Security case

Details Security case Security case

1999-07-15

2001-06-05

Gall, Lloyd A. (Department: 3627)

Locks

Special application

For antitheft signaling device on protected article

C070S058000, C070S063000, C070S161000, C206S001500, C206S308200, C206S387110

Reexamination Certificate

active

06240750

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a security case. More specifically, the present invention relates to a security case for storing articles including, for example, video and audio disks or cassettes.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Security containers that are opened manually with a specially-shaped key are known, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,712 to Weisburn and U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,515 to Essick. These type of security cases have been used in retail stores to display video or audio disks or cassettes. The case is locked to prevent the unauthorized removal of the cassette or disk therefrom, thereby preventing its unauthorized removal from the store.
The containers disclosed in the '515 and '712 patents both utilize a specially-shaped tool or key to unlock the security case. However, when the specially-shaped key is manually inserted into the security case, flexible locking fingers
32
in the '515 patent or flexible tabs
30
through
32
in the '712 patent are flexed into a position where they will no longer interfere with the locking mechanism. Repeated locking and unlocking of either of these locking mechanisms will fatigue the flexible finger or tab. Eventually, the flexible finger or tab will no longer spring back to the locking position, thereby rendering the security container useless.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a security device for holding a variety of articles, such as, for example, audio and video disks or cassettes, which device can be secured in the locked position and is unlocked by a specially designed key without repeatedly flexing a tab within the locking mechanism.
According to the present invention, this and other objects are achieved, for example, in one exemplary embodiment of a security device that includes a case having at least one through opening. A lid is pivotably connected to the case. The lid pivots between a first open position and a second closed position. The lid has at least one corresponding through opening. In the second closed position, the at least one corresponding through opening in the lid aligns with the at least one through opening in the case. A latch is slidably engaged with the lid. The latch is slidable along a first axis between a first latch position and a second latch position. A locking plate is slidably engaged with the lid. The locking plate is slidable along a second axis between a first locking plate position and a second locking plate position. The locking plate has at least one pin extending along the second axis. In the first locking plate position, the at least one pin extends through the aligned at least one opening in the case and the at least one opening in the lid to lock the lid in the second closed position. In the second locking plate position, the at least one pin is removed from the aligned at least one opening in the case, thereby permitting the lid to pivot between the first open position and the second closed position.


REFERENCES:
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patent: 5390515 (1995-02-01), Essick
patent: 5460266 (1995-10-01), Mundorf et al.
patent: 5588315 (1996-12-01), Holmgren
patent: 5597068 (1997-01-01), Weisburn et al.
patent: 5598728 (1997-02-01), Lax
patent: 5680782 (1997-10-01), Komatsu et al.
patent: 5760689 (1998-06-01), Holmgren
patent: 5768922 (1998-06-01), Lax
patent: 5782350 (1998-07-01), Weisburn et al.
patent: 5823341 (1998-10-01), Nakasuji

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