USB port locking and blocking device

[0001] This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/838,591, filed on Aug. 17, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] (a) Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a lock for USB ports on personal computers and other electronic devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a locking device for locking and/or blocking a USB port and adjacent ports to prevent use of or removal of a cable from one or more ports.

[0004] (b) Description of the Related Art

[0005] Generally, universal serial bus (USB) ports provide a serial bus standard for connecting devices to computers. Most modern computers include at least one USB port. USB ports can also be used on video game consoles and personal digital assistants (PDAs), and even devices like televisions and home stereo equipment. They are used to connect peripherals such as mice, keyboards, gamepads, joysticks, scanners, digital cameras, printers, external storage, etc.

[0006] In addition, anyone with access to a computer's USB port can plug a portable flash drive or the like into the port and download information from the computer. This can be a security problem.

[0007] While others have attempted to solve this problem with locks including a control shaft which, when slid forward (i.e. toward the USB port), forces a claw on the back end of a resilient tab outward into a slot in the USB port, such a claw may become jammed inward with too much force or bent out of shape with repeated use. In addition, such a lock is capable of blocking use of only a single USB port, and does not address the issue of necessary external devices such as keyboards and mice. An example of such a lock is shown, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication no. 2003/0224637 to Ling.

[0008] Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a lock for a USB port with a more reliable securement mechanism, as well as a lock capable of blocking use of more than one port simultaneously and/or locking necessary external devices in place.

[0009] The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

[0010] A USB port lock according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a linear cam with a lock button at its back end, and a locking member pivotally connected at its back end to a retaining sheath, onto which a lock housing is mounted. The locking member's back end is bent, such that its front end is biased toward the interior of the lock. The locking member has protrusions on its front end, configured for insertion into openings of a USB port. When the lock button is depressed, the linear cam moves forward, pivoting the locking member such that its front end moves outward. The protrusions are then disposed in the holes of the USB port, securing the lock to the port.

[0011] In a first exemplary embodiment, a locking mechanism includes a front spring-loaded set of pins, which is biased backwards, cooperating with a rear set of pins. A locking latch cooperates with a notch in the lock housing to restrict rearward movement of the locking mechanism and linear cam. A linear cam return spring biases the locking mechanism and linear cam rearward, and a locking latch return spring biases the rear portion of the locking mechanism sideways, at which position the locking latch prevents rearward movement of the linear cam, retaining the lock in its locked position.

[0012] In a second exemplary embodiment, a locking mechanism includes an actuating member, such as a cable, and a separate lock. An internal return spring releases the locking mechanism upon removal of the actuating member.

[0013] A blocking plate according to an exemplary embodiment the present invention includes at least one opening slightly larger than the exterior dimensions of the retaining sheath of the lock, but smaller than the exterior dimensions of the lock housing. The retaining sheath is placed through the opening before the lock is inserted in the USB port.

[0014] A retaining bracket, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, keeps a USB plug in a USB port adjacent the port to which the lock is secured. The retaining bracket has a front face that defines an opening slightly larger than the exterior dimensions of the retaining sheath, but smaller than the exterior dimensions of the lock housing. The front face also defines an opening that is slightly larger than the exterior dimensions of the USB plug. The bracket's back face defines an opening slightly wider than the cable that connects the plug to an external device.

[0030] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a lock 2 with a housing 14 mounted onto a retaining sheath 12, which is insertable to a USB port. Locking member 8 is pivotally connected to the rear end of retaining sheath 12. Locking member 8 is provided with two protrusions 18, which correspond to standard openings in a USB port. Locking member 8 has a bent, preformed shape, such that in the absence of external forces it runs diagonally; its front end is farther inward than its back end 10. Lock 2 further includes lock button 6 which protrudes from the rear end of housing 14. Lock button 6 is depressible by a user to lock the lock 2. Referring also to FIGS. 2 and 3, lock button 6 is connected to linear cam 4, which pivots locking member 8 by cooperating with the ramped camming surface of locking member 8.

[0032] Retaining sheath 12 and locking member 8 may be made of steel and lock housing 14 may be made of polycarbonate and over-molded on retaining sheath 12. Lock 2 is thus resistant to being bent, broken, or crushed during storage or by a would-be thief. In addition, throughout repeated pivoting of locking member 8, the structural integrity of its back end 10 is not compromised.

[0033] FIGS. 2 and 3 are shown with the basic structure of a USB port 16 exposed so as to reveal the cooperation of lock 2 with the USB port 16. To lock use of USB port 16, a user inserts lock 2 into USB port 16 and depresses lock button 6, which is retained in the depressed position by means of locking mechanism 24, 50, which will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4-6. Linear cam 4 moves forward, pivoting locking member 8 outwards until it is at least approximately parallel to linear cam 4 and to the interior surface of USB port 16. Protrusions 18 on locking member 8 then protrude through opening 20 in retaining sheath 12, and into openings 22 in USB port 16, securing lock 2 to USB port 16. Protrusions 18 may be along the edges of locking member 8 and may be formed by bending up a portion of the material.

[0034] To unlock lock 2 and allow use of USB port 16, a user unlocks the locking mechanism, allowing linear cam 4 to slide back to its start position. Locking member 8 thus deflects to return to its preformed diagonal disposition. In this state, protrusions 18 are completely disposed within the interior of retaining sheath 12, and thus do not interfere with openings 22 in USB port 16, allowing lock 2 to be removed from USB port 16.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 4, in a first exemplary embodiment, locking mechanism 24 includes two sets of pins: a front spring-loaded set 26 which is biased backwards by springs 28, and a rear set 30 with an equal number of pins. Locking latch 32 cooperates with notch 40 to restrict rearward movement of locking mechanism 24. Linear cam return spring 34 biases locking mechanism 24 rearward, and locking latch return spring 36 biases the rear portion 38 of locking mechanism 24 sideways (down in FIG. 4).

[0036] When lock button 6 is depressed, locking latch return spring 36 forces the rear part 38 of locking mechanism 24 over (down), and locking latch 32 prevents it from moving rearward by means of its engagement with notch 40 in housing 14. Because lock button 6 is connected to linear cam 4, this keeps linear cam 4 forward and lock 2 in its locked position as seen in FIG. 3.

[0037] To unlock locking mechanism 24, a user inserts key 42 until its forward surface 44 abuts the rear surface of lock button 6. At this point, the rear pins 30 have been pushed by the biting 46 on key 42 until their forward surfaces are at shear line 48, and they, in turn, have pushed forward pins 26 until their rear surfaces are at shear line 48. Key 42 is now slid over (up in FIG. 4) against locking latch return spring 36, taking with it the rear portion 38 of locking mechanism 24, including locking latch 32 which no longer restrains rearward motion of locking mechanism 24. Linear cam return spring 34 forces the entire locking mechanism 24 rearward, taking with it linear cam 4 and thus releasing lock 2 to its unlocked position as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, allowing it to be removed from USB port 16.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 5-6, in a second exemplary embodiment, locking mechanism 50 includes an actuating member 52 and lock 54. When the actuating member 52 is removed, an internal return spring (not shown) releases locking mechanism 50. Actuating member 52 may comprise a cable or other partly flexible member. Alternatively, the hasp of a padlock (not shown) could be inserted directly to locking mechanism 50.

[0039] While exemplary locking mechanisms 24, 50 have been described for illustrative purposes, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto. For example, a cylindrical multiple dial combination lock as shown in the Assignee's copending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/821,463, Master Keyed Combination Lock, filed Jun. 22, 2007, may be easily adapted for use in the present invention by configuring the lock shaft disclosed therein to cooperate with linear cam 4. The said copending U.S. patent application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 7-7C, in a further exemplary embodiment, a blocking plate 56 includes at least one opening 58 slightly larger than the exterior dimensions of retaining sheath 12, but smaller than the exterior dimensions of lock housing 14. Retaining sheath 12 is inserted in opening 58 before lock 2 is inserted in USB port 16, such that once lock 2 has been secured to USB port 16, plate 56 cannot be removed from lock 2 and adjacent USB ports are blocked from use by blocking plate 56. In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B, only one opening 58 is provided in plate 56. FIG. 7A illustrates a blocking plate 56 configured to block access to a USB port in a “vertical” configuration with the port 16, i.e. below the opening 58 in the Figure. FIG. 7B illustrates a plate 56 configured to block a port in a “side-by-side” configuration the port 16, i.e. to the right of the opening 58 in the Figure. In a further exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7C, blocking plate 56 includes two openings 58 whose lengthwise axes are substantially perpendicular to one another, such that blocking plate 56 can be used on a variety of computer makes and models with different numbers and configurations of USB ports. (It should be noted that ports are typically parallel to one another; thus whichever opening 58 is not used does not provide access to a nearby port.) Alternatively, the dimensions of blocking plate 56 and the configuration of opening 58 may be specific to the make and model of computer for which blocking plate 56 is being used.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 8-10 and 13, retaining bracket 60, according to a first exemplary embodiment, keeps USB plug 62 in a USB port adjacent port 16 in the “vertical” configuration. Retaining bracket 60 has a front face 64 that defines an opening 66 slightly larger than the exterior dimensions of retaining sheath 12, but smaller than the exterior dimensions of lock housing 14, such that bracket 60 can be secured to port 16 in the same manner as blocking plate 56, as described above. It also defines an opening 68 that is slightly larger than the exterior dimensions of plug 62, and a central channel 70, slightly wider than plug 62, that connects openings 66, 68. The bracket's back face 72 defines an opening 74 which is slightly wider than cable 76 which connects plug 62 to an external device such as, for example, a mouse or a keyboard.

[0042] To lock plug 62 to a port adjacent port 16, a user first inserts plug 62 to retaining bracket 60 in the orientation seen in FIG. 11. Plug 62 is pulled all the way through bracket 60 in this orientation and then rotated 90° and slid to the orientation seen in FIG. 12. Plug 62 is pulled back through bracket 60 in this orientation to the position seen in FIG. 13. In this orientation, it cannot be removed by pulling backwards, as opening 74 is not big enough to allow plug 62 through. Lock 2 is then inserted to opening 66 and locked to USB port 16 as described above. Bracket 60 thus cannot be pulled backward because of lock 2 interfering with front face 64, and both ports are blocked from use.

[0043] In an alternative embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 14-15, retaining bracket 60a keeps USB plug 62 in a USB port adjacent port 16 in the “side-by-side” configuration. Retaining bracket 60a has a front face 64a that defines an opening 66a slightly larger than the exterior dimensions of retaining sheath 12, as described above. It also defines an opening 68a that is slightly larger than the exterior dimensions of plug 62. The bracket's back face 72a, and side face 73a, define an opening 74a which is slightly wider than cable 76.

[0044] To lock plug 62 to a port adjacent port 16, a user first inserts plug 62 to retaining bracket 60a by placing the plug 62 below the bracket 60a in FIG. 14, and pressing the cable 76 through the portion of the opening 74a on the side face 73a. The user then pulls the plug 62 upwards in FIG. 14 and secures the cable 76 in the portion of the opening 74a on the back face 72a. In this orientation, the plug 62 cannot be removed by pulling backwards, as opening 74a is not big enough to allow the plug 62 through. Lock 2 is then inserted to opening 66a and locked to USB port 16 as described above. Bracket 60a thus cannot be pulled backward because of lock 2 interfering with front face 64a, and both ports are blocked from use.

[0045] It should be appreciated that the bracket 60a could also be used, with minor modifications, to block a port adjacent port 16 in the “vertical” configuration, or any other configuration. The bracket 60a is illustrated for use in a “side-by-side” configuration of ports for exemplary purposes only.

[0046] While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.