Patent Application
20160207348
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to support racks and, more particularly, to a writing implement support rack with an integrated fingerprint access restriction.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of writing utensils. such as pens, is well known. Even as people use mobile computers more and more, using a pen and paper still remains a daily part of life in environments such as schools, colleges, offices, hospitals and clinics. A problem which still exists, however, is that many often have a difficult time keeping track of their pens; whether it be because others borrow/take them or because typical storage arrangements are often simply throwing the pen in a desk or other receptacle in which it is easily lost. Thus, there remains a need for a pen support rack that can receive and hold a plurality of pens for storage and which includes access restriction technology. It would be helpful if such a pen support rack employed a biometric access restrictor so as to not require the use of passwords. It would be additionally desirable for such a pen support rack to be structured as a decorative object so that it could be displayed on a desk or other furniture.
The Applicant's invention described herein provides for a pen support rack adapted to restrict access to pens being held to authorized users. The primary components in Applicant's pen support rack are a support member and an access restrictor. When in operation, the pen support rack enables the effective storage of pens in plain sight while restricting access to the stored pens to authorized users. As a result, many of the limitations imposed by the prior art are removed.
A pen support rack for securing pens and preventing unauthorized access. In the preferred embodiment, the pen support rack comprises a support member with an integrated fingerprint scanner. The support member defines a rack body having a base, a trunk, and a plurality of branches. Near the end of each branch is a locking loop that is sized to receive the body of a conventional pen that includes an integrated clip, with the clip of the pen secured over it so that the pen hangs from the locking loop. Each locking loop is operative to selectively lock a pen inside through operation of an integrated electromagnet. Thus when an authorized user seeks to secure a pen to the pen support rack or remove one from the pen support rack, the user would place his finger on the fingerprint scanner. If the fingerprint is accepted by the fingerprint scanner, a signal is sent to the microcontroller causing it to toggle the provision of electricity to the electromagnets on the locking loops.
It is an object of this invention to provide a pen support rack that can receive and hold a plurality of pens for storage and which includes access restriction technology.
It is another object of this invention to provide a pen support rack that employs a biometric access restrictor so as to not require the use of passwords.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a pen support rack structured as a decorative object so that it could be displayed on a desk or other furniture.
These and other objects will be apparent to one of skill in the art.
Referring now to the drawings and in particular
Each locking loop 23 is operative to selectively lock and unlock a pen 30 in place thereon through the operation of an electromagnet. Each locking loop 23 comprises a loop structure that is constructed of a fabric material, such as nylon, having ferromagnetic material, such as pieces of iron alloy, distributed substantially evenly therein. Attached to the loop structure is an electromagnet 24 that is electrically connected with the microcontroller and power source through the branch 22 it extends from. With the microcontroller controlling the provision of electricity to the electromagnet 24, when electricity is supplied to the electromagnet 24 it magnetizes and causes the locking loop 23 to constrict through the attraction of the ferromagnetic material to the electromagnet 24. When electricity is removed from the electromagnet, it loses its magnet force and the locking loop 23 expands back to its normal size.
It is contemplated that the normal size of the locking loop 23 is wide enough to enable a conventional sized pen 30 to be inserted therein. Accordingly, a pen 30 is placed on the locking loop 23 by inserting it through the hole of the locking loop 23 and the securing the clip of the pen to the body of the locking loop 23. When the locking loop 23 constricts by action of the electromagnet 24, the pen 30 becomes fixed in the locking loop 23. By this action, as long as electricity is supplied to the locking loops 23, any pen 30 in place in one of said locking loops 23 will be locked therein.
In operation, when an authorized user (one who has his fingerprints stored in the fingerprint scanner 12) seeks to secure a pen 30 to the pen support rack 10 or remove one from the pen support rack 10, the user would place his finger on the fingerprint scanner 12. If the fingerprint is accepted by the fingerprint scanner 12, a signal is sent to the microcontroller causing it to toggle the provision of electricity to the electromagnets 24 on the locking loops 23. The pen support rack 10 is configured to remain in its current state until a signal is generated by the fingerprint scanner 12, so an authorized user touching the fingerprint scanner 12 when the locking loops 23 are locked ceases the provision of electricity to the locking loops 23, unlocking them. This allows pens 30 in place on the locking loops to be lifted off by simply disengaging the pen 30′s clip from the locking loop 23. Subsequently, the next time the authorized user touches the fingerprint scanner 12, the provision of electricity to the locking loops 23 resumes and they lock around any pen 30 in place thereon.
It is contemplated that a metallic clip on the pen would additionally contribute to securing the pen 30 in place when the electromagnet 24 is powered on, providing a supplemental source of attachment of the pen 30 in the locking loop 23.
Referring now to
It is understood that in alternate embodiments, alternate access restriction technologies, such as manually entered passwords or eye scanning or other biometric devices, may be employed in the alternative to or in addition to the fingerprint scanner
The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.
