Security device for data component

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10185844-B2
Application number	US-201515521777-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 19, 2015
Priority date	Jan 19, 2015
Publication date	Jan 22, 2019
Grant date	Jan 22, 2019

Abstract

A security device for preventing the use of a data sending/receiving component having a connector and positioned in a computer housing includes a locking member. The locking member has a sidewall defining an interior space. A plurality of tabs extends from the sidewall towards an end of the locking member. The tabs are deflectable relative to the sidewall. The tabs of the locking member have a deflected condition in which the tabs extend a first angle from the sidewall to allow for movement of the locking member into the data sending/receiving component in a first direction and an installed condition in which the tabs extend a second angle greater than the first angle to prevent removal of the locking member from the data sending/receiving component. The locking member is incapable of returning to the deflected condition once in the installed condition by accessing the end of the locking member.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A security device comprising:
a locking member to be installed within a port for a data sending/receiving component of a computer to prevent use of the port, wherein the port is a universal serial bus (USB) port,
wherein the locking member comprises:
a sidewall defining an interior space to extend within a housing of the computer; and
a plurality of tabs extending from the sidewall towards an end of the locking member and being deflectable relative to the sidewall, wherein the plurality of tabs deflect in a manner sufficient to place free ends of the plurality of tabs in a position behind a plurality of tabs on the USB port to prevent access to the USB port,

the locking member having a deflected condition in which the tabs extend at a first angle relative to the sidewall to allow for movement of the locking member into the data sending/receiving component in a first direction, and an installed condition in which the tabs extend at a second angle greater than the first angle to prevent removal of the locking member from the data sending/receiving component,
the locking member being incapable of returning to the deflected condition once in the installed condition by accessing the end of the locking member from outside of the housing of the computer.

2. The security device of claim 1 , wherein the application of force to the locking member in a second direction opposite the first direction while the locking member is in the installed condition is insufficient to return the locking member to the deflected position.

3. The security device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tabs comprises a pair of tabs positioned on opposite sides of a centerline of the locking member.

4. The security device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tabs experience less stress in the installed condition than in the deflected condition.

5. The security device of claim 1 , wherein the locking member is incapable of removal from outside the housing of the computer.

6. The security device of claim 1 further comprising an end wall closing the interior space at the end of the locking member.

7. The security device of claim 6 , wherein the end wall is free of openings.

8. The security device of claim 6 , wherein the end wall includes an outer surface extending substantially coplanar with the computer housing when the locking member is in the installed condition.

9. The security device of claim 1 further comprising an opening associated with each tab, each tab of the locking member having a first end secured to the sidewall and a second end that is pivotable about the first end into the opening.

10. The security device of claim 9 , wherein the tabs of the locking member are trapezoidal.

11. A security device comprising:
a locking member to be installed within a port for a data sending/receiving component of a computer to prevent use of the port, wherein the port is a universal serial bus (USB) port,
wherein the locking member comprises:
an interior space defined by a sidewall that is to extend within a housing of the computer;
a plurality of resilient tabs extending from the sidewall and being deflectable relative to the sidewall, wherein the plurality of resilient tabs deflect in a manner sufficient to place free ends of the plurality of resilient tabs in a position behind a plurality of tabs on the USB port to prevent access to the USB port; and
an end wall closing the interior space at an end of the locking member,

the locking member having a deflected condition in which the tabs extend at a first angle relative to the sidewall to allow for movement of the locking member into the data sending/receiving component in a first direction and an installed condition in which the tabs extend at a second angle greater than the first angle to prevent removal of the locking member from the data sending/receiving component from outside of the housing of the computer,
the locking member being removable from the data sending/receiving component once in the installed condition by accessing a second end of the locking member opposite the first end.

12. The security device of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of resilient tabs comprises a pair of tabs positioned on opposite sides of a centerline of the locking member.

13. The security device of claim 11 , wherein the end wall includes an outer surface extending substantially coplanar with the computer housing when the locking member is in the installed condition.

14. The security device of claim 11 , wherein the end wall is free of openings.

15. The security device of claim 11 , wherein the tabs experience less stress in the installed condition than in the deflected condition.

16. The security device of claim 11 , wherein the locking member is incapable of being removed from outside the housing of the computer.

Assignees

• Hewlett Packard Development Co

Inventors

• Flynn Tom
• Graham Christoph

Classifications

• G06F21/85 Primary

  interconnection devices, e.g. bus-connected or in-line devices · CPC title

• H01R13/443

  Dummy plugs · CPC title

• H01R2107/00

  Four or more poles · CPC title

• H01R13/6271

  Latching means integral with the housing (H01R13/6276, H01R13/6277, H01R13/6278 take precedence) · CPC title

• G06F21/86 Primary

  Secure or tamper-resistant housings · CPC title