Device for locking a media disc to a retaining hub

• US 6,675,962 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2002
• Issued: 01/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autronic Plastics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nexpak Corporation
• Inventors: Byrne, James M., Myszka, Kevin E.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOHANDESI, JILA M
• Application Number:
  US10/261,988
• Publication Number:
  US 20030024834A1
• Time in Patent Office: 469 Days
• Field of Search: 206/308.1, 206/308.2, 206/303, 206/309, 206/310, 206/493, 206/807, 206/387.11, 206/1.5, D 6/634, D 6/635, D 6/632, D 6/407
• US Class Current: 206/308.2
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/0427 comprising centre hole locking means
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/045 comprising centre hole locking means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 206/807 Tamper proof

Abstract

A locking device for a disc retaining hub includes a base and a head that lock together over the hub to lock a disc on the hub until a portion of the locking device is destroyed. The head or the base of the locking device includes locking fingers that allow the head and base to lock together in a one-way snap fit connection. The locking mechanism may also cooperate with the disc retaining hub to lock itself to the hub. The locking mechanism prevents the disc from being removed from the hub until the locking mechanism is destroyed by the user.

Claims

1. A media storage container in combination with a disc-shaped item of recorded media;

the combination comprising;

a container having a base and a lid;

the lid being hingedly connected to the base and movable between open and closed positions;

a disc retaining hub connected to the base;

the disc retaining hub including a protrusion disposed over the top of the disc-shaped item of recorded media when the item of recorded media is held on the disc retaining hub;

a disc-shaped item of recorded media being releasably held by the disc retaining hub in a manner that allows a consumer to remove the disc from the hub and replace the disc on the hub;

a disc locking device having a base and a head;

the base and head configured to lock together and cooperate with the disc retaining hub to prevent the disc from being removed from the disc retaining hub when the base and head of the disc locking device are locked together; and

the base of the disc locking device including a post that extends through the disc retaining hub;

the post lockingly engaging the head to prevent the disc-shaped item of recorded media from being removed from the disc retaining hub.

2. The combination of claim 1, further comprising an EAS tag carried by the base.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein the post includes a locking finger that engages the head in a one way snap fit connection.

4. The combination of claim 1, wherein the lid may move between the open closed positions when the base and head of the disc retaining device are locked together.

5. The combination of claim 4, wherein the head of the disc retaining device is trapped between the lid and the base of the container when the lid is closed.

6. The combination of claim 1, wherein the head of the disc locking device includes a dome shaped outer wall.

7. The combination of claim 1, wherein the post includes a first locking finger and the head includes a second locking finger;

the head having an upper surface;

the first and second locking fingers being disposed substantially below the upper surface of the head when the head is locked to the base.

8. The combination of claim 1, wherein the head is unlocked from the base of the locking device by destroying a portion of the head.

9. The combination of claim 1, wherein the head of the locking device engages the disc-shaped item of recorded media when the head is locked to the base and the disc-shaped item of recorded media is held on the hub.

10. The combination of claim 1, wherein the base of the of the locking device is positioned under the disc retaining hub with the post of the base of locking device extending up through the hub.

11. A media storage container in combination with a disc-shaped item of recorded media;

the combination comprising;

a container having a base and a lid;

the lid being hingedly connected to the base and movable between open and closed positions;

a disc retaining hub connected to the base;

a disc-shaped item of recorded media being releasably held by the disc retaining hub in a manner that allows a consumer to remove the disc from the hub and replace the disc on the hub;

a disc locking device having a base and a head;

the base and head configured to lock together and cooperate with the disc retaining hub to prevent the disc from being removed from the disc retaining hub when the base and head of the disc locking device are locked together;

the base of the disc locking device including a post that extends through the disc retaining hub;

the post lockingly engaging the head to prevent the disc-shaped item of recorded media from being removed from the disc retaining hub; and

the base of the disc locking device includes a locking finger that snap fits to the base of the container.

12. The combination of claim 11, wherein the disc retaining hub includes a protrusion disposed over the top of the disc-shaped item of recorded media when the item of recorded media is held on the disc retaining hub.

13. The combination of claim 12, wherein the head is unlocked from the base of the locking device by destroying a portion of the head.

14. The combination of claim 11, wherein the hub is positioned between a portion of the locking device base and a portion of the locking device head when the disc-shaped item of recorded media is locked by the locking device.

15. A media storage container in combination with a disc-shaped item of recorded media and a locking device;

the combination comprising;

a container having a base and a lid;

the lid being hingedly connected to the base and movable between open and closed positions;

a disc retaining hub connected to the base;

a disc-shaped item of recorded media having a central opening;

the disc-shaped item of recorded media being releasably held by the disc retaining hub in a manner that allows a consumer to remove the disc from the hub and replace the disc on the hub;

the disc retaining hub being disposed in the central opening of the disc-shaped item of recorded media;

a disc locking device having a base and a head;

the base and head configured to lock together and cooperate with the disc retaining hub to prevent the disc from being removed from the disc retaining hub when the base and head of the disc locking device are locked together;

the base of the disc locking device including a post that extends through a portion of the disc retaining hub;

the base of the of the locking device being positioned under the disc retaining hub with the post of the base of locking device extending up through the hub;

the disc retaining hub surrounding a portion of the base of the disc locking device;

a portion of the disc retaining hub positioned between a portion of the locking device base and the locking device head; and

the post lockingly engaging the head to prevent the disc-shaped item of recorded media from being removed from the disc retaining hub.

16. The combination of claim 15, wherein the head is unlocked from the base of the locking device by destroying a portion of the head.

17. The combination of claim 15, wherein the head of the locking device engages the disc-shaped item of recorded media when the head is locked to the base and the disc-shaped item of recorded media is held on the hub.

18. The combination of claim 15, further comprising an EAS tag carried by the locking device.

19. The combination of claim 15, wherein the base and head of the disc locking device may be separated from the base of the container when the disc locking device is unlocked.

20. The combination of claim 15, wherein the base of the disc locking device includes a locking finger that snap fits to the base of the container.