Locking device with changeable combination of numerals for locking a connecting port on a computer

Abstract

 A locking device with changeable combination of numerals includes an enclosure having an insertion section for inserting into a connecting port on a computer, and an axial row of windows; a locking unit arranged in the enclosure and including a rod having axially spaced teeth, a push member connected to one end of the rod, a hooking member connected to the push member with two hooking arms extended into two holes on the insertion section, an elastic member located between the push member and the insertion section, sleeves mounted on the rod, rotating discs fitted on the sleeves corresponding to the windows, and a push disc mounted to another end of the rod; and a push button on the enclosure to interfere with the push member. By pushing the push disc, the rotating discs can be turned to change the combination of numerals set for the locking unit.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking device with changeable combination of numerals for locking a connecting port on a computer, and more particularly to a locking device that can be locked to a connecting port on a computer to hinder any unauthorized external storage device from connecting to the connecting port. Therefore, data stored on the computer are protected against unauthorized access.

Background of the invention

[0002] With the rapidly developed information technologies, computer has become one of many prerequisite electronic products in people's daily life. Computers are used in word processing, storage and processing of video files, audio files, multimedia files, and other important digital data, etc. In general, a computer is equipped with a hard disk drive, a compact disk drive, a floppy disk drive, etc. for reading and storing data. A computer can also be connected to various portable storage devices, such as portable hard disks, USB flash disks, etc., so that data in the computer can be stored on the portable storage device for use at different places.

[0003] A portable storage device generally has a universal serial bus (USB) plug as a transmission interface. In use, the USB plug can be directly plugged in a USB connector on a computer case to achieve the effect of Plug and Play for data transmission. Accordingly, with the USB interface, a user can conveniently use the portable storage device. However, due to the Plug and Play effect of the USB interface, even an unauthorized user can freely download all data stored in the computer with any portable storage device. Therefore, personal or private data stored in the computer are dangerously subject to stealing and illegally disclosure.

Summary of the invention

[0004] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a locking device with changeable combination of numerals for locking a connecting port on a computer. The locking device can be locked to a connecting port on a computer to hinder any unauthorized external storage device from connecting to the connecting port. Moreover, the locking device is configured to allow a user to change the combination of numerals set for the locking device according to actual need. Therefore, data stored on the computer can be more effectively protected against unauthorized access.

[0005] To achieve the above and other objects, the locking device with changeable combination of numerals for locking a connecting port on a computer according to the present invention includes an enclosure, a locking unit, and at least one push button.

[0006] The enclosure has an insertion section formed at a first end thereof, the insertion section being provided with two corresponding holes corresponding to two retaining holes in the connecting port, and having a fixing seat received therein; a plurality of windows formed on at least one of an upper and a lower side of the enclosure; and a supporting plate located in the enclosure at a second end thereof opposite to the first end.

[0007] The locking unit is arranged in the enclosure and includes a rod, a push member, a hooking member, an elastic member, a plurality of sleeves, a plurality of rotating discs, and a push disc.

[0008] The rod has a line of teeth axially spaced on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and is movably connected at one of two ends to the supporting plate and fixedly connected at the other end to an end of the push member.

[0009] The push member is provided at another end opposite to the rod with an engaging portion.

[0010] The hooking member is movably connected to the push member by engaging with the engaging portion. The hooking member has a first end in the form of a cross plate confined in the enclosure, and an opposite second end in the form of two hooking arms detachably extended into the holes on the insertion section of the enclosure and the retaining holes in the connecting port.

[0011] The elastic member is located between the push member and the fixing seat.

[0012] The sleeves are mounted on and around the rod between the supporting plate and the push member, and each are provided with an axially extended slot corresponding to the teeth, two diametrically opposite and externally projected wing portions located at two sides of the slot, and an annular groove formed in and around an end of each sleeve to communicate with the axial slot.

[0013] The rotating discs are fitted on and around the sleeves, and each are provided along an outer circumferential surface with a plurality of sequentially arranged numeral areas, such that the numeral areas on the same one rotating disc can be selectively exposed from one of the windows on the enclosure corresponding to that rotating disc by turning the rotating disc; and the rotating discs each are provided on an inner circumferential surface with a toothed portion for detachably engaging with the wing portions on a corresponding sleeve.

[0014] The push disc is mounted on the rod at the end connected to the supporting plate.

[0015] The at least one push button is movably arranged on at least one of two lateral sides of the enclosure to interfere with at least one side of the push member.

Brief description of the drawings

[0016] The structure and the technical means adopted by the present invention to achieve the above and other objects can be best understood by referring to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0017] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a locking device with changeable combination of numerals for locking a connecting port on a computer according to the present invention;

[0018] Fig. 2 is a partially assembled perspective view of Fig. 1;

[0019] Fig. 3 is a fully assembled perspective view of Fig. 1;

[0020] Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 3;

[0021] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the use of the locking device of the present invention to lock a connecting port provided on a computer;

[0022] Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing the locking device of the present invention having been locked to the connecting port; and

[0023] Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing the locking device of the present invention being separated from the connecting port to unlock the latter.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

[0024] Please refer to Figs. 1, 2, and 3 that are fully exploded, partially assembled, and fully assembled perspective views, respectively, of a locking device with changeable combination of numerals for locking a connecting port on a computer according to the present invention, and to Fig. 4 that is a sectional view taken along line (A) - (A) of Fig. 3. As shown, the locking device with changeable combination of numerals according to the present invention includes an enclosure (1), a locking unit (2), and at least one push button (3).

[0025] The enclosure (1) is composed of an upper cover (11) and a lower cover (12). A first end of the enclosure (1) forms an insertion section (13) having two corresponding holes (131) provided thereon. The insertion section (13) can be configured as a USB plug. A fixing seat (14) is located in the insertion section (13) of the enclosure (1). A plurality of windows (15) are formed on at least one of an upper and a lower side of the enclosure (1). And, a supporting plate (16) is located at and in a second end of the enclosure (1) opposite to the first end.

[0026] The locking unit (2) is arranged in the enclosure (1), and includes a rod (21) movably connected at one of two ends to the supporting plate (16) and having a line of teeth (211) axially spaced on and along an outer circumferential surface thereof; a push member (22) located at the other end of the rod (21) and having an engaging portion (221); a hooking member (23) movably connected to the engaging portion (221); an elastic member (24) located between the push member (22) and the fixing seat (14); a plurality of sleeves (25) mounted on and around the rod (21) between the supporting plate (16) and the push member (22), a plurality of rotating discs (26) sequentially fitted on and around the sleeves (25), and a push disc (27) mounted on the rod (21) at the end connected to the supporting plate (16). An inclined shoulder portion (222) is formed on at least one lateral side of the push member (22). The hooking member (23) has a first end in the form of a cross plate (231) confined in the enclosure (1), and an opposite second end in the form of two hooking arms (232) detachably extended into the holes (131) on the insertion section (13). The sleeves (25) each are provided with an axially extended slot (251) corresponding to the teeth (211), two diametrically opposite and externally projected wing portions (252) located at two sides of the slot (251), and an annular groove (253) formed in and around an end of each sleeve (25) to communicate with the axial slot (251). The rotating discs (26) each are provided along an outer circumferential surface with a plurality of sequentially arranged numeral areas (261), such that the numeral areas (261) on the same one rotating disc (26) can be selectively exposed from one of the windows (15) corresponding to that rotating disc (26) by turning the rotating disc (26). The rotating discs (26) each are also provided on an inner circumferential surface with a toothed portion (262), which is able to detachably engage with the wing portions (252) on one corresponding sleeve (25).

[0027] The push button (3) is movably arranged on at least one lateral side of the enclosure (1). A first end of the push button (3) is a push section (31) outward protruded from the enclosure (1), and an opposite second end of the push button (3) is a driving head (32) interfering with the inclined shoulder portion (222) of the push member (22).

[0028] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the use of the locking device of the present invention to lock a connecting port (41) on a computer case of a computer (4), and Figs. 6 and 7 are sectional views showing the locking device of the present invention locked to and detached from the connecting port (41), respectively. To use the locking device of the present invention to lock the connecting port (41), which can be a USB connecting port, the insertion section (13) of the enclosure (1) is directly inserted into the USB connecting port (41) on the computer case of the computer (4). At this point, the hooking arms (232) on the hooking member (23) of the locking unit (2) are elastically compressed downward by an inner wall surface of the USB connecting port (41). When the insertion section (13) has been moved further into the USB connecting port (41) with the hooking arms (232) aligned with two retaining holes (411) formed on the inner wall surface of the USB connecting port (41), the hooking arms (232) are no longer compressed by the inner wall surface of the USB connecting port (41) and automatically spring out of the holes (131) into the retaining holes (411). When the locking device is in a locked state, the teeth (211) on the rod (21) are separately located in the annular grooves (253) in the sleeves (25) to dislocate from the axial slots (251) on the sleeves (25), and the driving head (32) of the push button (3) pushed against the inclined shoulder portion (222) of the push member (22) could not drive the rod (21) forward. Accordingly, with the hooking arms (232) of the locking unit (2) extended into and held to the retaining holes (411), the insertion section (13) of the enclosure (1) is locked to the USB connecting port (41) on the computer (4), preventing any other external storage device from being plugged in the USB connecting port (41) to access data stored in the computer (4) without authorization.

[0029] When an authorized user of the computer (4) desires to use the USB connecting port (41), the user can turn the rotating discs (26) of the locking unit (2) via the windows (15), so that the toothed portions (262) in the rotating discs (26) cooperate with the wing portions (252) to rotate the sleeves (25), bringing the annular grooves (253) in an end of the sleeves (25) to rotate outside the teeth (211) of the rod (21) for a correct combination of numerals to show on the numeral areas (261) in the windows (262). Since the numeral areas (261) on each of the rotating discs (26) are initially set for a predetermined one of the numerals thereon to correspond to one tooth on the toothed portion (262) as well as to the axial slot (251) and the wing portions (252) on the corresponding sleeve (25), when the rotating discs (26) are rotated for the predetermined numerals on the numeral areas (261) to show at the windows (15) in a correct combination, the axial slots (251) on the sleeves (25) would align with the teeth (211) on the rod (21), allowing the line of teeth (211) on the rod (21) to move through the axial slots (251). At this point, the user can easily push the push section (31) of the push button (3) inward. When doing this, the driving head (32) of the push button (3) interferes with and slides along the inclined shoulder portion (222) to drive the push member (22) forward. At this point, the push member (22) is moved toward the fixing seat (14) to compress the elastic member (24) and bring the rod (21) to move forward, so that the engaging portion (221) urges and biases the hooking arms (232) of the hooking member (23) downward, bringing the hooking arms (232) to retract from the retaining holes (411) of the USB connecting port (41) into the holes (131) of the insertion section (13) to unlock the locking device from the USB connecting port (41), permitting the user to remove the insertion section (13) of the enclosure (1) from the USB connection port (41).

[0030] When it is desired to change the combination of numerals set for the rotating discs (26) of the locking unit (2), first set the locking device to the unlocked state, and then use the push disc (27) at an end of the rod (21) to push against the sleeve (25) that is immediately adjacent to the push disc (27), so that all other sleeves (25) are sequentially moved forward for the wing portions (252) on each of the sleeves (25) to separate from the toothed portion (262) of a corresponding rotating disc (26). At this point, the user needs only to rotate the rotating discs (26) for a desired set of numerals on the numeral areas (261) to show at the windows (15), and then releases the push button (3), so that the elastic member (24) is elastically restored and pushes the rod (21) backward, bringing the wing portions (252) on the sleeves (25) to engage with the toothed portions (262) in the rotating discs (26) again. In this manner, a new combination of numerals is set for the locking unit (2).

[0031] In conclusion, in the locking device with changeable combination of numerals according to the present invention, by means of the locking unit, the insertion section of the enclosure can be locked to a connecting port on a computer to hinder any unauthorized external storage device from linking with the connecting port. Moreover, the locking device of the present invention allows a user to change the combination of numerals for the locking unit according to actual need. Therefore, the data stored in the computer are protected from unauthorized access. With the above arrangements, the locking device of the present invention effectively overcomes the safety problems in the conventional connecting port on the computer, and is therefore improved and practical for use to meet general users' requirements.

[0032] The present invention has been described with a preferred embodiment thereof and it is understood that many changes and modifications in the described embodiment can be carried out without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention that is intended to be limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A locking device with changeable combination of numerals for locking a connecting port on a computer, comprising:

an enclosure having an insertion section formed at a first end thereof, the insertion section being provided with two corresponding holes and having a fixing seat received therein; a plurality of windows formed on at least one of an upper and a lower side of the enclosure; and a supporting plate located in the enclosure at a second end thereof opposite to the first end;

a locking unit arranged in the enclosure and including a rod, a push member, a hooking member, an elastic member, a plurality of sleeves, a plurality of rotating discs, and a push disc;

the rod having a line of teeth axially spaced on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and being movably connected at one of two ends to the supporting plate and fixedly connected at the other end to an end of the push member;

the push member being provided at another end opposite to the rod with an engaging portion;

the hooking member being movably connected to the push member by engaging with the engaging portion; the hooking member having a first end in the form of a cross plate confined in the enclosure, and an opposite second end in the form of two hooking arms detachably extended into the holes on the insertion section;

the elastic member being located between the push member and the fixing seat;

the sleeves being mounted on and around the rod between the supporting plate and the push member, and each being provided with an axially extended slot corresponding to the teeth, two diametrically opposite and externally projected wing portions located at two sides of the slot, and an annular groove formed in and around an end of each sleeve to communicate with the axial slot;

the rotating discs being fitted on and around the sleeves, and each being provided along an outer circumferential surface with a plurality of sequentially arranged numeral areas, such that the numeral areas on the same one rotating disc can be selectively exposed from one of the windows on the enclosure corresponding to that rotating disc by turning the rotating disc; and the rotating discs each being provided on an inner circumferential surface with a toothed portion for detachably engaging with the wing portions on a corresponding sleeve; and

the push disc being mounted on the rod at the end connected to the supporting plate; and

at least one push button being movably arranged on at least one of two lateral sides of the enclosure to interfere with one side of the push member.

2. The locking device with changeable combination of numerals for locking a connecting port on a computer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the enclosure is composed of an upper cover and a lower cover.

3. The locking device with changeable combination of numerals for locking a connecting port on a computer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insertion section is configured as a USB plug.

4. The locking device with changeable combination of numerals for locking a connecting port on a computer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the push member is formed on at least one side with an inclined shoulder portion, with which the push button interferes.

5. The locking device with changeable combination of numerals for locking a connecting port on a computer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the push button has a push section outward protruded from the enclosure, and a driving head opposite to the push section for interfering with one side of the push member.

Drawing