GB2384267A

GB2384267A - Computer physical security device

Info

Publication number: GB2384267A
Application number: GB0201240A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Maurice Henry Whittle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-01-19
Filing date: 2002-01-19
Publication date: 2003-07-23
Also published as: GB0201240D0

Abstract

The device is used in conjunction with an elongate slot in the wall of a computer housing (not shown) to secure same by means of a cable (44) to an immovable object (also not shown). A central plate (10) is sandwiched between two outer plates (20, 30) and is held captive therebetween while being slidably displacable between a retracted (as shown) and an extended position. The central plate (10) has, at one end, a projection (18) terminating in a cross piece (19). The outer plates (20, 30) also having projections (28, 38), but these do not carry cross pieces. These projections (28, 38) lie at either side of the central plate projection (18) when the central plate is in its retracted position. In use, with the central plate (10) in its extended position, its projection (18) can be inserted into the slot until the cross piece (19) extends therebeyond. The device is then turned 90{ so that the cross piece (19) is held captive by the wall of the equipment. The outer plates (20, 30) are then displaced relative to the central plate (100 so the latter is in its retracted position such that the outer plate projections (28, 38) flank the central plate projection (18) and extend into the slot. This prevents the crosspiece (19) being returned to align with the slot. A locking device, such as a padlock (46) is then secured through aligned apertures (26) in the plates (10, 20, 30) to prevent the central plate returning to its extended position.

Description

Computer Physical Security Device This invention concerns a device for inhibiting theft of a piece of equipment, particularly, a piece of valuable equipment, such as a computer.

A device is described in EP-A-0 577 811 which is used in conjunction with an elongate slot provided in the wall of a computer housing, specifically for the purpose of its attachment, the relevant attachment means of the device being closely matched to the dimensions of said slot. This known device comprises a cylindrical housing and a cylindrical barrel rotatable within the housing.

The barrel carries a projection having a terminal crosspiece, which projection can be inserted through the slot and the barrel rotated so that the crosspiece is held captive behind the wall. Additionally, a spring-loaded, but non-rotatable component carries a pair of prongs which flank the projection and can also be inserted into the slot. The crosspiece is initially in alignment with these prongs and all are inserted together into the slot. Then, when the barrel is rotated the crosspiece is moved out of alignment with these prongs, and the device can be locked in this condition. A cable is attached to the device for securement to an immovable object.

The aforesaid device is of relatively complex construction and is expensive.

An object of the invention is to provide an equally effective security device which is of simpler design and is less expensive.

With this obj ect in view, the invention provides a device for inhibiting theft of a piece of equipment having an external wall provided with an elongate slot of predetermined depth, said device comprising three plates, in which respect a central plate is sandwiched between two outer plates and is held captive therebetween while being slidably displacable relative to the outer plates being a first position and a second position, the central plate having, at one end, a projection terminating in a cross piece, and the outer plates also having projections, but which do not carry cross pieces, which outer plate projections lie at either side of the central plate projection when the central plate is in its first position, but which are retracted therefrom when the central plate is in its second position, the central plate projection being adapted in its dimensions to the depth of the slot in the equipment so that, in use, with the central plate in its second position, said projection can be inserted into the slot until the cross piece extends therebeyond and the device then turned so that the crosspiece is held captive by the wall of the equipment, whereupon the outer plates can be displaced relative to the central plate to bring the latter into its first position such that the outer plate projections flank the central plate projection and extend into the slot, thereby preventing the crosspiece being returned to align with the slot, means being provided for locking the central plate in its first position, and means being provided for attaching a cable to at least one of the outer plates whereby the device, and hence the equipment to which it is attached, can be secured to an immovable object.

Thus, this device does not include any relatively rotatable or spring loaded parts and relies only on the relative sliding of plates to achieve the same result.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred practical embodiment of the device of the invention; Figure 2 is a slightly enlarged perspective view of the same device assembled in a first, locking position; Figure 3 is a view identical to Fig. 2 showing the device in a second, unlocking or insertion position; Figure 4 is a view identical to Fig. 2 showing a cable connected to the device; and Figure 5 is a comparable view to Fig. 4 showing the device in its locking position and secured by a padlock.

As shown, the preferred embodiment of the device of the invention comprises three small steel plates, namely a central plate 10 sandwiched between respective outer plates 20,30. The plates are roughly of rectangular shape with rounded comers. The central plate 10 is provided with an elongate aperture 12 and with a lateral extension 14 in which a further circular aperture 16 is provided. The three plates 10,20, 30 are held together by means of two rivets 40, as shown,

which extend through small holes 22,32, in the outer plates 20,30 as a tight friction fit, and through respective spacer washers 42 which are disposed within the aperture 12 in the central plate 10. Thus the central plate 10 is slidably displacable relative to the outer plates 20, 30 in the directions indicated by arrow A, B in Figure I within the limits permitted by the spacers 42, while the outer plates 20,30 always move in unison as they are secured to each other by the rivets 40.

The central plate 10 has a projection 18 at one end with a terminal crosspiece 19. The respective outer plates 20,30 have similar projections 28,38 respectively which extend at either side of the projection 18 in a first position, as shown in Figure 2, but are retracted therefrom in a second position, as shown in Figure 3, when the central plate 10 has been slid in direction A (or the other plates in direction B).

It will be noted that the crosspiece 19 is permanently misaligned relative to these outer plate projections (28,38).

The outer plates 20, 30 are also provided, adjacent a common side, with aligned pairs of apertures 24,26 and 34,36, respectively. The apertures 24,34 are in line with a narrower portion of the central plate 10, behind the extension 14, and serve for attachment of a cable 44 to the device, as shown in Figure 4. Since the cable 44 does not engage the central plate 10, it does not affect its displacement relative to the outer plates 20,30 and therefore does not affect the securement of the device to a piece of equipment, such as a computer, as will now be explained. The cable 44 can therefore be permanently connected to the device, and is used when the latter is secured to a computer or the like, to attach same to an immovable object to prevent its theft.

In use, referring to Figures 4 and 5, by relative sliding of the plates 10,20, 30, the central plate 10 is put into its second position where its projection 18 extends beyond the outer plate projections 28,38. This is very easily accomplished with the device held in one hand of a user owing to the particular ergonomic design and dimensioning of the plates forming the device.

Then, with the outer plates 20,30 held in their retracted position by the user (still just one hand), the projection 18 is inserted into an elongate slot in the wall of a computer housing and turned 90 so that the terminal crosspiece 19 is misaligned with the slot. At this point, the outer plates 20, 30 are slid relative to the central plate 10 to bring the device and central plate 10 into its first position (Figure 2) with the outer plate projections 28,38 also extending into the slot. This prevents further turning of the device relative to the slot. In this position, the apertures 16,26 and 36 in the three plates 10,20, 30 are in alignment and once these are secured by a padlock 46, as shown in Figure 5, the device cannot be released from its attachment to the slot in the computer wall.

The foregoing is illustrative, not limitative of the scope of the invention and variations in details are possible.

Claims

Claims 1. A device for inhibiting theft of a piece of equipment having an external wall provided with an elongate slot of predetermined depth, said device comprising three plates, in which respect a central plate is sandwiched between two outer plates and is held captive therebetween while being slidably displacable relative to the outer plates between a first position and a second position, the central plate having, at one end, a projection terminating in a cross piece, and the outer plates also having projections, but which do not carry cross pieces, which outer plate projections lie at either side of the central plate projection when the central plate is in its first position, but which are retracted therefrom when the central plate is in its second position, the central plate projection being adapted in its dimensions to the depth of the slot in the equipment so that, in use, with the central plate in its second position, said projection can be inserted into the slot until the cross piece extends therebeyond and the device then turned so that the cross piece is held captive by the wall of the equipment, whereupon the outer plates can be displaced relative to the central plate to bring the latter into its first position such that the outer plate projections flank the central plate projection and extend into the slot, thereby preventing the crosspiece being returned to align with the slot, means being provided for locking the central plate in its first position, and means being provided for attaching a cable to at least one of the outer plates whereby the device, and hence the equipment to which it is attached, can be secured to an immovable object.

<Desc/Clms Page number 7>
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the means for locking the central plate in its first position comprises an aperture in the central plate and an aperture in at least one of the outer plates, which apertures are in alignment when the central plate is in its first position, so as to be capable of both being engaged by a locking device, such as a padlock, but which are out of alignment when the central plate is in its second position.
3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the means for locking the central plate in its first position comprises apertures in all three plates, which apertures are in alignment when the central plate is in its first position, so as to be capable of all being engaged by a locking device, such as a padlock, but which are out of alignment when the central plate is in its second position.
4. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the means for attaching a cable comprising a further aperture in at least one of the outer plates.
5. A device for inhibiting theft of a piece of equipment substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.