Patent Publication Number: US-2023160236-A1

Title: Security apparatus for portable electronic device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/281,311, filed Nov. 19, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to security apparatuses for portable electronic devices, such as laptop computers, tablet computers, smartphones, and other mobile devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, the invention provides a security apparatus for a portable electronic device having an aperture. The security apparatus includes a lock mechanism having a lock cylinder and a cam member. The lock cylinder is configured to be rotated by a key. The cam member is coupled to the lock cylinder for rotation with the lock cylinder between an engaged position and a disengaged position. An engagement mechanism includes a first finger, a second finger, and a plunger. The first finger and the second finger are configured to be inserted into the aperture of the portable electronic device. The plunger is positioned between the first finger and the second finger. A user input member separate from the lock mechanism and coupled to the plunger is selectively actuatable from a first position to a second position to move the plunger relative to the first and second fingers. When the cam member is in the engaged position, the user input member is precluded from moving from the first position to the second position. When the cam member is in the disengaged position, the user input member is capable of moving from the first position to the second position. 
     In another embodiment, the invention provides a security apparatus for a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device having an aperture. The security apparatus includes a lock mechanism including a lock cylinder and a blocking member. The lock cylinder is configured to be rotated by a key. The blocking member is coupled to the lock cylinder for rotation with the lock cylinder. The security apparatus further includes an engagement mechanism configured to be inserted into the aperture of the portable electronic device, the engagement mechanism movable between a first position, in which the engagement mechanism is configured to be secured to the portable electronic device, and a second position, in which the engagement mechanism is configured to be released from the portable electronic device. The security apparatus further includes a user input member separate from the lock mechanism configured to move the engagement member from the first position to the second position independently of movement of the blocking member by the lock cylinder. 
     Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a system including a portable electronic device and a security apparatus embodying the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of a portion of the portable electronic device, the portable electronic device having an aperture. 
         FIG.  3    is a front view of the portion of the portable electronic device shown in  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view of the portion of the portable electronic device taken along section line  4 - 4  of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  5    is a cross-sectional view of the portion of the portable electronic device taken along section line  5 - 5  of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of the security apparatus shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  7    is a further perspective view of the security apparatus of  FIG.  6   . 
         FIG.  8    is a bottom view of the security apparatus of  FIG.  6    with portions of a body removed to show internal components of the security apparatus. 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of an engagement mechanism of the security apparatus of  FIG.  6   . 
         FIG.  10    is a cross-sectional side view of the engagement mechanism and a lock mechanism of  FIG.  6    with portions of the body removed. 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view of the lock mechanism of the security apparatus of  FIG.  6   . 
         FIG.  12    is a front view of the lock mechanism in a disengaged position. 
         FIG.  13    is front view of the lock mechanism in an engaged position. 
         FIG.  14    is a side view of the lock mechanism in the disengaged position, positioned relative to a plunger of the engagement mechanism. 
         FIG.  15    is a side view of the lock mechanism in the engaged position, positioned relative to the plunger. 
         FIG.  16    is a further perspective view of the security apparatus of  FIG.  6    with the engagement mechanism in a first position and the lock mechanism in the engaged position. 
         FIG.  17    is a perspective view of the security apparatus of  FIG.  6    with the lock mechanism in the disengaged position. 
         FIG.  18    is a perspective view of the security apparatus of  FIG.  6    with the lock mechanism in the engaged position. 
         FIG.  19    is a perspective view of the security apparatus of  FIG.  6    with the lock mechanism in the disengaged position. 
         FIG.  20    is a perspective view of the security apparatus of  FIG.  6    with the engagement mechanism in a second position and the lock mechanism in the disengaged position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a system  10  including a portable electronic device  14  and a security apparatus  18 . In the illustrated embodiment, the portable electronic device  14  is a laptop computer, but may alternatively be a tablet computer, a smartphone, an eReader, an MP3 player, and the like. The illustrated portable electronic device  14  includes a housing  22 , a processor  26  positioned within the housing  22 , and a screen  30  supported by the housing  22 . In some embodiments, the screen  30  may be a touchscreen. In other embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment, the portable electronic device  14  may also or alternatively include other input mechanisms, such as a keyboard, keypad, or touchpad. The security apparatus  18  is connected to the portable electronic device  14  and includes a cable  34  to secure the portable electronic device  14  to an immovable object  38 , such as a table, a chair, a bracket, a wall, and the like. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  2 - 5   , the portable electronic device  14  has an aperture  42 , or slot, formed in the housing  22 . The aperture  42  is defined by an upper wall  43 , a lower wall  44 , two opposing sidewalls  45 , and a rear wall  46 . The upper and lower walls  43 ,  44  are generally parallel to each other. The upper wall  43  has a first section  43 A near the outer surface of the housing  22 , and a second section  43 B inward of the first section  43 A. Similarly, the lower wall  44  has a first section  44 A near the outer surface of the housing  22 , and a second section  44 B inward of the first section  44 A. The second sections  43 B,  44 B may be slightly offset relative to the first sections  43 A,  44 A. As shown in  FIG.  4   , the sidewalls  45  are generally parallel to each other and perpendicular to the upper and lower walls  43 ,  44 . Each sidewall  45  has a first section  45 A near the outer surface of the housing  22 , and a second section  45 B inward of the first section  45 A. The second sections  45 B are outwardly offset from the first sections  45 A such that a shoulder or ledge  45 C is formed between the first and second sections  45 A,  45 B. The rear wall  46  extends between and connects the upper wall  43 , the lower wall  44 , and the sidewalls  45 . The rear wall  46  may also close the back of the aperture  42  to separate the aperture  42  from the internal components of the device  14 . 
     By way of example, the aperture  42  can have an external width W 1  (measured between the first sections  44 A of the sidewalls  44 ) of about 6 mm. The aperture  42  can also have an external height H 1  (measured between the upper and lower walls  43 A,  43 B) of about 2.5 mm. In addition, the aperture  42  can have an internal width W 2  (measured between the second sections  44 B of the sidewalls  44 ) of at least 9 mm. Further, the aperture  42  can have an internal depth D (measured from the outer surface of the housing  22  to the rear wall  46 ) of at least 7 mm. The internal depth D is defined by a wall thickness T (i.e., the length of the first sections  43 A,  44 A,  45 A) and a clearance depth C (i.e., the length of the second sections  43 B,  44 B,  45 B). In some embodiments, the wall thickness T may be 3.5 mm±0.25 mm. Additionally, the clearance depth C may be at least 3.5 mm. The aperture  42  can also have an internal height H 2  (measured between the second sections  43 B,  44 B of the upper and lower walls  43 ,  44 ) of at least 2.65 mm. In other embodiments, the aperture  42  can have other dimensions. The aperture  42  is configured to receive an engagement mechanism of a security apparatus, such as one of the security apparatuses described below. 
       FIGS.  6 - 11    illustrate one example of the security apparatus  18 . The security apparatus  18  includes a body  48 , a lock mechanism  50 , and an engagement mechanism  54 . The body  48  is made of a relatively hard material, such as metal, and houses other components of the security apparatus  18 . The body  48  is generally rectangular, though in other embodiments, the body  48  can have other, non-rectangular shapes. 
     The body  48  includes a first body portion  48 A that generally houses the lock mechanism  50 , second and third body portions  48 B,  48 C that generally house the engagement mechanism  54 , and a fourth body portion  48 D that couples to a cable mount  134 . The first, second, and fourth body portions  48 A,  48 B,  48 D are fastened to one another with non-removable fasteners. The third body portion  48 C is rotatable relative to the second body portion  48 B such that the engagement mechanism  54  is rotatable relative to the first, second, and fourth body portions  48 A,  48 B,  48 D. This rotational relationship between the third body portion  48 C and the remainder of the body  48  allows the engagement mechanism  54  to interact with the aperture  42  of the portable electronic device  14  when the first, second, and fourth body portions  48 A,  48 B,  48 D are collectively rotated to multiple different orientations. As shown in  FIG.  10   , the third body portion  48 C includes a tubular portion  58  that extends around the plunger  106  such that the third body portion  48 C is rotatable about the plunger  106 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  6  and  7   , the security apparatus  18  also includes a cable mount  134  supported by the body  48 . The illustrated cable mount  134  is attached to the body  48  at a lengthwise position between the lock mechanism  50  and the engagement mechanism  54 . The cable mount  134  includes a boss  138  rotatably coupled to the body  48 . The cable mount  134  is configured to securely receive an end of the flexible cable  34  ( FIG.  1   ), which can be wrapped around an immovable object  38  ( FIG.  1   ) to secure the security apparatus  18  (and, thereby, the portable electronic device  14 ) to the immovable object  38 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  7  and  11 - 15   , the illustrated lock mechanism  50  includes a lock cylinder  62  and a cam member  66 . The lock cylinder  62  and the cam member  66  are positioned within the body  48 . As shown in  FIG.  10   , the lock cylinder  62  is arranged parallel to the engagement mechanism  54  along parallel first and second longitudinal axes  70 A,  70 B of the security apparatus  18 . In the illustrated embodiment, the lock cylinder  62  is rotatable by, for example, a key  74  ( FIGS.  16 - 17   ) between an engaged position and a disengaged position. 
     The cam member  66  is coupled to the lock cylinder  62  for rotation with the lock cylinder  62  about the first longitudinal axis  70 A. As shown in detail in  FIGS.  10  and  11   , the cam member  66  includes a stem  78  that extends into the lock cylinder  62 , and a cam body  82  positioned forward of the lock cylinder  62  for selectively engaging the engagement mechanism  54 . The cam body  82  has a central portion  84  that is generally circular in cross section, and additionally includes a radial lug  86  extending radially outward from the central portion  84  and a longitudinal protrusion  90  extending longitudinally outward from the central portion  84  toward the engagement mechanism  54 . The radial lug  86  selectively engages first and second rotational stops  94 A,  94 B that are coupled to the lock mechanism  50 . When the lock mechanism  50  is in the disengaged position, as shown in  FIG.  12   , the radial lug  86  is positioned against the first rotational stop  94 A. When the lock mechanism is rotated from the disengaged position to the engaged position, as shown in  FIG.  13   , the radial lug  86  is positioned against the second rotational stop  94 B. 
     The longitudinal protrusion or blocking member  90 , which extends in the longitudinal direction (parallel to the axis  70 A) from the central portion  84 , is radially offset from the central portion  84  such that a distal end  98  of the protrusion  90  (furthest away from the central portion  84 ) covers approximately a single quadrant of the central portion  84 . By rotating between the disengaged position and the engaged position, as shown in  FIGS.  12  and  13    respectively, the distal end  98  of the protrusion  90  rotates into different, non-overlapping positions. As described in greater detail below, in the disengaged position, the protrusion  90  is misaligned from the plunger  106  and, in the engaged position, the protrusion  90  is aligned with the plunger  106 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  9  and  10   , the illustrated engagement mechanism  54  includes two fingers  102  and a plunger  106 . The fingers  102  are movable (e.g., pivotable) between an unlocked or retracted position and a locked or expanded position. When the fingers  102  are in the unlocked position, the engagement mechanism  54  is insertable into and removable from the aperture  42  in the portable electronic device  14  ( FIGS.  1 - 5   ). When the fingers  102  are in the locked position, the engagement mechanism  54  engages the housing  22  of the portable electronic device  14  to secure the security apparatus  18  to the device  14 . Each finger  102  includes an enlarged distal end  110  and a relatively narrower stem  114 . The enlarged distal ends  110  facilitate engaging (e.g., contacting or “grabbing”) the housing  22  of the portable electronic device  14  so that the security apparatus  18  cannot be pulled out of the aperture  42 . Particularly, the enlarged distal ends  110  engage the ledges  45 C of the sidewalls  45  ( FIG.  4   ) formed by the aperture  42 . The relatively narrower stems  114  create a recessed area  130  between the fingers  102  for receiving the plunger  106 . Each finger  102  also includes a boss  116  at an end of the stem  114  opposite from the enlarged distal end  110 . The bosses  116  define spaced apart pivot axes for the fingers  102 . The third body portion  48 C coupled to the body  48  retains the fingers  102  and the plunger  106  in connection with the lock mechanism  50  and the body  48 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS.  9  and  10   , the plunger  106  is positioned between the fingers  102  to selectively move the fingers  102  from the unlocked position to the locked position. The plunger  106  is movable (e.g., slidable) along the longitudinal axis  70 B of the engagement mechanism  54  to selectively actuate the fingers  102 . The illustrated plunger  106  includes a cylindrical rod  142  that extends between the fingers  102 , a base  146 , and a user input member  150  coupled to the base  146 . A first longitudinal end of the cylindrical rod  142  presses against the fingers  102  to push the fingers  102  outward. A second longitudinal end of the cylindrical rod  142  (opposite the first longitudinal end) is coupled to (e.g., fastened to, formed integrally with) the base  146 . The base  146  is a generally rectangular prism having a larger cross-section than the circular cross-section of the cylindrical rod  142 . As shown in  FIG.  10   , a rear surface  154  of the base  146  includes a cutout  158  for receiving a biasing member (e.g., a spring such as a compression spring). The biasing member  162  extends between the base  146  and the lock cylinder  62  and biases the plunger  106  forward into engagement with the fingers  102 . In some embodiments, the biasing member  162  may be omitted such that the plunger  106  is not biased to any position. 
     In other embodiments, the engagement mechanism  54  may have other configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the engagement mechanism  54  may only include one finger and a plunger. In such embodiments, the plunger may act as the second finger that engages the housing  22  of the portable electronic device  14  when in the extended position. In other embodiments, the plunger  106  may be, for example, paddle-shaped. In such embodiments, the plunger  106  may rotate between the fingers  102  (rather than linearly slide) to push the fingers  102  apart from the unlocked position to the locked position. In still other embodiments, the engagement mechanism  54  may include a scissor-style mechanism without a plunger. In such embodiments, ends of the fingers  102  may be selectively engaged to pivot the fingers  102  toward and away from each other. 
     The user input member  150  is coupled to the base  146 . As shown in  FIGS.  8  and  9   , the user input member includes a slider  166  and a stem  170 . The slider  166  extends through the body  48  and is engageable by a user. The stem  170  is coupled to the slider  166  and extends into the base  146  to couple the slider  166  to the base  146 . In some embodiments, a fastener  174  retains the stem  170  within the base  146 . With the user input member  150  secured to the base  146  and the base  146  secured to the cylindrical rod  142 , movement of the user input member  150  results in similar movement of the cylindrical rod  142  relative to the fingers  102 . The biasing member  162  biases the user input member  150  to a first position, and the user input member  150  is movable (e.g., slidable) against the bias of the biasing member  162  to a second position. The user input member  150  is separate from the lock mechanism  50  and lock cylinder  62  and is operable independent from operation of the lock mechanism  50  and lock cylinder  62 . In other embodiments, motion of the user input member  150  may be different from the sliding motion of the slider  166 . In some embodiments, the user input member is operable via a rotational input or a depression (e.g., of a button or rocker). 
     As shown in  FIG.  9   , in the first position (i.e., when the fingers  102  are in the locked position), the cylindrical rod  142  of the plunger  106  extends outward between the fingers  102  to prevent the fingers  102  from moving inward toward one another. The plunger  106  is moved to the second position by sliding the user input member  150  against the spring bias of the biasing member  162  to the second position. In the second position (i.e., when the fingers  102  are in the unlocked position), the first distal end of the cylindrical rod  142  is received within the recessed area  130  formed between the fingers  102 . The fingers  102  are moved (or movable; e.g., pivoted) toward each other so that the enlarged distal ends  110  contact each other. In some embodiments, the engagement mechanism  54  may include a spring element, such as an elastomeric ring (not shown) that may be positioned within the recesses  118  shown in  FIG.  9   , to help move or bias the fingers  102  toward each other when the plunger  106  is in the second position. In this position, the engagement mechanism  54  can be inserted into or removed from the aperture  42  of the portable electronic device  14 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  12 - 15   , when the cam member  66  is rotated (e.g., by rotating the lock cylinder  62  with the key  74 ) from the disengaged position ( FIGS.  12  and  14   ) to the engaged position ( FIGS.  13  and  15   ), the protrusion  90  is rotated into a blocking position that prohibits movement of the plunger  106  from the first position to the second position. As shown in  FIG.  14   , in the disengaged position, the protrusion  90  is misaligned from the base  146  such that the plunger  106  can be moved rearward against the bias of the biasing member  162 , avoiding contact with the protrusion  90 , to the second position in which the fingers  102  disengage the aperture  42  in the electronic device  14 . As shown in  FIG.  15   , in the engaged position, the protrusion  90  is aligned with the base  146 . As such, attempting to move the plunger  106  rearwards against the spring bias towards the second position instead pushes the rear surface  154  of the base  146  into engagement and abutment with the distal end  98  of the protrusion  90 . This contact precludes the plunger  106  from moving to the second position. Therefore, when the cam member  66  is in the engaged position, the user input member  150  is precluded from moving from the first position to the second position. Additionally, when the cam member  66  is in the disengaged position, the user input member  150  is capable of moving from the first position to the second position. 
     In addition to illustrating the key  74  engaging the lock cylinder  62 ,  FIGS.  16 - 20    illustrate additional views of the security apparatus  18 . In  FIG.  16   , the key  74  is in a first position corresponding to the protrusion  90  being in the engaged position. In  FIG.  17   , the key  74  is in a second position, rotated, for example, 90 degrees relative to the first position of the key  74  and the protrusion  90  is in the disengaged position.  FIGS.  18 - 19    show the engaged and disengaged positions of the plunger  90 . In both such positions, the input member  150  is configured to rest in the first position without user input and is biased to the first position.  FIG.  20    illustrates the input member  150  repositioned (e.g., moved, slid, etc.) to the second position, movement that is permitted with the protrusion  90  rotated out of axial alignment with the plunger  106 . This movement is precluded by the axial alignment of the protrusion  90  and plunger  106  when the cam member  66  is in the engaged position. 
     In operation, to secure the security apparatus  18  to the portable electronic device  14 , the user engages the slider  166  to slide the input member  150  and plunger  106  from the first position, against the bias of the biasing member  162 , to the second position. If motion of the input member  150  is precluded (or blocked) by the protrusion  90  of the cam member  66 , the user precedes this step by inserting the key  74  into the lock cylinder  62  and rotating the key  74  to move the protrusion  90  from the engaged position to the disengaged position. In the second position, the plunger  106  is moved out of engagement with the fingers  102 , and the fingers  102  are configured to (or biased to) move inward towards one another to fit within the aperture  14  in the electronic device  14 . The user positions the fingers  102  within the aperture  14  and releases the slider  166 . The biasing member  162  returns the plunger  106  and input member  150  to the first position, thereby expanding the fingers  102 . In embodiments where the biasing member  162  is omitted, the user engages the slider  166  to slide the input member  150  and plunger  106  back to the first position to expand the fingers  102 . In this position, the security apparatus  18  is coupled to the portable electronic device  14 , but is not secured, as a user can slide the input member  150  to uncouple the security apparatus  18  from the portable electronic device  14 . With the fingers  102  inserted into the aperture  42  and the plunger  106  returned to the first position, the user rotates the key  74  within the lock cylinder  62  to rotate the cam member  66  (and specifically the protrusion  90  of the cam member  66 ) into the engaged position. In the engaged position, the protrusion  90  precludes movement of the user input member  150  from the first position to the second position, thereby precluding movement of the plunger  106  out of engagement with the fingers  102 . Rotating the cam member  66  into the engaged position thereby secures the security apparatus  18  to the portable electronic device  14 . 
     In operation, to remove the security apparatus  18  from the portable electronic device  14 , the user inserts the key  74  into the lock cylinder  62  and rotates the lock cylinder  62  and cam member  66  from the engaged position to the disengaged position. In the disengaged position, the security apparatus  18  is still coupled to the portable electronic device  14  as movement of the cam member  66  does not move the plunger  106  relative to the first and second fingers  102 . By sliding the slider  166  rearward against the bias of the biasing member  162 , the plunger  106  is moved from the first position to the second position, thereby allowing the fingers  102  to move towards one another into a position that can be removed from the aperture  42 . 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.