Case with internal lock

• US 7,260,962 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2004
• Issued: 08/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autronic Plastics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Autronic Plastics, Inc.
• Inventors: Libohova, Agjah I, Lax, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall; Lloyd A.
• Application Number:
  US10/796,332
• Publication Number:
  US 20040173477A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,268 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 system for locking an item, said system comprising:

a containing element including first and second enclosure members, said containing element configured to enclose said item; and

a lock comprising;

a base having a portion configured to move inside said containing element when said containing element is closed; and

a catch mechanism attached to said portion and configured to be moved relative to said portion by a magnetic field, said catch mechanism comprising a metal component that is, in the presence of said magnetic field, subject to a magnetic force and is configured to be located inside said containing element when said containing element is closed;

wherein;

said first enclosure member comprises a first loop and said second enclosure member comprises a second loop; and

,

when said containing element is locked, said lock is present in said first loop and in said second loop.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said catch mechanism is further configured to engage said containing element to lock said containing element in a closed configuration.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said containing element encloses said item when said first enclosure member is moved to a position adjacent said second enclosure member.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said first enclosure member is hinged to said second enclosure member.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said catch mechanism is further configured to automatically engage said containing element when said portion is disposed inside said containing element and is urged toward the outside of said containing element.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said component is a first component and said catch mechanism further comprises at least one second component consisting of only material that is not magnetically reactive.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said second component is configured to be moved by said first component.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein, of said first and second components, only said second component is configured to engage said containing element.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said catch mechanism is configured to be displaced by said magnetic field, when said containing element is closed, from a first position inside said containing element to a second position inside said containing element.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said item is a storage medium.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said item is a recording medium.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said catch mechanism is moveable to a position in which said catch mechanism does not extend beyond a periphery of said base.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said catch mechanism comprises at least one component subject to a magnetic force in the presence of a magnetic field.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein application of said magnetic field is effective to move said catch mechanism to said position.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said catch mechanism is further moveable to a position in which a portion of said catch mechanism extends beyond said periphery.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein said containing element comprises an indent adapted to receive a finger of a user.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein said containing element is further configured to receive a memory card.

18. The system of claim 1 wherein said containing element comprises a document retaining member.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein said document retaining member includes a gripping element.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein said gripping element comprises a rib.

21. The system of claim 1 wherein said containing element comprises a hub configured to retain said item.

22. The system of claim 1 wherein said portion is configured to support a security tag.

23. The system of claim 3 wherein at least one of said first and second loops is configured to receive said portion.

24. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said lock further comprises a handle portion; and

,

when said containing element is locked, said handle portion is not enclosed in said containing element.

25. The system of claim 1 wherein said magnetic field is emitted by a magnetic decoupler.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein said magnetic field is configured to disengage said catch mechanism from said containing element.

27. The system of claim 1 wherein said lock further comprises a second catch mechanism attached to said portion and configured to be moved relative to said portion by a magnetic field.

28. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said catch mechanism is elongated and has a first end and a second end;

said first end is fixed to said portion at a position on said portion, said catch mechanism extending away from said position; and

said second end is movable with respect to said position.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein said second end is configured to move in a direction that is substantially circumferential to said position.

30. The system of claim 28 wherein:

said containing element has walls that define an enclosure only when said second containing element is closed;

said enclosure is configured to enclose said item; and

,

when said containing member is locked, said position is inside said enclosure.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein said enclosure:

comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, and four side walls;

defines at least one opening configured to be occupied by said lock; and

,

exclusive of said opening, is configured to completely enclose said item.

32. The system of claim 30 wherein at least part of the catch mechanism is configured to pass through one of said loops when said portion is passed through the same one of said loops.

33. The system of claim 32 wherein said enclosure:

has a top wall, a bottom wall, and four side walls;

defines an opening configured to be occupied by said lock; and

,

exclusive of said opening, is configured to completely enclose said item.

34. The system of claim 30 wherein one of said enclosure members is configured to interfere with said second end when, in the absence of said magnetic field, said portion is urged out of from said containing element.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein one of said loops is configured to interfere with said second end.

36. The system of claim 30 wherein said catch mechanism is configured to be removed entirely from said containing element when said containing element is closed.

37. The system of claim 1 wherein said catch mechanism is:

mechanically biased to engage one of said loops to prevent withdrawal of said lock from said containing element; and

configured to be magnetically moved away from the same one of said loops to configure said lock for removal from said containing element.

38. The system of claim 37 wherein said catch mechanism is configured to be removed entirely from said containing element when said containing element is closed.

39. The system of claim 1 wherein said catch mechanism is configured to be removed entirely from said containing element when said containing element is closed.

40. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said catch mechanism is elongated and has a first end and a second end;

said first end is fixed to said portion at a position on said portion, said catch mechanism extending away from said position; and

said second end is movable with respect to said position;

wherein;

said second end is configured to move in a direction that is substantially circumferential to said position;

said containing element has walls that define an enclosure only when said second containing element is closed;

said enclosure is configured to enclose said item; and

,

when said containing member is locked, said position is inside said enclosure.

41. The system of claim 40 wherein said enclosure:

comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, and four side walls;

defines at least one opening configured to be occupied by said lock; and

,

exclusive of said opening, is configured to completely enclose said item.

42. The system of claim 41 wherein at least part of the catch mechanism is configured to pass through one of said loops when said portion is passed through the same one of said loops.

43. The system of claim 42 wherein one of said loops is configured to interfere with said second end.

44. The system of claim 43 wherein said catch mechanism is configured to be removed entirely from said containing element when said containing element is closed.

45. The system of claim 44 wherein said catch mechanism is:

mechanically biased to engage one of said loops to prevent withdrawal of said lock from said containing element; and

configured to be magnetically moved away from the same one of said loops to configure said lock for removal from said containing element.

46. The system of claim 45 wherein at least one of said loops is at least partially defined by a portion of a structure having a C-shaped cross-section.

47. The system of claim 45 wherein at least one of said loops is at least partially defined by a portion of a structure having a U-shaped cross-section.

48. The system of claim 45 wherein at least one of said loops is at least partially defined by a structure having a cross-section that is open on one side.

49. The system of claim 1 wherein said catch mechanism is configured to be removed entirely from said containing element when said containing element is closed.

50. The system of claim 49 wherein at least one of said loops is at least partially defined by a portion of a structure having a C-shaped cross-section.

51. The system of claim 49 wherein at least one of said loops is at least partially defined by a portion of a structure having a U-shaped cross-section.

52. The system of claim 49 wherein at least one of said loops is at least partially defined by a structure having a cross-section that is open on one side.