Abstract:
An apparatus, device and enclosure for securing objects. Embodiments provide an apparatus, device and enclosure for securing objects in workspace drawers, where the apparatus may be mounted in a portion of a drawer to secure some objects while maintaining convenient access to other unsecured items in the same drawer. The apparatus has one or more engagement features which protrude from its body or housing to engage an interior surface of the drawer. The engagement features may disengage the drawer for removal of the apparatus only when it is placed in an unsecured state (e.g., when it is able to receive objects to be secured), thereby preventing unauthorized removal of the apparatus from the drawer. As such, the apparatus provides a convenient and effective means for securing objects by limiting access to secured items while still maintaining functionality of the drawer and access to unsecured items.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    As technology continues to advance, the need for improved security is also increasing. For example, where money was once the most valuable item carried by people, the average person now carries around portable electronics with a combined value that far exceeds the amount of money carried in the wallet. As such, these valuable items are prime targets for theft when left unattended, for example at a desk or workstation, and should be secured. However, convenient and effective security measures around desks, workstations and/or offices can be improved. 
         [0002]    For example, although locking desk drawers are somewhat common, they have proven to be both inconvenient and ineffective. For example, since accessible drawer space at a given workstation is limited, items which are less valuable and often more commonly-used are placed in the same drawer with more valuable items. As such, when the drawer is locked to secure the more valuable items, access to the commonly-used items is also restricted. Accordingly, locking valuable items becomes burdensome given the number of times that the drawer must be locked and unlocked to keep the items secure and provide access to other commonly-used items in the drawer. And further, given the increased frequency of locking and unlocking the drawer, the probability of a person forgetting to lock the drawer increases, thereby subjecting valuable items to an increased chance of theft. Thus, locking drawers may be inconvenient, which may make them ineffective given that people either choose not to use them or forget to lock them. 
         [0003]    Similarly, many workstations allow a set of drawers (e.g., a column of vertically-stacked drawers) to be locked simultaneously with a single key. The problems discussed above with respect to a single drawer are therefore exacerbated as access to even more commonly-used items is restricted. Thus, an average workstation provides inconvenient means for securing valuable items, which in turn renders the security measures ineffective through lack of use as discussed above. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Accordingly, a need exists for a more convenient and effective means of securing items. A need also exists for a workspace storage device which may be placed in a secured state while still allowing ready access to commonly-used items left in an unsecured state. Embodiments of the present invention provide novel solutions to these needs and others as described below. 
         [0005]    Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an apparatus, device and enclosure for securing objects. More specifically, embodiments provide an apparatus, device and enclosure for securing objects in workspace drawers, where the apparatus may be mounted in a portion of a drawer to secure some objects while maintaining convenient access to other unsecured items in the same drawer. For example, the apparatus may be mounted in a file drawer to accept both small and large items such that files in the drawer may still be accessed. The apparatus has one or more engagement features which protrude from its body or housing to engage an interior surface of the drawer. The engagement features may disengage the drawer for removal of the apparatus only when it is placed in an unsecured state (e.g., when it is able to receive objects to be secured), thereby preventing unauthorized removal of the apparatus from the drawer. As such, the apparatus provides a convenient and effective means for securing objects by limiting access to secured items while still maintaining functionality of the drawer and access to unsecured items. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, an apparatus for securing objects includes a housing for storage of the objects, where the housing is sized for mounting within a drawer and having an opening for receiving the objects. A lock mechanism is operable to limit access to said objects within the housing. The apparatus also includes at least one member coupled to the housing and for reducing movement of the housing with respect to the drawer when the housing is interposed in the drawer. And in one embodiment, the apparatus also includes a door coupled with the housing and for closing the opening, wherein the lock mechanism is operable to secure the door to the housing such that the access to the objects is limited. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, a device for securing items in a file drawer includes a receptacle for storing the items. A member is operable to couple with the receptacle and limit access to the items when placed in a secured state. A lock mechanism is coupled to the member and for placing the member in a secured state. The device also includes a plurality of engagement features coupled to the receptacle for physically engaging the file drawer when the receptacle is placed within the file drawer. The device may also include the above and wherein the member comprises a door which is rotatably coupled to the receptacle by a hinge mechanism. Additionally, the device may also include the above and wherein at least one of the plurality of engagement features is adjustable to enable disengagement from the file drawer and removal of the receptacle from the file drawer when the member is in an unsecured state. 
         [0008]    And in yet another embodiment, an apparatus for securing objects in a drawer includes a housing for storage of the objects. A lock mechanism is operable to place the housing in a secured state, wherein access to the objects within the housing is limited when maintained in the secured state. The apparatus also includes at least one engagement feature coupled to the housing and for securing the housing to the drawer when the housing is interposed in the drawer. The apparatus may also include a door coupled with the housing, wherein the door is operable to close an opening of the housing to limit access to the objects when in the secured state. 
         [0009]    And in yet another embodiment, a safe includes a housing shaped to fit within the confines of a desk drawer, where the housing includes an opening for receipt and storage of items within the housing. A door coupled to the housing is operable to close the opening to restrict access to items within the housing when in a closed state. The safe also includes a lock for locking the door when in the closed state. Additionally, a plurality of adjustable elements are mounted on at least two sides of the housing, the elements for physically contacting interior sides of the drawer for securing the housing within the drawer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  shows an exemplary security device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of an exemplary security device in an exemplary mounting location in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  shows a top view of an exemplary security device in an exemplary mounting location in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  shows a second exemplary security device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  shows a third exemplary security device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  shows the third exemplary security device with an object organizer in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  shows a fourth exemplary security device in an unsecured state in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  shows the fourth exemplary security device in a secured state in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the present invention will be discussed in conjunction with the following embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the present invention to these embodiments alone. On the contrary, the present invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents which may be included with the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  shows exemplary security device  100  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , security device  100  comprises housing  110  for securing objects placed therein. Door  120  is rotatably coupled with housing  110  via hinge mechanism  130  such that door  120  may be closed to limit access to objects placed inside security device  120 . The objects placed inside device  100  may comprise, but are not limited to, electronic devices, wallets, purses, computer-readable medium comprising music/movies, documents, password lists and/or other items for which security is sought. 
         [0021]    After closing door  120 , security device  100  may be placed in a secured state by adjusting the state of lock mechanism  140  (e.g., by turning a key, etc.) such that lock arm  150  (shown coupled to lock mechanism  140 ) engages locking feature  160  (shown as part of housing  110  in  FIG. 1 ). Once security device  100  is placed in a secured state, access to objects placed with device  100  is limited by door  120 . To return device  100  to an unsecured state and enable access to objects placed therein, the state of lock mechanism  140  may be alternatively adjusted (e.g., so that lock arm  150  no longer engages locking feature  160 ) and door  120  may be opened. 
         [0022]    Lock mechanism  140  may comprise any locking technology enabling a user to toggle between one or more security states (e.g., corresponding to privilege levels) using a user interface and/or user control associated with the locking mechanism. For example, the locking mechanism may be mechanical (e.g., key-actuated, combination, etc.), electrical (e.g., voice activated, etc.), optical (e.g., fingerprint activated, use eye-related recognition, etc.), etc. 
         [0023]    Hinge mechanism  130  may comprise a separate mechanism for attachment to housing  110  and door  120  in one embodiment. In another embodiment, hinge mechanism may be formed as part of housing  110 , door  120 , or both. Additionally, although hinge mechanism  130  is depicted in  FIG. 1  in a specific mounting location with respect to housing  110  and door  120 , it should be appreciated that door  120  may hinge from other locations in other embodiments. 
         [0024]    Although  FIG. 1  depicts the use of lock arm  150  and locking feature  160 , it should be appreciated that alternative engagement features may be used in other embodiments. For example, door  120  may engage housing  110  using two tabs, a hook and eyelet, a hook and tab, or the like. Further, instead of coupling directly to lock mechanism  140 , the engagement features may be coupled with lock mechanism  140  in other embodiments. 
         [0025]    Additionally, although  FIG. 1  depicts door  120  rotatably coupled with housing  110  via hinge mechanism  130 , it should be appreciated that door  120  may alternatively couple to housing  110  in other embodiments. For example, door  120  may be not be coupled to or with (e.g., able to be completely removed from) housing  110  when device  100  is in an unsecured state, whereas door  120  may then be coupled to or with housing  120  when placed in a secure state. Alternatively, a variety of alternative attachment mechanisms (e.g., tabs and corresponding slots, etc.) may be used in place of hinge mechanism  130 . 
         [0026]    Further, whereas the engagement of lock arm  150  and locking feature  160  hold door  120  shut in a secured state, it should be appreciated that latching and locking functions may be allocated to different mechanisms in other embodiments. For example, latches or other hold-down features may be used to hold door  120  shut in other embodiments, where lock mechanism may control the secured/unsecured states by preventing door  120  from being opened once latched (e.g., by preventing the door from opening as depicted in  FIG. 1  with the use of features that engage, by preventing the latch mechanism from being actuated to unlatch door  120  from housing  110 , etc.). 
         [0027]    Although  FIG. 1  depicts device  100  in the shape of a rectangular box, it should be appreciated that device  100  may assume other shapes in other embodiments. Additionally, although  FIG. 1  depicts device  100  with a given size, it should be appreciated that device  100  may assume other sizes in other embodiments. 
         [0028]    Additionally, device  100  may be formed from a variety of materials to provide varying costs, levels of security, and design choices. For example, device  100  may be formed from sheet metal. Alternatively, an impact resistant plastic (e.g., polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, a PC/ABS combination, etc.) may be used. Moreover, the material may be colored (e.g., by the use of colored material, colored coating, etc.), where such color scheme may coordinate and/or match that of another component, device, room, etc. For example, device  100  may be colored to coordinate and/or match the color scheme of a computer system at a workstation utilizing device  100 , the color scheme of an office utilizing device  100 , etc. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , security device  100  comprises engagement features  170  and  180  for mounting and/or securing device  100  in a desk drawer, cabinet, enclosure or other desired mounting location. After placing device  100  in the desired mounting location (e.g., a drawer), engagement features  170  and  180  may be extended to engage a wall of the drawer. Engagement features similar to  170  and  180  may be used on one or more other sides of housing  110 , for example, to engage an inside wall of the drawer opposing the wall engaged by features  170  and  180 . The amount by which the engagement features (e.g.,  170 ,  180 , etc.) extend may be varied either manually (e.g., by turning a threaded portion of the features which engages threads in housing  110 , etc.) or automatically (e.g., using spring-loaded engagement features, piston-actuated engagement features, etc.). As such, device  100  may be secured to the desired mounting location by engaging the engagement features (e.g.,  170 ,  180 , etc.) with one or more mounting surfaces of the mounting location. In one embodiment, the engagement features may be pointed or tipped to better grab a mounting surface (e.g., an interior wall of a drawer made from wood, metal, etc.) and facilitate securing device  100  within the mounting location. 
         [0030]    To reduce unauthorized tampering with the mounting of security device  100 , engagement features (e.g.,  170 ,  180 , etc.) used in device  100  may be adjusted from the inside of housing  110 . As such, once device  100  is mounted and placed in secured state (e.g., by actuating lock mechanism  140 ), the ability to adjust the engagement features from the outside (e.g., by an unauthorized user without the ability to actuate lock mechanism  140  and open door  120 ) is restricted. Thus, placing device  100  in a secure state serves not only to secure items placed within device  100  from theft, but also to secure items to the mounting location (e.g., a drawer of an office desk, etc.) in which device  100  is mounted or fastened. 
         [0031]    Although  FIG. 1  depicts a specific number of engagement features (e.g.,  170 ,  180 , etc.), it should be appreciated that a larger or smaller number of engagement features may be used in other embodiments. Additionally, the engagement features (e.g.,  170 ,  180 , etc.) may be alternatively placed (e.g., in different locations on the same wall of housing  110 , on different walls of housing  110 , etc.) in other embodiments (e.g., to allow device  100  to be alternatively rotated and mounted within a mounting location, etc.). Further, it should be appreciated that device  100  may comprise a combination of adjustable and fixed engagement features, where the adjustable engagement features may be used to engage the fixed engagement features by pressing the fixed engagement features against a respective wall. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  shows perspective view  200  of exemplary security device  100  in an exemplary mounting location in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 2 , exemplary mounting location  210  comprises side walls  220  and  230 , as well as back wall  240 . In one embodiment, mounting location  210  may comprise a portion of a workstation drawer (e.g., a file drawer, smaller utility drawer, etc.), where walls  220 - 240  represent portions of the drawer walls. As such, security device  100  may be positioned within the walls (e.g.,  220 - 240 ) of mounting location  210  such that engagement features (e.g.,  170 ,  180 , etc. of  FIG. 1 ) may protrude from the device housing (e.g.,  110  of  FIG. 1 ) to mount device  100  by engaging a respective wall of mounting location  210 . 
         [0033]    Additionally, by varying the position of device  100  within mounting location  210 , the space available for unsecured items (e.g., between device  100  and back wall  240 , on the front side of device  100  opposite back wall  240 , etc.) may be varied and/or redistributed (e.g., on either side of device  100 ). For example, where mounting location  210  comprises a file drawer, files may be placed on either or both sides of security device  100 . As such, in addition to securing objects, security device  100  may also act as a file divider when placed in a file drawer. In one embodiment, hanging files may be located in front of, behind or on both sides of device  100 . 
         [0034]    Although  FIG. 2  shows security device  100  at a certain distance from side walls  220  and  230 , it should be appreciated that the distance between security device  100  and a respective wall may be varied (e.g., by adjusting the amount of protrusion of the engagement features on each side of device  100 ). In one embodiment, reducing the distance between device  100  and an engaged wall (e.g.,  220 ,  230 , etc.) may improve security by reducing unauthorized manipulation of the engagement features once device  100  is placed in a secured state. It is appreciated that the width of device  100  may be selected such that it fits within the widths of most workstation drawers (e.g., those that accommodate hanging files). Additionally, various sizes may be provided to accommodate other widths (e.g., standard, legal, etc.). 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  shows top view  300  of exemplary security device  100  in exemplary mounting location  210  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , engagement features (e.g.,  170 ,  180 , etc. of  FIG. 1 ) may comprise an engagement portion  310  for physically engaging a respective mounting location surface (e.g., side wall  220 ,  230 , etc.). Additionally, adjustable engagement features may also comprise an adjustment portion  320  for enabling manual and/or automatic adjustment of the protrusion distance of the engagement features from device  100 . For example, adjustment portion  320  may comprise screw threads which mesh with threads in the device housing (e.g.,  110  of  FIG. 1 ), where a rotation of adjustment portion  320  (e.g., using a respective knob) may advance or retract engagement portion  310 . Additionally, a engagement locking feature (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) may be used to lock the engagement features (e.g.,  170 ,  180 , etc. of  FIG. 1 ) in position, where the engagement locking feature may comprise a nut (e.g., hex nut, wing nut, or the like to enable double-nut locking), kingpin mechanism, or the like. Alternatively, adjustment portion  320  may couple to or with a component (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) for automatically advancing and/or retracting engagement portion  310 , where the component may comprise a spring, piston, or the like. 
         [0036]    Given that adjustment portion  320  is only accessible from inside device  100  as shown in  FIG. 3 , unauthorized manipulation of the engagement features is restricted once access to the inside of device  100  is limited (e.g., when device  100  is placed in a secured state). Thus, insertion and removal of device  100  from mounting location  210  is limited to authorized users, as is placement of device  100  within mounting location  210  (e.g., to vary and/or redistribute unsecured object area  330 ). 
         [0037]      FIGS. 4 and 5  show second exemplary security device  400  and third exemplary security device  500  in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Devices  400  and  500  operate analogously to device  100  as described above with respect to previous figures. However, devices  400  and  500  are sized differently from device  100 . 
         [0038]    For example, the depth of device  400  as shown in  FIG. 4  is less than the depth of device  100  as shown in  FIG. 1 . As such, device  400  offers more drawer space for unsecured objects (e.g., unsecured object area  330  of  FIG. 3 ). Conversely, the depth of device  500  as shown in  FIG. 5  is greater than the depth of device  100  as shown in  FIG. 1 . As such, device  500  offers more space for secured objects placed inside device  500 . 
         [0039]    Although  FIGS. 4 and 5  depict devices  400  and  500  in the shape of a rectangular box, it should be appreciated that devices  400  and  500  may assume other shapes in other embodiments. Additionally, although  FIGS. 4 and 5  depict devices  400  and  500  with a given size, it should be appreciated that devices  400  and  500  may assume other sizes (e.g., other standard drawer sizes) in other embodiments. 
         [0040]      FIG. 6  shows third exemplary security device  500  with an object organizer in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 6 , object organizer  610  may be placed in security device  500  to help organize objects to be secured. For example, organizer  610  may partition the interior of the security device (e.g.,  500 ) into two or more storage compartments. And in another embodiment, organizer  610  may form a shelf to organize objects placed within the security device. As such, it should be appreciated that one or more types of organizing features may be used to organize objects (e.g., shelves, dividers, etc.), where one or more of each type may be used. Further, it should be appreciated that an organizer (e.g.,  610 ) may be used in the security devices discussed above (e.g.,  100  and  400 ). 
         [0041]    To make removal and/or readjustment of organizer  610  more convenient, optional handle feature  620  is provided. As depicted in  FIG. 6 , handle feature  620  may comprise a cutout in organizer  610 . Alternatively, handle feature  620  may comprise an additional member (e.g., a handle, knob, etc.) coupled to organizer  610 . 
         [0042]    And in another embodiment, security device  500   
         [0043]      FIGS. 7 and 8  show fourth exemplary security device  700  in an unsecured state and a secured state, respectively, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Security device  700  operates analogously to device  100 , except for the inclusion of additional features. For example, device  700  comprises anti-tampering feature  710  and pouch  720 . 
         [0044]    Anti-tampering feature  710  is coupled to door  120  in front of lock arm  150  such that it limits access to lock arm  150  and locking feature  160  when door  120  is closed (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 8 ). As such, tampering with device  700 , and more specifically the locking components (e.g., 140, 150 and 160) of device  100 , is limited. Thus, feature  710  increases the security of items secured within device  700 . 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , pouch  720  is coupled to door  120  to provide additional object storage and organization options. For example, pouch  720  may be used to store more commonly-used items (e.g., a portable storage device, a portable media device, a wallet, a password list, etc.) for which security is sought, where it may be desirable to separate the time from other items (e.g., a purse, documents, etc.) secured in device  710 . Additionally, in one embodiment, pouch  720  may comprise a lid or covering to help contain items within pouch  720 . 
         [0046]    Although feature  710  and pouch  720  may be coupled to door  120 , it should be appreciated that feature  710  and/or pouch  720  may be formed into door  120  in other embodiments. It should also be appreciated that features such as feature  710 , pouch  720 , etc. may be coupled to or formed as part of device  700  in other embodiments. Additionally, although feature  710  and pouch  720  are depicted with a certain shape, size and location, it should be appreciated that other shapes, sizes and locations may be used for feature  710  and/or pouch  720 . Further, it should be appreciated that other features (e.g., a clip for holding password lists, hooks for hanging jewelry, etc.) may be coupled to device  700  in addition to or in place of feature  710  and/or pouch  720 . 
         [0047]    In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details that may vary from implementation to implementation. Thus, the sole and exclusive indicator of what is, and is intended by the applicant to be, the invention is the set of claims that issue from this application, in the specific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequent correction. Hence, no limitation, element, property, feature, advantage, or attribute that is not expressly recited in a claim should limit the scope of such claim in any way. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.