Patent Publication Number: US-7905560-B2

Title: Security showcase

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is based on U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/806,796 filed on Jul. 10, 2006 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a showcase. More specifically, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a security showcase for displaying and protecting items including valuable goods such as jewelry and the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Display cases, also known as showcases, are widely used for displaying high-value articles such as jewelry, coins, electronics, cameras, etc. It is readily understood that the typical display case having one or more glass windows is particularly susceptible to theft wherein the criminal smashes the glass and removes as many valuable articles as possible before escaping. Due to the frequency of such “smash and grab” crimes, most retailers choose to remove high-value goods from their display cases at the close of business daily and relocate the merchandise into more secure storage. Unfortunately, the routine transfer of merchandise between the display case and storage causes many problems of its own, not the least of which is the increased labor required to perform the work. 
     Other problems include increased wear and tear on the merchandise and display fixtures, and increase problems with inventory and loss control. 
     Conventional display showcases having a theft preventing mechanism use a heavy steel sheet that needs to be manually positioned on top of the showcase to separate the glass portion of the showcase and the valuable goods. This operation is tedious, requires significant strength and may cause back injuries. The protective steel sheet, when moving between the stored position and the goods-protecting position, extends outside the perimeter of the display showcase. More floor space than the actual size of the showcase is required. This prevents the display showcase to be easily activated in a tight space. 
     Improvements in such showcases included providing a showcase with a housing that includes an lower storage section having an exterior obscuring wall and a fully enclosable display section mounted above the lower section. A platform is mounted within the lower storage section in order to be selectively raised into the display section for displaying items disposed thereon. A closure was provided to be selectively interposed between the display and storage sections. Such closures include conventional heavy panels which are inconvenient as explained above. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a security showcase. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a storage enclosure for a security showcase. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects of the invention will now be disclosed hereunder. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a security showcase comprising a housing comprising adjacent storage and display portions for respectively storing and displaying items therein; a support mounted to the housing for supporting items and being positionable between an item-storing position, wherein the support is positioned within the storage portion, and an item-displaying position, wherein items supported by the support are displayed via the display portion; and a closure comprising at least a pair of closure elements moveably mounted to the housing and being movable between a closed position, wherein the closure elements are interposed between the storage and display portions and mutually mated thereby enclosing the support within the storage portion when in the item-storing position, an open position when the support is in the item-displaying position. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a security showcase comprising: a housing comprising adjacent storage and display portions for respectively storing and displaying items therein; a support movably mounted to the housing for supporting items and being moveable between an item-storing position, wherein the support is positioned within the storage portion, and an item-displaying position, wherein items supported by the support are displayed via the display portion; and a closure moveably mounted to the housing and being operationally linked to the support, wherein movement of the support to the item-storing position causes the closure to move to a closed position being interposed between the storage and display portions thereby enclosing the support within the storage portion and wherein movement of the support to the item-displaying position causes the closure to move towards an open position. 
     In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a security showcase comprising: a housing comprising adjacent storage and display portions for respectively storing and displaying items therein; a support mounted to the housing for supporting items and being positionable between an item-storing position, wherein the support is positioned within the storage portion, and an item-displaying position, wherein items supported by the support are displayed via the display portion; and an automated closure moveably mounted to the housing and moveable between a closed and an open position, wherein the automated closure is configured to move to a closed position being interposed between the storage and display portions when the support is in the item-storing position thereby enclosing the support within the storage portion and wherein the automated closure is configured to move to an open position when the support is in the item-displaying position. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a security showcase comprising: a housing comprising adjacent storage and display portions for respectively storing and displaying items therein; a support mounted to housing for supporting items and being positionable between an item-storing position, wherein the support is positioned within the storage portion, and an item-displaying position, wherein items supported by the support are displayed via the display portion; and a closure moveably mounted to the housing and being movable between a closed position, wherein the closure is interposed between the storage and display portions thereby enclosing the support within the storage portion when in the item-storing position, and an open position, wherein the closure is positioned within the storage portion when the support is in the item-displaying position. 
     In accordance with yet a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a security showcase comprising: a storage portion for storing items therein and comprising an opening thereof; a display portion for housing items to be displayed therein and being moveably mounted to the storage portion so as to be movable between an item-storing position, wherein the display portion is positioned within the storage portion, and an item-displaying position, wherein the display portion is positioned outwardly of the opening thereby displaying items; and a closure for selectively closing the opening thereby enclosing the display portion within the storage portion when in the item-storing position. 
     In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage enclosure for a security showcase comprising a display portion thereof, the storage enclosure being configured to be adjacently positioned to the display portion and comprising: a main body for storing items therein and having an opening thereof for communicating with the display portion; a support mounted within the main body for supporting items and being positionable between an item-storing position within the main body and an item-displaying position, wherein items supported by the support are to be displayed via the display portion; and a pair of closure elements moveably mounted to the main body and being movable between a closed position wherein the closure elements are mutually mated thereby closing the opening and enclosing the support within the main body, and an open position when the support is in the item-displaying position. 
     In accordance with still a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage enclosure for a security showcase comprising a display portion thereof, the storage enclosure being configured to be adjacently positioned to the display portion and comprising: a main body for storing items therein and having an opening thereof for communicating with the display portion; a support movably mounted within the main body for supporting items and being moveable between an item-storing position within the main body and an item-displaying position, wherein items supported by the support are to be displayed via the display portion; and a closure moveably mounted to the main body and being operationally linked to the support, wherein movement of the support to the item-storing position causes the closure to move to a closed position closing the opening thereby enclosing the support within the main body, and wherein movement of the support to the item-displaying position causes the closure to move towards an open position. 
     In accordance with still yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage enclosure for a security showcase comprising a display portion thereof, the storage enclosure being configured to be adjacently positioned to the display portion and comprising: a main body for storing items therein and having an opening thereof for communicating with the display portion; a support mounted within the main body for supporting items and being positionable between an item-storing position within the main body and an item-displaying position, wherein items supported by the support are to be displayed via the display portion; and an automated closure moveably mounted to the main body and moveable between a closed and an open position; wherein the automated closure is configured to move to a closed position closing the opening when the support is in the item-storing position thereby enclosing the support within the main body, and wherein the automated closure is configured to move to an open position when the support is in the item-displaying position. 
     In accordance with still yet a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a storage enclosure for a security showcase comprising a display portion thereof, the storage enclosure being configured to be adjacently positioned to the display portion and, comprising: a main body for storing items therein and having an opening thereof for communicating with the display portion; a support mounted within the main body for supporting items and being positionable between an item-storing position within the main body and an item-displaying position, wherein items supported by the support are to be displayed via the display portion; and a closure moveably mounted to the main body and being movable between a closed position, wherein the closure closes the opening thereby enclosing the support within the main body when in the item-storing position, and an open position, wherein the closure is positioned within the storage enclosure when the support is in the item-displaying position. 
     Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of non-limiting illustrative embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the appended drawings, where like reference numerals denote like elements throughout and in where: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a security showcase in an item-storing position in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the security showcase of  FIG. 1  in an item-displaying position; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the security showcase of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a storage enclosure for the security showcase of  FIG. 1  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a lateral sectional view of the storage enclosure along the line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4  with the support thereof in the item-storing position and the closure elements thereof in the closed position; 
         FIG. 6  is a lateral sectional view of the storage enclosure of  FIG. 5  with the support thereof moving to the item-displaying position and the closure elements thereof moving to the open position; 
         FIG. 7  is a lateral sectional view of the storage enclosure of  FIG. 5  with the support thereof in the item-displaying position and the closure elements thereof in the open position; 
         FIG. 8  is perspective view of a storage enclosure for a security showcase in an item-storing position in accordance with another illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the storage enclosure of  FIG. 8  in an item-displaying position; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a security showcase in the item-storing position in accordance with another illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the security showcase of  FIG. 10  in the item-displaying position; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a security showcase in the item-displaying position in accordance with another illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a security showcase in the item-displaying position in accordance with another illustrative embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a security showcase in the item-storing position in accordance with another illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     The drawings appended hereto form part of the disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the appended drawings, illustrative embodiments of the present invention will be described herein so as to exemplify the invention and in no way limit the scope thereof. 
     Generally and non-exclusively stated, the present invention provides a security showcase having adjacent display and storage portions. The display portion providing for displaying items, the storage portion providing for securely hiding these items. The showcase also includes a movable support such as a platform movable between the display and storage portions for displaying or storing the items respectively. A closure is selectively interposed between the display and storage portions so as to securely enclose the support and items within the storage portion. In one aspect of the invention, the closure provides a pair of mutually mating closure elements. In another aspect of the invention, the closure is operationally linked to the support so as to open and close in accordance with the movement of the support between the display and support portions. In another aspect of the invention, the closure is automated. In another aspect of the invention, when the closure is opened it is positioned within the storage portion. Storage enclosures including a movable support and closure for such showcases are also provided. Also provided is a showcase with a storage portion and movable display portion so as to be moved within the storage portion when storing the items and as to be moved towards an opening of the storage portion when displaying the items. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 to 7 , a security showcase  10  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention will now be described. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show the security showcase  10  in the item-storing and item-displaying positions respectively. The security showcase  10  includes a housing  12  having adjacent storage and display portions  14  and  16 , respectively. Security showcase  10  is a generally horizontal showcase with the display portion  16  being positioned on top of the storage portion  14 . A closure  18  is movably mounted to the housing  12  and interposed between the storage and display portions  14  and  16  when in the closed position ( FIG. 1 ). The closure  18  may also be selectively moved to an open position ( FIG. 2 ) thereby exposing the support  20  movably mounted to the housing  12  for displaying items or goods I via the display portion  16 . In a non-illustrated embodiment, wheels can be added to the underside  11  of the housing  12 . 
     The display portion  16  includes transparent sections  22  made of glass or other rigid see-through material allowing customers in a store to view the items I therethrough. In contrast, the storage portion  14  is obscured in order to hide the items I stored away therein. 
     In this non-limiting example, the closure  18  includes a pair of oppositely disposed closure elements  18 A and  18 B in the form of protective covers or doors. The closed position in  FIG. 1  refers to the position where the protective covers  18 A and  18 B are mutually mated hence, touching each other in order to prevent any access inside the storage portion  14  thereby hiding and protecting the valuable items or goods. Conversely, the open position in  FIG. 2  refers to the position where the protective covers  18 A and  18 B are moved away from one another exposing the inside of the storage portion  14  and providing communication between the adjacent storage and display portions  14  and  16  respectively. Of course, in other configurations that may be contemplated within the scope of the present invention, the closure  18  includes a plurality of closure elements or a may comprise a single element and as such the open position refers to the position where the support  20  is exposed via the display portion  16  and the closed position refers to the position where the support  20  is obscured by the closure  18 . 
     The support  20  is in the form of a generally horizontal movable platform for disposing items I thereon. 
     The item-storing position in  FIG. 1  refers to the position where the support  20  is stored away within the storage section  14  and obscured by the closure  18  so as not to be visible through the display portion  16 . Conversely, the item-displaying position in  FIG. 2  refers to then the support  20  is not obscured by the closure  18  and the items it supports are now visible via the display portion  16 . In fact, it can also be contemplated that the support  20  is barely movable or is fixed and as such positionable to the item-storing position refers to the position when the closure  18  is closed obscuring the support  20  through the display portion  16  and positionable tot the item-displaying position refers to the position when the closure  18  is opened and hence, exposed the support  20  via the display portion  16 . As such, in the item-displaying position, the support  20  may be exposed yet within the storage portion  14  and hence, visible along with its items I via the display portion  16 ; the support  20  may be interposed between the storage and display portions  14  and  16  respectively and hence, visible via the display portion  16 ; the support  20  may also be positioned within the display portion  16  and hence, again visible via the display portion. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , the housing  12  includes opposite lateral panels  24  and  26 , with panel  26  including a see-through portion  22 , as well as front and rear panels  28  and  30  respectively. Panels  24  and  26  are interconnected via front and rear bottom longitudinal members  32  and  34  respectively, a floor panel  36 , front and rear median longitudinal members  38  and  40  respectively, and front and rear top longitudinal members  42  and  44 , respectively. 
     A pair of sliding lock doors  46  and  48  are mounted between top longitudinal members  42  and  44  which are guide members allowing the lock doors  46  and  48  to slide along their longitudinal length thereby providing access to the inside of the display portion  16  so as to access the items I housed therein. Indeed, the lock doors  46  and  48  can also be provided with transparent sections so as to provide visual access to the inside of the display portion  16 . Transparent material  22  such as glass is mounted between members top  42  and  44 , and between top member  44  and median member  40 . 
     The floor panel  36  and the longitudinal members  32  and  24  provide a space therebetween for an auxiliary drawer  50 . The front panel  28  is mounted to the lateral panels and to the median member  38  and floor member  36  and includes a longitudinal notch  52  to provide a clearance for the drawer  50 . 
     The back panel  30  is mounted to the panels  24  and  26 , to the longitudinal member  40  and to the floor member  36 . The foregoing provides a space  54  for receiving a storage enclosure  56  therein. As such, the storage portion  14  comprises the space  56  and the storage enclosure  56 . 
     The storage enclosure  56  comprises a floor panel  58 , front and rear panels  60  and  62  respectively and lateral frames  64  and  66 . The support  20  is mounted onto a movement imparting device  68 , positioned within the storage enclosure, for moving the support  20  between the item-displaying and item-storing positions. In this example, the movement imparting device  68  is a scissor jack powered by an actuator as a skilled will readily understand. The protective covers  18 A and  18 B include respective first panels  70 A and  70 B, respectively and second panels  72 B and  72 B, respectively. A pair of first and second panels  70 A,  72 A and  70 B,  72 B are respectively hinged together at a common pivotal edge  74 A and  74 B via respective hinges  76 A and  76 B. A pair of guides  77  are mounted on each frame  64  and  66  for guiding the protective covers  18 A and  18 B between the closed and open positions. Links such as pulley assemblies  78  are used to operationally link the support  20  to the protective covers  18 A and  18 B as will be further detailed herein. 
     Turning now, to  FIG. 4 , the storage enclosure  56  is shown in an assembled and closed position thereby defining a main body  57 . Lateral panels  80  and  82  are mounted to the frames  64  and  66  via fasteners  84 . Top panels  86  are mounted above panels  60  and  62 . In this way, the enclosure  56  is a closed rectangular box structure. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5 to 7 , the storage enclosure  56  of the security showcase  10 , will be further described. 
       FIG. 5  shows the storage enclosure  56  in the item-storing position. Hence, the support  20  is in the item-storing position, having been lowered within the storage enclosure  56 . Consequently, the protective covers  18 A and  18 B are in the closed position being mutually mated at their free ends  19 A and  19 B. Turning briefly to  FIG. 6 , the free ends  19 A and  19 B may include mutual engaging elements, such as a hook member  88  on the free end  19 A of the protective cover  18 A which is configured to engage a corresponding recess (not shown) near the free end  19 B of protective cover  18 B. When the protective covers  18 A and  18 B are in the closed position, their respective first panels  70 A and  70 B are in a generally horizontal position, along the horizontal portion H of their respective guides  77 , while their respective second panels  72 A and  72 B are in a generally vertical position, along vertical portion V of their respective guides  77 . The common edges  74 A and  74 B are positioned in the curved portion C of their respective guides  77 . The common edge  74 A is defined by the adjacent diagonally cut edges  73 A and  75 A of the first and second panels  70 A and  72 A respectively and are pivotally attached by hinge  76 A. Likewise, the common edge  74 B is defined by the adjacent diagonally cut edges  73 B and  75 B of the first and second panels  70 B and  72 B respectively and are pivotally attached by hinge  76 B. The protective covers  18 A and  18 B include locating elements  90  that slidably engage the guides  77  during movement thereof as will be explained herein. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the support  20  is mounted on the top frame  92  of the scissor jack  68 . The top frame  92  is lifted by the scissor or x-link actuator  94  mounted to the bottom frame  96  and powered by a hydraulic cylinder for example or other actuator. Scissor jacks  68  are well known in the art and need not be described any further. 
     The pulley assemblies  78  include top and bottom pulley wheels  98  and  100  pivotally mounted to their respective frames  64  and  66  and a conveyor in the form of a cable  102  slidably mounted thereto. The conveyor cable  102  is discontinuous so as to operationally link the movement of the platform  20  to the protective covers  18 A and  18 B. More specifically, each cable  102  is mounted to the top frame  92  via top and bottom links  104  and  106 , respectively. The cables  102  are also mounted to the second panels  72 A and  72 B of the protective covers  18 A and  18 B, respectively, via a linkage  108 . 
     Therefore, in operation when the movement imparting device  68  is actuated (by a variety of ways known in the art, for example a remote control button or by any other secure control device), the scissor links  94  causes the support  20  to raise as is shown in  FIG. 6 . As the support  20  moves upwardly, the conveying cables  102  act on the protective covers  18 A and  18 B via linkages  108 , pulling the second panels  72 A and  72 B downwards along the guide  77 , the first panels  70 A and  70 B are dragged along by panels  72 A and  72 B. More specifically, the panels  70 A and  70 B are pivoted upwardly as shown in  FIG. 6 , about their respective hinges  76 A and  76 B, this upward movement shown in  FIG. 6  is provided by the configuration of the guides  77 , namely the curved portion C thereof, as the locating elements  90  slide from the horizontal section H to the curved section C of the guides  77 . This opening movement of the protective covers  18 A and  18 B, provides for exposing the opening  110  of the storage enclosure  56  (which is also the opening of the storage portion  14 ). The support  20  will be moved upwardly to a position provided by the movement imparting device  68  as shown in  FIG. 7 , wherein the support  20  can be at the opening  110 , adjacent to the opening  110  or outwardly protruding from the opening  110  depending on the configuration of the support  20  and/or the movement imparting device  68 . In this way, the first panels  70 A and  70 B are dragged downwardly by the second panels  72 A and  72 B respectively by the cables  102  acting thereon, positioning panels  70 A and  70 B in the vertical section V of the guides  77  within the storage enclosure  56 . The opening  110  is fully exposed, thereby allowing the inside of the storage enclosure  56  to communicate with the display portion  16 . The items I on the support  20  care therefore exposed and can be viewed through the display portion and the opening  110 . 
     Hence, when the support  20  is moved from an item-storing position ( FIG. 5 ) to the item-displaying position ( FIG. 7 ), the closure  18  is moved from the closed position ( FIG. 5 ), obscuring and protecting items I, to the open position ( FIG. 7 ) exposing items I. Conversely, when the support  20  is moved downwardly towards the item-storing position ( FIG. 5 ) from the item-displaying position ( FIG. 7 ), the closure elements  18 A and  18 B are consequentially moved in the opposite direction (the reverse of  FIG. 6 ), thereby moving the closure  18  from an open ( FIG. 7 ) to a closed position ( FIG. 5 ). 
     The protective covers  18 A and  18 B, therefore protect the contents within the storage portion  14 . Furthermore, the fact that the protective covers  18 A and  18 B are operationally linked (in this example via pulley assemblies) to the movable support  20  make it even harder to open these protective covers  18 A and  18 B without activating the movement imparting device  68 . Moreover, the movement imparting device  68  may include a locking mechanism which avoids actuation thereof without prior release of the locking mechanism. As illustrated the protective covers  18 A and  18 B do no have any external handles and are closely mated together or even include mutually engaging elements all of which substantially avoids them from being pried open by force. 
     The skilled artisan would also appreciate that a variety of auxiliary security measures can be taken, such as various sensors may be positioned on the protective covers  18 A and  18 B or the storage portion  14  or the display portion in order to send a signal to the alarm when there is involuntary intrusion. 
     With respect to  FIGS. 8 to 9 , a storage enclosure  200  for a generally vertical security showcase will now be described. In essence, storage enclosure  200  is similar to storage enclosure  56  with the main difference being that storage enclosure  200  is generally vertically configured as opposed to the generally horizontally configured storage enclosure  56 . As such, the storage enclosure  200  defines the storage portion of a generally vertical security showcase. The skilled artisan will readily appreciate that such a generally vertical security showcase is similarly constructed to showcase  10 , with the main difference being that showcase  10  be positioned in a generally vertical configuration. 
     The storage enclosure  200  includes a generally vertical longitudinal main body  202  having a closure  204  at a front face  206  thereof. The closure  206  includes a pair of closure elements  206 A and  206 B shown In the closed position in  FIG. 8  and in the open position in  FIG. 9 . When the closure elements  206 A and  206 B are in the open position as in  FIG. 9 , the support  208  is in the item-displaying position at the opening  210 . The support  208 , is a generally vertical supporting structure and as such includes supporting elements  210 , which can be hooks and the like, for supporting the items I. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a security showcase  300  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention will now be described. 
     The security showcase  300  includes a housing  302  having a storage portion  304  and a display portion  306  (see  FIG. 11 ). The display portion  306  includes an at least partially transparent housing  308  for housing items I on a support  310  such as a platform. The housing also includes a closure  312  movably mounted thereto and including closure elements  312 A and  312 B. As will be easily ascertained by the skilled artisan, security showcase  300  is similar to security showcase  10 , with a main difference being that the display portion  306  is integral with the support  310 . As such when the closure elements  312 A and  312 B move from a closed position ( FIG. 10 ) to an open position ( FIG. 11 ), thereby exposing the opening  314 , and allowing the display portion  306  to move outwardly thereof, to expose the items I housed therein. 
     With reference to  FIG. 12 , a security showcase  400  in accordance with another illustrative embodiment of the present invention will now be described. 
     Security showcase  400  is a corner showcase (i.e. a showcase which can be positioned within a corner formed between two adjacent showcases which are positioned at an angle relative to one another). Security showcase  400  includes a generally rectangular housing  402  having a storage portion  404  and a display portion  406 . The display portion  406  includes an at least partially transparent housing  408  having a base support  410  as well as auxiliary shelves  412  and  414 . Support  410  and shelves  412  and  414  may carry items I thereon. A movement imparting device  416  is contained within the storage portion  404 , in the form of a hydraulic telescoping cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder  416  is mounted to support  410  and is configured to vertically move the display portion  406  within the storage portion  404  during the item-storage position and out of the storage portion  404  via opening thereof  418  during the item-displaying position. The opening  418 , may be selectively closed by a closure (not shown) such as a rigid panel, as is known in the art. Of course, closures as described above may also be provided. 
     The base support  410  includes a pair of panels  420  and  422 , which are interconnected via circular row of bearings  424 , providing a “lazy Suzanne” structure allowing the display portion  406  to be spun along its vertical axis. 
     With reference to  FIG. 13 , a security showcase  500  in accordance with another illustrative embodiment of the present invention will now be described. 
     Security showcase  500  is similar to showcase  400  and includes a generally cylindrical housing  502  having a storage portion  504  and a display portion  506 . The display portion  506  includes a plurality of supports  508  and at least partially transparent housings  510  forming display compartments  512  for housing items I therein. A movement imparting device  514  is contained within the storage portion  504 , in the form of a hydraulic telescoping cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder  514  is mounted to a pole  516  which is mounted to each display compartment  512  and is configured to vertically move the display compartments  512  within the storage portion  504  during the item-storage position and out of the storage portion  504  via an opening  518  thereof during the item-displaying position. The opening  518 , may be selectively closed by a closure (not shown) such as a rigid panel, as is known in the art. Of course, closures as described above may also be provided. The pole  516  is rotatable providing to rotate the display compartments  512  about its axis. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 14 , a storage enclosure  600  for a security showcase in accordance with another illustrative embodiment of the present invention will now be described. 
     The storage enclosure  600  includes a main body, having a base  602  including a top opening  604 . A closure  606  is mounted about the top opening  604  and having a dome like configuration. The closure  606  comprises a pair of closure elements  606 A and  606 B having respective convexly arcuate configurations. The closure elements  606 A and  606 B include a plurality of articulating cover panels  608  pivotally fastened together, via rivets  610 , between two adjacent panels  608 . The series of articulated panels  608  can lie flat against the walls of the base  602  when moving into the open or item-displaying position. The cover panels  608  disposed along the wall of the base  602  minimize the space used inside the storage enclosure  600 . The openings next to the main levers  612  on both sides of the closure elements  606 A and  606 B of the illustrated embodiment allow to see the interior mechanism of the storage enclosure  600  but are normally closed to prevent any undesired access therein. As such, an at least partially transparent display portion (not shown) can be positioned on top of the to the storage enclosure. A support is mounted within the storage enclosure so as to support displayed items supported thereby. The main levers  612  can be actuated by a variety known movement imparting devices so as to move the closure elements  606 A and  606 B between open and closed positions. 
     Having now described various illustrated embodiments other embodiments and alternative features will now be described so as to further exemplify the present invention. 
     The security showcases of the invention may be provided in a variety of vertical, horizontal and diagonal configurations and sizes as well as various geometric shapes that would be esthetically appealing to consumers depending if these showcases are used in jewelry stores, art galleries or museums and the like. They may be made of various rigid and secure materials such as metal for example. High security showcases may also be accordingly armored. The security showcases of the invention may also be assemblies providing a plurality of storage and display portions. 
     The display portions of the invention may be provided in a variety of configurations and may be fully or partially transparent. In some instance, the display portions may include a single or a plurality of display compartments optionally having one or more shelves. 
     The storage portions may include internal storage enclosures in the form of box-like structures as described herein; the storage enclosures of the storage portions may also be integral to the housing of the showcases described herein. A storage portion may include more than one storage enclosure. The storage portions may also include transparent walls with their internal storage enclosures having obscuring walls. Conversely, the storage portions may include obscuring walls with their internal storage enclosures having transparent walls. It is again noted that the expression “storage portion” should be construed to comprise “storage enclosure”. In one non-illustrated embodiment, the storage portion can be positioned above the display portion. In another non-illustrated embodiment, the storage portion may be positioned between two display portions and hence, this closures may be provided between the storage portion and each display portion. 
     The closures of the present invention may be provided in variety of suitable configurations. For example, they may include more than a pair of mutually mating closure elements or a single closure with portions thereof providing movement of such a closure within the context of the present invention. Hence, the skilled artisan would contemplate a closure having a articulating panels and being movable from a closed to an open position. The closures of the present invention need not be operationally linked to the supports described herein and as such may be automated by an independent movement imparting device. 
     The movement imparting devices for the supports and/or closures can comprise a variety of suitable actuators depending on the cost of a particular showcase, its size and configuration and other considerations. Of course other movement imparting devices such as manual levers, crankshafts and the like can also be contemplated within the scope of the invention. 
     The supports of the invention can include platforms, walls, a variety of trays, holders, and like elements. The supports may be fixed or movable by a variety of methods and devices. The supports may be generally vertical, generally horizontal or generally diagonal structures to give but a few possible examples. 
     Various links such as conveyors or electronic means can also be contemplated to operationally link the supports with the closures for simultaneous movement thereof. 
     In general, various artistic and stylistic considerations may be contemplated when designing such showcases within the context of the present invention depending on the intended use and consumer demands. 
     It should be noted that the various components and features of the non-limiting illustrative and non-illustrated embodiments of security showcases, storage enclosures and portions thereof or therefor described above can be combined in a variety of ways, as would be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art so as to provide other non-illustrated embodiments within the scope of the present invention. 
     It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described hereinabove. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology or terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation. Hence, although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit, scope and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.