LCD monitor security tie-down apparatus

A security tie-down apparatus is taught which is used in conjunction with a LCD monitor of the type incorporating a flat display mounting interface configured in accordance with Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) mounting interface standards. The apparatus attaches a mounting plate to the LCD monitor utilizing the VESA mounting interface standard threaded holes, using flat head screws. A mounting plate cover encloses the mounting plate that engages the LCD monitor rear surface and a cable retaining adapter engages the mounting plate cover in such a manner as to obscure the contact union therebetween. An adapter shoulder bolt is disposed within the adapter and attaches to the mounting plate and also engages the mounting plate cover with the adapter. A security cable runs completely through the adapter obscuring the adapter shoulder bolt, and when the cable is anchored onto a fixed surface, the LCD monitor is protected from unauthorized removal or theft.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to electronic equipment security devices in general. More specifically to a tie-down apparatus for a LCD Monitor which includes mounting bracket, cover and cable for attachment to a secure surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Previously, many types of security devices have been used in endeavoring to provide an effective means to protect electronic equipment from unauthorized removal and theft.

The prior art listed below did not disclose patents that possess any of the novelty of the instant invention; however the following U.S. patents are considered related:

Gassaway in U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,305 teaches a security device for rotatably mounting an article to a surface. The device includes a base with a face, a center and a peripheral rail having a downwardly facing bearing surface. The invention is mountable to a surface by adhesive spacing the base from the surface. A clasp in two parts slide together providing bearing surfaces to hold the clasp rotatably to the base. U.S. Pat. No. 4,448,049 issued to Murray provides a security tie-down apparatus that includes an anchor bolt with a base plate secured thereto in axially spaced relation from the bolt head. A disc is rotatably carried on the anchor bolt between the base plate and head and surrounds the head so as to prevent grasping of the head by tools. Additional hold down bolts may be provided for securing the base plate to the object and offset access holes through the disk enabling passage of the hold-down screws therethrough.

Spranza III in U.S. Pat. No. 4,579,311 discloses an equipment lockdown apparatus for locking pieces of equipment such as computer modules, typewriters and the like. A sub-base is secured to a desk or a supporting structure which supports the remainder of the unit for rotation. A base shelf is included together with a pedestal which rotatably supports one of more additional shelves. Shields are positioned adjacent to each shelf to preclude access to the fastening elements.

D'Amore in U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,840 teaches a security system for preventing theft of items such as typewriters and personal computers. The system has a security plate which is fixed to the item to be secured. A bendable member is permanently attached to a center area of the plate base and has a free end spaced on the center area of the base. A loop is formed on the free end for attaching the bendable member to a cable chain, or the like, used to attach the plate to the anchor. When an attempt is made to forcibly remove the item, the bendable member bends to direct the removal force to the center of the plate where it can be distributed over the entire base thereby more effectively resisting the force.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,451 issued to Glynn is for a computer component securing device having a main housing with a storage portion, a pair of table securing portions, positioning means, locking means and table securing means. The positioning means position the computer component so as to have an open position for removal and closed position and are attached to the main housing. The locking means are connected to both the positioning means and the main housing permitting locking and unlocking when in the open and closed position. The table securing means extend through at least one opening in the securing portion.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Total security to prevent theft of a portable object related to electronic equipment may not be possible, however devices and systems may be used which would delay or otherwise inhibit the swift and easy removal of the object. There is no absolute system that would allow the portable object to be secured short of being locked in a safe although even the most elaborate safe may be violated in some manner, as has been accomplished in the past. When it comes to portable electronic equipment that may be part of a system, such as a LCD monitor for use with a computer, the most reasonable method of protection would be a simple and straightforward tie-down that could be attached to a post, a wall, a floor, through a hole in a rigid structure, a table leg by surrounding and securing with a lock or simply fastening to an anchor that is well known in the art and readily available.

It is therefore the primary object of the invention to provide an uncomplicated and inexpensive apparatus to protect a specific electronic component that is part of a computer system that provides the necessary visual display. In today's technology industry standards for video electronics has been created, known as VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association), to standardize on certain items that may be used universally in the industry. The LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor is one of the components that may use the standard for mounting the monitor on a wall with a bracket or some other means requiring attachment.

The novelty and uniqueness of the present invention is that the mounting pattern and threaded screw holes in the back of the monitor, meeting the VESA standards, are present in most LCD monitors may be used for a security tie-down without the need for any modification to the structure. A plain steel bar mounting plate with the appropriate countersunk holes is attached directly to the back of the monitor and a cover plate encloses the plate covering the appropriate mounting screws. An adapter is also attached to the plate though the cover which provides an interface with a security cable and also acts as a protective cover over a shoulder bolt that is used to attach the adapter to the plate. The security cable may then be attached to a secure object in the conventional manner well known in the art.

An important object of the invention is the ease of position adjustment of the monitor on a desk or table as the cable is flexible enough to allow movement and relocation without disconnecting the any portion of the cable. Many security systems require fixed locations with attachment plates, and the like, underneath the item which do not permit movement in any direction.

Another object of the invention is in the fact that if the mounting plate was in some way pried loose from its connection to the case of the monitor, the thief would realize that selling or “fencing” would be limited as the monitor would visually show the damage to its back surface making the item un-saleable on the open market.

Still another object of the invention is that the apparatus is simple and straightforward enough to be cost effective and easy to manufacturer making the invention within the reach of the masses.

Yet another object of the invention is that the use of a security cable is visual indication that the monitor is protected and not particularly easy to remove or steal without the use of specialized theft tools.

A further object of the invention is the ability of the security cable to be rotated in relation to the mounting plate cover as the cable retaining adapter swivels on a shoulder bolt. This ability to direct the cable in any axial rotation is extremely important permitting the cable to be directed in a 360 degree orientation permitting the most optimum position of the cable thereby eliminating kinking and providing the most direct route to anchor the second end of the cable.

A final object of the invention is that installing the system to the monitor requires only conventional screwdrivers which are normally found in households and commercial facilities.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment of a LCD monitor security tie-down apparatus10which is configured for attachment to LCD monitor having a flat display mounting interface in accordance with Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) mounting interface standards.

This preferred embodiment is shown inFIGS. 1thorough16and is comprised of a mounting plate20configured to mate with a bolt pattern on a rear surface of the LCD monitor meeting the VESA mounting interface standards. The bolt pattern consists of four screw holes having an M4 thread 10 mm deep arranged in a square with the horizontal and vertical distance between the screw centers being either 75 mm or 100 mm. In many cases the so called 75 mm or MIS-D75 and the 100 mm MIS-D 100 are combined permitting both patterns to be employed on the same monitor.

The mounting plate20consists of a bar preferably made of number 4 gauge nominal (0.204) inch thick cold rolled steel having a black oxide finish and essentially ⅝ inches wide and long enough to contain four countersunk screw holes with two first holes22arranged 75 mm apart and two second holes24arranged 100 mm apart and one centrally located ¼-20 threaded hole26. The mounting plate countersunk holes22and24are sized to permit a flat head screw to have the head flush with an outside surface of the mounting plate.

At least two mounting plate screws28attach the mounting plate20to an LCD monitor30with each mounting plate screw28preferably consisting of a flat head steel machine screw with an M4 thread, 10 mm long with a black oxide finish.

A mounting plate cover32is configured to completely enclose the mounting plate20along with the mounting plate screws28and contiguously engages the LCD monitor30on a rear surface, as illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3. The mounting plate cover32preferably has a rectangular configuration with an inwardly facing peripheral flange34, as depicted inFIGS. 7 and 8. The preferred material for the mounting plate cover32is number 16 gauge nominal (0.0598) inch thick cold rolled steel with a black oxide finish. The mounting plate cover32preferably includes a centrally located adapter receiving hole36having a diameter of not more than 0.56 inch.

A cable retaining adapter38includes an inside bore38aand a thru-hole38b. The adapter38engages the mounting plate cover32obscuring the contact between the adapter and the mounting plate, as illustrated inFIG. 3, to eliminate the possibility of prying the cover off from the outside. The cable retaining adapter38preferably has an outside diameter of from 0.60 inch to 0.70 inch with a length of from 0.70 inch to 0.80 inch long, a bore38ahaving an inside diameter of from 0.40 to 0.44, the thru-hole38bhaving a diameter of from 0.26 inch to 0.30 inch and an extended register38dhaving an outside diameter of from 0.53 inch to 0.55 inch diameter and a depth of no more than 0.60 inch.FIGS. 9 through 13illustrate the adapter38removed from the tie-down apparatus components with the adapter38best fabricated of steel with black oxide finish.

In order to attach the adapter38to both the mounting plate20and mounting plate cover32an adapter shoulder bolt40is utilized. This shoulder bolt40preferably has an internal countersunk pan head, which threadably screws into the ¼-20 threaded hole26in the mounting plate20with the shoulder40aof the bolt40engaging the plate outward surface and the internal countersink of the pan head shoulder bolt40engaging a tapered shoulder38cwithin the inside diameter of the adapter38.

A thermoplastic coated security cable42, having a obstruction means on a first end44and attachment means on a second end46, with the cable42disposed through the adapter thru-hole38bobscuring the pan head of the adapter shoulder bolt40with the first end44of the cable obstruction means. The cable42preferably has a ¼ inch nominal diameter and a length of at least 36 inches and is best constructed of 7×19 strand aircraft cable. A flat head compression sleeve adapter42ais attached on said first end44of the cable42and a cylindrical compression sleeve adapter42bwith ¼ inch nominal thru-hole50on the cable second end46, as illustrated inFIG. 16. The thermoplastic coating48may be vinyl, nylon, or any other suitable material.

When the cable second end46is anchored to a fixed surface the LCD monitor30is protected from unauthorized removal or theft. The fixed surface may be any type or arrangement withFIGS. 1 and 2illustrating a simple loop around a table leg with the cable42looped through the hasp of a padlock52and the hasp entering the ¼ inch thru-hole50in the second end46. There are a myriad of other types of anchors that are acceptable for use with the invention such as a scissor clip, a glue on fastener, a disc fastener, an epoxy disc, a cable trap, a two hole bracket, expansion plates, a tension tie-down, holes in the desk or table top with a padlock underneath etc.

While the invention has been described in complete detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings, it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the appended claims.