Portable No-Lock Security Tether-Anchor Assemblage for Laptop Computers and Other Personal Property

Abstract

A nonlocking tether-anchor assemblage to protect laptop computers and similar devices from theft while used in. public, one embodiment comprised of an elongated means that horizontally extends the width of a computer laptop, said means having a cut in in the interior space of the means to create an opening that allows the means to be placed over a laptop computer display assembly and slid down to a resting position at the base of the assembly, firmly surrounding and holding the laptop computer inside of the opening. This elongated means connects to a tether that is wrapped around a relatively immovable object and attached using a nonlocking fastener at the end of the tether to secure the laptop computer to a localized area defined by the length of the tether. A second embodiment combines the elongated means and the tether into one piece of material that accomplishes the function of each as explained in the first embodiment. A third embodiment employs an attachment to the laptop computer that wraps around the base of the laptop computer display assembly like a belt. A fourth embodiment combines the belt and tether into one piece and allows an adjustment mechanism to manipulate a secure fit around the display assembly base.

Claims

1. A portable security device without locking mechanisms for protecting laptop computers and similar articles from theft occurring in presence of the user while the article is used in public, the device comprising a. An elongated means that horizontally extends the length of the laptop computer display assembly and contains a slit in the middle of the elongated means that allows the slit of the elongated means to fit firmly around a laptop computer's display assembly and allows the elongated means to slide down the assembly to a resting place at the base of the display assembly to hold the laptop computer, and b. A separate tether connecting to the elongated means that fastens to a relatively immovable object by use of a connector at the end of the tether that is wrapped around the immovable object and attached to a point in the tether to secure the assemblage to the immovable object.

2. A method for securing laptop computers and similar articles from snatching thefts when the articles are used in public in accordance with claim 1.

3. An assemblage in accordance with claim 1 where the elongated means and the tether are one piece and no connector to connect the two is needed.

4. An assemblage in accordance with claim 1 but where the elongated means is comprised of a strap that firmly surrounds the base of the display assembly of a laptop computer and connects to a separate tether that attaches to an immovable object in accordance with claim 1b.

5. An assemblage in accordance with claim 4 but where the elongated means and the tether are one piece and no connector to connect the two is needed.

6. An assemblage in accordance with claim 4 but where the elongated means can be manipulated to control the size and tightness of the elongated means around the base of the laptop computer display assembly.

7. A method for securing laptop computers and similar articles from snatching thefts when the articles are used in public in accordance with claims 4, 5, and 6.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0045] FIG. 1 is a perspective right side view of the separate components of a preferred embodiment of this tether-anchor assemblage showing the elongated means 1, tether 3, and anchor assembly 4 against a bistro table 6. As depicted, the elongated means is suspended above a laptop computer 5 and the tether 3 is not connected to the elongated means. The tether 3 connects to the leg of a bistro table by circling the table leg and connecting a snap, hook, carabiner, or other connector to a portion of the tether 3. This illustration demonstrates one way the invention might be used for its specific anti-theft purpose.

[0046] FIG. 2 is a perspective right side view of the same embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 except that the elongated means is now in its resting place at the base of the laptop computer display assembly and the tether 3 is connected to the elongated means 1. (The laptop computer is illustrated as suspended above the table to demonstrate the assembly).

[0047] FIG. 3 shows two views of the elongated member 1. It shows a top view and a side view as labeled in the figure. The top view illustrates a rectangle-shaped elongated means that has a slice removed from the interior section of the elongated means so that the slice does not extend to the edges and is surrounded on all sides by the elongated means. The removed slice of the elongated means is where the means will slip over the top of a laptop computer, be slide down the display assembly and monitor, down to the base of the display assembly. A hole on the side of the rectangle 1A allows a method of attaching the tether to the elongated means. The side view illustrates what the user would see when the elongated means is placed in accordance with the invention at the base of the laptop computer's display assembly.

[0048] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the tether-anchor assembly using fabric, webbing, or similar strap material to create an elongated means that fits tightly around the base of the laptop computer's display assembly. The elongated means attaches to the tether and the tether is attached to the table using the anchor assembly of a loop at the end of the tether 16 and a carabiner 15.

[0049] FIG. 5 shows one embodiment an anchor assembly consisting of a loop at the end loop 16 of a braided steel tether 11 and a carabiner 15 (or other connector) attached to the tether end loop 16. The carabiner 15 encircles an immovable object like a table leg and connects to another portion of the tether to complete the anchoring of the assemblage.

[0050] FIG. 6 is a closer view of FIG. 1

DESCRIPTION

[0051] FIGS. 1, 2 and 6 show a general view of one embodiment of the tether-anchor assemblage. The laptop computer 5 is a clamshell design having two main components: a display assembly 11 and the keyboard component. The elongated means 1 contains a slit in the interior of the means. To use the assemblage, the elongated means 1 is placed over the laptop computer's display assembly 11. The user slides the elongated means down the display assembly to the base of the display assembly. The elongated means surrounds all sides of the elongated means. The slit of the elongated means is of sufficient narrowness to firmly bold the laptop computer. This also defeats the quickness required to steal items in snatching thefts.

[0052] The elongated means has a hole 1A at one or both ends. As depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6 the hole 1A is on the right side of the elongated means. This hole connects to the tether 3. A connector 2 fits into the hole 1A to attach the tether to the elongated means. The connector may be a mechanism that cannot be removed from the hole; it may also be a removable mechanism, allowing users to change tether length, color, and design to personalize and make the assemblage more conspicuous as a deterrent.

[0053] The connection of the tether 3 to the hole 1A of the elongated means 1 secures the laptop computer. Next, the elongated means and the tether must be affixed to a nearby relatively immovable object. At the end of the tether that is not attached to the elongated means is the anchor assembly 4. The anchor assembly is comprised of a loop at the end of the tether 10 which the user wraps around the nearby relatively immovable object like a table leg. Attached to the loop 10 is a carabiner 9 that attaches to a portion of the tether to secure the assemblage. This create a limited range of motion dictated by the length of the tether.

[0054] The elongated means and corresponding interior slit may be arranged in ways that optimize protection against slashing or cutting such as by positioning the slit to add more material on one side of the display assembly to increase protection against cutting or slashing. FIG. 3 shows a top- and side-views of the elongated means depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6. The top view shows the slit in the elongated means into which the display assembly of a laptop computer is placed to attach the elongated means to the computer. The hole (1A) is pictured on the right side of the elongated means. This hold attaches to the tether in the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2 and 6.

[0055] Another embodiment would not require a hold, but instead comprise the elongated means and tether of one piece of material that needs no connectors.

[0056] The side view of the elongated means is a view of what the user would see of the elongated means when the elongated means is in its resting position at the base of a display ready for use.

[0057] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the elongated means. Here, the elongated means 8 is constructed of a strap-like material like webbing to create a belt around the base of the display assembly of the laptop computer. This version of the elongated means has a hole 2 for use an attachment to the tether 3.

[0058] Another embodiment of this strap assemblage needs no hole where the elongated means and the tether are comprised of the same piece of material. Further, this strap elongated means allows for the assemblage to be a one-size-fits-all solution where the addition of Velcro or buckles would allow the user to control the length and firmness of the elongate means' grasp of the laptop computer.

[0059] In the use of both embodiments included here for illustration, the tether and anchor may be positioned to run next to the laptop computer user's body providing no more inconvenience that a power cord for the computer.

[0060] Preferred constructions of the embodiments to this invention will use matexials that resist cutting and have tensile strength. These designs do not interfere with the normal use of laptop computers including those with touch-screen capabilities.

[0061] The embodiments identified have been selected to best explain the principles of the assemblage and its practical application, to enable others skilled in the art to understand and utilize the assemblage and its various embodiments including suitable modifications.

[0062] Definitions: As stated above, use of the term “laptop computer,” broadly includes all portable computers program or electronic screen-viewing products, apparatuses and systems, however named, such as, but not limited to, computer notebooks, tablets, 2-in-1 hybrid tablet/laptop devices, electronic gaining devices, multiple screen devices, portable streaming device or portable televisions, and other instruments or devices that resemble in whole or part the traditional clamshell laptop computer design (having a folding display assembly and attached keyboard assembly) or that resemble said laptop computer design by physical characteristics or operation. These definitions are not intended to limit the range of items applicable to this art's application. These terms are used to aid illustration of the tether-anchor assemblage's general uses and background. References to laptops computer herein should not be read to apply exclusively to laptop computers, but to all the above described items whether currently known or yet to be invented.

[0063] The term “elongated means” as used herein refers to the portion of the assemblage contacts and holds the laptop computer at the base of the computer's display assembly. This portion of the assemblage surrounds the base of the display assembly on all sides. The elongated means may be fashioned out of various materials to accomplish the aims of deterrence and theft prevention, attractive design, compatibility with specific products, and portability. These materials may include materials such as wires, ropes, cables, rubber or silicon, fabrics, webbing, tubes, elastic materials, graphene and other strengthening ingredients, and similar materials or any combination of such materials and ingredients. A significant feature of the elongated means is that it hugs the monitor firmly ideally create some gentle resistance in embodiments where the elongated means slides down the display assembly into position at the base.

[0064] The term “band” or “cable” in reference to the tethering device that attaches to personal property includes materials such as wires, cables, rubber or silicon bands, fabrics, webbing, tubes, ropes, strengthening coating agents, and other materials, or combinations of materials, that possess similar functions to these materials.

[0065] The term “connector” refers to a device, including a hole or loop, used to connect the elongated means to the tether or the tether to a carabiner or similar device that comprises the anchor assembly. “Connector” encompasses devices including brackets, buckles, adjusters, hooks, carabiners, Velcro, and other materials of similar look, feel, or function.

[0066] The term “buckle” includes all variation of buckles (e.g. side release buckles, cam buckles, lock buckles, etc.) of whatever material including plastics and rubber.

[0067] The term snatching theft or snatch-and-grab theft is identical in meaning to the term grab-and-run theft. As used in this application, the terms include all similar crimes of opportunity where speed and surprise are used by the wrongdoer to steal property in the general presence of the user and carry it away without the user's permission.

[0068] The “display assembly” is the portion of the laptop computer that contains the screen or monitor on its inner side, and a protective covering on its outer side. The display assembly also often contains cameras and microphones on many models.

[0069] The term “lock” refers to a mechanism for keeping an article fastened and operated only by a key of a particular form, or certain code or combination, or another unique feature.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0070] 1 Elongated means [0071] 2 1A Hole in the elongated means [0072] 3 connector [0073] 4 tether [0074] 5 anchor assembly [0075] 6 laptop computer [0076] 7 table [0077] 8 braided steel cable [0078] 9 Strap embodiment of the elongated means [0079] 10 Hook [0080] 11 Loop at the end of the tether [0081] 12 “Display Assembly” portion of a laptop computer