Systems and methods for securing mobile computing devices

• US 8,649,169 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2011
• Issued: 02/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: infiniWing, Inc.
• Original Assignee: infiniWing, Inc.
• Inventors: Kwon, Kitae, Baker, Phil, Church, Andrew R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Adrian S
• Application Number:
  US13/302,686
• Publication Number:
  US 20120127651A1
• Time in Patent Office: 812 Days
• Field of Search: 3616794-67945, 361/679.57, 439/540.1, 439/638, 439/639, 439/654, 439/810
• US Class Current: 361/679.41
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss

Abstract

Systems for securing mobile devices such as laptops are provided. Such systems are characterized by two end members, each with a male electrical connector, that engage opposite sides of mobile device, a crossbeam between the two end members that cradles the underside of the mobile device, and a mechanical linkage that is used to release the mobile device. In addition to a slim form factor, systems of the present invention can comprise registration posts to align a top edge of the mobile device to the crossbeam, a receptacle for a power adapter connector, and a locking mechanism to lock an end member to the crossbeam and optionally also lock the power adapter connector to the system.

Claims

1. A system configured to secure a computing device, the system comprising:

a crossbeam defining a longitudinal axis and including

a bottom surface,

a top surface configured to support the computing device, and

opposing first and second end surfaces generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;

a mechanical linkage attached to the crossbeam, the mechanical linkage comprising a first link attached to the first end member, a second link coupled to the first link and attached to the second end member, the first and second links being constrained to move together, the mechanical linkage further comprising a lever arm, the lever arm and the first link being pivotally joined at a pivot point, and the mechanical linkage further comprising a third link connecting the second link to the pivot point;

a first end member slidably attached to the crossbeam proximate to the first end surface thereof, the mechanical linkage being attached to the first end member and configured to translate the first end member parallel to the longitudinal axis between an open position and a closed position, the first end member also including a first electrical connector extending therefrom towards the crossbeam and parallel to the longitudinal axis; and

a second end member connected to the crossbeam proximate to the second end surface thereof, the second end member including a second electrical connector extending therefrom towards the crossbeam and parallel to the longitudinal axis.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein a footprint of the crossbeam is characterized by a width and a height and wherein a ratio of the width to the height is greater than 2.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the second end member is slidably attached to the crossbeam and wherein the mechanical linkage is further configured to translate the second end member parallel to the longitudinal axis between an open position and a closed position.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a pair of parallel registration posts extending from the top surface and shaped so as not to interfere with the movement of a cover portion of the computing device.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising a locking mechanism that, when locked, is configured to prevent the mechanical linkage from moving.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the first end member includes a receptacle for a power adapter connector, wherein the locking mechanism, when locked, is effective to lock the power adapter connector to the system.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the bottom surface includes threaded holes configured to engage with a support.

4. A system configured to secure a computing device, the system comprising:

a crossbeam defining a longitudinal axis and including

a bottom surface,

a top surface configured to support the computing device, and

opposing first and second end surfaces generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;

a mechanical linkage attached to the crossbeam;

a first end member slidably attached to the crossbeam proximate to the first end surface thereof, the mechanical linkage being attached to the first end member and configured to translate the first end member parallel to the longitudinal axis between an open position and a closed position, the first end member also including a first electrical connector extending therefrom towards the crossbeam and parallel to the longitudinal axis, the first end member further including a receptacle for a power adapter connector, the receptacle extending into the first end member from a back side thereof and in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the first end member further still including a light pipe situated such that when a power adapter connector is placed within the receptacle, the light pipe is aligned with a power indicator on the power adapter connector; and

a second end member connected to the crossbeam proximate to the second end surface thereof, the second end member including a second electrical connector extending therefrom towards the crossbeam and parallel to the longitudinal axis.

9. The system of claim 4 wherein a footprint of the crossbeam is characterized by a width and a height and wherein a ratio of the width to the height is greater than 2.

10. The system of claim 4 wherein the second end member is slidably attached to the crossbeam and wherein the mechanical linkage is further configured to translate the second end member parallel to the longitudinal axis between an open position and a closed position.

11. The system of claim 4 further comprising a pair of parallel registration posts extending from the top surface and shaped so as not to interfere with the movement of a cover portion of the computing device.

12. The system of claim 4 further comprising a locking mechanism that, when locked, is configured to prevent the mechanical linkage from moving.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the first end member includes a receptacle for a power adapter connector, wherein the locking mechanism, when locked, is effective to lock the power adapter connector to the system.

14. The system of claim 4 wherein the bottom surface includes threaded holes configured to engage with a support.