Security apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10031558-B2
Application number	US-201815874445-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 18, 2018
Priority date	Oct 23, 2006
Publication date	Jul 24, 2018
Grant date	Jul 24, 2018

Abstract

A security apparatus for a portable electronic device includes a locking head having a base and an engagement element extending from the base and adapted to be inserted into an aperture of the portable electronic device. The engagement element includes a wedge-shaped engagement portion configured to engage part of the portable electronic device when inserted into the aperture. The locking head also has a stabilizing element extending from the base and slidable along a side of the engagement element into the aperture of the portable electronic device, thereby inhibiting the engagement element from being removed from the aperture. The security apparatus further includes a security device attached to the locking head and configured to engage the immovable object.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A security apparatus for a portable electronic device, the security apparatus comprising:
a locking head including
a base,
an engagement element extending from the base and adapted to be inserted into an aperture of the portable electronic device, the engagement element including a wedge-shaped engagement portion configured to engage part of the portable electronic device when inserted into the aperture, and
a stabilizing element extending from the base and slidable along a side of the engagement element into the aperture of the portable electronic device, thereby inhibiting the engagement element from being removed from the aperture; and

a security device attached to the locking head.

2. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the wedge-shaped engagement portion is at least partially defined by a sloped surface that is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the engagement element.

3. The security apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the sloped surface is formed on a first side of the engagement element, and wherein the stabilizing element moves along a second side of the engagement element.

4. The security apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the sloped surface is configured to engage an opposing sloped surface in the portable electronic device.

5. The security apparatus of claim 4 , wherein pulling the security apparatus away from the portable electronic device causes a force to be applied to the engagement element in a radial direction as well as in an axial direction.

6. The security apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the security apparatus is configured to withstand a pull force of more than 300 pounds.

7. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the engagement element includes a linear portion between the base and the wedge-shaped engagement portion.

8. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing element is movable relative to the engagement element between an unlocked configuration, in which the engagement element is insertable into and removable from the aperture, and a locked configuration, in which the wedge-shaped engagement portion engages the part of the portable electronic device while the stabilizing element fills a remaining space in the aperture.

9. The security apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a lock mechanism coupled to the stabilizing element that is actuatable to slide the stabilizing element relative to the engagement element.

10. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the security device includes a cable.

11. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the aperture is defined by a lock interface member, and wherein the wedge-shaped engagement portion is configured to engage a protrusion of the lock interface member.

12. The security apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the lock interface member is an attachment attached to a housing of the portable electronic device.

13. The security apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the lock interface member is integrally formed in a housing of the portable electronic device.

14. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the aperture is a blind aperture.

15. A security apparatus for a portable electronic device, the security apparatus comprising:
a locking head including
a base,
an engagement element extending from the base and adapted to be inserted into an aperture of the portable electronic device, the engagement element including a wedge-shaped engagement portion configured to engage part of the portable electronic device when inserted into the aperture, and
a stabilizing element extending from the base and movable relative to the engagement element between an unlocked configuration, in which the engagement element is insertable into and removable from the aperture, and a locked configuration, in which the wedge-shaped engagement portion engages the part of the portable electronic device while the stabilizing element fills a remaining space in the aperture; and

a security device attached to the locking head.

16. The security apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the wedge-shaped engagement portion is at least partially defined by a sloped surface that is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the engagement element.

17. The security apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the sloped surface is configured to engage an opposing sloped surface in the portable electronic device.

18. The security apparatus of claim 17 , wherein pulling the security apparatus away from the portable electronic device causes a force to be applied to the engagement element in a radial direction as well as in an axial direction.

19. The security apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the stabilizing element moves along a side of the engagement element between the unlocked and locked configurations.

20. The security apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising a lock mechanism coupled to the stabilizing element that is actuatable to move the stabilizing element relative to the engagement element.

21. A security apparatus for a portable electronic device, the security apparatus comprising:
a locking head including
a base,
an engagement element extending from the base and adapted to be inserted into an aperture of the portable electronic device, the engagement element including an engagement portion having a sloped surface that is configured to engage an opposing sloped surface in the portable electronic device when the engagement portion is inserted into the aperture, and
a stabilizing element extending from the base and movable along a side of the engagement element into the aperture of the portable electronic device, thereby inhibiting the engagement element from being removed from the aperture; and

a security device attached to the locking head.

22. The security apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the sloped surface is formed on a first side of the engagement element, and wherein the stabilizing element moves along a second side of the engagement element.

23. The security apparatus of claim 21 , further comprising a lock mechanism coupled to the stabilizing element that is actuatable to move the stabilizing element relative to the engagement element.

24. A locking head of a security apparatus for a portable electronic, the locking head comprising:
a base;
an engagement element extending from the base and adapted to be inserted into an aperture of the portable electronic device, the engagement element including a wedge-shaped engagement portion at least partially defined by a sloped surface that is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the engagement element, the sloped surface configured to engage an opposing sloped surface in the portable electronic device when the wedge-shaped engagement portion is inserted into the aperture; and
a stabilizing element extending from the base and movable between an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration, wherein in the locked configuration the sloped surface of the wedge-shaped engagement portion engages the opposing sloped surface in the portable electronic device and the stabilizing element fills a remaining space in the aperture, preventing removal of the engagement element from the aperture.

25. The locking head of claim 24 , further comprising a lock mechanism coupled to the stabilizing element that is actuatable to move the stabilizing element relative to the engagement element.

Assignees

• Acco Brands Corp

Inventors

• Hung John
• White Ryan
• Andres Guillermo
• Dobson David Thomas
• Gagne Jacque

Classifications

• G06F1/1656 Primary

  Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories (mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203) · CPC title

• E05B73/0082

  for office machines, e.g. PC's, portable computers, typewriters, calculators · CPC title

• Y10T70/8973

  Mounting aids, guides and assistors · CPC title

• Y10T70/5009

  For portable articles · CPC title

• G06F1/16

  Constructional details or arrangements · CPC title