AU2019100191A4 - Multiple appliance anti-theft hardware - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract An anti-theft lock hardware 10 adapted to be mounted to a section of a structure 65 (wall, post, etc.) or furniture (entertainment unit, wardrobe, etc.). The lock hardware 10 comprises a box structure with an internal cavity 18, with side slots 21 at the side walls 16 thereof. In use, portions 52 of power leads of appliances 50 are inserted into the internal cavity 18 via the side slots 21 and locked therein. This locks the power leads together as a group, and with the lock hardware 10 fixedly mounted to an immovable structure 65 or heavy item (furniture), significantly deters possible theft of the appliances. - ~ PA (a) (b) Figure 1

Description

MULTIPLE APPLIANCE ANTI-THEFT HARDWARE

Field of the Invention [1] The present invention relates to an anti-theft hardware device for appliances. The embodiment described specifically refers to appliances but is not limited to this use. The device for example can also be used in industrial applications.

Background of the Invention [2] Theft of appliances is common from houses, hotels, workplaces, and other areas. Many appliances can be expensive, costing owners and businesses a lot of money in purchasing replacements.

[3] The present invention seeks to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[4] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention [5] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides an appliance anti-theft lock hardware comprising:

a housing body with an internal cavity, the housing body adapted for mounting to a structure or furniture, the housing body having side walls with slots formed therein sized for receiving portions of power leads of appliances, wherein the portions of power leads can be locked in the housing body.

[6] Preferably, the housing body is hollow generally rectangular prism shaped and comprises a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, opposing side walls and a hinged front wall.

[7] Preferably, the side walls comprise L-shaped slots having a first portion extending vertically between the top wall and the bottom wall, and a second portion which extends from an end of the first portion towards a front edge of the side walls.

[8] Preferably, the second portions form entry openings for power cords to be placed into the first portion.

[9] Preferably, the rear wall, the top wall, the bottom wall, and the side walls together define a rear housing having the internal cavity.

2019100191 20 Feb 2019 [10] Preferably, the front wall is pivotable between an open position where the internal cavity and openings for the slots are exposed, and a closed position where the internal cavity and openings for the slots are covered by the front wall.

[11] Preferably, the front wall comprises flanges along the periphery thereof to assist with sealing with the corresponding adjacent walls in the closed position.

[12] Preferably, the front wall comprises locking means for locking with the side walls or the top wall, to lock the front wall in the closed position thereof.

[13] Preferably, the rear wall comprises mounting means for permanently or fixedly mounting the rear wall to a structure or furniture.

[14] Preferably, the hardware further comprises securing blocks to be inserted and secured into the second portions, which further secures the power cord sections in the first portions of the slots.

[15] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings [16] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[17] Figure 1 shows (a) front perspective view, (b) top perspective view, (c) side perspective in-use view of an anti-theft hardware device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and [18] Figure 2 shows the hardware device in an example use.

Description of Embodiments [19] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

[20] Figure 1 shows an anti-theft lock hardware 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The lock hardware 10 is adapted to be mounted to a section of a structure (wall, post, etc.) or furniture (entertainment unit, wardrobe, etc.). The lock hardware 10 comprises a box structure with an internal cavity, with side slots at the side walls thereof. In use, portions of power leads of appliances are inserted into the internal cavity via the side slots and locked therein. This locks the power leads together as a group, and with the lock hardware 10 fixedly mounted to an immovable structure or heavy item (furniture), significantly deters possible theft of the appliances.

2019100191 20 Feb 2019 [21] The lock hardware 10 comprises a housing body 12 which is hollow generally rectangular prism shaped. The body 12 comprises a rear wall 13, top wall 14, bottom wall 15, opposing side walls 16 and a hinged front wall 17.

[22] The side walls comprise inverted L-shaped slots 21, having a first portion 22 extending vertically between the top wall 14 and the bottom wall 15, and a second portion 23 which extends from the top of the first portion 22 towards the front edge of the side walls 16. The second portions 23 thus form entry openings for power cords to be placed into the first portion 22.

[23] The rear wall 13, top wall 14, bottom wall 15, and side walls 16 together define the rear housing having an internal cavity 18. The internal cavity 18 in use receives the sections of the power cords which are inserted into the slots 21. The front wall 17 in the example shown in hingedly attached to the bottom wall 15, but can alternatively be attached to the top wall 14.

[24] The front wall 17 is pivotable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the internal cavity 18 and the entry openings (second portions 23) are exposed. In the closed position, the internal cavity 18 and the entry openings are covered by the front wall 17.

[25] The front wall 17 comprises flanges 19 along the periphery thereof to assist with sealing with the corresponding adjacent walls in the closed position. The example shows a flange on the two side edges and the top edge of the front wall 17 to close over the rear housing to prevent jimmying. The front wall 17 further comprises locking means 25 for locking with the side walls 16 or the top wall 14, to lock the front wall 17 in the closed position thereof. The locking means 25 in the example are twin locks with locking tongues.

[26] The rear wall 13 comprises mounting means 30 for permanently or fixedly mounting the rear wall 13 to a structure or furniture. The mounting means 30 in the example include mounting holes for fasteners to extend from the internal cavity 18 into the structure/furniture. Once mounted and with the front wall closed and locked, it will be very difficult for a potential thief to access the mounting means 30.

[27] Figure 2 shows an example use of the lock hardware 10, where it is mounted adjacent the appliances 50, between the appliances 50 and the power points 60. The rear wall 13 of the lock hardware 10 is fixedly mounted to the wall 65 in the example.

[28] Referring to Figure 1 (c), with the front wall 17 in the open position, power cord sections 52 for the appliances 50 are passed through the lock hardware 10 by inserting the power cord sections 52 into the slots 21 via the second portions 23 and then into the first portion 22. The slots 21 are sized to receive the power cords 52 therein, but are narrow to prevent the power

2019100191 20 Feb 2019 cord plugs 54 from passing therethrough. Securing blocks 34 are inserted and secured into the second portions 23, which further secures the power cord sections 52 in the first portions 22 of the slots 21. The power cord sections 52 can be seen in the internal cavity 18. The front wall 17 is then locked in the closed position thereof which secures the power cord sections 52 together. To remove a power cord if needed, the steps are reversed.

[29] The present invention will protect any appliance with an electrical power cord. The embodiment shown is about the size of a standard power point. It has a dual locking door at the front which is hinged. It has slots on both sides for the rear housing which allows a user to place the appliance cords in the slots and lock the front door.

[30] The slots in the example shown are big enough to protect least five appliances as it receives five 10 mm thick power cords to fit inside the box. Stereos, DVD players and others have much thinner leads so the lock hardware can fit more appliances inside the box.

[31] The lock hardware can be wall mounted, fixed to entertainment unit, garage, workbench, structure or furniture.

[32] If the lock hardware 10 is removed off the wall, the thieves would have to contend with carrying 5 appliances out of the house, office, motel, etc., or cut the power cords. They are less likely to do so as it will cost them money, time and effort.

[33] Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, it will be apparent to skilled persons that modifications can be made to the embodiment shown.

[34] For example, the device can include strong adhesive tabs with an eyelet stuck to the appliance power cord inside the device captured by a hook to secure the power cord sections in the internal cavity. There device can also include keypad entry, an alarm, adhesive tabs for serial numbers such that if cords were cut the tabs will remain inside the lock hardware device.

[35] The locking means can also include a cover to prevent interference with cords, such as a backing plate for the front wall.

[36] The power cord sections in the internal cavity can be further locked together via a ring lock or similar mounted in the internal cavity.

Claims (10)

1. Claims

   The claims defining the invention are as follows:

   1. An appliance anti-theft lock hardware comprising:

   a housing body with an internal cavity, the housing body adapted for mounting to a structure or furniture, the housing body having side walls with slots formed therein sized for receiving portions of power leads of appliances, wherein the portions of power leads can be locked in the housing body.
2. 2. The hardware of claim 1 wherein the housing body is hollow generally rectangular prism shaped and comprises a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, opposing side walls and a hinged front wall.
3. 3. The hardware of claim 2 wherein the side walls comprise L-shaped slots having a first portion extending vertically between the top wall and the bottom wall, and a second portion which extends from an end of the first portion towards a front edge of the side walls.
4. 4. The hardware of claim 1 wherein the second portions form entry openings for power cords to be placed into the first portion.
5. 5. The hardware of claim 2 wherein the rear wall, the top wall, the bottom wall, and the side walls together define a rear housing having the internal cavity.
6. 6. The hardware of claim 1 wherein the front wall is pivotable between an open position where the internal cavity and openings for the slots are exposed, and a closed position where the internal cavity and openings for the slots are covered by the front wall.
7. 7. The hardware of claim 6 wherein the front wall comprises flanges along the periphery thereof to assist with sealing with the corresponding adjacent walls in the closed position.
8. 8. The hardware of claim 2 wherein the front wall comprises locking means for locking with the side walls or the top wall, to lock the front wall in the closed position thereof.
9. 9. The hardware of claim 1 wherein the rear wall comprises mounting means for permanently or fixedly mounting the rear wall to a structure or furniture.
10. 10. The hardware of claim 3 further comprising securing blocks to be inserted and secured into the second portions, which further secures the power cord sections in the first portions of the slots.