Case with internal lock

• US 7,257,971 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2001
• Issued: 08/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autronic Plastics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Autronic Plastics, Inc.
• Inventors: Lax, Michael, Libohova, Agjah I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall; Lloyd A.
• Application Number:
  US09/858,457
• Publication Number:
  US 20020023853A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,288 Days
• Field of Search: 70/571, 70/58, 70/63, 702/76, 206/1.5, 206/308.2, 206/387.11, 292/80, 292/81, 292/251.5
• US Class Current: 70/57.1
• 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 lockable storage case for storing a storage or recording medium, the lockable storage case comprising:

a storage case, the storage case including;

a first cover, the first cover including a seating area, the seating area is adapted to seat one of the storage and recording medium, and

a second cover coupled to the first cover and capable of securing the medium seated in the seating area, when the second cover is closed upon the first cover; and

a lock adapted to be disposed within both the first cover and the second cover;

wherein;

when the lockable storage case is secured, the lock is disposed inside the storage case, whereby the first cover is securely coupled to the second cover;

the lock comprises;

a base having an outer periphery; and

at last 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; and

the first catch mechanism 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.

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

a storage case, the storage case including;

a first cover, the first cover including a seating area, the seating area is adapted to seat one of the storage and recording medium, and

a second cover coupled to the first cover and capable of securing the medium seated in the seating area, when the second cover is closed upon the first cover; and

a lock adapted to be disposed within both the first cover and the second cover;

wherein;

when the lockable storage case is secured, the lock is disposed inside the storage case, whereby the first cover is securely coupled to the second cover;

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 not extend beyond the periphery of the base; and

the first catch mechanism includes a metal pin disposed therein.

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

a storage case, the storage case including;

a first cover, the first cover including a seating area, the seating area is adapted to seat one of the storage and recording medium, and

a second cover coupled to the first cover and capable of securing the medium seated in the seating area, when the second cover is closed upon the first cover; and

a lock adapted to be disposed within both the first cover and the second cover;

wherein;

when the lockable storage case is secured, the lock is disposed inside the storage case, whereby the first cover is securely coupled to the second cover;

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 not extend beyond the periphery of the base;

the first catch mechanism includes a metal pin disposed therein;

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

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

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

a storage case, the storage case including;

a first cover, the first cover including a seating area, the seating area is adapted to seat one of the storage and recording medium, and

a second cover coupled to the first cover and capable of securing the medium seated in the seating area, when the second cover is closed upon the first cover; and

a lock adapted to be disposed within both the first cover and the second cover;

wherein;

when the lockable storage case is secured, the lock is disposed inside the storage case, whereby the first cover is securely coupled to the second cover;

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 not extend beyond the periphery of the base;

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 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.

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

a storage case, the storage case including;

a first cover, the first cover including a seating area, the seating area is adapted to seat one of the storage and recording medium, and

a second cover coupled to the first cover and capable of securing the medium seated in the seating area, when the second cover is closed upon the first cover; and

a lock adapted to be disposed within both the first cover and the second cover;

wherein;

when the lockable storage case is secured, the lock is disposed inside the storage case, whereby the first cover is securely coupled to the second cover;

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 not extend beyond the periphery of the base;

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 includes a first flange extending therefrom;

the base includes a second flange extending therefrom;

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; and

the flanges are hook-shaped.

6. A lockable case for an information storage medium, said case comprising:

a first cover and a second cover, said first and second covers hinged to pivot open or closed about a spine, at least one of said first and second covers being configured to receive said medium;

cover locking elements disposed on inner surfaces of said covers, said cover locking elements spaced apart from outer peripheries of said covers and positioned such that when said covers are closed, said cover locking elements are mutually aligned,

a lock access opening aligned with said cover locking elements, said opening established in a common side of said first and second covers when said covers are closed; and

an elongated lock comprising;

a base having outwardly biased spring arms, said arms configured to engage said cover locking elements; and

metallic pins positioned in said arms and adapted to be influenced by an externally produced magnetic field;

wherein;

said cover locking elements comprise loops that, together with said access opening, establish a locking channel; and

when said lock is inserted into said access opening, said lock extends into said locking channel.