E.G. COMPUTERS

The present invention concerns a device for protecting electronic equipment, especially computers and computer accessories.

In connection with protecting electronic equipment, and especially computers and computer accessories, there has for long existed a need for a device preventing computers from being stolen.

Computers and other electronic equipment, e.g. CD-play¬ ers, tuners, amplifiers etc., represent in themselves great values which it often is important to protect so that they may not easily be stolen or moved. In addition many computers contain information of a valuable and sensitive nature, and for this reason it is even more important to protect such equipment from theft.

According to the present invention it has thus been in¬ vented a device comprising a frame within which the elec¬ tronic equipment may be placed. The frame envelopes the edges of the electronic equipment and/or its sides so that the electronic equipment may only be placed in the frame from one or from two sides. At the one or two open sides of the frame there is/are located an enclosing part e.g. a bar, barrier or door, said bar, barrier or door being securable to the rest of the frame.

The invention will be further explained infra with refe¬ rence to the accompanying figures showing one embodiment of the device according to the invention wherein figs. 1 and 2 show a design of the device observed from different angles .

Thus a device as shown in the accompanying figures com¬ prises a frame consisting of two opposing plates 1,2

which at their bottom edges are joined with a third plate 3. Opposite the third plate 3, and on top of the frame, the plates 1,2 have been bent to make two or more ears 4,5 being suited to secure the frame to a surface such as a table plate, wall etc.. For this purpose there is shown in the figures shown that the ears 4,5 are equipped with holes, but the securing device may of course also comprise other and conventional securing devices e.g. bolts, nails etc.. It will also be possible to secure the bent edges 4,5 with e.g gluing, soldering or welding them to the surface.

In connection with the bent edges 4,5 these may bent inwards or outwards with respect to the sides 1,2 or may comprise alternating in- and outwards bent ears which run along the upper edge of the sides 1,2.

Between the sides 1,2 there are in the depicted embodi¬ ment of the device according to the invention, shown on the one side a solid bar 6. This bar 6 may be secured in any conventional manner such as with soldering, welding, gluing etc. The bar 6 may also be formed as a lockable bar or barrier, something which gives access also to this side of the device.

On the other side between the sides 1,2 there is placed a second bar, barrier or door 7. In the depicted embodi¬ ment this second bar runs in a track 8,9 being located in the sides 1,2. The length of the bar 7 is somewhat lon- ger than the distance between the sides 1,2 so that one section of the 7 bar protrudes from the side 1,2. In one end the bar 7 is equipped with locking devices, in the depicted embodiment with a hole for a padlock or some other kind of lock, where adding such a lock will pre- vent the bar 7 from being withdrawn through the tracks 8,9. On its other end the bar 7 is equipped with an extension or a bend so that the bar 7 only may be drawn

through the tracks 8,9 in one direction and where moving the bar 7 thus is prevented by adding a lock in the lock hole.

Before the placing of an electronic unit in the pro¬ tection device according to the invention there may on both or only one of the side surfaces between the sides 1,2 be located a movable and lockable bar or barrier 7.

The invention has been disclosed supra under reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, but evident changes in the design may be performed without departing from the basic idea behind the invention.

Thus one of the bars between the sides 1,2 may be re¬ placed with a solid plate, one of the side surfaces 1,2 may be hinged at the edge between the side surfaces 1,2 and the bottom 3 so that placing the electronic equipment in the safety device may be performed from the side (where the device also comprises corresponding locking devices as disclosed supra) , and the bottom 3 may be lockable to the side surfaces 1,2 so that the electronic equipment may be placed in the safety device from below.

In addition to ensuring the safety of the electronic equipment as disclosed supra, the device may also be designed in such a way that it provides radiation safety for the user from the electronic equipment when this equipment is operative. For this reason, as well as for safety reasons, it is preferred that the device according to the invention is made of metal or a metal alloy such as iron or steel. The device may also be made from other materials which primarily ensures against stealing and which secondarily may function as a safety against irra- diation.

When designing the safety device according to the in-

vention it is also of importance that the bar or barrier device as well as the bar 7 is located in such a way that connective contacts and manipulation equipment for the electronic device are not blocked.

In addition to the functions disclosed supra, a device according to the present invention may also work as a noise barrier.