Locking assembly for electronic tablet and other devices

• US 10,704,299 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2019
• Issued: 07/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Think Products Inc.
• Original Assignee: Think Products Inc.
• Inventors: Allen, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Haughton, Anthony M
• Application Number:
  US16/595,241
• Publication Number:
  US 20200040615A1
• Time in Patent Office: 274 Days
• Field of Search: 36167957-67958
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 23/042 Book-rests or note-book holders resting on tables releasably mounted A47B23/02
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/002 Devices for protection against sunlight or theft
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/024 with provisions for preventing unauthorised removal show cases with devices for prevention of theft A47F3/002; devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal E05B73/0017
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 27/00 Cylinder locks or other locks with tumbler pins or balls that are set by pushing the key in
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/006 for covers or panels for manholes E02D29/1427; for holes enabling access to installations in buildings E04F19/08; for pressure vessels F16J13/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/0067 for portable computers, e.g. for locking the screen panel to the keyboard panel
• 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: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• 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 method for securing a portable electronic device having a housing to a substantially immovable object utilizing a locking assembly having a security rod or spike formed with an anchoring end separated axially by a protruding end, a locking device with an internal locking mechanism and a cable permanently attached to the locking device at one end, includes several steps. The steps include securedly fixing the anchoring end of the security rod or spike to the portable electronic device upon or through the housing, attaching an other end of the cable to the substantially immovable object and inserting the protruding end of the security rod into an opening in the locking device to actuate the internal locking mechanism and lock the locking device to the captive security rod. Locking the security rod to the locking device concurrently locks the portable electronic device to which it is anchored to the substantially immovable object.

Claims

1. A dock for a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device having a first portion coupled to a second portion via a hinge, said dock for the portable electronic device comprising:

a base having a support platform configured to be positioned under the first portion of the portable electronic device; and

,

an arm supported by said base, said arm including a movable element movably coupled to an end of said arm, said movable element being configured for engaging an edge of the portable electronic device adjacent the hinge of the portable electronic device,

wherein said movable element is movable between a first position, in which the portable electronic device is secured to the dock, and a second position, in which the portable device is removable from the dock.

2. The dock for a portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein movable element is pivotally coupled to the end of said arm.

3. The dock for a portable electronic device according to claim 2, wherein said movable element remains connected to the end of said arm while in the first position and while in the second position.

4. The dock for a portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein said arm is slidably supported on said base.

5. The dock for a portable electronic device according to claim 4, wherein said base has a channel and said arm is slidably received within the channel.

6. The dock for a portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the support platform of said base extends from said channel.

7. The dock for a portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein said base has a channel and said arm is slidably received in a side of the channel.

8. The dock for a portable electronic device according to claim 7, further comprising means for fastening at least one of said base and said arm to fix a position of said arm relative to said base.

9. A dock for a portable electronic device, said dock comprising:

a base having a channel;

an arm slidably received in a side of said channel of said base, said arm including a movable element movably coupled to an end of said arm, said movable element being configured for engaging an edge of a portable electronic device; and

,

a lock mechanism operable to selectively lock said movable element of said arm for securing the portable electronic device and to selectively unlock said movable element of said arm in response to a keyed input for removing the portable electronic device from said dock.

10. The dock for a portable electronic device according to claim 9, wherein said movable element is pivotally coupled to the end of said arm.

11. The dock for a portable electronic device according to claim 9, wherein said arm is slidable relative to said base.

12. The dock for a portable electronic device according to claim 9, further comprising means for fastening at least one of said base and said arm to fix a position of said arm relative to said base.

13. A dock for a portable electronic device, the dock comprising:

a base;

a cradle defining an interior volume configured to house at least a portion of the portable electronic device;

an arm rotatably coupled to the cradle; and

a security apparatus for the portable electronic device upon insertion of the portable electronic device into the cradle to prohibit removal of the portable electronic device from the dock.

14. The dock of claim 13, wherein the security apparatus is mounted to the cradle.

15. The dock of claim 14, wherein the security apparatus includes a lock head movable relative to the dock between an engaged position and a disengaged position.

16. The dock of claim 15, wherein the security apparatus further includes a locking mechanism operable to lock the security apparatus in the engaged position.

17. The dock of claim 13, wherein the security apparatus includes a locking mechanism operable to lock the security apparatus in an engaged position for securing the portable electronic device.