Equipment security apparatus

• US 7,481,410 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2003
• Issued: 01/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Business Machines Security, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Business Machines Security, Inc.
• Inventors: Umberg, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wood; Kimberly T
• Application Number:
  US10/465,382
• Publication Number:
  US 20030234335A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,049 Days
• Field of Search: 248/551, 248/552, 248/317, 248/323, 248/324, 248/327, 248/343, 248/345, 70/58, 702/32, 70D/IG.57, 70/62
• US Class Current: 248/551
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0082 for office machines, e.g. PC's, portable computers, typewriters, calculators
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/14 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06 ; adjustable mountings employing universal joints for lighting devices F21V21/26 - F21V21/30
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/027 Ceiling supports
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/022 by friction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5027 Supporting stands

Abstract

A security apparatus connects an electronic device to a structure. The security apparatus includes a structural mount, a security enclosure, and a swivel mechanism. The structural mount extends from the structure. The security enclosure has a tray that can mount a variety of electronic devices externally to the security enclosure. The security enclosure also has a security housing that slidably receives the tray. The tray and the security housing define a substantially secure fastening volume wherein at least one electronic device fastener is located. The swivel mechanism, which is at least partially located within the fastening volume, engages the security housing and orients the security enclosure and the electronic device attached thereto with respect to the structure.

Claims

1. A security apparatus that connects an electronic device to a structure, the security apparatus comprising:

a structural mount configured to extend from the structure;

a security enclosure having a tray that is configured to engage a variety of electronic devices externally to the security enclosure and a security housing, wherein the security housing and the tray are adapted to be engaged, the tray and the security housing defining a substantially secure fastening volume wherein at least one fastener for attaching the electronic device to the security enclosure can be located; and

a swivel mechanism configured to engage the security housing and to adjust the orientation of the security enclosure and the electronic device attached thereto with respect to the structure;

wherein the swivel mechanism further comprises a substantially hemispherical surface, a pitch and roll member located external to the fastening volume, and a plurality of adjustment members extending through the pitch and roll member to contact the security enclosure.

2. The security apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pitch and roll member is a pitch and roll plate.

3. The security apparatus of claim 1, wherein the swivel mechanism is configured to orient the security enclosure and the electronic device attached thereto through a swivel range about a swivel axis, through a pitch range about a pitch axis, and through a roll range about a roll axis.

4. The security apparatus of claim 3, wherein the swivel range is about 360 degrees, the pitch range is about 30 degrees, and the roll range is about 30 degrees.

5. The security apparatus of claim 1, wherein the swivel mechanism comprises three adjustment members.

6. The security apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tray of the security enclosure further comprises a plurality of mounting holes adapted to receive one or more fasteners for connecting the electronic device to the security enclosure.

7. The security apparatus of claim 1, wherein the structural mount comprises a column and a plate, the plate mountable onto the structure.

8. The security apparatus of claim 1, wherein the structural mount comprises an adjustable length column.

9. The security apparatus of claim 8, further comprising,

a shroud and a lock, the shroud and lock configured limit access to an adjustable length column.

10. The security apparatus of claim 1,

wherein the security housing is configured to slidably receive the tray.

11. The security apparatus of claim 1, further comprising

a lock that selectively locks the tray to the security housing.

12. The security apparatus of claim 1, wherein the swivel mechanism is at least partially located within the fastening volume.

13. A security apparatus that connects a device to a structure, the security apparatus comprising:

a security enclosure having a security housing and a tray that is configured to engage a device, wherein the security housing is adapted to be engaged with the tray to form a substantially inaccessible fastening volume wherein at least one fastener for attaching the device to the security enclosure can be located; and

a swivel mechanism configured to engage the security housing and to adjust the orientation of the security enclosure in at least two degrees of freedom and the device attached thereto with respect to the structure;

wherein the swivel mechanism further comprises a substantially hemispherical surface having at least a portion thereof confined within the fastening volume, a pitch and roll member located external to the fastening volume, and a plurality of adjustment members extending through the pitch and roll member to contact the security enclosure.

14. The security apparatus of claim 13, wherein the device is an electronic device.

15. The security apparatus of claim 13, wherein the device is a projector.