WO2004001167A1

WO2004001167A1 - Computer securing device

Info

Publication number: WO2004001167A1
Application number: PCT/AU2003/000799
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul James Symons; Craig Andrew Wright
Original assignee: Pc Locs Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2002-06-25
Filing date: 2003-06-25
Publication date: 2003-12-31
Also published as: AUPS319302A0

Abstract

A securing device (10) for a computer component (11) of the type having a dome-shaped base (15) and a post (17) upstanding from the base. The securing device (10) secures the computer component (11) against theft and comprises a tie (23) one end of which is provided with a collar portion (25) for engaging the post (17) and the other end of which is adapted for connection to a workstation (13) or other surface on which the base (15) is supported. The portion (26) of the tie (23) between the two ends thereof is configured to conform to the profile of the base (15).

Description

"Computer Securing Device"

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a securing device for securing an article of the type having a base and a post upstanding from the base, to a support surface.

The invention has been devised particular, although not necessarily solely, for releasably securing an iMac computer to a support surface such as a desk or workstation. The current iMac computer has a component comprising a dome- shaped base carrying a monitor. The monitor is connected to the base by an adjustable support structure which includes a support post upstanding from the base. The base, the support structure and the monitor are designed as an assembly for visual appeal.

Background Art

It is known to anchor computer towers, other computer boxes and computer components, as well as lap-top computers, to workstations as a deterrent to theft. This can be done by way of a tether, one end of which is attached to the computer or computer component and the other end of which is attached to the workstation. Examples of such tethers are disclosed in US Patents 5,579,657 and 5,709,110.

Such tethers typically comprise a flexible anchoring cable which meanders between the computer or computer component and the workstation. The meandering nature of the anchoring cable arises because of the need to have the cable of sufficient length to accommodate various applications and to also enable the^' cable to be fitted in position, particularly if such fitting involves looping the cable around part of the computer or part of the workstation (such as a leg thereof). Once the tether has been installed, surplus anchoring cable simply meanders loosely between the two attachment points at the ends thereof. This can be unsightly, providing the workstation with a cluttered appearance. Further, the meandering cable can, in some instances, impair workspace at the workstation.

Such a tether would be visually detracting to the aesthetically pleasing shape of an iMac computer.

There is therefore a need for a securing device which can anchor the base of an iMac computer to a workstation or like support surface without providing a significant detraction to the visual appeal of the computer.

Disclosure of the Invention

According to a first aspect of their invention there is provided a securing device for an article having a base and a post upstanding from the base, the securing device comprising a tie one end of which is provided with a collar portion for engaging the post of the article and the other end of which is adapted for connection to a surface on which the base of the article is supported.

Preferably, the portion of the tie between the ends thereof is configured to conform to the profile of the base.

Preferably, the portion of the tie between the ends thereof is substantially rigid.

Preferably, the tie comprises two tie portions, each tie portion having a collar end section with a slot opening onto an edge of the tie portion, the two tie portions being movable into a position in which the slots receive the post and the collar end sections cooperate to define the collar portion.

Preferably, the two tie portions are adapted for movement into and out of a locking condition in which the collar end sections define the collar portion. Typically, the two tie portions are connected together for pivotal movement into and out of the locking condition.

The other end of each tie portion may be configured as a securing ring, wherein the two securing rings are in alignment when the two tie portions are in the locking condition, the securing rings when in alignment being adapted to receive a fastener for fastening the securing rings to the surface.

The two tie portions are preferably adapted to locate one adjacent the other when in the locking condition.

The fastener may comprise a locking stud having a shank with a head at one end thereof and an aperture adjacent the other end thereof to receive a padlock.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a securing device for a computer component having a dome-shaped base and a post upstanding from the base, the securing device comprising a tie one end of which is provided with a collar portion for engaging the post and the other end of which is adapted for connection to a surface on which the base is supported, the portion of the tie between the two ends thereof being configured to conform to the profile of the base.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of one specific embodiment thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a securing device according to the embodiment anchoring a component of a computer to a workstation on which the computer component is supported;

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the securing device, as well as an anchoring stud and padlock used therewith, the securing device being shown in a locking condition;

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the securing device shown out of the locking condition; Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the securing device out of the locking condition and being presented to a post forming part of the computer component for engagement therewith; and

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 with the exception that the securing device is shown in the locking condition in engagement with the post.

Best ode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention

The embodiment shown in the drawings is directed to a securing device 10 for anchoring a computer component 11 to a workstation 13 on which the computer component is supported. In this embodiment, the securing device 10 has been devised particularly for use with a computer component 11 forming part of an iMac computer. The computer component 11 comprises a dome-shaped base 15 and a post 17 upstanding from the base. The post 17 forms part of a support structure 19 which supports a monitor 21 on the base 15.

The securing device 10 comprises a tie 23 having a collar portion 25 at one end thereof for engagement with the post 17 in a manner to be described, an anchoring portion 27 at the other end thereof adapted for connection to the workstation top 29, and a connecting portion 26 extending between the collar portion 25 and the anchoring portion 27.

The tie 23 comprises a first tie portion 31 and a second tie portion 32, each of unitary construction and of metal. Each tie portion 31 , 32 has a collar end section 33 defined by an enlargement 35 of generally disc configuration. The collar end section 33 incorporates a slot 37 which opens onto an edge of the collar end section.

The two tie portions 31 , 32 are pivotally connected at the collar end sections 33 thereof by way of pivot pin 39. The two slots 37 are positioned in opposed relationship such that they can cooperate to define a engaging aperture 41 when the two tie sections 31 , 32 are disposed one against another in a locking condition as best seen in Figures 1 , 3 and 6 of the drawings. The slots 37 are oriented to face each other when the two tie portions 31 , 32 are pivoted about pivot pin 39 away from the locking condition, as best seen in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings.

When the two tie portions 31 , 32 are pivoted out of the locking condition, the open ends of the slots 37 are exposed to receive the post 17 of the computer unit 11 , as best seen in Figure 5 of the drawings. Where the two tie portions 31 , 32 are then returned to the locking condition by pivotal movement about the pivot pin 39, the post 17 can be captively received in the engaging aperture 41 defined by the two slots 37, as best seen in Figure 6 of the drawings.

A securing ring 43 is provided at the other end of each tie portion 31 , 32. Each securing ring 43 includes a central hole 45, with the securing rings 43 cooperating and the holes 45 being in alignment when the tie portions 31 , 32 are in the locking condition, as best seen in Figure 3 of the drawings. The aligned holes 45 can receive a locking stud 47 by means of which the two locking rings 45 can be anchored to the work surface top 29. The locking stud 47 comprises a shank 49 having a head 51 at one end thereof and an aperture 53 at the other end thereof for receiving a padlock 55. The locking stud 47 is inserted through a hole 57 formed in the work surface top 29, with the head 51 locating against the locking rings 43 on the topside of the work surface and the shank 47 extending through and beyond the work surface top 29 to be engaged by the padlock 55, as seen in Figures 1 and 2. The section 26 of each tie portion 31 , 32 between the ends 25,

27 is of curved configuration to conform to the profile of the base portion 15 of the computer unit 11 , as best seen in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

The securing device 10 according to the embodiment provides a simple yet highly effective arrangement for anchoring the computer unit 11 to the workstation 13. The tie 23 can be easily installed in position on the computer unit by pivoting the two tie portions 31 , 32 out of the locking condition so as to expose the free ends of the slots 37 to receive the post 17 of the computer unit 11. The two slots 37 can then be presented to the post 17 such that the post is received therein as the two tie portions 31 , 32 are pivoted towards the locking condition about pivot pin 39. This results in the post 17 being captively received within the aperture 41 defined by the cooperating slots 37 when the tie portions 31 , 32 are in the locking condition. The other end 27 of the tie 23 can then be anchored to the workstation top 29 by drilling or otherwise forming a hole in the workstation top to receive the locking stud 47. The connecting portion 26 of the tie between the ends 25, 27 thereof conforms closely to the profile of the base 15 and so is somewhat inconspicuous.

If it later becomes necessary to move the computer unit 11 , it is merely necessary to release the locking stud 47 so that the two tie portions 31 , 32, can be pivoted about pivot pin 39 out of the locking condition so as to allow the slots 37 to disengage from the post 17. The securing device 10 can then be removed from the computer unit and the computer unit moved as necessary.

It should be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiment described.

In the embodiment described, the tie 23 comprises two tie portions 31 , 32, with the ends thereof configured to provide the collar portion 25 and the anchoring portion 27. Other arrangements are, of course, possible. The tie need not be formed of two tie portions. It may, for example, comprise an appropriate collar portion and an appropriate anchoring portion, with an interconnection therebetween provided by a rigid or flexible element.

Further, in the embodiment described, each tie portion 31 , 32 is of unitary construction, with collar end section 33 and securing ring 43 formed integrally at the ends thereof. In an alternative arrangement, the collar end section and/or the securing ring may be formed separately and appropriately interconnected. The interconnection between the collar end section and the securing ring may be rigid (as in the case of the embodiment) or flexible.

While the embodiment has been described with reference to a securing device devised particularly for use with an iMac computer, it should be understood that the securing device may be used with any other computer having a similar base and upstanding post. Additionally, it should be understood that the invention need not be limited to use with a computer unit. In this regard, the invention may have applications to other articles having a base and an upstanding post.

Modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

The Claims Defining the Invention are as Follows

1. A securing device for an article having a base and a post upstanding from the base, the securing device comprising a tie one end of which is provided with a collar portion for engaging the post of the article and the other end of which is adapted for connection to a surface on which the base of the article is supported.

2. A securing device according to claim 1 wherein the portion of the tie between the ends thereof is configured to conform to the profile of the base.

3. A securing device according to claim 2 wherein the portion of the tie between the ends thereof is substantially rigid.

4. A securing device according to claim 1 , 2 or 3 wherein the tie comprises two tie portions, each tie portion having a collar end section with a slot opening onto an edge of the tie portion, the two tie portions being movable into a position in which the slots receive the post and the collar end sections cooperate to define the collar portion.

5. A securing device according to claim 4 wherein the two tie portions are adapted for movement into and out of a locking condition in which the collar end sections define the collar portion.

6. A securing device according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the other end of each tie portion is configured as a securing ring, wherein the two securing rings are in alignment when the two tie portions are in the locking condition, the securing rings when in alignment being adapted to receive a fastener for fastening the rings to the surface.

7. A securing device according to claim 5 or 6 wherein the two tie portions are adapted to locate one adjacent the other when in the locking condition.

8. A securing device according to claim 5, 6 or 7 wherein the tie portions are connected together for pivotal movement into and out of the locking condition.

9. A securing device for a computer component having a dome-shaped base and a post upstanding from the base, the securing device comprising a tie one end of which is provided with a collar portion for engaging the post and the other end of which is adapted for connection to a surface on which the base is supported, the portion of the tie between the two ends thereof being configured to conform to the profile of the base.

10. A securing device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.