GB2481209A

GB2481209A - Anti-theft device for a computer tower

Info

Publication number: GB2481209A
Application number: GB201009955A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Andrew Stevens
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-06-15
Filing date: 2010-06-15
Publication date: 2011-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 2030-06-15
Also published as: GB2481209B; GB201009955D0; GB2481269A; GB201100416D0

Abstract

An anti-theft device for securing a computer tower or case 10, e.g. for an Apple (RTM) Mac Pro (RTM), comprises a rectangular base tray 1 configured to fit over the base of tower 10, enclosing looped feet 10a & 10b, and a locking bar 2a extending from a panel 2b. Base tray 1 has a bottom surface 3 through which is provided a plurality of apertures 3a-3f for receiving fasteners 9a-9f for securing base tray 1 to a floor or alternatively to a desk top using fixing bars 9 a-9 c. Slots 6a, 6b are provided in opposing end walls for receiving the locking bar 2a. Guide rail 4 extends across the bottom surface 3 and receives and holds in position locking bar 2a. In use, locking bar 2a is received through slots 6a, 6b, guide rail 4, and looped feet 10a & 10b and tamper resistant pad lock 8 is passed through piercing 2c and tabs (7a & 7b, fig. 3) to secure tower to base tray. A cable lock (11, fig. 3) may be passed through cable apertures 5a, 5b allowing other devices or peripherals (e.g. a monitor) to be secured along with tower 10.

Description

ANTI -THEFT DEVICE FOR A COMPUTER

The present invention relates to an anti-theft device for a computer tower, in particular but not strictly limited to an Apple® Mac Pro®.

In recent years powerful computers have been provided in increasing compact and lightweight forms. This change has made these valuable and useful pieces of equipment attractive targets for thieves. It has become common for large numbers of computers to be provided in open plan office areas, school ICT suites, public libraries and the like where many people have and need regular access to the buildings. Ensuring security of the equipment is an ever growing problem.

Devices for locking computers to desks, for example by cages, cables, clamps and bolts are known but all have disadvantages. Many are unsightly and add clutter to a workspace. Others are fairly easily and quickly disassembled with appropriate tooling, for example by loosening of accessible nuts or cutting of bolts or cables. S.. * . S...

The present invention provides a discrete and secure security device which does S.....

* * not suffer from the drawbacks identified in the prior art. S. * S * ...

*. In accordance with the present invention there is provided an anti-theft device for a computer tower, where the computer tower case includes looped feet, the -*..* : anti-theft device comprising: a rectangular base tray configured to fit snugly over the base of the computer tower and to enclose the looped feet therein, a plurality of apertures in the base tray configured to receive a plurality of flat headed nut and bolt pairs, a slot positioned in each of the opposing end walls of the tray, the two slots being in alignment, a locking bar configured to be received through the two aligned slots and extending from a panel at a first end and having a piercing at a second end, a lock configured for passing through the piercing whereby, in use, to lock the locking bar in position in the base tray, and a guide rail, extending from the base of the base tray for receiving and holding in position the locking bar.

In use, the base tray is first bolted to a desk top or other fixed surface by means of the apertures. The flat headed bolts are the only exposed part of the bolting mechanism removing the possibility of the bolts being easily unfastened or cut.

A computer with looped feet is seated in the secured base tray. A security cable can be passed through the side wall apertures allowing monitor to be secured to the assembly/tray.

The guide rail rises up between the looped feet. The guide rail may comprise a continuous runner or multiple smaller runners arranged in alignment. The locking bar is inserted through the first of the aligned slots, captures the first looped foot and is then guided into the guide rail, through the second looped foot and out through the second aligned slot. The panel is shaped to match neatly with the end of the base tray providing a clean rectangular locking stand for the computer tower. The lock is then passed through the piercing and locked ***.

tight. The computer tower is thus securely locked in an attractive tray. The only access is by means of the lock. The lock is desirably selected to be tamper proof.

Desirably, the aligned slots are shaped and similarly proportioned to the locking : bar so as to prevent access which might otherwise be obtainable through an oversized slot. An a preferred option at a position adjacent one slot the base tray includes an extended portion which is pierced, whereby in use when the locking bar is in position, the piercings align and the lock can secure the locking bar directly to the base tray via the extended portion.

Optionally the front panel includes a raised edge which, when the locking bar is in position, wraps over the base tray preventing unwanted access between the panel and the tray.

In another option at least one aperture is provided in a side wall of the tray configured for receiving a cable lock which can be employed to fasten down, computer peripherals (for example a monitor) associated with the computer.

The tray desirably has flat walls which, in use, provide a smooth line with the computer tower casing so as to provide a discrete and aesthetic appearance.

The device is desirably colour coded to match the computer tower which it is intended to secure.

One well known example of a computer having a casing with looped feet is the Apple® Mac Pro®. The present invention is designed with the intention to secure that computer tower but could easily be adapted, without the need for further invention to secure any casing with one or more looped feet.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures in which; Figure 1 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the invention with an Apple® Mac Pro® Figure 2 shows an assembled embodiment of the invention adjacent an Apple® Mac Pro® Figure 3 (a) and (b) shows the tray and locking bar of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 in more detail * S Figure 4 illustrates the locking of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3 and the location of a cable through the side wall apertures.

* As can be seen from the Figures, an anti-theft device in accordance with the invention comprises a base tray 1 and a locking bar 2a extending from a panel 2b. The base tray 1 has a bottom surface 3 through which is provide a plurality of apertures 3a, 3f for receiving locking nut and bolt pairs (not shown).

Extending centrally and longitudinally across the upward facing side of the bottom surface 3 is a guide rail/tube/channel 4. Cable apertures 5a, 5b are provided in opposing side walls of the tray and slots 6a, 6b are provided in opposing end walls for receiving the locking bar 2a.

The locking bar is provided with a piercing 2c which, when fully threaded into the base tray 1 slots 6a, 6b, coincide with similarly proportioned piercings in tabs 7a, 7b extending from an end of the base tray 1 either side of the slot 6b.

A bolt cutter resistant pad lock 8 includes a shackle 8a similarly proportioned to the piercings which is passed through the aligned piercings locking the assembly securely together.

The panel 2b has a rim 2d which, when the locking bar is in place overlaps the outer walls of the base tray 1 rendering it extremely difficult for the locking bar 2a to be accessed from the panel end.

As can be seen the Apple® Mac Pro® 10 has looped feet lOa, lOb through which, in use, the locking bar is received, thereby securing the tower to the base tray which is in turn secured to a floor or fixed desk top.

* ***** * As can be seen from Figure 3, a cable lock 11 can be passed through the cable apertures 5a, 5b allowing other devices (for example the stand of a computer monitor) to be secured along with the tower 10. ****

There now follows summarise installation instructions for the above described S.....

* * embodiment.

1. (i) Desk Fixing Position the base tray in the location required on the desk and using a pen, mark the 2 x holes at the front, middle and rear of the unit. Using a 9mm drill bit, drill 6 x holes in the desk on the marked position ensuring the drill is perpendicular to the desk. Place the base tray in position and insert M8 allen bolts through the base tray and desk.

From underneath, offer up the under desk threaded fixing bars, so the holes match up with the M8 bolts protruding through the desk. Using an appropriate alien key tighten the M8 bolts into the threaded fixing bars.

(ii) Floor Fixing Position the base tray in the location required on the floor and using a marker pen mark the 6 x holes in the base of the unit. Using a 12mm drill bit, drill 6 x holes in the floor on the marked position ensuring the drill is perpendicular to the floor. Push in the shielded section of the fixing bolts in to holes. Place the base tray in position and insert M8 bolts through the tray and tighten into the shield.

2. Securing the tower Place the computer tower in the base tray and Insert the T' locking bar at the front of the tray.

3. Locking Locate the lock at the rear and close the lock pin through the piercings in both tabs extending from the base tray and the aligned T' locking bar.

S

* S0 *S * 4. To secure the USB cables Thread power cable and any USB cables (such as keyboard and mouse) through . the Lock before closing the locking pin. S...

*..* : 5. Optional Monitor security A 12mm diameter hole is provided at the rear on both sides of the tray to accommodate a security cable which is used to protect the monitor. Before the computer tower is positioned into the base tray, insert 9mm or 11mm cable in one of the holes. The lock end of the cable is simply looped around the monitor stand and locked in place with a high security padlock.

Benefits The anti theft device as described herein has been specifically developed to fulfil the need for a discreet and high-tech security lockdown system for Apple® Mac Pro® computer towers. The figure hugging design does not impair the aesthetics of the Apple® Mac Pro®. All units are fitted with a unique locking system which comprises of a high security anti-tamper and anti-drill block lock and specially manufactured T' locking bar which secures the computer through the holes in feet of the stand. The tray is permanently attached to the floor using conventional fixing bolts or a desk, table or bench top with a specially designed threaded fixing bars and bolts. The design also prevents unauthorised access to the valuable internal components. It is possible to secure the mouse, keyboard and other cables at the rear of the unit. An optional provision has been provided to secure a monitor on either the left or right of the unit using a high security cable kit.

The specially designed lockdown system has been designed so when fitted it is not possible to undo with any tool once the computer has been installed.

Once the floor/desk/worktop has been drilled and the tray securely bolted to the surface, the computer tower is lowered into the tray. The computer tower covers the M8 Allen bolts and therefore blocks access with a tool or Allen key to : remove the unit. To prevent the computer for being lifted out the T' locking bar S..

* is slid through the opening at the front of the tray and along a guide channel in the base. The locking bar slides through both the looped feet of the computer chassis and protrudes at the rear. To secure the T' locking bar in place insert the locking pin of the high security block lock. The system is now secure.

The base tray also traps the access panel on one side of the computer tower thus preventing unauthorised removal of the internal components such as the hard drives and memory. The height of the tray covers the bottom edge of the access panel.

The lock used to secure the base tray and locking bar can also trap the power cable, mouse and keyboard cables of the computer. When the T' locking bar is slid into the tray on its guide rail, it terminates at the rear between two external tabs. Offer the cables into the lock housing and when the lock pin is pushed through the cross drilled piercings of the tray and locking bar the cables are trapped with no room to pull the end of each cable through. * S ****

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* ..*.* * I * S.. * 5.

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*555**

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Claims

CLAIMS1. An anti-theft device for a computer tower, where the computer tower case includes looped feet, the anti-theft device comprising: a rectangular base tray configured to fit snugly over the base of the computer tower and to enclose the looped feet therein, a plurality of apertures in the base tray configured to receive a plurality of flat headed nut and bolt pairs, a slot positioned in each of the opposing end walls of the tray, the two slots being in alignment, a locking bar configured to be received through the two aligned slots and extending from a panel at a first end and having a piercing at a second end, a lock configured for passing through the piercing whereby, in use, to lock the locking bar in position in the base tray, and a guide rail, extending upwardly from the base of the base tray for receiving and holding in position the locking bar.
2. An anti-theft device for a computer tower as claimed in claim 1 wherein the panel is shaped to match neatly with the end of the base tray. * I S...
3. An anti-theft device for a computer tower as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the aligned slots are shaped and similarly proportioned to the locking : bar so as to prevent access which might otherwise be obtainable through an oversized slot. S... * . S

:..:
4. An anti-theft device for a computer tower as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at a position adjacent one slot the base tray includes an extended portion which is pierced, whereby in use, when the locking bar is in position the piercings align and the lock can secure the locking bar directly to the base tray via the extended portion (s).
5. An anti-theft device for a computer tower as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the panel includes a raised edge which, when the locking bar is in position, wraps over the base tray thereby preventing unwanted access between the panel and the tray.
6. An anti-theft device for a computer tower as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least one aperture is provided in a side wall of the tray configured for receiving a cable lock which can be employed to fasten down, computer peripherals (for example a monitor) associated with the computer.
7. An anti-theft device for a computer tower as claimed in any preceding I claim wherein the tray has flat walls which, in use, provide a smooth line with the computer tower casing so as to provide a discrete and aesthetic appearance.
8. An anti-theft device for a computer tower as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device is colour coded to match the computer tower which it is intended to secure.
9. An anti-theft device for a computer tower as claimed in any preceding claim configured for securing an Apple® Mac Pro® computer tower. *
10. An anti-theft device for a computer tower as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9 * S....* further including a cable lock configured to locate in the side wall apertures. * ,* .
11. An anti-theft device for a computer tower substantially as described herein and with reference to the accompanying Figures 1 to 4. I.e. * .. S. SSS. *.*SS -