Computer physical security device

An apparatus which inhibits the theft of equipment such as personal computers is disclosed. The equipment typically includes an external wall provided with a specially designed, approximately rectangular slot having preselected dimensions. An attachment mechanism includes a housing for a spindle having a first portion rotatable within the housing, a shaft extending outwardly from the housing, and a crossmember at the end of the shaft having peripheral dimensions closely conforming to the internal dimensions of the slot. The spindle is then rotated 90.degree. to misalign the crossmember with the slot, thereby attaching the attachment mechanism rigidly to the external wall. A cable is secured to the housing and to an immovable object so that the equipment cannot be stolen.

 

We claim:

1. A security lock system, comprising:

a portable electronic device having an external wall defining a security slot;

locking means for attaching to a first object other than to the portable electronic device;

a locking member having a peripheral profile complementary to preselected dimensions of said security slot, said locking member adapted for insertion into and withdrawal from said slot when in a first position and for engagement with an interior surface of said wall when in a second position such that said locking member is associated with said portable device while in said second position;

a pin adapted for insertion into and withdrawal from said slot when said locking member is in said second position, said pin inhibiting transition of said locking member from said second position to said first position; and

means, coupled to said pin, for attaching to said locking means and for inhibiting removal of said pin from said slot.

2. The security lock of claim 1 wherein said peripheral profile matches said security slot.

3. A security lock system, comprising:

a portable electronic device having an external wall defining a security slot;

a locking member having a peripheral profile complementary to preselected dimensions of said security slot, said locking member adapted for insertion into and withdrawal from said slot when in a first position and for engagement with an interior surface of said wall when in a second position such that said locking member is associated with said portable device while in said second position;

a pin adapted for insertion into and withdrawal from said slot when said locking member is in said second position, said pin inhibiting transition of said locking member from said second position to said first position; and

pin retaining means coupled to said pin for inhibiting removal of said pin from said slot.

4. The security lock of claim 3 further comprising:

a cable attachment mechanism for associating a cable with the engagement member.

5. The security lock of claim 1 wherein said security slot is rectangular having a length dimension greater than a width dimension.

6. The security lock of claim 1 wherein said locking means is a cable and lock.

7. The security lock of claim 6 wherein said means for attaching to said locking means further comprises a cable attachment mechanism for associating said pin with said cable.

8. The security lock of claim 3 wherein said security slot is rectangular having a length dimension greater than a width dimension.

9. A security lock system, comprising:

a portable electronic device having an external wall defining a security slot;

a locking spindle having a body portion and a head portion, said head portion having a peripheral profile complementary to said security slot, said head portion adapted for insertion into and withdrawal from said slot when in a first position and for engagement with an interior surface of said wall when in a second position such that said head portion is associated with said portable device while in said second position;

an anchor spindle having a body portion and an anchor portion, said anchor portion adapted for insertion into and withdrawal from said slot when said head portion of the locking spindle is in said second position, said anchor portion inhibiting transition of said head portion from said second position to said first position, and said anchor spindle body portion adapted for association with said locking spindle body portion; and

a locking mechanism, adapted for engaging said anchor spindle body portion and said locking spindle body portion, inhibiting disassociation of said locking spindle and said anchor spindle.

10. The security lock of claim 9 wherein said anchor spindle body portion has at least one engagement member adapted for engaging said anchor spindle body portion to said locking spindle body portion.

11. The security lock of claim 9 wherein said security slot is rectangular having a length dimension greater than a width dimension.

12. The security lock of claim 9 wherein said locking mechanism is a cable for attaching to an object other than to said portable electronic device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to devices for inhibiting the theft of relatively small but expensive pieces of equipment. More specifically, the invention relates to a lock interface for a specially designed slot having predetermined dimensions.

Computers have evolved rather rapidly from large, expensive machines usable only by a few, to relatively small, portable machines which are usable by many. In particular, the development of desktop computers with significant processing power has made computers available to the general population. It is now common for college and even high school students to have their own computer, and desktop computers are in wide spread use as word processors and work stations in almost all forms of business. Desktop computers are relatively small and easily transportable, and an undesirable side effect of their proliferation is the fact that the theft of such computers is a significant problem.

A variety of devices have been developed to inhibit the theft of desktop computers and similar equipment. Since desktop computer systems involve several components, typically including the computer itself, a separate monitor, keyboard and often a printer, such security systems often employ a cable which attaches each of the components to each other and to a relatively immovable object such as a desk. The principal difficulty in such systems is providing an effective and convenient method for attaching the cable itself to the equipment.