Abstract:
A security lock box that is mountable to a shelf. The shelf has a shelf surface for supporting merchandise thereon. The security lock box includes a cover adapted to be supported on top of the shelf and adapted to house and secure merchandise supported on the shelf therein. The cover is at least partially transparent to display merchandise when housed therein. The security lock box further includes a security device, which has a shelf mount and a lock. The shelf mount is adapted to be fastened to the shelf, and the lock releasably locks the cover to the shelf mount between a locked state, wherein the cover is locked to the shelf mount, and an unlocked state, wherein the cover is releasable from the shelf mount.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to retail display apparatus for displaying retail merchandise, typically in a retail store environment and more particularly relates to bins, trays or other such forms of receptacles that can be mounted to various types of retail support structures such as shelves or racks. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Retail, or inventory, shrinkage is defined as inventory losses occurring from employee theft, shoplifting, organized retail crime, administrative error and vendor fraud. Of these, it is estimated that employee theft and shoplifting account for approximately 80% of the dollars lost to shrinkage. Retail shrinkage is the single largest category of larceny in the United States, larger than motor vehicle theft, bank robbery, and household burglary combined. According to the National Retail Federation, in 2006 the retail industry lost more than $41 billion to shrinkage, of which nearly $33 billion could be attributed to employee theft and shoplifting. 
     Consumers, as well as retailers, are affected by this type of theft. Losses realized by the retailers are passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices and reduced availability of popular retail merchandise. In 2002, the average American family spent approximately $440 more in higher prices because of inventory theft. 
     It would therefore be desirable to have device which allows for the display of retail merchandise, but which deters theft by employees and consumers. Embodiments of the invention provide such a device. These and other advantages of the invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a security lock box for protecting merchandise against theft that has a locking bar with an opening therethrough. The locking bar is configured to be removably attached to a flat surface, such as a shelf for supporting sale items, as would typically be found in retail establishments. The security lock box also includes a transparent top cover having a locking mechanism, such that the top cover is configured to securely enclose merchandise, such as those sold in a retail setting, which have been placed on the flat surface or shelf. Further, the locking mechanism is configured to be inserted into the locking bar opening such that the top cover is securely attached to the flat surface so as to prevent access to the merchandise enclosed by the top cover. 
     In another aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a security lock box that is mountable to a shelf. The shelf has a shelf surface for supporting merchandise thereon. The security lock box includes a cover adapted to be supported on top of the shelf and adapted to house and secure merchandise supported on the shelf therein. The cover is at least partially transparent to display merchandise when housed therein. The security lock box further includes a security device, which has a shelf mount and a lock. The shelf mount is adapted to be fastened to the shelf, and the lock releasably locks the cover to the shelf mount between a locked state, wherein the cover is locked to the shelf mount, and an unlocked state, wherein the cover is releasable from the shelf mount. 
     In yet another aspect, embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for displaying and securing merchandise, including, in combination, a merchandise shelf adapted to support said merchandise thereon, and a cover supported on top of the shelf. The cover is adapted to house and secure merchandise supported on the shelf therein. Further, the cover is at least partially transparent to display merchandise when housed therein. The apparatus also includes a security device for securing the cover to the shelf when the security device is in a locked state. The security device is also adapted to release the cover to allow access to merchandise when the security device is in an unlocked state 
     Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the security lock box before top cover has been secured to a locking bar, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is the security lock box of  FIG. 1  with top cover secured to the locking bar; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the attachment of the locking bar to a shelf; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a back plate cover, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the back plate cover of  FIG. 4  assembled to the security lock box top cover; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the security lock box with a bottom plate, according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the locking bar and locking mechanism shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
    
     While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1-5  illustrate an exemplary first embodiment of a security lock box  100  for use with a standard retail shelf  104  to both secure and at the same time display retail merchandise  103  supported on the shelf. The security lock box  100  includes a transparent top cover  110  that houses and thereby secures merchandise  103  when in use; and a security device  105  that releasable locks the top cover  110  to the shelf  104 . An optional back cover  130  may be employed to cover a back opening if provided on the top cover  110 . The security device  105  may take many forms but typically will include a shelf mount such as a locking bar  102  that can be securely fastened to the shelf  104  and a locking mechanism  112 , which can selectively and releasably lock the top cover  110  to the locking bar  102 . However, it is possible a locking mechanism  112  could directly lock the top cover  110  to the shelf  104  rather than through the locking bar  102  or other such shelf mount, and broader aspects of the claims are meant to encompass the same (e.g. the security device may be one or multiple components). 
     The locking mechanism  112  allows for selective access or securement of merchandise  103 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the top cover  110  is not yet secured to a locking bar  102 , whereas in  FIG. 2 , the top cover  110  is secured to the shelf  104  over the merchandise  103 . In this manner, a retailer can selectively elect to secure merchandise or allow access to merchandise via the security lock box  100 . Further, as the top cover  110  is transparent, customers can readily view the merchandise  103  when it is secured; and even further, the standard shelving units employed at a retail outlet can be readily adapted and selectively adapted as desired by a retailer without having to purchase or make floor space for a new unit. 
     Turning in greater detail to the first embodiment, the locking bar  102  that is configured to be secured to a top flat surface  108  of the shelf  104 , which, in an embodiment of the invention, is a standard shelf typically found in many retail establishments. In an embodiment of the invention, the shelf  104  has two rows of holes  106 , though other embodiments may have a greater or lesser number of holes, evenly spaced along a front portion of the shelf  104 . The holes  106  may be molded, drilled or punched through the shelf surface  108  near a front edge  109  of the shelf  104 . It is through the holes  106  that the locking bar  102  is secured to the shelf  104 . The locking bar  102  is typically aligned to run parallel to the front edge  109  of the shelf  104 . A transparent top cover  110 , which, in an embodiment of the invention, is made of clear plastic, can be placed over the locking bar  102  and slid towards the rear of the shelf  104  until a locking mechanism  112  is inserted through an opening  114  roughly in the center of the locking bar  102 . 
     In other embodiments, the top cover  110  can be made from some other suitably strong, durable, and transparent material. By “transparent” top cover, it is meant that a sufficient portion of the top cover  110  is transparent so that customers will be able to readily view the merchandise  103  contained therein. Certain portions of the top cover  110 , such as the top, back, and/or lower extremities may be opaque as such areas not critical to viewing of the merchandise  103  need not be transparent, but in such cases the top cover  110  is still considered a “transparent” top cover  110 . Preferably, the entire top cover  110  is completely or fully transparent for manufacturing ease, necessitating only one material and maximizing viewing of secured merchandise  103 . 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the locking mechanism  112  is inset through an opening  121  in a front panel  116  of the top cover  110 . In one embodiment, the top cover  110  is substantially box-shaped having a front panel  116 , a top panel  117 , and two side panels  119 . The top cover  110  may omit a bottom panel due to the presence of the locking bar  102 , and so as to allow the top cover  110  to slide onto the shelf surface  108  without disturbing merchandise  103  on the shelf  104  to be secured by the security lock box  100 . In some embodiments, a rear panel of the top cover  110  may be omitted when the top cover  110  will abut against a hard surface, such as a wall to which the shelf  104  is secured, or a vertical surface that is part of the structure of the shelf  104 , which will prevent access to the interior of the top cover  110 . A rear panel may also be omitted if the shelf is adequately deep or if it is desired to provide for substantial security or substantial deterrent, while at the same time allowing easy sliding capability of the top cover over merchandise stored on the shelf. It should be noted that the height, width, and depth of the top cover  110 , along with the width of the locking bar  102 , can be varied as needed to accommodate goods of various sizes. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the opening  114  in the locking bar  102  is keyed to accept the locking mechanism  112  when the locking mechanism  112  is in the unlocked position. The locking mechanism  112  includes a barrel  127  with cylindrical cam  120  portion (shown in  FIG. 1 ) at the rear of which is a vertical wall  118  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), in which the barrel  127  is rotatable in a lock mount  119  which may be a tubular housing with screw threads and a bolt head to facilitate fastening into the opening  121  formed in the front panel  116 . In one embodiment, the barrel  127 , and cam  120  thereof, can be rotated relative to the lock mount  119  between locked and unlocked positions in which the cam engages or disengages the back side of the lock bar opening  114 , respectively. The barrel  127  and cam  120  can be actuated by a key  123  that fits into a keyway  125  formed in front of the barrel  127 . In one embodiment, the cam  120  is configured with a tapered edge. When the locking mechanism  112  is fully inserted into the opening  114  of locking bar  102 , and the locking mechanism  112  is in the locked position, the vertical wall  118  at the rear of cam  120  interferes with the back side of the locking bar  102 , thus preventing removal of the locking mechanism  112  from the locking bar  102 , and preventing removal of the top cover  110  from the surface of the shelf  108 . As a result, consumers and employees would have no access to merchandise  103  inside of the top cover  110 . In this case, a key  123  would be required to unlock the locking mechanism  112  and remove the top cover  110  to gain access to any merchandise  103  inside the security lock box  100 . However, in one embodiment of the invention, the cam  120  is spring-loaded, which causes the locking mechanism  112  to automatically lock (i.e., without using a key) when inserted into the locking bar opening  114 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating how the locking bar  102  can be removably attached to the shelf  104  with suitable fasteners, such as nuts and bolts as illustrated, or other such fasteners including latches, clamps, push pins with snaps, cotter pins and the like. In an embodiment of the invention, the locking bar  102  has a plurality of holes  122  molded or machined vertically through the locking bar  102 . Two or more of the plurality of holes  122  in the locking bar  102  are configured to align with two or more of the holes in either of the two rows of holes  106  near the front edge  109  of the shelf  104 . When two or more of the plurality of holes  122  in the locking bar  102  are aligned with two or more of the holes  106  in the shelf  104 , a pair of bolts  124  can be used to secure the locking bar  102  to the shelf  104  using nuts  126 . In one embodiment, the locking bar  102  could be secured to holes in either row of the two rows of holes  106 , such that the locking bar  102  is parallel to the front edge  109  of shelf  104 . As can be seen from the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the width of the locking bar  102  may be approximately the same as the interior width of the top cover  110 , leaving just enough room to slide the top cover  110  over the locking bar  102  towards the rear of the shelf  104 . In this way, the locking bar  102  helps position the top cover  110  as it is secured over any merchandise to be protected under the security lock box  100 , and also helps align the locking mechanism  112  with the locking bar opening  114 . However, as will be seen, the width of the locking bar can be substantially smaller than the width of the top cover. 
     As mentioned above, embodiments of the top cover  110  may not have a rear panel when the top cover  110  is expected to abut a wall or solid vertical portion of the shelf  104  structure, such that the wall or vertical portion prevents access into the security lock box  100  from the rear. However, when no wall or vertical portion of the shelf  104  is present, a back plate cover  130 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , may be used. In an embodiment, the back plate cover  130  includes a solid back panel  131 , and also has two side flaps, or ears,  132 , a top flap  134 , and a flat mounting area  136  with two upturned edges  138  on each side of the flat mounting area  136 . The back plate cover may be formed from sheet metal, such as steel or aluminum, or may be made from other suitably strong and durable material, including, but not limited to, certain types of plastics. In one embodiment, the top flap  134  is configured to be slightly higher than the height of the top cover  110 , while the distance between the two side flaps  132  is configured to be slightly wider than the interior width of the top cover  110 . The distance between the two upturned edges  138  is configured to be slightly narrower than the interior width of the top cover  110 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating how the back plate cover  130  assembles to the top cover  110 , according to an embodiment of the invention. As can be seen, the two side flaps  132  and the top flap  134  are aligned just outside of three panels of the top cover  110 , and are configured to prevent both the lifting of the top cover  110  and the pulling outward of the side panels  119  of the top cover  110 . In an embodiment of the invention, the two upturned edges  138  on each side of the flat mount area  136  are aligned at an approximately 90-degree angle to the flat mount area  136 , and are configured to prevent the side panels  119  of the top cover  110  from being pushed inward. The back panel  131  is substantially flush against the rear edges of the top cover  110  and prevents anyone from gaining access to the interior of the security lock box  100  from the rear without breaking one or more components of the security lock box  100 . 
     There may be instances when it is advantageous to have a security lock box, but where the user does not have a standard retail shelving system, for example one which does not have a plurality of holes for mounting the locking bar, such as described above.  FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a security lock box  200  which includes a false floor or shelf surface covering in the form of a base plate  202  for mounting to a flat surface other than the standard retail shelf shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The base plate  202  has a plurality of holes  204 , which can be used to removably attach the base plate  202  to the flat surface, for example using nuts and bolts (not shown) in a fashion similar to that shown in  FIG. 3  for securing the locking bar  102  to the shelf  104 . In one embodiment, the base plate  202  includes a first C-shaped channel  208  that runs along a substantial portion of the rear edge of the base plate  202 , and two shorter C-shaped channels  210  on each side and towards the rear of the base plate  202  near the first C-shaped channel  208 . 
     The plurality of holes  204  in the base plate  202  can also be used to removably attach a locking bar  206  through the base plate  202  to the flat surface.  FIG. 7  shows a cross-sectional view of the locking bar  206  and of a locking mechanism  215  configured to be used in the locking bar  206 . In this embodiment, two portions of the base plate  202  are bent into a vertical position. The two vertical portions  220  abut the locking bar  206  and straddle the locking mechanism  215 . On each side of the locking mechanism  215 , a bolt hole  222  in the vertical portion  220  aligns with a bolt hole in the locking bar  206 . Two bolts  224  and two nuts  226  secure the locking bar  206  to the vertical portions  220 , and, thus, to the base plate  202 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 6 , the security lock box  200  also has a transparent top cover  212 , which may be made from clear hard plastic or some similar type of material. The top cover  212  is essentially box-shaped having a top panel  211 , a front panel,  213 , a rear panel  217 , and two side panels  219 . However, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the top cover  212  includes two vertical notched areas  214  at the rear corners of the top cover  212 , and the locking mechanism  215  located in the front panel  213 . The locking mechanism is configured to be inserted into an opening (not shown) in the locking bar  206 . In an embodiment of the invention, the opening is keyed to accept the locking mechanism  215  when the locking mechanism  215  is in the unlocked position. In one embodiment, the opening is located roughly in the center of the locking bar  206 . As in the previous embodiment, the height, width, and depth of the top cover  212  may be varied as needed to accommodate a wide variety of goods. 
     The notched areas  214  are configured to facilitate the mating of the top cover  212  to the base plate  202 , while permitting the non-notched portion of the top cover  212  to be wider than the notched portion at the rear of the top cover  212 . Further, along the entire length of the bottom rear edge of the top cover  212  there is a horizontal flange  216 . The flange  216  extends a relatively short distance around both sides such that the flange  216  runs along the bottom side edges toward the rear of the top cover  212  having a length, along the sides, that corresponds to the depth of the notched areas  214 . The C-shaped channels  208 ,  210  are all configured to receive the flange  216  when the locking mechanism  215  of the top cover  212  is fully inserted into an opening in the locking bar  206 , thus preventing the top cover  212  from being lifted off of the flat surface. The dimensions of the shorter C-shaped channels  210  determine how wide and how deep the flange  216 , and, therefore, the notched areas  214  need to be. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the locking mechanism  215  is similar to locking mechanism  112  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in that locking mechanism  215  has a cylindrical body (not shown), with an opening for a key at a front end of the cylindrical body and a vertical wall (not shown) at a rear end of the cylindrical body, and a spring-loaded cam mechanism. Accordingly, the top cover  212  can be placed towards the front of the base plate  202  and slid toward the rear until the flange  216  is inserted into the C-shaped channels  208 ,  210 , and until the locking mechanism  215  is fully inserted into the opening (not shown) in the locking bar  206 . In embodiments where the locking mechanism  215  includes the spring-loaded cam mechanism, which in at least one embodiment has a tapered edge, the locking mechanism  215  will lock automatically (i.e., without a key) once inserted into the locking bar  206 . However, a key (not shown) would be needed to unlock the locking mechanism  215  to allow removal of the top cover  212  from the base plate  202 , thus providing access to the merchandise  103  inside the security lock box  200 . 
     As can be seen from the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the width of the locking bar  206  can be substantially narrower than the interior width of the top cover  212 . In this embodiment, the locking bar  206  will be lighter and may be less expensive than the wider locking bar  102  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Additionally, because the C-shaped channels  208 ,  210  serve to position top cover  212  on the base plate  202 , in some embodiments, the wider locking bar  102 , which helps position the top cover  110  (in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), is not necessarily as helpful in the embodiment of  FIG. 6 . 
     All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
     Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.