Patent ID: 12227971

EMBODIMENT FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

<Basic Constitution>

As shown inFIGS.1(a) through1(c), the anti-theft connector (security lock)10of the present invention has insertion pieces20,20(a first insertion piece and a second insertion piece) equipped with insertion pawls21,21that can be inserted in security slots90or91formed in a device such as a laptop computer and is engageable with the device. The insertion pieces20,20are pivotally mounted on a pivot axis28, and the insertion pawls21,21(a first insertion pawl and a second insertion pawl) at the respective forward tips are bent in opposite directions. The opening angles of the insertion pieces20,20are adjustable to fit the opening width of the security slot90or91, and are locked and held at a predetermined opening angle.

The opening widths of security slots can be three types 4.5 mm, 6 mm, and 7 mm, as examples. In this regard, the opening widths of 6 mm and 7 mm can be shared by insertion pieces20,20having the same opening angle. The first embodiment provides an anti-theft connector configured to perform a two-stage adjustment for the security slot90with an opening width of 4.5 mm (seeFIG.1(b)and the security slot with opening widths (6 mm and 7 mm)91(seeFIG.1(c)). The opening angles of the insertion pieces20,20includes a first opening angle θ1engageable with the security slot90(FIG.1(b)) having an opening width of 4.5 mm, and a second opening angle θ2engageable with the security slot91(FIG.1(c)) having opening widths of 6.5 mm and 7 mm, wherein θ1is smaller than θ2. Of course, it can also be configured to provide a three-stage adjustment as shown in other examples or to provide an adjustment for other opening widths different from those described above.

As shown inFIG.1, the insertion pieces20,20are provided at the base22,22(one corresponds to the first base and the other to the second base) with an insertion piece biasing means25, such as an annular rubber or spring to force the insertion pawls21,21toward their closing direction. The opening angles of the insertion pieces20,20is adjusted using an angle adjusting means30, as shown inFIG.1. The angle adjusting means30comprises a shaft-shaped angle adjustment piece31at the forward end. For example, the opening angle of the insertion pieces20,20can be adjusted by adjusting the depth that the angle adjustment piece31enters between the bases22,22of the insertion pieces20,20. In particular, when the angle adjustment piece31enters shallowly between the bases22,22, the insertion pieces20,20have a first opening angle θ1, as shown inFIG.1(b). When the angle adjustment piece31enters deeply between the bases22,22, the insertion pieces20,20have a second opening angle θ2larger than the first opening angle θ1, as shown inFIG.1(c).

On the other hand, when the angle adjustment piece31of the angle adjusting means30is removed from the portion between the bases22,22of the insertion pieces20,20, the insertion pawls21,21are closed by the force from the insertion piece biasing means25, as shown inFIG.1(a), to become narrower than the opening width of the security slots90and91, so that the insertion pieces20,20can be inserted into and removed from the security slots90or91.

The first to fourth embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. An explanation will be omitted for reference numbers, names, etc., that are used commonly in the above description and the following embodiments.

FIRST EMBODIMENT

FIGS.2to11shows an anti-theft connector10according to one embodiment of the present invention.FIG.2is a perspective view of the anti-theft connector viewed from an oblique front and shows a state where the insertion pawls21,21are closed, andFIG.3shows a state where the insertion pawls21,21are opened.FIG.4is a perspective view of the anti-theft connector10viewed from an oblique backward.FIG.5is a perspective view of the locking means40and shows an unlocked state.FIG.6is a perspective view of the locking means40and shows a locked state.FIG.7shows a state where a key80or84is inserted into the locking means40.FIGS.8and9are exploded perspective views of the anti-theft connector10.FIG.10illustrates a state where the insertion pawls21,21are locked and held at a first opening angle, andFIG.11illustrates a state where the insertion pawls21,21are locked and held at a second opening angle. The second opening angle is set to be larger than the first opening angle.

In the following description, the direction where the insertion pawls21,21protrudes from a housing70is referred to as the forward end side, and the direction where the locking pin41protrudes from the housing70is referred to as the base end side.

As shown inFIGS.2to7, the anti-theft connector10has the housing70, and a pair of insertion pawls21,21protrudes from a forward end of the housing70. A wire connection portion71is provided on a body portion of the housing70, and a wire member (security wire) is connected to the wire connection portion71. The housing70is covered on the base end side with a rear cover60, and the locking pin41protrudes from the center of the rear cover60. In the illustrated embodiment, as can also be seen inFIGS.8and9, the housing70is cylindrical and closed on the forward end side by the insertion piece holder26(InFIGS.2,3, etc., a plastic cushioning material29is attached to the forward end of the insertion piece holder26.). The insertion piece holder26has an opening27, through which the insertion pawls21,21of the insertion piece20,20protrude. The locking means40is disposed inside the rear cover60on the base end side.

The internal structure of the anti-theft connector10is shown inFIGS.8and9. Inside the cylindrical housing70, a C-shaped ring26A is provided on the forward end side, and the insertion piece holder26is positionable by the C-shaped ring26A. The insertion piece holder26is internally hollow, opened at the base end side, and closed at the forward end side. The insertion piece holder26is formed in its drum portion with a through-hole28a, and a pivot axis28(support portion) for supporting the insertion pieces20,20is attached to the holder.

In the insertion piece holder26, a pair of insertion pieces20,20are pivotally supported by a pivot axis28. As shown inFIGS.10and11, the insertion pieces20,20have insertion pawls21,21extending in opposite directions from each other, and is engageable with the security slot90or91formed in the device. Insertion pieces20,20intersect in the insertion piece holder26and are formed at the intersected position with support holes24,24through which the pivot axis28passes. Insertion pieces20,20are formed on the outer surface of the base22,22with recesses23,23, into which a rubber-like insert piece biasing means25is fitted (see alsoFIG.1). This biasing means acts on the bases22,22toward the direction of approaching each other, i.e., decreasing the opening angle of the insertion pawls21,21.

The housing70has a coil spring interposed therein as a means34for biasing the angle adjusting means30. The biasing means34for biasing the angle adjusting means30has its forward end side in contact with the insertion piece holder26and its base end side in contact with the angle adjusting means30, thus always biasing the angle adjusting means30toward the base end side.

The angle adjusting means30is a member that controls the opening angle of the insertion pieces20,20described above while the locked state is retained. The angle adjusting means30has, for example, a shaft-shaped angle adjustment piece31. As explained in the basic constitution above andFIG.1, the angle adjustment piece31is adapted to adjust the opening angle of the insertion pieces20,20by changing the depth of enter in between the bases22,22.

The opening angle of the insertion pieces20,20can be adjusted to the first opening angle θ1corresponding to the opening width 4.5 mm of the security slot90by shallowly inserting the angle adjustment piece31in between the bases22,22of the insertion pieces20,20, as shown inFIG.10(FIG.1(b)). The opening angle of the insertion pieces20,20can be adjusted to the second opening angle θ2corresponding to the opening width 6 mm or 7 mm of the security slot91by deeply inserting the angle adjustment piece31in between the bases22,22of the insertion pieces20,20, as shown inFIG.11(FIG.1(c)). When the angle adjustment piece31is retracted from the bases22,22of the insertion pieces20,20, the insertion pieces20,20are forced in the closing direction by the insertion piece biasing means25and brought into a closed sate as shown inFIG.2andFIG.1(a).

The angle adjusting means30has a semi-circular rib36on its base face, as shown inFIGS.9to11. The rib36comprises a concave portion36aand a convex portion36b, wherein the convex portion36bis a portion where the rib36is formed and the concave portion36ais a portion wherein the rib36is not formed. The concave portion36aand convex portion36bare in contact with an adjuster member45, which will be described later, to set the locking position of the angle adjusting means30to one of a first position shown inFIG.10(FIG.1(b)) and a second position shown inFIG.11(FIG.1(c)). In the unlocked state, the angle adjusting means30is moved to a third position (FIG.1(a)) that is retracted from the insertion piece20,20.

The adjuster member45is provided on the locking pin41at the base end side of the angle adjusting means30. The locking pin41is slidable in the axial direction and rotatable about a shaft in the housing70. Specifically, the locking pin41is formed with a slide groove43extending in the axial direction into which a slide shaft57of a second rotor55is loosely fitted, whereby the locking pin41is slidable against a second rotor55and also can be rotated with the second rotor55in the housing70.

The locking pin41has two locking grooves44,44at 180 degrees different positions on the periphery thereof. In the position where the angle adjusting means30is pushed into toward the forward end of the housing70by the locking means40, the first rotor's return control shaft52enters into the locking groove44and the locking pin41is locked and held. When the locking pin41is rotated from this state, the return control shaft52is released from the locking groove44and the locking pin41is unlocked. When the locking pin41is unlocked, the locking pin41retracts because the locking pin41is pushed toward the base end side by a locking pin biasing means42such as a coil spring provided at the front tip.

The adjuster member45on the lock pin41may be a shaft member (seeFIGS.10andFIG.11) disposed orthogonally to the axial direction on the forward end side of the locking pin41, and is rotatable and slidable within the housing70, together with the locking pin41. As shown inFIG.10, when the locking pin41is pushed toward the forward end side in the state that the adjuster member45faces the concave portion36aof the angle adjusting means30, the locking position of the angle adjusting means30is moved to the first position shown inFIG.10. When the locking pin41is rotated by 180 degrees together with the second rotor55(explained later), the adjuster member45is moved to a position facing the convex portion36bof the angle adjustment means30. When the locking pin41is pushed in from this state, the angle adjusting means30is locked. This locked position is a second position. When the locking pin41is unlocked from any position by the locking means40, the locking pin41retracts toward the base end side by the locking pin biasing means42.

The sliding and rotating of the locking pin41is controlled by the locking means40, which will be described next.

The locking means40may be a tubular pin tumbler lock, for example. The tubular pin tumbler lock includes a first rotor50positioned at the forward end in the housing70and a second rotor55positioned at the base end. Any known type of the tubular pin tumbler lock can be employed. So, a detailed description of the structure and operation of the tubular pin tumbler lock is omitted. The first rotor50is secured to the rear cover60and the housing70by a fixed pin51, and is not rotatable. The second rotor55is rotatable with respect to the first rotor50in the unlocked state and is not rotatable with respect to the first rotor50in the locked state.

The rotation of the first rotor50and the second rotor55is regulated by cord pins56accommodated in the rotors. The cord pins of the second rotor55are shown inFIGS.10and11, andFIGS.12to14. The second rotor55has a groove58recessed into its base end side. The second rotor55has an engagement groove58recessed in the inner circumference, as shown inFIGS.11to15. In the state where the engagement groove is aligned with any of gap holes61,62formed on the base end surface of a rear cover60, keys80,84can be inserted and removed.

In this embodiment, the gap holes61and62are formed in two positions 180 degrees offset. One gap hole62is marked with signs “1” and “2,” and the other gap hole61is marked with sign “3.” Depending on whether the engagement groove58of the second rotor55faces either of the gap holes61,62, the opening angle of the insertion pawls21,21is set to the first opening angle θ1and the second opening angle θ2. In this embodiment, the first opening angle θ1is set by opposing the engagement groove58to the gap hole61marked with the sign “3,” as shown inFIG.10, and the second opening angle θ2is set by opposing the engagement groove58to the gap holes62marked with the sign “1” and “2,” as shown inFIG.11.

In this embodiment, the keys for locking and unlocking the locking means40may be the adjuster key80for adjusting the opening angle of the insertion piece20,20as shown inFIG.15(a), and the opening/closing key84for performing normal locking and unlocking as shown inFIG.15(b). Both keys80,84are provided with latch pieces81,85that fits into the engagement groove58through the gap hole61or62of the rear cover60aligned with the engagement groove58of the locking means40. The second rotor55can be rotated with respect to the first rotor50by inserting the keys80,84into the second rotor55, adjusting the height of cord pins56with key grooves82formed in the keys80,84, and aligning the height of cord pins56. On the other hand, the keys80,84can be pulled out by aligning the engagement groove58with the gap hole61or62. When the keys80,84are pulled out, the cord pins on the first rotor50side enters the second rotor55and the rotation of the second rotor55is restricted.

In this embodiment, as shown inFIGS.10to14,16and17, the rear cover60has a stepped groove63on a portion of the inner surface facing the second rotor55. The stepped grooves63are formed at two locations. To be specific, the step groove63is located about 90 degrees clockwise from the gap hole61marked with the sign “3” inFIGS.12and13, and is located about 90 degrees clockwise from the gap hole62marked with the sign “1” and “2” inFIG.14. As shown inFIG.16(a), the adjuster key80may be a length that accommodates the latch piece81without protruding from the engagement groove58in the state where the key80is inserted into the second rotor55. This allows the adjuster key80to rotate the second rotor55at least 180 degrees. On the other hand, as shown inFIG.15andFIG.16(b), the latch piece85of the opening/closing key84is formed longer than the latch piece81of the adjuster key80. More specifically, the latch piece85is long enough for the base end to protrude into the stepped groove63. Thus, in the state where the opening/closing key84is inserted into the second rotor55, the latch piece85protrudes from the engagement groove58toward the stepped groove63side, so that the opening/closing key84can rotate within a range of approximately 90 degrees where the stepped groove63is formed, but further rotation is restricted.

When the adjuster key80is inserted into the locking means40as shown inFIG.16(a), the latch piece81is fully accommodated in the engagement groove58of the second rotor55, and the second rotor55can be freely rotated. The adjuster key80can, for example, rotate the second rotor55from the position of the gap hole61marked with sign “3” to the position of the gap hole62marked with signs “1” and “2” in the engagement groove58, or from the position of the gap hole62marked with signs “1” and “2” to the position of the gap hole61marked with sign “3” in the engagement groove58. This allows the adjuster key80to unlock the locking means40, and also to rotate the locking pin41on the adjuster member45by 180 degrees.

On the other hand, the latch piece85protrudes toward the stepped groove63side, as shown inFIG.16(b), so that the opening angle of the opening/closing key84is restricted. Therefore, the opening/closing key84can unlock the locking means40, but cannot rotate the locking pin41by 180 degrees.

The anti-theft connector10of the above-mentioned configuration can be used in the following manner.

When the anti-theft connector10is used in the security slot90with an opening width of 4.5 mm, the adjuster key80shown inFIG.15(a)is inserted into the locking means40to rotate the key80. As shown inFIG.16(a), the latch piece81of the adjuster key80has a length that does not extend from the engagement groove81. Therefore, the adjuster key80allows the second rotor55to rotate freely. Then, as shown inFIG.10, the engagement groove58of the second rotor55is aligned with the gap hole61marked with sign “3” and the adjuster key80is pulled out. The engagement groove58of the second rotor55is then aligned with the gap hole61marked with sign “3.” This causes the locking pin41and the adjuster member45to rotate with the second rotor55, so that the adjuster member45is moved to the position opposite the concave portion36aof the angle adjusting means30as shown inFIG.9.

As shown inFIG.1(a)and other figures, the insertion piece biasing means25holds the insertion pieces20,20in the closed state where the insertion pawls21,21are closed. From this state, the insertion pawls21,21are inserted into the security slot90and the locking pin41is pushed in. This causes the adjuster member45to push the angle adjusting means30, as shown inFIG.10. But as the adjuster member45faces the concave portion36aof the angle adjusting means30, the amount to be pushed in by the adjuster member45is small. Thus, the angle adjustment piece31pushed by the adjuster member45is inserted shallowly in between the basses22,22of the insertion pieces20,20. This causes the insertion pieces20,20to open the first opening angle θ1to the width of the security slot90(seeFIG.1(b)), and the insertion pawls21,21engage with the security slot90. The locking pin41is prevented from retracting because the return control shaft52enters into the locking groove44, thus locking and holding the insertion pawls21,21. Thus, the anti-theft connector10can be connected to the security slot90of the device. The device can be connected to a desk, pillar, etc. via a wire member (not shown) and the anti-theft connector10by connecting the wire member of the anti-theft connector10to the desk, etc., thus preventing the device from theft.

To remove the anti-theft connector10from the security slot90, the opening/closing key84(adjuster key80can also be used) is inserted into the locking means40to turn the second rotor55by approximately 90 degrees, thus releasing the locked state. Consequently, the locking pin41rotates, the return control shaft52disengages from the locking groove44, and the locking pin41is retracted toward the base end side by the locking pin biasing means42. Due to the retraction of the locking pin41, the angle adjusting means30is moved to the base end side by the means34for biasing the angle adjusting means30, and the angle adjusting piece31is removed from the portion between the bases22,22of the insertion pieces20,20. Since the insertion pieces20,20are urged in the closing direction by the insertion piece biasing means25, the angle adjustment piece31is removed, so that the insertion pieces20,20are closed (see alsoFIG.1(a)), and can be removed from the security slot90.

When the anti-theft connector10is used in the security slot91with an opening width of 6 mm or 7 mm, the opening angle of the insertion pawls21,21is required to set to the second opening angle θ2. In this case, the adjuster key80is inserted into the locking means40to turn the key80, and the engagement groove58of the second rotor55is aligned with the gap hole62marked with signs “1” and “2,” so that the locking pin41and the adjuster member45rotates with the second rotor55, and the adjuster member45moves to the position opposite the convex portion36bof the angle adjusting means30as shown inFIG.11.

As shown inFIG.1and other figures, the insertion piece biasing means25holds the insertion pieces20,20in the closed state where the insertion pawls21,21are closed. From this state, the insertion pawls21,21are inserted into the security slot91and the locking pin41is pushed in. This causes the adjuster member45to push the angle adjusting means30, as shown inFIG.11. But as the adjuster member45faces the convex portion36bof the angle adjusting means30, the amount to be pushed in by the adjuster member45is larger than the amount in the case where the adjuster member45faces the concave portion36aas mentioned above. Thus, the angle adjustment piece31pushed by the adjuster member45is inserted deeply in between the basses22,22of the insertion pieces20,20. This causes the insertion pieces20,20to open to the second opening angle θ2to the width of the security slot91(see alsoFIG.1(c)), and the insertion pawls21,21engage with the security slot91. The locking pin41is prevented from retracting because the return control shaft52enters into the locking groove44, thus locking and holding the insertion pawls21,21. The anti-theft connector10can be connected to the security slot91of the device, thus preventing the device from theft.

To remove the anti-theft connector10from the security slot91, the opening/closing key84(adjuster key80can also be used) is inserted into the locking means40to turn the second rotor55by approximately 90 degrees, thus releasing the locked state. Consequently, the locking pin41retracts, and the insertion pieces20,20are closed (seeFIG.1(a)), as described above. Then, the insertion pieces20,20can be removed from the security slot91.

According to the invention, the user can use the adjuster key80in adjusting the opening angle of the insertion pieces20,20to the opening width of the security slot. Therefore, there is no need to prepare a plurality of anti-theft connectors to the opening width of the security slot. Once the opening angle is adjusted by the adjuster key80, the opening/closing key84cannot be used for the purpose other than to unlock it. Thus, if the user unfamiliar with the use of the anti-theft connector10can be given only the opening/closing key84, the anti-theft connector is prevented from being used at an opening angle that does not match the opening width.

In the above embodiment, the locking means40is a tubular pin tumbler lock, but it may be a cylinder lock, a dial lock or the like. The locking pin41and the adjuster member45may be positioned by a wire member, padlock, etc.

The housing70is not limited to a cylindrical shape, but may also be a rectangular shape, etc.

SECOND EMBODIMENT

In the first embodiment, an adjuster member45is provided on the locking pin41, and is adapted to adjust the opening angle of the insertion pieces20,20by changing the direction of the adjuster member45to change the insertion depth of the angle adjustment piece31. In the second embodiment, as shown inFIGS.17to21, the adjuster member45is threaded onto the angle adjusting means30, allowing the adjuster member45to rotate with respect to the angle adjusting means30.

In the second embodiment of the anti-theft connector10, the length of the angle adjustment piece30and the adjuster member45can be adjusted by changing the relative position of the angle adjusting means30to the adjuster member45, thus making the insertion depth of the angle adjustment piece31adjustable when the locking pin41is pushed in.

The angle adjusting means30, as shown inFIGS.17and18, comprises a shaft-like angle adjustment piece31, and guides32,32protruding from the angle adjustment piece31and slidably fitted into guide grooves72(seeFIG.17) in the housing70, so that the angle adjustment piece31is movable in parallel to the axial direction within the housing70.

The angle adjustment piece31is formed at the base end thereof with a female thread that is engageable with the adjuster member45having a male thread formed at the forward end of the locking pin41. The locking pin41is a bottomed hollow cylinder shape and is internally provided with a locking pin biasing means42at the base end side. The locking pin biasing means42has a forward end in contact with the slide shaft57of the second rotor55and is always biasing the locking pin41toward the base end side.

As in the first embodiment, the adjuster key80is fitted into the locking means40, and turned a predetermined number of times, whereby the locking pin41rotates together with the adjuster member45, and the relative position of the threaded angle adjustment piece31can be adjusted.

FIGS.17and19show the state where the angle adjustment means30is the nearest to the adjuster member45and is in the shortest length.FIG.17shows the unlocked state andFIG.19shows the locked state. In this case, the length of the adjuster member45and the angle adjusting means30is short. Hence, when the locking pin41is pushed in, as shown inFIG.19, the angle adjustment piece31is shallowly inserted into between the bases22,22of the insertion pieces20,20. The opening angle of the insertion pieces20,20in this state is referred to as a first opening angle θ1.

On the other hand, the adjuster key80can be operated to turn the second rotor55a predetermined number of times, as shown inFIGS.20and21, and to change the position of the angle adjustment piece31with respect to the adjuster member45. This allows the angle adjustment piece31to change the depth inserted between the bases22and22in the state where the locking pin41is pushed in. Thus, the opening angle of the insert pieces20,20can be adjusted to a second opening angle θ2(FIG.20) for the security slot with an opening width of 6 mm, or to an opening angle θ2′ (FIG.21) for the security slot with an opening width of 7 mm.

The opening angle is not limited to the above, but can of course be adjusted to different opening angles.

THIRD EMBODIMENT

As mentioned above, the anti-theft connector of the second embodiment comprises a female thread in the angle adjusting means30, and a male thread in the adjuster member45, which are threadedly connected. In the third embodiment, the adjuster member45of the first embodiment wherein it protrudes from the locking pin is employed. As shown inFIGS.22to27, a helical cut33is formed in the angle adjusting means30, whereby the relative length of the angle adjusting means30and the locking pin41can be adjusted. This relative length can be adjusted by rotating the adjuster member45with respect to the helical cutout33of the angle adjusting means30. Therefore, this third embodiment is included in the embodiment wherein the angle adjusting means30and the adjuster member45are threaded, as in the second embodiment.

The angle adjustment means30is provided on its forward end thereof with an angle adjustment piece31extending therefrom and is formed on its base end side with a helical cutout33, as shown inFIGS.22,23, andFIG.24of an enlarged view. The adjuster member45is fitted in the cutout33.

When the second rotor55is rotated by the adjuster key80, the locking pin41rotates, and the adjuster member45also rotates together, as in the second embodiment. At this time, the adjuster member45moves within the angle adjusting means30while rotating helically within the cutout33formed in the angle adjusting means30. As in the second embodiment, this allows the opening angle of the insert pieces20,20to θ1, θ2, or θ2′, as shown inFIGS.25to27.

FOURTH EMBODIMENT

In all of the above embodiments, the opening angle of the insertion pieces20,20is adjusted in advance by the adjuster key80, and then the locking pin41is pushed in to lock the opening angle of the insertion pieces20,20. In the fourth embodiment, the user can directly, without using the locking pin41, adjust the pressing a mount of the angle adjusting means30to the opening width of the security slot, as shown inFIGS.28to33.

According to the anti-theft connector10in this embodiment, a housing70is formed by joining a pair of housing halves73,74. The housing halves73,74are formed on their forward end sides with openings27,27for protruding the insertion pawls21,21, and are reduced in width on the base end side. Both sides of the reduced base end is opened, and part of the angle adjusting means30is exposed from the side portion.

Inside the housing70, the insertion pieces20,20are forced in the closed direction by the insertion piece biasing means25made of a coil spring. The angle adjusting means30is disposed at the base end side of the housing70, and is movable from the base end side to the forward end side.

The angle adjusting means30is provided at its forward end with an angle adjustment piece31and at both sides of the base end side with a grip portion37to be operated by the user. A positioning hole38is formed between the grip portions37and37. The positioning holes38in the angle adjusting means30can be opposed to a plurality of locking holes75a,75b, and75cformed in the housing70. So, the angle adjusting means30can be locked to the housing70by bringing the positioning hole38into alignment with any of the locking holes75a,75b, or75c, and then passing a padlock or wire member through the aligned positioning holes38and the locking holes75a,75b, or75c.

The opening positions of the locking holes75a,75b, and75care formed in the position where they face the positioning hole38in such a state wherein the angle adjusting means30is pushed in from the unlocked position shown inFIG.30to the forward end side and the opening angles of the insertion pieces20,20became the first opening angle θ1and the second opening angles θ2and θ2′ shown inFIGS.31to33. In more particular, when the positioning hole38is located facing the locking hole75aon the base side, as shown inFIG.31, the opening angle of the insertion pieces20,20is adjusted to θ1. When facing the locking hole75b, as shown inFIG.32, the opening angle is adjusted to θ2. And when facing the locking hole75c, as shown inFIG.33, the opening angle is adjusted to θ2′.

The angle adjusting means30also has a positioning member39between the grip portions37and37, as shown inFIG.29, etc. The positioning member39may be an outwardly shaped click plate spring, and is fitted in the positioning recesses76,76a,76b, and76cformed in the inner surface of the housing halves73,74such that the angle adjusting means30can be temporarily positioned. When the angle adjusting means30is in the unlocked position (FIG.30) and in the positions shown inFIGS.31to33above, the positioning member39fits into the positioning recesses76,76a,76b, and76cto lock the angle adjusting means30softly.

In operation, the user fits the insertion pieces20,20into the security slot from the unlocked position shown inFIG.30, and pushes the grip portion37toward the forward end side. This allows the angle adjustment piece31to enter in between the bases22,22of the insertion pieces20,20and adjust the opening angle of the insertion pieces20,20. When the user further pushes the angle adjusting means30to the desired opening angle, the positioning hole38is brought into alignment with any of the locking holes75a,75bor75c, depending on the opening width of the security slot, as shown inFIGS.31to33. At this time, as the positioning member39fits into the positioning recesses76a,76b, or76c, the position of the angle adjusting means30does not shift even if the user takes his/her hand off the grip portion37.

After this, by passing a padlock, dial lock or wire member through the aligned positioning holes38and the locking holes75a,75bor75c, the angle adjusting means30is locked to the housing70, resulting in that the anti-theft connector10is coupled to the security slot. The padlock, etc. can be connected to the wire member, and the other end of the wire member can be connected to a desk or a pillar.

The above embodiments are intended to illustrate the invention and should not be interpreted as limiting or reducing the scope of the invention described in the claims. Also, the configuration of each part of the invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and of course, various variations can be made within the technical scope of the claims.

For example, the numerical values, dimensions, numbers, angles, shapes, etc. shown in the above embodiments and drawings are examples, and the present invention is not limited to them. For example, the number of gap holes61,62formed in the rear cover60, the angle to be formed, or the assigned sign “1,” etc. are also examples.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10Anti-theft connector20Insertion piece21Insertion pawl22Base portion30Angle adjusting means31Angle adjustment piece40Locking means41Locking pin55Second rotor70Housing80Adjuster key84Opening/Closing key