Patent Publication Number: US-9410344-B2

Title: Protective case for physically securing a portable electronic device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a non-provisional patent application, claiming the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/496,983, filed on Jun. 14, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to devices for inhibiting the theft of relatively small but expensive pieces of equipment, such as iPads™, iPhones™, similar mobile computing devices, tablets, laptops, or electronic devices without a security slot (e.g., a Kensington® security slot). 
     Electronic devices are commonly used for a variety of applications. Many electronic devices are small and valuable, making them attractive to steal. One way to deter computer theft is to provide a small, generally rectangular slot in a wall of a computer. A security apparatus with a locking head may be secured to the computer via the rectangular slot. However, many electronic devices do not include this rectangular slot. For example, iPhones™ and iPads™, each of which may retail for hundreds of dollars, do not include this rectangular slot. Owners may desire to nonetheless secure these devices to a semi-permanent or permanent fixture. 
     Embodiments of the invention address these and other problems, individually and collectively. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the invention relate to security apparatuses, as well as methods for making and using security apparatuses. 
     In some embodiments, a security apparatus for a portable electronic device is provided. The security apparatus may include a plurality of interlocking shell portions, wherein the interlocking shell portions are shaped to, when interlocked, wrap around at least part of a perimeter of the portable electronic device, and wherein at least two shell portions comprise an aperture. The security apparatus may also include an attachment device configured to be at least partly inserted into the apertures of the at least two shell portions. The security apparatus may further include a locking head configured to attach to the one or more attachment devices and disengage from the attachment device upon entry of a security feature, wherein engagement of the locking head with the attachment device prevents the shell portions from being removed from the portable electronic device. One of the plurality of interlocking shell portions may include a plurality of cavities and another of the plurality of interlocking shell portions may include a plurality of extensions with a size complementary to cavities. The attachment device may be spring-loaded. The interlocking shell portions may include a front shell portion configured to be positioned on a front of the portable electronic device and a back shell portion configured to be positioned on a back of the portable electronic device. The front shell portion may include a center opening for viewing a screen of the portable electronic device. The back shell portion may include a substantially solid surface. 
     In some embodiments, a method of securing a portable electronic device is provided. The method may include positioning the portable electronic device on a back shell portion, and positioning a front shell portion on the portable electronic device. The method may also include locking a locking feature, thereby restricting relative movement of each of the plurality of shell portions relative to each other. At least at least one of the back shell portion and the front shell portion may include an aperture. The locking feature or another locking feature complementary to the locking feature may extend through the at least one aperture so long as the locking feature remains locked. The method may further include coupling the locking feature with an immovable object prior to locking the locking feature. Locking the locking feature may include locking a locking head to an attachment device at least partly extending through the at least one aperture. The method may further include interlocking the front and back shell portions. Locking the locking feature may fix a location of the front shell portion relative to a location of the back shell portion so long as the locking feature remains locked. The method may further include interlocking the front and back shell portions. Each of the back shell portion and the front shell portion may include a aperture, and the locking feature or the another locking feature complementary to the locking feature may extend through the aperture of the back shell portion and the aperture of the front shell portion so long as the locking feature remains locked. 
     In some embodiments, a security apparatus for a portable electronic device is provided. The security apparatus may include a front shell portion configured to be positioned on at least part of a front side of a portable electronic device, the front side of the portable electronic device comprising a screen. The security apparatus may also include a back shell portion configured to be positioned on at least part of a back side of a portable electronic device, the back side of the portable electronic device being opposite from the front side of the portable electronic device. The security apparatus may further include a locking feature configured to lock the front shell portion to the back shell portion. The locking feature may be configured to unlock the front shell portion from the back shell portion upon entry of a security feature into the locking feature. Each of the back shell portion and the front shell portion may include an aperture. The security feature may include a key. The security apparatus may further include an attachment device configured to be received by the locking feature. At least one of the front shell portion and the back shell portion may include an attachment device, the attachment device being configured to be received by the locking feature. The front shell portion and the back shell portion may be configured to collectively form a frame around the portable electronic device. 
     These and other embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a system according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a front perspective view including parts of a constructed security shell according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 3 a -3 c    show steps for interlocking security shell portions according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a diagram of an attachment device being inserted into security shell portions. 
         FIG. 5  shows an attachment device inserted into security shell apertures. 
         FIG. 6  shows a locking head to be engaged with an attachment device. 
         FIG. 7 a    shows a front perspective view of a key and a locking head. 
         FIG. 7 b    shows a rear perspective view of a locking head. 
         FIG. 8  shows a locked security shell. 
         FIG. 9  shows a perspective of a T-bar lock and a cross-sectional perspective view including parts of a constructed security shell according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 10 a -10 c    show steps for securing a portable electronic device between security shell portions according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 11 a -11 e    show steps for securing a portable electronic device between security shell portions according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  shows a flowchart illustrating a method of using a security apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 13  shows a flowchart illustrating a method of using a security apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the invention are directed to security apparatuses, methods for making and using such security apparatuses, and systems using such security apparatuses. The security apparatuses can be used to prevent or deter the theft of devices such as portable electronic devices. 
       FIG. 1  shows a system comprising a portable electronic device  30  and a security apparatus  26  that is used to secure the portable electronic device  30  to an immovable object  10  such as a desk leg or the like. The security apparatus  26  includes a plurality of shell portions that are assembled by a user to at least partly encase the portable electronic device  30 , thereby forming a frame  72  around the portable electronic device  30 . The frame configuration may allow a user to continue to view, e.g., a screen or monitor on a front side of the portable electronic device  30  and access input components of the portable electronic device  30  even while it is secured. In other embodiments, the security apparatus may be configured to more fully or completely encase the portable electronic device  30 . Such alternative configurations may be advantageous to, e.g., reduce the probability that a potential thief will spot and identify the portable electronic device  30 . 
     The security apparatus  26  comprises a locking head  120  and a cable  32  coupled to a first end  32   a  to the locking head  120 . A loop  34  is at a second end  32   b  of the cable  32 . The cable  32  may comprise a strong material such as stainless steel or Kevlar™. To secure the portable electronic device  30  to the immovable object, the cable  32  may be wrapped around the immovable object and the locking head  120  may pass through the loop  34 . The locking head  120  engages a portion of the frame  72 , thereby coupling the cable  32  to the frame  72  and the enclosed portable electronic device  30 . 
     Other configurations in which the security apparatus  26  (and the portable electronic device  30 ) may be secured to an immovable object  10  are further contemplated.  FIG. 1  shows an embodiment in which the first end  32   a  of cable  32  is fixedly attached to the locking head  120  and the second end  32   b  of the cable  32  includes a loop  34  and does not directly engage with the locking head  120 . 
     In some instances, there is no loop  34  at the second end  32   b  of the cable  32 . For example, the cable  32  may be configured such that both the first end  32   a  and the second end  32   b  of the cable couple to the locking head  120 . The locking head  120  may include a cable-receiving aperture. The cable  32  may then be looped around the immovable object  10  and an insertion component at the second end  32   b  may be inserted into the cable-receiving aperture, thereby locking the second end of the cable  32  to the locking head  120 . Engagement of a security feature, such as a key or code, with the locking head  120  may unlock the second end of the cable  32  from the locking head  120 . As another example, another locking feature (e.g, an attachment device) may be configured to receive an end of the cable. 
     In some instances, each of the first end  32   a  and the second end  32   b  are coupled to a locking head  120 . Each locking head  120  may engage different portions of the frame (e.g., such that two locking heads  120  may engage with two bottom portions of the frame  72 ). 
     In some instances, the second end  32   b  of the cable  32  may be configured such that it may be sandwiched between the portable electronic device  30  (and potentially the frame  72 ) and the locking head  120 . For example, the second end  32   b  may include a flat loop. The flat loop may be positioned over an engagement portion of the frame  72 , and the locking head  120  may then engage with the frame, sandwiching the loop between the locking head  120  and the frame  72 . 
       FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of a security apparatus that may be used to secure a portable electronic device. As shown, the security apparatus may include interlocking protective shell portions, which may engage to form a protective shell that partly or fully encapsulates a portable electronic device. The shell may include, e.g., a front portion  42   a  and a back portion  42   b . The security apparatus may also include an attachment device  110 . The attachment device  110  may be independent from the front and back portions  42   a  and  42   b  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) or may be a part of one of the front and back portions  42   a  and  42   b  (e.g., a plug hinged to or extending from one of the front and back portions  42   a  and  42   b ). 
     The back portion  42   b  may include a surface upon which a portable electronic device  30  could be supported. The surface may be solid (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) or may include a plurality of holes (e.g., to allow for heat dissipation). In some instances, the surface comprises a screen (e.g., a mesh). The front portion  42   a  may include a full or partial lip configured to at least partly wrap around the edges of the portable electronic device. In some instances, the front portion  42   a  does not include a center portion, e.g., such that a user may use a portable electronic device positioned within a security apparatus. 
     The front portion  42   a  and back portion  42   b  may be sized to, individually or collectively, at least partly wrap around a portable electronic device  30 . Each portion may be characterized by a height dimension (extending along direction  62   a  in  FIG. 2 ) and a width dimension (extending along direction  62   b  in  FIG. 2 ). The front portion  42   a  and/or back portion  42   b  may each have one, two or three dimension (e.g., a width and height) that is slightly larger than the same type of dimension of a corresponding portable electronic device. In some instances, one dimension (e.g., a depth that is perpendicular to directions  62   a  and to  62   b ) of either of the front portion  42   a  and/or back portion  42   b  is slightly smaller than the same type of dimension of a corresponding portable electronic device, though the collective dimension of the front portion  42   a  and of the back portion  42   b  may be slightly larger than the same type of dimension of a corresponding portable electronic device. In one instance, a first dimension (e.g., a width) of the front portion  42   a  and/or back portion  42   b  is about 1-15, 4-12, or 9-11 inches. In one instance, a second dimension (e.g., a height) of the front portion  42   a  and/or back portion  42   b  is about 1-15, 2-10, or 7-9 inches. In one instance, each of the front portion  42   a  and the back portion  42   b  is about 9-10 inches wide and 7-9 inches in height. 
     The front and back portions  42   a  and  42   b  may engage and/or interlock with each other, e.g., via one or more interlocking features  46   a  and  46   b .  FIGS. 3 a -3 c    show how an interlocking feature  46   b  of the back portion  42   b  may engage with an interlocking feature  46   a  of the front portion  42   a . As shown, in this embodiment, the front portion&#39;s interlocking feature  46   a  includes a cavity. The back portion&#39;s interlocking feature  46   b  includes an extension with a shape at least partly complementary to a shape of the cavity. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 a   , the front portion  42   a  may initially be positioned above the back portion  42   b . As shown in  FIG. 3 b   , the front and/or back portion  42   a  or  42   b  may be vertically moved, such that they are in contact with each other. As shown in  FIG. 3 c   , the front and/or back portion  42   a  or  42   b  may be horizontally moved such that the back portion&#39;s interlocking feature  46   b  is inserted into the front portion&#39;s interlocking feature  46   a . At this time, a bottom surface  46   b - 1  of the back portion&#39;s interlocking feature  46   b  may be above and/or on a bottom surface  46   a - 1  of the front portion&#39;s interlocking feature  46   a . This interlocking may restrict vertical movement of the two portions relative to each other and may thereby confine the position of a portable electronic device framed by the portions. 
     After the portions  42   a  and  42   b  are interlocked, an attachment device  110  may be inserted into apertures in both of the portions, as shown in  FIG. 4 . The apertures may be positioned such that an aperture  50   a  in the front portion  42   a  is aligned with an aperture  50   b  in the back portion  42   b  when the portions are interlocked. In some embodiments, the apertures  50   a  and  50   b  in the two portions have a similar or same dimension (e.g., a diameter or depth) or shape (e.g., circular). In some embodiments, the apertures  50   a  and  50   b  have a different dimension (e.g., with aperture  50   a  having a diameter larger than a diameter of aperture  50   b ), which may prevent an attachment device  110  from sliding through both apertures  50 . The attachment device  110  may include a shoulder element  110   d  that may rest at a surface (e.g., an internal aperture surface  50   a - 1 , a front surface of front portion  42   a , or a back surface of back portion  42   b ) to prevent the attachment device  110   d  from sliding through the apertures. In some embodiments, an aperture may vary in shape or size (e.g., in diameter) within a single portion (such as aperture  50   a  shown in  FIG. 4 ). The apertures  50   a  and  50   b  may be shaped and sized such that a top surface of the shoulder element  110   d  of the attachment device rests above a top surface of the front portion  42   a  or such that it rests in a position flush with a top surface of the front portion  42   a.    
     The attachment device  110  may be spring loaded, such that a user may press on the shoulder element  110   d  of the attachment device  110 , and the attachment device  110  will spring up vertically. This configuration may allow the user to easily remove the attachment device  110  from the security apparatus. To permit the attachment device  110  to be compressed, the front portion&#39;s aperture  50   a  may include a wide portion  50   a - 1  being of a diameter wider than the shoulder element  110   d , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . This wide portion may be deeper than a depth of the shoulder element  110   d , thereby providing space for the shoulder element  110   d  to be depressed. 
     When the attachment device  110  is inserted into the apertures of the front and back portions  42   a  and  42   b , a bottom end of the attachment device  110  may extend through the back portion  42   b , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The bottom end may engage a locking head  120 . While engaged, the front and back portions  42   a  and  42   b  may be locked to the locking head  120 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the locking head  120  may be coupled to a cable  32  which may be tethered to a permanent or semi-permanent object. Thus, the engagement of the attachment device  110  and the locking head  120  may restrain movement of the front and back portions  42   a  and  42   b  and any portable electronic device secured between the portions. 
     To permit engagement with a locking head  12 , the attachment device  110  may include, e.g., a recess, such as a recess  110   b  defined by a cap  110   a  and a ring structure  110   c . The cap  110   a  and the ring structure  110   c  may have similar diameters. In some implementations, the cap  110   a  and the ring structure  110   c  may each comprise cylinders with a substantially (axially) tapered end and a substantially flat end opposite the substantially tapered end. In other implementations, one or more ends of the cap  110   a  or the ring structure  110   c  may comprise a curved surface or other uneven shape (i.e., not flat). The lateral side wall of each of the ring structure  110   c  and the cap  110   a  may be tapered (as in a cone shape) or may comprise a straight wall. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the cylinders comprising the ring structure  110   c  and the cap  110   a  are facing in the same direction. That is, the direction of travel from the flat end of the cap  110   a  to the tapered end of the cap  110   a  is the same direction of travel as from the flat end of the ring structure  110   c  to the tapered end of the ring structure  110   c . That is, the cap  110   a  and the ring structure  110   c  can be axially aligned. The recess  110   b  can be formed by the space between the tapered end of the ring structure  110   c  and the flat end of the cap  110   a , which may be joined together (and held apart to form the recess) by a central cylinder. Thus, the recess  110   b  may be located between the cap  110   a  and the ring structure  110   c . The tapered end of the ring structure  110   c  may taper from the width of the ring structure  110   c  to the width of the central cylinder, at which point the ring structure  110   c  may be joined to the central cylinder. In some embodiments, the cap  110   a  and the ring structure  110   c  may have approximately equal lengths, so that the recess is located approximately in the middle (along a vertical dimension) of the length of a surface of the back portion  42   b . In some embodiments of the invention, the central cylinder may include a lateral side wall that may be tapered or may comprise a straight wall. 
     In certain embodiments, the cap  110   a , the central cylinder, the ring structure  110   c , and the shoulder element  110   d  may be structurally discrete or non-discrete. That is, the cap  110   a , the central cylinder, the ring structure  110   c , and the shoulder element  110   d  may together be formed of one piece of material, such as one machined metal structure with tapered portions and a recess. In another embodiment, each of the cap  110   a , the central cylinder, the ring structure  110   c , and the shoulder element  110   d  may be formed separately, and joined together (such as by glue, rivets, pins, etc.). In a further embodiment, the central cylinder and either the cap  110   a  or the ring structure  110   c  may comprise one continuous material, which can be joined to the third portion. For example, the ring structure  110   c  and the central cylinder can be formed of a single machined metal part, and then be joined to the cap  110   a  by any suitable process (e.g., glue, rivets, pins, etc.). 
     The design of the attachment device  110 , as disclosed herein, contains many advantages. For example, the flat end of the cap  110   a  (i.e., the recess-facing end) can conform to the clamping structure of a locking head. In certain embodiments, the flat end of the cap  110   a  can be a substantially planar surface that is approximately 90 degrees from the lateral side wall of the cap  110   a . This flat end of the cap  110   a  may be approximately parallel to an outer surface of the back portion  42   b , and the flat end structure will provide a strong surface for a locking head to hold onto while securing the portable article  30 . A locking head is unlikely to be able to slip or be pulled off of the cap  110   a . Furthermore, the tapered ends of the cap  110   a  and the ring structure  110   c  may assist in guiding a locking head onto the correct position around the base while securing the portable article  30 , resulting in easier locking and unlocking by a user (as described in further detail below). The lateral side wall(s) of the attachment device  110 , such as the lateral sidewalls of the cap  110   a  and the ring structure  110   c , may comprise a smooth surface, such as a polished metal surface. This smooth surface can allow a locking head to rotate about the attachment device, preventing a person from twisting the attachment device off the back portion  42   b  (i.e., forcibly unsecuring the security apparatus) by twisting the locking head. Nevertheless, attachment devices varying in design and/or operation from that described above may be used, such as those described in U.S. application Ser. No. 12/969,401, which is fully incorporated by reference. 
       FIG. 7 a    shows an exploded view of one exemplary locking head  120  and key  121 . A front hole  4   a  in the head  120  may be configured to receive a cap  110   a  of the attachment device  110 . The head  120  may include any suitable dimensions, e.g., having a length, height and/or width of about 5-50 mm.  FIG. 7 b    shows a rear perspective view of the head  120 . A keyhole  122  is at a rear section of the head  120 . Locking heads and/or keys varying in design and/or operation from that described above may be used, such as those described in U.S. application Ser. No. 12/969,401, which is fully incorporated by reference. 
       FIG. 8  shows a front view of a locked and configured security apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown, the front and back portions  42   a  and  42   b  are interlocked, the attachment device  110  is inserted into apertures of the portions, and the locking head  120  is engaged with the attachment device  110 . A portable electronic device may be positioned between the front and back portions  42   a  and  42   b , such that the front portion  42   a  wraps around the front of the portable electronic device, and back portion  42   b  supports the back of the portable electronic device. The combined shell portions may form a full or partial frame around the portable electronic device. Thus, when the shell portions are locked in this position (e.g., by interlocking the shell portions, inserting an attachment device through apertures of the shell portions and locking the attachment device to a locking head), a third party may be prevented from separating the portable electronic device from the shell and from the locking head  120 . A width of the created frame may be, e.g., about 0.5-5 cm. Thus, a user of the portable electronic device may still be able to use the portable electronic device while the security apparatus is in operation due to a center opening in the front portion  42   a . The shell portions may be configured to cover all of the back of the portable electronic device (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 2 ) or to cover distinct regions (e.g., corresponding to the portable electronic device&#39;s motherboard) to prevent third parties from stealing valuable parts of the portable electronic device from the back. The locking head  120  may be attached to a cable  32 , which may be looped around or attached to a semi-permanent or permanent structure, as shown, e.g., in  FIG. 1 . In this manner, a portable electronic device  30  may be securely coupled to a fixed location. 
     Many variations on the above-described embodiments are contemplated. For example,  FIGS. 2 and 4  illustrate an embodiment in which engaged front and back portions  42   a  and  42   b  are locked together by locking together two complementary locking features: an attachment device  110  (which is inserted through one or more apertures of the front and back portions  42   a  and  42   b ) and a locking head  120 . The front and back portions  42   a  and  42   b  may be locked together using other techniques and/or other locking features. For example, a security apparatus may include only a single locking feature or a plurality of non-complementary locking features. 
     In one embodiment, a single locking feature is inserted through an aperture in the front portion  42   a  and an aperture in the back portion  42   b , moved (e.g., rotated, expanded and/or translationally moved) and locked. The movement and subsequent locking of the locking feature may prevent a thief from pulling the locking feature back through the apertures to thereby decouple a frame formed by the back and front portions  42   a  and  42   b  (that at least partly encloses a portable electronic device) from the locking feature. Because the locking feature may be coupled to a cable looped around an immovable object, this design may prevent the thief from stealing the portable electronic device. 
     The locking feature may include, e.g., an attachment mechanism and/or a configuration disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,121,125, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In one embodiment, the locking feature comprises a T-bar lock. One or more apertures may be sized and shaped such that it may receive a crossmember of the T-bar only when the crossmember is in a particular orientation (e.g., horizontally and not vertically). The T-bar may be appropriately oriented and the crossmember inserted through aperture(s) formed in one or more shell portions. The T-bar may then be rotated and locked in the rotated position. Thus, it may not be possible to pull the crossmember of the T-bar back through the aperture(s) without first unlocking the T-bar lock. Further, because the crossmember extends at least partly through apertures in two frame portions, the two frame portions are locked together. 
     The locking feature (e.g., T-bar lock) may be connected to a cable that may be wrapped around a semi-permanent or permanent fixture. Entry of a security feature (e.g., a key) into the locking feature may again allow for the locking feature to be pulled back through the aperture and thereby allow the portable electronic device  30  to be removed from the frame portions. 
       FIG. 9  shows a cross-section of a portion of a security shell with elongated and slit-like apertures  50   a  and  50   b . In this instance a locking feature includes a T-bar lock  130  (which may be coupled to a cable). A crossmember  130   a  of the T-bar lock may be aligned with and inserted at least partly through the apertures. The crossmember may then be rotated, and the T-bar lock may be locked to prevent reverse rotation. A thief may then be unable to pull the crossmember back through the aperture. In  FIG. 9 , aperture  50   a  extends fully through front portion  42   a , while aperture  50   b  does not extend fully through back portion  42   b . Instead aperture  50   b  includes a frontwards slit-like portion and a larger backwards portion sized to allow rotation of the crossmember  130   a . In one instance, aperture  50   b  extends fully through back portion  42   b.    
       FIGS. 10 a -10 c    show exemplary operational modes of a security apparatus. In this embodiment, the front portion  42   a  is coupled to the back portion  42   b  via a bottom hinge. Front portion  42   a  includes a connecting portion  44 , which is hingedly coupled to a primary front component of the front portion  42   a . As shown in  FIG. 10 a   , a portable electronic device  30  may be positioned between the back portion  42   b  and the front portion  42   a . The front and/or back portion may be folded towards the other portion to create a frame around the portable electronic device  30 . As shown in  FIG. 10 b   , the connecting portion  44  may then be folded over the back portion  42   b . The connecting portion  44  includes an aperture  50   a  which is sized and positioned to receive an attachment device  110  integrated into the back portion  50   b . The attachment device  110  then extends through the aperture  50   a , and a locking head  120  may be locked to the attachment device. The relative positions of the front and back portions  42   a  and  42   b  are then fixed, thereby locking the enclosed portable electronic device  30  to the portions and the locking head  120 . The locking head  120  is coupled to a cable  32 , which may be wrapped around an immovable object. Thus, the portable electronic device  30  may be locked to the immovable object. 
       FIGS. 11 a -11 e    show exemplary operational modes of a security apparatus. In this embodiment, the front portion  42   a  includes a tab  115 , and the back portion  42   b  includes a complementary slot  51 . The tab  115  is positioned near a bottom of the front portion  42   a , and the slot  51  is positioned near a bottom of the back portion  42   b . A portable electronic device may be positioned in or on the back portion  42   b . The tab  115  may then be slid into the slot  51  to join the bottoms of the front portion  42   a  and the back portion  42   b , as shown in  FIG. 11 a   . An attachment device  110  is located near a top of the front portion  42   a , and a complementary aperture  50   b  is located near a top of the back portion  42   b . One or both of the tops of the front portion  42   a  and back portion  42   b  may be moved towards each other, and the attachment device  110  may extend through the aperture  50   b , as shown in  FIGS. 11 b - c   . Part of the attachment device  110  remains accessible, as shown in  FIG. 11 c   . Therefore, a locking head  120  may lock to the attachment device  110 , as shown in  FIG. 11 d   . The relative positions of the front and back portions  42   a  and  42   b  are then fixed, thereby locking the enclosed portable electronic device to the portions and the locking head  120 . The locking head  120  is coupled to a cable  32 , which may be wrapped around an immovable object. Thus, the portable electronic device may be locked to the immovable object. As shown in  FIG. 11 e   , the security apparatus may include additional securing elements. For example, front portion  42   a  and back portion  42   b  may include one or more holes  53  sizes to receive a screw  113  or additional locking feature. The locking feature may be inserted through the one or more holes  53  (e.g., through holes aligned in the front and back portions  42   a  and  42   b ) to further secure a connection between the front and back portions  42   a  and  42   b.    
     In some embodiments, a security apparatus may include more than one of the above-described embodiments. For example, the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  may also include apertures to receive a T-bar lock, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . A user could then choose to engage an attachment device  110  extending through an aperture with a locking head and/or to insert another attachment mechanism (e.g., a T-bar lock) through aligned apertures. 
     A security apparatus may include additional features. For example, a constructed security apparatus may include a hinged stand support, such that a user may prop an enclosed portable electronic device at an angle. In one instance, the hinged stand support is included on one of the front or back portions. In one instance, a stand support is hingedly connected to a primary component of the back portion  42   b.    
     Front portion  42   a  and/or back portion  42   b  may comprise, e.g., a plastic, metal, or microfiber material. A material may one that would protect a portable electronic device housed by the portions, provide traction on an outer surface, and/or allow the portable electronic device to easily slide along an inner surface. 
       FIG. 12  shows a flowchart illustrating a method  1200  of using a security apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. At block  1205 , a portable electronic device is positioned on or over a first shell portion. For example, a portable electronic device  30  may be positioned on a back portion  42   b . The first shell portion may be shaped such that it at least partly wraps around or extends beyond the portable electronic device subsequent to the positioning. 
     At block  1210 , the first shell portion is coupled with a second shell portion. For example, the back portion  42   b  may be coupled with a front portion  42   a . The coupling may involve one step or multiple steps. The coupling may include, e.g., interlocking the portions (e.g., as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 a -3 c   ), inserting an attachment device coupled to one portion through an aperture of another (e.g., as illustrated in  FIGS. 11 b -11 c   ), inserting a tab into a slot (e.g., as illustrated in  FIGS. 11 a -11 b   ), inserting a locking feature through apertures in both portions (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 4  or  FIG. 9 ), etc. The second shell portion may be shaped such that it partly wraps around or extends beyond the portable electronic device subsequent to the coupling. 
     At block  1215 , a locking feature (e.g., a locking head, attachment mechanism or T-bar) is coupled with an immovable object. For example, a cable  32 , U-bar, etc. that is coupled to a locking feature (e.g., a locking head  120 ) may be wrapped around an immovable object  10 . In some instances, a cable  32  is wrapped around an immovable object  10 , and one end of the cable  32  (e.g., the end attached to the locking feature) is inserted through a loop  34  at the other end of the cable  32 . 
     At block  1220 , the locking feature is engaged with a shell portion. For example, a locking head  120  may engage with (e.g., and lock to) an attachment device  110 . The attachment device  110  may be integrated into a shell portion or separate from the shell portions. The attachment device may, e.g., extend through an aperture in the shell portion. As another example, a crossmember on a T-bar lock may extend through an aperture in each of one or more frame portions, may rotate, and then may lock in the rotated position (thereby preventing reverse removal through the aperture(s)). In some embodiments, engagement of the locking feature with the shell portion sandwiches an intermediate component between the locking feature and the shell portion. For example, a shell portion (e.g., the connecting portion  44 ) may include an aperture  50   a  that may be positioned over the attachment device  110  coupled to another frame portion (e.g., the back shell portion  42   b ) prior to engaging an attachment device  110  with a locking head  120 . The engagement of the locking head  120  with the attachment device  110  may then restrict the movement of the front and back portions  42   a  and  42   b  relative to each other. Thus, a portable electronic device positioned between the portions may be locked to the locking head  120  and the immovable object. 
       FIG. 13  shows a flowchart illustrating a method  1300  of using a security apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. At block  1305 , a portable electronic device  30  is positioned on a back shell portion  42   b . At block  1310 , a front shell portion  42   b  is positioned on or over the back shell portion  42   a . At this point, the front and back portions  42   a  and  42   b  may form a frame  72 , partial enclosure or complete enclosure around the portable electronic device. 
     In some instances, the front and back portions  42   a  and  42   b  are engaged with each other. For example, the front and back portions  42   a  and  42   b  may interlock using complementary interlocking features on the portions. 
     At block  1315 , an attachment device is inserted through an aperture in a shell portion. The attachment device may be independent from the shell portions, coupled to a shell portion or part of a shell portion. In some instances, an attachment device is inserted through an aperture in the front portion and an aperture in the back portion. For example, an independent attachment device  110  may be inserted through an aperture  50   a  in the front portion  42   a  and an aperture  50   b  in the back portion. 
     At block  1320 , a cable  32  is wrapped around an immovable object  10 , such as a desk leg. The immovable object  10  need not literally be immovable, but may be sufficiently stationary, heavy or ground-attached to make it difficult to slide a wrapped cable  32  off of the object  10 . 
     At block  1325 , a first end  32   a  of the cable  32  is pulled through a loop  34  at a second opposite end  32   b  of the cable  32 . Thus, a larger loop is formed in the cable which loops around the immovable object  10 . The first end  32   a  may be coupled to a locking head  120 . 
     At block  1330 , a locking head  120  coupled to the first end  32   a  of the cable  32  may be slid onto the attachment device  110 . Upon application of sufficient pressure on the locking head  120 , the locking head  120  may lock onto the attachment device  110 . The locked locking head  120  and attachment device  110  may prevent the front portion  42   a  from separating from the back portion  42   b  and may couple the portions and the portable electronic device positioned between the portions to the immovable object  10 . 
     The above description is illustrative and is not restrictive. Many variations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the disclosure. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the pending claims along with their full scope or equivalents. 
     One or more features from any embodiment may be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. Where approximate or “about” is described for measurements, embodiments herein also contemplate the exact measurement. Where a shape is disclosed, such as a cylinder, embodiments herein contemplate other suitable shapes, such as multi-sided blocks (octagonal structures, decagonal structures, etc.), other rectangular structures, etc. In certain implementations, structures with multiple sides approaching the shape of cylinders, as well as substantially cylindrical shapes (e.g., a cylinder with a flat sidewall portion) may be considered cylinders as described herein, unless otherwise specified. 
     A recitation of “a”, “an” or “the” is intended to mean “one or more” unless specifically indicated to the contrary.