Locks – Special application – For portable articles
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-12
2001-02-27
Barrett, Suzanne Dino (Department: 3627)
Locks
Special application
For portable articles
C070S062000, C248S551000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06192722
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an anti-theft device for securing computer and other types of office equipment devices to a surface, and in particular such a device which is adjustable so that it can be used to secure computer and office equipment devices having a range of different sizes.
A variety of techniques and apparatus have been developed through the years for preventing the unauthorized removal of computer equipment. While a great many security devices have been made available in the past for detering the theft of various types of computer equipment, the high cost and great popularity of current computer equipment requires security devices which provide a higher degree of security while at the same time permitting use with equipment of varying sizes, and furthermore minimizing any inconvenience in using or protecting the equipment and keeping costs within reason.
A number of previously available apparatus have been known to incorporate bracket assemblies for securing computer equipment to a supporting surface. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,395 issued Feb. 4, 1992 to Frater et al discloses a security apparatus which includes a restraining arrangement that surrounds a portion of the computer equipment to be secured, and is itself secured to a supporting surface by an adhesive. U.S. Pat. No. 4,585,202 issued Apr. 29, 1986 to Parsekian also discloses an anti-theft device having a restraining arrangement which surrounds a portion of the computer equipment and allows it to be secured to a supporting surface. Such devices lack versatility in that the restraining arrangements cannot be adjusted to accommodate computer equipment of different sizes, but rather must be custom built to accommodate the dimensions of the particular piece of computer equipment to be secured.
Various universal type securing systems for use with a wide variety of computer equipment have also been developed, such as for example systems which make use of adhesive pads and steel cables. However, the low cost and flexibility provided by such systems typically comes at the cost of reduced security.
It is therefore desirable to provide a anti-theft device for computer equipment which provides a high degree of security and is adjustable for use with computer equipment of varying sizes within predetermined limits.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an anti-theft device for computer equipment and other office equipment components which allows such components to be secured to a work surface. This anti-theft device is adjustable to accommodate components of different sizes.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an anti-theft device for securing an office equipment component to a support surface. The anti-theft device comprises a base including first and second base sections movable relative to each other, each having a basal surface for resting on the support surface and an opposite facing surface having a support portion for supporting the office equipment component. A first base arm extends from the first base section in a direction opposite the basal surface of the first base section, and a second base arm extends from the second base section in a direction opposite the basal surface of the second base section such that upon placement of the office equipment component on the support portions the component will be located between said first and second base station arms. The anti-theft device also includes a clamping member for placement over the office equipment component, having an intermediate restraining bar and first and second spaced apart, parallel arms extending from the restraining bar for straddling the office equipment and telescopically engaging the first and second base arms, respectively. One of the first clamping member arm and the first base arm has a plurality of longitudinally spaced engagement surfaces located along a portion of the length thereof, and there is a locking device associated with the other of the first clamping arm and the first base arm engaging the engagement surfaces and preventing the clamping member from being pulled apart from the first base section when the locking device is locked.
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Barrett Suzanne Dino
CNC Atlas Manufacturing Inc.
Greer David
Kao Dolly
Ridout & Maybee
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