WO2002042586A1

WO2002042586A1 - Locking device for portable computers

Info

Publication number: WO2002042586A1
Application number: PCT/IL2001/001066
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mair Avganim
Original assignee: Mair Avganim
Priority date: 2000-11-23
Filing date: 2001-11-20
Publication date: 2002-05-30
Also published as: IL139881A0; AU2002223112A1

Abstract

A security device particularly for arresting portable computers by cable to a stationary object is disclosed, using a dedicated slot (S) formed in an external wall of the computer housing. The device comprises casing (12) with first, fixed, leg (16) projecting from the casing (12) and terminating by rib portion (16a) directed laterally in a first direction. A second, moveable leg (18) is provided, projecting from casing (12) and extending along-side first leg (16), terminating by rib (18a) directed laterally in the opposite direction. The second leg (18) is manipulatable between an unlocking position wherein rib portions (16a; 18a) of both legs are positioned in alignment allowing the insertion thereof into the slot (S), and a locking position wherein the second leg (18) is displaced away from the aligned position whereby the rib portions of both legs (16a; 18a) become arrested within the said slot (S). Means (20; 220) are provided for imparting the displacement of the second leg (18).

Description

LOCKING DEVICE FOR PORTABLE COMPUTERS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices for securing portable articles, such

as computers, against theft. More specifically, the invention concerns securing

devices adapted to become arrested against a dedicated slot formed at a side wall

of portable computer casings and a cable adapted to be tied to a stationary object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Theft of portable ("lap-top") computers has become a serious problem.

Several attempts have been made to prevent the simple "snatching" of the

computers off, for example students working in public libraries or in study rooms

during moments of inattention.

The most popular method is to secure a locking device against a dedicated

slot formed (by the manufactures) in the computer casing. A steel cable, extending

from the locking device is tied to a stationary body such as around a table leg.

Among the locking device that were developed are those disclosed in U.S.

Patents Nos. 5,579,657; 5,447,044; 5,327,752 and in PCT Application PCT/IL98/00039 published under WIPO No. 98/32939.

The prior art devices have in common the feature that a T-shaped member

is first inserted into the slot, turned by about 90° which prevents the extraction

thereof, and the following insertion of a pin member that prevents the rotation of

the T-member back to the initial position. The structures developed and the operation thereto, although effective

for their function, were rather complicated because of the basic principle of

operation as described.

It is therefore an object of the invention to propose a locking device

based on a different technical principle, to yield a more simple and

straightforward construction and operation.

It is a further object of the invention to employ a tongs fashion of

movement for attaining the locking against the dedicated slot.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus provided according to the invention is a locking device,

particularly for portable computers, having an external wall formed with a

dedicated slot. The device comprises a casing with a first, fixed, leg projecting from the casing and terminating by a rib portion directed

laterally in a first direction. A second, moveable leg is provided, projecting from the casing and extending along-side of the first leg, terminating by a

rib or engagement directed laterally in a second, generally opposite

direction. The second leg is manipulatable between an unlocking position wherein the rib portions of both legs are positioned in alignment allowing

the insertion thereof into the slot, and a locking position wherein the

second leg is displaced away from the aligned position whereby the rib portions of both legs become arrested within the said slot. Means are

provided for imparting the displacement of the second leg. Preferably, the second leg is pivotally mounted, and drivingly coupled to the

operating member of a push-in type lock via a slidably supported member

formed with a rack of gear teeth meshing with complementary gear teeth

formed around at least a portion of the pivotal mounting of the second leg.

BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further constructional features and advantages of the invention will be

more clearly understood in the light of the ensuing description of a preferred

embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the

accompanying drawings, wherein-

Fig. 1 illustrates the basic instruction of a locking device featuring the

principles of the present invention, in a ready-to-use position;

Fig. 2 shows the device of Fig. 1 in the snap-open, locking position;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the operating mechanism;

Fig. 4 is view taken along line IV-IV of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is sectional view taken along line V-V of Fig. 3;

Figs. 6a-6c show a sequence the locking stages.

Fig. 7a and 7b illustrate (partly) a modified embodiment of the

invention, namely employing a rotary (cylinder) type lock, in the unlocked and

the locked positions, respectively;

Fig. 8 is a front view of the cylinder lock of Figs. 7a and 7b;

Figs. 9a and 9b show a modification of embodiment of Figs. 7a and 7b;

Figs. 10a and 10b illustrate a further embodiment; and Figs. 11a and lib illustrate a still further embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The locking device generally denoted 10 having a casing 12 is shown

as generally block-shaped, but may of course take any other outer convenient

form.

To the casing 12 a looped tying cable 14 is attached in any known

manner.

Further provided are a first, fixed leg 16 and a second, pivotable leg

18, extending in parallel juxtaposition. Leg 16 may be integrally formed with

the casing 12, or rigidly mounted thereto. Leg 18 is pivotable about about

axle 22 (see Figs 3 and 5).

The fixed leg 16 is formed with a nose-like rib portion (or separate

mounted engagement member) 16a (best seen in Fig. 6c) directed

downwards, and the pivotable leg 18 is formed with a similar rib portion (or

engagement member) 18a directed upwards.

The total width W of both ribs lying side-by-side is less than the length

of slot S schematically shown to represent the dedicated slot at a computer C

casing back wall.

As seen in Fig. 2, the locking operation is effected by a tongs-type

relative movement of the two legs after the rib portions 16a and 18a have

been inserted into the slot S (shown in phantom lines). This type of movement is attained in the present example by pushing

home the button 20a of a push-in lock device 20, although other driving

mechanisms may be used, as exemplified in Figs. 7-11.

In more detail and as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, leg 18 is rotatable about

fixed axle 22. The leg 18 is coupled via a section of gear wheel teeth 24, to a

gear rack 26, forming part of a U-shaped carriage member 28. The carriage

is freely slidable within a suitable shaped cavity 30 formed in the casing 12.

Operator pin 20b of the lock 20 is coupled to the carriage member 28, e.g. by

bolt 36 and lock pin 38.

Another, circular cavity 32 is formed to accommodate the body of the push-in lock 20, which is further secured by set screw 34.

The operation of the locking is now self-explanatory in view of Figs.

6a-6c. Firstly, the legs 16 and 18 are freely inserted into the slot S while being in the non-spaced-out position of Fig. 1.

Then, by pushing the button 20a of the locking device 20 home, the

carriage member 28 is forced to the left (Fig. 6c). Upon such movement, gear rack teeth 26, engaged by gear wheel teeth 24, cause rotation of leg 18

clockwise about axle 22, whereby the rib portions 16a and 18a of the

respective legs become spread apart and located behind the computer casing

wall bearing the slot S.

For unlocking the device 10, it is necessary to use the key (not shown)

of the push-in locking device 20, upon which the operator 20b jumps back

into the initial position, imparting thereby linear movement of the carriage 28 and the resulted pivoting of the leg 18 in the opposite direction. Retrieval of

both the legs from the slot S is now enabled.

As seen in Fig. 7a, the push-in locking device 20 of the preceding

embodiment is replaced by a rotary, key-operated lock 120. Carriage 128 is

coupled to rotatable spindle 140 of the lock 120 via screw thread 142 of a

pitch large enough so that rotation by 90° of the cylinder mechanism 142

(Fig. 8) using key 144 (as customary for commercially available locks) will

result in the progress of the carriage 128 to the extent requested for spacing

apart the legs 16 and 18 (not shown).

Fig. 9a shows a variation of the carriage displacement mechanism of Fig.

7a. Hence, the spindle 240 is coupled to the carriage 228 through a

comb-like member 246.

In Fig. 10a, the rotating movement of the spindle 340 is converted into

the linear displacement of the carriage 328 by a worm transmission,

comprising a helical recess 350 engaged by a pin 352.

Fig. 11a shows a cam arrangement comprising a first inclined surface

460 forming part of the spindle 440 engaging a second, complimentary

inclined surface 462 forming part of the carriage 428, one being attracted to

the other for keeping contact with each other by a tension coil spring 464.

In all other respects the operation of the device for computer

securement is the same as described in conjunction with the first above

described embodiment. While the above description contains many specificities, these should

not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as

exemplification of the preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will

envision other possible variations that are within its scope. Accordingly, the

scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments

illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A locking device (10) particularly for portable computers having an

external wall formed with a dedicated slot (S), the device

comprising: a casing (12); a first, fixed, leg (16) projecting from the

casing (12) and terminating by a rib portion (16a) directed laterally

in a first direction; a second, moveable leg (18) projecting from the

casing (12) extending along-side of the first leg (16), the second leg

(18) terminating by a rib (18a) directed laterally ϊn a second,

opposite direction; the second leg (18) being manipulatable

between an unlocking position wherein the rib portions of both legs (16a; 18a) are positioned in alignment allowing the insertion thereof

into the slot (S), and a locking position wherein the second leg (18)

is displaced away from the aligned position whereby the rib portions of both legs (16a; 18a) become arrested within the said slot (S);

and means (20; 120) for imparting said displacement of the second

leg (18).

2. The locking device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the second leg (18)

is pivotally mounted.

3. The locking device as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the said displacing

means (20) comprise a push-in type lock (20) having an operating

reciprocable member (28) coupled to the second leg (18).

. The locking device as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the reciprocable

member (28) is coupled to the second leg (18) via a member (26)

slidably supported within the casing and formed with gear teeth rack

(26) meshing with complementary gear teeth (24) formed around

at-least a portion of the pivotal mounting (22) of the second leg (18).

5. The locking device as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the slidable member

(28) is U-shaped and the pivotal mounting (22) is located between the

legs thereof.

6. The locking device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein a looped tying cable (14) is attached to the locking device casing.

7. The locking device as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the said displacing

means comprise a rotary lock (120) having a rotatable spindle (140;

240) coupled to the second leg (18) via a reciprocable member (128; 228).

8. The locking device as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the reciprocable

member (128; 228) is coupled to the second leg (18) via a portion thereof formed with gear teeth rack (26) meshing with complementary gear teeth (24) formed around at-least a portion of the pivotal

mounting of the second leg (18).

9. The locking device as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the slidable member

(128; 228) is U-shaped (28) and the pivotal mounting is located

between the legs thereof.

10. The locking device as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the spindle (140; 240)

is coupled to the slidable member by a screw thread arrangement

(246).

11. The locking device as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the spindle (440) is

coupled to the slidable member by cam-type arrangement (460; 462),

the spindle (440) and the slidable member being attracted to each

other by a tension spring (464).

12. A locking device (16, 18)particularly for locking a portable component

having an external wall with a slot (S) for the insertion of the locking

device, comprising: a casing (12); a first leg (16) having a proximal end

secured to said casing and a distal end having an engaging member

(16a); a second leg (18) having a proximal end secured to said casing and a distal end having an engaging member (18a); and a mechanism

(20; 220; 320; 420) for moving said second leg (18) between an

unlocked position, in which both said first and second legs may be

simultaneously inserted into the slot (S), and a locked position in which said engagement members (16a, 18a) engage a portion of the external

wall adjacent to the slot to prevent removal of said first and second legs

from said slot.

13. A locking device for securing an article against theft, the article having

an external wall with a slot (S) for the insertion of portions of the

locking device, comprising: a casing (12); a first leg (18) having a

proximal end rotatably mounted within an interior cavity of the casing (12), and a distal end (18a) protruding from said casing, said distal end of said first leg having a first engaging member; a second leg having a

proximal end rotatably mounted within said interior cavity and a distal

end protruding from said casing, said distal end of said second leg

having a second engaging member; said first and second engaging

members being capable of passing through the slot in the external wall

of the article when said first and second engaging members are

coextensive, and said first and second engaging members being

incapable of passing through the slot in the external wall of the article

when said first and second engaging members are spaced apart from each other; and a drive mechanism capable of moving said first and

second members between a first position wherein said first and second

members are coextensive, and a second position wherein said first and

second members are spaced apart from each other.