As illustrated in Fig. 1, conventional locking of computer casings designated A is accomplished by using a simple padlock B. For this purpose, there are provided at the back of the casing a pair of projecting ears, one Cl mounted to a back-wall portion D of the computer casing A, and the other C2 to the hingeable cover E thereof (see ears 38 and 40 in Fig. 4).

This arrangement, while simple, is disadvantageous because, as in the case of any padlock, one is required to use both hands in order to unlock when needed. And then, usually the padlock is exposed to tempering with or cutting by simple cutting tools.

It is therefore the general object of the invention to provide a one-hand operable lock which, while suitable for general applications, such as for locking tool boxes, vaults and the like, is particularly suitable for use in conjunction with computer casings in replacement of the conventional padlock.

It is a further object of the invention to provide the locking device with additional locking facilities suitable for securing electric and/or anti-theft cables attachable to other electronic equipment or to a stationary object in order to protect it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus provided according to invention is a locking arrangement for computer casings, tool boxes and the like, the casing or box comprising a base having a side wall closable against a hinged top cover, the side wall and the top cover being both provided with an ear-like projections each formed with a bore so that in the closed position the projections overlie each other allowing the passage of a locking member through the respective bores thereof, characterized by a block-shaped locking member mountable to the side wall for locking the top cover thereto by locking means which comprise a recess formed in the block-shaped member configured to receive the ear-like projections in their overlapping position and a key-operated locking device comprising an extendable locking member adapted to penetrate into the recess and into the bores of the projections in the locked position of the device, and become withdrawn from the bores in the unlocking position of the device.

The block-shaped member is preferably further formed with one or more slots configured to arrest against the back-wall a length of one or more cables.

The locking device is preferably of the push-in button type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and additional features, advantages and applications of the locking arrangement proposed according to the present invention will be more clearly understood in the light of the ensuing description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein-- Fig. 1 illustrates the conventional padlock locking arrangement of computer casings; Fig. 2 illustrates the locking of the computer casing of Fig. 1 by the device according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figs. 3a and 3b are, respectively, front and rear perspective views of the locking device of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 illustrates the mounting of the locking device onto the computer casing; Figs. 5a and 5b are partly sectional views showing the locking device of Fig. 2 in unlocked and locked operative positions, respectively; and Fig. 6 illustrates the application of a locking device featuring the principes of the present invention to locking of an ordinary toolbox.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In Fig. 2 there are shown from the rear side computer casing 10 and monitor housing 12. Casing 10 is usually four-sided onto which there is hinged a flat top-cover 14.

As shown, according to the present invention, a locking device generally denoted 16 is provided, comprised of a block-shaped body, which is attached to the back wall 10a of the casing 10 and locked thereto in a manner to be described below. At this stage it will be noticed that the block-shaped locking device 16 comprises an operating button or knob 18 of a push-in, key-operated locking device or the equivalent of any conventional type. It will be further noticed that cable 20 connected between the computer housing 10 and the monitor casing 12 (or leading to the operating"mouse"--not shown) is clamped against the back wall 10a of the computer housing 10 using a first slot 22 formed at the front wall of the locking block 16--see Figs. 3 and 5.

A second slot 24 is used for clamping a steel or the like cable 26, having a thickened cap 28 at one end, and a loop 30 at the other end. In this manner the computer casing 10 is attachable to an immovable object, such as a table leg 32 as schematically shown.

A third slot 34 is formed in the block-shaped locking device 16, which functions as an additional securement through embracement of lip 14a of top cover 14.

As shown in more detail in Figs. 3a and 5a, the block-shaped locking device 16 is additionally formed with a blind cavity or recess 36.

Referring now to Fig. 4, the back-wall of the computer casing 10 is formed in the conventional manner with a first ear-like projection 38 and the cover 14 is formed with a complementary ear-like projection 40.

For additional stability and safety of the locking by the herein proposed block-like locking device 16, an opening 42 is formed at the back-wall 10a of the computer, designed for enabling the insertion thereinto a hook-like projection 44 (Fig. 3a).

It will be now really understood that the device 16 is attachable to the computer casing 10 by inserting the hook-like projection 44 into the opening 42, followed by engaging the device to the back side of the computer wall 10a and cover 14 so that the ear-like projections 38 and 40, which overlie one the other, become nested into the recess 36.

Push-in locking device 46 is installe within the block-shaped device 16, at an angle as shown, so that in the pushed-in position of the button 18, as seen in Fig. 5b, its operator detent 48 penetrates into the bores of the ears 38 and 40 to accomplish a locking engagement therebetween. In addition (and optionally), the slots 22,24 and 34 engage the cables 20,26 and the lip 14a, respectively. This completes the locking of the computer casing in a safer and more convenient manner comparable with the padlock conventional locking arrangement illustrated in Fig. 1.

It will be evident that the concept of the push-in button (or equivalent) block-shaped locking member as so far described can be applied to other applications as well. Thus, as illustrated in Fig. 6., the block-shaped device 116, having recess 136, and, optionally, slot 124 for anchoring cable 126 to a fixed object 132, can be used, replacing the padlock locking method as applied to an ordinary tool box 150, provided with ear-like projections 138 and 140. Mounting and dismounting of the locking device is more convenient and achieves a higher level of security than the ordinary padlock method.

Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that numerous changes, variations and modifications of the invention may be attained without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in and by the appended claims.