Security clamp lock for notebook computer or other personal electronic device

• US 20060291156A1
• Filed: 06/15/2006
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Think Products Inc.
• Original Assignee: Peter Allen
• Inventors: Allen, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 7,499,269 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.55
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0005 using chains, cables or the like chain- or cable-locks of the padlock type E05B67/003; lockable clothing hangers or hanger racks E05B69/006
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0082 for office machines, e.g. PC's, portable computers, typewriters, calculators
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00

Abstract

A notebook/laptop computer or other personal electronic device locking assembly includes a locking base frame. The locking base frame locks the notebook computer or other personal electronic device securely in place to a work surface such as a desk top or table top. The lock is adapted to engage the notebook computer or other personal electronic device screen in the open position, leaving a front surface of the screen viewable. The lock prevents removal of the notebook computer or other personal electronic device from the work surface. A security table top/work surface clamp includes a cable clamp having a fixed or adjustably sized generally C-shaped clamp body insertable over a table top or other flat work surface. The lower operating knob has a transverse hole or slot preventing loosening of the threaded bolt once the flexible cable is installed through the transverse hole or slot.

Claims

1. A security clamp in combination with a flexible security cable for locking a laptop/notebook computer and/or other personal electronic devices, wherein said security cable has a flexible loop formed at one end and a permanently attached lock at the other end, comprising:

a cable clamp having a generally C-shaped upper clamp body insertable over a table top or other flat work surface,

said clamp having a threadable bolt engaging against a lower edge of said table top or other flat work surface,

said threaded bolt extending into a lower operating knob below said C-shaped upper clamp body,

said lower operating knob having a transverse hole preventing loosening of said threaded bolt once said flexible cable is installed through said transverse hole.

2. The security clamp as in claim 1 wherein said looped end of said cable is inserted part way through a said transverse hole, said transverse hole being a slot in the operating knob, permitting said secure cable clamp to be secured in place over said table top or other flat work surface.

3. The security clamp as in claim 1 wherein said C-shaped clamp comprises a pair of movable clamping jaws adjusting a size of a gap defined therebetween.

4. A security clamp in combination with a flexible security cable for locking a laptop/notebook computer and/or other personal electronic devices, wherein said security cable has a flexible loop formed at one end and a permanently attached lock at the other end, comprising:

a cable having a ferrule at one end having an opening for engaging said padlock.

a clamp for attachment to a table top;

said clamp having means for being engaged with an opposite end of said cable preventing removal of said clamp from said table top while said ferrule of said cable is engaged with said lock, thereby providing security against theft of said electronic device;

wherein when said locking bar is deployed laterally across the notebook computer screen, removal of the notebook computer from the locking base is prevented.

5. The security clamp of claim 4 in which said clamp comprises:

a C-shaped frame for straddling an edge of said table top having a lower jaw under said table top and an upper jaw above said table top;

a threaded opening in said lower jaw to accommodate a fastener to press a distal end of said fastener against an underside of said table to force said upper jaw against a surface of said table top;

a proximate end of said fastener having a smooth rounded head and a square under-head shank;

a knob on said fastener under said lower jaw, said knob having a blind hole to receive said proximate end of said fastener, said blind hole having an opening allowing said fastener to exit said knob and pass through said threaded opening of said lower jaw; and

said knob having a locking hole extending through said blind hole below said rounded head of said fastener when said fastener is completely threaded through said lower jaw;

said cable passing through said locking hole to prevent said fastener from being removed from said table top, the opposite end of said cable having a cable stop whose diameter is too large to pass through said locking hole, said ferrule having a smaller diameter able to pass through said locking hole after removal from said padlock, thereby preventing unauthorized removal of said housing and/or electronic device when said padlock is in place.

6. The security clamp of claim 5 in which the blind hole fastener opening is square to accommodate the square shank of said fastener.

7. The security clamp of claim 5 in which said knob is spherical.

8. The security clamp of claim 5 in which said upper jaw has a resilient pad to prevent marring a finish on said table top.

9. The security clamp of claim 5 having a security box on said fastener between said knob and said lower jaw to block exposure to bolt cutters.

10. The security clamp of claim 5 in which said security box is four sided with a clearance hole for said fastener.