Combined computer security lock and security cable

Abstract

A computer security lock includes a main housing, a key-operated lock having a lock housing disposed in the main housing and having a lock bar extending movably through the lock housing, and a pair of scissors-type levers. Each lever has opposite proximal and distal end portions, and a medial part between the proximal and distal end portions. The distal end portion has a hook extending outwardly of the main housing to engage a slot in a computer housing. The medial parts of the levers are pivoted to the main housing at a common pivot point. The proximal end portions of the levers are biased to place the hooks in an unlatching position in which the hooks overlap. A cam is moved by the lock bar to extend toward and between the proximal end protions so that the hooks move away from each other. A cable holder extends around the main housing, and a security cable is connected pivotally to the cable holder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a combined computer security lock and security cable according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the combined computer security lock and security cable of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the combined computer security lock and security cable of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the combined computer security lock and security cable of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is the same view as FIG. 4, but showing that hooks are moved away from each other.

Claims

1. A computer security lock comprising: a main housing having opposite first and second ends and having an axis extending through said first and second ends;a key-operated lock having a lock housing disposed in said main housing proximate to said first end, and a lock bar extending through said lock housing, said lock bar having a press end and being movable axially to project out of said first end of said main housing and to be pressed into said main housing;a pair of levers, each of said levers having opposite proximal and distal end portions, and a medial part disposed between said proximal and distal end portions, said distal end portion having a hook extending outwardly of said second end of said main housing and adapted to engage a slot formed in a computer housing, said medial parts of said levers being pivoted to said main housing at a common pivot point and proximate to said second end;a spring unit disposed within said main housing and biasing said proximal end portions of said levers to move toward each other; anda cam associated with said lock bar and movable axially along with said lock bar, wherein, when said press end is pressed, said cam extends toward and between said proximal end portions and pushes said proximal end portions away from each other so that said hooks move away from each other.

2. The computer security lock of claim 1, wherein said lock bar further has a push end opposite to said press end and movable toward said proximal end portions of said levers so that said cam is moved by said push end to push said proximal end portions.

3. The computer security lock of claim 2, wherein said cam is attached integrally to said lock bar at said push end.

4. The computer security lock of claim 2, further comprising a common pivot pin connecting pivotally said medial parts to said main housing at said common pivot point.

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. The computer security lock of claim 1, further comprising a cable holder that includes a tubular wall extending around said main housing, a pair of lugs projecting outward from said tubular wall, and a security cable having one end connected pivotally to said lugs.

8. The computer security lock of claim 7, wherein said main housing further has an annular shoulder proximate to said first end, an external thread formed around said main housing proximate to said second end, and an end cap capping said second end and having an internally threaded skirt engaging said external thread, said tubular wall of said cable holder being pressed against said annular shoulder by said end cap.

9. The computer security lock of claim 8, wherein said main housing further has a pivot pin bore formed through said main housing, and a pivot pin connecting pivotally said levers to said main housing, said pivot pin extending through said pivot pin bore, said end cap covering said pivot pin bore and preventing said pivot pin from being released from said pivot pin bore.

10. The computer security lock of claim 11, wherein said main housing further has two spring bores, and two spring retainers inserted respectively into said spring bores, each of said springs having one end connected to one of said levers and another end extending into one of said spring bores, each of said spring retainers being disposed between said another end of a respective one of said springs and said tubular wall of said cable holder, said tubular wall covering said spring bores and preventing said spring retainers from being released from said spring bores.

11. The computer security lock of claim 1, wherein said spring unit includes two springs that bias said proximal end portions, respectively.

12. A computer security lock comprising: a main housing having opposite first and second ends;a key-operated lock disposed in said main housing proximate to said first end;a pair of levers, each of said levers having opposite proximal and distal end portions, and a medial part disposed between said proximal and distal end portions, said distal end portion having a hook extending outwardly of said second end of said main housing and adapted to engage a slot formed in a computer housing, said medial parts of said levers being provided to said main housing at a common pivot point and proximate to said second end;a spring unit disposed within said main housing and biasing said proximal end portions of said levers to move toward each other; anda cam associated with said key-operated lock and movable to extend between said proximal end portions and to push said proximal end portions away from each other so that said hooks move away from each other.