Abstract:
A shielded theft-resistant display case for displaying valuable merchandise during normal business hours and for shielding such merchandise out of view and storing such valuable merchandise in a secure and locked condition after business hours. The shielded theft-resistant display case includes a transparent top, a front panel, a pair of side panels, and a display shelf attached to the panels below the transparent top. A shield is pivotally mounted within the display case to cover and secure the display shelf. The shield is selectively pivotable into a first position in the housing such that items supported on the display shelf are displayed in the upper section of the housing. The shield is selectively pivotable into a second position in the housing such that items supported on the display shelf are hidden from view and fully secured with the display case.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/089,780, filed Aug. 18, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to theft-resistant display cases and more particularly to a case for displaying valuable merchandise during normal business hours, and for shielding such merchandise out of view and storing such valuable merchandise in a locked condition after business hours. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Even with the use of sophisticated security systems, merchants have experienced a rise in the theft of their merchandise over the years. This is particularly true in the jewelry, watch and coin businesses. Although security alarm systems indicate the presence of an intruder, the lapse of time between the activation of the alarm and the arrival of the police leaves the intruder with several minutes to break the glass tops of display cases, grab the merchandise and escape before the police arrive. Such burglaries are a serious problem for retailers who display precious merchandise such as jewelry, watches or coins and the like. Many retailers leave a significant amount of their merchandise in display cases overnight, due to limited vault space or the time consuming task of transferal. In such after hours situations, the upper glass portion of the case may be easily broken and the merchandise stolen—in many cases, within several minutes. 
         [0004]    Accordingly it would be beneficial to provide a cost effective theft-resistant display case which is simple to operate and includes a shield that can be stored out of sight when displaying merchandise during business hours. In addition, it would be beneficial to provide a theft-resistant display case having a shield that will completely cover and obscure displayed merchandise when the shield is in place and the case locked to secure the merchandise. Furthermore it would be beneficial to provide a theft-resistant display case with a security shield that includes a one piece durable cover to obscure and protect displayed merchandise and to deter theft while avoiding the necessity of emptying the display case each evening. 
         [0005]    Therefore, it is an object of our invention to provide a theft-resistant display case with a lockable security shield for deterring burglary and protecting the merchandise inside the case from theft. 
         [0006]    A further object of our invention is to provide a theft-resistant display case with a security shield having simple construction that is easy to use, requires minimal maintenance and is affordable to retailers and wholesalers. 
         [0007]    A further object of our invention is to provide a theft-resistant display case with a security shield which securely holds and selectively hides valuable merchandise within the case, both during and after business hours so that the case does not have to be emptied and refilled on a daily basis. 
         [0008]    Another object is to provide a theft-resistant display case with a security shield having a locking mechanism conveniently located for authorized personnel to operate and which is difficult for thieves to defeat. 
         [0009]    A further object of our invention is to provide a theft-resistant display case with a security shield which stores completely out of sight when not in use thereby enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the display case. 
         [0010]    A still further object of our invention is to provide a theft-resistant display case with a security shield which is resistant to intrusion with blunt or heavy objects such as hammers or weights. 
         [0011]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide a theft-resistant display case with a mechanism to allow easy and effortless movement of the security shield to one of two operable positions allowing the case to be used in a showroom environment during business hours while providing the security necessary to hold valuable merchandise overnight and to deter theft. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    A theft-resistant display case includes a housing that provides a display section, a display shelf and an exterior wall that is at least partly transparent. The theft-resistant display case includes a semi-circular shield movably mounted within the housing for covering the display shelf. Means for selectively moving the semi-circular shield into a first position in the housing are included where items supported on the display shelf are displayed in view in the upper section of the housing. Means for moving the semi-circular shield into a second position in the housing are also included which cover the display shelf so that the semi-circular shield is hidden from view. The semi-circular shield may be one piece formed from a variety of materials including steel, titanium and the like. The semi-circular shield is pivotable from a first position into a second position for ease of use. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, the display case includes a transparent top, a front panel, a pair of side panels, and a display shelf attached to the panels below the transparent top. A shield is pivotally mounted within the display case to cover and secure the display shelf. Means are included for selectively pivoting the shield into a first position such that items supported on the display shelf are displayed in the upper section of the housing. Means are included for moving the shield into a second position such that items supported on the display shelf are hidden from view. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a front side cut away perspective view of the theft-resistant display case of the present invention illustrating the security shield mounted in a stored position to display merchandise; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a rear side cut away perspective view of the display case of  FIG. 1  illustrating the security shield in transit from a stored position to a position in which the displayed merchandise will be hidden from view; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a front side cut away perspective view of the display case of  FIG. 1  with the security shield in position where the display shelf is hidden from view and secured; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a front side perspective view of the display case showing the steel reinforcement of the case; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a rear side perspective view of the display case showing the drawers and lock mechanism; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is rear side perspective view of the display case with the end and rear panels removed showing the security shield positioned to hide the display shelf from view; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is rear side perspective view of the display case with the end panel, rear panel and drawers removed showing the security shield lock mechanism; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of the security shield in the open position with a retractable handle assembly in the stowed position within the display case; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of the security shield of  FIG. 8  with the retractable handle in use for moving the security shield; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view of the security shield of  FIG. 8  in the closed position with the retractable handle assembly folded against the display case; 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a rear perspective view of the security shield in the open position with a telescopic handle assembly in the stowed position within the display case; 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a rear perspective view of the security shield of  FIG. 11  with the telescopic handle assembly in the expanded position ready for use to move the security shield; 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a rear perspective view of the security shield of  FIG. 11  in the closed position with the telescopic handle assembly shown expanded for use; 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is a rear perspective view of the security shield of  FIG. 11  in the closed position with the telescopic handle assembly shown compressed for storage; 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is a side view of the security shield in the closed position with a foot pedal assembly used to control the position of the security shield; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 16  is a side view of the security shield of  FIG. 15  showing the foot pedal assembly opening the security shield. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0030]    Referring now to the drawings and to  FIG. 1  where an embodiment of the shielded theft-resistant display case of the present invention is shown generally as case  10 . The structure includes side panels  12  and rear panel  13 , usually of solid wood and reinforced by complementary steel panels such as steel rear panel  15  (See also  FIG. 4 ), supporting the ends of the case. Front panel  14 , including a steel front panel (not shown), is configured with a recessed toe kick  16  so customers may stand proximate to case  10  and over transparent top  18  and transparent front  20  while viewing display tray  22  on which merchandise is displayed. It is also contemplated that side panels  12  may be constructed from glass as required by particular design specifications. As disclosed herein, a glass panel may include but is not limited to safety glass, laminated glass, tempered glass and the like. Display tray  22  is removable and is supported by display shelf  24  which may be covered in a variety of materials to provide a show room finish to the interior of case  10 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , doors  26  slide open across the back of the case  10  to provide access to display tray  22  and the displayed merchandise. Although the display case has a generally rectangular cross sectional shape, it should be understood that various alternative shapes may be employed in various size ranges. It may also be appreciated that a variety of door configurations may be used and are contemplated herein. Such door designs may include hinged doors, pivotable doors, slidable doors and the like. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  further illustrates case  10  with security shield  28  which comprises solid semi-circular member  30  shown in the retracted position wherein the display tray  22  is visible through transparent top  18  and transparent front  20  to view the merchandise displayed. Security shield  28  including semi-circular member  30  may be made from a variety of materials which provide the strength and security necessary to properly protect the merchandise positioned on display tray  22 . Such materials may include cold rolled steel, formed steel, carbon steel, high strength low alloy (HSLA) steel, stainless steel and the like. Security shield  28  may include open ends as illustrated or may include solid end panels to provide added security to the merchandise when secured in case  10 . Configuration of security shield  28  with solid end panels may also eliminate the need for reinforcement of the side panels  12  based on a particular application or security requirements. Such reinforcement may include steel plates, alloy plates, titanium plates and the like. While steel may be referred to herein, it should be understood that such material may include steel, alloy, titanium and the like throughout this specification. 
         [0032]    Security shield  28  may also be constructed of light weight material so as to be constructed to look identical to the reinforced material such that all cases in a given show room look identical. A configuration using less expensive and lighter weight material to construct security shield  28  would reduce the cost of outfitting a large show room with cases that look identical so as to confuse or misdirect would be burglars. Light weight construction of security shield  28  may include construction from materials including but not limited to plastic, plastic composites, polyvinyl chloride, Mylar, wood composites and the like. 
         [0033]    Security shield  28  is attached to shaft  32  and mounted to case  10  at pins  34 . Pins  34  form the pivot points for security shield  28  and are positioned through side panels  12  to securely fasten security shield  28  and shaft  32  to case  10 . In the retracted position as shown in  FIG. 1 , security shield  28  is flush with display shelf  24  and positioned behind ledge  36  affixed to the top of front panel  14 . This construction provides an aesthetic finish to the front of case  10  commensurate with the quality common in jewelry, watch and coin show rooms. Case  10  includes lighting fixture  38  positioned above display tray  22  and display shelf  24 . Lighting fixture  38  provides the necessary lighting to aesthetically and properly display the merchandise on display tray  22 . Lighting Fixture  38  may be one of many types of lighting fixtures which may include one or more light bulbs such as incandescent, halogen, light emitting diode, high intensity discharge, fluorescent and the like. Case  10  includes bottom panel  40  with access port  42  and base members  44 A,  44 B which in conjunction with side panels  12 , rear panel  13 , front panel  14  and doors  26  properly support and secure the interior components including display shelf  24 , display tray  22  and the merchandise displayed thereon. Front panel  14 , side panels  12 , rear panel  13  and bottom panel  40  may be joined together by an appropriate metal frame  21  or other standard display case structure. To provide the desired security to front panel  14 , side panels  12 , rear panel  13  and bottom panel  40  steel plates are interposed between the interior of case  10  and the respective panel, as illustrated by steel side panel  25  shown in  FIG. 4 ; steel rear panel  15  shown in  FIG. 1  and steel display shelf panel  27  shown in  FIG. 7 . Corresponding reinforcement panels in a shape complementary to each of side panels  12 , front panel  14 , rear panel  13 , display shelf  24  and bottom panel  40  are not shown individually but are included and contemplated herein as necessary to fully secure and protect merchandise displayed in case  10 . Such panels may be constructed from steel, alloy, titanium or similarly impervious material. Doors  26  may be one of a variety of secure designs including high security doors made of steel, high strength alloy, titanium or the like. Base member  44 B includes connection box  46  which provides the necessary space for electrical connections, power and the like for operation of case  10 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 2  shows doors  26  which are affixed to case  10  between two U-shaped tracks  48 A,  48 B. U-shaped tracks  48 A,  48 B are positioned oppositely in parallel alignment with the U of track  48 A positioned downward and the U of track  48 B positioned upward. U-shaped tracks  48 A,  48 B are fastened inside to sash members  50 A,  50 B by mounting screws positioned through U-shaped tracks  48 A,  48 B securely enclosing the display tray and merchandise thereon when doors  26  are closed. Lock  52  is positioned on one of the doors  26  to lock the doors in the closed position as illustrated. Lock  52  may include one or more of a plunge lock, barrel lock, rim lock, mortise lock, bored lock or the like. Case  10  may also include one or more drawers  56  positioned below display shelf  24  and accessible from the rear of case  10  through rear panel  13 . It may be appreciated that drawers  56  may be configured into a variety of other compartment types based on design requirements including but not limited to shelves and the like. 
         [0035]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  security shield  28  may be moved from its retracted position (shown in  FIG. 1 ) to its secure position fully covering and obscuring display tray  22  and the merchandise displayed thereon (shown in  FIG. 3 ). Such movement is achieved through the positioning of handle  58  which is mounted or otherwise affixed to shaft  32 . Handle  58  may be removably attached to shaft  32  through the use of a female receptacle  60  into which handle  58  may be inserted. Alternative connections of handle  58  to shaft  32  may include a variety of link, pin or knuckle configurations which may include a removable or fixed handle arrangement. In addition, an alternative design for movement of shaft  32  may include a cord and reel arrangement or other type of pulley configurations. Handle  58  may be constructed of a variety of materials including but not limit to metal, carbon fiber, aluminum, titanium, wood, plastic and the like. While the position of handle  58  may be described herein as up or down, it should be understood that any position of handle  58  may correspond to any position of security shield  28  depending on the specific design parameters required for a given installation. 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10 , handle  58  may include a sliding arrangement whereby handle  58  includes a shaft  61  A which retracts into case  10  or folds against rear panel  13 .  FIG. 8  illustrates shaft  61  A retracted into case  10  through end panel  13  when shield  28  is in the open position such that display shelf  24  and the merchandise thereon is in full view through transparent top  18  and transparent front  20  of case  10 .  FIG. 9  illustrates handle  58  pulled away from case  10  with shaft  61 A pulled through end panel  13  and engaged for use to move security shield  28  from the open position to the closed position. Upon full movement of handle  58  toward end panel  13 , shaft  61 A engages security shield  28  and as handle  58  is pulled downward towards rear panel  13 , security shield  28  is moved into the closed position covering display shelf  24  and the merchandise thereon. After security shield  28  is in the closed position, handle  58  and shaft  61 A may be moved into complementary receptacle  59  in end panel  13  for storage flush against end panel  13 . 
         [0037]    Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 11 ,  12 ,  13  and  14  handle  58  may attach to a telescopic shaft  61 B wherein handle  58  collapses into shaft  61 B and is positioned within a complementary aperture  63 A within rear panel  13  when not being used to move shield  28 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , security shield  28  is in the open position such that display shelf  24  and the merchandise thereon is in full view through transparent top  18  and transparent front  20  of case  10 . In  FIG. 12 , handle  58  is pulled from aperture  63 A, expanding telescopic shaft  61 B for use in moving security shield  28 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , handle  58  and telescopic shaft  61 B are moved downward toward rear panel  13  moving security shield  28  into a closed position covering display shelf  24  and the merchandise thereon. In  FIG. 14 , handle  58  is pushed inward toward case  10  and telescopic shaft  61 B collapses into itself allowing handle  58  to store in a complementary aperture  63 B. 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , pedal  65  is attached to member  67  which is positioned through end panel  13  to connect to security shield  28  through link  69 . As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , security shield  28  is in the closed position covering display shelf  24  and the merchandise thereon. Pedal  65  is pressed downward moving member  67  downward and pulling link  69  to open security shield  28  as shown in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0039]    In the open position with pedal  65  pressed downward, security shield  28  is retracted below display shelf  24  such that display shelf  24  and the merchandise thereon is in full view through transparent top  18  and transparent front  20  of case  10 . Pedal  65  can then be subsequently lifted to raise security shield  28  back to its closed position covering display shelf  24  and the merchandise thereon. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , when handle  58  is in its full upward position, security shield  28  will be in its fully retracted position as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 . When handle  58  is in its full downward position security shield  28  will be completely covering, obscuring and securing display tray  22  and the merchandise thereon as shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  6  and  7 . To provide ease in movement of security shield  28 , assists  62  are included as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Assists  62  may be one of hydraulic, gas or spring members which provide balance and ease of movement of security shield  28 . Assists  62  are attached to rear panel  13  at one end and to security shield  28  the other end to provide smooth, balanced movement of security shield  28  through reduce operating force. Assists  62  allow security shield  28  to be easily moved from an open to closed position or a closed to open position with minimal effort by show room personnel. While assists  62  are shown at one end attached to rear panel  13 , it should be understood that such attachment point may be one of side panel  12 , rear panel  13  or bottom panel  40  depending on the specific design requirements. 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7 , lock  64  is included to secure security shield  28  in its closed position wherein security shield  28  will be fully covering and protecting display tray  22  and the merchandise thereon. Shaft  66  is attached to one end of lock  64  on the interior of case  10 . Upon movement of lock  64  into its locked position, shaft  66  will move through an aperture  68  at the front of security shield  28 . When in this closed and locked position, security shield  28  will fully secure display tray  22  and the merchandise thereon. Spring  70  is located on shaft  66  near aperture  68  and provides the necessary bias to easily open lock  64 , allow retraction of shaft  66  from aperture  68  and allow movement of security shield  28 . 
         [0042]    In use, when a store is ready to close for the night, the merchandise positioned on display tray  22  in display case  10  can be covered and secured in a manner discouraging break-through theft. Security shield  28  is moved into position to fully obscure and cover display tray  22  as shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  6 , and  7  through movement of handle  58  downward. Lock  64  is then actuated to move shaft  66  through aperture  68  and into security shield  28  locking the security shield in its closed position over display tray  22  and the merchandise thereon. In addition, lock  52  is actuated to fully secure rear doors  26 . In such a condition, display case  10  is fully locked with all merchandise being fully covered and protect. Breaking transparent top  18  or transparent front  20  will only provide access to the top of security shield  28  but since security shield  28  is locked over display tray  22  and the merchandise thereon, no access is provided to the merchandise itself which remains fully protected and secure from theft. Security shield  28  is positioned over display tray  22 , display shelf  24  and all the merchandise in case  10  and is designed to withstand assault by hammering and prying after glass break-through to prevent burglary for up to  10  minutes. This is the time element normally required for average burglar alarm systems to activate and police to arrive. 
         [0043]    During business hours, security shield  28  can be unlocked and pulled down to its fully opened and concealed position below display shelf  24 . This fully open position provides full view of display tray  22 , display shelf  24  and all merchandise in case  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 1  of the drawings. 
         [0044]    It may be appreciated that security shield  28  may be operated electrically. Such configuration may include a motor, actuator, linear actuator, rotary actuator, wheel drive or the like. With each such configuration, operating elements may include linkages, limit switches, street eyes, positioning markers, positioning lights and the like to provide position information and to control the range of movement and position of security shield  28 . Such construction would automate the opening and closing of security shield  28  such that upon actuation of a switch energizing the motor, security shield  28  would move from a closed to open or open to closed position. This would allow show room personnel to unlock all of the cases in a first serial batch operation; then in a second serial batch operation actuate a switch to engage the motor of each case to open the show room for business. The same switch actuation would occur at closing, allowing show room personnel to execute a serial batch operation to close security shield  28  in each case in sequence then execute a second serial batch operation to lock each case, closing the show room to complete the business day. In addition, a foot pedal may be provided to actuate a motor as described above to electronically position security shield  28 . 
         [0045]    Although we have described our invention with considerable details in the specification, it is to be understood that we may make modifications in the design and changes in the structure as necessary for a specific installation or specific design requirements.