Computer security device

• US 4,985,695 A
• Filed: 08/09/1989
• Issued: 01/15/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James E. Bent, William T. Wilkinson
• Original Assignee: James E. Bent, William T. Wilkinson
• Inventors: Wilkinson, William T., Bent, James E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Orsino, Joseph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mullen, Jr., Thomas J.
• Application Number:
  US07/391,232
• Time in Patent Office: 524 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568, 340/571, 340/693, 340/666, 340/584, 340/521, 340/333, 340/825.31, 200/61.45 R, 200/43.02, 439/304, 307/64, 307/66, 70/58, 70/63, 248/553, 248/551
• US Class Current: 340/568.3
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1409 for removal detection of electrical appliances by detecting their physical disconnection from an electrical system, e.g. using a switch incorporated in the plug connector
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1472 with force or weight detection
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles

Abstract

A computer security device includes a compartmentalized housing. One compartment is for storing floppy disks. Another compartment stores pressure switches associated with various computer components for sounding an alarm if an unauthorized person attempts to move the components. A further compartment stores certain of the components during periods of non-use. A still further compartment stores the electronics for various alarms to indicate tampering, fire, etc.

Claims

1. A computer security device for protecting the components of a personal computer system or the like comprising a housing having top, bottom, front, rear and side walls, a door for providing access to the interior of said housing, said housing including at least three compartments wherein there is simultaneous access to the interior of said compartments when said door is opened, one of said compartments being a disk storage compartment which is lined with low reluctance shielding material, lock means for preventing access to said interior, electrical control means including internal power surface means in another one of said compartments in said housing, a main power source in said housing for supplying power to said internal power source means, said power source means including outlet means whereby the electrical power cords of the system components may be plugged into said outlet means, and means for locking the component power cords to said housing.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein one of said compartments is a pressure switch storage compartment, a plurality of pressure switches selectively stored in a said pressure switch storage compartment and selectively placeable under selected components of the system, and said pressure switches being powered by said internal power source means.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said top wall is hinged to comprise said door for selectively providing access to all of said compartments.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said front wall is hinged to comprise a further door for providing access to selected compartments.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein at least a portion of one of said side walls is hinged to provide access to said pressure switch storage compartment.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said electrical control means includes condition sensing means for sensing a change in pressure and for sensing the condition of a predetermined motion being exceeded and for sensing the condition of a predetermined temperature being exceded, and alarm means for indicating the sensing of any of said conditions.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said plug locking means includes a cage hinged to said rear wall for limiting access to said outlet means and the component plugs, said cage having to slotted front wall, and locking means on said cage and said bottom wall.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said lock means is a combination lock mounted on said front wall, a striker controlled by said lock, and said striker being in selective contact with a microswitch in said electrical control means.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein one of said compartments is a components storage compartment.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said top wall is flat to provide a support surface for a component of the system, an upstanding rim being on said top wall, and a carrying handle secured to one of said walls.

11. The device of claim 10, in combination with a personal computer system, and said system includes a keyboard and a monitor and a printer and a disk drive and a modem and a mouse.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said system includes a keyboard and a monitor and a printer and a disk drive and a modem and a mouse.

13. The device of claim 12, including floppy disks in said disk storage compartment.

14. The device of claim 1, in combination with a personal computer system, and said system includes a keyboard and a monitor and a printer and a disk drive and a modem and a mouse.

15. The device of claim 14, including floppy disks in said disk storage compartment.