GB2336392A

GB2336392A - Security apparatus for a lap-top computer

Info

Publication number: GB2336392A
Application number: GB9801430A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Maurice Henry Whittle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-01-23
Filing date: 1998-01-23
Publication date: 1999-10-20
Anticipated expiration: 2018-01-23
Also published as: GB9801430D0; GB2336392B

Abstract

A security apparatus (10) comprises a frame (12), a bracket (14), a cable (16) and a cable securing bracket (18), a lap-top computer (24) being securable to the frame (12) by means of a rotatable arm (22) and a lock (24).

Description

h SECURITY APPARATUS, PARTICULARLY FOR A LAP-TOP COMPUTER The present

invention relates to a security apparatus.

2336392 In particular though not exclusively the invention relates to a security apparatus for use with.a lap-top computer.

It is well-known that computers generally are frequently targets f or thieves. Various types of security apparatus have been proposed to deter the thef t of computers. For example cables which can be secured directly or by means of adhesive pads to computer apparatus, the other end of the cable being secured to a solid object e.g. a desk.

Also, computer apparatus can be attached to a plate which itself can be locked to a further plate f irmly secured to an item of office furniture.

As far as is known there is no security apparatus specif-ically for use with a lap-top computer. In the case of such a computer which essentially comprises a case with a hinged lid it is essential that access to the keyboard, the power supplies and the various ports which are provided is not interrupted by the presence of any type of apparatus which is designed to prevent the theft of the computer.

h In the present case the invention seeks to provide a security apparatus in which the lid of the computer which contains the display screen is retained by the security apparatus in order to prevent or deter theft of the computer.

The present invention further seeks to provide a security apparatus in which such a computer can be securely concealed within a container which forms part of the security apparatus.

Accordingly the present invention provides a security apparatus more particularly for a lap-top computer, the security apparatus comprising a frame having retaining means arranged to clamp the hinged lid of a laptop computer to the frame, the frame being securable to a fixed structure.

The retaining means can comprise for example a channel arranged to receive one edge of the lid and a lockable moveable arm arranged opposite to the channel, to secure a second edge of the lid.

The frame can include a base plate enabling the frame to be secured to an item of office furniture e.g. a desk.

As well as or alternatively, the security apparatus can include a length of flexible cable which is secured to the frame at one end and is provided at the other end with a bracket enabling the cable to be secured to a fixed structure e.g. an office desk. The security apparatus can also include a container having an - 3 opening through which an item to be secured e. g. a lap-top computer can be inserted into the container, the opening having a door which can be secured in position to close off the opening.

The present invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows an exploded view of one form of security apparatus according to the present invention together with a lap-top computer, Figure 2 shows the security apparatus and the lap-top computer of Figure 1 assembled in position, Figure 3 shows an exploded view of another f orm of security apparatus according to the present invention, Figure 4 shows the components of the security apparatus shown in Figure 3 in an assembled condition, Figures 5 and 5 show corresponding views to Figures 3 and 4 of a modified form of the security apparatus shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a security apparatus (10) comprising a frame (12), a bracket (14), a cable (16) and a cable securing bracket (18).

The frame (12) comprises a base plate (12A), two side plates h (12B, 12C), and a transverse plate (12D) A lock casing (20) is attached to the plate (12D) and contains a rotatable arm (22) which can be locked in the position shown by means of a lock (24).

The lock casing (20) which is open at the bottom and back can be formed separately and attached to the transverse plate (12D) or can be formed either as part of the transverse plate (12D) or part of the end plate (12C) or partially by both the transverse plate (12D) and the end plate (12C).

The bracket (14) is attached to the transverse plate (12D) by means of bolts (26) which engage with captive nuts (not shown) attached to the back of the bracket (14).

The bracket (14) is provided at one end with three walls (14A, 14C, 14D) which locate inside the lock casing (20) and the wall (14D) closes of f the bottom of the lock casing. The main plate (14E) of the bracket (14) closes -off the rear of the lock casing.

The opposite end of the bracket (14) is provided with a flange (14B) and a keyhole slot (14C).

The cable (16) is provided with enlargements (16A, 16B) at each end, the enlargement (16A) being inserted into the keyhole slot (14C) of the bracket (14). It will be understood that when the bracket (14) is attached to the plate (12D), the cable will be h retained to the bracket (14).

The cable bracket (18) has two openings (20) through which the cable (16) and the enlargement (16A) can pass and the enlargement (16B) which is larger in diameter than the enlargement (16A) cannot pass and is therefore secured in position after the cable has been passed through the openings (20).

The bracket (18) is secured in position by means of screws (not shown) passing through openings (22) in the base of the bracket (18) and access to the screw heads is prevented by means of a cover plate (24) which is located in position before the cable (16) is assembled to the bracket (18).

Referring to both Figures 1 and 2, in order to clamp a lap-top computer (24) to the security apparatus (10), the hinged lid (24A) of the computer is located on one side in a channel (28) which is formed between the transverse plate (12D) and a flange of the end plate (12B).

The other side of the lid (24A) is retained in position by means of the arm (22) which is swung into the position shown and locked into position by means of the lock (24).

It will be appreciated that the lap-top computer (24) cannot now be removed from the frame (12) and the frame is held in position by means of the cable (16) and cable bracket (18).

h In a further arrangement (not shown) the cable can be dispensed with and the frame (12) can be secured in position on, for example, an item of office furniture e.g. a desk by means of screws or bolts or other retaining means passing through the plate (12A). This arrangement would be particulary useful if fixed stations are required for the computer.

It will be appreciated that the use of a cable and cable bracket enables the frame (12) to be moved to a variety of positions as required.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4 there is shown a security apparatus (110) which has many features identical to those shown with reference to the security apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2. The corresponding components have been given similar references. The security apparatus (110) comprises a frame (112) comprising a base plate (112A), two side plates (112B, 112C) and a transverse plate (112D).

The base plate (112A) and the two side plates (112B, 112C) define respectively the sides and base of a container (130) having an opening (132) through which an item of value e.g. a lap-top computer can be inserted.

In normal use the hinged lid of a lap-top computer is retained by means of a channel (126), and a lockable moveable arm (122) in a similar manner to that described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

b Although not shown a cable can be attached to the frame (112) in an identical manner to that described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 e.g. by the provision of a bracket similar to the bracket (14) and a cable bracket similar to the bracket (18).

Also, the base plate (112) can be secured to, for example, a desk by means of screws or bolts if required.

In order to store, for example, a lap-top computer (24) the lid of the computer is released from the frame by unlocking the arm (122), the lid of the computer is closed and the computer is inserted into the container (130) through the opening (132).

A door (134) is positioned on the frame (112) by locating a channel (134A) in the channel (126) and the lockable arm (122) is located within a slot (not shown) in a box (134B).

A plate (134C) closes off the opening (132) and it will be appreciated that the edges of the plate are located internally of the- side plates (112B, 112C), and the top and bottom faces of the container (130).

With such an arrangement it will be very difficult or well nigh impossible for any leverage to-be obtained on the plate (134C) in order to remove the door (134) from the frame (112).

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, there is shown a security apparatus which is identical in many respect to the apparatus shown in 4 Figures 3 and 4 except for the construction of the door (134).

At the left hand side of the door (134) as viewed in Figure 5 there are provided two tongues (134D) which engage with slots (136) formed in the side plate (112B).

In order to close off the opening (132) the tongues (134D) are located within the slots (136) and the lockable arm (122) engages with a slot (not shown) in the box (134B).

Again as described with reference to Figures 3 and 4 the edges of the plate (134C) are located within the side plates (112B, 112C) and the top and bottom faces of the container (130) and it will be very difficult or well nigh impossible to obtain any leverage on the plate (134C).

The container (130) can have an aperture formed in the rear wall to allow the passage of cables to a port replicator permanently attached to the rear of the lap-top computer.

The security apparatus according to the present invention because an item such as a lap-top computer is gripped by the hinged lid of the computer which contains the screen, access to the remainder of the computer e.g. the keyboard and the front, back and sides is uninterrupted. Therefore the computer can be used in a completely normal fashion and access to the normal operating features of the computer is uninterrupted.

4.

The security apparatus according to the invention can be either fixed in position, e.g. by bolts or screws passing through the base plate, e.g. to a desk, or can be secured by a cable enabling the security apparatus, either with or without the computer, to be moved to a desired position.

Although the invention has been described with particular reference to a lap-top computer, it will be appreciated that other items of value can be securely kept and stored, by other apparatus falling within the scope of the invention, e.g. a brief case, or any box like structure having a hinged lid.

Security apparatus according to the present invention is sized to accommodate a range of lap-top computers, of varying dimensions, and with keyboards, ports, drives and other features located anywhere on the base of the computer.

The security apparatus of the invention can be made from, for example, sheet metal, or a moulded plastics material.

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Claims

A security apparatus more particularly for a lap-top computer, the security apparatus comprising a frame having retaining means arranged to clamp the hinged lid of a laptop computer to the frame, the frame being securable to a fixed structure.
2. A security apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the retaining means comprises a channel arranged to receive one edge of the lid of the computer and a lockable moveable arm arranged opposite to the channel to secure a second edge of the lid of the computer.
3. A security apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the frame includes a base plate enabling the frame to be secured to an item of furniture.
4. A security apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a length of flexible cable securable to the frame at one end and provided at the other end with a bracket enabling the cable to be secured to a fixed structure.
5. A security apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a container having an opening through which an item to be secured e. g. a lap-top computer, can be inserted into the container, the opening having a door which can be secured in position to close off the opening.
A security apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a lock located in a closed compartment.
7.

A security apparatus constructed and arranged for use and operation substantially as herein disclosed and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7.

A security apparatus constructed and arranged for use and operation substantially as herein disclosed and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the clairils have been filed as follows A_ CLAIMS A security apparatus comprising a frame having retaining means arranged to clamp the hinged lid of a lap-top computer, in its open position, to the frame, the frame being securable to a fixed structure.

A security apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the retaining means comprises a channel arranged to receive one edge of the lid of the computer and a lockable moveable arm arranged opposite to the channel to secure a second edge of the lid of the computer.

A security apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the frame includes a base plate enabling the frame to be secured to an item of furniture.

A security apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a length of flexible cable securable to the frame at one end and provided at the other end with a bracket enabling the cable to be secured to a fixed structure.

0 - 4 A security apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a container having an opening through which an item to be secured e. g. a lap-top computer, can be inserted into the container, the opening having a door which can be secured in position to close off the opening.

6. A security apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a lock located in a closed compartment.