All-in-one network cable and security cable

• US 6,851,957 B1
• Filed: 10/16/2003
• Issued: 02/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Gutierrez, Alfredo, Bhogal, Kulvir Singh, Ishmael, Nizamudeen Jr., Sahasrabudhe, Rohit R.
• Primary Examiner(s): TA, THO DAC
• Application Number:
  US10/687,250
• Time in Patent Office: 481 Days
• Field of Search: 439/133, 439/304, 439/638, 439/676, 439/354
• US Class Current: 439/133
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/447 Shutter or cover plate
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6397 with means for preventing unauthorised use
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/04 for network, e.g. LAN connectors

Abstract

An all-in-one network communication cable and security cable apparatus for securing computing devices is provided. The all-in-one cable combines the security aspects of a steel or other cut-proof cable with a network communication cable and provides a locking mechanism that only permits the authorized user to disconnect the all-in-one cable from the computing device and the structure mounted network communication connection jack. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a standard RJ45 Ethernet Cable is provided with a cut-proof casing and a slidable locking sheath that is capable of being slid under the depressible lever of the RJ45 connector. This locking mechanism includes a lock that may be set by the user so that the locking mechanism is not removable without the proper key or combination. The slidable locking sheath, when engaged, does not allow the lever of the RJ45 connector to be depressed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for securing a computing device to a location, comprising:

a network communication cable having a cut-resistant casing;

a first locking mechanism provided at a first end of the network communication cable; and

a second locking mechanism provided at a second end of the network communication cable, wherein the network communication cable provides a data communication link with a data network, the first locking mechanism is capable of locking the network communication cable to a structure at the location, and the second locking mechanism is capable of locking the network communication cable to the computing device;

a first connector at the first end of network communication cable; and

a second connector at the second end of the network communication cable, wherein the first locking mechanism is capable of being secured to the first connector and the second locking mechanism is capable of being secured to the second connector, and wherein the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism are locking sheaths that are slidable under a depressible portion of the first connector and the second connector such that when the locking sheath is under the depressible portion of the first connector and the second connector, the depressible portion is no longer depressible to release the first connector and the second connector.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism include locking sheaths having a first end with a first diameter larger than a second diameter of a second end and being slidable along the network communication cable.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cut-proof casing is a steel cable casing.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism include integrated keyed or combination locks.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the network communication cable includes an Ethernet cable having RJ45 connectors at each end of the Ethernet cable.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the RJ45 connectors have a mating piece for engaging with a locking feature of the fit locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first locking mechanism and second locking mechanism have locking features for engaging with mating pieces of the first connector and second connector, respectively.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the locking features and the mating pieces having openings through which a portion of a lock may be passed.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the locking features are surfaces protruding from the locking mechanism wherein the surfaces form a slot into which the mating piece may be slid.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the locking features and the mating pieces have openings through which an arm of a padlock may be passed.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the network communication cable further includes:

a first connector at the first end of the network communication cable for coupling the network communication cable to a data communication jack of one of the computing device and the structure; and

a second connector at the second end of the network communication cable for coupling the network communication cable to a data communication jack of the other of the computing device and the structure.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first connector and the second connector are RJ45 connectors and wherein the network communication cable is an Ethernet cable.

13. A method of making a security cable for securing a portable computing device at a location, comprising:

providing a network communication cable;

providing a cut-resistant casing surrounding the network communication cable;

providing a first locking mechanism at a first end of the network communication cable; and

providing a second locking mechanism at a second end of the network communication cable, wherein the network communication cable provides a data communication link with a data network, the first locking mechanism is capable of locking the network communication cable to a structure at the location, and the second locking mechanism is capable of locking the network communication cable to the computing device;

providing a first connector at the first end of network communication cable; and

providing a second connector at the second end of the network communication cable, wherein the first locking mechanism is capable of being secured to the first connector and the second locking mechanism is capable of being secured to the second connector, and wherein the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism are locking sheaths that are slidable under a depressible portion of the first connector and the second connector such that when the locking sheath is under the depressible portion of the first connector and the second connector, the depressible portion is no longer depressible to release the first connector and the second connector.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the network communication cable includes an Ethernet cable having RJ45 connectors at each end of the Ethernet cable.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the first locking mechanism and second locking mechanism are provided with locking features for engaging with mating pieces of the first connector and second connector, respectively.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the locking features and the mating pieces are provided with openings through which a portion of a lock may be passed.

17. An apparatus for securing a computing device to a location, comprising:

an Ethernet cable having a steel cut-resistant casing;

a first locking mechanism provided at a first end of the Ethernet cable; and

a second locking mechanism provided at a second end of the Ethernet cable,

 

wherein the first locking mechanism and second locking mechanism include;

a connector having a depressible portion and a mating piece;

a slidable sheath capable of being slid under the depressible portion such that the depressible portion is no longer depressible; and

a locking feature having a gap into which the mating piece of the connector may be slid, wherein the locking feature and the mating piece have holes through which a portion of a lock may be passed when the holes in the locking feature and the mating piece are aligned.

18. An apparatus for securing a computing device to a location, comprising:

a network communication cable having a cut-resistant casing;

a first locking mechanism provided at a first end of the network communication cable; and

a second locking mechanism provided at a second end of the network communication cable, wherein the network communication cable provides a data communication link with a data network, the first locking mechanism is capable of locking the network communication cable to a structure at the location, and the second locking mechanism is capable of locking the network communication cable to the computing device;

a first connector at the first end of network communication cable; and

a second connector at the second end of the network communication cable, wherein the first locking mechanism is capable of being secured to the first connector and the second locking mechanism is capable of being secured to the second connector, and wherein the first locking mechanism and second locking mechanism have locking features for engaging with mating pieces of the first connector and second connector, respectively, wherein the first locking mechanism and second locking mechanism are provided with locking features for engaging with mating pieces of the first connector and second connector, respectively, and wherein the locking features and the mating pieces have openings through which a portion of a lock may be passed.

19. A method of making a security cable for securing a portable computing device at a location, comprising:

providing a network communication cable

providing a cut-resistant casing surrounding the network communication cable;

providing a first locking mechanism at a first end of the network communication cable; and

providing a second locking mechanism at a second end of the network communication cable, wherein the network communication cable provides a data communication link with a data network, the first locking mechanism is capable of locking the network communication cable to a structure at the location, and the second locking mechanism is capable of locking the network communication cable to the computing device;

providing a first connector at the fit end of network communication cable; and

providing a second connector at the second end of the network communication cable, wherein the first locking mechanism is capable of being secured to the first connector and the second locking mechanism is capable of being secured to the second connector, wherein the locking features and the mating pieces are provided with openings through which a portion of a lock may be passed.

20. An apparatus for securing a communication cable to a location, comprising:

a communication cable;

a first connector at a first end of the communication cable, wherein the first connector is capable of being placed in a first communication port;

a second connector at a second end of the communication cable, wherein the second connector is capable of being placed in a second communication port;

a first locking mechanism provided at the first end of the communication cable; and

a second locking mechanism provided at the second end of the communication cable, wherein the first locking mechanism is capable of locking the communication cable to the first communication port, and the second locking mechanism is capable of locking the communication cable to the second communication port, wherein the first locking mechanism is a locking sheath that is slidable along the communication cable from a non-locked position to a locked position and from a locked position to a non-locked position, and wherein when the locking sheath is in the locked position, removal of the first connector from the first communication port is prevented, and wherein when the locking sheath is in the unlocked position, removal of the first connector from the first communication port is made possible.