IP Library Granted Patent US 7,216,763
Granted Patent B2
US 7,216,763 · App. 10/983,623 · Granted May 15, 2007

Impact protection system for carrying case

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,216,763
App. No.
10/983,623
Granted
May 15, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

An impact protection system for a carrying case. The system includes at least one impact protection panel that is inserted in between an exterior side wall and an interior storage compartment of a carrying case, wherein the interior storage compartment is adapted for receiving a portable computer or other delicate instruments or objects. The impact protection panel includes a base portion and an elevated portion and is positioned so that when an impact to the exterior side wall of the case occurs, the force of the impact is first received by the elevated portion and is then distributed via the elevated portion throughout the base portion before impacting a portable computer or other instrument or object stored in the storage compartment of the case.

Claims (39)

1. A carrying case for a portable computer, comprising:

an interior storage compartment configured for receiving a portable computer;

a first impact protection panel positioned adjacent to a first sidewall of the carrying case; and

a second impact protection panel positioned adjacent to a second sidewall of the carrying case, wherein the first sidewall is on the opposite side of the second sidewall, and wherein both the first and second protection panels comprise:

a base portion having substantially planar top and bottom surfaces; and

an elevated portion surrounded by and projecting outward from the top surface of the base portion, the elevated portion including a substantially planar elevated surface that is substantially parallel to the top surface of the base portion,

wherein the elevated portion of the first protection panel is oriented towards the first sidewall and away from the interior storage compartment, and wherein the elevated portion of the second protection panel is oriented towards the second sidewall and away from the interior storage compartment.

2. The carrying case of claim 1 , wherein the elevated surface has a surface area that is smaller than a surface area of the top surface of the base portion.

3. The carrying case of claim 1 , wherein the elevated portion further includes a plurality of tiers extending from the top surface of the base portion to the elevated surface.

4. The carrying case of claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of tiers is circular-shaped.

5. The carrying case of claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of tiers is square-shaped.

6. The carrying case of claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of tiers is oval-shaped.

7. The carrying case of claim 1 , wherein the impact protection panels comprise plastic.

8. The carrying case of claim 1 , wherein the impact protection panels comprise foam.

9. The carrying case of claim 1 , wherein the impact protection panels comprise a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) compound.

10. The carrying case of claim 1 , wherein both of the impact protection panels further comprise:

a cushion disposed within a cavity formed between the top surface of the base portion and a bottom surface of the elevated portion.

11. A carrying case, comprising:

an exterior including a substantially planar exterior side wall;

an interior storage compartment including a substantially planar interior side wall that is substantially parallel to the exterior side wall; and

an impact protection panel disposed between the interior side wall and the exterior side wall, the impact protection panel including

(i) a base portion having substantially planar top and bottom surfaces that are substantially parallel to the exterior side wall and the interior side wall, and

(ii) an elevated portion surrounded by and projecting outward from the top surface of the base portion in the direction of the exterior side wall and away from the interior storage compartment, the elevated portion including a substantially planar elevated surface that is substantially parallel to the top surface of the base portion.

12. The carrying case of claim 11 , wherein the elevated surface has a surface area that is smaller than a surface area of the top surface of the base portion.

13. The carrying case of claim 11 , wherein the elevated portion further includes a plurality of tiers extending from the top surface of the base portion to the elevated surface.

14. The carrying case of claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of tiers is circular-shaped.

15. The carrying case of claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of tiers is square-shaped.

16. The carrying case of claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of tiers is oval-shaped.

17. The carrying case of claim 11 , wherein the impact protection panel is composed of plastic.

18. The carrying case of claim 11 , wherein the impact protection panel is composed of foam.

19. The carrying case of claim 11 , wherein the impact protection panel is composed of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) compound.

20. The carrying case of claim 11 , wherein the impact protection panel further includes a cushion disposed within a cavity formed between the top surface of the base portion and a bottom surface of the elevated portion.

21. The carrying case of claim 11 , wherein the impact protection panel is disposed within a sealed compartment located between the interior side wall and the exterior side wall.

22. A carrying case, comprising:

an exterior including a substantially planar exterior side wall;

an interior storage compartment including a substantially planar interior side wall that is substantially parallel to the exterior side wall; and

an impact protection panel disposed between the interior side wall and the exterior side wall, the impact protection panel including

(i) a base portion having substantially planar top and bottom surfaces that are substantially parallel to the exterior side all and the interior side wall, and

(ii) an elevated portion surrounded by and projecting outward from the top surface of the base portion in the direction of the exterior side wall and away from the interior storage compartment.

Assignments (22)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 27, 2025
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: TARGUS INTERNATIONAL LLC; HYPER PRODUCTS INC.
Reel/Frame 072853/0109 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 28, 2022
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
To: TARGUS INTERNATIONAL LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY; TARGUS US LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY; SENA CASES LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY; TARGUS GROUP US LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY; TARGUS US SUB I INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION; TARGUS US SUB II INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION; TARGUS US NEWCO INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION; TARGUS (CANADA) LTD., A CORPORATION CONTINUED UNDER THE FEDERAL LAWS OF CANADA; TARGUS ASIA PACIFIC LIMITED, A COMPANY INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF HONG KONG; TARGUS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, A COMPANY INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF AUSTRALIA; TARGUS EUROPE LIMITED, A COMPANY INCORPORATED IN ENGLAND (REGISTERED NUMBER 01743076); TARGUS GROUP (UK) LIMITED, A COMPANY INCORPORATED IN ENGLAND (REGISTERED NUMBER 02989548); TARGUS INTERNATIONAL HOLDCO (UK) LIMITED, A COMPANY INCORPORATED IN ENGLAND (REGISTERED NUMBER 07135312); TARGUS CAYMAN SUBCO LIMITED, A CAYMAN ISLANDS EXEMPTED COMPANY; TARGUS CAYMAN LP, A CAYMAN ISLANDS EXEMPTED LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; TARGUS CAYMAN GP LIMITED, A CAYMAN ISLANDS EXEMPTED COMPANY; TARGUS CAYMAN HOLDCO LIMITED, A CAYMAN ISLANDS EXEMPTED COMPANY; TARGUS GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION; HYPER PRODUCTS, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 061803/0815 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 20, 2022
From: TARGUS INTERNATIONAL LLC; HYPER PRODUCTS INC
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 061732/0654 →
AMENDED AND RESTATED PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 17, 2019
From: TARGUS INTERNATIONAL LLC; TARGUS US LLC; SENA CASES LLC; TARGUS GROUP US LLC; TARGUS US SUB I INC.; TARGUS US SUB II INC.; TARGUS US NEWCO INC.; TARGUS (CANADA) LTD.; TARGUS ASIA PACIFIC LIMITED; TARGUS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD; TARGUS EUROPE LIMITED; TARGUS GROUP (UK) LIMITED; TARGUS INTERNATIONAL HOLDCO (UK) LIMITED; TARGUS CAYMAN SUBCO LIMITED; TARGUS CAYMAN LP; TARGUS CAYMAN GP LIMITED; TARGUS CAYMAN HOLDCO LIMITED
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 049785/0245 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 20, 2018
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: TARGUS INTERNATIONAL LLC
Reel/Frame 047557/0286 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 30, 2016
From: TARGUS INTERNATIONAL LLC; TARGUS US SUB I INC.; TARGUS US SUB II INC.; TARGUS US LLC; SENA CASES LLC; TARGUS US NEWCO INC.; TARGUS CAYMAN LP; TARGUS CAYMAN GP LIMITED; TARGUS CAYMAN HOLDCO LIMITED; TARGUS CAYMAN SUBCO LIMITED; TARGUS DELAWARE LLC; TARGUS GROUP US LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 038137/0025 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 9, 2016
From: TARGUS GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: TARGUS INTERNATIONAL LLC
Reel/Frame 038044/0370 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION Recorded Feb 11, 2016
From: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 037765/0298 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 11, 2015
From: TARGUS GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.; TARGUS GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC.; TARGUS, INC.; TARGUS USA, INC.; TARGUS GROUP US LLC; OTEN INC.
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
Reel/Frame 035893/0276 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION Recorded Mar 9, 2015
From: GOLDMAN SACHS LENDING PARTNERS LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 035167/0117 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 2, 2011
From: TARGUS GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 026380/0900 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 24, 2011
From: GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS L.P.
To: TARGUS GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC.; TARGUS, INC.
Reel/Frame 026333/0738 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 24, 2011
From: TARGUS GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: GOLDMAN SACHS LENDING PARTNERS LLC
Reel/Frame 026329/0659 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 15, 2009
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
To: TARGUS GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 023654/0512 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT REGARDING REEL NO.017215 FRAME 0171, 022529/0079 AND 022529/0071 Recorded May 1, 2009
From: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH
To: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, THE
Reel/Frame 022668/0244 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE ASSIGNEE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 021691 FRAME 0795. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Apr 9, 2009
From: TARGUS, INC.
To: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 022529/0071 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 17, 2008
From: TARGUS, INC.
To: GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS LP, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 021691/0795 →
FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 13, 2008
From: TARGUS, INC.
To: GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS LP, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 021669/0827 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 23, 2007
From: TARGUS, INC.
To: TARGUS GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 019998/0795 →
FIRST LIEN SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 24, 2006
From: TARGUS GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: GOLDMAN SACH CREDIT PARTNERS L.P.
Reel/Frame 017215/0164 →
SECOND LIEN SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 24, 2006
From: TARGUS GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH
Reel/Frame 017215/0171 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 9, 2004
From: GORMICK, TODD MICHAEL; VA, DAVID; KRSTESKI, JOHN
To: TARGUS, INC.
Reel/Frame 015999/0963 →