Dual function portable computer bag

Abstract

A dual function portable computer bag serves its conventional function as a carrying device for a portable computer and associated accessories and also serves an additional function as an ergonomically appropriate padded back support for a user thereby converting a conventional chair and table into an ergonomically appropriate and comfortable workstation for a portable computer user.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A portable computer bag comprising: 
 an interior compartment sized to hold a portable computing device therein, said portable computing device being of size on the order of at least one of a laptop or a notebook computing device;    a top including an opening providing access to said interior compartment;    a bottom opposite said top; and    an exterior surface coupling said top and bottom, said exterior surface presenting in cross section of said computer bag a substantially figure eight shape having a first loop and a second loop, said first loop including said top, said second loop including said bottom, said first loop being smaller than said second loop.    
     
     
         2 . A portable computer bag according to  claim 1  wherein a distance between a widest portion of said second loop and said top corresponds to a lumbar height, said lumbar height corresponding to a vertical distance between a user lumbar region and a surface upon which said user sits.  
     
     
         3 . A portable computer bag according to  claim 1  wherein a front-to-back dimension of said first loop is less than a front-to-back dimension of said second loop.  
     
     
         4 . A portable computer bag according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one of a handle and strap, said at least one of said handle and strap being attached to said exterior surface.  
     
     
         5 . A portable computer bag according to  claim 1  further comprising a flap removably positionable relative to said opening.  
     
     
         6 . A portable computer bag according to  claim 1  further comprising a resilient structure maintaining said figure eight shape of said exterior surface.  
     
     
         7 . A portable computer bag according to  claim 6  wherein said resilient structure is of sufficient resiliency to maintain generally said figure eight shape when used as a lumbar support between a user lumbar region and a seat back.  
     
     
         8 . A portable computer bag according to  claim 6  wherein said resilient structure comprises: 
 a first portion and a second portion, said first portion having a front-to-back thickness less than a front-to-back thickness of said second portion;  
 an exterior material surrounds said resilient structure; and  
 padding lies between said exterior material and said resilient structure.  
 
     
     
         9 . A portable computer bag according to  claim 6  wherein said resilient structure is of sufficient resiliency to maintain generally said figure eight shape when used as a lumbar support between a user lumbar region and a seat back.  
     
     
         10 . A portable computer bag comprising: 
 an interior compartment;    a top including an opening providing access to said interior compartment;    a bottom opposite said top; and    an exterior surface coupling said top and bottom, said exterior surface presenting in cross section of said computer bag a substantially figure eight shape having a first loop and a second loop, said first loop including said top, said second loop including said bottom, said first loop being smaller than said second loop.    
     
     
         11 . A portable computer bag according to  claim 10  wherein said interior compartment is sized to hold a portable computing device therein, said portable computing device being of size on the order of at least one of a laptop and a notebook computing device.  
     
     
         12 . A portable computer bag according to  claim 10  wherein said exterior surface makes continuous transition from said first loop to said second loop from said top through said bottom.  
     
     
         13 . A portable computer bag according to  claim 10  wherein said first loop is smaller in cross-sectional area than that of said second loop.  
     
     
         14 . A portable computer bag according to  claim 10  wherein a line from said top to said bottom divides a cross-sectional area of each of said first loop and said second loop, said first loop extending a first distance generally parallel to a front-to-back dimension and away from said line, said second loop extending a second distance generally parallel to said front-to-back dimension and away from said line, said first distance being less than said second distance.  
     
     
         15 . A portable computer bag according to  claim 14  wherein said line generally bi-sects said cross-sectional area of said first loop and said second loop.  
     
     
         16 . A portable computer bag according to  claim 10  further comprising a resilient structure maintaining said figure eight shape of said exterior surface.  
     
     
         17 . A portable computer bag according to  claim 16  wherein said resilient structure is of sufficient resiliency to maintain generally said figure eight shape when used as a lumbar support between a user lumbar region and a seat back.  
     
     
         18 . A portable computer bag according to  claim 16  wherein said resilient structure comprises: 
 a first portion and a second portion, said first portion having a front-to-back thickness less than a front-to-back thickness of said second portion;  
 an exterior material surrounds said resilient structure; and  
 padding lies between said exterior material and said resilient structure.  
 
     
     
         19 . A portable computer bag comprising: 
 structural means forming in cross section a figure eight shape, said figure eight shape having a first loop and a second loop, said structural means establishing therein an interior compartment; and    padding means surrounding said structural means, said padding means providing an external surface generally following said figure eight shape.    
     
     
         20 . A portable computer bag according to  claim 19  wherein said interior compartment is sized to hold a portable computing device therein, said portable computing device being of size on the order of at least one of a laptop and a notebook computing device.  
     
     
         21 . A portable computer bag according to  claim 19  wherein said exterior surface presents in cross section a first loop and a second loop, said first loop being smaller than said second loop.  
     
     
         22 . A method of portable computing device use by an operator thereof, the method comprising: 
 conveying the portable computing device in a travel bag;    removing the portable computing device from said bag at a work site, said work site including a chair and a work surface;    operating the portable computing device resting on said work surface; and    placing said travel bag on said chair between said chair and a user of said portable computing device, said placing including placing a first portion of said bag above a second portion of said bag, said second portion being smaller than said first portion, said second portion being placed substantially against a lumbar region of the user.    
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 22  wherein said step of conveying includes engaging said travel bag at a handle thereof.  
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 22  wherein said step of removing includes opening said bag at a flap thereof.  
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 22  wherein said step of placing includes placing a relatively thicker portion of said bag in an upper position adjacent a lumbar portion of said user.  
     
     
         26 . A portable computing device travel bag comprising: 
 a molded resilient structure, said structure including a first portion and a second portion, said first portion having a front-to-back thickness less than a front-to-back thickness of said second portion;    an exterior surface material surrounding said molded resilient structure; and    padding between said exterior surface material and said molded resilient structure.    
     
     
         27 . A travel bag according to  claim 27  further comprising at least one of a handle and strap, said at least one of said handle and strap being attached to said exterior surface material.  
     
     
         28 . A travel bag according to  claim 27  wherein said molded resilient structure, said exterior surface material, and said padding share an opening allowing access to an interior of said molded resilient structure.  
     
     
         29 . A travel bag according to  claim 27  wherein said molded resilient structure defines an interior of said bag, said interior being suitable in size to accommodate a portable computing device.