초록 ▼

Apparatus (19) for holding information storage media, such as a CD or DVD, in combination with a releasable security member (8) insertable into the apparatus for inhibiting removal of the storage media from the apparatus, e.g. by inhibiting access to the storage media by locking the apparatus in a c

Apparatus (19) for holding information storage media, such as a CD or DVD, in combination with a releasable security member (8) insertable into the apparatus for inhibiting removal of the storage media from the apparatus, e.g. by inhibiting access to the storage media by locking the apparatus in a closed configuration and/or by locking the storage media to the apparatus. The apparatus is adapted, e.g. by knowing one or more slots (12, 24) therein, to receive part of the security member therein and the security has at least one projection (9A, 10A) for inserting into the apparatus, e.g. through the slot (12, 24). Modification t the apparatus to enable it to receive a security member are described as well as different types of security members. Apparatus for releasing the security member from the apparatus holding the storage media is also described.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. Apparatus for use in holding information storage media, the apparatus comprising a case having a base portion and a lid portion moveable relative to each other between open and closed positions, and a releasable security member comprising a first projection and a second

The invention claimed is: 1. Apparatus for use in holding information storage media, the apparatus comprising a case having a base portion and a lid portion moveable relative to each other between open and closed positions, and a releasable security member comprising a first projection and a second projection both extending from a head portion in a first direction, the base portion being adapted to receive the first projection and the lid portion being adapted to receive the second projection so that, when the first and second projections are respectively received by the base and lid portions, the base and lid portions are thereby held in the closed position with the head portion located adjacent an external surface of the case, the first projection comprising a flat strip which, when the first projection is received by the base portion, is inserted through an aperture in an external wall of the base portion and extends at least part way across the base portion closely adjacent and substantially parallel to an inner surface of the base portion, said strip carrying a locking device arranged to releasably retain the security member in a locked position within the case once the strip has been inserted into the base portion, said locking device carried by the strip comprising a metal component the position of which can be altered by application of a magnetic force. 2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 comprising a holding member on the base portion for releasably holding information storage media; the releasable security member being insertable into the base portion so as to interact with the holding member to inhibit the holding member from releasing the information storage media. 3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 in which a security tag is carried by the first projection or the second projection of the releasable security member, removal of the security tag being inhibited until withdrawal of the security member from the case. 4. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 in which the head portion of the security member fits within a recess in the exterior of the case when the first and second projections are received by the base and lid portions. 5. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 in combination with a release device arranged to provide a first magnetic force in a first direction to release the locking device and a second magnetic force in a second direction to at least partially withdraw the security member from the case. 6. Apparatus for use in holding information storage media, the apparatus comprising a case having a base portion and a lid portion moveable relative to each other between open and closed positions, and a releasable security member comprising a first projection and a second projection both extending from a head portion in a first direction, the base portion being adapted to receive the first projection and the lid portion being adapted to receive the second projection so that, when the first and second projections are respectively received by the base and lid portions, the base and lid portions are thereby held in the closed position with the head portion located adjacent an external surface of the case, the first projection comprising a flat strip which, when the first projection is received by the base portion, is inserted through an aperture in an external wall of the base portion and extends at least part way across the base portion closely adjacent and substantially parallel to an inner surface of the base portion, said strip carrying a locking device arranged to releasably retain the security member in a locked position within the case once the strip has been inserted into the base portion, wherein to release the security member from the locked position it is necessary to push the security member further into the case to allow the locking device to be released. 7. Apparatus for use in securing information storage media within a case having two spaced apart apertures therein, the apparatus comprising a releasable security member comprising a first projection and a second projection both extending from a head portion in a first direction in spaced apart parallel planes for respectively engaging the spaced apart apertures, the first projection comprising a flat strip, said strip carrying a locking device for retaining the first projection within the case once said strip has been inserted into the case, the locking device being releasable upon application of a first magnetic force in a direction perpendicular to said first direction, and the head portion being provided with a metal insert whereby a second magnetic force can be applied to the head portion in a direction parallel to said first direction to assist in withdrawing the security member from a case upon release of the locking device. 8. The apparatus as recited in claim 7 in which the locking device carried by the strip comprises a metal arm the position of which can be altered by application of a magnetic force. 9. The apparatus as recited in claim 7 in which the first projection extends further from the head portion than the second projection, the first projection having a length sufficient to carry said locking device, the second projection having not more than sufficient length to engage one of the apertures in the case. 10. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, further comprising a case having a base portion and a lid portion moveable relative to each other between open and closed positions, wherein the base portion is adapted to receive the first projection of said security member and the lid portion is adapted to receive the second projection of said security member so that, when the first and second projections are respectively received by the base and lid portions, the base and lid portions are thereby held in the closed position with the head portion located adjacent an external surface of the case, and wherein the base portion has an aperture in an external wall of the base portion that receives the fiat strip of the security member such that the flat strip extends at least part way across the base portion, and wherein the locking device carried by the flat strip is arranged to retain the security member in a locked position within the case once the strip has been inserted into the base portion, and the locking device is adapted to be actuated as the first projection is inserted into the base portion to prevent withdrawal of the security member from the case until release of the locking device. 11. Apparatus for use in housing information storage media comprising a case having a base portion and a lid portion moveable relative to each other between open and closed positions, the apparatus being adapted to receive a releasable security member comprising first and second projections both extending in a first direction from a head portion in spaced apart parallel planes, the base portion being adapted to receive the first projection and the lid portion being adapted to receive the second projection so that, when the first and second projections of the security member are respectively received by the base and lid portions, the base and lid portions are thereby held in the closed position with the head portion located adjacent an external surface of the case, the base portion having a first aperture in an external wall thereof adapted to receive the first projection in the form of a flat strip closely adjacent and substantially parallel to an inner surface of the base portion, the base portion also having an engagement member for engaging a locking device carried by the flat strip once the flat strip has been inserted into the base portion so as to retain the first projection within the base portion. 12. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 in which the base portion and lid portion are joined by a hinge portion and a recess is provided in the exterior of the case at a position opposite said hinge portion, the first aperture in the base portion being located within said recess and the lid portion being adapted to receive the second projection of the security member within said recess. 13. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 in which the base and lid portions have barrier walls to inhibit access to all edges of said head portion when the head portion is located against an exterior surface of the case. 14. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the base and lid portions have inter-engageable parts adjacent said first aperture which engage each other when the lid and base portions are in the closed position for resisting relative movement therebetween in the first direction once the security member has been inserted into the case, the inter-engageable parts comprising a ridge and a groove shaped to receive the ridge. 15. Apparatus for use in housing information storage media comprising a case having a base portion and a lid portion moveable relative to each other between open and closed positions, the apparatus being adapted to receive a releasable security member comprising first and second projections both extending in a first direction from a head portion in spaced apart parallel planes, the base portion being adapted to receive the first projection and the lid portion being adapted to receive the second projection so that, when the first and second projections of the security member are respectively received by the base and lid portions, the base and lid portions are thereby held in the closed position with the head portion located adjacent an external surface of the case, the base portion having a first aperture in an external wall thereof adapted to receive the first projection in the form of a flat strip adjacent and substantially parallel to the base portion, the base portion also having an engagement member for engaging a locking device carried by the flat strip once the flat strip has been inserted into the base portion so as to retain the first projection within the base portion, the apparatus further comprising a holding member on the base portion for holding information storage media, a first slot being provided beneath the holding member for receiving the first projection, the first slot being in alignment with the first aperture. 16. The apparatus as recited in claim 15 comprising an upstand on the base portion for surrounding information storage media held in the apparatus, a second slot being provided in the upstand to allow the first projection of the security member to be inserted therethrough, the second slot being in alignment with the first slot and the first aperture. 17. Apparatus for use in housing information storage media comprising a case having a base portion and a lid portion moveable relative to each other between open and closed positions, the apparatus being adapted to receive a releasable security member comprising first and second projections both extending in a first direction from a head portion in spaced apart parallel planes, the base portion being adapted to receive the first projection and the lid portion being adapted to receive the second projection so that, when the first and second projections of the security member are respectively received by the base and lid portions, the base and lid portions are thereby held in the closed position with the head portion located adjacent an external surface of the case, the base portion having a first aperture in an external wall thereof adapted to receive the first projection in the form of a flat strip adjacent and substantially parallel to the base portion, the base portion also having an engagement member for engaging a locking device carried by the flat strip once the flat strip has been inserted into the base portion so as to retain the first projection within the base portion, wherein the security member is insertable into the case against the resistance of a resilient arm provided in the case, the resilient arm being adapted to assist in at least partially ejecting the security member from the case when the locking device is released. 18. Apparatus for use in housing information storage media comprising a case having a base portion and a lid portion moveable relative to each other between open and closed positions, the apparatus being adapted to receive a releasable security member comprising first and second projections both extending in a first direction from a head portion in spaced apart parallel planes, the base portion being adapted to receive the first projection and the lid portion being adapted to receive the second projection so that, when the first and second projections of the security member are respectively received by the base and lid portions, the base and lid portions are thereby held in the closed position with the head portion located adjacent an external surface of the case, the base portion having a first aperture in an external wall thereof adapted to receive the first projection in the form of a flat strip adjacent and substantially parallel to the base portion, the base portion also having an engagement member for engaging a locking device carried by the flat strip once the flat strip has been inserted into the base portion so as to retain the first projection within the base portion, the apparatus further comprising a releasable security member comprising a first projection and second projection both extending from a head portion in the first direction, the first projection comprising a flat strip, said strip carrying a locking device arranged to retain the security member in a locked position within the case once the strip has been inserted into the base portion, and the case further comprising a weak portion arranged such that force applied thereto causes at least one of the base and lid portions to fracture without moving the base and lid portions to the open position.