US4004440A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cable lock for small appliances
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-03-19
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Granted: 1977-01-25
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Expires: 1996-03-19
Abstract
Abstract A compact device for locking an article, such as an office machine, to a desk or fixed base comprises a flexible cable secured at one end to a key-operated lock, and at the other end to an anchor block. The anchor block is in turn secured to the desk with a one-way screw. The lock is engageable with a plate member permanently secured to the bottom of the machine. The plate member is step-shaped adjacent the machine so that the lock engaging portion of the member is maintained parallel to and above the surface of the desk. This prevents interference between the bottom of the lock and the desk, and expedites engagement of disengagement of the lock. The cable retains the office machine in proximity to the desk, yet permits the position of the machine to be adjusted to suit the user.
Inventors
- 👤 William Emil Dreyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 09:01
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05B; E05B73/00; E05B73/0005; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/40; Y10T70/402; Y10T70/50; Y10T70/5009
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A compact device for restricting movement of an article relative to a base, comprising: an elongated plate member, a first region of said member being secured to the bottom of said article, a second region of said member having a step-shaped portion between an upper horizontal part and a lower horizontal part adjacent said article, an exposed part of said second region extending parallel to and above a surface supporting said article; a cable having first and second ends; lock means attached to the first end of said cable for locking the first end to said upper horizontal part of said plate member; and anchor means attached to the second end of said cable for securing the second end to the base.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A compact device for restricting movement of an article relative to a base, comprising: an elongated plate member, a first region of said member being secured to the bottom of said article, a second region of said member having a step-shaped portion between an upper horizontal part and a lower horizontal part adjacent said article, an exposed part of said second region extending parallel to and above a surface supporting said article; a cable having first and second ends; lock means attached to the first end of said cable for locking the first end to said upper horizontal part of said plate member; and anchor means attached to the second end of said cable for securing the second end to the base.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the second region of said plate member includes a set of ratchet teeth; and said lock means includes a slot for receiving said plate member, said lock means engaging said ratchet teeth.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The device of claim 2, wherein said lock means includes a cable receiving member located beneath said slot for receiving said cable, a distance between said receiving member and said plate member being less than a height of the step-shaped portion of said plate member to provide clearance between said lock means and the surface supporting said article.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 2, wherein said set of ratchet teeth is formed along only one edge of said second region.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 2, wherein said lock means is key-operated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said anchor means includes a block containing an aperture, and a screw extending through said aperture for attaching said block to said base.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 6, wherein said screw is a one-way screw.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said plate member is bonded to said article.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
143 words
A device for locking an office machine to a base, while permitting limited movement of the machine relative to the base, comprising: an elongated plate member having first and second regions, the first region being secured to a surface of said office machine; a flexible cable having first and second ends; lock means secured to the first end of said cable for locking said first end to the second region of said plate member, said second region extending beyond the surface of said machine; and anchor means secured to the second end of said cable for anchoring the second end to said base; wherein an edge of said plate member includes a set of ratchet teeth, and said lock means includes a slot for receiving the second region of said plate member, said lock means engaging the ratchet teeth on said plate member.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
143 words
A device for locking an office machine to a base, while permitting limited movement of the machine relative to the base, comprising: an elongated plate member having first and second regions, the first region being secured to a surface of said office machine; a flexible cable having first and second ends; lock means secured to the first end of said cable for locking said first end to the second region of said plate member, said second region extending beyond the surface of said machine; and anchor means secured to the second end of said cable for anchoring the second end to said base; wherein an edge of said plate member includes a set of ratchet teeth, and said lock means includes a slot for receiving the second region of said plate member, said lock means engaging the ratchet teeth on said plate member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 9, wherein said anchor means includes a block containing an aperture, and a screw extending through said aperture for securing said block to the base.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 10, wherein said screw is a one-way screw.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-01-25 | 1980-07-26 | 1981-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-01-25 | 1984-07-26 | 1985-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-01-25 | 1988-07-26 | 1989-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |