Computer carrying case with inflated cushioning

Abstract

An inflated cushioning member is configured for receiving and providing shock-absorbing protection for stowed articles such as a laptop computer. The inflated member is integrally formed from a plurality of preferably interconnected cells defining six walls can be securely positioned in a conventional carrying case, portfolio or piece of luggage. A cover can be placed over the exposed surfaces of the inflated cushioning member for aesthetic purposes to provide a smooth decorative surface and, optionally, to provide a secondary seal. A kit is also provided that includes separate inflated cushioning members for installation in a carry case to surround all sides of an article for transportation.

1 . An inflated cushioning member for protecting a stowed article during transportation in a carrying case, the cushioning member comprising: 
 a plurality of inflated cells, integrally joined along fold lines to define an enclosed central space for receiving the stowed article in close-fitting relation, the folded cells defining at least five walls for enclosing the stowed article on at least five sides, the exterior of the folded cells being dimensioned for installation in the carrying case.    
   
   
       2 . The inflated cushioning member of  claim 1  which includes four elongated sections of perimeter walls and at least one planar side wall section, the at least one planar side wall section being joined to a longitudinal edge of a perimeter wall.  
   
   
       3 . The inflated cushioning member of  claim 2  having two side wall sections, each side wall section being joined to a longitudinal edge of a section of a perimeter wall.  
   
   
       4 . The inflated cushioning member of  claim 3  in which the side wall sections are joined to opposite edges of the same perimeter wall section.  
   
   
       5 . The inflated cushioning member of  claim 1  in which each of the plurality of cell walls comprises a plurality of elongated tubular members.  
   
   
       6 . The inflated cushioning member of  claim 1 , wherein six walls are folded and positioned in the carrying case to enclose the stowed article on six sides.  
   
   
       7 . The inflated cushioning member of  claim 1 , wherein five walls are folded and positioned to contact three interior perimeter walls of the carrying case.  
   
   
       8 . The inflated cushioning member of  claim 2 , wherein the dimensions of the side walls are defined by the dimensions of two adjacent perimeter walls.  
   
   
       9 . The inflated cushioning member of  claim 1 , wherein a cover is positioned over at least a portion of the plurality of cells.  
   
   
       10 . The inflated cushioning member of  claim 9 , wherein the cover is selected from the group consisting of an open-mesh woven polymer material, a substantially inelastic transparent or translucent polymer web, a woven textile web, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       11 . The inflated cushioning member of  claim 9 , wherein the cover is at least partially transparent, whereby the underlying inflated cells are visible.  
   
   
       12 . The inflated cushioning member of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is sealingly secured to at least a portion of the plurality of cells to thereby provide an airtight barrier layer.  
   
   
       13 . The inflated cushioning member of  claim 2  in which at least one of the cell walls is configured to define a central region for receiving edge portions of the stowed article in a secure, overlying frictional relation, whereby the stowed article is substantially immobilized in the carrying case.  
   
   
       14 . The inflated cushioning member of  claim 13 , wherein the opposing end portions of one side wall cell form a generally C-shaped recess, the upper arm of which extends inwardly above the connecting central portion of said wall, whereby the opposing ends of the stowed article are received and retained in said C-shaped recesses.  
   
   
       15 . The inflated cushioning member of  claim 14  which has one side wall.  
   
   
       16 . The inflated cushioning member of  claim 15 , wherein the side wall is comprised of a plurality of contiguous elongated tubular members extending longitudinally between the opposing C-shaped recesses.  
   
   
       17 . The inflated cushioning member of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of adjacent C-shaped members are bounded on opposing sides by an integral elongated tubular member extending longitudinally along the length of the side wall.  
   
   
       18 . The inflated cushioning member of  claim 1  which further includes at least one integral valve for admitting and releasing pressurized gas to and from the interior of the cells.  
   
   
       19 . An inflated cushioning member for protecting a stowed article during transportation in a carrying case, the article having six generally planar sides, the cushioning member comprising: 
 a plurality of integral inflated cells, integrally joined along at least one fold line to define an enclosed central space for receiving the stowed article in close-fitting relation, the exterior of the folded cells being dimensioned for installation in a carrying case, the folded cells defining at least four interior walls for contacting four of the exterior sides of the stowed article, the remaining two sides of the stowed article being contacted by at least a portion of a contiguous cell.    
   
   
       20 . The inflated cushioning member of  claim 19  which includes two generally planar opposing walls joined along a fold line, the opposing walls being mirror images.  
   
   
       21 . The inflated cushioning member of  claim 20 , wherein the stowed article is centrally positioned adjacent the fold line and supported by at least one transverse cell.  
   
   
       22 . An inflated cushioning member for protecting a stowed article during transportation, the cushioning member comprising: 
 a plurality of inflated cells forming a plurality of walls, the walls configured for juxtapositioning in at least two perpendicular planes and at least partially enclosing a central space for receiving the stowed article in close-fitting relation.    
   
   
       23 . The inflated cushioning member of  claim 22 , wherein the stowed article has six generally planar sides and the plurality of close-fitting walls define a corresponding enclosure.  
   
   
       24 . The inflated cushioning member of  claim 23 , wherein the walls include planar walls and perimeter walls, the planar walls having edge cells and the edge cells being positioned to define portions of at least two perimeter walls. 
 a plurality of inflated cells integrally joined along fold lines to define an enclosed central space for receiving the stowed article in close-fitting relation, the folded cells defining a self-supporting case.    
   
   
       26 . A kit for protecting a stowed article during transportation in a carrying case having four perimeter walls bounding a pair of opposing side walls, each of the side walls being joined along at least one edge to at least one of the perimeter walls to thereby define an interior storage space for the stowed article, the kit comprising: 
 a. a pair of separate generally planar inflated cushioning members having dimensions corresponding to those of the case side walls;    b. a plurality of elongated inflated cushioning members that are adapted to contact at least three of the four interior perimeter walls of the case; and    c. means for securing the two planar cushioning members and the elongated cushioning members in position against the respective side and perimeter walls of the case.    
   
   
       27 . The kit of  claim 26 , wherein the elongated cushioning members includes four integrally formed sections that are foldable to enclose the four perimeter walls of the case.  
   
   
       28 . The kit of  claim 26 , wherein the means for securing the cushioning members includes a pocket in the case side walls for retaining the planar cushioning member.  
   
   
       29 . The kit of  claim 26 , wherein the means for securing the cushioning members includes hook-and-loop fastener elements attached, respectively, to the case and the cushioning members.