Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6560710
-
Patent Number
6,560,710
-
Date Filed
Friday, May 14, 199925 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, May 6, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Wood, Phillips, Katz, Clark & Mortimer
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 340 556
- 340 506
- 340 521
- 340 52549
- 340 569
- 340 5721
- 340 5731
- 340 568
- 340 5682
- 713 200
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
The combination of an article to be monitored and a security system. The article to be monitored has a first component and a second component projecting angularly from the first component. The security system has a base and a cover movable guidingly relative to the base between first and second positions. The cover has a first opening through which the second component projects. The cover defines a receptacle for the first component with the second component projecting through the first opening. The cover has an entry opening which allows a) the second component to be selectively projected through and withdrawn from the first opening and b) the first component to be selectively placed in and removed from the receptacle with the cover in the first position. The base and cover cooperatively prevent c) the second component from being withdrawn from the first opening and d) the first component from being removed from the receptacle with the cover in the second position. The security system further includes a lock assembly which interconnects between the base and cover and is placeable selectively in locked and released states. The lock assembly in the locked state maintains the cover in the second position. The lock assembly in the released state allows the cover to move from the second position into the first position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to security systems of the type used to maintain computer equipment, and the like, in a prescribed area for display thereof.
2. Background Art
Consumer theft is an ever increasing problem as products become smaller, yet more expensive. This is particularly true in the area of computers. High performance laptop computers are now packaged in compact cases which, while facilitating transportation by a user, likewise makes them prone to unauthorized and undetected removal from stores at which they are displayed.
In the highly competitive electronics industry, purveyors of this type of equipment generally compromise between maintaining security and prominently displaying electronic items to allow them to be inspected and used on site by a potential customer. In large electronics stores, a multitude of products, including laptop computers, can be seen openly displayed on shelves. The consumer is allowed to pick these items up, inspect them, and operate them in a normal manner as part of the process of making a purchasing decision. While this style of marketing is an accommodation to an honest, potential customer, it likewise offers a temptation to a would be thief.
Inevitably, to recover theft costs, store owners increase the price of merchandise. The industry is constantly looking for effective ways to display and market consumer products without the fear of significant product loss so that store owners can realize workable profits while maintaining reasonable prices for consumers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one form, the invention is directed to the combination of an article to be monitored and a security system. The article to be monitored has a first component and a second component projecting angularly from the first component. The security system has a base and a cover movable guidingly relative to the base between first and second positions. The cover has a first opening through which the second component projects. The cover defines a receptacle for the first component with the second component projecting through the first opening. The cover has an entry opening which allows a) the second component to be selectively projected through and withdrawn from the first opening and b) the first component to be selectively placed in and removed from the receptacle with the cover in the first position. The base and cover cooperatively prevent c) the second component from being withdrawn from the first opening and d) the first component from being removed from the receptacle with the cover in the second position. The security system further includes a lock assembly which interconnects between the base and cover and is placeable selectively in locked and released states. The lock assembly in the locked state maintains the cover in the second position. The lock assembly in the released state allows the cover to move from the second position into the first position.
In one form, the article to be monitored is a computer, with the first component including a keyboard and the second component including a display.
The cover may have an inverted U shape in cross section with a base through which the first opening is formed.
The base may have a cut-out to permit access to the keyboard with the first component in the receptacle.
With the first component in the receptacle, the display may project through the first opening to outside of the receptacle to be visible outside of the receptacle.
In one form, the first and second components are pivotably connected to each other so that different angular relationships between the first and second components can be selected with the first component in the receptacle and the second component projected through the first opening.
In one form, there is a guide rail on one of the cover and base and a slot for the guide rail on the other of the cover and base. The guide rail is movable guidingly within the slot as the cover moves between the first and second positions.
The base may have an anchoring tab thereon. In one form, the lock assembly has a bar that extends into the anchoring tab and cover.
In one form, the cover has an inverted U shape in cross section with a base and spaced legs. In one form, the bar projects through both of the spaced legs.
In one form, the bar has a head, a body, and a free end. The free end of the bar is directed in one direction through the spaced legs and the anchoring tab. The lock assembly may further have a lock element that is releasably connectable to the free end of the bar. With the lock element releasably connected to the free end of the bar, the cover is captively held between the head of the bar and the lock element.
The lock element may be key operated.
In one form, the base is fixedly attached to a support for the article to be monitored and the security system.
The security system may further including a tether which is connected between a support and at least one of the cover, base, and lock assembly.
The tether may have at least one electrical conductor therein defining a conductive path.
In one form, the security system further has a monitor which detects interruption of the conductive path and produces a detectable signal as an incident of detecting interruption of the conductive path.
The invention is also directed to a security system having a base and a cover movable guidingly relative to the base between first and second positions. The cover has an inverted U shape in cross section with a base and spaced legs which define a receptacle for a first part of an article to be monitored. The base has a first opening therethrough through which a second part of an article to be monitored, that projects angularly from a first part of an article to be monitored, can project with the first part of an article to be monitored in the receptacle. The cover has an entry opening which allows a) the second part of an article to be monitored to be selectively projected through and withdrawn from the first opening and b) the first part of an article to be monitored to be selectively placed in and removed from the receptacle with the cover in the first position. The base and cover cooperatively prevent c) the second part of an article to be monitored to be withdrawn from the first opening and d) the first part of an article to be monitored to be removed from the receptacle, with the cover in the second position. The security assembly further includes a lock assembly interconnecting between the base and cover and placeable selectively in locked and released states. The lock assembly in the locked state maintains the cover in the second position. The lock assembly in the released state allows the cover to move from the second position into the first position.
In one form, the base has a flat bottom wall. First and second guide rails are provided on at least one of the cover and base with slots for the guide rails on at least one of the cover and base. The guide rails move guidingly in the slots as the cover is moved between the first and second positions. The cover blocks more of the entry opening with the cover in the second position than with the cover in the first position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a security system, according to the present invention, shown in conjunction with a portable, laptop computer;
FIG. 2
is a plan view of the security system and laptop computer of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is a front elevation view of the security system and laptop computer of
FIGS. 1 and 2
;
FIG. 4
is a side elevation view of the security system and laptop computer of
FIGS. 1-3
with the security system further including a tether connected to a support to prevent unauthorized removal of the laptop computer from a prescribed area;
FIG. 5
is a reduced, cross-sectional view of the security system and laptop computer of
FIGS. 1-4
and showing the laptop computer in one orientation;
FIG. 6
is a view as in
FIG. 5
with the laptop computer in another orientation; and
FIG. 7
is an exploded, perspective view of the security system and laptop computer of
FIGS. 1-6
with the security system further including electronic monitoring structure to prevent unauthorized removal of the laptop computer from a prescribed area.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings, a security system, according to the present invention, is shown at
10
, for monitoring a portable article, which in this case is a laptop computer
12
. The security system
10
can be used to monitor other than the laptop computer
12
shown, and is particularly adaptable for use in monitoring articles having angularly oriented components. The security system
10
will be described below as used with of the laptop computer
12
, however, it should be recognized that the article(s) to be monitored using the security system
10
is not so limited.
The security system
10
consists of a base
14
with a flat wall
16
, a cover
18
and a lock assembly at
20
. The cover
18
is movable relative to the base
14
between a first position, shown in
FIG. 7
, and a second position, shown in each of
FIGS. 1-6
. With the cover
18
in the first position therefor, the computer
12
can be directed upwardly relative to the cover
18
through an entry opening
22
into a receptacle
24
defined by the cover
18
.
The security system
10
is designed so that part of the article to be monitored that is in the receptacle
24
is projected through an opening
26
in the cover
18
. The computer
12
has first and second components
28
,
30
which are pivotably connected to each other through a hinge arrangement at
32
in conventional manner. In this case, the first component
28
includes a keyboard
34
and the second component
30
includes a monitor/display
36
. The second component
30
is angularly oriented relative to the first component
28
in a normal operating position so that with the first component
28
in the receptacle
24
, the second component
30
, including the display
36
thereon, projects upwardly to be visible outside of the receptacle
24
.
With the computer
12
situated relative to the cover
18
, as described above, the cover
18
can be moved to the second position relative to the base
14
. In the second position, the flat wall
16
reduces the dimension of the entry opening
22
sufficiently that the computer
12
cannot be removed from the receptacle
24
. The dimensions of the receptacle
24
and the location of the opening
26
are selected so that the components
28
,
30
of the computer
12
cannot be repositioned relative to each other so as to allow the computer
12
to be removed from the receptacle
24
by movement thereof through either a front opening
38
or a rear opening
40
on the cover
18
.
The lock assembly
20
maintains the cover
18
in the second position therefor. The lock assembly
20
includes a bar
42
having a head
44
, a body
46
, and a free end
48
. The free end
48
of the bar
42
is directed through spaced walls
50
,
52
on the cover
18
and through anchoring tabs
54
,
56
directed upwardly from the flat wall
16
on the base
14
and situated, one each adjacent to the cover walls
50
,
52
. The head
44
limits translational movement of the bar
42
in one direction. In this position, the free bar end
48
is exposed outside of the cover wall
52
. The exposed portion of the free end
48
has an undercut
58
which can be engaged by a lock element
60
that is operable through a key
62
to extend a tab (not shown) into the undercut
58
. Once in place, the lock
60
and head
44
captively engage the cover
18
and prevent withdrawal of the bar
42
. The tab is extended into the undercut
58
with the lock assembly
20
in a locked state. Through the key
62
, the lock assembly
20
can be placed in a released state wherein the lock element
60
can be separated from the bar
42
. Additional details of a suitable bar and lock element arrangement are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,258, which is incorporated herein by reference.
The united subassembly, consisting of the computer
12
, base
14
, cover
18
and lock assembly
20
, can then be confined to a prescribed area by any of a number of different means. In one form, fasteners
64
, in the form of screws or bolts, can be directed through the flat wall
16
and into any suitable support
66
, which effectively becomes a part of the base
14
. With the base
14
fixed in this manner, the computer
12
and cover
18
prohibit access to the fasteners
66
, as might facilitate their removal.
In an alternative form, shown in
FIG. 4
, a tether
68
, in the form of a flexible cable, is attached between the security system
10
and support
66
. In the embodiment shown, the cable
68
is formed to define a loop
70
around the bar
42
, which loop is maintained by a crimped element
72
. This arrangement allows the security system
10
and computer
12
to be lifted and repositioned within a range determined by the length of the tether
68
.
In another form, as shown in
FIG. 7
, a tether
74
has separate elements
76
,
78
defining at least one conductive path between a sensor
80
and a monitor
82
. The monitor
82
detects interruption of a conductive path defined by one or both of the conductive elements
76
,
78
, or removal of the sensor
80
from the cover
18
, or elsewhere to which it is applied. A suitable electrical monitoring system is shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,124, owned by the assignee herein and incorporated herein by reference.
To facilitate movement of the cover
18
between the first and second positions therefor, the cover
18
is formed to be U-shaped in cross section with a base
84
and spaced legs defining the walls
50
,
52
. The walls
50
,
52
have outturned flanges
86
,
88
which define rails guidable, one each, in slots
90
,
92
defined by formed edges
94
,
96
at the sides of the base
14
. L-shaped clips
98
on the flat wall
16
confine the flanges
86
,
88
to within the slots
90
,
92
.
The base
84
of the cover
18
has a cut-out
100
to facilitate access by a user to the keyboard
34
. The cut-out
100
is dimensioned so that it does not permit the computer
12
to be repositioned so as to allow passage through the cut-out
100
.
The cover
18
is dimensioned, and the opening
26
located and dimensioned, so that the first component
28
can be shifted outwardly in the direction of the arrow
102
and inwardly in the direction of the arrow
104
to effect convenient positioning thereof. At the same time, the second component
30
, with the display
36
, can pivot within the opening
26
to allow shifting thereof forwardly in the direction of the arrow
106
, in response to rearward movement of the first component
28
, and rearward shifting in the direction of the arrow
108
, in response to forward shifting of the first component
28
. With this arrangement, the angle of the display
36
can be conveniently repositioned for maximum visibility and to achieve the best viewing angle.
The base
14
and cover
18
may be made from metal or plastic material. In one preferred form, the cover is formed from a clear plastic sheet to allow generally unobstructed viewing of the computer
12
.
The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the broad concepts comprehended by the invention.
Claims
- 1. In combination:a) an article to be monitored comprising a first component and a second component projecting angularly from the first component; and b) a security system comprising: a base; a cover movable guidingly relative to the base between first and second positions, the cover having a first opening through which the second component projects, the cover defining a receptacle for the first component with the second component projecting through the first opening, there being an entry opening on the cover which allows a) the second component to be selectively projected through and withdrawn from the first opening and b) the first component to be selectively placed in and removed from the receptacle with the cover in the first position, the base and cover cooperatively preventing c) the second component from being withdrawn from the first opening and d) the first component from being removed from the receptacle with the cover in the second position; and a lock assembly interconnecting between the base and cover and placeable selectively in locked and released states, the lock assembly in the locked state maintaining the cover in the second position, the lock assembly in the released state allowing the cover to move from the second position into the first position.
- 2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the article to be monitored is a computer, the first component comprises a keyboard, and the second component comprises a display.
- 3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the cover has an inverted U shape in cross section with a base through which the first opening is defined.
- 4. The combination according to claim 3 wherein the cover has a cut-out to permit access to the keyboard with the first component in the receptacle.
- 5. The combination according to claim 3 wherein with the first component in the receptacle the display projects through the first opening to outside of the receptacle to be visible outside of the receptacle.
- 6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein the first and second components are pivotably connected to each other so that different angular relationship between the first and second components can be selected with the first component in the receptacle and the second component projected through the first opening.
- 7. The combination according to claim 1 wherein there is a guide rail on one of the cover and base and a slot for the guide rail on the other of the cover and base and the guide rail is movable guidingly within the slot as the cover moves between the first and second positions.
- 8. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the base has an anchoring tab thereon and the lock assembly comprises a bar that extends into the anchoring tab and cover.
- 9. The combination according to claim 8 wherein the cover has an inverted U shape in cross section with a base and spaced legs, and the bar projects through both of the spaced legs.
- 10. The combination according to claim 9 wherein the bar comprises a head, a body, and a free end, the free end of the bar is directed in one direction through the spaced legs and the anchoring tab, the locking assembly further comprises a lock element that is releasably connectable to the free end of the bar and with the lock element releasably connected to the free end of the bar the cover is captively held between the head of the bar and the lock element.
- 11. The combination according to claim 10 wherein the lock element is a key-operated lock element.
- 12. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the base is fixedly attached to a support for the article to be monitored and the security system.
- 13. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the security system further comprise a tether which is connected between a support and at least one of the cover, base, and lock assembly.
- 14. The combination according to claim 13 wherein the tether comprises at least one electrical conductor defining a conductive path.
- 15. The combination according to claim 14 wherein the security system further comprises a monitor which detects interruption of the conductive path and produces a detectable signal as an incident of detecting interruption of the conductive path.
- 16. A security system comprising:a base; a cover movable guidingly relative to the base between first and second positions, the cover having an inverted U shape in cross section with a base and spaced legs which define a receptacle for a first part of an article to be monitored, the base having a first opening therethrough through which a second part of an article to be monitored that projects angularly from the first part of an article to be monitored can project with the first part of an article to be monitored in the receptacle, there being an entry opening on the cover which allows a) the second part of an article to be monitored to be selectively projected through and withdrawn from the first opening and b) the first part of an article to be monitored to be selectively placed in and removed from the receptacle with the cover in the first position, the base and cover cooperatively preventing c) the second part of an article to be monitored from being withdrawn from the first opening and d) the first part of an article to be monitored from being removed from the receptacle with the cover in the second position; and a lock assembly interconnecting between the base and cover and placeable selectively in locked and released states, the lock assembly in the locked state maintaining the cover in the second position, the lock assembly in the released state allowing the cover to move from the second position into the first position.
- 17. The security system according to claim 16 wherein the base comprises a flat bottom wall, there are first and second guide rails on at least one of the cover and base and slots for each of the guide rails on at least one of the cover and base, the guide rails move guidingly in the slots as the cover is moved between the first and second positions, and the cover blocks more of the entry opening with the cover in the second position than with the cover in the first position.
- 18. The security assembly according to claim 17 wherein the base has an anchoring tab and the lock assembly comprises a bar that extends into the anchoring tab and cover.
- 19. The security assembly according to claim 18 wherein the bar projects through both of the spaced legs.
- 20. The security assembly according to claim 19 wherein the bar comprises a head, a body, and a free end, the free end of the bar is directed in one direction through the spaced legs and the anchoring tab, the locking assembly further comprises a lock element that is releasably connectable to the free end of the bar, and with the lock element releasably connected to the free end of the bar the cover is captively held between the head of the bar and the lock element.
US Referenced Citations (11)