Abstract: A display sign mountable on a support surface where at least some of the information displayed thereon needs to be changed periodically. The sign includes a housing with one or more pockets defined therein, where an interior of each pocket is visible through an associated window on the housing. A set of display cards is receivable in each pocket in the housing. Each display card has different text or graphics thereon. Individual display cards may be selectively withdrawn from the set of display cards by grasping a tab on that particular display card and pulling the display card out of the pocket. The removed display card may be inserted in front of an outermost display card that was previously visible through the associated window. A single display card that is free of tabs may be inserted into one of the pockets and remain substantially permanently visible through the associated window.

Abstract: A display sign mountable on a support surface where at least some of the information displayed thereon needs to be changed periodically. The sign includes a housing with one or more pockets defined therein, where an interior of each pocket is visible through an associated window on the housing. A set of display cards is receivable in each pocket in the housing. Each display card has different text or graphics thereon. Individual display cards may be selectively withdrawn from the set of display cards by grasping a tab on that particular display card and pulling the display card out of the pocket. The removed display card may be inserted in front of an outermost display card that was previously visible through the associated window. A single display card that is free of tabs may be inserted into one of the pockets and remain substantially permanently visible through the associated window.

Abstract: A signage system and a method of using the same. The system includes a base plate with front and rear surfaces; one or more signs engageable with the base plate; each sign having a rear surface positionable adjacent the front surface of the base plate; a boss extending outwardly from the rear surface of the sign or a front surface of the base plate; and an aperture defined in the other of the rear surface of the sign or the front surface of the base plate; wherein the boss is received in the aperture; and wherein the sign is moveable relative to the base plate between an unlatched position and a latched position; and when in the latched position the boss is not removable from the aperture. A locking member is engageable with the base plate to selectively prevent relative movement between the signs and the base plate.

Abstract: A power strip is described which includes a first unit containing a connecting member and an electrical outlet, wherein the first unit is electrically connected to a plug; and (b) a second unit electrically connected to the first unit, the second unit containing an electrical outlet and a complementary connecting member that is complementary to the connecting member of the first unit, wherein the second unit is removably attached to the first unit by cooperation of the connecting member of the first unit and the connecting member of the second unit.

Abstract: A video cassette storage container formed as a one-piece member of polypropylene where the container has a smooth outer contour and configured sidewalls and hinge area to provide an extremely aesthetically pleasing and efficient storage container. The container further has square feet on one end thererof for endwise standing of the video storage container. The container also has a recessed front for easy opening where the recessed front is also arcuate or scalloped so as to extend inward into the container to assist in holding and centering video cassette tape. The container also has ribs on the inner surface thereof which automatically centers the video cassette and its associated literature into the storage container during manual insertion of a cassette therein.

Abstract: A power strip is described which includes a first unit containing a connecting member and an electrical outlet, wherein the first unit is electrically connected to a plug; and (b) a second unit electrically connected to the first unit, the second unit containing an electrical outlet and a complementary connecting member that is complementary to the connecting member of the first unit, wherein the second unit is removably attached to the first unit by cooperation of the connecting member of the first unit and the connecting member of the second unit.

Abstract: A video cassette storage container formed as a one-piece member of polypropylene where the container has a smooth outer contour and configured sidewalls and hinge area to provide an extremely aesthetically pleasing and efficient storage container. The container further has square feet on one end thereof for endwise standing of the video storage container. The container also has a recessed front for easy opening where the recessed front is also arcuate or scalloped so as to extend inward into the container to assist in holding and centering video cassette tapes. The container also has ribs on the inner surface thereof which automatically centers the video cassette and its associated literature into the storage container during manual insertion of a cassette therein.

Abstract: A video cassette storage container formed as a one-piece member of polypropylene where the container has a smooth outer contour and configured sidewalls and hinge area to provide an extremely aesthetically pleasing and efficient storage container. The container further has square feet on one end thereof for endwise standing of the video storage container. The container also has a recessed front for easy opening where the recessed front is also arcuate or scalloped so as to extend inward into the container to assist in holding and centering video cassette tapes. The container also has ribs on the inner surface thereof which automatically centers the video cassette and its associated literature into the storage container during manual insertion of a cassette therein.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance security device securable to an article to be protected from theft where the device includes a strap that is wrapped around or inserted through the article, and then tightly secured within a housing of the device that includes an electronic article surveillance tag. The housing has smooth tamper resistant seams and edges and a locking device for securely holding the strap once inserted therein. The strap includes ribs that are engageable within the housing by locking fingers and lips, all of which define a one-way locking mechanism that allows for insertion of the strap but denies removal once inserted. In at least one embodiment of the invention, a locking mechanism is provided that may be unlocked such that the security device may be reused with various articles.

Abstract: A universal opener for use with security packages used in conjunction with cases containing compact discs, audio cassettes, video cassettes, and video game cartridges. The universal opener has three sets of three pins each, that are spaced apart so as to unlock security packages of differing designs, sizes, uses, and arrangements. The universal opener also having a lock thereon for disabling the pins such that unlocking of the security packages is prohibited.

Abstract: A reusable plastic package for securely holding and displaying a rectangular article such as a compact disc. This reusable plastic package includes a housing having a rectangular-shaped storage compartment for selectively storing an article in the compartment. The storage compartment has an access opening for inserting and removing the article into and out of the compartment. An adjacent smaller compartment functions as a lock compartment whereby a slide plate is slidably mounted thereon and selectively movable across a portion of the access opening of the storage compartment for releasably securing the article in the storage compartment. Deflectable locking levers are formed within the lock compartment and engage with mating projections formed on the slide plate when the slide plate is in the locked position for securing the article within the package due to a portion of the slide plate blocking the access opening.

Abstract: A reusable plastic package for securely holding and displaying a rectangular article such as a compact disc includes a housing having large and small compartments formed on opposite ends for selectively storing an article in the larger of the compartments. The large compartment has an access opening for inserting and removing the article into and out of the compartment. The small compartment functions as a lock compartment whereby a lock plate is slidably mounted thereon and selectively movable across a portion of the access opening of the larger storage compartment for releasably securing the article in the larger storage compartment. Magnetically releasable locking levers are formed within the lock compartment and interengage with mating projections formed on the lock plate when the lock plate is in a selected locked position for securing the article within the package due to a portion of the lock plate blocking the access opening.

Abstract: A storage rack for retaining software devices having a variety of configurations. A one-piece body is formed with a central platform having a pair of side support racks with aligned grooves for receiving an edge of a CD ROM package. A central support rack is positioned below the grooves and intermediate the side support racks such that CD ROM packages supported within the grooves of the side support racks are suspended over the central support rack. The central support rack is formed with a plurality of equally spaced dividers, with each divider having an elongated slot extending transversely along its length and on either side thereof.

Abstract: A security device which includes a locking member, a ratchet member, and a plurality of cables. The cables extend through both a fastener and a base of the locking member and are wrapped around all six sides of a book or box-like structure. The fastener is releasably snap-fitted into the base and secured therein by a pair of metal tines. The ratchet member includes a housing containing a gear and bearing member which are latched together in a spaced relationship to form a reel and a pawl. A bottom plate encloses the contents of the housing. The gear includes a multi-sided key hole, a plurality of openings to secure enlarged ends of the cables therein, and a plurality of teeth. The gear and bearing member each include an annular nub which sits in and rotates around a corresponding bearing surface of the bottom plate and housing, respectively. The pawl has a catch and a resilient spring and communicates with the gear to allow the ratchet member to be turned only in one direction.

Abstract: A storage rack for retaining software devices having a variety of configurations. A one-piece body is formed with a central platform having a pair of side support racks with aligned grooves for receiving an edge of a CD ROM package. A central support rack is positioned below the grooves and intermediate the side support racks such that CD ROM packages supported within the grooves of the side support racks are suspended over the central support rack. The central support rack is formed with a plurality of equally spaced dividers, with each divider having an elongated slot extending transversely along its length and on either side thereof.

Abstract: A reusable plastic package for securely holding and displaying a rectangular article such as a compact disc. This reusable plastic package includes a housing having large and small compartments formed on opposite ends for selectively storing an article in the larger of the compartments. The large compartment has an access opening for inserting and removing the article into and out of the compartment. The small compartment functions as a lock compartment whereby a slide plate is slidably mounted thereon and selectively movable across a portion of the access opening of the larger storage compartment for releasably securing the article in the larger storage compartment. Magnetically releasable locking levers are formed within the lock compartment and interengage with mating projections formed on the slide plate when the slide plate is in a selected locked position for securing the article within the package due to a portion of the slide plate blocking the access opening.

Abstract: An improved video cassette storage container includes a lid hingedly mounted to a base and movable between open and closed positions. The hinge provides a rounded outer spine and the base and lid have smooth curved radiused edges to provide an attractive and sleek external configuration. The peripheral walls of the base and lid are substantially equal in height and form a centrally located closure line when the container is in the closed position. A front wall of each of the base and lid is recessed to form an overhang portion to facilitate opening of the storage container. A pair of parallel spaced guide rails extend from an inner surface of the lid and center a VHS tape as the tape slides into the storage container during loading and packaging thereof. A plurality of ramped ribs extend from a pair of end walls and front wall of the lid to provide a camming surface which assists in guiding the tape between the guide rails.

Abstract: A support shelf amounts on a computer monitor for supporting multi-media speakers or other office related items above a horizontal work surface. A base positively locks to an upright in one of a plurality of angularly adjusted positions which allow the upright to support the base horizontally on a titled monitor. The upright has a mounting plate which attaches to the top of the monitor and supports a panel which extends vertically along the side of the monitor. An adjustment plate extends perpendicularly from the bottom of the panel above the work surface and has an inverted V-shape with a flange extending from each side thereof. The base has a square-shaped support surface with a top lip to prevent the speaker or other items from sliding off of the shelf. A bracket is formed with a plurality of horizontally aligned spaced channels on the bottom of the base for receiving the adjustment plate to mount the base to the upright.

Abstract: A video cassette package insert is formed of a continuous strip of plastic, preferably in an hourglass configuration. The insert has spaced parallel end walls and concavely curved side walls and has a length and width substantially equal to a VHS cassette and is slidably placed within the hollow interior of an outer cardboard display sleeve. The sleeve includes identifying information on its outside surface about a recorded program on a video cassette to be contained therein. The frame walls are inclined to increase the stiffness and to enable a plurality of the inserts to be stacked in a nested relationship for shipment and storage. The sleeve may be wrapped in clear plastic after placement of the insert therein for subsequent display on a rack.