Abstract:
A security device to secure a computer may include a substantially vertical pedestal, a fixed platform mounted on the pedestal, a clamping table to cooperate with the fixed platform to secure the computer and a locking assembly to allow the clamping table to be moved to allow the computer to be attached and released from the fixed platform in an unlocked state and to prevent the clamping table from being moved to hold the computer in a locked state, The locking assembly may include a locking knob to operate the locking assembly between the locked state and the unlocked state, and the locking knob may rotate freely in the locked state and rotates to allow the clamping table to be moved in the unlocked state.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present invention claims priority under 35 USC section 119 based upon provisional application Ser. No. 61/268,966 filed on Jun. 18, 2009. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to security devices and more particularly to security devices for preventing or deterring theft of electronic devices such as portable computers of the laptop or notebook type. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Computers such as laptop and notebook computers, because of their size and portability, are subject to theft. One particular situation in which theft often occurs is in commercial applications where portable computers are left unattended for a brief period of time. These types of computers are widely used by delivery personnel such as operators of freight vans, postal trucks, power, utility companies and their trucks and others, who, in the course of their routes, will find it necessary to leave their vehicles equipped with a computer unattended for a brief period of time in order to deliver or pick up parcels and packages. It is relatively easy for a thief to enter or break into a vehicle during the brief period the driver is away from the vehicle and remove a computer. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, many thefts of this type can be avoided by employing a simple, visible security device which requires time and effort to overcome and, accordingly, will deter thieves. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Briefly, the present invention provides a computer security device for portable computers which is securable to a structure and is particularly adaptable for use in mobile application such as in postal, delivery and other mobile vans. The device may be securable to a structure such as a post or pedestal mounted in the vehicle which is secured to the vehicle frame at a location convenient to the vehicle driver. The terms “computer” or “portable computer” as used herein, refer to laptop computers, notebook computers as well as other types of portable electronic device. 
         [0006]    The security device of the present invention has a fixed platform having a planar top surface on which the computer is positioned. The planar surface may be cushioned and is provided with apertures or openings for ventilation. The platform is generally rectilinear and one or more adjustable retainers are provided along the sides of the fixed platform. The retainers are both vertically and horizontally adjustable to accommodate various styles and sizes of computers. The retainers are secured in place by proprietary fasteners which require the use of a special driver. 
         [0007]    A clamping plate is transversely slidable relative to the fixed platform and also has adjustable retainers. The clamping plate is slidable relative to the fixed platform to accommodate varying sizes of computers. In the locked position, the clamping plate is adjusted so that the retainers on the plate engage the opposite sides of the computer. The clamping plate has a sliding tube that extends into a tubular guide tube on the underside of the fixed platform. The clamping plate is guided by slides extending into appropriate slots on the underside of the fixed platform. 
         [0008]    Once the clamping plate has been adjusted and positioned in a clamping position against the computer, the clamping plate is locked in place by a locking assembly having a locking knob. The locking knob has a keylock cylinder which when placed in a locked position allows the locking knob to freely turn on a threaded shaft extending through the sliding tube. Thus, the sliding tube cannot be rotated to an unlocked position. In the locked position, cooperating wedge surfaces on the threaded shaft and slicing tube engage the internal bore in the guide tube preventing movement of the clamping plate. To unlock or release the clamping plate, the keylock is actuated which will cause the knob to become engaged with the threaded rod through a detent permitting the knob to turn the threaded rod to disengage the wedge surfaces unlocking the clamping plate. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The above and other advantages and objects of the present invention will become more apparent when taken in conjunction with the following description, claims and drawings in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the computer security device of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the locking knob and key of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view taken along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 5 and 5A  are detail views of the star locking wheel component of the lock assembly; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the locking knob taken along line  606  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the fixed platform; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of showing the device in an open position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view showing the fixed mounting plate and the clamping plate in a closed position; and 
           [0019]      FIGS. 10 and 11  are cross-sectional views taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 6  showing the locking knob in a locked position in  FIG. 9  and an unlocked position in  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    The present invention provides security features for computers including laptop cradles that is easy to use and does not limit productivity. The present invention easily integrates into an existing system. The present invention provides peace of mind in the knowledge that the computer will not be disturbed even under the most adverse conditions. The use of a key locking knob and slim restraining arms provides easy operation and a high degree of security. 
         [0021]    Turning now to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the security device of the present invention is generally denoted by the reference number  10 . The device  10  has a fixed platform  12  and an adjustable clamping table or plate  14 . The fixed platform  12  is preferably rectangular having opposite front and rear walls  16  and  18 , sidewall  20  and a generally planar top surface  22 . The top surface  22  may be provided with strips of resilient cushioning material  24  extending along the opposite sides  16  and  18 . One or more apertures or vent holes  25  may be provided for airflow. A bracket  26  which cooperates with the underside of the platform is secured to a structure such as a pedestal P secured to the vehicle. The bracket  26  is angularly adjustable at knob  27 . 
         [0022]    The fixed platform  12  may be fabricated from any suitable material and is preferably fabricated using a lightweight metal or is molded from a suitable, sturdy plastic such as ABS or similar sturdy, rigid thermoplastic. Sidewalls  20  and  54  of the clamping plate each carry a pair of spaced-apart retainer assemblies  30  and  32 , which are similarly constructed. As best seen in  FIG. 1 , each of the retainers  30  and  32  has a generally U-shaped base channel  34  which has a projection or flange  36  extending beneath the edge of its respective sidewall. The retainers  30 ,  32 , are horizontally adjustable with respect to a slot  35  in the associated wall. A clamping member  40 , also having a generally U-shape, is vertically slidable relative to the base channel  34 . The clamping member has an inwardly extending projection  42  which will engage a surface of the computer. A computer C is represented in dotted lines and may be any of various types and models of smaller, portable computer such as notebook and laptop computers. The retainers  30 ,  32  are vertically and horizontally adjusted to accommodate various computers. The retainers  30 ,  32  each are secured by a fastener  46  having a proprietary head  48  which requires a special driver tool to be loosened to deter tampering. 
         [0023]    Adjustability is achieved by loosening the single fastener  46  associated with each clamping member. When the fastener  46  with a proprietary head is loosened, the vertically sliding clamping member  40  can be adjusted relative to the fastener  56  and to the base channel  34 . Similarly, the entire assembly including the clamping member  40  and the base channel  34  can be moved horizontally in the associated slot  35  in the sidewall. When the desired position is reached with the projection  42  on the end of the clamping member  40  engaging a surface of the computer, the proprietary fastener can be secured. The proprietary fastener  46  has a threaded body which engages a generally oval nut (not shown) on the opposite surface of the sidewalls. The oval nut has a projection  52  which extends into the slots  35  so that the nut cannot be rotated to loosen the retainers  30 ,  32 . 
         [0024]    The opposite front and rear walls  16 ,  18  are each provided with bores  60  in which a stop members  62  may be secured using a fastener, preferably having a proprietary head. The stops  62  associated with the front and rear walls  16 ,  18  of the fixed table extend above the surface of the table and will engage the front and rear of the portable computer to prevent it from being slid from beneath the retainers  30  and  32 . 
         [0025]    In the normal use position, the cover of the portable computer is open and the computer is positioned as shown in dotted lines in  FIG. 1 . The clamps or retainers  30 ,  32  associated with the opposite sidewalls of the device will engage the opposite sides of the computer. The stops  62  associated with the front and rear walls of the platform will engage or about the front and rear surfaces of the computer so that the computer is fully engaged and retained so that it cannot be quickly removed without effort or the use of special tools. As mentioned above, the effort and time and special tools that may be involved in order to remove the computer from the security device of the present invention will provide substantial deterrent to theft since in most instances a would-be thief has only several minutes of opportunity in which to remove the computer. 
         [0026]    As seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the clamping plate  14  has a pair or oppositely disposed slide member  70 . The slide members  70  are received in channels  75  extending along the underside of the fixed platform  14 . In the closed position, the slidable clamping table  14  abuts the fixed platform as best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 8 . The sliding clamping plate allows for transverse adjustment to accommodate various widths or portable computers. 
         [0027]    Adjustment for accommodating computers having various lengths is generally not required as the platform is sized to accommodate most computers and electronic devices of this type and further the stops  62  on the front and rear walls will prevent the computer from being slidably removed from the security device. Normally the portable computer is positioned on the security device with the cover open, as seen in  FIG. 1 . The cover may be closed, but the inwardly extending projections on the claims  30 ,  32  on the sidewalls will be positioned between the cover and the body of the computer to prevent the computer from being moved forwardly. Adjustability is achieved by positioning the clamping plate  14  to bring the retainers  30 ,  32  into engagement with the opposite side of the computer. The clamping plate  14  is transversely slidable relative to the fixed platform and sliding movement is accommodated by the slides  70  on the opposite side of the clamping table which extend into channels beneath the platform. When the clamping table or section is in the desired position, it can be locked by a locking mechanism to retain further movement. 
         [0028]    As best seen in  FIGS. 7 ,  8 , and  9 , the locking mechanism  100  includes an outer guide tube  102  which extends transversely and is secured to the underside of the platform  14 . The outer tube may be an integrally molded component of the platform or may be secured at the outer end of the tube and by a suitable fastener  106 . The guide tube  102  is fixed and receives an inner slidable tube  110 . The slidable tube  110  extends outwardly from the sidewall  54  on the clamping plate  14 . A bracket plate  112  is welded or otherwise secured to the sliding tube  110  inward of its end and the tubes assembly of components  110 ,  112  are secured to the sidewall  54  of the clamping section by proprietary fasteners  120  which extends through the sidewall  54  of the clamping plate and through threaded bores in plate  122 . 
         [0029]    Within the inner sliding tube is an elongate threaded rod  125  which is slidable relative to the inner tube  110 . The inner end  128  of the sliding tube  110  has an angled wedge surface  130 . The inner end of the threaded rod has a complementary angular wedge surface  134 . 
         [0030]    The outer end of the threaded rod carries a locking knob assembly  150 . The locking knob assembly is best shown in  FIGS. 2 to 6  and  9  and  10  includes an inner hub  152  having a central bore which receives an insert  156 . The inner surface of the hub also defines a circular bore  158  which will receive a section of a cylinder lock  175  as will be explained. The insert  156  has a centrally threaded section  160  which is in threaded engagement with the end of the threaded shaft  125 . The insert carries a flange  162  which has a star wheel periphery defined by a plurality of arcuate sections  166 , as best seen in  FIGS. 5 ,  9 , and  10 . It will be noted that when one of the arcuate section  166  is aligned with the bore  158 , the arcuate sections and bore are positioned so that the bore is fully accessible, as seen in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
         [0031]    The knob  170  of the locking assembly is secured to the hub by a plurality of fasteners at  172  extending from the rear of the hub. The knob has an exterior surface with a series of ribs  174  to facilitate manual rotation of the knob assembly. A bore extends through the knob and receives a cylinder lock  175 . The cylinder lock is rotatable by means of a key  176 . The inner end of the cylinder lock has a projection  180  which is semi-circular and configured to be received within the bore  158  in the hub. A spring-loaded detent ball  182  projects from the curved outer surface of the detent projection. 
         [0032]    In the unlocked position, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the cylinder lock detent projection  180  extends into the bore  158  of the hub and the arcuate sections  166  of insert  156  engage the projection  180  on the cylinder lock. In this position, rotation of the knob  170  will rotate the insert relative to the threaded knob. As the knob  170  is rotated in a direction to tighten the knob, a locking action will be initiated by the wedge surfaces  130 ,  134  causing the end  128  to tightly engage the inner surface of tube  102 . This will secure the table in the position in which it has been placed to properly secure a computer. 
         [0033]    If the key is inserted into the cylinder lock and the cylinder rotated placing the semi-circular projection  180  in the position shown in  FIG. 10 , in which the detent projection  180  is positioned, disengaged from one of the arcuate sections  166  on the insert, the knob will rotate freely about the threaded shaft preventing unlocking of the clamping table. Thus, the lock assembly is unique in that in the locking knob is disengaged from the threaded rod and can rotate freely when locked and only when the locking assembly is in the unlocked position can the knob be rotated to allow the clamping table to be moved relative to the fixed table, the cylinder is rotated by means of a key to a position so that the cylinder barrel projection and is engagement with one of the arcuate sections in the periphery of the insert which will permit the knob to rotate the insert several turns of rotation to unlock the locking tube mechanism. 
         [0034]    It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to make various changes, alterations and modifications to the invention described herein. To the extent such changes, alterations and modifications do not depart from the spirit and scope of the appended claims, they are intended to the encompassed therein.