Device for locking a media disc to a retaining hub

• US 20030024834A1
• Filed: 10/01/2002
• Published: 02/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autronic Plastics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nexpak Corporation
• Inventors: Byrne, James M., Myszka, Kevin E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,675,962 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 locking device for a disc retaining hub;

the disc retaining hub being configured to retain a disc-shaped item of recorded media;

the locking mechanism comprising;

a base;

a head configured to lock to the base;

one of the base and head adapted to pass through the disc retaining hub to lock the base and head to the disc retaining hub;

the head being configured to prevent a disc from being removed from the disc retaining hub when the head is locked to the base; and

the base including a post adapted to extend through the disc retaining hub;

the post lockingly engaging the head.

2. The locking device of claim 1, wherein the post defines a first locking finger and the head defines a second locking finger;

the first and second locking fingers lockingly engaging each other when the head is locked to the base.

3. The locking device of claim 1, further comprising an EAS tag connected to the base.

4. The locking device of claim 1, wherein the head includes a dome-shaped outer wall.

5. The locking device of claim 4, wherein the head includes a downwardly extending wall;

the locking fingers of the head extending inwardly from the downwardly extending wall.

6. The locking device of claim 5, wherein the downwardly extending wall defines spaced openings.

7. The locking device of claim 4, wherein the dome-shaped outer wall defines a plurality of shelves.

8. 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; 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.

9. The combination of claim 8, further comprising an EAS tag carried by the base.

10. The combination of claim 8, wherein the post includes a locking finger that engages the head in a one way snap fit connection.

11. The combination of claim 8, wherein the lid may move between the open and closed positions when the base and head of the disc retaining device are locked together.

12. The combination of claim 11, wherein the head of the disc retaining device is trapped between the lid and the base of the container when the lid is closed.

13. The combination of claim 8, wherein the disc retaining hub includes protrusions 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.

14. The combination of claim 13, wherein the disc-shaped item of recorded media may freely rotate when held on the disc retaining hub and when the base and head of the disc locking device are locked together.

15. The combination of claim 8, wherein the base of the disc locking device includes a locking finger that snap fits to the base of the container.

16. The combination of claim 8, wherein the head of the disc locking device includes a dome shaped outer wall.

17. The combination of claim 8, 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.