Patent Publication Number: US-6666330-B2

Title: Security container having combination mechanical and magnetic locking mechanism

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/648,579 filed on Aug. 25, 2000 U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,387 issued Jul. 23, 2002, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/151,163 filed Aug. 27, 1999, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to containers and, more particularly, to a container for storing various articles such as video and audio cassettes, compact discs, video games, software, and other types of recorded media. Specifically, the invention relates to a storage container for recorded media that can be securely locked in a closed position preventing the unauthorized removal of the contents of the container until a store clerk or owner of the container unlocks the container with a specialized key. 
     2. Background Information 
     Containers, and in particular, light weight inexpensively molded plastic containers, are used for a variety of purposes including the storage of various articles. One use of such plastic containers is for the storage of video and audio cassettes, and other recorded media, for both display and sale, as well as for home storage. One particular use of such plastic containers, which preferably are formed of a transparent material, is the display of an item of recorded media at a retail store. It is desired that the item of recorded media be locked within the container to prevent the unauthorized removal of the article from the container, thereby preventing the unauthorized removal of the recorded media from the store. The container may contain an E.A.S. tag (Electronic Article Surveillance) located inside the container that will sound an alarm if a thief attempts to remove the container having the E.A.S. tag from the store passed a security check point. 
     The present invention provides an inexpensive plastic case for storing various articles, such as video and audio cassettes, various software, etc., that will be contained in a secured locked position preventing the unauthorized removal of the article, E.A.S. tag, or other object from within the security container, until the container has been unlocked and opened by authorized personnel. 
     One problem common to most inexpensive security containers that can be handled by the consumer is the risk that the lock of the security container can be “picked” by a thief. There is a requirement that the locks of these security containers be able to be molded in one step molding processes. Thus, the locks of the security containers cannot include a large number of intricate interacting members because the locks could not be affordable manufactured. The somewhat limited nature of the manufacturing process has forced the lock design in the past to rely on a plurality of uniquely spaced or uniquely shaped keyholes to provide one feature of security. For instance, the security device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,187 utilizes six spaced apart keyholes that are disposed in relation to 6 locking fingers. The device may only be opened from the locked position when six key prongs are inserted through the six keyholes to move all six locking fingers simultaneously. Although this task is difficult for a thief, a thief can fabricate a key for the device after studying the device or studying the key at the checkout counter. 
     In order to make the locks of these security containers harder to pick, the industry has started using magnetically-attractable lock materials that are moved from the locked position to the unlocked position by utilizing magnetic force. These components are generally sized to require a relatively strong magnet to move the locked components. Magnets of this strength are generally expensive and not commonly available thus frustrating a thief&#39;s attempts to unlock the devices. Furthermore, the keys utilizing the magnets do not readily disclose the position of the magnet because the magnets are typically hidden behind an opaque wall. Thus, a thief cannot readily study the key or the device to determine where the magnetic force must be applied to unlock the device. 
     Although such devices exist and are suitable for their intended purposes, room for improvement remains. It is desired in the art to provide a locking mechanism for a security container that utilizes both mechanical and magnetic force to unlock the device. Such a device would require a thief to possess a strong magnet, position the strong magnet in the proper location, and apply a mechanical key prong to the device to unlock the device. Although such a complex unlocking requirement is relatively easily achieved with a pre-designed key, a thief attempting to pick the lock will undoubtedly draw attention to himself as he attempts to position all of the elements in a retail environment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a lock for a security container having a magnetic element and a mechanical element that must both be unlocked for the security device to be opened. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide such a lock for a security container that can be utilized with a wide variety of security containers. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a lock for a security container that provides for a receiving space for an E.A.S. tag that can be attached inside the security device. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a lock for a security device that is formed of light weight molded plastic in combination with a magnetically-attractable material, such as metal, that can be mass produced relatively inexpensively. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a lock for a security device wherein the lock elements are hidden from public view so that a thief cannot readily discern how to pick the lock. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a lock for a security device having two locking fingers that move from the locked position to the unlocked position in opposite directions on either side of a blocking wall to prevent the lock from being easily picked. 
     A further objective of the present invention is to provide a lock for a security container that is of simple construction, that achieves the stated objectives in a simple, effective, and inexpensive manner, that solves the problems and that satisfies the needs existing in the art. 
     These and other objective&#39;s and advantages are obtained by the improved security container of the present invention, the general nature of which may be stated as including a security container for holding an object, the container including a frame forming a storage chamber; the frame having an access opening for inserting and removing the object into and from the storage chamber; a lock mechanism mounted on the frame movable between locked and unlocked positions; the lock mechanism selectively blocking and unblocking the access opening; and the lock mechanism including at least one mechanically activated locking element and at least one magnetically activated locking element. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A preferred embodiment of the invention illustrative of the best mode in which Applicant has contemplated applying the principles of the invention, is set forth in the following description and is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the security container of the present invention shown holding a typical cassette tape case; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the slide plate showing the blocking wall of the lock of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one end of the security container of the present invention showing the mechanical and magnetic lock elements; 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the lock device with the top wall of the slide plate removed showing the lock in a locked position; 
     FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the lock in an unlocked position; 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line  7 — 7  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the slide plate being moved to the unlocked position; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the security device in a locked position; and 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the security device in the unlocked position. 
    
    
     Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The security container of the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral  10  in the accompanying drawings. For purposes of example, security container  10  is depicted in the closed position securely retaining a cassette tape  12  in FIG.  1 . Although a cassette tape package  12  is shown the drawings and discussed below, security container  10  may be used and configured to store a variety of objects and is intended primarily for recorded media such as VHS cassettes, audio cassettes, electronic games, compact discs, DVD&#39;s, and other types of recorded music, software packages, or video packages which are usually contained within a separate storage case, such as jewel boxes, or other types of boxes. Container  10  includes a frame indicated generally by the numeral  14  that is molded of a preferably relatively rigid plastic material such as polycarbonate, and has a parallelepepedic configuration with a pair of spaced parallel side walls  15  and  16 , a rear wall  17 , and spaced parallel end walls  18  and  19 . Walls  15 - 19  form an interior storage chamber or compartment  20  for receiving and storing an article which is inserted into and removed from the compartment or chamber through an elongated end access opening  22 . Opening  22  extends generally throughout the longitudinal length defined by walls  15  and  16 , as well as the transverse length defined by end walls  18  and  19 . 
     Security container  10  includes a lock mechanism  30  that is movable on frame  14  between locked and unlocked positions. The locked position of lock mechanism  30  is depicted in FIGS. 1,  4 , and  9  with the unlocked position being depicted in FIG.  10 . Lock mechanism  30  selectively blocks access opening  22  when in the locked position by blocking a portion of access opening with a lock tab  32 . Lock tab  32  is driven between its locked and unlocked position by a slide plate  34 . The structure and operation of lock tab  32  and slide plate  34  is described fully in U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,187 that issued on Jun. 9, 1998 to the Assignee of the present application. The disclosures of U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,187 are incorporated herein by reference to form a part of this specification for the purposes of describing the operation of lock tab  32  and slide plate  34 . In general, it is understood that longitudinal movement of slide plate  34  with respect to frame  14  creates corresponding longitudinal movement of lock tab  32  in a direction substantially perpendicular to a movement of slide plate  34 . The locking elements disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,187 include six locking fingers that engage six corresponding locking projections. The locking fingers are purely mechanically activated and deactivated. 
     Lock mechanism  30  of the present invention includes both a mechanically activated locking element  40  in combination with at least one magnetically activated locking element  42 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each element  40  and  42  selectively engages slide plate  34  and locks the position of slide plate  34  with respect to frame  14 . When the position of slide plate  34  is locked with respect to frame, security container  10  and elements  40  and  42  are said to be in the locked position. When elements  40  and  42  allow slide plate  34  to move with respect to frame  14 , security container  10  and elements  40  and  42  are said to be in the unlocked position. Mechanically activated lock element  40  is selectively moved between its locked and unlocked position by a mechanical key while magnetically activated lock element  42  is moved between its locked and unlocked positions with a key using magnetic force. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, security container  10  includes a pair of slide rails  44  projecting up from wall  18 . Slide plate  34  rides on slide rails  44  between the locked and unlocked positions. Slide rails  44  include a plurality of ledges, overhangs, and notches as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,187 that cooperate with slide plate  34  to allow slide plate  34  to be mounted on rails  44  and move between the locked and unlocked positions. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, lock elements  40  and  42  are disposed between slide rails  44  where they cannot be readily accessed by a potential shoplifter. In another embodiment of the present invention, elements  40  and  42  may both be moved outside slide rails  44  or one of elements  40  and  42  may be moved outside of slide rails  44  as desired by the particular configuration of security container  10  and lock mechanism  30 . 
     Each lock element  40  and  42  selectively engages slide plate  34  as described above. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, slide plate  34  includes a blocking wall  46  which is engaged in by each lock element  40  and  42 . In other embodiments of the present invention, slide plate  34  may include a pair of blocking walls  46  or may simply include surfaces on its side walls  48  on which lock elements  40  and  42  engage. In the configuration of the invention depicted in the drawings, blocking wall  46  separates lock element  40  from lock element  42 . This configuration also makes it more difficult to pick security device  10 . 
     Blocking wall  46  includes a ledge  50  which is engaged by mechanically activated lock element  40  when lock element  40  is in the locked position. Blocking wall  46  also includes a shoulder  52  that is engaged by magnetically activated lock element  42  when lock element  42  is in the locked position. Ledge  50  and shoulder  52  are separated by a substantial distance along blocking wall  46  so that the critical engagement between elements  40  and  46  and  42  and  46  are not so close together to allow a shoplifter to easily pick lock mechanism  30 . 
     Mechanically activated lock element  40  includes a cantilevered locking finger  60  having a first end connected to slide rail  44  with its second end projecting out into the space where blocking wall  46  slides back and forth with slide plate  34 . The second end of locking finger  60  is positioned to engage ledge  50  when locking finger  60  is the locked position. Locking finger  60  includes an angled cam plate  62  disposed adjacent its second end. Cam plate  62  is used to move locking finger  60  from the locked to the unlocked position when a pin  64  of a key engages cam plate  62  pivoting locking finger  60  about its first end causing the second end of locking finger  60  to move away from ledge  50 . It is preferred that locking finger  60  be fabricated from a plastic material that is not magnetically attractive. Pin  64  may be inserted through an opening  66  disposed in slide plate  34  and aligned with ledge  50  and cam plate  62  when slide plate  34  is in the locked position. 
     Magnetically activated lock element  42  includes a cantilevered locking finger  70  that is primarily fabricated from a magnetically attractive material. At least one portion of locking finger  70  is fabricated from the magnetically attractive material so that locking finger  70  may be moved from its locked position to its unlocked position with a magnet that is selectively positioned outside of lock mechanism  30 . Locking finger  70  may be preferably fabricated from a metal. In the preferred embodiment, locking finger  70  has a U-shaped cross section that gives locking finger  70  rigidity. The U-shaped cross section, however, extends only over the outer portion of locking finger  70  adjacent its second end so that locking finger  70  may readily pivot about an area  72  having a reduced cross section. The first end of locking finger  70  is anchored adjacent slide rail  44  and may be secured in place with a locking tab  74 . A pivot member  76  is disposed near the first end of locking finger  70  but between the first end of locking finger  70  and the second end of locking finger  70 . Locking finger  70  pivots about pivot member  76  when it is moved from its locked position to its unlocked position. A stop  78  also projects from slide rail  44  and is disposed between pivot member  76  and the second end of locking finger  70 . The stop  78  contacts locking finger  70  when locking finger  70  is in the unlocked position. Stop  78  prevents locking finger  70  from moving too far away from the locked position. A resting wall  80  is provided on the opposite side of locking finger  70  than pivot member  76  and stop  78  to provide a substantially stable support surface for locking finger  70  to rest against when it is in the locked position. Resting wall  80  provides support to the back side of locking finger  70  to prevent it from being deformed when a thief is attempting to pick lock mechanism  30 . 
     Locking finger  70  is moved to its unlocked position through the use of a magnet  82  that is positioned adjacent side wall  48  and slide rail  44  of security container  10  in the appropriate location. It is desired that there are no locating marks on side wall  48  so that a shoplifter can not readily ascertain where a magnet must be placed to move locking finger  70  to the unlocked position. Another security feature is that locking finger  70  is sized and configured to require a relatively strong magnet  82  to be used to move it to the unlocked position. Such strong magnets  82  are relatively expensive and relatively hard to obtain. 
     Security container  10  is initially locked by placing item of recorded media  12  through access opening  22  so that it is encased by frame  14 . Slide plate  34  is then moved to the locked position driving lock tab  32  over a portion of access opening  22  to prevent item of recorded media  12  from being removed from security container  10 . When slide plate  34  is moved to the locked position, blocking wall  46  is moved relative to lock elements  40  and  42  bringing ledge  50  and shoulder  52  into engagement with locking fingers  60  and  70 . When blocking wall  46  reaches the locked position, locking fingers  60  and  70  engage blocking wall  46  and prevent it from moving back toward the unlocked position. 
     Security container  10  may then only be opened by simultaneously inserting pin  64  through opening  66  to move locking finger  60  to the unlocked position while positioning magnet  82  in the proper location to draw or pull locking finger  70  away from blocking wall  46 . Lock mechanism  30  may only be unlocked through the simultaneous use of pin  64  and magnet  82 . This provides yet another security feature to the device because it requires a shoplifter to simultaneously position two elements to unlock the device. 
     Accordingly, the improved Security Container Having Combination Mechanical and Magnetic Locking Mechanism apparatus is simplified, provides an effective, safe, inexpensive, and efficient device which achieves all the enumerated objectives, provides for eliminating difficulties encountered with prior devices, and solves problems and obtains new results in the art. 
     In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. 
     Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described. 
     Having now described the features, discoveries, and principles of the invention, the manner in which the Security Container Having Combination Mechanical and Magnetic Locking Mechanism is constructed and used, the characteristics of the construction, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts, and combinations are set forth in the appended claims.