Clamp, system and/or method for securing an article to a fixture
A clamp, a system and/or a method secures an article to a fixture. The clamp, the system and/or the method may prevent a theft and/or a removal of the article from the fixture. The clamp is attached to the article, such as, for example, a laptop computer. A vertical member extends from the clamp and may be situated within a recess of the article to prevent the clamp from being removed from the article. A tether secures the clamp and/or the article to the fixture. The vertical member of the clamp may have a plunger that may be depressed by the article while the article is situated within the clamp.
1 . A clamp for securing an article to a fixture, the clamp comprising:
a first arm having a length defined between a first end and a second end wherein the second end of the first arm is positioned opposite to the first end of the first arm wherein the first arm has a height defined between a top surface and a bottom surface wherein the bottom surface of the first arm is positioned generally parallel to the top surface of the first arm;
a second arm positioned generally parallel to the first arm;
a pin extending from the first end of the first arm towards the second arm in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the first arm;
a shaft extending from the second arm towards the first arm in a direction perpendicular to the second arm wherein the shaft has an opening sized to receive the pin of the first arm; and
a member extending from the second arm in a direction perpendicular to the second arm to a point between the bottom surface of the first arm and the second arm wherein the member is generally cylindrical about an axis extending perpendicular to the second arm.
2 . The clamp of claim 1 further comprising:
a threaded hole in the pin.
3 . The clamp of claim 1 further comprising:
a fastener to connect the pin to the shaft.
4 . The clamp of claim 1 further comprising:
an opening in the member between the second arm and the point.
5 . The clamp of claim 1 further comprising:
a plunger extending from the member towards the bottom surface of the first arm wherein the plunger moves within the member.
6 . The clamp of claim 1 further comprising:
an opening in the second arm that extends through the second arm.
7 . The clamp of claim 1 further comprising:
a first plate attached to the second arm wherein the first plate has a width defined between a first side and a second side wherein the first side of the first plate is attached to the second arm to form a compartment between the second arm and the first plate.
8 . The clamp of claim 7 further comprising:
a second plate attached to the second side of the first plate wherein the second plate the first plate to the second arm.
9 . The clamp of claim 1 further comprising:
a coating on the first arm wherein the coating increases a friction force of the first arm.
10 . The clamp of claim 1 further comprising:
a cable attached to the second arm and to the fixture.
11 . A system for securing an article to a fixture, the system comprising:
a clamp having a first arm and a second arm wherein the first arm is positioned generally parallel to the second arm wherein the first arm is attached to the second arm;
a member extending from the second arm towards the first arm in a direction perpendicular to the second arm to a point between the first arm and the second arm wherein the member is generally cylindrical about an axis that extends perpendicular to the second arm;
a plunger that extends from the first member towards the first arm wherein the plunger moves within the member in a direction perpendicular to the first arm and the second arm;
a plunger circuit in communication with the plunger wherein the plunger circuit is located within the second arm wherein the plunger circuit detects a movement of the plunger;
a first cable having a first end and second end wherein the first end is connected to the second arm; and
a second cable connected to the plunger circuit.
12 . The system of claim 11 further comprising:
a mounting plate attached to the fixture wherein the second end of the first cable is attached to the mounting plate.
13 . The system of claim 11 further comprising:
a collar attached to the article wherein the collar is generally cylindrical in shape wherein the collar has an opening sized to receive the member.
14 . The system of claim 11 further comprising:
a fastener to attach the first arm of the clamp to the second arm of the clamp.
15 . The system of claim 11 further comprising:
a light emitting diode electrically connected to the plunger circuit.
16 . The system of claim 11 further comprising:
a coating on the first arm of the clamp wherein the coating protects the article from the first arm.
17 . A method for securing an article to a fixture wherein the article has a recess on a surface of the article, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a clamp having a first arm and a second arm wherein the second arm is positioned generally parallel to the first arm at a substantially continuous distance from the first arm wherein the clamp has a member that extends from the second arm towards the first arm wherein the clamp has a cable wherein the cable is attached to the second arm of the clamp and further wherein the clamp has a plunger circuit to detect an attachment of the clamp to the article;
positioning the article between the first arm and the second arm;
inserting the member of the clamp into the recess of the article; and
fastening the first arm to the second arm.
18 . The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of:
activating the plunger circuit to detect a removal of the article from the clamp.
19 . The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of:
adjusting the distance between the first arm and the second arm.
20 . The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of:
attaching the cable to the fixture.