Abstract:
The present invention is generally directed to the field of safety locks for display devices. In particular, the present invention is directed to a safety lock for real estate listing signs.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/892,484 by Robert J. Visotcky, entitled “Safety Lock for Real Estate Signs,” filed Mar. 1, 2007, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is generally directed to the field of safety locks for display devices. In particular, the present invention is directed to a safety lock for real estate listing signs. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Display devices are commonly used to facilitate the selling and renting of real estate. For example, real estate professionals commonly use signs located at visible spots adjacent to an available property to advertise the property to the public. A typical display device design used in the real estate industry comprises a vertical post with a horizontal cross-arm to hang an advertising panel. The advertising panel is typically hung on the horizontal cross-arm by various hanging means, such as rope, rings, or light chains. 
         [0004]    There are a number of drawbacks associated with conventional real estate listing signs. One drawback is that such real estate signs are difficult to view after dark. One solution is to employ a lighting system to illuminate the real estate sign. For example, LISTINGLIGHT™ real estate sign light (available from Listing Light, LLC, Carlsbad, Calif.) offers a light source that may be attached to the real estate sign in order to illuminate it after dark. However, there remains a need to protect the real estate sign and the attached lighting system from theft. It is known in the art that real estate signs are frequently stolen and vandalized. Yet another drawback is that the advertising panels are routinely loosely attached to the horizontal cross-arm of a real estate sign. In windy conditions, such loosely attached advertising panels may be torn off the cross-arm, destroying the sign. 
         [0005]    Therefore, there is an unmet need in the art for a display device safety lock capable of preventing theft of the display device and any attachments thereto, and also capable of stabilizing the display device in windy conditions. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In one aspect, the present invention relates to a safety lock for display devices. In the preferred embodiment, the safety lock comprises a top faceplate, a bottom faceplate, and a locking rod. Preferably, the locking rod is contained between the top faceplate and the bottom faceplate so that only top and bottom loops of the locking rod protrude outside of the faceplates. The top loop of the locking rod may be used to connect to the horizontal cross-arm of a display device and the bottom loop of the locking rod may be used to connect to the advertising panel of a display device. The top faceplate and the bottom faceplate may be removably and securely attached together with the locking rod between them to secure the advertising panel to the horizontal cross-arm of a display device. Preferably, the top faceplate and the bottom faceplate are securely attached together with the locking rod between them, so that one may not detach them and open the safety lock without a key. In one alternative, the top faceplate and the bottom faceplate are securely attached together by means of an unconventional, tamper-resistant screw, wherein the screw may be driven only by means of a special corresponding screwdriver. In such embodiment, the screw serves as a lock and the corresponding screwdriver serves as a key. Other means to removably and securely attach the top and bottom faceplates together will be known to one of ordinary skill in the art and are within the scope of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  demonstrates an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of a safety lock of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  demonstrates a view of the preferred embodiment of a safety lock of the present invention in a closed position. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  demonstrates a view of the preferred embodiment of a screw of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  demonstrates a view of the preferred embodiment of a key of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  demonstrates a view of two safety locks attached to a display device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. It is understood by these same artisans that other embodiments can be utilized and that structural changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the current invention. Thus, the following detailed description is not meant to limit the breadth of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims. 
       NUMBERING REFERENCE LIST 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
               10 . Safety Lock 
               12 . Top Faceplate 
               22 . Threaded Boss 
               14 . Bottom Faceplate 
               24 . Orifice 
               16 . Locking Rod 
               18 . Top Stop 
               20 . Bottom Stop 
               30 . Screw 
               32 . Head 
               40 . Screwdriver 
               42 . Driver 
               50 . Cross-Arm 
               52 . Advertising Panel 
           
         
       
     
         [0027]      FIG. 1  provides an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of a safety lock of the present invention. The safety lock  10  comprises a top faceplate  12 , a bottom faceplate  14 , and a locking rod  16 . In one alternative, the top faceplate  12  further comprises a threaded boss  22 , the bottom faceplate  14  further comprises an orifice  24 , and the locking rod  16  further comprises a top stop  18  and a bottom stop  20 . In the preferred embodiment, the locking rod  16  is placed between the top faceplate  12  and the bottom faceplate  14 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  provides a view of the preferred embodiment of a safety lock of the present invention in a closed position. In one alternative, the locking rod  16  is placed between the top faceplate  12  and the bottom faceplate  14  and the faceplates are removably and securely attached together. For example, the faceplates may be attached together by a screw. Preferably, the screw comprises an unconventional head, such that said screw may only be driven by a corresponding unconventional screwdriver. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  provides a view of the preferred embodiment of an unconventional screw of the present invention. The screw  30  comprises an unconventional head  32 . The unique pattern of the unconventional head  32  serves as a security mechanism designed to prevent tampering with the safety lock once it is closed. Preferably, once the locking rod  16  is placed between the top faceplate  12  and the bottom faceplate  14 , the faceplates are brought together and removably and securely attached with a screw  30 . Preferably, the screw  30  is inserted through the threaded boss  22  on the top faceplate  12  and the orifice  24  on the bottom faceplate. The screw  30  may then be tightened to hold the faceplates together. In one alternative, the unconventional screw  30  may be tightened with an unconventional screwdriver  40 . In the preferred embodiment, the unconventional screw serves as a lock and the unconventional screwdriver serves as a key. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  provides a view of the preferred embodiment of an unconventional screwdriver of the present invention. The screwdriver  40  comprises an unconventional driver  42 . Preferably, said unconventional driver  42  corresponds to the unconventional head  32  of the screw  30 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  provides a view of two safety locks of the present invention attached to a display device. In the preferred embodiment, the top loop of the locking rod  16  is attached to the cross-arm  50  of the display device, and the bottom loop of the locking rod  16  is attached to the advertising panel  52  of the display device. The top stop  18  and the bottom stop  20  located on the locking rod  16  (not shown in  FIG. 5 ) prevent the locking rod  16  from slipping under the weight of the advertising panel  52 . While two safety locks are demonstrated in  FIG. 5 , any number of safety locks may be used to secure a specific display device. 
         [0032]    In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a safety lock for display devices. In the preferred embodiment, the safety lock comprises a top faceplate, a bottom faceplate, and a locking rod. Preferably, the locking rod is shaped so as to form a top loop and a bottom loop. The loops may be open or closed. Preferably, the top loop and the bottom loop are open loops. The locking rod may also contain stops to prevent the rod from slipping once secured in place between the top faceplate and the bottom faceplate. In the preferred embodiment, the locking rod is placed between the top faceplate and the bottom faceplate so that only top and bottom loops of the locking rod protrude outside of the faceplates. The top loop of the locking rood may be used to connect to the horizontal cross-arm of a display device and the bottom loop of the locking rod may be used to connect to the advertising panel of a display device. 
         [0033]    In the preferred embodiment, the top faceplate and the bottom faceplate may be removably attached together with the locking rod between them to secure the advertising panel to the horizontal cross-arm of a display device. Preferably, the top faceplate and the bottom faceplate are securely attached together with the locking rod between them, so that one may not detach them and open the safety lock without a key. The top faceplate and the bottom faceplate may be removably and securely attached together by a variety of attachment means. Such attachment means may include, but are not limited to, combination locks, nuts, bolts, screws, and electronic locks. In one alternative, the top faceplate and the bottom faceplate are securely attached together by means of an unconventional, tamper-resistant screw, wherein the screw may be driven only by means of a special corresponding screwdriver. For example, the head of the unconventional screw is designed such that the screw may only be driven by a corresponding, unconventional screwdriver. Incorporation of an unconventional screw provides further deterrent to thieves, since they will not be able to open the safety lock and remove the display device unless they possess a corresponding unconventional screwdriver. In such embodiment, the screw serves as a lock and the corresponding screwdriver serves as a unique key. Other means to removably and securely attach the top and bottom faceplates together will be known to one of ordinary skill in the art and are within the scope of the present invention. 
       EXAMPLE 1 
       [0034]    The following example is provided to illustrate the preferred embodiment of the present invention. A safety lock is opened by a corresponding unconventional screwdriver to unscrew an unconventional screw. The screw is removed from the orifice on the bottom faceplate and the threaded boss on the top faceplate. Once the screw is removed, the faceplates are pulled apart to expose the locking rod. While the safety lock is in the open position, the top loop of the locking rod is attached to a horizontal cross-arm of the display device and the bottom loop of the locking rod is attached to an advertising panel of the display device. The top faceplate and the bottom faceplate are then closed and secured with an unconventional screw. The unconventional screw is inserted through the threaded boss on the top faceplate and the orifice on the bottom faceplate. The screw is then tightened with the corresponding unconventional screwdriver to secure the safety lock to the display device. 
         [0035]    It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments within the scope of the present invention will be accessible to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.