Abstract:
An improved locking device especially for portable computers of the type comprising a lock casing connectable on the one hand to an immovable object by a safety cable, and on the other hand to the protected object intermediate a designated slot formed in a side wall of the computer. The improvement consists of a yoke-member which comprises a first portion configured to be in the engaged state, entrapped between the lock casing and the side wall. A second portion of the yoke member bridges over the lock casing, forming an enclosed hollow thereunder through which electric cables of auxiliary equipment such as mouse and keyboard are passed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to computer anti-theft devices, particularly of the type adapted to be engaged to a designated slot formed in a side-wall of the computer housing by a rotatable T-shaped tip (or equivalent) on the one hand, and a safety cable adapted to be tied to a stationary object, on the other hand (hereinafter collectively referred to as “cable locks”). 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Numerous types and designs of cable locks are available on the market place, mainly differing only by the type of their locking mechanism employed (keys, push-button, combination, etc.). 
         [0003]    The prime object of the present invention is to extend the protection offered by the conventional locks in the sense that once locked—the removal of computer accessories such as key-board or mouse will be also prevented. 
         [0004]    A further object of the invention is that such extended protection be attained by providing an adaptor, attachable or manipulated by the user before completing the locking operation. 
         [0005]    It is a still further object of the invention that such adaptor be either separate or coupled to the computer lock casing. In the former case, the design of the adaptor should be as much as possible standard in order to fit different models of commercially available cable locks. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Thus provided according to a general aspect of invention is an anti-theft locking device of the type comprising a lock casing connectable on the one hand to an immovable object by a safety cable, and on the other hand to the protected object intermediate a designated slot formed in a side wall of the protected object, and a locking mechanism for selectively engaging and disengaging the lock casing to and from said side wall, characterized in that a yoke-member is provided comprising a first portion configured to be, in the engaged state, entrapped between the lock casing and the said side wall, and a second portion bridging over the lock casing and forming an enclosed hollow thereunder. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    These and additional constructional features and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood in the light of the ensuing description of several preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a schematic, perspective exploded view, relating to a first preferred embodiment of the invention; 
           [0009]      FIGS. 2   a - 2   d  illustrates sequence of stages to complete the mounting of the lock of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a schematic, perspective exploded view relating to a second preferred embodiment of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 4   a - 4   d  illustrate stages of using the lock of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0013]      FIGS. 6   a - 6   f  show stages of completing the engagement of the lock of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0014]    Referring to  FIG. 1 ,  10  denotes a portable computer having a side wall  10   a  formed with designated slot S as commonly known with respect to most models. 
         [0015]    Further shown is a commercially available combination cable lock  12 . It consists of a safety cable  14  extending from lock casing  16  which is adapted to be tied to a stationary object  18  such as around a table leg. 
         [0016]    In the present example, tip  20 , which needs to be inserted into the slot S and arrested therein, is in the form of detent  22  retractable into the tip  20  once the combination is correctly set (that is by the authorized owner), by manipulating spring urged slider  24 . The retraction of the detent  22  allows the insertion of the tip into the slot S. The locking of the device  12  to the computer housing side wall  10   a  is perfected by relieving the slider  24 . The detent resumes its projected position whereby retrieval of the tip  20  from the slot is prevented. The combination wheels are then rotated away from the previous, pre-set arrangement. 
         [0017]    The instant invention proposes to attain additional security, by enabling the arrest of auxiliary equipment operating cables C 1 , C 2 , say, of the mouse and perhaps and additional key-board (not shown). 
         [0018]    This is achieved by providing a yoke-member  30  comprised of a first portion  30   a  and a second portion  30   b.  The first portion  30   a  is ring-shaped having a stepped shoulder, configured to fit over the (circular) proximal portion of the lock casing (see  FIG. 2   b ). 
         [0019]    The second portion  30   b  is elongated, resembling a bridge which extends from the rim of the ring-shaped first portion upwards, continues parallel to axis of the lock casing and terminates downwards at the distal end thereof, touching the outer surface of the lock casing. 
         [0020]    Obviously, should the lock casing be differently designed regarding its outer contour thereof, the portion  30   a  would be designed accordingly. 
         [0021]    The procedure of arresting the cables C 1  and C 2  simultaneously with mounting and locking the device  12  is clearly depicted in  FIGS. 2   a  to  2   d  and need not be explained in greater detail. The major point is that the yoke member  30 , with the cables passing under the arc of the bridging portion  30   b,  is arrested between the side-wall  10   a  of the computer  10 , and the leading end of the lock casing, and there is no  10  need for additional fastening means. 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIG. 3  (where reference numbers are used with the prefix “1” to denote parts and components corresponding to those of the preceding embodiment),  112  designates a different model of a known combination cable lock. This lock is used in conjunction with an auxiliary component in the form of a roller or wheel  140 . The wheel  140  is integrally formed with a pair pivotable legs  140   a  and  140   b  (see  FIGS. 3   c  and  3   d ). The legs are initially in a back-to-back, closed position. By using bolt  142 , the legs  140   a  and  140   b  can be pushed into a spread—apart position whereby the wheel  140  becomes fastened to the computer side-wall  10   a  intermediate the slot S as shown in  FIG. 3   a.    
         [0023]    The lock casing  11   z  is provided with a latch mechanism which includes a fixed jaw  144  and a slidable jaw  146  displaceable by push-button button  148 . It is thus enabled to engage and disengage the lock-casing to and from the wheel  140 , at will. 
         [0024]    As aforementioned, this type of lock is well known and need not to be described in greater detail. 
         [0025]    Now, according to basic concept of the present invention, there is provided a cable-arresting adaptor in the form of yoke member  130 , having a first portion  130   a  and a second portion  130   b.  The portion  130   a  is so designed as to embrace the outer part the wheel  140 , without interfering with the engagement of the lock casing  112  to the wheel  140  by the jaws  144  and  146  in the normal fashion as shown in  FIGS. 4   c  and  4   d.    
         [0026]    In operation, the cables C 1  and C 2  are first placed under the arc of the bridging portion  130   b,  the member  130  is placed over the wheel  140 , and the lock casing  116  is harnessed to the wheel  140  in the conventional member. 
         [0027]    The third exemplified embodiment of the invention depicted in  FIG. 5  does not concern the adaption of conventional cable locks to the novel, additional function of securing auxiliary equipment cable, but to an originally designed product, where the lock casing and the yoke member are permanently coupled to each other. 
         [0028]    Hence, the locking device  212  is provided with a cylinder key operated mechanism  250  (see  FIG. 6   b ) of any type know per-se in the art. The lock casing  216  may be made of metal or reinforced plastics. Safely cable  214  is fixed to the lock casing  216  in any suitable manner. 
         [0029]    The yoke member  230  comprises a first portion  230   a  and a second, bridge portion  230   b  beneath which the protected cables C 1  and C 2  are passed in the operative state of the locking device  212 . 
         [0030]    The bridge portion  230   b  may be formed with a bulged, dove-tail extension  232  that fits into a corresponding arcuate slot or cavity  234  when the yoke member is rotated into the cable trapping position, for extra strength (see below). 
         [0031]    The yoke member is rotatable about axle pin  236 . 
         [0032]    The first portion  230   a  is formed with a slot  238  and a pair of rounded projections  240  and  240 ′, spaced from each other and configured to fit into the slot S of the computer side wall  210   a.    
         [0033]    As seen in  FIG. 6   b, t he locking mechanism (cylinder)  250 , operable by key  252 , is drivingly coupled to stem  254  carrying locking tip  256 , both for displacing the tip against the bias of spring  258  and for rotating same by 90°. Pin  260  is provided for limiting the displacement of the locking cylinder  250  between the extreme positions thereof. 
         [0034]    The locking operation is carried out by first threading the auxiliary cables C 1  and C 2  under the bridge portion  230   b  ( FIG. 6   a ) and rotating the yoke member  230  back, wherein the slot  238  overlies the tip  256 . The tip  256  is then pushed up and rotated by 90° as shown in  FIG. 6   c.  This enables the insertion of the tip  256  along with the projections  240 ,  240 ′ into the slot S of the computer wall  210   a.    
         [0035]    Then, the tip  256  is pushed further (if necessary) and again rotated by 90° so that it becomes positioned perpendicularly to, and behind the slot S thus completeing the engagement of the locking device to the computer wall  210   a  ( FIG. 6   f ). 
         [0036]    The lock casing  216  as a whole as well as the yoke member  230 , are prevented from being turned one way or the other because of the projections  240  and  240 ′ which are nested within the designated slot S. 
         [0037]    It has been thus established that the present invention offers a neat and low-cost solution to the need of protecting, incidentally to the protection of the computer (or other valuable devices) against theft, all kinds of additional items which are actually connected to the computer by electric cables. The invention lends itself to be easily tailored to fit most kinds and models of presently used cable locks, or as a stand-alone device. 
         [0038]    Those skilled in the art, that the invention has been described hereabove with reference to certain examples and specific embodiments. However, these are not the only examples and embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. Indeed, various modifications may be made to the above-described examples and embodiments without departing from the intended spirit and scope of the present invention, and it is intended that all such modifications be included within the scope of the following claims.