GB2304785A - Security apparatus for computer hardware - Google Patents

Abstract

Security apparatus (2) for computer hardware, which security apparatus (2) comprises a base (4) far securing to a worksurface, a housing (6) which is such that the computer hardware is able to slide into the housing (6) with the housing (6) then extending around the top, bottom and sides of the computer hardware, and connector means (8) for connecting the housing (6) to the base (4). The base (4) receives only a lower part of the housing (6) whereby the base prevents the computer hardware from being slid out of the housing (6) but does not prevent operator access to the computer hardware. The connector means (8) comprises interengaging members which are on the base (4) and the housing (6). A locking means (28) is provided for locking the housing (6) to the base (4).

Description

SECURITY APPARATUS FOR COMPUTER HARDWARE This invention relates to security apparatus for computer hardware such for example as a central processing unit, a laser printer, an external hard disc, or other computer peripheral equipment.

The theft of computer systems is well known. Firms seeking to insure their computer systems may be required by insurance companies to secure their computer hardware, for example their central processing units, to a worksurf ace. Existing devices for securing computer hardware to a worksurface are not entirely satisfactory in that they are often not aesthetically pleasing and/or they are expensive.

It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problem.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided security apparatus for computer hardware, which security apparatus comprises a base for securing to a worksurf ace, a housing which is such that the computer hardware is able to slide into the housing with the housing then extending around the top, bottom and sides -:- the computer hardware, and connector means for connecting the housing to the base; the security apparatus being such that the base receives only a lower part of the housing whereby the base prevents the computer hardware from being slid out of the housing when the housing is located in the base and whereby the base does not prevent operator access to the computer hardware; and the security apparatus being such that the connector means comprises interengaging members which are on the base and the housing and which engage each other when the housing is received in the base and is slid to a locking position, and a locking means for locking the housing to the base when the housing is located in the base and is slid to the locking position.

The provision of the interengaging members on the base and the housing enables the security apparatus of the present invention to be simply manufactured. The security apparatus is able to look aesthetically pleasing whilst at the same time giving good security and providing a visual deterrent. Still further, the security apparatus may be such that it prevents access to internal components of computer hardware such as a central processing unit.

The security apparatus of the present invention may be used to secure1 for example, central processing units, laser printers, external hard discs, and other computer peripheral equipment.

Preferably, the security apparatus is one in which the base has at least one adhesive pad for sticking the base to the worksurf ace and/or apertures for enabling the base to be bolted to the worksurf ace. The or each adhesive pad may be protected by a peel-off protective sheet.

The security apparatus is preferably one in which the housing has top, bottom and side walls for surrounding the computer hardware.

Preferably, the security apparatus is one in which the base has interengaging members in the form of lugs, and in which the housing has interengaging members in the form of apertures through which the lugs pass and slots into which the lugs slide to the locking position.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the security apparatus is one in which the base has slots, and in which the housing has lugs which are able to enter the slots and then slide in the slots to the locking position. The lugs are preferably L-shaped lugs.

The locking means will usually be a key-operated lock. A combination lock may be employed if desired.

The present invention also extends to the security apparatus when provided with the computer hardware.

The security apparatus will usually be made of a metal. Any suitable and appropriate metal may be employed. Plastics materials may also be employed. The security apparatus may be made in different sizes to fit different sizes of central processing units.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of first security apparatus; Figure 2 shows a base of the security apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a housing forming part of the security apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows in eight stages how to assemble and secure the security apparatus shown in Figure 1; and Figure 5 is an exploded view of second security apparatus.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3 there is shown security apparatus 2 for computer hardware in the form of a central processing unit of a computer system. The security apparatus 2 comprises a base 4 for securing to a worksurface, a housing 6 which is such that the central processing unit is able to slide into the housing 6 with the housing 6 then extending around the top, bottom and sides of the central processing unit, and connector means 8 for connecting the housing 6 to the base 4.

The security apparatus 2 is such that the base 4 receives only a lower part of the housing 6 whereby the base 4 prevents the central processing unit from being slid out of the housing 6 when the housing 6 is located in the base 4, and whereby the base 4 does not prevent operator access to a front panel of the central processing unit. The security apparatus 2 is also such that the connector means 8 comprises interengaging members which are on the base 4 and the housing 6 and which engage each other when the housing 6 is received in the base 4 and is slid to a locking position. The connector means 8 also includes locking means for locking the housing 6 to the base 4 when the housing 6 is located in the base 4 and is slid to the locking position.

The underside of the base 4 has an adhesive pad 10 (see Figure 4) for sticking the base 4 to the worksurface. The base 4 also has four apertures 12 for enabling the base 4 to be bolted to the worksurface.

As can be seen from Figures 1, 2 and 3, the housing 6 has a top wall 14, a bottom wall 16, and two side walls 18, 20. These walls surround the central processing unit when the central processing unit is slid into the housing 6 from one end.

The base 4 has interengaging members in the form of lugs 22. The housing 6 has interengaging members in the form of apertures 24 through which the lugs 22 pass.

The apertures 24 lead into slots 26 which also form part of the interengaging members of the housing 6, The lugs 22 slide into the slots 26 after they have passed through the apertures 24. As the lugs 22 slide into the slots 26, the lugs 22 slide to the locking position in which the housing 6 is locked to the base 4. When the housing 6 is in the locking position in the base 4, locking means in the form of a key-operated lock 28 can be rotated to lock the housing 6 to the base 4.

The security apparatus 2 shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 can be made in a variety of sizes to suit different sizes of central processing units. The security apparatus 2 can be made in any suitable and appropriate materials.

Figure 4 illustrates how the security apparatus 2 is to be used. More specifically, Figure 4.1 illustrates how a worksurface 30 should be cleaned with a cleaning fluid on a rag 32. Any suitable and appropriate cleaning fluid such for example as an alcohol based cleaning fluid may be employed. The worksurf ace 30 is then left to dry.

Figure 4.2 illustrates how the adhesive pad 10 is protected by two peel-off protective sheets 34, 36.

These protective sheets 34, 36 are peeled off to expose the adhesive pad 10. Figure 4.3 illustrates how the base 4 is then placed with the adhesive pad 10 facing downwards onto the worksurf ace 30 in the required location, making sure the key operated lock 28 is at the rear. The base 4 is firmly pressed down onto the worksurface 30 in order to help the adhesive pad 10 to bond to the worksurface 30.

The base 4 is held firmly and is then drilled through the four apertures 12 using a 6mm drill bit in a drill 38. Coach bolts 40 are then inserted from underneath the worksurf ace 30 as shown in Figure 4.5.

Washers 42 and nuts 44 are then placed on the coach bolts 40 and the nuts 44 tightened until the square shanks on the coach bolt heads can no longer be seen.

Figure 4.6 illustrates how a central processing unit 46 is slid into the housing 6. The central processing unit 46 is slid into the housing 6 from the rear of the housing 6 and until the front of the central processing unit 46 abuts against retaining flanges 48 (see Figures 1, 2 and 3). Figure 4.7 illustrates how the housing 6 with the central processing unit 46 is then placed onto and into the base 4. Prior to placing the housing 6 into the base 4, the key-operated lock 28 should be checked to make sure that the key is in the lock and the lock 28 is in the unlocked position. The operation shown in Figure 4.7 can be appreciated more fully from Figure 1. The six lugs 22 have to be located in the corresponding six apertures 24.When the lugs 22 have passed completely through the apertures 24, the housing 6 is then pushed towards the rear of the base 4 so that the lugs 22 slide into the slots 26. It will be apparent that once the lugs 22 are in the slots 26, it is no longer possible to pull the housing 6 out of the base 4 by a direct upwards movement. Figure 4.8 illustrates how a key 50 is turned in the key-operated lock 28 to lock the lock 28. The key 50 is then removed and the central processing unit 46 is securely retained in the security apparatus 2 because the housing 6 cannot then be removed from the base 4, and because the base 4 cannot be removed from the worksurf ace 30.

Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown second security apparatus 2. Similar parts as in previous Figures have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. In Figure 5, the housing 6 has L-shaped lugs 62 which fit into slots 54 in the base 4. When the L-shaped lugs 52 are in the slots 54, then the housing 6 is slid towards the rear of the base 4 in order to prevent the housing 6 from being pulled out of the base 4 by a direct upwards movement.

The key-operated lock 28 is located in a corner of the rear part of the base 4 in Figure 5, rather than being centrally located in a rear part of the base 4 as shown in Figure 1.

As can be seen from the drawings, both types of security apparatus 2 are such that the base 4 receives only a lower part of the housing 6 but a sufficient amount in order to prevent the central processing unit 46 from being slid out of the housing 6 when the housing 6 is located in the base 4. As shown in Figure 4.8, the base 4 does not prevent operator access to a front panel 56 of the central processing unit 46 because this front panel 56 is able to be accessed over a front wall 58 of the base 4, see also Figure 5.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, other types of sliding connector means 8 may be employed for connecting the housing 6 to the base 4.

Also, if desired, the base 4 may be attached to the worksurface 30 just using the adhesive pad 10 or just using the coach bolts 40. The coach bolts 40 should be used if the worksurface 30 has been painted or polished or if it is not desired permanently to fix the base 4 in position. The adhesive pad 10 should be used if it is not possible to gain access to the underside of the worksurface 30, or if the worksurface 30 is too thick, for example more than 35mm thick. Using both the adhesive pad 10 and the coach bolts 40 gives increased security as compared with using the adhesive pad 10 on its own or the coach bolts 40 on their own. Computer hardware other than the central processing unit 46 may be protected and operator access may be at a side position or a rear position rather than at the front panel 56.

Claims (9)

1. Security apparatus for computer hardware, which security apparatus comprises a base for securing to a worksurf ace, a housing which is such that the computer hardware is able to slide into the housing with the housing then extending around the top, bottom and sides of the computer hardware, and connector means for connecting the housing to the base; the security apparatus being such that the base receives only a lower part of the housing whereby the base prevents the computer hardware from being slid out of the housing when the housing is located in the base and whereby the base does not prevent operator access to the computer hardware; and the security apparatus being such that the connector means comprises interengaging members which are on the base and the housing and which engage each other when the housing is received in the base and is slid to a locking position, and a locking means for locking the housing to the base when the housing is located in the base and is slid to the locking position.

2. Security apparatus according to claim 1 in which the base has at least one adhesive pad for sticking the base to the worksurf ace and/or apertures for enabling the base to be bolted to the worksurface.

3. Security apparatus according to claim 2 in which the or each adhesive pad is protected by a peel-off protective sheet.

4. Security apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the housing has top, bottom and side walls for surrounding the computer hardware.

5. Security apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the base has interengaging members in the form of lugs, and in which the housing has interengaging members in the form of apertures through which the lugs pass and slots into which the lugs slide to the locking position.

6. Security apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 in which the base has slots, and in which the housing has lugs which are able to enter the slots and then slide in the slots to the locking position.

7. Security apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the locking means is a keyoperated lock.

8. Security apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including computer hardware.

9. Security apparatus for computer hardware, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.