JP2007515573A - Lockable security device - Google Patents

Abstract

  A first security member (10) and a second security member (100), which are security members coupled in a closed state to hold an article, and movable to a locked state to maintain the security device in a closed state A lock slide (200) and latch means (202) for maintaining the locking structure in a locked state, the latch means holding an article forming an integral part of the lock slide Security device for. The lock slide is movably attached to the first security member, and the latch means extends from a main plane of the lock slide and is disposed on the second security member in the locked state. It comprises a spring blade (202) designed to engage the working means (106).

Description

  The present invention relates generally to security devices that protect goods from theft. Specifically, the present invention relates to a security box having a base with a lid connected by a hinge and a structure for tightly locking the box in a closed state by a lock slide.

Security boxes for displaying merchandise for sale in stores have been used for several years. Generally, the box comprises a box member which is transparent or partially covered and pivotally connected. These box members form a lid with a hinged base and are generally made of plastic. In order to prevent unauthorized removal of items in this security box, the box can be locked and often holds or stores EAS (electronic merchandise surveillance) tags. Triggers an alarm if moved from. The lock on the container prevents the thief from removing the EAS tag or removing the item from the security box.
The most common use of this security box is for recording media items such as CDs, DVDs and cassettes. Other articles in which security boxes are used include razor blades, cosmetics, batteries, and cigarettes.

  Many different types of security devices are well known in the art and include a locking slide structure for locking the security device and means for maintaining the security device in a locked state.

  EP 616103 has two locking slides movable within a first box member that cooperate with the teeth of other box members to lock the box member closed. A blueprint for a security device comprising box members connected by two hinges is disclosed. A locking piece that is permanently attached to the first box member is devised to engage the locking slide to keep the device locked.

  U.S. Pat. No. 5,760,689 proposes another design with a cassette and lid. A locking slide located on the lid includes a laterally projecting locking bolt designed to engage the cassette to lock the container. A self-actuating slide is provided for moving the lock slide. In addition, a latching member is devised to maintain the locking slide in engagement.

  International Application No. 01/83325 discloses yet another design drawing comprising a base and a lid. A lock slide that is movable between a locked state and an unlocked state is disposed in the base. The base and lid include teeth that are offset and cooperate with each other when the box is closed. The locking slide includes teeth that are moved to an intermediate position between the cooperating teeth of the base and lid when the slide is moved to the locked state. A unique latching member designed to engage the locking slide in the locked state is secured to the base.

  While security devices have been available on the market for some time, further improvements may be made. As an example, there is a general demand from users, who are mostly store clerk, that it is easy to handle security devices with respect to locking and unlocking. Furthermore, since security devices used by retail stores are generally manufactured in large quantities, designs that simplify manufacturing are a common desire.

  A general object of the present invention is to provide a security device for holding articles, which provides an improvement over current technology, or at least a useful choice. A first aspect of this object is to provide a security device with improved manufacturing capabilities with respect to manufacturing and assembly. Furthermore, a second aspect of this object is to provide a security device with improved operational capabilities.

  According to a first aspect of the invention, these objects are achieved by a security device for holding an article. In addition, the security device can be moved to a locked state in order to keep the security device in a closed state, and a first security member and a second security member that are connected in a closed state to retail goods. And a latch means for maintaining the locking structure in a locked state, the latch means forming an integral part of the lock slide. This arrangement requires fewer parts that need to be included in the security device than the prior art solutions because it eliminates the need for a unique latching member. This saves time and money both in manufacturing and assembly. Furthermore, fewer parts means fewer potential damage factors and therefore a more reliable product.

  In one embodiment, the locking slide is movably mounted on the first security member, and the latching means engages cooperating means disposed on the second security member in the locked state. Devised.

The latch means preferably comprises a spring blade extending from the main plane of the lock slide. The spring blade is devised to engage a stop member disposed on the second security member in the locked state. The stopping member may be a shoulder on the second security member.
Optionally, the stopping member may be a recess on the second security member.

  The security device spaced along the locking slide comprises two or more spring blades and two or more corresponding stop members.

  In a preferred embodiment, the locking slide is made from a resilient magnetic material.

  The locking slide is movably attached to the first security member and has a protruding tooth portion that engages a protruding tab on the second security member in the locked state. Is preferred.

  In an alternative embodiment, the first security member has a first protruding tab and the second security member is devised to pass adjacent to the first tab when in the closed state. A second protruding tab, wherein the locking slide is positioned between the first and the second tab in the locked state, and the first tab and the second tab And at least a portion has overlapping protruding teeth.

In one embodiment, the tooth portion is a curved portion of the lock slide, and protrudes from a main plane of the lock slide.
The security device spaced along the locking slide may include a plurality of teeth and tabs.

  In one embodiment, the security member is devised to partially store the retail item in a closed state. Optionally, the security member is devised to store the retail item in a completely closed state.

  In a preferred embodiment, the security members are devised to be connected and locked to each other at their respective first ends and are hingedly connected at their respective second ends opposite to said first ends. Be done

  In an alternative embodiment, the security members are devised to be connected and locked to each other at their respective first ends, and hooked at their respective second ends opposite to said first ends. Devised to be.

  In another alternative embodiment, the security members are designed to be connected and locked to each other at their respective first ends and at their respective second ends opposite to said first ends.

  In a preferred embodiment, the first security member is a base member, and the second security member is a lid member. The base member and the lid member form a box-like structure in the closed state. The base member has a front wall that supports the lock slide on its inner side surface, and the lid member has a front wall positioned on the inner side surface of the lock slide in the closed state. Have. The lid member further has a flange projecting from its front wall, and the flange engages the front wall of the base member in the closed state and also allows the locking slide to the box-like structure. Store.

In one embodiment, the locking slide is devised with operating means protruding through an opening in the side of the first security member.
In a preferred embodiment, the security device comprises an alarm tag.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the current objective is achieved by a security device for holding merchandise. In addition, the security device can be moved to a locked state in order to keep the security device in a closed state, and a first security member and a second security member that are connected in a closed state to retail goods. And a latch means for maintaining the locking structure in a locked state, wherein the locking means is supported on the first security member and engages with the cooperating means on the second security member. Invented. According to this arrangement, when the security device is in the open state, the locking slide cannot be latched when the latch means is pulled away from the cooperating means. This means a significant improvement in the operation of the security device. The reason is that prior art solutions, such as those described above, are easily latched by mistake in the locked state even when the security device is in the open state. During the process of loading items into the security box, this mistake has the tedious consequence of having to use the special tools necessary to unlock and open the security device.

In one embodiment, the latch means comprises a spring blade extending from the main plane of the locking slide.
The latch means is preferably integral with the lock slide.

  In a preferred embodiment, the spring blade is devised to engage a stop member disposed on the second security member in the locked state. The stopping member may be a shoulder on the second security member. Optionally, the stopping member may be a recess on the second security member.

The security device spaced along the locking slide preferably comprises two or more spring blades and two or more corresponding stop members.
The latch means is preferably made of an elastic magnetic material.
In a preferred embodiment, the security device comprises an alarm tag.

  The features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-6.
1 and 2 show the security device 1 in an open state from two different angles. The security device 1 comprises a first security member 10, a second security member 100, and means for connecting and locking the security members to each other at their first ends 12, 102. Security members 10 and 100 are pivotally attached to each other by a hinge device 17 at respective second ends 14 and 104 opposite the first ends 12 and 102.

  In the embodiment disclosed in the drawings, the first security member is a base member 10, while the second security member is a lid member 100. When joined together, the base member 10 and the lid member 100 form a box-like structure that defines a compartment for storing articles or goods. As used in this description, the meaning of not only inward and outward but also inward and outward relates to the compartment of the box-like structure.

  The base member 10 comprises a flat wall 11, preferably made of a durable transparent plastic material that allows the customer to view the contents of the security device. The front wall 12, the back wall 14, and the side wall 13 extend from the flat wall 11 substantially perpendicularly. The front wall 12 supports a lock slide 200 and the lock slide is movable along the inner side of the front wall 12. In one embodiment, the front wall is opaque to prevent visible access to the locking structure. The lid member 100 likewise comprises a flat wall 101, preferably made from a durable transparent plastic material. The front wall 102, the back wall 104, and the side wall 103 extend from the flat wall 101 substantially perpendicularly. The flange 107 projects from the front wall 102 as an extension of the planar wall 101, and the flange 107 engages the front wall 12 of the base member 10 in the closed state and houses the lock slide in a box-like structure.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the side walls 13 and 103 are devised to engage by their edges in the closed state of the security device. In an alternative embodiment, the security members 10 and 100 sidewalls are designed to overlap, thereby preventing unauthorized access by inserting objects between the engaged sidewalls. The hinge device 17 comprises at least a pair of hinge members 18 and 105 attached to the respective back wall 14 and 104, and the hinge member serves as a rotation axis for the hinge device. The pins 19 are connected to each other.

  The front wall 102 of the lid member 100 supports an outwardly projecting locking tab 105 for engagement with the locking slide 200 in the locked state of the security device. In the embodiment specifically shown, there are four locking tabs. Alternative embodiments, however, may include any number, i.e., one or two or more locking tabs 105. However, as shown, the use of multiple locking tabs 105 distributed along the front wall 102 of the lid member 100 minimizes the possibility of opening the security device by twisting or bending. The locking point is obtained.

  FIG. 3 more clearly shows a portion of the locking slide 200 and base member 10 of FIGS. The lock slide 200 is movable along the front wall 12 of the base member 10 and an operating member 204 is used for this purpose. The operating member 204 is accessible through an elongated opening formed in the front wall 12 and is secured to the lock slide 200 or forms part of the lock slide. The illustrated embodiment comprises a unique operating member 204 that is disposed on the exterior side of the front wall 12 and is rigidly secured to the attachment means 203 in the lock slide 200 through the opening. In this particular embodiment, the attachment means 203 protrudes inward and includes a flange that engages the bead portion 205 of the operating member 204. However, in an alternative embodiment, the operating member 204 may be a curved portion of the lock slide 200 and the curved portion protrudes through the elongated opening. In yet another embodiment, the operating member 204 may simply be a recess or through-hole in the lock slide 200 that is accessible through the elongated opening. In the embodiment shown, the opening is covered by the operating member 204 of FIG. 1 and the locking slide 200 of FIGS. 2 and 3 and is therefore not visible. However, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, the extension of the opening extends along the front wall 12.

  The lock slide 200 is made of a resilient magnetic metal material such as steel and extends in a main plane parallel to the front wall 12. On the inner side surface of the lock slide 200, at least one lock / tooth portion 201 protruding inward is fixed. In the embodiment shown, four locking teeth 201 are included that are devised to engage the four locking tabs 105 of the lid member 100. As described above, any number of locks and teeth 201, i.e. one or two or more, is used. In a preferred embodiment, each lock / tooth portion 201 comprises a curved portion of the lock / slide 200. The lock slide may be curved over its entire height. However, in the preferred and shown embodiment, the curved portion is a cut-out tongue 201 that is fixed at one end to the main plane of the lock slide 200 and extends to an extension of the lock slide 200. . When the security device 1 is closed, the tooth 201 locks the security device by moving the lock slide 200 sideways into a locked state where the tooth 201 is installed above the lock tab 105. Which will be described later.

  Once the operating member 204 is attached to the lock slide 200 through the opening in the front wall 12, the lock slide 200 is secured to the base member 10. However, to reinforce the security device, the front wall 12 of the base member 10 protrudes inwardly above the lock slide 200 so that the upper end portion 16 moves upward away from the planar wall 11. An upper end portion 16 is provided so as not to occur. Further, the guide shoulder 16 is preferably arranged at the lower end of the front wall 12.

  In order to keep the security device 1 locked, latch means are provided in the form of at least one spring blade 202 integral with the lock slide 200. The spring blade 202 is deflected to project inwardly and laterally at an angle from the main plane of the lock slide 200. In this embodiment, two spaced spring blades 202 are included, but a single spring blade 202 is sufficient.

  As is apparent from FIG. 1, the front wall of the lid member 100 further includes a stop member 106 devised to engage the spring blade 202 when the security device 1 is closed and locked. . Said stopping member is provided in the illustrated embodiment by a protruding shoulder 106 extending perpendicular to the direction of movement of the locking slide 200. An alternative solution is to provide the front wall 102 with a recess.

  FIG. 4 shows the locking slide 200 supported by the omitted base member 10 and a part of the lid member 100 with the omitted flat wall 101 in the closed and locked state. The lock / tooth portion 201 is positioned above the lock tab 105 to prevent the lid member 100 from being pulled away from the base member 10. In addition, each spring blade 202 is automatically engaged with its external end behind the stop member end 106 due to its elasticity, thereby unlocking the lock slide 200. It is prevented from moving to the state.

  A special tool is required to unlock the security device 1 to be latched. For the embodiment of FIG. 1, this special tool provides a magnet that is strong enough to attract the spring blade 202 toward the main plane of the lock slide 200, a method well known in the prior art. Need to include. The special tool comprises one magnet for each spring blade, and the magnet is preferably distributed along the surface of the tool with the same spacing as between the spring blades 202. Further, it is preferred that the operating engagement means designed to engage the operating member 204 when actuated correctly is included in the special tool.

  FIG. 5 shows the planar wall 101 of the lid member 100 omitted, a tooth 201 arranged above the tab 105 in its locked state, and a spring blade 202 engaged behind the shoulder 106. FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. A special tool (not shown) designed for this special type of security device is engaged with the operating member 204 so that the magnet of the special tool can be Installed automatically at the top. The spring blade 202 is therefore attracted by the magnet at least to some extent when the outer end of the spring blade 202 is pulled above the shoulder 106.

  FIG. 6 further shows that the security device 1 is moved laterally relative to the special tool so that the special tool pulls the lock slide 200 by means of the operating member 204, so that the tooth 201 is pulled away from the tab 105. Shows how. The security device is immediately unlocked and released.

  A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 7-9. This second embodiment is identical in many ways to the first embodiment, and therefore the same reference signs are used for corresponding elements.

  FIG. 7 shows the security device 2 in the open state. Two first locking tabs 105 project from the front wall 102 of the lid member 100. A front wall 102 with shoulder members 106 is likewise devised for engagement with latch means on a lock slide 200 movably disposed on the base member 10. Furthermore, the front wall 12 of the base member 10 has two second locking tabs 20 that project inwardly, i.e. in the opposite direction of the first tab 105. The first and second locking tabs are offset such that when the lid member 100 is closed, the first tab 105 that is brought in is misplaced with the second tab 20.

  FIG. 8 shows a portion of the base member 10 that is viewed from the inside and that exposes a lock slide 200 made of an elastic magnetic metal material such as steel. As in the previous embodiment, a lock slide 200 is devised which comprises a spring blade shaped tooth 201 and latch means 202. The operating member 204 is attached to the lock slide 200 through an elongated opening in the front wall 12. One difference from the previous embodiment is that the tooth portion 201 is arranged directly below the second tab 20, although it can move laterally with respect to the second tab 20.

  FIG. 9 finally shows a cut-out portion omitting the planar wall of the lid member 100 in an embodiment that is closed and latched with the security device of FIG. The front wall 102 is located inside the lock slide 200 and the first tab 105 is placed beside and under the second tab 20. The lock slide 200 is moved to a state in which the tooth portion 201 is installed between the first tab 105 and the second tab 20 so that the security device 2 is not opened. Further, the spring blade 202 is latched into engagement with the shoulder member 106 so that the locking slide does not remain in the indicated locked and positioned state. By operating a special tool comprising a magnet against the front wall 12, the spring blade 201 is pulled away from the shoulder member 106 after the lock slide 200 has been moved to the right in the drawing. Attracted to. Thus, the first tab 105 is pulled apart and the security device 2 is opened.

  The present invention comprises an integral element 200 that includes both a lock slide 200 and a latch means 202 and is simplified over the prior art because fewer parts are required for a security device. Provide blueprints. In addition, the security device is opened by placing a function to latch to include engagement between latch means 202 attached to one security member 10 with cooperating member 106 on the other security member 100. Improved handling is achieved because it cannot be latched. The security device according to the present invention is used to store recording media such as CDs or DVDs, other items such as jewelry boxes or razor blades or other commodities. Indeed, the present invention is in no way limited to any type of article to be stored. Further, it is not essential for the security member to form a box-like structure, and it may be advantageous to form a clamp-like structure designed to be installed on elongated items such as bottle necks, bicycle frames and the like. Similarly, the two security members need not be hingedly connected. An alternative solution is to provide a hook-like engagement at the end opposite the end carrying the locking structure. Yet another possibility is to provide locking structures at both ends.

  It should be noted that the description and figures of the present invention are exemplary, and therefore the scope of the present invention is not limited to the precise and detailed description shown or described.

FIG. 1 is a transparent front view of the security device according to the first embodiment of the present invention in an opened state. 2 is a transparent rear view of the security storage device of FIG. 1 in an open state. 3 is a partial view of a base member of the security device of FIG. 4 shows the lid member engaged with the locking slide of the base member of the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 5 shows a top view of the locked and latched state of the security device of FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the unlocked state of the security device of FIG. FIG. 7 is a transparent front view of the security device according to the second embodiment of the present invention in an open state. FIG. 8 is a partial view of a base member of the security device of FIG. FIG. 9 shows a partial plan view of the security device of FIG. 7 in a locked and latched state.

Claims (31)

A security device for holding an article,
A first security member (10) and a second security member (100), which are security members coupled in a closed state for storing articles, and movable to a locked state to maintain the security device in a closed state. Comprising a locking slide (200) and latching means (202) for maintaining the locking structure in a locked state,
The latch means forms an integral part of the lock slide,
Security device.   The locking slide is movably attached to the first security member, and in the locked state the latching means is devised to engage cooperating means (106) and is disposed on the second security member. The security device according to claim 1, wherein:   Security device according to claim 2, characterized in that the latch means comprises a spring blade (202) extending from the main plane of the locking slide.   The security device of claim 2, wherein the spring blade is devised to engage a stop member and is disposed on the second security member in the locked state.   The security device according to claim 4, wherein the stopping member is a shoulder on the second security member.   The security device according to claim 4, wherein the stopping member is a recess on the second security member.   The security device of claim 4, wherein the security device spaced along the locking slide comprises two or more spring blades and two or more corresponding stop members. .   Security device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking slide is made from a resilient magnetic material.   The locking slide has teeth (201) movably attached to and projecting from the first security member, and in the locked state, the teeth are tabs (105) projecting on the second security member; The security device of claim 1, wherein the security device is engaged.   The first security member has a first protruding tab (20), and the second security member is designed to pass adjacent to the first tab when in the closed state. And the locking slide is positioned between the first tab and the second tab in the locked state, and at least between the first tab and the second tab. Security device according to claim 1, characterized in that it has protruding teeth (201), part of which overlaps.   11. The security device according to claim 9, wherein the tooth portion is a curved portion of the lock slide and protrudes from a main plane of the lock slide.   11. A security device according to claim 9 or 10, comprising a plurality of teeth and tabs, spaced apart along the locking slide.   The security device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the security member is devised to partially store a stored article in a closed state.   13. A security device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the security member is designed to completely store a stored article in a closed state.   The security members are designed to be connected and locked to each other at their respective first ends, and are connected at their respective second ends opposite to said first ends by means of hinges (17). 15. The security device according to any one of claims 1-14, characterized in that   The security members are designed to be connected and locked to each other at their respective first ends, and are designed to be hooked at their respective second ends opposite to the first end. The security device according to claim 1, characterized in that   15. The security member is devised to be connected and locked to each other at a respective first end and a respective second end opposite to the first end. The security device according to any one of the above.   The first security member is a base member, the second security member is a lid member, and the base and lid members form a box-like structure in the closed state. The security device according to claim 1.   In the closed state, the base member has a front wall (12) that supports the locking slide on its inner side, and the lid member is positioned on the inner side of the locking slide. Security device according to claim 18, characterized in that it has a front wall (102).   The lid member has a flange (107) protruding from its front wall, and in the closed state, the flange engages the front wall of the base member and locks and slides the box-like structure. The security device according to claim 19, wherein the security device is stored.   21. A lock slide according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an operating means (204) projecting through an opening in the side of the first security member. Security device.   The security device according to claim 1, further comprising an alarm tag. A security device for holding an article,
A first security member (10) and a second security member (100), which are security members coupled in a closed state for storing articles, and movable to a locked state to maintain the security device in a closed state. Comprising a locking slide (200) and latching means (202) for maintaining the locking structure in a locked state;
The latch means is supported on the first security member and is devised to engage cooperating means (106) on the second security member,
Security device.   24. Security device according to claim 23, characterized in that the latch means comprise a spring blade (202) extending from the main plane of the locking slide.   24. The security device of claim 23, wherein the latch means is integral with the lock slide.   25. The security device of claim 24, wherein the spring blade is devised to engage a stop member disposed on the second security member in the locked state.   27. The security device of claim 26, wherein the security device spaced along the locking slide comprises two or more spring blades and two or more corresponding stop members. device.   27. The security device of claim 26, wherein the stop member is a shoulder on the second security member.   27. The security device of claim 26, wherein the stop member is a recess on the second security member.   30. A security device according to any one of claims 23 to 29, characterized in that the latch means is made of a resilient magnetic material.   31. A security device according to any one of claims 23-30, comprising an alarm tag.

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