Housing for a video cassette playback machine

A housing is provided for encasing a video cassette playback machine with selected portions of the machine being accessible through relatively small access openings in the housing to permit restricted operation of the machine. The housing comprises an impact resistant portable carrying case which can be opened for reception of the machine loaded with a selected video cassette and then closed and locked. The carrying case supports a face plate in a position covering the machine control panel wherein one or more access openings are formed in the face plate to permit access to selected machine control devices, such as, for example, the "play" switch, while masking and thus preventing access to other machine control devices, such as, for example, the "record" switch. In one embodiment, a hinged panel is mounted on the inboard side of the face plate and is selectively positioned to open or close access openings in the face plate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates generally to devices for encasing and protecting a 
video cassette playback machine while permitting operation of the machine 
on a restricted basis. 
Video cassette playback machines in general are known in the art. Such 
machines typically comprise a machine housing having a cassette-receiving 
chamber into which a standardized video cassette can be loaded into 
association with a machine record-playback head. Magnetic video tape 
within the cassette is advanced past the record-playback head during 
operation of the machine in response to selective actuation of a variety 
of control devices, such as a "play" switch, a "record" switch, a "rewind" 
switch, a "fast forward" switch, a "stop" switch, and the like, wherein 
these control devices are all typically mounted on a control panel at one 
side of the machine housing. If desired, this control panel may include a 
variety of additional control devices for monitoring operation of the 
machine, such as, for example, a numerical counter, a dew indicator, and 
the like. 
The video cassette playback machine is operated in conjunction with a 
conventional television set either to record broadcast television programs 
for later viewing or to playback selected video programs which have been 
prerecorded upon video cassettes. In this regard, many desirable video 
programs such as full-length motion pictures in an uncut, uninterrupted 
format are not broadcast for normal television viewing, whereby a 
substantial market has arisen for the sale and/or rental of video 
cassettes having selected video programs recorded thereon. Thus, by 
purchasing and/or renting selected video cassettes, the playback machine 
owner has access to an extremely broad range of video programming which 
would not otherwise be available for viewing. 
While modern video cassette playback machines have become increasingly 
popular, the cost of purchasing a machine has been a significant obstacle 
for many consumers. Accordingly, the current market for machines has 
remained relatively small particularly when compared with the market scope 
for television sets. This limited machine market correspondingly limits 
the demand for prerecorded video cassettes either on a purchase or rental 
basis. 
One way of increasing the market scope for machines and video cassettes is 
to make both the machines and the cassettes available to the consumer on a 
rental basis for a relatively small fee. Such a rental system would permit 
many consumers to enjoy the benefits of video cassette playback machines 
on a periodic basis as desired and at a nominal cost compared with the 
machine purchase price. However, rental schemes include major drawbacks 
such as providing an effective way to safeguard the machine and the 
cassettes against damage and misuse. 
Accordingly there exists a significant need for a practical and economical 
device for protecting a video cassette playback machine and a selected 
video cassette against damage and misuse during a rental period. The 
present invention fulfills this need. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the invention, a protective housing is provided for 
encasing a video cassette playback machine having a selected video 
cassette loaded therein and ready for playing a video program recorded 
thereon. The housing is adapted to be closed and locked to prevent removal 
or unauthorized tampering with the playback machine or the video cassette. 
When closed and locked, a limited portion of the machine control panel is 
accessible from the exterior of the housing thereby to permit operation of 
selected machine control devices while preventing operation of other 
machine control devices. 
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the protective housing 
comprises an impact resistant portable carrying case, such as a double 
walled case formed from a relatively lightweight plastic material or the 
like. The carrying case is configured in hinged halves movable between an 
open position for reception thereinto of the machine preloaded with a 
selected video cassette and a closed position substantially encasing the 
machine. A lock is provided to prevent unauthorized opening of the casing 
and thereby correspondingly prevent unauthorized access to the machine or 
the video cassette. 
One side of the carrying case supports a face plate positioned to cover the 
control panel of the playback machine. This face plate includes a selected 
number of access openings at predetermined locations to permit access or 
viewing therethrough of selected machine control devices. For example, 
when it is desired to restrict operation of the machine to a single play 
of the program recorded on the video cassette, access openings in the face 
plate may be provided to permit conventional actuation of the "play" and 
"stop" switches on the machine control panel. Other machine control 
devices, such as the "rewind", "fast forward", and "record" switches are 
selectively masked by the face plate to prevent actuation thereof by the 
consumer. 
The face plate is, in its preferred form, removable from the carrying case 
when the case is in the open position, but is locked against removal when 
the case is closed and locked. Accordingly, interchangeable face plates 
may be provided having different sets of access openings formed therein, 
wherein the particular face plate utilized for a given consumer can be 
chosen according to the rental fee paid. Alternately, the face plate may 
be provided with one or more movable panels for controllably closing or 
opening selected access openings to modify the permitted degree of machine 
operation. For example, access openings may be formed in the face plate to 
expose the "rewind" and "fast forward" switches to permit repeated viewing 
of the recorded program by the consumer. However, when repeated viewing is 
not desired, these access openings can be blocked to render these control 
switches inaccessible. 
The protective housing further includes at least one interior compartment 
for storage of appropriate power and signal cords required for proper 
operation of the machine. This storage compartment is readily accessible 
to the consumer, such as via a removable door, to permit appropriate 
connection of the power cord to a suitable power supply and connection of 
the signal cord to the consumer's television set. 
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more 
apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction 
with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the 
principles of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
As shown in the exemplary drawings, a protective housing designated 
generally by the reference numeral 10 is provided for encasing and 
protecting a video cassette playback machine 12. The protective housing 10 
is provided in the form of an impact resistant portable carrying case 14 
sized and shaped for relatively snug reception of the playback machine 12. 
The carrying case 14 supports a face plate 16 in a position covering a 
control panel 18 of the machine 12 wherein the face plate 16 masks some of 
the control devices on the machine control panel while permitting access 
to and operating of other control devices through at least one selectively 
positioned access opening 20. 
The video cassette playback machine 12 is of conventional design and 
construction to include appropriate electronic and mechanical components 
mounted within a machine housing 22 for use in playing back video programs 
recorded upon magnetic video recording tape carried by a conventional 
video cassette (not shown). More particularly, the machine housing 22 
conventionally includes a cassette-receiving chamber 24 for removable 
reception of a selected video cassette into close association with a 
machine record-playback head (also not shown). The record-playback head, 
in response to electrical power supplied to the machine via a power cord 
26, provides electronic signals indicative of video information on the 
recording tape wherein these signals are processed for supply via a signal 
cord 28 to a conventional television set (not shown) for display of the 
recorded video program, all in a well-known manner. Importantly, one side 
of the machine housing 22 constitutes the control panel 18 upon which are 
located a number of control devices for use in controlling the operation 
of the playback machine 12. For example, video cassette playback machines 
normally include an "on-off" switch for controlling supply of power to the 
machine, a "play" switch for advancing recording tape past the 
record-playback head, a "stop" switch for stopping tape advancement, a 
"rewind" switch for rapid rewinding of the tape, a "fast forward" switch 
for rapid advancing of the tape, and a "record" switch for placing the 
machine in a recording mode. In addition, a variety of other control 
devices may be provided for use in monitoring machine operation, such as a 
numerical counter, a dew indicator, and the like. 
The protective housing 10 of this invention is designed for encasing and 
protecting the video cassette playback machine 12 for insuring safe 
portability while selectively limiting access to the machine control 
devices. In this regard, the protective housing 10 of this invention is 
particularly well adapted for use in the rental of video cassette playback 
machines in that the protective housing permits restricted consumer 
operation of the machine while at the same time protecting both the 
machine and the video cassette inserted into the cassette chamber 24 
against damage from abusive handling or misuse, thereby insuring safe 
transport, use, and return of the machine and video cassette. 
In the preferred form, the protective housing 10 comprises a pair of 
complementary-shaped housing halves 30 and 32 hinged together along a 
common margin by a hinge 34 to define the portable carrying case 14. These 
housing halves 30 and 32 are formed advantageously from a relatively 
lightweight and inexpensive material, such as polyethylene plastic molded 
to have a double wall construction for strength and impact resistance. 
Importantly, the two housing halves 30 and 32 cooperate with each other to 
define a machine-receiving compartment 36 configured for relatively snug 
reception of the video cassette playback machine 12, as viewed in FIGS. 
1-3, to support the machine in a substantially fixed position relative to 
the carrying case 14 regardless of the case orientation. Conveniently, in 
order to permit the carrying case 14 to have a minimum size for optimum 
portability, the playback machine preferably comprises a relatively 
compact and lightweight machine, such as a commercially available portable 
machine of the type powered by a direct current battery power supply. In 
this regard, the two housing halves 30 and 32 further cooperate to define 
an auxiliary compartment 38 for relatively snug reception of a power 
converter unit 40 adapted for converting an alternating current power 
supply obtained via the power cord 26 to an appropriate direct current 
power supply for connection to the machine via an appropriate conductor 
42. 
In use, the two housing halves 30 and 32 are movable about the hinge 34 
between an open position permitting access to the interior of the carrying 
case 14 and a closed position precluding access to the case interior. In 
the open position, the video cassette playback machine 12 and the 
associated power converter unit are quickly and easily placed within one 
of the housing halves, such as the lower housing half 32, as viewed in 
FIGS. 1-4. Importantly, in this position, the cassette-receiving chamber 
24 in the machine housing 22 is accessible to permit loading with a 
selected video cassette having a desired video program prerecorded 
thereon. After the cassette is loaded, the housing halves 30 and 32 can be 
closed upon one another to encase and protect the machine 12 within the 
interior compartment 36. A locking assembly 44 (FIG. 1) of conventional 
design is provided for selectively locking the housing halves in the 
closed position. Importantly, while the particular form of the locking 
assembly may vary, it is desirable for the locking assembly to prevent the 
renting consumer from easily opening the carrying case 14 whereby the 
machine 12 and the selected video cassette are not directly accessible to 
the consumer. 
The carrying case 14 is desirably equipped with additional features which 
facilitate transport, use, and handling of the machine in a consumer 
rental environment. More specifically, the housing halves 30 and 32 
advantageously include cooperating support feet 46 and 47 adjacent the 
hinge 34 to permit the case to stand in an upright position. The housing 
halves further include cooperating handle members 48 and 49 located 
opposite the support feet wherein these handle members combine when the 
case 14 is closed to form a single handle for easy grasping and easy 
carrying about of the case. These handle members 48 and 49 are positioned 
generally to overlie the locking assembly 44 such that the locking 
assembly is not readily accessible to prying tools or other devices 
intended for use in gaining unauthorized entry into the case. In addition, 
the upper housing half 30 conveniently includes a relatively small storage 
chamber 51 formed between the double walls thereof for storage of the 
machine power cord 26 and signal cord 28, wherein this storage chamber is 
selectively closed by use of a snap-fit door 53 or the like. 
At one side of the carrying case 14, the two housing halves 30 and 32 
cooperate to define an enlarged opening 50 to permit access to the control 
devices on the machine control panel 18, and thereby permit the consumer 
to operate the playback machine 12. However, this opening 50 is 
substantially closed by the face plate 16 whereby the substantial majority 
of the machine control panel 18 is masked and thus not accessible to the 
consumer. Access to the control panel 18 is restricted to the relatively 
small access opening 20 in the face plate wherein this access opening 20 
is positioned at a predetermined location in alignment with a selected 
control device on the control panel 18. 
More particularly, as shown in detail in FIGS. 4-6, the enlarged opening 50 
in the carrying case 14 is bounded by facing aligned recesses 52 and 54 
formed respectively in the two housing halves 30 and 32 for reception of 
the face plate 16. That is, when the housing halves 30 and 32 are in the 
open position, the face plate 16 is quickly and easily fitted into the 
recess 54 in the lower housing half 32. When the housing halves are moved 
to the closed position, the upper housing half 30 is closed over the face 
plate to fit the face plate into its associated recess 52 and to 
correspondingly trap the face plate in a position covering the control 
panel 18 of the encased playback machine 12. Accordingly, the face plate 
is locked in position by the housing halves until the carrying case 14 is 
again returned to the open position. 
The small access opening 20 in the face plate 16 is selectively positioned 
in alignment with at least one control device on the machine control panel 
18 to permit operation of that device by the renting consumer. For 
example, since the consumer is desirous of viewing the video program 
recorded on the video cassette loaded previously into the machine, the 
access opening 20 is formed in alignment with the "play" switch 56 on the 
machine control panel to enable the consumer to actuate the "play" switch 
and thereby view the recorded program. However, since it is not desirable 
to permit the consumer to erase the program recorded on the video 
cassette, the face plate 16 masks other control devices, such as the 
"record" switch 58 to thus prevent consumer access to this switch. 
In some instances, additional access openings in the face plate 16 to 
permit additional access to the machine control panel 18 are desirable. 
For example, a second access opening 60 may be provided to permit consumer 
access to the "stop" switch 62, and thereby allow the consumer to start 
and stop the video program as desired. Moreover, further openings in the 
face plate are desirably provided, such as ventilation slots 64 to prevent 
overheating of the machine and/or viewing openings 66 to permit monitoring 
of selected control devices, such as a dew indicator lamp, numerical 
counter, or the like (not shown). 
With respect to some control devices on the machine control panel 18, it is 
desirable to provide the option either of permitting or preventing 
consumer access. For example, it may be desirable to limit the consumer to 
a single viewing of the recorded video program, whereby it is necessary to 
prevent access to the conventional "rewind" switch 68 and "fast forward" 
switch 70. Alternatively, with other consumers, access to the "rewind" and 
"fast forward" switches may be desired to permit viewing of the recorded 
video program more than one time. 
According to one form of the invention, the face plate 16 accommodates 
optional access to selected control devices by including additional access 
openings 72 and 74 in alignment, for example, with the "rewind" and "fast 
forward" switches 68 and 70. The additional access openings 72 and 74 are 
associated with a closure panel 76 hinged as by a score line 78 to a 
mounting base 80 secured in a suitable manner upon mounting pins 82 at the 
inboard side of the face plate. This closure panel 76 is thus selectively 
movable between a closed position, as viewed in FIGS. 6 and 7, closing the 
access openings 72 and 74 to prevent access to the "rewind" and "fast 
forward" switches and an open position, as viewed in FIG. 8, permitting 
access to these switches. Conveniently, the closure panel 76 is easily 
moved between the open and closed positions prior to insertion of the face 
plate 16 into the recesses when the carrying case is in the open position. 
However, when the carrying case is closed, the close spacing between the 
face plate and the machine control panel precludes movement of the closure 
panel 76 between open and closed positions. 
According to an alternative form of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 
9, optional access to various machine control devices can be obtained by 
use of one or more interchangeable face plates 16' having access openings 
formed therein in an array different from that shown in FIGS. 1-8. Thus, 
by inserting the desired one of several interchangeable face plates at the 
time the machine and video cassette are rented, it is possible to select 
the degree of consumer access to the machine without requiring movable 
closure panels, as depicted in FIGS. 4-8. 
The machine 12 of this invention thus provides a lightweight, inexpensive, 
and practical apparatus for protecting and encasing a video cassette 
playback machine wherein the machine and contained video cassette are 
securely locked therein and protected against damage and misuse. Moreover, 
the permitted number and identity of control devices accessible to the 
consumer are easily controlled in accordance with the requirements of the 
particular consumer. 
A variety of modifications and improvements to the invention described 
herein are believed to be apparent to one skilled in the art. Accordingly, 
no limitation on the invention is intended, except by way of the appended 
claims.