Patent Publication Number: US-2023139662-A1

Title: Universal security lock for portable electronic devices and engaging mechanism thereof

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a security lock, especially to a security lock that is configured to secure portable electronic devices. 
     2. Description of the Prior Arts 
     A portable device, such as a laptop, often has a security slot formed in its case such that a specialized security lock can be used for securing the portable device to a permanent object, such as a table or a display case. The security lock prevents the portable device from theft when displayed in showrooms or when temporarily left unattended in public areas such as a library. 
     The security slot is a hole formed through an exterior wall of the case of the portable device. An end of the security lock is fastened to the permanent object. An expandable gripper is mounted on another end of the security lock. The expandable gripper is configured to be mounted through the security slot and then expanded inside the case such that the gripper is engaged in the security slot to prevent the gripper from being pulled out. As a result, the portable device can be fastened to the permanent object using the security lock. 
     The security slot has a variety of specifications, and each of the specifications features a unique opening width; meanwhile, thickness of the exterior wall of the case varies from one portable device to another portable device. However, the expandable gripper of the conventional security lock can only be expanded to a specific opened position; that is, the expandable gripper can only expand to a specific width. As a result, each security lock is compatible only with a specific type of security slot, which causes inconvenience to a user and increases cost. For example, each time the user purchases a new laptop with a different security slot, a new security lock has to be prepared. When laptops of different security slots are displayed in the showroom, security locks of different specifications have to be prepared, which is troublesome and costly. 
     To be more specific, there are three major security slot systems, which are Kensington Slot™, Noble Wedge Slot™, and Kensington Nano Slot™. The Kensington Slot™ has standard rectangular slots, and has introduced oblong slots recently. The Noble Wedge Slot™ has wedge holes, and has introduced 3 mm by 5 mm rectangular hole recently for DELL™ laptops as well as other laptops. As a result, there are totally six different kinds of security slots from the three major systems. 
     Moreover, among security slots of the same kind, the security slot in one laptop may differ from the security slot in another laptop when said two laptops are of different brands. For example, thickness of a metal plate where the security slot is formed may vary, thickness of the laptop case may vary, and assembly position of said metal plate on the laptop case may vary. As a result, one security lock cannot be employed universally for different kinds of security slots. 
     To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a universal security lock for portable electronic devices and an engaging mechanism thereof to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The main objective of the present invention is to provide a universal security lock for portable electronic devices and an engaging mechanism that are compatible to different types of security slots for ease of use and cost reduction. 
     The universal security lock for portable electronic devices has an engaging mechanism, a rod-returning resilient element, a controlling part, and a lock core. The engaging mechanism has a base, an expanding rod, and two gripping fingers. The base has an engaging direction. The expanding rod is disposed on the base and is slidable along the engaging direction. An end, which is toward the engaging direction, of the expanding rod is defined as an abutting end. A width of the abutting end gradually decreases toward the engaging direction. The two gripping fingers are elongated, and each of the gripping fingers has an inner end, an inner surface, an outer surface, and an electronic-device-engaging portion. The inner end is pivotally connected to the base. Each of the two inner ends of the two gripping fingers is disposed on a respective one of two opposite sides of the expanding rod. The inner surface faces toward another one of the gripping fingers. The outer surface is opposite to the inner surface. The electronic-device-engaging portion protrudes from the outer surface and is disposed on an outer end of the gripping finger. When the expanding rod is moved toward the engaging direction, the abutting end of the expanding rod abuts against the two inner surfaces of the two gripping fingers and drives the two electronic-device-engaging portions to move away from each other gradually. The two gripping fingers are respectively defined as a first gripping finger and a second gripping finger; the inner surface of the first gripping finger has a first abutting area and a first protrusion; the first protrusion protrudes from the first abutting area and extends toward the second gripping finger; the abutting end of the expanding rod selectively abuts against the first abutting area or the first protrusion. The rod-returning resilient element is connected to the expanding rod of the engaging mechanism and drives the expanding rod to move in a direction reverse to the engaging direction. The controlling part is rotatably disposed in the base of the engaging mechanism. The controlling part and the expanding rod are arranged along the engaging direction. The lock core is disposed on the base of the engaging mechanism and is connected to the controlling part. The lock core has an unlocked status and a locked status; in the unlocked status, the lock core is rotatable relative to the base; in the locked status, the lock core is unrotatable relative to the base. When the controlling part is rotated relative to the base, the expanding rod of the engaging mechanism is driven by the rotation of the controlling part to change a position of the expanding rod along the engaging direction, thereby changing a distance between the two electronic-device-engaging portions. 
     To engage the universal security lock with an electronic device, first pivot the two gripping fingers toward each other such that the two electronic-device-engaging portions of the two gripping fingers are closely adjacent to each other. Then, insert the two electronic-device-engaging portions into a security slot of the electronic device, and then drive the expanding rod to move via the controlling part and the lock core to engage the two gripping fingers in the security slot, preventing the two gripping fingers from being pulled out from the security slot. 
     To be specific, the expanding rod abuts against the abutting area of the gripping finger to engage in security slots that are of less widths; when engaging in security slots of greater widths, the expanding rod keeps moving along the engaging direction to abut against the protrusion of the gripping fingers such that the two gripping fingers are moved away from each other to engage in said wider security slots. 
     The advantages of the present invention are as follows: 
     First, movement of the expanding rod along the engaging direction gradually expands the two gripping fingers such that the two gripping fingers are engaged in the security slot; that is, as long as the expanding rod is continuously moved toward the engaging direction, the two gripping fingers will be moved away from each other continuously until stopped by width of the security slot. Therefore, the present invention is compatible with security slots of different widths and can be adjusted in a stepless manner. 
     Second, the protrusion of the gripping finger allows the engaging mechanism to engage in wider security slots without increasing size of the engaging mechanism, thereby reducing size of the engaging mechanism. 
     To be specific, assuming the inner surface of the gripping finger is straight, the gripping fingers will be substantially parallel to the expanding rod soon after the abutting end of the expanding rod passes the inner ends of the gripping fingers in the engaging direction. As a result, movement of the expanding rod can no longer expand the gripping fingers effectively. 
     Therefore, sizes of the gripping finger and the expanding rod need to be increased dramatically in order for the gripping fingers with straight inner surfaces to engage in wider security slots. 
     On the other hand, by forming a protrusion on the inner surface of the gripping finger and dispose the protrusion farther away from the inner end of said gripping finger, the expanding rod can abut against the protrusion to quickly expand the two gripping fingers. As a result, the sizes of the gripping fingers and the expanding rod do not have to be increased, and the size of the engaging mechanism is significantly smaller compared to counterparts with gripping fingers having straight inner surfaces. 
     Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a universal security lock for portable electronic devices in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded perspective view of the universal security lock in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a partial exploded perspective view of the universal security lock in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIGS.  4  and  5    are operational schematic top views of the universal security lock in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  6 A  is a front view of a 5-mm-wide security slot; 
         FIG.  6 B  is an enlarged schematic top view of the universal security lock in  FIG.  1   , showing the universal security lock engaged in the security slot shown in  FIG.  6 A ; 
         FIG.  7 A  is a front view of a 5.5-mm-wide security slot; 
         FIG.  7 B  is an enlarged schematic top view of the universal security lock in  FIG.  1   , showing the universal security lock engaged in the security slot shown in  FIG.  7 A ; 
         FIG.  8 A  is a front view of a 6-mm-wide security slot; 
         FIG.  8 B  is an enlarged schematic top view of the universal security lock in  FIG.  1   , showing the universal security lock engaged in the security slot shown in  FIG.  8 A ; 
         FIG.  9 A  is a front view of a 7-mm-wide security slot; 
         FIG.  9 B  is an enlarged schematic top view of the universal security lock in  FIG.  1   , showing the universal security lock engaged in the security slot shown in  FIG.  9 A ; 
         FIG.  10 A  is a front view of an oblong security slot; 
         FIG.  10 B  is an enlarged schematic top view of the universal security lock in  FIG.  1   , showing the universal security lock engaged in the oblong security slot shown in  FIG.  10 A ; 
         FIG.  11    is an enlarged schematic top view of a second embodiment of a universal security lock for portable electronic devices in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG.  12    is an enlarged schematic top view of a third embodiment of a universal security lock for portable electronic devices in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to  FIGS.  1  to  4   , a universal security lock for portable electronic devices in accordance with the present invention comprises an engaging mechanism  10 , a rod-returning resilient element  20 , a controlling part  30 , and a lock core  40 . 
     The engaging mechanism  10  has a base  11 , an expanding rod  12 , and two gripping fingers  13 . In the preferred embodiment, the base  11  has a lower seat  111 , an upper cover  112 , and a finger opening  113 . The lower seat  111  forms an inner space and has an engaging direction S (as shown in  FIG.  4   ). The finger opening  113  is formed on an end of the lower seat  111  toward the engaging direction S. The finger opening  113  is connected to an inner space of the lower seat  111 . In another preferred embodiment, the base  11  is a plate mounted in other components. 
     The expanding rod  12  is slidably disposed on the lower seat  111  of the base  11  and is slidable along the engaging direction S. An end, which is toward the engaging direction S, of the expanding rod  12  is defined as an abutting end  121 . A width of the abutting end  121  gradually decreases toward the engaging direction S. 
     To be specific, the expanding rod  12  has two guide inclines  122 . Each of the two guide inclines  122  is formed on a respective one of two opposite sides, which are divided by the centerline C (as shown in  FIG.  4   ), of the expanding rod  12 . The two guide inclines  122  are each inclined relative to the centerline C of the expanding rod  12 , and extend along the engaging direction S to an end surface of the corresponding abutting end  121 . A distance between the two guide inclines is reduced toward the engaging direction S. 
     The two gripping fingers  13  are elongated. Each of the gripping fingers  13  has an inner end, an outer end, an inner surface  131 , an outer surface  132 , and an electronic-device-engaging portion  133 . The inner end is pivotally connected to the lower seat  111  of the base  11  and disposed in the inner space of the lower seat  111 . Each of the two inner ends of the two gripping fingers  13  is disposed on a respective one of two opposite sides of the expanding rod  12 . The two outer ends of the two gripping fingers  13  protrude from the base  11  via the finger opening  113 . 
     The inner surface  131  of each gripping finger  13  faces toward another one of the two gripping fingers  13 . The outer surface  132  and the inner surface  131  of each gripping finger  13  are disposed opposite each other. The electronic-device-engaging portion  133  of each gripping finger  13  is protruded on the outer surface  132  of said gripping finger  13  and located on the outer end of said gripping finger  13 . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  4  and  5   , when the expanding rod  12  is moved toward the engaging direction S, the abutting end  121  of the expanding rod  12  abuts against the two inner surfaces  131  of the two gripping fingers  13  to make the two gripping fingers  13  pivot away from each other such that the two electronic-device-engaging portions  133  are moved away from each other gradually. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  3  and  6 B , in the preferred embodiment, the two gripping fingers  13  are identical in shape but are mounted differently, but shapes of the two gripping fingers  13  may be different. 
     For ease of explaining detailed features of the gripping fingers  13 , the two gripping fingers  13  are respectively defined as a first gripping finger  61  and a second gripping finger  62  (as shown in  FIG.  6 B ). 
     The first gripping finger  61  has a first abutting area  611  and a first protrusion  612 , and a second recess  613  formed on the inner surface  131  of the first gripping finger  61 , but the second recess  613  can be omitted depending on circumstances. 
     The first abutting area  611  is elongated and extends from the inner end to the outer end of the first gripping finger  61 . To be specific, the first abutting area  611  is planar and extends along a straight line, but the first abutting area  611  is not limited thereto; for example, the first abutting area  611  can be a slightly curved surface. 
     The first protrusion  612  protrudes from the first abutting area  611 , extending toward the second gripping finger  62 , and disposed on an end, which is toward the engaging direction S, of the second abutting area  621 . The abutting end  121  of the expanding rod  12  selectively abuts against the first abutting area  611  or the first protrusion  612 ; that is, when the expanding rod  12  is moved toward the engaging direction S, the abutting end  121  first abuts against the first abutting area  611  to make the first gripping finger  61  pivot away from the second gripping finger  62 , and then the abutting end  121  abuts against the first protrusion  612  to make the first gripping finger  61  pivot in the same direction. By forming the first protrusion  612 , the expanding rod  12  is capable of making the two gripping fingers  13  pivot away from each other more effectively. 
     The second gripping finger  62  has a second abutting area  621 , a second protrusion  622 , and a first recess formed on the inner surface  131  of the first gripping finger  61 , but the second protrusion  622  can be omitted depending on circumstances; that is, only one of the two gripping fingers  13  need to have the protrusion formed on the inner surface  131 . 
     The second abutting area  621  is elongated. The second protrusion  622  protrudes from the second abutting area  621 , extending toward the first gripping finger  61 , and disposed on an end, which is toward the engaging direction S , of the second abutting area  621 . The abutting end  121  of the expanding rod  12  selectively abuts against the second abutting area  621  or the second protrusion  622 . 
     When the first gripping finger  61  and the second gripping finger  62  pivot toward each other, the first protrusion  612  of the first gripping finger  61  is movable into the first recess of the second gripping finger  62 , and meanwhile the second protrusion  622  of the first gripping finger  62  is movable into the second recess  613  of the first gripping finger  61  such that the outer end of the first gripping finger  61  may pivot toward the second gripping finger  62  until the two outer ends of the two gripping fingers  13  abut against each other. By forming the second recess  613  and the first recess, a range of an angle at which the two gripping fingers  13  are pivotal toward each other is not reduced by the first protrusion  612  and the second protrusion  622 . That is, coordination between the protrusion and the recess increases the range of the angle at which the two gripping fingers  13  are pivotal away from each other when abutted by the expanding rod  12 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the first protrusion  612  of the first gripping finger  61  has an abutting curved surface  6121 . When the abutting end  121  of the expanding rod  12  abuts against the first protrusion  612 , the abutting curved surface  6121  is abutted by the abutting end  121  to move the electronic-device-engaging portion  133  of the first gripping finger  61 . 
     Similarly, the second protrusion  622  of the second gripping finger  62  has an abutting curved surface  6221  (as shown in  FIG.  6 B ). When the abutting end  121  of the expanding rod  12  abuts against the second protrusion  622 , the abutting curved surface  6221  is abutted by the abutting end  121  to move the electronic-device-engaging portion  133  of the second gripping finger  62 . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  3  to  5   , the rod-returning resilient element  20  is connected to the expanding rod  12  of the engaging mechanism and drives the expanding rod  12  to move in a direction reverse to the engaging direction S such that the expanding rod  12  is retracted in the finger opening  113  of the base  11 , allowing the two gripping fingers  13  to pivot toward each other when the expanding rod  12  is not moved by the controlling part  30 . The rod-returning resilient element  20  is preferably a compression spring located around the expanding rod  12 . 
     The controlling part  30  is rotatably disposed in the inner space of the lower seat  111  of the base  11 . The controlling part  30  and the expanding rod  12  are arranged along the engaging direction S. The controlling part  30  has an annular curved surface  31 . The annular curved surface  31  surrounds a rotation axis of the controlling part  30  and is capable of driving the expanding rod  12  of the engaging mechanism  10  to move along the engaging direction S. 
     When the controlling part  30  is rotated relative to the base  11 , the expanding rod of the engaging mechanism  10  is driven by the annular curved surface  31  to change a position of the expanding rod  12  along the engaging direction S, thereby changing a distance between the two electronic-device-engaging portions  133 . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the lock core  40  is disposed on the upper cover  112  of the base  11  and is connected to the controlling part  30 . In the preferred embodiment, a shaft  41  (as shown in  FIG.  2   ) of the lock core  40  is mounted through a connecting hole in the center of the controlling part  30  to rotate the controlling part  30 . 
     The lock core  40  has an unlocked status and a locked status; in the unlocked status, the lock core  40  is rotatable relative to the base  11  and is capable of rotating the controlling part  30 ; in the locked status, the lock core is unrotatable relative to the base  11 . The lock core  40  can be switched between the locked status and the unlocked status using a key (not shown in figures). 
     With reference to  FIGS.  4  and  5   , when the lock core  40  is in the unlocked status, a user may rotate the controlling part  30  via the lock core  40  such that the two electronic-device-engaging portions  133  of the two gripping fingers  13  are moved away from each other and engage in a recess-shaped security slot  91 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the lock core  40  drives the expanding rod  12  to move along the engaging direction S via direct abutting of the annular curved surface  31  against the expanding rod  12 , but the lock core  40  is not limited thereto. In another preferred embodiment, the lock core  40  drives the expanding rod  12  to move via force from a resilient element or mutually repelled magnetic elements to drive the expanding rod  12  along the engaging direction S. The resilient element is preferably a compression spring. 
     The lock core  40  is, but not limited to, a cylindrical lock. In another embodiment, the lock core  40  is a push lock or a combination lock. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  6 A to  10 B , the user can rotate the lock core  40  to change the position of the expanding rod  12 , thereby changing the distance between the two electronic-device-engaging portions  133  and engaging the engaging mechanism  10  to security slots  91  of different widths. For example, a 5-mm-wide security slot  91 A (as shown in  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B ), a 5.5-mm-wide security slot  91 B (as shown in  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B ), a 6-mm-wide security slot  91 C (as shown in  FIGS.  8 A and  8 B ), a 7-mm-wide security slot  91 D (as shown in  FIGS.  9 A and  9 B ), and an oblong security slot  91 E (as shown in  FIGS.  10 A and  10 B ). The aforementioned six different types of security slots  91  are security slots of standard specifications. 
     With reference to  FIG.  11   , a second embodiment of the present invention is substantially same as the first embodiment, but difference is that the first protrusion  612 A of the first gripping finger  61 A has an abutting incline  6121 A, and the abutting end  121 A of the expanding rod  12 A selectively abuts against the abutting incline  6121 A of the first protrusion  612 A to move the electronic-device-engaging portion  133 A of the first gripping finger  13 A. 
     An angle α between the abutting incline  6121 A and the first abutting area  611 A is preferably from 30 degrees to 40 degrees to ensure that the expanding rod  12 A effectively pushes the first gripping finger  61 A away from the second gripping finger  62 A. To be precise, the angle α is from 32 degrees to 34 degrees. 
     By forming the abutting incline  6121 A, the angle α between the abutting incline  6121 A and the expanding rod  12 A is sufficiently small and does not change rapidly. As a result, force required to drive the expanding rod  12 A to move is more stable. 
     Additionally, the engaging mechanism  10  has a protruding distance D1 and a finger distance D2. The protruding distance D1 is defined as a distance of the abutting incline  6121 A protruding from the first abutting area  611 A, and the finger distance D2 is defined as a distance between the first abutting area  611 A of the first gripping finger  61 A and the second abutting area  621 A of the second gripping finger  62 A when the first abutting area  611 A and the second abutting area  621 A are parallel to each other. A ratio of the protruding distance D1 to the finger distance D2 is preferably from 0.25:1 to 0.4:1 to maximize the angle α of the first gripping finger  61 A while maintaining structural strength. A ratio of the protruding distance D1 to the finger distance D2 is ideally from 0.35:1 to 0.4:1. 
     With reference to  FIG.  12   , a third embodiment of the present invention is substantially same as the second embodiment, but difference is that the angle α between the abutting incline  6121 B and the first abutting area  611 B is from 36 degrees to 38 degrees, and meanwhile the ratio of the protruding distance D1 to the finger distance D2 is ideally from 0.25: 1 to 0.3:1. By having a slightly larger angle α, a smaller stroke of the expanding rod  12 B leads to larger rotation of the first gripping finger  61 B, making the engaging mechanism  10 B more responsive to operation of the user. 
     In summary, movement of the expanding rod  12  along the engaging direction S gradually expands the two gripping fingers  13  to engage the two gripping fingers  13  in the security slot  91 ; that is, as long as the expanding rod  12  is continuously pushed along the engaging direction S, the two gripping fingers  13  will be expanded until stopped by width of the security slot  91 . Therefore, the present invention is compatible with security slots  91  of different widths and can be adjusted in a stepless manner. 
     Additionally, the protrusions of the gripping fingers  13  allow the engaging mechanism  10  to engage in wider security slots  91  without increasing size of the engaging mechanism  10 , thereby reducing size of the engaging mechanism  10 . 
     Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and features of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.