US20170201043A1 - Notebook, laptop or portable computer power adapter with security lock - Google Patents
Notebook, laptop or portable computer power adapter with security lock Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20170201043A1 US20170201043A1 US14/994,558 US201614994558A US2017201043A1 US 20170201043 A1 US20170201043 A1 US 20170201043A1 US 201614994558 A US201614994558 A US 201614994558A US 2017201043 A1 US2017201043 A1 US 2017201043A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- power
- head
- housing
- main housing
- computer
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
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Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
- H01R13/639—Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F13/00—Interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units
- G06F13/38—Information transfer, e.g. on bus
- G06F13/40—Bus structure
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F21/00—Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
- G06F21/70—Protecting specific internal or peripheral components, in which the protection of a component leads to protection of the entire computer
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F21/00—Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
- G06F21/70—Protecting specific internal or peripheral components, in which the protection of a component leads to protection of the entire computer
- G06F21/88—Detecting or preventing theft or loss
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/26—Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F2200/00—Indexing scheme relating to G06F1/04 - G06F1/32
- G06F2200/16—Indexing scheme relating to G06F1/16 - G06F1/18
- G06F2200/163—Indexing scheme relating to constructional details of the computer
- G06F2200/1639—Arrangements for locking plugged peripheral connectors
Definitions
- the present invention relates to power adapters and, more specifically, to power adapters with safety security locks for notebooks, laptops or portable computers.
- portable computers such as smartphones, tablets and laptop computers
- the users need to periodically charge their computers and take caution to insure that they are not stolen.
- portable computers such as laptops
- portable computers are charged by plugging them into a wall socket using a power adapter and leaving them in that condition for a given period of time during which the computer battery recharges.
- portable computers may be secured or prevented from being stolen by way of flexible computer locks that attach to both the portable computer and a nearby fixed item.
- a power adapter for a computer including a power port and a housing defining an aperture.
- the power adapter includes a power head, a lock head disposed on the power head and a main housing including a body affixed to a security element, wiring for supplying power to the computer extending through the body to the power head and a lock system selectively actuatable with a key to orient the lock head in first and second orientations.
- the first orientation is characterized in that the power head is movable relative to the aperture for power head insertion into and removal from the power port.
- the second orientation is characterized in that the power head is immovable relative to the aperture.
- the present invention relates to power adapters and, more specifically, to power adapters with safety security locks for notebooks, laptops or portable computers.
- a power adapter for a computer including a power port and a housing defining an aperture.
- the power adapter includes a main housing affixed to a security element, a key housing securely rotatable relative to the main housing to assume first and second rotational positions, a power head insertable into the power port and rotatably coupled to the main housing to be rotated relative to the main housing with the key housing, wiring configured to supply power to the computer extending into and through the main housing to the power head and a lock head.
- the lock head is disposed on the power head and configured to assume first and second orientations respectively associated with the first and second rotational positions of the key housing and to permit or prevent power head movements relative to the power port in the first and second orientations, respectively.
- a computer includes an inner housing formed to define a power port, an outer housing formed to define an aperture proximate to the power port and a power adapter.
- the power adapter includes a power head, a lock head disposed on the power head and a main housing.
- the main housing includes a body affixed to a security element, wiring for supplying power to the computer extending through the body to the power head and a lock system.
- the lock system is selectively actuatable with a key to orient the lock head in first and second orientations.
- the first orientation is characterized in that the power head is movable relative to the aperture for power head insertion into and removal from the power port.
- the second orientation is characterized in that the power head is immovable relative to the aperture.
- FIG. 1 is an illustration of a portable laptop computer in accordance with embodiments
- FIG. 2 is a top-down view of a portion of the portable laptop computer of FIG. 1 including a power port;
- FIG. 3 is a side view of the portion of the portable laptop computer of FIGS. 1 and 2 including the power port;
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a power adapter in accordance with embodiments
- FIG. 5 is a side view of the power adapter of FIG. 4 ;
- FIG. 6 is a top-down schematic illustration of components of the power adapter of FIG. 4 in accordance with embodiments;
- FIG. 7 is a top-down schematic illustration of components of the power adapter of FIG. 4 in accordance with alternative embodiments.
- FIG. 8A is a top-down view of a power head of the power adapter approaching the power port of the portable laptop computer of FIGS. 1 and 2 ;
- FIG. 8B is a top-down view of the power head being inserted into the power port of the portable laptop computer of FIGS. 1 and 2 ;
- FIG. 8C is a top-down view of a lock head of the power adapter locking the power head in place
- FIG. 9A is a side view of the power head being inserted into the power port of the portable laptop computer of FIGS. 1 and 2 ;
- FIG. 9B is a side view of the lock head locking the power head in place.
- a power adapter for a portable computing device such as a laptop computer
- the power adapter serves to provide power to the portable computing device and locks the portable computing device. Thus, a user does not need to execute both functions himself.
- the computer 10 may be configured as a portable computer and may be particularly configured as a tablet, a smartphone or a laptop computer 11 as shown in FIG. 1 .
- the computer 10 is configured as the laptop computer 11 . It is to be understood, however, that this is not meant to otherwise limit or narrow the scope of the description and that other suitable configurations are possible.
- the laptop computer 11 includes a base 110 , a display portion 111 and a hinge 112 .
- the base 110 includes a housing 12 that is supportive of user input elements, such as a keyboard, a mouse pad and right- and left-click buttons, and which encompasses electrical components, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory unit, a hard drive and a networking unit.
- the display portion 111 has a screen by which graphical user interfaces are displayable to the user and the hinge 112 allows the display unit 111 to fold over a top surface of the base 110 to close the laptop computer 11 .
- the housing 12 includes an inner housing 120 and an outer housing 121 at least near a rear corner of the base 110 proximate to the hinge 112 .
- the inner housing 120 is formed to define a power port 13 by which the laptop computer 11 is receptive of power in the form of alternating current (AC).
- the power port 13 may, in some cases, have a generally cylindrical cross-sectional shape. However, it is to be understood that this is not required in all cases and that the power port 13 may have a polygonal or rectangular shape as well.
- the power port 13 is provided as a recess within the inner housing 120 from an exterior facing surface thereof and includes an outer conductor 130 and an inner conductor 131 disposed within the outer conductor 130 .
- the outer housing 121 is disposed at a distance D from the inner housing 120 to define a space 122 between the exterior facing surface of the inner housing 120 and an interior facing surface of the outer housing 121 .
- the outer housing 121 is formed to define an aperture 14 , which may be substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the power port 13 .
- the aperture 14 may have a polygonal or rectangular shape with a minor axis that may be slightly longer than the diameter of the power port 13 and a major axis that may be substantially longer than the diameter of the power port 13 .
- the laptop computer 11 may further include a sensor 15 disposed on the interior facing surface of the outer housing 121 at a location proximate to the aperture 14 .
- a sensor 15 disposed on the interior facing surface of the outer housing 121 at a location proximate to the aperture 14 .
- An operation of the sensor 15 will be described in greater detail below, however, it may be understood that the sensor 15 can serve as a tool for sensing a position (rotational or otherwise) of an object, such as the lock head 28 to be described below) and, in some cases, may also serve as a mechanical stopper for that object.
- the sensor 15 may have an elongate body extending at least partially from the interior facing surface of the outer housing 121 to the exterior facing surface of the inner housing 120 .
- a power adapter 20 may be provided for the laptop computer 11 such that power in the form of AC can be supplied to the laptop computer 11 .
- the power adapter 20 includes a flexible cord portion 21 that is made up of a live current wire and a naught wire, a socket portion 22 at a first end of the cord portion 21 and a head portion 23 at a second end of the cord portion 21 .
- the socket portion 22 is pluggable into a wall socket and the head portion 23 is pluggable into the laptop computer 11 .
- the power adapter 20 may further include additional components such as surge protectors for protecting the electrical components of the laptop computer 11 .
- the power adapter 20 includes a main housing 24 , a key housing 25 , a power head 26 , wiring 27 and a lock head 28 .
- the main housing 24 is provided as a body 240 that may be tubular in shape, for example, which is affixed to a security element, such as a garrote wire 241 that may be looped around a fixed item.
- the fixed item may be a desk, a wall mounted hook or another suitable immovable element.
- the security element is a garrote wire 241
- the garrote wire 241 may be looped through a through-hole defined by the body 240 of the main housing 24 .
- the main housing 24 may further include first and second lateral protrusions 243 that extend in substantially similar and parallel directions from a first axial face of the body 240 that faces the laptop computer 11 during power supply operations.
- the power adapter 20 may further include a user identification element 30 .
- the user identification element 30 may be disposed on the main housing 24 or on another suitable surface of the power adapter 20 .
- the user identification element 30 may be provided as a fingerprint scanner, a voice recognition microphone or another suitable device for facilitating identification of a user.
- the user identification element 30 may serve to permit activation of the power adapter 20 or the laptop computer 11 only upon validation that a current user is an authorized user.
- the user identification element 30 may be coupled with the CPU of the laptop computer 11 or independently operable.
- the key housing 25 is selectively and securely rotatable relative to the main housing 24 to assume at least one of a first rotational position and a second rotational position.
- the key housing 25 may be rotatably disposed within an annular recess defined by the main housing 24 such that a second axial face of the body 240 of the main housing 24 and a corresponding axial face of the key housing 25 align with each other.
- the key housing 25 may be rotatably disposed adjacent to the main housing 24 such that the second axial face of the body 240 of the main housing 24 and the complementary axial face of the key housing 25 abut with one another.
- the key housing 25 is formed to define a key hole that is uniquely receptive of a single type of key 251 , which may be attachable to the cord portion 21 of the power adapter 20 , for example (see FIG. 1 ).
- the key housing 25 is exclusively rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the main housing 24 and the key housing 25 by a rotation of the key 251 to thereby assume the at least one of first and second rotational positions.
- the power head 26 is removably insertable into the power port 13 and may have a complementary shape with respect to that of the power port 13 .
- the power head 26 may include a tubular body 260 that has a substantially cylindrical shape, which is sized to fit tightly in the power port 13 , as well as an outer conductor, an inner conductor disposed within the outer conductor and dielectric material insulating the inner conductor from the outer conductor.
- the power head 26 may have a first end that is insertable into the power port 13 and a second end that is rotatably coupled with the first axial face of the body 240 of the main housing 24 . As shown in FIGS.
- either the power head 26 or the key housing 25 may include a connector 29 that extends through the main housing 24 to thereby connect the power head 26 and the key housing 25 .
- the key housing 25 and the power head 26 are both rotatable relative to the main housing 24 , the key housing 25 and the power head 26 rotate with each other when the key housing 25 is selectively and securely rotated by the key 251 .
- the complementary cylindrical shapes of the power head 26 and the power port 13 permit the power head 26 to be rotated about the central longitudinal axis of the power port 13 .
- the power head 26 may be configured such that, as the power head 26 rotates with the key housing 25 , the outer and inner conductors of the power head 26 remain in electrical contact with the corresponding conductors of the power port 13 .
- power may be continually supplied to the laptop computer 11 once the power head 26 is inserted into the power port 13 and while the power head 26 rotates within the power port 13 .
- the wiring 27 is configured to supply power in the form of the AC to the laptop computer 11 and extends into and through the main housing 24 to the power head 26 .
- the wiring 27 may include live current wiring 270 and naught wiring 271 in correspondence with the live current wire and the naught wire of the cord portion 21 .
- the body 240 of the main housing 24 may include a boss 244 at an upper portion thereof as well as an elongate member 245 that extends aftwardly from the boss 244 .
- the live current wire and the naught wire of the cord portion 21 may be electrically coupled to the live current wiring 270 and the naught wiring 271 , respectively, at an aft end of the elongate member 245 whereupon the live current wiring 270 and the naught wiring 271 run forwardly through the main housing 24 , radially at a forward end of the main housing 24 proximate to the first axial face and then through the power head 26 to be electrically coupled with one of the outer and inner conductors.
- the lock head 28 is disposed on the power head 26 .
- the lock head 28 may be integrally connected to the power head 26 such that, as the power head 26 rotates with the key housing 25 , the lock head 28 rotates with the power head 26 .
- the lock head 28 includes first portion 280 and second portion 281 .
- the first portion 280 extends radially outwardly from a first side of the power head 26 and may have a concave inward end with an angular outward end.
- the second portion 281 extends radially outwardly from a second side of the power head and may have a concave inward end with an angular outward end.
- a cross-sectional shape of the lock head 28 as a whole may be generally rectangular, for example.
- the lock head 28 may assume at least one of a first orientation and a second orientation.
- the first orientation of the lock head 28 is associated with an unlocked condition and the first rotational position of the key housing 25 and the corresponding rotational position of the power head 26 .
- the second orientation of the lock head 28 is associated with a locked condition and the second rotational position of the key housing 25 and the corresponding rotational position of the power head 26 .
- the lock head permits movements of the power head 26 relative to the power port 13 .
- the lock head 28 is disposed to pass through the aperture 14 such that the power head 26 is permitted to move through the aperture 14 in a forward direction to insertably engage with the power port 13 or in a reverse direction to removably disengage from the power port 13 .
- the lock head 28 in the second orientation the lock head 28 is disposed to interfere with the outer housing 121 such that the power head 26 is prevented from moving through the aperture 14 in either the forward or reverse directions. As such, with the lock head 28 in the second orientation and the power head 26 inserted into the power port 13 , removal of the power head 26 from the power port 13 is prevented.
- the lock head 28 may have an exemplary thickness T (see FIG. 4 ), which is substantially similar to or narrower than the exemplary distance D (see FIG. 2 ) between the exterior facing surface of the inner housing 120 and the exterior facing surface of the outer housing 121 .
- at least one of the first and second portions 280 and 281 of the lock head 28 may have sufficient length such that the at least one of the first and second portions 280 and 281 extends to or near to the sensor 15 of the laptop computer 11 such that the sensor 15 is able to sense its position as part of a determination that the lock head 28 is properly disposed in the locked condition.
- the socket portion 22 of the power adapter 20 is plugged into a wall socket and the head portion 23 is positioned proximate to the power port 13 .
- the key housing 25 , the power head 26 and the lock head 28 are rotationally disposed with the lock head 28 in the unlocked condition such that the power head 26 , the lock head 28 and the first and second lateral protrusions 243 are disposed to pass through the aperture 14 until the power head 26 becomes inserted into the power port 13 .
- the lock head 28 With the power head 26 then inserted into the power port 13 , the lock head 28 will have cleared the aperture 14 but the first and second lateral protrusions 243 will remain slotted in the aperture 14 .
- the single key 251 is subsequently inserted into the key hole of the key housing 25 such that the key housing 25 , the power head 26 and the lock head 28 can be rotated relative to the main housing 24 .
- the main housing 24 is rotationally fixed due to the mechanical interference between the first and second lateral protrusions 243 and the sidewalls of the aperture 14 .
- the power head 26 remains inserted in the power port 13 during the rotation but the lock head 28 rotates from the first orientation to the second orientation.
- the lock head 28 Once the lock head 28 reaches the second orientation, the lock head 28 is misaligned with the aperture 14 and the power adapter 20 will be prevented from being drawn away from the power port 13 by the mechanical interference between the lock head 28 and the interior surface of the outer housing 121 .
- the sensor 15 may be employed at this stage to determine whether the lock head 28 has been fully disposed in the second orientation or if further rotation of the key housing 25 , the power head 26 and the lock head 28 is needed or advisable.
- the power adapter 20 When the power head 26 is inserted into the power port 13 and the lock head 28 is disposed in the second orientation, the power adapter 20 is effectively locked in place and the laptop computer 11 as a whole is similarly locked by the main housing 24 being affixed to the security element (i.e., the exemplary garrote wire 241 being looped around a fixed item).
- the security element i.e., the exemplary garrote wire 241 being looped around a fixed item.
- Withdrawal of the power adapter 20 can be executed in the reverse order from what is described above. That is, the key housing 25 can be un-rotated from the second rotational position to the first rotational position such that the power head 26 and the lock head 28 are correspondingly rotated. Once the lock head 28 reaches the first orientation, it is re-aligned with the aperture 14 such that the first and second lateral protrusions 243 , the lock head 28 and the power head 26 can be drawn away from the power port 13 and thus moved through the aperture 14 .
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to power adapters and, more specifically, to power adapters with safety security locks for notebooks, laptops or portable computers.
- Users often have a need to use portable computers, such as smartphones, tablets and laptop computers, when they move from place to place or travel. In these cases, the users need to periodically charge their computers and take caution to insure that they are not stolen. Typically, portable computers, such as laptops, are charged by plugging them into a wall socket using a power adapter and leaving them in that condition for a given period of time during which the computer battery recharges. Meanwhile, portable computers may be secured or prevented from being stolen by way of flexible computer locks that attach to both the portable computer and a nearby fixed item.
- The need for users to plug in their portable computers and secure them in separate operations may, in some circumstances, lead to the users ignoring at least one of the actions. Since users are primarily concerned with using their portable computers, security is often skipped or ignored. This leads to an unsafe condition in which portable computers can be stolen and the data stored thereon stolen or lost.
- According to an embodiment of the present invention, a power adapter is provided for a computer including a power port and a housing defining an aperture. The power adapter includes a power head, a lock head disposed on the power head and a main housing including a body affixed to a security element, wiring for supplying power to the computer extending through the body to the power head and a lock system selectively actuatable with a key to orient the lock head in first and second orientations. The first orientation is characterized in that the power head is movable relative to the aperture for power head insertion into and removal from the power port. The second orientation is characterized in that the power head is immovable relative to the aperture. The present invention relates to power adapters and, more specifically, to power adapters with safety security locks for notebooks, laptops or portable computers.
- According to another embodiment of the present invention, a power adapter is provided for a computer including a power port and a housing defining an aperture. The power adapter includes a main housing affixed to a security element, a key housing securely rotatable relative to the main housing to assume first and second rotational positions, a power head insertable into the power port and rotatably coupled to the main housing to be rotated relative to the main housing with the key housing, wiring configured to supply power to the computer extending into and through the main housing to the power head and a lock head. The lock head is disposed on the power head and configured to assume first and second orientations respectively associated with the first and second rotational positions of the key housing and to permit or prevent power head movements relative to the power port in the first and second orientations, respectively.
- According to another embodiment of the present invention, a computer is provided and includes an inner housing formed to define a power port, an outer housing formed to define an aperture proximate to the power port and a power adapter. The power adapter includes a power head, a lock head disposed on the power head and a main housing. The main housing includes a body affixed to a security element, wiring for supplying power to the computer extending through the body to the power head and a lock system. The lock system is selectively actuatable with a key to orient the lock head in first and second orientations. The first orientation is characterized in that the power head is movable relative to the aperture for power head insertion into and removal from the power port. The second orientation is characterized in that the power head is immovable relative to the aperture.
- The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The forgoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
-
FIG. 1 is an illustration of a portable laptop computer in accordance with embodiments; -
FIG. 2 is a top-down view of a portion of the portable laptop computer ofFIG. 1 including a power port; -
FIG. 3 is a side view of the portion of the portable laptop computer ofFIGS. 1 and 2 including the power port; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a power adapter in accordance with embodiments; -
FIG. 5 is a side view of the power adapter ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 6 is a top-down schematic illustration of components of the power adapter ofFIG. 4 in accordance with embodiments; -
FIG. 7 is a top-down schematic illustration of components of the power adapter ofFIG. 4 in accordance with alternative embodiments; -
FIG. 8A is a top-down view of a power head of the power adapter approaching the power port of the portable laptop computer ofFIGS. 1 and 2 ; -
FIG. 8B is a top-down view of the power head being inserted into the power port of the portable laptop computer ofFIGS. 1 and 2 ; -
FIG. 8C is a top-down view of a lock head of the power adapter locking the power head in place; -
FIG. 9A is a side view of the power head being inserted into the power port of the portable laptop computer ofFIGS. 1 and 2 ; and -
FIG. 9B is a side view of the lock head locking the power head in place. - As will be described below, a power adapter for a portable computing device, such as a laptop computer, is provided as a single unit that fulfills multiple functions at the same time. The power adapter serves to provide power to the portable computing device and locks the portable computing device. Thus, a user does not need to execute both functions himself.
- With reference to
FIGS. 1-3 , acomputer 10 is provided. Thecomputer 10 may be configured as a portable computer and may be particularly configured as a tablet, a smartphone or alaptop computer 11 as shown inFIG. 1 . For purposes of clarity and brevity, the following description will relate to the case where thecomputer 10 is configured as thelaptop computer 11. It is to be understood, however, that this is not meant to otherwise limit or narrow the scope of the description and that other suitable configurations are possible. - The
laptop computer 11 includes abase 110, adisplay portion 111 and ahinge 112. Thebase 110 includes ahousing 12 that is supportive of user input elements, such as a keyboard, a mouse pad and right- and left-click buttons, and which encompasses electrical components, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory unit, a hard drive and a networking unit. Thedisplay portion 111 has a screen by which graphical user interfaces are displayable to the user and thehinge 112 allows thedisplay unit 111 to fold over a top surface of thebase 110 to close thelaptop computer 11. - As shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3 , thehousing 12 includes aninner housing 120 and anouter housing 121 at least near a rear corner of thebase 110 proximate to thehinge 112. Theinner housing 120 is formed to define apower port 13 by which thelaptop computer 11 is receptive of power in the form of alternating current (AC). Thepower port 13 may, in some cases, have a generally cylindrical cross-sectional shape. However, it is to be understood that this is not required in all cases and that thepower port 13 may have a polygonal or rectangular shape as well. In any case, thepower port 13 is provided as a recess within theinner housing 120 from an exterior facing surface thereof and includes anouter conductor 130 and aninner conductor 131 disposed within theouter conductor 130. Theouter housing 121 is disposed at a distance D from theinner housing 120 to define aspace 122 between the exterior facing surface of theinner housing 120 and an interior facing surface of theouter housing 121. Theouter housing 121 is formed to define anaperture 14, which may be substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of thepower port 13. Theaperture 14 may have a polygonal or rectangular shape with a minor axis that may be slightly longer than the diameter of thepower port 13 and a major axis that may be substantially longer than the diameter of thepower port 13. - The
laptop computer 11 may further include asensor 15 disposed on the interior facing surface of theouter housing 121 at a location proximate to theaperture 14. An operation of thesensor 15 will be described in greater detail below, however, it may be understood that thesensor 15 can serve as a tool for sensing a position (rotational or otherwise) of an object, such as thelock head 28 to be described below) and, in some cases, may also serve as a mechanical stopper for that object. In accordance with embodiments, thesensor 15 may have an elongate body extending at least partially from the interior facing surface of theouter housing 121 to the exterior facing surface of theinner housing 120. - With continued reference to
FIG. 1 and with additional reference toFIGS. 4-7 , apower adapter 20 may be provided for thelaptop computer 11 such that power in the form of AC can be supplied to thelaptop computer 11. Thepower adapter 20 includes aflexible cord portion 21 that is made up of a live current wire and a naught wire, asocket portion 22 at a first end of thecord portion 21 and ahead portion 23 at a second end of thecord portion 21. Thesocket portion 22 is pluggable into a wall socket and thehead portion 23 is pluggable into thelaptop computer 11. Thepower adapter 20 may further include additional components such as surge protectors for protecting the electrical components of thelaptop computer 11. - At the
head portion 23, thepower adapter 20 includes amain housing 24, akey housing 25, apower head 26,wiring 27 and alock head 28. Themain housing 24 is provided as abody 240 that may be tubular in shape, for example, which is affixed to a security element, such as agarrote wire 241 that may be looped around a fixed item. The fixed item may be a desk, a wall mounted hook or another suitable immovable element. Where the security element is agarrote wire 241, thegarrote wire 241 may be looped through a through-hole defined by thebody 240 of themain housing 24. Themain housing 24 may further include first and secondlateral protrusions 243 that extend in substantially similar and parallel directions from a first axial face of thebody 240 that faces thelaptop computer 11 during power supply operations. - In accordance with embodiments, the
power adapter 20 may further include auser identification element 30. Theuser identification element 30 may be disposed on themain housing 24 or on another suitable surface of thepower adapter 20. Theuser identification element 30 may be provided as a fingerprint scanner, a voice recognition microphone or another suitable device for facilitating identification of a user. In operation, theuser identification element 30 may serve to permit activation of thepower adapter 20 or thelaptop computer 11 only upon validation that a current user is an authorized user. Theuser identification element 30 may be coupled with the CPU of thelaptop computer 11 or independently operable. - The
key housing 25 is selectively and securely rotatable relative to themain housing 24 to assume at least one of a first rotational position and a second rotational position. As shown inFIG. 6 , thekey housing 25 may be rotatably disposed within an annular recess defined by themain housing 24 such that a second axial face of thebody 240 of themain housing 24 and a corresponding axial face of thekey housing 25 align with each other. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 7 , thekey housing 25 may be rotatably disposed adjacent to themain housing 24 such that the second axial face of thebody 240 of themain housing 24 and the complementary axial face of thekey housing 25 abut with one another. In any case, thekey housing 25 is formed to define a key hole that is uniquely receptive of a single type ofkey 251, which may be attachable to thecord portion 21 of thepower adapter 20, for example (seeFIG. 1 ). Thekey housing 25 is exclusively rotatable about a longitudinal axis of themain housing 24 and thekey housing 25 by a rotation of the key 251 to thereby assume the at least one of first and second rotational positions. - The
power head 26 is removably insertable into thepower port 13 and may have a complementary shape with respect to that of thepower port 13. Thus, where thepower port 13 is cylindrical, thepower head 26 may include atubular body 260 that has a substantially cylindrical shape, which is sized to fit tightly in thepower port 13, as well as an outer conductor, an inner conductor disposed within the outer conductor and dielectric material insulating the inner conductor from the outer conductor. In these or other cases, thepower head 26 may have a first end that is insertable into thepower port 13 and a second end that is rotatably coupled with the first axial face of thebody 240 of themain housing 24. As shown inFIGS. 6 and 7 , either thepower head 26 or thekey housing 25 may include aconnector 29 that extends through themain housing 24 to thereby connect thepower head 26 and thekey housing 25. Thus, while thekey housing 25 and thepower head 26 are both rotatable relative to themain housing 24, thekey housing 25 and thepower head 26 rotate with each other when thekey housing 25 is selectively and securely rotated by the key 251. - In accordance with embodiments, the complementary cylindrical shapes of the
power head 26 and thepower port 13 permit thepower head 26 to be rotated about the central longitudinal axis of thepower port 13. Additionally, thepower head 26 may be configured such that, as thepower head 26 rotates with thekey housing 25, the outer and inner conductors of thepower head 26 remain in electrical contact with the corresponding conductors of thepower port 13. Thus, power may be continually supplied to thelaptop computer 11 once thepower head 26 is inserted into thepower port 13 and while thepower head 26 rotates within thepower port 13. - The
wiring 27 is configured to supply power in the form of the AC to thelaptop computer 11 and extends into and through themain housing 24 to thepower head 26. In particular, thewiring 27 may include livecurrent wiring 270 andnaught wiring 271 in correspondence with the live current wire and the naught wire of thecord portion 21. - In accordance with embodiments, the
body 240 of themain housing 24 may include aboss 244 at an upper portion thereof as well as anelongate member 245 that extends aftwardly from theboss 244. The live current wire and the naught wire of thecord portion 21 may be electrically coupled to the livecurrent wiring 270 and thenaught wiring 271, respectively, at an aft end of theelongate member 245 whereupon the livecurrent wiring 270 and thenaught wiring 271 run forwardly through themain housing 24, radially at a forward end of themain housing 24 proximate to the first axial face and then through thepower head 26 to be electrically coupled with one of the outer and inner conductors. - The
lock head 28 is disposed on thepower head 26. In accordance with embodiments, thelock head 28 may be integrally connected to thepower head 26 such that, as thepower head 26 rotates with thekey housing 25, thelock head 28 rotates with thepower head 26. In any case, thelock head 28 includesfirst portion 280 andsecond portion 281. Thefirst portion 280 extends radially outwardly from a first side of thepower head 26 and may have a concave inward end with an angular outward end. Thesecond portion 281 extends radially outwardly from a second side of the power head and may have a concave inward end with an angular outward end. Thus, a cross-sectional shape of thelock head 28 as a whole may be generally rectangular, for example. - With the configuration described above, the
lock head 28 may assume at least one of a first orientation and a second orientation. The first orientation of thelock head 28 is associated with an unlocked condition and the first rotational position of thekey housing 25 and the corresponding rotational position of thepower head 26. The second orientation of thelock head 28 is associated with a locked condition and the second rotational position of thekey housing 25 and the corresponding rotational position of thepower head 26. As will be described below, when thelock head 28 assumes the first orientation, the lock head permits movements of thepower head 26 relative to thepower port 13. That is, with thelock head 28 in the first orientation, thelock head 28 is disposed to pass through theaperture 14 such that thepower head 26 is permitted to move through theaperture 14 in a forward direction to insertably engage with thepower port 13 or in a reverse direction to removably disengage from thepower port 13. Conversely, with thelock head 28 in the second orientation, thelock head 28 is disposed to interfere with theouter housing 121 such that thepower head 26 is prevented from moving through theaperture 14 in either the forward or reverse directions. As such, with thelock head 28 in the second orientation and thepower head 26 inserted into thepower port 13, removal of thepower head 26 from thepower port 13 is prevented. - In accordance with embodiments, the
lock head 28 may have an exemplary thickness T (seeFIG. 4 ), which is substantially similar to or narrower than the exemplary distance D (seeFIG. 2 ) between the exterior facing surface of theinner housing 120 and the exterior facing surface of theouter housing 121. In addition, at least one of the first andsecond portions lock head 28 may have sufficient length such that the at least one of the first andsecond portions sensor 15 of thelaptop computer 11 such that thesensor 15 is able to sense its position as part of a determination that thelock head 28 is properly disposed in the locked condition. - With reference to
FIGS. 8A through 9B , an operation of thepower adapter 20 will now be described. - At an initial stage, the
socket portion 22 of thepower adapter 20 is plugged into a wall socket and thehead portion 23 is positioned proximate to thepower port 13. At this point, it is assumed that thekey housing 25, thepower head 26 and thelock head 28 are rotationally disposed with thelock head 28 in the unlocked condition such that thepower head 26, thelock head 28 and the first and secondlateral protrusions 243 are disposed to pass through theaperture 14 until thepower head 26 becomes inserted into thepower port 13. - With the
power head 26 then inserted into thepower port 13, thelock head 28 will have cleared theaperture 14 but the first and secondlateral protrusions 243 will remain slotted in theaperture 14. Thesingle key 251 is subsequently inserted into the key hole of thekey housing 25 such that thekey housing 25, thepower head 26 and thelock head 28 can be rotated relative to themain housing 24. Themain housing 24 is rotationally fixed due to the mechanical interference between the first and secondlateral protrusions 243 and the sidewalls of theaperture 14. Thepower head 26 remains inserted in thepower port 13 during the rotation but thelock head 28 rotates from the first orientation to the second orientation. Once thelock head 28 reaches the second orientation, thelock head 28 is misaligned with theaperture 14 and thepower adapter 20 will be prevented from being drawn away from thepower port 13 by the mechanical interference between thelock head 28 and the interior surface of theouter housing 121. Thesensor 15 may be employed at this stage to determine whether thelock head 28 has been fully disposed in the second orientation or if further rotation of thekey housing 25, thepower head 26 and thelock head 28 is needed or advisable. - When the
power head 26 is inserted into thepower port 13 and thelock head 28 is disposed in the second orientation, thepower adapter 20 is effectively locked in place and thelaptop computer 11 as a whole is similarly locked by themain housing 24 being affixed to the security element (i.e., theexemplary garrote wire 241 being looped around a fixed item). - Withdrawal of the
power adapter 20 can be executed in the reverse order from what is described above. That is, thekey housing 25 can be un-rotated from the second rotational position to the first rotational position such that thepower head 26 and thelock head 28 are correspondingly rotated. Once thelock head 28 reaches the first orientation, it is re-aligned with theaperture 14 such that the first and secondlateral protrusions 243, thelock head 28 and thepower head 26 can be drawn away from thepower port 13 and thus moved through theaperture 14. - The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (1)
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US14/994,558 US9722355B1 (en) | 2016-01-13 | 2016-01-13 | Notebook, laptop or portable computer power adapter with security lock |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US14/994,558 US9722355B1 (en) | 2016-01-13 | 2016-01-13 | Notebook, laptop or portable computer power adapter with security lock |
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US20170201043A1 true US20170201043A1 (en) | 2017-07-13 |
US9722355B1 US9722355B1 (en) | 2017-08-01 |
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US14/994,558 Expired - Fee Related US9722355B1 (en) | 2016-01-13 | 2016-01-13 | Notebook, laptop or portable computer power adapter with security lock |
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Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20170222366A1 (en) * | 2016-01-29 | 2017-08-03 | Dell Products L.P. | Information Handling System Secure Dock |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN112005443B (en) | 2018-08-30 | 2022-04-26 | 惠普发展公司,有限责任合伙企业 | Power plug with locking ring |
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US6389853B1 (en) * | 2000-01-13 | 2002-05-21 | Dell Usa, L.P. | Apparatus and method for deterring the theft of a computer |
IL146897A (en) * | 2001-12-04 | 2006-10-31 | Meir Avganim | Computer protection devices |
US6971255B2 (en) * | 2004-01-16 | 2005-12-06 | International Business Machines Corporation | Combination power cord and computer security system |
US8837144B1 (en) | 2004-05-10 | 2014-09-16 | Think Products, Inc. | Locking assembly for electronic tablet and other devices |
US7160137B1 (en) * | 2005-07-01 | 2007-01-09 | Ming-Hsiang Yeh | Protection structure of IEEE1394 connector |
US8842422B2 (en) | 2006-10-23 | 2014-09-23 | ACCO Brands Corporation | Security apparatus |
WO2008067173A2 (en) | 2006-11-14 | 2008-06-05 | Targus Group International, Inc. | Security system and related devices and methods |
US8578072B2 (en) | 2009-03-11 | 2013-11-05 | Xerox Corporation | Apparatus including a peripheral interface port hub and secure thumb device enclosure |
CN102804533B (en) | 2009-06-18 | 2016-01-20 | 惠普开发有限公司 | cable lock system and method |
TW201226682A (en) * | 2010-11-11 | 2012-07-01 | Acco Brands Corp | Security apparatus including power attachment device |
US8684760B1 (en) | 2011-03-25 | 2014-04-01 | Google Inc. | Power cord with anti-theft assembly |
US8922993B2 (en) * | 2011-04-15 | 2014-12-30 | Dell Products L.P. | Power adapter security system |
US8845356B2 (en) * | 2012-01-31 | 2014-09-30 | Invue Security Products Inc. | Power adapter cord having locking connector |
US8746021B2 (en) * | 2012-10-23 | 2014-06-10 | Ruipeng Tao | Retractable cable lock assembly for laptop computers |
-
2016
- 2016-01-13 US US14/994,558 patent/US9722355B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20170222366A1 (en) * | 2016-01-29 | 2017-08-03 | Dell Products L.P. | Information Handling System Secure Dock |
US9966700B2 (en) * | 2016-01-29 | 2018-05-08 | Dell Products L.P. | Information handling system secure dock |
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