Locking device for computer equipment extension arm

Abstract

The present invention provides a locking device for a computer equipment extension arm. The locking device prevents theft of electronic equipment by securely fastening an equipment extension arm to another object, such as a piece of furniture, a wall, a section of an office cubicle, etc. Specifically, a locking member is provided, which prevents the equipment extension arm from being removed from the mounting assembly. Additionally, uncommon or specially shaped fastener heads may be provided to prevent tampering.

1 . A locking apparatus for supporting an extension arm which positions a user device, the locking apparatus comprising:
 a mounting member for supporting the extension arm, the mounting member having a receptacle therein aligned along an axis; and   a locking member for securing the extension arm to the mounting member, the locking member including a plurality of locking tabs for securing the locking member to the mounting member, the locking tabs being received within the receptacle of the mounting member.   
   
   
       2 . The locking apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a locking surface disposed within the receptacle, the locking surface being operable to engage the locking tabs to prevent removal of the locking member from the receptacle. 
   
   
       3 . The locking apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each locking tab has a first end disposed on a central portion of the locking member and a second end remote therefrom. 
   
   
       4 . The locking apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein each locking tab is substantially arcuate from the first end to the second end. 
   
   
       5 . The locking apparatus of  claim 2 , further including a bushing at least partly disposed within the receptacle of the mounting member, the bushing being operable to permit the extension arm to rotate about the axis. 
   
   
       6 . The locking apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the bushing is secured to the mounting member by a set screw. 
   
   
       7 . The locking apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the locking surface is disposed on the bushing. 
   
   
       8 . The locking apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the bushing is operable to receive a shaft of an endcap of the extension arm. 
   
   
       9 . The locking apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein each locking tab has a first end disposed on a central portion of the locking member and a second end remote therefrom, and each locking tab is substantially arcuate from the first end to the second end. 
   
   
       10 . The locking apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting member further includes a threaded opening disposed on a base surface thereof for fastening the mounting member to a work surface. 
   
   
       11 . The locking apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a connecting member attachable to the mounting member, whereby the mounting member may be fastened to a work surface with the connecting member. 
   
   
       12 . The locking apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a clamping assembly attached to the mounting member, whereby the mounting member may be clamped to a workspace object. 
   
   
       13 . A locking apparatus for supporting an extension arm that positions a user device relative to a workspace, the locking apparatus comprising:
 a mounting member for supporting the extension arm, the mounting member being operable to engage an endcap of the extension arm; and   means for locking the endcap of the extension arm to the mounting member.   
   
   
       14 . The locking apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the locking means includes a locking member secured to the endcap, the locking member being at least partly received within a receptacle in the mounting member, the locking member including a plurality of locking tabs for securing the locking member to the mounting member, each locking tab having a first end disposed on a central portion of the locking member and a second end remote therefrom. 
   
   
       15 . The locking apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein each locking tab is substantially arcuate from the first end to the second end. 
   
   
       16 . The locking apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the first end and the second end define a line therebetween, the line being at an angle of between  259  and  452  relative to the central portion. 
   
   
       17 . The locking apparatus of  claim 14 , further including a bushing at least partly disposed within the receptacle of the mounting member, the bushing being operable to receive the shaft, the bushing being operable to permit the extension arm to rotate about an axis, the bushing having a locking surface disposed thereon, the locking surface being operable to engage the second ends of the locking tabs. 
   
   
       18 . A system for securing and positioning a user device relative to a workspace, comprising:
 an extension arm for positioning the user device relative to the workspace, the extension arm having an endcap at a first end thereof;   a mounting member for supporting the extension arm and for securing the extension arm to the workspace, the mounting member having a receptacle therein aligned along an axis, the receptacle being operable to receive a shaft of the endcap;   a locking member for securing the extension arm to the mounting member, the locking member being secured to the shaft of the endcap, the locking member including a plurality of locking tabs for securing the locking member to the mounting member when the locking tabs are received within the receptacle of the mounting member; and   a locking surface disposed within the receptacle, the locking surface being operable to engage the locking tabs to prevent removal of the locking member and the shaft of the endcap from the receptacle.   
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the locking member is integrally formed with the shaft on the endcap of the extension arm. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the locking member is affixedly secured to the shaft on the endcap of the extension arm. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the locking member is secured to the shaft by a fastener. 
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 18 , further including an opening disposed on a base surface of the mounting member for fastening the mounting member to a surface of the workspace, the opening being operable to provide access to a release mechanism of the locking member for disengaging the locking tabs from the locking surface when the base surface is not fastened to the workspace surface. 
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 18 , further including a clamping assembly attached to the mounting member, whereby the mounting member may be attached to a workspace object, the clamping assembly including a clamping bolt for threadedly clamping onto the workspace object. 
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 18 , further including a tilting device secured to the user device and connecting the user device to the extension arm. 
   
   
       25 . A method of securing a user device to a workspace, comprising:
 providing an extension arm for positioning the user device relative to the workspace, the extension arm having an endcap at a first end thereof;   connecting the user device to a second end of the extension arm;   providing a mounting member for supporting the extension arm, the mounting member having a receptacle therein aligned along an axis, the receptacle being operable to receive a shaft of the endcap;   providing a locking member for securing the extension arm to the mounting member, the locking member including a plurality of locking tabs for securing the locking member to the mounting member;   inserting the locking member and the shaft of the first endcap within the receptacle; and   engaging the locking tabs with a locking surface in the receptacle so that the locking surface prevents disengagement of the locking member and the shaft from the receptacle of the mounting member.   
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , further including inserting a bushing at least partly into the receptacle before inserting the shaft and the locking member into the receptacle, the bushing permitting the extension arm to rotate about the axis to enable positioning of the user device about the workspace, the bushing having the locking surface disposed thereon. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 25 , further including securing the mounting member to the work surface so that access to the locking member in the receptacle is prevented. 
   
   
       28 . An apparatus for locking an extension arm to a mounting member, the extension arm positioning a user device apart from the mounting member, the extension arm having an endcap at a first end thereof, the mounting member having a receptacle therein, the receptacle including a locking surface disposed therein and the receptacle being operable to receive the locking apparatus and a shaft of the endcap therein, the apparatus comprising a locking member operable to be connected to the shaft of the endcap, the locking member being operable to be at least partly received within the receptacle of the mounting member, the locking member having a central portion and a plurality of locking tabs, each locking tab having a first end disposed on the central portion and a second end remote therefrom, the second end being operable to engage the locking surface within the receptacle to prevent removal of the locking member and the shaft of the endcap from the receptacle.