Computer physical security device

Patent 7201029 Issued on April 10, 2007. Estimated Expiration Date:

December 9, 2024. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

87045

285074

505299

606734

611646

786842

881364

934928

942537

952411

More ...

Inventors

Assignee

Acco brands USA LLC

Application

No. 11009813 filed on 12/09/2004

US Classes:

70/58, For portable articles70/256, Remote control340/571, Alarm on protected article340/568.1, Article placement or removal (e.g., anti-theft)340/573.4, House arrest system, wandering, or wrong place340/539.21, Signal strength340/539.1, Radio340/568.6Sporting equipment (e.g., golfbag, club, cart, or skis)

Examiners

Primary: Barrett, Suzanne Dino

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP

Foreign Patent References

454901 CA 03/01/1949
791364 CA 08/01/1968
987121 CA 04/01/1976
329934 DE 12/01/1920
335741 DE 04/01/1921
361068 DE 04/01/1923
456219 DE 02/01/1928
557757 DE 08/01/1932
3824393 DE 07/01/1989
455740 FR 08/01/1913
1026519 FR 04/01/1953
1085107 FR 01/01/1955
2308006 FR 11/01/1976
2636686 FR 03/01/1990
447091 GB 05/01/1936
1256295 GB 12/01/1971
1376011 GB 12/01/1974
2109109 GB 05/01/1983
2234856 GB 02/01/1991
451949 IT 10/01/1949
37-007592 JP 04/01/1962
49-091096 JP 10/01/1974
57-179618 JP 11/01/1982
14095 NO 05/01/1905
WO 93/15295 WO 08/01/1993

International Class

E05B 69/00

Abstract

An apparatus which inhibits the theft of equipment such as personal computers is disclosed. The equipment must have an external wall provided with a specially designed, approximately rectangular slot having preselected dimensions. An attachment mechanism includes a housing for a spindle having a first portion rotatable within the housing, a shaft extending outwardly from the housing, and a crossmember at the end of the shaft having peripheral dimensions closely conforming to the internal dimensions of the slot. An abutment mechanism also emanates from the housing, and is located on opposite sides of the shaft intermediate the housing and the crossmember. The peripheral cross-sectional dimensions of the abutment mechanism and the shaft in combination closely conform to the dimensions of the slot. The length of the shaft from the housing to the crossmember is approximately equal to the thickness of the external wall of equipment. The crossmember is aligned with the abutment mechanism so that the crossmember can be inserted through the slot with the shaft and the abutment mechanism occupying the slot. The spindle is then rotated 90° to misalign the crossmember with the slot, thereby attaching the attachment mechanism rigidly to the external wall. A cable is secured to the housing and to an immovable object so that the equipment cannot be stolen.

Other References

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ACCO Brands, Inc. v. Micro Security Devices, Inc. Federal Circuit Court Order Granting Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgement, Jul. 23, 2002, 13 pages.