AN ARMORED ANTI-THEFT COMPUTER TOWER RESTRAINT WITH A SHIELDED DOUBLE-LOCKING MECHANISM; PLUS SERVER SHIELD

DISPOSITIF ANTIVOL BLINDE A DOUBLE SERRURE PROTEGEE POUR ORDINATEUR MODELE TOUR ET ECRAN PROTEGE-SERVEUR

English Abstract

In an effort to impede the efforts of thieves in the pursuit
of stealing the computer towers and other similar style computer
hardware, this invention; an anti-theft computer tower restraint
caging system was born.
Surrounding the hardware tower in a steel and alloy steel
caging system comprised of a specific shape, combined with a solid
anchoring platform and shielded double-locking mechanisn. This
produces a direct deturent to the removal and tampering of the
computer tower. The invention is comprised of a pair of alloy steel
formings running vertically to the computer tower, across both the
front and back of the computer tower. Connecting these alloy steel
formings are a fully welded groupings of steel plates, flat bars
and angles of specific dimentions and location that encase the
computer tower or other simular style electronic hardware. This
makes a formatable and possibility impervious anti-theft restraint,
yet does not interfere with the use of the system by the owner nor
the need for adequate air ventalation.
Direct access to the computer tower is guarded by a solid
steel flat bar of specific width, with a pair of double-locking
keyed locks that are shielded so as to remove the ability of
tampering.
In addition, the invention is designed to anchor to a solid
surface (i.e. the floor or an office item of sufficient mass as to
prevent removal; a table with folding legs is not recomended), with
a choice of fasteners available to the customer.
To top off the solid design is a compatible powder coating as
to make the invention blend in with the computers tower's own
colour so as to give it a non-descript appearance. Thus making the
anti-theft restraint invention blend in with the office decor and
add that professional look while giving, peace of mind.

French Abstract

Cette invention concerne un dispositif antivol pour ordinateurs modèle tour ou analogues destiné à entraver les efforts des malfaiteurs. Le dispositif comprend une cage en acier et alliage d'acier de forme précise, combinée à une plate-forme d'ancrage massive et à un double mécanisme de verrouillage protégé. L'objet de l'invention constitue un moyen de dissuasion direct contre le vol et le traficage des ordinateurs modèle tour. Il se compose d'une paire de barres verticales en U faites d'un alliage d'acier que l'on assoit sur le sommet de l'ordinateur, branches vers le bas. Ces barres sont reliées l'une à l'autre par des groupes de plaques, barres plates et cornières en acier, de dimensions précises, assemblées par soudage intégral selon une configuration précise pour enfermer un ordinateur modèle tour ou un matériel électronique de style semblable. L'ensemble constitue un dispositif de protection antivol configurable et possiblement totalement inviolable qui donne toute liberté d'accès aux utilisateurs autorisés et ne gêne pas la ventilation adéquate du matériel. L'accès direct à l'ordinateur est empêché par une barre plate massive en acier, de largeur précise, et deux serrures à clé protégées pour empêcher le crochetage. De plus, l'objet de l'invention est conçu pour s'ancrer à une surface solide (le plancher ou un mobilier de bureau suffisamment massif pour ne pas pouvoir être emporté -- les tables à pattes repliables sont déconseillées) au moyen d'une variété de fixations disponibles sur le marché. L'objet de l'invention comporte un revêtement par poudrage électrostatique harmonisé aux couleurs standard des ordinateurs et destiné à le rendre moins visible. Cette caractéristique permet à l'utilisateur de garder l'esprit tranquille sans déparer son bureau, tout en conservant une ambiance de professionnalisme.

Description

CA 02205133 1997-0~-13



Specifications
This invention relates to the securing of a computer hardware
tower and the detouring of the theft and tampering of the tower,
yet giving full access to the computer tower at the owners need.
To my knowledge there is no item, that fulfils all the
functions which this invention does with the direct approach that
my invention;an Shielded Anti-theft Restraint does.
The other types of approaches are full of inconvenience to the
owner and yet do nothing to hinder effectively a thieves actions
toward the access and tampering of the computer hardware tower.
This caging system eliminates the effectiveness of bolt cutters and
chain cutters due to types of materials used in the construction of
the invention. With the shapes and positioning of same in the
invention make it impossible to get a good enough of a bite on the
unit and the materials in any of the vulnerable areas are~comprised
of hard alloy steel.
The cage itself is anchored to a solid object or surface that
prying the unit loose, loses its lustre. The placement of the
computer tower within the anti-theft restraint is through one side
of the invention that is secured by a Shielded double-locking
mechanism which even stops the effective use of liquid Nitrogen
against the locks within. This prevents the chance of shattering of
either one of the two double locking locks to gain access to the
computer tower.
The industry has been flooded with many different styles of
securing hardware towers but all with many pitfalls and -short
comings. The Poly-Urethane gluing approach that adheres the base of
the tower to a surface, which does nothing to stop the thief from
removing the top of the case and stealing the hardware inside.
This method makes servicing or upgrading a problem, should the
tower need to be taken in to be worked on by a technician , the
base must be hot-knifed off. Then when the work has been completed
the computer tower must be re-glued down, at an average price of
$850.00 per application(here-say estimate) this makes Poly-Urethane
gluing a expensive option. With my invention, the owner has open
access without the repetitive costs.
The approach of cables to secure the tower is easily bypassed
with a simple pair of bolt cutters. A time period of 10 seconds and
the thief is walking away with the computer tower. Bolt cutters and
chain cutters are ineffective against this invention.
The attempts at using simple wire cages some off which are
patented, are bypassed with a pair of bolt cutters as well, or just
walked off with to be cracked into elsewhere at the thief's own
time of choosing.
(Page 1)

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Other styles have tried to put the computer tower in a solid
box or cabinet, with this method; the problem of heat will soon
destroy the computers mainframe due to heat damage. Plus this
restricts the use and overall access to the disk drives and CD-
ROM's, as well with the patch cables at the back of the computer
tower.
This invention takes all of these restrictions and gets rid of
them, then adds a firm and secure solution to the problem of theft
and tampering.
The following drawings and accompanying photographs illustrate
the directness of the design and the ability to conform to any
computer tower case manufactured in today's and tomorrow's market.
Drawing one(l) is a front view of the unit without a computer
case inside, as are the following drawings. Drawing two(2) is a
left side view of the lock bar and the shielded double-locking
mechanism with the locks installed. Please Note that there are two
shields present within this mechanism, each protecting its own
lock. Drawings three "A"(3a) and three "B~(3B) show two views of
the Shielded Double-Locking Mechanism with the supplied locks
installed. Drawing three ~A~ (3a) shows a hatched view, of the
invention to clarify the positions of the locks supplied. Drawing
three"B"(3b) shows a side view of just the locking mechanism.
Drawing four (4) shows a right side view of the invention which
shows a fully welded face. Drawing five (5) is an illustrated
cutaway view of the base of the invention. these pieces are fully
welded and drilled to suit the fasteners chosen for each of the
individual applications. The anchoring of the invention is achieved
by either a anchor lag screw or a ~Hilti-style~ anchor-bolt, or
similar fastener which achieves the same anchor qualities.
An addition to the invention is an option of a special
designed covers plate comprised of a 14.0 gauge fo~ming that covers
the front of the invention. This cover plate slips into the front
base of the invention and locks and the top of both the cover plate
and the invention~s top front face. Note that the plate wraps
around the front face of the unit at a length of one and one-half
inches(l-l/2") on both the sides and top of the invention. This
addition is generally meant for server-unit type applications, but
not restricted to only use of same.Drawing seven(7) shows the rear
view of the invention.
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive
property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
A: In the case of the apparatus- The Shielded Double-Locking
Mechanism comprised of a formed 10 gauge mild steel forming, caped
on both the top and the bottom; seal welded all around and ground
flat on the outside surfaces.
(Page 2)

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This forming surrounds both the primary and secondary double
locking locks. The Primary, being a 4-mushroom-pin style; barrel
and shank lock. The Secondary, a Double locking, 4-mushroom-pin
style padlock inclosed within its own HSS 2"x 2"x 0.188"x 4.0" long
box with a cap plate on the top.This is to prevent direct access
from above to the enclosed padlock, even when the Primary Shield is
removed. Without the unlocking of the Secondary and removal of the
lock, the side bar cannot be opened. This side bar is the only
access to the inside of the invention.
The Primary forming and lock have a double purpose as well.
The forming wraps around the secondary lock shield and then wraps
around the back of the main cage frame as well as interlocking with
the swing bar that closes the left side of the invention. Once
again the only access to the interior of the invention is this side
bar and Shielded Double-Locking mechanism.
B: In the case of the Frame itself, the surrounding frame is
comprised of a two(2), one-half inch(1/2") solid alloy steel
formings. The over-all molecular structure can vary as ~ong as a
Brinell Hardness of a min. of HB321 to 363 is maintained. Also
important is a Charpy V-Notch factor of 15 ft.-lbs min. at -50'F.
needed.This factor is at the discretion of the inventor. The
following product was instrumental in the proto-type design and
development of the invention: a 4-1/4~ Nickel-Chromium-Molybdenum
Alloy Steel (EN30B Bar, supplied by British Steel Alloys whose
metallic properties fulfil the requirements quite well. The
composition of the EN30B Bar has the following characteristics:
C:.28/33,Sl:.10/.35, Mn:.40/.60, P:.025 max.,S:.015 max,
Ni:4.00/4.30, Cr:1.10/1/24, Mo:20/40. These frames are welded to
two(2) 1-1/2~xl-1/2"x3/16~ A36 mild steel angles with a length to
achieve an overall length clearance of approximately 7/8", in
comparison to the length of the computer tower case itself.
The height clearance within the invention is 7/8", and the
width clearance is approximately 1" overall(both side clearance
measurements combined)once the computer tower is placed and locked
within the invention.
The Base and Width of the invention is comprised of two(2)-
2"x2"x3/16" A36 Mild Steel angles which are welded to the base of
the 1/2" round Alloy steel formings across the bottom open width
and connected length by a 3"x3/16" A36 Mild Steel flat bar, cut to
a length to achieve a '~square" form through the lnvention.This flat
bar is drilled in four(4) corners to size for the fasteners that
pass through and form the solid anchor of the base.
The Side bar and the locking shield combine to form the left
side of the invention. The side bar is welded to a piece of round
HSS of an internal diameter of one-half inch(1/2") and a length of
three and one-half inches(3-1/2"). This piece connected to the side
bar rests on an identical sized piece of round HSS that is welded
to the vertical alloy bar to maintain a level height for the
locking side bar. (page 3)

CA 0220~133 1997-0~-13


The Right side of the unit has a 3"x3/16" mild steel flat bar
running the length of the invention and an identical height and
length as the left side to maintain a perfect form based on 90.0
degree rectangular shape around the computer tower on all sides and
views.
Once the unit is fully welded, a baked on powder-coat is
applied to the invention with a choice of colours and textures
that are supplied by the powder-coating service. The standard
coating is to be similar to the case of the computer itself. This
gives the invention an ability to blend in with the office's
appearance so as to not be overly obvious or clash with the decor.
Due to the floating Height, Width and Length specs which the
invention works within, it makes this invention completely
compatible to wrap its shape to every computer tower or hardware
design style that need protection from assault.
This invention will become one of the most effective
deterrents to the theft and tampering of computer towers~ for time
to come.




(page 4)

Representative Drawing