EP1310620A2

EP1310620A2 - Securement apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP1310620A2
Application number: EP02257680A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Maurice Henry Whittle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-11-08
Filing date: 2002-11-06
Publication date: 2003-05-14
Also published as: EP1310620A3; GB2381825B; GB2381825A; GB0126836D0

Abstract

Equipment, such as computers and computer peripherals, may be secured to a substrate by two or more clamping assemblies, each said assembly comprising a lower post (11) and an upper post (12) which have mutually threadedly engageable portions, a first bracket (18), which is configured to fit snugly around one corner of the equipment being secured, being fixedly mounted to the lower post (11) and a second bracket (19) optionally also configured to fit snugly around a respective corner of the equipment being secured, being fixedly mounted to the upper post (12). In use, the lower post (11) and the first bracket (18) of each assembly are secured to the substrate at a spacing corresponding to two diagonally opposed corners of the equipment to be secured. The upper post (12) of each assembly includes an outer sleeve (13), to which the second bracket (19) is mounted, and an inner threaded shaft which is engageable with the lower post (11) but is rotatable relative to the sleeve (13) only by use of a special tool.

After the equipment is placed between and fitting inside the first brackets (18), the upper posts (12) are attached to the lower posts (11), and screwed down using the special tool. Subsequent removal without such tool is extremely difficult. Rotation of the outer sleeve (13) does not release the upper post (12) and is prevented, in any event, when the second bracket (19) is comer shaped. The apparatus can be fitted to a wide range of different sizes of equipment, without any modification to the clamping assemblies. It can also be removed and re-used for other equipment. In other embodiments three clamping assemblies may be used and/or the upper brackets (19) of at least two of the assemblies may be tied together, e.g. by metal straps.

Description

This invention concerns apparatus whereby equipment, such as computers and computer peripherals and other high value equipment housed in a substantially rectangular box casing, may be secured to a substrate to prevent theft.
Steel security cages and cuffs are commercially available for securing central processing units of personal computers (PCs). Some of these are adjustable in height. Others are adjustable in two dimensions, namely height and width, by having slidably adjustable sections which can be secured together so as to fit closely around a particular item of equipment leaving accessible only the front and rear or two sides, or at least a major portion thereof.
In the case of some designs of so-called cuffs, blocks, which serve as spacers, have to be adhered to the computer casing to provide the necessary close fit and interengagement. In all cases the base of the cage or cuff has to be fixedly secured to a substrate, such as a work surface before the computer is placed therein.
An object of the invention is to provide alternative securement apparatus for the same purpose which will be adjustable in three dimensions, and therefore universally applicable to all computer sizes and types, which will allow access to a greater region of the casing of the equipment being secured, and which will be re-usable. It may also be less expensive, but not less effective.
According to the invention securement apparatus is provided comprising at least two clamping assemblies, each said assembly comprising a lower post and an upper post which have mutually threadedly engageable portions, a first bracket fixedly mounted to the lower post, means whereby the lower post, in use, is secured to the substrate and means whereby the first bracket, in use, is secured to the substrate, in which respect the upper post includes an outer sleeve to which a second bracket is fixedly mounted and relative to which the threadedly engageable portion of the upper post is rotatable only by use of a special tool, and wherein the first bracket of at least one of said assemblies is configured to fit snugly around one corner of the equipment being secured.
In most instances it is envisaged that two such clamping assemblies will be sufficient, each having both first and second brackets configured to fit around respective corners of the equipment being secured. These assemblies will be fitted at diagonally opposite corners of the equipment.
However, it is not essential that the second brackets mounted on the upper posts, should be comer-shaped. They may take the form of flat straps or angled elements. This is because the first brackets, mounted on the lower posts, and secured to the substrate, will suffice to locate immovably the equipment being secured.
In some instances, a pair of diagonally opposed clamping assemblies will not be suitable, for example because of the position of connectors or switches on the equipment to be secured, or the location of other equipment or power supplies to be connected thereto. In these cases, two clamping assemblies may be provided at adjacent corners at one side of the equipment, with athird clamping assembly provided along, preferably midway along, an opposing side of the equipment. Again each of the two corners assemblies will have at least their first bracket, mounted on the lower post, configured to fit around a corner, and preferably (but not essentially) the second bracket at the top will correspond to fit around a top corner of the equipment. Obviously, the brackets of the third assembly will not be corner shaped.
It is possible, through less likely that three clamping assemblies could be employed, only one of which is positioned at a corner, with at least its first bracket, mounted on the lower post, configured to fit a lower corner of the equipment. The other two clamping assemblies could be positioned along respective sides of the equipment to be secured adjacent the diagonally opposing corner thereof.
In any of the above cases, the second brackets, mounted on the upper posts of respective clamping assemblies may be tied together by metal straps, which are fitted while the equipment is being secured.
The apparatus of the invention is universally applicable because the length and breadth of the space to be secured does not require slidable adjustment of parts of predetermined size, but instead is determined directly from the dimensions of whatever equipment casing is to be secured, just by drilling holes in the substrate for securing the lower posts and first brackets. The height adjustment is then achieved by the threaded engagement between the upper and lower posts.
The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a cross section of a preferred embodiment of a clamping assembly in accordance with the present invention, shown just above its highest level of adjustment;
Figure 2 shows the same clamping assembly as in Fig. 1 but at its lowest level of adjustment;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the same clamping assembly;
Figure 4 is a reduced scale perspective view showing, in accordance with the invention, two clamping assemblies, as in Figs. 1 to 3, in use securing a computer to a work surface; and
Figure 5 is a view, similar to Fig. 4, showing another embodiment of the apparatus of the invention comprising three clamping assemblies, in use, securing a different computer to a work surface.
With reference to Figs. 1 to 4, a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises two identical clamping assemblies 10a, 10b, only one of which is shown in detail in Figs. 1 to 3.
Each assembly comprises a lower post 11 and an upper post 12. The lower post 11 is cylindrical and has internal threading 14, 16 in its lower end margin and, separately, at a location intermediate its lower and upper ends. A corner-shaped bracket 18, comprising a flat right angled quarter circle plate with upstanding flanges along its straight edges is welded to this post 11, as best shown in Fig. 3. The lower margin of the lower post may be of larger external diameter and have a terminal annular flange, as shown.
The upper post 12 comprises a cylindrical outer sleeve 13, which is a sliding fit over the lower post 11, inside which a co-axial shaft 15 is mounted by means of a collar 17. This collar 17 is fixedly secured in the upper margin of the sleeve 13 by adhesion, by screw threaded engagement and by means of a lug or grub screw 21. The shaft 15 is rotatable within the collar 17, but has an annular projection 22 engaging in a corresponding recess in the collar which prevents relative axial movement.
A lower section of the shaft 15 is threaded and in use engages the intermediate threaded region 16 of the lower post 11 and serves for height adjustment of the assembly, as is apparent by reference to Figs. 1 and 2.
A downwardly directed corner shaped bracket 19, corresponding in shape and size to the lower bracket 18, is welded to the upper post sleeve 13.
Three countersunk holes 23 are provided near the curved edge of the lower bracket 18 as well as three screws 24 for securing this bracket to a work surface. A large coach bolt 25 is provided to secure the lower post 11.
The upper margin of the shaft 15 is similar in form to the barrel of a lock and a key (not shown) is the only means by which it can be rotated relative to the collar 17.
Referring to Fig. 3, the way in which the securement apparatus, i.e the two clamping assemblies 10a, 10b, will be installed will be generally as follows:
Firstly, a computer 30 to be secured is placed in its desired secure location on a substrate, such as a desk 32 as shown. The lower corner brackets 18 of the respect lower posts 11, of the assemblies 10a, 10b are slid beneath the two diagonally opposing corners of the computer 30 and pushed in to a close fit. The centre of the respective lower posts 11 are then marked accurately, e.g using a pointed rod (nail), on the desk top. With the computer 30 pushed aside, the desk top is then drilled and the respective coach bolts 25 are used to secure the lower posts 11. The computer 30 is placed back in between the lower posts 11 and the upper posts 12 are mounted thereon and their shafts 15 are threadedly engaged by use of the key and screwed down until the brackets 19 are a snug fit around the diagonal top corners of the computer 30. This is a trial fit to square up the two assemblies 10a and 10b and determine the exact positions required of the bottom brackets 18. The upper posts 12 and the computer 30 are then removed again and the screws 24 are used to fix the lower brackets 18 to the desk top through the countersunk holes 23. This prevents any subsequent rotation of the clamping assemblies 10a, 10b relative to the surface of the desk. The computer 30 is then put in position for the final time, preventing any further access to the screws 24, and the upper posts 12 are resecured to the lower posts 11 by means of the key to firmly clamp the computer 30.
The fact that the upper brackets 19 are a snug fit around the top corners of the computer 30 prevents the unscrewing of the upper posts 12 by any means other than the special key.
As mentioned, fitting the clamp assemblies around the diagonally opposite corners ofthe computer 30 is sufficient to allow automatically for the appropriate length and width dimensions of the computer with considerable accuracy. The clamp assemblies 10a, 10b then only have to hold the computer down to the desk top 32 (or other relevant surface) and resist any lateral forces if an attempt is made to prise the assemblies 10a, 10b apart.
Fig. 5 shows how two clamping assemblies 10a, 10b as in Figs. 1 to 4 may be used in conjunction with a third clamping assembly 34 to secure a different style or size of computer 36. The two corner assemblies 10a, 10b are clamped around adjacent corners of the computer 36 and the third assembly 34 is clamped to the middle of the opposite side. In this particular embodiment the brackets 35 of the third assembly 34 are semi-circular, and the lower bracket should be secured by screws to the desk top 32 just as with the corner assemblies. In other embodiments the brackets of the third assembly could be of a different shape or style.
The top brackets 19 and 35 of the three clamping assemblies 10a, 10b, 34 are tied together by metal straps 37. This is only likely to be necessary if the computer 36 is in the form of a relatively high tower.
As discussed prior to the specific description of the illustrated examples, other forms of brackets and other arrangements of clamping assemblies are also possible with the scope of the invention. Also different means of securement of the lower post and of the lower brackets to the work surface than those illustrated may be employed.

Claims

Securement apparatus whereby equipment (30), such as computers and computer peripherals, may be secured to a substrate (32) comprising at least two clamping assemblies (10^a, 10^b), each said assembly comprising a lower post (11) and an upper post (12) which have mutually threadedly engageable portions (16, 15), a first bracket (18) fixedly mounted to the lower posts (11), means (25) whereby the lower post (11), in use, is secured to the substrate (32) and means (23, 24) whereby the first bracket (18), in use, is secured to the substrate (32), in which respect the upper post (12) includes an outer sleeve (13) to which a second bracket (19) is fixedly mounted and relative to which the threadedly engageable portion (15) of the upper post (12) is rotatable only by use of a special tool, and wherein the first bracket (18) of at least one of said assemblies (10^a, 10^b) is configured to fit snugly around one corner of the equipment (30) being secured.
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first brackets (18) of at least two of said assemblies (10^a, 10^b) are configured to fit snugly around respective corners of the equipment (30) being secured.
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first and second brackets (18, 19) of at least one of said assemblies (10^a, 10^b) are configured to fit snugly around respective corners of the equipment (30) being secured.
Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the second brackets (19) of at least two of said assemblies (10^a, 10^b) are tied together.
Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the threadedly engageable portion (15) of the upper post (12) of each assembly (10^a, 10^b) is rotatably mounted in the outer sleeve (13) by means of a collar (17), which is fixedly mounted in the top of the upper sleeve (13).
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the threadedly engageable portion (15) of the upper post (12) of each assembly (10^a, 10^b) is an extension of a lock barrel.
A clamping assembly (10^a, 10^b, 34) comprising a lower post (11) and an upper post (12) which have mutually threadedly engageable portions (16, 15), a first bracket (18) fixedly mounted to the lower post (11), means (25) whereby the lower post (11), in use, is secured to a substrate (32) and means (23, 24) whereby the first bracket (18), in use, is secured to the substrate (32), in which respect the upper post (12) includes an outer sleeve (13) to which a second bracket (19) is fixedly mounted and relative to which the threadedly engageable portion (15) of the upper post (12) is rotatable only by use of a special tool.
An assembly according to claim 7 wherein at least the first bracket (18), and optionally the second bracket (19), is configured to fit snugly around one corner of equipment (30) which is to be secured.
An assembly according to claim 8 wherein the threadedly engageable portion (15) ofthe upper post (12) is rotatably mounted in the outer sleeve (13) by means of a collar (17), which is fixedly mounted in the top of the upper sleeve (13).
An assembly according to claim 9 wherein the threadedly engageable portion (15) of the upper post (12) is an extension of a lock barrel.