Computer lock system

• US 7,606,024 B2
• Filed: 08/16/2007
• Issued: 10/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Boss, Gregory J., Waters, Timothy M., Hamilton, Rick A. II, Langlais, George R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lea-Edmonds; Lisa
• Application Number:
  US11/840,038
• Publication Number:
  US 20090044578A1
• Time in Patent Office: 796 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.57, 361/679.58, 70/58, 70/77, 70/14
• US Class Current: 361/679.57
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0005 using chains, cables or the like chain- or cable-locks of the padlock type E05B67/003; lockable clothing hangers or hanger racks E05B69/006
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0082 for office machines, e.g. PC's, portable computers, typewriters, calculators
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 17/28 with braking, clamping or securing means at the connection to the guide member
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1679 for locking or maintaining the movable parts of the enclosure in a fixed position, e.g. latching mechanism at the edge of the display in a laptop or for the screen protective cover of a PDA G06F1/1681 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/50 Special application
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7141 Combination and key

Abstract

A computing device including a first computer portion pivotally connected to a second computer portion by a hinge. The computing device further includes an element moveable between a first position, in which the hinge is free to rotate, and a second position, in which the hinge is substantially prevented from rotating. A lock selectively controls movement of the element between the first and second positions.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a first bar pivotally attached to a first portion of a computer;

a second bar pivotally attached to the first bar and moveable along a track arranged on a second portion of the computer;

at least one aperture in the second bar;

at least one cavity in the second portion of the computer;

a lock that is insertable through the at least one aperture and the at least one cavity when the at least one aperture and the at least one cavity are aligned;

wherein the first portion of the computer is rotatable relative to the second portion of the computer when the lock is not inserted through the at least one aperture and the at least one cavity, and

the first portion of the computer is rotatably locked relative to the second portion of the computer when the lock is inserted through the at least one aperture and the at least one cavity.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one aperture comprises a plurality of apertures.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the at least one cavity comprises a plurality of cavities.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one cavity comprises a plurality of cavities.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the computer comprises a keyboard and the second portion of the computer comprises a video display.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the computer comprises a video display and the second portion of the computer comprises a keyboard.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the track comprises at least one flange extending into at least one groove of the second bar.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the second bar comprises at least one flange extending into at least one groove of the track.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the lock comprises an engagement portion that is selectively moveable between a contracted position, in which the engagement portion fits through the at least one aperture, and an expanded position, in which the engagement portion does not fit through the at least one aperture.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the lock further comprises at least one of a key and a combination that is required to move the engagement portion from the expanded position to the contracted position.