Patent Application
20230228128
The present invention relates to a locking method for an electronic device, especially to a locking method for a laptop computer.
A conventional electronic device, especially a portable electronic device such as a laptop computer, usually has an anti-theft hole that is used along with a specific lock such as a laptop lock, so as to lock the laptop computer at a specific location and prevent the laptop computer from being stolen.
Anti-theft holes of conventional laptop computers are available in at least three different widths. Accordingly, manufacturers also develop multi-stage adjustable locks that can be adjusted to a proper stage, so as to be locked in the anti-theft hole of the conventional laptop computer.
A conventional multi-stage adjustable lock, regardless of stepped type (such as three-stage typed) or stepless type, is inserted into the anti-theft hole of the laptop computer with two hooks when in use, and then working stage of the conventional multi-stage adjustable lock is switched (such as by turning a knob) to unfold the two hooks to engage in the anti-theft hole. Afterwards, depending on type of the combinational multi-stage adjustable lock, by pulling out a key from a key lock or scrambling sequence of numbers of a combination lock, the two hooks are unable to be folded and leave the anti-theft hole.
However, when unlocking the conventional multi-stage adjustable lock by inserting the key or arranging the numbers in a correct sequence, the working stage has to be adjusted reversely (such as turning the knob in a reverse direction) to fold the two hooks to a minimum angle, such that the multi-stage adjustable lock can be separated front the laptop computer. The problem is, when connecting to the laptop computer next time, the working stage has to be switched again to fit the anti-theft hole. Even if the conventional multi-stage adjustable lock is connected to the same laptop computer having the same size of the anti-theft hole in most instances, the working stage has to be switched every time when the conventional multi-stage adjustable lock is reconnected to the laptop computer, which is inconvenient for use.
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a locking method for an electronic device and art electronic device locking apparatus to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.
The main objective of the present invention is to provide a locking method for an electronic device, and the locking method includes steps of:
(a) adjusting working stages of an electronic device locking apparatus according to a size of an anti-theft hole of an electronic device;
(b) inserting a fixing member of the electronic device locking apparatus into the anti-theft hole of the electronic device; and
(c) switching a lock of the electronic device locking apparatus to a locking state, so as to fix the fixing member of the electronic device locking apparatus to engage in the anti-theft hole of the electronic device with a selected one of the working stages, such that the electronic device locking apparatus and the electronic device are inseparable.
The main objective of the present invention, is to provide an electronic device locking apparatus that is configured to secure an electronic device with an anti-theft hole. The electronic device locking apparatus has a fixing member, a stage adjusting mechanism, a driving mechanism, and a lock. The fixing member is configured to be inserted in the anti-theft hole of the electronic device. The stage adjusting mechanism is configured to adjust the electronic device locking apparatus to multiple working stages. The driving mechanism is connected with the fixing member and the stage adjusting mechanism and selectively unfolds the fixing member to engage in the anti-theft hole based on a current one of the working stages to which the stage adjusting mechanism adjusts. When the lock is locked, the stage adjusting mechanism is fixed at the current one of the working stages by the lock.
In the electronic device locking apparatus of the present invention, adjustment of the working stages (including stepped or stepless form) and operation of the fixing member (such as unfolding two hooks) are separate. In other words, movements (unfolding or folding) of the fixing member do not interfere in the working stages to which the stage adjusting mechanism adjusts. Therefore, the stage adjusting mechanism can be adjusted to a proper one of the working stages in advance, and then the fixing member is inserted into and is unfolded to engage in the anti-theft hole. When unlocking, just folding the fixing member and then the fixing member can leave the anti-theft hole. Since the working stage does not have to be changed, the fixing member can be used to engage in the anti-theft hole of the same size directly in the future. The working stage do not have to be adjusted, which is convenient to use.
Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
A locking method for an electronic device in accordance with the present invention includes the following steps:
(a) Adjusting working stages of an electronic device locking apparatus according to a size (such as a width) of an anti-theft hole of an electronic device;
(b) Inserting a fixing member of the electronic device locking apparatus into the anti-theft hole of the electronic device, wherein the fixing member has a folding state for leaving the anti-theft hole and an unfolding state for engaging in the anti-theft hole, and the fixing member is in the folding state when being inserted into the anti-theft hole;
(c) Switching a lock of the electronic device locking apparatus to a locking state, so as to fix the fixing member of the electronic device locking apparatus to engage in the anti-theft hole of the electronic device with a selected one of the working stages. Thus, the electronic device locking apparatus and the electronic device are inseparable (cannot depart from each other). The process of switching the fixing member from the folding state to the selected one of the working stage may or may not be related to switching the lock to the locking state. However, the lock in the locking state can ensure that the fixing member is unable to be switched to the other working stage or the folding state.
Preferably, the electronic device is a portable electronic device. Specifically, the electronic device may be, but is not limited to, a laptop computer.
With reference to
With reference to
The stage adjusting mechanism 20 is configured to adjust the electronic device locking apparatus to multiple working stages and may adjusts in stepped or stepless form. As shown in
The driving mechanism 30 is connected with the fixing member 10 and the stage adjusting mechanism 20 and selectively unfolds the fixing member 10 to engage in the anti-theft hole based on a current one of the working stages to which the stage adjusting mechanism 20 adjusts.
When the lock 40 is locked, the stage adjusting mechanism 20 is fixed at the current one of the working stages b the lock 40 directly or indirectly. That is, the fixing member 10 is unable to he switched to other working stages or be folded.
In the present invention, the stage adjusting mechanism 20 and the fixing member 10 act (such as unfolding the two hooks 11) separately. In other words, movements (unfolding or folding) of the fixing member 10 do not interfere in the working stages to which the stage adjusting mechanism 20 adjusts. Therefore, the stage adjusting mechanism 20 can he adjusted to a proper one of the working stages in advance, and then the fixing member 10 is inserted into and is unfolded to engage in the anti-theft hole. When unlocking, just folding the fixing member 10 and then the fixing member 10 can leave the anti-theft hole. Since the working stage does not have to be changed, the fixing member 10 can be used to engage in the anti-theft hole of the same size directly. The working stage do not have to be adjusted, which is convenient to use.
The electronic device locking apparatus of the present invention has six embodiments as follows.
With reference to
Preferably, with reference to
A structure of the rotating member 32 is not limited to the structure as described above. The interior of the rotating member 32 may be cortical or the rotating member 32 may be conical. Thus, different axial positions of the rotating member 32 would decide the degrees of expansion of the two hooks 11.
With reference to
Preferably, the central shaft 31 tends to move toward the fixing member 10. Specifically, the driving mechanism 30 further includes a central shaft resilient element 33 pushing the central shaft 31. In addition, with reference to
In the first embodiment, the unlocking member 50 is a button that protrudes outwardly in a normal state. When the unlocking member 50 is pressed, the unlocking member 50 pushes the central shaft 31 to move away from the fixing member 10. Preferably, one of the unlocking member 50 and the central shaft 31 has an inclined surface, such that the unlocking member 50 is able to push the central shaft 31 from different directions.
Preferably, with reference to
Furthermore, with reference to
By adjusting the working stages (flipping the stage adjusting mechanism 20 to rotate the rotating member 32) and driving the fixing member 10 (the central shaft 31 pushing the rotating member 32 and the unlocking member 50 pulling the rotating member 32 back) separately, the working stages can be adjusted in advance. Then the fixing member 10 is inserted into the anti-theft hole and is unfolded to engage in the anti-theft hole. When unlocking, the fixing member 10 can be folded to leave the anti-theft hole just by pulling the unlocking member 50. Since the working stage is not changed, the fixing member 10 can be used to engage in the other anti-theft bole having the same size. During operation, the unlocking member 50 is pulled to fold the fixing member 10 and then the unlocking member 50 is released after the fixing member 10 is inserted into the anti-theft hole. Afterwards, the central shaft 31 pushes the rotating member 32 again to unfold the fixing member 10. The working stages do not have to be changed, which allows convenient use of the electronic device locking apparatus.
With reference to
First, with reference to
Second, with reference to
Third, with reference to
In the second embodiment, the objective of the present invention can also be achieved b adjusting the working stages (rotating the stage adjusting mechanism 20 with a tool to rotate the central shaft 31 and the rotating member 32) and driving the fixing member 10 (the central shaft 31 pushing the rotating member 32 and pulling the unlocking member 50 to pull the rotating member 32 back) separately.
With reference to
The central shaft 31 in the third embodiment may be regarded as part of the lock 40. The central shaft 31 axially protrudes out of two ends of the lock 40, as shown in
With reference to
The lock 40 in the first embodiment is a combination lock and the lock in the third embodiment is a key lock.
In the third embodiment, the objective of the present invention also can be achieved by adjusting, the working stages (flipping the stage adjusting mechanism 20 to rotate the rotating member 32) and driving the fixing member 10 (the central shaft 31 pushing the rotating member 32 and the lock 40 to pull the central shaft 31 and the rotating member 32 back) separately.
With reference to
With reference to
The aforementioned configuration is only a different way to control an axial position of the central shaft 31. Therefore, the central shaft 31 having the aforementioned configuration can also be used along with the rotating member 32. However, the central shaft 31 in the fourth embodiment is modified to directly push the fixing member 10 without working with the rotating member 32. In this situation, the hook resilient element of the fixing member 10 drives the two hooks 11 that are pivotally connected with each other to fold the inner ends of the two hooks 11 and to unfold the outer ends of the two hooks 11 in the normal state. With reference to
Furthermore, with reference to
With reference to
In addition the lock 40 in the fourth embodiment is similar to the lock 40 in the second embodiment. The rotating-stopping portions 311 in the second embodiment are formed on the central shaft 31. With reference to
Moreover, the electronic device locking apparatus further comprises a positioning member 80 tending to abut against the stage adjusting mechanism 20 (or the central shaft 31), such that the central shaft 31 tends to be positioned at a specific rotating angle. Preferably, the stage adjusting mechanism 20 (or the central shaft 31) has multiple positioning portions 22, each of which is preferably formed as a recess, for working along with the positioning member 80. The positioning member 80 fixes the central shaft 31 to the stop member 70 at multiple angular positions that corresponding in position to the stop recesses 312 respectively, so as to ensure that the stop member 70 can be inserted into the corresponding one of the stop recesses 312. In addition, when unlocking and slightly rotating the central shaft 31, by releasing the central shaft 31, the positioning member 80 also forces the stage adjusting mechanism 20 and the central shaft 31 to rotate back to allow the stop member 70 to face the corresponding one of the stop recesses 312, for ease of use.
Lastly, with reference to
In the fourth embodiment, the objective of the present invention can be achieved by adjusting the working stages (rotating the central shaft 31 to allow the stop member 70 to corresponding in position to one of the stop recess 312) and driving the fixing member 10 (pushing the central shaft 31 to move the fixing member 10 and slightly rotating the central shaft 31 to allow the central shaft 31 to rebound) separately.
With reference to
First, the stage adjusting mechanism 20 rotates the central shaft 31 in both fifth and fourth embodiments. However, in the fourth embodiment, the axial position of the central shaft 31 is controlled by pressing the central shaft 31 and the cooperation of the stop member 70, the stop recesses 312 and the central shaft resilient element 33. With reference to
Moreover, the working stages in the first four embodiments are adjusted in the stepped form (such as three-stage), and in the fifth and six embodiments, the expansion degree of the fixing member 10 are adjusted by changing the axial position of the central shaft 31 through screwing. Therefore, the working stages in the fifth and sixth, embodiments are adjusted in the stepless form.
Second, there is no unlocking member 50 in the fourth embodiment and the stage adjusting mechanism 20 is unlocked by slightly rotating the central shaft 31. With reference to
Third, with reference to
Furthermore, preferably, in an unlocking state, when the central shaft 31 is pulled back by the unlocking member 50 to a certain extent, the engaging member 41 engages in a back engaging recess 51 of the unlocking member 50. For the time being, if the lock 40 is switched to the locking state and the engaging member 41 is unable to be retracted, the central shaft 31 and the unlocking member 50 would stay at the position that is away from the fixing member 10 and the fixing member 10 would remain folded.
In the fifth embodiment, the objective of the present invention can be achieved by adjusting the working stages (rotating the central shaft 31 to change the position of the central shaft 31) and driving the fixing member 10 (the central shaft 31 pushing the fixing member 10 and the unlocking member 50 to pull the central shaft 31 back) separately.
With reference to
First, the lock 40 in the fifth embodiment is a combination lock and the lock 40 in the six embodiment is a key lock.
Second, in the fifth embodiment, the engaging member 41 stops the unlocking member 50 (or the central shaft 31) from moving away from the fixing member 10 and stops the stage adjusting mechanism 20 (or the central shaft 31) from rotating with two different parts of the engaging member 41. However, in the sixth embodiment, with reference to
Third, in the sixth embodiment, there is the positioning member 80 to fix the angle of the central shaft 31.
Thus, in the sixth embodiment, the objective of the present invention can be achieved by adjusting the working stages (rotating the central shaft 31 to change the position of the central shaft 31) and driving the fixing member 10 (the central shaft 31 pushing the fixing member 10 and the unlocking member 50 pulling the central shaft 31 back) separately.
The electronic device locking apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned six embodiments, and the essential elements in the six embodiments are exchangeable. For instance, the combination lock and the key lock are exchangeable.
The locking method for the electronic device of the present invention with the aforementioned six embodiments is described as follows.
At first, the basic concept of the locking method is described along with the third and fourth embodiments. At the beginning, the central shaft 31 has not abutted against or unfolded the fixing member 10, and the working stage is adjusted through the stage adjusting mechanism 20 based on the size of the anti-theft hole (by rotating the rotating member 32 in the third embodiment and by rotating the central shaft 31 in the fourth embodiment). Then the fixing member 10 is inserted into the anti-theft hole. For the time being, the fixing member 10 is still folded. Then the central shaft 31 is pressed to unfold the fixing member 10 according to the selected one of the working stages and the lock 40 is switched to the locking state to fix the fixing member 10. Thus, the fixing member 10 engages in the anti-theft hole and the electronic device locking apparatus and the electronic device are inseparable.
In the other four embodiments, the fixing member 10 is folded through the unlocking member 50 and is inserted into the anti-theft hole. Then the unlocking member is released to unfold the fixing member 10 according to the selected one of the working stages. Lastly, switch the lock 40 to the locking state.
The locking method for the electronic device of the present invention can also have many variations and is described along with the aforementioned six embodiments as follows.
When the fixing member 10 of the electronic device is inserted into the anti-theft hole, by moving the central shaft 31 of the electronic device locking apparatus toward the fixing member 10, the fixing member 10 would engage in the anti-theft hole based on the selected one of the working stages as the six embodiments described above. However, the electronic device locking apparatus and the locking method, of the present invention are not limited to have the central shaft 31. In addition, moving of the central shaft 31 toward the fixing member 10 may be manually operated or automatically driven by an internal structure such as the central shaft resilient element 33.
Furthermore, when the central shaft 31 is moving toward the fixing member 10, the central shaft 31 may directly push the fixing member 10 to unfold the fixing member 10 and the central shaft 31 would he moved to the different axial positions (the different extended depths) according to the selected one of the working stages, as shown in the fourth, fifth and the sixth embodiments. However, it can also be modified to that the central shaft 31 pushes the rotating member 32 and the rotating member 32 pushes the fixing member 10 to unfold the fixing member 10. The rotating member 32 would be rotated to the different angles according to the selected one of the working stages to push the fixing member 10, as shown in the first, second and third embodiments.
In addition, the central shaft 31 may tend to move toward the fixing member 10. However, the fixing member 10 is inserted into the anti-theft hole after the user pushes the central shaft 31 to move away from the fixing member 10 (which is operated through the unlocking member 50 in the first, second, fifth and sixth embodiments). Then the central shaft 31 is released (by releasing the unlocking member 50 in the first, second, fifth, and sixth embodiment) to allow the central shaft 31 to move toward the fixing member 10, such that the fixing member 10 can be unfolded according to the selected one of the working stages and engages in the anti-theft hole.
However, in the other embodiments, the central shaft 31 is also possible not to move toward the fixing member 10. The central shaft 31 is moved toward, the fixing remember 10 (by pressing the central shaft 31 in the third and fourth embodiments) after the fixing member 10 is inserted into the anti-theft bole, such that the fixing member 10 can be unfolded according to the selected one of the working stages and engages in the anti-theft hole.
Furthermore, the central shaft 31 may also tend w move away the fixing member 10. When the user moves the central shaft 31 toward the fixing member 10, the stop member 70 stops the central shaft 31 from moving away from the fixing member 10, so as to fix the central shaft 31 at a specific axial position, as shown in the fourth embodiment. In addition, the lock 40 in the third embodiment may also be regarded as having the stop member 70 to stop the central shaft 31 from moving away from the fixing member 10.
At last, when there is the stop member 70, the working stage is adjusted by rotating the central shaft 31 When the user moves the central shaft 31 toward the fixing member 10, the stop member 70 stops the central shaft 31 at the different axial positions according the different angles of the central shaft 31, like the stop recesses 312 that are disposed at different angular positions as shown in the fourth embodiment.
Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and features of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 111102068 | Jan 2022 | TW | national |
