Security apparatus including locking head
View Patent ↗A security apparatus is disclosed. The security apparatus comprises an attachment device comprising a base, and a locking head configured to secure to the base. The attachment device can be small and strong. The locking head can have a securing element and a locking component, associated with a housing. The locking head may be in a secured configuration upon a single motion or movement of the locking head. The locking head may contain one or more gate structures for securing to the attachment device.
1. A security apparatus for a portable electronic device secured to an attachment device having a base, the security apparatus comprising:
a head comprising
a housing,
a gate structure within the housing, the gate structure including a front wall portion having an inward sloped surface, a rear wall portion, a bridging portion connected to the front wall portion and the rear wall portion, and a rear protrusion extending from the rear wall portion,
a biasing element configured to bias the gate structure inwardly toward the base,
a locking component inside of the housing, and
an actuator configured to engage the rear protrusion when the locking component is in an unlocked configuration, the actuator extending from the locking component
wherein the gate structure is a first gate structure and the biasing element is a first biasing element, and wherein the security apparatus further comprises a second gate structure and a second biasing element, the first and second gate structures being non-pivotally mounted within the head, wherein the first and second biasing elements are configured to bias the first and second gate structures toward the base and towards each other when the locking component is in a locked configuration; and
a security device physically coupled to the head, wherein the security device is adapted to be secured to an immovable object.
2. The security apparatus of claim 1 wherein portions of the first gate structure overlap with portions of the second gate structure.
3. The security apparatus of claim 1 wherein the actuator is configured to move the first gate structure away from the base by engaging the rear protrusion.
4. The security apparatus of claim 3 wherein the actuator is configured to move the first gate structure by turning.
5. The security apparatus of claim 1 wherein the actuator is a cam.
6. The security apparatus of claim 1 wherein the security device is a cable.
7. The security apparatus of claim 6 wherein the immovable object is a desk.
8. A system comprising:
a portable electronic device; and
a security apparatus comprising
an attachment device secured to the portable electronic device, the attachment device comprising a base, and
a head comprising
a housing,
a gate structure within the housing, the gate structure including a front wall portion having an inward sloped surface, a rear wall portion, a bridging portion connected to the front wall portion and the rear wall portion, and a rear protrusion extending from the rear wall portion,
a biasing element configured to bias the gate structure inwardly toward the base,
a locking component inside of the housing, and
an actuator configured to engage the rear protrusion when the locking component is in an unlocked configuration, the actuator extending from the locking component,
wherein the gate structure is a first gate structure and the biasing element is a first biasing element, and wherein the security apparatus further comprises a second gate structure and a second biasing element, the first and second gate structures being non-pivotally mounted within the head, wherein the first and second biasing elements are configured to bias the first and second gate structures toward the base and towards each other when the locking component is in a locked configuration, and
a security device physically coupled to the head, wherein the security device is adapted to be secured to an immovable object.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the portable electronic device comprises a computer.
10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the head further comprises a multi jointed ferrule that is configured to connect to a security device, the multi jointed ferrule comprising a first ferrule and a swivel ferrule, wherein the first ferrule is rotatably connected to a swivel adapter of the swivel ferrule.
11. The system of claim 8 , wherein portions of the first gate structure overlap with portions of the second gate structure.
12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the head is configured to be locked by a single linear motion comprising moving the head towards the attachment device.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the gate structure is configured to clamp down upon the attachment device while locked, and the head is configured to produce a sound to indicate that it has been locked.
14. A method of securing a portable electronic device, the method comprising:
obtaining a portable electronic device, and an attachment device attached to the portable electronic device, wherein the attachment device comprises a base extending from the portable electronic device; and
attaching a head to the attachment device, wherein the head comprises
a housing,
a gate structure within the housing, the gate structure including a front wall portion having an inward sloped surface, a rear wall portion, a bridging portion connected to the front wall portion and the rear wall portion, and a rear protrusion extending from the rear wall portion,
a biasing element configured to bias the gate structure toward the base,
a locking component inside of the housing, and
an actuator configured to engage the rear protrusion when the locking component is in an unlocked configuration, the actuator extending from the locking component,
wherein the locking component is in a locked configuration after the head is attached,
wherein the gate structure is a first gate structure and the biasing element is a first biasing element, and wherein the security apparatus further comprises a second gate structure and a second biasing element, the first and second gate structures being non-pivotally mounted within the head, wherein the first and second biasing elements are configured to bias the first and second gate structures toward the base and towards each other when the locking component is in a locked configuration, and wherein a security device is physically coupled to the head, wherein the security device is adapted to be secured to an immovable object.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the attaching the head comprises moving the head in a single linear motion towards the attachment device.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the base pushes the gate structure outward until the base passes the front wall portion, during the single linear motion.
17. The method of claim 14 , wherein a key is not necessary to attach the head to the attachment device.
18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
inserting a key into the head;
turning the actuator to engage the rear protrusion, wherein the actuator pushes the rear protrusion outward and compresses the first biasing element; and
removing the head from the attachment device.
19. The method of claim 14 , wherein the head indicates it is in the locked configuration by producing a sound.