IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,293,649
Granted Patent B2
US 7,293,649 · App. 10/870,479 · Granted Nov 13, 2007

Computer bag with cross-brace support

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,293,649
App. No.
10/870,479
Granted
Nov 13, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A carrying case or bag that includes a soft pouch portion that is supported with a more rigid support structure. The soft pouch portion is supported by a cross-brace support system that allows limited movement relative to the support structure.

Claims (49)

1. A compartment for a bag for carrying an item, the compartment comprising:

a main portion;

a second portion within the main portion; and

a support arrangement that supports the second portion within the main portion and that allows limited movement of the second portion relative to the main portion

wherein the support arrangement comprises two straps, a first strap extending from a first top corner on a first side of the main portion, and a second strap extending from a second top corner on the first side of the main portion, both the first and second straps extending under the second portion of the compartment to first and second top corners, respectively, on a second side of the main portion.

2. A compartment in accordance with claim 1 wherein the compartment is a computer pouch.

3. A compartment in accordance with claim 1 wherein the support arrangement is configured to distribute energy from an impact on the main portion from a first point on the main portion to a second point on the main portion.

4. A compartment in accordance with claim 3 wherein the first point comprises a corner of the main portion, wherein the second point comprises an opposite corner of the main portion.

5. A compartment in accordance with claim 3 wherein the first point comprises a side of the main portion, wherein the second point comprises an opposite side of the main portion.

6. A bag for carrying a portable electronic device, the bag comprising:

a main body; and

a device compartment comprising:

a main portion;

a second portion within the main portion; and

a support arrangement that supports the second portion within the main portion and that allows limited movement of the second portion relative to the main portion,

wherein the support arrangement comprises two straps, a first strap extending from a first top corner on a first side of the main portion, and a second strap extending from a second top corner on the first side of the main portion, both the first and second straps extending under the second portion of the device compartment to first and second top corners, respectively, on a second side of the main portion.

7. A bag in accordance with claim 6 wherein the bag is for carrying notebook computers.

8. A bag in accordance with claim 6 wherein the straps are elastic or contain elastic segments.

9. A bag in accordance with claim 6 wherein the support arrangement is configured to distribute energy from an impact on the main portion from a first point on the main portion to a second point on the main portion.

10. A bag in accordance with claim 9 wherein the first point comprises a corner of the main portion, wherein the second point comprises an opposite corner of the main portion.

11. A bag in accordance with claim 9 wherein the first point comprises a side of the main portion, wherein the second point comprises an opposite side of the main portion.

12. A bag for carrying a portable electronic device, the bag comprising:

a main body;

a device compartment within the main body, the device compartment comprising a support structure consisting of a substantially rigid material and a soft pouch within the support structure; and

a cross-brace support system that supports the soft pouch such that the soft pouch has limited movement relative to the support structure,

wherein the cross-brace support system comprises two straps, a first strap extending from a first top corner on a first side of the support structure, and a second strap extending from a second top corner on the first side of the support structure, both the first and second straps extending under the soft pouch of the device compartment to first and second top corners, respectively, on a second side of the support structure.

13. A bag in accordance with claim 12 wherein the bag is for carrying notebook computers.

14. A bag in accordance with claim 12 wherein the straps are elastic or contain elastic segments.

15. A bag in accordance with claim 12 wherein the support system is configured to distribute energy from an impact on the support structure from a first point on the support structure to a second point in the support structure.

16. A bag in accordance with claim 15 wherein the first point comprises a corner of the support structure, wherein the second point comprises an opposite corner of the support structure.

17. A bag in accordance with claim 15 wherein the first point comprises a side of the support structure, wherein the second point comprises an opposite side.

18. A compartment for a bag for carrying an item, the compartment comprising:

a main portion;

a second portion within the main portion; and

a support arrangement that supports the second portion within the main portion,

wherein the support arrangement is configured to distribute energy from an impact on the main portion from a first point in the main portion to a second point on the main portion, wherein the support arrangement comprises two straps, a first strap extending from a first top corner on a first side of the main portion, and a second strap extending from a second top corner on the first side of the main portion, both the first and second straps extending under the second portion of the compartment to first and second top corners, respectively, on a second side of the main portion.

19. A compartment in accordance with claim 18 wherein the first point on the main portion comprises a corner of the main portion, wherein the second point comprises an opposite corner of the main portion.

20. A compartment in accordance with claim 18 wherein the support arrangement elastically suspends the second portion within the main portion.

21. A compartment in accordance with claim 18 wherein the second portion is formed with a soft material and the main portion is formed with a rigid material.

22. A compartment in accordance with claim 18 wherein the compartment is adapted to be removably inserted into bag.

23. A compartment in accordance with claim 18 wherein the item comprises a portable electronic device.

24. A method of using a bag, the method comprising:

providing a compartment for the bag, the compartment comprising a main portion; a second portion within the main portion; and a support arrangement that supports the second portion within the main portion; and

receiving a portable electronic device in the second portion of the compartment,

wherein the support arrangement is configured to distribute energy from an impact on the main portion from a first point in the main portion to a second point on the main portion when the bag is impacted,

wherein the support arrangement comprises two straps, a first strap extending from a first top corner on a first side of the main portion, and a second strap extending from a second top corner on the first side of the main portion, both the first and second straps extending under the second portion of the compartment to first and second top corners, respectively, on a second side of the main portion.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the support arrangement elastically suspends the second portion within the main portion.

26. The method of claim 24 further comprising removing the compartment from the bag.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein the portable electronic device comprises a notebook computer.

Assignments (13)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 4, 2013
From: ACCO BRANDS, INC.
To: ACCO BRANDS USA LLC
Reel/Frame 031712/0192 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT RECORDED AT R/F 028217/0360 Recorded May 17, 2013
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS EXISTING ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, EXISTING SWING LINE LENDER AND EXISTING L/C ISSUER
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS NEW ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, SWING LINE LENDER AND L/C ISSUER
Reel/Frame 030427/0574 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE MISSING ASSIGNEES ON THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 028168 FRAME 0713. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNEES ACCO BRANDS USA LLC AND GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION ARE ADDITIONAL ASSIGNEES. Recorded Jul 3, 2012
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
To: ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION; ACCO BRANDS USA LLC; GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 028487/0671 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE MISSING ASSIGNEES ON THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 028168 FRAME 0738. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNEES ACCO BRANDS USA LLC, AND GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION ARE ADDITIONAL ASIGNEES. Recorded Jul 3, 2012
From: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANK, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION; ACCO BRANDS USA LLC; GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 028488/0056 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 16, 2012
From: ACCO BRANDS USA LLC
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 028217/0360 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 7, 2012
From: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 028168/0738 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 7, 2012
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
To: ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 028168/0713 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 30, 2009
From: ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION; ACCO BRANDS USA LLC; DAY-TIMERS INC.; GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION; ACCO INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; GBC INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ACCO BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ACCO EUROPE FINANCE HOLDINGS, LLC; ACCO EUROPE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC; BOONE INTERNATIONAL, INC.; POLYBLEND CORPORATION; SWINGLINE, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH
Reel/Frame 023449/0180 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 2, 2009
From: CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC.
To: ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION; ACCO BRANDS USA LLC; BOONE INTERNATIONAL, INC.; GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 023312/0784 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 2, 2009
From: ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION; ACCO BRANDS USA LLC; DAY-TIMERS INC.; GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION; ACCO INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; GBC INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ACCO BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ACCO EUROPE FINANCE HOLDINGS, LLC; ACCO EUROPE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC; BOONE INTERNATIONAL, INC.; POLYBLEND CORPORATION; SWINGLINE, INC.
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 023312/0902 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 5, 2009
From: ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION; ACCO BRANDS USA LLC; GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION
To: CITIBANK NORTH AMERICA, INC., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 022203/0848 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 26, 2005
From: ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION, A DELAWARE CORPORATION; ACCO BRANDS USA LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY BOONE INTERNATIONAL, INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION, A DELAWARE CORPORATION; BOONE INTERNATIONAL, INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION; GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION, A DELAWARE CORPORATION
To: CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 016914/0813 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 9, 2004
From: GELPHMAN, STEVE; CROYLE, SCOTT; PETRAVIC, ROBIN; FRANKEL, SETH
To: ACCO BRANDS, INC.
Reel/Frame 015360/0695 →