Locking apparatus for portable devices

• US 4,305,266 A
• Filed: 12/21/1979
• Issued: 12/15/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert G. Lockwood
• Original Assignee: Robert G. Lockwood
• Inventors: Lockwood, Robert G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wolfe, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US06/106,046
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 70/57, 70/58, 70/229, 70/231, 70/232, 70/DIG. 57, 248/551, 248/552, 248/553
• US Class Current: 70/58
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0082 for office machines, e.g. PC's, portable computers, typewriters, calculators
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/024 by positive interaction, e.g. male-female connections
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/923 Tilting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 70/57 Screw guard
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles

Abstract

A locking apparatus for portable devices and having a base member for securing to a surface, the base member having a conically tapered receptacle for rotatably receiving a similarly configured bearing plug of a base plate member configured for securing to a portable device. The bearing plug is provided with a reduced diameter portion in alignment with the lock pin of a key operated lock, movement of the lock pin into the neck portion retaining the base plate member relative to the base member while permitting rotation of the base plate member.

Claims

1. In an apparatus for locking a portable device to a surface, the combination comprising:

a base plate member having a plate portion for securing the portable device to a surface thereof and a bearing plug having a frusto-conical configuration extending from the other surface thereof, said bearing plug having a reduced diameter neck portion;

a generally inverted cup-shaped base member for securing to a surface, said base member having a receptacle matingly configured for rotatably receiving said bearing plug therein and an aperture extending generally transverse to and communicating with said receptacle;

a plunger lock axially slidable within said aperture of said base member, said lock having a locking pin movable relative to said receptacle for extending therein adjacent said neck portion for retaining said base plate member relative to said base member while permitting relative rotation therebetween;

said base member having a recess in the upper portion thereof about the perimeter of said receptacle and further including apertures extending through said recessed portion for passage therethrough of screw means with the heads thereof concealed from view with the apparatus in its assembled position; and

said base member further having pillar portions in communication with the apertures for said screw means, said pillar portions terminating generally co-extensive with the bottom of said base member for providing strength to said base member when fastened to a surface.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said bearing plug is secured generally centrally of said base plate member and said neck portion is generally intermediate the upper and lower edges of said bearing plug.

3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said base member includes a thumb screw extending generally transverse to and communicating with said bearing plug for locking said bearing plug into stationary position to prevent rotation of said plate member.

5. The combination according to claim 3 wherein said lock means is a plunger lock axially slidable within said aperture and said locking member is a locking pin.

6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein:

said bearing plug has a frusto-conical configuration and said receptacle is matingly configured therewith; and

said base member includes screw means extending generally transverse to and communicating with said bearing plug for locking said bearing plug into stationary position to prevent rotation of said plate member.

7. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said base plate member includes a lip portion on said plate portion for abuttingly engaging a leading edge of the portable device.

8. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said base member is a cast member and the aperture for receiving said lock is a sleeve portion cast integrally with said base member.

4. In an apparatus for locking a portable device to a surface, the combination comprising:

a base plate member having a plate portion for securing the portable device to a surface thereof and a bearing plug extending from the other surface thereof, said bearing plug having a reduced diameter neck portion;

a base member for securing to a surface, said base member having a receptacle generally matingly configured for rotatably receiving said bearing plug therein and an aperture extending generally transverse to and communicating with said receptacle;

lock means within said aperture of said base member, said lock means having a locking member movable relative to said receptacle for extending therein adjacent said neck portion for retaining said base plate member relative to said base member while permitting relative rotation therebetween;

said base member having a recess in the upper portion thereof about the perimeter of said receptacle and further including apertures extending through said recessed portion for passage therethrough of screw means with the heads thereof concealed from view with the apparatus in its assembled position; and

said base member further having pillar portions in communication with the apertures for said screw means, said pillar portions terminating generally co-extensive with the bottom of said base member for providing strength to said base member when fastened to a surface.