Clip-on accessories for carrying case

Abstract

A primary carrying case for computers and the like is provided with one or more auxiliary pouches for computer peripherals or other supplies that employ fasteners for removably attaching the pouch to the case by means of one or more webs having access openings in communication with a passageway for receiving the free ends of the fasteners. The fasteners can include manually releasable locking mechanisms for securing the pouch to the case. The passageways can also serve to retain handle and shoulder straps for carrying of the case.

1 . In combination, a primary carrying case and at least one auxiliary pouch that is detachably connected to an exterior wall of the primary case, the exterior wall of the primary case having at least one attachment web, portions of which web are secured to the exterior wall to define at least one passageway between the web and the surface of the wall of the case for receiving at least one fastener, 
 the at least one auxiliary pouch having at least one projecting fastener for engaging the attachment web and passing at least in part through the passageway to thereby removably secure the at least one auxiliary pouch to the primary case.    
   
   
       2 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the case has two opposed major walls and two spaced-apart passageways are formed by webs on at least one of the major walls of the primary case, and the auxiliary pouch includes two fasteners positioned to engage the passageways.  
   
   
       3 . The combination of  claim 2 , wherein the auxiliary pouch is elongated and its length does not exceed the width of the exterior wall of the primary case to which it is attached.  
   
   
       4 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein a pair of vertically-spaced passageways are provided proximate to each of the opposing side edges of the primary case and each vertical pair of passageways extends across a portion of a carrying strap for the case.  
   
   
       5 . The combination of  claim 4 , wherein the pouch is a portfolio having an interior space closed by a flexible flap overlaying a first sidewall, the opposing portfolio sidewall including four fasteners positioned to pass at least in part behind the web and through a corresponding number of passageways formed on the wall of the primary case.  
   
   
       6 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the primary case has a plurality of passageways and the at least one pouch has a plurality of fasteners.  
   
   
       7 . The combination of  claim 6 , wherein the fasteners are elongated spring clips having a free end that will pass through the passageways formed on the case.  
   
   
       8 . The combination of  claim 7 , wherein each of the fasteners includes manually releasably locking means, whereby the auxiliary pouch remains secured to its position on the case until the locking means is released.  
   
   
       9 . The combination of  claim 7 , wherein the free end of the clip passes through and exits the passageway to engage an adjacent edge of the attachment web.  
   
   
       10 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment web is elongated and contains at least two aligned and spaced-apart access openings in communication with a common passageway beneath the web, the access openings being configured to receive a fastener that extends from a first opening and through an aligned second opening to thereby secure the pouch to the case.  
   
   
       11 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein the web is in the form of a panel, at least two opposing edges of which are secured to the case.  
   
   
       12 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein the web extends across at least half of the width of the exterior wall of the case in a direction that is parallel to the bottom and top edges of the case, the web having a pair of access openings positioned proximate the ends of the web, the fastener comprising an elongated member extending along one side of an elongated pouch in a direction that is generally parallel to the bottom and top edges of the pouch, the fastener having a free end extending through one of the access openings when the pouch is secured to the case.  
   
   
       13 . The combination of  claim 12 , wherein the projecting free end of the fastener engages a retainer, whereby the fastener is prevented from being withdrawn from the web access opening.  
   
   
       14 . The combination of  claim 12 , wherein the projecting free end of the fastener is configured to engage an edge of the opening through which it projects.  
   
   
       15 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein the web includes a first pair of closely-spaced horizontally aligned access openings positioned proximate one end of the elongated web and communicating with a common passageway and a second pair of closely-spaced horizontally aligned access openings positioned proximate the opposite end of the web, and the pouch includes at least one elongated fastener having a free end that is capable of passing through the first and second pairs of access openings to thereby secure the pouch to the case.  
   
   
       16 . The combination of  claim 15  which includes two elongated fasteners, each one of which passes through one pair of the closely-spaced access openings.  
   
   
       17 . The combination of  claim 16 , where the free end of each of the fasteners extends in the same direction.  
   
   
       18 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein the access openings are aligned along a line that is perpendicular to the top and bottom edges of the case.  
   
   
       19 . A kit comprising a primary carrying case and at least one separate auxiliary pouch that can be detachably connected to an exterior wall of the primary case, the primary case having an exterior wall to which is secured at least one attachment web, portions of which web define a passageway for receiving at least one fastener, 
 the at least on auxiliary pouch having at least one projecting fastener for engaging the attachment web, a free end of the fastener passing at least in part through the passageway of the attachment web to thereby removably secure the at least on auxiliary pouch to the primary case.    
   
   
       20 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein two spaced-apart passageways are formed by webs on a major exterior wall of the primary case, and the at least one auxiliary pouch includes two fasteners positioned to engage the passageways.  
   
   
       21 . The kit of  claim 19  comprising a plurality of auxiliary pouches that vary in size.  
   
   
       22 . The kit of  claim 21  in which one of the plurality of pouches is a portfolio.  
   
   
       23 . The kit of  claim 22 , wherein the dimensions of a major sidewall of the portfolio does not exceed the dimensions of a major sidewall of the primary case.