Package security device

Abstract

A security device for use in combination with a storage case having a cover that is movable relative to a base between opened and closed positions. The security device includes two arms which extend from opposite sides of a breakaway hub. Locking fingers depend from the two arms which can be snapped into corresponding securing holes provided on the storage case. Once the security device has been attached to the storage case, it can be broken into two pieces by removal of the breakaway hub with a key to remove it from the storage case.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is directed generally to a storage box, and more particularly towards a recorded media storage box and a security device for such a box.

[0002] At retail outlets, it is a common practice to display merchandise, and in particular recorded media merchandise, in its original packaging since such packages often carry appealing artwork for stimulating consumer interest. Recorded media that is typically sold in its original packaging includes, among other things, compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), other optical discs, prerecorded audio cassette tapes, and prerecorded movie video cassettes. In addition to being displayed in their original packaging, prerecorded media merchandise is often placed within customers' access, instead of being locked up in display cabinets, in order to allow the customer to pick up and handle the merchandise.

[0003] To prevent unauthorized removal of the content of such openly displayed packages, various security devices have been developed in order to resist removal of the content from the package absent application of a very strong physical force, unless the security device is first properly released at a checkout point. Such security devices can also make the package tamper proof by ensuring that, unless first properly released at a checkout point, the content of the package cannot be tampered with without causing noticeable change to the physical appearance of the package.

[0004] A number of previously proposed security devices use an “encasement approach” in which the package to be secured is placed into a lockable case, often of a similar or bigger size than the package itself. Patents that disclose examples of the encasement approach include U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,914 issued Aug. 2, 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,769 issued Feb. 21, 1989; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,283 issued May 18, 1993. The encasement approach can be undesirable in that it can alter the appearance of the package, often obscuring the appealing artwork on the package, thus mitigating the original purpose of openly displaying the package. The encasement approach can also increase physical size of the package, thereby reducing shipping efficiency and resulting in higher costs. Furthermore, the encasing approach requires a different device be made for securing packages of different sizes, and that special-purpose equipment be used in applying the encasement, resulting in a lack of flexibility.

[0005] Other security devices have adopted configurations which involve the insert and release by deformation of locking fingers. In such an approach, the locking device is typically a plate with one way locking hooks (or fingers). Such fingers are pressed against openings on a cover and/or base of a package and eventually pressed into such openings when they are sufficiently deformed. They then return to their normal position to secure the locking device in place, which holds both the cover and base rendering the package locked. To release the lock plate, a “key” of a proper shape is inserted to push and deform the locking fingers so that they can once again clear the edges of the respective openings into which they have been locked, and the locked plate can then be pulled out and the package opened again. Examples of such security devices can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,185 issued Aug. 31, 1999, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,280 issued Aug. 24, 2000. Security devices using deformable locking fingers, have heretofore had limited flexibility for the following reasons. In order to make it possible for the locking fingers to be deformed using only human effort at a checkout point (where no power tools are commonly available) these locking fingers are generally made of a resilient and relatively weak material such polypropylene. In order to ensure that the locking fingers made of such relatively weak materials will provide sufficient locking strength, the locking fingers must be made relatively large which results in them taking up a lot of holding space on the package. Additionally, the prior art locking finger devices typically require that the cover and base lips over lapping each other, greatly restricting the packages to which the approach can be applied. In particular, such devices are not easily adaptable to smaller packages such as DVD cases or CD cases as these cases need to be designed and made in particular ways that provides sufficient holding surfaces.

[0006] Another potential drawback of previous deformable finger security boxes is that the locking function relies mainly on the resilient characteristics of the locking fingers. The locking fingers are generally so resilient that they can be bent and will return to normal repeatedly. If the locking plate from which the fingers extend is ever removed (for example with a stolen or duplicated key or other means) and content tempered with, the lock plate can be reinserted with no noticeable signs of tampering.

[0007] Other packaging solutions have adopted a tear strip approach in which a locking plate that secures a cover and base of a package together includes a tear strip that can be torn away, thus releasing the cover and base and allowing the package to open. An example of the tear strip approach can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,931,291 issued Aug. 3, 1999. One potential drawback of such an approach is once the tear strip has been removed, the package ends up with the unsightly appearance of having been damaged.

[0008] It is therefore desirable to provide a security device for use in combination with a storage container which can secure the package with minimal impact on the aesthetic appeal of the artwork on the package. It is also desirable to provide such a device which can be used on a wide range of packages of different shapes and sizes, which requires no special equipment for its application, and which provides a visible indication of package tampering while at the same time minimizing the acetic impact on the package when the security device has been removed in an authorized manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An improved lock device for use in combination with a storage box, such as a recorded media storage box, is provided according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0010] According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a security device for use in combination with a rigid storage box having at least first and second securing holes located therein for receiving locking fingers, the security device comprising a central hub, a first arm extending from the central hub and having a first locking finger projecting therefrom for snap-fitting into the first securing hole, and a second arm extending from the central hub in a direction substantially opposite the first arm and having a second locking finger projecting threrefrom for snap-fitting into the second securing hole. The central hub, first arm and second arm are formed as a unitary structure with breakable portions being located between the central hub and the first and second arms, respectively, such that the central hub can be broken away from the first and second arms to allow the first and second arms to be moved relative to each other to permit the first locking finger and the second locking finger to be withdrawn from the first securing hole and second securing hole, respectively. Preferably, a key receptacle is formed on the central hub for receiving a key for twisting the central hub to break it away from the first and second arms.

[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided A recorded media storage box that includes a case having a base with a wall with at least one base securing hole therein and a cover connected to the base and movable between a closed position in which a media storage space is defined between the cover and the base, and an open position, the cover having a wall with at least one cover securing hole therein. The wall of the base and the wall of the cover being juxtaposed when the cover is in the closed position. The storage box also includes a one-piece rigid security device for mounting on the case to resist unauthorized opening thereof, the security device having at least one base locking finger extending from a first portion thereof and at least one cover locking finger extending from a second portion thereof, the base locking finger and the cover locking finger being positionable in the base securing hole and the cover securing hole, respectively, when the cover is in the closed position to prevent movement of the cover to the open position, the locking fingers and securing holes being arranged to require movement of the first and second portions of the security device relative to each other to release the locking fingers from the base and cover once the locking fingers are positioned in the respective securing holes, the security device having a breakaway portion intermediate the first and second portions which when broken away from the security device permits the first and second portions of the security device to be moved relative to each other thereby enabling the locking fingers to be removed from the securing holes.

[0012] Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a recorded media storage case according to the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the storage case of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the storage case of FIG. 1 having a security device inserted therein according to the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a side view of a security device of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the security device of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the security device according to the present invention;

[0020] FIGS. 7-9 are partial sectional views illustrating the attachment of a security device to a recorded media storage case according to the present invention;

[0021] FIGS. 10-13 are partial sectional views illustrating removal of the security device from the recorded media storage case;

[0022] FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a key used to remove the security device according to the present invention.

THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] With reference to FIG. 1, an open recorded media storage box or case 10 is illustrated. FIG. 2 shows a front plan view of the case 10 in closed position and FIG. 3 shows a front plan view of the case 10 in a closed position with a security device 12 according to preferred embodiments of the present invention locking the case 10 in its closed position. The illustrated case 10 can be used to secure an optical disc such as a CD or DVD and in this regard may include a mounting hub 14 (see FIG. 1) upon which an optical disc can be mounted within the case 10. In a manner consistent with known recorded media storage cases, the case 10 includes a base 16 and a cover 18 which is hingably connected to the base 16 for movement between a opened position, as shown in FIG. 1, and a closed position, as shown in FIG. 2. In the closed position, a storage space is defined between the base 16 and cover 18 in which the recorded media is positioned.

[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, the cover includes first and second cover side walls 20 and 22 which project along opposite side edges of a top cover wall 24. A front cover wall 26 projects from a front edge of the top cover wall 24 and extends between the first cover side wall 20 and the second cover side wall 22. The base 16 has a similar configuration to the cover 18 in that it includes first and second base side walls 28, 30 that project along opposite edges of a bottom base wall 32. A front base wall 34 projects from a front edge of the bottom base wall 32 and extends between the first base side wall 28 and the second base side wall 30. A back wall 36 hingably connects the cover 18 to the base 16. The back wall 36 may be a elongate rectangular member which is connected by a living hinge to the top cover wall 24 and by a further living hinge to the bottom base wall 32. The case 10 is preferably constructed from a resilient plastic material that has sufficient rigidity to protect the recorded media that is stored within the case.

[0025] When closed, the cover side walls 20, 22 and top cover wall 24 abut against corresponding edges of the base side walls 28, 30 and bottom base wall 32, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, an inwardly offset flange 38 is provided along each of the cover side walls 20, 22 to overlap inner portions of the base side walls 28, 30 when the cover is in the closed position. Similarly, inwardly offset flanges 40 may be provided along portions of the front cover wall 26 for overlapping inner portions of the front base wall 34 when the cover is in a closed position. Tabs (not shown) may be formed on flanges 44 for engaging tab receptacles (not shown) on an inner surface of the front base wall 34 in order to releasably secure the cover 18 in its closed position. It will be appreciated that many features of the case 10 as described above (excluding the security device 12) are commonly found in available recorded media storage cases. As will be appreciated from the following description, the novel aspects of the present invention can be employed with a number of different storage case configurations, including many configurations that vary from that described above.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the front base wall 34 and the top cover wall 24 each include an inwardly recessed base front wall portion 42 and a recessed cover front wall portion 44, respectively. In particular, the base front wall portion 42 and the cover front wall portion 44 are inwardly offset from an outer surface of the front base wall 34 and the front cover wall 26, respectively. As best seen in FIG. 2, when in a closed position, the front walls 26 and 34, including recessed wall portions 44 and 42, meet along a common boundary and are located adjacent each other. The recessed wall portions 44 and 42 provide a substantially rectangular cavity in which the security device 12 can be nested. According to preferred embodiments of the invention, a number of cover securing slots or holes 46A-46D are provided through the recessed cover front wall portion 44, and a number of based securing slots or holes 52A-D are provided through the recessed base front wall portion 42. The cover and base securing holes 50A-50D, 52A-52D are provided to receive corresponding snap-fit locking fingers 54A-54D and 56A-56D that are provided on the security device 12, and which can be observed in the side view of FIG. 4 and the bottom plan view of FIG. 5.

[0027] With reference to FIGS. 3-6, the security device 12 is a unitary rigid structure that includes first and second elongate arm portions 58 and 60, respectively, which extend in opposite directions from a central hub 62. As best seen in FIG. 6, the first and second arms 58, 60, are each connected to the central hub 62 by a plurality of linking plates 64. In the illustrated embodiment, three spaced apart linking plates 64 are used to connect the first arm 58 to the central connector 62, and three linking plates 64 are used to connect the second arm 60 to the central hub 62. The central hub 62 includes a key receptacle 68 (which is Y-shaped in the illustrated embodiment) for receiving a key 66 (see FIG. 10) as will be explained in greater detail below. The linking plates 64 provide a means by which the central hub 62 can be broken-away from the security device 12. In particular, when the key 66 is used to rotate the hub 62, the shear forces applied to linking plates 64 cause the plates 64 to break, thus physically separating the first and second arms 58, 60 of the security device 12 from each other. Once separated, the two arms can be moved relative to each other which allows them to be removed from the case 10.

[0028] An overview of the various components of the security device and storage case of the present invention having been provided, an example of the use of the security device in conjunction with the storage case will now be provided as follows. Reference is first made to FIGS. 7-9 which show in partial sectional view a security device 12 being secured to a closed storage case 10. In FIGS. 7-9, a side view of the security device 12 is illustrated in combination with a cross-sectional view of the case 10 which has been taken along the lines IX-IX of FIG. 3. Accordingly, FIGS. 7-9 illustrate the interaction of the security device 12 with the base 16 of the case 10. However, as can be appreciated from FIGS. 2-6, the security device 12 is bi-symmetrical along its longitudinal axis in the illustrated embodiment, and accordingly its interaction with the cover 18 is similar to its interaction with the base 16.

[0029] FIG. 7 shows the security device 12 as it is moved towards the front base wall 34 of the closed storage case 10, as indicated by directional arrows 70. In the preferred embodiment, the longitudinal length of the security device 12 closely matches, but is less than an opening through the front base wall 34 that permits access to the recessed based front wall 42. Referring again briefly to FIG. 3, the width of the first and second arms 58 and 60 as identified by the letter W, is close to but smaller than the width of the recess that is collectively defined by the front cover wall 26 and the front base wall 34. Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, a recess or cavity is defined within the front base wall 34 and front cover wall 26 that closely resembles the footprint of the security device 12.

[0030] Turning again to FIG. 7, as the security device 12 is moved toward the front of the case 10, each of the locking fingers 56A-D is aligned with a respective base securing hole 52A-D. The locking fingers 56A-56D which depend from the arms of the security device each have a barb or latching flange 72 located at the end thereof. Furthermore, each of the barbs 72 faces away from the central hub 62. Thus, the barbs on the locking fingers 56A and 56B on the first arm 58 face in the opposite direction of the barbs 72 on the locking arms 56C and 56D on the second arm 60. With reference to FIG. 8, the securing holes 52A-52D that are defined through the recessed base front wall portion 42 care sufficiently sized to receive, barb first, a corresponding locking finger.

[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 8, each of the locking fingers 56A, 56D must be deformed in order to mount the security device 12 to the case 10. As illustrated by directional arrows 74 and 76, the barbed locking fingers on the first arm 58 and the second arm 60 are each deflected in opposing directions, namely towards the central hub 62, during mounting of the security device 12 on the storage case 10. With reference to FIG. 9, once the security device 12 has been fully mounted on the case 10, the locking fingers 56A-56D each move back to their natural undeflected positions with the barbs 72 each engaging an inner surface of the recessed base front wall 72, thereby locking the security device 12 in place to the storage case 10. In a similar manner, the cover locking fingers 54A-54D are each inserted and received within the corresponding cover securing holes 50A-50D that are located within the recessed cover front wall portion 44. The barbs 72 on each of the fingers prevent removal of the security device 12 away from the storage case 10 in the opposite direction of directional arrow 70.

[0032] Each of the securing holes 50A-50D and 52A-50A are preferably sized so that side ways movements of locking fingers 56A-56D and 54A-54D in a direction that corresponds to into or out of the paper in FIG. 9 is prevented. Furthermore, movement of the security device 12 in the direction indicated by arrows 78 in FIG. 9 is resisted by the locking fingers located on the first arm 58, and movement in the opposite direction illustrated by the arrows 80 is resisted by the locking fingers located on the second arm 60. In the event that a person tampering with the case 10 is able to move the locking device 12 in the direction indicated by arrows 78 a distance sufficient to allow the barbs 72 on the locking fingers 56C and 56D to be aligned with the respective security openings 52C and 52D, withdrawal of the security device 12 will be prevented by the barbs 72 on the security fingers 56A and 56B. Similarly, if the security device 12 is moved sufficiently in the direction indicated by arrows 80 such that the barbs 72 of the locking fingers 56A and 56B are aligned with the respective holes 52A and 52B, the barbs 72 on locking fingers 56C and 56 will still prevent removal of the security device 12.

[0033] Once the security device 12 has been installed on the case 10, one row of locking fingers 56A-56D engages the base 16 and the row of the cover locking fingers 54A-56D engages the cover 18 thus preventing opening of the storage case 10 without first removing the security device 12.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, additional restraint against lateral movement of the security device 12 is provided by the front cover wall 26 and the front base wall 34 as a result of the recessed nature of the base front wall portion 42 and cover front wall portion 44. With reference to FIG. 3, a portion 82 of the front cover wall 86 acts as a stop member to prevent movement of the security device 12 towards the top cover wall, and a portion 84 of the bottom cover wall 34 acts a stop member to prevent the security device 12 from being moved towards the bottom base wall 32. Similarly, movement of the security device 12 towards each of the sides of the case 10 (i.e., in the directions indicated by arrows 78 and 80) is also prevented by portions of the front cover wall 26 and front base wall 34 that act as stop members to prevent such motion. In addition to preventing lateral movement of the security device 12, the recessed cavity in which the security device is mounted configuration when mounted on the storage case 10 also makes it more difficult to pry the security device 12 off without the use of a tool having a thin enough blade to fit in the boundary where the outer peripheral edge of the security device 12 is received within the front cover wall 26 and the front base wall 34. Preferably, the fit around the edge of the security device 12 is tight enough that even with a thin edged tool it would be difficult to insert the tool to pry out the security device 12.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the security device 12 is constructed from a unitary piece of a strong plastic material such as general purpose polystyrene, which is very rigid. The use of a rigid material of relatively low resiliency permits a relatively small security device 12 to have sufficient strength to secure the storage case 10 in a closed position. As a result of its small size, the security device 12 takes up a relatively small footprint on the total surface area of the storage case 10, and as indicated in the illustrated embodiment can be located in an area where artwork is not normally required. In a preferred embodiment, as the security device 12 is made from a material having limited resilience, a conventional mechanical inserter is used to mount the security device 12 on the case 10 as such mechanical inserter can easily provide the increased force required to snap-fit the locking fingers in place (such force being greater for a less resilient material than for a less rigid, more resilient plastic). Such mechanical inserters are common equipment in the types of factories where recorded media packaged products are made.

[0036] In preferred embodiments, the configuration of the security device 12 is such that removal of the device 12 from the storage case 10 without affecting the structural integrity of the security device 12 is very difficult, if not impossible. With reference to FIGS. 10 to 14, a specially configured key 66 is used to remove the security device 12 by shearing the central hub 62 from the first and second arms 58 and 60 in the manner described below. FIGS. 10-13 are partial sectional views showing a side view of the key 66 and security device 12 and a cross-sectional view of the base 16 taken along the lines IX-IX of FIG. 3. FIG. 14 shows a top plan view of the key 66. With reference to FIG. 10, the key includes a shaft 86 which has a handle 88 at one end and a hub engaging portion 90 at the other end. The hub engaging portion 90 is configured to fit within the key receptacle 68, which in the illustrated embodiment takes the form of a Y-shaped cavity (see FIG. 6). FIG. 10 shows the key 66 located above the security device 12. In FIG. 11, the key 66 is shown with its having gauging portion 90 received within the key receptacle 68 of the central hub 62. The key 66 will generally be located at a checkout point in a retail store where the recorded medium is being purchased. An authorized person at the checkout can, by twisting the handle 86 to rotate the shaft 86 about its axis apply sufficient force to the central hub 62 to shear each of the linking plates 64 and thereby break the central hub 62 away from the remainder security device 12. FIG. 12 illustrates the two separated arms 58 and 60 of the security device 12 once the central hub 62 has been removed from the remainder of the security device. Removal of the security hub 62 allows the separated first and second arms 58, 60, to be moved relative to each other, and in particular in the illustrated embodiment, towards each other as indicated by arrows 92 thus allowing the cover locking fingers 54A-54D and base locking fingers 56A-56D to be removed from the respective cover securing holes 50A-50D and base securing holes 52A-52D. Once the first and second arms 58, 60 are removed from the security device 10, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the cover 18 can be opened with respect to the base 16.

[0037] It will be appreciated from the above description that the security device of the present invention will interfere very little with the artwork on the recorded media storage case 10. As the device is made of a strong plastic, a relatively small security device can provide sufficient strength to secure the case. The device can therefore be placed in an inconspicuous place along the connecting edge between the cover and the base where no artwork is usually placed. Furthermore, as a result of the small size of the security device used by the present invention, the device can be used in combination with a number of different box-style packages ranging from larger video cassette tape boxes to smaller packages such as DVD and CD cases. When the security device is received in a recessed portion or cavity as in the illustrated embodiment, application of the device causes no change in the package's external shape or size thereby minimizing any increase bulk in the packaging due to the security device. As the device is a relatively simple insert, its installation will typically require only a general purpose, one way mechanical inserter, which a commonly available piece of equipment. Additionally, the security device 12 provides a tamper indication. As it is very difficult to remove the security device without breaking it into pieces, attempts to remove or tamper with the content of the security case will leave a clearly noticeable sign, namely a broken or missing security device.

[0038] It will be appreciated that many different embodiments of the present invention could be implemented. For example, the Y-shaped key cavity 68 on the breakaway central hub 62 could be replaced with many other different types of key hole configurations. Preferably, key hole configurations which cannot be easily mated with conventional household tools would be used. More or fewer linking plate 64 could be used to secure the central hub 62 to the first and second arms 58 and 60 Furthermore, different linkage configurations could be used to provide the weaker portion connecting the central hub 62 to the first and second arms 58, 60. More or fewer locking fingers can be used on the device 12. Although the fingers have been illustrated as having barbs that are directed away from the central hub 62, in an alternative embodiment the barbs could be directed in other directions such as towards the hub 62. In some embodiments, the locking fingers may be located along the case itself, with the securing holes being formed through the security device 12. In some embodiments, an electronic article surveillance tag (EAS tag) may be imbedded in the security device 12. In some EAS applications, the security device 12 may be used primarily to carry the EAS tag and not play any role in securing the case in a closed position. In some embodiments, the cover and base walls through which the securing holes are formed may overlap, with the same locking finger passing through securing holes located in both the base and the cover. In some embodiments where the case is sufficiently rigid, the securing device may be received within a recess in the cover or base and the locking fingers received within a wall that is attached to only the other of the cover or base. As illustrated, the security device has been received on a front wall portion of the case 10. However, the security device could also be received on the side walls of the case 10. Additionally, the security device 10 could be used on cases in which the cover and base were connected in slidable relation to each other, rather than hingably connected together as shown in the illustrated embodiments. Although the above description has been focused primarily on recorded media, the security device could be used in combination with rigid storage boxes for other products as well.

[0039] While the preferred embodiments of the security device and storage box of this invention have been described with referenced to the attached drawings, it is understood that certain changes and modification may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A security device for use in combination with a rigid storage box having at least first and second securing holes located therein for receiving locking fingers, the security device comprising:

a central hub;

a first arm extending from the central hub and having a first locking finger projecting therefrom for snap-fitting into the first securing hole; and

a second arm extending from the central hub in a direction substantially opposite the first arm and having a second locking finger projecting threrefrom for snap-fitting into the second securing hole;

the central hub, first arm and second arm being formed as a unitary structure with breakable portions being located between the central hub and the first and second arms, respectively, such that the central hub can be broken away from the first and second arms to allow the first and second arms to be moved relative to each other to permit the first locking finger and the second locking finger to be withdrawn from the first securing hole and second securing hole, respectively.

2. The security device of claim 1 wherein a key receptacle is formed on the central hub for receiving a key for twisting the central hub to break it away from the first and second arms.

3. The security device of claim 2 further including a key for insertion into the key receptacle.

4. The security device of claim 1 wherein the central hub, first arm and second arm form an elongate structure, and a plurality of locking fingers project from each of the first arm and the second arm for snap-fitting into corresponding securing holes provided on storage box, the locking fingers projecting substantially parallel to each other in a direction that is substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the security device.

5. The security device of claim 4 wherein the locking fingers each have a barb on an projecting end thereof, the barbs on the locking fingers projecting from the first arm each facing in an opposite direction than the barbs on the locking fingers projecting from the second arm such that during snap-fitting of the locking fingers into the corresponding securing holes, the locking fingers on the first arm are deflected in a direction opposite that of the locking fingers on the second arm.

6. The security device if claim 5 wherein the barbs on the locking fingers face away from the central hub such that during snap-fitting of the locking fingers into the corresponding securing holes, the locking fingers on the first and second arms are deflected towards the central hub.

7. The security device of claim 5 wherein a key receptacle is formed on the central hub for receiving a key for twisting the central hub in a direction transverse to a direction in which the locking fingers extend to break it away from the first and second arms, the key receptacle being configured to receive a key from an opposite side of the security device from which the locking fingers project.

8. The security device of claim 5 wherein the security device is formed from general purpose polystyrene.

9. The security device of claim 1 wherein the central hub is connected to each of the first arm and the second arm by a plurality of linking plates that can be sheared by twisting of the central hub relative to the first and second arms.

10. The security device of claim 1 wherein an electronic article surveillance tag is embedded in the security device.

11. A recorded media storage box, comprising:

a case including (i) a base having a wall with at least one base securing hole therein; and (ii) a cover connected to the base and movable between a closed position in which a media storage space is defined between the cover and the base, and an open position, the cover having a wall with at least one cover securing hole therein, the wall of the base and the wall of the cover being juxtaposed when the cover is in the closed position;

a one-piece rigid security device for mounting on the case to resist unauthorized opening thereof, the security device having at least one base locking finger extending from a first portion thereof and at least one cover locking finger extending from a second portion thereof, the base locking finger and the cover locking finger being positionable in the base securing hole and the cover securing hole, respectively, when the cover is in the closed position to prevent movement of the cover to the open position, the locking fingers and securing holes being arranged to require movement of the first and second portions of the security device relative to each other to release the locking fingers from the base and cover once the locking fingers are positioned in the respective securing holes, the security device having a breakaway portion intermediate the first and second portions which when broken away from the security device permits the first and second portions of the security device to be moved relative to each other thereby enabling the locking fingers to be removed from the securing holes.

12. The recorded media storage box of claim 11 wherein the base locking finger and the cover locking finger are each configured for snap-fitting into the base securing hole and the cover securing hole, respectively, the base locking finger having a barb extending therefrom for engaging the wall of the base when positioned in the base securing hole and the cover locking finger having a barb extending therefrom for engaging the wall of the cover when positioned in the cover securing hole, the barbs facing in opposite directions such that the base locking finger and the cover locking finger are each deflected in opposite directions during positioning of the fingers in the respective securing holes.

13. The storage box of claim 11 wherein

the wall of the cover and the wall of the base each have plurality of cover securing holes and base securing holes, respectively, formed therein;

at least one base locking finger for snap-fitting in a corresponding base securing hole projects from each of the first and second portions; and

at least one cover locking finger for snap-fitting in a corresponding cover securing hole projects from each of the first and second portions;

the locking fingers each projecting substantially parallel to each other.

14. The storage box of claim 13 the locking fingers each have a barb on a projecting end thereof, the barbs on the locking fingers projecting from the first portion facing in a opposite direction of the barbs on the locking fingers projecting from the second portion such that the locking fingers on the first portion are deflected in an opposite direction than the locking fingers on the second portion during snap-fitting of the locking fingers into the corresponding securing holes.

15. The storage box of claim 13 wherein the breakaway portion is connected by shearable linking plates to the first and second portions and includes a key receptacle for receiving a key such that twisting of the breakaway portion by the key can detach the breakaway portion from the first and second portions.

16. The storage box of claim 11 wherein the wall of the base and the wall of the cover have peripheral edges that meet when the cover is closed, a portion of the wall of the base where the base securing hole is located being inwardly offset from other portions of the wall of the base and a portion of the wall of the cover where the cover securing hole is located being inwardly offset from other portions of the wall of the cover to define a cavity for receiving the security device when the cover is closed, the cavity being dimensioned so that the cover and base walls resist movement of the security device when the locking fingers are received within the respective securing holes.

17. A lockable storage box comprising:

a rigid case including a base and a cover connected together for movement between open and closed positions, the base and cover forming a storage compartment; and

a rigid security device of unitary construction for mounting on the rigid case to secure the case in the closed position, the security device having first and second arms extending from a breakaway member;

wherein locking means comprising cooperating locking fingers and securing holes are provided on the first arm, the second arm and the cover and base for mounting the security device to the cover and base to secure the case in the closed position, the locking means being configured to resist removal of the security device from the rigid case without movement of the first and second arms relative to each other, the breakaway member being removable from the security device to permit the first and second arms to be moved relative to each other thus permitting the case to be opened.

18. The lockable storage box of claim 17 wherein the base and cover have abutting walls on which the security device is mountable, a cavity being defined in the abutting walls for receiving the security device such that portions of the abutting walls act as stop members for preventing movement of the mounted security device.

19. The lockable storage box of claim 18 wherein the cavity is formed by inwardly offset portions of the abutting walls, securing holes being formed through said inwardly offset walls for receiving barbed locking fingers projecting from the first and second arms of the security device.

20. The lockable storage box of claim 18 wherein the breakaway member is configured to be sheared from the first and second arms by application of a twisting force thereto.