STORAGE CASE

Abstract: A storage case comprises a top portion and bottom portion adapted to abut each other in a closed position. A locking strip is mounted on an edge of the closed storage case. The top portion and bottom portion receive the locking strip. The storage case comprises formations receivable by said locking member such that said locking member and said storage case is in a locked position.

Description: STORAGE CASE This invention relates to a storage case. More particularly but not exclusively this invention relates to a lockable storage case for use with video tapes, compact discs, cassettes, computer games etc. It is known to provide the cases of saleable items such as videos and compact discs with security devices to attempt to dissuade a potential thief from stealing. Such devices include plastic clips which may only be removed by a tool at the cashiers desk. These devices tend to be bulky and inhibit attractive display of the products. A large number of retailers display only the cases of the products and store the actual products e.g. videos, in a secure location only accessible by store personnel. However, this requires more retail space and is time consuming when a customer wishes to make a purchase. Another security device is a label which activates a security system when the product, to which it is applied, passes through the exit of the store. Such labels may, however, be easily peeled off the product. An object of this invention is to provide an improved security system which attempts to alleviate the aforementioned problems. According to the invention there is provided a storage case comprising a top portion and a bottom portion adapted to abut each other in a closed position, at least one edge of both said top portion and bottom portion of said storage container being formed with receiving means for receiving a detachable locking member in said storage case closed position. Also according to the invention there is provided a storage case comprising a top portion and bottom portion adapted to abut each other in a closed position, a locking member being mounted on at least one edge of said closed storage case, said top portion and said bottom portion being adapted to receive said locking member wherein at least one of said - storage case, top and bottom portions comprise formations receivable by said locking member such that said locking member and said storage case is locked. In a storage case in accordance with the invention the locking member is releasable but it is intended that the locking member can only be readily released to unlock a locked storage case by use of a special tool. It is intended that such a tool will be available only to those authorised to have access to the contents of the storage case. An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a storage case with the locking spline removed; Figure 2 is another perspective view of a locking spline for use with the storage case of the invention shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the storage case shown in Figure 1 of a storage case with the locking spline in the locked position; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a storage case according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the locking spline of an embodiment of the invention as shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a lockable storage case in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the locking plate for use with the lockable storage case of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the lockable storage case of Figure 6 with the locking plate of Figure 7 in the locking position; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a lockable storage case in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the locking plate for use with the lockable storage case of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a perspective view of a lockable storage case according to a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 12 is a perspective view of a locking plate for use with the case of Figure 11 ; Figure 13 is a perspective view of a locked storage case of Figure 11 with the locking plate of Figure 12 in position; Figure 14 is a perspective view of a tool for unlocking the locking plate of Figure 13; Figure 15 is a perspective view of the storage case of Figure 13 in position within the unlocking tool of Figure 14; and Figure 16 is a perspective view of the storage case of Figure 13 in an open condition. Referring to Figures 1 to 4, a storage case shown generally at 10 comprises a top portion 12 and a base portion 14. The top and base portions 12, 14 are formed as a single piece plastic moulding and are hinged about closed edge 16. The storage case itself comprises an internal hollow rectangular storage portion (not shown) suitable for receiving a video tape. The opening edge 18 of the case 10 is formed with a strip 20. This strip 20 is formed with a dovetail portion 22 and is formed in two halves 21, 23. The top half 21 is attached to the top portion 12 of the storage case and the bottom half 23 is likewise attached to the bottom half 14. In the storage case closed position as shown in Figure 1 both halves 21, 23 of the ~ locking strip 20 abut each other along their lengths. A removable reshaped locking spline 24 is formed with a dovetail shaped slot 26 corresponding to the dovetail portion 22 of the storage case 10. Flexible locking clips 28 are formed on the inside of the L-shaped locking spline 24. These locking clips 28 are adapted to be securely fitted within corresponding slots 30. In use the locking spline 24 is slid onto the locking strip 20 via its open end 32 and the dovetail slot 26 and portion 22. Once the locking strip 24 is in place the locking clips 28 are press fitted into the receiving slots 30 to provide secure location of the spline 24 on the storage case 10. Once the locking strip is in its secured position, the contents of the case are not accessible unless the strip 24 is removed by the use of tool adapted to fit into the slots 30 and push the clips 28 out of the slots 30 hence removing the locking strip 24. Such a tool (not shown) would, in use, only be available, for example, to the cashier. A second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings. Referring to these drawings, storage case 10 comprises an opening edge 18. This edge 18 is formed with a locking strip 32 formed in two portions 34, 36. Top portion 34 is mounted on the top opening half 12 of the storage case 10 and lower portion 36 is formed on the bottom opening half 14. When the storage case is in the closed position both halves of the locking strip 32 abut each other. Locking strip 32 is formed with a groove 38 in its top portion and a groove 40 formed in its bottom portion. These groves are shaped so as to - be capable of receiving corresponding U shaped portions 44, 46 of locking spline 42. Locking spline 42 is formed in two halves 48, 50. Each half 48, 50 is formed with a flexible locking clip 52. In use each half of the spline 42 is positioned over a different end of the strip 32. The two halves are pushed together until the flexible locking clips 52 are securely retained in corresponding locking slots 54. The locking spline halves may only be removed by use of a tool (not shown) formed to locate in locking slots 54 to push the clips 52 out of position. Referring to Figures 6 to 8 a storage case 10 again comprises top and base portions 12, 14. Opening edge 18 is formed with a number of L shaped clips 56. These clips 56 are alternately mounted on the opening edges of top and bottom halves 12, 14 of the storage case 10. A locking plate 58 comprises two locating walls 60 and a number of rectangular formations 62. Each formation 62 comprises a triangular shaped tooth 64 each shaped to be received in corresponding slots 65 formed in clips 56. In use the locking plate is slid onto the opening edge of the storage case, over the clips 56. The teeth 64 are located in their corresponding slots 65 in a snap fit operation. Once in position on the storage case 10 the locking plate 58 forms a neat flush fit with the video storage case 10. The locking plate 58, once in position on the storage case 10, may only be removed by depression of the teeth 64 using a suitable removal tool (not shown). Now referring to Figures 9 and 10 a storage case 10 is formed with a - number of L shaped clips 66. At one end of the opening edge 18 of the storage case, locating members 68 are formed. These enable the locking plate 70 to be slid onto the storage case. Locking plate 70 is formed with a number of teeth 72, corresponding to the number of clips 66. The locking plate 70 is also formed with two flexible clips 74. In use the locking plate 70 is slid onto the opening edge of the storage case and each tooth 72 is located behind a corresponding L shaped clip 66. The flexible clips 74 slide over the locating members and position the locking plate in a snap fit type operation. Once the locking plate 70.is in position on the storage case 10, the flexible clips 74 abut the locating members 68 thus preventing movement of the locking plate in a direction parallel to the edge 18 of the storage case 10. The teeth 72 abut their corresponding clips 66 thus preventing the locking plate from being removed in a direction perpendicular to edge 18. Thus removal of the locking plate is difficult without the use of a special tool to depress flexible clips 74. Now referring to Figure 11 to 13, storage case 10 comprises a top portion 12 and a base portion 14. The opening edge 18 of the storage case 10 is formed with a moulded end strip. This end strip is formed in two halves 74 , 76. When the storage case 10 is in the closed and unlocked position as shown in Figure 11 the two halves 74, 76 abut each other to form a hollow section 80. Each half comprises a number of slots 78 and an opening cut out portion 82 to provide easy access for a thumb or a finger when opening. Slot 80 is formed to receive locking plate 84 as shown in Figure 12. Locking plate 84 is formed with a number of teeth 86. In use the locking plate 84 is slid into the opening 80 of a closed storage case 10 thus ensuring the locking plate 84 cannot be withdrawn without use of a special tool. Teeth 86 are located within their corresponding slots 78 thus ensuring the case 10 remains in a closed position. The locking plate 84 may be removed by depression of the teeth 86 from their slots by use of a suitable tool. An example of a suitable tool 88 is shown in Figures 14 and 15. A locked storage case with the locking plate 84 in position is shown in Figure 13. When removing the locking bar all the locking teeth 86 are depressed simultaneously by the action of protrusions 90 of the locking tool. Thus the teeth 86 disengage the case. The locking plate 84 may be withdrawn longitudinally through aperture 92 of the locking tool 88 and the protrusions 90 fill the slots 78 of the storage case. Advantageously the positioning of a locking plate over one edge of the storage case prevents access unless by use of a release tool. Thus contents of the storage cases are provided with improved security. The locking plates 84 are formed as splines engaging with tabs 93 positioned on both sides of the storage case hence preventing access to the storage case 10 without the use of such a special tool to depress relevant formations of each embodiment of the invention. It is also envisaged that the storage case and locking mechanism of the present invention may be suitable for use as a tamper proof "evidence" case for criminal investigation work.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A storage case comprising a top portion and a bottom portion adapted to abut each other in a closed position, at least one edge of both said top portion and bottom portion of said storage container being formed ~ with receiving means for receiving a detachable locking member in said storage case closed position. 2. A storage case comprising a top portion and bottom portion adapted to abut each other in a closed position, a locking member being mounted on at least one edge of said closed storage case, said top portion and said bottom portion being adapted to receive said locking member wherein at least one of said storage case, top and bottom portions comprise formations receivable by said locking member such that said locking member and said storage case is locked. 3. A storage case according to claim 1 wherein said receiving means comprise two halves of a dovetail strip adapted to receive a correspondingly shaped slot formed in a locking member 4. A storage case according to claim 1 wherein said receiving means comprises a slot formed with at least one opening for receiving a locking member. 5. A storage case according to claim 4 wherein said slot is formed with a plurality of openings adapted to receive formations of a locking member in a locked position. 6. A storage case according to claim 2 wherein said locking member comprises at least one formation adapted to be received in a corresponding aperture formed within said edge of said storage case, in a press fit operation. 7. A storage case according to claim 6 wherein said top and bottom ~ portions comprisef a plurality of apertures on one edge, said locking member comprise a plurality of protrusions being shaped so as to each be located within said apertures such that said top portion and said bottom portion are locked together. 8. A storage case according to claims 6 or 7 wherein said locking member comprises an elongate strip, said formations being formed on both sides of the central axes of said strip. 9. A storage case according to claim 1 wherein said receiving means comprise a plurality of slots adapted to receive teeth formed in a locking member. 10. A storage case according to claim 2 wherein said locking member comprises a plurality of teeth received by a plurality of slots formed in said top and bottom portions of said locking member. 11. A storage case according to claim 2 wherein said locking member comprises two portions, said portions each including flexible clip means adapted to mate with each other such that said two halves are locked together. 12. A storage case according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the locking member is adapted to be mountable and detachable from said storage case in sliding operation.

Inventors: BAGNALL MARK DANIEL, DAY SIMON, EATON NEIL ADRIAN, FISHER ANDREW WILLIAM, MARGETTS MARK GEOFFREY NEWLAND, BAGNALL, MARK, DANIEL, DAY, SIMON, EATON, NEIL, ADRIAN, FISHER, ANDREW, WILLIAM, MARGETTS, MARK, GEOFFREY, NEWLAND
Applicants: BAGNALL MARK DANIEL, CARLING POINT LIMITED, DAY SIMON, EATON NEIL ADRIAN, FISHER ANDREW WILLIAM, MARGETTS MARK GEOFFREY NEWLAND, BAGNALL, MARK, DANIEL, DAY, SIMON, EATON, NEIL, ADRIAN, FISHER, ANDREW, WILLIAM, MARGETTS, MARK, GEOFFREY, NEWLAND
Application year: 1999
Main classification: G11B23
IPC codes: B65D85, E05B73, G11B23, G11B33