Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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DISK DRIVE L.OCKING DEVICE
Technical Field
This invention relates to locking devices for computers
and more particularly a portable device for locking disk
drive units.
Background of the Invention
.
Acceptance of personal computers is legion both in
business and the home. The personal computer is readily
adaptable to many environments and its versatility and
capacity for information storage, retrieval and manipulation
are primary factors leading to its popularity. As
recognized, personal computers have evolved to the status of
a "tool for modern times".
The primary adjunct of personal computers is floppy
diskettes. These are magnetized disks containing
information, programs or data files, in machine-readable form
for storage, manipulation, viewing or printing. Conventional
personal computers incorporate disk drive units having slots
and gates adpatec3 for insertion of f]oppy diskettes to
perform the aforementioned functions.
In view of the remarkable popularity of personal
computers and diskette use, associated criminal and security
problems are now on the rise. Trade in stolen computer
hardware and pirating software (the programs exemplify such
activities. An additional activity, which may critically
affect the viability of a business is
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pirating of proprietary information contained on ~loppy
diskettes. The easiest and least detectable manner to
accomplish such pirating is simple copying of the contents
of an original diskette onto a new diskette, replacing the
original, and absconding with the newly copied diskette.
As the computer hardware and diskettes are commonly
located in the same locations, the only required activity
for copying entails loading the original diskette into an
activated computer and copying it to a new diskette; both
relatively silent and fast operations. Information stolen
in this manner could prove critical to the survival of a
business and its misappropriation irrevocably damaging.
Many solutions to overcome these and other forms
of criminal activity have been devised. Software incor-
porates anti-copy codes. L~cking mounting brackets for
the hardware and internal system key-locking assemblies
like that featured on the IBM-ATTM prevent outright theft
of the units and unauthorized access to the system,
respectively.
Internal locking systems generally are not avail-
able for less sophisticated, but far more numerous conven-
tional personal computers. Retrofit installment of such
devices requires considerable work and often is not
economically justifiable. On the other hand, devices
dedicated to render personal computers immovable such as
mounting brackets, may secure the unit but are not port-
able by nature. Moreover, such brackets are somewhat cum-
bersome to install often leading to disfiguration of
associated cabinets and furniture, and do not prevent
access to disk drive units.
As can be noted from the foregoing discussion,
unauthorized access to computer units may lead to many
different problems. However, such access is not limited
to the criminal sphere. Particularly when located in the
home, unauthori2ed access may take the form of child's
play. The curiosity of a small child is a universal
trait and such curiosity may lead to tampering with a home
computer. Hence, a child may damage the system or attempt
to push objects into a disk drive unit which is not de-
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signed to accept such objects.
It is apparent from the foregoing that thereexists a need in the art for a device that would serve to
prevent unauthorized access and, further, if properly
designed, to deter vandalism and outright theft of the
uni~.
Summary of the Invention
It is an object of the present invention to pro-
vide a portable locking device for a personal computer.
It is another object of ~his invention to provide
a disk drive locking device which prevents unauthorized
access to a computer.
Still another object of certain embodiments of
this invention is to provide a portable locking device for
a disk drive unit that cannot be forcibly removed from
the unit without causing damage thereto.
Yet another object of cert-ain embodiments of this
invention is to provide a locking device which covers a
substantial portion of a disk drive unit to prevent
vandalism thereto.
It i5 still another object of certain embodlments
of the invention to provide a portable locking device
which con~orms to the configuration of the disk drive unit
thereby not requiring its removal for proper functioning
of the unit.
These and other objects are satisfied by the
combination of a portable locking device for a computer
disk drive unit characterized by a faceplate with an
elongated slot which is adapted to receive a floppy
diskette, a pivotally mounted blocking member, capable o~
movement between an unblocking position and a`blocking
position so that when said blocking member is in the block-
ing position a floppy diskette cannot be moved relative to
said slot; first faceplate engaging means, said faceplate
engaging means including a hooking element extending
therefrom and adapted to be received by the faceplate
through said slot, said faceplate engaging means further
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including a ~irst locking member; and second unit engaging
means ~or covering at least a portion of said slot, said
second enyaging means being in a pivotal relationship to
said first faceplate engaging means and having a second
locking member adapted to cooperate with said first
locking member in a manner to prevent pivotal movement
therebetween, whereby hooking said hooking element to said
faceplate, pivoting said first faceplate engaging means
and said second unit engaging means prevents a floppy
diskette from being placed in or removed from said disk
drive unit.
Additionally, certain of the foregoing objects are
satisfied by a portable locking device for a computer disk
drive unit including hasp means for placement in front of
and blocking access to the disk drive unit slot and
rendering the latching mechanism substantially immobile,
said hasp means incorporating a first aperture and a first
openingt and hinge means for coacting with said hasp-
means, said hinge means having cooperating, interlocking,
extension means for being received in said first hasp
openiny and the drive unit slot, said extension means
being slidingly receivable in the disk drive unit, said
hinge means further defining a second aperture, alignable
with said first hasp aperture where said first and second
apertures are adapted to receive a lock, whereby inserting
said hinge means through said hasp means and into the disk
drive unit means and engaging a lock through said
apertures secures said hinge and hasp means to the disk
drive unit.
Therefore, this invention in the embodiment identified
immediately above presents a simple, portable locking
device which impedes direct access to a disk drive unit.
Moreover, the device impedes misappropriation of informa-
tion from unauthorized copying oE diskettes. Furthe~more,
the invention deters theft of the computer unit because
forcible removal of the device from the disk drive unit
renders the unit inoperable. Additionally, the invention,
in particular conEigurations, covers and prevents easy
access to and, therefore, vandalism of a disk drive unit.
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Certain of the foregoiny objects are further
satisfied by an embodiment of the invention providing
a disk drive locking device for a computer disk
drive unit includiny a faceplate with an elongated slot
defined by boarders of enhanced thickness~ a pivotally
mounted gate and an angled notch located below the gate,
said device comprising a securing bracket, said bracket
having a configuration substantially conforming to the
disk drive notch and having a hook member for hooking onto
and engaging said drive unit, said bracket further
including first member of a cooperating locking assembly;
and a cover member having a bar adapted to cover a portion
of the slot and a carrier element, said bar being united
to and extending from said carrier element, said carrier
element being pivotally mounted to said bracket, said
carrier element further incorporating the second member of
said cooperating locking assembly; where hooking said
bracket onto said drive unit, pivoting said bar to cover
said slot, and engaging said ~irst and second members of
said locking assembly prevents the device from being removed
from the drive unit.
These and other advantages of the invention will
become apparent to the skilled artisan upon review of the
following description.
Brief Description of the Drawinqs
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first
embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 is a cutaway side view of the assembled
invention illustrated in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a cutaway side view of the hinge
member of the invention of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the hinge
member.
Figure 5 is a cutaway side view of the hasp member
35 of the invention depicted in Figure 1.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the hasp member.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of an auxiliary
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member ~or use with the invention.
Figure 8 is an assembly view of an alternative
embodiment of the invention.
Fi(~ure 9 is a cutaway side view of the invention
illustrated in Figure 8.
Detailed Description of the Illustrated__mbodiments
In Figure 1, security device 10, one embodiment of
the invention, is illustrated as attached in an
interlocked and engaging manner with computer disk drive
10 unit 12. Unit 12 is of conventional structure, such as
that found on the IBM-PC, characterized by floppy disk
receiving slot 13 and upwardly hinged, pivotally mounted
gate 14. Conventional drive units also include a pivotal-
ly actuable disk drive latching unit incorporated ~ith
15 gate 14. Such latching mechanisms incorporate two metal
pin members 40 (see Figure 2), each being disposed along
one side of the gate. These pins pivot downwardly across
and perpendicular to slot 13 to engage the back of a
diskette which has been inserted into the slot thereby
20 securing it within the disk drive. Pins 40 pivot upward-
ly, away from slot 13, when gate 14 is opened. It is
important to highlight pin members 40 as they coact with
security device 10. However, for purposes of this
invention, it is believed no further elaboration of the
latching unit is required.
Device 10 features two distinct cooperating and
coacting components; hinge 16 and hasp 18. A general
description of each component is now provided. Hasp 18
features a generally rectangular vertical portion 26,
30 which is adapted to lie against the front wall of disk
drive ~nit 12, covering the slot 13 and gate 14. Hasp 18
by blocking gate 14, secures it in its closed position.
Moreover by covering slot 13, hasp 18 prevents insertion
or removal of a floppy diskette ~rom the slot. Hasp 18
35 also includes horizontally projecting portion 22 and ver-
tical lug member 50. The backside of hasp 18 is covered
with compressible, resilient layer 46. Layer 46 serves
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the multiple purposes of preventing surface abrasion to
the face o the disk drive unit, permitting hasp 18 to
conform to the contour o~ the face of the disk drive unit
and~ i~ providing a complete seal around ~he slot and latcn
mechanism, preventing dust and other deleterious pollu-
tants from entering the disk drive. Thus, hasp 18 may act
as a dust ccver for the disk drive unit. Compressible
materials contemplated for layer 46 are felt, foam-rubber,
etc.
Hinge 16 includes horizontally projecting portion
20 adapted to lie on horizontally projecting hasp portion
22 and vertical lug member 52 projecting from one edge of
portion adapted to mate and coact with member 50. Hinge
16 also features two identical, vertically disposed hinge
S-shaped leg members 24 adapted to rest against vertical
hasp portion 26 and extend through and behind comple-
mentary holes 28 disposed therethrough.
Turning now to Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6, hinge 16 and
hasp 18 are each illustrated in greater detail. All numeri-
cal values of dimension are approximations which areintended only to assist in the illustration and descrip-
tion of the invention; not to present absolute values.
Specifically referring to Figures 3 and 4, hinge
16, constructed from 0.065 inch thick brushed stainless
steel, includes 0.75 inch by 3.4 inch horizontal portion
20~ Portion 20 incorporates 0.25 inch diameter aperture
30 and 0.35 inch diameter aperture 54. Apertures 30 and
54 are provideclwith different diameters so as to be
adapted to receive a large variety of conventional locking
devices, such as combination locks, dial telephone locks,
etc. Vertical member 52, projecting above one edge of
portion 20, contains yet another aperture which is capable
of receiving a locki~g device. Hinge 16 further features
0.25 inch wide vertical legs 2~ separated by 1.81 inches,
(as designed for an IBM PC computer, pins 40 are approx-
imately two inches apart). Resembling orthogonally dis-
placed S-shaped projections, legs 24 include upper and
lower vertically disposed members 32 and 34, 0O5 inch and
0.25 inch segments respectively, and 0.33 inch transverse
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horizontal member 36.
With re~erence to Figures S and 6, hasp 18 is L-
shaped, having 0.87 inch by 3.5 inch horizontally project-
ing leg 22 incorporating lug S0 and apertures 38 and 56
corresponding in diameter and location to hinge apertures
30 and 54. Compressible, sealing layer 46 may cover the
entire back of leg 26 or be of strip form of su~ficient
dimensions to seal slot 13 and latch 14 from dust as well
as permitting hasp 18 to conform to the surface conforma- -
tion of unit 12. Vertically disposed leg 26, formed along
the back edge of leg 22, has two oblongated 0.3 inc~ long
holes 28 complementary with hinge legs 24. Holes 28 are
designed to lie over the front of slot 13 when hasp 18 is
properly positioned on the front of unit 12.
Referring back to Figure 2r the cooperating aspect
of locking device 10 is represented. Hasp member 18 is
placed on ~he front wall of disk drive unit 12 such that
openings 28 lie in front of slot 13. Leg portions 34~of
hinge 16 are passed horizontally through openings 28 and
into slot 130 As the upper edges of portion 34 contact
20 pins 40 of the disk drive latch assembly, hinge 16 is
pivoted. Portions 34 slide upwardly between the wall and
pins 40 while portions 36 move horizontally into slot 13.
Accordingly, portions 34 are seated between pins 40 and
the interior wall of disk drive unit 12 in a ver~ically
25 disposed manner and portions 36 extend through slot 13
and holes 2~ Leg portions 32 and horizontal portion 20
rest against the corresponding outwardly facing surfaces
of hasp 18.
Apertures 30 and 38, aligned in a cooperating
30 manner, form a continuous passage through hinge 16 and
hasp 18. This provision permits a conventional locking
device 42 such as a barbell-type lock or padlock to be
inserted therethrough. As previously noted, conventional
locking devices may also be secured to device 10 through
35 cooperating apertures 54 and 56 or lug members 50 and 52.
When locked together, hinge 16 and hasp 18 are rendered
substantially immovable relative to each other as well as
to disk drive unit 12. As is apparent when locked
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together, upper hasp leg 26 is of sufficient length to
prevent assembled device 10 from being pivoted relative to
unit 12. Furthermore, leg portion 3~ projects upwardly
into unit 12 to a sufficient degree so that any ~orceable
attempt to remove locked assembly 10 will lead to damage
of unit 12. ~hus, the portable embodiment, as illus-
trated, serves to prevent piracy of proprietary informa-
tion by preventing ready access to facilitating hardware.
It is evident that due to the area covered by hasp 18,
10 entry to slot 13 is prevented. Therefore, an individual
seeking to vandalize the disk drive is deterred from easy
access thereto.
AdJunctive locking element 60 is illustrated in
Fiyure 7. Although not necessary for practice of the
invention, its presence strengthens locking device 10.
Substantially U-shaped element 60 is designed to slide
over horizontal projections 20 and 22 of hinge 16 and hasp
18, respectively. Apertures 62 and 64, corresponding-to
the cooperating apertures in projections 20 and 22, are
provided in order that a lock may be inserted therethrough
20 when element is properly positioned on device 10.
It can readily be appreciated that the steel
employed in the manufacture of locking device 10 has a
greater tensile strength than the conventional thermo-
plastic material composing the front wall of disk drive
unit 12. This superior strength is desirable because
attempted removal or deformation of device 10 when
properly interlocked, will damage unit 12. Therefore, in
addition to inhibiting information piracy, the invention
deters wholesale theft of the associated hardware because
of the damage generated from forced removal of the locked
device from the disk drive unit reduces the computer's
salability~
Potential modifications of the above-described
embodiment of the invention are numerous. Certain repre-
sentative variations of the above-described embodiment are
now highlighted. This list is not intended to be
inclusive but its purpose is merely to illustrate certain
areas of a host of alternative forms and construction
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wilich are contemplated by the invention.
First, any strong, durable, break-resistant
material, such as polycarbonates, aluminum, etc., may be
substituted or the preferred steel and still achieve many
of the desired objects of the invention. The inventi~n
may also be modified to secure disk drive units employing
a conventional front-mounted, toggle latch assembly like
that incorporated on the IBM-AT. By providing recessed
means for receiving the toggle latch in the hinge and hasp
members, the toggle latch is rendered substantially immov-
able be~ween the closed and open positions. Thirdly, asis evident, the preferred embodiment is designed for as-
sembly on a single full-size disk drive unit. The inven-
tion may be modified to provide a single assembly for
blocking dual disk drives. This is accomplished merely by
providiny a single, elongated hasp element of sufficient
length to extend across both drives and provide coacting
apertures for securing two hinge members, one each
complementary to each of the drives.
Yet another variation relates to the structure of
the hinge and hasp members. The hori~ontally projecting
legs may be eliminated in favor o~ a device which lies
essentially on the disk drive face. In this embodiment a
telephone dial locking device is inserted into and secured
in a co~plementary aperture. In this manner the locking
25 device pro~ects perpendicularly from the hinge and hasp
members lying 011 the face plate.
Moving now to an alternative structure for the
invention which satisfies its purposes, it is illustrated
in Pigures 8 and 9. Alternative embodiment llO is
30 configured for permanent but removable mounting to disk
drive unit 80 which features slot 82, built-up boarders 84,
pivotal gate 86 and finger notch 88. Finger notch 88 is
incorporated in the lower portion of and angles back from
the front of unit 80 toward its interior. It is
35 approximately the same width as gate 86.
Securing bracket 90 corresponds to the peripheral
configuration of notch 88 in angle and width. Bracket 90
comprises substantially stereoisometric sides 92 and 94
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connected by uniting back plate 96. Sides 92 and 94 both
feature upper hooking members 98 which are complementary
to and adapted to hook over the upper edge of notch 8B.
In this manner, the upper edges of sides 92 and 94 extend
5 within notch 88 and below the lower edge of slot 82.
Sides 92 and 94 also feature stabilizer projections 100
which project transversely and in opposite directions
therefrom. Projections 100 are adapted to underlie and
engage the lower edge of lower slot boarder 84. Project-
ing from the lower end of sides 92 and 94 are L-shaped
members 102 each incorporating centrally disposed bore
104. Members 102 are intended to abut and project forward
from the faceplate of unit 80. Lastly, side 94 features
locking log 106 disposed perpendicularly therefrom and
15 projecting into the space provided by notch 88.
As is readily apparent, particularly in Figure 9,
securing bracket 90 is designed and adapted to be secured
to unit 80 so as not to obstruct slot 82 but also to ~e
securely anchored to the unit.
Moving now to the second aspect of alternative
embodiment 110, cover member 112, it is die cut and formed
from medium guage cold rolled steel and features
transverse bar or bezel 114, the cross-section of which
conforms to the cross-sectional configuration of slot 82
and boarders ~4 (see Figure 9). The preferred structure
includes bar 114 extending the full length of slot 82.
Bar 114 is formed with or attached securely to base or
carrier element 116 to form a unitary structure. Carrier
116 is of a box-like structure having a width and height
closely corresponding to bracket 90.
At the bottom of the sides of carrier 116 are
formed holes 118 which correspond to bores 104 in bracket
90. These align and are machine riveted or otherwise
permanently joined together in a manner to permit pivotal
movement between bracket 90 and cover 112. Centrally
disposed on the front portion of carrier 116 is lock
aperture 12~ which is provided for seating conventional
lock assembly 122 therein. The principal restriction or
selection of lock assembly 122 is that it must be capable
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of coacting with lug 106 on bracket 90 to prevent relative
movement between bracket 90 and cover element 112. The
interlocking relationship of the above-described elements
are more clear in Figure 10.
When bracket 90 is engaged within notch 88, as
illustrated, cover element 112, being pivotally attached
thereto, is capable of movement between the slot covering
position and the slot uncovered position (indicated by the
hashed lines). When lock 122 is actuated in the slot
covered position, bar 114 covers slot 82 in a manner to
prevent installation or removal of a floppy disk located
in disk drive unit 80. It is noteworthy that this embodi-
ment does not in any way interfere with the function of
the associated disk drive unit and when opened, the
function of the gate.
Once given the above disclosure, various other
modifications and improvements will become apparent to the
skilled artisan. As such, they are considered to be part
of the invention, the scope of which is to be determined
by the following claims:
