Locking device for portable computers

• US 6,212,921 B1
• Filed: 04/23/1999
• Issued: 04/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William W. Knighton
• Original Assignee: William W. Knighton
• Inventors: Knighton, William W.
• Primary Examiner(s): JAYNE, DARNELL M
• Application Number:
  US09/298,520
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• Field of Search: 70/14, 70/19, 70/57, 70/58, 70/62, 701/58, 701/63, 701/64, 701/67--69, 704/61, 109/50, 109/52, 248/551, 248/553, 312/223.2, 312/265.5, 312/265.6
• 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: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5027 Supporting stands

Abstract

A locking apparatus for providing security for either unauthorized access or unauthorized removal of portable computers. The portable computer sets on a base tray that has side and rear walls with access ports. A combined assembly of a removable locking member and an adjustable security member fits snugly over the top surface of the computer. The combined assembly is secured to the rear wall of the base tray by a flange and to the front of the base tray by a locking mechanism.

Claims

1. A locking device for portable computers comprising,

a base tray;

a removable locking member coupled to the base tray, the removable locking member comprising a front assembly, the front assembly comprising a locking mechanism, a lock mechanism housing and at least one guide pin; and

an adjustable security member coupled to the removable locking member;

wherein the lock mechanism housing is comprised of a plurality of apertures for coupling the adjustable security member to the removable locking member.

2. The device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the base tray comprises:

a mounting plenum;

an extension plenum coupled to the mounting plenum;

a plurality of side walls coupled to the mounting plenum; and

a rear wall coupled to the mounting plenum.

3. The device in accordance with claim 2 wherein the base tray is further comprised of a reinforcement channel coupled to the mounting plenum and to the extension plenum.

4. The device in accordance with claim 2 wherein the mounting plenum is comprised of a plurality of apertures for securing the device to a permanent structure.

5. The device in accordance with claim 2 wherein the extension plenum is comprised of at least one aperture.

6. The device in accordance with claim 2 wherein at least one of the plurality of side walls is comprised of at least one aperture.

7. The device in accordance with claim 2 wherein the rear wall is comprised of at least one aperture.

8. The device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the removable locking member further comprises:

a rear flange for coupling with the base tray;

a rear vertical section having a plurality of apertures for coupling with the adjustable security member; and

a horizontal section which couples the front assembly to the rear vertical section and the rear flange.

9. The device in accordance with claim 8 wherein the removable locking member further comprises a cushion material coupled to the, horizontal section.

10. The device in accordance with claim 8 wherein the plurality of apertures for coupling with the adjustable security member is comprised of two columns of equally spaced apertures.

11. The device in accordance with claim 8 wherein the locking mechanism is comprises:

a key operated lock; and

a locking arm coupled to the key operated lock.

12. The device in accordance with claim 11 wherein the key operated lock has a locked position and an unlocked position.

13. The device in accordance with claim 12 wherein the locking arm engages the base tray when the key operated lock is in the locked position.

14. The device in accordance with claim 12 wherein the locking arm disengages the base tray when the key operated lock is in the unlocked position.

15. The device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the adjustable security member comprises:

at least one rear flange for coupling to a rear vertical section of the removable locking member;

a front vertical section for coupling to the front assembly of the removable locking member; and

a horizontal retainer section which couples the at least one rear flange to the front vertical section.

16. The device in accordance with claim 15 wherein the adjustable security member further comprises a cushion material coupled to the horizontal retainer section.

17. The device in accordance with claim 15 wherein the horizontal retainer section of the adjustable security member is parallel to a top surface of the base tray.

18. The device in accordance with claim 17 wherein a distance between the horizontal retainer section of the adjustable security member and the base tray is adjustable.

19. The device in accordance with claim 15 wherein the front vertical section is coupled to the front assembly of the removable locking member by means of a fastener.

20. A locking device for portable computers comprising:

a base tray comprising a top and bottom surface;

a removable locking member coupled to the base tray comprising;

a horizontal section coupled to a locking mechanism that is parallel to the top surface of the base tray; and

a front assembly, the front assembly comprising the locking mechanism, a lock mechanism housing and at least one guide pin; and

an adjustable security member coupled to the removable locking member wherein the lock mechanism housing is comprised of a plurality of apertures for coupling the adjustable security member to the removable locking member.

21. The device in accordance with claim 20 wherein the base tray further comprises a plurality of apertures which allow the base tray to be coupled to a permanent structure by fasteners.

22. The device in accordance with claim 20 wherein the portable computer is secured to the locking device by the steps of:

placing the portable computer on the top surface of the base tray;

coupling the adjustable security member to the removable locking member such that a distance between the adjustable security member and the top surface of the base tray is approximately the same as a height of the portable computer;

coupling a rear section of the removable locking member to the base tray; and

locking a front section of the removable locking member to the base tray.