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US-20260123725-A1 - LAPTOP SLEEVE AND LOCKING MECHANISM

US20260123725A1US 20260123725 A1US20260123725 A1US 20260123725A1US-20260123725-A1

Abstract

A system for securing an electronic device includes a sleeve and a locking mechanism. The sleeve defines a pocket having a front wall, a back wall, side walls, and a bottom wall, and includes attachment areas on the front and back walls. The locking mechanism includes first and second locking members configured to interlock with one another to define a channel that receives an edge of the electronic device. The locking members include complementary interlocking geometries and connection features arranged to retain the locking members in an engaged configuration. The locking members are removably attachable to the sleeve by corresponding attachment areas to secure the electronic device between the locking mechanism and the sleeve. The sleeve may be used as a stand-alone component, selectively installed within a bag, or integrally formed with a bag.

Inventors

  • Matthew Bryan Heinig

Assignees

  • Boundary Acquisition, LLC

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20251104

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . A system for securing an electronic device, comprising: a sleeve having a back wall, a front wall, side walls, and a bottom wall collectively defining a pocket configured to receive the electronic device through an open end of the sleeve; a first attachment area disposed on the back wall; a second attachment area disposed on the front wall; and a locking mechanism comprising: a first locking member removably attachable to the first attachment area; and a second locking member removably attachable to the second attachment area, wherein the first and second locking members are configured to interlock with one another to define a channel sized to receive an edge portion of the electronic device, and wherein the locking members include complementary interlocking geometries and connection features arranged to retain the locking members in an engaged configuration so that the electronic device is held between the locking mechanism and the bottom wall of the sleeve.
  2. 2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second attachment areas each comprise a continuous panel of hook-and-loop fastener material.
  3. 3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the connection features comprise magnets embedded within the locking members.
  4. 4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the interlocking geometries are selected from the group consisting of L-shaped, dovetail, tongue-and-groove, stepped, and T-slot configurations.
  5. 5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is removably positionable along the sleeve to accommodate electronic devices of different sizes.
  6. 6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the sleeve includes indexing features that cooperate with the locking mechanism to define discrete attachment positions along the sleeve.
  7. 7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is located adjacent a top edge of the sleeve when in use.
  8. 8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve comprises a material that is at least one of fire-retardant, RFID-shielding, or cushioned to protect the electronic device.
  9. 9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the locking members comprises a resilient polymer substrate, a rigid plastic substrate, or a layered composite of foam and plastic.
  10. 10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is (a) a stand-alone component, (b) selectively insertable into a carrying bag, or (c) integrally incorporated into a carrying bag.
  11. 11 . A locking mechanism for securing an electronic device to a sleeve, comprising: a first locking member having a first locking geometry and a first connection feature; and a second locking member having a second locking geometry complementary to the first locking geometry and a second connection feature configured to cooperate with the first connection feature, wherein the first and second locking geometries interlock to define a channel configured to receive an edge portion of the electronic device; and wherein each of the first and second locking members includes an attachment surface configured for removable engagement with corresponding attachment areas on the sleeve.
  12. 12 . The locking mechanism of claim 11 , wherein the connection features comprise magnets.
  13. 13 . The locking mechanism of claim 11 , wherein the channel includes an inner surface having a compliant or low-friction layer.
  14. 14 . The locking mechanism of claim 11 , wherein the first and second connection features comprise complementary structures that align the locking members when engaged.
  15. 15 . The locking mechanism of claim 11 , wherein the first and second locking members are formed of rigid or semi-rigid molded material.
  16. 16 . A method of securing an electronic device within a sleeve, comprising: positioning the electronic device within a pocket of the sleeve; interlocking a first locking member and a second locking member of a locking mechanism to define a channel sized to receive an edge of the electronic device; engaging the channel with the edge of the electronic device; and attaching the first and second locking members to corresponding attachment areas on opposite walls of the sleeve so that the electronic device is retained between the locking mechanism and a bottom wall of the sleeve.
  17. 17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein interlocking comprises engaging complementary locking geometries and cooperating connection features.
  18. 18 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising repositioning the locking mechanism along the sleeve to accommodate electronic devices of different sizes.
  19. 19 . The method of claim 16 , wherein attaching the locking members comprises coupling hook-and-loop fasteners provided on the locking members and on the sleeve.
  20. 20 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the locking mechanism is positioned along a top, side, or bottom edge of the sleeve.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 63/716,882, filed November 6, 2024, and entitled LAPTOP SLEEVE, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field The present disclosure relates generally to protective sleeves for electronic devices. 2. The Relevant Technology Protective sleeves are commonly used to store and transport electronic devices such as laptop computers, tablets, and e-readers. Existing sleeves typically rely on zippers, flaps, or magnetic closures to contain the device within the sleeve. While effective, these solutions can restrict device access, add bulk, or fail to adequately secure devices of different sizes. There is a need for a sleeve system that allows for quick insertion and removal of electronic devices, accommodates a range of device sizes and thicknesses, and provides reliable retention through a locking mechanism that can be repositioned or adapted to various sleeve configurations. The present disclosure satisfies these needs and provides additional benefits. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device sleeve. FIG. 2 is a side view of the sleeve. FIG. 3 shows perspective views of a first and second locking members disconnected from one another. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the first and second locking members secured to one another. FIG. 5A shows a side view of the first locking member. FIG. 5B shows a side view of the second locking member. FIG. 5C shows a side view of the first and second locking members connected together and forming a channel. FIG. 6A shows the connected first and second locking members being positioned on an edge of an electronic device. FIG. 6B shows the electronic device and the connected first and second locking members being positioned within the sleeve. FIG. 6C shows attachment areas on the sleeve being attached to the first and second locking members. FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the sleeve with the first and second locking members attached to the attachment areas. FIG. 8 shows a side view of the sleeve with the first and second locking members being disconnected from each other and the electronic device being removed from the sleeve between the locking members. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present disclosure relates to a protective sleeve system designed to securely hold an electronic device in place while still allowing quick and easy removal of the device. In general, the system combines a protective sleeve with a unique two-part locking mechanism that grips the device and anchors it inside the sleeve. This locking feature prevents the device from slipping out or falling, even if the sleeve is jostled or inverted, yet a user can readily release the lock to remove the device when needed. The sleeve provides a durable enclosure around the device for physical protection, and the locking mechanism ensures the device remains held at a desired position within the sleeve until intentionally removed. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary protective sleeve 100 for an electronic device. The sleeve 100 has a generally rectangular shape with a back wall 102 and a front wall 108, which are connected along their edges by side walls 114 and a bottom wall 116. Together, these walls define an interior compartment sized to receive an electronic device (such as a tablet, e-reader, or laptop). The top side of the sleeve is open, allowing the device to be inserted and removed. The various walls 102, 108, 114, 116 may be made of protective materials (for example, padded fabric or rigid plastic) to shield the device from scratches, bumps, and other impacts during transport. On the interior surfaces of the sleeve’s back and front walls 102, 108, there are designated lock mechanism attachment areas. Specifically, the back wall 102 includes a lock mechanism attachment area 104, and the front wall 108 includes a corresponding lock mechanism attachment area 110. These areas 104, 110 are sections of the sleeve where the two-part locking mechanism will be secured. Each attachment area contains one or more securing features that facilitate attachment. For instance, the back wall’s attachment area 104 has securing features 106, and the front wall’s attachment area 110 has securing features 112. These securing features 106, 112 can be, for example