Laptop cover

Abstract

To provide means that prevents erroneous operation to an operation unit of a notebook computer from occurring while the operation unit is not in use but the notebook computer is in use.SOLUTION: A notebook computer cover 1 covers an operation surface 24 of a notebook computer 21 in an open state, and includes a first corner part 2A facing a right front corner part 26A in a main body part 22 of the notebook computer 21 provided with the operation surface 24, a second corner part 2B facing a right rear corner part 26B, a third corner part 2C facing a left front corner part 26C, and a fourth corner part 2D facing a left rear corner part 26D. For example, a distance between the first and second corner parts 2A, 2B and the third and fourth corner parts 2C, 2D in a width direction W of the notebook computer 21 is adjustable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cover for a notebook computer. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known protective structures for protecting notebook computers from shocks while in use. Patent Document 1 discloses an integrated cover that covers the rear surface of the main body of the notebook computer and the rear surface of the display. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-79809 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Although laptops are often used alone, sometimes an additional keyboard is connected to the laptop to improve operability. In this case, the operating surface of the laptop is usually not used, so documents and other items may be placed on the operating surface to work within the limited desktop space. However, when documents and other items are touched with hands or writing implements, there is a risk of unintentionally operating the keyboard, touchpad, or other operating elements, which can hinder operability.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a means for preventing erroneous operation of an operation unit of a notebook computer when the notebook computer is in use but the operation unit is not in use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides It has a main body with an operation surface With the laptop open , laptop To provide a cover for a notebook computer that covers an operating surface. The notebook computer cover has a first corner facing the right front corner of the main body, a second corner facing the right rear corner of the main body, a third corner facing the left front corner of the main body, a fourth corner facing the left rear corner of the main body, a first side surface connecting the first corner surface and the second corner surface, and a second side surface connecting the third corner surface and the fourth corner surface. The first and second side surfaces have a plurality of easy-to-tear portions that can be cut to form openings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a means for preventing erroneous operation of the operation unit when the notebook computer is in use but the operation unit is not in use. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a conceptual diagram of a notebook computer cover according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the notebook computer cover as seen from the back side. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a notebook computer cover. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are schematic front and rear views of a notebook computer cover. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a notebook computer cover. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a notebook computer cover according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (First embodiment) Hereinafter, an embodiment of a notebook computer cover of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, W denotes the width direction of the notebook computer, D denotes the depth direction of the notebook computer, and H denotes the thickness direction of the notebook computer. FIG. 1(a) shows a notebook computer 21 to which a notebook computer cover (hereinafter referred to as cover 1) according to a first embodiment of the present invention is attached, and FIG. 1(b) shows a method for attaching cover 1 of this embodiment to notebook computer 21. Notebook computer 21 has a main body 22 equipped with a keyboard 25A and a touchpad 25B, and a display 23 rotatably attached to main body 22. Keyboard 25A and touchpad 25B are referred to as operation unit 25, and the surface of main body 22 on which operation unit 25 is provided is referred to as operation surface 24. During use, display 23 is rotated relative to main body 22 to expose operation surface 24.

[0010] The cover 1 covers the operation surface 24 of the notebook computer 21 when the notebook computer 21 is in an open state. The cover 1 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape similar to the main body 22, and covers the entire main body 22. Specifically, the cover 1 has a first corner 2A facing the right front corner 26A of the main body 22, a second corner 2B facing the right rear corner 26B, a third corner 2C facing the left front corner 26C, and a fourth corner 2D facing the left rear corner 26D. The cover 1 also has a main surface 3 covering the operation surface 24 of the notebook computer 21, and first to fourth side surfaces 4A to 4D connected to the main surface 3. The opposite side of the main surface 3 is an opening 5. The first side surface 4A connects the first corner portion 2A and the second corner portion 2B, the second side surface 4B connects the third corner portion 2C and the fourth corner portion 2D, the third side surface 4C connects the first corner portion 2A and the third corner portion 2C, and the fourth side surface 4D connects the second corner portion 2B and the fourth corner portion 2D. The first side surface 4A and the second side surface 4B are generally parallel to the depth direction D of the notebook PC, and the third side surface 4C and the fourth side surface 4D are generally parallel to the width direction W of the notebook PC. As shown in FIG. 1(b), the operation surface 24 can be covered by simply lowering the cover 1 with the opening 5 facing downward and placing it over the operation surface 24. The cover 1 covers not only the operation surface 24 of the notebook PC 21 but also the sides thereof, thereby also helping to protect the notebook PC 21.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the cover 1 as viewed from the back side (opening 5 side). The cover 1 has a first cover member 1A and a second cover member 1B arranged in the width direction W of the notebook computer 21. FIG. 2(a) shows the first cover member 1A and the second cover member 1B separated, while FIG. 2(b) shows the first cover member 1A and the second cover member 1B combined. The first cover member 1A and the second cover member 1B can be formed from various materials, such as resins such as acrylic, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), and PVC, metal, wood, and glass, and the materials are not particularly limited. Since the operation surface 24 of the notebook computer 21 does not usually need to be viewed, the color is not particularly limited and can be colored, transparent, or translucent. A gap in the thickness direction H can be created between the first cover member 1A and the second cover member 1B, and documents, photographs, calendars, etc. can be inserted in this gap. In this case, it is preferable that the upper cover member (the second cover member 1B in this embodiment) is transparent. Furthermore, in order to increase the strength of the first cover member 1A and the second cover member 1B, recesses 11A (or protrusions), ribs 11B, etc. may be provided on the main surface 3. The ribs 11B may be the same thickness as the surrounding areas, or may be thicker than the surrounding areas. When the cover 1 is made of resin, the recesses 11A and ribs 11B can be easily formed during molding. Although not shown in the figures, a lattice-shaped protrusion may be provided on the front or back surface of the main surface 3.

[0012] The first cover member 1A has first and second corner portions 2A and 2B, and the second cover member 1B has third and fourth corner portions 2C and 2D. Figures 3(a) to 3(d) show cross-sectional views taken along lines AA, BB, CC, and DD in Figure 1(a). Figure 4(a) is a front side view of the cover 1 as viewed from the E direction (front side) in Figure 1(a), and Figure 4(b) is a rear side view of the cover 1 as viewed from the F direction (rear side) in Figure 1(a) (the display 23 is not shown). The first cover member 1A is located below the second cover member 1B, and the depth dimension X1 of the outer surface of the first cover member 1A is slightly smaller than the depth dimension X2 of the inner surface of the second cover member 1B. This allows the first cover member 1A to slide inside the second cover member 1B. Therefore, the distance between the first and second corner portions 2A, 2B and the third and fourth corner portions 2C, 2D in the width direction W of the notebook computer 21 can be adjusted. Also, the first cover member 1A is fixed in the width direction W relative to the second cover member 1B by the frictional force between the first cover member 1A and the second cover member 1B. This function is used to adjust the width direction dimension of the cover 1 in accordance with the width direction dimension of the notebook computer 21. Note that, although sliding and frictional force are used to adjust the positions of the first cover member 1A and the second cover member 1B in this embodiment, this is not limiting as long as a similar function can be achieved. For example, a rack may be provided on each of the first cover member 1A and the second cover member 1B, and the racks may be engaged with each other, or multiple holes may be provided on the third side surface 4C of each of the first cover member 1A and the second cover member 1B, and a member such as a pin may be passed through one selected hole on each of the third side surfaces 4C of the first cover member 1A and the second cover member 1B to secure the first cover member 1A and the second cover member 1B together.

[0013] The third side surface 4C faces the front side surface 27 of the main body 22 of the notebook computer 21, and the fourth side surface 4D faces the boundary 28 between the main body 22 and the display 23. A large notch 6 is formed in the fourth side surface 4D to avoid interference with the main body 22. That is, the fourth side surface 4D has a strip-shaped portion 7 extending in the width direction W of the notebook computer 21 between the second corner portion 2B and the fourth corner portion 2D, and a notch 6 formed below the strip-shaped portion 7. The notch 6A of the first cover member 1A is formed continuously from the vicinity of the second corner portion 2B to the opposite end in the width direction W. The notch 6B of the second cover member 1B is formed continuously from the vicinity of the fourth corner portion 2D to the opposite end in the width direction W. As a result, the notch 6 of the cover 1, whose widthwise length has been adjusted, is formed across almost the entire width of the fourth side surface 4D. The strip-shaped portion 7 formed between the notch 6 and the main surface 3 functions, together with the third side surface 4C, as a guide member when the first cover member 1A and the second cover member 1B are slid relative to each other. Furthermore, the provision of the strip-shaped portion 7 increases the rigidity of the cover 1, further reducing the risk of erroneous operation of the operating portion 25.

[0014] The height of the strip portion 7 is lower than the height of the third side surface 4C. The bottom of the third side surface 4C is aligned with the bottoms of the first side surface 4A and the second side surface 4B. The third side surface 4C, along with the first and second sides 4A and 4B, is supported by the desk on which the notebook computer 21 is placed, and the fourth side surface 4D is supported by the operation surface 24 of the notebook computer 21. Depending on the height of the notebook computer 21, the main surface 3 may be tilted, but this does not pose a functional problem. Because the cover 1 has the first to fourth sides 4A to 4D, it is highly rigid and does not deform significantly even when a considerable weight is placed on it. A gap G is secured between the cover 1 and the operation unit 25 (or operation surface 24). This reduces the possibility of the operation unit 25 being accidentally operated even if an object is placed on or touched by the cover 1. In addition, the object placed on the cover 1 is not limited to documents, but may also be a drink. Even if a drink is spilled, the operation surface 24 is protected by the cover 1, so the notebook computer 21 is unlikely to be adversely affected. Even if a small animal such as a cat gets on the operation surface 24, the operation surface 24 is protected by the cover 1, so that the notebook computer 21 is less likely to be adversely affected or misoperated.

[0015] In this way, by covering the operation surface 24 with the cover 1 while the notebook computer 21 is in use, the upper part of the operation surface 24 can be used for placing documents, etc., making effective use of desk space and improving productivity. Because the notebook computer 21 can be covered with the cover 1 even when the notebook computer 21 is closed, there is no need to secure a separate storage space for the cover 1, and by appropriately decorating the cover 1, it can be expected to serve as interior decor for a desk. Furthermore, because it is expected to have a dustproof effect while the notebook computer 21 is in use, it can also be effective in protecting the notebook computer 21 when used outdoors or in dusty places.

[0016] FIG. 5(a) is a right side view of the cover 1 as viewed from the G direction (front side) in FIG. 1(a). The left side view is similar to the right side view and is therefore not shown or described here. Openings 8 are formed in the first side 4A to correspond to the positions of various terminals 29 of the notebook computer 21. This prevents interference between the cover 1 and cables (not shown) connected to the terminals 29. FIG. 5(b) shows the initial state of the first side 4A. The first side 4A has multiple easy-to-tear sections 9 formed therein, which can be cut to form the openings 8. The easy-to-tear sections 9 consist of multiple straight lines surrounding a region 10 of a certain size and can be easily cut with a cutter or by hand. Preferably, multiple regions 10 are formed continuously over almost the entire length of the first side 4A. Since the position and number of terminals 29 vary depending on the notebook computer 21, appropriate regions 10 can be selected to form the openings 8. As shown in FIG. 5(c), the easy-to-tear sections 9 can be grooves. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 5(d), the easy-to-tear portions 9 may be intermittent connections (perforations). As shown in Fig. 2(a), the easy-to-tear portions 9 surrounding a certain area 10 may also be provided on the third side surface 4C. Since some notebook computers 21 do not have terminals on the front surface, it is possible to create notebook computers with and without easy-to-tear portions 9 on the third side surface 4C, allowing the user to select which to use.

[0017] (Second embodiment) FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5(a) of a cover 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The cover 1 has a first opening 12A extending from the first corner 2A to the second corner 2B and a second opening (not shown) extending from the third corner 2C to the fourth corner 2D. Because both the left and right sides of the notebook computer 21 are open, there is no need to form an opening 8 at the easy-to-tear portion 9. Although not shown, portions that do not require openings may be covered with a cover member. Furthermore, although not shown, either or both of the third side 4C and the fourth side 4D may be omitted. In this case, the cover 1 is supported by the main surface 3 and supports provided at the four corners of the main surface 3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0018] 1. Laptop cover (cover) 1A-1B First and second cover members 2A~2D 1st to 4th corners 4A~4D 1st to 4th aspects 6 Notch 7. Belt 8 aperture 9 Easy cutting part 12A First opening 21 Laptop 22 Computer main body 24 Computer operation surface

Claims

1. A laptop cover for covering an operating surface of a laptop computer when the laptop computer is open and has a main body with an operating surface, a first corner portion facing the right front corner portion of the main body portion; a second corner portion facing the right rear corner portion of the main body portion; a third corner portion facing the left front corner portion of the main body portion; a fourth corner portion facing the left rear corner portion of the main body portion; a first side surface connecting the first corner portion and the second corner portion; a second side surface connecting the third corner portion and the fourth corner portion; and The first and second side surfaces have a plurality of easy-to-tear portions that can be cut to form openings.

2. A cover for a laptop computer as described in claim 1, wherein the distance between the first and second corner portions and the third and fourth corner portions in the width direction of the laptop computer is adjustable.

3. 3. A cover for a notebook computer as described in claim 2, comprising a first cover member and a second cover member that are slidable relative to each other in the width direction of the notebook computer, the first cover member having the first and second corner portions, and the second cover member having the third and fourth corner portions.

4. 4. The notebook computer cover according to claim 3, wherein the first cover member and the second cover member are slidable one inside the other.

5. 5. A notebook computer cover as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, having a third side facing the front side of the main body of the notebook computer and a fourth side facing the boundary between the main body and the display, the fourth side having a strip-shaped portion extending in the width direction between the second corner portion and the fourth corner portion and a notch formed below the strip-shaped portion, and the height of the strip-shaped portion is lower than the height of the third side.

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