Security anchor for portable electronic device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12077992-B2
Application number	US-202117491657-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 1, 2021
Priority date	Dec 1, 2020
Publication date	Sep 3, 2024
Grant date	Sep 3, 2024

Abstract

A security anchor for a portable electronic device having an opening includes a body configured to be engaged by a lock head of a lock, a first engagement element extending from the body and configured to be inserted into the opening of the portable electronic device, a second engagement element extending from the body and configured to be inserted into the opening of the portable electronic device, and a plunger positioned between the first engagement element and the second engagement element. The plunger is linearly slidable and subsequently rotated relative to the body to expand apart the first and second engagement elements.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A security anchor for a portable electronic device having an opening, the security anchor comprising:
a body configured to be engaged by a lock head of a lock;
a first engagement element extending from the body and configured to be inserted into the opening of the portable electronic device;
a second engagement element extending from the body and configured to be inserted into the opening of the portable electronic device; and
a plunger positioned between the first engagement element and the second engagement element, the plunger being linearly slidable and subsequently rotated relative to the body to expand apart the first and second engagement elements.

2. The security anchor of claim 1 , wherein the body includes a cap, a ring, and an annular recess positioned between the cap and the ring.

3. The security anchor of claim 1 , wherein the first engagement element and the second engagement element are pivotable relative to the body.

4. The security anchor of claim 1 , wherein the body includes a pin, and wherein the plunger defines a track that receives the pin to guide movement of the plunger relative to the body.

5. The security anchor of claim 4 , wherein the plunger includes a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the track extends axially from the first end portion toward the second end portion, and wherein the track extends circumferentially at the second end portion.

6. The security anchor of claim 5 , wherein the plunger includes a head configured to be engaged by a user to move the plunger relative to the body at the second end portion.

7. The security anchor of claim 4 , wherein the track is L-shaped.

8. The security anchor of claim 1 , wherein the plunger includes a head configured to be engaged by a user to move the plunger relative to the body.

9. The security anchor of claim 8 , wherein the head defines a groove configured to be engaged by a tool to rotate the plunger.

10. The security anchor of claim 8 , wherein the head is a disc having an outer diameter sized similar to an outer diameter of the body.

11. The security anchor of claim 1 , wherein the plunger is rotatable approximately 90°.

12. A security apparatus comprising:
the security anchor of claim 1 ; and
the lock head selectively coupled to the body of the security anchor.

13. The security apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising a cable coupled to the lock head and configured to engage an immovable object.

14. A security anchor for a portable electronic device having an opening, the security anchor comprising:
a body configured to be engaged by a lock head of a lock;
a first engagement element extending from the body and configured to be inserted into the opening of the portable electronic device;
a second engagement element extending from the body and configured to be inserted into the opening of the portable electronic device; and
a plunger coupled to the body and movable between a first position, in which the first and second engagements are movable toward each other, a second position, in which the plunger is moved to spread apart the first and second engagement elements, and a third position, in which the plunger is moved to inhibit movement of the plunger back to the first position.

15. The security anchor of claim 14 , wherein the plunger is linearly slid between the first position and the second position.

16. The security anchor of claim 14 , wherein the plunger is rotated between the second position and the third position.

17. The security anchor of claim 14 , wherein the plunger includes a head configured to be engaged by a user to move the plunger between the first position, the second position, and the third position.

18. The security anchor of claim 14 , wherein a first end portion of the plunger has a frustoconical shape and includes a first wing and a second wing, the first and second wings located on diametrically opposite sides of the frustoconical shape to spread apart the first and second engagement elements in the second position.

19. A security apparatus comprising:
the security anchor of claim 14 ; and
the lock head selectively coupled to the body of the security anchor.

20. The security apparatus of claim 19 , further comprising a cable coupled to the lock head and configured to engage an immovable object.

Assignees

• Acco Brands Corp

Inventors

• Kao James
• De Meulenaere William
• Otsuka Michael D
• Tse Wilson S

Classifications

• E05B73/0005 Primary

  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

• E05B73/0082 Primary

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