The present invention relates generally to theft prevention devices and, more particularly, to a security device that is specifically adapted to secure a laptop computer to a stationary or portable support or stand such as a technology workstand for securing the laptop computer in the open position so as to effectively prevent theft of the laptop computer.
Computers and computer-related devices have undergone tremendous advancement in recent years. Evidence of this rapid technological growth can be seen in the increasing power of computers in concert with increasing miniaturization of computers and peripherals. For example, computer peripherals such as display monitors are commercially available with increasing amounts of features but in greatly reduced size as evidenced by thin, flat panel monitors that are replacing traditional display monitors.
Although such improvements in computer technology are invaluable in terms of their operational capabilities, certain deficiencies present issues which detract from the overall utility of such devices. In particular, the ultimate reduction in size of computers and computer peripherals has made these items easier to carry and/or conceal. Obviously, such reduction in size has drastically increased susceptibility to theft.
Due to the relatively high expense of computers and peripherals, financial losses due to theft is of special concern for entities such as corporations, government agencies and educational institutions since such entities typically purchase large quantities of these items. As such, it is of primary importance for such entities to address how theft can be reduced prior to making computers and associated devices available to their employees, students and others who may use these computers in public and semi-public areas where theft is of great concern.
In order to reduce losses from theft, various types of anti-theft computer locks are currently available from manufacturers of security products. Although such currently known anti-theft locks may achieve their primary objective of computer protection, they possess certain deficiencies which fail to optimally protect the new generation of computers and computer-related devices.
Perhaps the greatest deficiency associated with conventional anti-theft computer locks is their inability to secure a variety of laptops or other similar devices. For example, certain computer locks must engage and secure a specifically shaped micro-security slot that may be provided by certain computer manufacturers. This limitation has characterized many anti-theft computer locks of the prior art. In this regard, the technological innovation in the field of computer locks has been minimal compared to overall advances in computer technology.
A further deficiency associated with existing computer locks relates to the cables used in certain anti-theft computer locks. Generally, these cables are fixedly attached to and extend from the computer lock at portions which are opposite from their slot engaging portions. Due to the fixed attachment of the cables to the computer locks, the cable portions near such attachment point may become locally strained if secured to a stationary object that is placed in angular orientation to the computer lock. The lock also requires the cable to loop around a stationary object to prevent theft of the laptop computer. Thus, transporting the laptop computer from one room to another room requires unlocking the computer lock to remove the cable from the stationary object in one room, and then re-locking the computer lock after looping the cable around a stationary object in another room.
In view of the above-described shortcomings of conventional anti-theft computer locks, there exists a need in the art for a security device for securing a laptop computer to a fixed surface in an effective manner. More specifically, there exists a need in the art for a security device that can effectively secure a laptop computer to a support panel and which further provides the capability of protecting the device against theft when the laptop computer is oriented in an open position wherein the display monitor is pivoted relative to the laptop keyboard.