EP1439274A2

EP1439274A2 - Theft protection

Info

Publication number: EP1439274A2
Application number: EP04075021A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ola GÖTESSON
Original assignee: Gotessons Industri AB
Current assignee: Gotessons Industri AB
Priority date: 2003-01-15
Filing date: 2004-01-13
Publication date: 2004-07-21
Also published as: SE0300076L; SE0300076D0; EP1439274A3

Abstract

Method of securing flat panel monitors in a chosen location in which at least two eyes (3) are fixed to the back of a flat panel monitor (8) and a cable (1) is inserted through the eyes (3), and that at least one end (6) of the cable (1) is secured to the place of installation. The cable (1) is secured to another cable (2), which is fixed to the place of installation.

Description

The present invention relates to a method of security and an antitheft device for flat panel computer monitor.

Background of the invention

Flat panel monitors are becoming increasingly more common year by year. They are popular and are frequently used in connection with various types of terminals. The monitors function more or less in the same way as monitors on notebook computers. Using Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) technology it is possible to control how much light will be allowed to pass through a point. These small points in a monitor screen enable information to be displayed on these monitors. Each point consists of three small crystals each of a different colour (red, green, blue), each separately controlled by its own transistor.
The flat panel monitors draw less power and also emit little radiation. A further advantage of these monitors is that they take up less space compared to conventional monitors.
On the other hand, flat panel monitors will continue to be more expensive than conventional monitors.
The advantages of the flat panel monitors and the fact that they are relatively expensive have meant that they are an attractive target for thieves. They are easy to carry since they are relatively small and light. On public and other terminals equipped with flat panel monitors the theft of monitors is frequently a problem.
The object of the present invention is to specify a method and a device for reducing the number of thefts of flat panel monitors.
There are at present a few solutions available for securing monitors, but these involve the fitting of various large fixing plates, securing blocks, locking sleeves and other more or less awkward devices for securing the monitors. Access to the chassis of the monitor is often required in order to secure the monitor firmly to its work station.
The method and device according to the present invention are intended to secure a flat panel monitor in place without the need, among other things, for awkward intervention in its construction and without the need to open up the chassis of the monitor.
The present invention relates to a method according to claim 1 and a device according to claim 4 for performing the method according to the invention.

Summary of the invention

The device according to the present invention comprises two cables, and a locking eye with a threaded pin for fixing to the display monitor.
One cable has a stop at one end, and at its other end a locking device which allows the one cable to be locked to the other cable. The two cables are intended to be locked together by a method known in the art.
At one end the second cable comprises a locking device which allows the second cable to be locked to the first cable. An eye is formed at the other end of the second cable.
By means of the cables and the locking eyes a flat panel monitor is securely locked to a work station.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 shows a rear view of a flat panel monitor standing on a desk with the locking device according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 shows a close-up rear view of a flat panel monitor with a locking device according to the present invention.
Fig. 3 shows a partially cross-sectional view of a locking eye, with a locking device belonging to the monitor outside its position in the eye.
Fig. 4 shows a partially cross-sectional view of a locking eye, with a locking device belonging to the monitor threaded into the bottom position.

Detailed description of the invention

Characteristic features and advantages of the invention will now be described with reference to an embodiment, shown by way of a non-restrictive example in the drawings attached.
The device according to the present invention comprises two cables 1, 2, a locking eye 3 having a threaded pin 4 for fixing to the monitor 8.
At one end, the cable 1 has a stop 5, and at its other end 6 a locking device which allows the cable 1 to be locked to the cable 2. The two cables 1 and 2 are intended to be locked together by a method known in the art.
At one end the cable 2 comprises a locking device 7 which allows the cable 2 to be locked to the cable 1. An eye 9 is formed at the other end of the cable 2.
At least two but preferably four locking eyes 3 are used. The requirements for the locking eye 3 are that it should have a through-hole in it and a facility for screwing the eye 3 firmly on to the back of a monitor 8. The embodiment of the locking eye 3 may vary considerably without departing from the idea of the invention with regard to this. The eye 3 is preferably made of steel. The great majority of flat panel monitors have four tapped holes on their rear side that are made during the manufacturing process.
When, for example, a flat panel monitor is to be secured in a chosen location, at least two and most preferably four eyes 3 are screwed into tapped holes or on to threaded pins on the back of the flat panel monitor 8. The cable 1 is then inserted through all the eyes 3, which are thereby secured to the flat panel monitor 8.
The second cable 2 is now secured to a fixed location on the work station, for example by threading the cable round the fixed location and through the cable's own eye 9. The cable 2 is preferably appreciably longer than the first cable 1. The locking device 7 of the cable 2 is then secured to the locking device at the end 6 of the cable 1. When the cable 1 is inserted through the locking eyes 3 and these are secured to the flat panel monitor 8 it is no longer possible to unscrew the locking eyes 3 which have just been screwed in place. The cable 1 prevents the eyes 3 from being unscrewed from their firmly screwed-in position on the back of the monitor 8, with the result that the flat panel monitor is firmly secured to its work station.
The cables 1, 2 preferably comprise a number of thin steel wires enclosed by a plastic sheathing. Forcing a locking cable of this type in the absence of a key requires special tools and cutting the cable, for example, is at all events time-consuming. The device according to the invention therefore affords good protection against theft when secured in the manner described above.
The embodiment may be modified in various ways, for example in the cable material, type of lock and in other respects, without departing from the idea of the invention.
It is also possible to use just one longer cable, which is inserted through the eyes and firmly secured to a fixed location by some device.
It is also possible, instead of using a short cable with a stop at one end, to use a cable with locks at both ends, which is then secured to a longer locking cable.
The number of eyes used may also vary from one to several eyes. There need not necessarily be four eyes.

Claims

Method of securing flat panel monitors in a chosen location, characterised in that at least two eyes (3) are fixed to the back of a flat panel monitor (8) and a cable (1) is inserted through the eyes (3), and that at least one end (6) of the cable (1) is secured to the place of installation.
Method according to Claim 1, characterised in that the cable (1) is secured to another cable (2), which is fixed to the place of installation.
Method according to Claim 1, characterised in that the second cable (2) is fixed to a fixed device at the place of installation in that the cable (2) is carried around the fixed device and then inserted through an eye (9) on the cable (2).
Device for securing flat panel monitors in a chosen location, characterised in that it comprises at least two eyes (3) and a cable (1), which is inserted through the eyes (3) fixed to the back of a flat panel monitor (8), and that at least one end (6) of the cable (1) is secured to the place of installation.
Device according to Claim 4, characterised in that the locking eyes (3) are fixed by screwing them into existing holes on the back of the flat panel monitor (8).
Device according to Claim 4, characterised in that the cable (1) is designed to have a stop (5) at one end.