111111111111111111111111111111t11114101111111111111111111111111111
`
`(12) United States Patent
`McDaid et al.
`
`(to) Patent No.: (cid:9)
`(45) Date of Patent: (cid:9)
`
`US 6,360,405 B1
`Mar. 26, 2002
`
`(54)
`
`SECURITY ANCHOR/TETHER
`ASSEMBLAGE FOR PORTABLE ARTICLES
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Cornelius McDaid, Dorchester; John
`Ristuccia, Sharon, both of MA (US)
`
`* 12/1984 Ullrich et al. (cid:9)
`4,490,065 A (cid:9)
`* 7/1994 Myers et al. (cid:9)
`5,327,752 A (cid:9)
`* 1/1995 Carl et al. (cid:9)
`5,381,685 A (cid:9)
`* 4/1996 Murray, Jr. et al. (cid:9)
`5,502,989 A (cid:9)
`6,212,918 B1 * 4/2001 Kravtin (cid:9)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`411/400 X
`70/58
`70/57 X
`70/58
`70/58 X
`
`(73) Assignee: Kryptonite Corporation, Canton, MA
`(US)
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`( * ) Notice: (cid:9)
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/658,717
`
`(22) Filed: (cid:9)
`
`Sep. 11, 2000
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/605,913, filed on
`Jun. 28, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of application
`No. 09/334,570, filed on Jun. 21, 1999, now Pat. No.
`6,081,974.
`
`Int. C1.7 (cid:9)
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. (cid:9)
`
` F16B 41/00; E05B 73/00
` 24/265 R; 24/669; 24/95;
`70/58
` 24/265 CD, 265 AL,
`(58) Field of Search (cid:9)
`24/265 H, 682.1, DIG. 53, DIG. 31, DIG. 60,
`669, 95, 105, 90.1, 92-94, 3.1, 3.7, 3.5,
`3.9, 573.09; 411/400, 345, 340; 70/58,
`57, 232, DIG. 57; 248/225.11, 336, 229.16,
`229.26; 52/125.4, 705
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Primary Examiner—Robert J. Sandy
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Morse, Altman & Martin
`
`(57) (cid:9)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An anchor/tether assemblage for use with a security slot in
`a portable electronic article that provides a securement for
`securely attaching the portable article to a stationary fixture.
`The anchor includes an internal member, an external
`member, and a means for securing them together. The
`internal member includes a right angle portion inside the
`portable article that is approximately parallel to the inside
`wall. The external member has a clamping surface that abuts
`the outer surface of the portable article and a knob for
`attachment of the tether. The external member has an
`aperture into which the internal member fits and is remov-
`ably secured by a screw that extends through the external
`member and into a threaded hole in the internal member. The
`tether denies access to the screw when attached to the knob.
`The tether has a locking head with an opening for attachment
`to the knob and a cable extending from the locking head.
`Ball bearings extend securely into an annular groove in the
`knob when the locking head is in the locked state, and which
`are removable from the annular groove when in the
`unlocked state.
`
`3,463,525 A * 8/1969 Stewart (cid:9)
`
` 411/176 X
`
`11 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`100
`
`Ex. 1008 - Page 1 of 12
`
`ACCO Brands
`Exhibit 1008
`ACCO Brands v. Think Products
`IPR2015-01152
`
`(cid:9)
`

`

`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`
`Mar. 26, 2002
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`
`US 6,360,405 B1
`
`102
`
`100
`
`20
`
`Ex. 1008 - Page 2 of 12
`
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`

`

`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`
`Mar. 26, 2002
`
`Sheet 2 of 6 (cid:9)
`
`US 6,360,405 B1
`
`58
`
`FIG. 2
`
`Ex. 1008 - Page 3 of 12
`
`(cid:9)
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 26, 2002 (cid:9)
`
`Sheet 3 of 6
`
`US 6,360,405 B1
`
`14
`
`10
`
`18
`
`16
`
`38
`
`FIG. 3
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Ex. 1008 - Page 4 of 12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`
`Mar. 26, 2002 (cid:9)
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
`
`US 6,360,405 B1
`
`24
`
`4 Arra
`11:46
`
`54
`
`al IN
`
`
`
`3 680
`
`56
`
`IMO litrAVAPAVA
`
`10
`
`18
`
`12 (cid:9)
`
`32
`
`22
`
`FIG. 6
`
`FIG. 7
`
`Ex. 1008 - Page 5 of 12
`
`(cid:9)
`

`

`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`
`Mar. 26, 2002
`
`Sheet 5 of 6 (cid:9)
`
`US 6,360,405 B1
`
`104
`
`Ck-140
`
`166
`160
`128
`
`FIG. 8
`
`Ex. 1008 - Page 6 of 12
`
`(cid:9)
`

`

`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`
`Mar. 26, 2002
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`US 6,360,405 B1
`
`144
`
`122
`
`146
`
`142
`
`152 (cid:9)
`150 148
`FIG. 9
`
`FIG. 10
`
`Ex. 1008 - Page 7 of 12
`
`(cid:9)
`

`

`US 6,360,405 B1
`
`10
`
`20
`
`30 (cid:9)
`
`40
`
`45
`
`2
`The external member has an aperture into which the
`external member engagement portion fits. Preferably, the
`external member engagement portion and aperture are keyed
`so that the external member cannot rotate about the internal
`5 member. The external member has a clamping surface that
`abuts the outer surface of the portable article. The clamping
`surface extends completely around the slot or it may only
`extend as wings parallel to the retaining portion of the
`internal member.
`The external member is secured to the internal member
`permanently, such as by weld, rivet, epoxy, and mating
`latches, etc., or removably. A removable securement must
`not be accessible when a security device is engaged with the
`external member. One removable securement is a screw that
`15 extends through the external member and into a threaded
`hole in the internal member. The threaded hole may extend
`completely through the internal member. The external mem-
`ber is designed to deny access to the screw head when the
`securing device is engaged with the external member.
`The external member provides an anchor for removably
`attaching the tether. A first configuration is knob with an
`annular groove. In a second configuration, the securement
`screw head forms the top of a knob. In a third configuration,
`the securement screw head forms the top of a knob and the
`25 annular groove is formed from the bottom of the head and
`an annular cutout in the top rim of the external member.
`The tether includes a locking head and a cable. The cable
`is a braid with a loop at one end and enclosed by an optional
`sheath.
`The locking head has a housing, eyelet, cup, cylinder, and
`barrel. The housing has an opening for receiving the anchor
`knob. In one configuration, the opening is round to mate
`with a round external member skirt, which is the outer wall
`35 adjacent to the clamping surface. In another configuration,
`the opening is shaped with peaks and valleys to mate with
`the valleys and peaks of the external member skirt, so that
`the locking head cannot rotate relative to the anchor.
`The cup within the opening fits closely over the knob. The
`cup has a set of apertures into which fit ball bearings.
`Ramped grooves in the housing are aligned with the aper-
`tures. In the unlocked position, the ball bearings fit into the
`deeper section of the grooves. As the cup rotates to a locked
`state, the groove becomes more shallow, pushing the ball
`bearing securely into the knob annular groove.
`The cup is rotated by the cylinder which, along with the
`barrel, constitute the locking mechanism. The design of the
`cylinder/barrel combination is well known in the art. A ridge
`extending from the barrel into a notch in the edge of the cup
`act as a stop so the at the cup does not rotate beyond the
`locked and unlocked states.
`The eyelet attaches the cable to the locking head. The
`eyelet has a ring that fits into an annular groove in the
`outside surface of the housing that allows the eyelet to
`swivel freely about the housing.
`Other objects of the present invention will become appar-
`ent in light of the following drawings and detailed descrip-
`tion of the invention.
`
`1
`SECURITY ANCHOR/TETHER
`ASSEMBLAGE FOR PORTABLE ARTICLES
`
`RELATED APPLICATION
`
`The present application is a continuation-in-part applica-
`tion of application Ser. No. 09/605,913, dated Jun. 28, 2000,
`for SECURITY ANCHOR FOR PORTABLE ARTICLES in
`the names of Cornelius McDaid and John Ristuccia, which
`is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No.
`09/334,570, dated Jun. 21, 1999, for SECURITY ANCHOR
`FOR PORTABLE ARTICLES in the name of Cornelius
`McDaid, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,081,974.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to security for portable
`articles, more particularly, to an apparatus for the prevention
`of physical theft or removal of portable articles.
`2. The Prior Art
`As portable computers and other expensive electronic
`equipment have become more common, theft of such equip-
`ment has increased. There are a number of different types of
`devices on the market to deter such thefts. Most of these
`devices are either bulky, so that they are not particularly
`portable, or they rely on the small rectangular slot that is
`being manufactured into portable computers. The security
`devices that do not rely on the slot typically encase the
`portable article so that it cannot be operated while the
`security device is in use.
`A number of locking devices have been developed to
`removably attach to the portable article using the slot.
`However, many of these devices are unitary, that is, they
`consist of only a single component. This means that the
`device must be inserted into the slot every time it is used.
`Since the cases of these portable articles are typically
`composed of a plastic, constant attaching and removal of the
`locking device causes wear and tear to the slot, potentially
`destroying the it after enough use. Thus, there continues to
`be a need for a device that allows a robust security attach-
`ment to a portable article that also allows the article to be
`operated normally and that does not require attachment and
`removal from the slot each time the security device is used.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION (cid:9)
`
`50
`
`55
`
`An object of the present invention is to provide an
`apparatus for use with a preexisting slot in a portable article
`that provides an attachment to a stationary location for
`robust security.
`Another object is to provide a security apparatus that
`allows the portable article to be used normally when the
`article is secured.
`A further object is to provide a security apparatus that can
`remain attached to the article when not in use Minimizing
`wear and tear of the slot.
`The present invention is an anchor/tether assemblage for
`use with the security slot found on many portable electronic
`device, particularly laptop computers. The anchor compo-
`nent includes an internal member, an external member, and 60
`a securement for securing the two together. The internal
`member extends into the security slot with a retaining
`portion that curves approximately 90° to approximately
`parallel with the inside wall of the portable article. The
`internal member includes an external member engagement
`portion that extends externally from the slot for securing to
`the external member.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`For a fuller understanding of the nature and object of the
`present invention, reference is made to the accompanying
`drawings, wherein:
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the security anchor/tether
`65 assemblage of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of a configuration
`of the anchor of FIG. 1;
`
`Ex. 1008 - Page 8 of 12
`
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`

`

`US 6,360,405 B1
`
`3
`FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the anchor
`installed in a portable article and showing configurations of
`different aspects of the anchor;
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
`external member;
`FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of another configu-
`ration of the securement;
`FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the configuration
`of FIG. 4 showing the anchor being installed;
`FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of another configu-
`ration of the anchor;
`FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the locking head;
`FIG. 9 is a cut-away view of the locking head housing;
`and
`FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the assemblage in use.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`The security anchor/tether assemblage 100 of the present
`invention, shown in FIG. 1, is used to secure the portable
`article 10 to a stationary fixture 6, such as a table leg 8. The
`assemblage 100 is intended for use in conjunction with a
`generally rectangular slot 12 in the wall of the article 10 to
`be secured. These slots 12 are being manufactured into
`portable articles, such as laptop computers, in known stan-
`dard dimensions.
`Anchor
`The anchor 20 of the assemblage of the present invention
`includes an internal member 22, an external member 24, and
`a means 26 for securing the two together. The internal
`member 22 includes a retaining portion 32, a slot engage-
`ment portion 34, and an external member engagement
`portion 36. The slot engagement portion 34 resides in the
`slot 12 when the anchor 20 is installed. The slot engagement
`portion 34 has a cross-sectional shape and size that are
`approximately the same as that of the slot 12 so that there is
`minimal movement of the internal member 22 within the slot
`12 and portable article 10. The retaining portion 32 extends
`from slot engagement portion 34 at approximately a right
`angle, where the inner surface 30 of the retaining portion 32
`makes contact with the inner surface 16 of the article wall 18
`when the anchor 20 is installed. Preferably, the outer corner
`38 of the junction of the slot engagement portion 34 and the
`retaining portion 32 is curved for ease in insertion into the
`slot 12, as described below.
`Optionally, the external member retaining portion 36
`includes ears 40 to prevent the internal member 22 from
`falling into the slot 12 while the anchor 20 is being installed.
`The ears 40 extend away from the external member retaining
`portion 36, providing surfaces 42 parallel to the outer
`surface 14 of the article 10, so that when the internal member
`22 is inserted into the slot 12 for installation, the surfaces 42
`block the internal member 22 from moving too far into the
`slot 12.
`The external member 24 secures the internal member 22
`into the slot 12 and provides an anchor 44 for attaching the
`tether 102. The external member 24 has an aperture 46 into
`which the external member engaging portion 36 is inserted.
`Preferably, the external member engaging portion 36 and
`aperture 46 are keyed in a complementary fashion so that the
`external member 24 cannot rotate about the internal member
`22. If the external member 24 is allowed to so rotate and
`depending upon the manner in which the external member
`24 and internal member 22 are secured together, it may be
`possible to remove the external member 24 when such is not
`desired. In one configuration, shown in FIG. 2, the key takes
`the form of a flat surface 48 on the external member
`engaging portion 36 and a mating flat surface 50 in the
`aperture 46.
`
`4
`The external member 24 includes a clamping surface 52
`that abuts the outer surface 14 of the portable article 10
`adjacent to the slot 12 when the anchor 20 is installed. The
`clamping surface 52 extends in enough of an arc around the
`5 slot 12 in order to provide adequate strength to the anchor
`20.
`The skirt 64, that portion of the outside wall of the
`external member 24 adjacent to the clamping surface 52,
`may be smooth, as in FIG. 2, or it may be shaped, as in FIG.
`10 4. The shaped skirt 64 includes valleys 66 and peaks 68 that
`mate with complementary peaks and valleys of the locking
`head, as described below.
`The security anchor 20 of the present invention is held in
`the slot 12 by clamping the wall 18 of the portable article 10
`15 between the retaining portion 32 and the clamping surface
`52. The external member 24 is secured to the internal
`member 22 either permanently or removably. A permanent
`securement can be effected in any number of ways, includ-
`ing by weld, rivet, epoxy, and mating latches on the internal
`20 member 22 and external member 24. All appropriate ways of
`effecting a permanent securement are contemplated by the
`present invention.
`The present invention also contemplates that a removable
`securement can be effected in any appropriate manner. One
`25 caveat is that the removable securement cannot be accessed
`when the tether 102 is engaged with the external member 24.
`The preferred means to effect a removable securement is to
`use a screw 54 that extends into the aperture 46, which
`extends completely through the external member 24, and
`30 into a threaded hole 56 in the internal member 22. In the
`configuration of FIG. 3, the threaded hole 56 extends part
`way into the internal member 22. In the configuration of
`FIG. 5, the threaded hole 56 extends completely through the
`internal member 22. Extending the hole 56 completely
`35 through the internal member 22 provides several advantages
`over the configuration of FIG. 3. The first advantage is that
`the security anchor 20 can be completely assembled prior to
`installation. For this capability, the aperture 46 into which
`the internal member 22 resides is relatively deep into the
`40 external member 24 so that the external member engaging
`portion 34 of the internal member 22 is relatively long. The
`internal member 22 is inserted into the aperture 46 and the
`screw 54 is started into the threaded hole 56 enough to retain
`the internal member 22 in the aperture 46, as in FIG. 6. The
`45 size of the gap 68 between the clamping surface 52 of the
`external member 24 and the retaining portion 32 of the
`internal member 22 allows the internal member 22 to be
`pivoted into the slot 12. The clamping surface 52 is placed
`against the wall 18 of the portable article 10, and the screw
`50 54 is tightened until the inner surface 30 of the retaining
`portion 32 is pulled against the inner surface 16 of the wall
`18. Whether this capability can be utilized in any particular
`situation depends on the characteristics of the slot 12, such
`as how thick the wall 18 is at the slot 12 and whether there
`55 are any external components of the portable article 10 close
`enough to the slot to impede pivoting the security anchor 20
`into the slot.
`The second advantage to the configuration of FIG. 5 is
`that the screw 54 makes it more difficult to remove the
`60 security anchor 10 from the slot 12 without for disassem-
`bling the security anchor. If a person tries to remove the
`security anchor 10 of FIG. 3 by, for example, pivoting the
`security anchor 10 counterclockwise, the curve if the outer
`corner 38 of the junction of the slot engagement portion 34
`65 and the retaining portion 32 will not necessarily provide the
`greatest deterrent to removal. On the other hand, the screw
`54 of FIG. 5 extends vertically into the portable article 10,
`
`Ex. 1008 - Page 9 of 12
`
`

`

`US 6,360,405 B1
`
`5
`well below the level of the inner surface 16 of the wall 18.
`Since the screw 54 is vertical and not curved, it provides a
`greater impediment to pivoting the inner member 22 coun-
`terclockwise out of the slot 12 without first disassembling
`the security anchor 10.
`Preferably, the wall 18 is tightly clamped so that any wear
`of the wall 18 in the vicinity of the slot 12 is minimized The
`depth of the threaded hole 56 into which the screw 54 is
`turned allows for variation in the thickness of the article wall
`18 from portable article to portable article. However, it is
`also contemplated that there will be situations where, regard-
`less of the foreseen variations in the wall 18 thickness, the
`wall 18 will not be tightly clamped. In these situations, there
`will be some "play" between the retaining portion 32, the
`clamping surface 52, and wall 18. Alternatively, the hole 56
`of FIG. 5, extending completely through the internal mem-
`ber 22, which would essentially eliminate any play, regard-
`less of the thickness of the wall 18.
`It is also contemplated that the screw head 58 may be
`external to the aperture, as in FIG. 5. In this case, the tether
`102 covers the screw head 58 itself to prevent removal of the
`screw 54.
`The external member 24 is designed to deny access to the
`screw head 58 by having the tether 102 cover enough of the
`aperture 46 to prevent removal of the screw 54.
`The anchor device 20 of the present invention provides a
`knob 60 with an annular groove 62 for removably attaching
`the tether 102. In one configuration, shown in FIGS. 2 and
`3, the knob 60 is formed in the external member 24. In
`another configuration, shown in FIG. 5, the top of the knob
`60 is the screw head 58 and the groove 62 is formed in the
`external member 24. In a third configuration, shown in FIG.
`7, the top of the knob 60 is the screw head 58 and the groove
`62 is formed from a curve 70 in the external member 24 and
`the bottom surface 72 of the screw head 58.
`The components of the anchor 20 are preferably com-
`posed of materials that cannot be easily disabled. In fact, the
`preferred materials are stronger than the plastic case of the
`typical portable article so that the case will be destroyed
`before the anchor 10 of the present invention.
`Tether
`The tether 102 of the assemblage of the present invention
`includes a locking head 104 and a cable 106. The cable 106
`includes a braid 108, a loop 110, and an optional sheath 112.
`The braid 108 is preferably composed of a plurality of
`intertwined, small gauge filaments. The filaments are pref-
`erably composed of any material suitable to a vehicle lock,
`for example, hardened steel, a metal alloy, a tough compos-
`ite such as KEVLAR®, or a combination thereof. Several
`constructions for the braid 108 are contemplated. It can be
`constructed of a single layer, for example, KEVLAR® and
`hardened steel filaments intertwined throughout the diam-
`eter of the braid. The braid 108 can also be constructed in
`multiple discrete layers, for example, an inner layer of
`braided hemp rope and an outer layer of braided hardened
`steel filaments. Any of the layers can be any combination of
`the materials described above.
`The loop 110 is formed at one end of the cable 106 by
`curling one end segment of the braid 108 back until it is
`parallel to and contiguous with an inner segment of the braid
`108. As in FIG. 1, a swage 114 encompasses the contiguous
`segments of braid 116, 118 and is compressed under high
`pressure to form a permanent connection. The loop 110 is
`large enough for the locking head 104 to pass through but
`small enough so that the portable article 10 cannot pass
`through.
`Surrounding the exposed portions of the braid 108 is an
`optional sheath 112. The sheath 112 is composed of a
`
`6
`material that protects the surfaces of the stationary object to
`which the tether 102 is attached. In one embodiment, the
`sheath 112 is composed of a soft plastic, such as vinyl. In
`another embodiment, the sheath 112 is composed of a
`5 material harder than vinyl, such as nylon or polypropylene,
`that is woven into a flexible cylindrical mesh. The mesh
`structure allows the tether 102 extensive flexibility when
`sheathed, and the harder nylon or polypropylene material
`gives the sheath 112 a much better wearability than the softer
`10 vinyl.
`The locking head 104 is composed of a number of
`components, including a housing 122, an eyelet 124, a cup
`126, a cylinder 128, and a barrel 130. The housing 122 is the
`outer component of the locking head 104. The outer end has
`15 an opening 132 for receiving the anchor knob 60. In one
`configuration, the opening 132 is round to mate with a round
`external member skirt 64. In another configuration, shown in
`FIGS. 8, the opening 132 is shaped with peaks 134 and
`valleys 136 to mate with the valleys 66 and peaks 68 of the
`20 external member skirt 64 of FIG. 4. With this configuration,
`the locking head 104 will not rotate relative to the anchor 20
`when they are engaged. By preventing such rotation, stresses
`on the relatively small anchor 20 caused by moving the
`portable article 10 while the tether 102 remains attached to
`25 the stationary fixture 6 are reduced. Since these stresses are
`transferred to the portable article 10, there is less likelihood
`that inadvertent damage will be caused to the portable article
`10.
`Inside the housing 122 is the cup 126. The cup 126 fits
`30 closely over the knob 60 when the tether 102 is engaged with
`the anchor 20. Within the cup 126 are a set of apertures 138,
`typically three, into which fit ball bearings 140. In the inside
`surface 142 of the housing 122 and aligned with the aper-
`tures 138 are grooves 144. Each groove 144 ramps circum-
`35 ferentially into the inner surface 142 to a wall 148. In the
`unlocked position, the ball bearings 140 reside within the
`deeper section 150 of the grooves 144 at the wall 148. As the
`cup 126 is rotated to a locked state, the groove bottom 152
`pushes the ball bearing 140 securely into the annular groove
`40 62 of the knob 60. As the cup 140 is rotated in the opposite
`direction to the unlocked state, the ball bearing 140 becomes
`aligned with the groove deep section 150 so that the ball
`bearing 140 will retract from the anchor annular groove 62
`when the locking head 104 is removed from the knob 60.
`45 The groove 144 extends axially from the end 146 of the
`housing 122 so that the cup 126 with the ball bearings 140
`installed in the apertures 138 can be inserted into the housing
`122 during assembly.
`The cup 126 is rotated by the cylinder 128. The cylinder
`50 128 rotates within the barrel 130, which is permanently
`attached and fixed relative to the housing 122 by a pin 154
`press fit into a hole 186 in the housing 122 and a hole 188
`in the barrel 130. The design of the cylinder 128/barrel 130
`combination is well known in the art. The cylinder 128
`55 includes a keyway 156 into which a key 158 is inserted.
`Rotating the key 158 also causes the cylinder 128 to rotate
`between the locked state and unlocked state. Opposite the
`keyway 156 on the cylinder 128 is a shaped protrusion 160
`which mates with a matching depression 162 in the cup 126,
`60 causing the cup 126 to rotate with the cylinder 128.
`A stop prevents the cylinder 128/cup 126 combination
`from rotating beyond the locked an unlocked states. The stop
`comprises a ridge 164 extending from the barrel 130 into a
`notch 166 in the edge of the cup 126. As the cylinder
`65 128/cup 126 combination rotates, the ridge 164 eventually
`contacts an end 168 of the notch 166, preventing further
`rotation. This occurs for rotation in either direction.
`
`Ex. 1008 - Page 10 of 12
`
`

`

`7
`The last component of the locking head 104 is the eyelet
`124, which attaches the cable 106 to the locking head 104.
`The eyelet 124 has a ring 170 that fits into an annular groove
`172 in the outside surface of the housing 122. The inside
`diameter of the ring 170 is slightly larger than the outside
`diameter of the annular groove 172 so that the eyelet can
`swivel freely about the housing 122. A lip 176 extending
`radially from the barrel 130 secures the ring 170 in the
`groove 172, while allowing the eyelet 124 to swivel about
`the housing 122.
`Extending from the ring 170 is an arm 178. The arm 178
`includes an axial bore 180 through which the cable 106
`extends. A swage 182 is clamped to the end of the cable 106
`top prevent the cable 106 from being pulled back through the
`bore 180 and from the eyelet 124.
`
`OPERATION
`The anchor of FIG. 2 is installed by curling the retaining
`portion 32 and slot engaging portion 34 of the internal
`member 22 into the slot 12, fitting the external member
`aperture 46 onto the external member engaging portion 36 of
`the internal member 22, and securing the external member
`24 to the internal member 22 with the screw 58.
`The anchor of FIG. 5 is installed by first inserting the
`internal member 22 into the aperture 46 and starting the
`screw 54 into the threaded hole 56 enough to retain the
`internal member 22 in the aperture 46, as in FIG. 6. Then the
`retaining portion 32 of the internal member 22 is pivoted
`into the slot 12, and the screw 54 is tightened until the
`security anchor 20 is secured to the portable article 10.
`The tether 102 is attached to the stationary fixture 6. In
`one method of attaching, shown in FIG. 10, the cable 106 is
`looped around a table leg 8 and the locking head 104 is
`passed through the loop 110. The locking head 104 is
`installed on the anchor 20 by inserting the key 158 into the
`keyway 156 and rotating the cylinder 128 until the ball
`bearings 140 can retract into the cup apertures 138. Then the
`locking head 104 is placed on the anchor 20 and the key 158
`is rotated back to the closed position, securing the ball
`bearings 140 in the knob annular groove 62. The tether 102
`is removed by the reverse operation.
`Thus it has been shown and described a portable article
`security anchor/tether assemblage which satisfies the objects
`set forth above.
`Since certain changes may be made in the present disclo-
`sure without departing from the scope of the present
`invention, it is intended that all matter described in the
`foregoing specification and shown in the accompanying
`drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting
`sense.
`What is claimed is:
`1. An anchor/tether assemblage adapted for use with a
`portable article having a standardized security slot, said
`assemblage comprising:
`(a) an anchor having an internal member, an external
`member, and a securement for securing said external
`member to said internal member;
`(b) a tether having a locking head and a cable extending
`from said locking head, said locking head including an
`opening;
`(c) said internal member including a slot engaging
`portion, a retaining portion, and an external member
`engaging portion, said slot engaging portion adapted to
`reside within said slot, said retaining portion adapted to
`reside within said article and extending at an approxi-
`mately right angle from said slot engaging portion for
`contact with said article;
`
`40 (cid:9)
`
`45 (cid:9)
`
`50 (cid:9)
`
`55 (cid:9)
`
`60 (cid:9)
`
`65 (cid:9)
`
`US 6,360,405 B1
`
`5 (cid:9)
`
`10 (cid:9)
`
`8
`(d) said external member including a clamping surface for
`contact with said article, an aperture in said clamping
`surface for receiving said external member engaging
`portion, and a knob for receiving said locking head
`opening; and
`(e) said locking head having a locked state wherein said
`locking head is secured to said knob, and an unlocked
`state wherein said locking head can be installed on and
`removed from said knob.
`2. The assemblage of claim 1 wherein said securement is
`removable and is inaccessible when said locking head is
`installed on said knob, said securement including said aper-
`ture extending through said external member and a remov-
`able screw extending through said aperture into a threaded
`15 hole in said internal member, said screw having a screw
`head.
`3. The assemblage of claim 2 wherein said threaded hole
`extends completely through said internal member and said
`screw extends completely through said threaded hole when
`20 said anchor is installed in said slot.
`4. The assemblage of claim 2 wherein said screw head is
`completely within said aperture when said anchor is
`installed in said slot.
`5. The assemblage of claim 2 wherein said screw head is
`25 outside of said aperture when said anchor is installed in said
`slot.
`6. The assemblage of claim 1 wherein said external
`member includes a skirt adjacent to said clamping surface,
`said skirt being shaped with peaks and valleys, and said
`30 locking head opening includes complementary valleys and
`peaks, whereby when said locking head is installed on said
`knob, said peaks and valleys mate, preventing said locking
`head from rotating relative to said anchor.
`7. The assemblage of claim 1 wherein said knob includes
`35 an annular groove and said locking head includes ball
`bearings that extend securely into said annular groove when
`said locking head is in said locked state and which can be
`retracted from said annular groove when said locking head
`is in said unlocked state.
`8. An anchor/tether assemblage adapted for use with a
`portable article having a standardized security slot, said
`assemblage comprising:
`(a) an anchor having an internal member, an external
`member, and a securement for securing said external
`member to said internal member;
`(b) a tether having a locking head and a cable extending
`from said locking head, said locking head including an
`opening;
`(c) said internal member including a slot engaging
`portion, a retaining portion, and an external member
`engaging portion, said slot engaging portion adapted to
`reside within said slot, said retaining portion adapted to
`reside within said article and extending at an approxi-
`mately right angle from said slot engaging portion for
`contact with said article;
`(d) said external member including a clamping surface for
`contact with said article, an aperture in said clamping
`surface for receiving said external member engaging
`portion, a skirt adjacent to said clamping surface, and
`a knob for receiving said locking head opening;
`(e) said locking head having a locked state wherein said
`locking head is secured to said kno