System and method for locking computer
AssigneeLenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
InventorWilliam Fred Martin-Otto
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A computer has a cover supporting a display and a base supporting a processor and hingedly coupled to the cover. A locking assembly includes a locking mechanism that is advanceable into a lock hole of the computer and that can be tethered to a stationary object to prevent theft of the computer. As the locking assembly is advanced into the hole, it moves a coupling that blocks the computer's cover latch mechanism from releasing the cover from a closed position against the base of the computer, thereby also locking the computer in the closed configuration.
Claims17
A computer comprising:
- a cover defining a front edge and a rear edge;
- a base hingedly coupled to the cover along the rear edge;
- first and second latch arms juxtaposed with the front edge and reciprocating generally parallel thereto, each latch arm defining an interior end, the interior ends facing each other and defining a space therebetween, each latch arm defining a respective latch end configured for releasably engaging a respective receptacle to hold the cover in a closed configuration relative to the base, each latch arm being releasable from its receptacle to permit the front edge of the cover to be pivoted up away from the base;
- a lock hole formed in the cover and/or in the base at or near the rear edge;
- and
- an elongated latch block bar extending substantially perpendicularly to the front and rear edges and being movable along the long axis defined by the latch block bar, the latch block bar being biased to a first position, wherein a front end of the latch block bar is not disposed in the space between the latch arms, such that movement of the latch arms is not impeded by the latch block bar, the latch block bar being movable to a second position by a locking mechanism advanced into the lock hole against a rear end of the latch block bar, wherein the front end of the latch block bar is disposed in the space between the latch arms to impede at least some movement of the latch arms.
In a computer having a cover supporting a display and a base supporting a processor and hingedly coupled to the cover along a hinge edge, a locking assembly comprising:
- at least one locking mechanism advanceable into a lock hole of the computer and manipulable by a user to prevent a portion of the mechanism from being withdrawn from the hole, the locking mechanism including a tether attachable to an object other than the computer;
- a latch mechanism enclosed by the cover and base, and operable to hold the cover closed against the base to substantially prevent viewing the display, the latch mechanism having a release configuration wherein the cover can be pivoted relative to the base to expose the display;
- and
- a coupling mechanism movable by the locking mechanism when the locking mechanism is advanced into the lock hole to prevent the latch mechanism from assuming the release configuration without requiring the locking mechanism to be rotated in order to move the coupling mechanism and, thus, without requiring the locking mechanism to be rotated in order to prevent the latch mechanism from assuming the release configuration.
A method for locking a computer having a latch mechanism to releasably hold the computer in a closed configuration, wherein a cover of the computer is hinged closed against a base, comprising:
- advancing a portion of locking mechanism having a tether into a hole of the computer to thereby prevent the latch mechanism from releasing the computer from the closed configuration, wherein the latch mechanism is operable to hold the cover closed against the base to substantially prevent viewing a display supported on the cover, the latch mechanism having a release configuration wherein the cover can be pivoted relative to the base to expose the display, wherein a coupling mechanism in the computer is movable by the locking mechanism when the locking mechanism is advanced into the lock hold to prevent the latch mechanism from assuming the release configuration, wherein the cover defines a front edge and the hinge edge is a rear edge, the latch mechanism comprising first and second latch arms juxtaposed with the front edge and reciprocating generally parallel thereto, each latch arm defining an interior end, the interior ends facing each other and defining a space therebetween, each latch arm defining a respective latch end configured for releasably engaging a respective receptacle to hold the cover in a closed configuration relative to the base, each latch arm being releasable from its receptacle to permit the front edge of the cover to be pivoted up away from the base.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.