Lockable storage container for recorded media

Abstract

A lockable media storage container has a sliding member that is movable between locked and unlocked positions. In the locked position, the sliding member engages the lid to hold the lid in the closed position. A blocking member prevents the sliding member from moving from the locked position to the unlocked position until the blocking member is intentionally broken. In another embodiment of the invention, a clip or a pair of clips are used to hold the media storage container in the closed condition. The container remains locked until the clip is intentionally destroyed. The clip may be destroyed by the retail clerk or by the consumer when the container is removed from the retail establishment. Both of these embodiments are described as being used with a standard-sized jewel case.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application serial No. 60/336,594 filed Dec. 4, 2001; the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention generally relates to storage containers for recorded media and, more particularly, to a lockable media storage container that is sized the same as a standard jewel box.

[0004] 2. Background Information

[0005] Jewel boxes for compact discs have become widely accepted over the past twenty years. Although jewel boxes are commonly used to store compact discs, they may be used for any type of media disc that has the same, or lesser, diameter as the compact disc. For instance, a jewel box may be used to hold a mini disc or a DVD.

[0006] Retail establishments desire locking devices that prevent the disc from being readily removed from the jewel box. Although various types of locks and locking containers have been developed, the art lacks a lockable jewel box that is easy to manufacture, use, and unlock while providing a secure container that frustrates shoplifters.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The invention provides a lockable media storage container that has a sliding member that is movable between locked and unlocked positions. In the locked position, the sliding member engages the lid to hold the lid in the closed position. A blocking member prevents the sliding member from moving from the locked position to the unlocked position until the blocking member is intentionally broken. In one embodiment of the invention, the member is an element of a jewel box-sized storage container.

[0008] In another embodiment of the invention, a clip or a pair of clips are used to hold a jewel box in the closed condition. The container remains locked until the clip is intentionally destroyed. The clip may be destroyed by the retail clerk or by the consumer when the container is removed from the retail establishment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the spine of the first embodiment of the invention showing the locking clip detached with the sliding member in the locked position.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the spine of the first embodiment of the invention showing the locking clip attached with the sliding member in the locked position.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a top view of a portion of the first embodiment of the invention showing the relative position of the literature holding tab with the sliding member in the locked position.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a section view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention with the blocking member cut and dropped down into the container.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the sliding member in the unlocked position.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a section view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

[0016] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the lockable media storage container showing the four main elements of the container.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention in a closed and locked condition.

[0018] FIG. 10 is a top view of a portion of the second embodiment of the invention showing the relative position of the literature holding tab with the sliding member in the locked position.

[0019] FIG. 11 is a section view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10.

[0020] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention with the blocking member cut.

[0021] FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 10 showing the sliding member in the unlocked position.

[0022] FIG. 14 is a section view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 13.

[0023] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of the lockable media storage container with a pair of locking clips detached from the container.

[0024] FIG. 16 is a section view taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 15.

[0025] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the lockable media storage container with a pair of locking clips attached to the container.

[0026] FIG. 18 is a section view taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 17.

[0027] FIG. 19 is a section view taken along line 19-19 of FIG. 17.

[0028] Similar numbers refer to similar elements throughout the specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The first embodiment of the lockable media storage container of the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral 100 in FIGS. 1-7. The exemplary embodiment of container 100 is sized to have the same footprint and thickness as a standard jewel box that is sized to run through automated loading equipment.

[0030] Container 100 generally includes a base 102 and a lid 104. Lid 104 is connected to base 102 with a hinge. The hinge may include a pair of pins that extend towards each other from the spine end of base 102. Container 100 also includes a media storage tray 106 that has any of the variety of hubs adapted to hold items of recorded media such as CDs and DVDs that are typically sold in jewel boxes. In this embodiment of the invention, tray 106 functions as a lock slide that is slidably carried by base 102 between locked and unlocked positions. Container 100 also includes a lock clip 108 that locks tray 106 in the locked position until the user destroys a portion of clip 108.

[0031] Container 100 is used by loading an item of recorded media onto tray 106 and then closing lid 104. Tray 106 is connected to base 102 by appropriate connectors that allow tray 106 to slide back and forth between the locked and unlocked positions. Lid 104 is then closed and tray 106 is then slid out to the locked position to hold lid 104 closed. Tray 106 may only slide a relatively small distance such as the exemplary distances (0.060-0.100 inches) to lock lid 104 in place. Clip 108 is snapped into tray 106 with a pair of locking fingers 110 that are received in lock finger openings 112 formed in tray 106 in a one-way snap fit connection. Clip 108 is snapped into the shelf 115 of tray 106.

[0032] Clip 108 includes a blocking member 114 that prevents tray 106 from moving back to the unlocked position. Clip 108 includes a pair of bridges 116 that are configured to be cut with a standard pair of household scissors. When bridges 116 are cut, blocking member 114 drops down into base 102 and tray 106 may be slid to the unlocked position shown in FIGS. 5-7.

[0033] Tray 106 engages the literature holding tabs 120 of lid 104 when tray 106 is in the locked position. Tray 106 defines openings 122 that are slightly larger than the profile of tabs 120 such that tabs 120 may be moved through openings 122 to allow lid 104 to pivot to the open position. FIG. 3 shows the locked position wherein the body of tray 106 interferes with tabs 120 with FIG. 6 showing the alignment of tabs 120 with openings 122. Lid 104 may include four tabs 120 to create a secure connection.

[0034] The second embodiment of the lockable media storage container of the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral 200 in FIGS. 8-14. The exemplary embodiment of container 200 is sized to have the same footprint and thickness as a standard jewel box that is sized to run through automated loading equipment.

[0035] Container 200 generally includes a base 202 and a lid 204. Lid 204 is connected to base 202 with a hinge. The hinge may include a pair of pins 205 that extend towards each other from the spine end of base 202. Container 200 also includes a media storage tray 206 that holds the item of recorded media to be held by container 200. Container 200 further includes a lock slide 207 that is slidably carried by base 202 between locked and unlocked positions. Lock slide 207 is disposed between tray 206 and base 202. Lock slide 207 includes a blocking member 208 that engages another portion of container 200 to prevent container from being unlocked until blocking member 208 is severed from lock slide 207. Lock slide 207 includes the spine wall 209 of container 200 when lock slide 207 is in the unlocked position.

[0036] Container 200 is used by loading an item of recorded media onto tray 206. Tray 206 is then positioned over lock slide 207 with the locking hooks 211 of tray 207 extending up through tray 206. In another embodiment of the invention, hooks 211 remain under tray 206. In both of these embodiments, hooks 211 are configured to engage the literature holding tabs 220 projecting from lid 204. Tabs 220 are disposed high on the sidewall of lid 204 when hooks 211 project up through tray 206 and are disposed low on the sidewall (position 220A of FIG. 8) of lid 204 when hooks remain under tray 206. The two positions are depicted in FIG. 8. When tabs 220A are disposed low on the sidewall of lid 204, tabs 220 may also project from the high position and may be used to hold printed literature.

[0037] Lock slide 207 is connected to base 202 by appropriate connectors that allow lock slide 207 to slide back and forth between the locked and unlocked positions. When in the unlocked position, lid 204 may be opened because hooks 211 are not hooked on tabs 220. In the locked position, hooks 211 engage tabs 220 to prevent lid 204 from being opened.

[0038] Lock slide 207 is held in the locked position by blocking member 208 until it is severed. Tray 206 defines an opening 230 that allows the user to insert the tips of scissors through tray 206 in order to sever member 208. Once severed, blocking member 208 stops preventing lock slide 207 from sliding and the user may slide lock slide 207 to the unlocked position. Appropriate barbs or locking fingers may be provided between lock slide 207 and base 202 to prevent lock slide 207 from moving back to the locked position.

[0039] The third embodiment of the lockable media storage container of the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral 300 in FIGS. 15-19. The exemplary embodiment of container 300 is sized to have the same footprint and thickness as a standard jewel box that is sized to run through automated loading equipment.

[0040] Container 300 generally includes a base 302 and a lid 304. Lid 304 is connected to base 302 with a hinge. The hinge may include a pair of pins that extend towards each other from the spine end of base 302. Container 300 also includes a media storage tray 306 that is carried by base 302. Container 300 also includes a lock clip 308 or a pair of lock clips 308 that lock tray container 300 in a locked position until the user destroys a portion of clip 308.

[0041] Base 302 and lid 304 define locking finger openings 310 configured to receive the locking fingers 312 projecting outwardly from clip 308. In one embodiment, locking fingers 312 may include barbs that lock clip 308 onto container 300 when fingers 312 are inserted into openings 310. In another embodiment of the invention, fingers 312 are free of barbs so that they may be removed from container 300 after clip 308 is severed. When fingers 312 are free of barbs, secondary locking fingers 314 are used to connect clip 308 to base 302 and lid 304. Base 302 and lid 304 may define openings or ledges 316 that receive fingers 314 in a snap fit connection. Clip 308 is design to be severed by household scissors so that lid 304 may be opened. Once clip 308 is severed, the two halves may be removed from container 300.

[0042] Base 302 and lid 304 may define recesses 320 that cooperate to form a common recess sized slightly larger than clip 308 so that clip 308 does not protrude from base 302 and lid 304 when clip 308 is locked in place. Clip 308 thus allows a standard-size jewel case to be securely locked.

[0043] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

[0044] Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Claims

1. A lockable media storage container comprising:

a base;

a lid including at least two literature holding tabs;

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

a lock slide having a locking portion disposed between the lid and the base when the lid is in the closed position;

the lock slide movable between locked and unlocked positions;

in the locked position, the lock slide engaging the literature holding tabs of the lid to lock the lid in the closed position; and

the lock slide adapted to hold an item of recorded media.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the lock slide includes a hub adapted to hold one of a CD and a DVD.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the hub is connected to the locking portion of the lock slide.

4. The container of claim 1, further comprising a lock clip disposed between the lock slide and the base; the lock clip adapted to hold the lock slide in the locked position.

5. The container of claim 4, wherein the lock clip includes a blocking member that engages the base when the lock slide is in the locked position to prevent the lock slide from moving from the locked position to the unlocked position.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein the blocking member is adapted to be severed from the lock clip.

7. The container of claim 6, wherein the base defines a chamber adjacent the blocking member to receive the severed blocking member to allow the lock slide to moved from the locked position to the unlocked position.

8. The container of claim 4, wherein the lock clip is snap fit to the lock slide.

9. The container of claim 1, wherein the base and lid have external dimensions substantially the same as a standard jewel box when the lid is closed and the lock slide is in the unlocked position.

10. The container of claim 1, wherein the lock slide defines openings sized to allow the literature holding tabs to pass through the openings when the lid is moved from the closed position to the open position with the lock slide in the unlocked position.

11. The container of claim 10, wherein the openings of the lock slide are not aligned with the literature holding tabs when the lock slide is in the locked position.

12. An improved jewel box for holding CDs and DVDs, the jewel box having a base and a lid connected to the base and movable between open and closed positions; the lid including at least one literature holding tab; the jewel box further including a tray adapted to hold the CD or DVD; the improvement comprising: the tray being movable between locked and unlocked positions wherein the tray engages the literature holding tab in the locked position to prevent the lid from moving from the closed position to the opening position.

13. The improvement of claim 12, wherein the tray defines an opening that allows the literature holding tab to pass through the opening when the lid is moved from the closed position to the open position with the lock slide in the unlocked position.

14. The improvement of claim 12, wherein the lock clip includes a blocking member that engages the base when the lock slide is in the locked position to prevent the lock slide from moving from the locked position to the unlocked position.

15. The improvement of claim 14, wherein the blocking member is adapted to be severed from the lock clip.

16. A lockable media storage container comprising:

a base;

a lid including at least two literature holding tabs;

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

a tray positioned between the lid and the base when the lid is in the closed position; the tray adapted to hold an item of recorded media;

a lock slide having a locking portion disposed between the tray and the base;

the lock slide movable between locked and unlocked positions; and

in the locked position, the lock slide engaging the literature holding tabs of the lid to lock the lid in the closed position.

17. The container of claim 16, wherein the tray defines openings adjacent the literature holding tabs when the lid is closed; the lock slide including hooks that project up through the openings of the tray.

18. The container of claim 17, wherein the hooks of the lock slide engage the literature holding tabs of the lid when the lid is closed and the lock slide is in the locked position.

19. The container of claim 16, wherein the lock slide includes a blocking member that engages the base to prevent the lock slide from moving from the locked position to the unlocked position.

20. The container of claim 19, wherein the tray defines an opening aligned with the blocking member that allows the blocking member to be severed.