TECHSHELL INC v. BEST BUY STORES LP et al

Filing 1

COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 350 receipt number 1129-1894429.), filed by TECHSHELL INC. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - '274 Patent, # 2 Exhibit B - '400 Patent, # 3 Exhibit C - Best Buy - Incase Protective Covers) (BEALL, CHARLES)

EXHIBIT “B”

111111

1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
US007907400B2

United States Patent

(10)

Bekele

(12)

(45)

(54)

PROTECTIVE COVER FOR LAPTOP
COMPUTER

(75)

Inventor:

(73)

Assignee: Tech Shell, Inc., Pensacola, FL (US)

( *)

Notice:

Haile Bekele, Pensacola, FL (US)

Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
U.S.c. 154(b) by 0 days.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

(21)

Filed:

Aug. 20, 2009

(65)

Prior Publication Data
US 2009/0310297 Al

(63)

Continuation of application No. 111788,329, filed on
Apr. 19,2007, now Pat. No. 7,643,274.

(60)

Provisional application No. 601745,323, filed on Apr.
21,2006.

(51)

Int. Cl.
G06F 1116
(2006.01)
U.S. Cl. ................................... 3611679.55; 206/320
Field of Classification Search .................. 206/320;
3611679.55
See application file for complete search history.

(56)

References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
5,632,373 A
5,682,993 A

*
*

OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Dell laptop shell; Product currently on market; Photographs of differing views provided.

Primary Examiner - Lisa Lea-Edmonds
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Thomas,
Horstemeyer & Risley, LLP

(57)

511997 Kumar et al .................. 206/305
1111997 Song ............................. 206/320

124

ABSTRACT

portion and a keyboard portion is disclosed. The exterior
cover includes a first rigid planar element for placement on an
outside surface of the display portion. The first rigid planar
element includes a raised edge along a perimeter of the first
rigid planar element, wherein the raised edge extends toward
the display portion. The first rigid planar element further
includes a plurality of tabs located on the raised edge, wherein
each tab extends from the raised edge for gripping the display
portion. The exterior cover further includes a second rigid
planar element for placement on an outside surface of the
keyboard portion. The second rigid planar element includes a
raised edge extending toward the keyboard portion. The second rigid planar element further includes a plurality of tabs
for gripping the keyboard portion.
53 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
192

-\

Kayden,

An exterior cover for a laptop computer having a display

(
100

A * 1111998 Alexander ............... 3611679.46
B2 * 5/2005 Russell et al. . ............... 206/320
Bl * 4/2006 Lin .......................... 3611679.08
Bl * 3/2007 Costantino et al. ........... 224/605
B2 * 8/2008 Kittayapong ............ 3611679.27
B2 * 112010 Bekele ..................... 3611679.02
Al * 12/2002 Peng ............................... 455/90
Al * 4/2005 Ouyang
150/154
Al * 1012007 Kidakarn ...................... 206/320

Dec. 17,2009

Related U.S. Application Data

(52)
(58)

5,835,344
6,896,134
7,031,148
7,191,926
7,414,833
7,643,274
200210197965
2005/0087274
2007/0227923

* cited by examiner

Appl. No.: 12/544,906

(22)

Patent No.:
US 7,907,400 B2
Date of Patent:
*Mar. 15,2011

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US 7,907,400 B2

u.s. Patent

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US 7,907,400 B2

US 7,907,400 B2
1

2

PROTECTIVE COVER FOR LAPTOP
COMPUTER

Another problem that users often encounter with laptop
computers is overheating of the bottom of the laptop. The
power supply components of laptops are located on the bottom surface of the keyboard portion of the laptop. During long
periods of use, the bottom of the laptop can overheat and burn
or cause discomfort to the user if the laptop is sitting on his or
her lap. Further, a user's genitalia are near the lap region of an
individual and there are health hazards associated with overheating of the scrotum or the vagina. When testicles are
exposed to exorbitant heat over long periods of time, for
example, an individual's fertility can be affected. Additionally, if a laptop is resting on top of a piece of furniture, such as
a table or a desk, an overheating laptop can cause damage to
the surface of the furniture.
Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the
prior art as discussed above, and particularly for a more
efficient way to protect the exterior oflaptop computers and to
manage the heat generated by the laptop computer during use.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
APPLICATIONS
This utility patent application is a continuation of, and
claims priority to, patent application Ser. No. 111788,329,
filed Apr. 19,2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,643,274 and entitled
"Protective Cover for Laptop Computer." Patent application
Ser. No. 111788,329 claims priority to provisional patent
application Ser. No. 601745,323 filed Apr. 21, 2006 and
entitled "Protective Hard Plastic Case for Laptops." Provisional patent application Ser. No. 601745,323 and patent
application Ser. No. 111788,329 are hereby incorporated by
reference in their entirety.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY
SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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Not Applicable.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF
MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

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Not Applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
30

This invention relates to accessories for personal computers, and more particularly to protective accessories for laptop
personal computers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As computers become more ubiquitous and as individuals
become more mobile, laptop computer sales are on the rise.
Individuals are increasingly requiring computing capabilities
and information on the go. As such, today it is customary to
walk into a coffee shop or a library only to see large groups of
individuals sitting at tables doing work, playing games, listening to music or reading on their laptops. Laptops can be
more expensive than desktop computers due to the lighter
materials, lower voltage parts and mobile components that
comprise the laptop computer. For this reason, individuals are
typically protective of their laptops, leading to the rise of the
laptop accessory industry.
One problem that users often encounter with laptop computers is wear and tear on the exterior of the laptop. Since
users often carry around their laptops and use them in cafes,
restaurants, libraries, on the floor, in a car, on a subway or in
any location not intended for computer use, it is inevitable
that the exterior of the laptop will be scratched, dinged,
dented, cracked, broken, stained, etc. Since most laptop exteriors are comprised of plastic, there is little one can do to fix
such blemishes.
One approach to this problem has been to create laptop
covers that comprise mostly a sleeve into which the laptop is
inserted while it sin the closed position. This approach solves
the problem of protecting the laptop while it is stored away,
but does not solve the problem of protecting the laptop while
it is in use. This approach, furthermore, requires that the user
has to remove the laptop from the protective sleeve before
every use, adding another step to the process of preparing the
laptop for use, which can be a turnoff for users that are
continually moving and lacking time.

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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention, an exterior cover for a laptop computer having a
display portion and a keyboard portion is disclosed. The
exterior cover includes a first rigid planar element for placement on an outside surface of the display portion. The first
rigid planar element includes a raised edge along a perimeter
of the first rigid planar element, wherein the raised edge
extends toward the display portion. The first rigid planar
element further includes a plurality of tabs located on the
raised edge, wherein each tab extends from the raised edge for
gripping the display portion. The exterior cover further
includes a second rigid planar element for placement on an
outside surface of the keyboard portion. The second rigid
planar element includes a raised edge along a perimeter of the
second rigid planar element, wherein the raised edge extends
toward the keyboard portion. The second rigid planar element
further includes a plurality of tabs located on the raised edge,
wherein each tab extends from the raised edge for gripping
the keyboard portion.
In another embodiment of the present invention, an exterior
cover for a laptop computer having a display portion and a
keyboard portion is disclosed. The exterior cover includes a
first rigid planar element having a rectangular shape for covering a top surface of the display portion. The first rigid planar
element includes a raised edge for covering a section of all
sides of the display portion. The first rigid planar element
further includes a plurality of tabs located on the raised edge,
wherein each tab extends from the raised edge for gripping
the display portion. The exterior cover further includes a
second rigid planar element having a rectangular shape for
covering a bottom surface of the keyboard portion. The second rigid planar element includes a raised edge for covering a
section of all sides of the keyboard portion. The second rigid
planar element further includes a plurality of tabs located on
the raised edge, wherein each tab extends from the raised edge
for gripping the keyboard portion.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a protective cover for a laptop computer is disclosed. The protective
cover includes a first rectangular sheet comprised of a rigid
material for fastening to an outside surface of a display portion of the laptop computer. The first rectangular sheet
includes a plurality of protruding tabs located on opposing
sides of the first rectangular sheet, wherein the plurality of
tabs extend toward the display portion for gripping the display portion. The protective cover further includes a second
rectangular sheet comprised of a rigid material for fastening

US 7,907,400 B2

3
to an outside surface of a keyboard portion of the laptop
computer. The second rectangular sheet includes a plurality
of protruding tabs located on opposing sides of the second
rectangular sheet, wherein the plurality of tabs extend toward
the keyboard portion for gripping the keyboard portion.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the
present invention will be apparent from the following more
particular description of the preferred embodiments of the
invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

4

created by the bottom of the laptop computer during use,
thereby eliminating or reducing the negative effects of an
over-heated laptop computer on individuals and furniture.
FIG. 1 is an illustration of a perspective view of the ele5 ments comprising the exterior cover 100 for a laptop computer 190, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 1 shows a laptop computer 190 having a
display portion 192, which includes a liquid crystal display
195 or other form of computer display, and a keyboard portion
10 194, which includes a keyboard 196, a touch pad 198, and
buttons 199. The display portion 192 comprises an inside
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
surface 182 and an outside surface (not shown) located on the
opposite as the inside surface 182. Likewise, the keyboard
The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is
portion 194 includes an inside surface 184 and an outside
particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at
the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other 15 surface (not shown) located on the opposite as the inside
surface 184.
features and also the advantages of the invention will be
FIG. 1 further shows a separate, or independent, rigid plaapparent from the following detailed description taken in
nar sheet 102 for applying to the outside surface of the display
conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Additionally,
portion 192 of the laptop computer 190. The rigid planar sheet
the left-most digit of a reference number identifies the draw20 102 may be substantially rectangular with rounded comers.
ing in which the reference number first appears.
The rigid planar sheet 102 may further include a raised edge
FIG. 1 is an illustration of a perspective view of the ele104 disposed around the circumference or perimeter of the
ments comprising the exterior cover for a laptop computer, in
rigid planar sheet 102, wherein the raised edge 104 extends
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
perpendicularly from the rigid planar sheet 102 and extends
FIG. 2 is an illustration of a perspective view of the exterior
25 toward the inside surface 106 of the rigid planar sheet 102.
cover of FIG. 1, after application to a laptop computer.
Rigid planar sheet 102 may further include a plurality of
FIG. 3 is a perspective detail view of a first tab for securing
tabs 122, 124, 126, 128 located along the raised edge 104 of
a rigid planar sheet of the exterior cover to a laptop computer,
the rigid planar sheet 102. Each of the plurality of tabs 122,
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
124, 126, 128 may extend higher than the raised edge 104.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional detail view of the first tab for
securing a rigid planar sheet of the exterior cover to a laptop 30 Additionally, each of the plurality of tabs 122, 124, 126, 128
may include a protruding element that extends perpendicucomputer, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
larly from the raised edge 104 towards the inside surface 106
invention.
of the rigid planar sheet 102. More detail on the protruding
FIG. 5 is a perspective detail view of a second tab for
element of each tab is provided below with reference to FIGS.
securing a rigid planar sheet of the exterior cover to a laptop
computer, in accordance with one embodiment of the present 35 3-6. The use of tabs allows for the rigid planar sheet 102 to
snap onto the display portion 192 of the laptop computer 190
invention.
by applying manual pressure, thereby allowing for easy and
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional detail view of the second tab for
fast application and removal of the rigid planar sheet 102.
securing a rigid planar sheet of the exterior cover to a laptop
Note that two tabs 122, 124 are located along a top of the
computer, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
40 rigid planar sheet 102, while one tab 126 is located on a left
invention.
side of the rigid planar sheet 102 and one tab 128 is located on
a right side of the rigid planar sheet 102. Also note that tabs
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
126 and 128 are located on opposite ends of the rigid planar
It should be understood that these embodiments are only
sheet 102 so as to provide pressure in opposite directions
examples of the many advantageous uses of the iunovative 45 towards the center of the display portion 192 when applied.
teachings herein. In general, statements made in the specifiThis pressure secures the rigid planar sheet 102 into the
cation of the present application do not necessarily limit any
display portion 192.
of the various claimed inventions. Moreover, some stateThe raised edge 104 disposed around the circumference or
perimeter of the rigid planar sheet 102 covers at least a portion
ments may apply to some inventive features but not to others.
In general, unless otherwise indicated, singular elements may 50 of the sides of the display portion 192 when applied. FIG. 1
be in the plural and vice versa with no loss of generality. In the
further shows a super raised edge 120 located along the botdrawing like numerals refer to like parts through several
tom of the rigid planar sheet 102, wherein the super raised
edge 120 is raised higher than the raised edge 104.
vIews.
The present invention, according to a preferred embodiFIG. 1 further shows a separate, or independent, rigid plament, overcomes problems with the prior art by providing a ss nar sheet 112 for applying to the outside surface of the keyrigid exterior cover for laptop computers, wherein the exterior
board portion 194 of the laptop computer 190. The rigid
planar sheet 112 may be substantially rectangular with
cover comprises one separate piece for applying to the outside
rounded comers. The rigid planar sheet 112 may further
surface of the display portion of the laptop computer and a
second separate piece for applying to the outside surface of
include a raised edge 114 disposed around at least a portion of
the keyboard portion of the laptop computer. The present 60 the circumference or perimeter of the rigid planar sheet 112,
wherein the raised edge 114 extends perpendicularly from the
invention further solves problems with the prior art by providing an exterior cover that simply snaps onto the laptop
rigid planar sheet 112 and extends toward the inside surface
computer using a plurality of tabs that are pushed into place
116 of the rigid planar sheet 112.
around the laptop by applying manual pressure, thereby
Rigid planar sheet 112 may further include a plurality of
allowing for easy and fast application and removal. Further, 65 tabs 132, 134, 136 located along the raised edge 114 of the
rigid planar sheet 112. Each of the plurality of tabs 132, 134,
the present invention solves problems with the prior art by
136 may extend higher than the raised edge 114. Additionally,
providing an exterior laptop cover that dissipates the heat

US 7,907,400 B2

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each of the plurality of tabs 132, 134, 136 may include a
protruding element that extends perpendicularly from the
raised edge 114 towards the inside surface 116 of the rigid
planar sheet 112. More detail on the protruding element of
each tab is provided below with reference to FIGS. 3-6. The
use of tabs allows for the rigid planar sheet 112 to snap onto
the keyboard portion 194 of the laptop computer 190 by
applying manual pressure, thereby allowing for easy and fast
application and removal of the rigid planar sheet 112.
Note that two tabs 132, 134 are located along a bottom of
the rigid planar sheet 112, while one tab 136 is located on a
top side of the rigid planar sheet 112. Also note that tabs 132,
134 are located on opposite ends of the rigid planar sheet 112
as tab 136 so as to provide pressure in opposite directions
towards the center of the keyboard portion 194 when applied.
This pressure secures the rigid planar sheet 112 into the
keyboard portion 194.
The raised edge 114 of rigid planar sheet 112 includes
lower or retracted portions 142, 144 located along a top of the
rigid planar sheet 112. These retracted portions 142, 144 are
not raised as high as the raised edge 114 and either provide an
open area for a movable part, such as a hinge connecting the
keyboard portion 194 with display portion 192, or provide
access to a portion of the keyboard portion 194, such as a
power connection, a light, a data port, a button or a removable
media drive.
The raised edge 114 of rigid planar sheet 112 further
includes shaped orifices 152, 154, 156 located along a left
side of the rigid planar sheet 112. These shaped orifices 152,
154, 156 provide access to a portion of the keyboard portion
194, such as a power connection, a light, a data port, a button
or a removable media drive. Also note shaped orifice 158 (for
air circulation) located along the rigid planar sheet 112,
shaped orifice 159 located along a bottom side of the raised
edge 114 and shaped orifice 160 located along a right side of
the raised edge 114. These shaped orifices 152, 154, 156, 158,
159, 160 provide access to a portion of the keyboard portion
194, such as a power connection, a light, a data port, a button
or a removable media drive. For example, orifice 160 may
provide access to a CDIDVD drive while orifice 159 may
provide access to an LED light. Note that each orifice is
shaped according to the shape of the item to which it is
providing access.
The raised edge 114 disposed aronnd the circumference or
perimeter of the rigid planar sheet 112 covers at least a portion
of the sides of the keyboard portion 194 when applied. FIG. 1
further shows an area 162 located along the top of the rigid
planar sheet 112 wherein the raised edge 114 is either lower or
non-existent. Area 162 may provide an open area for a movable part, such as a hinge connecting the keyboard portion 194
with display portion 192. Also note lower edge 164, which is
lower than raised edge 114. Lower edge 164 may provide
access to a mechanism 165, such as a latch, for opening or
closing the laptop computer 190.
Lastly, note depressions 172, 174, 176, 178 located on the
rigid planar sheet 112. The depressions 172, 174, 176, 178 are
located near the corners of the rectangular rigid planar sheet
112. Each depression 172,174,176,178 causes a protrusion
on the opposite side (not shown) of the rigid planar sheet 112.
A "foot" or elastic, pill-shaped element (comprised of rubber
or plastic) may be adhered to the protrusion on the opposite
side (not shown) of the rigid planar sheet 112, so as to protect
furniture or any surface from scratching or damage when the
rigid planar sheet 112 is placed on it.
Rigid planar sheets 102 and 112 may be manufactured
from a variety of materials including metal, such as stainless

steel, titanium, aluminum or any metal alloy, rigid fabric,
carbon fiber, epoxy resin, graphite, rubber, plastic or any
combination of the above.
Plastic covers a range of synthetic or semi-synthetic polymerization products. Plastics are composed of organic condensation or addition polymers and may contain other substances to improve performance or economics. In the present
invention, plastic may comprise anyone of the following
forms of plastic: polyethylene, polystyrene, high impact
polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), bayblend and
polyvinylidene chloride (PVC).
The rigid planar sheets 102 and 112 may be manufactured
of the present invention can be manufactured from a plastic
compound using any variety of processes, such as injection
molding, fusible core injection molding and thermoforming.
Injectionmolding is a manufacturing technique for making
parts from thermoplastic material in production. Molten plastic is injected at high pressure into a mold, which is the inverse
of the product's shape. After a product is designed by an
industrial designer, molds are made by a mold-maker from
metal, usually either steel or aluminum, and precision-machined to form the features of the desired part. Injection
molding is widely used for manufacturing a variety of parts
and is the most common method of plastic production.
The most commonly used thermoplastic materials are
polystyrene, ABS or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, nylon,
polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride or PVc.
Injection molding machines, also known as presses, hold
the molds in which the components are shaped. Presses are
rated by tonnage, which expresses the amount of clamping
force that the machine can generate. This pressure keeps the
mould closed during the injection process.
Molds separate into at least two halves (called the core and
the cavity) to permit the plastic part to be extracted. In general, the shape of a part must not cause it to be locked into the
mould. For example, sides of objects typically cannot be
parallel with the direction of draw (the direction in which the
core and cavity separate from each other). They are angled
slightly. Pins are the most popular method of removal from
the core, but air ejection, and stripper plates can also be used
depending on the application. Most ejection plates are found
on the moving half of the tool, but they can be placed on the
fixed half.
Molds are built through two main methods: standard
machining and EDM machining. Standard machining, in its
conventional form, has historically been the method of building injection molds. With technological development, computer numerical control (CNC) machining became the predominant means of making more complex molds with more
accurate mold details in less time than traditional methods.
The electrical discharge machining (EDM) or spark erosion process has become widely used in mold making. EDM
is a simple process in which a shaped electrode, usually made
of copper or graphite, is very slowly lowered onto the mould
surface (over a period of many hours), which is immersed in
paraffin oil. A voltage applied between tool and mould causes
erosion of the mould surface in the inverse shape of the
electrode.
Fusible core injection molding or lost core injection molding is a specialized plastic injection molding process. It is
used in the manufacture of molded components with cavities
or undercuts, which would not be possible with tools having
demoldable cores. The process consists of three essential
steps. First, a core consisting of a low melting point metal is
poured in the shape of the cavity specified for the molded
component. This is inserted into the injection mold in the

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US 7,907,400 B2
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second step and injected with plastic. Molded component and
core are both demolded and, in the third step, immersed in a
heated bath to melt out the core. The bath temperature is
selected to be somewhat higher than that of the core alloy's
melting point, but not so that the injected part would be
damaged. Induction heating of the core metal in the heated
bath reduces the melt out time to a few minutes. Liquid core
metal collects on the bottom of the heated bath and is usable
for a new core.
Thermoforming is a manufacturing process for thermoplastic sheet or film. The sheet or film is heated between
infrared, natural gas, or other heaters to its forming temperature. Then it is stretched over or into a temperature-controlled, single-surface mold. Cast or machined aluminum is
the most common mold material, although epoxy and wood
tooling are sometime used for low volume production. The
sheet is held against the mold surface unit until cooled. The
formed part is then trimmed from the sheet. The trimmed
material is usually reground, mixed with virgin plastic, and
reprocessed into a usable sheet. There are several categories
of thermoforming, including vacuum forming, pressure
forming, twin-sheet forming, drape forming, free blowing,
and simple sheet bending.
In one embodiment of the present invention, rigid planar
sheets 102 and 112 may be manufactured from a material that
is a solid color (or multiple solid colors), a transparent color
(or multiple transparent colors) or may include a pattern or
other series of multiple colors in a variety of selections. In
another embodiment of the present invention, rigid planar
sheets 102 and 112 may include graphics, designs, logos,
pictures, or any images that can be applied to the planar
sheets. The graphics may be embedded in the material comprising the rigid planar sheets 102 and 112 or the graphics
may be stamped, painted, stenciled, laser etched, printed,
engraved or silk-screened onto the exterior or interior surfaces of the planar sheets.
In one embodiment of the present invention, rigid planar
sheets 102 and 112 may be manufactured from a material that
dissipates or insulates the heat created by the laptop 190
during use. The material used to manufacture the rigid planar
sheets 102 and 112, such as plastic, may possess heat isolative
properties that prevent the outside surface of the exterior
cover 100 from overheating. Alternatively, the material used
to manufacture the rigid planar sheets 102 and 112, such as
metal, may possess heat conductive properties that quickly
dissipate the heat originating from the laptop 190. Alternatively, the material used to manufacture the rigid planar sheets
102 and 112 may possess any combination of heat insulating
and heat conducting properties so as to accomplish the goal of
re-directing the heat emanating from the use of the laptop 190
so as not to be directed downwards towards the bottom of the
laptop. Such redirection of the laptop heat is beneficial as it
reduces or eliminates the negative implications of high temperatures along the bottom of a laptop, including overheating
or burning of a person's lap when the laptop is sitting on top
of a user's lap and overheating of a table, desk or other
furniture, thereby leading to damaged furniture.
Furthermore, shaped orifices 152, 154, 156, 158, 159, 160
may provide access to a space 420 (see FIG. 4) between the
rigid planar sheet 112 and the keyboard portion 194. This
space 420 may provide an area for heat convection wherein
air is the medium. As the bottom of the keyboard portion 194
is heated, the air in the space 420 is heated while cooler air
enters the space 420 via orifice 158 (among others). As relatively hot air rises, so does the heated air move towards the top
of the keyboard portion 194 to escape as cooler air rushes
upwards into space 420 to fill the void. In this way, the

temperature of the bottom of the keyboard portion 194 is
regulated by heat convection so as not to overheat.
FIG. 2 is an illustration of a perspective view of the exterior
cover 100 of FIG. 1, after application to the laptop computer
190. Note that rigid planar sheet 102 has been applied to the
display portion 192 and rigid planar sheet 112 has been
applied to the keyboard portion 194. Note also that the rigid
planar sheets 102 and 112 can be applied to the laptop 190
while the laptop is either in the open or closed position. The
plurality of tabs 122, 124, 126, 128 of the rigid planar sheet
102, each having a protruding element, allow for the rigid
planar sheet 102 to snap onto the display portion 192 of the
laptop computer 190 by applying manual pressure, thereby
allowing for easy and fast application and removal of the rigid
planar sheet 102. Tabs 126 and 128 are located on opposite
ends of the rigid planar sheet 102 so as to provide pressure in
opposite directions towards the center of the display portion
192 when applied. This pressure secures the rigid planar sheet
102 into the display portion 192.
The plurality of tabs 132, 134 and 136 (not shown) of the
rigid planar sheet 112, each having a protruding element,
allow for the rigid planar sheet 112 to snap onto the keyboard
portion 194 of the laptop computer 190 by applying manual
pressure, thereby allowing for easy and fast application and
removal of the rigid planar sheet 112. Tabs 132, 134 are
located on opposite ends of the rigid planar sheet 102 as tab
136, so as to provide pressure in opposite directions towards
the center of the keyboard portion 194 when applied. This
pressure secures the rigid planar sheet 112 into the keyboard
portion 194.
The rigid planar sheet 112 includes shaped orifices 152,
154, 156 located along a left side of the rigid planar sheet 112,
the orifices providing access to a portion of the keyboard
portion 194, such as a power counection, a light, a data port,
a button or a removable media drive. Also note shaped orifice
159 located along a bottom side of the raised edge 114. These
shaped orifices 152, 154, 156, 159 provide access to a portion
of the keyboard portion 194, such as a power connection, a
light, a data port, a button or a removable media drive. Note
that each orifice is shaped according to the shape of the item
to which it is providing access. Also note lower edge 164,
which may provide access to a mechanism 165, such as a
latch, for opening or closing the laptop computer 190.
FIG. 3 is a perspective detail view of a first tab 300 for
securing a rigid planar sheet of the exterior cover 100 to a
laptop computer 190, in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention. The first tab 300 may describe tabs 122,
124,126,128132,134 of FIG. 1 in more detail. FIG. 3 shows
that first tab 300 is attached to a top surface 304 of raised edge
302, analogous to raised edge 104 or 114. The first tab 300
includes a flat surface 306 that slopes inward or extends
toward the inside surface 308 of the edge 302. The flat surface
306 connects to the top surface 304 of raised edge 302. The
first tab 300 has a rounded back 310 that curves back away
from the surface 306 and connects to the raised edge 302.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional detail view of the first tab 300 for
securing a rigid planar sheet of the exterior cover 100 to a
laptop computer 190, in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention. FIG. 4 shows that flat surface 306 of tab
300 slopes inward or extends toward the inside surface 308 of
the raised edge 302. As the laptop 190 is inserted into the
exterior cover 100, the tab 300 may be pushed back or away
from the inside surface 308 of the edge 302 so as to allow for
the full width of the laptop 190 to be inserted into the exterior
cover 100. The malleable or elastic nature of the material
comprising the exterior cover 100, such as plastic, allows for
the tab 300 to be pushed back or away from the inside surface

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30S of the edge 302 without breaking the tab 300, while
allowing for the tab 300 to return to its initial shape or
arrangement after the full width of the laptop 190 is inserted
into the exterior cover 100.
FIG. 4 shows that after insertion of the laptop 190 into the
exterior cover 100, the flat surface 306 of tab 300 slopes
inward toward the laptop, thereby extending over the top
surface 410 of the laptop 190 so as to grip the laptop 190. This
positioning keeps the laptop 190 from moving upwards and
exiting the exterior cover 100 since the tab 300 grips the
laptop 190 to secure it in place. Thus, tab 300 secures the
laptop 190 within the exterior cover 100. The application of
enough force, however, may force the tab 300 to be pushed
back or away from the inside surface 30S of the edge 302 so
as to allow for the full width of the laptop 190 to exit the
exterior cover 100.
FIG. 5 is a perspective detail view of a second tab 500 for
securing a rigid planar sheet of the exterior cover 100 to a
laptop computer 190, in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention. The second tab 500 may describe tab
136 of FIG. 1 in more detail. FIG. 5 shows that second tab 500
is attached to a top surface 504 ofarigid planar sheet 510, and
possible a raised edge (not shown), analogous to raised edge
104 or 114. The second tab 500 includes a flat surface 506 that
slopes inward or extends toward the inside surface 50S of the
rigid planar sheet 510. The flat surface 506 connects to the top
surface 504 of the rigid planar sheet 510 or a raised edge. The
second tab 500 has a rounded back 512 that curves back away
from the surface 506 and connects to the top surface 504 of the
rigid planar sheet 510 or a raised edge.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional detail view of the second tab 500
for securing a rigid planar sheet of the exterior cover 100 to a
laptop computer 190, in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention. FIG. 6 shows that flat surface 506 of
second tab 500 slopes inward or extends toward the inside
surface 50S of the rigid planar sheet 510. As the laptop 190 is
inserted into the exterior cover 100, the second tab 500 may
be pushed back or away from the inside surface 50S of the
rigid planar sheet 510 so as to allow for the full width of the
laptop 190 to be inserted into the exterior cover 100. The
malleable or elastic nature of the material comprising the
exterior cover 100, such as plastic, allows for the second tab
500 to be pushed back or away from the inside surface 50S of
the rigid planar sheet 510 without breaking the second tab
500, while allowing for the second tab 500 to return to its
initial shape or arrangement after the full width of the laptop
190 is inserted into the exterior cover 100.
FIG. 6 shows that after insertion of the pointed protrusion
oflaptop 190 into the exterior cover 100, the flat surface 506
of second tab 500 slopes inward toward the laptop, thereby
extending over the top surface 610 of a pointed protrusion of
the laptop 190 so as to grip the laptop 190. This positioning
keeps the laptop 190 from moving upwards and exiting the
exterior cover 100 since the second tab 500 grips the laptop
190 to secure it in place. Thus, second tab 500 secures the
laptop 190 within the exterior cover 100. The application of
enough force, however, may force the second tab 500 to be
pushed back or away from the inside surface 50S of the rigid
planar sheet 510 so as to allow for the full width of the laptop
190 to exit the exterior cover 100.
Although specific embodiments of the invention have been
disclosed, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the specific embodiments
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
The scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to
the specific embodiments. Furthermore, it is intended that the

appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications' and embodiments within the scope of the present
invention.

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I claim:
1. An exterior cover for a laptop computer having a display
portion and a keyboard portion, comprising:
a first elastic planar element for placement on an outside
surface of the display portion, the first elastic planar
element including:
a raised edge along a portion of a perimeter of the first
elastic planar element, wherein the raised edge
extends perpendicularly from the first elastic planar
element and toward the display portion; and
a plurality of tabs located on the raised edge, wherein
each tab extends from the raised edge over an inside
surface of the display portion so as to grip the display
portion; and
a second elastic planar element for placement on an outside
surface of the keyboard portion, the second elastic planar element being separate and independent from the
first elastic planar element, the second elastic planar
element including:
a raised edge along a portion of a perimeter of the second
elastic planar element, wherein the raised edge
extends perpendicularly from the second elastic planar element and toward the keyboard portion; and
a plurality of tabs located on the raised edge, wherein
each tab extends from the raised edge over an inside
surface of the keyboard portion so as to grip the keyboard portion.
2. The exterior cover of claim 1, wherein the exterior cover
is comprised of an elastic plastic material.
3. The exterior cover of claim 2, wherein the exterior cover
is comprised of a colored, transparent plastic material.
4. The exterior cover of claim 1, wherein the first and
second elastic planar elements comprise a substantially rectangular shape.
5. The exterior cover of claim 4, wherein the plurality of
tabs of the first elastic planar element comprise four tabs.
6. The exterior cover of claim 5, wherein the plurality of
tabs of the second elastic planar element comprise three tabs.
7. The exterior cover of claim 6, wherein the raised edge of
the second elastic planar element includes at least one orifice
for allowing access to a removable media port in the keyboard
portion.
S. The exterior cover of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of tabs of the first and second elastic planar elements
extend from about one millimeter to about two millimeters
from the raised edge.
9. An exterior cover for a laptop computer having a display
portion and a keyboard portion, comprising:
a first elastic planar element having a rectangular shape for
covering a top surface of the display portion, the first
elastic planar element including:
a raised edge extending perpendicularly from the first
elastic planar element, the raised edge covering a
section of all sides of the display portion; and
a plurality of tabs located on the raised edge, wherein
each tab extends from the raised edge so as to extend
over a bottom surface of the display portion, thereby
gripping the display portion; and
a second elastic planar element having a rectangular shape
for covering a bottom surface of the keyboard portion,
the second elastic planar element being separate and
independent from the first elastic planar element, the
second elastic planar element including:

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a raised edge extending perpendicularly from the second
elastic planar element, the raised edge covering a
section of all sides of the keyboard portion;
at least one tab extending from the second elastic planar
element for gripping the keyboard portion; and
a plurality of tabs located on the raised edge, wherein
each tab extends from the raised edge so as to extend
over a top surface of the keyboard portion, thereby
gripping the keyboard portion.
10. The exterior cover of claim 9, wherein the exterior
cover is comprised of an elastic plastic material.
11. The exterior cover of claim 9, wherein the each of the
plurality of tabs of the first and second elastic planar elements
are raised higher than the raised edge of the first and second
elastic planar elements, respectively.
12. The exterior cover of claim 11, wherein the plurality of
tabs of the first elastic planar element comprise four tabs.
13. The exterior cover of claim 12, wherein the plurality of
tabs of the second elastic planar element comprise three tabs.
14. The exterior cover of claim 13, wherein the raised edge
of the second elastic planar element includes at least one
orifice for allowing access to a removable media port in the
keyboard portion.
15. The exterior cover of claim 14, wherein each of the
plurality of tabs of the first and second elastic planar elements
extend from about one millimeter to about two millimeters
from the raised edge.
16. A protective cover for a laptop computer, comprising:
a first rectangular sheet comprised of an elastic material for
fastening to an outside surface of a display portion of the
laptop computer, the first rectangular sheet including a
plurality of protruding tabs located on opposing sides of
the first rectangular sheet, wherein the plurality of tabs
extend over an inside surface of the display portion,
thereby gripping the display portion; and
a second rectangular sheet comprised of an elastic material
for fastening to an outside surface of a keyboard portion
of the laptop computer, the second rectangular sheet
being separate and independent from the first rectangular sheet, the second rectangular sheet including a plurality of protruding tabs located on opposing sides of the
second rectangular sheet, wherein the plurality of tabs
extend over an inside surface of the keyboard portion,
thereby gripping the keyboard portion.
17. The protective cover of claim 16, wherein the protective
cover is comprised of a heat-dissipating, plastic material.
18. The protective cover of claim 16, wherein the protective
cover is comprised of an elastic plastic material.
19. The protective cover of claim 16, wherein the protective
cover is comprised of an elastic translucent plastic material.
20. The protective cover of claim 16, wherein each of the
plurality of protruding tabs of the first and second rectangular
sheets extend from about one millimeter to about two millimeters in length.
21. An exterior cover for a laptop computer having a display portion and a keyboard portion, comprising:
a first elastic planar element having a rectangular shape
with rounded corners, the first elastic planar element for
placement on an outside surface of the display portion,
the first elastic planar element including:
a raised edge located on all four sides of the first elastic
planar element, wherein the raised edge extends perpendicularly from the first elastic planar element
toward the display portion; and
two or more tabs located on opposing sides of the raised
edge, wherein each tab extends from the raised edge,

thereby extending over an inside surface of the display portion and gripping the display portion; and
a second elastic planar element having a rectangular shape
with rounded corners, the second elastic planar element
for placement on an outside surface of the keyboard
portion, the second elastic planar element being separate
and independent from the first elastic planar element, the
second elastic planar element including:
a raised edge located on all four sides of the second
elastic planar element, wherein the raised edge
extends perpendicularly from the second elastic planar element toward the keyboard portion; and
two or more tabs located on the raised edge, wherein
each tab extends from the raised edge, thereby extending over an inside surface of the keyboard portion and
gripping the keyboard portion.
22. The exterior cover of claim 21, further comprising a
plurality of rounded protrusions on an exterior surface of the
second elastic planar element.
23. The exterior cover of claim 21, further comprising a
single tab extending at an acute angle from the second elastic
planar element towards the keyboard portion.
24. The exterior cover of claim 21, further comprising a
plurality of orifices in the second elastic planar element for
allowing circulation of air.
25. The exterior cover of claim 21, further comprising a
cutout in the raised edge of the second elastic planar for
allowing access to a latch of the laptop.
26. The exterior cover of claim 1, wherein the junction of
the raised edge and the first planar element is a rounded
corner.
27. The exterior cover of claim 1, wherein the junction of
the raised edge and the second planar element is a rounded
corner.
28. The exterior cover of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
tabs on the raised edge of the first planar element extend
perpendicularly from the raised edge.
29. The exterior cover of claim 28, wherein the plurality of
tabs extend over an inside surface of the display portion.
30. The exterior cover of claim 29, wherein the plurality of
tabs grip the inside surface of the display portion.
31. The exterior cover of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
tabs on the raised edge of the second planar element extend
perpendicularly from the raised edge.
32. The exterior cover of claim 31, wherein the plurality of
tabs extend over an inside surface of the keyboard portion.
33. The exterior cover of claim 32, wherein the plurality of
tabs grip the inside surface of the keyboard portion.
34. The exterior cover of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
tabs on the raised edge of the first planar element extend from
the raised edge at an angle ofless than ninety degrees.
35. The exterior cover of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
tabs on the raised edge of the second planar element extend
from the raised edge at an angle of less than ninety degrees.
36. The exterior cover of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
tabs on the raised edge of the first planar element extend from
the raised edge at an angle of more than ninety degrees.
37. The exterior cover of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
tabs on the raised edge of the second planar element extend
from the raised edge at an angle of more than ninety degrees.
38. The exterior cover of claim 1, wherein the keyboard
portion comprises a QWERTY keyboard.
39. An exterior cover for a laptop computer including a
display portion and a keyboard portion, comprising:
a first elastic planar element for placement on an outside
surface of the display portion, the first elastic planar
element comprises a raised edge along a portion of a

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perimeter of the first elastic planar element and a tab on
the raised edge, wherein the tab extends over an inside
surface of the display portion; and
a second elastic planar element for placement on an outside
surface of the keyboard portion, the second elastic planar element being separate and independent from the
first elastic planar element, the second elastic planar
element comprises a raised edge along a portion of a
perimeter of the second elastic planar element and a tab
on the raised edge, wherein the tab extends over an
inside surface of the keyboard portion.
40. The exterior cover of claim 9, wherein the plurality of
tabs on the raised edge of the first planar element extend from
the raised edge at an angle of less than ninety degrees.
41. The exterior cover of claim 9, wherein the plurality of
tabs on the raised edge of the second planar element extend
from the raised edge at an angle of less than ninety degrees.
42. The exterior cover of claim 9, wherein the plurality of
tabs on the raised edge of the first planar element extend from
the raised edge at an angle of more than ninety degrees.
43. The exterior cover of claim 9, wherein the plurality of
tabs on the raised edge of the second planar element extend
from the raised edge at an angle of more than ninety degrees.
44. The exterior cover of claim 9, wherein the keyboard
portion comprises a QWERTY keyboard.
45. The protective cover of claim 16, further comprising a
raised edge that extends perpendicularly from the first planar
element.

46. The protective cover of claim 16, further comprising a
raised edge that extends perpendicularly from the second
planar element.
47. The protective cover of claim 16, wherein the plurality
of tabs of the first planar element extend perpendicularly from
the raised edge.
48. The protective cover of claim 16, wherein the plurality
of tabs of the second planar element extend perpendicularly
from the raised edge.
49. The protective cover of claim 16, wherein the plurality
of tabs of the first planar element extend from the raised edge
at an angle of less than ninety degrees.
50. The protective cover of claim 16, wherein the plurality
of tabs of the second planar element extend from the raised
edge at an angle of less than ninety degrees.
51. The protective cover of claim 16, wherein the plurality
of tabs of the first planar element extend from the raised edge
at an angle of more than ninety degrees.
52. The protective cover of claim 16, wherein the plurality
of tabs of the second planar element extend from the raised
edge at an angle of more than ninety degrees.
53. The protective cover of claim 16, wherein the keyboard
portion comprises a QWERTY keyboard.

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