Patent Publication Number: US-6905140-B2

Title: Combination interactive book and lockable storage device

Description:
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/993,356, filed on Nov. 5, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,814. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a combination interactive book and storage device having one or more lockable compartments and a book. The present invention further relates to a combination interactive book and storage device where the book functions as an instruction manual for a game or a day and time planner, diary or address book or any combination thereof requiring a lockable storage compartment and a reference book of information. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The book market includes books written specifically for particular groups. In addition, the market includes books that are specifically designed in size and shape to capture the attention of the reader and/or help illustrate the material presented. This is especially the case in the context of books written for children. 
   The contents of diaries, books or other journals are available with means that provides security from intrusion and unwanted inspection by the use of locking devices. These locking devices have been incorporated into book enclosures in a variety of ways. 
   The most relevant prior art includes bound volumes that contain a combination lock to secure the front and back covers together, thereby preventing access to the contents of the pages. Sanders, U.S. Pat. No. 4,453,743 describes a diary-like book with a traditional style rotary two-stage combination lock. The combination lock is preset and the combination cannot be reset by the consumer. It is mounted on a latch member that secures the front and rear covers together. Peters et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,271,204 discloses a diary-like book on which is mounted a lock that consists of three pointers positioned about a semi-circular dial. This non-programmable lock is mounted on the front cover and engages a latch suitably attached to a strap which secures the front and rear covers. 
   None of the prior art references disclose a device comprising a lockable compartment and an interactive book wherein the lock is programmable, easy to manufacture and simple to incorporate into a storage device and wherein the book is accessible even when the compartment is locked. Further, the prior art teaches the inclusion of the lock for protection of the information contained within the pages of the book, therefore necessitating the placement of the lock in such a manner that even when the lock is not engaged the book is difficult to read. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present inventor has developed a storage device comprising a container with at least one cover that contains a locking mechanism that is simple to operate and manufacture and a book that is attached to the storage device in a manner such that when the cover of the storage device is locked the book is still accessible. Thus, the invention serves as a conduit for information that is not confidential and a secure repository for confidential information and/or elements that may be stored in the compartment. 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a combination book and storage device with a programmable lock mechanism that is simple to manufacture and can be used to lock a container that also has an accessible book mounted on the combination book and storage device. 
   It is further an object of the present invention to provide a combination book and container having a book mounted to the cover of the container. 
   It is a still further object to provide a programmable combination type lock which may be operated by children and adults and alike. 
   It is another object of the present invention that the accessible book provides materials in the form of games and/or puzzles or the like that provide clues to discerning the combination to open the locked portion of the storage device. 
   These and other objects will become evident to those skilled in the art from the appended specification. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1A  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention with a book covering lid in the open position and the storage compartment lid in the closed locked position in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 1B  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention with a book covering lid in the open position and a container covering lid in the open unlocked position in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of an embodiment of the present invention with a book covering lid in the open position and a container covering lid in the open position in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention with both the primary and secondary covers closed and a book mounted on the top of the secondary cover. 
       FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention with the primary cover open, revealing the storage compartment, and the secondary cover closed with a book mounted on the top of the secondary cover. 
       FIG. 3C  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention with the storage compartment cover in the closed locked position and the optional lid covering the book partially open and detailing a method of securing the optional lid to the primary cover, such as, for example, the placement of magnetic pieces at the interior edge of both the optional lid and the primary cover. 
       FIG. 4  is a back plan view of the primary cover of the storage device of  FIG. 1  in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 4A  is a back plan view of the primary cover of the storage device of  FIG. 1  in accordance with the present invention, showing the placement of the slider components of the locking mechanism and the indicator panel. 
       FIG. 4B  is a front plan view of the primary cover of the storage device of  FIG. 1  in accordance with the present invention, showing the circular knob casing with the indicator ring and the slider components of the locking mechanism. 
       FIG. 5A  is a the top view of an embodiment of a combination disc component of a locking mechanism with the locking mechanism indicator panel attached and the sliders in place in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 5B  is a side view of  FIG. 5A  along line  1  to  1 ′ showing the locking mechanism elongated hook shaped arms in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 5C  is a side view of  FIG. 5A  along line  2  to  2 ′ showing the locking mechanisms elongated hook shaped arms in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 5D  is the bottom view  FIG. 5A  without the locking mechanism indicator panel attached in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of  FIG. 5A  showing the locking mechanism elongated hook shaped arms and the rigid partition to which the locking mechanism will attach in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 6B  is a phantom view of FIG.  6 A. 
       FIG. 6C  is an enlarged view of preferred slider components of the locking mechanism of  FIG. 6B  of the present invention in the unlocked position. 
       FIG. 6D  is an enlarged view of preferred slider components of the locking mechanism of  FIG. 6B  of the present invention in the locked position. 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the locking mechanism and its placement on the primary cover in accordance with the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIG. 1A , there is shown a top-side view of a combination book and lockable storage device of the present invention  3  which comprises a container  5  with a hingably attached primary cover  15  in the closed locked position and a hingably attached secondary cover  10  in the closed position and containing a locking mechanism  100  with exterior sliders  150  and a display  20  for the designation of the status of the locking mechanism  100 . When secondary cover  10  is closed first and then primary cover  15  is closed second, it is possible to secure both covers with the locking mechanism  100  by provision of a lip (not shown) on the left edge of primary cover  15  to overlap the right side edge of secondary cover  10 . Attached to the top of secondary cover  10  is a book  25  with a lid  30  in the open position. When closed, the lid  30  may be secured to the cover  15  with magnets  35 , VELCRO® hook and loop fasteners, snaps or other means known to those skilled in the art. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1B , there is shown a top-side view of a combination book and lockable storage device  3  of the present invention which comprises a container  5  with a hingably attached secondary cover  10  in the closed position and a hingably attached primary cover  15  in the open position, exposing a lockable storage area  50 . The lockable storage area contains at least one wall  40  which contains two die cut or molded holes  45  and  45 ′ suitable for accepting hook shaped protrusions  175  and  175 ′, respectively, of the locking mechanism  100 . The cover  15  containing a locking mechanism  100  (see  FIG. 1A ) has between two and twenty die cut or molded slots  110 , with the preferred number of slots being from six to eight, formed in a circular pattern to accommodate the sliders  150  (see  FIG. 1A ) of the locking mechanism  100 . See also  FIGS. 5A-5D  discussed below. The lockable storage areas  50  and  51  may contain educational and/or game related manipulatives  55 . 
   The cover  15  containing the locking mechanism  100  is constructed of any suitable rigid material and a die cut or molded window  20  ( FIG. 1A ) to display a position of a locking mechanism indicator panel  105 . 
   The primary cover  15  containing the locking mechanism  100  has two die cut or molded concave slots  120  and  125  around the perimeter of the slots  110  for the sliders  150 . Slots  120  and  125  provide arc-shaped grooves for guiding the rotary sliding movement of the hook shaped protrusions  175  and  175 ′ of the locking mechanism  100  into holes  45  and  45 ′, respectively. 
   The primary cover  15  containing the locking mechanism  100  also has a die cut or molded concave slot  130  between the window  20  ( FIG. 1A ) and the perimeter of the slots  110 . The slot  130  allows for and guides the rotary sliding movement for the attachment of the indicator panel  105  to the locking mechanism  100  at the molded connection  106  (see FIG.  5 B). The indicator panel  105  is provided with the written indications “LOCKED” and “UNLOCKED” or the like (see FIG.  1 A), and the indicator panel  105  is synchronized with the locking mechanism  100  such that when the locking mechanism  100  is in its locked position, the position of the indicator panel  105  that reads “LOCKED” moves to be aligned with the window  20 . In like fashion, when the locking mechanism  100  is in its unlocked position, the position of the indicator panel  105  that reads “UNLOCKED” moves to be aligned with the window  20 . The primary cover  15  has between two and twenty die cut or molded slots  110 , with the preferred number of slots being eight, formed in a circular pattern to accommodate the sliders  150  ( FIG. 1A ) of the locking mechanism  100 . Alternatively, a linear locking mechanism may be employed in the practice of the present invention as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art in light of the description herein. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a top plan view of a combination book and lockable storage device  3  of the present invention which comprises a container  5  with a hingeably attached secondary cover  10  in the closed position and a hingeably attached primary cover  15  in the open position, exposing the lockable storage area  50  bound on the left side by wall  40 . Inside storage area  50  there can be seen manipulatives  55 . Wall  41  partitions storage area  50  into two separate compartments. Of course, additional partition walls can be added to provide further compartmentalization. The cover or lid  30  of the accessible book  25  is in the open position. The primary cover  15  containing the locking mechanism  100  ( FIG. 1A ) has between two and twenty die cut or molded slots  110 , with the preferred number of slots being eight, formed in a circular pattern around the die cut or molded axis to accommodate the sliders  150  ( FIG. 1A ) of the locking mechanism  100  (FIG.  1 A). 
   Referring to  FIG. 3A , there is shown another embodiment of a combination book and storage device  3  of the present invention comprising a container  5  with the primary cover  15  and the secondary cover  10  in the closed position and secured with a rotary locking mechanism  100 . Book  25  is provided with a concave cut out portion  27  to accommodate the rotary locking mechanism  100 . The primary cover  15  has a die cut or molded window  20  to allow viewing of the locking mechanism indicator panel (not shown). A book  25  is mounted to the top of the secondary cover  10  either permanently such as by adhering the back cover of book  25  to the top of secondary cover  10 , or by detachable means, such as by including VELCRO® hook and loop fasteners, magnets or snaps between the back cover of book  25  and the top of secondary cover  10 . The back cover of book  25  could also slide into a pocket formed on the top of secondary cover  10 . As can readily be seen in  FIG. 3A , the book  25  is accessible to the user even though the primary cover is in the locked position. Additionally as can be seen in  FIG. 3A , the left edge  21  of primary cover  15  overlaps the right edge  22  of secondary cover  10 , thus locking down secondary cover  10  when primary cover  15  is locked. In this embodiment, with both covers  10  and  15  to container  5  locked, the book  25  still remains accessible to the user. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3B , there is shown a combination book and storage device  3  of the present invention with the primary cover  15  open, revealing the first storage compartment  50  for containing manipulatives  55  in container  5 , including a partition  40  which is die cut or molded to provide two holes  45  and  45 ′ suitable for accepting the hook shaped locking protrusions  175  and  175 ′ (not shown), respectively, and the secondary cover  10  closed to cover a second storage compartment (not shown) with a book  25  mounted to the top of secondary cover  10 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 3C , there is shown a combination book and storage device  3  with the book lid  30  partially open that illustrates the preferred placement of the materials that will secure the optional book lid  30  to the primary cover  15  namely, the placement of magnets, VELCRO® hook and loop fasteners, snaps or other suitable securing means  35  known in the art, at the interior edge  32  of the interior side of the lid  30  and the left edge  16  of the exterior side of the primary cover  15 . In this manner, the lid  30  is prevented from opening during transport of the device  3 , but can still be opened without unlocking the box. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown the interior side of the primary cover  15  of a storage device of the present invention in opened position with eight die cut or molded slots  110  formed in a circular pattern to accommodate interior sliders (not shown) of the locking mechanism (not shown). 
   Referring to  FIG. 4A , there is shown the interior side of the primary cover  15  of a storage device of the present invention showing the placement of eight interior slider components  150 ′ on the underside of locking mechanism  100 , the interior selection ring  171 ′ and the indicator panel  105 . In  FIG. 4B , interior sliders H, G, F, and B are slid outwardly along slots  110  into an engaged position, while interior sliders C, D, E, and A are slid inwardly along slots  110  into a non-engaged position. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4B , there is shown the exterior side of the primary cover  15  of a storage device of the present invention showing the placement of the circular knob casing  170  with the indicator ring  171  and the eight exterior slider components  150  of locking mechanism  100 . In  FIG. 4B , exterior sliders c, d, e, and a are slid outwardly along slots  177  into an engaged position, while sliders b, f, g, and h are slid inwardly along slots  177  into a non-engaged position. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5A , there is shown a top plan view of a circular knob casing  170  of a locking mechanism  100  of the present invention with the locking mechanism indicator panel  105  attached thereto and six exterior sliders  150  in place around the indicator ring  171  and six interior sliders  150 ′ shown in phantom. The indicator panel  105  shows in phantom the area of application by paint or decal or other manner known to those skilled in the art of designations unlocked/unsecured/enter  140  and locked/secured/do not enter  145 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5B  there is shown a side plan view of  FIG. 5A  along line  1  to  1 ′ showing a locking mechanism  100  of the present invention with the circular knob casing  170 , the side of the circular knob casing  172  which forms a skirt around the perimeter of the under side of the circular knob casing  170 , exterior sliders  150 , elongated hook shaped arms  175  and  175 ′, locking mechanism indicator panel  105 , and molded protrusion  106  which is the point at which the locking mechanism indicator panel  105  is mounted to the circular knob casing  170 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5C  there is shown a side plan view of  FIG. 5A  along line  2  to  2 ′ showing the locking mechanism  100  with the circular knob casing  170 , side of the circular knob casing  172 , which forms a skirt around the perimeter of the under side of the circular knob casing  170 ′, exterior sliders  150 , elongated hook shaped arms  175  and  175 ′ and molded protrusion  106  which is the point at which the locking mechanism indicator panel  105  (not shown) is mounted to the circular knob casing  170 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5D  is a bottom plan view of  FIG. 5A  showing the showing the bottom of the circular knob casing  170 ′ and the side of the circular knob casing  172 , which forms a skirt around the perimeter of the under side of the circular knob casing  170 ′. Also shown are the locking tabs  160  of the exterior sliders (not shown) that are shown protruding down through the die cut or molded slots  110  in the circular knob bottom side casing  170 ′. The slots  110  are arranged in a circular plane around a center die cut or molded axis  185  in the circular knob bottom side casing  170 ′. Washers  165  secure locking tabs  160  to the interior side of the casing  170 ′. Also depicted are the elongated hook shaped arms  175  and  175 ′ and the molded protrusion  106  which is the point at which the locking mechanism indicator panel  105  (not shown) is mounted to the circular knob casing  170 . There are also shown molded indentations  190  around the outside skirt  172  of the casing which aid in gripping the circular knob casing an therefore aid in turning the circular knob casing. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6A , there is shown a front perspective view of a locking mechanism  100  of the present invention that is comprised of a circular knob casing  170 , mounted on the primary cover  15  and containing die cuts or molded slots  177  in which the exterior sliders  150  are secured in place by washers (not shown). The side of the circular knob casing  172  has die cuts or molded indentations  190  that aid in gripping the circular knob casing  170  and therefore aid in turning the circular knob casing to from the locked to the unlocked position, and vice versa, when the sliders are correctly positioned in the programmed combination. The elongated hook shaped arm  175  is shown in position adjacent to the wall  40  of the lockable storage area  50  (see  FIG. 3B ) containing a die cut or molded hole  45  suitable for accepting the hook shaped protrusion  175  and thereby securing the primary cover  15  to the container  5  (not shown) or the primary cover  15  and the secondary cover  10  (not shown) to the container  5  (not shown). Similarly, hook shaped protrusion  175 ′ (not shown) will fit into a corresponding die cut or molded hole  45 ′ (see  FIG. 3B ) in the opposite direction on the other side of the locking mechanism  100 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 6B , there is shown a phantom view of a section of  FIG. 6A  containing the circular knob casing  170  with the exterior sliders  150  in relation to the interior sliders  150 ′ around center  185  in both the unlocked ( FIG. 6C ) and the locked ( FIG. 6D ) positions. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6C , there is shown an enlarged view of slider components  150  and  150 ′ of a locking mechanism  100  of the present invention in the unlocked position. Exterior slider  150  is positioned on the outer portion of its slot  177  (not shown) and interior slider  150 ′ is positioned along its slot  110  (not shown) at a point closest to the center  185 . With the above described positioning, upon rotation of the circular casing  170 , locking tab  160  of exterior slider  150  will rotate past locking tab  160 ′ of interior slider  150 ′ freely. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6D , there is shown an enlarged view of slider components  150  and  150 ′ of a locking mechanism  100  of the present invention in the locked position. Exterior slider  150  is positioned on the inner portion of its slot  177  (not shown) and the interior slider  150 ′ is position along its slot  110  (not shown) at a point closest to the center  185 . With the above described positioning, upon rotation of the circular casing  170 , the locking tab  160  of exterior slider  150  will encounter the locking tab  160 ′ of interior slider  150 ′ and prevent the rotation of the circular casing. 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , there is shown an exploded view of a locking mechanism  100  of the present invention and its placement on the primary cover  15 . Starting from the top of  FIG. 7 , the exterior sliders  150  are depicted in position over the slots  177  which are die cut or molded in the circular knob casing  170 , the locking tabs  160  of the exterior sliders  150  will be inserted through the slots  177  in the circular knob casing  170  and secured to the casing  170  with washers  165  sufficient to secure the sliders  150  to the casing while allowing the sliders to slidably move along their respective slots  177 . Next depicted in  FIG. 7  are the washers  165 ′ that will secure the locking tabs  160 ′ of the interior sliders  150 ′ when the sliders are inserted through the slots  110  in the primary cover  15 , the washers  165  are fastened to sufficiently secure the sliders  150 ′ to the primary cover  15  while allowing the sliders to slidably move along their respective slots  110 . After the exterior sliders  150  and the interior sliders  150 ′ are secured to the circular knob casing  170  and the primary cover  15 , respectively, the circular knob casing can be attached to the primary cover  15  by inserting the elongated hook shaped arms  175  (shown) and  175 ′ (not shown) of the circular knob casing  170  through the die cut or molded slots  120  and  125 , respectively, and positioning the locking tabs  160  of the exterior sliders  150  adjacent to locking tabs  160 ′ of the interior sliders  150 ′. Next the indicator panel  105  is inserted from the interior side of the primary cover  15  through slot  130  and secured to the circular knob casing  170  at position  106  positioned with the designations unlocked/unsecured/enter  140  and locked/secured/do not enter  145  on the top. Finally, the circular knob casing is secured to the primary cover  15  with a screw  195  or other suitable means which will allow for the rotation of the circular knob casing  170 . 
   The exterior sliders  150  and interior sliders  150 ′ have been individually identified, however it is possible to utilize the device without individual designations, merely relying on the position of the sliders, or one may designate the individual sliders with any alpha, numeric, symbolic or graphic designations. The only caveat being that the designations of each of the exterior sliders  150  must have a corresponding designation to each adjacent interior slider  150 ′. 
   To facilitate explanation of the programming and operation of the locking mechanism, each slider shall be specifically designated. Beginning with the exterior sliders, with the locking mechanism in the unlocked position, the slider at the 12 o&#39;clock position is designated “a” and continuing in a clockwise direction, the next slider is “b”, then “c”, “d”, “e”, “f”, “g” and “h”. Next, the interior sliders  150 ′, beginning at the 12 o&#39;clock position and proceeding clockwise, the first slider is designated “A”, the next slider is designated “H” and then “G”, “F”, “E”, “D”, “C” and “B”. 
   To program the combination into the locking device, primary lid  15  is opened and the interior sliders  150 ′ are positioned either inside the intersecting the interior selection ring  171 ′, or outside the interior selection ring  171 ′. Next, close the primary cover  15  and position the exterior sliders  150  to the corresponding position of the interior sliders  150 ′, i.e. if “A” is inside the interior selection ring  171 ′ then “a” must be inside the exterior selection ring  171 . Then close the primary cover and rotate the circular knob casing counter-clock wise to secure the cover, noting the designation at the display window  20  has changed from unlocked/unsecured/enter  140  to locked/secured/do not enter  145 . Finally, the exterior sliders  150  are rearranged, to scramble the new combination. 
   To unlock the locking device  100  and gain access to the secure compartment  50 , position each of the exterior sliders that are part of the set combination inside the exterior selection ring  171  and all the remaining exterior sliders  150  outside the selection ring  171 . Then rotate the circular knob casing  170  clockwise until the designation at the display window  20  has changed from locked/secured/do not enter  145  to unlocked/unsecured/enter  140 , and open the primary cover  15 . 
   One preferred embodiment of the present invention is a spy game that comprises an instruction manual in book form  25  that is mounted on the secondary cover  10  and is accessible to the user when the container  5  is locked or unlocked. The instruction manual provides information and/or clues in the form of math questions, rebuses, riddles and puzzles that allow the game participant the opportunity to discover the combination to the locking mechanism  100  and open the primary cover  15  thereby releasing the secondary cover  10  and allowing entry to the secure storage areas  50  and  51  and any manipulatives  55  stored in same. The puzzles and the like set forth in book  25  are preferably in the context of a spy story in which solving the puzzles also solves the spy mystery. The manipulatives  55  may include game pieces, instruction manuals, including instructions on how to reprogram the combination of the locking mechanism  100 . Other objects that may be placed in the secured compartments  50  and  51  include, but are not limited to, identification cards, a mirror, a flashlight, a compass, magnets, code book, and mission instructions. Preferably, the other objects or components or manipulatives support the theme of the book or allow for greater interaction with the book. Additionally, the other objects can provide for extensions of the theme of the book, or activities related to the book theme. 
   While the preferred embodiment of the present invention is a spy game which comprises an instruction manual in book form  25  which provides information and/or clues which allow the game participant with the opportunity to discover the combination to the locking mechanism  100  and gain entry to the secured storage areas  50  and  51 , the invention lends itself to various games or activities in which the accessible book provides materials in the form of games and/or puzzles or the like which provide clues to discerning the combination to open the locked portion of the storage device or any application where there is a combination of non-confidential or coded information and the storage of confidential information. 
   Another embodiment of the present invention is the Junior Magician&#39;s Book of Magic and Secret Trunk, which comprises an instruction manual in book form  25  that provides information and/or clues in the form of math questions, rebuses, riddles, puzzles and science experiments that allow the participant the opportunity to discover the combination to the locking mechanism  100  and open the primary cover  15  thereby releasing the secondary cover  10  and allowing entry to the secure storage areas  50  and  51  and any manipulatives  55  stored in same. The manipulatives  55  may include diagrams, illustrations and instructions on performing magic tricks, and props, namely, coins, cards, interlocking rings and a magic wand. 
   Another embodiment of the present invention is the Junior Scientist&#39;s Book of Experiments and Secret Safe, which comprises an instruction manual in book form  25  that provides information and/or clues in the form of math questions, rebuses, riddles, puzzles and science experiments that allow the participant the opportunity to discover the combination to the locking mechanism  100  and open the primary cover  15  thereby releasing the secondary cover  10  and allowing entry to the secure storage areas  50  and  51  and any manipulatives  55  stored in same. The manipulatives  55  may include diagrams, illustrations and instructions on performing experiments, and equipment, namely, test tubes, a microscope, a scale, a compass and a timer. 
   Various modifications to the above invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art, all of which are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. All patents and publications referred to herein are hereby incorporated by reference.