Abstract:
A DVD disk case includes a hook connected to its base or lid and having an open position for clearing an outer disk perimeter during insertion and removal of the disk, and a closed position for blocking the removal of the disk. The hook opens when the lid is open, and the hook closes for securing the disk on a pedestal hub structure of the case when the lid is closed, to provide security by preventing removal of the disk from the case when the lid is proximately closed. The hook can project from the base, a lock projecting from the lid to displace the hook inwardly as the lid is move to its closed position. The hook can also include an inwardly extending lid tab of the lid and/or a projecting rib of a spine portion of the case.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is being filed on the same date as another application of the same inventor, entitled SECURITY DEVICE FOR A DISK BOX, which is incorporated herein by this reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to the packaging of optical data disks such as compact disks (CDs) and video disks (DVDs) that have central circular locating openings, and more particularly to cases for protectively enclosing such disks for storage of same. 
     Protective containers for CDs and DVDs in common use have a central pedestal for supportively gripping the disc by engaging the central opening without contacting either side of the disk within data-containing regions thereof. Such containers typically have a ledge for contacting portions of an outer perimeter of the disk for stabilizing the disk against tipping on the pedestal. The disk is loaded into the container by lowering it onto the pedestal while gripping opposite perimeter portions, engagement with the pedestal being typically effected by simultaneous finger pressure against the disk proximate the central opening. Removal of the disk is similarly effected by finger pressure against the pedestal and simultaneous lifting at the perimeter portions. See, for example, the present inventor&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,763, which is incorporated herein by this reference. Cases such as those described are typically marketed with wrappers that normally prevent opening without removal of the wrapper (which is not supposed to happen until purchase transactions are completed). 
     It has recently been discovered that it is possible for a shoplifter to make a slit along the side of the wrapper, then deform the case in a manner that causes release of the disk from the pedestal, then, by prying the case slightly open, sliding the disk out of the case. 
     Thus there is a need for a way to prevent theft of disks from such containers in the manner described, and that is easy to use and inexpensive to provide. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention meets this need by providing storage cases having security features that effectively lock CDs and DVDs inside until the cases are substantially opened. These cases are of the type having a base portion and an openable lid portion, a pedestal projecting forwardly from the base including a button portion having a hub structure for releasably engaging a central opening of a disk being enclosed by the case. In one aspect of the invention, the storage case is characterized by the inclusion of a hook member connected to one of the base portion and the lid portion and having an open position for clearing the outer perimeter of the disk during engagement and removal of the disk from the hub structure, and a closed position for blocking the removal of the disk; means for moving the hook member to its open position when the lid portion is in the open condition; and means for securing the hook member in its closed position when the lid portion is in the closed position thereof thereby to provide security by preventing removal of the disk from the case when the disk is on the hub structure and the lid portion is proximate the closed position thereof. 
     The hook member can be connected to the base portion, the means for securing the hook member including a lock member projecting from the lid portion and displacing the hook member toward the pedestal as the lid portion is moved to the closed position thereof, the means for moving the hook member including the hook member being resiliently supported in the open position thereof by the base portion. Also, or in the alternative, the hook member can include a lid tab member rigidly connected to the lid portion, the means for securing including the lid tab member projecting inwardly of the outer perimeter of the disk and proximate the disk in the closed position of the lid portion, the means for moving the hook member including the lid tab member moving away from the base portion as the lid portion is moved to the open condition thereof. 
     The lid portion can be hingedly connected to the base portion, the hook member being located opposite the hinged connection from the pedestal. The hook member can be one of a spaced pair of hook members diagonally displaced from the pedestal opposite the hinged connection. The lid portion can be integrally formed with the base portion. The lid portion and the base portion can be formed with perimeter walls extending along respective ends of the case and along a side thereof opposite the hinged connection, a major portion of at least one of the perimeter walls including respective blade portions of the lid and base portions, the blade portions preferably projecting in facing overlapping relation when the lid portion is proximate the closed position thereof, for reinforcing the lid and base portions against bending thereof, and for further blocking removal of the disk from the container. 
     The hook member can be a primary hook member, the case further including a spine portion hingedly connected between the lid portion and the base portion, the case preferably also including a secondary hook member located proximate the spine member, means for securing the secondary hook member in a closed position thereof for further blocking removal of the disk from the case when the lid portion is proximate the closed position thereof, and means for moving the secondary hook member to an open position clearing the outer perimeter of the disk when the lid portion is in the open condition thereof, thereby securing the disk on opposite sides of the pedestal. The secondary hook member can be connected to the base portion, the means for securing the secondary hook member including a spine rib member projecting from the spine portion, the spine rib member displacing the secondary hook member toward the pedestal as the lid portion is moved to the closed position thereof, the means for moving the secondary hook member comprising the secondary hook member being resiliently supported in the open position thereof by the base portion. The secondary hook member can be one of a spaced pair of secondary hook members diagonally displaced from the pedestal proximate the spine portion connection. 
     The secondary hook member can include a spine rib member rigidly projecting from the spine portion, the means for securing including the spine rib member projecting inwardly of the outer perimeter of the disk and proximate the disk in the closed position of the lid portion, the means for moving the hook member including the rib member moving away from the base portion as the lid portion is moved to the open condition thereof. The spine rib member can extend to diagonally displaced extremities thereof relative to the pedestal and within the outer perimeter of the disk when the lid portion is proximate the closed position thereof. Also, the lid portion can be integrally formed with the base portion and the spine portion. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the storage case includes the base portion having the forwardly projecting pedestal portion with the button portion hub structure; the lid portion; the hingedly connected spine portion; the lid tab member connected to the lid portion opposite the pedestal portion from the spine portion and projecting inwardly of the outer perimeter of the disk in the closed position of the lid portion for blocking removal of the disk from the hub structure, the lid tab member moving away from the base portion as the lid portion is moved to its open condition; and a spine tab member connected to one of the lid portion and the spine portion near the spine portion and projecting inwardly of the outer perimeter of the disk in the closed position of the lid portion for further blocking removal of the disk from the hub structure, the spine tab member moving away from the base portion as the lid portion is moved to its open condition. The spine tab member can be rigidly connected to the spine portion. 
     In yet a further aspect, the storage case includes the base portion; the lid portion; the hingedly connected spine portion; a primary hook member movably connected to the base portion generally opposite the pedestal portion from the spine portion and having a closed position projecting inwardly of the outer perimeter of the disk, being biased to an open position for clearing the outer perimeter of the disk during engagement and removal of the disk from the hub structure; a lid lock member connected to the lid portion the lid lock member moving the primary lock member to the closed position thereof in the closed position of the lid portion for blocking removal of the disk from the hub structure, the lid lock member moving away from and allowing the primary hook member to return to the open position thereof as the lid portion is moved to the open condition thereof; a secondary hook member movably connected to the base portion generally near the spine portion and having a closed position projecting inwardly of the outer perimeter of the disk, being biased to an open position for clearing the outer perimeter of the disk during engagement and removal of the disk from the hub structure; a spine lock member connected to one of the lid portion and the spine portion and moving the secondary hook member to the closed position thereof in the closed position of the lid portion for further blocking removal of the disk from the hub structure, moving away from and allowing the secondary hook member to return to the open position thereof as the lid portion is moved to its open condition. The spine lock member can be rigidly connected to the spine portion. The primary hook member can be one of a spaced pair of primary hook members. The secondary hook member can be one of a spaced pair of secondary hook members. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, where: 
         FIG. 1  is side sectional view of a security disk case according to the present invention, the container enclosing a data storage disk; 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view as in  FIG. 1 , showing the case being deformed in a manner designed to disengage the disk from supporting structure of the case; 
         FIG. 3  is an end sectional view of the case of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an sectional view as in  FIG. 3 , showing the case of  FIG. 1  in an open condition; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of the case of  FIG. 1 , in the open condition of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view as in  FIG. 3 , showing an alternative configuration of the case of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view as in  FIG. 4 , showing the case of  FIG. 6  in an open condition; 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view as in  FIG. 5 , of the case of FIG.  6 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is directed to a security disk storage case that is particularly effective for preventing theft of disks such as CDs and DVDs therefrom during storage and marketing of such disks. As indicated above, shoplifters are known to have made slits in side portions of disk case wrappers, succeeding in withdrawing disks from the cases while substantially closed by deforming the case in a manner that causes release of the disk from retaining pedestals of the cases, and then prying the case slightly open in the region of the slit. With reference to  FIGS. 1-5  of the drawings, a security storage case  10  according to the present invention includes a base portion  12 , a lid portion  14 , and a spine portion  16  that is hingedly connected between the base and lid portions  12  and  14 . The lid portion  14  has a closed position releasably engaging the base portion as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , being openable to an open position as shown in  FIG. 4. A  wrapper  18  is normally used as shown in  FIG. 3  to secure the lid portion  14  in its closed position with a disk  20  enclosed therein during storage and marketing of the disk, after which the jacket is typically removed and discarded, the case then being openable at will. 
     Typically, the storage case  10  is configured for conventional disks having an outer perimeter  22  of 120 mm diameter, a central opening  24  with an inside diameter of 15 mm, and a thickness of between 1.2 mm and 1.3 mm. The storage case also includes a pedestal  26  projecting forwardly from a rear panel  27  of the base portion  12 , the pedestal having a hub structure  28  on a pedestal axis  29  for supportively engaging the disk  20  at the central opening  24  thereof. Typically also, the outer perimeter  22  of the disk is supported and/or stabilized by a forwardly projecting edge-support portion  30  of the base portion  12 . Removal of the disk  20  is typically effected by manually accessing the outer perimeter  22  of the disk and/or the hub structure  28  of the case when the lid portion  14  is in an open condition being in the open position as shown in  FIG. 4  or in beyond a partially open position that affords manual assess to the outer perimeter  22  and the hub structure  28 . 
     While the hub structure  28  of the pedestal  26  can be variously configured, an exemplary form thereof includes a plurality of inwardly cantilevered button segments  32  that engage the central opening  24  of the disk  20 , the button segments having outwardly projecting retainer portions  34  for releasably retaining the disk proximate a ring structure  36  that forms an outer portion of the pedestal  26 . The cantilevered support of the button segments is sufficiently flexible for movement between a relaxed position shown in the drawings wherein the disk  20  is confined between the retainer portions and the ring structure, or wherein the disk can rest on the button portions  36 , and a depressed position (not shown) wherein the retainer portions are displaced axially rearwardly and radially inwardly for clearing the central opening  24  of the disk  20  as described in the above-referenced U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,763. Other typical features of protective disk cases, such as clips for retaining literature inside such cases, living hinge connections between the spine portion  16  and the base and lid portions  12  and  14 , and transparent jacket sheets for retaining externally visible labeling, are contemplated although not described. 
     As described above, an emergent problem is theft of disks, accomplished by slitting the wrapper, deforming the case to dislodge the disk from the pedestal, and slipping the disk out through the slit with the case pried slightly open in the region of the slit. 
     According to the present invention, the security case  10  is provided with hook means  40  projecting inwardly in front of the disk  20  proximate opposite sides of the outer perimeter  22  in the closed position of the lid portion  14  for blocking disengagement of the disk from the hub structure  28 , the hook means  40  being displaced from in front of the disk when the case  10  is an open condition for allowing normal engagement and disengagement of the disk from the hub structure  28 . As best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the hook means  40  in the exemplary configuration of  FIGS. 1-5  includes first hook means  40 A that is formed as a laterally spaced pair of tabs  42  that project inwardly from a lid side wall  44  of the lid portion  14  opposite the spine portion  16 . The use of the separate spaced apart tabs  42  advantageously reduces concentrations of loading against the disk  20 , while facilitating manufacture of the case  10  by limiting the size of openings through the lid portion  14  through which portions of a die protrude during molding to define a thickness of the tabs  42 . 
     The hook means  40  also includes second hook means  40 B in the form of a spine rib  46  of the spine portion  16 , the rib  46  projecting sufficiently to extend in front of the outer perimeter  22 . As shown by broken lines in  FIG. 5 , the rib  46  is preferably contoured for covering the disk  20  proximate the outer perimeter  22  thereof at a pair of spaced locations designated as rib extremities  48  (and therebetween), at an included angle B about the pedestal axis  29  for enhanced retention of the disk during deformation of the case  10 , such retention being depicted in FIG.  2 . Similarly, the tabs  42  of the first hook member  40 A are contoured for covering the disk  20  at spaced tab extremities  50 , at an included angle A as shown in FIG.  5 . Further, the spacing between the tabs  42  forms an included angle C as also shown in FIG.  5 . In the exemplary configuration of  FIGS. 1-5 , the angle A is approximately 32 degrees and the angle B is approximately 64 degrees, an average of angles A and B being approximately 48 degrees. Also, the angle C is approximately 10 degrees, the difference between the angle A and the angle C being approximately 22 degrees. It is preferred that each of the angles A and B be at least approximately 10 degrees, and that the angle A minus the angle C (if present) also be at least approximately 10 degrees, for limiting concentrations of loading against the disk  20 , and for structural integrity of the tabs  42  and the spine rib  46 . Also, it is preferred that the angle C be not greater than approximately 30 degrees for effective restraint of the disk in the region of the hub structure  28 . It is further preferred that the average of the angles A and B be at least approximately 25 degrees. 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 6-8 , an alternative configuration of the security case, designated  10 ′ has a plurality of hook members  52  projecting forwardly from the rear panel  27  of the base portion  12 , the hook members  52  having respective relaxed positions as shown in  FIG. 7  wherein hook extremities  54  thereof are displaced outwardly of the outer perimeter  22  of the disk  20  when the lid portion  14  is in an open condition. As shown in  FIG. 8 , one pair of the hook members  52 , being located proximate a base side wall  56  of the base portion  12  opposite the spine portion  16 , form counterparts of the first hook means  40 A of the case  10 , the hook extremities  54  thereof forming counterparts of the tab extremities  50  of the first hook means  40 A. Similarly, another pair of the hook members  52 , being located proximate the spine portion  16 , form counterparts of the second hook means  40 B of the case  10 , the hook extremities  54  thereof forming counterparts of the tab extremities  50  of the second hook means  40 B. A pair of hook actuators  58  project from the lid portion  14  proximate the lid side wall  44 , the hook actuators  58  inwardly displacing the associated hook members  52  as the lid portion  14  moves into the closed position thereof as shown in FIG.  6 . Also, the edge-support portion  30  of the base portion  12  is formed with respective support regions  60  that are spaced radially outwardly from the hook members  52 , the hook actuators  58  being reinforced by supportive contact with the support regions  60  during the inward displacement of the hook members  52  of the first hook means  40 A. The edge-support portion  30  is similarly formed adjacent the hook members  52  of the second hook means  40 B; however, inward displacement of those hook members  52  is effected by contact with the spine rib  46  as the spine portion  16  assumes a position normal to the base panel  27  during closure of the lid portion  14 , the spine rib  46  in the case  10 ′ being formed correspondingly to the hook actuators  58  for displacing the hook members  52  of the second hook means  40 B as indicated by broken lines in FIG.  8 . As further shown in  FIG. 8 , the hook members  52  of the first hook means  40 A are spaced apart, the hook members  52  of the second hook means  40 B being correspondingly spaced apart opposite the hub structure  28 , at respective included center-line angles D and E. In the exemplary configuration of  FIGS. 6-8 , the angles D and E are each approximately 40 degrees, and the hook members  52  have an effective circumferential contact width of approximately 3 mm, subtending an angle F of approximately 4 degrees about the pedestal axis  29 . Thus the exemplary arrangement of  FIGS. 6-8  corresponds to the Angles A and B being approximately 44 degrees, and the angle C in the configuration of  FIGS. 1-5  being approximately 36 degrees, the difference between the angles A and C being 8 degrees. It will be understood that this smaller difference between the angles A and C is appropriate in that the hook members  52  are reinforced in their inwardly displaced positions by the hook actuators  58 . 
     In further accordance with the present invention, opposite ends of the security case  10  of  FIGS. 1-5  (as well as the case  10 ′ of  FIGS. 6-8 ) are provided with stiffening ribs that overlap in th closed position of the lid portion  14  for strengthening the case against warping and bending, as well as for providing added protection against entry of a knife blade or other unauthorized implement when the case is partially pried open. More particularly, a pair of base rib members  62  project forwardly from the base panel  27  in parallel spaced proximity to respective base end walls  64 , and respective inwardly offset blade portion  66  of corresponding lid end walls  68  project between the base rib members  62  and the base end walls  64  to proximate the base panel  27  in the closed position of the lid portion  14 . 
     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. For example, a counterpart of the spine rib  46  can be formed in the lid portion  14  to serve as either the second hook means  40 B or for actuating the hook members  52  of the second hook means  40 B. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not necessarily be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.