Abstract:
A detachable anti-theft device is disclosed for securing a peripheral computer component to a fixed object. The device includes a connector having a jack that releasably mates with one of the available port plugs of the component. The connector receives a cable that attaches the connector to the fixed object and a locking mechanism keeps the connector jack securely engaged with the peripheral plug so that the component may not be separated from the fixed object. A preferred anti-rotation screw is further included to secure the connector to the plug.

Description:
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/079,987, filed Mar. 24, 1998 entitled “Lockable Computer Screws” which referenced and enclosed 09,078,004 filed Mar. 17, 1998 entitled “Detachable Computer Lock”, by the present inventor. The entire disclosures of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference and relied upon. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to detachable anti-theft devices, particularly those adapted for securing computer peripherals, especially a laptop computer, against theft. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A major threat experienced by owners of portable “laptop” computers is the high incidence of theft. This can also be a problem associated with desktop computer equipment made generally accessible to multiple users and thus to erstwhile thieves, such as equipment stationed, for example, in unlocked offices, in public institutions such as schools and libraries, and in commercial retail store displays. Because of the relative ease with which valuable personal computer systems can be speedily dismantled, particularly laptops, some have attempted to devise means for at least discouraging their theft. 
     One approach has been to provide a retaining ring, either integrally formed in the computer case or later adhered to the case using a permanent adhesive, through which ring a cable is passed and secured around an immovable object then padlocked in a manner similar to a bicycle chain. 
     An example of such an adhered device is sold as “The Notebook-Kit™” by Qualtec Data Products, Fremont, Calif. A disadvantage is that such a ring can alter the profile of the computer case, especially a laptop that the user needs to closely fit into a defined space within its carrying luggage. Moreover, the best place to glue the ring may not be the most conveniently accessible place on the component to the user. Further, the chain needs to be taken out of the ring separately before and after each deployment. Because anti-theft measures, like other preventive deterrents, need to be used habitually to be effective, simplification of the above devices and their procedural steps would seem to encourage compliance by the user. 
     Another approach is for the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the laptop case to provide a built-in slot for accepting an after market kit that includes a ring that snaps into the slot and locks a cable to a fixed object. Although some OEM&#39;s do offer cases having this type of custom slot, there is still the need to provide a device for those cases not made to accommodate such a device. 
     Another type of device offered to users is an adapter that fits into the floppy disk drive, connected to a cable and locking with a key; however, many laptops have modular removable floppy drives that snap into place. Because the floppy drive could easily be removed, together with the locked device, such an approach would not deter a thief. 
     Accordingly, there remains a need for an anti-theft device that is adapted to fit existing peripheral hardware structures, without requiring custom OEM cases. Moreover, there is a need for such a device that is readily accessible and simple to use, which does not alter the footprint of the case. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, there is provided a detachable anti-theft device for securing a computer component to a fixed object. The device includes a connector that releasably mates with one of the available ports of the component. The connector has first means for receiving a cable that attaches the connector to the fixed object and second means for locking the connector in mating engagement with one of the ports so that the component may not be separated from the fixed object. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second means includes a pair of fasteners each having a driven end that engages the port and a driving end with an anti-rotation head. 
     In another preferred embodiment the first means includes a cable with opposed ends, the second means being provided with an anchorage for one end of the cable wherein the other end of the cable is passed around the fixed object and the cable is affixed to itself. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the connector is adapted to engage another, functional port plug and allow the port to be utilized while the connector is securely in place. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that the anti-theft device can be easily removed with a minimum of steps during each desired use. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is an after-market device requiring no permanent attachment to or alteration of the case housing the computer peripheral. 
     A further advantage of the instant device is its accessibility to the user, via the existing original plug structures already present in the peripheral component. 
     Other objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the ensuing Detailed Description wherein numbered designations in the Figures of the Drawings correspond to like reference numerals in the text of the Description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of the device of the present invention; 
     FIG. 1A is a side view of the anti-rotation fastener of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the connector shown in FIG. 1, including the anti-rotation fastener heads of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of an alternative anti-theft device of the present invention, showing an integral attachment cable and a connector with fasteners having keyed anti-rotation heads; 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of a driver tool used with the keyed anti-rotation heads of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the keyed fastener of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is an end view of the keyed fastener of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a top view of an alternative anti-theft device showing a connector presenting an adapter for simultaneous use of the peripheral port while the present device is deployed; and 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of the connector of FIG.  7 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     According to the present invention there is provided an anti-theft device, generally shown at  10  in FIGS. 1,  3  and  7 , for securing a computer peripheral component (not shown) to a fixed location, for example, an object such as a table or chair (also not shown) that is relatively immobile. Typically, the component houses a central processing unit, such as a desktop or laptop case; however, other individual components secured against theft could be monitors, printers or scanners. In the case of a mobile laptop, of course, there is but a single functional component with which a mobile user is concerned. Accordingly, device  10  is particularly suited for use with a laptop, although adaptable to other desktop components. 
     The device includes a removable connector  12  having one end  13  with a jack  14  that releasably mates with one of the available serial, parallel or video ports (not shown) of the peripheral component. Connector  12  preferably defines body  15  with a generally rectangular cross-section that mimics the shape of a regular cable plug. Body  15  is preferably made of metal, such as aluminum. Alternatively, a dummy port (not shown) could be installed by the user in any available empty slot of the peripheral, presenting a non-functional plug to which the jack  14  of the connector  12  can be secured. The connector  12  is provided with a first means for receiving a cable  16 , such the cable shown in FIGS. 1,  3  and  7 , that attaches connector  12  to the fixed object, as will be described. Second means are provided for locking the connector in mating engagement with the peripheral plug, such that the component may not be separated from the fixed location. This locking means will be hereafter described, in various preferred embodiments. 
     FIG. 1 shows device  10 , including connector  12  (FIG. 2) with a pair of screws  18  having anti-rotation heads  20  with respective corresponding apertures  22  (FIG. 1A) through which a pin  24  is commonly received and secured. The pin  24  has a head  26  and an opposite end  28  with a transverse aperture  30  for receiving a padlock  31 . One end  32  of cable  16  is integral with head  26  of pin  24 . In use, screws  18  pass through connector  12 , are fastened in tapped holes (not shown) in the port structure of the laptop. Then, an opposite looped end  34  of cable  16  is passed around a fixed object and pin  24  is inserted through loop  34 , forming a slip-knot. Finally, pin  24  is inserted through both apertures  22  of screws  18  and padlock  31  inserted through aperture  30  to lock the device  10  in place. Alternatively, instead of the slip-knot just described, loop  34  could be brought back all the way to the connector  12  and pin  24  threaded through the loop between screws  18 ; however, this method would require a longer cable length. When pin  24  is secured in place by padlock  31 , the pin is prevented from being removed, while screws  18  are locked together relative to the connector  20  and cannot otherwise be rotated. 
     FIG. 3 shows an alternative anti-theft device  10  of the present invention, wherein cable  16  is integral with connector  12 . In this embodiment, screws  18  have at least one but preferably a pair of uniquely keyed anti-rotation heads  20  removable with a tool  36  having a driven end  38  and bit  39 , as shown in FIG.  4 . Bit  39  has a shape and size corresponding to the geometry of the head  20 . Preferably, several different and unique geometries are possible, to discourage potential thieves from purchasing the kit and using the tool  36 . In FIG. 6, a representative geometry of the head  20  corresponding to bit  39  is shown with, e.g., an H-shape. A myriad of other shapes are possible. 
     In FIG. 7 another alternative embodiment is shown, wherein a connector  12 ′ has an adapter plug  40  allowing the laptop port to be actively used while the connector is deployed. In use, jack  14  is electronically functional and is inserted into the peripheral plug, then a desired plug is inserted into the adapter plug  40  and secured via screw nuts  44 . Otherwise, screws  18  are rotated into the peripheral port structure and held in place there by threaded ends  42  of the screws, as in FIGS. 1 and 3. Unlike desktop computers that often have extra available slots, laptops have less of them, hence, all the available slots may be already occupied. 
     Preferably, screws  18  may utilize one or more associated spacer elements (not shown) at the threaded ends  42  of the screws, to accommodate the jack  14  of connector  12  vis-a-vis the peripheral port. 
     In summary, there is described a detachable anti-theft device  10  for securing a computer component to a fixed location. A connector  12  has an end  13  with a jack  14  that releasably mates with an available port plug of the component. A cable  16  has one end  32  fixed to the head  26  of pin  24  and an opposite end passed around the fixed location. A pair of uniquely keyed anti-rotation screws  18  fasten connector  12  in mating engagement with the peripheral plug so that the component may not be separated from the fixed location without unlocking the screw heads  20  with a special tool  36 . 
     While applicant has described certain specific embodiments of the invention for illustrative purposes, various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The foregoing description, thus, seeks to be understood in the nature of description rather than limitation. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings.