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EP 1 028 212 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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01.08.2012 Bulletin 2012/31 |
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Date of filing: 15.11.1994 |
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International Patent Classification (IPC):
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Computer physical security device
Sicherheitsvorrichtung gegen den Diebstahl von Computern
Dispositif de sécurité contre le vol d'ordinateurs
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Designated Contracting States: |
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AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE |
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Date of publication of application: |
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16.08.2000 Bulletin 2000/33 |
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Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC: |
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95903542.9 / 0791123 |
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Proprietor: Acco Brands Inc. |
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Lincolnshire,
Illinois 60069 (US) |
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Inventors: |
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- Zarnowitz, Arthur H.
San Jose, CA 95125 (US)
- Carl, Steward R.
Palo Alto, CA 94306 (US)
- Murray, William R., Jr.
Redwood City, CA 94065 (US)
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Representative: Brookhuis, Hendrik Jan Arnold et al |
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Exter Polak & Charlouis B.V. (EP&C)
P.O. Box 3241 2280 GE Rijswijk 2280 GE Rijswijk (NL) |
(56) |
References cited: :
WO-A-93/15295 US-A- 881 364 US-A- 5 117 661
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WO-A-95/10680 US-A- 2 677 261 US-A- 5 327 752
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Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to devices for inhibiting the theft of relatively small
but expensive pieces of equipment.
[0002] Computers have evolved rather rapidly from large, expensive machines usable only
by a few, to relatively small, portable machines which are usable by many. In particular,
the development of desk top computers with significant processing power has made computers
available to the general population. It is now common for college and even high school
students to have their own computer, and desk top computers are in wide spread use
as word processors and work stations in almost all forms of business. Desk top computers
are relatively small and easily transportable, and an undesirable side effect of their
proliferation is the fact that the theft of such computers is a significant problem.
[0003] A variety of devices have been developed to inhibit the theft of desk top computers
and similar equipment. Since desk top computer systems involve several components,
typically including the computer itself, a separate monitor, keyboard and often a
printer, such security systems often employ a cable which attaches each of the components
to each other and to a relatively immovable object such as a desk. The principal difficulty
in such systems is providing an effective and convenient method for attaching the
cable itself to the equipment.
[0004] Kensington Microware Limited, assignee of this application, currently provides a
security system which is especially designed for use with particular Apple computers.
Certain Apple computer components have slots and internal brackets designed to capture
a specially designed tab inserted through the slot so that the tab is not removable.
While-this system is effective for particular types of Apple computers, it does not
work for those Apple computer components and other computer brands which do not have
the special designed slots and brackets.
[0005] It is undesirable to require a computer to have specially designed slots and internal
capture brackets because the brackets occupy a significant amount of space in an item
of equipment which is intended to be as space efficient as possible. Different items
of Apple equipment require different sized slots, meaning that the security mechanism
must provide a variety of different sized tabs. The tabs, once inserted, cannot be
removed without damage to the equipment, meaning that the security system cannot be
moved from one computer to the other. Even Apple computers with specially designed
slots are typically used with peripheral equipment which does not have them, and,
the Kensington system provides screws requiring a special screwdriver which replace
the screws used to attach the existing communication cables, securing the peripheral
equipment to the base computer by preventing unauthorized removal of the communication
cables. This last aspect of the system has a drawback in that the peripheral equipment
cannot be removed from the base computer without the special screwdriver, which can
be lost or misplaced.
[0006] Other vendors provide security systems which are not required to interface directly
with special slots and capture mechanisms as provided in certain Apple computers.
For example, Secure-It, Inc., under the trademark "KKBLIT", provides a variety of
brackets attached to the computer component using existing mounting screws, i.e.,
screws which are already used to secure items of equipment within the cabinet. Typically,
the bracket is apertured so that passage of the cable through the aperture prevents
access to the mounting screw and thus prevents removal of the bracket from the equipment.
A deficiency of this type of system is that it requires the removal of the existing
mounting screw, which may cause some damage to the internal components of the computer.
Suitable existing screws are not always available on certain peripherals for convenient
attachment of the fastener. For this latter reason, KÃBLIT also provides glue-on disks
which, unfortunately, are permanently secured to the equipment.
[0007] The theft of small but expensive equipment such as desk top computers is a growing
problem. Existing devices are simply too inefficient or ineffective, or their application
is too limited. As a result, the use of such security systems is rare, computer equipment
is typically left unprotected, and it is all too often stolen.
[0008] A computer physical security device of the prior art is known from
WO 93/15295 upon which the preamble of the independent claims has been basted. This known security
device has an attachment mechanism for inhibiting theft of equipment. The known security
device includes a housing, cable attachment means coupled to said housing and a cable
attached or attachable to said cable attachment means, for securing said housing to
an object other than to the equipment to be secured. The known device further comprises
a shaft with a cross member extending from the housing. Also, abutment pins are emanating
from the housing on opposite sides of the shaft. The shaft with the cross member is
insertable in a rectangular security slot after which the shaft and the abutment pins
occupy the slot. Next, the cross member can be misaligned with the slot by rotation
of the shaft thereby attaching the device to the external wall.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention is set out in the independent claims 1 and 7. It inhibits the
theft, of equipment such as personal computers. The equipment must have an external
wall provided with a specially designed, approximately rectangular slot having preselected
dimensions.
[0010] The claimed systems are adaptable and convenient to use. The only required modification
of the equipment to be protected is a small (preferably about 3 by 7 millimeter) slot
in an external wall. Additional brackets, capture mechanisms or the like are not necessary.
This small slot can easily be molded into computer systems at essentially no cost
and without degrading the integrity of the equipment. The attachment mechanism can
readily be installed on the equipment, and removed when appropriate by an authorized
user. In one embodiment, a lock assembly attaches a single item of equipment to an
immovable object with the cable. In a second embodiment, the cable passes through
mating apertures in a housing forming a attachment mechanism to prevent their removal
once they have been attached to the equipment and the cable has been installed.
[0011] The attachment mechanism is surprisingly difficult to remove from an item of equipment
once it has been installed. In the preferred embodiments, the mechanism is quite small,
and it is difficult to apply sufficient leverage to break the mechanism away from
the equipment to which it is attached. Forcibly removing the mechanism will result
in significant, highly visible damage to the exterior wall, identifying the equipment
as stolen and making it difficult to resell, greatly reducing its theft potential.
[0012] Several alternative variations are provided in which there are shown several different
combinations of attachment mechanisms which are either integrally connected or separately
coupled to engagement mechanisms for securing the attachment mechanism proximate the
external wall of the object of equipment.
[0013] The novel features which are characteristic of the invention, as to organization
and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will
be better understood from the following description considered in connection with
the accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated
by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however,that the drawings are
for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition
of the limits of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014]
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an attachment mechanism attached to a computer monitor:
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an attachment mechanism attached to a computer keyboard;
Fig. 2A is a fragmentary elevation view of a slot in a piece of equipment specially
designed to accept the attachment mechanism of either Figure 1 or Figure 2;
Fig. 3A is a side elevational view of an attachment mechanism coupled to an engagement
mechanism;
Fig. 3B is a perspective view of the arrangement of Fig. 4A with the attachment mechanism
and engagement mechanism shown coupled to a cable and a separate locking device;
Fig.4A is a perspective view of another attachment system with a conventional lock
assembly and a retractable spindle;
Fig. 4B is a perspective view of the spindle and lock assembly of Fig .4A showing
the spindle in its retracted position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] A security device 10 is illustrated generally by way of reference to Fig. 1. Security
device 10 includes an attachment mechanism 12 designed to attach to a component of
a computer system, such as computer monitor 14. Attachment mechanism 12 has an aperture
16, and a cable 18 which passes through the aperture when the attachment mechanism
12 is attached to a component such as monitor 14. A lock 20 is fixed to one end of
cable 18. The free end of cable 18 may be of the type having a "mushroom" head 22
adapted to penetrate and be secured within lock 20 using key 24. With mushroom head
22 detached from lock 20, cable 18 can be threaded through the apertures 16 of one
or more attachment mechanisms 12, and wrapped around a relatively immovable object
(not shown) such as the cross bar spanning two legs of a desk. Mushroom head 22 is
then inserted into lock 20 and the lock closed using key 24 to secure the computer
components to the immovable object.
[0016] A second device, designed primarily to secure single rather than multiple items of
computer equipment, is illustrated generally by way of reference to Fig. 2. Embodiment
26 includes an attachment mechanism 28 designed to be secured to a computer component
such as keyboard 30. Attachment mechanism 28 is affixed to one end of a cable 32 which
has a closed loop 34 at its other end. Cable 32 is first wrapped around a relatively
immovable object, such as a cross piece between two legs of a desk or table, and attachment
mechanism 28 is passed through loop 34 and attached to the item to be protected such
as keyboard 30 to make it difficult to steal the item of equipment.
[0017] The devices 10 and 26 are designed to operate with items of equipment provided by
a special slot, as illustrated in Fig. 2A. The exterior wall 70 of the piece of equipment
is typically made of sheet metal, or molded plastic, either of which is compatible
with the present invention. A relatively small slot 72 is formed in wall 70, by molding
or otherwise as appropriate. In the preferred embodiment of slot 72, the slot has
a generally rectangular configuration, i.e., the slot is generally rectangular having
long parallel sides 74, short parallel sides 75 and rounded corners 76. slot 72 is
relatively small, having a long dimension 78 of seven millimeters, and a short dimension
79 of three millimeters.
[0018] Corners 76 have a radius of curvature 90 from 0.30 mm. to a maximum of 1.5 millimeters.
If the radius of curvature 90 is 1.5 mm., the short sides 75 disappear and the slot
has a straight-sided oval configuration.
[0019] Arrangements according to the invention are described with reference to Figs. 3 and
4 wherein the engagement mechanism includes at least two engagement portions for engaging
with the inner surface of the external wall proximate the slot to prevent removal
of the attachment mechanism from proximate the external wall.
[0020] Figs. 3A and 3B illustrate a device 800 in which there are also substantially only
two component parts, an attachment mechanism 801 and an engagement mechanism 820.
Attachment mechanism 801, shown by way of reference to Fig. 3A, generally includes
an attachment member 802 having a top end 804, a bottom end 806, and a cylindrical
side wall 808. A pair of apertures 810 are provided through side wall 808 and are
sized to permit a cable 840 to pass through apertures 810 (See Fig. 3B A generally
cylindrical opening 812 is further provided in top end 804 of attachment member 802
and extends the length of the attachment member to a substantially smaller screw opening
814 in bottom end 806 of the attachment member. Opening 812 is configured to accommodate
passage of screw 816 through opening 812 to bottom end 806 of the attachment member,
as will be described in more detail hereinafter.
[0021] Engagement mechanism 820 is used in conjunction with attachment member 802, as is
also illustrated in Fig. 3A. Engagement mechanism 820 generally includes engagement
member 822 having first and second, spaced apart engagement arms 824L and 824R connected
to base portion 830 at the proximal end of engagement member 822 and defining a clearance
space 825 between the arms sized large enough to permit screw. 816 to pass through
clearance space 825. Base portion 830 has a top surface 833 and a bottom surface 831
and is provided with a screw hole 832 through the surfaces. Engagement portions 826L,
826R are integral with engagement arms 824L, 826R at the distal end of the arms. In
the preferred embodiment of device 800, engagement portions 826L, 826R have inwardly
sloped side walls which facilitate insertion of the engagement portions into slot
852, as previously described.
[0022] In operation, engagement portions 826L, 826R are inserted into slot 852 until lower
surface 831 of base portion 830 engages the outer surface of external wall 850. In
this position of engagement member 822, attachment member 802 is positioned proximate
upper surface 833 of base portion 830 until screw hole 832 is aligned with opening
814 in the attachment member. Screw 816 is then inserted through each of opening 812
in the attachment member, opening 814 at the bottom end 806 of the housing, hole 832
in base portion 830, and clearance space 825. The screw will force engagement arms
824L, 824R to spread apart so that engagement portions 826L, 826R will engage the
inner surface of external wall 850 proximate slot 852. In this configuration, cable
840 (See Fig. 6B) can be threaded through apertures 810 in the attachment member and
attached to an external object, such as lock 860, to secure the attachment member
to the lock. The cable will also prevent removal of screw 816.
[0023] The attachment mechanism concept of Figs. 3A and 3B can also be modified to include
a conventional lock assembly 910 (as previously described by way of reference to the
embodiment of Fig. 2) in combination with a retractable spindle arm 908. As illustrated
in Fig. 4A, attachment mechanism 900 is affixed to one end of a cable 920 which has
a closed loop 922 at its other end. Cable 920 is first wrapped around a relatively
immovable object (not shown) and attachment mechanism 900 is passed through loop 922
and attached to the item to be protected such as external wall 950 to make it difficult
to steal.
[0024] Attachment mechanism 900 is shown in its retracted position in Fig. 4B, and generally
includes a housing 902 and first and second, resilient engagement arms 904L and 904R
which are mounted to the bottom end of housing 902 and extend outwardly therefrom.
Engagement arms 904L, 904R have first and second, inwardly angled engagement portions
906L and 906R at the distal end of each of the arms which are configured so as to
be easily received within slot 952 in the retracted position of spindle arm 908, as
will be described in more detail hereinafter. At the other end of housing 902 from
the engagement arms is a conventional cylindrical lock assembly 910 . A spindle arm
908 is adapted to be mounted to cylindrical lock assembly 910 at one end, with the
opposite end of arm 90B extending between engagement arms 904L and 904R external of
housing 902. Spindle arm 908 is connected to lock assembly 910 in such a manner that
rotation of lock assembly 910 with an appropriate key (not shown) will cause translational
movement of spindle arm 908 in the direction of arrow 930 (see Fig. 4B). This movement
of arm 908 can be accomplished in any manner as is well known in the art, as for example
having spindle arm 908 received within a corkscrew shaped cam attachment mounted to
lock assembly 910 so that rotation of the lock will cause corresponding translational
movement of spindle arm 908.
[0025] In operation with spindle arm 908 in the retracted position of Fig. 4B, engagement
portions 906L and 906R are insertable into slot 952. Once inside of slot 952, a key
can be inserted into lock assembly 910 and rotated so that spindle arm 908 will be
moved in the direction of arrow 930 to its extracted position. The movement of spindle
arm 930 along arrow 930 permits engagement arms 904L and 904R to flex outwards in
the direction of arrow 940 so that engagement portions 906L and 906R will move outwards
to engage the inner surface of slot 952. In this way, attachment mechanism 900 will
be secured proximate external wall 950. To subsequently detach attachment mechanism
900 from proximate external wall 950, the appropriate key is reinserted into lock
assembly 910 and rotated to retract spindle arm 908. This will cause engagement arms
904L, 904R to relax back to their natural configuration of Fig. 4B to thereby permit
engagement portions 906L, 906R to be separated from slot 952.
[0026] While several embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated by way of
example, it is apparent that further embodiments could be developed.
[0027] However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations
are within the scope of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims.
1. An apparatus for inhibiting theft of a portable device having an external wall (950)
provided with a specially designed generally rectangular security slot (952) having
preselected dimensions to which the apparatus is connectable, the apparatus comprising
a housing (902), a lock assembly (910) within said housing (902), and a cable (920)
affixed to said housing (902), for securing said housing (902) to an object other
than to the portable device, characterized in that the apparatus further comprises a first locking leg (904L) and a second locking leg
(904R) generally parallel to each other, each locking leg (904L, 904R) secured within
said housing (902) and extending from said housing (902) a distance greater than a
thickness of the external wall (950), said first locking leg (904L) including a first
locking flange (906L) at a distal end and said second locking leg (904R) including
a second locking flange (906R) at a distal end, the locking legs (904L, 904R) being
adapted for movement outwards from an unlocked position, in which their locking flanges
(906L, 906R) are positioned sufficiently close to one another to allow the flanges
(906L, 906R) to be inserted into the slot (952), to a locked position, in which the
locking flanges (906L, 906R) each engage the inner surface of the external wall (950)
proximate the slot (952), the apparatus further comprising means (908), coupled to
said housing (902) and to said locking legs (904L, 904R), for moving said legs (904L,
904R) from said unlocked position to said locked position while said locking flanges
(906L, 906R) are disposed within the security slot (952), wherein said means (908)
are connected to said lock assembly (910) such that the legs (904L, 904R) can be locked
in their locked position within the security slot (952).
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for moving said legs (904L, 904R)
from said unlocked position to said locked position comprise a locking member (908)
cooperating with said first and second locking legs (904) to engage an inner surface
of the external wall (950) through the security slot (952).
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the locking member (908) is coupled to said
lock assembly (910) and responsive to operation of said lock assembly (910), for moving
between the unlocked position when said lock assembly (910) is in a first position
to the locked position when said lock assembly (910) is in a second position.
4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the locking member (908) is adapted for
translational movement between the locking legs, thereby moving said locking legs
(904L, 904R).
5. Apparatus according to any of the claims 2-4, wherein the locking member (908) is
adapted for moving between a retracted and an extended position between said locking
legs (904L, 904R), said locking member (908) moving said locking legs (904L, 904R)
when moving from said retracted position to said extended position.
6. Apparatus according to any of the claim 2-5, wherein the locking member (908) is at
least partly extending external of the housing (902).
7. An apparatus for inhibiting theft of a portable device having an external wall (850)
provided with a specially designed generally rectangular security slot (852) having
preselected dimensions to which the apparatus is connectable, the apparatus comprising
a housing (802), and a cable (840) which can pass through apertures (810) in said
housing (802), for securing the housing (802) to an object other than to the portable
device, characterized in that the apparatus further comprises a base portion (830) which is, or can be coupled
to said housing (802), a first locking leg (824L) and a second locking leg (824R)
generally parallel to each other, each locking leg (824L, 824R) secured to said base
portion (830) and extending from said base portion (830) a distance greater than a
thickness of the external wall (850), said first locking leg (824L) including a first
locking flange (826L) at a distal end and said second locking leg (824R) including
a second locking flange (826R) at a distal end, the locking legs (824L, 824R) being
adapted for movement outwards from an unlocked position, in which their locking flanges
(826L, 826R) are positioned sufficiently close to one another to allow the flanges
(826L, 826R) to be inserted into the slot (852), to a locked position, in which the
locking flanges (826L, 826R) each engage the inner surface of the external wall (850)
proximate the slot (852), the apparatus further comprising means (816), coupled to
said housing (802) and to said locking legs (824L, 824R), for coupling the base portion
(830) to the housing (802) and for moving said legs (824L, 824R) from said unlocked
position to said locked position while said locking flanges (826L, 826R) are disposed
within the security slot (852), wherein removal of said means (816) is prevented and
uncoupling of the base portion (830) from the housing (802), such that moving the
legs (824L, 824R) to the unlocked position by the cable (840) when it passes through
the apertures (810) in the housing (802) is prevented.
8. Apparatus according to any of the claims above, wherein the locking legs 824L, 824R;
904L, 904R) are adapted to be inserted in a rectangular security slot with a long
dimension of substantially 7mm and a short dimension of substantially 3mm.
1. Vorrichtung zum Verhindern eines Diebstahls einer tragbaren Vorrichtung, welche eine
Außenwand (950) aufweist, welche mit einem speziell ausgestalteten im Allgemeinen
rechteckigen Sicherheitsschlitz (952) mit vorgewählten Abmessungen versehen ist, mit
welchem die Vorrichtung verbindbar ist, wobei die Vorrichtung ein Gehäuse (902), eine
Verriegelungsanordnung (910) innerhalb des Gehäuses (902) und ein Kabel (920), welches
an dem Gehäuse (902) angebracht ist, umfasst zum Sichern des Gehäuses (902) an einem
anderen Objekt als der tragbaren Vorrichtung, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Vorrichtung ferner ein erstes Verriegelungsbein (904L) und ein zweites Verriegelungsbein
(904R) im Wesentlichen parallel zueinander umfasst, wobei jedes Verriegelungsbein
(904L, 904R) innerhalb des Gehäuses (902) befestigt ist und sich von dem Gehäuse (902)
um eine Entfernung größer als eine Dicke der Außenwand (950) erstreckt, wobei das
erste Verriegelungsbein (904L) einen ersten Verriegelungsflansch (906L) an einem distalen
Ende aufweist und das zweite Verriegelungsbein (904R) einen zweiten Verriegelungsflansch
(906R) an einem distalen Ende aufweist, wobei die Verriegelungsbeine (904L, 904R)
für eine Bewegung nach außen von einer unverriegelten Position, in welcher ihre Verriegelungsflansche
(906L, 906R) ausreichend dicht zueinander angeordnet sind, um den Flanschen (906L,
906R) zu ermöglichen, in den Schlitz (952) eingesetzt zu werden, in eine verriegelte
Position, in welcher die Verriegelungsflansche (906L, 906R) sich jeweils mit der Innenfläche
der Außenwand (950) benachbart zu dem Schlitz (952) in Eingriff befinden, ausgestaltet
sind, wobei die Vorrichtung ferner Mittel (908), welche mit dem Gehäuse (902) und
mit den Verriegelungsbeinen (904L, 904R) gekoppelt sind, zum Bewegen der Beine (904L,
904R) von der unverriegelten Position zu der verriegelten Position umfasst, während
die Verriegelungsflansche (906L, 906R) innerhalb des Sicherheitsschlitzes (952) angeordnet
sind, wobei die Mittel (908) mit der Verriegelungsanordnung (910) derart verbunden
sind, dass die Beine (904L, 904R) in ihrer verriegelten Position innerhalb des Sicherheitsschlitzes
(952) verriegelt werden können.
2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Mittel zum Bewegen der Beine (904L, 904R) von
der unverriegelten Position zu der verriegelten Position ein Verriegelungselement
(908) umfassen, welches mit dem ersten und zweiten Verriegelungsbein (904) zusammenarbeitet,
um eine Innenfläche der Außenwand (950) durch den Verriegelungsschlitz (952) in Eingriff
zu bringen.
3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, wobei das Verriegelungselement (908) zum Bewegen zwischen
der unverriegelten Position, wenn die Verriegelungsanordnung (910) in einer ersten
Position ist, zu der verriegelten Position, wenn die Verriegelungsanordnung (910)
in einer zweiten Position ist, mit der Verriegelungsanordnung (910) gekoppelt und
reagierend auf einem Betrieb der Verriegelungsanordnung (910) ist.
4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2 oder 3, wobei das Verriegelungselement (908) für eine
translatorische Bewegung zwischen den Verriegelungsbeinen ausgestaltet ist, wodurch
es die Verriegelungsbeine (904L, 904R) bewegt.
5. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 2-4, wobei das Verriegelungselement (908) für
ein Bewegen zwischen einer zurückgezogenen und einer ausgestreckten Position zwischen
den Verriegelungsbeinen (904L, 904R) ausgestaltet ist, wobei das Verriegelungselement
(908) die Verriegelungsbeine (904L, 904R) bewegt, wenn es sich von der zurückgezogenen
Position zu der ausgestreckten Position bewegt.
6. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 2-5, wobei sich das Verriegelungselement (908)
zumindest teilweise außerhalb des Gehäuses (902) erstreckt.
7. Vorrichtung zum Verhindern eines Diebstahls einer tragbaren Vorrichtung, welche eine
Außenwand (850) aufweist, welche mit einem speziell ausgestalteten im Allgemeinen
rechteckigen Sicherheitsschlitz (852) mit vorgewählten Abmessungen versehen ist, mit
welchem die Vorrichtung verbindbar ist, wobei die Vorrichtung ein Gehäuse (802) und
ein Kabel (840), welches durch Öffnungen (810) in dem Gehäuse (802) verlaufen kann,
umfasst zum Sichern des Gehäuses (802) an einem anderen Objekt als der tragbaren Vorrichtung,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Vorrichtung ferner einen Basisabschnitt (830), welcher mit dem Gehäuse (802)
gekoppelt ist oder gekoppelt werden kann, ein erstes Verriegelungsbein (824L) und
ein zweites Verriegelungsbein (824R) im Wesentlichen parallel zueinander umfasst,
wobei jedes Verriegelungsbein (824L, 824R) an dem Basisabschnitt (830) angebracht
ist und sich von dem Basisabschnitt (830) um eine Entfernung größer als eine Dicke
der Außenwand (850) erstreckt, wobei das erste Verriegelungsbein (824L) einen ersten
Verriegelungsflansch (826L) an einem distalen Ende aufweist und das zweite Verriegelungsbein
(824R) einen zweiten Verriegelungsflansch (826R) an einem distalen Ende aufweist,
wobei die Verriegelungsbeine (824L, 824R) für eine Bewegung nach außen von einer unverriegelten
Position, in welcher ihre Verriegelungsflansche (826L, 826R) ausreichend dicht zueinander
angeordnet sind, um den Flanschen (826L, 826R) zu ermöglichen, in den Schlitz (852)
eingesetzt zu werden, zu einer verriegelten Position, in welcher die Verriegelungsflansche
(826L, 826R) sich jeweils mit der Innenfläche der Außenwand (850) benachbart zu dem
Schlitz (852) in Eingriff befinden, ausgestaltet sind, wobei die Vorrichtung ferner
Mittel (816) umfasst, welche mit dem Gehäuse (802) und mit den Verriegelungsbeinen
(824L, 824R) gekoppelt sind, für ein Koppeln des Basisabschnitts (830) mit dem Gehäuse
(802) und für ein Bewegen der Beine (824L, 824R) von der unverriegelten Position zu
der verriegelten Position, während die Verriegelungsflansche (826L, 826R) innerhalb
des Sicherheitsschlitzes (852) angeordnet sind, wobei ein Entfernen der Mittel (816)
durch das Kabel (840), wenn es durch die Öffnungen (810) in dem Gehäuse (802) verläuft,
verhindert wird, so dass ein Bewegen der Beine (824L, 824R) zu der unverriegelten
Position und ein Entkoppeln des Basisabschnitts (830) von dem Gehäuse (802) verhindert
wird.
8. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Verriegelungsbeine
(824L, 824R; 904L, 904R) ausgestaltet sind, in einen rechteckigen Sicherheitsschlitz
mit einer langen Abmessung von im Wesentlichen 7 mm und eine kurzen Abmessung von
im Wesentlichen 3 mm eingesetzt zu werden.
1. Appareil pour empêcher le vol d'un dispositif portable ayant une paroi externe (950)
prévue avec une fente de sécurité (952) généralement rectangulaire conçue spécialement,
ayant des dimensions présélectionnées, auquel l'appareil peut être connecté, l'appareil
comprenant un boîtier (902), un ensemble de verrouillage (910) à l'intérieur dudit
boîtier (902), et un câble (920) fixé audit boîtier (902) pour fixer ledit boîtier
(902) à un objet différent du dispositif portable, caractérisé en ce que l'appareil comprend en outre une première patte de verrouillage (904L) et une seconde
patte de verrouillage (904R) généralement parallèles entre elles, chaque patte de
verrouillage (904L, 904R) étant fixée à l'intérieur dudit boîtier (902) et s'étendant
à partir dudit boîtier (902) sur une distance supérieure à une épaisseur de la paroi
externe (950), ladite première patte de verrouillage (904L) comprenant un premier
rebord de verrouillage (906L) au niveau d'une extrémité distale et ladite seconde
patte de verrouillage (904R) comprenant un second rebord de verrouillage (906R) au
niveau d'une extrémité distale, les pattes de verrouillage (904L, 904R) étant adaptées
pour le mouvement vers l'extérieur à partir d'une position débloquée, dans laquelle
leurs rebords de verrouillage (906L, 906R) sont positionnés suffisamment à proximité
l'un de l'autre pour permettre aux rebords (906L, 906R) d'être insérés dans la fente
(952), jusqu'à une position verrouillée dans laquelle les rebords de verrouillage
(906L, 906R) mettent chacun en prise la surface interne de la paroi externe (950)
à proximité de la fente (952), l'appareil comprenant en outre des moyens (908) couplés
audit boîtier (902) et auxdites pattes de verrouillage (904L, 904R), pour faire passer
lesdites pattes (904L, 904R) de ladite position débloquée à ladite position bloquée
alors que lesdits rebords de verrouillage (906L, 906R) sont disposés à l'intérieur
de la fente de sécurité (952), dans lequel lesdits moyens (908) sont connectés audit
ensemble de verrouillage (910) de sorte que les pattes (904L, 904R) peuvent être verrouillées
dans leur position verrouillée à l'intérieur de la fente de sécurité (952).
2. Appareil selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les moyens pour faire passer lesdites
pattes (904L, 904R) de ladite position déverrouillée à ladite position verrouillée
comprennent un élément de verrouillage (908) coopérant avec lesdites première et seconde
pattes de verrouillage (904) pour mettre en prise une surface interne de la paroi
externe (950) à travers la fente de sécurité (952).
3. Appareil selon la revendication 2, dans lequel l'élément de verrouillage (908) est
couplé audit ensemble de verrouillage (910) et sensible au fonctionnement dudit ensemble
de verrouillage (910) pour se déplacer entre la position déverrouillée lorsque ledit
ensemble de verrouillage (910) est dans une première position jusqu'à la position
verrouillée lorsque ledit ensemble de verrouillage (910) est dans une seconde position.
4. Appareil selon la revendication 2 ou 3, dans lequel l'élément de verrouillage (908)
est adapté pour effectuer un mouvement de translation entre les pattes de verrouillage,
déplaçant ainsi lesdites pattes de verrouillage (904L, 904R).
5. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 4, dans lequel l'élément de
verrouillage (908) est adapté pour se déplacer entre une position rétractée et une
position déployée entre lesdites pattes de verrouillage (904L, 904R), ledit élément
de verrouillage (908) déplaçant lesdites pattes de verrouillage (904L, 904R) lorsqu'elles
passent de ladite position rétractée à ladite position déployée.
6. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 5, dans lequel l'élément de
verrouillage (908) s'étend au moins partiellement à l'extérieur du boîtier (902).
7. Appareil pour empêcher le vol d'un dispositif portable ayant une paroi externe (850)
prévue avec une fente de sécurité (852) généralement rectangulaire conçue spécialement
ayant des dimensions présélectionnées, auquel l'appareil peut être raccordé, l'appareil
comprenant un boîtier (802) et un câble (840) qui peut passer à travers des ouvertures
(810) dans ledit boîtier (802), pour fixer le boîtier (802) à un objet différent du
dispositif portable, caractérisé en ce que l'appareil comprend en outre une partie de base (830) qui est, ou peut être couplée
audit boîtier (802), une première patte de verrouillage (824L) et une seconde patte
de verrouillage (824R) généralement parallèles entre elles, chaque patte de verrouillage
(824L, 824R) étant fixée à ladite partie de base (830) et s'étendant à partir de ladite
partie de base (830) sur une distance supérieure à une épaisseur de la paroi externe
(850), ladite première patte de verrouillage (824L) comprenant un premier rebord de
verrouillage (826L) au niveau d'une extrémité distale et ladite seconde patte de verrouillage
(824R) comprenant un second rebord de verrouillage (826R) au niveau d'une extrémité
distale, les pattes de verrouillage (824L, 824R) étant adaptées pour le mouvement
vers l'extérieur à partir d'une position débloquée dans laquelle leurs rebords de
verrouillage (826L, 826R) sont positionnés suffisamment à proximité l'un de l'autre
pour permettre aux rebords (826L, 826R) d'être insérés dans la fente (852), à une
position verrouillée dans laquelle les rebords de verrouillage (826L, 826R) mettent
chacun en prise la surface interne de la paroi externe (850) à proximité de la fente
(852), l'appareil comprenant en outre des moyens (816) couplés audit boîtier (802)
et auxdites pattes de verrouillage (824L, 824R) pour coupler la partie de base (830)
au boîtier (802) et pour faire passer lesdites pattes (824L, 824R) de ladite position
déverrouillée à ladite position verrouillée alors que lesdits rebords de verrouillage
(826L, 826R) sont disposés à l'intérieur de la fente de sécurité (852), dans lequel,
on empêche le retrait desdits moyens (816) par le câble (840) lorsqu'il passe à travers
les ouvertures (810) dans le boîtier (802) de sorte que le déplacement des pattes
(824L, 824R) dans la position déverrouillée et le découplage de la partie de base
(830) du boîtier (802) sont empêchés.
8. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les pattes
de verrouillage (824L, 824R ; 904L, 904R) sont adaptées pour être insérées dans une
fente de sécurité rectangulaire avec une dimension longue sensiblement de 7 mm et
une dimension courte sensiblement de 3 mm.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only.
It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has
been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and
the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description