Case with internal lock

• US 20020023853A1
• Filed: 05/16/2001
• Published: 02/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autronic Plastics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Autronic Plastics, Inc.
• Inventors: Libohova, Agjah I., Lax, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,257,971 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/310
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 50/067 using integral or non-integral accessories, e.g. tool, key B65D50/062, B65D50/064, B65D50/065 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0023 Containers, boxes, cases or the like, e.g. for compact discs or video-cassettes, specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/0427 comprising centre hole locking means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5004 For antitheft signaling device on protected article
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5031 Receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7057 Permanent magnet

Abstract

A lockable storage case includes a top cover pivotably coupled to a bottom cover through a spine. The top cover includes loops or an upper lock receiving member and a lower lock receiving member defining a top cover lock insertion path. The bottom cover includes loops or an upper lock receiving member and a lower lock receiving member defining a bottom cover lock insertion path. The lower lock receiving members of both the top and bottom covers include hooks for receiving and maintaining a latch. When the top cover is closed on the bottom cover, the top and bottom cover insertion paths combine to form a combined lock insertion path. A lock for the storage case includes first and second catch mechanisms with first and second catches. To lock the storage case, the lock is inserted into the combined lock insertion path so that the catches on the lock mate with and are retained with the hooks in the top and bottom covers.

Claims

1. A storage case for storing a recording medium, the storage case comprising:

a first cover, the first cover including a seating area to seat the recording medium, and a first lock portion extending from the first cover, the first lock portion defining a first cover lock receiving path; and

a second cover, the first and second covers being capable of moving to a closed position whereby the second cover is placed over the first cover to restrict access to the seating area, the second cover further including a second lock portion extending from the second cover, the second lock portion defining a second cover lock receiving path;

wherein

the first and second cover lock receiving paths are disposed on the first and second covers so that when the first and second covers are moved to the closed position, the first cover lock receiving path communicates with the second cover lock receiving path to produce a combined lock receiving path, the combined lock receiving path defined so that when a lock is inserted into the storage case, substantially all of the lock is received within the combined lock insertion path and inside of the storage case.

5. The storage case as recited in claim 1, wherein the lock receiving paths include a void at a first end thereof and a wall at a second end thereof.

6. The storage case as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one wall disposed in front of at least one of the first and second lock portions thereby blocking the lock receiving path.

7. The storage case as recited in claim 5, further comprising a wall disposed in front of the first lock portion, the second lock portion and the first ends of the lock receiving paths.

8. The storage case as recited in claim 1, wherein the first and second covers include an indent which is adapted to receive a user'"'"'s finger.

9. The storage case as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a spine, the first and second covers being pivotably coupled to the spine;

a first cover side wall extending upwardly from the first cover and extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the spine; and

a second cover side wall extending upwardly from the second cover and extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spine;

wherein

the first cover side wall includes a void therein, the void being adapted to receive a portion of the recording medium when the recording medium is placed in the seating area.

10. The storage case as recited in claim 9, wherein the first and second cover side walls are disposed so that when the recording medium is placed in the seating area, and the second cover is closed upon the first cover, the second cover side wall sits on the recording medium and retains the recording medium within the seating area.

11. The storage case as recited in claim 1, wherein the first cover further includes a recess dimensioned to receive a memory card.

12. The storage case as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the first lock portion comprises;

a first lock receiving member; and

a second lock receiving member, the first and second lock receiving members of the first lock portion defining the first cover lock receiving path;

the second lock portion comprises;

a first lock receiving member; and

a second lock receiving member, the first and second lock receiving members of the second lock portion defining the second cover lock receiving path; and

wherein the lock receiving members are disposed on the storage case in an interleaving manner so that when the second cover is closed upon the first cover, the lock receiving members mesh with one another.

13. The storage case as recited in claim 12, wherein the lock receiving members are loops.

14. The storage case as recited in claim 12, wherein:

the first lock receiving member of the first lock portion includes a cut-away providing partial access to the seating area; and

the first cover further includes a shelf proximate to the cut-away.

15. The storage case as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one document retaining member on the second cover.

17. The storage case as recited in claim 16, wherein the at least one gripping element is a rib.

18. The storage case as recited in claim 1, further comprising a hub which is effective to receive and retain the recording medium, the hub being centered on the first cover.

19. The storage case as recited in claim 12, wherein the first lock receiving member of the first lock portion further includes a first hook;

and

the first lock receiving member of the second lock portion further includes a second hook.

20. The storage case as recited in claim 1, wherein

the first lock portion is hollow and defines a first lock portion void therein;

the second lock portion is hollow and defines a second lock portion void herein; and

when the second cover is placed upon the first cover, the first and second lock portion voids define the combined lock receiving path.

21. The storage case as recited in claim 12, wherein

the first and second lock receiving members of the first lock portion are hollow thereby defining first lock voids, the first lock voids being collinear and in combination define the first cover lock receiving path;

and

the first and second lock receiving members of the second lock portion are hollow thereby defining second lock voids, the second lock voids being collinear and in combination define the second cover lock receiving path.

22. The storage case as recited in claim 20, wherein the voids are parallelepiped in shape.

23. The storage case as recited in claim 21, wherein the voids are parallelepiped in shape.

26. The lock as recited in claim 25, wherein the first catch mechanism further includes at least one metallic pin, whereby application of a magnetic field proximate to the first catch mechanism is effective to move the first catch mechanism from the first position to the second position.

27. The lock as recited in claim 25, further comprising a security tag receiving portion.

28. The lock as recited in claim 26, wherein the security tag receiving portion includes:

at least one support; and

at least one key portion.

29. The lock as recited in claim 26, further comprising:

a bobbin disposed in the security tag receiving portion; and

a coil disposed in the bobbin.

30. The lock as recited in claim 29, wherein the bobbin includes at least one support post.

31. The lock as recited in claim 25, wherein:

the lock includes a front end and a rear end; and

the first catch mechanism includes a notched recess with an opening facing the rear end.

32. The lock as recited in claim 31, wherein:

the lock has a first end and a second end;

the first catch mechanism is disposed proximate to the first end, the first end having a first height; and

the second end has at least a portion with a second height, the second height being less than the first height.

33. The lock as recited in claim 25, wherein:

the lock has a first end and a second end;

the first catch mechanism is disposed proximate to the first end; and

a groove extends substantially from the first catch mechanism to the second end.

34. The lock as recited in claim 33, further comprising a security tag recess disposed between the first end and the second end.

35. The lock as recited in claim 25, wherein the base further includes a void adapted to receive the first catch mechanism thereby permitting the first catch mechanism to move to the second position.

36. The lock as recited in claim 25, wherein the lock is made of a material with a high lubricity.

37. The lock as recited in claim 25, wherein the first catch mechanism includes a chamfered portion at an end thereof.

38. The lock as recited in claim 25, wherein the first catch mechanism is coupled to the base through a leaf spring.

39. The lock as recited in claim 38, wherein the leaf spring has a height which less than a height of the base.

40. The lock as recited in claim 38, wherein the leaf spring comprises:

a notch which couples the leaf spring to the base;

an arcuate portion; and

a recess between the notch and the arcuate portion.

41. The lock as recited in claim 40, wherein the notch defines a living hinge.

42. The lock as recited in claim 25, wherein the first catch mechanism includes a metal pin disposed therein.

43. The lock as recited in claim 42, wherein:

the pin has chamfered portions on a top and bottom thereof; and

the first catch mechanism includes shelf extensions which engage the chamfered portions to thereby retain the pin within the first catch mechanism.

44. The lock as recited in claim 25, wherein the lock comprises a first end including a wall and a second end.

45. The lock as recited in claim 44, wherein the second end includes one of a torpedo-shaped nose portion, a hook portion, and a springed hook portion.

46. The lock as recited in claim 44, wherein a cross-section of the lock is tapered from the first end to the second end.

47. The lock as recited in claim 25, wherein the base further includes a door pivotably coupled to the first catch mechanism.

48. The lock as recited in claim 25, further comprising:

a second catch mechanism moveably mounted to the base, the second catch mechanism movable between a first position where the second catch mechanism extends beyond the periphery of the base and a second position where the second catch mechanism does not extend beyond the periphery of the base;

wherein

when the first catch mechanism is in the second position, the first catch mechanism extends in a first direction with respect to the base, and

when the second catch mechanism is in the second position, the second catch mechanism extends in a second direction with respect to the base.

49. The lock as recited in claim 25, wherein:

when the first catch mechanism is in the first position, a portion of the first catch mechanism extends beyond the periphery of the base of the lock;

the first catch mechanism is moveable to a third position where the entire first catch mechanism is disposed outside the periphery of the base of the lock;

the first catch mechanism further includes a first flange extending therefrom;

the base includes a second flange extending therefrom; and

the first and second flanges are disposed so that when the first catch mechanism is in the first or the second position, the second flange abuts the first flange and inhibits the first catch mechanism from moving to the third position.

50. The lock as recited in claim 49, wherein the flanges are hook-shaped.

51. The lock as recited in claim 25, further comprising a noise maker disposed therein.

52. The lock as recited in claim 51, wherein the noise maker is comprised of a plurality of projections and indentations.

53. The lock as recited in claim 25, further comprising a surveillance tag disposed within the base.

2. A storage case for storing a recording medium, the storage case comprising:

a first cover, the first cover including a seating area to seat the recording medium, and a first lock portion extending from the first cover, the first lock portion defining a first cover lock receiving path; and

a second cover, the first and second covers being capable of moving to a closed position whereby the second cover is placed over the first cover to restrict access to the seating area, the second cover further including a second lock portion extending from the second cover, the second lock portion defining a second cover lock receiving path;

wherein

the first and second cover lock receiving paths are disposed on the first and second covers so that when the first and second covers are moved to the closed position, the first cover lock receiving path communicates with the second cover lock receiving path to produce a combined lock receiving path disposed inside of the storage case, the combined lock receiving path defined so that when a lock is inserted into the storage case, substantially all of the lock is received within the combined lock insertion path and inside of the storage case.

4. The storage case as recited in claim 2, wherein the first cover includes a base and the second cover includes a base, and the first lock receiving path is disposed on the base of the first cover and the second lock receiving path is disposed on the base of the second cover.

3. A storage case for storing a recording medium, the storage case comprising:

a first cover, the first cover including a seating area to seat the recording medium, and a first lock portion extending from the first cover, the first lock portion defining a first cover lock receiving path; and

a second cover, the first and second covers being capable of moving to a closed position whereby the second cover is placed over the first cover to restrict access to the seating area, the second cover further including a second lock portion extending from the second cover, the second lock portion defining a second cover lock receiving path;

wherein

the first and second cover lock receiving paths are disposed on the first and second covers so that when the first and second covers are moved to the closed position, the case has an outer periphery and the first cover lock receiving path communicates with the second cover lock receiving path to produce a combined lock receiving path, the combined lock receiving path defined so that when a lock is inserted into the combined lock receiving path, the lock is disposed substantially within the outer periphery.

16. The storage case is recited in clam 15, wherein the document retaining member includes at least one gripping element.

24. A storage case for storing a recording medium, the storage case comprising:

a first cover, the first cover including a seating area to seat the recording medium, and a first lock portion extending from the first cover, the first lock portion defining a first cover lock receiving path; and

a second cover, the first and second covers being capable of moving to a closed position whereby the second cover is placed over the first cover to restrict access to the seating area, the second cover further including a second lock portion extending from the second cover, the second lock portion defining a second cover lock receiving path;

wherein

the first and second cover lock receiving paths are disposed on the first and second covers so that when the first and second covers are moved to the closed position, the first cover lock receiving path communicates with the second cover lock receiving path to produce a combined lock receiving path;

the first lock portion comprises;

a first lock receiving member;

a second lock receiving member, the first and second lock receiving members of the first lock portion defining the first cover lock receiving path;

the second lock portion comprises;

a first lock receiving member;

a second lock receiving member, the first and second lock receiving members of the second lock portion defining the second cover lock receiving path;

wherein the lock receiving members are disposed on the storage case in an interleaving manner so that when the second cover is closed upon the first cover, the lock receiving members mesh with one another;

the first lock receiving member of the first lock portion includes a cut-away providing partial access to the seating area;

the first cover further includes a shelf proximate to the cut-away;

the first and second lock receiving members of the first lock portion are hollow thereby defining first lock voids, the first lock voids being collinear and in combination define the first cover lock receiving path; and

the first and second lock receiving members of the second lock portion are hollow thereby defining second lock voids, the second lock voids being collinear and in combination define the second cover lock receiving path.

25. A lock for locking a storage case, the lock comprising:

a base having an outer periphery; and

at least a first catch mechanism moveably mounted to the base, the first catch mechanism movable between a first position where the first catch mechanism extends beyond the periphery of the base and a second position where the first catch mechanism does not extend beyond the periphery of the base.

54. A lock for locking a storage case, the lock comprising:

a base having an outer periphery;

at least a first catch mechanism moveably mounted to the base, the first catch mechanism movable between a first position where the first catch mechanism extends beyond the periphery of the base and a second position where the first catch mechanism does not extend beyond the periphery of the base;

the lock includes a front end and a rear end;

the first catch mechanism includes a notched recess with an opening facing the rear end;

the first catch mechanism is disposed proximate to the first end;

a groove extends substantially from the first catch mechanism to the second end;

the first catch mechanism is coupled to the base through a leaf spring;

the leaf spring has a height which less than a height of the base;

wherein the leaf spring comprises;

a notch which couples the leaf spring to the base;

an arcuate portion; and

a recess between the notch and the arcuate portion;

when the first catch mechanism is in the first position, a portion of the first catch mechanism extends beyond the periphery of the base of the lock;

the first catch mechanism is moveable to a third position where the entire first catch mechanism is disposed outside the periphery of the base of the lock;

the first catch mechanism further includes a first flange extending therefrom;

the base includes a second flange extending therefrom; and

the first and second flanges are disposed so that when the first catch mechanism is in the first or the second position, the second flange abuts the first flange and inhibits the first catch mechanism from moving to the third position.

55. A lockable storage case containing a storage medium, the lockable storage case comprising:

a storage case having an outer periphery, the storage case including;

a first cover, the first cover including a seating area to seat the recording medium, and

a second cover coupled to the first cover and placed upon the first cover; and

a lock adapted to be disposed within both the first cover and the second cover, so that substantially all of the lock is disposed inside the storage case, thereby locking the first cover to the second cover.

56. The lockable storage case as recited in claim 55, wherein the lock is adapted to be disposed substantially within the outer periphery.

57. The lockable storage case as recited in claim 55, wherein the first cover further includes a shelf which supports the storage medium.

58. The lockable storage case as recited in claim 57, wherein the lock is adapted to be disposed both on top of the storage medium and the shelf.

59. The lockable storage case as recited in claim 57, wherein the lock is adapted to be disposed both on top of and beneath a combination of the storage medium and the shelf.

60. The lockable storage case as recited in claim 55, wherein the lock comprises:

a base having an outer periphery; and

at least a first catch mechanism moveably mounted to the base, the first catch mechanism movable between a first position where the first catch mechanism extends beyond the periphery of the base and a second position where the first catch mechanism does no t extend beyond the periphery of the base;

a first end including a wall; and

a second end including a springed hook portion, the springed hook portion effective to auto-eject the lock from the storage case when the first catch mechanism is removed from engagement with the storage case.

61. A lockable storage case containing a storage medium, the lockable storage case comprising:

a storage case having an outer periphery, the storage case including;

a first cover, the first cover including a seating area and a shelf to seat the recording medium; and

a second cover coupled to the first cover and placed upon the first cover; and

a lock adapted to be disposed to be within both the first cover and the second cover, so that substantially all of the lock is disposed inside the storage case, thereby locking the first cover to the second cover and so that the lock is disposed both on top of and beneath a combination of the storage medium and the shelf.

62. The lockable storage card as recited in claim 61, wherein the case is adapted to be disposed substantially within the outer periphery.

63. A method for locking a storage case, the storage case comprising an outer periphery, a first cover with a seating area to seat a storage medium, and a second cover coupled to the first cover, the method comprising:

closing the second cover on the first cover; and

inserting a lock inside both the first and second covers so that substantially all of the lock is disposed inside the storage case thereby locking the first cover to the second cover.

64. The method is recited in claim 63, wherein the lock is inserted inside both the first and second covers substantially within the outer periphery thereof, locking the first cover to the second cover.

65. A method for creating a lock for use in locking a storage case, the lock including a base and pin holding portions, the base including a flange and a periphery, the pin holding portions each including a flange, the method comprising:

molding the lock so that the pin holding portions extend beyond the periphery of the base;

inserting metallic pins into the pin holding portions; and

bending the pin holding portions toward the base so that the flanges of the pin holding portions sit behind corresponding flanges in the base.

66. A lockable storage case, comprising:

a storage case, the storage case including;

a first cover, the first cover including a seating area to seat the recording medium, and at least a first loop extending upwardly from the first cover, the first loop defining a first cover lock receiving path; and

a second cover, the first and second covers being capable of moving to a closed position whereby the second cover is placed over the first cover to restrict access to the seating area, the second cover further including at least a second loop extending upwardly from the second cover, the second lock loop defining a second cover lock receiving path;

wherein

the first and second cover lock receiving paths are disposed on the first and second covers so that when the first and second covers are moved to the closed position, the first cover lock receiving path communicates with the second cover lock receiving path to produce a combined lock receiving path; and

a lock, the lock including;

a base having an outer periphery; and

at least a first catch mechanism moveably mounted to the base, the first catch mechanism movable between a first position where the first catch mechanism extends beyond the periphery of the base and a second position where the first catch mechanism does not extend beyond the periphery of the base;

wherein

the first catch mechanism is in the first position; and

at least one of the first and second loops defines a hook edge; and

the first catch mechanism is capable of engaging the hook edge.

67. The lockable storage case as recited in claim 66, wherein:

the lock further includes a second catch mechanism moveably mounted to the base, the second catch mechanism movable between a first position where the second catch mechanism extends beyond the periphery of the base and a second position where the second catch mechanism does not extend beyond the periphery of the base;

the second catch mechanism is in the first position;

the other of the first and second loops defines another hook edge; and

the second catch mechanism is capable of engaging with the another hook edge.

68. The lockable storage case as recited in claim 67, wherein at least one of the hook edges is chamfered to more securely engage the respective catch mechanism.

70. A lockable case as recited in claim 69, in which a lock access opening aligned with the cover locking elements is established in a common side of the first and second covers when the covers are closed.

71. A lockable case as recited in claim 70, wherein the cover locking elements are comprised of loops that, together with the access opening, establish a locking channel.

72. A lockable case as recited in claim 71, including an elongated lock that, when inserted into the access opening, extends into the locking channel.

73. A lockable case as recited in claim 72, in which the lock device includes a base having outwardly biased spring arms configured to engage the first and second cover locking elements.

74. A lockable case as recited in claim 71, in which the loops are generally U-shaped in configuration, and in which is included an elongated lock of transverse cross-section conforming in configuration to that of the loops and that, when inserted into the access opening, extends into the locking channel.

75. A lockable case as recited in claim 73, including metallic pins positioned in the arms and adapted to be influenced by an externally produced magnetic field.

76. A lockable case as recited in claim 73, wherein the arms are formed with cover locking element engaging notches.

77. A lockable case as recited in claim 72, in which the lock terminates at an end plate perpendicular to the base, and in which the end plate is configured to be flush with the common side of the covers when the covers are closed and locked by the lock.

78. A lockable case as recited in claim 77, wherein a recess is established in the common side of the covers to receive and seat the end plate of the lock to be flush with the common side of the covers.

79. A lockable case as recited in claim 69, in which the cover locking elements are mutually opposed and interleaved.

80. A lockable case as recited in claim 69, in which the cover locking elements protrude inwardly from the respective cover surfaces.

69. A lockable case for information storage media, comprising:

first and second covers, at least one of which is configured to receive an information storage medium, hinged to pivot open or closed about a spine;

inner surfaces of said covers having cover locking elements spaced apart from outer peripheries of the covers and positioned such that when the covers are closed the cover locking elements are mutually aligned.

81. A lockable storage case for storing a recording medium, the storage case comprising:

a first cover having an outer periphery and a first lock receiving element; and

a second cover pivotably attached to the first cover and moveable between an open and a closed position, the second cover having an outer periphery and a second lock receiving element;

the first and second lock receiving elements configured to receive a locking member when the first and second covers are in the closed position such that the locking member is substantially disposed within the periphery of the first and second covers when the locking member is inserted into the first and second lock receiving elements.