US5406809A — Mechanical security fixture for personal computers

Claim 1

Independent Claim 130 words

A security fixture for a personal computer having an expansion slot chassis, comprising: an elongated, substantially planar, rigid, unitary main body of substantially constant width and thickness having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end having a relatively short, laterally displaced segment of substantially the same width as the body terminating in a transversely extending flange defining an aperture segment for accepting a screw for mating with an upper surface of the expansion slot chassis; and attachment means in the form of a loop portion connected to the main body for attaching the same to a tether, whereby the security fixture can be installed in the expansion slot chassis and the tether connected to a relatively immovable object thereby substantially securing the personal computer against unauthorized removal.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 130 words

A security fixture for a personal computer having an expansion slot chassis, comprising: an elongated, substantially planar, rigid, unitary main body of substantially constant width and thickness having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end having a relatively short, laterally displaced segment of substantially the same width as the body terminating in a transversely extending flange defining an aperture segment for accepting a screw for mating with an upper surface of the expansion slot chassis; and attachment means in the form of a loop portion connected to the main body for attaching the same to a tether, whereby the security fixture can be installed in the expansion slot chassis and the tether connected to a relatively immovable object thereby substantially securing the personal computer against unauthorized removal.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 98 words

The security fixture of claim 1, wherein the lower end terminates in a reduced width tongue laterally centered with respect to the main body for mating with a slot in a lower surface of the expansion slot chassis, wherein the main body has a height of approximately 10.5 cm, and a width of approximately 1.8 cm, wherein the segment on the upper end is laterally displaced with respect to the main body by approximately 0.3 cm, and wherein the tongue on the lower end has a length of approximately 0.7 cm and a width of approximately 1.0 cm.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 73 words

The security fixture of claim 1, wherein the main body defines an aperture for receiving the attachment means, and wherein the attachment means includes a "T" shaped member having an enlarged portion secured behind the main body, a constricted waist portion captured by the main body, and an enlarged nose section defining an aperture therein for receiving the tether whereby transverse motion of the "T" shaped member through the main body is restricted.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 36 words

The security fixture of claim 3, wherein the main body has two tabs located substantially within the plane of the main body and extending into the main body aperture to secure the "T" shaped member therein.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 155 words

A security fixture for personal computers, comprising: an elongated, tapered, rigid, unitary main body having a planar front surface terminating in an upper end having a width of approximately 1.9 cm and a lower end having a width of approximately 1.7 cm, the upper end also having an upwardly and laterally outwardly extending upper tab portion in the plane of the front surface, the tab portion having a pair of outwardly extending ears and a width of approximately 2.3 cm, and the ears having a height of approximately 0.8 cm for receipt in an upper portion of a personal computer expansion slot chassis, and attachment means in the form of a loop portion connected to the main body for attaching the same to a tether whereby the security fixture can be installed in the expansion slot chassis and the tether connected to a relatively immovable object thereby substantially securing the personal computer against unauthorized removal.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 155 words

A security fixture for personal computers, comprising: an elongated, tapered, rigid, unitary main body having a planar front surface terminating in an upper end having a width of approximately 1.9 cm and a lower end having a width of approximately 1.7 cm, the upper end also having an upwardly and laterally outwardly extending upper tab portion in the plane of the front surface, the tab portion having a pair of outwardly extending ears and a width of approximately 2.3 cm, and the ears having a height of approximately 0.8 cm for receipt in an upper portion of a personal computer expansion slot chassis, and attachment means in the form of a loop portion connected to the main body for attaching the same to a tether whereby the security fixture can be installed in the expansion slot chassis and the tether connected to a relatively immovable object thereby substantially securing the personal computer against unauthorized removal.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 73 words

The security fixture of claim 5, wherein the main body defines an aperture for receiving the attachment means, and wherein the attachment means includes a "T" shaped member having an enlarged portion secured behind the main body, a constricted waist portion captured by the main body, and an enlarged nose section defining an aperture therein for receiving the tether whereby transverse motion of the "T" shaped member through the main body is restricted.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 36 words

The security fixture of claim 6, wherein the main body has two tabs located substantially within the plane of the front surface and extending into the main body aperture to secure the "T" shaped member therein.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 65 words

The security fixture of claim 5, wherein the planar front surface has longitudinal rearwardly and transversely extending sidewalls defining a "U" shaped cross section and wherein the lower end has two downwardly depending prongs in the plane of the main body front surface defining an aperture for receipt of an expansion slot retaining screw on a lower portion of a personal computer expansion slot chassis.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 39 words

The security fixture of claim 8, wherein the "U" shaped cross section has a diagonal measure of at least 2 cm so that the fixture can not be forwardly removed through an expansion slot opening in the personal computer.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 17 words

The security fixture of claim 9, wherein the sidewalls have a depth of at least 1.2 cm.

Claim 13

Independent Claim 158 words

A method for manufacturing a personal computer security fixture, comprising the following steps: constructing a main body plate from a sturdy material having portions thereon adapted for receipt in a personal computer expansion slot opening; forming an elongated rectangular aperture in the main body with a rearwardly directed tab at an end of the elongated aperture; positioning a "T" shaped member behind the rectangular aperture, the "T" shaped member having a rear portion larger than the rectangular aperture, a constricted waist portion smaller than the rectangular aperture, and an enlarged nose section forming a pocket for the tab and having a sloped forward edge, the nose section also defining an opening therein for receiving a tether; and forcing the sloped forward edge through the aperture until the pocket formed by the constricted waist is seated in the rectangular aperture with the tab located substantially in the aperture so as to restrain the "T" shaped member against rearward movement.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 158 words

A method for manufacturing a personal computer security fixture, comprising the following steps: constructing a main body plate from a sturdy material having portions thereon adapted for receipt in a personal computer expansion slot opening; forming an elongated rectangular aperture in the main body with a rearwardly directed tab at an end of the elongated aperture; positioning a "T" shaped member behind the rectangular aperture, the "T" shaped member having a rear portion larger than the rectangular aperture, a constricted waist portion smaller than the rectangular aperture, and an enlarged nose section forming a pocket for the tab and having a sloped forward edge, the nose section also defining an opening therein for receiving a tether; and forcing the sloped forward edge through the aperture until the pocket formed by the constricted waist is seated in the rectangular aperture with the tab located substantially in the aperture so as to restrain the "T" shaped member against rearward movement.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 11, wherein during the aperture forming step two tabs are formed in the rectangular aperture, one at each longitudinal end.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1998-04-17	1998-10-17	1999-04-18	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2002-04-17	2002-10-17	2003-04-18	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2006-04-17	2006-10-17	2007-04-18	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Mechanical security fixture for personal computers

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