Checkpoint-friendly backpack

Abstract

A checkpoint-friendly backpack for allowing a laptop computer stored in a dedicated portion thereof to provide a clear, unobstructed, and distinct image thereof when X-ray screened at an inspection station without having to remove the laptop computer from the dedicated portion. The backpack includes a dedicated compartment and a non-dedicated compartment. The non-dedicated compartment stores items other than the laptop computer. The dedicated compartment stores only the laptop computer itself, is hingedly attached to the non-dedicated compartment at a common edge, is free of metallic snaps, zippers, and buckles, is free of pockets, and has a non-screening mode where it is replaceably fastened in side-by-side relationship to the non-dedicated compartment by a non-metallic zipper so as to facilitate unfastening the dedicated compartment from the non-dedicated compartment, and a screening mode where it is unfastened from the non-dedicated compartment and unfolded therefrom to lie unobstructed, flat, and substantially coplanar with the non-dedicated compartment on the inspection station so as to allow the laptop computer stored in the dedicated compartment to provide the clear, unobstructed, and distinct image thereof when X-ray screened at the inspection station without having to remove the laptop computer from the dedicated compartment.

Claims

1. A backpack for allowing a computer to be stored therein when scanned at an inspection station without having to remove the computer therefrom, the backpack comprising: a dedicated compartment for storing the computer, the dedicated compartment comprising a single closeable pocket formed by a first interior wall, a first exterior wall, a first bottom wall, and at least one first sidewall coupling the first interior wall and the first exterior wall to provide first side walls of the dedicated compartment except for the first bottom wall, and including a first fastener for enclosing the computer within the dedicated compartment; a non-dedicated compartment comprising at least one pocket or pouch formed by a second interior wall, a second exterior wall, a second bottom wall and at least one second sidewall coupling the second interior wall and the second exterior wall to provide second side walls of the non-dedicated compartment except for the second bottom wall, and including a second fastener for enclosing the non-dedicated compartment; wherein a common edge between a respective portion of the first bottom wall of the dedicated compartment and the second bottom wall of the non-dedicated compartment form a living hinge, the backpack configured with a third fastener to provide movement between a screening mode in which the first interior wall of the dedicated compartment is separated from the second interior wall of the non-dedicated compartment and is connected by the living hinge, and a non-screening mode in which the first interior wall is adjacent the second interior wall and the first fastener and an exterior portion of the first sidewall is disposed partially within an interior portion of the second sidewall along substantially the entire length of the first sidewall and second sidewall; and the third fastener facilitating fastening between the dedicated compartment and the non-dedicated compartment while in the non-screening mode, and facilitating separation between the dedicated compartment and the non-dedicated compartment while in the screening mode, wherein the first fastener is a zipper.

2. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the exterior portion of the first sidewall is disposed flush against the interior portion of the second sidewall.

3. The backpack of claim 2, wherein at least one side of the dedicated compartment is lined with a padded material configured to protect the computer.

4. The backpack of claim 3, wherein the non-dedicated compartment includes a first non-metallic zipper for accessing items other than the computer.

5. The backpack of claim 4, wherein the first non-metallic zipper is disposed continuously along the second sidewall.

6. The backpack of claim 5, wherein the non-dedicated compartment comprises a pair of expandable side pockets.

7. The backpack of claim 6, wherein the pair of expandable side pockets are disposed on at least one of the second side walls of the non-dedicated compartment, at lower portions thereof, respectively, for storing the items other than the computer.

8. The backpack of claim 7, wherein each of the pair of expandable side pockets are accessible via a second and third non-metallic zipper, respectively.

9. The backpack of claim 8, wherein the second exterior wall includes a first expandable pocket disposed on an upper portion thereof.

10. The backpack of claim 9, wherein the second exterior wall includes a second expandable pocket disposed on an intermediate portion thereof.

11. The backpack of claim 10, wherein at least one of the first and second expandable pockets is accessible via corresponding additional non-metallic zippers.

12. A computer case for allowing a computer held within the case to be scanned at a security or inspection station without having to remove the computer therefrom, the computer case comprising: a first dedicated storage compartment for housing a computer comprising a first outer wall, a first inner wall, a first bottom wall, a first top end opposite the first bottom wall, and at least one first sidewall coupling the first inner wall and the first outer wall to provide first side walls except for the first bottom wall, all defining the first storage compartment having a first opening, and a first fastener configured to secure the first opening and thereby retain a computer therein, wherein the first dedicated storage compartment is configured to enable a scanning device to scan an interior of the first dedicated storage compartment without removing the computer therefrom; a second storage compartment comprising a second outer wall, a second inner wall, a second bottom wall, a second top end opposite the second bottom wall, and at least one second sidewall coupling the second inner wall and the second outer wall to provide second side walls except for the second bottom wall, all defining the second storage compartment having a second opening, and a second fastener configured to substantially enclose the second opening of the second storage compartment; wherein the first storage compartment is joined at a first edge of the first bottom wall to a second edge of the second bottom wall such that the first edge of first bottom wall and the second edge of the second bottom wall are coupled to form a hinge between the first dedicated storage compartment and the second storage compartment; wherein the first inner wall and second inner wall are disposed adjacent one another in a non-screening mode and can be separated to lie substantially on a planar surface in a screening mode, wherein the first top end and the second top end are disposed adjacent one another in the non-screening mode and can be separated from one another in the screening mode; wherein in the screening mode with the outer walls of both the first dedicated storage compartment and the second storage compartment laid flat upon the same surface, a computer in the first dedicated storage compartment can be scanned by a scanning device without removing the computer therefrom; and wherein in the non-screening mode with the first inner wall and second inner wall disposed adjacent one another, the first fastener and an exterior portion of the first sidewall is disposed partially within an interior portion of the second sidewall along substantially the entire length of the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and wherein the first fastener is a zipper.

13. The computer case of claim 12, wherein the exterior portion of the first sidewall is disposed flush against the interior portion of the second sidewall.

14. The computer case of claim 13, wherein at least one side of the first dedicated storage compartment is lined with a padded material configured to protect the computer.

15. The computer case of claim 14, further comprising: a pair of shoulder straps extending away from the first dedicated storage compartment or the second storage compartment; and a handle attached to an upper portion of the first dedicated storage compartment or the second storage compartment.

16. The computer case of claim 15, wherein the second storage compartment comprises at least one expandable side pocket.

17. The computer case of claim 16, wherein the second storage compartment comprises at least one additional side pocket disposed on an upper, middle, or lower portion thereof.

18. The computer case of claim 17, wherein the second storage compartment is accessible via a first non-metallic zipper disposed continuously around at least three sides of the second storage compartment.

19. The computer case of claim 18, wherein the at least one expandable side pocket is accessible via a second non-metallic zipper.

20. The computer case of claim 19, wherein the at least one additional pocket disposed on an upper, middle, or lower portion of the second storage compartment is accessible via a third non-metallic zipper.

21. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the length extends vertically upwardly from the living hinge in the non-screening mode.

Description

3. THE BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) The figures of the drawing are briefly described as follows:

(2) FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the checkpoint-friendly backpack of the embodiments of the present invention allowing a laptop computer stored in a dedicated portion thereof to provide a clear, unobstructed, and distinct image thereof when X-ray screened at an inspection station without having to remove the laptop computer from the dedicated portion;

(3) FIG. 2 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the checkpoint-friendly backpack in the X-ray screening mode identified by ARROW 2 in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the checkpoint-friendly backpack in the non-X-ray screening mode;

(5) FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic rear elevational perspective view taken generally in the direction of ARROW 4 in FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic front elevational perspective view taken generally in the direction of ARROW 5 in FIG. 3, with the non-dedicated compartment closed; and

(7) FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic front elevational perspective view taken generally in the direction of ARROW 6 in FIG. 3, with the non-dedicated compartment opened.

4. THE LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING

(8) A. General.

(9) 10 checkpoint-friendly backpack of embodiments of present invention for allowing laptop computer 12 stored in dedicated portion 14 thereof to provide clear, unobstructed, and distinct image 16 thereof when X-ray screened at inspection station 18 without having to remove laptop computer 12 from dedicated portion 14 12 laptop computer 14 dedicated portion 16 clear, unobstructed, and distinct image 18 inspection station
B. Configuration of Checkpoint-Friendly Backpack 10. 20 dedicated compartment 22 non-dedicated compartment 24 items other than laptop computer 12 25 common edge 26 first non-metallic zipper 28 second non-metallic zipper 30 top wall of dedicated compartment 20 32 pair of side walls of dedicated compartment 20 34 third non-metallic zipper 36 top wall of non-dedicated compartment 22 38 pair of side walls of non-dedicated compartment 22 40 pair of first expandable side pockets 42 lower portions of pair of side walls 38 of non-dedicated compartment 22, respectively 44 fourth non-metallic zipper 46 fifth non-metallic zipper 48 outer wall of non-dedicated compartment 22 50 second expandable pocket 52 upper portion of outer wall 48 of non-dedicated compartment 22 54 third expandable pocket 56 intermediate portion of outer wall 48 of non-dedicated compartment 22 58 fourth expandable pocket 60 lower portion of outer wall 48 of non-dedicated compartment 22 62 sixth non-metallic zipper 64 seventh non-metallic zipper 66 eighth non-metallic zipper 68 handle 70 pair of shoulder strap of dedicated compartment 20

5. THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(10) A. General.

(11) Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to FIG. 1, which is a diagrammatic perspective view of the checkpoint-friendly backpack of the embodiments of the present invention allowing a laptop computer stored in a dedicated portion thereof to provide a clear, unobstructed, and distinct image thereof when X-ray screened at an inspection station without having to remove the laptop computer from the dedicated portion, the checkpoint-friendly backpack of the embodiments of the present invention is shown generally at 10 for allowing a laptop computer 12 stored in a dedicated portion 14 thereof to provide a clear, unobstructed, and distinct image 16 thereof when X-ray screened at an inspection station 18 without having to remove the laptop computer 12 from the dedicated portion 14.

(12) B. The Configuration of the Checkpoint-Friendly Backpack 10.

(13) The configuration of the checkpoint-friendly backpack 10 can best be seen in FIGS. 2-6, which are, respectively, an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the checkpoint-friendly backpack in the X-ray screening mode identified by ARROW 2 in FIG. 1, a diagrammatic perspective view of the checkpoint-friendly backpack in the non-X-ray screening mode, a diagrammatic rear elevational perspective view taken generally in the direction of ARROW 4 in FIG. 3, a diagrammatic front elevational perspective view taken generally in the direction of ARROW 5 in FIG. 3, with the non-dedicated compartment closed, and a diagrammatic front elevational perspective view taken generally in the direction of ARROW 6 in FIG. 3, with the non-dedicated compartment opened, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

(14) The checkpoint-friendly backpack 10 comprises a dedicated compartment 20 and a non-dedicated compartment 22. The non-dedicated compartment 22 stores items 24 other than the laptop computer 12. The dedicated compartment 20 stores only the laptop computer 12 itself, is hingedly attached to the non-dedicated compartment 22 at a common edge 25, is free of metallic snaps, metallic zippers, and metallic buckles, is free of pockets, and has a non-screening mode where it is replaceably fastened in side-by-side relationship to the non-dedicated compartment 22 by a first non-metallic zipper 26 so as to facilitate unfastening the dedicated compartment 20 from the non-dedicated compartment 22, and a screening mode where it is unfastened from the non-dedicated compartment 22 and unfolded therefrom to lie unobstructed, flat, and substantially coplanar with the non-dedicated compartment 22 on the inspection station 18 so as to allow the laptop computer 12 stored in the dedicated compartment 20 to provide the clear, unobstructed, and distinct image 16 thereof when X-ray screened at the inspection station 18 without having to remove the laptop computer 12 from the dedicated compartment 20.

(15) The dedicated compartment 20 is accessible for the laptop computer 12 via a second non-metallic zipper 28. The second non-metallic zipper 28 is disposed continuously on a top wall 30 and on a pair of side walls 32 of the dedicated compartment 20.

(16) The non-dedicated compartment 22 is accessible for the items 24 other than the laptop computer 12 via a third non-metallic zipper 34. The third non-metallic zipper 34 is disposed continuously on a top wall 36 and a pair of side walls 38 of the non-dedicated compartment 22.

(17) The non-dedicated compartment 22 further comprises a pair of first expandable side pockets 40. The pair of first expandable side pockets 40 are disposed on the side walls 38 of the non-dedicated compartment 22, at lower portions 42 thereof, respectively, for storing the items 24 other than the laptop computer 12.

(18) The pair of first expandable side pockets 40 of the non-dedicated compartment 22 are accessible via a fourth non-metallic zipper 44 and a fifth non-metallic zipper 46, respectively.

(19) An outer wall 48 of the non-dedicated compartment 22 harbors a second expandable pocket 50 on an upper portion 52 thereof, a third expandable pocket 54 on an intermediate portion 56 thereof, and a fourth expandable pocket 58 on a lower portion 60 thereof.

(20) The second expandable pocket 50, the third expandable pocket 54, and the fourth expandable pocket 58 are accessible for the items 24 other than the laptop computer 12 via a sixth non-metallic zipper 62, a seventh non-metallic zipper 64, and an eighth non-metallic zipper 66.

(21) The checkpoint-friendly backpack 10 further comprises a handle 68. The handle 68 is attached to the top wall 36 of the non-dedicated compartment 22.

(22) The checkpoint-friendly backpack 10 further comprises a pair of shoulder straps 70. The pair of shoulder straps 70 extend from the dedicated compartment 20.

(23) C. The Impressions.

(24) It will be understood that each of the elements described above or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

(25) While the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described as embodied in a checkpoint-friendly backpack, however, they are not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions, and changes in the forms and details of the embodiments of the present invention illustrated and their operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the embodiments of the present invention.

(26) Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the embodiments of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt them for various applications without omitting features that from the standpoint of prior art fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of the embodiments of the present invention.