Locking assembly for electronic tablet and other devices

• US 9,562,375 B2
• Filed: 11/23/2015
• Issued: 02/07/2017
• 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 MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US14/949,067
• Publication Number:
  US 20160076276A1
• Time in Patent Office: 442 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.57, 361/679.58, 361/679.01, 361/679.02, 312/223.1, 312/223.2, 312/223.3, 211/8, 211/9, 70/15, 70/50, 257/727
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 locking assembly for securing an electronic device having a housing to a substantially immovable object, the locking assembly comprising:

a locking member having a locking end that protrudes from the housing of the electronic device for locking use; and

,

a locking device with a locking mechanism configured with an opening to receive the locking end of the locking member to actuate the locking mechanism, securely grasping the locking end for engaging and locking the locking member and the electronic device to the locking device,

wherein the locking member is received in the opening in the locking device to actuate the locking mechanism upon insertion solely by an axial movement.

2. The locking assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the locking member is not part of the locking device and wherein the locking member is not connected to the locking device before the locking end of the locking member is received in the locking device opening.

3. The locking assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the locking member is a rod.

4. The locking assembly as set forth in claim 1, further comprising means for securing the locking device and, therefore, the locking member and electronic device to which the locking member is engaged, to a substantially non-movable object.

5. The locking assembly as set forth in claim 4, wherein the means for securing is a cable or lanyard.

6. The locking assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein the cable or lanyard is coupled to, or attached to, the locking device.

7. The locking assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein the cable or lanyard is coupled to an end of the locking member when locked.

8. The locking assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the locking device is a pin lock.

9. The locking assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the locking device is a plunger lock.

10. A locking assembly for securing an electronic device having a housing to a substantially immovable object, the locking assembly comprising:

a locking member having a locking end that is configured to be passed through a surface of the housing and is retained in, or at, the electronic device at, or before, locking;

a locking device having a lock opening to a locking mechanism for locking the locking member and the electronic device, wherein the locking device is configured to lock to the locking member upon insertion of the locking member and movement substantially aligned with an axis of the locking member into the lock opening to actuate the locking mechanism, thereby locking the locking device to the locking member; and

,

a cable attached to the locking device or the locking member, wherein the cable is configured to be fastened to the substantially immovable object prior to locking the locking device to the locking member and therefore the electronic device,

wherein the locking end of said locking member comprises a member that protrudes from the housing of the electronic device when the locking member is retained.

11. The locking assembly as set forth in claim 10, wherein said member is captured and retained by the locking mechanism at locking actuation.

12. A method for locking an electronic device having a housing to a substantially immovable object using a locking member and a lock, wherein the locking member has a locking end and the lock has an opening and a locking mechanism positioned in the opening, the method comprising the steps of:

arranging the locking member so that the locking end protrudes from the housing of the electronic device for locking use; and

,

axially moving the locking member, the lock, or both, so that the locking end protruding from the housing of the electronic device is received in the opening and the locking mechanism is actuated, thereby securely grasping the locking end for engaging and locking the locking member and the electronic device to the lock.

13. A locking assembly for securing an electronic device having a housing to a substantially immovable object, comprising:

an electronic device having a housing;

a locking member having a locking end that protrudes from the housing of the electronic device for locking use; and

,

a locking device with a locking mechanism configured with an opening to receive the locking end of the locking member to actuate the locking mechanism, thereby securely grasping the locking end for engaging and locking the locking member and the electronic device to the locking device,

wherein the locking member is received in the opening in the locking device for actuating the locking mechanism upon insertion solely by an axial movement.