Computer drive lockout device

• US 5,305,621 A
• Filed: 12/23/1992
• Issued: 04/26/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: T.B.I.G., Inc.
• Original Assignee: T.B.I.G., Inc.
• Inventors: Broadwater, Michael H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall, Lloyd A.
• Application Number:
  US07/995,717
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 70/14, 70/57, 70/58, 70/158-163, 70/166-169, 360/137
• US Class Current: 70/14
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/005 Means for locking the disc or cassette receiving slot, e.g. dummy cassettes locked in the slot
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/40 Portable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5553 Dead bolt
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5584 Dead bolt

Abstract

The invention is an interlocking lockout device for a computer system. The lockout device comprises a locking disk dimensioned similarly to a floppy disk for so that it can be inserted and locked into a disk-drive. An engagement member of the locking disk interlocks with a bezel. In a locked position, the bezel covers the disk-drive preventing the locking disk from being removed from the disk-drive and preventing foreign matter from being inserted into the computer and disk-drive. While inserted, the locking disk keeps the computer system from booting and thereby prevents unauthorized operation of the computer system. The bezel and locking disk are adaptable on any size disk-drive and can easily be installed on different systems. This provides a lockout capability for computer systems with multiple drives and variable sized disks.

Claims

1. A method for locking an external drive of a computer system with a lockout device of the type having a locking unit insertable into the external drive, the external drive defined by a slot dimensioned to receive a data storage device and a bezel that can be interlocked with an engagement member coupled to the locking unit, said method comprising;

turning off the computer system;

pivotally interlocking the bezel to a first location on the locking unit;

disabling the computer system by inserting and locking the locking unit into the external drive slot while the locking unit is pivotally interlocked to the bezel;

rotating the bezel about the locking unit until the bezel both abuts a front face of the external drive and engages with the engagement member to prevent access to the external drive; and

locking the bezel to the locking unit to prevent the lockout device from being removed from the external drive.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the bezel is rotated about the locking unit in a horizontal plane.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein locking the bezel to the locking unit rotates the bezel further about the locking unit at the first location pulling the bezel tighter against the front face of the drive.

4. A lockout device for preventing unauthorized access to a computer system of the type having a drive housing with a slot for receiving and locking an external storage medium in the drive housing, and an ejection mechanism for disengaging the external storage medium from the slot, said lockout device comprising:

a locking disk dimensioned sufficiently similar to the external storage medium to allow insertion and locking into the slot of the drive housing;

a bezel having a vertically aligned front wall joined at a top and bottom end by a pair of horizontally aligned top and bottom walls and joined at opposite lateral ends by a pair of vertically aligned end walls forming a cavity dimensioned to cover the slot in the drive housing and the ejection mechanism;

a lock having a first member coupled to the locking disk and a second member coupled to the bezel lockable to the first member for interlocking the bezel to the locking disk;

means for pivotally coupling the bezel to the locking disk at a first location spaced from the lock so that the first and second lock members can be separated and the locking disk inserted and locked in the slot while the bezel and locking disk remain pivotally coupled together;

the bezel being rotatable about the inserted and locked locking disk at the first location abutting against the drive housing thereby allowing the first lock member to move into an engagement position with the second lock member, the first and second lock members being lockable together in the engagement position further urging the bezel toward the drive housing for preventing disengagement of the locking disk from the drive housing and access to the slot in the drive housing.

5. A lockout device according to claim 4 wherein the drive housing contains a disk-drive for receiving a diskette through the slot.

6. A lockout device according to claim 5 wherein the locking disk is substantially dimensioned in the shape of a diskette.

7. A lockout device according to claim 4 wherein

the second lock member comprises a key activated rotatable shaft coupled to a latch that interlocks into the first lock member.

8. A lockout device according to claim 4 wherein the ejection mechanism comprises a lever attached to the outside of the drive housing.

9. A lockout device according to claim 4 wherein the ejection mechanism comprises a button attached to the outside of the drive housing.

10. A lockout device according to claim 4 wherein the bezel is pivotally coupled to a tab portion attached to the locking disk that extends out of the drive slot while the locking disk is locked in the drive housing.

11. A lockout device according to claim 10 including a flange extending out of the bezel pivotally coupled with the tab portion to prevent the bezel from being removed form the locking disk.

12. A lockout device according to claim 10 wherein locking the first and second lock members together while the locking disk is locked in the slot causes the bezel to pivot about the tab portion pulling the bezel securely against the drive housing.

13. A security system for disabling a computer of the type having a drive with an internal cavity dimensioned to receive a data storage device, and a locking mechanism for locking the data storage device in the drive, said security system comprising;

a locking device dimensioned for horizontal insertion and locking into the drive cavity having first and second engagement members each horizontally spaced apart and extending out of the drive cavity after the locking device is locked inside the drive with the locking mechanism;

a bezel having a vertically aligned front wall joined at a top and bottom end by a pair of horizontally aligned top and bottom walls and joined at opposite lateral ends by a pair of vertically aligned end walls forming a cavity, the bezel hinged to the first engagement member of the locking device allowing the bezel to pivot about the first engagement member for abutment against the drive and for covering the internal cavity; and

a lock attached to the bezel that swings about the first engagement member to engage with the second engagement member in a locked position for interlocking the bezel to the locking device, the bezel in the locked position being locked to the locking device with the lock at the second engagement member maintaining a non-pivoting condition thereby preventing access to the drive cavity and disengagement of the locking device from the drive.

14. The security system according to claim 13 wherein the drive is a 51/4" floppy disk-drive.

15. The security system according to claim 13 wherein the drive is a 31/2" floppy disk-drive.

16. The security system according to claim 13 wherein the locking device while locked in the drive cavity prevents the computer from booting.

17. The security system according to claim 13 wherein the first engagement member comprises a tab with a hole, the tab extending out of the drive while the locking device is locked in the drive.

18. The security system according to claim 13 including a pair of flanges extending from the front wall of the bezel into the bezel cavity positioned above and below the second engagement member when the bezel is interlocked with the locking device.

19. The security system according to claim 13 including a top and bottom flange joined to the bezel and positioned above and below the first engagement member, respectively, the top and bottom flange each pivotally coupled to the first engagement member.

20. A security system for disabling a computer of the type having a drive with an internal cavity dimensioned to receive a data storage device, and a locking mechanism for locking the data storage device in the drive, said security system comprising;

a locking device dimensioned for insertion into the drive cavity having first and second engagement members, the locking device lockable inside the drive with the locking mechanism;

a bezel pivotally coupled to the first engagement member of the locking device;

a lock attached to the bezel that engages the second engagement member in a locked position for interlocking the bezel to the locking device, the bezel in the locked position preventing access to the drive cavity and disengagement of the locking device from the drive;

the first engagement member having a tab with a hole, the tab extending out of the drive while the locking device is locked in the drive;

a first and second flange coupled to the bezel, the flanges having coaxially aligned holes; and

a pin sized for insertion into the tab hole and the flange holes;

the flanges positioned above and below the tab, respectively, and the flange holes coaxially aligned with the tab hole so that inserting the pin into the holes pivotally couples the bezel to the locking device.