Spring loaded security slot attachment for portable device security

• US 8,456,836 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2012
• Issued: 06/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Think Products Inc.
• Original Assignee: Think Products Inc.
• Inventors: Allen, Peter, Marszalek, Andrzej
• Primary Examiner(s): HAUGHTON, ANTHONY MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US13/478,933
• Publication Number:
  US 20120260698A1
• Time in Patent Office: 377 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.01, 361/679.57, 361/679.58, 312/223.2, 211/8, 211/9, 257/727, 70/15, 70/50
• 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: Y10T 70/402 Fetters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/485 With seal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles

Abstract

A lock includes an assembly of a slot engaging member insertable in a slot of a piece of equipment being locked, such as a portable or desktop computer, a laptop, notebook or other handheld electronic device, a monitor, a television/video screen, a video game, an electronic instrument such as an oscillator or a medical centrifuge or other analytical device, or the like. A rotatable locking member engages an anchor sub-assembly having a rotatable element, wherein the rotatable element communicates with a spring force urging against the rotatable locking member. The rotatable locking member is alternately movable in and out of the slot in which it is inserted, and the locking element is rotatable by finger force overcoming said spring force against the locking member, wherein the lock is locked without use of a tool.

Claims

1. Security apparatus for a portable device comprising:

said portable device having a housing with an elongated security slot;

an attachment device for engaging said security slot;

said attachment device comprising upper and lower housing portions permanently secured together, and having front and rear ends;

a captured flat plate slidable forwardly and rearwardly mounted within said attachment device between said upper and lower housing portions;

said upper and lower housing portions having extended recesses facing said flat plate;

said flat plate having an extended slot corresponding to and aligned with said recesses;

a coil spring within said recesses and said slot whereby forward movement of said flat plate compresses said spring;

said flat plate having front and rear extensions extending out said front and rear ends, respectively, of said upper and lower portions when said spring is not compressed;

said rear extension of said flat plate having a locking hole; and

said front extension of said plate having a tang for engaging said portable device housing when said flat plate is pushed forwardly from a resting position for said tang to enter said security slot and said attachment device is rotated 90 degrees in either direction;

whereby said locking hole in said rear extension of said flat plate is exposed when said flat plate is released after said attachment device is rotated and said flat plate is released thereby allowing a locking member to be inserted through said locking hole to prevent release of said flat plate from said security slot.

2. The security apparatus of claim 1 in which said front ends of said upper and lower housing portions have anti-rotation protrusions enclosing portions of said front extension of said flat plate and said tang when said flat plate is in said resting position, whereby pushing of said flat plate forwardly exposes said tang for rotation within said security slot when said attachment device is rotated.

3. The security apparatus of claim 2 in which said upper and lower housing portions have front wings for abutting a surface of said portable device housing adjacent said security slot for aligning said tang and said anti-rotation protrusions with said security slot.

4. The security apparatus of claim 3 in which said upper and lower housing portions have rear wings for grasping of said attachment device.

5. The security apparatus of claim 4 in which said tang is mounted on an end of a neck extending from said flat plate and extends transversely from said neck.

6. The security apparatus of claim 5 in which the distance between top and bottom surfaces of said anti-rotation protrusions fits the length of said security slot.

7. The security apparatus of claim 6 in which said tang has a width which fits the length of said security slot.

8. The security apparatus of claim 4 in which said upper and lower portions are permanently secured with rivets.

9. The security apparatus of claim 4 in which one of said housing portions has pedestals mounted on faces on opposite sides of the recess thereof to allow slidable movement of said flat plate between said upper and lower housing portions.

10. The security apparatus of claim 4 in which said locking member comprises a cable extending through said locking hole to prevent unauthorized removal of said attachment device.

11. The security apparatus of claim 4 in which said locking member comprises a coupling extending through said locking hole to prevent unauthorized removal of said attachment device.

12. The security slot attachment as in claim 1, wherein said parts are selected from the group consisting of aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, resins, die cast zinc-aluminum alloys, or injection molded metal.

13. The security slot attachment as in claim 1, wherein to remove said attachment, said captured locking plate is moved forward by finger force overcoming spring force, said locking plate and tang being rotated 90 degrees in its own plane, to permit said security slot attachment to be removed out of said security slot.