United States Patent [19]
`Makous
`
`[11] Patent Number: (cid:9)
`[45] Date of Patent: (cid:9)
`
`5,050,836
`Sep. 24, 1991
`
`[54]
`
`[76]
`
`Inventor: (cid:9)
`
`SECURITY DEVICE FOR PORTABLE
`EQUIPMENT
`Joseph M. Makous, 1617 E. Darby
`Rd., Suite 203, Havertown, Pa.
`19083
`[21] Appl. No.: 541,557
`Jun. 21, 1990
`[22] Filed: (cid:9)
`Int. 0 5 (cid:9)
`[51]
`[52] U.S. Cl (cid:9)
`
`
`
`
`E05B 73/00
`248/553; 70/58;
`410/101
` 248/552, 551, 553, 683,
`[58] Field of Search (cid:9)
`248/680, 205.3, 289.1, 291, 500, 506, 499, 918;
`70/58, 18, 30, 49; 403/165; 410/101, 102, 106
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2,480,662 8/1949 McKinzie (cid:9)
`2,729,418 1/1956 Maynard (cid:9)
`3,664,163 5/1972 Foote (cid:9)
`3,727,934 4/1973 Averbook .
`3,866,873 2/1975 Bohli .
`4,065,083 12/1977 Gassaway .
`4,691,891 9/1987 Dionne .
`4,733,840 3/1988 D'Amore .
`4,826,193 5/1989 Davis (cid:9)
`
`[56]
`
` 403/165
` 410/102
` 248/553
`
` 410/106
`
`4,842,912 6/1989 Hutter, III .
`4,979,382 12/1990 Perry (cid:9)
`
` 70/232
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`987121 4/1976 Canada (cid:9)
`
` 70/58
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Kablit Security System Catalog, pp. 7, 93, 1988.
`
`Primary Examiner—Ramon 0. Ramirez
`Assistant Examiner—Robert A. Olson
`
`ABSTRACT
`[57] (cid:9)
`The security device for portable equipment includes a
`rigid base plate, and a resilient elastomeric base pad
`permanently secured to the base plate for providing a
`flexible but strong adhesive bond to the surface of the
`portable equipment or the anchor fixture. A rotatable
`attachment fitting is connected to the base plate, and
`includes a rotatable shaft having a means for receiving
`the security cable that is preferably a transverse aper-
`ture through the shaft, and that include a means for
`securing the cable to the shaft, such as by a set screw in
`the shaft.
`
`13 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
`
`Ex. 1006 - Page 1 of 7
`
`ACCO Brands
`Exhibit 1006
`ACCO Brands v. Think Products
`IPR2015-01152
`
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 24, 1991 (cid:9)
`
`Sheet 1 of 2 (cid:9)
`
`5,050,836
`
`FIG. I
`
`12
`
`FIG. 3
`
`I 8
`
`4
`
`FIG. 2
`
`4
`
`Ex. 1006 - Page 2 of 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`
`Sep. 24, 1991 (cid:9)
`
`Sheet 2 of 2 (cid:9)
`
`5,050,836
`
`FIG. 4
`
`FIG. 7
`
`42
`
`30
`
`38
`
`2 2
`
`FIG. G
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Ex. 1006 - Page 3 of 7
`
`

`

`1
`
`SECURITY DEVICE FOR PORTABLE
`EQUIPMENT
`
`5,050,836
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`This invention generally relates to anti-theft devices
`for portable equipment, and more particularly relates to
`a cable attachment device which may be used in combi-
`nation with an anti-theft cable system for connecting
`one or more pieces of portable equipment to an anchor
`fixture.
`2. Description of Related Art
`As portable desktop computer equipment has become
`increasingly powerful, the monetary value and impor-
`tance to businesses and institutions using them has also
`increased. Other portable equipment, such as video
`cassette recorders, facsimile machines, and printers
`have also found many significant uses in businesses and
`institutions. Since such portable equipment can fre-
`quently be simply picked up and carried away in a mat-
`ter of a few seconds, theft of portable equipment re-
`mains a serious problem.
`Various types of anti-theft systems for tying down
`and connecting such portable equipment with heavy
`duty security cables have been developed. Such cable
`security systems typically include a steel cable and vari-
`ous attachment hardware to anchor the portable equip-
`ment to a work station which is relatively stationary.
`Typically, a cable attachment fixture is mounted to a
`portion of the surface of the equipment and to the sur-
`face of a work station by screw mounted fittings and/or
`adhesive plates, so as to not void manufacturer's war-
`ranties. Screw mounted fittings are typically attached to
`the equipment by using existing equipment screws. The
`security cable system is then attached to the screw
`mounted fitting on the equipment. Unfortunately, such
`original equipment screws are generally not very large
`or strong, and can frequently be quickly snapped off
`with a moderate use of force, resulting in a separation of
`the fitting from the equipment, and failure of the secu-
`rity system.
`Cable attachment devices may also be mounted by
`adhesive to the portable equipment and to anchor fix-
`tures. One prior art security device includes a metal
`base plate containing a cable attachment ring which is
`nonrotatably fixed to a center portion of the base plate.
`The cable attachment device is mounted to the equip-
`ment by a double-stick adhesive pad to provide a
`slightly flexible bond, which has been found to be supe-
`rior to the relatively vulnerable, brittle bond which
`forms between two rigid surfaces.
`Double-sided adhesive tape made from a spongy
`adhesive saturated material is commonly used to pro-
`vide flexibility of an adhesive bond of a cable attach-
`ment mounting plate. However, in order to provide a
`strong enough bond so that the adhesive mount is not
`the weakest link in the security system, the surface area
`required for the adhesive plate may be as much as 33
`square inches, which is frequently not available on
`many modern business machines. Such spongy, adhe-
`sive material is also easily cut, such as with a thin piano
`wire. One type of adhesive mount for a cable attach-
`ment device includes a number of cylindrical, cut resis-
`tant bodies extending from the equipment surface to the
`base plate of the attachment device. The cut resistant
`bodies are also secured to the equipment or anchor
`surface by adhesive, and have an enlarged conical base
`
`2
`end to further prevent a cutting wire from sliding un-
`derneath the cut-resistant body. Other alternatives for
`preventing the relatively spongy adhesive material from
`being cut are nails or staples provided around the perim-
`eter of the mounting plate.
`There remains a need for a security cable mounting
`system which is sufficiently strong and relatively invul-
`nerable to attack such that the security cable itself be-
`comes the weakest part of the security system, even
`when used with portable equipment having as little as
`five square inches of available mounting surface.
`It has been found that security cable mounting plates
`mounted with double sided adhesive material occasion-
`ally fall off of the equipment or anchor surface, when
`used in combination with a heavy duty cable. Such
`heavy cables can exert a substantial, constant pressure
`against the adhesive, resulting in an eventual failure of
`the adhesive. Stress on the adhesive can be exerted by
`the cable when the equipment that is secured by the
`cable is moved on the work surface, bending the cable,
`since a substantial amount of force can be generated by
`such a stiff, heavy duty cable. It would therefore be
`desirable to provide a cable attachment fitting which
`can be mounted with a relatively flexible, strong adhe-
`sive bond, and with a cable attachment fitting that is
`allowed to rotate freely relative to the plate and mount-
`ing surface to reduce stresses on the cable attachment
`mount.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30 (cid:9)
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`Briefly, and in general terms, the present invention
`provides a new and improved cable attachment device
`for a security system for portable equipment, embody-
`35 ing a novel apparatus for adhesively mounting the at-
`tachment device to the surface of the equipment or to an
`anchor surface and providing a rotatable connector for
`receiving a security cable.
`The present invention is generally directed to an
`40 improved security device for portable equipment which
`includes a rigid base plate, and a resilient elastomeric
`base pad permanently secured to the base plate for pro-
`viding a flexible but strong adhesive bond to the surface
`of the portable equipment or the anchor fixture. A rotat-
`45 able attachment fitting is connected through the base
`plate, and includes a rotatable shaft having a means for
`receiving the security cable that is preferably a trans-
`verse aperture through the shaft, and that may also
`include a means for securing the cable to the shaft, such
`50 as by a set screw in the shaft.
`Although adhesive security cable mounts are an at-
`tractive alternative to screw based mounting, the
`strength of such adhesive bonds to the equipment sur-
`face or anchor surface is generally proportional to the
`55 adhesive surface area and rigidity of the base plate.
`Most attachment plates currently available are made
`from rigid materials, such as metal or hard plastic. How-
`ever, it has been found that the bond created between
`two rigid surfaces, such as may occur when a flat steel
`60 plate is adhered directly to a rigid computer case, will
`be brittle and subject to failure if the attachment mount-
`ing is pried with a screw driver or other instrument
`worked under the edge of the plate. A better adhesive
`mount can be formed with a thin layer of a high density
`65 elastomer, such as rubber, sandwiched between the base
`plate and the equipment or anchor surface. The high
`density layer of elastomer is sufficiently resilient to
`provide a flexible, non-brittle bond, and can be bonded
`
`Ex. 1006 - Page 4 of 7
`
`

`

`5,050,836
`
`3 .
`to both the base plate of the attachment fitting and the
`equipment or anchor surface with a strong, liquid adhe-
`sive, such as cyanoacrylate. Tests have shown that as
`little as five square inches of a high density rubber, such
`as neoprene, adhered to a rigid base plate and to the
`equipment case provides a virtually unremovable
`mount. Such an attachment base can be used on, even
`the smallest machines.
`Tests have shown that an adhesive tape with an
`acrylic foam type of pad mounting the base plate of an
`attachment fitting to a substrate has a tensile strength of
`approximately 120 psi, whereas a high density elastomer
`bonded with cyanoacrylate liquid adhesive has a tensile
`strength of approximately 4,000 psi. Failure of the high
`density elastomer itself will occur at approximately 800
`psi before failure of the cyanoacrylate adhesive bond.
`Thus, with as little as five square inches of the high
`density elastomeric material, such as neoprene, the liq-
`uid cyanoacrylate adhesive bond of the attachment
`fitting to an equipment or anchor surface can be virtu-
`ally indestructible.
`Another problem which occurs in bonding a security
`cable attachment plate to a surface with the liquid cya-
`noacrylate adhesive is that a slight amount of flex in the
`attachment plate itself could enable one to apply a suffi-
`cient peel force on the plates to eventually pry the at-
`tachment plate loose. It was found that an ,attachment
`plate which was virtually flex free eliminated any po-
`tential for peeling of the attachment plate, so that re-
`moval of the plate would require destruction of the
`entire high density elastomer pad all at once. Thus, with
`a sufficiently rigid, flex-free base plate, such as a inch
`thick steel plate, for example, an attachment fitting
`having a resilient elastomeric base pad adhesively
`mounted to the surface of equipment or an anchor fix-
`ture can be substantially nonremovable.
`These and other objects and advantages of the inven-
`tion will become apparent from the following more
`detailed description, taken in conjunction with the ac-
`companying drawings which illustrate the invention, by
`way of example.
`
`4
`of security cables, locking bars, and locks may be used
`with the security device of the present invention, the
`security device 20 is particularly adapted to receive a
`high strength steel cable, since such a cable offers the
`5 (cid:9) combination of strength and flexibility, so that the cable
`security system may be used with a variety of equip-
`ment for which some degree of freedom of movement
`would be desirable.
`The security device includes a base plate 22, prefera-
`10 bly formed of a rigid material such as steel. The base
`plate is most preferably virtually flex free, to avoid the
`likelihood of peeling of the security device from the
`surface of the equipment or anchor fixture. When the
`base plate is made of steel, it has been found that a I"
`15 steel plate is sufficiently rigid so as to be virtually flex
`free. Other materials, such as brass, other metals, rigid
`polymers, ceramics or other suitable materials may also
`be used if manufactured with a sufficiently rigid, flex
`Iree thickness. The base plate includes a first flat side 24,
`20 and a second flat side 26, and a generally circular aper-
`ture, preferably formed through the approximate center
`of the base plate, for receiving a rotatable attachment
`fitting 30.
`Referring to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the attachment fitting
`25 includes a generally cylindrical shaft portion 32 having
`diameter slightly less than the diameter of the circular
`aperture through the base plate, to allow the shaft to
`rotate freely when it is inserted in the aperture. The
`shaft includes a first longitudinal end 34 and a second
`30 longitudinal end 36, with a transverse aperture 38 which
`is preferably approximately circular extending through
`the shaft, preferably approximately midway between
`the two ends of the shaft. The shaft also includes an
`enlarged end or flange 40 at the second longitudinal end
`35 36, which has a diameter larger than the diameter of the
`central aperture through the base plate. The cylindrical
`shaft of the rotatable attachment fitting can therefore be
`inserted through the aperture of the base plate, but is
`prevented from passing completely through the base
`40 plate by the flange at the end of the shaft. The rotatable
`attachment fitting is also preferably made of steel, al-
`though other materials which are sufficiently strong
`may also be suitable.
`The security device also includes a resilient elasto-
`45 meric base pad, having a first side 44 and a second side
`46, with a generally circular aperture 48 therethrough.
`The base pad is preferably shaped and dimensioned to
`conform to the shape of the base plate, and the aperture
`48 in the base pad is placed so as to be aligned with the
`50 base plate aperture when the base plate and base pad are
`joined. The elastomeric base pad is preferably formed of
`a resilient rubber, such as neoprene, although other
`elastomers which are also firm but resilient, such as
`urethane or butyl rubber and the like, may also be suit-
`55 able. The central aperture through the elastomeric base
`pad preferably has a diameter larger than the diameter
`of the flange at the end of the rotatable attachment
`fitting, and the enlarged end 40 of the shaft of the at-
`tachment fitting is preferably slightly thinner than the
`base pad, so as not to interfere with adhesion of the base
`pad to the equipment surface, and to allow the attach-
`ment fitting to rotate freely after the upper or first side
`of the elastomeric base pad is permanently secured to
`the lower, second side of the base plate, such as by
`liquid cyanoacrylate adhesive. The lower, second side
`of the elastomeric base pad is adapted to.be mounted to
`the surface of the portable equipment or the anchor
`fixture by adhesive, such as liquid cyanoacrylate adhe-
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a security cable sys-
`tem utilizing the security device of the invention to
`secure portable equipment to an anchor fixture;
`FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the security
`device of the invention shown in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the security device
`mounted on a surface with a security cable passing
`therethrough;
`FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevational view taken
`along 4-4 of FIG. 3;
`FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the security device
`illustrated in FIG. 2;
`FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of an end portion of a
`security cable; and
`FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodi-
`ment of the security device.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to
`FIG. 1, a cable security system 10 is shown connecting
`portable equipment, which may be for example, a televi-
`sion or a monitor 12, and a desk top computer 14, which
`are connected to an anchor surface, such as a table 16,
`by a high strength security cable 18. Although a variety
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Ex. 1006 - Page 5 of 7
`
`

`

`5,050,836 (cid:9)
`
`6
`
`5
`I claim:
`sive. It has been found that a security device having a
`1. A security device for portable equipment having a
`base plate and elastomeric base pad approximately 2" by
`mounting surface for attachment of the security device,
`3" with a i" steel base plate and an approximately 1/16"
`neoprene base pad, when mounted with liquid cyanoac- (cid:9)
`comprising:
`a rigid base plate, having first and second sides and
`rylate adhesive to steel or plastic surfaces, was virtually 5 (cid:9)
`unremovable from the mounting surfaces. (cid:9)
`having a shape adapted to generally conform to the
`Now referring to FIGS. 1, 4, 6 and 7, the security (cid:9)
`mounting surface of the portable equipment, said
`base plate having an aperture therethrough;
`cable used in installing the security system preferably
`includes a sheath 62 covering the cable, and an end cap (cid:9)
`a rotatable cable attachment fitting having a shaft
`dimensioned such that said attachment fitting is
`64 having an enlarged head or flange 66 at one end, and 10 (cid:9)
`a similar end cap at the other end of the cable, with a (cid:9)
`rotatable within said base plate aperture, said shaft
`having first and second longitudinal ends, with one
`smaller head (not shown). The rotatable attachment
`fittings of the security devices are placed through the (cid:9)
`of said ends being enlarged and having a diameter
`aperture of the base plate, and the security devices are (cid:9)
`greater than the diameter of said base plate aper-
`ture, said shaft extending through said base plate,
`mounted to the mounting surfaces of the portable equip- 15 (cid:9)
`ment, such as the sides of the monitor and desk top (cid:9)
`with said enlarged end being adjacent to said sec-
`ond side of said base plate;
`computer, and to an anchor surface, such as the side of
`the table shown in FIG. 1. The end of the cable having (cid:9)
`means for receiving a cable on said attachment fitting,
`the smaller end cap is then threaded through the trans- (cid:9)
`said enlarged shaft end and said cable serving to
`retain said rotatable attachment fitting within said
`verse apertures of the shafts of the rotatable attachment 20 (cid:9)
`base plate aperture when said cable is received in
`fittings on the portable equipment. The smaller end of
`said attachment fitting; and
`the cable at the workstation may then be placed
`through a lock joint or grommet 68, which has an open- (cid:9)
`a resilient elastomeric base pad having first and sec-
`ond sides, with one side permanently secured to
`ing which is just large enough to also thereafter accept
`said second side of said base plate, and the other
`a padlock shackle 70, which can then also be inserted 25 (cid:9)
`through the transverse aperture of the rotatable attach- (cid:9)
`side adapted to generally conform to said surface of
`ment fitting of the security device on the side of the (cid:9)
`said portable equipment and adapted to be adhered
`to said mounting surface.
`table or desk at the workstation, as an anchor for the
`cable security system. (cid:9)
`2. The security device of claim 1, wherein said aper-
`In an alternative embodiment of the security device, 30 ture through said base plate is generally circular, and
`as illustrated in FIG. 7, the security device at the other (cid:9)
`said shaft of said attachment fitting is generally cylindri-
`cal.
`end of the security cable may also include a threaded
`3. The security device of claim 1, wherein said means
`aperture 72 extending partially through a portion of the
`for receiving said cable comprises a transverse aperture
`first end of the rotatable attachment fitting to intersect
`with the transverse aperture. The threaded aperture is 35 through said shaft of said attachment fitting.
`4. The security device of claim 1, wherein said base
`preferably formed through the first end 34 of the shaft
`pad includes an aperture therethrough generally aligned
`of the attachment fitting along its central, longitudinal
`axis. A set screw 74 may be inserted and tightened in the (cid:9)
`with aid base plate aperture and having a diameter
`set screw aperture to prevent uncontrolled sliding (cid:9)
`greater than the diameter of said enlarged shaft end.
`5. The security device of claim 4, wherein said rotat-
`movement of the free end of the security cable within 40 (cid:9)
`the attachment fitting, such as may occur when the (cid:9)
`able attachment fitting includes means for securing said
`portable equipment is moved at the work station. Alter- (cid:9)
`cable so as to prevent sliding movement of said cable
`natively, other types of set screw mountings may also (cid:9)
`within said transverse aperture of said attachment fit-
`ting shaft.
`be suitable, such as a set screw collar which fits over the
`cable and limits movement of the cable by placement 45 (cid:9)
`6. The security device of claim 5, wherein said means
`for securing said cable comprises a threaded aperture
`adjacent to the attachment fitting or by securing the
`collar to the attachment fitting. (cid:9)
`extending at least partially through a portion of said
`It will be appreciated that the present invention sig- (cid:9)
`shaft and intersecting said transverse aperture through
`said shaft, said threaded aperture being adapted to re-
`nificantly provides for a rotatable cable attachment
`fitting which may be mounted on the surface of portable 50 ceive a set screw.
`7. The security device of claim 1, wherein said resil-
`equipment and on an anchor fixture, such as a table or
`work station, which is convenient to install and which is
`ient elastomeric base pad is formed of neoprene.
`8. A security device for portable equipment having a
`virtually unremovable once properly installed. The
`cable attachment fitting is constructed so as to be able to (cid:9)
`generally flat surface for attachment of the security
`rotate freely in the base plate even when the security 55 device, comprising:
`a rigid base plate, having first and second sides and
`device is mounted. The resilient elastomeric base pad
`having a generally flat shape adapted to conform to
`and rigid, virtually flex free base plate combine to insure
`the surface of the portable equipment, said base
`that the security device is not subject to being pried or
`plate having a generally circular aperture there-
`peeled off. It will be appreciated that the base plate and
`through;
`elastomeric base pad need not be flat, and they may be 60 (cid:9)
`formed with shapes which would conform to particular (cid:9)
`a generally cylindrical security cable attachment fit-
`mounting surfaces of equipment or anchor fixtures. (cid:9)
`ting having a shaft with a transverse cross-sectional
`diameter smaller than the diameter of said base
`It will be apparent from the foregoing that, while
`plate aperture so as to be rotatable within said base
`particular forms of the invention have been illustrated • (cid:9)
`plate aperture, said shaft having first and second
`and described, various modifications can be made with- 65 (cid:9)
`out departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. (cid:9)
`longitudinal ends, with one of said ends having a
`Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be (cid:9)
`generally circular flange with a diameter greater
`limited, except as by the appended claims. (cid:9)
`than the diameter of said base plate aperture, said
`
`Ex. 1006 - Page 6 of 7
`
`(cid:9)
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`

`

`7
`shaft extending through said base plate, with said
`flange being adjacent to said second side of said
`base plate, and said shaft having a transverse aper-
`ture therethrough for receiving a security cable;
`and
`a resilient elastomeric base pad having first and sec-
`ond sides, with one side permanently secured to
`said second side of said base plate, and the other
`side adapted to generally conform to and to be
`adhered to said surface of said portable equipment. 10
`9. The security device of claim 8, wherein said base
`pad includes an aperture therethrough generally aligned
`with said base plate aperture and having a diameter
`greater than the diameter of said enlarged shaft end.
`
`5
`
`8
`10. The security device of claim 8, wherein said rotat-
`able attachment fitting includes means for securing said
`cable within said transverse aperture of said attachment
`fitting shaft.
`11. The security device of claim 10, wherein said
`means for securing said cable comprises a threaded
`aperture extending through said shaft and intersecting
`said transverse aperture through said shaft, said
`threaded aperture being adapted to receive a set screw.
`12. The security device of claim 8, wherein said resil-
`ient elastomeric base pad is formed of neoprene.
`13. The security device of claim 8, wherein said
`flange is thinner than said base pad.
`* * * * *
`
`5,050,836
`
`15
`
`20
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`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
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`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
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`65
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`Ex. 1006 - Page 7 of 7
`
`(cid:9)
`