Abstract:
A security device for functional display, security, and charging of a handheld electronic device is disclosed. The device comprises a universal clamping apparatus with an integrated alarm sensor and charging port to prevent theft of handheld electronic devices without hindering customer inspection thereof while providing charging of the battery of the devices.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from, and is a national stage application pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §371 of, PCT Application No. PCT/US2012/024268, filed Feb. 8, 2012, and entitled Security Device For Functional Display, Security, And Charging Of Handheld Electronic Devices, the entire contents of which is herein incorporated by reference. PCT Application No. PCT/US2012/024268 claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/440,646, filed Feb. 8, 2011, the entire contents of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a security device for allowing functional display and charging of handheld electronic devices. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Retailers sell handheld electronic devices to the public in a range of shapes and sizes, with a range of functionality. Encouraging customers to pick up, hold, examine, and use the functionality of the devices at display locations is a valuable marketing technique employed by retailers. To decrease the risk of theft associated with this marketing strategy, retailers employ various security measures. 
         [0004]    One common security measure is the use of an alarm sensor that sets when placed in contact with the surface of the handheld electronic device and activates when it loses contact with the device (e.g., when the sensor is removed). A typical alarm sensor is attached to one portion of the handheld electronic device using an adhesive tape or similar adhesive product. During use, the adhesives often fail, resulting in the alarm sensor losing contact with the handheld electronic device and causing alarms to sound and startle innocent customers, negatively affecting their shopping experience. When these false alarms occur at a high frequency, retailers tend to ignore the alarms or even turn them off to avoid disrupting customer shopping experiences, leaving retailers vulnerable to theft. Furthermore, these alarm sensors are only activated when the alarm sensor loses contact with the portion of the handheld electronic devices to which it has been attached. For example, if the alarm sensor is attached to the battery cover of a wireless phone, a thief can remove and steal the remainder of the wireless phone (i.e., all components but the battery cover) without activating the alarm sensor. In order to combat this, retailers often install a plurality of alarm sensors in multiple locations on the handheld electronic devices (e.g., front and back, inside the battery compartment, etc.). These alarm sensors often hinder customer inspection of the device. In some cases, these alarm sensors installed within the handheld electronic devices can ignite when subjected to excessive heat within the devices. 
         [0005]    In addition to preventing theft of handheld electronic devices, in order to ensure that the devices on display are functional, retailers need to provide charging of the devices on a regular basis so that customers can operate the devices. In many instances, this charging requirement is provided by a separate charging device that can also hinder access to the handheld electronic device and present a visually unappealing display. 
         [0006]    The discussion above is merely provided for a general background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A security device for functional display, security, and charging of a handheld electronic device is disclosed. The device comprises a universal clamping apparatus with an integrated alarm sensor switch and charging port to prevent theft of handheld electronic devices without hindering customer inspection thereof while providing charging of the battery of the devices. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the security device a body having a first side, a second side, and an upper surface, a first arm extending upwardly from the first side of the body and having a distal end, wherein the distal end of the first arm has a first retention hook extending substantially horizontally from the distal end of the first arm above the plane of the upper surface of the body, a second arm extending upwardly from the second side of the body and having a distal end, wherein the distal end of the second arm has a second retention hook extending substantially horizontally from the distal end of the second arm above the plane of the upper surface of the body, a draw pin extending through the first side and the second side of the housing body for moving the first arm and second arm simultaneously along an X-axis relative to the first side and the second side of the body, wherein the draw pin comprises a first threaded end and second threaded end, wherein the first threaded end has a thread pattern that is counter rotational to the thread pattern of the second threaded end, a leveling plate located between the first arm and the second arm and proximate to the upper surface of the body, wherein the leveling plate is connected to the body using one or more leveling screws to allow the leveling plate to move independently of the body along a Z-axis relative to the upper surface of the body, an alarm sensor on the leveling plate that sets when placed in contact with a surface of the handheld electronic device, wherein the alarm sensor can activate when the alarm sensor loses contact with the handheld electronic device, and a charging port on the body for charging the handheld electronic device. 
         [0009]    This brief description of the invention is intended only to provide a brief overview of subject matter disclosed herein according to one or more illustrative embodiments, and does not serve as a guide to interpreting the claims or to define or limit the scope of the invention, which is defined only by the appended claims. This brief description is provided to introduce an illustrative selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This brief description is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in the background. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    So that the manner in which the features of the invention can be understood, a detailed description of the invention may be had by reference to certain embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only certain embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the scope of the invention encompasses other equally effective embodiments. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis generally being placed upon illustrating the features of certain embodiments of the invention. In the drawings, like numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the various views. Differences between otherwise like parts may cause to those parts to be indicated with different numerals. Different parts are indicated with different numerals. Thus, for further understanding of the invention, reference can be made to the following detailed description, read in connection with the drawings in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a security system including a security device; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the exemplary embodiment of a security device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a security device; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a security device; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is an exemplary embodiment of a printed circuit board; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a front view of another exemplary embodiment of a security device; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of an exemplary hex tool according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is an end view of the exemplary hex tool shown in  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a security system  100 , including a security device  10  for functional display, security, and charging of a handheld electronic device (not shown).  FIG. 2  is a front view of the exemplary embodiment of a security device  10  of  FIG. 1 . The security device  10  comprises a housing body  12 , a moveable leveling plate  14  proximate to the upper surface (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the housing body  12 , a first moveable arm  16  extending upwardly from a first arm base  20  proximate to the first side of the housing body  12 , and a second moveable arm  18  extending upwardly from the second side of the housing body  12 . Leveling plate  14  moves vertically in alignment with the Z axis between the first moveable arm  16  and the second moveable arm  18 . First moveable arm  16  and second moveable arm  18  move horizontally in alignment with the X axis. The first moveable arm  16  includes a first arm base  20  at its proximal end and has a first retention hook  17  extending substantially horizontally from the distal end of the first moveable arm  16  above the plane of the upper surface of the housing body  12 . The second moveable arm  18  includes a second arm base  22  at its proximal end and has a second retention hook  19  extending substantially horizontally from the distal end of the second moveable arm  18  above the plane of the upper surface of the housing body  12 . 
         [0020]    The horizontal movement (i.e., extending and retracting) of first moveable arm  16  and second moveable arm  18  along the X axis is controlled by the rotation of draw pin  28 , which extends through the first side and the second side of the housing body  12  and includes two threaded ends  34 ,  36 , each of which is machined with a thread pattern that is counter rotational to the other. Correspondingly, threaded hole  24  in first arm base  20  and threaded hole  26  in second arm base  22  are each machined with a thread pattern that is counter rotational to the other. In operation, threaded end  36  is complementary to and inserted in threaded hole  24 , while threaded end  34  is complementary to and inserted in threaded hole  26 . The draw pin  28  is held in place by lock washers  30 , which are attached at opposing end portions of draw pin  28  and so positioned to abut the side walls of the housing body  12 . 
         [0021]    The rotation of draw pin  28  is controlled by inserting a suitable tool into hex key hole  32  at the tip of threaded end  34  of draw pin  28 . Disposed with hex key hole  32  is a security pin  33  that can be turned by a tool.  FIG. 7  is a plan view of a tool  200  according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Tool  200  can comprise a hex wrench for engaging hex key hole  32  of draw pin  28 .  FIG. 8  is an end view of tool  200  shown in  FIG. 7 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , tool  200  can have a drilled aperture  202  to receive and surround the security pin  33 . Returning to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , when the hex tool  200  is inserted and rotated clockwise, draw pin  28  is simultaneously rotated in a clockwise direction. This screws the opposing threaded ends  34  and  36  into threaded holes  26  and  24 , respectively, which serves to move first moveable arm  16  and second moveable arm  18  towards one another, and retracting towards the center of the housing body  12 . Conversely, when draw pin  28  is rotated in a counter clockwise direction, first moveable arm  16  and second moveable arm  18  are moved away from each other, and extending away from the center of the housing body  12 . In this fashion, first moveable arm  16  and second moveable arm  18 , as well as retention hooks  17  and  19 , can be infinitely adjusted to clamp onto and securely hold the sides and top edges of a handheld electronic device  8 . Although shown as a cell phone in ht exemplary embodiment, it will be understood the security device can be used for a variety of handheld electronic devices, such as wireless phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), radios, scanners, pagers, GPS systems, multimeters, cameras, music players, power tools, calculators, handheld computers such as netbooks, notebooks, laptops, electronic tablets, and electronic readers, and other similar handheld electronic devices. 
         [0022]    Locator pins  38  and  40  are fixedly attached to arm bases  20  and  22 , respectively. Locator pin  38  extends through locator hole  39 ; locator pin  40  extends through locator hole  41 . Each pin  38 ,  40  is parallel to the axis of draw pin  28 , and in the same plane thereof. As draw pin  28  is rotated, thereby moving first moveable arm  16  and second moveable arm  18  into a wider or narrower adjustment state, locater pins  38  and  40  slide correspondingly through locator holes  39  and  41 . Locator pins  38  and  40  function as stabilizer means to prevent arm bases  20  and  22  from deviating from their fixed alignment, which in turn maintains the perpendicular alignment of first moveable arm  16  and second moveable arm  18  as they move through various states of adjustment as described above. While the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  has one locator pin  38 ,  40  per arm base  20 ,  22 , as shown in another exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , each arm base  20  and  22  can have multiple locator pins  40 . 
         [0023]    Returning to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the vertical movement of leveling plate  14  along the Z axis is controlled by the rotation of one or more threaded leveling screws  15 , which are fixedly attached to the leveling plate  14 . Here, it is important to note that while leveling screws  15  are fixedly attached to leveling plate  14 , leveling screws  15  are attached in a manner that allows the full and unencumbered rotation of threaded leveling screws  15  in both clockwise and counter clockwise directions. When leveling screws  15  are rotated clockwise into threaded holes  13 , leveling screws  15  rise along the threads of threaded holes  13  in the housing body  12 , thereby elevating the end of leveling screws  15  that are fixedly attached to leveling plate  14 . The threaded holes  13  are built up on the bottom of the housing body  12  to accept the leveling screws  15 . In this manner, leveling plate  14  may be elevated in a gradual and controlled manner above the upper surface of the housing body  12 . Conversely, when threaded leveling screws  15  are rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, leveling plate  14  is lowered along the threads of threaded holes  13  in a likewise gradual and controlled manner. Each end of leveling plate  14  may be raised or lowered, by alternate turn in graduated increments, thereby raising or lowering plate  14  in a level manner. This allows leveling plate  14  to function substantially as a screw type jack to elevate handheld electronic device  8  and press it securely against retention hooks  17  and  19 , thereby holding the device  8  fixedly between leveling plate  14  and retention hooks  17 ,  19 . In another embodiment, the leveling plate  14  can be raised and lowered using one leveling screw  15 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  4 , the bottom surface of the housing body  12  can be inserted into mount  58 , where it is detachably attached allowing a customer to inspect and use the handheld electronic device  8 . 
         [0024]    While the features of the security device  10  described above provide sufficient security against removing the handheld electronic device  8  from the security device  10 , retailers often want additional security and functionality from their display devices. For example, if a tether or other cord holding the security device  10  were cut, absent other security features, a thief may be able to remove handheld electronic device  8  perhaps without the knowledge of the retailer. To provide additional security, in one embodiment of the invention as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 , an alarm sensor  50  is provided on the leveling plate  14  that sets when placed in contact with a surface of the handheld electronic device  8  and will activate when the alarm sensor  50  loses contact with the device  8  or is otherwise tampered with. A number of different types of alarm sensors  50  can be used, such as a tape-style or a plunger-style sensor. In one embodiment, the alarm sensor is integrated with and at least partially recessed in the leveling plate. A cable  51  (e.g., containing two wires) can connect the alarm sensor  50  to a printed circuit board (PCB)  11  located in the housing body  12 . The cable  51  should be long enough to allow the leveling plate  14  to move vertically as required.  FIG. 5  is an exemplary embodiment of a PCB  11 . The PCB  11  can monitor the status of the alarm sensor  50  and sound an alarm when the alarm sensor  50  is activated. The alarm can also sound when the tether/cord  54  attached between the housing body  12  and the main terminal  56  is cut or disconnected. The tether/cord  54  can included wiring attached to the printed circuit board  11  or directly to the alarm sensor  50  to monitor the status of the alarm sensor  50 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the leveling plate  14  can also have an LED  60  for providing a visual status of the alarm. In another embodiment, the housing body  12  can have an LED for providing a visual status of the alarm. Unlike existing alarm sensors that are attached to the handheld electronic device using adhesive tape or similar adhesive product, since the alarm sensor  50  remains in contact with the handheld electronics device  8  by virtue of the device  8  fixedly held between leveling plate  14  and retention hooks  17 ,  19 , the potential for a false alarm is minimized. Furthermore, unlike existing alarm sensors that only secure one part of a handheld electronic device or that must be used in multiple locations on the same handheld electronic device hindering access and functionality, single alarm sensor  50  can be used to secure the entire handheld electronics device  8  by virtue of the device  8  being fixedly held between leveling plate  14  and retention hooks  17 ,  19 . 
         [0025]    The housing body  12  of the security device  10  can also incorporate a charging port  52  powered via the tether/cord  54  attached between the housing body  12  and the main terminal  56 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , a charging cable  53  between the handheld electronic device  8  and the charging port (or receptacle)  52  can be used to charge the battery of the handheld electronic device  8 . The tether/cord  54  can be plugged into a main terminal  56  that can simultaneously charge one or more handheld electronic devices  8  from a single terminal, which can, e.g., plug into a 110V or other suitable voltage outlet. This main terminal  56  can also provide the power for the security alarms. 
         [0026]      FIG. 6  is a front view of another exemplary embodiment of a security device  300 . As compared with the security device  10  of  FIGS. 1 through 4 , which secures the handheld electronics device  8  by adjusting the height of the leveling plate  14 , the exemplary embodiment of the security device  300  in  FIG. 6  secures the handheld electronics device  8  by adjusting the height along the z-axis of the and retention hooks  17 ,  19 . In one embodiment, the position of the first retention hook  17  of first moveable arm  16  can be changed to secure the handheld electronic device  8  by using a set screw  6 , while the position of the second retention hook  19  of second moveable arm  8  can be changed to secure the handheld electronic device  8  by using a set screw  4 . 
         [0027]    While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that various changes in detail may be effected therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention that can be supported by the written description and drawings. Further, where exemplary embodiments are described with reference to a certain number of elements it will be understood that the exemplary embodiments can be practiced utilizing either less than or more than the certain number of elements