GB2491095A

GB2491095A - A sensor attachment device

Info

Publication number: GB2491095A
Application number: GB1108024.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Stacey
Original assignee: STACEY EUROP Ltd
Current assignee: STACEY EUROP Ltd
Priority date: 2011-05-13
Filing date: 2011-05-13
Publication date: 2012-11-28
Also published as: GB201108024D0

Abstract

Device for releasable attachment of a sensor head 50 to a panel shaped substrate 60, comprising a nest 10 having a receptacle for mounting the sensor head. The device also has first and second arms 21,22 extending from the nest and first and second edge holder units 31, 32, used to grip opposing edge margins of the panel shaped substrate 60. The arms 21, 22 extend between the nest 10 and the edge holder units 31, 32, and at least the first arm is adjustable in length. The device has at least one bracket 41, 42 which retains the sensor head 50 in the nest 10 and at the same time secures the arm/arms 21, 22 relative to the nest in selected length adjusted condition. The panel shaped substrate may, for example, be a tablet computer or tablet form electronic device. Each edge holder preferably consists of opposed first and second jaws 33, 34; 35, 36 adjustably connected to each other to vary the spacing between their opposing surfaces, allowing the device to grasp objects of varying dimensions.

Description

A SENSOR ATTACHMENT DEVICE

TECHNiCAL FIELD

The present invention concerns a device for releasable attachment of a sensor, particularly but not exclusively a security sensor, to a panel shaped substrate or substrate part, particularly but not exclusively a tablet form computer or electronic book device, such as those sold under the registered trademarks iPad and Kindle.

BACKGROUND

Tablet form computers and electronic books are increasingly popular consumer products.

They are of relatively small size, light in weight and easily portable, and also, accordingly, 1 0 an easy target for theft. At retail point-of-sale it is desirable to secure such items against theft, but also to make them accessible to examination by potential purchasers.

Accordingly, they are typically secured by attachment to a security cable, rather than being locked away inside a security cabinet with windows. Security frames are known which have limbs engagable onto opposing sides and/or ends of such tablet form equipment and to which security cables are attachable, but these frames are constructed so as to fit the specific, different dimensions in terms of thickness and of length and/or width of each model of tablet form device from each manufacturer.

OBJECT OF INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide security connection means sufficiently adjustable to be employed with several different sizes of tablet form equipment. A further object is to provide means for simple yet reliable connection of an effective known security sensor head to a tablet form device.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to the present invention, a device for releasable attachment of a sensor head to a panel shape substrate or substrate part comprises a nest providing an open receptacle for the sensor head, opposing first and second arms extending from the nest, at least the first arm being adjustable in length, first and second edge holder units mounted to the first and second arms, respectively, for engagement of opposing side edges of the substrate, and at least one bracket for securing the first arm relative to the nest in a selected length adjusted condition of the first arm, and at the same time, retaining the sensor head in the nest receptacle.

Thus, in use, the first arm is adjusted to a selected length enabling the edge holder units to engage the opposing edges of the substrate with minimal play. The sensor head, to which security and power cables are connected, is then mounted into the receptacle. The bracket engages the sensor head before or after the sensor head is mounted into the receptacle and the bracket is then connected to the nest so as to I ix the length of the first arm and also hold the sensor head in position. The sensor head incorporates a suitable sensor, such as a pressure sensor or a proximity detector which can be configured to actuate, via the security cable, an alarm means if the bracket is subsequently disconnected from the nest.

In preferred practical embodiments of the device of the invention, both the first arm and the second arm are adjustable in length and two brackets are provided, the first bracket for securing the first arm relative to the nest in a selected length adjusted condition of the first arm and the second bracket for securing the second arm relative to the nest in a selected length adjusted condition of the second arm, both bracket serving, at the same time, to retain the sensor head in the nest receptacle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described further, by way of example, by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a practical embodiment of the attachment device of the invention showing how it is to be mounted onto a tablet form electronic device; and Figure 2 is a corresponding perspective view of the same embodiment when so mounted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrated embodiment of attachment device comprises a nest 10 from which first and second opposing arms, designated generally as 21, 22, extend. At the distal ends of the arms 21, 22, respective first and second edge holder units 31, 32 are provided. A pair of symmetrically configured brackets 41,42 are also provided as separate components which are securable, by two screws 49 each, onto opposing sides of the nest 10.

As shown in figure 1, the nest 10 is formed with a central well adapted in shape and size to provide a receptacle 12 in which a front face of a known sensor head 50 can be accommodated as well as respective flanges 45 of the brackets 41, 42 when fitted around the sensor head 50. In known manner, a power cable and a security cable in a common charge lead 52 connect into the sensor head 50.

The first arm 21 consists of three parts, namely a central threaded spindle or screw 23, a shaft 24 with a threaded bore which is connected to and extends from a first jaw 33 of the first edge holder unit 31, and an outer sleeve 25 having an outward flange 55 at one end.

As shown in figure 1, the screw 23 is inserted through an opening in the side of the nest 10 so that its head is retained in a counter sunk region inside the nest 10, and it is threadedly engaged in the bore of the shaft 24 to adjust the length of the first arm 21. The outer sleeve 25 merely fits around the inter-engaged spindle 23 and shaft 24, its purpose being to be held by the respective bracket 41, when that is subsequently attached in position.

The second arm 22 consists of three exactly corresponding parts, designated screw or spindle 26, shaft 27 and outer sleeve 28 respectively, the screw 26 being inserted through and extending from a corresponding aperture at the opposite side of the nest 10 to the first arm screw 23, and the shaft 27 being connected to a corresponding first jaw 34 of the second edge holder unit 32. This The screw 26 is threadedly adjustable in the bore of the shaft 27 in exactly the same manner as in the first arm 21.

The first and second edge holder units 31, 32 each include, in addition to aforesaid first jaws 33, 34, respective second jaws 35, 36. The second jaws are each of elongate strip like configuration, with L-shaped cross-section, providing an elongate surface, with optional padded layer 37, for example of rubber, to engage a respective edge margin at opposing locations of a major surface of a tablet form article 60, as shown in the drawings.

The respective first jaws 33, 34 each have a threaded stud 38 for threadedly engaging a threaded bore 39 in the respective second jaws 35, 36 in order to adjust the spacing between the respective pairs of jaws 33, 35 and 34, 36 respectively, as to match the thickness of the edge margin of the article 60, which is ideally gripped by the respective units 31, 32 with a minimum of play in a manner which avoid any risk of damage to the surface of the article. An additional pad 29, again for example of rubber, is shown for optional positioning between a distal portion of the first jaw 33, 35 in each case and the edge margin of the other major surface of the article 60 with which it makes contact.

The brackets 41, 42, each have a projection or tab 43 of a suitable size to engage in a respective opening/slot 44 in the casing of the sensor head 50. They also each have an arch shaped portion 45 suitably sized to fit over the respective outer sleeves 25, 28 of the first and second adjustable arms 21, 22.

The device as illustrated and described is envisaged as being assembled at the site of use at retail point of sale where tablet form electronic devices are to be displayed. The first action of an operative attending to assembly should be to wipe with an impregnated wiper all the surfaces of a tablet form device 60 to which the device is to be applied as well as wiping the holder unit jaws 33 -36, the rubber pads 29, 37 and the nest 10 to ensure cleanliness and potential for good contact, and allow solvent to evaporate.

Then, at one side of the tablet 60, the second jaw 35 of the first edge holder unit 31 is positioned with its padded layer 37 against the front surface margin at a desired location of attachment, generally centrally, and the respective first jaw 33 is threadedly engaged by its stud 38 into the bore 39 until the tablet edge is firmly gripped between the respective jaws 33, 35. The outer sleeve 25 of the first arm 21 is then slid over the projecting shaft 24, the end formed with the flange 55 being outermost. This is repeated in respect of the jaws 34, 36 of the second holder unit 32, and the respective second arm 22 so that the opposing edge locations of the tablet 60 have the gripper units 31, 32 fitted there to.

The nest 10 is then placed centrally on the rear surface of the article 60, as apparent in the drawings. The respective threaded spindles 23, 26 of the first and second arms 21, 22 are then inserted from inside the nest 10 and screwed into the respective shafts 24, 27 to the extent necessary to hold the nest 10 in its central position between the respective gripper units 31, 32. The sleeves 25, 28 are then slid along the shafts 24, 27 until their respective flanges 55 touch the sides of the nest 10.

The respective brackets 41, 42 are then connected to the sensor head by location of their projections/tabs 43 into the respective sensor head openings/slots 44. Thus connected together these are placed into the receptacle 11, and pushed down so that the arch like formations 45 feet firmly over the sleeves 25, 28. The screws 49 are then tightened to secure the brackets 41, 42 to the nest 10. At the same time, they secure the respective sleeves 25, 28, which are retained against sliding outwards by capture of the respective end flanges 55 inside the arch formations 45.

With the sensor head 50 operative, an alarm will be actuated if any attempt is made to release either one of the brackets 41, 42 by unscrewing the screws 49. Therefore, release of the tablet 60 by an authorised personnel and potential theft of same is prevented.

It will be appreciated that the adjustability of the spacing between jaws 33, 34 and 35, 36 allows this device to be adapted to fit to different thicknesses and therefore different models/manufactures of tablet device. Furthermore, the adjustability of the length of the first and second arms 21, in each case typically by several millimetres, allows the device to be adapted to fit to different lengths or widths of tablet device. This avoids the requirement for a range of different size security attachment means to be manufactured/stock/provided.

The foregoing is illustrative and not limitative of the scope of the invention. Many variations in the specific details of design and construction of the component parts of the attachment device and their means of inter-engagement will be apparent to those skilled in the art within the scope of the principles set forth in the appended claims. In particular, although it is probably preferred that the attachment device is generally symmetrical when assembled, with opposing adjustable arms and a nest which is typically at or near a central location on the underside of the tablet device, it is within the scope of the invention that an asymmetrical arrangement is possible and there may be a fixed arm at one side and an adjustable length arm at the other side. Different constructions of the edge holder units can be envisaged. Although these will generally have opposing jaws in order to grip or embrace edge locations of the tablet device, it is not essential that the jaws should be adjustable in spacing from each other and where that is the case it could be accomplished by means other than relative threaded engagement.

Although the invention is described particularly in respect of providing security mounting for tablet form electronic devices, it could find application in attachment of security cabling or other sensor devices to any panel like substrate or panel like part of a larger structure.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A device for releasable attachment of a sensor head to a panel shape substrate or substrate part, said device comprising: a nest providing an open receptacle for the sensor head, opposing first and second arms extending from the nest, at least the first arm being adjustable in length, first and second edge holder units mounted to the first and second arms, respectively, for engagement of opposing side edges of the substrate, and at least one bracket for securing the first arm relative to the nest in a selected length 1 0 adjusted condition of the first arm, and at the same time, retaining the sensor head in the nest receptacle.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein both the first arm and the second arm are adjustable in length and two brackets are provided, the first bracket for securing the first arm relative to the nest in a selected length adjusted condition of the first arm and the second bracket for securing the second arm relative to the nest in a selected length adjusted condition of the second arm, both brackets serving, at the same time, to retain the sensor head in the nest receptacle.
3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein each of the edge holder units comprises opposed first and second jaws, at least one of which is adjustably connected to the other to vary the spacing between opposing surfaces of these jaws so as to fit to differing thicknesses of substrate edges.
4. A device for releasable attachment of a sensor head to a panel shape substrate or substrate part substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.