Molded bumper rail for a portable computer

{
  "publication_number": "US5401091A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Molded bumper rail for a portable computer",
  "abstract": "A portable computer enclosure with a bumper rail on the sidewalls, the rail being of such width in relation to the height of the sidewalls and being of such height above the surface of the sidewalls that the rail is effective to provide bump protection to the sidewall. The portable computer enclosure with the bumper rail is built to withstand bumping and accidental latch releases, thereby protecting the computer.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A portable computer enclosure comprising: a front wall; latches extending from the front wall for opening and closing the computer enclosure; and a bumper rail on the front wall, the bumper rail extending from the front wall to a distance greater than or equal to the distance to which the latches extend, the bumper rail protecting the latches from being accidentally released.",
    "2. The portable computer enclosure of claim 1, wherein the bumper rail extends approximately the same distance to which the latches extend.",
    "3. A portable computer enclosure comprising: a sidewall comprising a plurality of spaced apart slots; a bumper rail comprising a plurality of fastening protrusions extending from a surface of the rail and spaced apart for fastening cooperation with the slots, the fastening protrusions comprising a first lengthwise section of a dimension smaller than the width of a slot for extension through the slot and a second lengthwise section spaced from the surface of the rail and being of a dimension larger than the width of a slot for fastening the rail to the sidewall when the protrusion is in rail fastening position in the slot, the bumper rail being effective to provide bump protection to the sidewall.",
    "4. The portable computer of claim 3 wherein the fastening protrusions are T-shaped, having a stem and a crossbar the stem of the T being for extension through the slot and the crossbar of the T being for fastening the rail to the sidewall.",
    "5. The portable computer of claim 3 wherein the fastening protrusions are arrow-shaped, the stem of the arrow being for extension through the slot and of the head of the arrow being for fastening the rail to the sidewall.",
    "6. A portable computer enclosure comprising: a front wall, a back wall, a left sidewall, and a right sidewall all interconnected by corners, the front wall further comprising latches extending from the front wall for opening and closing the computer enclosure; and a bumper rail comprising a first section fitting the left sidewall and extending around the corners to the back wall and the front wall, a second section fitting the right sidewall and extending around the corners to the back wall and the front wall, and a third section fitting between the latches, the third section extending from the front wall to a distance greater than or equal to the distance to which the latches extend.",
    "7. The portable computer enclosure of claim 6, wherein the first section of the bumper rail is molded in the same shape as the second section.",
    "8. The portable computer enclosure of claim 6, wherein the sidewall further comprises a plurality of spaced apart slots and the bumper rail further comprises a plurality of fastening protrusions extending from a surface of the rail and spaced apart for fastening cooperation with the slots, the fastening protrusions comprising a first lengthwise section of a dimension smaller than the width of a slot for extension through the slot and a second lengthwise section spaced from the surface of the rail, the second lengthwise section being of a dimension larger than the width of a slot for fastening the rail to the sidewall when the protrusion is in rail fastening position in the slot.",
    "9. The portable computer enclosure of claim 8 wherein the fastening protrusions are T-shaped, having a stem and a crossbar the stem of the T being for extension through the slot and the crossbar of the T being for fastening the rail to the sidewall.",
    "10. The portable computer enclosure of claim 8 wherein the fastening protrusions are arrow-shaped, having a stem and a head the stem of the arrow being for extension through the slot and the head of the arrow being for fastening the rail to the sidewall.",
    "11. The portable computer enclosure of claim 6 wherein the bumper rail comprises a shock absorbent molded rubber material.",
    "12. The portable computer enclosure of claim 6 wherein the third section of the bumper rail extends approximately the same distance from the front wall to which the latches extend.",
    "13. A portable computer enclosure comprising: a plurality of sidewalls all interconnected by corners, one sidewall further comprising a latch extending from the one sidewall for opening and closing the computer enclosure; and a bumper rail fitting each sidewall and extending around the corners to the other sidewalls, the bumper rail being positioned so that ends of the bumper rail are adjacent to each side of the latch, the bumper rail extending from the sidewalls to a distance greater than or equal to the distance to which the latch extends from the one sidewall."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The invention relates to portable computer enclosures and particularly to protective bumper rails for portable computer enclosures.\n\nPortable computers are subject to more movement, knocking, and dropping than other types of computers due to their portability. Some portable computers are designed to be transported in carrying cases to protect them during movement. However, the computer is still subject to knocking and dropping when it is removed from the case and even when it is in use.\n\nA more particular problem arises for portable computers that have latches extending from their enclosures for opening and closing the computer. Accidental contact between the latches and a surface can accidentally release the latches, causing the computer enclosure to open and thus subjecting the computer to damage.\n\nThere is therefore a need for a portable computer enclosure that is built to withstand such treatment without adding significantly to the cost of the computer. In particular, there is a need to protect the latching mechanism of the computer against accidental release.\n\nIn accordance with the present invention, there is provided a portable computer enclosure comprising a sidewall and a bumper rail on the sidewall, the rail being of such width in relation to the height of the sidewall and being of such height above the surface of the sidewall that the rail is effective to provide bump protection to the sidewall.",
  "cpc": [
    "G06F 1/1616",
    "G06F 1/1679"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "G06F 1/16"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Christian C. Landry"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1993-08-06",
  "publication_date": "1995-03-28",
  "grant_date": "1995-03-28",
  "priority_date": "1993-08-06",
  "application_number": "US-10350993-A",
  "family_id": "22295583",
  "cited_by_count": 26,
  "citations": [
    "US1915249A",
    "US2210183A",
    "US3809311A",
    "US4456315A",
    "US4839837A",
    "US5002184A",
    "EP0508033A1",
    "US5134245A",
    "US5323899A"
  ]
}