TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the field of file folders; in particular, to a computer mounted file folder apparatus adapted to releasably attach to the display portion of a laptop ; computer or desktop monitor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Devices for use in the transport of papers and file folders have been in existence for hundreds of years. However, the high mobility of today's population has presented new problems associated with conventional storage and transport devices. The classic paper and file folder storage and transport device is a briefcase. However, for most traveling professionals the briefcase has been overtaken by the laptop computer case or bag. Modern laptop computer cases are padded for the protection of the computer and often include a number of pockets to store paper and files.

Modern computer cases are extremely effective in the safe transport of a computer and miscellaneous items necessary to work from a remote location. However, computer cases are generally so bulky and cumbersome that the computer is removed from the case during use and the case is set aside in a convenient location. This is illustrated when a traveler is using a laptop computer on an airplane and typically removes the laptop and places the case under the seat or in an overhead compartment. Unfortunately the traveler often must refer to papers and files stored in the case as they work on the computer. This leaves the traveler in the uncomfortable situation of looking for a convenient place to store the papers or files that does not require significant movement when it is desired to reference the papers or files. As such, the files are generally placed underneath the laptop computer or between the traveler

and their armrest, but the highly limited seat space will generally make this unsuitable.

Obviously, either of these locations requires a great deal of movement and disruption when reference to the papers or files is desired. Additionally, the papers or files must be reviewed and then tucked away again to proceed with work on the laptop computer. Further, it is virtually impossible to constantly reference a paper while typing on the laptop computer.

Accordingly, the art has needed an apparatus that facilitates storage and easy retrieval of papers and files while working on a computer in areas having limited surrounding surface area. The art has further needed a convenient means for displaying papers while working on a computer. The instant invention accomplishes these, and other, objectives.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION In its most general configuration, the present invention advances the state of the art with a variety of new capabilities and overcomes many of the shortcomings of prior devices in new and novel ways. In its most general sense, the present invention overcomes the shortcomings and limitations of the prior art in any of a number of generally effective configurations.

In one of the numerous configurations, the invention generally comprises a file folder apparatus adapted to be releasably mounted to a computer display and conveniently house papers, file folders, and accessories. The apparatus is suited equally as well for use with laptop computers or desktop monitors. Additionally, the device could be non-portable, that is, configured as part of the computer or computer display by the appropriate manufacturer, or added as an after market, permanently mounted device. The apparatus consists of a substantially rectangular first planar member, a substantially rectangular second planar member, and at least one attachment device adapted to releasably secure the apparatus to the computer display. The first planar member and the second planar member are joined together on at least two edges to define a compartment for releasably housing papers and/or file

folders. The size and configuration of the compartment may be widely varied in alternative embodiments to accommodate the size and thickness of the papers and/or file folders. The apparatus may be designed to house large loads and may incorporate expandable features such as expandable sidewalls and bottom. Further, the physical dimensions of the planar members may be varied to accommodate virtually any of the paper and/or file folder sizes currently on the market, including, but not limited to, 8-1/2"x 11", A4, legal, and 11"x 17", just to name a few.

The at least one attachment device for releasably securing the apparatus to the computer display may include a number of unique variations. For example, the at least one attachment device may incorporate at least one hook and loop fastener assembly, at least one engager-receiver assembly ; at least one adjustable corner holster assembly, at least one sliding track assembly, or an adjustable hanger assembly, just to name a few. Additionally the apparatus may include at least one pivoting cam attached to the computer display to work in conjunction with rotational motion of a laptop computer display to improve the presentation of the contents of the apparatus to the user. Further, the adjustable hanger assembly permits the papers and/or file folder to always hang vertically regardless of the orientation of the computer display. Among other benefits, the substantially vertical orientation permits improved visibility of the contents of the compartment.

These variations, modifications, alternatives, and alterations of the various preferred embodiments, arrangements, and configurations may be used alone or in combination with one another as will become more readily apparent to those with skill in the art with reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying figures and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Without limiting the scope of the present invention as claimed below and referring now to the drawings and figures: FIG. 1 shows a rear elevation view of a laptop computer and the computer mounted file folder apparatus of the present invention, not to scale; FIG. 2 shows a left side elevation view of a laptop computer and the computer mounted file folder apparatus of the present invention, not to scale; FIG. 3 shows a left side elevation view of a laptop computer and the computer mounted file folder apparatus of the present invention, not to scale; FIG. 4 shows a rear elevation view of a laptop computer and the computer mounted file folder apparatus of the present invention, not to scale; FIG. 5 shows a left side elevation view of a laptop computer and the computer mounted file folder apparatus of the present invention, not to scale; FIG. 6 shows a left side elevation view of a laptop computer and the computer mounted file folder apparatus of the present invention, not to scale; FIG. 7 shows a rear elevation view of a laptop computer and the computer mounted file folder apparatus of the present invention, not to scale; FIG. 8 shows a left side elevation view of a laptop computer and the computer mounted file folder apparatus of the present invention, not to scale; FIG. 9 shows a left side elevation view of a laptop computer and the computer mounted file folder apparatus of the present invention, not to scale; FIG. 10 shows a rear elevation view of a laptop computer and the computer mounted file folder apparatus of the present invention, not to scale; FIG. 11 shows a left side elevation view of a laptop computer and the computer mounted file folder apparatus of the present invention, not to scale;

FIG. 12 shows a rear elevation view of a laptop computer and the computer mounted file folder apparatus of the present invention, not to scale; FIG. 13 shows a left side elevation view of a laptop computer and the computer mounted file folder apparatus of the present invention, not to scale; FIG. 14 shows a rear elevation view of the computer mounted file folder apparatus of the present invention, not to scale; FIG. 15 shows a rear elevation view of the computer mounted file folder apparatus of the present invention, not to scale; FIG. 16 shows a left side elevation view of a laptop computer and the computer mounted file folder apparatus of the present invention, not to scale; FIG. 17 shows a rear elevation view of a laptop computer of the present invention, not to scale; FIG. 18 shows a rear elevation view of the computer mounted file folder apparatus of the present invention, not to scale; FIG. 19 shows a left side elevation view of a laptop computer and the computer mounted file folder apparatus of the present invention, not to scale; FIG. 20 shows a left side elevation view, of a laptop computer and the computer mounted file folder apparatus of the present invention, not to scale; FIG. 21 shows a left side elevation view of a desktop monitor and the computer mounted file folder apparatus of the present invention, not to scale; and FIG. 22 shows a rear elevation view of a desktop monitor and the computer mounted file folder apparatus of the present invention, not to scale.

Also, in the various figures and drawings, the following reference symbols and letters are used to identify the various elements described herein below in connection with the several figures and illustrations: M, and R.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The computer mounted file folder apparatus of the instant invention enables a significant advance in the state of the art. The preferred embodiments of the apparatus accomplish this by new and novel arrangements of elements and methods that are configured in unique and novel ways and which demonstrate previously unavailable but preferred and desirable capabilities. The detailed description set forth below in connection with the drawings is intended merely as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the designs, functions, means, and methods of implementing the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and features may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

In one embodiment, the invention generally comprises a file folder apparatus (100) adapted to be releasably mounted to a computer display (30,60) and conveniently house papers and/or file folders (400), and accessories. Additionally, the device could be non- portable, that is, configured as part of the computer or computer display (30,60) by the appropriate manufacturer, or added as an after market, permanently mounted device. The apparatus (100) may be equally effectively implemented on a laptop computer (10) or the monitor of a desktop monitor (60). Referring now to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, the apparatus 10 includes a substantially rectangular first planar member (110), a substantially rectangular second planar member (120), and at least one attachment device (200) adapted to releasably secure the apparatus (100) to the computer display (30,60). The first planar member (110)

has a top edge (112), a bottom edge (114), a left edge (116), and a right edge (118), and, similarly, the second planar member (120) has a top edge (122), a bottom edge (124), a left edge (126), and a right edge (128).

The first planar member (110) and the second planar member (120) are joined together on at least two edges to define a compartment for releasably housing papers and/or file folders (400). The size and configuration of the compartment may be widely varied in alternative embodiments to accommodate the size and thickness of the papers and/or file folders (400). For example, the edges of the first planar member (110) and the second planar member (120) may be directly joined when a thin compartment for storing less than approximately 50 sheets of papers, or only a few file folders, is desired. Alternatively, the apparatus (110) may be designed to house larger loads and may incorporate a bottom (150) to join the first planar member bottom edge (114) and the second planar member bottom edge (124), a left sidewall (130) to join the first planar member left edge (116) and the second planar member left edge (126), and a right sidewall (140) to join the first planar member right edge (118) and the second planar member right edge (128).

Additionally, the compartment may be made expandable by incorporating an expandable left sidewall (132) to join the first planar member left edge (116) and the second planar member left edge (126) and an expandable right sidewall (142) to join the first planar member right edge (118) and the second planar member right edge (128), as illustrated in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. Such expandable embodiments may produce an apparatus (100) having the versatility to house packets of paper and/or file folders (400) that are several inches thick.

The bottom (150) may also be expandable. Further, the physical dimensions of the first and second planar members (110,120) may be varied to accommodate virtually any of the paper and/or file folder sizes currently on the market, including, but not limited to, 8-1/2"x 11", A4, legal, and 11"x 17", just to name a few.

The laptop computer (10) referred to herein, and illustrated in FIG. 1 through FIG. 20, is generally composed of a base portion (20) having a rear surface (22) joined by a hinge (50) to a display portion (30) having a display surface (32), and exterior surface (34), a top surface (36), a left side surface (38), and a right side surface (40). The apparatus (100) is suited equally as well for use with laptop computers (10) or desktop monitors (60), illustrated in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22. One with skill in the art will recognize that all of the embodiments described herein may be incorporated into apparatus (100) used with laptop computers (10) or desktop monitors (60) and that the desktop monitor display surface (62) is analogous to the laptop computer display surface (32), the desktop monitor rear surface (64) is analogous to the laptop computer exterior surface (34), the desktop monitor top surface (66) is analogous to the laptop computer top surface (36), the desktop monitor left side surface (68) is analogous to the laptop computer left side surface (38), and the desktop monitor right side surface (70) is analogous to the laptop computer right side surface (40).

The at least one attachment device (200) for releasably securing the apparatus (100) to the computer display (30,60) may include a number of unique variations. First, referring again to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the at least one attachment device (200) may incorporate at least one hook and loop fastener assembly (210) having at least one hook fastener (214) attached to the first planar member (110) and at least one loop fastener (212) attached to an exterior surface (34,64) of the computer display (30,60). The at least one hook fastener (214) may alternatively be attached to the exterior surface (34,64) of the computer display (30,60) and the at least one loop fastener (212) may be attached to the first planar member (110). The at least one hook and loop fastener assembly (210) permits easy, quick, reliable, and durable connection of the apparatus (100) to the computer display (30,60) that is familiar to the general population. The cooperating hook fastener (214) and loop fastener (212) may be of similar or dissimilar sizes. In fact, dissimilar sizes may be preferred in that they allow for

some degree of misalignment. As with all of the attachment devices (200) described herein, the portion of the hook and loop fastener assembly (200) that is attached to the computer display (30, 60) may be attached via simple adhesives, or may incorporate other joining technologies.

Secondly, the at least one attachment device (200) may include at least one engager- receiver assembly (220) having at least one engagement member (222) attached to an exterior surface (34,64) of the computer display (30,60) and at least one capture member (224) attached to the first planar member (110), illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. One with skill in the art will appreciate that the at least one engagement member (222) may be attached to the first planar member (110) and the at least one capture member (224) may be attached to the exterior surface (34,64) of the computer display (30,60). Further, one with skill in the art will recognize that the at least one engager-receiver assembly (220) may include any number of male engagement members and cooperating female capture members. For example, the embodiment of FIG. 6 illustrates the engagement members (222) as hook shaped appurtenances that cooperate with bell-shaped capture members (224). Such an embodiment permits the easy removal of the apparatus from the engagement members (222), yet provides for a reliable connection when engaged. Additional variations may incorporate snap, or locking, engagement between the engagement members (222) and the capture members (224) ensuring that the apparatus (100) does not unintentionally become disengaged.

Yet another embodiment of the at least one attachment device (200) includes at least one adjustable corner holster assembly (240) having at least one stationary corner holster (242) formed to fit over a corner of a computer display (30,60) and a retractable corner holster (244) formed to fit over an opposing corner of the computer display (30,60), as seen in FIG. 14. While certain embodiments may be sized and configured to cooperate with specific computer displays (30,60), a preferred embodiment utilizes a retractable corner

holster (244) adapted to extend and retract from the apparatus (100) to facilitate mounting of the apparatus (100) on computer displays (30, 60) of varying dimensions. The retractable corner holster (244) may be mounted on a retractable shaft that slides within a sleeve formed in, or attached to, the apparatus (100). The sleeve may be conveniently formed simply by folding a portion of the first or second planar member (110,120) upon itself and adhering the edge. For most laptop computers (10) the magnitude of retractability only needs to be 2-4 inches, while the magnitude of retractability for desktop monitors (60) is preferably 5-9 inches. The holsters (242, 244) may be lined with pliable materials that give way to the corners of the computer display (30,60) and serve to grip the corners.

A still further embodiment of the at least one attachment device (200) includes at least one sliding track assembly (230) having cooperating tracks that facilitate the joining o, f the computer display (30,60) and the apparatus (100), illustrated in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18. The at least one sliding track assembly (230) has at least one male track (234) attached vertically to an exterior surface (34,64) of the computer display (30, 60) and at least one female track (232) attached vertically to the first planar member (110) such that the at least one female track (232) and the apparatus (100) may move relative to the male track (234). One of the tracks (232,234) is formed with a stop such that their relative location is fixed once the tracks (232,234) are engaged.

A further variation of this embodiment includes at least one pivoting cam (340) attached to the exterior surface (34) of the computer display (30) and having a folder lobe (342) and a computer lobe (344), illustrated best in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20. The at least one pivoting cam (340) is located near the bottom edge (114) of the first planar member (110) such that as the computer display (30) is rotated to an angle greater than ninety degrees from a horizontal plane the computer lobe (344) contacts a rear surface (22) of a computer (10) and the folder lobe (342) contacts the bottom (150). As rotation continues the at least one pivoting

cam (340) remains stationary, due to the contact with the rear surface (22), and the bottom (150) is forced against the folder lobe (342). Continued rotation causes sliding motion between the cooperating tracks (232,234) thereby causing the apparatus (100) to move vertically toward the top surface (66) of the computer display (30), thus improving the view of the top edge (112) of the first planar member (110) and any contents of the apparatus (100). One with skill in the art will recognize that the bottom (150) may be slidably connected to the surrounding planar members (110, 120) and sidewalls (130, 140) such that the rotation of the computer display (30) results in only the bottom (150), and the contents of the compartment, is moved vertically toward the top surface (36) of the computer display (30). Such an embodiment further eases access to the papers and/or file folders (400) housed within the compartment. One with skill in the art will appreciate that the location of the at least one male track (234) and the at least one female (232) track may be reversed.

In yet another embodiment, the at least one attachment device (200) includes an adjustable hanger assembly (250) having a plurality of articulable hangers (252) slidably mounted on a guide (254) attached to the apparatus (100), as seen in FIG. 15. The hangers (252) are formed to conform and grip the top surface (36) of a computer display (30) thereby permitting the apparatus (100) to hang substantially vertically from the computer display (30) when the computer display (30) is oriented at an obtuse angle from a horizontal plane, as seen in FIG. 16. Among other benefits, the substantially vertical orientation permits improved visibility of the contents of the compartment.

The apparatus (100) may incorporate a number of features further improving the functionality and desirability of the invention. For example, the second planar member (120) may have a left edge chamfered access area (127), located substantially where the top edge (112) and left edge (116) would intersect, and a right edge chamfered access area (129), substantially where the top edge (112) and the right edge (118) would intersect, as seen in

FIG. 1. Such chamfered access areas (127,129) improve accessibility to the contents of the compartment. Additionally, the apparatus (100) may further include a CD holder (300) on the second planar member (120). The apparatus (100) may further include such features as pull- out calendars, telephone or other information lists, or other accessories.

The apparatus (100) may include additional features to more securely transport papers and/or file folders (400) in the apparatus (100). One embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 4, FIG.

5, and FIG. 6, incorporates an overlay cover (164) forming a top (160) that may have a closure (166) and a closure receiver (168) to totally enclose and retain the contents of the apparatus (100). In lieu of the overlay cover (164) the apparatus (100) may incorporate a snap (170) and a cooperating receiver (172), as illustrated in FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9. In this embodiment, a cooperating receiver (172) may be mounted on the top surface (36) of the computer display (30, 60) as well as on the first planar member (I 10) so that the paper and/or file folders (400) may be secured both when the apparatus (100) is mounted on the computer display (30, 60) or when the apparatus (100) is transported individually.

The apparatus (100) may further include attachments to make the transport more convenient. One such embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6, incorporates a handle (162) generally shaped to conform to the human hand. Other convenience receptacles, such as a writing instrument storage device (330) as illustrated in FIG. 13, may be incorporated into the apparatus (100). The writing instrument storage device (330) may include individual sleeves (332) for writing instruments and any number of elastic retainers (334) to retain the instruments in the device during transport.

The apparatus (100) may further include a retractable paper attachment device (310), ; as seen in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, or a removable paper attachment device (320), as seen in FIG. 12, having a clip to grip (312) and display sheets of paper (316). The retractable paper attachment device (310) may be adapted to retract into the apparatus (100) when not in use

and extend from the apparatus (100) when in use. Conversely, the removable paper attachment device (320) is adapted to be releasably housed in a storage sleeve (322) in the apparatus (100) when not in use and adapted to be releasably installed in a mounting sleeve (324) in the apparatus (100) when in use. The apparatus (100) may include a plurality of mounting sleeves (324) offering the user a variety of mounting locations. Either paper attachment device (310,320) may further incorporate a battery powered light (314) oriented to shine upon the sheets of paper (316) gripped in the clip (312). Additionally, the light (314) could be powered from the USB or other port on the computer, or even from an alternative power source. Still further, either paper attachment device (310, 320) may incorporate a plurality of measurement indicia (326) such as IPS or SI measurement units.

Numerous alterations, modifications, and variations of the preferred embodiments disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art and they are all anticipated and contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the instant invention. For example, although specific embodiments have been described in detail, those with skill in the art will understand that the preceding embodiments and variations can be modified to incorporate various types of substitute and or additional or alternative materials, relative arrangement of elements, and dimensional configurations. Accordingly, even though only few variations of the present invention are described herein, it is to be understood that the practice of such additional modifications and variations and the equivalents thereof, are within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or acts for performing the functions in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.