Abstract:
A computer has a cover supporting a display and a base supporting a processor and hingedly coupled to the cover. A locking assembly includes a locking mechanism that is advanceable into a lock hole of the computer and that can be tethered to a stationary object to prevent theft of the computer. As the locking assembly is advanced into the hole, it moves a coupling that blocks the computer&#39;s cover latch mechanism from releasing the cover from a closed position against the base of the computer, thereby also locking the computer in the closed configuration.

Description:
I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to locking computers. 
       II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Owing to their portability, computers such as laptop and notebook computers can be easily stolen. Accordingly, physical locking mechanisms have been provided to secure a portable computer to another structure. The same considerations apply to desktop computers. 
         [0003]    Even when fastened to a structure, however, the cover of the computer can be folded up and away from the base and data within the computer can be accessed by unauthorized users in the event that the owner leaves the computer unattended. Accordingly, mechanisms have been provided to lock the cover down against the base. As recognized herein, it would be advantageous from a convenience and cost standpoint to both fasten a computer to a structure and to lock the cover closed against the base using a single locking mechanism. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    A computer such as a desktop or laptop or notebook computer has a cover defining a front edge and a rear edge and a base hingedly coupled to the cover along the rear edge. First and second latch arms are juxtaposed with the front edge and reciprocate generally parallel thereto. Each latch arm defines an interior end, and the interior ends face each other and define a space between them. Also, each latch arm defines a respective latch end that is configured for releasably engaging a respective receptacle to hold the cover in a closed configuration relative to the base. Each latch arm is releasable from its receptacle to permit the front edge of the cover to be pivoted up away from the base. A lock hole is formed in the computer in the cover and/or in the base at or near the read edge. In accordance with present principles, an elongated latch block bar extends perpendicularly to the front and rear edges and can be moved along its axis. The bar is biased to a first position, wherein a rear end of the latch block bar is closely juxtaposed with the lock hole and a front end of the latch block bar is not disposed in the space between the latch arms, such that movement of the latch arms is not impeded by the latch block bar. Moreover, the latch block bar can be moved to a second position by a locking mechanism that is advanced into the lock hole against the rear end of the latch block bar. In the second position, the front end of the latch block bar is disposed in the space between the latch arms to impede movement of the latch arms. 
         [0005]    The latch arms may be supported on the cover. A spring may be engaged with the latch block bar to bias the latch block bar to the first position. In non-limiting embodiments a manipulable latch release button on the cover can be manipulated by a person to move the latch arms toward each other latch arm. When the latch block bar is in the second position and the latch arms are engaged with their respective receptacles to hold the cover in the closed configuration, owing to the latch block bar being in the second position, manipulation of the latch release button cannot cause sufficient movement of the latch arms to cause them to release from their respective receptacles. 
         [0006]    In another aspect, in a computer having a cover supporting a display and a base supporting a processor and hingedly coupled to the cover along a hinge edge, a locking assembly is provided that includes a locking mechanism which is advanceable into a lock hole of the computer. The locking mechanism is manipulable by a user to prevent a portion of the mechanism from being withdrawn from the hole. The locking mechanism includes a tether attachable to an object other than the computer. The locking assembly further includes a latch mechanism that is operable to hold the cover closed against the base to substantially prevent viewing the display. The latch mechanism has a release configuration wherein the cover can be pivoted relative to the base to expose the display. A coupling mechanism is movable by the locking mechanism when the locking mechanism is advanced into the lock hole to prevent the latch mechanism from assuming the release configuration. 
         [0007]    In still another aspect, a method for locking a computer having a latch mechanism to releasably hold the computer in a closed configuration is disclosed. The cover of the computer is hinged closed against a base, and the method includes advancing a locking mechanism with a tether into a hole of the computer to thereby prevent the latch mechanism from releasing the computer from the closed configuration. 
         [0008]    The details of the present invention, both as to its structure and operation, can best be understood in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which: 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a computer in the open configuration, schematically showing the display and processor, with portions broken away for clarity; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the latch block bar biased to the unlock position, with portions broken away; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the latch block bar moved to the lock position by a tether locking mechanism, with portions broken away. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0012]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a computer is shown, generally designated  10 , that has a cover  12  defining a front edge  14  and a rear edge  16 . In accordance with computer principles known in the art, a monitor or display  18  is supported by the cover  12 . The computer  10  may be a desk top computer or laptop computer or notebook computer or other computer that functions as disclosed herein. 
         [0013]    The computer  10  also has a base  20  that is hingedly coupled to the cover  12  along the rear edge  14  in accordance with principles known in the art. Thus, the computer  10  is a front-opening computer. Among other things, the base  20  can support a computer processor  22 , a keyboard (not shown), a hard disk drive, etc. 
         [0014]    In  FIG. 1 , the computer  10  is in an open configuration, in which the cover  12  is pivoted about the hinged connection along the rear edge  16  to raise the front edge  14  of the cover  12  up and away from the base  20 . In the open configuration, the display  18  is exposed, as is the keyboard on the base  20 . As is known in the computer art, the cover  12  can be folded down to a closed configuration onto the base  20  about the hinged connection at the rear edge  16 , so that the front edge  14  of the cover  12  is closely juxtaposed with the base  20  and the display and keyboard are not exposed. 
         [0015]    To hold the computer in the closed configuration, first and second latch arms  24 ,  26 , typically supported on the cover  12 , are juxtaposed with the front edge  14  for and reciprocating generally parallel to the front edge  14 . Each latch arm  24 ,  26  defines a respective interior end, with the interior ends facing each other and defining a space  28  between them as shown. Also, opposite the interior ends the latch arms  24 ,  26  define respective latch ends that are configured for releasably engaging respective receptacles (only one receptacle  30  shown in the cut-away view of  FIG. 1 ) in the base  20 , to hold the cover in the closed configuration. A user can press one or more release buttons  32  to release the latch arms from their receptacles to permit the computer to be opened. In the embodiment shown, pressing the release button or buttons  32  moves the latch arms toward each other, i.e., moves the interior ends of the latch arms into the space  28 . 
         [0016]    In accordance with the present invention, an elongated axially rigid metal or plastic latch block bar  34  may be slidably supported on the cover  12  to extend substantially perpendicularly relative to the front and rear edges  14 ,  16 . The latch block bar  34  is movable along its long axis and is biased to a first position (described further below in reference to  FIG. 2 ), wherein a rear end of the latch block bar is closely juxtaposed with (and in fact can protrude slightly through) a lock hole in the computer  10 . In the below-described first position, a front end of the latch block bar  34  is not disposed in the space  28  that is between the latch arms  24 ,  26 , with movement of the latch arms to the release configuration consequently not being impeded by the latch block bar  34 . The latch block bar  34  may be biased to the first position by a spring  36 , one end of which is affixed to the cover  12  and the other end of which is connected to the latch block bar  34 . 
         [0017]    As described below in reference to  FIG. 3 , however, the latch block bar  34  is movable to a second position when a locking mechanism is advanced into the lock hole against the rear end of the latch block bar  34 . In the second position, the front end of the latch block bar  34  is disposed in the space  28  that is between the latch arms  24 ,  26  to impede at least some movement of the latch arms. 
         [0018]    With more specificity, cross-reference is now made to  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The latch block  34  can be supported on the cover  12  by one or more sets of radial supports, such as L-shaped supports  38 , that constrain lateral motion of the bar  34  and that permit free axial motion of the bar  34 . In the biased, or first, position shown in  FIG. 2 , the rear end  40  of the latch block bar  34  is closely juxtaposed with (and in fact protrudes slightly through) a lock hole  41  that is formed in the computer  10 , either in the cover  12  and/or in the base  20  at or near the read edge  16 . The front end  42  of the latch block bar  34  is not disposed in the space  28  between the latch arms  24 ,  26  as shown when in the biased position, such that movement of the latch arms  24 ,  26  to the release configuration is not impeded. 
         [0019]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , however, a locking mechanism  44  can be advanced into the hole  41 , and when it is, the locking mechanism  44  abuts the rear end  40  of the bar  34  to push the bar  34  up so that the front end  42  is moved into the space  28  to impede movement of the latch arms  24 ,  26  when the user presses the release button or buttons  32  ( FIG. 1 ). Accordingly, it will be appreciated that when the computer is closed with the latch arms engaged with the cover receptacles, a person can advance the locking mechanism into the hole  41  to lock the computer into the closed configuration. 
         [0020]    In the non-limiting embodiment shown, the locking mechanism  44  is of the type that has a T-shaped lock end  46  mounted on a lock cylinder  48  and rotatable by means of a key  50  to cause the lock end  46  to turn in the hole  41 . Typically, the hole  41  is elongated and the lock end  46  configured such that the “T” can fit through the hole  41  when the cross-bar portion of the “T” is parallel to the long dimension of the hole  41 , but not when the cross-bar portion of the “T” is perpendicular to the long dimension of the hole  41 . A cord-like tether  52  may extend from the cylinder  48  and be fastened to, e.g., a wall or heavy table or other object that is not easily movable. In this way, when the locking mechanism is locked in the hole  41  and tethered to another object, not only is the computer  10  safe from physical theft, but owing to the latch block bar  34  it can also be locked in the closed configuration to prevent data theft. 
         [0021]    While the particular SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOCKING COMPUTER is herein shown and described in detail, it is to be understood that the subject matter which is encompassed by the present invention is limited only by the claims.