Security apparatus having a removable lock tip

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12024929-B2
Application number	US-202117531020-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 19, 2021
Priority date	Nov 23, 2020
Publication date	Jul 2, 2024
Grant date	Jul 2, 2024

Abstract

A security apparatus includes a lock body, an actuator assembly supported by the lock body, the actuator assembly having an engagement feature configured to rotate between a first position and a second position. The security apparatus further includes a lock tip removably coupled to the lock body. The lock tip is movable by the actuator assembly between a locked position, in which the lock tip is secured to the portable electronic device, and an unlocked position, in which the lock tip is unsecured from the portable electronic device. Rotating the engagement feature from the second position to the first position locks the lock tip to the lock body and concurrently locks the lock tip to the portable electronic device. Rotating the engagement feature from the first position to the second position unlocks the lock tip from the lock body and concurrently unlocks the lock tip from the portable electronic device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A security apparatus for a portable electronic device, the security apparatus comprising:
a lock body;
an actuator assembly supported by the lock body, the actuator assembly having an engagement feature configured to rotate between a first position and a second position; and
a lock tip removably coupled to the lock body, the lock tip configured to selectively engage the portable electronic device, wherein the lock tip is movable by the actuator assembly between a locked position, in which the lock tip is secured to the portable electronic device, and an unlocked position, in which the lock tip is unsecured from the portable electronic device;
wherein rotating the engagement feature from the second position to the first position locks the lock tip to the lock body and concurrently locks the lock tip to the portable electronic device, and
wherein rotating the engagement feature from the first position to the second position unlocks the lock tip from the lock body and concurrently unlocks the lock tip from the portable electronic device,
wherein the lock tip includes a pocket, and wherein the engagement feature of the actuator assembly rotates into the pocket to lock the lock tip to the lock body in the first position and rotates out of the pocket to unlock the lock tip from the lock body in the second position.

2. The security apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism coupled to the actuator assembly, wherein the actuator assembly is configured to rotate the engagement feature in response to actuation of the locking mechanism.

3. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the lock tip is positioned within a lock tip chamber defined by the lock body when the lock tip is coupled to the lock body.

4. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the lock tip comprises a first finger, a second finger, and a paddle positioned between the first and second fingers.

5. The security apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the engagement feature includes an obround engagement feature that selectively engages a recess of the lock tip to transmit rotation of the engagement feature into rotation of the paddle.

6. The security apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising a locking mechanism coupled to the actuator assembly, wherein the engagement feature is configured to rotate in response to actuation of the locking mechanism, and wherein, when the lock tip is coupled to the lock body, actuation of the locking mechanism results in rotation of the paddle.

7. The security apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a retainer separate from the actuator assembly and configured to move between a holding position and a release position, wherein, in the holding position, the retainer holds the lock tip relative to the lock body, and wherein in the release position, the retainer permits the lock tip to be removed from the lock body.

8. The security apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the lock tip is positioned within a lock tip chamber defined by the lock body when the lock tip is coupled to the lock body, and wherein the retainer has a cutout such that in the release position, the retainer does not block the lock tip chamber, and in the holding position, the retainer blocks a portion of the lock tip chamber.

9. The security apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the retainer is accessible when the lock tip is in the unlocked position and in the locked position.

10. A security apparatus for a portable electronic device, the security apparatus comprising:
a lock body;
an actuator assembly supported by the lock body, the actuator assembly configured to move between a first position and a second position;
a lock tip removably coupled to the lock body, the lock tip configured to selectively engage the portable electronic device, wherein the lock tip is movable by the actuator assembly between a locked position, in which the lock tip is secured to the portable electronic device, and an unlocked position, in which the lock tip is unsecured from the portable electronic device; and
a retainer coupled to the lock body and separate from the actuator assembly, the retainer configured to move between a holding position in which the retainer holds the lock tip relative to the lock body, and a release position, in which the retainer permits the lock tip to be removed from the lock body,
wherein the retainer is accessible when the lock tip is in the unlocked position and in the locked position.

11. The security apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the lock tip is positioned within a lock tip chamber defined by the lock body when the lock tip is coupled to the lock body, and wherein, in the release position, the retainer does not block the lock tip chamber, and in the holding position, the retainer blocks a portion of the lock tip chamber.

12. The security apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the retainer is rotatable relative to the lock body between the holding position and the release position.

13. The security apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the retainer includes a slot engageable by a user to facilitate rotation of the retainer relative to the lock body.

14. The security apparatus of claim 10 , wherein, when the retainer is in the release position and the actuator assembly is in the second position, the lock tip is removable from the lock body, wherein, when the retainer is in the holding position, the lock tip is not removable from the lock body regardless of the position of the actuator assembly, and wherein, when the actuator assembly is in the first position, the lock tip is not removable from the lock body regardless of the position of the retainer.

15. The security apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the lock tip comprises a first finger, a second finger, and a paddle positioned between the first and second fingers.

16. The security apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising a locking mechanism coupled to the actuator assembly, wherein an engagement feature of the actuator assembly is configured to rotate in response to actuation of the locking mechanism, and wherein, when the lock tip is coupled to the actuator assembly, rotation of the engagement feature results in rotation of the paddle.

17. The security apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the lock tip includes a pocket, and wherein an engagement feature of the actuator assembly rotates into the pocket to lock the lock tip to the lock body in the first position and rotates out of the pocket to unlock the lock tip from the lock body in the second position.

18. The security apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the lock tip is selectively positioned within a lock tip chamber defined by the lock body, and wherein, in the holding position, the retainer prohibits insertion or removal of the lock tip into the lock tip chamber.

19. A security apparatus for a portable electronic device, the security apparatus comprising:
a lock body;
an actuator assembly supported by the lock body, the actuator assembly configured to move between a first position and a second position;
a lock tip removably coupled to the lock body, the lock tip configured to selectively engage the portable electronic device, wherein the lock tip is movable by the actuator assembly between a locked position, in which the lock tip is secured to the portable electronic device, and an unlocked position, in which the lock tip is unsecured from the portable electronic device; and
a retainer coupled to the lock body and separate from the actuator assembly, the retainer configured to move between a holding position in which the retainer holds the lock tip relative to

Assignees

• Acco Brands Corp

Inventors

• De Meulenaere William
• Otsuka Michael
• Klinkman Alex
• Kao James

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

• E05B37/02

  with tumbler discs or rings arranged on a single axis, each disc being adjustable independently of the others · CPC title

• E05B63/0056

  Locks with adjustable or exchangeable lock parts (adjustable strikers E05B15/024; adjustable to different keys E05B35/083; adjustable bolt or backset E05B63/06; adjustable coupling means for bars, rods, cables E05C9/20) · CPC title

• E05B49/00

  Electric permutation locks; Circuits therefor {; Mechanical aspects of electronic locks; Mechanical keys therefor (arrangements for sensing or reading record carriers G06K7/00; mechanisms including electronic locks actuated by nonmechanical keys such as passive and active electrical keys and other data carriers G07C9/00, G07F7/00; electronic switching H03K17/00)} · CPC title

• E05B63/143

  Arrangement of several locks, e.g. in parallel or series, on one or more wings · CPC title