US4390868A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Security of manufactured apparatus
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1980-11-14
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Granted: 1983-06-28
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Expires: 2000-11-14
Abstract
Abstract The security of manufactured apparatus is enhanced through reducing the motivation for theft by partitioning the design of the manufactured apparatus so as to provide a component essential to the operation that is destroyed both in function and in appearance on moving the apparatus, is clearly distinguishable from a common article of commerce and cannot be singly, economically produced. The security is enhanced because theft is not profitable since a cost equal to any profit is incurred to replace the destroyed part and chance of detection is increased. Small apparatus theft, such as occurs with a typewriter, is rendered impractical by providing a power cord that is distinctive in appearance, not economically singly replaceable, that is so fastened that it must be fractured in order to remove the apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard L. Garwin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:09
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/02; G08B13/14; G08B13/1409; E; E05; E05B; E05B73/00; E05B73/0005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A power cord of the type that delivers electrical power from a disconnectable source to a power-dependent apparatus the improvement comprising: at least two power delivery conductors; at least one signal bearing member of the type capable of transmitting at least one of optical and electrical signals; positioned visibly along the length of, insulated from, and contiguous with said power delivery conductors; electrical-to-optical signal transducer means located at, at least one of said disconnectable source and said apparatus and operable to provide a light signal through said signal bearing member; and optical-to-electrical signal transducer means at the other of said at least one of said disconnectable source and said apparatus responsive to said light signal; and indicating continuity conditions along said power cord.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A power cord of the type that delivers electrical power from a disconnectable source to a power-dependent apparatus the improvement comprising: at least two power delivery conductors; at least one signal bearing member of the type capable of transmitting at least one of optical and electrical signals; positioned visibly along the length of, insulated from, and contiguous with said power delivery conductors; electrical-to-optical signal transducer means located at, at least one of said disconnectable source and said apparatus and operable to provide a light signal through said signal bearing member; and optical-to-electrical signal transducer means at the other of said at least one of said disconnectable source and said apparatus responsive to said light signal; and indicating continuity conditions along said power cord.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The power cord of claim 1 wherein said signal bearing member is a light conducting strip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The power cord of claim 2 wherein light in said light conducting strip is visible to an observer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The power cord of claim 2 wherein said electrical-to-optical signal transducer means is at least one light emitting diode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The power cord of claim 4 wherein said optical-to-electrical signal transducer means is at least one photocell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The power cord of claim 5 wherein the light in said light conducting strip is visible to an observer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
98 words
An enhanced security assembly comprising: a multicomponent apparatus capable of performing a function, at least one security enhancement component portion of said apparatus said security enhancement component being essential to the performance of said function of said apparatus and said security enhancement component further having an appearance different from a standard article of commerce, a stationary member, means retaining at least a portion of said security enhancement component to said stationary member, said retaining means being sufficient to require destruction of at least one of function and appearance of said security enhancement component in order to effect separation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
98 words
An enhanced security assembly comprising: a multicomponent apparatus capable of performing a function, at least one security enhancement component portion of said apparatus said security enhancement component being essential to the performance of said function of said apparatus and said security enhancement component further having an appearance different from a standard article of commerce, a stationary member, means retaining at least a portion of said security enhancement component to said stationary member, said retaining means being sufficient to require destruction of at least one of function and appearance of said security enhancement component in order to effect separation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said security enhancement component is a power cord.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said security enhancement component has at least a portion thereof that is integral with the housing of said apparatus.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3938124A
Cited
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Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-06-27 | 1986-12-27 | 1987-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-06-27 | 1990-12-27 | 1991-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-06-27 | 1994-12-27 | 1995-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |