Abstract:
Disclosed is a locking system for cassette tape cases to prevent tapes from being stolen and to discourage theft of cases as well. A cassette tape case has configurations to lock with a locking device. The locking device case has a plate and a plurality of protrusions configured to couple with the configurations of the cassette tape case. The locking device also has slits for use in unlocking the cassette tape case. Also disclosed is an apparatus to unlock the locked cassette tape case. The unlocking apparatus includes a plurality of keys configured to be inserted into the slits of the locking device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a system for locking a tape storage case to prevent the enclosed tape from being stolen from the case, and discourage the theft of the case itself. Specifically, the present invention relates to a system for locking the tape storage case, comprised of a tape storage case, a lock plate for locking the storage case and an opening key fixture for releasing the lock plate. Only the key fixture can release the lock plate and, therefore, only an individual possessing the key fixture can get the enclosed tape out the case. Furthermore, the lock plate may be fitted with a device which will trigger electronic surveillance systems should one attempt to pass through such surveillance system while the lock plate is still attached to the tape storage case. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     A tape, i.e., cassette tape or video tape, is a media which is widely used for audio and video recording. Usually, the recorded tape is kept in a tape storage case which is displayed standing on the shelf. 
     The conventional tape storage case is comprised of a case body and the attached cover, both usually made of plastic. The tape can be enclosed within the case body. The cover opens from the flexible case body binding where it is attached, much like a book cover. The cover opens and closes easily and anyone can simply raise the cover and access the tape within in the case body. For this reason, there is a high risk of the tape being removed from the case without authorization. 
     Often the case body will contain an electronic alarm label as individuals may attempt to take the tape while it still within the case body. In this situation, the electronic alarm label within the case body should activate an electronic security system and the store clerk will be aware of the attempted theft. The alarm label, however, is easily removable from the case body when the store clerk is not watching. 
     Further, a sensor or a locking device is provided with the out surface of the conventional tape storage case, and thus, it is very difficult to display the case by standing on the shelf. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a locking system for preventing unauthorized individuals from removing the enclosed tape from the tape storage case. 
     Further, the present invention also provides a locking system which would preventing unauthorized individuals from taking the enclosed tape without removing the tape from the case body by simply removing the electronic alarm label from the case body and then taking the case body with the tape inside. 
     In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a system for locking the tape storage case, comprising: a tape storage case for enclosing a tape, having a cover and a case body wherein joint holes are provided at the main sides of the cover and the case body, so that the joints holes form a single hole penetrating the overlapped the main sides; a locking plate for locking the tape storage case, having protrusions which are inserted to the joint holes to lock the case; and an opening key fixture for unlocking the locking plate, having keys which are inserted into the key holes of the locking plate to release the locking plate from the case. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the locking plate has the size and the width to fit the main side of the case. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the center of the protrusions is divided perpendicularly such that the protrusions has inward and outward flexibility, and the tapered locking face is provided at the ends of the protrusions, and the tapered releasing face is provided at the other ends of the protrusions in the opposite shape. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the key holes are two semicircles surrounding the protrusions. 
     In another preferred embodiment, an electronic alarm label is attached inside of the locking plate and said electronic alarm will sound if the locking plate is passed an electronic surveillance system. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above mentioned features, and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a locking system of the present invention before the locking plate has been attached to the tape storage case; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the locking plate of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 a  is a partial sectional view which shows the protrusions of the locking plate before it is inserted into the joint holes of the case; 
     FIG. 3 b  is a partial sectional view which shows the protrusions of the locking plate after it is inserted into the joint holes of the case; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a locking system of the present invention after the locking plate is assembled with the tape storage case; 
     FIG. 5 a  is a partial sectional view which shows the protrusions of the locking plate and the key of the opening key fixture before the key is inserted into the key holes of the locking plate; 
     FIG. 5 b  is a partial sectional view which shows the key being inserted into the key holes of the locking plate to separate the locking plate from the case; and 
     FIG. 5 c  is a partial sectional view which shows the case, the locking plate and the opening key fixture after the locking plate is separated from the case. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a locking system of the present invention, comprised of a tape storage case  10 , a locking plate  20  for locking the tape storage case  10  and an opening key fixture  30  for unlocking the plate  20 . The closed tape storage case  10  is shown in FIG.  1 . The tape storage case  10  comprises a case body  11  and a cover  12 . A tape is enclosed in the case body  11 . The main side  13  of the case body  11  and the main side  13 ′ of the cover  12  are overlapped when the case  10  is closed. When the case is closed, the joint holes  14  should coincide so that they form a single hole penetrating the overlapped main sides  13 ,  13 ′. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the locking plate  20  is provided with the protrusions  21  which are inserted into the joint holes  14 . The locking plate  20  is also provided with the key holes  26  which are two semicircles surrounding the protrusions  21 . An electronic alarm label  22  may be attached inside of the lock plate  20 . A barcode label  33  also may be attached inside of the lock plate  20 . The locking plate  20  has the size and the width to fit with the main side of the case  10  between the guarding tabs  15 ,  15 ′ 
     For the details relating to the shape and the configuration of the locking plate, Korean design application No. 98-9544 and U.S. Design Patent application No. 29/097,618 may be referenced. 
     The center  25  of the protrusions  21  is divided perpendicularly such that the protrusions  21  have inward and outward flexibility. The tapered locking face  23  is provided at the ends of the protrusions  21 . The tapered releasing face  24  is provided at the other ends of the protrusions  21  in the opposite shape. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the opening key fixture  30  is molded to accommodate the main side of the case  10 . The opening key fixture  30  is provided with the keys  31  which are hollow shafts divided into two parts. The location of keys  31  on the opening key fixture correspond with the location of the key holes  26  on the locking plate  20 . The keys  31  are inserted into the key holes  26  so that the keys  31  cause the protrusions  21  to pull out from the joint holes  14 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b , the protrusions  21  being inserted into the joint holes  14  is shown. To lock the case  10 , the joint holes  14  of the main sides  13 ,  13 ′ of the case body  11  and cover  12  should be aligned so that the protrusions  21  can penetrate the joint holes  14 . When the locking plate  20  is pushed, then the tapered locking face  23  of the protrusions  21  is squeezed into the joint holes  14  with the narrowing the divided center  25  of the protrusions  21  as shown in FIG. 3 a.    
     After being inserted into the joint holes  14 , the tapered locking face  23  returns to its initial position as shown in FIGS. 3 b  and  4  since the protrusions  21  has elasticity outwardly. Therefore, the locking plate  20  can not be pull out without using the opening key fixture  30  and the case  10  can not be opened. Therefore, an individual may not remove the locking plate  20  without the opening key fixture  30  and thus, no one can open the case  10  without authorization. 
     The tapered releasing face  24  of the protrusions  21  prohibits the protrusions  21  from further entering the joint holes  14 . 
     The locking plate  20  has the size and the width to fit the main side of the case  10 . Therefore, the locking plate  20  is within the outer boundary of the case, and thus, the case  10  will take up minimal space as it is displayed on the shelf. 
     The guarding tab  15 ,  15 ′ is provided at the main side  13  of the case body  11  and the locking plate  20  is located between the guarding tabs  15 ,  15 ′ when the plate  20  locks the case  10 . In this way, the protrusions  21  are prevented from being lifted or cut from the case body  11  by any sharp tool, i.e. knife through the gap between the main side  13  of the case  10  and the plate  20 . 
     An alarm label  22  may be attached at the inside of the lock plate  20  to protect it from being removed or damaged. If an unauthorized individual carries out the case  10  without removing the plate  20 , then the alarm label attached in the inside of the lock plate  20  will sound and thus, theft of the case  10  will be prevented. 
     FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the locking system after the locking plate  20  is assembled with the case  10 . 
     FIGS. 5 a,    5   b  and  5   c  displays how to unlock the plate  20 . 
     When a customer brings the case  10  with the locking plate  20  and an alarm label  22  to a seller, the seller may remove the lock plate  20  with the opening key fixture  30 . The seller can align the key holes  26  of the locking plate  20  with the keys  31  of the opening key fixtures  30  and press down the case  10  to insert the keys  31  into the key holes  26  as shown in FIG. 5 a.    
     The releasing face  24  is tapered and thus, the keys  31  cause the releasing face  24  to move inwardly so that the width of the locking face  23  of the protrusions  21  becomes narrower than the diameter of the joint holes  14  as shown in FIG. 5 b.  Then, the seller moves the case  10  up, and the protrusions  21  can be pull out the joint holes  14 . Thus, the locking plate  10  can be separated from the case  10  as shown in FIG. 5 c,  and the seller can open the cover  12 . 
     Thus, the lock plate  20  of the present invention can be easily separated from the case as described in the above and the lock plate  20  may be used to lock another case. 
     According to the locking system of the present invention, it is very easy to display the case by standing it on the shelf and to save the displaying space since the locking plate is fitted with the main side of the case between the guarding tabs and thus, there is no obstacles on the outer surface of the case. 
     Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the enclosed tape from being stolen from the case, and to discourage the theft of the case itself. 
     In this specification, the term “tape storage case” means a case for containing an article such as a videotape, a cassettes tape, a compact disc, a CD-ROM, a DVD, a game pack, etc. 
     Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.