Computer tote

Abstract

A computer tote, such as, for example, a portfolio, case or bag, is provided having a receptacle defining an internal space to receive a computer device. The receptacle includes opposing sides connected by a spine. The computer tote further includes a handle coupled to one of the opposing sides of the receptacle near the spine. The handle is sized and positioned to overlie a back of a user's hand when the hand is received between the handle and the receptacle and fingers of the hand are wrapped around the spine.

1 . A computer tote, comprising:
 a receptacle defining an internal space to receive a computer device, the receptacle including opposing sides connected by a spine; and   a handle coupled to one of the opposing sides of the receptacle near the spine, the handle sized and positioned to overlie a back of a user's hand when the hand is received between the handle and the receptacle and fingers of the hand are wrapped around the spine.   
     
     
         2 . The computer tote of  claim 1  wherein the handle is configured to move between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration, the handle positioned substantially flat against the receptacle when in the stowed configuration, and a central portion of the handle positioned offset from the receptacle when in the deployed configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The computer tote of  claim 1  wherein the handle is configured to move between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration, the length of the handle increasing as the handle moves from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The computer tote of  claim 1  wherein at least one of opposing ends of the handle includes an elastic portion to enable the handle to elongate when moving from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The computer tote of  claim 1  wherein a portion of the externally visible handle in the deployed configuration is concealed behind a section of the receptacle when the handle is in the stowed configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The computer tote of  claim 1  wherein a centerline defined by an average width of the handle is offset from the spine by at least one-half inch and by no more than three inches. 
     
     
         7 . The computer tote of  claim 1  wherein the handle is positioned in an area defined by a lower one-third of the receptacle. 
     
     
         8 . The computer tote of  claim 1  wherein the handle is positioned in an area defined by a lower one-quarter of the receptacle. 
     
     
         9 . The computer tote of  claim 1  wherein the handle is positioned approximately at a center of a length of the receptacle such that the computer tote is substantially balanced fore and aft when grasped by the user via the handle and spine. 
     
     
         10 . The computer tote of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle is a portfolio configured to receive a tablet or laptop computer between the opposing sides thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The computer tote of  claim 10  wherein the portfolio opens in a book-like manner, and wherein the portfolio includes a panel elastically coupled to an inner side thereof to receive a portion of a user's hand when the portfolio is fully opened with the opposing sides of the receptacle face-to-face. 
     
     
         12 . The computer tote of  claim 11  wherein the panel includes at least one stop to selectively position an opposing inner side of the portfolio in an inclined orientation. 
     
     
         13 . The computer tote of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle is a case or bag configured to receive a tablet or laptop computer between the opposing sides thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The computer tote of  claim 13  wherein an end of the case or bag opposite the spine is configured to be selectively opened and closed. 
     
     
         15 . A method of using the computer tote of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 positioning fingers of a hand between the handle and the receptacle of the computer tote;   moving the fingers around the spine; and   grasping the spine while the hand is positioned between the handle and the receptacle.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein grasping the spine includes drawing the receptacle towards a forearm supporting the hand. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein grasping the spine includes grasping the spine with a majority of the handle overlying a back of the hand between knuckles at the base of the fingers and a wrist of the hand. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein positioning fingers of a hand between the handle and the receptacle of the computer tote and moving the fingers around the spine includes elongating the handle. 
     
     
         19 . A computer tote, comprising:
 a receptacle defining an internal space to receive a computer device, the receptacle including opposing sides connected by a spine;   a closure mechanism to keep the receptacle closed when in a transport configuration and enabling access to the internal space to retrieve the computer device when in a retrieval configuration; and   a handle coupled to one of the opposing sides of the receptacle proximate the spine, the handle sized and positioned to overlie a back of a user's hand when the hand is received between the handle and the receptacle and fingers of the hand are grasped around the spine.   
     
     
         20 . The computer tote of  claim 19  wherein the handle is configured to move between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration, the handle positioned substantially flat against the receptacle when in the stowed configuration, and a central portion of the handle positioned offset from the receptacle when in the deployed configuration. 
     
     
         21 . The computer tote of  claim 19  wherein the receptacle is a portfolio configured to receive a tablet computer between the opposing sides thereof and to open in a book-like manner, and wherein the portfolio includes a panel elastically coupled to an inner side thereof to receive a portion of a user's hand when the portfolio is fully opened with the opposing sides of the receptacle face-to-face. 
     
     
         22 . A method of using a computer tote, the method comprising:
 positioning fingers of a hand between a handle and a receptacle of the computer tote, the receptacle including opposing sides connected by a spine and defining an internal space to receive a computer device, the handle coupled to one of the opposing sides of the receptacle proximate the spine;   moving the fingers around the spine; and   grasping the spine while the hand is positioned between the handle and the receptacle.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein grasping the spine includes drawing the receptacle towards a forearm supporting the hand. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22  wherein grasping the spine includes grasping the spine with a majority of the handle overlying a back of the hand between knuckles at the base of the fingers and a wrist of the hand. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22  wherein positioning fingers of the hand between the handle and the receptacle of the computer tote and moving the fingers around the spine includes elongating the handle.