WO1999060833A1

WO1999060833A1 - Securing and anti-theft device for portable electronic equipment such as lap-top computers

Info

Publication number: WO1999060833A1
Application number: PCT/NO1999/000157
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tom Majlund Nilsen
Original assignee: Protecton A/S
Priority date: 1998-05-15
Filing date: 1999-05-14
Publication date: 1999-11-25
Also published as: NO990579L; NO990579D0; AU3854999A

Abstract

Portable electronic equipment may be secured from theft with a device comprising a box or a framework (1) with a lid (3) or a barrier (21) which may be locked to the box or framework (1), the box or framework being equipped with a line, chain or wire (5) with a hoop (6) at its end. The hoop provides a possibility of locking the box/frame (1) to an object, e.g. a pole, by using a padlock (9). The barrier (21) may optionally be locked to the frame (1) with a cross-bar (12) running between opposite sides (3, 3') of the frame (1).

Description

Securing and anti-theft device for portable electronic equipment such as lap- top computers.

The present invention concerns a safety- and anti-theft- device for portable electronic devices, e.g. portable data equipment such as computers, scanners, printers etc., as well as portable CD players, portable stereo equipment, portable cassette players and other equipment which is not stationary and mounted to one spot and which may be bolted and secured and to said spot.

Lately theft of data equipment there has been an ever increasing problem. In addition to the fact that this in itself will represent large amounts of lost money either for the insurance companies or privately for the person losing his or her electronic equipment, this may represent a large safety risk by sensitive information either becoming lost or is misused by the person who steals the data equipment . This is especially relevant for portable electronic equipment such as data equipment since such equipment is not meant to be secured by locking this to the location where it is to be used. Additionally such equipment will during the transport be in jeopardy of becoming stolen unless the equipment is physically locked or chained to the owner of the equipment as is the case with money transports or transport of valuables . Such chaining of the equipment to the owner will, however, make the equipment difficult to handle and operate without unlocking it again.

In addition there exits a need for hot having to lock the lap-top computer completely during operation when the user only for a short time is to be away form the computer, e.g. when the user has to go to the toilet or go to lunch or in short meetings. However, leaving the computer in an unlocked usable condition (in an operative position where the keyboard is available) without being able to lock the machine so that it is safe against theft, has previously been a problem. It is inter alia a purpose of the present invention to provide a solution to this problem.

Accordingly there exists a need for a securing device for portable electronic equipment, especially lap-top computers and other data equipment, which secures the equipment from being stolen. This forms the background for the present invention.

According to the present application there has been invented a lockable safety device which in one embodiment comprises a frame or a box wherein the portable electronic equipment is placed. Different embodiments of such a safety device are shown in the accompanying figures wherein:

Fig. 1 shows a safety box for portable electronic equipment according to the invention.

Fig. 2 shows the location of the safety box in a suitable enveloping device, e.g. a convenient bag or suitcase, where the bag or suitcase is especially designed to take care of the function of the safety box also when this is locked inside the bag or the suitcase.

Fig. 3 shows a closed envelope about the safety box through which it is passed a safety line.

Fig. 4 shows the envelope with a hidden safety line.

Fig. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the safety system according to the invention, where the system may be used for locking a portable computer when the computer is in a usable/operative condition.

Fig. 6 shows a third embodiment of the safety device according to the present invention. With reference to the figures the present invention comprises a closed box or a framework 1 which may envelop the relevant electronic equipment (not shown) , said box or framework 1 creating a cage about the electronic equipment, and wherein one side in said box or framework 1 at one of its sides comprises a removable barrier or preventive device such as a hinge, a bolt, a bar, a folded edge etc. so that the electronic equipment may be locked into the box/framework 1.

In fig. 1 the barrier is shown to comprise a hinged 2 side surface 4. By placing the hinge at a suitable location it will be possible to use the secured electronic equipment while it still lies inside the box/framework 1. For this purpose the top 3 of the box/framework 1 may be the part which is pivotably hinged to the rest of the box/framework or form the above mentioned barrier, bar, crossbar etc., so that the top 3 forms a lid to the box/framework 1.

However, this embodiment is not always the best suited one because even if it will provide a better possibility of simpler handling of the safety box/framework according to the invention, this embodiment will also provide the best opportunity to pry open the box/framework with levering tools since the lid of the box then will provide the largest open periphery and the best opportunity to use the lid 3 as a lever. For this reason it may be an appropriate alternative to equip the safety box/framework 1 according to the invention with a side which may be opened, an then preferably a short side 4, as shown in fig. 1. In such an embodiment it will be necessary to remove the electronic equipment from the safety box/framework when it is in use, but this embodiment provides, on the other hand, a better safety and a reduced possibility to break open the safety box/framework.

The part of the box/framework 1 which may be opened is equipped with a lock, e.g. a padlock or a lock in the side which may be opened. This lock makes the box 1, when it is locked, to a closed envelope about the electronic equipment. The other sides of the safety box/framework may be secured to each other in a way which make them undemountable, they may e.g. be soldered, welded, glued or they may be cast or stamped into one coherent material .

Alternatively, any of the sides 3,4 may be designed as a sliding lid or a barrier/bar where it, in this case, is not present any hinge per se, but wherein the locking is accomplished by cooperating grooves where the relevant side is slid into the grooves and are displaced so that the lips overlap each other. To ensure the safety in this system the box may be locked in this position so that the lid may not be moved back again in the grooves without unlocking the lid.

As mentioned supra, the safety equipment according to the invention comprises a box/frame 1. To this box or frame there is secured a safety-line/rope inter alia a wire, chain etc which is difficult to cut, e.g. being made of a metal alloy which optionally is tempered. This safety line 5 is in its free end equipped with a loop being a significant part of the present invention. The loop/hook/guard 6 is secured in a non-releasable manner to the safety line 5, e.g. by braiding, welding, soldering, gluing or in any other way. This loop 6 will create a possibility for locking the safety box to an object, e.g. a pole, a handrail etc. as shown in fig 4. For this purpose the safety box according to the invention will also include a releasable lock 9, e.g. a padlock. It will also be possible to make the loop(s) so large that the line 5 may be threaded through one of these to be led around or through a solid object, e.g. a pole, a stationary bracket etc.

To make the safety box according to the invention more aesthetically pleasing it may be place in a corresponding envelope, e.g. a bag or a suitcase 7. In such an embodiment the bag or suitcase 7 will include a hole 8 through which the safety line 5 may be passed. The consequence of this is that by locking the safety box to a post or other object by using the safety line 5, the suitcase 7 will also be locked correspondingly.

Such a suitcase is not necessary for the function of the safety box according to the invention, but it will make the box more easy to handle and transport, and it will look more pleasing.

The suitcase 7 may also be equipped with a pocket 10 for a suitable storing of the lock 9 and the safety chain 5.

In an alternative embodiment the safety device according to the invention may, as mentioned supra, be used when the computer is in an operative position. This embodiment is shown in fig. 5. In this figure the safety box comprises a second insertable part 11 fitting inside the box 1 and forming a part of the side surface of the box 1. As a further alternative this part may form a barrier/bar etc . 12 when the insertable part 11 is not used. Thereby the barrier/bar 12 may then be passed through two holes 13 , 13 ' for locking the frame/box about the computer.

By locking the computer in an operative position the part 11 will be essential for the locking device according to the invention.

As mentioned supra the part 11 forms an alternative part of the envelope surrounding the computer. The part 11 may comprise a bottom 14 on which the computer may be placed. The bottom 14 will at its back extend into a cross-bar 15 which prevents the computer to be exited through the back. This barrier may be formed by a bent edge extending down from the cross-bar 15 or it may be formed by a bar or some other barrier running between the cross-bar 15 and the bottom 14. It is preferred that the back-side of the part 11 is open for connecting the necessary cables to the computer, when the device according to the invention is used as a computer safety device . The bottom 14 and the cross-bar 15 are secured to two side edges 16,16', in said side edges 16,16' there being located at least two holes 17, 17' ; 18, 18' on each side edge. The function of these holes 17, 17' ; 18, 18' are as follows:

When the portable computer is in a closed state and non- operative state and is placed inside the insertable part 11 which may be placed inside the envelope 1, the whole assembly (computer, insertable part 11 and envelope 1) may be locked by using the barrier/bar 12 which then will run through the holes 13,17 and 13 ',17'. The locking of the assembly may then be performed by the barrier/bar 12 in its one end being equipped with an extension/bend having the function that it may only be inserted in one direction through the holes mentioned supra. In its other end the barrier/bar 12 may be equipped with a hole 19 for a lock, through which hole there may be inserted a lock, e.g. a padlock. 9. Of course it will also be possible to equip the barrier/bar 12 with a locking hole in each end, in which instance it will be unnecessary to equip the barrier/bar with the extension mentioned supra.

When the portable computer is in an operative state it may be locked as follows:

When removing the part 11 from the envelope 1, the barrier/bar 12 will be removed. The computer may be placed on the bottom 14 of the part 11, and the lid of the computer may then be opened. There is not present any obstacle for such an opening, and the lid may then lean on the cross-bar 15. Thereby the computer will normally be pushed somewhat forward on the bottom 14 , and this is the reason why the side surfaces 16,16' have to be equipped with at least two holes each, because the locking holes 17,17' in this position may not be used for locking the computer in an open and operative condition. For this reason the side edges 16,16' are equipped with holes 18,18'. These holes 18,18' are located in the side edges 16,16' so that the barrier/bar 12 may pass over the computer when the lid thereof is open so that the barrier/bar 12 passes between the keyboard and the screen. The sides 16,16' may have several holes so that computers of different sizes may be placed and locked in the disclosed manner on the insertable part 11. This is shown in fig. 6 by the additional holes 20,20' . When locking the computer the barrier/bar 12 may be inserted through the holes 18,18' or the holes being formed for adaption to the relevant computer size, and be locked by the barrier/bar 12 being locked securely with the padlock 9 inserted through the hole 19 in the barrier/bar 12. Further locking of the computer may be done by a link/chain/wire 5 also being locked with the padlock 9 to the barrier/bar 12. Thereby all the parts will be secure from theft by these being secured to each other and in addition locked to the solid object, e.g. a pole or a bail.

The barrier/bar 12 will additionally prevent both that the computer may be folded and that it may be pushed out of the enveloping part 11.

The part 11 may also be used separately from the enveloping frame 1, and may then represent an independent safety device for a portable computer by placing the computer in an open and operable position on the part 11 as disclosed supra, and by locking the computer to the part 11 by using the barrier/bar 12, the lock 9 and the wire/chain 5.

As shown in fig 5 the enveloping part 1 may be equipped with braces or bars 21 for preventing the computer to be removed from the safety device according to the invention. The same effect may be obtained by equipping the side edges 3,4 with extensions or extending edges for preventing the computer to be removed.

Still a third embodiment of the device according to the present invention is shown in fig 6.

In this embodiment the enveloping part 1 into which the computer is placed comprises side edges 3,4 providing a well into which the computer may be slided. the computer may only be slided into the enveloping part 1 on account of protruding parts or edges on the side surfaces 3,4. The protruding edges extends preferably for such a distance substantially perpendicularly from the side surfaces 3,4 that the operation of the lap-top computer and its keyboard is hot hindered or hampered in any way, but to such an extent that the computer is secured inside the enveloping part 1 all the same.

for securing the lap-top computer inside the enveloping part 1 the enveloping part 1 is equipped with a brace or bar 21 running across the enveloping part for locking the computer inside this part 1. The brace or bar 21 is, in the shown embodiment, removable and is secured to the enveloping part 1 by its one end being located with a hooking part inside a slot 22 in the frame part 23 of the envelope forming the entry into the safety device . In the back of the enveloping part there runs a brace 24 between the side surfaces 3,3' over which the loose brace or bar 21 is hooked. The brace or bar 21 may optionally, for a better performance, be equipped with a hinge at the edge hanging over the brace 24 running between the side surfaces 3,3' .

For locking the brace or bar 21 securely to the enveloping frame 1, the brace is at its rear end equipped with a second hook or knob 25 with a penetrating aperture through which the cross-bar 12 may be led. The side surfaces 3,3' of the enveloping part 1 of the safety device according to the invention are in this embodiment equipped with apertures 26,26' through which the cross-bar 12 also may be passed. The cross bar 12 will, when it is run through the holes 26,25,26' secure the barrier or bar 21 and will protrude from the far side 3' so that a lock, e.g. a padlock, may be placed in the locking hole 9.

It is preferred that the enveloping part 1 comprises an open frame structure so that there are created openings in the structure which are suitable for connecting cables and other equipment to the computer while it is locked inside the enveloping part 1.

For securing the computer and also the connections which optionally are present in the side of the computer for printers, tele-communications etc., it is also preferred, but it is not mandatory, to provide the sides 3,3' of the enveloping part 1 with further bars 29, 27;29' , 27' . These bars 29,27;29'27' are arranged to preferably be slidable along the entire or parts of the inner side surface of the sides 3,3', and they may also be fastened by conventional means like small nuts or screws or any other means. Such securing means are placed to face inwards into the interior of the safety box or frame 1, so that when a lap-top computer is placed inside the frame 1 they are not readily accessible .

When securing the lap-top computer in an operating position inside the frame 1, the cross-bar 12 is removed and the securing bar 21 is also removed. Then the cross-bar 12 is placed across the frame 1 by sliding it into one of the pair of holes 28,28' so that the screen of the computer is trapped by the cross-bar 12 and prevents the computer from being removed from the frame 1. As always, the hole 9 for the lock (padlock) and chain/wire secures the whole assembly from being stolen, as explained supra. The bottom of the frame/box 1 is also equipped with stays or bars or bent edges to secure the lap-top computer form being removed through the bottom of the frame/box 1.

As an alternative it may be possible to secure the frame/box 1 to a stationary object by screwing, clamping or bolting the frame to the object. This is alternatively done by not using the wire 5 as a securing part, but by securing the stays of the frame/box 1 directly to the stationary object. It will also be possible to use the stationary securing parts (screws, bolts, clamps etc.) together with the wire 5 to make the assembly according to the invention both flexible and stationary as required.

Supra it is stated that the lap-top computer is secured in the frame/box device according to the invention by using a cross-bar 12. Of course it will be possible to provide the same effect by providing the side parts 3 with clamps which either secure the lap-top in an open position or closed position and which provide the same effect as the bar 12. In this embodiment it will not be required to use the cross-bar 12, since the securing effect is provided by said clamps .

Such clamps may be located at the sides 3 of the frame/box 1 either to secure the keyboard of the computer or may secure the screen of the computer to the frame/box 1 by locking the screen part of the lap-top computer via clamps being located at the rear part of the sides 3 and/or the hind wall 24 of the frame/box 1.

As an accessory part the frame/box 1 may include a hand- rest (not shown) mounted in adjustable slots on the front part of the frame/box 1.

The material of the safety device according to the invention is not critical for its operation, and it may be made from conventional materials such as plastic, metal or metal alloys, fiber glass, kevlar, etc.. A preferred material is, however, steel, hardened/ empered steel, aluminum or kevlar.

The anti-theft device according to the invention has been explained by way of embodiments and examples supra, but the person skilled in the art will understand that variations and other designs may be given the device without departing from the spirit of the invention. As an example it will be obvious for the person skilled in the art to place the holes 26, 28,-26 '28' to fit and lock different types of laptop computers with varying sizes and designs without compromising the invention per se .

Claims

C l a i m s

1. Lockable safety device for electrical equipment, and especially lap-top computes, comprising a framework or a box (1) capable of harbouring the electrical equipment , c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the framework or box (1) comprises a closed or semi-closed envelope which surrounds or partly surrounds the relevant electronic equipment, and wherein one of the sides in said frame or box comprises a removable barrier (2) or wherein said side comprises a lid with alternative lips/grooves for locking the lid to the rest of the framework/box (1) for holding the electronic equipment inside, and where the framework/box (1) is secured by a stationary securing device to an object and/or where a safety line/chain/wire (5) alternatively is secured to the frame/box (1) and where the line/chain/wire at its one free end is equipped with a hoop or a bail (6)

Safety device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the one side of the box or frame (1) which may be opened is the top side (3) .

Safety device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the one side of the box or frame (1) which may be opened is one of the short sides (4) .

Safety device according to claim 1 - 3 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the safety line (5) is made of a tempered metal alloy.

5. Safety device according to claim 1 - 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that it further comprises an envelope (7), e.g. a suitcase or a bag, about the safety box or frame (1) , said envelope (7) comprising a hole (8) through which the safety line (5) may be passed.

6. Safety device according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the envelope comprises a pocket (10) wherein the safety line (5) may be stored.

7. Safety device according to any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the envelope about the electronic equipment comprises a box or frame

(I) wherein one of the side surfaces is open, and into which side surface there may be placed an insertable part (11) , where the insertable part (11) is equipped with clamps on the insertalbe part (11) which may secure the electronic equipment in the insertable part

(II) or with a barrier/bar (12) which may be passed through two holes (17,17') in the insertable part (11) and through two corresponding holes (13,13') in the frame (1) for locking the insertable part (11) to the frame (1) by placing at least one lock (9) in a locking relationship with the barrier/bar (12) .

8. Safety device according to claim 7 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the insertable part (11) comprises two side edges (16,16') with at least one additional hole (18, 18' ;20 , 20' ) each, through said holes (18, 18 ' ;20, 20' ) the barrier/bar (12) may be passed, and wherein the insertable part (11) additionally comprises a bottom (14) existing in association with the side edges (16,16'), on said bottom (14) the electronic equipment may be placed, the insertable part (11) additionally comprising a crossbar (15) and a barrier preventing the electronic equipment from passing the cross-bar (15) .

9. Safety device suitable for locking electronic equipement e.g. lap-top computers to a solid object, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that it comprises a frame (11) with a bottom (14) and two side edges (16,16') with securing clamps for securing the lap-top computer in the frame/box (1) or with least two holes (18,18') each, through which holes (18,18') there may be passed a barrier/bar (12) , the bottom being associated with the side edges (16,16'), the part (11) additionally comprising a cross-bar (15) and a barrier preventing the electronic equipment from passing the cross-bar (15) .

10. Safety device according to claim 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the frame/box (1) may be secured to a stationary object by using conventional securing means (screws, bolts, clamps, etc) .

11. Safety device according to claim 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the clamps or frame (1) or barrier/bar (12) may be secured to a wire/chain/line (5) by using a lock (9) for securing the frame (11) and the therein erected portable computer.

12. Safety device according to any of the claims 1 - 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the envelope about the electronic equipment comprises a frame (1) wherein one of the side surfaces is open for insertion of the electronic equipment and where the electronic equipment is secured inside the frame (1) with a crossbar (21) running between two of the side surfaces of the frame (1) , where the cross-bar (21) is secured to the frame (1) by a barrier/bar (12) running between holes (26,26') in the two opposite surfaces (3,3') of the frame (1) and through a hook or hole (25) in the cross-bar (21) for securing the cross-bar (12) to the frame (1) .

13. Safety device according to claim 12 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the side surfaces (3,3') of the frame (1) includes a number of slots (28) through which the cross-bar (12) may be passed for locking the electronic equipment inside the frame (1) in an operable position.

14. Safety device according to any of the claims 12 or 13 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the side surfaces (3,3') of the frame (1) comprises a number of bars (27,29;27' ,29') .

15. Safety device according to claim 14 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the bars (27,29;27' ,29' ) are slidable and may be locked into any position at their respective side (3,3') .