Systems and methods for securing handheld electronic devices

• US 9,373,236 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2014
• Issued: 06/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Oehl, Wilhelm, Anderson, Erik, Kuan, Edmond, Nobles, Joe, Ahmadi, Kambiz, Takezawa, Isao
• Primary Examiner(s): McNally, Kerri
• Application Number:
  US14/327,225
• Publication Number:
  US 20140340226A1
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 3405681-5684, 340/568.8, 244/53, 244/54, 174/68.1, 535/07, 535/08
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1445 with detection of interference with a cable tethering an article, e.g. alarm activated by detecting detachment of article, breaking or stretching of cable furniture, e.g. shelves for displaying merchandise, incorporating tethers to prevent theft A47F7/024, A47F5/0861
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1463 Physical arrangements, e.g. housings devices to prevent theft or loss of purses, luggage or hand carried bags A45C13/18
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/22 Electrical actuation

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for securing handheld electronic devices. To provide an optimal shopping experience for consumers, handheld electronic devices must be made accessible to users, while simultaneously being secured to prevent theft. A security system can include a coupler connected to an electronic device. The coupler can include a connector operative to provide power and/or data to the electronic device. A cable transferring the power and data can also include an alarm path and a security cable for providing security. The security cable may be difficult to cut, and the alarm path can direct an alarm to sound if the cable is cut or if the electronic device is disconnected from the coupler.

Claims

1. A security system for a handheld electronic device, the system comprising:

a coupler comprising a body and a terminal that protrudes from the body, wherein the body comprises tabs for attaching to a device, wherein the tabs are disposed at sides of the body, wherein each tab is configured to grip, between itself and the body, a portion of the device, and wherein the tabs are configured to prevent the device from moving relative to the body in any direction;

a stand comprising a post having an upper end, a lower end, and a through-hole from the upper end to the lower end, wherein an upper end of the post defines a recess for receiving at least a portion of the terminal; and

a cable extending from the terminal and through the through-hole from the upper end to the lower end.

2. The security system of claim 1, wherein the tabs attach to the device by clipping to a portion of the device.

3. A security system for a handheld electronic device, the system comprising:

a coupler comprising a body and a terminal that protrudes from the body, wherein the body comprises a flat portion extending away from the terminal and a curved portion at an end of the flat portion for extending around the side of a device;

a connector coupled to the curved portion for connecting to the device, wherein the connector extends in a direction parallel to the flat portion;

a stand comprising a post having an upper end, a lower end, and a through-hole from the upper end to the lower end, wherein an upper end of the post defines a recess for receiving at least a portion of the terminal; and

a cable extending from the terminal and through the through-hole from the upper end to the lower end.

4. The security system of claim 3, further comprising the device, wherein the connector extends within a recess of the device.

5. The security system of claim 3, further comprising the device, wherein a portion of the body is attached to the device by adhesive, and wherein the flat portion of the body extending away from the terminal is not attached to the device by adhesive.

6. The security system of claim 3, further comprising the device, wherein there is no gap between the body and the device.

7. A security system for a handheld electronic device, the system comprising:

a stand having a through-hole from a top end to a bottom end and a slot disposed at the top end;

a cable disposed through the through-hole and extending through the top and bottom ends, wherein the cable can move through the through-hole between an extended state and a non-extended state;

a coupler movably constrained to the stand, wherein the coupler has a body and a terminal protruding from the body, wherein the terminal physically interfaces with the slot of the stand and is capable of being received by the slot of the stand, wherein bottom and side surfaces of the slot have a shape and dimension that corresponds to a shape and dimension of bottom and side surfaces of the terminal, and wherein the side surfaces of the slot form the same shape as mating side surfaces of the terminal when the terminal is received by the slot; and

a recoiler attached to the cable and biasing the cable,

wherein the coupler is attached to a top end of the cable that extends through the top end of the stand.

8. The security system of claim 7, wherein the cable comprises an armor jacket to resist cutting.

9. The security system of claim 7, wherein the slot and the terminal have matching curvature where the slot interfaces with the terminal.

10. The security system of claim 7, wherein the terminal has a curved rear surface.

11. The security system of claim 7, wherein the recoiler biases the cable using a mechanical spring biasing mechanism.

12. A security system for a handheld electronic device, the system comprising:

a coupler having an attachment surface for attaching to a surface of a device, and a protrusion that protrudes away from the attachment surface by less than a width of the attachment surface;

a stand comprising a post having an upper end, a lower end, and a through-hole from the upper end to the lower end, wherein an upper end of the post defines a recess for receiving at least a portion of the protrusion, and wherein the upper end of the post defines an upper surface around at least a portion of the recess; and

a cable extending from a center of the protrusion and through the through-hole from the upper end to the lower end,

wherein the upper surface of the post is parallel to the attachment surface of the coupler when the protrusion is received by the coupler, and

wherein rotation of the coupler relative to the stand is impeded when the protrusion is received within the recess.

13. The security system of claim 12, wherein the coupler comprises side tabs for attaching to a device.

14. The security system of claim 12, wherein when the protrusion is received within the recess, the cable is hidden.