Clamp, system and/or method for securing an article to a fixture

• US 20090266963A1
• Filed: 04/23/2008
• Published: 10/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sennco Solutions Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Sennco Solutions Incorporated
• Inventors: Marszalek, Christopher, Horvath, Daniel, Groth, Jim
• Application Number:
  US12/148,882
• Publication Number:
  US 20090266963A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/316.100
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/024 with provisions for preventing unauthorised removal show cases with devices for prevention of theft A47F3/002; devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal E05B73/0017
• 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

Abstract

A clamp, a system and/or a method secures an article to a fixture. The clamp, the system and/or the method may prevent a theft and/or a removal of the article from the fixture. The clamp is attached to the article, such as, for example, a laptop computer. A vertical member extends from the clamp and may be situated within a recess of the article to prevent the clamp from being removed from the article. A tether secures the clamp and/or the article to the fixture. The vertical member of the clamp may have a plunger that may be depressed by the article while the article is situated within the clamp.

Claims

1. A clamp for securing an article to a fixture, the clamp comprising:

a first arm having a length defined between a first end and a second end wherein the second end of the first arm is positioned opposite to the first end of the first arm wherein the first arm has a height defined between a top surface and a bottom surface wherein the bottom surface of the first arm is positioned generally parallel to the top surface of the first arm;

a second arm positioned generally parallel to the first arm;

a pin extending from the first end of the first arm towards the second arm in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the first arm;

a shaft extending from the second arm towards the first arm in a direction perpendicular to the second arm wherein the shaft has an opening sized to receive the pin of the first arm; and

a member extending from the second arm in a direction perpendicular to the second arm to a point between the bottom surface of the first arm and the second arm wherein the member is generally cylindrical about an axis extending perpendicular to the second arm.

2. The clamp of claim 1 further comprising:

a threaded hole in the pin.

3. The clamp of claim 1 further comprising:

a fastener to connect the pin to the shaft.

4. The clamp of claim 1 further comprising:

an opening in the member between the second arm and the point.

5. The clamp of claim 1 further comprising:

a plunger extending from the member towards the bottom surface of the first arm wherein the plunger moves within the member.

6. The clamp of claim 1 further comprising:

an opening in the second arm that extends through the second arm.

7. The clamp of claim 1 further comprising:

a first plate attached to the second arm wherein the first plate has a width defined between a first side and a second side wherein the first side of the first plate is attached to the second arm to form a compartment between the second arm and the first plate.

8. The clamp of claim 7 further comprising:

a second plate attached to the second side of the first plate wherein the second plate the first plate to the second arm.

9. The clamp of claim 1 further comprising:

a coating on the first arm wherein the coating increases a friction force of the first arm.

10. The clamp of claim 1 further comprising:

a cable attached to the second arm and to the fixture.

11. A system for securing an article to a fixture, the system comprising:

a clamp having a first arm and a second arm wherein the first arm is positioned generally parallel to the second arm wherein the first arm is attached to the second arm;

a member extending from the second arm towards the first arm in a direction perpendicular to the second arm to a point between the first arm and the second arm wherein the member is generally cylindrical about an axis that extends perpendicular to the second arm;

a plunger that extends from the first member towards the first arm wherein the plunger moves within the member in a direction perpendicular to the first arm and the second arm;

a plunger circuit in communication with the plunger wherein the plunger circuit is located within the second arm wherein the plunger circuit detects a movement of the plunger;

a first cable having a first end and second end wherein the first end is connected to the second arm; and

a second cable connected to the plunger circuit.

12. The system of claim 11 further comprising:

a mounting plate attached to the fixture wherein the second end of the first cable is attached to the mounting plate.

13. The system of claim 11 further comprising:

a collar attached to the article wherein the collar is generally cylindrical in shape wherein the collar has an opening sized to receive the member.

14. The system of claim 11 further comprising:

a fastener to attach the first arm of the clamp to the second arm of the clamp.

15. The system of claim 11 further comprising:

a light emitting diode electrically connected to the plunger circuit.

16. The system of claim 11 further comprising:

a coating on the first arm of the clamp wherein the coating protects the article from the first arm.

17. A method for securing an article to a fixture wherein the article has a recess on a surface of the article, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a clamp having a first arm and a second arm wherein the second arm is positioned generally parallel to the first arm at a substantially continuous distance from the first arm wherein the clamp has a member that extends from the second arm towards the first arm wherein the clamp has a cable wherein the cable is attached to the second arm of the clamp and further wherein the clamp has a plunger circuit to detect an attachment of the clamp to the article;

positioning the article between the first arm and the second arm;

inserting the member of the clamp into the recess of the article; and

fastening the first arm to the second arm.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of:

activating the plunger circuit to detect a removal of the article from the clamp.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of:

adjusting the distance between the first arm and the second arm.

20. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of:

attaching the cable to the fixture.