IP Library Granted Patent US 12,077,992
Granted Patent B2
US 12,077,992 · App. 17/491,657 · Granted Sep 3, 2024

Security anchor for portable electronic device

Inventors: James Kao (Fremont, CA); William De Meulenaere (Newark, CA); Michael D. Otsuka (Sunnyvale, CA); Wilson S. Tse (Burnaby, CA)
Assignee: ACCO Brands Corporation
E05B73/0082E05B73/0005
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,077,992
App. No.
17/491,657
Granted
Sep 3, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A security anchor for a portable electronic device having an opening includes a body configured to be engaged by a lock head of a lock, a first engagement element extending from the body and configured to be inserted into the opening of the portable electronic device, a second engagement element extending from the body and configured to be inserted into the opening of the portable electronic device, and a plunger positioned between the first engagement element and the second engagement element. The plunger is linearly slidable and subsequently rotated relative to the body to expand apart the first and second engagement elements.

Claims (32)

1. A security anchor for a portable electronic device having an opening, the security anchor comprising:

a body configured to be engaged by a lock head of a lock;

a first engagement element extending from the body and configured to be inserted into the opening of the portable electronic device;

a second engagement element extending from the body and configured to be inserted into the opening of the portable electronic device; and

a plunger positioned between the first engagement element and the second engagement element, the plunger being linearly slidable and subsequently rotated relative to the body to expand apart the first and second engagement elements.

2. The security anchor of claim 1 , wherein the body includes a cap, a ring, and an annular recess positioned between the cap and the ring.

3. The security anchor of claim 1 , wherein the first engagement element and the second engagement element are pivotable relative to the body.

4. The security anchor of claim 1 , wherein the body includes a pin, and wherein the plunger defines a track that receives the pin to guide movement of the plunger relative to the body.

5. The security anchor of claim 4 , wherein the plunger includes a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the track extends axially from the first end portion toward the second end portion, and wherein the track extends circumferentially at the second end portion.

6. The security anchor of claim 5 , wherein the plunger includes a head configured to be engaged by a user to move the plunger relative to the body at the second end portion.

7. The security anchor of claim 4 , wherein the track is L-shaped.

8. The security anchor of claim 1 , wherein the plunger includes a head configured to be engaged by a user to move the plunger relative to the body.

9. The security anchor of claim 8 , wherein the head defines a groove configured to be engaged by a tool to rotate the plunger.

10. The security anchor of claim 8 , wherein the head is a disc having an outer diameter sized similar to an outer diameter of the body.

11. The security anchor of claim 1 , wherein the plunger is rotatable approximately 90°.

12. A security apparatus comprising:

the security anchor of claim 1 ; and

the lock head selectively coupled to the body of the security anchor.

13. The security apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising a cable coupled to the lock head and configured to engage an immovable object.

14. A security anchor for a portable electronic device having an opening, the security anchor comprising:

a body configured to be engaged by a lock head of a lock;

a first engagement element extending from the body and configured to be inserted into the opening of the portable electronic device;

a second engagement element extending from the body and configured to be inserted into the opening of the portable electronic device; and

a plunger coupled to the body and movable between a first position, in which the first and second engagements are movable toward each other, a second position, in which the plunger is moved to spread apart the first and second engagement elements, and a third position, in which the plunger is moved to inhibit movement of the plunger back to the first position.

15. The security anchor of claim 14 , wherein the plunger is linearly slid between the first position and the second position.

16. The security anchor of claim 14 , wherein the plunger is rotated between the second position and the third position.

17. The security anchor of claim 14 , wherein the plunger includes a head configured to be engaged by a user to move the plunger between the first position, the second position, and the third position.

18. The security anchor of claim 14 , wherein a first end portion of the plunger has a frustoconical shape and includes a first wing and a second wing, the first and second wings located on diametrically opposite sides of the frustoconical shape to spread apart the first and second engagement elements in the second position.

19. A security apparatus comprising:

the security anchor of claim 14 ; and

the lock head selectively coupled to the body of the security anchor.

20. The security apparatus of claim 19 , further comprising a cable coupled to the lock head and configured to engage an immovable object.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 16, 2025
From: ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 069934/0416 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 1, 2021
From: KAO, JAMES; DE MEULENAERE, WILLIAM; OTSUKA, MICHAEL D.; TSE, WILSON S.
To: ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 057665/0989 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63119984 · Dec 1, 2020
Related Publication 20220170297A1 · Jun 2, 2022