GB2597042A

GB2597042A - A mobile phone anti-theft device

Info

Publication number: GB2597042A
Application number: GB2003947.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerard Lobo Anslem
Original assignee: Agl Project Man Ltd
Current assignee: Agl Project Man Ltd
Priority date: 2020-03-18
Filing date: 2020-03-18
Publication date: 2022-01-19
Also published as: GB202003947D0

Abstract

A mobile phone anti-theft device comprises a base piece 5 comprising a flat surface configured to locate against the rear surface of a mobile device in use. The device comprises a locking means 10, 11, 12, 15 configured to connect to and extend from the rear of the base piece. A cable 14 is provided with a first end configured for mutual releasable connection with the locking means and a second end configured for connection to a user. The base piece in use is adhered to the rear surface of the mobile device. The adhesive user to adhere the base piece to the mobile device may have a breaking for of 3Kg. The locking means may comprise a cap 3 configured to fit over the base, the cap may comprise a central aperture with at least one slot in the edge. The locking means may comprise a cylindrical lock body that may engage with the cap.

Description

A mobile phone anti-theft device

FIELD

The present invention relates to an anti-theft device for mobile phones. BACKGROUND A common form of street theft is to snatch a mobile phone from a person's hand while they are using it and are distracted. The thief will approach while the person is distracted on a call or similar, rapidly grab the phone from the user's hand, and escape by running, riding away on a scooter or similar, before the owner can react.

A number of mechanical devices and systems have been developed to assist with preventing this type of theft. The majority of these types of devices fall into two categories: a first 'lobster claw' gripping device that grips onto a phone, and a second 'cap' type of device that is attached by adhesives or similar to the rear face of the mobile phone. Each of these types of devices has a cord or wire or similar that extends from the device to a remote 'anchor' such as the users belt or a similar anchor point.

Examples of the second type of device are shown in, for example, U38,356,736; US7,354,304; W002/063993, and US2011/0284599.

Another common form of theft for mobile phone is pick-pocketing. It is also useful for a user to have a tether or similar device, similar to those described and shown in the prior art documents, to assist with prevention of phone theft via pickpockefing. However, a rigid tether and connection such as those shown in the prior art can be disadvantageous in certain circumstances. For example, if the thief and owner are on opposite sides of train doors, with the train pulling away.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide an anti-theft device for mobile phones which goes some way to overcoming the abovementioned disadvantages or which at least provides the public or industry with a useful choice.

The term "comprising" as used in this specification and indicative independent claims means "consisting at least in part of". When interpreting each statement in this specification and indicative independent claims that includes the term "comprising", features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprises" are to be interpreted in the same manner.

As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

Accordingly, in a first aspect the present invention may broadly be said to consist in a mobile phone anti-theft device, comprising: a base piece comprising a flat surface configured to locate against the rear surface of a mobile device in use; a locking means configured to connect to and extend from the rear of the base piece; a cable having a first end configured for mutual releasable connection with the locking means, and a second end configured for connection to a user; the base piece in use adhered to the rear surface of the mobile device with an adhesive.

In an embodiment, the adhesive comprises an adhesive having a breaking force of 3Kg.

In an embodiment, the locking means comprises a cap configured to fit over the base, the cap comprising a central aperture having at least one slot in the edge thereof, the locking means further comprising a cylindrical lock body, the lock body having at least one extension configured to fit within the slot so that in use the lock body can pass through the central aperture with the extension and slot aligned, the lock body rotating to engage the lock body with the cap by moving the extension and slot out of alignment, the cylindrical lock body connected in use to the cable first end.

In an embodiment, the at least one slot comprises three slots spaced at substantially equal intervals around the perimeter of the central aperture.

In an embodiment, the at least one extension comprises three extensions spaced at substantially equal intervals around the perimeter of the lock body.

In an embodiment, the locking means further comprises a first magnet, the base piece and first magnet configured for mutual connection in use, and a second magnet, the lock body having a hollow end configured to receive the second magnet, the base piece and aperture configured so that the first magnet and aperture are substantially aligned in use.

In an embodiment, the mobile phone anti-theft device further comprises at least one screw, the at least one screw, cap, and base piece mutually configured so that the cap and base piece are connected together via the at least one screw.

In an embodiment, the at least one screw comprises a plurality of screws.

In an embodiment, the plurality of screws comprises four screws arranged in a square or diamond around the central axis of the cap and base piece.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings which show an embodiment of the device by way of example, and in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a mobile phone anti-theft device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a top view of the mobile phone anti-theft device of figure 1.

Figure 3a shows a side view of the mobile phone anti-theft device of figures 1 and 2. Figure 3b shows a cross-sectional view along line A-A of figure 3a.

Figure 4 shows a bottom view of the mobile phone anti-theft device of the previous figures.

Figure 5 shows an exploded perspective view from one side of the mobile phone anti-theft device of the embodiment of the present invention shown in the preceding figures, the mobile phone anti-theft device having a base assembly, a cap, and a lock assembly, the lock assembly connected to and removable from the base assembly and cap via a twist lock mechanism.

Figure 6a shows a perspective side view of the lock assembly and base assembly and cap, with the lock assembly removed from the base assembly and cap Figure 6b shows a perspective side view from the same angle as figure 6a, of the lock assembly and base assembly and cap, with the lock assembly inserted into the base assembly and cap.

Figure 7 shows the mobile phone anti-theft device, with a cable extending from the mobile phone anti-theft device to a support ring.

Figure 8a shows a side view of the support ring of figure 7 Figure 8b shows a front view of the support ring of figure 8a

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the figures.

The mobile phone anti-theft device 1 has a base assembly 2, a cap 3, and a lock assembly 4.

The base assembly 2 comprises a base piece 5, circular in plan view, generally flat, and with a central aperture 6 surrounded by an upstanding rim 7. Four screw holes 8 are positioned around the central 6 aperture to form the four corners of a square, a short distance from the aperture 6, The screw holes 8 are countersunk on the flat side of the base piece 5 (the opposite side to the rim 7) so that the heads of screws 9 positioned in the screw holes 8 do not protrude.

The cap 3 has the form of an umbrella-shaped disc with a central aperture 10. The cap 3 in use is positioned over the top of the base assembly 2 with the central axes of the base piece 5 and the cap 3 coincident. The cap 3 has a greater diameter than the base piece 5, and overlaps the base piece at the edges. The cap 3 has four screw slots, equivalent to the screw holes 8, so that the base piece 5 can be screwed to the cap 3 with the screws 9.

As shown best in figures 2 and 5, the cap's central aperture 10 has three cutout slots 5 11 spaced around the perimeter of the aperture 10 at equal intervals.

The lock assembly 4 comprises a lock body 12 that comprises a short cylindrical section with a rounded top at the outer end, and three extensions 15 at the inner end that correspond to the cutout slots 11. The inner end of the lock body 12 is hollow. A magnet 13 fits snugly within the hollow end. A cord or cable 14 is connected to the outer end of the lock body 12, to extend between the lock body and the user -e.g. an anchor point on their belt or similar. The magnet 13 engages magnetically with a second magnet (not shown) within the base assembly 2 In use, the anti-theft device operates as follows: A user uses adhesive to glue the inner flat face of the base piece 5 to the rear face of 15 a mobile phone. The adhesive is formulated so that the connection will be broken if subject to a pulling force of more than 3Kg, so that the anti-theft device 1 will pull away from the back of the phone to which it is attached.

The screws 9 hold the cap in position over the top of the base piece, the cap 3 acting as a cover for the base piece S. Once the base piece 5 and cap 3 are in position, the lock body 12 can be used to connect the cord/cable 14 to the base assembly 2 and cap 3, by inserting the inner end of the lock body into the cap's central aperture 10, with the extensions 15 aligned with the three cutout slots 11. Once fully inserted into the cap's central aperture 10, the lock body 12 is rotated to move the extensions 15 out of alignment with the cutout slots, to hold the lock body in position.

The tether cable 14 and lock body 12 can be disengaged from the base piece 5 and cap 3 by reversing this process -twisting the lock body 12 and pulling it clear of the base piece 5 and cap 3. This allows a user to connect and disconnect the tether as required, for example if they need to charge the phone at a location remote from where they need to be (e.g. another room), without the need to disconnect the entire assembly.

In the preferred embodiment, the other end of the tether cable comprises a connector 16, that connects to a user at a convenient point, such as for example their belt or a similar location. A user will feel a tug on the cord if someone is attempting to remove their phone or a similar action. This also assists a user in supporting the device, for example if they are balancing the phone on a surface to watch video or similar. The connector 16 also assists a user in balancing the phone on their fingers.

A mobile phone anti-theft device 1 for the embodiment as described and as claimed 5 assists in preventing theft of the mobile phone, while also allowing a user to easily un-tether the phone, while also assisting a user with holding and balancing the phone.

Claims

Claims 1. A mobile phone anti-theft device, comprising: a base piece comprising a flat surface configured to locate against the rear surface of a mobile device in use; a locking means configured to connect to and extend from the rear of the base piece; a cable having a first end configured for mutual releasable connection with the locking means, and a second end configured for connection to a user; the base piece in use adhered to the rear surface of the mobile device with an 10 adhesive.
2. A mobile phone anti-theft device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the adhesive comprises an adhesive having a breaking force of 3Kg.
3. A mobile phone anti-theft device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the locking means comprises a cap configured to fit over the base, the cap comprising a central aperture having at least one slot in the edge thereof, the locking means further comprising a cylindrical lock body, the lock body having at least one extension configured to fit within the slot so that in use the lock body can pass through the central aperture with the extension and slot aligned, the lock body rotating to engage the lock body with the cap by moving the extension and slot out of alignment. the cylindrical lock body connected in use to the cable first end.
4. A mobile phone anti-theft device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the at least one slot comprises three slots spaced at substantially equal intervals around the perimeter of the central aperture.
5. A mobile phone anti-theft device as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the at 25 least one extension comprises three extensions spaced at substantially equal intervals around the perimeter of the lock body.
6. A mobile phone anti-theft device as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein the locking means further comprises a first magnet, the base piece and first magnet configured for mutual connection in use, and a second magnet, the lock body having a hollow end configured to receive the second magnet, the base piece and aperture configured so that the first magnet and aperture are substantially aligned in use.
7. A mobile phone anti-theft device as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6 further comprising at least one screw, the at least one screw, cap, and base piece mutually configured so that the cap and base piece are connected together via the at least one screw.
8. A mobile phone anti-theft device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the at least one screw comprises a plurality of screws.
9. A mobile phone anti-theft device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the plurality of screws comprises four screws arranged in a square or diamond around the central axis of the cap and base piece.