Abstract:
A security device for use with an electronic device and a lock is provided. The electronic device has a security slot. The security device comprises a first key having a body portion and a head portion and a second key having a body portion and a head portion. The body portion of the second key is disposed at an angle relative to the head portion of the second key. The body portions of the first key and the second key can be extended through the security slot and the first head portion and the second head portion can be secured together with the lock such that the body portions of the first key and the second key within the computing device diverge to preclude withdrawal of the bodies from the slot.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to office equipment security and, more specifically, to locking devices for securing the contents of office equipment devices and/or anchoring office equipment devices to a structure.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The proliferation of microcomputer technology has created tremendous opportunity for criminals, given the high value of office equipment. Government, businesses, insurance companies, and private individuals are all faced with the problem of theft of personal computers, laptops, personal digital assistants, and other types of microcomputer devices, resulting in an unnecessary societal economic burden.  
         [0003]     A number of security devices for microcomputers are available in the marketplace. These conventional security devices typically attach to some sort of crevice in the microcomputer, such as a screw hole, disk drive slot, data port, etc. Other security devices employ an anchor, typically made of plastic, attached to the body of the microcomputer with glue. Conventional security devices typically employ a cable to anchor the microcomputer to a desk or other solid structure. These conventional solutions to anchoring microcomputer devices serve more as a deterrent than as a real physical barrier to stealing a microcomputer. Even when conventional security devices for microcomputers are employed, a microcomputer is often still easily stolen, sometimes resulting to damage to the microcomputer and/or the device to which the microcomputer is anchored.  
         [0004]     Accordingly, there remains a need for improvements in the art.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     Embodiments of the present invention described hereinafter serve as robust security devices for an electronic device that may be used to securely anchor the electronic device to a fixture and/or lock the electronic device so that components may not be removed from the interior of the electronic device.  
         [0006]     A security device for use with an electronic device and a lock forms one aspect of the invention. The electronic device has a security slot. The security device comprises a first key having a body portion and a head portion and a second key having a body portion and a head portion. The body portion of the second key is disposed at an angle relative to the head portion of the second key. The body portions of the first key and the second key can be extended through the security slot and the first head portion and the second head portion can be secured together with the lock such that the body portions of the first key and the second key within the electronic device diverge to preclude withdrawal of the bodies from the slot.  
         [0007]     An electronic device security device for use with an electronic device and a lock forms another aspect of the invention. The electronic device has a housing with a security hole formed therein. The electronic device further has an electronic device locking mechanism defining a socket and preventing the electronic device from being opened when the socket is occupied. The electronic device security device comprises a first key having a body portion and a head portion with the body portion being disposed at a first angle relative to the head portion, and a second key having a body portion and a head portion with the body portion being disposed at a second angle relative to the head portion. At least one of the first angle and the second angle is less than 180 degrees. The body portions of the first key and the second key can be extended through the security hole to occupy the socket and the first head portion and the second head portion can be secured together with the lock such that the body portions of the first key and the second key within the electronic device diverge due to the first angle and the second angle to preclude withdrawal of the bodies from the hole.  
         [0008]     A security device for use with an electronic device and a lock forms another aspect of the invention. The electronic device has a security slot. The security device comprises a first key having a body portion and a head portion with the body portion of the first key being disposed at a first angle relative to the head portion of the first key. The first key further has a hole located in the head portion sized for receiving a shackle of the lock. The security device further comprises a second key having a body portion and a head portion with the body portion of the second key being disposed at a second angle relative to the head portion of the second key. The second key further has a hole located in the head portion sized for receiving the shackle of the lock. At least one of the first angle and the second angle is less than 180 degrees. The body portions of the first key and the second key can be inserted into the security slot and the shackle can be passed through the holes in the head portions to secure the same together such that the body portions of the first key and the second key within the electronic device diverge due to the angles to preclude withdrawal of the bodies from the slot. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     Reference will now be made to the drawings, which show exemplary embodiments of the invention, and in which:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an office equipment security device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the office equipment security device of  FIG. 1  assembled for use;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an office equipment security device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view of a personal computer including a security slot;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a personal computer having side buttons that release a clamshell style cover;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view of the structure of  FIG. 5 , with the clamshell cover shown open and an interior locking mechanism visible, the locking mechanism being disposed in an unlocked position;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is a view similar to  FIG. 7 , showing the locking mechanism in a locked position;  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is a partial perspective view of a portion of the structure of  FIG. 6 , showing a receiving slot for the locking mechanism; and  
         [0019]      FIGS. 10   a - e  show in perspective view a series of steps involved in installing the office equipment security device of  FIG. 1  in the computer of  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
       [0020]     In the drawings, like reference numerals denote like elements or features.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]     Reference is first made to  FIG. 1 , which shows a perspective view of an office equipment security device  100  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The office equipment security device  100  includes a first key  102  and a second key  104 . The first key  102  generally has a head portion  106  connected to a narrower body portion  110 . The head portion  106  has a hole  108  and the body portion  110  has an end  112 . The head portion  106  is disposed at an angle  113  relative to the body portion  110 . In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the angle  113  is 180 degrees, such that the body portion  110  and the head portion  106  lie in a common plane. Similar to the first key  102 , the second key  104  generally has a head portion  114  connected to a narrower body portion  118 . The head portion  114  has a hole  116  and the body portion  118  has an end  120 . The body portion  118  of the second key  104  is disposed at an angle  122  relative to the head portion  114 . In this illustrated embodiment, the angle  122  is approximately 90 degrees, as shown in  FIG. 1 . As such, the body portion  118  is approximately perpendicular to the head portion  114 . The keys  102  and  104  are preferably made of metal, but any material may be used so long as it is difficult to bend the body portions  118  and  110  relative to the respective head portions  114  and  106 , that is, so that it is difficult to change the angles  113  and  122 , subsequent to manufacturing of the keys  102  and  104 . The holes  108  and  116  are sized so as to receive the shackle of a suitable padlock. The head portions  106  and  114  are shown as being half circular or semicircular in shape, however any size and shape may be used for the head portions  106  and  114  so long as the head portions  106  and  114  of the keys  102  and  104  are able to have appropriate sized holes  108  and  116  to receive the shackle of the desired padlock.  
         [0022]     Reference is next made to  FIGS. 2 and 4 .  FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the office equipment security device  100  of  FIG. 1  in an assembled configuration, as it would take once installed in a microcomputer.  FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a typical security slot  200  formed in a personal computer  202 . Microcomputer devices (e.g., personal computers and laptop computers) are increasingly, being designed to have a security slot such as the security slot  200 . Typical security slots are 0.125×0.275 inches in size, +/−0.01 inches. However, the security device  100  is easily manufactured to be applicable to security slots of any shape and size by changing the shapes and sizes of the body portions  110  and  118 , depending on the design criteria of a particular application. In use, the keys  102  and  104  are installed into the security slot  200 . First, the body portion  118  of the second key  104  is slid into the security slot  200 . As this is being done, the second key  104  is rotated upwards such that head portion  114  of the second key  104  is perpendicular to the back of the personal computer  202  with the body portion  118  protruding towards the interior of the personal computer  202  and pointing downwards. Next, the body portion  110  of the first key  102  is inserted into the security slot  200  above the second key  104  such that the keys  102  and  104  are resting in an orientation that is upside down to the orientation shown in  FIG. 2 . The shackle of the padlock is attached through the holes  108  and  116  thereby securing the head portions  106  and  114  together. A cable or chain may be attached to the padlock in order to secure the personal computer  202  to a secure structure. The perpendicular orientation of the body portion  118  of the second key  104  to the head portion  114  (i.e., the angle  122  being 90 degrees such that the body portions  110  and  118  diverge) prevents the keys  102  and  104  from being removed or withdrawn from the security slot  200  when the padlock is in place. The installation of the keys  102  and  104  is described in greater detail below with reference to  FIGS. 10   a - e.    
         [0023]     Reference is next made to  FIG. 3 , which shows a perspective view of an office equipment security device  100 ′ in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The security device  100 ′, shown in  FIG. 3 , is the same as shown in  FIG. 1 , except that the angle  113  is illustrated as being approximately 90 degrees, similar to the angle  122 , shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the angles  113  and  122  may be of any value between 180 degrees and approximately 75 degrees, so long as both of the keys  102  and  104  can be inserted into the security slot  200 , as discussed above and in relation to  FIGS. 10   a - e , and the keys  102  and  104  cannot be removed from the security slot  200  when the padlock is in place. Generally, for the keys  102  and  104  to not be removable (i.e., cannot be withdrawn) from the security slot  200  when the padlock is in place, at least one of the angles  113  and  122  should be less than 180 degrees such that the body portions  110  and  118  diverge when the keys  102  and  104  are arranged in the orientation shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 .  
         [0024]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 5 , which shows a perspective view of a personal computer  202  having buttons that release a releasable cover. In addition to the security slot  200 , the personal computer  202  may have other security features for use with the keys  102  and  104 . In one embodiment, the personal computer  202  has a main chassis  204  and a releasable cover  206 . The releasable cover  206  is attached to the main chassis  204  with hinges located inside a rear end of the personal computer  202 , such that the cover  206  and chassis  204  open in a clamshell manner. The front end of the releasable cover  206  is released by depressing one or more buttons  208 . While one button  208  is shown in  FIG. 5 , the personal computer  202  has a second button located in the same position on the other side of the personal computer  202  (not shown).  
         [0025]     Reference is next made to  FIG. 6 , which shows a perspective view of a locking mechanism  212 .  FIG. 6  shows the releasable cover  206  in a raised position, exposing the interior of the personal computer  202 . The security slot  200  is seen towards the bottom of  FIG. 6 . The locking mechanism  212  generally comprises a push rod  214  that is slideably attached to the underside of the releasable cover  206 . The push rod  214  has an actuating end  216  that is bent downwards and is approximately perpendicular to the push rod  214 . The push rod  214  further has a raised end  218 , side portions  220 , and an attached biasing spring  222  for retaining the push rod  214  in a rearward position with respect to the releasable cover  206 . The locking mechanism  212  further comprises the buttons  208  that are attached to respective locking clips  224 , transverse push rod engaging members  226 , and coils or springs  228 .  
         [0026]     In a normal unlocked state, the locking mechanism  212  rests as shown in  FIG. 6 , when the releasable cover  206  is closed, with the push rod  214  in a rearwardly biased position. The coils  228  retain the transverse push rod engaging members  226 , the buttons  208 , and the locking clips  224  in their undepressed position, as shown in  FIG. 6 . In this undepressed position, the locking clips  224  engage cooperating slots or holes (not shown) in the main chassis  204 , thereby securing the releasable cover  206  to the chassis  204  in the closed position. When a user depresses the buttons  208 , the buttons  208 , the locking clips  224 , and the push rod engaging members  226  slide towards the centre of the releasable cover  206 . The locking clips  224  then no longer engage the cooperating slots or holes in the chassis  204  and the releasable cover  206  may be raised into its open position, as shown in  FIG. 6 . The push rod  214  does not interfere with the push rod engaging members  226  when the push rod  214  rests in its rearward position, as shown in  FIG. 6 . Biasing spring  222  biases the push rod  214  towards its rearward position.  
         [0027]     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 7, 8 , and  9  in conjunction with  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the rearward end of the locking mechanism  212  resting in the unlocked position described with reference to  FIG. 6 . As seen in  FIG. 7 , the push rod  214  rests in the rearwardly biased position, due to the biasing spring  222 . In this rearward position, the actuating end  216  of the push rod  214  abuts against a clip  230  that has a receiving slot  232  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) that is aligned with the security slot  200  when the releasable cover  206  is in the closed position. Together, the clip  230 , the receiving slot  232 , and the security slot  200  form a socket  233 , with the actuating end  216  resting at an end portion of the socket  233 .  FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of the rearward end of the locking mechanism  212  disposed in a forward, locked position. In the locked position (i.e., when the releasable cover  206  is in the closed position and the office equipment security device  100  is in place in the security slot  200  and occupies the socket  233 , as described above), the end  112  of the first key  102  extends through the slots  200  and  232  and abuts against the actuating end  216  of the push rod  214 , thereby retaining the push rod  214  in the forward, locked position. When in the forward, locked position, the push rod  214  lies between the transverse pushrod engaging members  226  and the side portions  220  of the push rod  214  abut against the ends of the transverse pushrod engaging members  226 , thereby preventing the buttons  208  from being depressed and the releasable cover  206  from being opened.  FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of a receiving slot  232  located at a front end  234  of the main chassis  204 . The receiving slot  232  receives the raised end  218  of the push rod  214  when the push rod  214  is in its forward, locked position, as described above. The receiving slot  232  additionally serves to lock the releasable cover  206  in the closed position, so that even if one were to succeed in depressing the buttons  208  when the push rod  214  is in its forward, locked position (e.g., by using excessive force to break the transverse push rod engaging members  226 ), the releasable cover  206  still cannot be lifted into the open position because of the engagement between the raised end  218  and the receiving slot  232 .  
         [0028]      FIGS. 5-9  illustrate but one example of a possible locking mechanism that may be used in conjunction with the security slot  200  and the office equipment security device  100 . It will be understood by those skilled in the art that any number of locking mechanisms can be designed to take advantage of the configurations of the different embodiments of the security device  100 , according to the design criteria of a particular application.  
         [0029]     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 10   a - e , which show in perspective view a series of steps of installing the office equipment security device  100 . In a first step, as shown in  FIG. 10   a , the end  120  of the second key  104  is placed in the security slot  200 , with the head portion  114  oriented in a downward position. As shown in  FIG. 10   b , the body portion  118  of the second key  104  is fully inserted into the security slot  200 , which involves rotating the second key  104  upwards, such that the second key  104  comes to rest with the head portion  114  resting in a plane parallel with the releasable cover  206  (when in its closed position) and the body portion  118  points downwards inside the personal computer  202 . Next, as shown in  FIG. 10   c , the end  112  of the first key  102  is inserted into the security slot  200 , above the second key  104 . Next, as shown in  FIG. 10   d , the first key  102  is advanced until substantially the entire body portion  110  of the first key  102  extends through the security slot  200  and rests inside the personal computer  202 . If the personal computer  202  is equipped with a locking mechanism, such as was described in relation to  FIGS. 5-9 , one or both of the body portions  110  and  118  occupy the socket  133  and the personal computer  202  is prevented from being opened when the keys  102  and  104  are in position, as shown in  FIG. 10   d . Finally, since the holes  108  and  116  are now in alignment, a shackle of a padlock  236  may be inserted through the holes  108  and  116  to secure the head portions  106  and  114  together, as shown in  FIG. 10   e . The bent body portion  118  of the second key  104  (i.e., the angle  122 , which is 90 degrees in the current example) prevents the keys  102  and  104  from being removed from the security slot  200  when locked in place by padlock  236 , as shown in  FIG. 10   e . The ends of a chain or steel cable  238 , or other device may also be placed through the shackle of the padlock  236  and suitably routed around a desk leg or other secure fixture so as to anchor the personal computer  202  in place.  
         [0030]     One advantage of the office equipment security device  100  is that the body portions  110  and  118  may provide for a significant amount of contact (e.g., surface area) with the inside of the computer  202  or electronic device in which the security device  100  is installed. This is particularly true when one or both of the angles  113  and  122  is substantially 90 degrees, thereby making it very difficult to forcibly remove the security device  100  without unlocking the padlock  236 .  
         [0031]     While the present invention is described, by way of example, in the context of office equipment and a microcomputer device, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the office equipment security device  100  is equally applicable to any piece of electronic equipment having a security slot  200 , including personal computers, laptops, monitors, portable storage devices, fax machines, photocopiers, printers, scanners, portable music players, personal digital assistants, cellular phones, telephones, televisions, stereos, DVD players, VCRs, etc.  
         [0032]     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Certain adaptations and modifications of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the presently discussed embodiments are considered to be illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.