GB2285107A

GB2285107A - Securing articles against theft

Info

Publication number: GB2285107A
Application number: GB9425981A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Lawrence Coopper
Original assignee: VDU SERVICES FRANCHISING LIMIT
Current assignee: VDU SERVICES FRANCHISING LIMIT
Priority date: 1993-12-22
Filing date: 1994-12-22
Publication date: 1995-06-28
Also published as: GB9425981D0; GB9326132D0

Abstract

An article 20 is secured to a work surface 12 by locking interengagement of securing means fixed to or integral with the article 20 and the work surface 12. In Figure 1, the securing means comprise a pair of bars 16 bonded to the article 20 and a pair of bars 22 bonded to (or supported against the underside of) the work surface 12, the bars 16 having pins 26 which are secured in apertures 28 in the bars 22 by means of screws 40 engaged in transverse bores in the pins 26. The drive recesses of the screws 40 can only be engaged by a long Allen screw provided with an axial hole to accommodate a central spike in the drive recess. In Figure 3B, the bars 16 and 22 are secured side-by-side by a grub screw 64. In Figure 4A, each bar 16 has a spline 76 with an enlarged head received in slot 72 in bar 22, and secured by grub screws 62. <IMAGE>

Description

SECURING ARTICLES DESCRIPTION The invention relates to methods and apparatus for securing articles, more particularly but not exclusively for securing against theft articles of a relatively high value normally located in a domestic or commercial environment at a particular location on a supporting surface.

The increasing value of items of commercial and domestic equipment (for example: personal computers; facsimile machines; photocopiers; televisions; video recorders; tape, record and disc players and other domestic equipment) taken with the increasing ease of which they may be carried has led to the increased regularity at which they are stolen.

A first object of the invention is to provide method and apparatus enabling the ready securement of an item in a domestic, industrial or commercial environment to a work surface, desk or table on which it normally stands.

There is often need today in a commercial, industrial or domestic environment to provide for the releasable attachment of two articles one to the other, for example one may wish to releasably secure an articles' position within a vehicle such that the article may, if desired, be removed to enable work to be done on the vehicle (or the article).

At present the fixing of articles together is usually effected by bonding, bolting or otherwise integrally joining the two together. This may have disadvantage when one wishes to separate the articles (for example a wall cupboard or washbasin in a caravan or caravanette).

A second object of the invention is to provide method and apparatus operable to permit the ready, releasable, fixing of two articles together.

In a first aspect the invention provides a method of securing two articles together comprising the steps of attaching first and second securing means to respective ones of the articles, positioning the articles such that the securing means thereon are juxtaposed and providing either or both securing means with locking means enabling the locking inter-engagement of the first and second securing means.

The method may further provide that the securing means are positionable such that elements of one pass into the other and such that the locking means prevents withdrawal of the elements thereafter.

In a second aspect the invention provides apparatus for securing two articles together, the apparatus comprising first and second securing means associated, in use, with respective ones of said articles and means enabling the locking inter-engagement of said securing means.

Each securing means may comprise at least one bar, preferably each comprises a pair of bars.

At least one securing means may be, in use, fixed to the article with which it is associated.

The or each securing means may be fixed to the article with which, in use, it is associated by means of an adhesive.

An embodiment of the invention provides that each securing means comprises a pair of bars each fixed to the article with which, in use, it is associated, wherein one article is movable with the bars thereon to bring those bars into abutment with respective ones of the bars on the other article and to bring one or more extension members carried thereon into corresponding apertures formed in ones of the bars on the other article and that the means enabling locking inter-engagement comprises threaded locking members drivable into threaded bores formed in the bars on the other article to intersect said apertures and engage the extension members therein.

Said extension members preferably comprise pins extending from a surface of the bars.

These pins may be slugs which are partly threaded and carried in threaded bores in the bars which in use are on the one article to extend from a surface thereof spaced from the one article.

Each slug is preferably provided with an aperture, at a location along its length, for receiving a threaded locking member.

The threaded locking members are drivable into their associated bores by means of an Allen key.

The drivable portion of each said threaded locking member may be provided with an upstanding pin or spigot and the Allen key used to drive said members may be provided with a centrally located aperture in the driving face thereof.

The drivable portion of each said threaded locking member is desirably of enlarged diameter and is received in a portion of said bores formed in the bars on the other article of enlarged diameter Another embodiment provides that each securing means comprises a pair of bars each fixed to the article with which, in use, it is associated, wherein one article is movable with the bars thereon to bring those bars into juxtaposition with respective ones of the bars on the other article and to bring threaded bores provided in each of the bars into register and wherein the means enabling locking inter-engagement comprise threaded locking members which may be driven into the threaded bores to an extent to link a bar of one securing means with the juxtaposed bar of the other securing means.

Yet another embodiment provides that each securing means comprises a pair of bars each fixed to the article with which, in use, it is associated, wherein one article is movable with the bars thereon to bring those bars into juxtaposition with respective ones of the bars on the other article and to enable shaped splines on the bars of one securing means to be carried into complementary shaped slots formed in the bars of the other securing means, and that the means enabling locking inter-engagement comprises members operable to prevent the lands being with withdrawn from said slots.

In this embodiment said means enabling locking inter-engagement may comprise end plates closing ends of said slots.

The above aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention now made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1, is an exploded view of a personal computer mountable upon a work surface or desk in a manner embodying the present invention, Figure 2, shows at A and B perspective and sectional end views of a detail part of the arrangement shown in Figure 1, and at C an enlarged detail view of part of the arrangement of Figure 1, Figure 3 and 4 show at A and B perspective and sectional end views of detail of alternative arrangement embodying the present invention, and Figure 5 shows a view similar to those of Figures 1 and 2A illustrating another way of mounting a personal computer on a work surface which embodies the present invention.

Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings show apparatus embodying the invention for mounting a personal computer 10 on a surface 12 of a desk 14. The apparatus is shown to comprise a first pair of bars 16 bonded to the base wall 18 of the processor 20 of computer 10 and a second pair of bars 22 bonded to the upper surface 12 of the desk 14.

The bars 16 each have two locating pins 26 extending downwardly (as viewed in the Figures) and generally normally away from the base wall 18 of processor 20. The pins 26 carried on bars 16 are receivable in respective apertures 28 formed in the second pair of bars 22. The apertures 28 are intersected by bores 30 running generally across the width of the bars 22.

The bores 30 have the particular shape shown in detail in Figure 2A - that is to say a first part of the length 32 is of a first diameter whilst the rest of their length 34 is of a reduced diameter. The length 34 of each bore 30 is threaded and receives the threaded shank part 36 of a locking member 40. The head 42 of locking member 40 is, it will be seen, sized to fit comfortably within the length 32 of the bore 30 of larger diameter.

Locking member 40 is placable in bore 30 such that its leading end engages the threaded part 34 thereof and then may be driven along the bore 30 initially by a user manipulating the enlarged head 42 and then by use of an Allen key 44 insertable in a socket 46 in the head 42.

The socket 46 is provided with a centrally located upstanding pin 48 which is received in an aperture 50 formed in the leading face of the Allen key 44. If the Allen key does not have an aperture 50, pin 48 prevents the key entering socket 46 thereby preventing the locking member being rotated.

It will be noted that the pins 26 are in the form of metal slugs, the upper ends 52 of which are threaded for engagement in threaded bores 54 formed in the bars 16. The slugs are provided along their lengths with apertures passing therethrough as indicated at 56 which, it will be appreciated, may be positioned such that when a bar 16 is placed on bar 22 the apertures 56 of the slugs are in line with the bores 34 for receiving the locking members 40.

The apparatus embodying the invention is used in the following way.

First the bars 16 are positioned on the base wall 18 of the processor 20 and the bars 22 on the upper surface 12 of the desk.

Templates may be used to ensure the correct location of the bars 16 and 22 on the base wall 18 and desk 14 to enable the pins 26 of each of the bars 16 to be received in the apertures 28 of the bars 22.

The bars 16 and 22 are bonded to the respective surfaces 18 and 12 using, for example, an epoxy resin.

Thereafter the ends 36 of the locking members 40 are introduced to the threaded parts 34 of bores 30 but are not driven to intersect the apertures 28.

The processor is then located such that the pins 26 are received in the apertures 28 with their apertures 56 in line with the bore parts 34.

The pins 26 are sized such that they are fully received in the apertures 28 - until the lower surfaces (as viewed) of the bars 16 rest upon the upper surfaces (as vied) of the bars 22.

Thereafter, making use of an extended length Allen key the locking members 40, are driven so that their threaded shanks 36 pass along the threaded portions 34 of bores 30 and through the apertures 56 in the pins 26.

It will be noted that, in use, the head 40 of each locking member is some distance from the edges of the base wall 18 of processor 20 and it will be seen therefore that the locking member 40 can only be driven home - to lock the pins 26 in the apertures 28 - by making use of a specially adapted, long, Allen key.

If desired the pins 26 need not be provided with through apertures 56 but with shoulders, blind bores or the like so that when the locking member 40 is driven into the bore 30 the leading end of its shank 36 abuts a pin 26 and holds it firmly in position. In this case, of course, the overall lengths of the locking members 40 will be reduced such that their heads 40 are comfortably received in the parts 32 of bores 30.

Finally, it will be appreciated that the threaded apertures 28 and 54 in the bars 16 and 22 may have screw or bolts introduced thereto and driven (once the processor is removed from the surface, and the pins 26 from those bores) to jack or lift off the bars from the surfaces to which they are bonded.

It will be appreciated that modifications may be made to the arrangements so far described without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example the locking members 40 need not be provided in the form shown but may simply be provided as grub screws receivable in the threaded portion 34 of the bore 30 and drivable therealong by means of, for example, the Allen key discussed. If this modification is made then the form of the bores 30 may be a simply threaded bore - there is no need for a portion of enlarged diameter as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Such an arrangement, whilst being effective to prevent the easy removal of the processor from the desk will, it will be appreciated, be more difficult to assemble (and disassemble) by the owner of the equipment.

It will be appreciated that various other modifications may be made to the described arrangements without departing from the scope of the present invention and two of these are shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Figure 3 illustrates a modified form of the apparatus which again includes pairs of bars 16 and 22 which are, as before, bonded to the base wall 18 of processor 20 and to the upper surface 12 of the desk 14 respectively.

When correctly positioned in this arrangement the bars 16 and 22 (only one of each are shown), are slightly off set one from the other such that when the processor is correctly positioned the bars 16 lie adjacent the bars 22 (Figure 3B) - the bars 16 extending down and resting upon the upper surface of the desk 14 and the bars 22 extending up to bear against the bottom wall 18 of processor 20.

Each of the bars 16 is provided with two or more threaded bores 60 which when the processor is correctly positioned lie in register with similarly sized threaded bores 62 formed in the bars 22.

Grub screws 64 may then be driven into a position - as shown - locking the two bars 16 and 22 together.

To enhance the effectiveness of this arrangement the threaded bore 60 or 62 in the bar 16 or 22 which is "innermost" of the centre line of the processor base wall 18 may be made blind such that the screw 44 cannot be driven past a central position in which it engages both of the bores.

In this arrangement, if desired, the bores 60 and 62 may be shaped as are the bores 30 of the arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2; and the grub screws may be replaced with locking members 50 as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 illustrates another arrangement embodying the invention and in particular shows a lower bar 22 to be formed with a slot 70 running from one end of the bar along at least a substantial part of the length of the bar. Slot 70 is shaped as shown - that is to say having a lower part 72 which is of increased width compared to the upper part 74 of the slot.

Upper bars 16 each carry a spline 76 the shape of which is complimentary to that of the slot 70 - that is to say it has a neck 78 of reduced width compared to the width of the lower part 80.

A locking arrangement comprising grub screws 64 threadably engaged in threaded bores 62 is provided - as discussed with reference to Figure 3.

In this arrangement after the correct positioning of the bars 16 and 22 on processor 20 and work surface 14, the screws 64 are introduced to the bores 30 and then the processor is handled such that the splines 76 are introduced to the open ends of the slots 70. As noted the shapes of the splines and slots are complimentary and the processor may therefore be pushed back along the length of the slots. Desirably, the length of the slots is the same as the length of the splines (the whole length of the bar members 16 and 22). If desired an end plate may be provided on the member 22 or member 16 to ensure the splines arecorrectly located along the length of the slots 70 and (possibly) to lock them in position.

once correctly positioned the screws 64 are driven along the bores 62 to engage the side walls of the splines.

Figures 5A and 5B of the drawings show apparatus similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2A and parts which are common to the two Figures are given the same reference numerals.

In the arrangement of Figure 5 the pair of bars 16 is intended to be located beneath the work surface 14 of a desk on which processor 20 is to stand, whilst the bars 22 are bonded to base wall 18 of processor 20.

Pins 26 are provided in the apertures 54 of bars 16 to extend upwardly through pre-drilled holes 90 in the work top 14 and sufficiently far above the surface 12 of the work top to be receivable in respective apertures 28 formed in the bars 22.

It will be appreciated that the pins 26 shown in the arrangement of Figure 5 are substantially longer than the pins 26 shown in the arrangement of Figures 1 and 2A to allow for the thickness of the work top through which they must pass before they can be received in the apertures 28 and it is envisaged that sets of different length pins will be provided in the arrangement to accommodate different thicknesses of work tops on which a processor may be mounted.

If the work top is particularly thin spacer elements in the form of washers 92 may be provided to surround the pins 26. These spacer elements may be positioned around pins before the pins are passed through the apertures 90 or alternatively, or additionally, to surround the pins 26 after they have passed through the work top. That is to say the spacer elements 92 may be positioned to surround the pins on either or both of the under and upper surfaces of the work top on which the processor 20 is to stand.

The configuration of the bars 22 and in particular the arrangement of apertures 28 and through bores 30 are substantially the same as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2A and they are intended to receive a locking member 40 of the form described with reference to those Figures.

In addition to the above described variations of arrangements embodying the invention it will be appreciated that a number of other variations may be made to the described arrangements without departing from the scope of the invention.

It will be appreciated that the bars 16 (with pins or a spline) may be located on the base wall 18 of processor 20, and the bars 22 on the desk 14, or vice versa. Again, a bar 16 and a bar 22 could be mounted on each of the surfaces 18 and 12.

In the arrangements of Figures 1, 2 and 4 it is possible, if desired, that the bars 16 be omitted and that the pins 26 or spline 76 be formed directly on the base wall 18 of the processor - that is to say be formed integrally with the processor 20.

Again, with the arrangements of Figures 1 and 2 it is possible, if desired, that the bars 22 be omitted and that the apertures 28 and pins 26 be provided directly in the work surface upon which the processor 20 is to stand.

If desired the bars 16 and 22 may be fixed in position using any suitable, bolt, screw, clamp, clip of the like in place of the described bonding.

The various elements of the arrangements now described may be made of any suitable material, e.g. of plastics, wood or metal; however, it is preferred that the pins and splines, as well as the screws locking members or grub screws be of a suitable hard material enabling them to operate effectively.

As described the arrangements shown apply te the securement of personal computer processors on work stations or desk surfaces. However, it will be appreciated that the arrangements described are utilisable in respect of other items of equipment which it is desired be secured in position - for example to secure in position photocopiers, facsimile machines, televisions, as well as video recording machines and items of hi-fi equipment.

Again, it will be appreciated that the arrangements now described may be used not simply to fix an article on a surface but to securely lock together two articles - for example in the arrangements described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2 to fix the processor 20 to a work surface may, if desired, be similarly used to fix the visual display unit shown in the Figures onto the upper surface of the processor 20.

Various other modifications to the described arrangements will be apparent to readers skilled in the art of this invention

Claims

1. A method of securing two articles together comprising the steps of attaching first and second securing means to respective ones of the articles, positioning the articles such that the securing means thereon are juxtaposed and providing either or both securing means with locking means enabling the locking inter-engagement of the first and second securing means.

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, which further provides that the securing means are positionable such that elements of one pass into the other and such that the locking means prevents withdrawal of the elements thereafter.

3. Apparatus for securing two articles together, the apparatus comprising first and second securing means associated, in use, with respective ones of said articles and means enabling the locking inter- engagement of said securing means.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein each securing means comprises at least one bar.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, wherein each securing means comprises a pair of bars.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 3, 4 and 5, wherein at least one securing means is, in use, fixed to the article with which it is associated.

7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the or each securing means is fixed to the article with which, in use, it is associated by means of an adhesive.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein each securing means comprises a pair of bars each fixed to the article with which, in use, it is associated, wherein one article is movable with the bars thereon to bring those bars into abutment with respective ones of the bars on the other article and to bring one or more extension members carried thereon into corresponding apertures formed in ones of the bars on the other article and wherein the means enabling locking inter-engagement comprise threaded locking members drivable into threaded bores formed in the bars on the other article to intersect said apertures and engage the extension members therein.

9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said extension members comprise pins extending from a surface of the bars.

10. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, wherein said pins comprise slugs which are partly threaded and carried in threaded bores in the bars which in use are on the one article to extend from a surface thereof spaced from the one article.

11. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, wherein each said slug is provided with an aperture at a location along its length, for receiving a threaded locking member.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claim 8 to 11, wherein said threaded locking members are drivable into their associated bores by means of an Allen key.

13. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the drivable portion of each said threaded locking member is provided with an upstanding pin or spigot and wherein the Allen key used to drive said members is provided with a centrally located aperture in the driving face thereof.

14. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 12 or Claim 13, wherein the drivable portion of each said threaded locking member is of enlarged diameter and is received in a portion of said bores formed in the bars on the other article of enlarged diameter

15. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein each securing means comprises a pair of bars each fixed to the article with which, in use, it is associated, wherein one article is movable with the bars thereon to bring those bars into juxtaposition with respective ones of the bars on the other article and to bring threaded bores provided in each of the bars into register and wherein the means enabling locking interengagement comprise threaded locking members which may be driven into the threaded bores to an extent to link a bar of one securing means with the juxtaposed bar of the other securing means.

16. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein each securing means comprises a pair of bars each fixed to the article with which, in use, it is associated, wherein one article is movable with the bars thereon to bring those bars into juxtaposition with respective ones of the bars on the other article and to enable shaped splines on the bars of one securing means to be carried into complementary shaped slots formed in the bars of the other securing means, and wherein the means enabling locking inter-engagement comprise members operable to prevent the lands being with withdrawn from said slots.

17. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 16, wherein said means enabling locking inter-engagement comprise end plates closing ends of said slots.

18. A method as claimed in Claim 1 and substantially as herein described.

19. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 and substantially as herein described with reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings.