U.S. patent application number 14/994558 was filed with the patent office on 2017-07-13 for notebook, laptop or portable computer power adapter with security lock.
The applicant listed for this patent is International Business Machines Corporation. Invention is credited to XINGQUAN DONG, ZHAO LIN, LICEN MU, QIUYI YU, WEIFENG ZHANG.
Application Number | 20170201043 14/994558 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59275996 |
Filed Date | 2017-07-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170201043 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DONG; XINGQUAN ; et
al. |
July 13, 2017 |
NOTEBOOK, LAPTOP OR PORTABLE COMPUTER POWER ADAPTER WITH SECURITY
LOCK
Abstract
A power adapter is provided for a computer including a power
port and a housing defining an aperture. The power adapter includes
a power head, a lock head disposed on the power head and a main
housing including a body affixed to a security element, wiring for
supplying power to the computer extending through the body to the
power head and a lock system selectively actuatable with a key to
orient the lock head in first and second orientations. The first
orientation is characterized in that the power head is movable
relative to the aperture for power head insertion into and removal
from the power port. The second orientation is characterized in
that the power head is immovable relative to the aperture.
Inventors: |
DONG; XINGQUAN; (Baoshan,
CH) ; LIN; ZHAO; (Nanshan, CH) ; MU;
LICEN; (Shenzhen, CH) ; YU; QIUYI; (Nanshan,
CH) ; ZHANG; WEIFENG; (Shenzhen City, CH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
International Business Machines Corporation |
Armonk |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59275996 |
Appl. No.: |
14/994558 |
Filed: |
January 13, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/26 20130101; G06F
21/70 20130101; G06F 21/88 20130101; G06F 2200/1639 20130101; G06F
13/40 20130101; H01R 13/639 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01R 13/639 20060101
H01R013/639 |
Claims
1. A power adapter for a computer including a power port and a
housing defining an aperture, the power adapter comprising: a power
head; a lock head disposed on the power head; and a main housing
including a body affixed to a security element, wiring for
supplying power to the computer extending through the body to the
power head and a lock system selectively actuatable with a key to
orient the lock head in: a first orientation characterized in that
the power head is movable relative to the aperture for power head
insertion into and removal from the power port, and a second
orientation characterized in that the power head is immovable
relative to the aperture.
2. The power adapter according to claim 1, wherein the main housing
comprises a tubular body and lateral protrusions extending from the
tubular body.
3. The power adapter according to claim 1, wherein the power head
comprises a tubular body.
4. The power adapter according to claim 1, wherein the lock head is
integrally coupled to the power head and has a rectangular
cross-sectional shape.
5. The power adapter according to claim 1, further comprising a
user identification element disposed on the main housing.
6. A power adapter for a computer including a power port and a
housing defining an aperture, the power adapter comprising: a main
housing affixed to a security element; a key housing securely
rotatable relative to the main housing to assume first and second
rotational positions; a power head insertable into the power port
and rotatably coupled to the main housing to be rotated relative to
the main housing with the key housing; wiring configured to supply
power to the computer extending into and through the main housing
to the power head; and a lock head disposed on the power head and
configured to assume first and second orientations respectively
associated with the first and second rotational positions of the
key housing and to permit or prevent power head movements relative
to the power port in the first and second orientations,
respectively.
7. The power adapter according to claim 6, wherein the main housing
comprises a tubular body and lateral protrusions extending from the
tubular body.
8. The power adapter according to claim 6, wherein the key housing
is receptive of and rotatable by a key.
9. The power adapter according to claim 6, wherein the key housing
is disposed within a recess defined by the main housing.
10. The power adapter according to claim 6, wherein the key housing
is disposed adjacent to the main housing.
11. The power adapter according to claim 6, wherein the power head
comprises a tubular body.
12. The power adapter according to claim 6, wherein the lock head
is integrally coupled to the power head and has a rectangular
cross-sectional shape.
13. The power adapter according to claim 6, further comprising a
user identification element disposed on the main housing.
14. A computer, comprising: an inner housing formed to define a
power port; an outer housing formed to define an aperture proximate
to the power port; a power adapter comprising a power head, a lock
head disposed on the power head and a main housing including a body
affixed to a security element, wiring for supplying power to the
computer extending through the body to the power head and a lock
system selectively actuatable with a key to orient the lock head
in: a first orientation characterized in that the power head is
movable relative to the aperture for power head insertion into and
removal from the power port, and a second orientation characterized
in that the power head is immovable relative to the aperture.
15. The computer according to claim 14, wherein the computer is
provided as a notebook, laptop or portable computer.
16. The computer according to claim 14, wherein: the power port and
the power head have complementary cylindrical shapes, and the
aperture and the lock head have complementary rectangular
shapes.
17. The computer according to claim 16, wherein the aperture is
aligned with a longitudinal axis of the power port.
18. The computer according to claim 16, wherein a thickness of the
lock head is substantially similar to a distance between the inner
and outer housings.
19. The computer according to claim 14, further comprising a sensor
disposed on the outer housing to determine a lock head
orientation.
20. The computer according to claim 14, further comprising a user
identification element disposed on the main housing.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to power adapters and, more
specifically, to power adapters with safety security locks for
notebooks, laptops or portable computers.
[0002] Users often have a need to use portable computers, such as
smartphones, tablets and laptop computers, when they move from
place to place or travel. In these cases, the users need to
periodically charge their computers and take caution to insure that
they are not stolen. Typically, portable computers, such as
laptops, are charged by plugging them into a wall socket using a
power adapter and leaving them in that condition for a given period
of time during which the computer battery recharges. Meanwhile,
portable computers may be secured or prevented from being stolen by
way of flexible computer locks that attach to both the portable
computer and a nearby fixed item.
[0003] The need for users to plug in their portable computers and
secure them in separate operations may, in some circumstances, lead
to the users ignoring at least one of the actions. Since users are
primarily concerned with using their portable computers, security
is often skipped or ignored. This leads to an unsafe condition in
which portable computers can be stolen and the data stored thereon
stolen or lost.
SUMMARY
[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a power
adapter is provided for a computer including a power port and a
housing defining an aperture. The power adapter includes a power
head, a lock head disposed on the power head and a main housing
including a body affixed to a security element, wiring for
supplying power to the computer extending through the body to the
power head and a lock system selectively actuatable with a key to
orient the lock head in first and second orientations. The first
orientation is characterized in that the power head is movable
relative to the aperture for power head insertion into and removal
from the power port. The second orientation is characterized in
that the power head is immovable relative to the aperture. The
present invention relates to power adapters and, more specifically,
to power adapters with safety security locks for notebooks, laptops
or portable computers.
[0005] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
power adapter is provided for a computer including a power port and
a housing defining an aperture. The power adapter includes a main
housing affixed to a security element, a key housing securely
rotatable relative to the main housing to assume first and second
rotational positions, a power head insertable into the power port
and rotatably coupled to the main housing to be rotated relative to
the main housing with the key housing, wiring configured to supply
power to the computer extending into and through the main housing
to the power head and a lock head. The lock head is disposed on the
power head and configured to assume first and second orientations
respectively associated with the first and second rotational
positions of the key housing and to permit or prevent power head
movements relative to the power port in the first and second
orientations, respectively.
[0006] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
computer is provided and includes an inner housing formed to define
a power port, an outer housing formed to define an aperture
proximate to the power port and a power adapter. The power adapter
includes a power head, a lock head disposed on the power head and a
main housing. The main housing includes a body affixed to a
security element, wiring for supplying power to the computer
extending through the body to the power head and a lock system. The
lock system is selectively actuatable with a key to orient the lock
head in first and second orientations. The first orientation is
characterized in that the power head is movable relative to the
aperture for power head insertion into and removal from the power
port. The second orientation is characterized in that the power
head is immovable relative to the aperture.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is
particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at
the conclusion of the specification. The forgoing and other
features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a portable laptop computer in
accordance with embodiments;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a top-down view of a portion of the portable
laptop computer of FIG. 1 including a power port;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a side view of the portion of the portable laptop
computer of FIGS. 1 and 2 including the power port;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a power adapter in
accordance with embodiments;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a side view of the power adapter of FIG. 4;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a top-down schematic illustration of components of
the power adapter of FIG. 4 in accordance with embodiments;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a top-down schematic illustration of components of
the power adapter of FIG. 4 in accordance with alternative
embodiments;
[0015] FIG. 8A is a top-down view of a power head of the power
adapter approaching the power port of the portable laptop computer
of FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0016] FIG. 8B is a top-down view of the power head being inserted
into the power port of the portable laptop computer of FIGS. 1 and
2;
[0017] FIG. 8C is a top-down view of a lock head of the power
adapter locking the power head in place;
[0018] FIG. 9A is a side view of the power head being inserted into
the power port of the portable laptop computer of FIGS. 1 and 2;
and
[0019] FIG. 9B is a side view of the lock head locking the power
head in place.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] As will be described below, a power adapter for a portable
computing device, such as a laptop computer, is provided as a
single unit that fulfills multiple functions at the same time. The
power adapter serves to provide power to the portable computing
device and locks the portable computing device. Thus, a user does
not need to execute both functions himself.
[0021] With reference to FIGS. 1-3, a computer 10 is provided. The
computer 10 may be configured as a portable computer and may be
particularly configured as a tablet, a smartphone or a laptop
computer 11 as shown in FIG. 1. For purposes of clarity and
brevity, the following description will relate to the case where
the computer 10 is configured as the laptop computer 11. It is to
be understood, however, that this is not meant to otherwise limit
or narrow the scope of the description and that other suitable
configurations are possible.
[0022] The laptop computer 11 includes a base 110, a display
portion 111 and a hinge 112. The base 110 includes a housing 12
that is supportive of user input elements, such as a keyboard, a
mouse pad and right- and left-click buttons, and which encompasses
electrical components, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a
memory unit, a hard drive and a networking unit. The display
portion 111 has a screen by which graphical user interfaces are
displayable to the user and the hinge 112 allows the display unit
111 to fold over a top surface of the base 110 to close the laptop
computer 11.
[0023] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 12 includes an inner
housing 120 and an outer housing 121 at least near a rear corner of
the base 110 proximate to the hinge 112. The inner housing 120 is
formed to define a power port 13 by which the laptop computer 11 is
receptive of power in the form of alternating current (AC). The
power port 13 may, in some cases, have a generally cylindrical
cross-sectional shape. However, it is to be understood that this is
not required in all cases and that the power port 13 may have a
polygonal or rectangular shape as well. In any case, the power port
13 is provided as a recess within the inner housing 120 from an
exterior facing surface thereof and includes an outer conductor 130
and an inner conductor 131 disposed within the outer conductor 130.
The outer housing 121 is disposed at a distance D from the inner
housing 120 to define a space 122 between the exterior facing
surface of the inner housing 120 and an interior facing surface of
the outer housing 121. The outer housing 121 is formed to define an
aperture 14, which may be substantially aligned with a longitudinal
axis of the power port 13. The aperture 14 may have a polygonal or
rectangular shape with a minor axis that may be slightly longer
than the diameter of the power port 13 and a major axis that may be
substantially longer than the diameter of the power port 13.
[0024] The laptop computer 11 may further include a sensor 15
disposed on the interior facing surface of the outer housing 121 at
a location proximate to the aperture 14. An operation of the sensor
15 will be described in greater detail below, however, it may be
understood that the sensor 15 can serve as a tool for sensing a
position (rotational or otherwise) of an object, such as the lock
head 28 to be described below) and, in some cases, may also serve
as a mechanical stopper for that object. In accordance with
embodiments, the sensor 15 may have an elongate body extending at
least partially from the interior facing surface of the outer
housing 121 to the exterior facing surface of the inner housing
120.
[0025] With continued reference to FIG. 1 and with additional
reference to FIGS. 4-7, a power adapter 20 may be provided for the
laptop computer 11 such that power in the form of AC can be
supplied to the laptop computer 11. The power adapter 20 includes a
flexible cord portion 21 that is made up of a live current wire and
a naught wire, a socket portion 22 at a first end of the cord
portion 21 and a head portion 23 at a second end of the cord
portion 21. The socket portion 22 is pluggable into a wall socket
and the head portion 23 is pluggable into the laptop computer 11.
The power adapter 20 may further include additional components such
as surge protectors for protecting the electrical components of the
laptop computer 11.
[0026] At the head portion 23, the power adapter 20 includes a main
housing 24, a key housing 25, a power head 26, wiring 27 and a lock
head 28. The main housing 24 is provided as a body 240 that may be
tubular in shape, for example, which is affixed to a security
element, such as a garrote wire 241 that may be looped around a
fixed item. The fixed item may be a desk, a wall mounted hook or
another suitable immovable element. Where the security element is a
garrote wire 241, the garrote wire 241 may be looped through a
through-hole defined by the body 240 of the main housing 24. The
main housing 24 may further include first and second lateral
protrusions 243 that extend in substantially similar and parallel
directions from a first axial face of the body 240 that faces the
laptop computer 11 during power supply operations.
[0027] In accordance with embodiments, the power adapter 20 may
further include a user identification element 30. The user
identification element 30 may be disposed on the main housing 24 or
on another suitable surface of the power adapter 20. The user
identification element 30 may be provided as a fingerprint scanner,
a voice recognition microphone or another suitable device for
facilitating identification of a user. In operation, the user
identification element 30 may serve to permit activation of the
power adapter 20 or the laptop computer 11 only upon validation
that a current user is an authorized user. The user identification
element 30 may be coupled with the CPU of the laptop computer 11 or
independently operable.
[0028] The key housing 25 is selectively and securely rotatable
relative to the main housing 24 to assume at least one of a first
rotational position and a second rotational position. As shown in
FIG. 6, the key housing 25 may be rotatably disposed within an
annular recess defined by the main housing 24 such that a second
axial face of the body 240 of the main housing 24 and a
corresponding axial face of the key housing 25 align with each
other. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, the key housing 25 may be
rotatably disposed adjacent to the main housing 24 such that the
second axial face of the body 240 of the main housing 24 and the
complementary axial face of the key housing 25 abut with one
another. In any case, the key housing 25 is formed to define a key
hole that is uniquely receptive of a single type of key 251, which
may be attachable to the cord portion 21 of the power adapter 20,
for example (see FIG. 1). The key housing 25 is exclusively
rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the main housing 24 and the
key housing 25 by a rotation of the key 251 to thereby assume the
at least one of first and second rotational positions.
[0029] The power head 26 is removably insertable into the power
port 13 and may have a complementary shape with respect to that of
the power port 13. Thus, where the power port 13 is cylindrical,
the power head 26 may include a tubular body 260 that has a
substantially cylindrical shape, which is sized to fit tightly in
the power port 13, as well as an outer conductor, an inner
conductor disposed within the outer conductor and dielectric
material insulating the inner conductor from the outer conductor.
In these or other cases, the power head 26 may have a first end
that is insertable into the power port 13 and a second end that is
rotatably coupled with the first axial face of the body 240 of the
main housing 24. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, either the power head
26 or the key housing 25 may include a connector 29 that extends
through the main housing 24 to thereby connect the power head 26
and the key housing 25. Thus, while the key housing 25 and the
power head 26 are both rotatable relative to the main housing 24,
the key housing 25 and the power head 26 rotate with each other
when the key housing 25 is selectively and securely rotated by the
key 251.
[0030] In accordance with embodiments, the complementary
cylindrical shapes of the power head 26 and the power port 13
permit the power head 26 to be rotated about the central
longitudinal axis of the power port 13. Additionally, the power
head 26 may be configured such that, as the power head 26 rotates
with the key housing 25, the outer and inner conductors of the
power head 26 remain in electrical contact with the corresponding
conductors of the power port 13. Thus, power may be continually
supplied to the laptop computer 11 once the power head 26 is
inserted into the power port 13 and while the power head 26 rotates
within the power port 13.
[0031] The wiring 27 is configured to supply power in the form of
the AC to the laptop computer 11 and extends into and through the
main housing 24 to the power head 26. In particular, the wiring 27
may include live current wiring 270 and naught wiring 271 in
correspondence with the live current wire and the naught wire of
the cord portion 21.
[0032] In accordance with embodiments, the body 240 of the main
housing 24 may include a boss 244 at an upper portion thereof as
well as an elongate member 245 that extends aftwardly from the boss
244. The live current wire and the naught wire of the cord portion
21 may be electrically coupled to the live current wiring 270 and
the naught wiring 271, respectively, at an aft end of the elongate
member 245 whereupon the live current wiring 270 and the naught
wiring 271 run forwardly through the main housing 24, radially at a
forward end of the main housing 24 proximate to the first axial
face and then through the power head 26 to be electrically coupled
with one of the outer and inner conductors.
[0033] The lock head 28 is disposed on the power head 26. In
accordance with embodiments, the lock head 28 may be integrally
connected to the power head 26 such that, as the power head 26
rotates with the key housing 25, the lock head 28 rotates with the
power head 26. In any case, the lock head 28 includes first portion
280 and second portion 281. The first portion 280 extends radially
outwardly from a first side of the power head 26 and may have a
concave inward end with an angular outward end. The second portion
281 extends radially outwardly from a second side of the power head
and may have a concave inward end with an angular outward end.
Thus, a cross-sectional shape of the lock head 28 as a whole may be
generally rectangular, for example.
[0034] With the configuration described above, the lock head 28 may
assume at least one of a first orientation and a second
orientation. The first orientation of the lock head 28 is
associated with an unlocked condition and the first rotational
position of the key housing 25 and the corresponding rotational
position of the power head 26. The second orientation of the lock
head 28 is associated with a locked condition and the second
rotational position of the key housing 25 and the corresponding
rotational position of the power head 26. As will be described
below, when the lock head 28 assumes the first orientation, the
lock head permits movements of the power head 26 relative to the
power port 13. That is, with the lock head 28 in the first
orientation, the lock head 28 is disposed to pass through the
aperture 14 such that the power head 26 is permitted to move
through the aperture 14 in a forward direction to insertably engage
with the power port 13 or in a reverse direction to removably
disengage from the power port 13. Conversely, with the lock head 28
in the second orientation, the lock head 28 is disposed to
interfere with the outer housing 121 such that the power head 26 is
prevented from moving through the aperture 14 in either the forward
or reverse directions. As such, with the lock head 28 in the second
orientation and the power head 26 inserted into the power port 13,
removal of the power head 26 from the power port 13 is
prevented.
[0035] In accordance with embodiments, the lock head 28 may have an
exemplary thickness T (see FIG. 4), which is substantially similar
to or narrower than the exemplary distance D (see FIG. 2) between
the exterior facing surface of the inner housing 120 and the
exterior facing surface of the outer housing 121. In addition, at
least one of the first and second portions 280 and 281 of the lock
head 28 may have sufficient length such that the at least one of
the first and second portions 280 and 281 extends to or near to the
sensor 15 of the laptop computer 11 such that the sensor 15 is able
to sense its position as part of a determination that the lock head
28 is properly disposed in the locked condition.
[0036] With reference to FIGS. 8A through 9B, an operation of the
power adapter 20 will now be described.
[0037] At an initial stage, the socket portion 22 of the power
adapter 20 is plugged into a wall socket and the head portion 23 is
positioned proximate to the power port 13. At this point, it is
assumed that the key housing 25, the power head 26 and the lock
head 28 are rotationally disposed with the lock head 28 in the
unlocked condition such that the power head 26, the lock head 28
and the first and second lateral protrusions 243 are disposed to
pass through the aperture 14 until the power head 26 becomes
inserted into the power port 13.
[0038] With the power head 26 then inserted into the power port 13,
the lock head 28 will have cleared the aperture 14 but the first
and second lateral protrusions 243 will remain slotted in the
aperture 14. The single key 251 is subsequently inserted into the
key hole of the key housing 25 such that the key housing 25, the
power head 26 and the lock head 28 can be rotated relative to the
main housing 24. The main housing 24 is rotationally fixed due to
the mechanical interference between the first and second lateral
protrusions 243 and the sidewalls of the aperture 14. The power
head 26 remains inserted in the power port 13 during the rotation
but the lock head 28 rotates from the first orientation to the
second orientation. Once the lock head 28 reaches the second
orientation, the lock head 28 is misaligned with the aperture 14
and the power adapter 20 will be prevented from being drawn away
from the power port 13 by the mechanical interference between the
lock head 28 and the interior surface of the outer housing 121. The
sensor 15 may be employed at this stage to determine whether the
lock head 28 has been fully disposed in the second orientation or
if further rotation of the key housing 25, the power head 26 and
the lock head 28 is needed or advisable.
[0039] When the power head 26 is inserted into the power port 13
and the lock head 28 is disposed in the second orientation, the
power adapter 20 is effectively locked in place and the laptop
computer 11 as a whole is similarly locked by the main housing 24
being affixed to the security element (i.e., the exemplary garrote
wire 241 being looped around a fixed item).
[0040] Withdrawal of the power adapter 20 can be executed in the
reverse order from what is described above. That is, the key
housing 25 can be un-rotated from the second rotational position to
the first rotational position such that the power head 26 and the
lock head 28 are correspondingly rotated. Once the lock head 28
reaches the first orientation, it is re-aligned with the aperture
14 such that the first and second lateral protrusions 243, the lock
head 28 and the power head 26 can be drawn away from the power port
13 and thus moved through the aperture 14.
[0041] The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present
invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are
not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments
disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope
and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used
herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the
embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement
over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of
ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed
herein.
* * * * *