Security apparatus for portable electronic device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11187014-B2
Application number	US-201916513983-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 17, 2019
Priority date	Feb 25, 2016
Publication date	Nov 30, 2021
Grant date	Nov 30, 2021

Abstract

A security apparatus for a portable electronic device having an aperture 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. The cam member has a slot. The security apparatus also includes an engagement mechanism having 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 and has a cam follower positioned within the slot of the cam member. As the cam member is rotated by the lock cylinder, the plunger pushes the first finger and the second finger apart from each other to engage the portable electronic device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A security apparatus for a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device having an aperture, the security apparatus comprising:
a lock mechanism including a lock cylinder and a cam member, the lock cylinder configured to be rotated by a key, the cam member coupled to the lock cylinder for rotation with the lock cylinder, the cam member having a slot; and
an engagement mechanism including a first finger, a second finger, and a plunger, the first finger and the second finger configured to be inserted into the aperture of the portable electronic device, the plunger positioned between the first finger and the second finger and having a cam follower positioned within the slot of the cam member,
wherein as the cam member is rotated by the lock cylinder, the plunger pushes the first finger and the second finger apart from each other to engage the portable electronic device,
wherein the lock cylinder defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein the cam member is rotatable about the longitudinal axis, and
wherein the plunger moves along the longitudinal axis as the cam member is rotated by the lock cylinder.

2. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first finger and the second finger pivot apart from each other.

3. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plunger moves from a retracted position relative to the first and second fingers to an extended position relative to the first and second fingers as the cam member is rotated.

4. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the slot of the cam member is obliquely angled relative to the longitudinal axis.

5. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the slot includes a first end, a second end, and a detent formed at the first end, and wherein the cam follower is received in the detent when the plunger pushes the first finger and the second finger apart from each other.

6. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the slot is a first slot and the cam follower is a first cam follower, wherein the cam member has a second slot spaced apart from the first slot, and wherein the plunger includes a second cam follower positioned within the second slot of the cam member.

7. The security apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a cylindrical body, wherein the lock cylinder and the cam member are positioned within the cylindrical body; and
a cable secured to the cylindrical body, wherein the cable is configured to engage an immovable object.

8. The security apparatus of claim 7 , further comprising a cable mount supported by the cylindrical body and positioned between the lock mechanism and the engagement mechanism, wherein the cable mount includes a boss extending radially from the cylindrical body, and wherein an end of the cable is secured to the boss.

9. A system comprising:
a portable electronic device having a housing, a processor positioned within the housing, a screen supported by the housing, and an aperture formed in the housing; and
the security apparatus of claim 1 .

10. A security apparatus for a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device having an aperture, the security apparatus comprising:
a lock mechanism including a lock cylinder, the lock cylinder configured to be rotated by a key; and
an engagement mechanism including
a first finger having a first enlarged distal end, a first stem extending from the first enlarged distal end, and a first boss at an end of the first finger opposite from the first enlarged distal end, the first finger rotatable about a first axis located at the first boss,
a second finger having a second enlarged distal end, a second stem extending from the second enlarged distal end, and a second boss at an end of the second finger opposite from the second enlarged distal end, the second finger rotatable about a second axis located at the second boss, the second axis spaced apart from the first axis, and
a plunger, the first enlarged distal end and the second enlarged distal end configured to be inserted into the aperture of the portable electronic device, the engagement mechanism movable between a first position, in which the plunger is retracted toward the lock cylinder and the first and second fingers disengage the portable electronic device, and a second position, in which the plunger is extended away from the lock cylinder and the first and second fingers engage the portable electronic device.

11. The security apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the first and second fingers move apart from each other when the engagement mechanism moves from the first position to the second position.

12. The security apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the first and second fingers pivot apart from each other when the engagement mechanism moves from the first position to the second position.

13. The security apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the lock cylinder defines a longitudinal axis, wherein the lock cylinder includes a cam member, wherein the cam member is coupled to the lock cylinder for rotation with the lock cylinder, and wherein the cam member is rotatable about the longitudinal axis.

14. The security apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the plunger moves along the longitudinal axis when the engagement mechanism moves between the first and second positions.

15. The security apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the cam member has a slot, wherein the plunger has a cam follower positioned within the slot of the cam member so that rotation of the cam member moves the plunger relative to the first and second fingers, and wherein the slot of the cam member is obliquely angled relative to the longitudinal axis.

16. The security apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the slot includes a first end, a second end, and a detent formed at the first end, and wherein the cam follower is received in the detent when the engagement mechanism is in the second position.

17. The security apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising:
a cylindrical body, wherein the lock cylinder is positioned within the cylindrical body; and
a cable secured to the cylindrical body, wherein the cable is configured to engage an immovable object.

18. The security apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising a cable mount supported by the cylindrical body and positioned between the lock mechanism and the engagement mechanism, wherein the cable mount includes a boss extending radially from the cylindrical body, and wherein an end of the cable is secured to the boss.

19. A security apparatus for a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device having an aperture, the aperture having a first ledge and a second ledge, the security apparatus comprising:
a lock mechanism including a lock cylinder, the lock cylinder configured to be rotated by a key; and
an engagement mechanism including a first finger having a first engagement surface, a second finger having a second engagement surface, and a plunger, the first engagement surface extending outward and away from the second finger, the second engagement surface extending outward and away from the first finger, the first finger and the second finger rotatable about a shared axis, the first finger and the second finger configured to be inserted into the aperture of the portable electronic device, the engagement mechanism movable between a first position, in which the plunger is retracted toward the lock cylinder and the first and second fingers disengage the first ledge and the second ledge of the portable electronic device, and a second position, in which the plunger is extended away from the lock cylinder and the fi

Assignees

• Acco Brands Corp

Inventors

• Kao James
• Klinkman Alex J
• Teresi Joseph A
• Tse Wilson
• Otsuka Mike
• De Meulenaere William

Classifications

• E05B73/0005

  using chains, cables or the like (chain- or cable-locks of the padlock type E05B67/003; lockable clothing hangers or hanger racks E05B69/006) · CPC title

• G06F1/1656

  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

• G06F1/1616

  with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position · CPC title

• E05B73/0082 Primary

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

• E05B73/00 Primary

  Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices {(motorcycle helmets A42B3/0413; supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening helmets B62J11/24; gun racks A47B81/005; showcases with theft protection A47F3/002; anti-theft means for peg-boards, grids or rods for hanging merchandise A47F5/0861; show stands, hangers, shelves with provision against unauthorised removal A47F7/024; for self-service hand-carts A47F10/04; locking skis A63C11/004; locking bolts, nuts or pins F16B41/00)} · CPC title