Burglarproof device for electronic device

A burglarproof device for electronic device including a fastener, a control unit, and a lock core is provided. The fastener includes a plurality of lever arms surrounding a virtual axis. The control unit moves relative to the fastener and drives ends of the lever arms to move toward each other when approaching the fastener; the ends of the lever arms move away from each other when the control unit leaves the fastener. The lock core in an unlocked status permits the movement of the control unit relative to the fastener while the lock core in a locked status restricts the control unit from moving relative to the fastener.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a burglarproof device. Particularly, the present invention relates to a burglarproof device for electronic device.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Consumer electronic products play a very important role in the modern life. Fast lifestyle and eagerness for instant information make portable electronic devices become a necessity to most people. However, since these portable devices are in high demand, wide spread, high unit price, small volume, and high portability and become more and more popular, the possibility of being stolen or lost accordingly increases.

One type of locks, which is developed to against thieves, is connected to the electronic product, wherein the lock is specifically connected to the electronic product via the fastener thereof into a lock hole on the electronic product. The electronic product connected to the lock is secured and locked by the fastener through a locking operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a burglarproof device for electronic device, the burglar device having a fastener that is easy to operate and better in securing.

The burglarproof device for electronic device of the present invention includes a fastener, a control unit, and a lock core. The fastener includes a plurality of lever arms surrounding a virtual axis. The control unit moves relative to the fastener and drives ends of the lever arms to move toward each other when the control unit approaches the fastener. The ends of the lever arms move away from each other when the control unit leaves the fastener. The unlocked lock core permits the movement of the control unit relative to the fastener while the locked lock core restricts the control unit from moving relative to the fastener. For example, the locking operation of the lock core drives the control unit to move toward the fastener, and the unlocking operation of the lock core drives the control unit to move away from the fastener.

The burglarproof device for electronic device of the present invention includes a fastener, a control unit, and a lock core. The fastener includes a plurality of lever arms surrounding a virtual axis. The control unit moves relative to the fastener and has a guiding surface, wherein the guiding surface guides ends of the lever arms to move along the guiding surface and toward each other when the control unit approaches the fastener; the ends of the lever arms move away from each other when the control unit leaves the fastener. A locking operation for the lock core drives the control unit to approach the fastener while an unlocking operation for the lock core drives the control unit to leave the fastener.

The burglarproof device for electronic device of the present invention includes a fastener, a control unit, an operating device, and a lock core. The fastener includes a plurality of lever arms surrounding a virtual axis. The control unit moves relative to the fastener and has a guiding surface, wherein the guiding surface guides ends of the lever arms to move along the guiding surface and toward each other when the control unit approaches the fastener; the ends of the lever arms move away from each other when the control unit leaves the fastener. The operating device drives the control unit to move relative to the fastener. The unlocking operation of the lock core releases the operating device while the locking operation of the lock core restricts the operating device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, embodiments of the burglarproof device of the present invention are illustrated in detail with reference to the drawings.

The orientation recited in the specification such as upper, lower, left, and right corresponds to the orientation shown in the figures. When the orientation of the burglarproof device is changed, the relations among the members are not changed.

AsFIG. 15shows, the burglarproof device10of the present invention may be used in coordination with a flexible member700such as cable and chain to tie an electronic device900to furniture, a portable and storageable object, or a vehicle, etc. to be prevented from stealing. The electronic device900shown in the figure is a notebook computer but is not limited thereto; the electronic device mentioned in the specification may be such as a tablet computer, a digital camera, and the like. The electronic device may have a hole having a shape of rectangular, circle, ellipse, or any geometry formed on a housing910thereof.

AsFIG. 1andFIG. 2show, the burglarproof device10aof the present invention has a fastener100, a control unit200, a lock core400, and a housing600. The fastener100is controlled to be in a connecting-permissible status or a locked status (i.e. controlling the burglarproof device10ato be in the connecting-permissible status or the locked status; wherein the connecting-permissible status is generally a status in which the fastener100may be connected to, inserted into, or attached to the above-mentioned hole of the electronic device, and vice versa, i.e. the fastener100may also be disconnected from, pulled out of, or detached from the above-mentioned hole of the electronic device) by means of relative movements of the fastener100and the control unit200, especially the control unit200moving toward or away from the fastener100. An unlocking or a locking operation of the lock core400may be operated along with the movement of the control unit200. Alternatively, an unlocked status of the lock core400permits the movement of the control unit200, and a locked status of the lock core400restricts the movement of the control unit200. In the first embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the lock core400is a key lock.

On the other hand, the housing600primarily includes a first housing610a, a second housing620a, and a sleeve630. The sleeve630has a tubular shape and is able to enclose a portion of the fastener100, wherein a portion of the fastener100is exposed for entering or leaving a hole911formed on a housing910of the electronic device. The first housing610aencloses a portion of the fastener100, the control unit200, and the lock core400. The second housing620amay be provided, for example, for the flexible member700such as a cable or a chain to be disposed thereon.

The fastener100of the burglarproof device10aincludes a plurality of lever arms140received in the sleeve630. As shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 3A, the sleeve630has the tubular shape but is not limited thereto. The sleeve630may have other shapes as long as a plurality of lever arms can be moveably received therein without being interfered by the sleeve630. In order to demonstrate the movement of the plurality of lever arms140, a cross-sectional view of the sleeve630is shown inFIG. 3C, wherein it is noted that the sleeve630substantially encloses/surrounds the plurality of lever arms140.

Each of the lever arms140has a pivot141, an effort arm142beside the pivot141, and a resistance arm143beside the pivot141and opposite to the effort arm142. The effort arm142, the pivot141, and the resistance arm143can constitute a flat V shape so that the a free end of the effort arm142and a front end144of the resistance arm143have a longer displacement, wherein the pivot141is at the bottom of the V shape, the effort arm142and the resistance143preferably tilt from the pivot141and toward the same direction.

The number of the lever arms140is not limited. For example, the number of the lever arms140could be two, three, four, five, etc. (two lever arms140are shown in the figure). However, it is preferred that the lever arms140evenly surround a virtual axis L. Meanwhile, the pivots141of the lever arms140are close to each other and surround the virtual axis L. The effort arms142and the resistance arms143are at the same orientation, respectively. Furthermore, a side of the lever arm140facing the virtual axis L is defined as an inner side146while the reverse side thereof is defined as an outer side145. The outer side145of the front end144of the resistance arm143has a projection147formed thereon. An end of the projection148forms a hook portion149. The plurality of lever arms140in the status mentioned above, i.e. surrounding the virtual axis L, are received in the tubular sleeve630. The plurality of effort arms142extends out of the sleeve630from an orifice at one end (the rear end) of the sleeve630while the plurality of resistance arms143extends out of the sleeve630from another orifice at the other end (the front end) of the sleeve630, wherein a distance between the projection147and the orifice of the other end (the front end) of the sleeve630is at least equal to a thickness of the housing910of the electronic device900around the hole911. In addition, the virtual axis L and the axis of the sleeve630are preferably coaxial.

An elastic member500is disposed among the plurality of effort arms142and applies force to the effort arms142evenly so that the free ends of the effort arms142are distant from each other. In the case shown in the figure that the number of the lever arms140is two, the elastic member500may be a torsional spring made of steel wire. In other cases that the number of the lever arms140is three or greater, the elastic member500may be a bead made of elastic material such as rubber and is clamped by the effort arms142.

The control unit200is next to the rear end of the fastener100and includes a connecting portion230and a guiding surface250. The connecting portion230is for connecting the control unit200and the above-mentioned lock core/key lock400. By operating the key lock400, the control unit200may move relative to the fastener100along the virtual axis L to approach or leave the fastener100. The guiding surface250is located on a side of the control unit200that faces the fastener100and is a conical surface or an oblique plane sloping towards the virtual axis L and away from the fastener100. In addition, the guiding surface250may be a flat surface or a curved surface such as an arc surface.

Further speaking, the control unit200includes a connecting portion230and a controlling portion240. AsFIG. 2shows, the connecting portion230is a shaft, which has a recess231formed thereon for receiving such as a moveable pin (not shown). The lock core/key lock400is operated in cooperation with the shaft230and the members disposed thereon such as the moveable pin to achieve the unlocked or the locked status.

The controlling portion240operates the fastener100to be in the connecting-permissible status or the locked status. The controlling portion240may include a structure of wedge block as shown in the figure; the above-mentioned guiding surface250is the oblique plane of the wedge block241. For example, the controlling portion240of the embodiment further includes a disc242. At least two wedge blocks241are disposed on an edge of the disc242in a way of the oblique planes of the wedge blocks241facing each other, and corresponding to the effort arms142of the above-mentioned two lever arms140, respectively. In addition, an interval between the two wedge blocks241is preferably greater than a sum of length of the free ends of the two effort arms142along a direction perpendicular to the virtual axis L.

When the burglarproof device10ais in the connecting-permissible status, as shown inFIGS. 3A-3CandFIG. 4, the elastic member500enables the free ends of the effort arms142of the plurality of lever arms140to be away from each other, i.e. the front ends144of the resistance arms143approach each other. Meanwhile, the projections147located at the front ends144of the plurality of resistance arms143gather at the virtual axis L so that a shape and a diameter of the gathering projections147in a radial direction with respect to the virtual axis L allow the projections147to get across the hole911of the housing910of the electronic device. Under such condition, the fastener100is able to enter or leave the hole911of the housing910of the electronic device by the resistance arms143having the projections147on the front ends144. In the embodiment, the connecting-permissible status is also an original status of the burglarproof device10a.

When the fastener100of the burglarproof device10ahaving its resistance arms143entering the hole911of the housing910of the electronic device, it is ready to proceed with a locking operation. Please refer toFIG. 4and thenFIG. 6, operating the key lock400will drive the control unit200through the connecting portion230, which results in the control unit200moving relative to the fastener100to approach the fastener100. Meanwhile, the guiding surface250of the control unit200contacts the free ends of the effort arms142. Since the control unit200is continued to be driven by the above-mentioned key lock400to move relative to the fastener100along the virtual axis L and approach the fastener100, the guiding surface250pushes against the free ends of the plurality of effort arms142so that the effort arms142move along the guiding surfaces250and simultaneously approach to each other. In other words, two effort arms142gradually gather together between the two wedge blocks241, as shown inFIGS. 5A-5Cand6. Since the free ends of the effort arms142approach to each other, the elastic member500disposed among the plurality of effort arms142are therefore compressed by the effort arms142and deformed with a restoring force for returning to an initial status.

On the other hand, since the free ends of the effort arms142of the plurality of lever arms140move along the guiding surfaces250and simultaneously approach to each other, the front ends144of the resistance arms143move away from each other, wherein the plurality of projections147previously gathering at the virtual axis L spread radially. When the fastener100, especially the resistance arm143of the lever arm140has been inserted into the hole911, the ends of the projections148spread to a degree of not able to be pulled out of the hole911of the housing910of the electronic device, and the housing910of the electronic device interferes with the hook portion149. In other words, the burglarproof device10ais in the locked status and unable to be disengaged from the hole911of the housing910.

In order to release the burglarproof device10afrom the locked status to the connecting-permissible and unlocked status, the above-mentioned lock core400of key lock is operated to drive the connecting portion230of the control unit200, which makes the control unit200to move along the virtual axis L and away from the fastener100. For example, using a key to operate a rotation of a bead seat of the lock core400enables the moveable pin to move along the recess231on the shaft230and contract, in other words, making the shaft230disengage from a secured status and move. Meanwhile, the wedge block241and the guiding surface250also move away from the free ends of the effort arms142. When the guiding surface250does not interfere with the free ends of the effort arms142, the confinement of the free ends of the effort arms142are released and the elastic member500returns to the initial status due to the restoring force and pushes the effort arms142to be restored to its original status of being far away from each other. On the other hand, the projections147located at the front ends144of the plurality of resistance arms143come closer to the virtual axis L again to reach a state that is able to be in and out of the hole911of the housing910of the electronic device. At this time, the burglarproof device10ais allowed to be detached from the hole911of the housing910of the electronic device so that the electronic device is released.

Alternatively, the lock core400of key lock need not drive directly the connecting portion230as long as the forced exerted on the fastener100by the connecting portion230is released, e.g. by releasing the restoring force of the elastic member. Since the elasticity of the elastic member500pushes the effort arms142, the free ends of the effort arms142are restored to the original status of being far away from each other. Meanwhile, the free end of the effort arm142pushes the guiding surface250so that the connecting portion230moves away from the fastener100. The unlocking operation is therefore easily accomplished.

In view of the above description, it is comprehended that the distance between the projection147and the orifice of the front end of the sleeve630is at least equal to the thickness of the housing910of the electronic device900around the hole911. Since the thickness of the housing910of electronic devices varies, a pad800of may be disposed in front of the housing600if there is a gap formed between a front end of the housing600and the electronic device and needed to be filled. The pad800may be formed of elastic material such as rubber or PVA, which may deform in accordance with the gap between the front end of the housing600and the electronic device to substantially fill the gap.

In another embodiment of the present invention, as shown inFIGS. 7A-7BandFIG. 8, the burglarproof device10bhas the fastener100, the control unit200, a lock core of combination lock400, the housing600, and an operating device300, wherein the housing600includes a first housing610band a second housing620b. The first housing610band the second housing620bface each other, move toward the virtual axis L to combine and form an accommodation space for receiving the control unit200, the lock core400, and a portion of the fastener100. At least one of the first housing610band the second housing620bhas a hole605and a first through hole606. The hole605is for dial(s)410of the lock core400of the combination lock to be exposed while the first through hole606is for the operating device300to be exposed for an user's operating. On the other hand, the combination of the first housing610band the second housing620balso form a second through hole607communicating with the accommodation space. The second through hole607may be for the resistance arm143of the lever arm140of the fastener100to extend out and get across the hole911of the housing910of the electronic device. The second through hole607is equal to the orifice of the front end of the sleeve630in the previous embodiment.

As mentioned above, the fastener100of the embodiment includes a plurality of lever arms140received in a front portion of the housing600close to the second through hole607. The elastic member500is disposed among the effort arms142of the plurality of the lever arms140.

The control unit200is disposed next to the rear end of the fastener100and includes the connecting portion230and the guiding surface250. The connecting portion230is connected with the lock core400of combination lock. By means of an unlocking operation or a locking operation, the lock core400of combination lock allows or restricts movements of the control unit200relative to the fastener100and along the virtual axis L. The guiding surface250is located on a side of the control unit200that faces the fastener100and may be a conical surface or an oblique plane sloping towards the virtual axis L and away from the fastener100. In addition, the guiding surface250may be a flat surface or a curved surface such as an arc surface.

Further speaking, the control unit200includes the connecting portion230, the controlling portion240, and the driven portion260. As shown inFIG. 8, the connecting portion230is a shaft, which has a plurality of teeth232formed on a surface thereof for cooperating with the lock core400to perform the unlock or lock operation. In addition, when the lock core400is unlocking, the shaft may move along an axis C; the axis C may be on the virtual axis L; alternatively, the axis C may be shifted away from the virtual axis L and parallel to the virtual axis L. In the embodiment, it is preferred that the axis C and the virtual axis L are substantially parallel to each other.

The controlling portion240controls the fastener100to be in the connecting-permissible status or the locked status. The controlling portion240may include a tubular structure. A cylindrical tube243has one end facing the fastener100, wherein an inner side thereof is formed as an inner wall of a funnel, wherein the inner wall is drawn close in a direction away from the fastener100and serves as the guiding surface250. The inner wall of the funnel250also corresponds to the effort arms142of the lever arms140, as described above. In addition, the cylindrical tube243has an inner wall connected to a narrower end of the funnel250(i.e. the end where the inner wall drawn close), where the cylindrical tube243has an inner diameter preferably greater than the sum of length of the free ends of the two effort arms142along a direction perpendicular to the virtual axis L.

The driven portion260may interact with the operating device300of the embodiment. The operating device300may have a structure such as button, knob, switch, or rotary disc exposed from the first through hole606for the user touching and operating. Additionally, the operating device300may have a driving portion310entering the accommodation space formed by the housing600and interacting with the control unit200or the lock core400. In the embodiment, the operating device300has the driving portion310formed as a wedge block for interacting with the control unit200through the driven portion260.

The driven portion260is a slot formed in the control unit200. The slot260corresponds to the driving portion310and is able to receive at least a portion of the driving portion310. An oblique plane311of the driving portion/wedge block310may contact with a slot wall261of the slot260. In the embodiment, a displacement of the driving portion/wedge block310perpendicular to the virtual axis L and toward the slot260makes the control unit200move along the virtual axis L and away from the fastener100(the shaft230moves along the axis C) by means of the oblique plane311pushing against the slot wall261. Alternatively, when the control unit200is unable to move along the virtual axis L, the oblique plane311of the wedge block310contacts against the slot wall261of the slot260so that the wedge block310cannot move toward the slot260, i.e. the button320is unpressable.

Since the lock core of combination lock400in the unlocked state allows the control unit200to move along the virtual axis L (wherein the shaft230moves along the axis C) while the lock core of combination lock400in the locked state restricts control unit200from moving, the driving portion/wedge block310is moveable toward the slot260only when the lock core of combination lock400is unlocked, wherein the control unit200is pushed to move along the virtual axis L and away from the fastener100, i.e. the user can press the button320. When the lock core of combination lock400is locked, the lock core400and the control unit200, especially the driving portion260restricts the displacement of the driving portion/wedge block310, i.e. the user cannot press the button320.

When the burglarproof device10bis in an original status, as shown inFIG. 7AandFIGS. 9A-9B, the tubular controlling portion240of the control unit200contacts against the free ends of the effort arms142through the inner wall of the funnel250or an inner wall. In other words, the cylindrical tube243gathers two effort arms142so that the resistance arms143move away from each other. At the same time, the elastic member500disposed among the effort arms142is compressed by the effort arms142and deformed with a restoring force for returning to an initial status.

On the other hand, the front ends144of the resistance arms143are away from each other. The plurality of projections147spread radially from the virtual axis L, wherein the ends of the projections148spread to a degree of not able to pass through the hole911of the housing910of the electronic device.

When the burglarproof device10bis in the original status, one end of the driving portion/wedge block310is located near an entrance of the slot260. When the lock core of combination lock400of the burglarproof device10bin the original status is unlocked, the driving portion/wedge block310may move toward the slot260to push the control unit200to move along the virtual axis L and away from the fastener100. As shown inFIG. 7BandFIGS. 10A-10B, the cylindrical tube243moves away from the effort arms142along with the control unit200moving away from the fastener100. Meanwhile, the cylindrical tube243no longer confines the two effort arms142coming closer to each other, i.e. the confinement of the free ends of the effort arms142by the inner wall of the cylindrical tube243is released. At the same time, the elastic member500is released to the initial status and pushes the free ends of the effort arms142to be restored to a state of being away from each other due to the restoring force. On the other hand, the projections147located at the front ends144of the plurality of resistance arms143gather at the virtual axis L, which allow themselves to get across the hole911of the housing910of the electronic device. At the same time, the burglarproof device10bis in the connecting-permissible status and is allowed to be detached from the hole911of the housing910of the electronic device. Alternatively, the burglarproof device10bis allowed to be connected to the electronic device.

On the contrary, when the oblique plane311of the driving portion/wedge block310no longer pushes against the slow wall261, e.g. the pressing of the button is released, it is preferred that the control unit200moves along the virtual axis L and toward the fastener100, e.g. the control unit200is pushed by the restoring force of the elastic member500. At the same time, the cylindrical tube243also moves toward the effort arms142. The cylindrical tube243starts in contacting the free ends of the effort arms142from the inner wall of the funnel250, the free ends of the effort arms142then move toward each other and along the inner wall of the funnel250. The two effort arms142are preferably gathered in the cylindrical tube243. At the same time, the front ends144of the resistance arms143move away from each other, wherein the plurality of projections147previously gathering at the virtual axis L spread radially. In the case that the fastener100, i.e. the resistance arm143of the lever arm140has been inserted into the hole911, when the ends of the projections148spread to the degree of not able to pass through the hole911of the housing910of the electronic device, the housing910of the electronic device interferes with the hook portion149. That is, the burglarproof device10bis unable to be pulled out of the hole911of the housing910. Meanwhile, it is able to further perform the locking operation of the lock core of combination lock400to make the burglarproof lock10bbe in the locked status.

In the another embodiment of the invention, as shown inFIGS. 11-12, the burglarproof device10chas the fastener100, the control unit200, the lock core of key lock400, and the housing600, wherein the lock core400may move along the axis C during the unlocking and locking operation.

As mentioned above, the fastener100of the embodiment includes the plurality of lever arms140(two lever arms are shown in the figure), which preferably evenly surround the virtual axis L. In the embodiment, the virtual axis L and the axis C may be perpendicular to each other. The elastic member500is disposed between the effort arms142of the two lever arms140.

In the embodiment, the control unit200is aside the effort arms142of the two lever arms140of the fastener100and includes the connecting portion230and the controlling portion240, wherein “being aside” means an orientation of 90 degrees with respect to the above-mentioned outer side with reference to the virtual axis L. The connecting portion230is for connecting the above-mentioned lock core/key lock400. By operating the key lock400, the control unit200may move relative to the two effort arms142of the fastener100along or parallel to the axis C to approach or leave the fastener100.

The controlling portion240operates the fastener100to be in the connecting-permissible status or the locked status and may include the structure of wedge block as shown in the figure. For example, the controlling portion240of the embodiment further includes a plate245extending from the lock core of key lock400, at least two wedge blocks244are disposed on opposite sides of the plate245in a way of the oblique planes of the wedge blocks244facing each other and correspond to the effort arms142of the two lever arms140, respectively; wherein the oblique plane of the wedge block244serve as the guiding surface250. In addition, an interval between the two wedge blocks244is preferably greater than the sum of length of the free ends of the two effort arms142along the direction perpendicular to the virtual axis L.

In other words, the two wedge blocks244and the plate245constitute a U-shaped structure. The two effort arms142may be eventually gathered in the U-shaped structure246along with a displacement of the control unit200along or parallel to the axis C toward the two effort arms142.

When the burglarproof device10cis in the connecting-permissible status, as shown inFIGS. 13A-13C, the elastic member500makes the free ends of the effort arms142of the plurality of lever arms140move away from each other, i.e. the front ends144of the resistance arms143approach to each other. Meanwhile, the projections147located at the front ends144of the plurality of resistance arms143gather at the virtual axis L so that the shape and the diameter of the gathering projections147in a radial direction with respect to the virtual axis L allow themselves to get across the hole911of the housing910of the electronic device. On the other hand, the control unit200is away from the two effort arms142.

When performing the locked operation of the lock core of key lock400, the lock core400may drive the connecting portion230so that the control unit200moves relative to the two effort arms142of the fastener100and approach the two effort arms142. The control unit200will contact the free ends of the effort arms142from the guiding surfaces250of the controlling portion240. By means of the continuous driving of the above-mentioned key lock400along/parallel to the axis C, the control unit200moves relative to the fastener100and approaches the fastener100, the guiding surfaces250push against the free ends of the two effort arms142so that the effort arms142move along the guiding surfaces250and simultaneously approach to each other; in other words, two effort arms142are gradually gathered together between the two wedge blocks244.

AsFIGS. 14A-14Cshow, two effort arms142are eventually gathered in the U-shaped structure246, i.e. between the two wedge blocks244. On the other hand, the plurality of projections147previously gathering at the virtual axis L spread radially therefrom. When the fastener100, especially the resistance arm143of the lever arm140, has been inserted into the hole911, the ends of the projections148spread to a degree of not able to pass through the hole911of the housing910of the electronic device, the burglarproof device10ccannot be pulled out of the hole911of the housing910and the burglarproof device10cis in the locked status.

Although the preferred embodiments of present invention have been described herein, the above description is merely illustrative. The preferred embodiments disclosed will not limit the scope of the present invention. Further modification of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.