US5787738A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Security lock for a laptop computer
Assignee: Acco Brands USA LLC
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Filing: 1996-12-18
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Granted: 1998-08-04
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Expires: 2016-12-18
Abstract
Abstract A security lock for a computer, such as a laptop. The security lock includes a blade member that can freely pass through the gap between the computer display and keyboard. Attached to one end of the blade member is a blocking member which is larger than the gap. The other end of the blade member is attached or otherwise fastened to a fixed object, via a padlock, to thereby secure the computer to the fixed object. Theft or unauthorized removal of the computer is thereby prevented.
Inventors
- 👤 Dean M. Brandt
- 👤 Lawrence A. Fish
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:30
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05B; E05B73/00; E05B73/0005; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/40; Y10T70/402; Y10T70/409; Y10T70/50; Y10T70/5009
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A security lock for a laptop computer of the type having a display mounted for hinged movement to a keyboard, comprising in combination: a laptop computer having a display mounted for hinged movement with respect to a keyboard, at least a portion of said display being spaced from said keyboard by a gap; and said security lock including a blade having a thickness and constructed of a rugged material having a first end spaced from a second end, said blade being inserted in the gap between the laptop computer display and said keyboard, said blade having fastened thereto at said first end a blocking member that is of a size that cannot pass through the gap, said second end of said blade member being constructed so as to be anchored to a fixed object, whereby said laptop computer is secured to the fixed object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A security lock for a laptop computer of the type having a display mounted for hinged movement to a keyboard, comprising in combination: a laptop computer having a display mounted for hinged movement with respect to a keyboard, at least a portion of said display being spaced from said keyboard by a gap; and said security lock including a blade having a thickness and constructed of a rugged material having a first end spaced from a second end, said blade being inserted in the gap between the laptop computer display and said keyboard, said blade having fastened thereto at said first end a blocking member that is of a size that cannot pass through the gap, said second end of said blade member being constructed so as to be anchored to a fixed object, whereby said laptop computer is secured to the fixed object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The security lock of claim 1, wherein said blocking member comprises an enlargement formed integral with said blade.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The security lock of claim 2, wherein said blocking member is cross-sectionally shaped as a rectangle and formed of a metal material with said blade.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The security lock of claim 1, wherein said first end includes an aperture formed therethrough, and said blocking member includes in combination a padlock fastened to said blade via said aperture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The security lock of claim 1, wherein said second end of said blade includes an aperture therethrough, and including a padlock with a shackle for passing through the aperture and through a looped end of a tether cord, said tether cord being fastened to said fixed object.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The security lock of claim 1, wherein said blade is made integral with said blocking member to form a unit and wherein said unit is T-shaped.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The security lock of claim 1, wherein said blocking member is shaped complementary to a hollow portion of said laptop computer, whereby when the display and keyboard are closed, said blocking member is captured within said hollow portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The security lock of claim 1, wherein a space between said blocking member and said aperture is somewhat larger than a corresponding thickness of said laptop computer display.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The security lock of claim 1, further including an electrical switch for sensing disengagement of the blade from the gap between the computer display and keyboard.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The security lock of claim 1, wherein said blade is planar.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The security lock of claim 1, wherein said blade member is constructed so as to be removable from said gap without a corresponding removal of screws.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of securing a laptop computer having a display, a keyboard and a gap therebetween, comprising the steps of: passing a blade member of a security lock through the gap between the display and keyboard of the laptop computer until a blocking member of the security lock abuts one surface of the laptop computer adjacent the gap; capturing said blocking member in a recessed area formed within at least one of said display or keyboard, when said display is moved to a closed position overlying said keyboard, attaching a lock to the blade member to prevent reverse movement of the blade member and removal thereof from the gap; and securing the lock to a fixed object, to thereby secure the laptop computer and prevent unauthorized removal.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of securing a laptop computer having a display, a keyboard and a gap therebetween, comprising the steps of: passing a blade member of a security lock through the gap between the display and keyboard of the laptop computer until a blocking member of the security lock abuts one surface of the laptop computer adjacent the gap; capturing said blocking member in a recessed area formed within at least one of said display or keyboard, when said display is moved to a closed position overlying said keyboard, attaching a lock to the blade member to prevent reverse movement of the blade member and removal thereof from the gap; and securing the lock to a fixed object, to thereby secure the laptop computer and prevent unauthorized removal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 12, further including forming a hole in said blade member and spacing the blocking member from the hole by a distance somewhat greater than a thickness of the computer display.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 12, further including attaching a switch to said security lock so as to be responsive to removal thereof from said computer.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of securing a laptop computer having a display, a keyboard and a gap between with a security lock, comprising the steps of: passing a blade member of the security lock through the gap between the display and the keyboard of the laptop computer until a blocking member abuts at least one surface adjacent the gap and prevents further movement of the blade member; attaching a lock to the blade member to prevent reverse movement of the blade member and removal from the gap; and securing an anchor device to one of said lock or the blade member, which anchor device is anchored to a fixed object, to thereby secure the laptop computer and prevent unauthorized removal.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of securing a laptop computer having a display, a keyboard and a gap between with a security lock, comprising the steps of: passing a blade member of the security lock through the gap between the display and the keyboard of the laptop computer until a blocking member abuts at least one surface adjacent the gap and prevents further movement of the blade member; attaching a lock to the blade member to prevent reverse movement of the blade member and removal from the gap; and securing an anchor device to one of said lock or the blade member, which anchor device is anchored to a fixed object, to thereby secure the laptop computer and prevent unauthorized removal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 15, further including using said lock as said blocking member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 15, further including securing the anchor device directly to said blade member, via a hole therein.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 15, further including securing said anchor device to said lock.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 15 further including utilizing a cable as said anchor device.
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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) | 2001-08-03 | 2002-02-02 | 2002-08-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-03 | 2006-02-02 | 2006-08-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-03 | 2010-02-02 | 2010-08-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |