Security container with linked primary and secondary security features

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/595,020, filed Nov. 9, 2006, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/371,570, filed Feb. 21, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,194,879; the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention generally relates to security storage containers and, more particularly, to a security container with linked primary and secondary security features. Specifically, the present invention relates to a security container having linked security features wherein a forced defeat of the primary security feature activates the secondary security feature. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, activation of the secondary security device damages the item of merchandise received in the container.

[0004] 2. Background Information

[0005] Many different types of security storage containers are known in the art. Most security storage containers are intended to securely lock an electronic article surveillance (EAS) device to an item of merchandise in order to frustrate shoplifters. Known devices include six-sided boxes that receive items of merchandise, frames that surround portions of merchandise, and straps that pass through or around portions of merchandise. These devices are especially effective against impulse shoplifters. Although also effective against professional shoplifters, the professional shoplifter will eventually obtain a sample of the security storage container and determine a quick method for defeating the container. For instance, the shoplifter may develop a pick that opens the lock of the device. The shoplifter may also use a tool that breaks a portion of the device rendering its security function useless. Once a shoplifter breaks a security device, the item of merchandise protected by the device may be separated from the device wherein the item of merchandise is no longer protected by the EAS tag.

[0006] When items of merchandise are displayed in six-sided security containers, shoplifters have been known to pry the lid open or to strike the lid of the container against a solid object in the store until the lid breaks allowing the shoplifter to remove the item of merchandise. Manufacturers of security storage containers have responded to these attacks by beefing up the security storage containers making them harder and harder to break open. Although these efforts have been successful, the clear plastic materials that allow the customer to view the contents of the security container have strength limitations that make it all but impossible to design a container that can be affordably manufactured while preventing all entry by breakage. The art thus desires a secondary security feature that is activated when a security storage container is attacked with force.

[0007] The invention provides a security storage container having a primary security feature that is adapted to be locked and unlocked with an appropriate key. The security storage container includes a secondary security feature that is activated when the security storage container is opened without first unlocking the lock with the key. The secondary security feature frustrates the shoplifter who defeats the primary security feature by force.

[0008] In one embodiment, the invention provides a security storage container having a secondary security feature in the form of prongs that are moved to an extended position when the primary security feature of the container is defeated. In the extended position, the prongs will at least damage the item of merchandise protected by the security storage container. The extended position of the prongs may also further lock the item of merchandise within the security storage container.

[0009] In another embodiment, the invention provides a security storage container having a secondary security feature in the form of tearing prongs that are adapted to damage the item of merchandise protected by the security storage container when the primary security feature of the container is defeated by force.

[0048] Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the specification.

[0049] An exemplary embodiment of the security storage container of the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral 2 in the accompanying drawings. Security storage container 2 includes a primary security feature that may be unlocked with a key to allow the item of merchandise protected by container 2 to be removed from container 2 and sold to a customer. Security storage container 2 also includes a secondary security feature that is activated only when the primary security feature is defeated by force. The secondary security feature functions by locking the item of merchandise to a portion of security storage container 2 or by damaging a portion of the item of merchandise. FIGS. 1-21 show a first exemplary embodiment of security storage container 2. FIGS. 22-29 show an alternative embodiment of the secondary security feature for the exemplary embodiment of security storage container 2. FIGS. 30-38 show alternative positions for either embodiment of the secondary security feature. The secondary security feature of the present invention may be used with a wide variety of security storage containers having a primary security feature. The exemplary security storage container 2 shown in the accompanying drawings is provided as the best mode embodiment for this application.

[0050] Security storage container 2 is in the form of a six-sided box having a frame or base 4 and a lid 6 that is connected to base 4 and movable between open and closed positions. Base 4 is sized to receive an item of merchandise 8 and lid 6 cooperates with base 4 to surround and secure item 8 when lid 6 is in the closed position. In the exemplary embodiment, container 2 is adapted to receive items 8 of recorded media such as CD or DVD packages. Other embodiments of security container 2 may be configured to hold other types of items 8 such as computer software boxes, books, jewelry boxes, electronics boxes, and the like. Base 4 is typically fabricated from a transparent material that allows the customer to view item 8. Base 4 may include windows 10 that reduce the amount of material used to fabricate base 4 and allow customers to directly view item 8.

[0051] Base 4 generally includes a front wall 12, a back wall 14, a right sidewall 16, a left sidewall 18, and a bottom wall 20. Walls 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 are disposed in the form of a 5-sided frame or box having an open end disposed opposite bottom wall 20. Lid 6 is connected to base 4 with hinges and closes the open end of the box when lid 6 is closed. Ribs 22 may be provided on the inner surface of any of the walls of base 4 to help position item 8 immediately adjacent or against the secondary security feature of container 2. In the exemplary embodiment, ribs 22 are located on the inner surface of back wall 14.

[0052] Lid 6 is adapted to carry the EAS tag 24 of container 2 in a compartment defined by lid 6. Lid 6 is typically fabricated from an opaque material so that an observer cannot determine if an EAS 24 is present. An observer also cannot determine how the primary security feature of container 2 is configured. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the primary security feature of container 2 locks lid 6 in the closed position with respect to base 4. The primary security feature thus includes a lock slide 30, a locking mechanism 32, and at least one lock tab 34 connected to base 4. Lock slide 30 is carried by lid 6 and selectively moveable between locked and unlocked positions. The locked position is depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6 with the unlocked position depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9. Locking mechanism 32 holds lock slide 30 in the locked position when locking mechanism 32 is in its locked position. Any of a variety of locking mechanisms 32 may be used to hold lock slide 30 in the locked position. These locking mechanisms include mechanically-actuated devices and magnetically-actuated devices. In the exemplary embodiment, a two finger, magnetically-actuated locking mechanism 32 is shown. The locking fingers of locking mechanism 32 may be moved from a locked position (FIG. 5) to an unlocked position (FIG. 7) through the use of an appropriate key 36 having magnets 38 positioned to align with the lock fingers when the key is correctly positioned with respect to lid 6. Locking mechanism 32 may be carried by either lid 6 or lock slide 30 and may engage the other of lid 6 and lock slide 30 depending on the particular design of locking mechanism 32 and key 36.

[0053] Lock slide 30 includes its own lock tabs 40 that engage lock tabs 34 of base 4 when lock slide 30 is in its locked position as depicted in FIG. 6. In this position, lid 6 cannot be pivoted to the open position and container 2 is locked. When the user wishes to access container 2, the user unlocks locking mechanism 32 and slides lock slide 30 to the unlocked position (FIG. 9) where lock tabs 40 of lock slide 30 disengage lock tabs 34 of base 4. In this position, lid 6 may be freely pivoted from the closed position to the open position. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, lid 6 defines an opening 42 that allows the user to access a finger tab 44 on lock slide 30 to slide lock slide 30 back and forth. In other embodiments, a projection from key 36 engages lock slide 30 to move lock slide 30 between the locked and unlocked positions.

[0054] The primary security feature of container 2 is thus adapted to lock lid 6 in the closed position with respect to base 4. Lock tabs 34 and 40 are typically integrally fabricated with lock slide 30 and base 4. Base 4 and lock tabs 34/40 are fabricated from a plastic material that may be fractured if attacked with sufficient force. Two methods of attacking tabs 34/40 are depicted in FIGS. 13 and 13A wherein container 2 is sharply struck against a rigid item 46 and is attacked with a pry bar 48. Once lock tabs 34 or 40 are broken or fractured, lid 6 may be opened without unlocking locking mechanism 32. The secondary security feature of the present invention functions to retain lid 6 when lock tabs 34 or 40 are broken and then, if lid 6 is opened, the secondary security feature of the invention functions to hold item 8 in base 4 or damage item 8 when item 8 is being removed from base 4. The damage to item 8 reduces its value and frustrates the shoplifter.

[0055] The secondary security feature of the present invention generally includes at least one prong 50 and a cover member 52 that holds prong 50 in an inactivated position until a portion of the primary security device is defeated. When a portion of the primary security device is defeated, cover member 52 moves to an activated position allowing prong 50 to move to an activated position to engage item 8. The engagement of prong 50 with item 8 will hold item 8 in base 4 or will damage item 8 if item 8 is forcibly removed from base 4 when prong 50 is engaging item 8. Cover member 52 is activated by the defeat of the primary security feature because cover member 52 is linked to a portion of the primary security feature. The link between the primary and second security features causes the secondary security feature to be activated when the primary security feature is defeated. In the exemplary embodiment, the link between the security features is through lock slide 30. Specifically, cover member 52 includes lock tabs 54 that align with lock tabs 34 of base 4 to engage lock tabs 40 on lock slide 30. In one embodiment, lock tabs 54 are fabricated from a material that does not fracture as easily as the material that forms lock tabs 34 thus causing lock tabs 54 to remain engaged with lock slide 30 after lock tabs 34 are destroyed. In another embodiment (such as shown in FIG. 22), lock tabs 54 are disposed in limited positions with respect to tabs 34.

[0056] In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, locking member 52 is in the form of a cover plate that extends across a substantial amount of the width of base 4. Cover plate 52 includes four lock tabs 54 as shown in FIG. 4. Cover plate 52 is disposed adjacent the inner surface of front wall 12 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. Cover plate 52 moves between the inactivated position of FIGS. 11 and 12 to the activated position of FIGS. 15-21. Cover plate 52 defines an opening 56 for each prong 50. Opening 56 is adapted to receive a portion of prong 50 when cover plate 52 is in the inactivated position as shown in FIG. 12. Opening 56 allows prong 50 to extend through cover plate 52 when cover plate 52 is in the activated position such that prong 50 may engage item 8 as shown in FIG. 15. Cover plate 52 also defines at least first 58 and second 60 ledges that are used to properly position cover plate 52 with respect to base 4 and prong 50.

[0057] Prong 50 is fixed with respect to base 4. As such, prong 50 does not move with cover plate 52. Prong 50 is, however, biased toward its activated position and is held in its inactivated position by cover plate 52. Prongs 50 will be held for a majority of their life in the inactivated position. Because of this fact, prongs 50 are fabricated from a material, such as spring steel, that does not lose its resiliency over time.

[0058] In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, prong 50 extends from a prong plate 62. Prong plate 62 is secured to front wall 12 of base 4 in an appropriate manner. One appropriate manner of securing prong plate 62 is to use a holding plate 64 on the outside of front wall 12 with feet 66 that extend through front wall 12 to engage openings 68 defined by prong plate 62 in a snap fit connection. The innermost ends of feet 66 may be flattened against plate 62 to provide a secure connection. Plate 52 may define openings 71 that accommodate feet 66. A perimeter wall 70 may be connected to front wall 12 to prevent one from prying holding plate 64 away from front wall 12. Prong plate 62 may also be received in a pocket formed on the interior surface of wall 12 or secured to the interior surface of wall 12 with an appropriate adhesive or with appropriate mechanical connectors such as rivets, screws, and the like.

[0059] Prong plate 62 includes a generally planar base plate from which prong 50 extends in a cantilevered fashion. The base plate of prong plate 62 defines an opening that receives prong 50 when prong 50 is compressed to its inactivated position. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, prong plate 62 includes four prongs 50. Each prong 50 includes a sharp razor-like tip that is adapted to tear into item 8 and at least deface item 8. Prong plate 62 further includes at least one stop 72 that prevents cover plate 52 from moving from its activated position to its inactivated position. In the exemplary embodiment, prong plate 62 includes four stops 72 that are positioned to engage first and second ledges 58, 60.

[0060] FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 show the relative positions of base 4, cover plate 52, and prong plate 62. FIG. 11 shows the manner in which cover plate 52 is held in place to trap prong plate 62 with prongs 50 in the inactivated position. FIG. 12 shows the inactivated positions of prongs 50 with stop 72 engaging first ledge 58. In FIGS. 10-12, lock tabs 54 of cover plate 52 are in the locked position and engage lock tabs 40 on lock slide 30. Cover plate 52 may be fabricated from a material that is different from the material of base 4 and lid 6 so that lock tabs 54 do not fracture or break if lock tabs 34 and 40 fracture and break. For instance, cover plate 52 may be fabricated from a thin metal material that will not fracture when struck against object 46.

[0061] Security storage container 2 is provided to the user with the secondary security feature in its inactivated position as shown in FIG. 10. The user opens lid 6 by unlocking the primary security feature. In this example, the user aligns key 36 with locking mechanism 32 and moves lock slide 30 to its unlocked position. The user then opens lid 6 and places item 8 inside base 4. In some situations, the user may wish to align a feature of item 8 with the secondary security feature so that the activation of the secondary security feature will cooperate with a feature on item 8. Exemplary features are shown in FIGS. 30-38. In FIGS. 30-38, item 8 is a media storage container that has openings 100 that are formed when literature clips are molded into item 8. Openings 100 are depicted in FIGS. 30-32. In the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIGS. 30-32, prongs 50 are positioned on base 4 to be aligned with opening 100 when item 8 is properly inserted into base 4. Opening 100 is thus a feature on item 8 that can be used in cooperation with the secondary security feature. Another feature on item 8 is shown in FIGS. 33-35. This feature is the concave opening 102 defined by the rear surface of item 8 where a disc hub 104 is formed. Concave opening 102 may be aligned with prongs 50 so that prongs 50 will cooperate with openings 102 when prongs 50 are activated as shown in FIG. 35. FIGS. 36-38 show a further secondary security feature wherein an opening 104 is formed in a wall of item 8 so that prong 50 will engage the merchandise inside item 8 as well as lock item 8 in place. When item 8 is a disc storage container, prong 50 will directly engage and damage the disc 106 as shown in FIG. 38. Destruction of disc 106 prevents the shoplifter from profiting from the theft.

[0062] After the user inserts item 8 into base 4, the user closes lid 6 and moves lock slide 30 to the locked position. Locking mechanism 32 will automatically move to the locked position to securely lock item 8 within container 2.

[0063] When the user unlocks locking mechanism 32 and moves lock slide 30 to the unlocked position, cover plate 52 is not disturbed and remains in its inactivated position and the secondary security feature is not activated. The secondary security feature thus does not interfere with the proper use of security device 2.

[0064] If, however, a shoplifter attempts to open security storage container 2 by destroying lock tabs 34 and 40, the secondary security feature will be activated. FIG. 13 shows device 2 being struck against object 46 in an attempt to break lock tabs 34 and 40. FIG. 13A shows the use of pry bar 48 to break open lid 6. FIG. 14 shows the successful fracture of lock tabs 34 that are connected to base 4. FIG. 14 also shows that lock tabs 54 on cover plate 52 are not fractured. After a shoplifter has broken tabs 34 in FIG. 14, the shoplifter opens lid 6 as shown in FIG. 15 in order to remove item 8. When this occurs, lock tabs 54 remain engage with lock tabs 40 of lock slide 30 and cover plate 52 is pulled from its inactivated position toward its activated position as shown in FIGS. 15-17. In FIG. 17, lock tabs 54 have slipped off of lock tabs 40 or have been bent by the force of lid 6 being opened. Regardless of the damage to lock tabs 54, prongs 50 are now in the activated position and locked in place by the interaction between stops 72 and second ledge 60 as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. In their activated position, prongs 50 are disposed against item 8 where they will tear or otherwise disfigure or damage item 8 if the shoplifter pulls item 8 from base 4. In the situations where prongs 50 are aligned with an indented feature of item 8 such as opening 100 (FIG. 30), concave opening 102 (FIG. 33), or opening 104 (FIG. 35), the activated position of prongs 50 will lock prong 50 against item 8 to prevent item 8 from being withdrawn from base 4. The secondary security device thus frustrates the shoplifter by damaging the item being stolen or by preventing the item from being removed from base 4.

[0065] If the shoplifter pulls directly on cover plate 52 in an attempt to remove cover plate 52 from base 4, the lower end 74 of cover plate 52 will wedge under prongs 50 causing prongs 50 to push harder against item 8 as shown in FIGS. 15-21. The corner of lower end 74 may be angled to facilitate this wedging action.

[0066] An alternative embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIGS. 22-29 with many of the same reference numerals being used to identify similar components despite some changes in the structure or number of the components. Container 2 of FIGS. 22-29 functions in the same manner as described above and thus includes the primary and secondary security features that are linked together to frustrate shoplifters. In this embodiment, opposing prongs 80 are disposed intermediate prongs 50 and deploy in a different direction to further engage item 8.

[0067] In this embodiment, the cover plate 82 is slidably carried adjacent the inner surface of front wall 12 in a pocket formed by ribs projecting from wall 12. Prong plate 84 is secured between cover plate 80 and front wall 12. Prongs 50 and 80 are cantilevered from prong plate 84. Prong plate 84 also includes stop 72 that engages ledge 58 when plate 82 is pulled out to the activated position. Cover plate 82 includes a retaining ledge 83 for each prong 50 and 80 that holds prong 50/80 in the inactivated position.

[0068] This embodiment of the invention is used in the same manner described above. If the primary security feature of lid 6 is defeated by force and the shoplifter opens lid 6, lock tabs 54 remain engaged with lock tabs 40 lock slide 30 and pull cover plate 82 to the activated position. In this position, prongs 50 and 80 engage item 8 and damage item 8 as shown at numeral 90 in FIGS. 26 and 28.

[0069] 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.

[0070] Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.