner
layer of leather 48, a thin plate layer in which the straps 50 pass, two reinforcing plate
layers 52 separated by a flexible reinforcement 54 forming an anti-gaping articulation.
Furthermore, a thin lower protective plate layer is interposed between the two reinforcing
plate layers 52 and the outer layer of leather 46, while a thin upper protective plate layer is
interposed between the thin plate layer in which the straps 50 pass and the two reinforcing
plate layers 52. As may be seen, each of the handles 36 has two arms 60 that terminate in
an end piece 62 that is wider than the arms. The arms 60 are inserted into recesses 64 in
which they can slide so as to retract or extend the handle 36. The recesses 64 have a part
with a narrower section 66 in order to retain the end pieces 62 in the recesses 64. The
function of the thin protective plate layers 56 and 58 is to avoid wear and deformation
caused by the outward pressure of the handles when they are held by the outer layers
covered with leather for example 46 and 48 when the handles are moved to retract or
extend them. The function of the plate 58 is also to avoid wear or the tearing of the
extendable part 44 when the handles are moved to retract or extend them. Furthermore, the
handles are equipped with thin reinforcing strips, for example made of glass fibre 68
whose function is to reinforce the handles 36 to avoid the deformation caused by the
weight of the computer when it is held by these handles 36.

WE CLAIM:
1. Device to cover and transport a portable computer comprising a lower flap (4)
and an upper flap (6) covering the outside faces of the computer articulated around an
edge (8), characterised in that at least one of said flaps comprises at least one attachment
strap that can contain the thickness of the computer and maintain one or both of said flaps
permanently attached to the outside faces in order to, accompany the movements of the
flaps when they are opened and/or closed.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the attachment strap is a
sliding strap, that may be partially or totally extendable.
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the lower flap (4) and the
upper flap (6) comprise slide grooves (40) into which the sliding attachment strap (42) is
introduced, which may be closed into a loop so as to leave part of it part visible on the
outside of the flap and part of it incorporated into said flap, so that it is not visible on the
outside from the other side.
4. Device to cover and transport a portable computer comprising a lower flap (4)
and an upper flap (6) covering the outside faces of the computer articulated around an
edge (8), characterised in that the lower flap (4) and the upper flap (6) comprise slide
grooves (40) into which a sliding attachment strap (42) is inserted, wherein said slide
grooves (40) may be rectilinear and parallel to one another in order to permit the
adjustment to the correct height of the position of the strap, leaving free access to the
various functions of the portable computer such as the screen, the ports, the keys of the
keyboard and the mouse, according to and regardless of their various positions according
to the models, and the sliding strap may be closed into a loop.
5. Device according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the edge (8)
comprises at least one opening (10) permitting access to the connections and ports located
at the rear of the computer.

6. Device to cover and transport a portable computer comprising a lower flap (4)
and an upper flap (6) covering the outside faces of the computer articulated around an
edge (8), characterised in that said flaps are flat in shape so as to ensure the ventilation of
the processor of the computer and to permit free access to the sides (12, 14) and the
various functions of the computer regardless of whether it is in the open or closed position,
and in that it comprises at least one opening (10) permitting access to the connections and
ports located at the rear of the computer.
7. Device according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the lower
(4) and upper (6) flaps are flat in shape and comprise several layers, wherein certain of the
layers may be cut out.
8. Device according to claim 6, characterised in that the lower flap or the upper
flap comprises an attachment system to hold the lower (4) and upper (6) flaps on the
outside faces of the computer regardless of whether it is in the open or closed position.
9. Device according to claim 6, characterised in that the lower flap or the upper
flap comprises an attachment system and possibly a strap that is thin enough to allow the
computer to be opened or closed without any need to move or touch said attachment
system.

10. Device according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the attachment system is
as defined in any of the previous claims.
11. Device according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the lower
flap comprises at least one ventilation zone (22) or air inlet channels to allow air to pass
and cool the processor of the computer.
12. Device according to claim 11, characterised in that the ventilation zones or air
inlet channels are formed by a cut-out in the surface of the lower flap.
13. Device according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that it
comprises handles (36), wherein said handles may be flat in shape and possibly of the

same thickness as the flaps so as to conserve the flat appearance of the flaps and the
stability of the computer which rests on the lower flap (4).
14. Device according to claim 13, characterised in that it comprises handles (36)
made in the same section as the flaps so as to avoid having another external layer.
15. Device according to claim 13, characterised in that one of the layers (52) has at
least one recess (64) into which the handles (36) are inserted.
16. Device according to any of claims 13 to 15, characterised in that the handles
have end pieces (62) that are wider than the orifices (66) of the recesses into which the
handles are inserted in order to maintain the handles attached to the flaps.
17. Device according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that it
comprises a closure and attachment system that may be inserted into one of the layers of
the flaps.
Dated this 30th day of May 2008.

A device for covering and transporting a portable computer comprises lower (4) and top (6)
boards which cover the computer external surfaces, are shaped in the form of a
parallelepiped and pivotable about an edge (8) provided with at least one opening (10) for
accessing to connections and ports arranged on the computer rear face. The lower board (4)
and/or the top board (6) are provided with slide grooves (40) in which a sliding belt (42) in
the form of a closed loop is introduced. Said slide grooves enable the sliding belt to be
slidingly adjusted at a desired height position in such a way that it makes it possible to
access to ports (USB, RJ45) and to readers (DVD, CD, diskettes).