Security device for functional display and security of handheld electronic devices

#The invention relates to a security device for allowing functional and secure display of handheld electronic devices.

#Retailers sell handheld electronic devices to the public in a range of shapes and sizes, with a range of functionality. Encouraging customers to examine and use the functionality of the devices at display locations is a valuable marketing technique employed by retailers. To decrease the risk of theft associated with this marketing strategy, retailers employ various security measures.

#One common security measure is the use of an alarm sensor that sets when placed in contact with the surface of the handheld electronic device and activates when it loses contact with the device (e.g., when the sensor is removed). A typical alarm sensor is attached to one portion of the handheld electronic device using an adhesive tape or similar adhesive product. During use, the adhesives often fail, resulting in the alarm sensor losing contact with the handheld electronic device and causing alarms to sound and startle innocent customers, negatively affecting their shopping experience. When these false alarms occur at a high frequency, retailers tend to ignore the alarms or even turn them off to avoid disrupting customer shopping experiences, leaving retailers vulnerable to theft. Furthermore, these alarm sensors are only activated when the alarm sensor loses contact with the portion of the handheld electronic devices to which it has been attached. For example, if the alarm sensor is attached to the battery cover of a wireless phone, a thief can remove and steal the remainder of the wireless phone (i.e., all components but the battery cover) without activating the alarm sensor. In order to combat this, retailers often install a plurality of alarm sensors in multiple locations on the handheld electronic devices (e.g., front and back, inside the battery compartment, etc.). These alarm sensors often hinder customer inspection of the device. In some cases, these alarm sensors installed within the handheld electronic devices can ignite when subjected to excessive heat within the devices.

#A more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to the embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis generally being placed upon illustrating the features of certain embodiments of the invention. Thus, for further understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, references can be made to the following detailed description, read in connection with the drawings in which:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a security device having two sliding arms;

#FIG. 2 is an exploded assembly view of an embodiment of the security device of FIG. 1;

#FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a security device 100, including two sliding arms 3, for functional display and security of a handheld mobile electronic device (not shown). FIG. 2 is an exploded assembly view of the security device 100, with the components shown in FIG. 2 further illustrated by FIGS. 3A-8. The security device 100 includes a first 1 and second 2 moveable arm and at least two sliding arms 3, each of which couple to a housing body 7. The first moveable arm 1 includes a first arm base 84 at its proximal end and has a first retention member 86 extending substantially from the distal end of the first moveable arm 1 above the plane of the upper surface of the housing body 7. The second moveable arm 2 includes a second arm base 88 at its proximal end and has a second retention member 90 extending substantially from the distal end of the second moveable arm 2 above the plane of the upper surface of the body 7. Each of the at least two sliding arms 3 includes a third arm base 92 at its proximal end and has a third retention member 94 extending substantially from the distal end of each of the sliding arms 3 above the plane of the upper surface of the body 7. In one embodiment, at least one of the first, second, and third retention members 86, 90, 94 can be formed by a single retention hook 120. In another embodiment, at least one of the first, second, and third retention member 86, 90, 94 can be formed by a plurality of retention hooks 120, such as by two retention hooks 120.

#In an embodiment, the body 7 includes at least two body extensions or legs 96 (FIGS. 6A-6C), to each of which a sliding arm 3 is coupled. The body extensions 96 can be integral with the body (FIG. 1) or the body extensions 96 can be separate components that are coupled to the body 7 (FIG. 9). In this embodiment, a guide groove or track 80 (FIGS. 6A, 6C) extends through each of the at least two body extensions, to which each of the at least two sliding arms 3 couple. The track 80 can act as a guide for movement of each sliding arm 3 along the body 7. For example, the tracks 80 can extend through the body extension 96 along a length of the body extension 96. A fastener 12 can extend through an aperture 122 in each sliding arm 3 and the respective track 80 to couple the sliding arm 3 to the track 80. The body extension 96 can have a smooth surface so that the sliding arm 3 slides smoothly along the track 80. When the sliding arm 3 reaches the desired position along the track 80, the fastener can lock the sliding arm 3 in position on the track 80.

#In another embodiment, illustrated by FIGS. 9-11B, the body 7 includes three body extensions 96, to each of which a sliding arm 3 is coupled. The body extensions 96 can be integral with the body (FIG. 1) or the body extensions 96 can be separate components that are coupled to the body 7 (FIG. 9). In an embodiment, each body extension 96 has a T-shape. Each body extension 96 has a top or upper surface 98 and a bottom or lower surface 101 and a groove or track 80 (FIG. 11A) extending therethrough and along a length of the body extension 96. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower surface 101 of each body extension 96 has a plurality of teeth or ridges 106 (FIGS. 11A-11B) formed thereon along the length of the body extension 96 around the track 80. A locking plate 108 with a generally rectangular shape has an upper surface 110 and a lower surface 112 (FIGS. 10A-10B). The upper surface 110 of the locking plate 108 has a plurality of teeth or ridges 114 formed thereon. The upper surface 110 of the locking plate 108 contacts the lower surface 101 of the body extension 96 such that the teeth 114 of the locking plate 108 interlock with the teeth 106 of the body extension 96. A fastener 116 can extend through an aperture 118 in the locking plate 108 and the track 80 of the body extension 96 into the respective sliding arm 3. In this embodiment, the fastener 116 can be loosened to allow the sliding arm 3 and locking plate 108 to slide along the body extension 96. When the sliding arm 3 reaches the desired location, the fastener 116 can be tightened so that the teeth 114 of the locking plate 108 interlock with the teeth 106 of the body extension 96 to lock the sliding arm 3 in position.