U.S. patent application number 10/310263 was filed with the patent office on 2003-06-26 for lockable media storage container.
Invention is credited to Belden, Dennis D. JR., Marsilio, Ronald M..
Application Number | 20030116455 10/310263 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23320281 |
Filed Date | 2003-06-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030116455 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marsilio, Ronald M. ; et
al. |
June 26, 2003 |
Lockable media storage container
Abstract
A lockable media storage container includes a lock disposed
within the lock reception cavity defined by the container. The lock
may be moved from a locked position to an unlocked position while
remaining disposed within the lock reception cavity. In one
embodiment, the lock that locks itself in the unlocked position so
that it cannot accidently move back into the locked position. The
invention also provides a method for protecting and selling items
of recorded media with lockable media storage containers wherein
the item of recorded media is locked within the lockable media
storage container in the retail establishment. The retail clerk
unlocks the lock without removing the lock from the container or
removing the lock from under the shrink wrap layer. The retail
customer then takes the unlocked container home, removes the shrink
wrap, and discards the lock.
Inventors: |
Marsilio, Ronald M.;
(Canton, OH) ; Belden, Dennis D. JR.; (Canton,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Fred H. Zollinger, III
SAND & SEBOLT
Aegis Tower
4940 Munson Street, NW, Suite 1100
Canton
OH
44718
US
|
Family ID: |
23320281 |
Appl. No.: |
10/310263 |
Filed: |
December 5, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60337368 |
Dec 5, 2001 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/308.2 ;
206/1.5; 206/387.11; G9B/33.011; G9B/33.015 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 33/045 20130101;
G11B 33/0427 20130101; E05B 73/0023 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/308.2 ;
206/387.11; 206/1.5 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/57 |
Claims
1. A lockable media storage container system comprising: a media
storage container having a base and a lid; the lid movable between
open and closed positions; the media storage container defining a
lock reception cavity; a lock adapted to fit within the lock
reception cavity; the lock movable between locked and unlocked
positions; the lock locking the lid closed with the lock is in the
locked position; and the lock being movable from the locked
position to the unlocked position while the lock is disposed within
the lock reception cavity.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the lock includes a lock finger
that locks the lock in the unlocked position.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the lock includes a lock base and
a lock slide; the lock slide movable with respect to the lock
base.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the lock slide includes at least
first and second lock fingers that lock the lock to the container
when the lock is in the locked position; the first lock finger
engaging the lid and the second lock finger engaging the base.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the base and lid of the container
define an opening for each lock finger; each opening being defined
by a locking ledge and an unlocking ramp; the lock finger engaging
the locking ledge when the lock is in the locked position.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein each lock finger is aligned with
an unlocking ramp when the lock is moved to the unlocked position
so that the lock may be removed from the lock reception cavity.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the lock includes an indicator
that is visible when the lock is in the unlocked position.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the lock includes a handle that
may be pivoted outwardly from the lock to allow the lock to be
pulled from the lock reception cavity.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the lock carries an EAS tag.
10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a thin layer of
plastic disposed around the container and the lock; the lock being
movable from the locked position to the unlocked position while
being surrounded by the thin layer of plastic.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the lock reception cavity has a
length; the lock having a length; the length of the lock being
substantially the same as the length of the lock reception
cavity.
12. A lockable media storage container system comprising: a media
storage container having a base and a lid; the lid movable between
open and closed positions; the media storage container defining a
lock reception cavity; a lock adapted to fit within the lock
reception cavity; the lock movable between locked and unlocked
positions; the lock including first and second locking fingers; the
first locking finger disposed in an opening defined by the lid and
the second locking finger disposed in an opening defined by the
base to lock the lid in the closed position; and each of the
openings defined by the lid and the base being at least partially
defined by a locking ledge and an unlocking ramp; the lock finger
engaging the locking ledge when the lock is in the locked
position.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the lock reception cavity has a
length; the lock having a length; the length of the lock being
substantially the same as the length of the lock reception
cavity.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the lock includes a lock base
and a lock slide; the lock base having a length substantially the
same as the length of the lock reception cavity; the lock slide
selectively sliding on the lock base between locked and unlocked
positions.
15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a lock finger that
locks the lock slide in the unlocked position.
16. The system of claim 12, wherein the base and lid have an
overlapping walls that at least partially define the openings that
receive the first and second locking fingers.
17. A method for protecting and selling an item of recorded media
comprising the steps of: displaying an item of recorded media at a
store in a lockable media storage container having a storage
container that holds the item of recorded media and a lock that
moves between locked and unlocked positions; the locked position of
the lock preventing the storage container from being opened; moving
the lock to the unlocked position without removing the lock from
the container when a consumer purchases the item of recorded media;
and allowing the consumer to depart the store with the lockable
media storage container with the lock in the unlocked position.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of: shrink
wrapping the lockable media storage container with the lock in the
locked position; and unlocking the lock without removing the shrink
wrap layer.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of locking
the lock in the unlocked position.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of exposing
an indicator when the lock is moved to the unlocked position.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application serial No. 60/337,368 filed Dec. 5, 2001; the
disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention generally relates to media storage
containers and, more particularly, to lockable media storage
containers. Specifically, the present invention relates to a
lockable media storage container wherein the lock is disposed in
the opening defined by the front walls of the lid and base.
[0004] 2. Background Information
[0005] Renting and purchasing items of recorded media such as video
cassettes and video games has become immensely popular in recent
times given the ever increasing number of items available for home
viewing and use as well as the decrease in price of the machines
that play the media. Retail stores display the items of recorded
media in the storage containers delivered from the manufacturer.
Typical rental stores display the items available for rental in
storage boxes that protect the items from dust, ultraviolet light,
and damage from impact if accidentally dropped. Stores protect
themselves against theft by placing one or more EAS tags on or
inside the item of recorded media. An EAS tag is adapted to
activate an alarm when passed through a sensing device that may be
disposed around the exit of the store. It is generally desirable to
place the EAS tags in places where they cannot be easily removed by
a shoplifter.
[0006] A rental establishment typically places older rental stock
out for sale when it no longer needs the item for rental. When
items are put out for sale, the EAS tags are removed from the items
and reused on items that are being rented. The EAS tags are removed
from the items of recorded media prior to sale so that the
purchaser will not activate the alarm systems in other stores with
the EAS tags. Without the EAS tags in the items themselves, a
rental store must protect itself against shoplifting by placing an
EAS tag on the storage container holding the item for sale. It is
desirable that the EAS tag be placed on the storage container in a
way that allows a sales clerk to quickly and easily remove the tag
after the sale is made but also in a manner that prevents a
shoplifter from easily removing the tag. Placement of the EAS tag
in such a position is, however, difficult because a storage
container provides few, if any, areas where the EAS tag may be
hidden. If the EAS tag is placed on the storage container in a
fashion such that it can be easily removed, a shoplifter may simply
remove the tag and steal the item without activating the alarm. It
is thus desired in the art to provide a storage container suitable
for holding and displaying an item of recorded media during display
for rental that has locking holes that can later accept a lock
containing an EAS tag when the container is used to sell an
item.
[0007] Such a storage box and lock combination must be configured
to prevent the thief from simply breaking the lock off the storage
box with a small pry bar. Although the storage box and lock must be
relatively strong, the cost of manufacturing the lock and storage
box must not be prohibitive. It is thus also desired in the art to
provide a relatively inexpensive storage box and lock and key
combination that securely locks the storage box while preventing a
pry bar from being inserted between the lock and the storage
box.
[0008] Retail stores desire the lock and EAS tag to be delivered to
the store from the manufacturer. Retail stores also desire that the
containers have the same footprint as containers without locks.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The invention provides a lockable media storage container
wherein the lock for the container is disposed within the lock
reception cavity defined by the container. The lock may be moved
from a locked position to an unlocked position while remaining
disposed within the lock reception cavity. This configuration
allows a clerk to unlock the lock and sell the unlocked lock and
container to the customer who removes the lock after it is removed
from the retail establishment.
[0010] In one embodiment, the invention provides a lock that locks
itself in the unlocked position so that it cannot accidently move
back into the locked position.
[0011] In one embodiment, the invention provides a lockable media
storage container system having a media storage container that
defines a lock reception cavity with a lock adapted to fit within
the lock reception cavity; the lock movable between locked and
unlocked positions. The lock includes first and second locking
fingers with the first locking finger disposed in an opening
defined by the lid and the second locking finger disposed in an
opening defined by the base to lock the lid in the closed position.
Each of the openings defined by the lid and the base being at least
partially defined by a locking ledge and an unlocking ramp with the
lock finger engaging the locking ledge when the lock is in the
locked position.
[0012] Another embodiment of the invention provides a method for
protecting and selling items of recorded media with lockable media
storage containers wherein the item of recorded media is locked
within the lockable media storage container in the retail
establishment. The retail clerk unlocks the lock without removing
the lock from the container or removing the lock from under the
shrink wrap layer. The retail customer then takes the unlocked
container home, removes the shrink wrap, and discards the lock.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the lockable media storage
container of the present invention in an open configuration.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with a disc disposed on
the hub of the media storage container.
[0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the lock
of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the first embodiment
of the lock of the present invention in an assembled and locked
position.
[0017] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the
lock shown from the rear.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the first embodiment of
the lock in the locked position.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the lockable media storage
container and the first embodiment of the lock showing the media
storage container closed and the lock being aligned with the
opening of the media storage container.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a section view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a section view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the lock installed in
the lock reception cavity of the media storage container with the
lock in the locked position.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a top view of the front portion of the lid of the
locked media storage container of FIG. 10.
[0024] FIG. 12 is a section view taken along line 12-12 of FIG.
10.
[0025] FIG. 13 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 10 showing the
media storage container wrapped in a thin layer of plastic.
[0026] FIG. 14 is a section view taken along line 14-14 of FIG.
13.
[0027] FIG. 15 is a front view of the media storage container
showing the lock in the locked position disposed within the opening
of the media storage container and covered by the thin layer of
plastic.
[0028] FIG. 16 is a section view taken along line 16-16 of FIG.
15.
[0029] FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG.
16.
[0030] FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 16 showing a magnet being
positioned adjacent the lock to move the magnetic lock fingers from
a locked position to an unlocked position.
[0031] FIG. 19 is enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG.
18.
[0032] FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 16 showing the lock being
moved to the unlocked position.
[0033] FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG.
20.
[0034] FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 16 showing the lock in the
unlocked position with the magnet removed.
[0035] FIG. 23 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG.
22.
[0036] FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing the lock in the
unlocked position.
[0037] FIG. 25 is a section view taken along line 25-25 of FIG.
24.
[0038] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the media storage container
with the thin layer of plastic removed and the handle of the lock
being pulled out so that the handle may be used to remove the lock
from the storage container.
[0039] FIG. 27 is a section view taken along line 27-27 of FIG.
26.
[0040] FIG. 28 is a section view showing an alternative locking
finger arrangement that may be used to hold the lock in the
unlocked position.
[0041] FIG. 29 is a view similar to FIG. 28 showing the alternative
locking arrangement holding the lock in the unlocked position.
[0042] FIG. 30 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of a
lockable media storage container.
[0043] FIG. 31 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the
lock of the present invention.
[0044] FIG. 32 is a front perspective view of the second embodiment
of the lock of the present invention in an assembled and locked
position.
[0045] FIG. 33 is an exploded view of the second embodiment of the
lock shown from the rear.
[0046] FIG. 34 is a rear perspective view of the second embodiment
of the lock in the locked position.
[0047] FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the lockable media storage
container and the second embodiment of the lock showing the media
storage container closed and the lock being aligned with the
opening of the media storage container.
[0048] FIG. 36 is a section view taken along line 36-36 of FIG.
35.
[0049] FIG. 37 is a perspective view showing the lock installed in
the lock reception cavity of the media storage container with the
lock in the locked position.
[0050] FIG. 38 is a top view of the front portion of the lid of the
locked media storage container of FIG. 37.
[0051] FIG. 39 is a section view taken along line 39-39 of FIG.
37.
[0052] FIG. 40 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 37 showing the
media storage container wrapped in a thin layer of plastic.
[0053] FIG. 41 is a section view taken along line 41-41 of FIG.
40.
[0054] FIG. 42 is a front view of the media storage container
showing the lock in the locked position disposed within the opening
of the media storage container and covered by the thin layer of
plastic.
[0055] FIG. 43 is a section view taken along line 43-43 of FIG.
42.
[0056] FIG. 44 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG.
43.
[0057] FIG. 45 is a view similar to FIG. 43 showing a magnet being
positioned adjacent the lock to move the magnetic lock fingers from
a locked position to an unlocked position.
[0058] FIG. 46 is enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG.
45.
[0059] FIG. 47 is a view similar to FIG. 43 showing the lock being
moved to the unlocked position.
[0060] FIG. 48 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG.
47.
[0061] FIG. 49 is a view similar to FIG. 43 showing the lock in the
unlocked position with the magnet removed.
[0062] FIG. 50 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG.
49.
[0063] FIG. 51 is a view similar to FIG. 38 showing the lock in the
unlocked position.
[0064] FIG. 52 is a section view taken along line 52-52 of FIG.
51.
[0065] FIG. 53 is a perspective view of the media storage container
with the thin layer of plastic removed and the handle of the lock
being pulled out so that the handle may be used to remove the lock
from the storage container.
[0066] FIG. 54 is a section view taken along line 54-54 of FIG.
53.
[0067] Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the
specification.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0068] The first embodiment of the lockable media storage container
system of the invention is indicated by the numeral 8 and includes
container 10 and lock 50. The lockable media storage container of
the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral 10 in
the accompanying drawings. Media storage container 10 generally
includes a base 12 that is connected to a lid 14 by an appropriate
hinge. In the exemplary embodiment, the hinge includes a pair of
living hinges 16 that are separated by hinge wall 18. Base 12
generally includes a bottom wall 20 with a pair of opposed
sidewalls 22 projecting out from bottom wall 20. A front wall 24
extends across the edge of bottom wall 20 between the ends of
sidewalls 22 opposite the hinge. Similarly, lid 14 includes a top
wall 30 and a pair of opposed sidewalls 32 that project from top
wall 30. A front wall 34 extends along the edge of top wall 30
between the ends of sidewalls 32 opposite the hinge. Sidewalls 32
are designed to slide within sidewalls 22 when lid 14 is closed so
that container 10 has a double wall thickness when it is closed.
Front walls 24 and 34 may also form a double thick front wall of
container 10 if the double wall thickness is desired. In some
embodiments, front walls 24 and 34 simply abut each other to define
a single-thickness front wall. A tab 36 projects outwardly from
hinge wall 18 so that it will cover a portion of the item of
recorded media 40 when lid 14 is closed as depicted in FIG. 8. This
helps prevent item 40 from falling off of hub 42 when container 10
is shaken or dropped.
[0069] A lock 50 is used to lock container 10 in a closed and
locked configuration. Lock 50 generally includes a lock base 52, a
lock slide 54, and at least one lock finger 56. In the exemplary
embodiment, lock 50 includes a pair of lock fingers 56 that
resiliently project from a common lock frame 58. In the exemplary
embodiment, lock fingers 56 are fabricated from a magnetically
attractable material so that lock fingers 56 may be moved from a
locked position to an unlocked position with the influence of a
magnetic field.
[0070] Before explaining and describing all of the structural
elements of container 10 and lock 50, the Applicants will describe
how lock 50 is used with container 10. In FIG. 1, container 10 is
open and item of recorded media 40 has not yet been placed in
container 10. Container 10 may be on the initial portion of an
automated assembly line that loads container 10. In FIG. 2, item 40
has been placed on retaining hub 42. At this time, printed
literature may also be loaded into lid 14. The user then closes lid
14 and aligns lock 50 with the concave opening or lock reception
cavity 60 defined by the front of container 10. Lock 50 is then
inserted into lock reception cavity 60 as depicted in FIG. 10. In
FIG. 10, lock 50 is in the locked position and is securely holding
lid 14 to base 12 such that container 10 cannot be opened until
lock 50 is moved to the unlocked position and removed from
container 10. Container 10 and lock 50 may then be wrapped by a
thin plastic layer 62 as depicted in FIG. 13. Such a layer is
commonly referred to as a shrink wrapped layer in the art.
[0071] Container 10 and lock 50 may then be shipped to a retail
establishment for display and sale to a consumer. The consumer may
view the front and rear panel of container 10 without an
interference from lock 50. Lock 50 further does not interfere with
the spine (the outer surface of hinge panel 18) when lock 50 is
locking container 10. A shoplifter cannot readily access item 40
without severely damaging container 10 and drawing attention to
himself in the process.
[0072] The consumer who wishes to purchase container 10 takes lock
container 10 to the retail establishment clerk who charges the
consumer the appropriate amount of money for container 10 and item
40. Without removing the shrink wrap, the clerk unlocks lock 50 and
gives container 10 and lock 50 back to the purchaser. The clerk can
unlock lock 50 without damaging the shrink wrap by placing a magnet
in the appropriate location next to lock 50 and moving lock slide
54 to the unlocked position. An appropriate mechanism holds lock
slide 54 in the unlocked position so that it cannot accidently
return to the locked position as shown in FIG. 23.
[0073] The consumer then leaves the retail establishment with lock
50 in the unlocked position under the layer of shrink wrap. The
consumer may then remove the shrink wrap and pull lock 50 from
container 10 as shown in FIG. 26. To facilitate the removal of lock
50, a handle 70 is provided in lock 50. Handle 70 may be pivoted
outwardly as depicted in FIG. 26 to provide a grip for the user's
finger and thumb. The user pulls on handle 70 until lock 50 is
removed from container 10. The user then discards lock 50 and
enjoys item of recorded media 40. The concepts of the present
invention may also be used without shrink wrap layer 62. Having now
described the concepts of the invention and the methods in which
lock 50 and container 10 are used, the Applicant will now describe
the structural features shown in the accompanying drawings.
[0074] As described above, lock 50 generally includes a lock base
52 and a lock slide 54 that are depicted in FIGS. 3-6. Lock slide
54 is selectively moveable between a locked position and an
unlocked position. Locking finger 56 prevents lock slide 54 from
moving from the locked position to the unlocked position when lock
finger 56 is in the locked position. In its locked position, lock
finger 56 engages both lock slide 54 and lock base 52 to prevent
the two items from moving relative to one another. Protrusions 80
extend from the inner surface of lock slide 54 to engage common
frame 58 to prevent frame 58 from moving longitudinally and
laterally with respect to lock slide 54. Some of protrusions 80 may
extend into a central portion of frame 58 while others of
protrusions 80 may engage the end surface of frame 58. FIG. 3 shows
the locking ledges 82 on which fingers 56 engage when fingers 56
are in the locked position. Ledges 82 may also be seen in FIG.
16.
[0075] Base 52 further defines a secondary locking ledge 84 that is
disposed in the opposite direction of ledges 82. Ledge 84 is
engaged by a holding member 86 that may be in the form of a
resilient locking finger similar to locking fingers 56. Holding
finger 86 may project from common frame 58 as depicted in FIG. 5.
Holding finger 86 is used to hold lock slide 54 in the unlocked
position by engaging ledge 84 as depicted in FIGS. 22 and 23.
[0076] Lock slide 54 is connected to lock base 52 by appropriate
connectors 90 that allow lock slide 54 to move between the locked
position of FIG. 18 and the unlocked position of FIG. 20. Members
90 may be received in a one-way snap fit connection by ledges 92
defined by the body of lock base 52 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. An
opening 94 may provide access to each ledge 92 so that members 90
may engage ledges 92. Base 52 and slide 54 cooperate to define an
EAS tag-reception cavity 96 that is sized to receive an EAS tag 98.
Slide 54 may define a indicator opening 100 that aligns with an
indicator 102. Indicator 102 is colored substantially different
from the color of lock slide 54 so that its color can be viewed
through opening 100 when lock slide 54 is in the locked position.
When lock slide 54 is moved to the unlocked position, indicator 102
is no longer visible through opening 100 thus providing an
indication that lock 50 is unlocked. A different color indicator
104 may be provided if desired. For example, indicator 102 may be
red and indicator 104 may be white with lock slide 54 being black.
When red is visible through opening 100, the user will understand
that lock 50 is in the locked position. When white is visible
through opening 100, the user will understand that lock 50 is in
the unlocked position. In some embodiments, opening 100 may also be
used to force lock slide 54 from the locked position to the
unlocked position when locking fingers 56 are in their unlocked
position. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, lock slide
54 is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position by
using the magnetic force that moves lock fingers 56 from their
locked position to their unlocked position.
[0077] Lock slide 54 includes container locking fingers 110.
Container locking fingers 110 are adapted to hold lock 50 on
container 10 in a secure manner that prevents lock 50 from being
removed from container 10 until lock slide 54 is in the unlocked
position. Container 10 thus defines finger openings 112 as shown in
FIG. 10. In the exemplary embodiment, lock 50 includes six
container locking fingers 110 that are received in three openings
112 defined by top wall 30 and three openings 112 defined by bottom
wall 20. FIG. 7 shows the front portion of openings 112 wherein
each opening 112 is defined by a locking ledge 114 and an unlocking
ramp 116. Ledges 114 and 116 are adjacent bottom wall 20 and top
wall 30 and are disposed adjacent lock reception cavity 60. Ledges
114 are positioned to engage container locking fingers 110 when
lock 50 is in the locked configuration depicted in FIG. 7. Each
container locking finger 110 includes a resilient locking finger
that engages ledge 114 in a one-way snap fit connection when lock
50 is moved into lock reception cavity 60 as depicted in FIG. 10.
When lock slide 54 is moved to the unlocked position, fingers 110
are moved over to be aligned with unlocking ramp 116. Ramps 116
allow fingers 110 to move back out of container 10 thus allowing
lock 50 to be removed from container 10. These two positions are
depicted in FIGS. 11 and 24.
[0078] FIGS. 28 and 29 show an alternative mechanism for holding
lock slide 54 in the unlocked position. In the embodiment of FIGS.
28 and 29, resilient barbs 87 are connected to one of lock slide 54
and lock base 52 with the other of lock slide 54 and lock base 52
defining openings 89 that receive barbs 87 when lock slide 54 is
moved to the unlocked position. Barbs 87 prevent lock slide 54 from
moving back to the locked position.
[0079] The second embodiment of the lockable media storage
container system of the invention is indicated by the numeral 200
and includes container 202 and lock 250. The second embodiment of
the lockable media storage container of the present invention is
indicated generally by the numeral 202 in the accompanying
drawings. The elements of media storage container 202 are similar
to container 10 and the same reference numbers are used to identify
these elements.
[0080] A lock 250 is used to lock container 202 in a closed and
locked configuration. Lock 250 generally includes a lock base 252,
a lock slide 254, and at least one lock finger 256. In the
exemplary embodiment, lock 250 includes a single lock finger 256
that resiliently projects from a lock frame 258. In the exemplary
embodiment, lock finger 256 is fabricated from a magnetically
attractable material so that lock finger 256 may be moved from a
locked position to an unlocked position with the influence of a
magnetic field.
[0081] Before explaining and describing all of the structural
elements of container 202 and lock 250, the Applicant will describe
how lock 250 is used with container 202. In FIG. 35, container 202
is open and item of recorded media 40 has been placed in container
202. The user (or automated equipment) then closes lid 14 and
aligns lock 250 with lock reception cavity 60 defined by the front
of container 202. Lock 250 is then inserted into lock reception
cavity 60 as depicted in FIG. 37. In FIG. 37, lock 250 is in the
locked position and is securely holding lid 14 to base 12 such that
container 202 cannot be opened until lock 250 is moved to the
unlocked position and removed from container 202. Container 202 and
lock 250 may then be wrapped by a thin plastic layer 62 as depicted
in FIG. 41. Such a layer is commonly referred to as a shrink
wrapped layer in the art.
[0082] Container 202 and lock 250 may then be shipped to a retail
establishment for display and sale to a consumer. The consumer may
view the front and rear panel of container 202 without an
interference from lock 250. Lock 250 further does not interfere
with the spine (the outer surface of hinge panel 18) when lock 250
is locking container 202. A shoplifter cannot readily access item
40 without severely damaging container 202 and drawing attention to
himself in the process.
[0083] The consumer who wishes to purchase container 202 takes lock
container 202 to the retail establishment clerk who charges the
consumer the appropriate amount of money for container 202 and item
40. Without removing the shrink wrap, the clerk unlocks lock 250
and gives container 202 and lock 250 back to the purchaser. The
clerk can unlock lock 250 without damaging the shrink wrap by
placing a magnet in the appropriate location next to lock 250 and
moving lock slide 54 to the unlocked position. An appropriate
mechanism holds lock slide 54 in the unlocked position so that it
cannot accidently return to the locked position as shown in FIG.
23.
[0084] The consumer then leaves the retail establishment with lock
250 in the unlocked position under the layer of shrink wrap. The
consumer may then remove the shrink wrap and pull lock 250 from
container 202 as shown in FIG. 53. To facilitate the removal of
lock 250, a handle 70 is provided in lock 250. Handle 70 may be
pivoted outwardly as depicted in FIG. 26 to provide a grip for the
user's finger and thumb. The user pulls on handle 70 until lock 250
is removed from container 202. The user then discards lock 250 and
enjoys item of recorded media 40. The concepts of the present
invention may also be used without shrink wrap layer 62. Having now
described the concepts of the invention and the methods in which
lock 250 and container 202 are used, the Applicant will now
describe the structural features shown in the accompanying
drawings.
[0085] As described above, lock 250 generally includes a lock base
252 and a lock slide 254 that are depicted in FIGS. 31-34. Lock
slide 254 is selectively moveable between a locked position and an
unlocked position. Locking finger 256 prevents lock slide 254 from
moving from the locked position to the unlocked position when lock
finger 256 is in the locked position. In its locked position, lock
finger 256 engages both lock slide 254 and lock base 252 to prevent
the two items from moving relative to one another. Protrusions 280
extend from the inner surface of lock slide 254 to engage frame 258
to prevent frame 258 from moving longitudinally and laterally with
respect to lock slide 254. Some of protrusions 280 may extend into
a central portion of frame 258 while others of protrusions 280 may
engage the end surface of frame 258. FIG. 31 shows the locking
ledge 282 on which finger 256 engages when finger 256 is in the
locked position. Ledge 282 may also be seen in FIG. 16.
[0086] Base 252 further defines a secondary locking ledge 284 that
is disposed in the opposite direction of ledge 282. Ledge 284 is
engaged by a holding member 286 that may be in the form of a
resilient locking finger similar to locking finger 256. Holding
finger 286 may project from common frame 258 as depicted in FIG.
31. Holding finger 286 is used to hold lock slide 254 in the
unlocked position by engaging ledge 284 as depicted in FIGS. 49 and
50.
[0087] Lock slide 254 is connected to lock base 252 by appropriate
connectors 290 that allow lock slide 254 to move between the locked
position of FIG. 43 and the unlocked position of FIG. 49. Members
290 may be received in a one-way snap fit connection by ledges 292
defined by the body of lock base 252 as shown in FIGS. 31 and
33.
[0088] An opening 294 may provide access to each ledge 292 so that
members 290 may engage ledges 292. Base 252 and slide 254 cooperate
to define an EAS tag-reception cavity 296 that is sized to receive
an EAS tag 98.
[0089] Base 252 may include an indicator 298 disposed at the end of
base 252. Indicator 298 may be provided in a bright color or a
color that contrasts with the color of base 252 and slide 254. When
lock 250 is moved to the unlocked position, indicator 298 is
visible as shown in FIG. 53.
[0090] Slide 254 includes a ledge 300 that extends from the front
of slide 254. Ledge 300 allows slide 254 to be pushed from the
locked position to the unlocked position as shown in FIGS. 45-48.
Ledge 300 is positioned at one end of the position of lock frame
258 so that the key that unlocks lock 250 may engage ledge 300 to
push slide 254 to the unlocked position.
[0091] Lock slide 254 includes container locking fingers 310.
Container locking fingers 310 are adapted to hold lock 250 on
container 202 in a secure manner that prevents lock 250 from being
removed from container 202 until lock slide 254 is in the unlocked
position. Container 202 thus defines finger openings 312 as shown
in FIG. 35. In the exemplary embodiment, lock 250 includes six
container locking fingers 310 that are received in three openings
312 defined by top wall 30 and three openings 312 defined by bottom
wall 20. FIG. 38 shows the front portion of openings 312 wherein
each opening 312 is defined by a locking ledge 314 and an unlocking
ramp 316. Ledges 314 and 316 are adjacent bottom wall 20 and top
wall 30 and are disposed adjacent lock reception cavity 60. Ledges
314 are positioned to engage container locking fingers 310 when
lock 250 is in the locked configuration depicted in FIG. 39. Each
container locking finger 310 includes a resilient locking finger
that engages ledge 314 in a one-way snap fit connection when lock
250 is moved into lock reception cavity 60 as depicted in FIG. 37.
When lock slide 254 is moved to the unlocked position, fingers 310
are moved over to be aligned with unlocking ramp 316. Ramps 316
allow fingers 310 to move back out of container 202 thus allowing
lock 250 to be removed from container 202. This position is
depicted in FIGS. 51 and 52.
[0092] Locks 50 and 250 are configured to have a length that is
substantially the same as the length of lock reception cavity 60 so
that either lock 50 or 250 will substantially fill cavity 60 as
shown in FIGS. 16 and 43.
[0093] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used
for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary
limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of
the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes
and are intended to be broadly construed.
[0094] Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention
is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details
shown or described.
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