Security apparatus for portable electronic device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12116808-B2
Application number	US-202318142932-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 3, 2023
Priority date	Feb 25, 2016
Publication date	Oct 15, 2024
Grant date	Oct 15, 2024

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 housing;
an engagement mechanism configured to secure the security apparatus to the portable electronic device in a locked position and configured to disengage the security apparatus from the portable electronic device in an unlocked position, the engagement mechanism including a first finger and a second finger that are coupled to the housing and rotatable about a shared axis, wherein the first finger has a first engagement surface configured to extend into the aperture to engage the portable electronic device and a proximal end opposite to the first engagement surface, wherein the second finger has a second engagement surface configured to extend into the aperture to engage the portable electronic device and a proximal end opposite to the second engagement surface;
a locking mechanism arranged in the housing and including a follower configured to move into engagement with the proximal end of the first finger and the proximal end of the second finger to move the engagement mechanism from the unlocked position to the locked position, wherein the follower engages the proximal end of the first finger and the proximal end of the second finger in the locked position, the follower terminating at a location between the shared axis and the proximal ends of the first and second fingers in the locked position;
a cylindrical sleeve positioned within the housing, wherein the first and second fingers are positioned at least partially within the cylindrical sleeve, wherein the cylindrical sleeve extends between a first axial end and a second axial end, and wherein each of the first axial end and the second axial end of the cylindrical sleeve are positioned within and surrounded radially by the housing; and
a pin extending radially through the cylindrical sleeve, the first finger, and the second finger, wherein the pin defines the shared axis.

2. The lock as claimed in claim 1 , wherein, in the locked position, the follower engages the first and second fingers such that the distance between the first and second engagement surfaces is increased relative to the unlocked position.

3. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein, in the unlocked position, the follower is disengaged from the first and second fingers.

4. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing defines a circular aperture, wherein the first and second fingers extend through the circular aperture such that the first and second engagement surfaces are positioned outside of the housing, the shared axis is positioned within the housing, and the proximal ends of the first and second fingers are positioned within the housing.

5. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism selectively prohibits the engagement mechanism from transitioning from the locked position to the unlocked position.

6. The security apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a cable mount coupled to the housing and configured to receive a flexible cable for securing the security apparatus to an immovable object.

7. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the first finger extends from the first engagement surface to the proximal end of the first finger, and wherein the follower engages a surface of the proximal end of the first finger that extends substantially longitudinally.

8. The security apparatus of claim 7 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the second finger extends from the second engagement surface to the proximal end of the second finger, and wherein the follower engages a surface of the proximal end of the second finger that extends substantially longitudinally.

9. The security apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the follower includes a first wing that engages the surface of the proximal end of the first finger that extends substantially longitudinally and a second wing that engages the surface of the proximal end of the second finger that extends substantially longitudinally.

10. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the follower extends within the cylindrical sleeve to engage the proximal end of the first finger and the proximal end of the second finger in the locked position.

11. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical sleeve, the pin, the first finger, and the second finger are collectively insertable into the housing.

12. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the follower is configured to move into engagement with the proximal end of the first finger and the proximal end of the second finger in response to a user input, and wherein the follower is configured to move out of engagement with the proximal end of the first finger and the proximal end of the second finger in response to a user input.

13. A security apparatus for a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device having an aperture, the security apparatus comprising:
a housing;
an engagement mechanism configured to secure the security apparatus to the portable electronic device in a locked position and configured to disengage the security apparatus from the portable electronic device in an unlocked position, the engagement mechanism including a first finger and a second finger that are coupled to the housing, the first finger rotatable about a rotational axis of the first finger, the second finger rotatable about a rotational axis of the second finger, wherein the first finger has a first engagement surface configured to extend into the aperture to engage the portable electronic device and a proximal end opposite to the first engagement surface, wherein the second finger has a second engagement surface configured to extend into the aperture to engage the portable electronic device and a proximal end opposite to the second engagement surface;
a locking mechanism arranged in the housing and including a follower configured to move into engagement with the proximal end of the first finger and the proximal end of the second finger to move the engagement mechanism from the unlocked position to the locked position, wherein the follower engages the proximal end of the first finger and the proximal end of the second finger in the locked position, the follower terminating at a location between the rotational axis of the first finger and the proximal end of the first finger in the locked position;
a cylindrical sleeve positioned within the housing, wherein the first and second fingers are positioned at least partially within the cylindrical sleeve, wherein the cylindrical sleeve extends between a first axial end and a second axial end, and wherein each of the first axial end and the second axial end of the cylindrical sleeve are positioned within and surrounded radially by the housing; and
a pin extending radially through the cylindrical sleeve, the first finger, and the second finger, wherein the rotational axis of the first finger is coaxial with the rotational axis of the second finger, and wherein the pin defines the rotational axis of the first finger and the rotational axis of the second finger.

14. The security apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the cylindrical sleeve, the pin, the first finger, and the second finger are collectively insertable into the housing.

15. A security apparatus for a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device having an aperture, the security apparatus comprising:
a housing;
an engagement mechanism configured to secure the security apparatus to the portable electronic device in a locked position and configured to disengage the security apparatus f

Assignees

• Acco Brands Corp

Inventors

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

Classifications

• 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

• E05B73/0005

  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

• E05B27/0003

  Details · CPC title

• E05B73/0082 Primary

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