U.S. patent application number 10/008318 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-02 for lockable box.
Invention is credited to Broadhead, Robert Malcolm.
Application Number | 20030000853 10/008318 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46280160 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030000853 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Broadhead, Robert Malcolm |
January 2, 2003 |
Lockable box
Abstract
A lockable box (2) for a DVD or other disc has at least two
releasably interengageable locking members (10,20) (110,120) which,
when interengaged, prevent the box from being opened. The locking
members are entirely contained within the box when the box is
closed, and they can be disengaged only with the use of a special
tool.
Inventors: |
Broadhead, Robert Malcolm;
(Grants Pass, OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Bracewell & Patterson, LLP
Suite 1600
201 Main Street
Fort Worth
TX
76102
US
|
Family ID: |
46280160 |
Appl. No.: |
10/008318 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10008318 |
Nov 8, 2001 |
|
|
|
09896673 |
Jun 29, 2001 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/308.1 ;
G9B/33.011 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B 73/0023 20130101;
G11B 33/0427 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/308.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/30; B65D
085/57 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A lockable box for a pre-recorded data carrier, the box
comprising: a first box member and a second box member which are
adjustable between a closed position in which they co-operate to
define a substantially closed box, and an open position in which
the inside of the box is accessible to permit a pre-recorded data
carrier to be inserted into or removed from the box; each box
member having a locking member; at least one of the locking members
being adjustable between a locked position in which, when the box
members are in the closed position, the locking members interengage
so as to prevent the box from being opened, and an unlocked
position in which the locking members permit the box members to be
moved from the closed position to the open position; wherein the
locking members are entirely contained within the box members when
the box members are in the closed position, and the adjustment of
the locking member to the unlocked position is achievable only with
the use of a special tool.
2. A lockable box as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking member
on the first box member is movable relative to the first box member
and the locking member on the second box member is fixed relative
to the second box member.
3. A lockable box as claimed in claim 2, wherein the movable
locking member is pivotable between the locked and unlocked
positions.
4. A lockable box as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a part of
one of the locking members comprises a ferrous material whereby the
said locking member can be adjusted between the locked and unlocked
positions by means of a suitable magnet.
5. A lockable box as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fixed locking
member on the second box member comprises an upright member which
has a hole in which the movable locking member engages when
adjusted to the locked position.
6. A lockable box as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and
second box members are each provided with two locking members.
7. A lockable box as claimed in claim 6, wherein two of the locking
members are movable and two of the locking members are fixed.
8. A lockable box as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first box
member has a single movable locking member and the second box
member has a plurality of fixed locking members each of which
engages with the said single locking member when the box members
are in the closed position and the single locking member is
adjusted to the locked position.
9. A lockable box as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least a part of
each movable locking member comprises a ferrous material whereby
they can be adjusted between the locked and unlocked positions by
means of a suitable magnet.
10. A lockable box as claimed in claim 9, wherein the said ferrous
material is a permanent magnet and the magnets are arranged with
like poles facing in substantially the same direction.
11. A lockable box as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first box
member is provided with an upright member having a hole therein,
whereby when the box members are in the closed position and the
movable locking member is in the locked position, the movable
locking member is disposed through both the hole in the said
upright member and the hole in the fixed locking member.
12. A lockable box as claimed in claim 4, which has at least two
opposed edges, wherein the said locking members are adjustable to
the locked position by swiping one edge along a suitable magnet and
wherein the said locking members are adjustable to the unlocked
position by swiping the opposite edge past a suitable magnet.
13. A lockable box as claimed in claim 12, which has two opposed
long edges and two opposed short edges, wherein the said one edge
and the said opposed edge are the long edges.
14. A lockable box as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first box
member and the second box member have substantially the same
external dimensions.
15. A lockable box as claimed in claim 2, wherein the movable
locking members cannot be adjusted from a locked position to an
unlocked position without overcoming a predetermined minimum
resistive force.
16. A lockable box as claimed in claim 15, wherein at least part of
the predetermined minimum force is provided by a resiliently
deformable detent.
17. A lockable DVD box, comprising: a first box member and a second
box member which are adjustable between a closed position in which
they co-operate to define a substantially closed box, and an open
position in which the inside of the box is accessible to permit a
DVD to be inserted into or removed from the box; at least one of
the box members being provided with a mount for releasably securing
a DVD thereon; the box being provided with two spaced apart
releasable locking mechanisms, each comprising a locking member
provided on the first box member and a locking member provided on
the second box member; at least one of each of the locking members
in both locking mechanisms being adjustable between a locked
position in which, when the box members are in the closed position,
the locking members interengage so as to prevent the box from being
opened, and an unlocked position in which the locking members
disengage; wherein the locking members are entirely contained
within the box members when the box members are in the closed
position, and the adjustment of the locking members to the unlocked
position is achievable only with the use of a special tool.
18. A lockable DVD box as claimed in claim 17, wherein the locking
members on the first box member are movable and the locking members
on the second box member are fixed.
19. A lockable DVD box as claimed in claim 17, wherein the
adjustable locking members are pivotable between the locked and
unlocked positions.
20. A lockable DVD box as claimed in claim 18, wherein at least a
part of each movable locking member comprises a ferrous material
whereby they can be adjusted between the locked and unlocked
positions by means of a suitable magnet.
21. A lockable DVD box as claimed in claim 17, wherein each locking
member has a first end and a second end, each end being provided
with a ferrous insert or attachment whereby the said locking
members can be adjusted between the locked and unlocked positions
by means of a suitable magnet.
22. A lockable DVD box as claimed in claim 17, wherein both locking
members have a ferrous insert or attachment which is a permanent
magnet, the magnets being arranged with like poles facing in
substantially the same direction, whereby the said locking members
can be reversibly adjusted between the locked and unlocked
positions by means of a suitably orientated magnet.
23. A lockable DVD box as claimed in claim 21, wherein: the box
members have two opposed long edges and are connected together by a
hinge along one of the long edges; and the locking members are
arranged so that they are adjustable from the locked position to
the unlocked position by swiping one of the said long edges of the
box past a suitable magnet.
24. A lockable DVD box as claimed in claim 17, wherein the
adjustable locking members are slidable between the locked and
unlocked positions.
25. A lockable DVD box as claimed in claim 17, further including a
DVD mounted on the said mount and the box being shrouded in a
shrink-wrap material.
26. A lockable DVD box as claimed in claim 25, further including a
remotely-deactivatable alarm tag within the box.
27. A lockable DVD box as claimed in claim 23, wherein the locking
members are adjustable from the unlocked position to the locked
position by swiping one of the said long edges of the box past a
suitable magnet.
28. A lockable DVD box as claimed in claim 18, wherein the movable
locking members cannot be adjusted from a locked position to an
unlocked position without overcoming a predetermined minimum
resistive force.
29. A lockable DVD box as claimed in claim 28, wherein at least
part of the predetermined minimum force is provided by a
resiliently deformable detent.
30. A lockable DVD box as claimed in claimed in claim 17, wherein
the first box member and the second box member are formed from a
substantially opaque material.
31. A lockable DVD box which has at least two releasably
interengageable locking members which, when interengaged, prevent
the box from being opened, the locking members being entirely
contained within the box when the box is closed, and being
disengageable only with the use of a special tool.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a lockable box for
pre-recorded media, notably a DVD box.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] Pre-recorded storage media such as digital versatile discs
(DVDs) are usually put up for sale in a plastic box which carries
information about the DVD as well as carrying sales promotional
material or artwork to attract a purchaser. To prevent theft of the
DVD from a store various lockable display containers have been
proposed which house the DVD in its box and prevent a thief gaining
access to the DVD without breaking the container or removing the
container from the shop. The container can be fitted with alarm
means so that it cannot be removed from the shop without actuating
an alarm. Examples of such lockable containers are described in EP
0 312 172, EP 0 541 733, EP 0 666 954 and WO 00/61899. These
display containers are effective but they increase the bulk of the
product on display.
[0003] Known products provide a locking member which is externally
applied to the box, With such products, the box cannot be
shrink-wrapped for "sell-through", as there is then no means of
removing the locking member without damaging the packaging. The
locking members are also subject to being tampered with. Once the
locking member has been removed in order to unlock the box (in a
rental situation) it has to be safely stored for re-use later on.
If the locking member is lost, the box can no longer be
secured.
[0004] The present invention seeks to provide an improved lockable
disc box.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a lockable box for a DVD or
other pre-recorded data carrier. The box has at least two
releasably interengageable locking members which, when
interengaged, prevent the box from being opened. The locking
members are entirely contained within the box when the box is
closed, and they can be disengaged only with the use of a special
tool.
[0006] It is preferred that the box is a DVD box, and the invention
will be described with reference to this embodiment. However, it
will be understood that the invention is also applicable to other
pre-recorded data carriers, for example compact discs (CDs), videos
and tape cassettes.
[0007] The DVD box may be supplied to Record Label and Film Studio
Companies as original packaging, filled with product and then sent
to a retailer in either a locked or an unlocked state.
[0008] Unlike existing products, which require a manual action to
insert (lock) or remove (unlock) the locking member, the disc box
of the present invention can be locked and unlocked in a hands-free
manner. By incorporating a ferrous element in a movable locking
member, the box may be locked and unlocked by swiping it against a
suitable strong magnet.
[0009] The box comprises a first box member and a second box member
which are adjustable between a closed position in which they
co-operate to define a substantially closed box, and an open
position in which the inside of the box is accessible to permit a
disc to be inserted into or removed from the box. Each box member
has a locking member, and at least one of the locking members is
adjustable between a locked position in which, when the box members
are in the closed position, the locking members interengage so as
to prevent the box from being opened, and an unlocked position in
which the locking members permit the box members to be moved from
the closed position to the open position. The two co-operating
locking members comprise a locking mechanism.
[0010] The locking member on each box member could be movable
relative to the box member. However it is preferred that one
locking member is movable and the other is fixed relative to its
box member. In a preferred embodiment, the movable locking member
is pivotable between the locked and unlocked positions.
[0011] One of the locking members may be provided with a hole or
recess in which the other locking member is disposed when the box
is locked.
[0012] In another preferred embodiment, the movable locking member
is slidable between the locked and unlocked positions. By providing
each end of the slidable locking member with a ferrous element,
locking and unlocking may be carried out means of a single swipe
along an appropriate edge of the box.
[0013] Although the invention may employ only one locking
mechanism, it is preferred that more than one locking mechanism,
preferably two locking mechanisms, are provided. This preferred
embodiment permits all three free edges of a conventional hinged
DVD box to be locked.
[0014] In the preferred embodiment where one locking member of a
pair is fixed and the other is movable, both movable locking
members may conveniently be provided on the same box member.
However, it would also be possible to provide one movable locking
member on each box member.
[0015] The interior of the box may be provided with an electronic
tag of a type known per se which activates an alarm system if an
attempt is made to remove the DVD box from the store. It is
particularly preferred that the tag may be remotely deactivated by
electronic means. This permits the DVD box to be sold in shrink
wrapping and to be both unlocked and alarm-deactivated at the point
of sale without removing the wrapping. Suitable electronic tags are
known in the art.
[0016] Other aspects and benefits of the invention will appear in
the following specification, drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The invention will now be further described, by way of
example, with reference to the following drawings in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a lockable DVD box in
accordance with the invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cutaway view of part of the box
shown in FIG. 1, with the box closed and locked;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cutaway view similar to that of FIG.
2, with the box unlocked and partially open;
[0021] FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of a lockable DVD box in
accordance with the invention;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of part of the locking
mechanism of the DVD box shown in FIG. 4;
[0023] FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of a lockable DVD box in
accordance with the invention;
[0024] FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a resilient retaining
member as shown in FIG. 6;
[0025] FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a receptacle of FIG. 6 with
the sliding locking member in the locked position;
[0026] FIGS. 9 and 10 are cross sections of a receptacle of FIG. 6
when the box is, respectively, open and closed; and
[0027] FIG. 11 is an elevational view of the receptacle of FIG. 8
with the sliding locking member in the unlocked position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The DVD box 2 comprises a first box member 4 and a second
box member 6, of substantially similar dimensions, connected
together by a hinge 8. The box members 4, 6 are hollow shells, for
example of polypropylene, which co-operate to form a closed box
when pivoted about the hinge 8 in known manner. The first box
member 4 is provided with an annular disc-receiving member 24 with
a resilient mount 26 in the middle, for releasably securing a DVD
(not shown) as is well known in the art. The disc-receiving member
24 and mount 26 could additionally or alternatively be provided on
the second box member 6, or on an intermediate mounting member
between the box members.
[0029] Two locking members 10 are pivotally mounted on the inner
surface of the first box member 4 by means of pivot pins 12. The
friction between the pivot pin 12 and its locking member 10 is such
that the locking member 10 cannot be pivoted by shaking of the box;
a greater force is required.
[0030] Upstanding lugs 18 are provided on the inner surface of the
first box member 4 adjacent the distal ends 14 and proximal ends 16
of the pivotable locking members 10. The second box member 6 is
provided with locking members comprising upstanding lugs 20 on the
inner surface. Each upstanding lug 18, 20 has a hole, and when the
box 2 is closed pairs of lugs 18, 20 are located face to face with
the holes in alignment. The arrangement is such that, with the box
members 4, 6 in the closed position, pivoting of the locking member
10 from the unlocked position shown in FIG. 3 to the locked
position shown in FIG. 2 brings the ends 14, 16 into disposition
through the holes in both the aligned lugs 18, 20 in the pair. In
this position, the box members 4, 6 are locked together.
[0031] With the box 2 closed, the locking members 10 are pivotable
only with the use of a special tool. It is preferred that the
proximal 14 and distal 16 ends of the locking member 10 are formed
from a ferrous material or are provided with a ferrous insert or
attachment. This permits the locking member 10 to be pivoted by
means of a strong external magnet device. A suitable magnetic
device is described in WO 00/61899.
[0032] To lock the box, the box is closed, and then each short edge
28 is swiped in turn against the magnet. The magnet attracts the
ferrous insert of the distal end 16, causing the locking member 10
to pivot and both ends to engage in holes in the associated pair of
lugs 18, 20.
[0033] To unlock the box, the long edge 30 is swiped against the
magnet so that the magnet attracts the distal ends 14 of the
locking members 10 and reverses the locking process.
[0034] In practice, the magnet may be mounted on a checkout desk at
the point of sale or rental.
[0035] Although the above arrangement is preferred for ease of
unlocking, it will be appreciated that the opposite arrangement
could also be used, whereby locking is achieved by a single swipe
along the long edge of the box, and unlocking by a swipe along both
short edges.
[0036] In an alternative embodiment, the locking member 10 could be
accessible via a hole 22 in an edge of the box. As illustrated in
the drawings, the box could be locked by a user inserting a long
thin tool through the hole 22 in the long edge 30 so as to push the
proximal end 14 and cause the locking member 10 to pivot to the
locked position. It would be possible for unlocking to be carried
out by the same tool through a similar hole adjacent to the distal
end 16 of the locking member 10. However it is preferred that
exclusively magnetic means are used for unlocking and, preferably,
for locking, the box because the use of a suitable magnet is
quicker and permits the DVD box to be locked and unlocked while
shrouded in shrink-wrap material.
[0037] In another embodiment, the proximal ends 14 are provided
with permanent magnets with like poles facing towards the long edge
30. This permits the box to be locked with a single swipe of a
suitable magnet with a like pole adjacent the long edge 30 so that
the permanent magnets in the proximal ends 14 are repelled. The box
can be unlocked with a single swipe of a suitable magnet with the
opposite polarity adjacent the long edge. Both types of magnets
could be mounted at the point of sale or rental, one for locking
and the other for unlocking.
[0038] It would be possible not to provide the lugs 18 on the first
box member 4 so that the locking member 10 engages only with the
lugs 20 on the second box member 6 when the box is locked. However,
this would require the locking member 10 to be relatively rugged
and robust because it would need to resist upward force exerted by
an attempt to prise the box members apart. In the preferred
embodiment the ends of the locking members are disposed through
lugs on both the first box member 4 and the second box member 6, so
that the lugs 18 on the first box member 4 prevent force from the
second box member 6 being transmitted to the pivot pin 12.
[0039] The entire locking member 10 and its mount may be provided
as a removable insert to enable its removal either at point of sale
or by a customer. Alternatively, the pivot pin 12 could be made
releasable by exerting an upward force on the pivotable locking
member 10.
[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, an alternative embodiment of
the invention employs a locking member 110 which is slidably
mounted on the first box member 4. The second box member 6 is
provided with a plurality of fixed locking members comprising
upstanding L-shaped hooks 120. For each hook 120 there is a
corresponding hole 34 in the slidable locking member 110. Under
each hole 34 there is a space 36, as best shown in FIG. 5, for
receiving a corresponding hook 120. The proximal 114 and distal 116
ends of both slidable locking members 110 are provided with ferrous
inserts (not shown) so that they are attractable by a magnet. By
swiping a first long edge 30 of the box against a suitable magnet,
the slidable locking member moves in the direction of arrow 38 to
an unlocked position in which the hooks 120 can enter and leave the
spaces 36 via the holes 34. With the box 2 in the closed position
and the slidable locking member 110 in the unlocked position, the
box 2 may be locked by swiping the opposite long edge 32 against a
magnet so as to move the slidable locking member 110 to the locked
position in the direction of arrow 40. Here, the hooks 120 are
trapped in the slidable locking member 110, and the box is
locked.
[0041] In this embodiment, the DVD box 2 can be locked and unlocked
with a single swipe against a suitable magnet along the appropriate
edge.
[0042] FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the invention including a
sliding locking member 210 mounted in the first box member as in
FIGS. 4 and 5. The sliding locking member is disposed between
retaining pillars 50 that retain the slidable locking member 210 in
the correct alignment. A wall 52 separates the sliding locking
member 210 from the disc-receiving member 24.
[0043] The sliding locking member 210 is shown in the locked
position for illustrative purposes, although the second box member
is not in the closed position. The sliding locking member is
provided with holes 234 through which hooks 220 formed on the
second box member 6 may pass. The first box member 4 includes
receptacles 54 aligned through the holes 234 for receiving the
hooks 220. The arrangement of the hooks 220, sliding locking member
210 and the receptacles 54 is more clearly shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.
A receptacle 54 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 8.
[0044] The sliding locking member 210 also includes a resiliently
biased detent 56 that co-operates with a pillar 58 on the first box
member 4 to prevent the sliding locking member 210 from moving
easily to the unlocked position. This prevents the box 2 from being
unlocked by tapping or knocking. The resiliently biased detent is
shown in greater detail in FIG. 7.
[0045] The sliding locking member also includes ferrous inserts 68
on opposite long edges of the box 2 to enable magnetic locking and
unlocking of the box 2 as described above.
[0046] FIG. 7 shows an elevation view of the resiliently biased
detent 56 of FIG. 6. The detent 56 comprises an elongate body 60
with an enlarged circular head 62. A pillar 58 on the first box
member 4 protrudes upwardly adjacent to the detent 56. In the
locked position (as shown) the pillar 58 is located in a recess 64
between the body 60 and head 62 of the detent 56.
[0047] To unlock the box 2 the sliding locking member 210 must be
moved in the direction shown by arrow 66 causing the head 62 of the
detent 56 by the pillar 58. The body of the detent 56 is
resiliently deformable such that the head 62 of the detent 56 may
move slightly from side to side in the plane of the sliding locking
member 210. For the head 62 to pass by the pillar 58 the body 60 of
the detent 56 must deform to allow the head 62 to move aside.
[0048] The force required for such a deformation prevents the
sliding locking member 210 from moving to an unlocked position when
the box 2 is shaken, tapped or hit sharply. The force required
should be such that the sliding locking member 210 can be moved
when desired by unlocking means such as a magnet as discussed
above. The force required can be adjusted as needed by changing the
dimensions of the body 60 or head 62 of the detent or by altering
the material from which it is made during manufacture.
Additionally, or alternatively, the pillar 58 could be made
releasably moveable so that its position can be laterally adjusted
to increase or decrease the force needed for the head 62 of the
detent 60 to pass by.
[0049] FIGS. 8 and 11 show an elevation view of a receptacle 54 of
FIG. 6. The receptacle 54 is formed by a back wall 70 and two side
walls 72,74 upstanding from the first box member 4 to form a "U"
shape. The receptacle 56 passes through a hole 234 in the sliding
locking member 210. When the sliding locking member is in the
locked position (as shown in FIG. 8) it engages in cutout portions
76 of the two side walls 72,74. When the sliding locking member is
in the unlocked position (as shown in FIG. 11) it allows a hook 220
to enter the receptacle 54 and pass through the hole 234.
[0050] FIGS. 9 and 10 show cross sectional side views of a
receptacle 54, sliding locking member 210 and hook 220 of FIG. 6.
FIG. 9 shows the arrangement in an unlocked position and FIG. 10
shows the arrangement in a locked position.
[0051] In the unlocked position, the sliding locking member does
not engage with the cutouts 76 and the receptacle 54 is
unobstructed so a hook 220 can enter into the receptacle 54 and
align with the cutouts 76 as shown in FIG. 10.
[0052] In the locked position, with a hook 220 in the receptacle
54, the sliding locking member 210 engages with both the cutout
portions 76 of the side walls 72,74 of the receptacle 54 and a
shoulder 80 of the hook 220. The sliding locking member 210 couples
the hook 220 to the receptacle 54 and hence couples the first box
member 4 to the second box member 6 in a closed position.
[0053] In all three embodiments, the locking members 20, 120, 220
on the inner surface which does not carry the mount 26 for the DVD
(in these examples, the second box member 6) are arranged to as to
permit literature pertaining to the DVD to be inserted and removed.
One or more clips (not shown) may be provided on the inner surface
of the second box member 6 to releasably retain such literature, in
a manner well known in the art.
[0054] It is appreciated that certain features of the invention,
which are for clarity described in the context of separate
embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single
embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which
are, for the sake of brevity, described in the context of a single
embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable
subcombination.
[0055] While the present invention has been described with
reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that
modifications and variations of the invention may be constructed
without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the
following claims.
* * * * *