Security device for a video cassette recorder or the like

• US 4,655,057 A
• Filed: 02/05/1985
• Issued: 04/07/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kensington Microware Limited
• Original Assignee: Z-Lock Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Derman, Jay S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wolfe, Robert L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gall, Lloyd A.
• Application Number:
  US06/698,312
• Time in Patent Office: 791 Days
• Field of Search: 70/168, 70/166, 70/258, 70/167, 70/57, 70/163, 70/58, 70/169-173, 70/14, 70/63, 360/137, 455/345, 369/77.1, 369/292
• US Class Current: 70/14
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/049 Cassettes for special applications not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/005 Means for locking the disc or cassette receiving slot, e.g. dummy cassettes locked in the slot
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/40 Portable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5031 Receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/558 Cover-carried lock
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5584 Dead bolt

Abstract

A deterrent device for inhibiting unauthorized use and sale of a video cassette recorder having a cassette chamber provided with a chamber opening and a hinged door normally closing said chamber opening in which the device includes a front panel to cover the opening, inwardly projecting members carried on the panel and extending through the chamber opening into the interior of the cassette chamber for moving the door into a position for engagement by said inwardly projecting arms to restrict and prohibit outward movement of the device, and an unlock element carried by the front panel and positioned within the chamber for movement against the door to lift the door from its engagement with the inwardly projecting arms for permitting release and removal of the device from said chamber and opening.

Claims

1. In combination with a video cassette recorder or the like in which the cassette recorder has a cassette-receiving chamber provided with a chamber opening and a hinged door therefor, a security device comprising:

means for closing said opening to prevent unauthorized access to the cassette chamber, including;

a front panel having edge margins seated against edge margins defining said chamber opening,

inwardly projecting engagement members on said panel extending into said chamber,

said engagement members having means cooperable with said door upon insertion of said engagement members into said chamber for locking against outward movement and removal of the closing means,

and unlock means carried by said panel and having an unlock element positioned within the cassette chamber,

said unlock element moving the door out of engagement with the engagement members to allow removal of the closing means.

2. A security device as claimed in claim 1, including means carried by said panel for moving the unlock element to release the closing means.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said engagement members include,

one or more forwardly facing notches for reception of inner door edges.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein,

said engagement members are spaced approximately the width of a door opening to limit lateral movement of the closing means.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein,

said door is biased to closed position,

and said lock element upon rotation thereof, engages and moves said biased door to cause disengagement thereof with said engagement members.

6. Means to secure and prevent unauthorized use of a chamber having an opening adapted to receive a removable object, said chamber opening having a hinged door normally in closed position to restrict passage of unwanted objects, comprising, in combination therewith:

means for covering the door opening;

means for moving the door inwardly about its hinge axis to at least a partial open position and for locking engagement with edge margins of the door in said partial open position to inhibit movement of the covering means relative to the door opening;

and means for additionally moving the door about its hinge axis for releasing the door from said locking engagement to uncover the opening and to provide access to the chamber opening,

said means for releasing said locking engagement including an unlock element moveable by a key to lift and disengage the door from said door moving and engagement means.

7. A deterrent device for inhibiting unauthorized use and sale of a video cassette recorder having a cassette chamber provided with a chamber opening and a hinged door diased in one direction and normally closing said chamber opening;

comprising in combination therewith;

a front panel means adapted to cover said opening and having inward movement thereof limited by seating engagement of said panel means against edge marginal surfaces of said chamber opening;

inwardly projecting means carried by said panel means, extending through said chamber opening and into the interior of said cassette chamber;

said inwardly projecting means including means for moving said door in a direction opposite to said one biased direction and means engageable with said door for restricting and prohibiting outward movement of said panel means;

and unlocking means carried by said front panel means and extending into said chamber for release of said door from said means restricting and prohibiting outward movement of said panel means,

said unlocking means including a cylindrical lock and an unlock element adapted to be moved by a cylindrical key into lifting engagement with said door for releasing said means engageable with said door to release said deterrent device.