Anti-theft device for compact discs and the like

Abstract: The object of the invention is an anti-theft device for compact discs, and the like, in which each compact disc is preferably snappingly inserted into the respective disc-­ carrying frame (1), which by means of two coaxial, disc-­ carrying frame side pins (5, 6), is pivotably fitted between the sides (8, 9) formed with holes (18, 19), of a channel-­ shaped disc-carrying frame support (7) preventing a compact disc from being drawn out of the respective disc-carrying frame (1). The disc-carrying frames (1) are constrainable in the said support (7) by means of a bolt member (16) which is slidably fitted in one side (8) thereof, and is alterna­ tely movable by means of a lock (12), into a disc-carrying frame releasing position, and into a disc-carrying frame constraining position.

Description: The invention relates to an anti-theft device to be fitted in exhibitors for compact discs, music cassettes, video cassettes, or the like, according to the pre-characterizing part of claim 1. An anti-theft device of this kind is known from the documents DE-A-2335965 and GB-A-2106770. In both of the said documents an anti-theft device is described, that corresponds to the preamble of claim 1. In this device, the open side of each cassette-carrying frame, through which a cassette is insertable into the cassette-carrying frame and is withdrawable therefrom, is turned toward the side lying opposite to the channel-shaped support in which the cassette-carrying frames are stationary, but are pivotably mounted by means of opposite, coaxial holding pins. Each cassette-carrying frame is formed by two half-frames, and at least one half-frame is provided at the cassette-carrying frame open side with a retaining abutment which is capable to overlap the matching side of the cassette placed in the cassette-carrying frame. At least one of the frame halves is sideward movable, i.e., it is slidable or tiltable, between a releasing, outwardly apart position in which the cassette can be extracted from the cassette-carrying frame, and a retaining, inwardly inserted position in which the cassette cannot be removed from the cassette-carrying frame. The movable frame half can be secured in its retaining position by means of a movable, i.e., slidable or tiltable, locking bar which is mounted on the mating side of the channel-shaped support, and is operable with a lock and a key. The invention aims to provide an anti-theft device of the aforementioned kind, that is quite safe and reliable and at the same time not much noticeable, and furthermore is of a simple and economical construction. This problem is solved by the invention by the combination of the features according to the characterizing part of claim 1. Some preferred embodiments of the anti-theft device according to the invention, form the subject of the dependent claims. Some embodiments of the invention will be disclosed more in detail hereinafter by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a disc-carrying frame according to a first embodiment of the anti-theft device according to the invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the first embodiment of the anti-theft device according to the invention, with a disc-carrying frame in its constrained condition to the respective disc-carrying frame support. Figures 3 to 6 show four successive steps of the operation for fitting a disc-carrying frame in the anti-theft device according to Figure 2, in a cross-sectional view through the respective disc-carrying frame support. Figures 7 and 8 are two part-sectional top views of the anti-theft device according to Figures 1 to 6, with the bolt member being shown in Figure 7 in its disc-carrying frame releasing position, and in Figure 8 in its disc-carrying frame constraining position. Figure 9 is an axial sectional view in an enlarged scale of one of the disc-carrying frame holding pins in a further embodiment of the anti-theft device according to the invention. Figures 10 to 13 show four successive steps of the operation for fitting a disc-carrying frame according to Figure 9, in the anti-theft device according to the second embodiment of the invention. Referring to Figures 1 to 8, the anti-theft device for compact discs, which is meant for being fitted in exhibitors for these discs, comprises a set of disc-carrying frames 1 having three sides formed with an internal groove 2, and a fourth side which is open, since it is formed with a longitudinal slot 3, through which a compact disc can be inserted into the respective disc-carrying frame 1, and engaged in the internal grooves 2 thereof. Thus, a compact disc housed in a disc-carrying frame 1 can be withdrawn therefrom only through the slot 3 in the said disc-carrying frame 1. The two facing parallel surfaces of a disc-carrying frame 1, which delimit the slot 3 for insertion of a compact disc in the respective frame 1, can be provided with opposite projections 4, that can be formed by means of external depressions, and that allow to snappingly insert a compact discs therebetween, whereby a compact disc is prevented from fortuitously slipping out of its disc-carrying frame 1 through the said slot 3. At both ends of their open side formed with the slot 3, a disc-carrying frame 1 has two disc-carrying frame holding cylindrical coaxial pins 5 and 6 which protrude from the opposite sides of the respective disc-carrying frame 1. The disc-carrying frame holding pin 6 provided on one side of a disc-carrying frame 1 (the right-hand side in the Figures), has its free end formed with an end section 106 of a reduced diameter. A helical spring M is fitted and engaged on the disc-carrying frame holding pin 5 provided on the other side of the disc-carrying frame 1. The anti-theft device for compact discs also comprises a support designated as a whole by numeral 7, which forms an integrating part of an exhibitor for compact discs, or the like, or which can be fixed in any suitable manner to an exhibitor of this type, or the like. The support 7 substantially is channel-shaped, and comprises two spaced apart, parallel sides 8, 9. In the shown embodiment, these sides 8, 9 have a box-like, or almost box-like profile, and are interconnected by a flat bottom member 11. The casing 12 of a lock, such as a cylinder safety lock, which is operable by means of the respective key 13, is fixedly arranged at one end of the channel-shaped support 7, between the sides 8, 9 thereof. Both sides 8, 9 of the channel-shaped support 7 have each a series of equispaced respective holes 18, 19 which are formed in opposite positions in the facing walls of the said sides 8, 9. The holes 18 formed in the side 8 of the channel-shaped support 7 are coaxial to the holes 19 formed in the opposite side 9 of the said support 7. The diameter of all the holes 18, 19 in the sides 8, 9 is slightly greater than the diameter of the disc-carrying frame holding pins 5, 6. From each hole 19 formed in the side 9 of the channel-shaped support 7 (the right-hand side in the Figures), which is associated with the disc-carrying frame holding pins 6 formed with a reduced diameter end section 106, a notch 29 extends to the free edge of the said side 9 (in the shown example, up to the upper edge thereof), and is of a width which is smaller than the diameter of the disc-carrying frame holding pins 6, but which is slightly greater than the diameter of the said pin 6 end section 106 of a reduced diameter. Housed in the opposite side 8 of the channel-shaped support 7 (the left-hand side in the Figures), is a bolt member 16 which is longitudinally slidably guided therein, and extends substantially over the whole expanse of the respective side 8, and is formed with a series of holes 116, which are equispaced by the same distance as the holes 18 formed in the side 8 of said support 7. The holes 116 in the bolt member 16 lie at the same level as the holes 18 in the said side 8. In the shown embodiment, the slidable bolt member 16 is a channel member, but the same may have, similarly to the sides 8, 9, any other suitable profile, different from the shown profile. The bolt member 16 is connected with the mechanism of the lock 12 in any suitable manner, such as by means of a latch 112 which is operated by the lock 12 and is engaged in a respective hole in the bolt member 16. Thus, the bolt member 16 can be alternately moved at will by means of the key 13, into a disc-carrying frame releasing position, and into a disc-carrying frame constraining position. The disc-carrying frame releasing position is shown in Figures 3, 4, 5, and 7, and in such a position the holes 116 in the bolt member 16 come to coincide with the holes 18 in the matching side 8 of the channel-shaped support 7, whereby a disc-carrying frame 1 can be fitted in the said support 7, and can be disconnected therefrom, as disclosed hereinafter. The disc-carrying frame constraining position is shown in Figures 2, 6, and 8, and in such a position the holes 116 in the bolt member 16 come to be offset from the holes 18 in the side 8 of the channel-shaped support 7, so that the holes 18 in the wall of the said side 8 are at least partly closed from the outside by the bolt member 16, whereby a disc-carrying frame 1 is thus constrained to both sides 8, 9 of the said support 7, as disclosed hereinafter. The transversal clearance between the two sides 8, 9 of the channel-shaped support 7 is slightly greater than the width of a disc-carrying frame 1. Thus, a disc-carrying frame 1 can be fitted between the two sides 8, 9 of the channel-shaped support 7 for a set of disc-carrying frames 1, with its open side (slot 3) turned toward the bottom member 11 of the said support 7, by causing the frame-holding side pins 5, 6 in this disc-carrying frame 1 to be engaged in two opposite holes 18 and 19 in the sides 8, 9 of the channel-shaped disc-carrying frame support 7. In order to have a disc-carrying frame fitted between the said sides 8, 9, the bolt member 16 is moved into its disc-carrying frame releasing position (Figures 3, 4, 5, and 7), and by inclining this disc-carrying frame 1 transversely to the bottom 11 of the channel-shaped disc-carrying frame support 7, and by holding this frame 1 against the bolt member 16, its frame-holding pin 5 provided with a spring M, is fitted into a hole 18 in the side 8 of the said support 7, and into the coinciding hole 116 in the bolt member 16, so that the spring M, which is caused to cooperate with the said side 8, will be compressed, as shown in Figure 3. This disc-carrying frame 1 being held against the bolt member 16, so that the loaded condition of spring M is being maintained, is then returned into its normal horizontal position, substantially parallel to the bottom member 11 of the channel-shaped disc-carrying frame support 7. Thus, the opposite frame-holding pin 6 of this disc-carrying frame 1 is engaged by means of its reduced diameter end section 106, in a notch 29 in the respective side 9 of the channel-shaped disc-carrying frame support 7, and is moved down and fitted into the relative hole 19 formed in the said side 9, as shown in Figure 4. The said disc-carrying frame 1 being no more held against the bolt member 16, is then urged by the loaded spring M, transversely to the channel-shaped disc-carrying frame support 7, toward the opposite side 9 thereof, (toward the right in the Figures), so that the disc-carrying frame holding pin 5 will be disengaged from the hole 116 in the bolt member 16, while being still kept engaged in the hole 18 in the respective side 8 of the disc-carrying frame support 7, and the opposite disc-carrying frame holding pin 6 will be simultaneously engaged in the respective hole 19 in the opposite side 9 of the said support 7, as shown in Figure 5. The bolt member 16 is finally moved into its disc-carrying frame constraining position (Figures 1, 6, and 8), in which it provides an abutment for the fore end of the respective disc-carrying frame holding pin 5 to bear there-against, whereby it prevents a disc-carrying frame 1 from being moved transversely to the channel-shaped disc-carrying frame support 7, away from the one or the other side 8, 9 thereof, to such an extent that the one or the other of its disc-carrying frame holding pins 5, 6 may be disengaged from the respective holes 18, 19 in the sides 8, 9 of the said support 7. In such a constrained condition, a disc-carrying frame 1 can be turned, about its frame-holding pins 5, 6, in the holes 18, 19 formed in both sides 8, 9, of the channel-shaped disc-carrying frame support 7, so that this frame is pivotable relative to the said support 7, from a forwardly inclined position to a rearwardly inclined position, and vice-versa. It is thus possible to screen as usual the compact discs contained in a plurality of disc-carrying frames 1, which as described above, are fitted the one after the other in the disc-carrying frame support 7, and are each held in a pair of respective opposite holes 18, 19 formed in both sides 8, 9 of support 7. At the same time, it is impossible to draw a compact disc out of the respective disc-carrying frame 1, since the open side (slot 3) of this disc-carrying frame 1 is turned toward the bottom member 11 of the disc-carrying frame support 7, so that it is beyond reach. The fact that the compact discs are retained in the respective disc-carrying frame 1 by being snappingly engaged between the projections 4 in the respective disc-carrying frame 1, prevents the discs from accidentally slipping out of the said frame 1, and from contacting the bottom member 11 of the disc-carrying frame support 7. To draw a compact disc out of the respective disc-carrying frame 1, the said frame has to be removed from its support 7. For such a removal, the bolt member 16 shall be moved by means of the key 13, into its disc-carrying frame releasing position (Figures 3, 4, 5, and 7), and the disc-carrying frame holding pins 5, 6 shall be disengaged from the sides 8, 9 of the disc-carrying frame support 7, by reversing the operation by which the said pins 5, 6 have been engaged in the disc-carrying frame support 7. The embodiment of the anti-theft device according to the invention, which is shown in Figures 9 to 13, substantially corresponds to the embodiment as described above by referring to Figures 1 to 8. However, in the embodiment according to Figures 9 to 13, the pin for holding the disc-carrying frame 1 in the wall of side 8 of the channel-shaped disc-carrying frame support 7, which is associated with the bolt member 16, has no spring M fitted thereon, but consists of a disc-carrying frame holding pin 50, which is a sprung pin, so that this pin 50 is elastically yieldable in the axial direction, and is provided with a tapering end section 150. This axially sprung disc-carrying frame holding pin 50 can be made in many different ways. One possible embodiment of this pin 50 is shown in Figure 9. According to this embodiment, a cylindrical hollow cap 51 forming the real and proper disc-carrying frame holding pin 50, and being provided with a tapering end section 150, is axially slidably fitted on a preferably hollow coaxial guide pin 52 being integral with the respective side of a disc-carrying frame 1. Fitted between the bottom,of the hollow guide pin 52 and the fore end side of the slidable cylindrical cap 51 is a helical spring M1 urging outwardly the slidable cap 51. By means of abutments 53, 54, the axially slidable cap 51 is engaged in the guide pin 52. Many other embodiments of sprung pins of this type are however contemplated by the known art, and may be just used in place of the described pin according to Figure 9. In the embodiment of the anti-theft device shown in Figures 9 to 13, from each one of the holes 18 formed in the side 8 of the disc-carrying frame support 7, which is associated with the bolt member 16, a notch 28 similarly extends to the free edge, and partly into the upper surface of the said side 8. The width of the notches 28 is smaller than the diameter of the sprung disc-carrying frame holding pin 51, but is slightly greater than the diameter of the tapering end section 150 of said pin 50. The holes 216 formed in the bolt member 16, which are susceptible to coaxially coincide with the holes 18 in the side 8 of the disc-carrying frame support 7, with the bolt member being set in its disc-carrying frame releasing position, have a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the sprung disc-carrying frame holding pin 50, but which is slightly greater than the diameter of the tapering end section 150 of said pin 50. The procedure for fitting a disc-carrying frame 1 in an anti-theft device according to the embodiment shown in Figures 9 to 13, is as follows: The bolt member 16 is moved, into its disc-carrying frame releasing position, and the sprung frame-holding pin 50 in a disc-carrying frame 1 is fitted into a hole 18 in the relative side 8 of the disc-carrying frame support 7, by causing at first its tapering end section 150 to be fitted into the notch 28 in the said hole 18, and by inclining the disc-carrying frame 1 transversely to the channel-shaped disc-carrying frame support 7, as shown in Figure 10. Nextly, the disc-carrying frame is moved transversely toward the side 8 of the said support 7, which is associated with the bolt member 16. Thus, the tapering end section 150 of the sprung disc-carrying frame holding pin 50 is engaged in a hole 216 in the bolt member 16, and the said pin 50 is caused to bear endwise against the bolt member 16, and it is "squeezed", since it elastically yields in the axial direction, so that its spring M1 will be compressed, as shown in Figure 10. The inclined disc-carrying frame 1 being still held toward and against the bolt member 16, is then returned into its normal horizontal position, substantially parallel to the bottom member 11 of the channel-shaped disc-carrying frame support 7, and its opposite disc-carrying frame holding pin 6 is simultaneously fitted by means of its reduced diameter end section 106, into the notch 29 in the respective side 9 of the said support 7, and is then moved down and engaged in the respective hole 19 formed in the said side, as shown in Figure 12. Thereafter, the disc-carrying frame 1 being no more held against the bolt member, will be automatically moved transversely to the channel-shaped disc-carrying frame support 7, toward the opposite side of the said support 7, owing to the original length of the sprung disc-carrying frame holding pin 50 being elastically restored, as a result of the elastic recovery of its spring M1. Thus, the disc-carrying frame holding pin 6 lying opposite to the said sprung pin 50, is engaged in the respective hole 19 formed in the side 9 of the channel-shaped disc-carrying frame support 7, as shown in Figure 12. The bolt member 16 is finally moved into its disc-carrying frame constraining position, and by being so moved, it expels the tapering end section 150 of the sprung disc-carrying frame holding pin 50 from the respective hole 216 in the bolt member 16, so that the disc-carrying frame 1 is urged against the opposite side 9 of the channel-shaped disc-carrying frame support 7, and the sprung disc-carrying frame holding pin 50 is axially "squeezed", since its expanse is so reduced as a result of its spring M1 being compressed, that the said pin 50 is no more allowed to elastically yield by an appreciable extent in the axial direction, as shown in Figure 13. With the squeezed sprung pin 50 being set in this position, in which this pin 50 is still engaged in the respective hole 18 in the side 8 of the channel-shaped disc-carrying frame support 7, and is caused to bear with its tapering end section 150 against the bolt member 16 locked in its disc-carrying frame constraining position, the disc-carrying frame 1 can be no more removed from the one or the other side 8, 9 of the said support 7, to such an extent that the tapering end section 150, or the reduced diameter end section 106, respectively of the disc-carrying frame holding pin 50, and of the disc-carrying frame holding pin 6, may not be moved to the notch 28, 29 in the associated side 8, 9, whereby the disc-carrying frame 1 is prevented from being released from the sides 8, 9 of the disc-carrying, frame support 7. Of course, the invention is not limited to the above described and shown embodiments, and the same may be widely changed and modified, the more so in construction, so as to be adapted to any particular manufacturing requirements and suitabilities. Thus, for example, instead of being a clear frame, the disc-carrying frame 1 may be provided with proper flat members for closing one or both of its faces, so that when both of its faces are closed, the said frame is given the form of a flat box, with one open side (slot 3). The anti-theft device according to the invention, is however not limited to the application in exhibitors for compact discs, but the same may be adavantageously used, by adapting as required its construction and size, also in exhibitors for any other articles, such as music cassettes, video cassettes, and the like. For such a purpose, the disc-carrying frames or boxes 1 will be so made and sized as to be capable to contain each a video cassette, or two music cassettes arranged side by side, or the like. The channel-shaped disc-carrying frame support 7 may be fitted in an exhibitor and may be oriented in any suitable manner, more particularly, the bottom member 11 of said support 7 may be placed either in a horizontal, or in an inclined, or vertical plane.

Claims: An anti-theft device to be fitted in exhibitors for compact discs, music cassettes, video cassettes, or the like, comprising: a) A set of disc-carrying frames (1) provided with an open side (slot 3) through which a compact disc is insertable into the respective disc-carrying frame (1) and is withdrawable therefrom, each disc-carrying frame (1) being provided at opposite ends of one of its sides with coaxial disc-carrying frame holding pins (5, 6) protruding from the disc-carrying frame (1), b) a channel-shaped disc-carrying frame support (7) with both of its sides (8, 9) being provided with a series of coaxial opposite holes (18, 19), two in number for each disc-carrying frame (1), having each a diameter which is slightly greater than the diameter of the disc-carrying frame holding pins (5, 6), c) disc-carrying frame holding pins (5, 6) pivotably fitted into either of two associated, opposite coaxial holes (18, 19) in the sides (8, 9) of the channel-shaped support (7), characterized by the combination of the following features: d) the holding pins (5, 6) are provided at opposite ends of the open side of the disc-carrying frame (1), and this open side of the disc-carrying frame (1) is turned toward the channel-shaped support (7), e) a means is provided for constraining and releasing the disc-carrying frame holding pins (5, 6) to and from the sides (8, 9) of the channel-shaped support (7), f) said means consists of a bolt member (16) which is arranged on the outward wall at one side (8) at least of the said channel-shaped support (7), and is slidably guided along the said side (8), and is formed with a series of holes (116, 216) of a diameter which is slightly greater than the diameter of the disc-carrying frame holding pins (5, 6), the said holes (116, 216) being equally spaced apart by the same distance as the respective holes (18) formed in the side (8) of the channel-shaped suport (7), g) the said bolt member (16) is movable by means of a lock (12) with a key (13) so as to be caused to take alternately: h) a disc-carrying frame releasing position, in which its holes (116, 216) come to coincide with the holes (18) in the said side (8) of the channel-shaped support (7), whereby a disc-carrying frame (1) can be so positioned and moved transversely to the sides (8, 9) of the channel-shaped support (7), as to cause its frame-holding pins (5, 6) to be engaged the one after the other in the respective, coaxial opposite holes (18, 19) formed in either sides (8, 9) of the said support (7), and to be disengaged from the said holes (18, 19), a disc-carrying frame being thus pivotably fitted-in between the two sides (8, 9) of the said channel-shaped support (7), or being disconnected therefrom, and i) a disc-carrying frame constraining position, in which the holes (116, 216) in the bolt member (16) come to be offset from the holes (18) in the matching side (8) of the channel-shaped support (7), these latter holes (18) being at least partly closed from the outside by the bolt member (16) itself, whereby a disc-carrying frame (1) is prevented from being moved transversely to the sides (8, 9) of the said channel-shaped support (7), to such an extent that would be sufficient for its frame-holding pins (5, 6) to be disengaged from the respective, coaxial opposite holes (18, 19) in the said sides (8, 9). The anti-theft device according to Claim 1, characterized in that an elastic member, such as a helical spring (M), is provided on each one of the disc-carrying frame holding pins (5) to be engaged in a respective hole (18) formed in the side (8) of the channel-shaped disc-carrying frame support (7), which is associated with the bolt member (16), and is caused to cooperate with the said side (8), the opposite disc-carrying frame holding pins (6) being each formed with a reduced diameter end section (106), and a notch (29) extends from each one of the holes (19) in the respective side (9) of the channel-shaped disc-carrying frame support (7), and is formed substantially radially to the respective hole (19), and transversely to the said side (9), and reaches at least to the free edge thereof, the said notch having a width which is smaller than the diameter of the respective disc-carrying frame holding pin (6), but which is slightly greater than the reduced diameter end section of said pin (6). The anti-theft device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the frame-holding pin (5) and the frame-holding pin (6) in a disc-carrying frame (1) are respectively formed with a tapering end section (150) and with 1 a reduced diameter end section (106), and a notch (28, 29) extends radially from each hole (18, 19) in either sides (8, 9) of the channel-shaped disc-carrying frame support (7), and is of a width which is smaller than the diameter of the 5 respective disc-carrying frame holding pin (50, 6), but is slightly greater than the diameter of the tapering end section (150) and the reduced diameter end section (106) of the respective disc-carrying frame holding pin (50, 6), the frame-holding pin (50) turned toward the side (8) of support (7), which is associated with the bolt member (16), being axially sprung, so that this pin (50) is elastically yieldable in the axial direction, and the holes (216) formed in the bolt member (16) have a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the respective disc-carrying frame holding pin (50), but is slightly greater than the diameter of the tapering end section (150) of the said pin (50). The anti-theft device according to any one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the sides (8, 9) of the channel-shaped disc-carrying frame support (7) have a box-like, or almost box-like profile, and are interconnected by a bottom member (11). The anti-theft device according to any one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the bolt member (16) has a box-like, or almost box-like profile, such as a C profile. The anti-theft device according to any one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the bolt member (16) is connected with the angularly movable latch (112) of a lock (12) which is fixedly arranged in the channel-shaped disc-carrying frame support (7), between the two sides (8, 9) thereof.

Inventors: NECCHI PIETRO, NECCHI, PIETRO
Applicants: NECCHI SRL, NECCHI S.R.L.
Application year: 1989
Main classification: G08B13
IPC codes: E05B73