Abstract:
A device is configured to be adjusted between open and closed conditions, and to securely engage a security slot of a portable computer when in the closed condition. The device defines an internal cavity that is configured to receive a portion of a cable-like computer lock when the device is in the closed condition. The device is further configured to extend the computer lock away from the housing of the portable computer. The device prevents the computer lock from obstructing access to surface features on the computer proximate to the security slot.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Numerous portable and laptop computers include a security slot defined within an edge of the housing and configured to receive a cable-type computer locking device. The other end of such a cable lock is typically configured to be looped about a table leg, secured to an anchor point, etc. In this way, portable computers can be securely used and left unattended for brief periods of time in public settings such as a library, a university study hall, etc. 
     However, the security slot on many computers is located proximate to an accessory port, cable connector or other surface feature that is physically blocked against access when a cable lock is in use. The present teachings address the foregoing concerns. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a side elevation view of an apparatus according to one embodiment in a first state; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a side elevation view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  in a second state; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a front elevation view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  in the second state; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  in the second state; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view depicting a system according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a flow diagram depicting a method according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Introduction 
     Means and methods for providing securing a laptop computer or other device by way of an extension device and cable-type lock. An extension apparatus includes two portions that are pivotally coupled to each other by way of a pin or bolt. The two portions pivot toward and away from each so as to define open and closed conditions for the apparatus. The apparatus has a number of tooth-like projections that can be inserted into a computer security slot while in the open condition, and securely engage the security slot when in the closed condition. A cable-type or similar computer lock can be used to secure the computer or other device to a table or other anchor point by way of the extension apparatus. 
     In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first portion that defines a first through aperture. The apparatus also includes a second portion that defines a second through aperture. The second portion is configured to pivot relative to the first portion between an open state and a closed state of the apparatus. The first and second portions define an internal cavity configured to lockably receive a portion of a locking device, by way of the first and second through apertures, when the apparatus is in the closed state. The apparatus is further configured to securely engage a security slot of an entity when the apparatus is in the closed state. 
     In another embodiment, an apparatus for use with a computer locking device includes a first portion including two extensions each terminating in an orthogonal tooth-like projection. The apparatus also includes a second portion including one extension terminating in an orthogonal tooth-like projection. The second portion is at least partially received within the first portion and is configured to pivot between an open condition and a closed condition of the apparatus. The apparatus is configured to securely receive a portion of a computer locking device within an internal cavity when the apparatus is in the closed condition. The apparatus is further configured to securely engage a security slot of a computer by way of the orthogonal tooth-like projections. 
     In yet another embodiment, an apparatus includes a first portion and a second portion pivotally coupled to each other. The first portion and the second portion are respectively configured to define an internal cavity bounded by at least two walls. The apparatus is configured to securely couple a computer lock to a security slot of a computer by way of a portion of the computer lock received within the internal cavity. 
     First Illustrative Embodiment 
     Reference is now directed to  FIG. 1 , which depicts a side elevation view of a lock extension apparatus  100 . The apparatus  100  is illustrative and non-limiting with respect to the present teachings. Thus, other apparatuses can be configured and/or operated in accordance with the present teachings. 
     The apparatus  100  includes a body portion  102 . The first body portion  102  is formed from any suitable rigid material such as plastic, aluminum, brass, stainless steel, etc. Other materials can also be used. The body portion  102  defines a plurality of side walls of which walls  102 A and  102 B are depicted. The body portion  102  further defines a front wall  104  having a through aperture  106  defined therein. The front wall  104  and the plurality of side walls (including  102 A and  102 B) define (i.e., are disposed about) an interior cavity of the apparatus  100 . 
     The body portion  102  includes two rearward extensions  108  that each terminate in an orthogonal, tooth-like projection  110 . Thus, the body portion  102 , extensions  108  and tooth-like projections  110  are respective portions of a continuous, one-piece construction. The apparatus  100  also includes a pin  112  that extends through the body portion  102 . 
     The apparatus  100  includes a second body portion  114  that is formed from a rigid material consistent or compatible with that of the first body portion  102  (e.g., plastic, metal, etc.). The body portion  114  is pivotally joined (mechanically coupled) to the body portion  102  by way of the pin  112 . The body portion  114  includes a rearward extension  116  that terminates in an orthogonal, tooth-like projection  118 . It is noted that the tooth-like projection  118  is directed in an opposite sense relative to that of the tooth-like projections  110 . The body portion  114 , extension  116  and tooth-like projection  118  are respective portions of a continuous, one-piece construction. The apparatus  100  is depicted in a closed state in  FIG. 1 , while a greater fraction of the body portion  114  is received within the cavity defined by the body portion  102 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 2 , which depicts a side elevation view of the lock extension apparatus  100 . The body portion  114  defines a plurality of side walls, of which walls  114 A and  114 B are depicted. The body portion  114  defines a front wall  120  having a through aperture  122  defined therein. 
     The second body portion  114  is pivoted generally away from the first body portion  102  by virtue of the pin  112 . The front wall  120  and the plurality of side walls (including  114 A and  114 B) of body portion  114  cooperate with the front wall  104  and side walls (including  102 A and  102 B) of body portion  102  to define an interior cavity of the apparatus  100 . It is noted that the apparatus  100  is depicted in an open state in  FIG. 2 . Normal operation of the lock extension apparatus  100  is described hereinafter. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a front elevation view of the lock extension apparatus  100  in an open state. It is noted that the respective through apertures  106  and  122  are disposed apart from each other and are thus not aligned. 
       FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of the lock extension apparatus  100  in an open state. It is noted that the body portion  102  is of greater girth than the body portion  114 , such that the body portion  114  is at least partially received within the body portion  102 . 
     First Illustrative System 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram depicting a system  200  according to another embodiment of the present teachings. The system  200  is illustrative and non-limiting in nature. As such, other systems and arrangements are contemplated consistent with the present teachings. 
     The system  200  includes a laptop computer  202  depicted in partial view. The laptop computer  202  includes an electronic display  204  that is supported by way of a cover portion  206 . The laptop computer  202  further includes (or defines) a security slot (or cavity)  208  including interior corner features  210 . Thus, the security slot  208  is defined such that an aperture extends from the exterior of the laptop computer  202  into an expanded interior cavity. The security slot  208  is configured to be mechanically engaged by a cable-type security lock, such as available from Kensington Computer Products Group, Redwood Shores, Calif., USA. One having ordinary skill in the computer arts is familiar with various cable locks and further elaboration is not required for understanding the present teachings. 
     The system  200  also includes a lock extension apparatus  100 . The apparatus  100  is as depicted in  FIGS. 1-4  and as described above. Thus, the apparatus  100  include tooth-like projections  110  and  118  that are configured to be received within and engaged to the security slot  208  of the laptop computer  202 . The respective body portions  102  and  114  of the apparatus  100  define an interior cavity  150 . 
     The system  200  further includes a cable-type computer lock  212 . The cable lock  212  includes an engagement portion  214  that is configured to be received within the interior cavity  150  of the apparatus  100  by way of through apertures  106  and  122 . The cable lock  212  is further configured to lock to (i.e., securely mechanically engage) the apparatus  100  by way of a key  216 . In turn, the cable lock  212  includes a cable portion  218  that can be secured to an anchor point  220 . The anchor point  220  can be defined by any mechanism, entity or assemblage as required and further elaboration is not required for purposes of understanding the present teachings. Assemblage and use of the system  200  is described hereinafter. 
     First Illustrative Method 
       FIG. 6  is a flow diagram depicting a method according to one embodiment of the present teachings. The method of  FIG. 6  includes particular operations and order of execution. However, other methods including other operations, omitting one or more of the depicted operations, and/or proceeding in other orders of execution can also be used according to the present teachings. Thus, the method of  FIG. 6  is illustrative and non-limiting in nature. Reference is also made to  FIGS. 1-5  in the interest of understanding the method of  FIG. 6 . 
     At  300 , a lock extension apparatus is manipulated into an open state (or condition). For purposes of illustrative example, an apparatus  100  is manipulated into an open state as depicted in  FIG. 2   
     At  302 , the tooth-like projections of the lock extension apparatus are inserted into a security slot of a computer. For purposes of the ongoing example, it is assumed that the tooth-like projections  110  and  118  of the apparatus  100  are inserted into a security slot  208  of a laptop computer  202 . 
     At  304 , the lock extension apparatus is manipulated into a closed state. As such, the tooth-like projections mechanically engage the interior features of the security slot of the computer. For purposes of the example, the apparatus  100  is in the closed state as depicted in  FIG. 5 , while the tooth-like projections  110  and  118  engage the interior corner features  210  of the security slot  208 . 
     At  306 , an engagement (or locking) portion of a cable lock is inserted into an interior cavity of the lock extension apparatus. For purposes of the ongoing example, a locking (i.e., engagement) portion  214  of a cable lock  212  is inserted into the interior cavity  150  of the apparatus  100  as depicted in  FIG. 5 . 
     At  308 , the cable lock is locked to the lock extension apparatus. For purpose of example, the cable lock  212  is locked to the apparatus  100  by way of a key  216  as depicted in  FIG. 5 . At this point, the cable lock  212  is mechanically secured to the laptop computer  202  by way of the apparatus  100 . Additionally, accessory ports such as a USB port, a PCMCIA slot, or other feature (not shown) located on the computer  202  adjacent to the security slot  208  are accessible for use and are not obstructed by the cable lock  212 . Furthermore, the locking portion  214  of the cable lock  212  is protected against tampering (e.g., cutting, filing, etc.) as it is concealed inside of the cavity  150  of the apparatus  100 . 
     At  310 , the cable lock is secured to an anchor point such that the computer cannot be removed by merely carrying it away. For purposes of the example, it is assumed that the cable lock  212  is secured to an anchor point (or mechanism)  220  by way of the cable portion  218  of the cable lock  212  as depicted in  FIG. 5 . One having ordinary skill in the art of computer security is familiar with the normal operation and use of a cable-type computer lock and further elaboration is not needed for purposes of understanding the present teachings. 
     At  312 , the computer may be used as normal while being secured. As such, a user can leave the computer unattended for a brief period of time with confidence that significant efforts must be made by a thief in order to steal the computer. 
     At  314 , the cable lock is unlocked and removed from the lock extension apparatus. For purposes of example, it is assumed that the key  216  is used to unlock the cable lock  212 , which in turn is removed from the apparatus  100 . The laptop computer  202  can now be freely moved about. 
     At  316 , the lock extension apparatus is manipulated into an open state. For purposes of the ongoing example, the apparatus  100  is manipulated into the open condition as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     At  318 , the lock extension apparatus is removed from the security slot of the computer. 
     The foregoing method is illustrative of any number of methods contemplated by the present teachings. In general, and without limitation, a lock extension apparatus is engaged to a security slot of a laptop computer or other device. Then, a cable lock or similar assembly is lockably engaged to the lock extension apparatus and secured to a suitable anchor point. The computer or other device is now secured against simple carry-and-go theft, while accessory ports or other features on the surface of the computer adjacent to the security slot are still accessible for normal use. Thus, the lock extension apparatus serves to offset the cable lock (or other mechanism) away from the computer so that other features are not obstructed: Numerous other methods consistent with the operations and/or objectives of the present teachings can also be used. 
     In general, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the arts discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the invention is capable of modification and variation and is limited only by the following claims.