Computer access port locking device and method
AssigneeDell USA, L.P.
InventorsSteve Gluskoter, Steve Sands
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device and method for locking a computer access port. In a preferred embodiment, a locking device prevents removal of devices and media installed in a computer access port, but permits air circulation, visual access, and limited physical access. The locking device has an elongated member with an L-shaped engaging portion at one end and a barrel lock mechanism at the other end.
Claims15
A locking device for a computer having a housing with a computer device opening through which a plurality of computer devices may be removably inserted into the interior of the housing to an operating orientation in which the devices are accessible through the opening, the housing having a first pair of opposing portions partially bounding the opening and being spaced apart in a first direction, and a second pair of opposing portions partially bounding the opening and being spaced apart in a second direction generally transverse to the first direction, said locking device comprising:
- an elongated locking member having first and second opposite end portions, and a width substantially less than the distance between the first pair of opposing housing portions, said first end portion including a transverse end section configured to extend into a first locking member slot provided in one of the second pair of opposing housing portions adjacent the computer device opening for movement relative thereto between first and second positions so that in the first position, the first end portion is securely engaged in said first locking member slot and in the second position, the first end portion may be readily disengaged from said first locking member slot;
- and
- locking means for releasably anchoring said second end portion of said locking member configured to extend into a second locking member slot provided in the other one of the second pair of opposing housing portions so that in the first position, the second end portion is securely engaged in the second locking member slot and in the second position, the second portion is disengaged from said second locking member slot.
A computer, comprising:
- a housing having a computer device opening through which a plurality of computer devices may be removably inserted into the interior of the housing to an operating orientation in which the devices are accessible through the opening, a first pair of opposing portions partially bounding the opening and being spaced apart in a first direction, and a second pair of opposing portions partially bounding the opening and being spaced apart in a second direction generally transverse to the first direction;
- an elongated locking member having first and second opposite end portions, and a width substantially less than the distance between said first pair of opposing housing portions, said first end portion including a transverse end section configured to extend into a first locking member slot provided in one of said second pair of opposing housing portions adjacent the computer device opening for movement relative thereto between first and second positions so that in the first position, the first end portion is securely engaged in said first locking member slot and in the second position, the first end portion may be readily disengaged from said first locking member slot;
- and
- locking means for releasably anchoring said second end portion of said locking member configured to extend into a second locking member slot provided in the other one of said second pair of opposing housing portions so that in the first position, the second end portion is securely engaged in the second locking member slot and in the second position, the second end portion is disengaged from said second locking member slot.
In a computer having a housing with a computer device opening through which a plurality of computer devices may be removably inserted into the interior of the housing to an operating orientation in which the devices are accessible through the opening, the housing having a first pair of opposing portions partially bounding the opening and being spaced apart in a first direction, and a second pair of opposing portions partially bounding the opening and being spaced apart in a second direction generally transverse to the first direction, a method for locking the opening comprising the steps of:
- providing an elongated locking member having first and second opposite end portions, and a width substantially less than the distance between the first pair of opposing housing portions, said first end portion including a transverse end section configured to extend into a first locking member slot provided in one of the second pair of opposing housing portions adjacent the computer device opening for movement relative thereto between first and second positions so that in the first position, the first end portion is securely engaged in said first locking member slot and in the second position, the first end portion may be removed from said first locking member slot;
- and
- attaching locking means to said locking member second end portion for releasably anchoring said second end portion of said locking member configured to extend into a second locking member slot provided in the other one of the second pair of opposing housing portions so that in the first position, the second end portion is securely engaged in the second locking member slot and in the second position, the second end portion is disengaged from said second locking member slot.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.