Key Operated Patents (Class 248/553)
  • Patent number: 4739637
    Abstract: This manufacture prevents an unauthorized removal of an article or equipment item, such as a typewriter, for example, from a table top or the like. The article is secured to a cover plate which includes a plurality of hooking members or ears on its underside. These hooking members in turn engage apertures the body formations for which are securely mounted to a flat plate that in turn is secured to the table top or mounting surface. To assemble cover and plate into a locked position, the cover and its ears are shifted in a direction for engagement of ears to apertures. In this position then, a tang on a cylinder lock mounted in the cover's periphery is rotated into abutment with an edge of the plate, and the lock locked. The cover can no longer shift in a reverse direction to disengage ears from apertures. Case-hardened sleeves are provided to prevent sawing of screws which secure cover and article together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Assignee: Vaultec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: A. Milton Finkel, Stephan F. Bunka
  • Patent number: 4738428
    Abstract: A security device for business machines, such as personal computers, typewriters and the like comprising a two piece clamp which has one end releasably affixable to said business machine and the other end thereof engagable with a locking cable or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: Secure-It, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Themistos, William P. Brady
  • Patent number: 4712763
    Abstract: A security device for an office machine comprises a housing which is securable on a mounting surface, at least one fastening element which is securable to the underside of an office machine and a locking assembly in the housing. The fastening element includes an enlarged head portion which is receivable in an aperture in the housing and the locking assembly is operable for securing the head portion of the fastening element in the housing to lock the office machine on the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1987
    Assignee: P.G.L. Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter G. Leite
  • Patent number: 4709897
    Abstract: A surveillance camera mount including a bracket and a base defining a hollow housing which are formed so as to render the mount essentially tamper-proof. The bracket is adapted to be secured to a mounting surface and includes a surface adapted to support a surveillance camera and an opening or channel disposed to face opposite the camera supporting surface. The base conforms to the opening or channel in the bracket and has a flange extending substantially about the perimeter thereof with at least a portion adapted to be disposed internally of the bracket. When the base is secured to the bracket, the fasteners adapted to mount the bracket to the mounting surface and the camera to the camera supporting surface are concealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Assignee: Quick-Set, Incorporated
    Inventor: Paul C. Mooney
  • Patent number: 4696449
    Abstract: A security device for personal computers, computer peripherals and similar valuable but readily portable units of equipment includes a tray secured to a working surface by bolts on which the unit is to be used, the tray being of a size to accommodate the unit and having front and back flanges and upward extension from its side walls to restrain the unit from horizontal movement without interference with its functions, the extensions being linked by a normally locked releasable cross bar placed so as to retain the unit in the tray covering the bolts, again without frictional interference with the unit. The tray of one device may be bolted to the cross bar of another security device, as when a monitor is stacked on a computer. The cross bar is preferably hinged to one upward extension and secured to the other by a tamper resistant screw, access to which is through a housing blocked by a removable lock plug and having an axis which is not coincident with that of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Assignee: The Board of Governors of Ryerson Polytechnical Institute
    Inventors: Kenneth Woo, Z. Mamak
  • Patent number: 4681476
    Abstract: Unique flex-lock dovetail mounting apparatus (300) is described that may be advantageously utilized for mounting radio transceivers (100) and accessories (200) in harsh environments. The housing of the radio transceiver (100) includes on one side thereof at least two channels (101 and 105) producing a dovetail. The mounting apparatus (300) includes a top plate (304); a slide plate (308) attached to the top plate (304), having on at least one end a cut-out portion (310) producing a gap (320, 321 and 322) between the cut-out portion (310) and the top plate (304), and having at least two rails (301 and 305) producing a dovetail and each adapted to insert into a corresponding one of the channels (101 and 105); and locking apparatus including a lever (306) or a thumb screw (706) coupled to the top plate (304) and the cut-out portion (310) of the slide plate (308) for flexing the cut-out portion (310) toward the top plate (304) thereby locking the rails (301 and 305) in position in the channels (101 and 105).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Mischenko
  • Patent number: 4667918
    Abstract: A rotatable mailbox pedestal is disclosed having a locking mechanism configured such that after being unlocked to permit rotation, it can be relocked in a forward orientation automatically, i.e. without further manipulation of the lock. The locking mechanism comprises a bail member pivotally mounted to the rotatable portion of the pedestal and having a notch positioned such that when rotation of the pedestal brings the notch in alignment with the bolt of the lock, the bail member pivots downward under the force of gravity to engage the notch with the lock bolt. Means are provided for conveniently and securely mounting a lock of the type commonly used in postal applications so that a postal worker may unlock the pedestal for rotation, withdraw the key for use on a mailbox mounted on the pedestal, and relock the pedestal in a forward position without further use of the key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Inventor: Robert Page
  • Patent number: 4655429
    Abstract: A security mounting arrangement for securing at least one computer and at least one piece of peripheral equipment to a surface. The arrangement has a first pad which contains a mounting aperture and a plurality of peripheral apertures and is fixedly attached to each of the at least one computer, a lock for securing the first pad to the surface, epoxy is used for fixedly attaching the first pad to each of the at least one computer, a second pad fixedly attached to each of the at least one piece of peripheral equipment and containing an aperture, epoxy is used for fixedly attaching the second pad to each of the at least one piece of peripheral equipment, and a cable is used for securing each of the at least one piece of peripheral equipment to the first pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: Grumman Data Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Todd Gaenzle, William F. Ziedler
  • Patent number: 4627589
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus or the like is accommodated in a housing which in turn is mounted on a mounting plate by means of interengaging lugs and recesses. An elongate space is defined in part of side walls of the housing for receiving a slide plate therein. The slide plate is moved through a lock. The mounting plate is fastened to a mobile body such as a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Minoru Hotsumi
  • Patent number: 4626616
    Abstract: Unauthorized tapping onto ground level cable TV junction connector boxes or the like is prevented by an anti-tapping device which is removably anchored into the ground so that it resists tilting; has a housing enclosing the junction box, and the removal and anti-tilt means; and has a locking means which rotatably mounts the housing so that it readily rotates, thus frustrating attempts to gain access to the junction connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Inventor: Larry C. Masters
  • Patent number: 4613109
    Abstract: A security device for mounting an appliance on a support surface including a bracket assembly having separable base and cover sections defining a substantially closed compartment when joined. A lock is provided for securing the joined bracket sections. Adhesive pad is adhered to the support surface and an interengaging loop is provided between the adhesive pad and the base section. The base and cover sections are joined in a sliding fashion generally parallel to the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: Lucasey Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: William L. Boscacci
  • Patent number: 4603829
    Abstract: An improved system for fixedly mounting a case or the like box-shaped article onto the body of a motorcar is disclosed. The case is first placed on a mounting base fixedly secured to the body of motorcar by fitting a plurality of projections into holes on the mounting base and thereafter by operating a displacing device with the aid of a key the case is displaced relative to the mounting base so that the former is fixedly mounted on the latter. Each of the projections is formed with a V-shaped annular groove and each of the holes includes a larger diameter portion of which diameter is dimensioned larger than that of the projections and a smaller diameter portion formed by cutting a part of the larger diameter portion with a circle having the diameter dimensioned smaller than that of the larger diameter portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Noboru Koike, Hidenari Kitamura, Tsuneo Tomita
  • Patent number: 4596334
    Abstract: A locking gun rack for vehicle mounting includes a slidable member for holding a latch member in locking position and a bolt lock for holding the slidable member in locked position and also includes slots for receiving the square shank of a carriage bolt which is threaded into a stationary member. The slot prevents rotation of the carriage bolt in the rack locked position and permits rotation of the carriage bolt in the rack unlocked condition. The latch member has a tongue extending through a slot in the slidable member and a lug engageable behind the slot in the locked condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1986
    Inventor: Robert A. Daulton
  • Patent number: 4585202
    Abstract: An anti-theft locking device for securing computer-related units against unauthorized removal from a work station utilizes a base frame anchored to a work surface at the work station and constructed to receive one of the units in nested position so as to preclude movement of the unit in directions parallel to the work surface and to receive a hold-down frame placed over the units and secured to the base frame with screw-type locking mechanisms extending into the base frame beneath the nested unit to protect the screw-type locking mechanisms from tampering and to conserve space at the work station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Inventor: Peter M. Parsekian
  • Patent number: 4579311
    Abstract: An equipment lockdown apparatus for locking pieces of equipment such as computer modules, typewriters or the like is disclosed. The apparatus includes a sub-base suitably secured to a desk or other supporting structure and which supports the remainder of the unit for rotation. A base shelf is included together with a pedestal which rotatably supports thereon one or more additional shelves for rotation. Shields are positioned adjacent each shelf to preclude access to fastening elements for the pieces of equipment on each shelf and a key-controlled locking mechanism holds the entire unit in assembled relation thus precluding access to the fastening means whereby the pieces of equipment are securely locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Inventor: Joseph J. Spranza, III
  • Patent number: 4577563
    Abstract: A safety box assembly comprising a safety container of the portable and carrying type, and a mounting base intended to be fastened on a supporting surface such as the floor or the wall of a room. The assembly further comprises a locking arrangement whereby the container may be released from its mounting base to be carried about, the base remaining on the supporting wall. This assembly is conceived so that only by unlocking the locking arrangement can the safety container be opened and removed from its mounting base. The assembly is also conceived so that unless the safety container is unlocked and removed from the mounting base, it is not possible to unfasten the mounting base from its supporting surface and therefore to carry the whole assembly from its selected location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Inventor: Karl J. Sidler
  • Patent number: 4560134
    Abstract: A gun rack is disclosed particularly adapted for mounting a shotgun within the passenger compartment of an automobile, positioned muzzle down alongside the driver's seat.The gun rack includes an elongated frame member supported at its rear by a pair of support legs, which are independently adjustable in length and angle, and each fastened to the floor in a lowered position to establish the muzzle down position of the mounted shotgun. Rotatably adjustable hinges at the ends of either leg and the forward end of the frame, together with the adjustability of the legs, enable mounting to the widely varying transmission tunnels and floor contours of different automotive models.The barrel of the shotgun is received in an element carried by the rack in a position above the forward end of the frame, which position is adjustable lengthwise to accommodate different shotgun barrel lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Inventor: John M. Klein
  • Patent number: 4557458
    Abstract: An anti-theft device for clamping and locking an outboard motor to a transom board comprises a bracket forming together with an upper part of the outboard motor a substantially U-shaped suspension rack for mounting the outboard motor on the outboard transom side, and a free leg of the bracket extending downwardly along the inboard transom side. also included is a clamping fixture in the form of a jack screw including a hollow body and a clamping screw for urging the free leg away from the inboard side, while clamping the motor to the outboard side. The hollow body forms a protective housing having openings in its walls for receiving and shielding the screw shank, and supports at one end an open ended casing for receiving and shielding the screw head and a key-operated lock for locking the screw against rotation; the said housing and the casing are separated by a partition having an opening, and the screw shank extends from the casing into the housing through such opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Inventors: Christer Vahlberg, Odd Hielm
  • Patent number: 4556188
    Abstract: In combination with the computer of other electrical appliance having a base which is mountable upon a support having an undersurface, there is provided a security platform for anchoring and locking the computer to the support. The security platform comprises a pair of spaced platform bars bearing against the base, each bar having a first pair of apertures therethrough with fasteners projecting up therethrough, and threaded into the base for securing the bars to the base. Each bar has a second pair of apertures for receiving a pair of bolts which extend downwardly therethrough and through corresponding bores in the support. Fasteners are threaded onto the bolts in snug retaining registry with the support. Spaced apertured detent plates underlie each anchor bar with one aperture receiving a bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Inventor: Irving Allison, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4495787
    Abstract: A lock for securing an automobile storage battery of other automatic accessory from being stolen when the vehicle is left unattended, the lock consisting of a pair of L-shaped brackets securely mounted on an existing battery tray replacing the battery hold-down, the brackets being formed of a carbonized steel and provided with horizontally extending slots in the upper ends of each vertical upstanding member through which opposite ends of a double ended sliding double bolt operated by means of a key cylinder lock project when the key is turned by the operator.The key cylinder is imbedded in a steel cover for the rectangular container containing the bolts and the locking bar is centrally and pivotally mounted on the lower end of the cylinder by means of a shear pin which, when the key is removed from the lock, will shear upon any attempt to drill the cylinder and hence be unable to function for disengaging the bolts from their engagement with the brackets enclosing the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Inventor: Harold N. Comstock
  • Patent number: 4463924
    Abstract: A lockable picture hanging and straightening device for securing a picture to a wall. The device has a channel member which passes into and is locked into a rectangular member. A reel is attached to the rectangular member and a line acting as an adjustable length linkage is affixed from a convenient corner of the painting to the reel, and the reel is tightened to an extent that the picture is level. The point of attachment of the line to the picture must be on the side of the picture which is too low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Inventor: Mario W. Conti
  • Patent number: 4433787
    Abstract: A locking bicycle rack comprises a plurality of individual bicycle stalls each including a bifurcated swing arm which is pivotally mounted to traverse the stall and engage both wheels and the frame of a bicycle positioned within the stall. The swing arms engage a locking mechanism which includes a latch to maintain the swing arms across the stalls while the stalls are unoccupied. Upon receipt of a predetermined number of coins, a centrally located stall selection mechanism allows selection of an unoccupied stall and operation of the associated latch to release the selected stall. Each locking mechanism includes a guard cap which surrounds, protects and operates an associated lock. Operation of the locks as well as lock securing pins is via cam surfaces within the guard caps. Each lock is operated by a key which is captured within the guard cap while a stall is unoccupied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1984
    Inventors: Steven F. Cook, Glen E. Burlingame
  • Patent number: 4368455
    Abstract: A portable, heavy duty emerency power pack for hooking up to the lighting system of a vehicle trailer, such as a semi-trailer, camper, mobile home or the like, for the purpose of flashing all or some of the trailer lights on and off while the trailer is unhitched on the side of a road so as to warn passing motorists of its presence. In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a pair of heavy duty batteries connected in parallel, an on-off switch, a flasher, and a heavy duty case for housing these components. A cable extends from the case and is terminated by an adapter plug for connecting to a mating socket on the vehicle trailer. The case also preferably includes a carrying handle which is operatively connected to means for securing and locking the case to the trailer. The case further includes a lid having a lock device for securing the contents thereof against tampering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1983
    Inventor: Roger O. Menard
  • Patent number: 4361305
    Abstract: A security device for rotatably mounting an article to a surface. The device includes a base with a face, a center, and a peripheral rail having a downwardly facing bearing surface. It is mountable to a surface by an adhesive member having a dimension of thickness which spaces the base from the surface. A clasp comprises two parts which can be slid together whereby to provide bearing surfaces to hold the clasp rotatably to the base member. The clasp member includes a cover to which articles can be attached, such as adhesively or by bolting. Lock means is provided for releasably engaging the two clasp parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1982
    Inventor: James S. Gassaway
  • Patent number: 4325531
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a plate which is secured to the bottom of the container and includes depending feet which are received into keyhole slots on front and rear mounting brackets separately secured to the carrier rack. When the container is lowered onto the mounting brackets and slid rearwardly, reduced neck portions on the feet of the bottom plate are received in narrowed portions of the keyhole slots; and a latch engages a pin on the bottom plate so that the container cannot be removed until the latch is disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1982
    Inventor: Bruce D. Omholt
  • Patent number: 4305266
    Abstract: A locking apparatus for portable devices and having a base member for securing to a surface, the base member having a conically tapered receptacle for rotatably receiving a similarly configured bearing plug of a base plate member configured for securing to a portable device. The bearing plug is provided with a reduced diameter portion in alignment with the lock pin of a key operated lock, movement of the lock pin into the neck portion retaining the base plate member relative to the base member while permitting rotation of the base plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1981
    Inventor: Robert G. Lockwood
  • Patent number: 4300371
    Abstract: A security attachment that discourages thievery of office and work machines and the like from support furniture too difficult to asport, and comprised of a furniture receptacle and cover plate combination which includes the reception of a lock barrel applied through the bottom cover of the machine by means of a key and to which a cable lanyard is attached and passed through the frame of the machine for its limited movement with respect to the furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1981
    Inventors: Dale L. Herwick, Michael W. Adams
  • Patent number: 4266703
    Abstract: A luggage box is located rearward of the driver's seat on a motorcycle and can be slidably adjusted to be located near or away from the driver's seat and releasably locked in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1981
    Inventor: Reuben Litz
  • Patent number: 4257544
    Abstract: Set out herein is a detachable motorcycle rack assembly which by way of an attachment fixture may be mounted on various motorcycles. The attachment fixture itself includes a strap or a bar provided with a mounting block which includes an offset tab having a longitudinal slot formed therein terminating in an enlarged opening. The rack, in turn, includes a lock having a rotatable insert of elongate section, the section being dimensioned to pass through the slot at one angular alignment thereof and to oppose withdrawal from a slot in a second angular alignment thereof. In this manner the rack may be mounted or demounted from the motorcycle by the simple turning of a key in a structure which is rugged and adapted for motorcycle use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1981
    Inventor: Barry Dierkes
  • Patent number: 4228983
    Abstract: The outboard motor locking device includes a block which is fixed to the inner wall of the transom of a rowboat and which has a pair of downwardly extending clamp screw receiving slots that are adapted to receive the clamping screws of an outboard motor mounting clamp. Within the block between the slots is a cavity and an arm is rotatably mounted therein about the midpoint thereof. A pin is pivotally connected to each end of the arm and each pin is received in a pin hole which traverses and extends across one of the slots. A key operated lock is connected to the arm for rotating the arm to move th pins into and out of latching positions across the slots for locking the clamp screws within the slots. The locking device further includes a cover which is pivotally mounted to one side of the block and is receivable over the outer ends of the clamp screws and a portion of the outboard motor mounting clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1980
    Inventor: John H. Bowman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4226399
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for effectuating the locking of individual gun barrels to a wall or gun case which includes at least one rotatable jaw which is in opposition to an opposite jaw. The opposite jaw may be either rotatable or fixed. The configuration of the jaws causes them, when locked, to envelope or encircle the gun barrel thereby locking the gun in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1980
    Inventor: George H. Henderson
  • Patent number: 4223542
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pilfer prevention device adapted to be readily connected between an article to be secured, such as a television set, typewriter, etc. and a fixed location so as to discourage unauthorized removal. The device includes a mounting assembly readily connectible to the article, an elongate cable assembly extending therefrom, and a mounting fixture adapted to be connected to a desk, table or like fixed object. The device is characterized by lockable release means on the mounting assembly which, in the locked position, prevents access to the fastening means by which the apparatus is connected to the fixed object and to the article to be protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1980
    Inventor: Mark T. Basseches
  • Patent number: 4201398
    Abstract: The device is provided in a two-wheeled vehicle comprising a tubular steering head, a tubular fork shaft rotatably mounted in said tubular steering head and having a shell aperture, two fork blades, upper and lower fork bridges firmly connecting said fork blades to said fork shaft, and a steering lock having a bolt and operable to move said bolt into said tubular fork shaft through said shell opening to said locking position, and out of said tubular fork shaft. A rod is longitudinally slidably mounted in said tubular fork shaft and has a lower end portion which is enlarged in width and extends under said bolt when the latter is in said locking position. A hook is secured to said lock and movable therewith between a lower position, in which said hook cooperates with said upper fork bridge to form a closed latch therewith, and an upper position, in which said hook is spaced above said upper fork bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1980
    Assignee: Steyr-Daimler-Puch Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Karl Meier
  • Patent number: 4170324
    Abstract: A bracket mounting assembly for mounting an object to a stationary plate, in general, and in particular for mounting a CB radio or the like in a motor vehicle. Although the bracket mounting assembly is detachable, and readily installable, by an authorized person, no access is available to the mounting portions thereof from the exterior so that an unauthorized individual attempting to remove the object must either destroy the stationary plate, the object, or the several structural components of the mounting assembly. The assembly includes first and second general U-shaped members, fasteners for fastening the object to both of the first and second members extending from the interior of the object into operative association with each leg of the second member, and second fasteners for fastening the second member to the stationary plate, the cross portion of the first U-shaped member covering the second fasteners when the bracket is assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1979
    Assignee: Potomac Applied Mechanics, Inc.
    Inventor: James H. Stubbings
  • Patent number: 4170334
    Abstract: A bracket for deterring the theft of smoke alarms attached to the surface of a room, such as the ceiling. The bracket includes two rigid metal strips coupled together by a hinge. One of the strips attaches to the wall behind the smoke alarm. Preferably, the screws holding the smoke alarm to the wall pass through holes in this part of the bracket and hold it between the wall and the alarm. After the attachment of the first strip to the wall, the second part of the bracket may then swing over the smoke alarm and connect up to the first with a lock. The lock, typically actuated by a key, deters or prevents the unauthorized separation of the bracket's parts. Hence, it limits access into the alarm itself, required to unfasten the screws holding it to the wall. Typically, the cover of the smoke alarm has two portions engaging each other, with one fitting inside the other. The bracket prevents the two halves of the cover from disengaging to allow access to the screws on the inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1979
    Inventor: Charles V. Villanueva