AU659144B2 - Protective device for the disk drive of a computer - Google Patents

Protective device for the disk drive of a computer Download PDF

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Publication number
AU659144B2
AU659144B2 AU14995/92A AU1499592A AU659144B2 AU 659144 B2 AU659144 B2 AU 659144B2 AU 14995/92 A AU14995/92 A AU 14995/92A AU 1499592 A AU1499592 A AU 1499592A AU 659144 B2 AU659144 B2 AU 659144B2
Authority
AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
disk drive
protective device
main body
cover unit
lock
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
AU14995/92A
Other versions
AU1499592A (en
Inventor
Bodo Schoor
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SAVECOMP EDV-SICHERUNGSSYSTEME GmbH
Original Assignee
SAVECOMP EDV SICHERUNGSSYSTEME
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by SAVECOMP EDV SICHERUNGSSYSTEME filed Critical SAVECOMP EDV SICHERUNGSSYSTEME
Publication of AU1499592A publication Critical patent/AU1499592A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of AU659144B2 publication Critical patent/AU659144B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G11INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11BINFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B23/00Record carriers not specific to the method of recording or reproducing; Accessories, e.g. containers, specially adapted for co-operation with the recording or reproducing apparatus ; Intermediate mediums; Apparatus or processes specially adapted for their manufacture
    • G11B23/28Indicating or preventing prior or unauthorised use, e.g. cassettes with sealing or locking means, write-protect devices for discs
    • G11B23/287Indicating or preventing prior or unauthorised use, e.g. cassettes with sealing or locking means, write-protect devices for discs by mechanical lock
    • GPHYSICS
    • G11INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11BINFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B33/00Constructional parts, details or accessories not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
    • G11B33/005Means for locking the disc or cassette receiving slot, e.g. dummy cassettes locked in the slot

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Feeding And Guiding Record Carriers (AREA)

Description

P/00/0O11 Regulation 3.2 659144
AUSTRALIA
Patents Act 1 990
ORIGINAL
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title:
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PROTECTIVE DEVICE FOR THE DISK DRIVE OF A COMPUTER The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: GH&CO REF: 22251 -A:SMP:RK 4 4 iui 2 Protective device for the disk drive of a computer The invention relates to a protective device for the disk drive of a computer having a main section which can be more or less fully inserted into the disk drive, a lock section which projects from the disk drive and a cover unit for at least a part of the loading slot of the disk drive. It is, hence, in the first place a mechanically functioning protective device which prevents the unauthorized use of the disk drive which is normally linked to a computer or an input station.
A protective device of the aforementioned type is known from DEGM 90 00 554.6. The protective device described there has a plate-type main section, the dimensions of which are essentially the same as a floppy disk wlich can be inserted S into the disk drive; however, it is not a floppy disk but, for S example, an injection moulded plastic part. Coupled to this plate-type main section is a lock section which projects from the disk drive when the main section is fitted into position in the disk drive and can be operated by a key. A cover unit is provided on the protective device which covers the eject bar or also a part of the loading slot of the disk drive. This S is the case in the locked position in which access to the disk drive is blocked. The lock can be firmly attached to the lock Ott. section or can be inserted as mortise lock between the lock section and the cover unit. Owing to the relative position of the cover unit on the disk drive, the fittod Ad locked protective device cannot be removed without the lock being first unlocked and the cover unit pivoted clear or removed in some other way. It is, therefore, possible to secure the disk drive in a simple manner while the computer and its inpUt unit remain freely accessible to the user. Full access to the computer renders as far as possible undisturbed operation and, on the other hand, guarantees that data stored on the computer's hard disk cannot be destroyed and also that programs cannot, intentionally or unintentionally, be removed.
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;i -3 Only when the memory contents of the hard disk are to be altered is the disk drive released and the necessary input performed. However, in doing this working with the computer is restricted to the access to its hard disk. With some computer applications it is provided that the computer can only be started when data is input before the start via a floppy disk.
If in connection with this the known protective device is in use, then the operation is comparatively awkward because the protective device must first be removed. Then the floppy disk is loaded and the computer started. Following this, the floppy disk must be removed and the protective device again fitted and relocked.
There are other mechanical protective devices known which are equipped with a main section and a lock section.
Here as well, the main section has roughly the dimensions of a S floppy disk without possessing the capabilities of a floppy disk. The lock is firmly attached to the lock section and, via a locking bar, it is ensured that an interlock with the inside of the disk drive occurs in the locked position so that the protective device cannot be removed. Here, once again, it is not possible to read-in orread-out data via the disk drive when the protective device is fitted.
en .pr.rre, e.mbodt .en of (-ke It is, Ohe object of theAinvention to create a protective device for a disk drive which, on the one hand, prevents data being extracted or stored via the disk drive without authorization, and on the other hand, enables not only i operation with existing data and programs in the computer or on its hard disk but also to read-in data via the disk drive in the locked position in order to be able to, for example, start the computer in a network link-up.
According to the invention there is provided a protective device for a disk drive of a computer, comprising a main body which can be inserted into a loading slot in the disk drive, whereafter it is lowered into an operative position within the disk drive, said 3a main body being a floppy disk or being provided with a floppy disk, a lock section which projects out of the disk drive when said main body is inserted into the disk drive and a cover unit arranged to cover at least partially the loading slot of the disk drive when said main body is inserted into the disk drive so as to prevent the removal of the floppy disk when the lock section is in a locked position, the cover unit having an obstacle plate which projects at least partially into the loading slot of the disk drive, wherein the main body and the obstacle plate are arranged relative to each other so that the obstacle plate can be inserted into the loading slot only after lowering the main body and the main body cannot be removed from the disk drive when the lock section is in the locked position, even when an eject bar of the disk drive is actuated.
In comparison to the prior art, the main 9T G S¢ *Si€ t C (C(4, i B m1 •ec e r al -4i section is no longer an inactive unit but rather a floppy disk which, therefore, provides the characteristics of a floppy disk, namely, the storing of data and if necessary the ability to record and extract data. Therefore, an identification key, for example, existing on a floppy disk can be utilized to start the computer. Further possibilities are conceivable.
Nevertheless, a protective device fitted in the locked position prevents a strange (unauthorized) floppy disk from being loaded in order be able to extract data from the computer or its hard disk without authorization.
With the configuration according to the invention, a function is first attained like the function exhibited by the known class of protective device, i.a. unauthorized input or extraction of data via the disk drive is not possible.
Furthermore however, the new protective device also enables a controlled start-up of a computer if the commands and data S: required for this are stored on the floppy disk. On the other hand, there exists the possibility of preventing the computer i from being started either completely or partially, for example, by asking for a password or in conjunction with security software stored on the floppy disk. Finally, there ensues another advantage in that the floppy disk forming a component of the protective device is itself protected against theft.
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The main section, essentially constructed as a floppy disk, can be coupled with the lock section and the cover unit so that it cannot be detached. This can be achieved using adhesive or welding or similar. In this case it is then i ensured that the protective device forms a stable, nondetachable unit and only the floppy disk firmly attached to the lock section can carry or needs to carry the necessary i; data.
The cover unit can be pivoted on the lock section. A sliding arrangement is also possible. In botn cases the cover unit can have an obstacle plate which covers at least a part
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of the loading slot of the disk drive. The obstacle plate is provided in a plane parallel to the floppy disk. The distance between the planes corresponds to the distance of the loading slot from the floppy disk in its lowered position. This configuration is especially designed for those disk drives in which the floppy disk drops by a certain amount after insertion into the loading slot so that the edge of the floppy disk is at least partially anchored behind the wall which surrounds the loading slot. The movement of the cover unit and obstacle plate into the locked position stops the floppy disk rising, as is possible with the normal removal of the floppy disk, so that the floppy disk, or rather the protective device, can also not be removed if, for example, the eject bar of the disk drive is accessible. Here, there ensues the advantage that the protective device can also be locked outside the disk drive. In this condition, the floppy disk t cannot be inserted into a computer disk drive so that the data located on the floppy disk cannot be manipulated.
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The lock section can have a receptor for of a lock, in particular a plug-in lock. It is possible that the lock is housed stationary in section so that only the key can be removed in position.
the application of course also the lock the locked The cover unit can have a part to cover the access to the eject bar of the disk drive. This version is then advisable if, when loading the floppy disk into the disk drive, the disk is not dropped into position (after insertion), and in this way the eject bar is made inaccessible if the protective device is locked.
The cover unit and/or the lock section can have projecting. pieces, operated via the lock, which reach behind the loading slot or other parts of the disk drive. Hooks or bar-type projecting pieces, which are operated via the lock in either the direction of loading or transverse to it, can be used here. In this way the parts of the disk drive are iI ii /if r I -r 6t fastened onto from behind and the removal of the protective device with the floppy disk is blocked.
A further possibility exists in that the main section, essentially constructed as a floppy disk, is detachably connected to the lock section and cover unit or is a part separate from these. It is thereby possible to combine various floppy disks, as desired, with the other parts of the protective device, and, according to requirements, to assemble a protective device from the lock section and cover unit, on the one hand, and from the floppy disk on the other hand. It is to be understood that when the floppy disk is inserted and the lock section is locked, the floppy disk is also secured against removal from the disk drive.
The floppy disk can be attached via a plug-in holder on the lock section so that it may be exchanged. Here, the construction must be so arranged that, if necessary, the lowering movement of the floppy disk relative to the disk drive is rendered possible.
The lock section can regardless of whether the floppy disk is firmly fixed to the lock section or is
S
detachable be built as a frame with an associated ,t"r slide, door or flap. The experts make various configurations available in order to realise the lock section and the cover unit.
The two parts of the lock section or the cover unit are fixed to each other when in the locked position and secured to the disk drive.
SA preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of a first embodiment example of the protective device in a schematic trt C t presentation; I tR Figure 2 shows front view of the protective device according to S:22251A/701 1
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7 fic"re 1 in the inserted position in the disk drive, Figure 3 a plan view of a further embodiment example of the protective device, and Figure 4 a front view of the protective device according to figure 3 in the inserted position in the disk drive, The protective device 1 shown in figure 1 has a platetype main section which not only exhibits the profile and thickness of a floppy disk but also consists of a floppy disk or at least is provided with such. It is in this case a floppy disk of the conventional type with the expected characteristics. A lock section 3 is attached to the main section 2, for example, firmly fixed to/the floppy disk, e.g.
S, by adhesive or welding. The lock section 3 has an upper and a lower lug 4 and 5 between which a pivoting arm 7 is pivoted in the direction of a double-headed arrow 8 around a pin 6 with a vertical axis. Both the lugs 4 and 5, and the pivoting arm 7 have an aligned hole 9 passing through them into which a plugin lock is inserted in the blocking position ans which can be secured by turning the key. This can take place in the blocking position shown in figure 1. The dotted line in figure 1 represents the pivoted clear, opened position. Firmly attached to the pivoting arm 7 is a cover unit 10 which is of a hood-type form and also laterally closedi so that the cover unit 10 so covers the eject bar 11 of a disk drive 12 that the ~eject bar cannot be accessed in order to operate it. In figure 1 the front face of the disk drive 12 is indicated by a chaindot line. In figure 2 the loading slot 13 of the disk drive 12 is also illustrated. Fitted to the cover unit 10 is an obstacle plate 14 which is arranged in such a relative position that, just after the main section 2, formed as a floppy disk, is lowered following insertion into the loading slot 13, it can be so swung together with the cover unit 1Q that it protrudes into the loading slot as can be seen from I i~; 8 observing both figures 1 and 2.
In order to secure a disk drive 12 against unauthorized data storage or extraction of data or starting up a computer, the protective device 1 with its main section 2, formed as a floppy disk, is inserted into the loading slot 13 of the disk' drive 12 in the same way as the conventional loading of a floppy disk. In doing this the cover unit 10 is swung out as can be seen by the dotted line in figure 1. After the main section 2 has been slid into the disk drive 12 and lowered into position, it is possible to swing the cover unit 10 on the pivoting arm 7 in such a way that, on the one hand, the eject bar 11 is covered and, on the other hand, the obstacle plate 14 partly projects into the loading slot 13. Now the plug-in lock is inserted into the aligned holes 9 in the lock section 3 and, thereby, the locking procedure is finished. The .,ti data stored on the floppy disk can now be taken over by the disk drive and fed to the computer. It 'is also possible to S store data on the main section 2 in an authorized way but, however, only on this and not on any other unauthorized floppy disk. The loading of a further floppy disk is then only possible if the protective device 1 including the main section S 2 is removed in advance so that the loading slot 13 of the disk drive 12 is made accessible to t\is other floppy disk.
For this to happen, however, the protective device must be unlocked and removed.
A different version of the protective device 1 is S illustrated in figures 3 and 4. Here too the main section 2 is built as a floppy disk; however, it is of a different size and can be detached from the lock section 3, i.e. it is attached via a plug-in connecter. The lock section 3 has two extension pieces 15. The cover unit 10 in this case hag two pin-type projection pieces 16, 17, one on each side, which work i together with the extension pieces 15. A hole 18 is drilled in the first extens.on piece 15 which has a countersinking 19 on one side so that, in this way, the projecting piece 16 is introduced into the hole 18 by using a swinging movement and, c i _Li L ii i i r -9in doing this, the cover unit 10 together with the check plate 14 can be swung into position. This is then again only possible if the main section 2 built as a floppy disk has already been inserted into the loading slot of the disk drive 12 and lowered into position. When swinging the cover unit into position, the projecting piece 17 is simultaneously swung in between two lugs 20 and 21. The lugs 20 and 21, as well as the projecting piece 17, possess a vertically aligned opening 22 into which a pin 24 with a head 23 can be plugged in in the swung out position. On the end of the pin 24 which projects out from the lug 21 there is an opening 15 for passing through a shackle 26 for a conventional padlock 27.
It is again obvious, with the embodiment example of figures 3 and 4, how the obstacle plate 14 projects, in the locked position, into the loading slot 13 of the disk drive 12 and thereby, as a component of the covek unit 10, prevents removal of the protective device including the main section 2 built as a floppy disk. owing to the plug-in connection tt between the projecting pieces 15 of the lock section (housing) 3 and the main section 2, it is possible to exchange the respective floppy disk. This can, of course, only take place after undoing the lock 27 and removing the pin 24 and swinging the cover unit 10 away with the subsequent extraction of the main body 2 from the disk drive 12.
Other configurations are also conceivable. The lock section 3 can also be provided with a locking bar or other S projecting pieces actuated via the lock which project into the disk drive 12 and, in the locked position, attach to the parts provided there from behind. One version of the lock housing consists of two parts, whereby the second part is formed by the cover unit 10, something like a sliding door, a door, a flap or similar, is possible. It is important that the protective device 1 can always only be removed from the disk drive 12 in the unlocked position. Even with a detachable qonnection for the main section 2, this is secured by the protective device i, in particular by the lock section 3 in 1 the inserted position in the disk drive 12.
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GRIFFITH HACK CO Sst of_ arts: 1 Protective device 2 Main section 3 Lock section 4 Lug Lug 6 Pin 7 Pivoting arm 8 Double-headed arrow 9 Opening Cover unit 11 Eject bar 12 Loading slot 13 Disk drive 14 Check plate Extension piece 16 Projecting piece 17 Projecting piece 18 Hole 19 Countersinking Lug 21 Lug 22 Opening 23 Head 24 Pin Opening 26 Shackle 27 Padlock

Claims (12)

1. A protective device for a disk drive of a computer, comprising a main body which can be inserted into a loading slot in the disk drive, whereafter it is lowered into an operative position within the disk drive, said main body being a floppy disk or being provided with a floppy disk, a lock section which projects out of the disk drive when said main body is inserted into the disk drive and a cover unit arranged to cover at least partially the loading slot of the disk drive when said main body is inserted into the disk drive so as to prevent the removal of the floppy disk when the lock section is in a locked position, the cover unit having an obstacle plate which projects at least partially into the loading slot of the disk drive, wherein the main body and the obstacle plate are arranged relative to each other so that the obstacle plate can be inserted into the loading slot only after lowering the main body and the main body cannot be removed from the disk drive when the lock section is in the locked position, even when an eject bar of the disk drive is actuated.
S*2. A protective device according to claim 1 wherein the 4 *i main body cannot be detached from the lock section and _the cover unit.
3. A protective device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the cover unit is pivotally mounted on the lock section.
4. A protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the lock section includes a receptacle for the insertion of a lock.
A protective device according to claim 4 wherein the lock is a plug-in lock.
6. A protective device according to anyone of the St claims 1 to 5 wherein the cover unit is provided with a part for preventing access to the eject bar of the disk drive.
7. A protective device according to one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the cover unit and/or the lock section are i ,1 A/701 the disk drive.
8. A protective device according to claim 1 wherein the main body may be detached from the lock section and the cover unit, or that said main body is provided as a separate part.
9. A protective device according to claim 8 wherein the floppy disk is arranged exchangeably on the lock section via a plug-in holder.
A protective device according to either claim 1 or claim 8 wherein the lock section is constructed as a frame with an associated slider, door or fla). S
11. A protective device according to claim 10 wherein the frame and the associated slider, door or flap are fixed to each other, and secured at the disk drive, in 'the locked position.
12. A protective device for a disk drive of a computer substantially as herein described with reference to the S 20 accompanying drawings. '*e DATED this 11th October 1994 SAVECOMP EDV-SICHERUNGASSYSTEME GMBH By their Patent Attorneys I GRIFFITH HCK CO. S2225A/70 S:22251A/701
AU14995/92A 1991-04-20 1992-04-16 Protective device for the disk drive of a computer Ceased AU659144B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19914112998 DE4112998C2 (en) 1991-04-20 1991-04-20 Protection device for the floppy disk drive of a computer
DE4112998 1991-04-20

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
AU1499592A AU1499592A (en) 1992-10-22
AU659144B2 true AU659144B2 (en) 1995-05-11

Family

ID=6430043

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
AU14995/92A Ceased AU659144B2 (en) 1991-04-20 1992-04-16 Protective device for the disk drive of a computer

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0510415A1 (en)
AU (1) AU659144B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2066115A1 (en)
DE (1) DE4112998C2 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE29605266U1 (en) * 1996-03-21 1996-05-23 HSB-Helmut Szynka GmbH, 47626 Kevelaer Protection device

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4685312A (en) * 1985-01-24 1987-08-11 Lama Tool Company Disk drive locking device
US4698707A (en) * 1985-10-15 1987-10-06 Ncr Corporation Protective cover for housing for data processing mechanism
US4794587A (en) * 1988-01-04 1988-12-27 Cordiano Jimmy D Disk drive lock

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3618799A1 (en) * 1986-06-04 1987-12-10 Udo E W Menke Device to secure diskette drive against unauthorised use
DE9000554U1 (en) * 1990-01-19 1990-04-05 Schoor, Bodo, 3404 Adelebsen Protective device for the floppy disk drive of a computer
EP0500051A3 (en) * 1991-02-18 1992-09-30 Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme Aktiengesellschaft Device for locking the receiving compartment of a data carrier unit, e.g. a discette

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4685312A (en) * 1985-01-24 1987-08-11 Lama Tool Company Disk drive locking device
US4698707A (en) * 1985-10-15 1987-10-06 Ncr Corporation Protective cover for housing for data processing mechanism
US4794587A (en) * 1988-01-04 1988-12-27 Cordiano Jimmy D Disk drive lock

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2066115A1 (en) 1992-10-21
DE4112998C2 (en) 1996-05-30
EP0510415A1 (en) 1992-10-28
AU1499592A (en) 1992-10-22
DE4112998A1 (en) 1992-10-22

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