SECURITY CABINET

Abstract

A cabinet for displaying goods that designed to minimize the opportunity for tampering. Assisting in such improved tamper resistance are: a welded steel frame around the (two) glass door, having a high flange in front in which the doors are installed from the rear of the frame and upon assembly of the case, are captured on the back side by the bottom panel and the top panel assembly with a top reinforcing channel and covering flange that prevents the top from being pried off the door frame as well as side reinforcing angle channels that prevent the end panels from being pried off of the door frame.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention finds use in the field of retail displays. In particularly, this invention relates to an enhanced security cabinet that allows display of wares that is more resistant to tampering or break-ins, thus reducing the instances of theft of such goods.

2. Background

Many retail establishments display high priced, desirable, or otherwise easily stolen items in security cabinets. Typically, such cabinets are square or rectangular and are constructed of metal on five of six sides. The front of the cabinet is open but covered by sliding or otherwise movable glass or other transparent material door(s) that can be locked. Items may be held by shelves, pegs, or other display means known in the art. While generally effective, such cabinets are not impervious to tampering or break-ins, such as through prying off the top or sides of the cabinet where two or more surfaces attach or at the glass door or doors.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The subject inventive cabinet is designed to minimize the opportunity for tampering. More specifically, the following features, either alone or in combination, assist with such tamper resistance:

1) There is a welded steel frame around the (two) glass door, having a high flange in front. The doors are installed from the rear of the frame and upon assembly of the case, are captured on the back side by the bottom panel and the top reinforcing channel.

2) A top reinforcing channel and covering flange prevents the top from being pried off the door frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific embodiments of the invention have been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and are shown in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of the specification wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front, exploded perspective view of the security cabinet of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear, perspective exploded view of the security cabinet of the instant invention.

FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the upper right-hand corner of the security cabinet of FIG. 2. with the doors not shown;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the assembled security of the instant invention; and

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the assembled security cabinet of the instant invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the security cabinet 10 of the instant invention is generally comprised of door assembly 20, side panel 30, back side panel 40, top panel 50 and bottom panel 60. Also shown are reinforcement channels 34 that attach between and to the door assembly 20 and sides 30. All components are attached to one another at the appropriate junctures by screws, rivets or other securing means known in the art. It is important to note that such securing means are fastened from the interior portion of the security cabinet 10 which provides for better tamper resistance. The assembled security cabinet is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The respective panels are preferably constructed of steel, aluminum, or other hardened metals and materials, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art.

The door assembly 20 generally comprises a welded metal frame 22 and doors 28. Each interior side of frame 22 contains channels 24 into which the doors fit and slide, with two channels apiece on the top and bottom portions of the frame 22. The doors 28 are fitted into the frame from the back portion of the frame which is otherwise from inside of the cabinet. This assists in retaining the doors 28 within the frame and the tamper resistance of the cabinet 10 in general. The frame 22 also contains a high flange 26 on the front portion that assists in preventing the doors 28 from being pried out of the frame. The doors 28 can be formed of tempered glass, laminated glass, Plexiglas or other transparent or translucent materials which are preferably break or tamper resistant and the edges containing the glass are preferably constructed of a durable material, such as aluminum or steel. Doors 28 may have rollers, wheels, bearings or other mechanisms that assist in the movement of the doors when opening or and closing. As can be appreciated, a locking mechanism is preferably present.

In addition to the features of the door assembly 20, improved tamper resistance of the disclosure security cabinet 10 is achieved through two features on top panel 50 and the use of reinforcement channels 34. Top panel 50 contains a reinforcing channel 52, best shown in FIG. 1. The use of the reinforcing channel 52 prevents the top panel 50 from being pried or dislodged from the frame 22 of the door assembly 20. The top panel also utilizes lip or flange 54 to further retard the ability to pry or dislodge the top panel for the frame 22. The doors are further retained on the back side by the bottom panel 60.

In addition to the structures, sequences, and uses immediately described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other modifications and variations can be made the method of the instant invention without diverging from the scope, spirit, or teaching of the invention. Therefore, it is the intention of the inventor that the description of instant invention should be considered illustrative and the invention is to be limited only as specified in the claims and equivalents thereto.

Claims

1) A security cabinet comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, at least two side panels, and a door assembly interposed between said top panel and said bottom panel, wherein:

a) said door assembly comprises a frame having a front and a back and four sides, where at least one side has a flange, and at least one door wherein said at least one door is installed from the back of said frame;

b) the top panel further comprises an integral top reinforcement channel that mates to one side of the door assembly and a flange that overlaps said one side of the door assembly.

2) The security cabinet of claim 1 wherein the door assembly further comprises the sides having inner portions having channels, wherein said at least one door is slidingly mated therein.

3) The security cabinet of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of side reinforcing channels attached to and between the side panels and the sides of the door assembly.

4) The security cabinet of claim 1 wherein said cabinet further comprises and interior portion and said top panel, bottom panel, at least two side panels and door assembly are attached to each other using securing means that are secured from the interior of the cabinet whereby said securing means are accessible from the interior of the cabinet.

5) The security cabinet of claim 1 wherein said at least one door is formed from a transparent break resistant material selected from the group consisting of Plexiglas, tempered glass and laminated glass.

6) A tamper resistant cabinet for displaying and securing goods comprising:

a) a door assembly comprising a frame having four sides welded together, a front portion and a back portion, wherein each of side contains at least one channel in the interior portion thereof, two doors fitted into said channels and mounted from the back portion of said frame and at least one flange on said front portion that is parallel and covers a portion of the doors;

b) a top panel containing a reinforcement channel that mounts to and overlaps one side of the door assembly and a lip portion that covers a portion of the doors;

c) a bottom panel;

d) a rear panel;

e) two side panels that attach to the top, bottom and rear panels; and

f) two side reinforcing channels, each of which are interposed between and attached to one side of the door assembly and one side panel.