ANTI-THEFT DEVICE FOR AN ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM

Abstract: An anti-theft device for a playing and/or recording unit using a cassette or other data carrier insertable into a playing position in the unit in which it is retained by latching means, said device comprises a shaped part simulating said data carrier so as to be insertable into said latched position of use in the unit, a cover positionable over the front face of the unit so as to prevent access to at least the eject mechanism of the unit, and means for lockably interconnecting the cover and the shaped part.

Description: ANTI-THEFT DEVICE FOR AN ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM This invention relates to an anti-theft device for an entertainment system and is particularly but not exclusively concerned with such a device for an in-car entertainment system. It is known to protect in-car entertainment systems comprising or including a cassette player by means of a cassette-shaped part insertable into the player through the cassette opening and provided with locking means capable of taking up an interlocked relationship with the player when inserted (US Patent 4,131,001). A disadvantage of such a device is that the cassette-shaped part is concealed in use and therefore does not deter unauthorised entry into the vehicle. In GB 2,104,953A the cassette player is concealed by a blind cover but this is not a wholly effective deterrent because the thief may notice the cover and other indicators (e.g. a car aerial) of the existence of an audio system. In DE 3614023 a cassette-shaped part fitting into the cassette opening is combined with a cover fitting over the audio unit. In its simplest form the cover has an opening on its underside serving as a hand-hold for slidably positioning and removing the .device. In a lockable version the face of the cover has a lock for actuating locking elements capable of projecting from the cassette-shaped part so as to engage the player internally and prevent removal of the device. The lockable device suffers from the disadvantage that a relatively complex lock is required to accommodate different kinds of cassette player. A similar design is described in GB 2168522. It will be appreciated that although the above discussion has been confined to audio cassette players similar considerations apply to record, compact disc and video cassette players. According to the present invention there is provided an anti-theft device for a playing and/or recording unit using a cassette or other data carrier insertable into a playing position in the unit in which it is retained by latching means, said device comprising a shaped part simulating said data carrier so as to be insertable into said latched position of use in the unit, a cover positionable over the front face of the unit so as to prevent access to at least the eject mechanism of the unit, and means for lockably interconnecting the cover and the shaped part. The invention will now be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing which is an exploded view of an anti-theft device according to the invention and a car radio/cassette unit to which the anti-theft device is fitted. Referring now to the drawing, a radio/cassette unit 1 has a box-shaped body indicated in chain-dot line which is normally concealed behind the facia board to leave the front face with its controls (including a cassette eject button not shown) and a cassette opening 2 exposed. A shaped part 3 is in the form of a dummy cassette having the usual openings 4 for engaging the cassette drive spindles of the cassette unit. Extending rearwardly of the dummy cassette 3 is a metal tongue 5 securely fixed to the cassette 3 and having an upturned free end from which extends a locking bar 6. A steel cover 7 has top, bottom and side walls defining a box shape with a front opening conforming to the front face of the radio/cassette unit. A lock 8 has a key opening on the rear side wall of the cover and a barrel 9 extending forwardly to a locking lever 10 which is shown in the horizontal unlocked position and again in the vertical locked position in which it engages behind the locking bar 6 when the anti-theft device is in use. Fitting of the anti-theft device before leaving the car is a simple matter. The dummy cassette 3 is inserted into the cassette opening 2 of the unit 1 until it is latched into position by the latching mechanism leaving the tongue 5 and the locking bar 6 projecting from the unit 1. The cover 7 is then presented to the unit 1 so that the front opening thereof overlies the front face of the unit 1. In this position of the cover 7 the locking bar 10 of the lock 8 is in its horizontal unlocked position forwardly (i.e. nearer to the unit 1 than) the locking bar 6. Turning the key in the lock moves the lever 10 into the vertical locking position in which it engages immediately in front of the locking bar 6 so holding the cover 7 tightly on the facia board. The cover 7 may be brightly coloured and otherwise marked to draw attention to the security system which, as will be appreciated from the above description, is reliant upon the latching mechanism of the radio/cassette unit to prevent withdrawal of the dummy cassette 3 and indirectly removal of the cover 7, the lock 8 serving merely as part of the locking means for interconnecting the dummy cassette 3 and the cover 7. Because the cover 7 denies access to the eject mechanism the anti-theft device can only be disabled by use of the key to remove the cover 7 followed by operation of the eject mechanism to release the dummy cassette 3. Any attempt to lever the cover 7 away from the unit 1 tends to pull the dummy cassette 3 out of the cassette opening with consequent damage to the latching mechanism thereby rendering the unit unsaleable. It will be appreciated that although the invention has been described with reference to a car radio/cassette unit it has wider application to other entertainment systems e.g. record, compact disc and video cassette players.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An anti-theft device for a playing and/or recording unit using a cassette or other data carrier insertable into a playing position in the unit in which it is retained by latching means, said device comprising a shaped part simulating said data carrier so as to be insertable into said latched position of use in the unit, a cover positionable over the front face of the unit so as to prevent access to at least the eject mechanism of the unit, and means for lockably interconnecting the cover and the shaped part. 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shaped part is a dummy cassette with a projecting locking formation for engagement with a locking element on the cover. 3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover is dimensioned to completely cover the front face of the unit in use. 4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover is prominently marked to draw attention to the device.

Inventors: BLAIR JOHN, BLAIR, JOHN
Applicants: BLAIR ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING C, BLAIR ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED
Application year: 1989
Main classification: G11B23
IPC codes: G11B33