Carrying case for a laptop computer

Abstract

A carrying case ( 10 ) for transporting and using a laptop style computer C includes a mesh sling ( 30 ) or hammock for suspending the closed computer during transport, for supporting the laptop computer during use while still in the case, and for easy cooling of the computer during uses while suspended in the hammock. Openings ( 34, 40 ) are provided through the hammock and adjacent wall ( 12 ) of the main compartment. These openings permit passing wiring from the computer to auxiliary equipement, such as a computer mouse, a power supply transformer and/or cord, or the like all being held in an auxiliary packing compartment 26 attached to a main wall ( 12 ) of the main compartment.

1 . A carrying case for a laptop computer, the laptop computer being the type that has connectors to which wiring may be connected during use, such as to a portable source of electric power or other auxiliary equipment, and having a keyboard portion and display portion hinged to one another such that the laptop computer is normally transported with the keyboard portion and display portion in a face-to-face orientation, 
 the carrying case having a main packing compartment for receiving the laptop computer, the main packing compartment having walls including two main walls and a perimeter wall extending around all four sides of and between the two main walls, the perimeter wall including a portion that hingedly links the two main walls together, and also having a sliding fastener for selectively opening the main compartment to provide access to the laptop computer to be transported therein,    a hammock suspended within the main packing compartment having end portions attached to inside surfaces of the main walls of the main compartment and a center portion connecting the two end portions and positioned therebetween, the hammock normally engaging the keyboard portion and display portion of the laptop computer when the laptop computer is in its closed condition while being carried within the main compartment,    the carrying case further including at least one secondary compartment sized to receive at least some of the wiring, the secondary compartment has a wall with an opening sized to permit a portion of that wiring to pass therethrough and one of the walls of the main compartment has an opening sized to permit a portion of the wiring to pass therethrough which is near the opening in the wall of the secondary compartment.    
     
     
         2 . The carrying case of  claim 1  wherein the hammock has an opening sized to permit a portion of the wiring to pass therethrough which is normally near the opening in the wall of the main compartment, whereby a laptop computer contained in the main compartment can be electrically connected to wiring in the secondary compartment by wires extending from the secondary compartment, through openings in the wall of the secondary compartment, the wall of the main compartment, and the hammock.  
     
     
         3 . The carrying case of  claim 1  wherein the hammock consists mostly of an open, mesh textile, whereby heat generated by a laptop computer suspended on the hammock can be more easily dissipated to the ambient air.  
     
     
         4 . The carrying case of  claim 1  wherein the auxiliary compartment is attached to a first of the main walls of the case, and wherein another of the main walls includes an outer surface of a high friction material, whereby the case can be more easily balanced on the lap of a user.  
     
     
         5 . The carrying case of  claim 1  wherein one end portion of the hammock is fixed to an inside surface of a first of the main walls, and the other end portion of the hammock is releasably attached to an inside surface of a second of the main walls.  
     
     
         6 . The carrying case of  claim 5  wherein the opening for wiring into the auxiliary compartment passes through the first main wall.  
     
     
         7 . The carrying case of  claim 5  wherein the auxiliary compartment is attached to a first of the main walls of the case, and wherein a second of the main walls includes an outer surface of a high friction material.