GB2512387A

GB2512387A - Security bracket

Info

Publication number: GB2512387A
Application number: GB201305773A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Dinnewell
Original assignee: WHITEGHYLL PLASTICS Ltd
Current assignee: WHITEGHYLL PLASTICS Ltd
Priority date: 2013-03-28
Filing date: 2013-03-28
Publication date: 2014-10-01
Anticipated expiration: 2033-03-28
Also published as: GB201305773D0; GB2512387B

Abstract

A security bracket for preventing theft of an electronic device comprising a housing 10 arranged to securely hold an electronic device on multiple sides, a pillar 20 connected to the housing 10 at a first end 22 and a base plate 26 connected to a second end 24 of the pillar wherein the first end 22 of the pillar has an aperture 29 and shoulders 39, the pillar 20 is a hollow elongate tube, a rotatable inner column 30 is positioned within the pillar 20 and includes a neck portion 31 and a flange 33, the neck portion 31 being fixed to the housing 10, the flange 33 being urged towards the first end 22 of the pillar such that it is in frictional engagement with the shoulder 39. The device may be used with mobile phones, cameras or tablets and the biasing may be caused by a spring 36. The pillar 20 may be at an angle or have a dogleg. A pin and slot may be used to limit rotation.

Description

Security bracket [0001] Embodiments of the invention relate to a security bracket for securely holding an electronic device. In particular, but not exclusively, embodiments of the invention relate to a security bracket for securely holding an electronic device such as a smart phone, tablet computer or camera to be displayed in a retail outlet such that a user may look at the device, touch it, and rotate it, for example from portrait view to landscape view, but may not remove it from the security bracket.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Traditionally theft prevention devices are used to prevent expensive electronic devices such as smart phones, tablet computers and cameras from being stolen while on display in retail outlets or at exhibitions. Sadly, thieves go to extraordinary lengths to steal these highly desirable and expensive devices leading to a lot of retailers, especially those in the smart phone market, no longer displaying working models and instead using dummy models as their display models. Consequently, when a potential customer wants to view and try a device, a sales person must retrieve a working device from the storeroom and give the customer a one to one demonstration.

[0003] Anti-theft devices for smart phones, tablet computers and cameras can generally be divided into two distinct systems: alarm style systems or fixed display systems.

[0004] Alarm style systems generally sound an alarm if a customer removes a device for an unauthorised length of time. For example, CN202331692U discloses a wedge shaped holder for attaching to a cell phone or digital device, the wedge shaped holder being electrically connected via a wire to a stand column and being further provided with an alarm. If the device is removed from the stand column for too long, then an alarm sounds.

However, this type of anti-theft device does not actually prevent the removal of the device from the stand column. It simply sounds an alarm when removal is detected. As such, alarm style systems are simply a deterrent; they do not directly prevent the theft of an electronic device.

[0005] Fixed display systems general minimise movement of the electronic device in order to prevent it from being removed from the stand. CN 10241 5744A discloses a bracket with three arms for displaying a tablet computer, a supporting rod, and a base, the base being moveably connected to a lower portion of the supporting rod via a spindle, and the upper portion of the supporting rod being moveably connected to the bracket by a bracket spindle. The moveable connections between base and rod, and rod and bracket, enable the tablet computer to be tilted at different angles. However, as electronic devices become more able to carry out tasks initiated by motion, having an anti-theft device that limits almost all motion of the device and only allows a tilting motion is too limiting for a modern retail environment.

[0006] Embodiments of the invention seek to at least partly mitigate the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0007] According to a first aspect, there is provided a security bracket for preventing unauthorised removal of an electronic device on display in a retail outlet, comprising a housing arranged securely to hold the electronic device on multiple sides, a pillar connected to the housing at a first end of the pillar, and a base plate connected to a second end of the pillar, wherein the first end of the pillar further comprises an orifice and shoulders, the pillar being a substantially hollow elongate tube and able to accept an inner column having a neck portion and a flange, the neck portion of the inner column passing through and protruding from the orifice of the pillar, the neck portion being fixedly connected to the housing, the flange of the inner column being urged towards the first end of the pillar, the flange being in frictional engagement with the shoulders, the inner column having means for axial rotation such that the housing is rotatable relative to the pillar.

[0008] By combining an arrangement of housing, pillar and base plate, with a rotatable inner column, security brackets of the present invention are able to prevent unauthorised removal of an electronic device on display because the housing is effectively connected to the pillar by an extremely strong connection such as a weld, rather than a moving hinge or ball and socket joint. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the strength of the security bracket lies predominantly in the strength of the components such as the housing and the inner column, and the base plate and pillar. There are no cables or hinges to provide accessible points for tampering, nor are there any weak points that can be broken with cable cutters or other tools. Thus, the combination of the inner column within the pillar and housing provide a security bracket with surprising strength and integrity while importantly enabling a user to rotate the housing holding an electronic device and thus rotate the electronic device. Surprisingly, the arrangement does not degrade even after 30,000 rotations, and no maintenance is required to keep the bracket in operation. There are no complex moving parts, for example, that require regular lubrication.

[0009] The security bracket locks on to multiple sides of the electronic device while the front portion of the electronic device (most typically the screen) is not unduly obstructed from view. Furthermore, a rotation mechanism is provided within the security bracket which enables rotation of the electronic device and is not susceptible to excessive wear.

The security bracket has an extremely robust rotation mechanism, withstanding over 30,000 rotations without any evidence of degradation of the bracket.

[0010] The inner column may be urged upwardly by a spring within the pillar. The reaction to the compressive force on the spring may range from approximately 40 Nm2 to Nm2 at 1 mm deflection. More preferably, reaction to the compressive force on the spring may range from approximately 50 Nm2 to 60 Nm2 at 1 mm deflection, and most preferably, the reaction to the compressive force on the spring may be about 56 Nm2 at 1 mm deflection. In other words, the pressure required to deflect the spring compressively may range from about 40 Nrri2 to 70 Nm2 for 4% deflection. More preferably, the pressure required to deflect the spring compressively may range from about 50 Nm2 to 60 Nm2 for 4% deflection, and most preferably, the pressure required to deflect the spring compressively may range may be about 56 Nm2 for 4% deflection.

[0011] Lateral displacement of the spring within the pillar may be restrained by a boss having a body and a cap, the cap of the boss may sit inside the spring and thus limit lateral displacement of the spring relative to the cap of the boss.

[0012] The boss may be coupled to an anchor plate. The anchor plate may be shaped in a shape substantially similar to the shape defined by the cross-sectional perimeter of the pillar. By matching the shape of the anchor to the shape of the pillar, the anchor plate is prevented from rotating inside the pillar. The person skilled in the art will be aware that alternative components may be employed to provide the same means as the spring, boss and anchor plate arrangement; however the spring, boss and anchor plate arrangement is one such way which is both simple and extremely robust. Therefore, when the boss rotates around its axis, the anchor plate remains axially fixed within the pillar.

[0013] The pillar may be an elongate tube of square, rectangular or hexagonal cross-section.

[0014] The pillar may be an elongate tube of triangular or polygonal cross-section.

[0015] The skilled person in the art will be aware of other tube shapes that would also be appropriate to provide the same advantage as described above.

[0016] The anchor plate may be provided with a screw threaded hole. By rotating a grub screw within the hole, the anchor plate may be urged upwards within the pillar toward the first end of the pillar. Urging the anchor plate closer toward the first end of the pillar increases the reaction to the compressive force on the spring which increases resistance to rotation and as such, the housing may not rotate freely in a loose manner. The spring may be tightened such that the housing only rotates when active pressure is placed upon it by a user.

[0017] The pillar may be angled such that the housing displays the electronic device at a preferred angle to the display surface. This is particularly important for devices such as smart phones and tablet computers since they often include an accelerometer that is able to alter the screen view when held in different orientations, but the accelerometer may only be responsive when the electronic device is tilted at a certain angle.

[0018] The angle of the pillar relative to a display surface may be from approximately 40° to approximately 70°. More preferably, the angle may be from approximately 50° to approximately 60°. More preferably, the angle may be about 55°.

[0019] The pillar may have a dog leg arrangement comprising two portions adjoined at an angle. The first portion (i.e. the end closest to the housing) may connect to the housing at a right angle to the housing. The second portion may connect to the base plate (and therefore, in use, to the display surface) at a right angle to the base plate. The dog leg angle of the first portion of the pillar relative to the second portion of the pillar may be from approximately 130° to approximately 160°. More preferably, the angle may be from approximately 140° to approximately 150°. More preferably, the angle may be about 145°.

[0020] The housing (and thus the device) may have an angle to the display surface from approximately 20° to approximately 50°. More preferably, the angle may be from approximately 30° to approximately 40°. More preferably, the angle may be about 35°.

[0021] The housing may comprise an attachment plate, a first sleeve and a second sleeve. The first sleeve and the second sleeve may each comprise a back plate and at least first and at least second arms. The sleeves may comprise a plurality of arms depending on the size of the electronic device they are adapted to hold. A tablet computer for example, may require multiple arms on each side of the device to hold it securely.

[0022] The arms of either the first sleeve or the second sleeve may further comprise fingers such that the electronic device must be manoeuvred in a sliding manner to position the electronic device in the sleeve. The remaining sleeve may only have arms without fingers and the first sleeve and the second sleeve may then be stacked upon each other to form a cross, the resultant sleeves forming the housing and the sleeves may be stacked upon the attachment plate which may be adapted to attach to the first end of the pillar.

[0023] The first portion of the pillar may include slots within the shoulders for accepting pins from the housing. For example, rotation may be limited by 90°. In order to limit rotation to 90°, a semi-circular slot may be cut out of the shoulder portion of the pillar. The slot may then form a track for the pin from the housing to run along. When the pin reaches the end of the slot, the rotation is limited. Several slots may be provided for several pins (in order to improve the robustness of the pins and slots, since the load is shared between all pins and slots).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a security bracket; Figure 2 is an exploded view of an inner column arrangement; Figure 3 a first sleeve of the housing; Figure 4 is a second sleeve of the housing; Figure 5 is an attachment plate of the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] An electronic device may be a device such as a smart phone, tablet computer or camera, but is not limited to only those. Any small electronic personal device that is typically on display in a retail outlet could also be compatible with the security bracket as described herein.

[0026] Figure 1 shows a security bracket 1 with a housing 10 for securely holding an electronic device, a pillar 20 being elongate and having a first end 22 and a second end 24. The second end 24 is connected to a base plate 26 and the base plate is further provided with a connector 27 to securely fix the base to a display surface. The skilled person will appreciate that simple steps can be taken to adapt the base plate such that the security bracket may affix to a side wall or other surface.

[0027] The pillar is a substantially hollow tube, the pillar having a square tubular structure. Other shaped tubes are also envisaged for the pillar including oval, hexagonal, and rectangular. The specific shape of the pillar is not limited to a particular shape but it benefits from being non-circular. Circular tubes may also be used, but additional features are required to prevent an anchor plate 34 from rotating within the tube.

[0028] The first portion 22 of the pillar is connected to the housing 10 by means of an inner column 30.

[0029] Figure 2 shows the inner column in more detail. The inner column 30 has a neck 31, a body 32 and a flange 33. It is the neck 31 that is connected directly to the housing 10.

[0030] The neck 31 protrudes through an orifice 29 surrounded by shoulders 39 of the pillar.

[0031] The flange of the inner column sits underneath the shoulders 39 of the pillar, the flange being in frictional engagement with the shoulders 39.

[0032] A brass washer 38 may be positioned between the shoulders and the flange and lessens the coefficient of friction between the shoulders and the flange (the coefficient of friction between stainless steel and brass is less that the coefficient of between stainless steel and stainless steel).

[0033] The body 32 of the inner column sits inside the central barrel of a spring 36. The spring urges the flanges 33 upwardly toward the shoulders 39. The spring 36 is particularly stiff and the uppermost and lowermost loops of the spring are planed such that the entire upper and lowermost portions of the spring sit flat on the flange of the inner column. The reaction to the compressive force on the spring ranges from approximately Nm2 to 70 Nm2 at 1 mm deflection. More preferably, reaction to the compiessive force on the spring ranges from approximately 50 Nm2 to 60 Nm2 at 1 mm deflection, and most preferably, the reaction to the compressive force on the spring is 56 Nm2 at 1 mm deflection. Surprisingly, the reaction to the compressive force on the spring is very important and contributes significantly to the usability and longevity of the security bracket.

In other words, the pressure required to deflect the spring compressively may range from about 40 Nm2 to 70 Nm2 for 4% deflection. More preferably, the pressure required to deflect the spring compressively may range from about 50 Nm2 to 60 Nm2 for 4% deflection, and most preferably, the pressure required to deflect the spring compressively may range may be about 56 Nm2 for 4% deflection.

[0034] A boss 40 having a boss body 42 and a boss cap 44 is located at the other end of the spring. The boss body 42 sits inside the central barrel of the spring 36 at the opposite end to the inner column body 32. Lateral displacement of the spring within the pillar is restrained by 40 having a boss body 42 and a boss cap 44; the cap 44 of the boss sits inside the spring 36 and thus limits lateral displacement of the spring relative to the cap 44 of the boss 40.

[0035] The boss 40 is coupled to an anchor plate 34. The anchor plate 34 is shaped in a shape substantially similar to the shape defined by the cross-sectional perimeter of the pillar. By matching the shape of the anchor plate to the cross-sectional perimeter of the pillar, the anchor plate is prevented from rotating inside the pillar. Therefore, when the boss rotates around its axis, the anchor plate remains axially fixed within the pillar.

Alternatively the boss may be fixed to the anchor plate via a weld. In this arrangement, the spring will rotate around the pivot point of the boss body.

[0036] The pillar is an elongate tube of square cross-sectional perimeter. The pillar may be an elongate tube of triangular, rectangular, hexagonal or polygonal cross-section. The skilled person in the art will be aware of other tube shapes that would also be appropriate to provide the same advantage as described above.

[0037] The anchor plate is provided with an screw threaded hole. This additional feature enables the user to increase the friction between the inner column and the shoulders of the pillar. By tightening a grub screw in the hole, the anchor plate may be urged upwards within the pillar toward the first end of the pillar. Urging the anchor plate closer toward the first end of the pillar may increase the reaction to the compressive force on the spring leading to an increase in frictional resistance to rotation and as such the housing may not rotate freely in a loose manner, but may only rotate when active pressure is placed upon it by a user.

[0038] The pillar is connected to the housing 10 and the base plate 26 at right angles respectively. In order for the housing to be displayed at an angle to the display surface the pillar has a dog leg arrangement comprising two portions adjoined at an angle. The first portion (i.e. the first end) connects to the housing at a right angle to the housing. The second portion (i.e. second end) connects to the base plate (and therefore, in use the display surface) at a right angle to the base plate.

[0039] The dog leg angle of the first portion of the pillar relative to the second portion of the pillar ranges from approximately 40° to approximately 7Qo More preferably, the angle ranges from approximately 50° to approximately 60°. More preferably the angle is about 55°.

[0040] The pillar may be a straight pillar and accommodate the display angle by adjoining the base plate or the housing at a predefined angle. However, there are benefits for the dog leg arrangement as described below.

[0041] In the dog leg arrangement a pig nose 28 access hole enables an authorised person to tighten or loosen the anchor screw 35 to either increase or decrease the reaction to the compressive force on the spring. Surprisingly, in the arrangement as described above, maintenance, including tightening and loosening the anchor screw, is not required even after prolonged use. The benefit of the security bracket is its robustness and longevity without timely and complex maintenance procedures. The smoothness and reliability of the rotation of the housing is in part due to the arrangement of the components of the inner column and the spring.

[0042] The pillar should be angled such that the housing displays the electronic device at an angle to the display surface. This is particularly important for devices such as smart phones and tablet computers since they include an accelerometer that is able to alter the screen view when held in different orientations but the accelerometer may only be responsive when the electronic device is tilted at a certain angle.

[0043] The housing (and thus the device) has an angle to the display surface ranging from approximately 200 to approximately 5Q0 More preferably, the angle ranges from approximately 30° to approximately 40°. More preferably the angle is about 35°.

[0044] The housing may be a single piece with arms. However, the arrangement of multiple sleeves has advantages over the one piece arrangement and is more secure as it enables a much tighter grasp of the electronic device.

[0045] Figures 3 and 4 show elements of the housing. The housing comprises an attachment plate 12, a first sleeve 14 and a second sleeve 16. The first sleeve and the second sleeve may each comprise a back plate and at least first and at least second arms 15, 17. The sleeves may comprise a plurality of arms depending on the size of the electronic device they are adapted to hold. A tablet computer for example, may require multiple arms on each side of the device to hold it securely.

[004.6] The arms of either the first sleeve or the second sleeve comprise fingers (in the form of a shortened flat plate running parallel to the back plate of the sleeve 15,17) such that the electronic device must be manoeuvred in a sliding manner to position the electronic device in the sleeve. The remaining sleeve only need have arms without fingers and the first sleeve 14 and the second sleeve 16 may then be stacked upon each other to form a cross.

[0047] The resultant sleeves form the housing and the sleeves are then stacked upon the attachment plate which is adapted to attach to the first end of the pillar, via the neck of the inner column 31.

[004.8] The attachment plate includes pins 37 for limiting the rotation to a predetermined angular rotation. The pins sit inside a channel (or slot) formed in the shoulders 39 of the pillar. The length of the channel (or slot) dictates the angular rotation of the housing. If the pins and channels (or slots) were removed then the housing would be able to rotate the full 360° undogered. Using two symmetrical channels and two pins shares the load of particularly rough turning.

[0049] For example, rotation of the housing could be limited by 90° by providing semi-circular slots cut out of the shoulder portion of the pillar. The slot forms a track for the pin from the housing to run along. When the pin reaches the end of the slot, the rotation is limited. This arrangement is particularly good changing the view of an electronic device in the housing from landscape view to portrait view.

[0050] Figure 5 shows the aftachment plate resting on the pillar 22 with the inner column neck 31 protruding therefrom. The attachment plate (and the sleeves 14, 16) are provided with attachment holes 13 for bolting the attachment plate and sleeves togethei.

[0051] It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that features described in relation to any of the embodiments described above can be applicable interchangeably between the different embodiments. The embodiments described above are examples to illustrate various features of the invention [0052] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

[0053] Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments.

The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

[0054] The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A security bracket for preventing unauthorised removal of an electronic device on display in a retail outlet, comprising; a housing arranged securely to hold the electronic device on multiple sides; a pillar connected to the housing at a first end of the pillar; and a base plate connected to a second end of the pillar, wherein the first end of the pillar further comprises an orifice and shoulders, the pillar being a substantially hollow elongate tube and able to accept an inner column having a neck portion and a flange, the neck portion of the inner column passing through and protruding from the orifice of the pillar, the neck portion being fixedly connected to the housing, the flange of the inner column being urged towards the first end of the pillar, the flange being in frictional engagement with the shoulders, the inner column having means for axial rotation such that the housing is rotatable relative to the pillar.
2. A security bracket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner column is urged towards the first end of the pillar by a spring.
3. A security bracket as claimed in claim 2, wherein lateral displacement of the spring within the pillar is restrained by a boss having a body and a cap, the cap of the boss sitting inside the spring.
4. A security bracket as claimed in claim 3, wherein the boss abuts an anchor plate, the anchor plate being provided with an screw threaded hole adapted to accept a screw for urging the spring toward the first end of the pillar.
5. A security bracket as claimed in claim 4, wherein the anchor plate is shaped substantially similar to the shape defined by the cross-sectional perimeter of the pillar.
6. A security bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pillar is an elongate tube of square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal or polygonal cross-section.
7. A security bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pillar has an angle relative to the display surface from approximately 40° to approximately 70° to the display surface, or an angle from approximately 50° to approximately 60° or an angle of about 55°.
8. A security bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pillar has a dog leg arrangement comprising first and second portions adjoined at an angle.
9. A security bracket as claimed in claim 8, wherein the dog leg angle of the first portion of the pillar relative to the second portion of the pillar ranges from approximately 1300 to approximately 1600, or the angle ranges from approximately 140° to approximately 150°, or the angle is about 145°.
10. A security bracket as claimed in any preceding claim! wherein the housing has an angle to the base plate from approximately 20° to approximately 50°, or from approximately 30° to approximately 40° or the angle is about 35°.
11. A security bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the housing comprises an attachment plate, a first sleeve and a second sleeve.
12. A security bracket as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first sleeve and the second sleeve each comprise a back plate and at least first and at least second arms.
13. A security bracket as claimed in claims 11 or 12, wherein the sleeves comprise a plurality of arms.
14. A security bracket as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the arms of either the first sleeve or the second sleeve further comprise fingers.
15. A security bracket as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the first sleeve and the second sleeve are stacked upon each other to form a cross, the resultant stack forming the housing and the stack being positioned upon the attachment plate adapted to connect to the inner column.
16. A security bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first end of the pillar comprises at least one slot within the shoulders for accepting at least one pin from the housing.
17. A security bracket as claimed in claim 16, wherein the slot is a semi-circular slot to limit rotation of the housing relative to the pillar.
18. A security bracket as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.