Convertible Carrying Case With Sliding Strap for In-Transit Device Use

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing carrying cases for laptops and tablets do not effectively allow users to access and use their devices in transit or standing positions without a stable surface, as they lack a convertible design that can be easily manipulated to provide a working surface and ergonomic carrying configuration.

Innovation Solution

A convertible carrying case with a housing and a carrying strap system that allows the case to be moved from a rear carrying position to a productivity position using one hand, featuring a guide mechanism that adjusts the strap's position to lower the center of gravity and provide a usable surface against the abdomen, along with a screen flap and keyboard support for easy device access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the carrying case is designed with a fixed carrying position, then the carrying structure is simple, but the user cannot access and use the electronic device in transit or standing positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrying position adaptabilityVSAvoidcarrying case structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The carrying strap is designed to be movable along the guide member, allowing the strap's attachment point to be dynamically adjusted between a first position for rear carrying and a second position for front carrying. This dynamic adjustment enables the same carrying case to adapt to different usage scenarios (transit, standing, sitting) without requiring multiple separate carrying structures, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the carrying strap is fixed at a single position, then the carrying case structure is simple, but the center of gravity cannot be optimized for different carrying positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveergonomic carryingVSAvoidstrap adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A guide member is introduced as an intermediary component that enables the carrying strap to move between different attachment positions. The guide member acts as a mediator between the strap and the housing, allowing the strap to be repositioned from a first position (optimized for rear carrying ergonomics) to a second position (optimized for front carrying ergonomics and center of gravity adjustment). This intermediary mechanism provides ergonomic optimization without requiring completely separate strap systems for each carrying mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the carrying case provides a stable working surface, then productivity is improved, but the case cannot be easily manipulated with one hand

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice usage capabilityVSAvoidone-handed manipulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The carrying case is segmented into distinct functional components: a housing that provides the working surface when positioned against the user's abdomen, and a movable carrying strap system that can be independently manipulated. The strap can be adjusted along the guide member with one hand to transition between carrying positions, while the housing remains stable enough to serve as a working surface. This segmentation allows the case to provide both productivity enhancement through the working surface and ease of operation through one-handed strap manipulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4385355A1Convertible carrying case
Publication Date: 2024.06.19 BRIGHT FAST INT LTD
  • EP4385355A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2C
  • EP4385355A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4B
  • EP4385355A1 patent drawingFigure 5A

AI summary

A convertible carrying case (10) has a carrying strap (20), a first end (20a) of the strap is attached to the case housing near the top panel (14) and the second end (20b) of the strap is slidably attached to an L-shaped guide member (30), the L-shaped guide member positioned at the periphery of the rear panel (12) of the carrying case and adjacent the bottom panel (16) and one side panel (18, 19) of the carrying case. The second end of the strap freely moves along the L-shaped guide member as the user manipulates the case between a rear carrying configuration, where the case is worn on the user's back, and a productivity configuration, where the case is supported against the abdomen of the user and the rear panel of the case is oriented upwardly, providing access through a flap (40) on the rear panel to a laptop computer (50) or other electronic device.