Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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COMPUTER PHYSICAL SECURITY DEVICE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to devices for
inhibiting the theft of relatively small but expensive
pieces of equipment.
Computers have evolved rather rapidly from large,
expensive machines usable only by a few, to relatively
small, portable machines which are usable by many. In
particular, the development of desk top computers with
significant processing power has made computers available
to the general population. It is now common for college
and even high school students to have their own computer,
and desk top computers are in wide spread use as word
processors and work stations in almost all forms of
business. Desk top computers are relatively small and
easily transportable, and an undesirable side effect of
their proliferation is the fact that the theft of such
computers is a significant problem.
A variety of devices have been developed to
inhibit the theft of desk top computers and similar
equipment. Since desk top computer systems involve several
components, typically including the computer itself, a
separate monitor, keyboard and often a printer, such
security systems often employ a cable which attaches each
of the components to each other and to a relatively
immovable object such as a desk. The principal difficulty
in such systems is providing an effective and
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convenient method for attaching the cable itself to the
equipment.
Kensington Microware Limited, assignee of this
application, currently provides a security system which is 5 especially
designed for use with particular Apple computers.
Certain Apple computer components have slots and internal
brackets designed to capture a specially designed tab inserted
through the slot so.that the tab is not removable. While this
system is effective for particular types of Apple computers, it
does not work for those Apple computer components and other
computer brands which do not have the special designed slots
and brackets.
It is undesirable to require a computer to have
specially designed slots and internal capture brackets because
the brackets occupy a significant amount of space in an item of
equipment which is intended to be as space efficient as
possible. Different items of Apple equipment require different
sized slots, meaning that the security mechanism must provide a
variety of different sized tabs. The tabs, once inserted,
cannot be removed without damage to the equipment, meaning that
the security system cannot be moved from one computer to the
other. Even Apple computers with specially designed slots are
typically used with peripheral equipment which does not have
them, and, the Kensington system provides screws requiring a
special screwdriver which replace the screws used to attach the
existing communication cables, securing the peripheral
equipment to the base computer by preventing unauthorized
removal of the communication cables. This last aspect of the
system has a drawback in that the peripheral equipment cannot
be removed from the base computer without the special
screwdriver, which can be lost or misplaced.
Other vendors provide security systems which are not
required to interface directly with special slots and capture
mechanisms as provided in certain Apple computers. For
example, Secure-It, Inc., under the trademark "KABLIT",
provides a variety of brackets attached to the computer
component using existing mounting screws, i.e., screws which
are already used to secure items of equipment within the
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cabinet. Typically, the bracket is apertured so that
passage of the cable through the aperture prevents access
to the mounting screw and thus prevents removal of the
bracket from the equipment. A deficiency of this type of
system is that it requires the removal of the existing
mounting screw, which may cause some damage to the internal
components of the computer. Suitable existing screws are
not always available on certain peripherals for convenient
attachment of the fastener. For this latter reason, KABLIT
also provides glue-on disks which, unfortunately, are
permanently secured to the equipment.
The theft of small but expensive equipment such
as desk top computers is a growing problem. Existing
devices are simply too inefficient or ineffective, or their
application is too limited. As a result, the use of such
security systems is rare, computer equipment is typically
left unprotected, and it is all too often stolen.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides apparatus which
inhibits the theft of equipment such as personal computers.
The equipment must have an external wall provided with a
specially designed, approximately rectangular slot having
preselected dimensions.
The present invention provides an apparatus for
connection to a portable electronic device having an
external wall provided with a specially designed generally
rectangular slot, comprising: a slot engagement member
having a slot engaging portion for engaging the slot; and a
pin adapted to extend into the slot after the slot
engagement member engages the slot, wherein the generally
rectangular slot has dimensions of about 3 mm by about 7
mm.
The present invention also provides a locking
system comprising: a portable electronic device having an
external wall provided with a specially designed generally
rectangular slot having dimensions of about 3 mm to about 7
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mm; and a locking apparatus comprising a slot engagement
member having a slot engaging portion for engaging the
slot, and a pin adapted to extend into the slot after the
slot engagement member engages the slot.
The present invention also provides a method
comprising: (a) obtaining a portable electronic device
having an external wall provided with a specially designed
generally rectangular slot having dimensions of about 3 mm
by about 7 mm; (b) obtaining a locking apparatus comprising
a slot engagement member having a slot engaging portion for
engaging the slot, and a pin; (c) engaging the slot with
the slot engaging portion; and (d) inserting the pin into
the slot after (c).
The present invention also provides a locking
system comprising: a portable electronic device comprising
a security slot formed in a housing of the portable
electronic device, wherein the security slot has dimensions
of about 3mm by about 7mm, and wherein the housing includes
an inner wall; and an engagement mechanism comprising a
first engagement arm including a first engagement portion
and a second engagement arm including a second engagement
portion, wherein first and second engagement portions
engage the inner wall of the housing when the engagement
mechanism is attached to the portable electronic device.
The present invention also provides a lock
apparatus for a portable electronic device comprising a
security slot formed in a housing of the portable
electronic device, wherein the security slot has dimensions
of about 3 mm by about 7 mm, and wherein the housing
includes an inner wall, wherein the lock apparatus
comprises: an engagement mechanism comprising a first
engagement arm including a first engagement portion and a
second engagement arm including a second engagement
portion, wherein first and second engagement portions
engage the inner wall of the housing when the engagement
mechanism is attached to the portable electronic device.
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4a
The present invention also provides a method for
using an engagement mechanism comprising: obtaining a
portable electronic device comprising a security slot
formed in a housing of the portable electronic device,
wherein the security slot has dimensions of about 3 mm by
about 7 mm, and wherein the housing includes an inner wall;
inserting an engagement mechanism comprising a first
engagement arm including a first engagement portion and a
second engagement arm including a second engagement
portion, wherein the first and second engagement portions
are inserted into the security slot while the first and
second engagement portions are close together; and
separating the first and second engagement portions so that
the first and second engagement portions engage the inner
wall of the housing when the engagement mechanism is
attached to the portable electronic device.
The apparatus of the present invention is far
more adaptable and convenient to use than existing systems.
The only required modification of the equipment to be
protected is a small (preferably about 3 by 7 millimeter)
slot in an external wall. Additional brackets, capture
mechanisms or the like are not necessary. This small slot
can easily be molded into computer systems at essentially
no cost and without degrading the integrity of the
equipment. The attachment mechanism can readily be
installed on the equipment, and removed when appropriate by
an authorized user. In one embodiment, a key-operated
attachment attaches a single item of equipment to an
immovable object with the cable. In a second embodiment,
the cable passes through mating apertures in the spindle
and the housing of one or more attachment mechanisms to
prevent their removal once they have been attached to the
equipment and the cable has been installed.
The present invention is surprisingly difficult
to remove from an item of equipment once it has been
installed. In the preferred embodiments, the mechanism is
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quite small, and it is difficult to apply sufficient
leverage to break the mechanism away from the equipment to
which it is attached. Forcibly removing the mechanism will
result in significant, highly visible damage to the
exterior wall, identifying the equipment as stolen and
making it difficult to resell, greatly reducing its theft
potential.
Several alternative embodiments of the invention
are provided in which there are shown several different
combinations of attachment mechanisms which are either
integrally connected or separately coupled to engagement
mechanism for securing the attachment mechanism proximate
the external wall of the object of equipment. Further
embodiments of the invention provide an attachment
mechanism that can be directly coupled to the external wall
object of
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equipment without the need to provide a specially designed slot
in the wall.
The novel features which are characteristic of the
invention, as to organization and method of operation, together
with further objects and advantages thereof will be better
.~~ ~L__~ ___
= unu~~rsLooa =1~rom the following description considered in
connection with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred
embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example.
It is to be expressly understood, however,that the drawings are
for the purpose,of illustration and description only and are
not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of
the present invention attached to a computer monitor;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment
of the present invention attached to a computer keyboard;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the attachment
mechanism of the first embodiment;
Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the attachment
mechanism of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevation view of a slot in a
piece of equipment specially designed to accept the attachment
mechanism of either embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a section view taken along lines 6-6 of
Fig. 3;
Fig. 7 is a section view taken along lines 7-7 of
Fig. 3;
Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section view from inside an
item of equipment illustrating insertion of a crossmember of
the embodiment of Fig. 3 into the slot of Fig. 5;
Fig. 9 is a view similar to that of Fig. 8 with the
crossmember misaligned;
Figs. 10A and B are elevation views illustrating the
installation of the attachment mechanism of Fig. 3 on an item
of equipment;
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the attachment
mechanism of the second embodiment of the present invention;
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Fig. 12 is an exploded view of the attachment
mechanism of Fig. 10;
Figs. 13A and 13B are side elevation views
illustrating the installation of the attachment mechanism of
Fig. 11 on an item of equipment;
Figs. 14 and 15 are side elevational views of
alternative embodiments of an attachment mechanism and an
engagement mechanism;
Figs. 16A and 16B are respective perspective views of
another alternative embodiment of an attachment mechanism and
an engagement mechanism of the invention;
Fig. 16C is a side elevational view of the attachment
mechanism and the engagement mechanism of Figs. 16A and 16B
assembled together proximate the external wall of an item of
equipment;
Fig. 17A is a side elevational view of another
embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 17B is a corresponding perspective view of the
embodiment of Fig. 17A;
Fig. 18 is a side elevational view of a slightly
modified version of the embodiment of Figs. 17A and 17B showing
a threaded engagement between the spindle and the housing;
Fig. 19 is a perspective view of another slightly
modified version of the embodiment of Figs. 17A and 17B showing
a pin and pin hole engagement between the attachment mechanism
and the external wall of an item of equipment;
Figs. 20A, 20B, and 20C are perspective views of
component parts of another embodiment of the invention showing
a separate attachment mechanism, housing, and engagement
mechanism respectively;
Fig. 20D is perspective view of the embodiment of
Figs. 20A, 20B, and 20C showing the three component parts in an
assembled configuration;
Figs. 21A and 21B are perspective views of component
parts of another embodiment of the invention showing an
engagement mechanism and a separate attachment mechanism
respectively;
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Fig. 21C is a side elevational view of the embodiment
of Figs. 21A and 21B with the engagement mechanism coupled to
the attachment mechanism;
Figs. 22A and 22B are perspective views of slightly
modified version of the respective component parts of Figs. 21A
and 21B;
Fig. 22C is a side elevational view of the embodiment
of Figs. 22A and 22B with the attachment mechanism shown
coupled to a slot in the external wall of an item of equipment;
Fig. 23A is a side elevational view of an attachment
mechanism coupled to an engagement mechanism according to
another embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 23B is a perspective view of the embodiment of
Fig. 23A with the attachment mechanism and engagement mechanism
shown coupled to a cable and a separate locking device;
Fig. 24A is a perspective view of the attachment
mechanism of Figs. 23A and 23B which can be directly coupled to
an external wall of an item of equipment;
Fig. 24B is a perspective view of another embodiment
of the attachment mechanism of Figs. 23A and 23B which can be
directly coupled to an external wall with the use of an
adhesive;
Fig. 25 is another embodiment of an attachment
mechanism which can be directly coupled to an external wall of
an item of equipment;
Fig. 26A is a perspective view of another embodiment
of the present.invention with a conventional lock assembly and
a retractable spindle;
Fig. 26B is a perspective view of the spindle and
lock assembly of Fig. 26A showing the spindle in its retracted
position; and
Fig. 27 is perspective view of another embodiment of
the preferred embodiment including a base unit and an
attachment unit.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A first preferred embodiment 10 of the security
device of the present invention is illustrated generally by way
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of reference to Fig. 1. Security device 10 includes an
attachment mechanism 12 designed to attach to a component of a
computer system, such as computer monitor 14. Attachment
mechanism 12 has an aperture 16, and a cable 18 which passes
through the aperture when the attachment mechanism 12 is
attached to a component such as monitor 14. A lock 20 is fixed '
to one end of cable 18. The free end of cable 18 may be of the
type having a "mushroom" head 22 adapted to penetrate and be
secured within lock 20 using key 24. With mushroom head 22
detached from lock 20, cable 18 can be threaded through the
apertures 16 of one or more attachment mechanisms 12, and
wrapped around a relatively immovable object (not shown) such
as the cross bar spanning two legs of a desk. Mushroom head 22
is then inserted into lock 20 and the lock closed using key 24
to secure the computer components to the immovable object.
A second embodiment 26 of the present invention,
designed primarily to secure single rather than multiple items
of computer equipment, is illustrated generally by way of
reference to Fig. 2. Embodiment 26 includes an attachment
mechanism 28 designed to be secured to a computer component
such as keyboard 30. Attachment mechanism 28 is affixed to one
end of a cable 32 which has a closed loop 34 at its other end.
Cable 32 is first wrapped around a relatively immovable object,
such as a cross piece between two legs of a desk or table, and
attachment mechanism 28 is passed through loop 34 and attached
to the item to be protected such as keyboard 30 to make it
difficult to steal the item of equipment.
Attachment mechanism 12 of first embodiment 10 is
illustrated in more detail by way of reference to Figs. 3 and 4
in combination. Mechanism 12 includes a housing 36 having a
hollow interior cylindrical cavity 38. An annular plate 40
forms one end of housing 36 and has an aperture 41. A pair of
apertures such as aperture 16 are located on opposite sides of
housing 36. A small raised aperture 42 is also provided in
housing 36 to accommodate a pin 44, as explained in more detail
hereinafter.
A spindle 46 includes a cylindrical portion 48
adapted to fit within the cylindrical cavity of housing 36.
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Spindle 48 includes a raised plate 50 at one end which forms
the aft end of the mechanism when assembled as illustrated in
Fig. 3. Spindle 46 also includes a shaft 52 extending
outwardly through the aperture 41 in housing 36. A crossmember
54 is located on the distal end of shaft 52.
An abutment mechanism 56 includes an abutment plate
58 designed to be received within the cylindrical interior
cavity of housing 36, and a pair of pins 60 adapted to extend
outwardly through the aperture 41 in housing 36. A spring 62
biases abutment plate 58 and spindle 46 rearwardly when the
mechanism is assembled, as illustrated in Fig. 3. A plastic
bushing 64 designed to prevent scarring of the equipment to
which mechanism 12 is attached is affixed to the plate 40 on
housing 36 circumscribing aperture 41.
When mechanism 12 is assembled as illustrated in Fig.
3, crossmember 54 and shaft 52, together with pins 60 on either
side of the shaft, extend outwardly beyond housing 46 through
aperture 41. Pin 44 engages a groove 66 in spindle 46 so that
the mechanism cannot be disassembled without removing the pin.
The head of pin 44 is conformed to the shape of a boss 67 on
the surface of housing 36 so that the pin cannot be removed
without special equipment. Groove 66 has a preselected width
allowing limited axial movement of spindle 46 relative to
housing 36 with pin 44 engaged so that the axial position of
crossmember 54 relative to the housing is somewhat adjustable.
Spring 62 biases plate 58 and spindle 46 rearwardly to bias
crossmember 54 toward housing 36.
Groove 66 extends around about 25% of the periphery
of spindle 46 so that the spindle can be rotated approximately
90 relative to the housing. A transverse aperture 68 through
the cylindrical portion 48 of spindle 46 is aligned with
aperture 16 in housing 36 when crossmember 54 is misaligned
from pin 60 (see Fig. 4). With spindle 46 rotated 90 , as
allowed by pin 44 in groove 68, crossmember 54 is aligned with
pin 60, and aperture 68 is not aligned with aperture 16. Cable
18 (see Fig. 1) can only be inserted through the aligned
apertures 16, 68 when crossmember 54 is misaligned with pins
60, i.e., when attachment mechanism 12 is attached to the piece
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of equipment, as explained hereinbelow. With cable 18 passing
through aligned apertures 16 and 68, rotation of spindle 46 so
as to align crossmember 54 with pins 60 and allow removal of
the attachment mechanism is effectively prevented.
The preferred embodiments 10 and 26 of the present
invention are designed to operate with items of equipment
provided by a special slot, as illustrated in Fig. 5. The
exterior wall 70 of the piece of equipment is typically made of
sheet metal, or molded plastic, either of which is compatible
with the present invention. A relatively small slot 72 is
formed in wall 70, by molding or otherwise as appropriate. In
the preferred embodiment of slot 72, the slot has a generally
rectangular configuration, i.e., the slot is generally
rectangular having long parallel sides 74, short parallel sides
75 and rounded corners 76. Slot 72 is relatively small, having
a long dimension 78 of seven millimeters, and a short dimension
79 of three millimeters, in the preferred embodiment of the
present invention. Corners 76 have a radius of curvature 90
from 0.30 mm. to a maximum of 1.5 millimeters. If the radius
of curvature 90 is 1.5 mm., the short sides 75 disappear and
the slot has a straight-sided oval configuration.
The peripheral dimensions of crossmember 54 are
closely conformed to the interior dimensions of slot 72, as
illustrated in Fig. 6. The crossmember 4 of attachment
mechanism 12 has a straight-sided oval configuration, i.e., the
crossmember is generally rectangular, having straight sides and
semi-circular ends. In the preferred embodiment, the long
dimension 82 of crossmember 54 is 6.75 millimeters, while the
short dimension 83 is 2.75 millimeters, each being slightly
less than the corresponding dimension of slot 72. As
illustrated in Fig. 7, the peripheral dimensions of the pins 60
and shaft 52 also closely conform to the interior dimensions of
slot 72. As with crossmember 54, pins 60 in shaft 52 have a
long dimension 84 of 6.75 millimeters, and a short dimension 85
of 2.75 millimeters.
The insertion of crossmember 54 of attachment
mechanism 12 into slot 72 of external wall 70 is illustrated by
reference to Figs. 8 and 10A. Before insertion, spindle 46
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must be rotated so that crossmember 54 is aligned with pins 60,
as illustrated in Fig. 3. With the spindle in this position,
the periphery of crossmember 54 and that of pins 60 and shaft
52 are essentially congruent. Since the peripheral dimension
of crossmember 54 and pins 60 and shaft 52 in combination are
less than the dimensions of slot 72, the crossmember can be
inserted through the slot until crossmember 54 is completely
inside wall 70 (see Fig. 10A). If necessary, the plate 50 on
spindle 46 can be pressed to compress spring 62 so that
crossmember 54 is completely inside wall 70.
As illustrated in Fig. 9, upon insertion of
crossmember 54 completely through slot 72, the spindle is
rotated by manipulating plate 50 so that crossmember 54 is 900
misaligned with respect to pins 60. The aperture 16 in the
side wall of housing 36 will be aligned with the aperture 68 in
the spindle, providing a passageway completely through the
housing. In this configuration, cable 18 can easily be
threaded through the aperture, and the presence of the cable
prevents the spindle from being rotated back so as to disengage
crossmember 54 from slot 72.
The attachment mechanism 28 of the second embodiment
26 of the present invention is illustrated in more detail by
way of reference to the perspective view of Fig. il and the
exploded view of Fig. 12. Attachment mechanism 28 includes a
hollow shell 90 and a nose-piece 92 which, in combination, form
a housing. Shell 90 has a hollow cylindrical interior cavity
94, and an integral apertured plate 96 at one end. A pin 98 is
inserted through an aperture (not shown) in nose-piece 92 to
engage a slot 102 in shell 90. Pin 98 is designed to shear
when torque is applied to nose-piece 92 so that an unauthorized
attempt to remove the attachment mechanism will simply shear
the pin and allow the nose-piece to freely rotate without
degrading the attachment of the attachment mechanism to the
component to be protected. Slot 102 is axially elongate so
that limited axial movement is allowed between shell 90 and
nose-piece 92. The forward end of nose-piece 92 has a plate 93
having a central aperture 95.
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A cylindrical collar 106 circumscribes the outer
portion of shell 90 and occupies the slot laterally defined by
plate 96 and the aft surface 108 of nose-piece 92. Collar 106
has an integral tab 110 with an aperture 112 adapted to receive
one end of cable 32. Cable 32 is dead-ended into tab 110 and
attached so that it cannot be removed.
A spindle 114 has a cylindrical portion 116 adapted
to be received within a cylindrical lock 118 in shell 90.
Cylindrical lock 118 includes a front cylinder 119, and a back
cylinder 120. A blunt pin or set screw 121 is inserted through
an aperture 125 in shell 90, and through a corresponding
aperture 123 in back cylinder 120, to lock the front cylinder
rotationally with respect to shell 90. Correspondingly, pin or
set screw 127 engages a relatively smaller aperture 129 in
front cylinder 119, and a widening 131 in slot 3.33 in the
cylindrical portion 116 of spindle 114. Front cylinder 119 is
thus fixed rotationally with respect to spindle 114.
As with conventional cylindrical locks, a plurality
of pins normally span the interface between front cylinder 119
and back cylinder 120 so that the cylinders are rotationally
locked together, thus preventing relative rotation between
locking shell 90 and spindle 114. However, a key 140 (see Fig.
13B) is insertable through the apertured plate 96 of shell 90
to engage front cylinder 119. The correct key will have bosses
located to depress the pins passing between cylinders 119 and
120 so that such pins do not span the interface between the
cylinders, allowing the cylinders to rotate with respect to one
another. In this fashion, spindle 114 can be rotated with
respect to shell 90 only upon insertion and rotation of the
appropriate key.
Spindle 114 also includes a shaft 122, and a
crossmember 124 at the free end of the shaft. An abutment
mechanism 126 has an abutment plate 128 adapted to fit within
nose-piece 92, and a pair of pins 130 adapted to extend
outwardly through aperture 95. A spring 132 is located between
abutment plate 128 and nose-piece 92 to bias the cylindrical
portion 116 of spindle 114 and the abutment plate rearwardly.
Abutment plate 126 has an elongate aperture 134 which allows
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crossmember 124 to extend through the aperture plate. A
plastic bushing 136 is fixed to the surface of plate 93 so that
the mechanism does not scar the equipment to which it is
attached.
The insertion of attachment mechanism 28 into the
exterior wall 137 of a piece of equipment is illustrated by way
of reference to Figs. 13 A and B. Wall 136 has a slot 138,
which is identical to the slot 72 illustrated in Fig. 8. The
peripheral dimensions of crossmember 124, and also those of
pins 130 and shaft 122 in combination, are identical to the
corresponding parts in Figs. 6 and 7. Simply put, attachment
mechanism 28 is designed to fit into the same slot as
attachment mechanism 12.
As illustrated in Fig. 13A, crossmember 124 is
aligned with pins 30 so that the crossmember can be inserted
into slot 138. When fully inserted, the space in the slot is
essentially occupied by pins 130 and shaft 122. If necessary,
plate 96 can be depressed to push the cylindrical portion 116
of spindle 114 against spring 132. Once crossmember 124 has
been fully inserted through slot 138, a key 140 engaging lock
mechanism 118 (see Fig. 12) is used to rotate the spindle 900
and misalign crossmember 124 and slot 138.
In operation, both attachment mechanism 12 and
attachment mechanism 28 are attached to an item of computer or
other equipment which has a specially designed slot 72, 138.
First, the crossmember 54, 124 is aligned with the pins 60,
130, for insertion to the crossmember through the slot. The
spindle 46, 114 is then rotated relative to the housing to
misalign the crossmember 54, 124 relative to the slot. The
spindle is locked in this configuration by passing the cable 18
through the mating slot 16, 48 in the first embodiment, or
using the key 140 in the second embodiment. Either way, the
attachment mechanism is extremely difficult to disengage by
anyone not having the appropriate key 24, 140. Any
unauthorized attempt to remove the attachment mechanism from
the computer component will most likely result in significant
damage to the computer housing, making the computer difficult
to resell and greatly reducing its theft potential.
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Fig. 14 illustrates another embodiment of the
invention. Security device 200 includes an attachment
mechanism 201 designed to be attached to a portable object of
equipment, such as a personal computer (not shown), having an
external wall 250. Attachment mechanism 201 comprises a
housing 202 which generally includes a top end 204, a bottom end 208, and a
generally cylindrical side wall 206, which in
combination define internal hollow cavity 210. Side wall 206
has a pair of apertures 212 which are aligned with one another
and which are sized to allow a cable 242 to pass through the
apertures. Top end 204 is provided with an opening 214 which
extends to proximate bottom end 208 to provide access for screw
230 into cavity 210, as will be described in more detail
hereinafter. A raised plate 218 having a threaded aperture 216
is provided in bottom end 208 of the housing to accommodate
insertion of screw 230.
Integral with bottom end 208 of housing 202 is an
engagement mechanism 220 which includes a generally cylindrical
shaft 222 and a crossmember 224 attached to the shaft at the
distal end of the shaft. As previously described with
reference to prior embodiments of the invention, the peripheral
dimensions of the crossmember conform closely to the internal
dimensions of slot 252. The crossmember 224 is generally
rectangular, having straight sides and semi-circular ends, as
previously described.
To secure attachment mechanism 201 proximate external
wall 250, housing 202 must first be rotated prior to insertion
of screw 230 so that crossmember 224 is aligned with slot 252.
Since the peripheral dimensions of crossmember 224 and shaft
222 are less than the dimensions of slot 252, crossmember 224
can be inserted through the slot until the crossmember is
completely inside external wall 250, with shaft 222 occupying a
portion of slot 252. Housing 202 may then be rotated by
grasping onto side wall 206 and turning housing 202 until
crossmember 224 is 90 degrees misaligned with respect to the
slot. In this position of the crossmember, screw 230 can be
inserted through opening 214 in the housing and threaded into
aperture 216 in raised plate 218 of the housing. With screw
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head 232 firmly pressed against the upper surface of plate 218,
a length of the screw 234 external the housing will extend
beyond the housing for a distance that is slightly greater than
the thickness of external wall 250. Further, the peripheral
5 dimension of the screw portion 234 and the shaft 222 in
combination is slightly less than the dimensions of the slot.
In this way, screw portion 234 and shaft 222 occupy slot 252
when the screw is threadably engaged with aperture 216 in the
housing so as to prevent rotation of the housing relative to
10 the external wall and thereby prevent disengagement of
crossmember 224 from slot 252. In this configuration, cable
242 can easily be threaded through apertures 212 to secure the
housing to an external object (not shown). Once the cable is
inserted through apertures 212 in the housing, screw 230 cannot
15 be removed.
Fig. 15 illustrates another embodiment of the
invention which has a similar configuration to the embodiment
of Fig. 14 except that a spindle 260 is used instead of a screw
to prevent rotation of housing 202'. Spindle 260 includes a
cylindrical portion 264 adapted to be rotatably mounted within
the cylindrical cavity 210' of the housing. An aperture 268 is
formed through cylindrical portion 264 and is sized to allow a
cable (not shown) to pass through the aperture. Spindle 260
includes a raised plate 266 at a proximal end of the spindle
which forms the aft end of the spindle. Spindle 260 also
includes a pin member 270 extending outwardly through aperture
216' in housing 202'. The length of the pin member 272
external the housing is slightly greater than the thickness of
external wall 250.
In operation, with the crossmember misaligned from
the slot as described above with reference to the embodiment of
Fig. 14, spindle 260 is positioned in the housing so that base
pin 270 is inserted through aperture 216' and into slot 252
proximate shaft 222'. The peripheral dimension of the shaft
and the pin in combination is less than the dimension of the
slot so that the pin and shaft occupy the slot with the
crossmember misaligned 90 degrees. In this position, spindle
260 is rotated by manipulating raised plate 266 so that
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apertures 212' in the side wall 206' of housing 202' will be
aligned with aperture 268 in cylindrical portion 264 of the
spindle, providing a passageway completely through the housing.
In this configuration, a cable (not shown) can easily be
threaded through the apertures, and the presence of the cable
prevents spindle 260 from being separated from the housing. Figs. 16A, 16B and
16C illustrate another embodiment
of the invention in which the attachment mechanism 300 is a
separate component from the engagement mechanism 320.
Attachment mechanism 300 comprises a housing 302 having a top
end 304, a bottom end 308, spaced apart side walls 306, and a
peripheral edge wall 309, as seen in an inverted configuration
in Fig. 16A. Bottom end 308 includes a generally rectangular
opening 310 which extends the length of the housing to closed
top end 304. Opening 310 is configured to permit passage of
engagement mechanism 320 into housing 302, as will be described
in more detail hereinafter. Apertures 312 through side wall
306 are spatially coupled to opening 310 and are sized to allow
a cable (not shown) to pass through the apertures. Housing 302
also preferably includes first and second springs 316L and 316R
mounted on either side of bottom end 308 of the housing which
are used to adjust the relative position of the housing
proximate the external wall 350, as best seen in Fig. 16C.
Housing 302 further includes first and second, spaced apart
abutment plates 314L and 314R located on opposite sides of
opening 310.
Engagement mechanism 320, which is configured to fit
within housing 302 through opening 310, is shown by way of
reference to Fig. 16B and generally includes a spindle 322.
Spindle 322 has an upper portion 324 which includes aperture
326 sized to permit passage of a cable (not shown) through
aperture 326. Connected to the distal end of upper portion 324
of the spindle is a shaft 328 which has generally rectangular
crossmember 330 attached to the shaft at the distal end of the
shaft. The dimensions of the crossmember conform closely to
the dimensions of the slot 352, as previously described.
Engagement mechanism also preferably includes a spring 332
located around the periphery of shaft 328.
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In operation, crossmember 330 is aligned with slot
352 and is inserted therein until crossmember 330 is completely
inside external wall 350, as seen in Fig. 16C. If necessary,
the upper portion 324 of spindle 322 can be firmly pressed to
compress spring 332 so that crossmember 330 is completely
inside wall 350.
Upon insertion of crossmember 330 completely through
slot 352, spindle 322 is rotated so that crossmember 330 is 90
degrees misaligned with slot 352. In this configuration,
housing 302 is placed over the spindle 322, so that the spindle
is received within opening 310 in the housing. Abutment plates
314L and 314R are inserted into the slot on both sides of shaft
328 extending from spindle 322. With the upper portion 324 of
the spindle completely received within the housing, aperture
326 in spindle 322 will be aligned with apertures 312 in
housing 302, providing a passageway completely through the
housing. In this configuration, a cable (not shown) can be
easily threaded through the apertures, and the presence of the
cable secures the spindle to the housing. As best seen in Fig.
16C, the peripheral dimension of the abutment plates 314L, 314R
and shaft 328 of the spindle in combination closely conform to
the dimensions of the slot and thereby occupy the slot. In
this way, the housing is fixed relative to the spindle and
neither can be rotated back so as to disengage crossmember 330
from slot 352. Springs 316L, 316R are biased against the lower
end of the housing to firmly secure housing 302 proximate the
external wall 350.
Another embodiment of the invention is shown by way
of reference to Figs. 17A and 17B in which a spindle 420, a
housing 402, and a spring 440 are assembled to operate as a
single unit. Attachment mechanism 400 comprises housing 402
which generally includes top end 404, bottom end 406, and
cylindrical side wall 408, which in combination define internal
cylindrical cavity 409. A cylindrical opening 412 in the top
end 404 of the housing extends to proximate closed bottom end
406 of the housing and is configured to allow engagement
mechanism 420 to be rotatably mounted within the housing. Side
wall 408 has a pair of apertures 410 which are sized to allow
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passage of a cable (not shown) through the apertures. Attached
to bottom end 406 of the housing are two abutment plates 414L
and 414R which are spaced apart from aperture 416 in bottom end
406 and which are adapted to be inserted into slot 452 in
external wall 450 (See Fig. 17B).
Spindle 420 includes a cylindrical portion 424
rotatably mounted within the cylindrical cavity 409 of housing
402. Spindle 420 includes a raised plate 423 at one end which
forms the aft end of the spindle. Spindle 420 also includes a
shaft 428 extending outwardly through aperture 416 in housing
402. A crossmember 430 is located at the distal end of shaft
428. Aperture 426 through cylindrical portion 424 of the
spindle 420 is sized to allow a cable (not shown) to pass
through aperture 426. A spring 440 is located at the distal
end of cylindrical portion 424 of the spindle and biases the
spindle away from the bottom end of housing 402 so that
crossmember 430 will firmly engage the inner surface of
external wall 450, as will now be described.
When the apparatus is assembled as illustrated in
Fig. 17A, crossmember 430 and shaft 428, together with abutment
plates 414L and 414R on either side of the shaft, extend
outwardly beyond the bottom end 406 of housing 402. Prior
to insertion of crossmember 430 into slot 452, spindle 420 must
be rotated via raised plate 423 so that crossmember 430 is
aligned with slot 452, as seen in Fig. 17B. With the spindle
in this position, the crossmember can be inserted through the
slot as previously discussed. If necessary, plate 423 can be
pressed to compress spring 440 so that crossmember 430 is
completely inside wall 450. In this position of the
crossmember, shaft 428 and abutment plates 414L, 414R occupy
the slot to prevent rotation of the housing relative to
external wall 450.
Upon insertion of crossmember 430 completely through
slot 452, the spindle is rotated by manipulating plate 423 so
that crossmember 430 is 90 degrees misaligned with slot 452.
Side wall 408 of housing 402 preferably includes at least one
small hole 411 on either side of the housing through which a
pin 460 engages a groove (not shown) in the cylindrical portion
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424 of the spindle, the groove extending around about 25% of
the periphery of cylindrical portion 424 so that the spindle
can be rotated substantially-only 90 degrees relative to the
housing. With the crossmember misaligned from the slot,
apertures 410 in the side wall of housing 402 will be aligned
with aperture 426 in the spindle providing a passageway
completely through the housing. In this configuration, a cable
(not shown) can easily be threaded through the aligned
apertures, and the presence of the cable prevents the spindle
from being rotated back so as to disengage crossmember 430 from
slot 452.
The embodiment of Figs. 17A and 17B can be slightly
modified to provide a threaded cylindrical portion 424' of the
spindle 420', as seen in Fig. 18. In this embodiment, the
internal peripheral surface 413 of side wall 408' is also
threaded so that the cylindrical portion 424' engages threaded
surface 413. This engagement variation between spindle 420'
and housing 402' can be used instead of spring 440 in Fig. 17A
to adjust the relative lateral displacement between the spindle
and the housing.
Fig. 19 illustrates another alternative embodiment of
a housing 402" which is used to prevent rotation of the housing
relative to the external wall 450 when the crossmember is
misaligned with the slot. In this embodiment, pins 472 are
mounted to the outer surface of the external wall on either
side of slot 452 and engage pin holes 470 located on opposite
sides of shaft 428" to prevent rotation of the housing relative
to external wall 450 when crossmember 430" is located
completely within slot 452 and is misaligned from the slot.
Other embodiments of the invention are described with
reference to Figs. 20-23 wherein the engagement mechanism
includes at least two engagement portions for engaging with the
inner surface of the external wall proximate the slot to
, prevent removal of the attachment mechanism from proximate the
external wall.
Figs. 20A, 20B, 20C and 20D illustrate another
embodiment of the invention 600 including three separate
components, an attachment mechanism 602 (see Fig. 20A), a
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housing 620 (see Fig. 20B), and a separate engagement mechanism
640 (see Fig. 20C). Attachment mechanism 602 includes
attachment member 603 shown in an inverted position in Fig.
20A. Attachment member 603 generally includes a top end 604, a
5 bottom end 606, spaced apart side walls 608, and a peripheral
edge wall 609. An aperture 610 is provided through side walls
608 and is sized to permit passage of a cable (not shown)
through aperture 610. Base portion 612 is integrally
connected to attachment member 603 proximate bottom end 606 of
10 the attachment member. A retaining flange 614 is provided
proximate top end 604 to retain attachment member 603 within
housing 620, as will be described in more detail hereinafter.
Housing 620 is shown by way of reference to Fig. 20B
and generally includes a top wall 622, a bottom wall 624, and
15 four separate spaced apart side walls including a front end 626
and a back end 628. A pair of substantially rectangular
openings 632 are provided through both top wall 622 and bottom
wall 624 of the housing and are configured to allow passage of
the attachment member 603 through openings 632. A separate,
20 generally rectangular aperture 630 is provided in front end 626
of housing 620 and extends the length of the housing to the
closed back end 628. Aperture 630 is configured to permit
passage of engagement mechanism 640 into the aperture, as will
be described in more detail hereinafter. Bottom wall 624 is
also provided with a pin hole 636 proximate front end 626 which
is sized to receive a retaining pin 634 therein. The housing
is preferably made from cast metal, but any other suitable
material may be used.
Engagement mechanism 640 is shown by way of reference
to Fig. 20C and includes an engagement member 642. Engagement
member 642 includes first and second, spaced apart engagement
arms 646L, 646R which have first and second engagement portions
648L, 648R integrally connected to the arms at the distal end
of arms 646L, 646R. A transverse member 644 connects the two
engagements arms 646L, 646R together at the proximal end of the
arms and defines an abutment surface 645 located towards the
distal end of transverse member 644. Engagement arms 646L,
646R and transverse member 644 in combination define clearance
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space 649 which is sized to permit passage of attachment member
603 through clearance space 649, as will now be described.
To assemble device 600 prio-- to securing the device
proximate external wall 650, engagement member 642 is initially
inserted into rectangular aperture 630 in housing 620 until
transverse member 644 abuts against back end 628 of the
housing. Retaining pin 634 is subsequently inserted into pin
hole 636 in the housing and secured thereto so that engagement
member 642 cannot be removed from the housing without removing
the pin. Attachment member 603 is then inserted into
rectangular openings 632 in the housing and through clearance
space 649 of the engagement member so that the attachment
member extends outwardly through opening 632 in bottom wall 624
of the housing. Base portion 612 of the attachment member
engages the upper surface of top wall 622 of the housing to
prevent passage of attachment member 603 completely through
housing 620. Retaining flange 614 prevents attachment member
603 from being separated from the housing. Further, abutment
surface 645 of transverse member 644 engages with attachment
member 603 to secure engagement member 642 to attachment member
603.
When device 600 is assembled as illustrated in Fig.
20D, engagement portions 648L, 648R and a lower portion of
engagement arms 646L, 646R extend outwardly beyond front end
626 of housing 620. In this configuration, engagement portions
648L, 648R may be pressed firmly against slot 652 until the
engagement portions bend sufficiently inward to fit within slot
652. The inwardly sloped peripheral dimensions of the
engagement portions permit easier access into slot 652. Upon
insertion of engagement portions 648L, 648R completely within
the slot, with a portion of the engagement arms 646L, 646R
occupying the slot, the arms will spread back to their natural
configuration and thereby engage the internal surface of the
external wall 650 proximate slot 652 to secure the device 600
proximate the external wall. A cable (not shown) can then be
inserted through aperture 610 in attachment member 603, and the
presence of the cable prevents the attachment member 603 from
moving relative to housing 620.
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Figs. 21A, 21B, and 21C depict another embodiment of
the invention, device 700, in which there are two major
component parts, attachment mechanism 701 and engagement
mechanism 720.
Attachment mechanism 701 of Fig. 21B generally
includes an attachment member 702 having a closed top end 704,
a bottom end 706, a peripheral edge wall 709, and spaced apart
side walls 708. An aperture 710 is provided through side walls
708 and is sized to permit a cable to pass through aperture
710. A generally rectangular opening 712 is further provided
in bottom end 706 of attachment member 702 and extends the
length of the attachment member to closed top end 704. Opening
712 is configured to accommodate passage of the engagement
mechanism 720 into opening 712, as will be described in more
detail hereinafter.
Engagement mechanism 720 is shown by way of reference
to Fig. 21A and generally includes engagement member 722 having
first and second, spaced apart engagement arms 724L and 724R
connected at the proximal end of engagement member 702 and
defining a clearance space 725 between the arms sized large
enough to permit a cable to pass through clearance space 725.
Abutment surface 730 is located adjacent the proximal end of
the engagement arms. Engagement portions 726L, 726R are
integral with engagement arms 724L, 724R at the distal end of
the arms. A pair of grooves 728 is provided in engagement
portions 726L, 726R, with the length of the groove being
substantially equal to the thickness of external wall 750 (See
Fig. 21C). Engagement member 722 is preferably injection
molded and made from a plastic material to enhance its
resiliency. However, it is to be noted that the engagement
member may be made from other materials, such as metal,
provided that the material is sufficiently resilient to allow
engagement arms 724L, 724R to be bent inward sufficiently far
enough to allow engagement portions 726L, 726R to be inserted
into slot 752.
To utilize device 700, engagement arms 724L, 724R are
pressed towards one another so that engagement portions 726L,
726R are positioned sufficiently close to one another to allow
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the engagement portions to be inserted into slot 752. As seen
in Fig. 21C, grooves 728 engage with external wall 750 when
engagement portions 726L, 726R are within slot 752 and have
spread back to their natural configuration. In this way,
engagement member 722 is firmly secured to external wall 750.
Subsequently, attachment member 702 is positioned over
engagement member 722 until clearance space 725 is aligned with
aperture 710 in the housing. In this configuration, a cable
740 can easily be threaded through aperture 710 in the housing
and clearance space 725, and the presence of the cable 740
prevents attachment member 702 from being separated from
engagement member 722.
Figs. 22A, 22B, and 22C illustrate a slightly
modified version of the embodiment of Figs. 21A, 21B, and 21C.
In this embodiment, housing 702' preferably includes a
retaining pin hole 714. Engagement mechanism 720' is also
slightly modified to include a retaining pin 734 which engages
with pin hole 714 proximate bottom end 706' of housing 702' to
prevent engagement member 722' from being separated from
housing 702' prior to insertion of a cable (not shown). Side
walls 732L, 732R forming part of alternative engagement
portions 726L', 726R' will spread back to their natural
configuration once inserted into slot 752 to thereby engage the
inner surface of external wall 750 proximate the slot to affix
the engagement member to the external wall. Engagement member
722' of Figs. 22A and 22C is adapted to engage with a slot
having substantially smaller peripheral dimensions than the
slot necessary to engage with engagement member 722 of Fig.
21A.
Figs. 23A and 23B illustrate another embodiment of
the invention 800 in which there are also substantially only
two component parts, an attachment mechanism 801 and an
engagement mechanism 820. Attachment mechanism 801, shown by
way of reference to Fig. 23A, generally includes an attachment
member 802 having a top end 804, a bottom end 806, and a
cylindrical side wall 808. A pair of apertures 810 are
provided through side wall 808 and are sized to permit a cable
840 to pass through apertures 810 (See Fig. 23B). A generally
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cylindrical opening 812 is further provided in top end 804 of
attachment member 802 and extends the length of the attachment
member to a substantially smaller screw opening 814 in bottom
end 806 of the attachment member. Opening 812 is configured to
accommodate passage of screw 816 through opening 812 to bottom
end 806 of the attachment member, as will be described in more
detail hereinafter.
Engagement mechanism 820 is used in conjunction with
attachment member 802, as is also illustrated in Fig. 23A.
Engagement mechanism 820 generally includes engagement member
822 having first and second, spaced apart engagement arms 824L
and 824R connected to base portion 830 at the proximal end of
engagement member 822 and defining a clearance space 825
between the arms sized large enough to permit screw 816 to pass
through clearance space 825. Base portion 830 has a top
surface 833 and a bottom surface 831 and is provided with a
screw hole 832 through the surfaces. Engagement portions 826L,
826R are integral with engagement arms 824L, 826R at the distal
end of the arms. In the preferred embodiment of device 800,
engagement portions 826L, 826R have inwardly sloped side walls
which facilitate insertion of the engagement portions into slot
852, as previously described.
In operation, engagement portions 826L, 826R are
inserted into slot 852 until lower surface 831 of base portion
830 engages the outer surface of external wall 850. In this
position of engagement member 822, attachment member 802 is
positioned proximate upper surface 833 of base portion 830
until screw hole 832 is aligned with opening 814 in the
attachment member. Screw 816 is then inserted through each of
opening 812 in the attachment member, opening 814 at the bottom
end 806 of the housing, hole 832 in base portion 830, and
clearance space 825. The screw will force engagement arms
824L, 824R to spread apart so that engagement portions 826L,
826R will engage the inner surface of external wall 850
proximate slot 852. In this configuration, cable 840 (See Fig.
23B) can be threaded through apertures 810 in the attachment
member and attached to an external object, such as lock 860, to
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secure the attachment member to the lock. The cable will also
prevent removal of screw 816.
It is to be understood that an attachment member 802'
can be used independently of engagement mechanism 820 provided
5 that an appropriate screw hole or screw insert is provided in
the external wall (not shown) sized to permit screw 816' to
engage with the hole (or insert), as is apparent from Fig. 24A.
Further, an attachment member 802" may also be secured to an
external wall by any other suitable engagement means, as for
10 example providing a double-sided adhesive pad 870 for engaging
both the bottom end of the attachment member 802" and the outer
surface of the wall (not shown), as seen in Fig. 24B.
In still another embodiment of the same device 800,
attachment member 802"' can be hingably connected to a base
15 portion 818 having a screw hole 814"' so that the attachment
member 802"' will swing away from the external wall when not in
use, as seen in Fig. 25. In this embodiment, base portion 818
may be secured proximate the external wall of an item of
equipment via screw 816"1 and a threaded insert 819..
20 The attachment mechanism concept of Figs. 23A and.23B
can also be modified to include a conventional lock assembly
910 (as previously described by way of reference to the
embodiment of Fig. 2) in combination with a retractable spindle
arm 908. As illustrated in Fig. 26A, attachment mechanism 900
25 is affixed to one end of a cable 920 which has a closed loop
922 at its other end. Cable 920 is first wrapped around a
relatively immovable object (not shown) and attachment
mechanism 900 is passed through loop 922 and attached to the
item to be protected such as external wall 950 to make it
difficult to steal.
Attachment mechanism 900 is shown in its retracted
_ position in Fig. 26B and generally includes a housing 902 and
first and second, resilient engagement arms 904L and 904R which
are mounted to the bottom end of housing 902 and extend
outwardly therefrom. Engagement arms 904L, 904R have first and
second, inwardly angled engagement portions 906L and 906R at
the distal end of each of the arms which are configured so as
to be easily received within slot 952 in the retracted position
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of spindle arm 908, as will be described in more detail
hereinafter. At the other end of housing 902 from the
engagement arms is a conventional cylindrical lock assembly
910, an example of which was described in detail by reference
to Fig. 13B. A spindle arm 908 is adapted to be mounted to
cylindrical lock assembly 910 at one end, with the opposite end
of arm 908 extending between engagement arms 904L and 904R
external of housing 902. Spindle arm 908 is connected to lock
assembly 910 in such a manner that rotation of lock assembly
910 with an appropriate key (not shown) will cause
translational movement of spindle arm 908 in the direction of
arrow 930 (see Fig. 26B). This movement of arm 908 can be
accomplished in any manner as is well known in the art, as for
example having spindle arm 908 received within a corkscrew
shaped cam attachment mounted to lock assembly 910 so that
rotation of the lock will cause corresponding translational
movement of spindle arm 908.
In operation, with spindle arm 908 in the retracted
position of Fig. 27B, engagement portions 906L and 906R are
insertable into slot 952. Once inside of slot 952, a key can
be inserted into lock assembly 910 and rotated so that spindle
arm 908 will be moved in the direction of arrow 930 to its
extracted position. The movement of spindle arm 930 along
arrow 930 permits engagement arms 904L and 904R to flex
outwards in the direction of arrow 940 so that engagement
portions 906L and 906R will move outwards to engage the inner
surface of slot 952. In this way, attachment mechanism 900
will be secured proximate external wall 950. To subsequently
detach attachment mechanism 900 from proximate external wall
950, the appropriate key is reinserted into lock assembly 910
and rotated to retract spindle arm 908. This will cause
engagement arms 904L, 904R to relax back to their natural
configuration of Fig. 27B to thereby permit engagement portions
906L, 906R to be separated from slot 952.
Fig. 29 is a perspective view of an alternate
preferred embodiment of the present invention. There are
occasions that cables and locks are inappropriate or a certain
amount of mobility for protected equipment is necessary. In
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those instances, using a proximity detecting system 980 can
protect portable computer equipment. Proximity detecting system
980 includes a base unit 982 and a remote unit 984 relatively
permanently attached to monitor 14 by use of a standardized
slot 72 (as shown in Fig. 5 for example). The various
embodiments shown in Figs. 1-28 provide examples of different
attachment schemes for remote unit 984. Base unit 982 and
remote unit 984 operate together to control a separation
distance between them. There are many different ways to
implement proximity detecting system 980 as well known in the
art. One way provides base unit 982 with a transmitter for
periodically transmitting a signal to remote unit 984.
In operation, remote unit 984 includes a receiver and
a self-powered siren (not shown). Should remote unit 984 fail
to receive the periodic transmission, the siren activates to
indicate unauthorized removal of the protected equipment.
Optionally, remote unit 984 includes a transmitter transmitting
a unique ID code allowing base unit 982 to activate a siren and
to identify a particular piece of protected equipment.
While several embodiments of the present invention
have been illustrated by way of example, it is apparent that
further embodiments could be developed within the spirit and
scope of the present invention. However, it is to be expressly
understood that such modifications and adaptations are within
the spirit and scope of the present invention, as set forth in
the following claims.
