US5361610A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Totelock
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1993-09-22
•
Granted: 1994-11-08
•
Expires: 2013-09-22
Abstract
Abstract A pair of plates that are inserted into the disk drive of a computer. The plates are then locked together by the addition of a padlock or other locking means thus preventing disk drive use and removal of the plates. The plates and computer can be secured to a fixed object with an anti-theft means or cable system in combination with the padlock to prevent the computer from being stolen or removed from a fixed location.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Sanders
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 03:41
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B33/00; G11B33/005; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/40; Y10T70/50; Y10T70/5009; Y10T70/5093; Y10T70/554; Y10T70/5562; Y10T70/70; Y10T70/7441; Y10T70/7915; Y10T70/7955; Y10T70/796
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
387 words
A locking mechanism for a computer with a disk drive having an external entry door and internal guide rails with tab holes, comprising: a rigid first plate adapted for insertion into said disk dive and having a front edge, a back edge, two side edges, top and bottom surface planes, a plate shoulder formed on the front edge, and a plate body between the plate shoulder and the back edge, a pair of tabs extending in the downward direction from the bottom surface plane of the first plate body and adapted for insertion into said guide rail tab holes, and a lock hole formed centrally in the plate shoulder; a rigid second plate adapted for insertion into said disk drive and having a front edge, a back edge, two side edges, top and bottom surface planes, a plate shoulder formed on the front edge, and a plate body between the plate shoulder and the back edge, a pair of ridges extending in an upward direction away from the top surface plane of the second plate body, and a lock hole formed centrally in the plate shoulder; wherein said second plate is inserted into said disk onto the top surface plane of the first plate such that the second plate bottom surface plane lies flat against the first plate top surface plane; wherein said first and second plate lock holes align when both plates are inserted into said disk drive; a locking means for securing said lock holes of said inserted first and second plates; and means for tethering said locking means to an object; wherein the combined height of the first and second plates inserted together into the disk drive together is such that the plates cannot be removed from the disk drive together; wherein said first and second plate shoulder portions and lock holes are adapted to remain outside the disk drive when inserted into the disk drive; wherein the second plate ridges extend from the plate shoulder toward the back edge parallel to one another and parallel to the second plate right and left edges; and wherein said first plate tabs angle away from the first plate bottom surface plane at an angle of approximately seventy degrees from a plane defined by the area between the tabs and the front edge of the first plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
387 words
A locking mechanism for a computer with a disk drive having an external entry door and internal guide rails with tab holes, comprising: a rigid first plate adapted for insertion into said disk dive and having a front edge, a back edge, two side edges, top and bottom surface planes, a plate shoulder formed on the front edge, and a plate body between the plate shoulder and the back edge, a pair of tabs extending in the downward direction from the bottom surface plane of the first plate body and adapted for insertion into said guide rail tab holes, and a lock hole formed centrally in the plate shoulder; a rigid second plate adapted for insertion into said disk drive and having a front edge, a back edge, two side edges, top and bottom surface planes, a plate shoulder formed on the front edge, and a plate body between the plate shoulder and the back edge, a pair of ridges extending in an upward direction away from the top surface plane of the second plate body, and a lock hole formed centrally in the plate shoulder; wherein said second plate is inserted into said disk onto the top surface plane of the first plate such that the second plate bottom surface plane lies flat against the first plate top surface plane; wherein said first and second plate lock holes align when both plates are inserted into said disk drive; a locking means for securing said lock holes of said inserted first and second plates; and means for tethering said locking means to an object; wherein the combined height of the first and second plates inserted together into the disk drive together is such that the plates cannot be removed from the disk drive together; wherein said first and second plate shoulder portions and lock holes are adapted to remain outside the disk drive when inserted into the disk drive; wherein the second plate ridges extend from the plate shoulder toward the back edge parallel to one another and parallel to the second plate right and left edges; and wherein said first plate tabs angle away from the first plate bottom surface plane at an angle of approximately seventy degrees from a plane defined by the area between the tabs and the front edge of the first plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A locking mechanism as described in claim 1, wherein: said ridges have a substantially rounded profile.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A locking mechanism as described in claim 2, wherein: said rigid first and second plates are made from stainless steel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A locking mechanism as described in claim 3, wherein: said locking means is a padlock.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A locking mechanism as described in claim 4, wherein: said means for tethering said locking means is a steel cable with loops at both ends.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
255 words
A locking mechanism in combination with a computer disk drive having an external entry door and internal guide rails with tab holes, comprising: a rigid first plate adapted for insertion into said disk drive and having a front edge, a back edge, two side edges, top and bottom surface planes, a plate shoulder formed on the front edge, and a plate body between the plate shoulder and the back edge, a pair of tabs extending in the downward direction from the bottom surface plane of the first plate body and adapted for insertion into said guide rail tab holes, and a lock hole formed centrally in the plate shoulder; a rigid second plate adapted for insertion into said disk drive and having a front edge, a back edge, two side edges, top and bottom surface planes, a plate shoulder formed on the front edge, and a plate body between the plate shoulder and the back edge, a pair of ridges extending n an upward direction away from the top surface plane of the second plate body, and a lock hole formed centrally in the plate shoulder; wherein said second plate is inserted into said disk onto the top surface plane of the first plate such that the second plate bottom surface plane lies flat against the first plate top surface plane; wherein aid first and second plate lock holes align when both plates are inserted into said disk drive; and a locking means for securing said lock holes of said inserted first and second plates.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
255 words
A locking mechanism in combination with a computer disk drive having an external entry door and internal guide rails with tab holes, comprising: a rigid first plate adapted for insertion into said disk drive and having a front edge, a back edge, two side edges, top and bottom surface planes, a plate shoulder formed on the front edge, and a plate body between the plate shoulder and the back edge, a pair of tabs extending in the downward direction from the bottom surface plane of the first plate body and adapted for insertion into said guide rail tab holes, and a lock hole formed centrally in the plate shoulder; a rigid second plate adapted for insertion into said disk drive and having a front edge, a back edge, two side edges, top and bottom surface planes, a plate shoulder formed on the front edge, and a plate body between the plate shoulder and the back edge, a pair of ridges extending n an upward direction away from the top surface plane of the second plate body, and a lock hole formed centrally in the plate shoulder; wherein said second plate is inserted into said disk onto the top surface plane of the first plate such that the second plate bottom surface plane lies flat against the first plate top surface plane; wherein aid first and second plate lock holes align when both plates are inserted into said disk drive; and a locking means for securing said lock holes of said inserted first and second plates.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A locking mechanism as described in claim 6, further comprising: means for tethering said locking means to an object.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A locking mechanism as described in claim 7, wherein: the combined height of the first and second plates inserted together into the disk drive together is such that the plates cannot be removed from the disk drive together.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A locking mechanism as described in claim 8, wherein: said first and second plate shoulder portions and lock holes are adapted to remain outside the disk drive when inserted into the disk drive.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A locking mechanism as described in claim 9, wherein: the second plate ridges extend from the plate shoulder toward the back edge parallel to one another and parallel to the second plate right and left edges.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
A locking mechanism as described in claim 10, wherein: said first late tabs angle away from the first plate bottom surface plane at an angle of approximately seventy degrees from a plane defined by the area between the tabs and the front edge of the first plate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A locking mechanism as described in claim 11, wherein: said ridges have a substantially rounded profile.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A locking mechanism as described in claim 12, wherein: said rigid first and second plates are made from stainless steel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A locking mechanism as described in claim 13, wherein: said locking means is a padlock.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A locking mechanism as described in claim 14, wherein: said means for tethering said locking means is a steel cable with loops at both ends.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
256 words
A locking mechanism in combination with a computer disk drive having an external entry door and internal guide rails with protruding guide tabs, comprising: a rigid first plate adapted for insertion into said disk drive and having a front edge, a back edge, two side edges, top and bottom surface planes, a plate shoulder formed on the front edge, and a plate body between the plate shoulder and the back edge, a pair of tabs extending in the downward direction from the bottom surface plane of the first plate body and adapted for insertion into said guide rail guide tabs, and a lock hole formed centrally in the plate shoulder; a rigid second plate adapted for insertion into said disk drive and having a front edge, a back edge, two side edges, top and bottom surface planes, a plate shoulder formed on the front edge, and a plate body between the plate shoulder and the back edge, a pair of ridges extending in an upward direction away from the top surface plane of the second plate body, and a lock hole formed centrally in the plate shoulder; wherein said second plate is inserted into said disk onto the top surface plane of the first plate such that the second plate bottom surface plane lies flat against the first plate top surface plane; wherein said first and second plate lock holes align when both plates are inserted into said disk drive; and a locking means for securing said lock holes of said inserted first and second plates.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
256 words
A locking mechanism in combination with a computer disk drive having an external entry door and internal guide rails with protruding guide tabs, comprising: a rigid first plate adapted for insertion into said disk drive and having a front edge, a back edge, two side edges, top and bottom surface planes, a plate shoulder formed on the front edge, and a plate body between the plate shoulder and the back edge, a pair of tabs extending in the downward direction from the bottom surface plane of the first plate body and adapted for insertion into said guide rail guide tabs, and a lock hole formed centrally in the plate shoulder; a rigid second plate adapted for insertion into said disk drive and having a front edge, a back edge, two side edges, top and bottom surface planes, a plate shoulder formed on the front edge, and a plate body between the plate shoulder and the back edge, a pair of ridges extending in an upward direction away from the top surface plane of the second plate body, and a lock hole formed centrally in the plate shoulder; wherein said second plate is inserted into said disk onto the top surface plane of the first plate such that the second plate bottom surface plane lies flat against the first plate top surface plane; wherein said first and second plate lock holes align when both plates are inserted into said disk drive; and a locking means for securing said lock holes of said inserted first and second plates.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A locking mechanism as described in claim 16, further comprising: means for tethering said locking means to an object.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
A locking mechanism as described in claim 17, wherein: the combined height of the first and second plates inserted together into the disk drive together is such that the plates cannot be removed from the disk drive together.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
A locking mechanism as described in claim 18, wherein: said first and second plate shoulder portions and lock holes are adapted to remain outside the disk drive when inserted into the disk drive.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
A locking mechanism as described in claim 19, wherein: the second plate ridges extend from the plate shoulder toward the back edge parallel to one another and parallel to the second plate right and left edges.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
47 words
A locking mechanism as described in claim 20, wherein: said first plate tabs angle away from the first late bottom surface plane at an angle of approximately seventy degrees from a plane defined by the area between the tabs and the front edge of the first plate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
A locking mechanism as described in claim 21, wherein: said ridges have a substantially rounded profile.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
A locking mechanism as described in claim 22, wherein: said rigid first and second plates are made from stainless steel.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
A locking mechanism as described in claim 23, wherein: said locking means is a padlock.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
A locking mechanism as described in claim 24, wherein: said means for tethering said locking means is a steel cable with loops at both ends.
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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) | 1997-11-07 | 1998-05-09 | 1998-11-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-07 | 2002-05-09 | 2002-11-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-07 | 2006-05-09 | 2006-11-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |