Stepless electronic lock

Abstract

The present invention is a stepless electronic device lock comprising a fixing member, a position adjustment mechanism, an actuating mechanism, an unlocking operating member, and a lock. The actuating mechanism enables the fixing member to expand and lock into the anti-theft aperture of the electronic device according to the current position of the position adjustment mechanism, while the unlocking operating member retracts the fixing member. By separating the position adjustment (position adjustment mechanism) from the actuation of the fixing member (actuating mechanism), the actuation (expansion and retraction) of the fixing member does not affect the position. Therefore, an unlocking operating member can be provided to act on the actuating mechanism to unlock (retract the fixing member), eliminating the need for reverse rotation and position adjustment, allowing for quick unlocking. Since the unlocking process does not change the position, when the lock is reused in the same anti-theft aperture, the fixing member can be directly expanded after insertion. Therefore, even with a stepless design, the same position can be maintained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a lock for an electronic device, in particular to a stepless lock for a notebook computer. Background Art

[0002] Conventional electronic devices, especially portable electronic devices such as laptop computers, are usually provided with an anti-theft hole for use with a specific lock, such as a laptop computer lock, so that the laptop computer is locked in a specific position to prevent theft.

[0003] In the prior art, the security holes of laptop computers have at least three different specifications (widths), and manufacturers have also developed multi-stage adjustable locks to allow users to adjust them to the position corresponding to their laptop computers.

[0004] Conventional multi-stage adjustable locks, whether fixed-stage (e.g., three-stage) or stepless, require first inserting two hooks into the security hole of a laptop computer. Then, by switching the stages (e.g., turning a knob), the two hooks are unfolded and locked in the security hole. Then, depending on the type of lock, the key is removed from the key lock or the combination of the combination lock is confused, so that the two hooks cannot be retracted and removed from the security hole.

[0005] However, when unlocking a lock in the prior art, after inserting a key or turning the correct combination, the lock needs to be adjusted in the reverse direction (for example, by turning the knob in the reverse direction) until the two hooks are retracted to the minimum angle, so that the lock can be separated from the laptop, which is quite inconvenient to use.

[0006] In particular, when the above structure is applied to a stepless lock, it has the following disadvantages:

[0007] First, the stepless lock gradually opens the hook by turning the knob. Therefore, if the width of the anti-theft hole is large, it will take a certain amount of time to turn the knob several times to open the hook to the required degree. Therefore, it takes a lot of time to re-lock the lock each time, which is very inconvenient to use.

[0008] Second, the knob must be turned the same number of times when locking as when unlocking, so it is quite time-consuming to use.

[0009] Third, the stepless lock does not have a fixed stage, so each time the lock is re-locked, it cannot be ensured that it is rotated to the same extension degree. Summary of the Invention

[0010] In view of the above-mentioned shortcomings and deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a stepless electronic device lock that can be unlocked quickly, and the unlocking action does not affect the level. Therefore, the level only needs to be adjusted once, and then it can be locked again at the same level, which is convenient to use.

[0011] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose of the invention, the technical means adopted by the present invention is to design a stepless electronic device lock, which is used to fix the electronic device. The electronic device has an anti-theft hole. The stepless electronic device lock includes

[0012] a fixing member, which is used to be inserted into the anti-theft hole of the electronic device;

[0013] Rank adjustment organization;

[0014] an actuating mechanism connecting the fixing member and the position adjustment mechanism, the actuating mechanism enabling the fixing member to be deployed and fixed in the anti-theft hole according to the current position of the position adjustment mechanism;

[0015] an unlocking operating member connected to the actuating mechanism, the unlocking operating member being movable to an unlocking position so that the fixing member is retracted and no longer engages the anti-theft hole;

[0016] a lock, which, when in a locked state, fixes the current position of the position adjustment mechanism and prevents the unlocking operating member from moving to the unlocking position;

[0017] The actuating mechanism includes a spindle that tends to move toward the fixing member, and the movement of the spindle toward the fixing member causes the fixing member to expand according to the current position of the position adjustment mechanism and be fixed in the anti-theft hole; the unlocking operating member is connected to the spindle, and when the unlocking operating member moves to the unlocking position, the spindle moves away from the fixing member;

[0018] The unlocking operating member is formed with a screw hole, the spindle passes through the screw hole and is screwed into the screw hole, and the level adjustment mechanism causes the spindle to rotate relative to the unlocking operating member.

[0019] The advantage of the present invention is that the stage adjustment (stage adjustment mechanism) of the present invention and the actuation of the fixing part (actuating mechanism) are actuated separately. In other words, the actuation (expansion and folding) of the fixing part will not affect the stage. Therefore, an unlocking operating part can be provided to act on the actuating mechanism to unlock, that is, the fixing part can be folded to disengage from the anti-theft hole through the unlocking operating part without the need for reverse rotation and adjustment of the stage, thereby achieving the purpose of quick unlocking. In addition, since the unlocking process does not change the stage, when it is used again in an anti-theft hole of the same specification, the fixing part can be directly unfolded after insertion to be unfolded again with the previous stage. In this way, even a stepless structure can maintain the same stage. Finally, since there is no need to readjust the stage, even if the width of the anti-theft hole is larger, it only takes more time to adjust the stage when used for the first time, so it is convenient to use.

[0020] A further improvement of the stepless electronic device lock of the present invention is that after the spindle of the actuating mechanism moves toward the fixing member, the spindle pushes against the fixing member so that the fixing member is unfolded according to the current position of the position adjustment mechanism and is fixed in the anti-theft hole.

[0021] A further improvement of the stepless electronic device lock of the present invention is that the lock has a retractable engaging member that abuts against the unlocking operating member or the spindle; when the lock is in the locked state, the engaging member cannot retract, thereby preventing the unlocking operating member from moving to the unlocking position.

[0022] A further improvement of the stepless electronic device lock of the present invention is that the lock has a retractable engaging member, which engages the unlocking operating member or the spindle when the unlocking operating member is in the unlocking position; when the lock is in the locked state, the engaging member cannot be retracted, thereby fixing the unlocking operating member in the unlocking position.

[0023] A further improvement of the stepless electronic device lock of the present invention is that when the unlocking operating member is located at the unlocking position and the lock is in the locked state, the lock fixes the unlocking operating member at the unlocking position.

[0024] A further improvement of the stepless electronic device lock of the present invention is that the actuating mechanism includes a spindle elastic component that pushes the spindle toward the fixing member.

[0025] A further improvement of the stepless electronic device lock of the present invention is that the level adjustment mechanism adjusts the level by rotation, and the level adjustment mechanism or the actuating mechanism includes a plurality of anti-rotation parts; the lock has a retractable engaging member that tends to engage with one of the anti-rotation parts. When the lock is in the locked state, the engaging member cannot retract, thereby preventing the level adjustment mechanism or the actuating mechanism from rotating.

[0026] A further improvement of the stepless electronic device lock of the present invention is that the step adjustment mechanism adjusts the step by rotation, and the stepless electronic device lock includes a positioning member that tends to abut against the step adjustment mechanism or the actuating mechanism so that the step adjustment mechanism or the actuating mechanism tends to be positioned at a specific rotation angle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional appearance diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figures 2 to 3 FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figures 4 to 6 It is a top cross-sectional action diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figures 7 and 8It is a side sectional operation diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 9 It is a three-dimensional appearance diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figures 10 and 11 FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figures 12 to 13 It is a side sectional action diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The following further describes the technical means adopted by the present invention to achieve the predetermined purpose of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[0035] See also Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the stepless electronic device lock of the present invention is used to secure an electronic device having an anti-theft hole. The first embodiment of the stepless electronic device lock includes a fixing member 10, a step adjustment mechanism 20, an actuating mechanism 30, an unlocking operating member 50, and a lock 40. The electronic device is preferably a portable electronic device, and more specifically, a laptop computer, but is not limited thereto.

[0036] See also Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the fixing member 10 is used to be inserted into the anti-theft hole of the electronic device. In this embodiment, the fixing member 10 is two mutually pivoted hooks 11 cooperating with the hook elastic component 12 to make the two hooks 11 normally expand or retract, but the fixing member 10 is not limited to this structure.

[0037] See also Figures 2 to 5 As shown, the segment adjustment mechanism 20 is a stepless adjustment segment, which allows the fixing member 10 to have different expansion degrees (such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 Preferably, the level adjustment mechanism 20 is a knob located outside one axial end of the housing 60, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The level adjustment mechanism 20 may also be radially exposed (not necessarily protruding) from the annular wall surface of the housing 60.

[0038] The actuating mechanism 30 connects the fixing member 10 and the stage adjustment mechanism 20. The actuating mechanism 30 can cause the fixing member 10 to expand and be fixed in the anti-theft hole according to the current stage of the stage adjustment mechanism 20. Preferably, the actuating mechanism 30 includes a spindle 31. The shape of the spindle 31 is not limited to a thin rod, and can also be various shapes such as a cylinder. The spindle 31 tends to move toward the fixing member 10. Specifically, the actuating mechanism 30 further includes a spindle elastic component 33, which pushes the spindle 31 toward the fixing member 10. The movement of the spindle 31 toward the fixing member 10 causes the fixing member 10 to expand and be fixed in the anti-theft hole according to the current stage of the stage adjustment mechanism 20. After the spindle 31 moves, it can directly push against the fixing member 10 to expand it, or it can push against other components, and then the fixing member 10 can be expanded through other components. Preferably, the hook elastic component 12 of the fixing member 10 causes the inner ends of the two hooks 11 pivoted to each other to normally retract and the outer ends to normally retract. Therefore, when the spindle 31 is closer to the inner ends of the two hooks 11 of the fixing member 10, the inner ends of the two hooks 11 will be pushed further apart, and the outer ends of the two hooks 11 will be pushed further apart.

[0039] See also Figure 2 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the unlocking operating member 50 is connected to the actuating mechanism 30 and can be moved to the unlocked position, causing the fixing member 10 to retract and no longer engage the anti-theft hole. Preferably, the unlocking operating member 50 is connected to the spindle 31. When the unlocking operating member 50 moves to the unlocked position, it drives the spindle 31 away from the fixing member 10. At this time, the spindle 31 completely disengages from the inner ends of the two hooks 11, or partially disengages but does not stretch the inner ends of the two hooks 11 apart. The hook elastic assembly 12 causes both the inner and outer ends of the two hooks 11 to retract. Preferably, the unlocking operating member 50 and the movement direction of the spindle 31 are parallel, and the unlocking operating member 50 directly pulls the spindle 31, but this is not limited to this. The movement directions of the unlocking operating member 50 and the spindle 31 can also be non-parallel.

[0040] Furthermore, the unlocking operating member 50 is formed with a screw hole, and the spindle 31 is threaded through the screw hole, and the unlocking operating member 50 and the spindle 31 are driven by each other through the thread (such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown in FIG5 , the position adjustment mechanism 20 causes the spindle 31 to rotate relative to the unlocking operating member 50. Specifically, the position adjustment mechanism 20 is connected to the spindle 31, so the user can rotate the spindle 31 by operating (e.g., rotating) the position adjustment mechanism 20. When the spindle 31 is screwed and rotated relative to the unlocking operating member 50, the axial position of the spindle 31 (relative to the position of the unlocking operating member 50, as shown in FIG5 ) is changed. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown), the opening degree of the fixing member 10 (two hooks 11) is changed.

[0041] See also Figure 3 、 Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, when the lock 40 is in the locked state, the lock 40 fixes the current position of the position adjustment mechanism 20 (including direct and indirect fixation) and prevents the unlocking operating member 50 from moving to the unlocked position, even if the fixed member 10 cannot be changed to another position and returned to the closed state. Preferably, the lock 40 has a retractable engaging member 41 (such as a locking rod) that abuts against the unlocking operating member 50 (or the spindle 31). When the lock 40 is in the locked state, the engaging member 41 cannot be retracted, thereby preventing the unlocking operating member 50 from moving to the unlocked position, and the spindle 31 cannot move away from the fixed member 10, so that the fixed member 10 cannot be returned to the closed state. Specifically, when the engaging member 41 cannot be retracted, whether it abuts against the unlocking operating member 50 or the spindle 31, it can simultaneously prevent the spindle 31 and the unlocking operating member 50 from moving.

[0042] Preferably, when the unlocking operating member 50 is in the unlocking position and the lock 40 is in the locked state, the lock 40 fixes the unlocking operating member 50 in the unlocking position; specifically, when the unlocking operating member 50 is in the unlocking position, the engaging member 41 engages with the unlocking groove 51 (such as the backing groove 52) of the unlocking operating member 50 (or the spindle 31). Figure 8 If the locking state is changed to the locked state and the engaging member 41 cannot be retracted, the unlocking member 50 can be fixed in the unlocked position, and the spindle 31 can be kept away from the fixing member 10, so that the fixing member 10 can be kept in the retracted state. Whether the engaging member 41 engages the unlocking member 50 or the spindle 31, it can simultaneously fix the unlocking member 50 and the spindle 31.

[0043] In addition, the level adjustment mechanism 20 (or the spindle 31) includes a plurality of anti-rotation portions 21; the engaging member 41 of the lock 40 tends to engage with one of the anti-rotation portions 21. When the lock 40 is in the locked state, the engaging member 41 cannot retract, and the level adjustment mechanism 20 and the spindle 31 cannot rotate, thereby preventing the fixing member 10 from changing the level.

[0044] In addition, when the lock 40 is in the unlocked state and the engaging member 41 can be retracted, the level adjustment mechanism 20 and the spindle 31 can continue to rotate, and the engaging member 41 will continue to move up and down during the process. However, when the user releases the lock, the engaging member 41 will abut against the anti-rotation portion 21, thereby fixing the spindle 31 at a specific rotation angle, thereby allowing the stepless invention to be adjusted similarly to the stepless one.

[0045] See also Figures 4 to 6As shown, the position adjustment of the present invention (the position adjustment mechanism 20 causes the spindle 31 to rotate relative to the unlocking operating member 50 to screw and change the position of the spindle 31) and the actuation of the fixing member 10 (the spindle 31 pushes the fixing member 10 and the unlocking operating member 50 pulls back the spindle 31) are actuated separately. In other words, the actuation of the fixing member 10 (expanding and retracting) will not affect the position, that is, the unlocking operating member 50 pulling back the spindle 31 will not affect the current rotation angle of the spindle 31. Therefore, the fixing member 10 can be retracted to disengage from the anti-theft hole through the unlocking operating member 50 without the need for reverse rotation and adjustment of the position, thereby achieving the purpose of quick unlocking.

[0046] In addition, since the unlocking process does not change the position, when it is used again in an anti-theft hole of the same specification, the fixing part 10 can be directly unfolded after insertion (releasing the unlocking operating part 50 to allow the spindle elastic component 33 to push back the spindle 31 to push against the two hooks 11) to be unfolded again with the previous position (without changing the angle of the spindle 31). In this way, even if it is a stepless structure, the same position can be maintained; finally, since there is no need to readjust the position, even if the width of the anti-theft hole is larger, it only takes more time to adjust the position when it is used for the first time, so it is convenient to use.

[0047] See also Figures 9 to 13 As shown, the second embodiment of the stepless electronic device lock of the present invention is similar to the first embodiment, with the following main differences:

[0048] First, the lock 40 of the first embodiment is a combination lock, and the lock 40 of the second embodiment is a key lock.

[0049] Second, in the first embodiment, the engaging member 41 of the lock 40 is composed of two different parts to prevent the unlocking operating member 50 (or the spindle 31) from moving away from the fixing member 10 and to prevent the level adjustment mechanism 20 (or the spindle 31) from rotating. However, in the second embodiment, please refer to Figures 10 to 12 As shown, the engaging member 41 of the lock 40 is used at the same location to prevent the unlocking operating member 50 (or the spindle 31) from moving away from the fixing member 10 and to prevent the level adjustment mechanism 20 (or the spindle 31) from rotating.

[0050] Third, the second embodiment is provided with a positioning member 80, which tends to abut against the stage adjustment mechanism 20 (or the spindle 31) so that the spindle 31 tends to be positioned at a specific rotation angle; preferably, a plurality of positioning portions 22 (preferably grooves) are formed on the stage adjustment mechanism 20 (or the spindle 31) to cooperate with the positioning member 80, so that the stepless present invention can also be adjusted similarly to the stepless one.

[0051] The second embodiment of the present invention also separates the position adjustment from the actuation of the fixing member 10. Therefore, the fixing member can be quickly unlocked by retracting the fixing member using the unlocking operation. Furthermore, since the unlocking process does not affect the position, the fixing member 10 can be directly deployed upon insertion into the same security hole for repeated use, making it convenient to use.

[0052] The above description of the present invention is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the present invention in any form. Although the present invention has been disclosed as a preferred embodiment as above, it is not used to limit the present invention. Any ordinary technician in the technical field can make some changes or modifications to equivalent embodiments of equivalent changes using the technical content disclosed above without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. However, any simple modifications, equivalent changes and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention are still within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A stepless electronic device lock for fixing an electronic device having an anti-theft hole, characterized in that: The stepless electronic device lock comprises: a fixing member, which is used to be inserted into the anti-theft hole of the electronic device; Rank adjustment organization; an actuating mechanism connecting the fixing member and the position adjustment mechanism, wherein the actuating mechanism enables the fixing member to be unfolded and fixed in the anti-theft hole according to the current position of the position adjustment mechanism; an unlocking operating member connected to the actuating mechanism, the unlocking operating member being movable to an unlocking position so that the fixing member is retracted and no longer engages the anti-theft hole; a lock, which, when in a locked state, fixes the current position of the position adjustment mechanism and prevents the unlocking operating member from moving to the unlocking position; The actuating mechanism includes a spindle that tends to move toward the fixing member, and the movement of the spindle toward the fixing member causes the fixing member to expand according to the current position of the position adjustment mechanism and be fixed in the anti-theft hole; the unlocking operating member is connected to the spindle, and when the unlocking operating member moves to the unlocking position, the spindle moves away from the fixing member; The unlocking operating member is formed with a screw hole, the spindle passes through the screw hole and is screwed into the screw hole, and the level adjustment mechanism causes the spindle to rotate relative to the unlocking operating member.

2. The stepless electronic device lock according to claim 1, characterized in that: After the spindle of the actuating mechanism moves toward the fixing member, the spindle pushes against the fixing member so that the fixing member is unfolded according to the current position of the position adjustment mechanism and is fixed in the anti-theft hole.

3. The stepless electronic device lock according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lock has a retractable engaging member that abuts against the unlocking operating member or the spindle; when the lock is in a locked state, the engaging member cannot be retracted, thereby preventing the unlocking operating member from moving to the unlocking position.

4. The stepless electronic device lock according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lock has a retractable engaging member, which engages the unlocking operating member or the spindle when the unlocking operating member is in the unlocking position; when the lock is in the locked state, the engaging member cannot be retracted, thereby fixing the unlocking operating member in the unlocking position.

5. The stepless electronic device lock according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the unlocking operating member is located at the unlocking position and the lock is in a locked state, the lock fixes the unlocking operating member at the unlocking position.

6. The stepless electronic device lock according to claim 1, characterized in that: The actuating mechanism includes a spindle elastic component that pushes the spindle toward the fixing member.

7. The stepless electronic device lock according to claim 1, characterized in that: The grade adjustment mechanism adjusts the grade by rotating, and the grade adjustment mechanism or the actuating mechanism includes a plurality of anti-rotation parts; the lock has a retractable engaging member, which tends to engage with the anti-rotation part. When the lock is in a locked state, the engaging member cannot be retracted, so that the grade adjustment mechanism or the actuating mechanism cannot rotate.

8. The stepless electronic device lock according to claim 1, characterized in that: The position adjustment mechanism adjusts the position by rotating, and the stepless electronic device lock includes a positioning member, which tends to abut against the position adjustment mechanism or the actuating mechanism so that the position adjustment mechanism or the actuating mechanism tends to be positioned at a specific rotation angle.

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