Locking and securing system for slot bearing products

• US 6,742,366 B1
• Filed: 12/23/2002
• Issued: 06/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Sun Lock Company Ltd.
• Original Assignee: The Sun Lock Company Ltd.
• Inventors: Lai, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Walsh, John B.
• Application Number:
  US10/328,238
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 70/58, 70/30, 70/49, 70/63, 704/23--28, 248/551-553
• US Class Current: 70/58
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 37/025 in padlocks
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/003 Chain, wire or cable locks alarms therefor E05B45/005; E05B69/006 takes precedence
• 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 70/435 Flexible shackle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/483 Flexible shackle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5031 Receptacle

Abstract

By providing a uniquely constructed, dual plate, computer engaging and locking member which is quickly and easily inserted into the receiving slot typically formed in a computer, such as a laptop computer, or other valuable product, in combination with an integrated, elongated cable member and padlock, a highly effective computer lock system is attained. One principal component of the locking system of the present invention is the uniquely constructed dual plate, computer engaging member which is easily inserted into a receiving slot when in a first position and securely retained therein when in its second position. In addition, a uniquely constructed combination padlock having a dual locking system is also employed.

Claims

1. A locking and securing system for affixing a desired, slot-bearing product in a specific location, said system comprising:

A. a combination lock assembly incorporating a lockable shackle and a receiving zone constructed for securing at least one endcap therein;

B. an elongated cable member constructed for being wrapped about a structural support member and comprising at least one endcap affixed to a terminating end thereof and constructed for locked engagement in said combination lock; and

C. a securement member constructed for being lockingly engageable within a slot formed in a desired product, said member comprising

a. a movable plate member, positionable between a first extended position and a second fully engaged position, and comprising a substantially flat body portion, a narrow intermediate portion extending from the body portion, and a distal end portion dimensioned to be wider than the intermediate portion and smaller than the body portion;

b. a holding plate member constructed for partially peripherally surrounding the movable plate, limiting the movement of the movable plate, and incorporating an extension portion integrally formed therewith for cooperating with the distal end portion and intermediate portion of the movable plate to increase the overall width and thickness of the distal end portion and intermediate portion thereof when the movable plate is in its second engaged position, and

c. said movable plate member and said holding plate member being cooperatively associated to provide longitudinal insertion thereof into the slot formed in the desired product when the movable plate is in its first extended position, and secure locked engagement thereof in the slot when the movable plate and the holding plate are longitudinally moved into the second fully engaged position, wherein the extension portion of the holding plate increases the overall width and thickness of the distal end of the movable plate, thereby preventing the longitudinal removal of the securement member from the slot of the desired product;

whereby a fully integrated product locking and securing system is attained which is easily affixed to a desired slot-bearing product and lockingly mounted in any location in a simple, longitudinal movement, free from any arcuate rotation.

2. The locking and securing system defined in claim 1, wherein the movable plate member and the holding plate member forming the securement member are each further defined as comprising apertures formed adjacent one end thereof, with said apertures being positioned for coaxial alignment when the plate members are in the second, fully engaged position, with said apertures being dimensioned for cooperative association with the cable member for restricting movement of the plate members when the cable member extends therethrough.

3. The locking and securing system defined in claim 2, wherein said cable member is further defined as comprising material resistant to being broken or severed.

4. The locking and securing system defined in claim 3, wherein said cable member is further defined as being formed from braided or woven wire fibers.

5. The locking and securing system defined in claim 3, wherein the receiving zone formed in the combination lock assembly is further defined as comprising a T-shaped elongated slot formed along the bottom surface thereof in cooperating relationship with a portion of the shackle, for enabling the shackle to move into and out of locking engagement of said receiving zone in response to the movement of the shackle between a first locked position and a second unlocked position.

6. The locking and securing system defined in claim 5, wherein said T-shaped elongated slot is further defined as being dimensioned for receiving and holding the endcap affixed to the at least one terminating end of the cable member and for securely maintaining the endcap therein whenever the shackle is in its lock position.

7. The locking securing system defined in claim 6, wherein the endcap of the cable member is further defined as being slidingly engageable and lockingly retained in the T-shaped elongated slot in response to movement of the shackle between its two alternate positions.

8. The locking and securing system defined in claim 7, wherein said endcap is further defined as comprising and enlarged terminating end constructed for mating, sliding engagement in an enlarged section of the T-shaped elongated slot and a smaller diameter connecting zone dimensioned for sliding interengagement in a smaller width channel of the T-shaped elongated slot.

9. The locking and securing system defined in claim 2, wherein the slot of the slot-bearing product is further defined as having a length equivalent to “

L” and

a width equivalent to “

W”

.

10. The locking and securing system defined in claim 9, wherein said product comprises a computer.

11. The locking and securing system defined in claim 9, wherein the distal end portion of the movable plate member is further defined as comprising:

1. an overall width which is slightly less than dimension “

L”

, and

2. an overall thickness which is slightly less than dimensioned “

W”

.

12. The locking and securing system defined in claim 11, wherein the intermediate portion of the movable plate member is further defined as comprising:

1. an overall width which is less than the width of the distal end portion, and

2. an overall thickness which is less than the thickness of the distal end portion.

13. The locking and securing system defined in claim 12, wherein the movable plate member is further defined as being constructed with the said substantially flat body portion, intermediate portion, and distal end portion all been aligned along one side edge.

14. The locking and securing system defined in claim 13, wherein the intermediate portion of the movable plate member is further defined as comprising a ledge or wall portion formed therein for assuring a reduced thickness zone.

15. A locking and securing system for affixing a desired, slot-bearing product in a specific location, said system comprising:

A. a combination lock assembly incorporating a lockable shackle and a receiving zone constructed for securing at least one endcap therein;

B. an elongated cable member constructed for being wrapped about a structural support member and comprising at least one endcap affixed to a terminating end thereof and constructed for locked engagement in said combination lock; and

C. a securement member constructed for being lockingly engageable within a slot formed in a desired product, said member comprising

a. a movable plate member, positionable between a first extended position and a second fully engaged position, and comprising

1. a substantially flat body portion, a narrow intermediate portion extending from the body portion and a distal end portion dimensioned to be wide and have a greater thickness than the intermediate portion and having a width which is less than the body portion, and

2. a ramped side edge and a sloping top surface, both extending between the intermediate portion and the distal end portion for providing the transition between the enlarged thickness and greater width of the distal end portion relative to the intermediate portion, and

b. a holding plate member constructed for peripherally surrounding the movable plate limiting the movement of the movable plate, and cooperating with the movable plate to increase the overall width and thickness of the distal end portion and intermediate portion thereof when the movable plate is in its second engaged position,

whereby a fully integrated product locking and securing system is attained which is easily affixed to a desired slot-bearing product and lockingly mounted in any location.

16. The locking and securing system defined in claim 15, wherein said holding plate member is further defined as comprising a J-shaped end portion formed therewith and positioned for cooperating relationship with the distal end portion and intermediate portion of the movable plate member, when the movable plate member is in its second, fully engaged position, for effectively increasing the overall thickness and width of the intermediate portion and distal end portion, thereby assuring secure engagement of said components when mounted in the slot of the product.

17. A locking and securing system for affixing a desired, slot-bearing product in a specific location, said system comprising:

A. a combination lock assembly incorporating a lockable shackle and a receiving zone constructed for securing at least one endcap therein;

B. an elongated cable member constructed for being wrapped about a structural support member and comprising at least one endcap affixed to a terminating end thereof and constructed for locked engagement in said combination lock;

C. a securement member constructed for being lockingly engageable within a slot formed in a desired product, said member comprising

a. a movable plate member, positionable between a first extended position and a second fully engaged position, and comprising a substantially flat body portion, a narrow intermediate portion extending from the body portion, a distal end portion dimensioned to be wider than the intermediate portion and smaller than the body portion, and a notch formed therein, said notch having abutment stops defining the opposed ends thereof,

b. a holding plate member constructed for peripherally surrounding the movable plate limiting the movement of the movable plate, and cooperating with the movable plate to increase the overall width and thickness of the distal end portion and intermediate portion thereof when the movable plate is in its second engaged position, and comprising a detent or wall portion formed therein for cooperating with the notch of the movable plate for controlling the longitudinal movement of the movable plate relative to the holding plate, enabling the movable plate to move between the opposed abutment stops thereof, and

c. the movable plate member and the holding plate member being further defined as comprising apertures formed adjacent one end thereof, with said apertures being positioned for coaxial alignment when the plate members are in the second, fully engaged position, with said apertures being dimensioned for cooperative association with the cable member for restricting movement of the plate members when the cable member extends therethrough;

whereby a fully integrated product locking and securing system is attained which is easily affixed to a desired slot-bearing product and lockingly mounted in any location.

18. The locking and securing system defined in claim 17, wherein the space distance between the abutment stops of the notch formed in the movable plate defines the first extended position of the movable plate member and the second fully engaged position of the movable plate member.