Apparatus and method for securing a portable electronic device

• US 8,836,508 B2
• Filed: 02/03/2013
• Issued: 09/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: H4 Engineering, Inc.
• Original Assignee: H4 Engineering, Inc.
• Inventors: Taylor, Scott K., Boyle, Christopher T., Sammons, Alexander G., Marton, Denes
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): BLACK-CHILDRESS, RAJSHEED O
• Application Number:
  US13/757,825
• Publication Number:
  US 20130199251A1
• Time in Patent Office: 590 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 340/568.1
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2045/067 Switches triggered by inertia
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/00 Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices motorcycle helmets A42B3/0413; supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening helmets B62J11/24; gun racks A47B81/005; showcases with theft protection A47F3/002; anti-theft means for peg-boards, grids or rods for hanging merchandise A47F5/0861; show stands, hangers, shelves with provision against unauthorised removal A47F7/024; for self-service hand-carts A47F10/04; locking skis A63C11/004; locking bolts, nuts or pins F16B41/00
• 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: F16M 11/28 Undercarriages for supports with one single telescoping pillar
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/32 Undercarriages for supports with three or more telescoping legs
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/56 Accessories carrying-cases A45C11/38
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/14 by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/40 Portable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/402 Fetters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/50 Special application
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5004 For antitheft signaling device on protected article
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5027 Supporting stands

Abstract

Anti-theft protection systems and methods for portable devices, such as portable electronic devices, that are unattended during use. The anti-theft protection systems and methods use a combination of measures including mechanical aspects, such as tethering the device to an object that is difficult to move, and electronic aspects that detect unauthorized movement and or alarm the user or other responsible party if unauthorized movement occurs.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing protection against unauthorized movement of an unattended device, said apparatus comprising:

at least one tether;

at least one portable anchoring element; and

at least one locking mechanism;

wherein said at least one tether connects the device to said at least one portable anchoring element and said at least one locking mechanism prevents removal of said at least one tether;

wherein said at least one portable anchoring element comprises at least one surface piercing element;

wherein said at least one surface piercing element comprises at least one surface piercing portion and at least one removable driving portion;

wherein said at least one surface piercing portion and said at least one removable driving portion connect by way of a correspondingly-shaped lock-and-key connection;

said apparatus further comprising a tripod connectable with the unattended device, said tripod having tripod legs, said tripod equipped with a device that prevents the tripod legs from being closed and wherein said device that prevents the tripod legs from being closed is lockable with a locking element, said locking element configured to be unlocked with a tool, a portion of said tool comprising a shape that corresponds with a portion of said locking element, to prevent unlocking of said locking element without said tool with fingers.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more intermediate tethers to interconnect additional unattended devices.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tripod comprises a tripod mast and said device that prevents the tripod legs from being closed is attachable to the tripod mast.