WO2008022392A1

WO2008022392A1 - An improved hub locking device

Info

Publication number: WO2008022392A1
Application number: PCT/AU2007/001209
Authority: WO
Inventors: Raymond Scicluna
Original assignee: Trade Guys International Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Trade Guys International Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-08-22
Filing date: 2007-08-22
Publication date: 2008-02-28
Anticipated expiration: 2009-02-22

Abstract

A hub locking device (100, 400 or 700) for a digital media product comprising a fastening key (110 or 500) having a central aperture (111, or 520) and a ledge (114) located on a wall of said central aperture and a locking button (130, 410 or 600) locatable within said central aperture. The fastening key comprises a plurality of resilient arms (115) which are receivable within a protrusion (210) located on a wall of a media storage device. More particularly, each resilient arm (115) includes a second mating portion (116) which engages with a first mating portion (211) located on protrusion (210). The hub locking device is locked when locking button (130, 410 or 600) secures second mating portion (116) to first mating portion (211).

Description

AN IMPROVED HUB LOCKING DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an anti-theft device. More particularly, this invention relates to a lockable media storage apparatus to prevent the theft of compact disks (CDs), digital video disks (DVDs) and other similar merchandise.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Due to a high storage capacity and durability, CDs and DVDs have become the storage device of choice for movies, computer programs and other forms of digital multimedia. The popularity of these goods and their size make CDs and DVDs a prime target of theft. As such retailers of these merchandise are unwilling to leave CDs and DVDs in cases prior to the point of sale and/or rental. Consequently, the customer must rely upon the shop attendant to locate where the CD or DVD is stored and insert it into the case.

This process provides an inefficient and cumbersome form of retail operation.

There are devices known in the art that are able to lock CDs/DVDs within the case that they are sold and/or rented. Hence, CDs and DVDs may be kept in their display cases on the store floor and the locking devices are removed at the point of sale or rental. If the cases are stolen with the DVDs/CDs located inside, the locking devices should prevent the thief from removing the CD/DVD from within the case without breaking the CD/DVD and hence rendering it unusable. Hence such locking devices act as a deterrent to would-be thieves.

The Applicants have previously developed a lockable media storage system described in International Publication Number WO04/107346, which includes a hub locking device comprising a clamping disc which is beatable on the hub of a CD/DVD. The clamping disc further includes a clamping arm and an enlarged portion receivable within an undercut of a circular protrusion integrally formed with a back wall of a media storage device. The hub locking device further includes a central aperture and a locking button located within the central aperture. The Applicants have also developed a locking device described in

International Publication Number WO05/019065, which discloses a hub locking device which is suitable for use in a rental environment. In particular, the hub locking device of this invention includes a clamping disc which is shaped to encompass the entire hub of the CD/DVD, a protrusion on an inner face of a wall of a storage case and a locking button. In use, a CD/DVD is retained on the hub by engagement of a button locking mechanism with a protrusion located on the hub. The CD/DVD is released from the hub locking device by removal of the locking button by a non-invasive force such as suction, a mechanical force or a magnetic force. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to overcome or at least alleviate one or more of the above problems and/or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest form, the invention resides in a hub locking device comprising: (a) a fastening key having: a central aperture; a ledge located on a wall of said central aperture; a plurality of resilient arms extending from said fastening key and receivable within a protrusion located on a wall of a media storage case, said protrusion having at least one first mating portion; and a second mating portion located on each said resilient arm, each said second mating portion engageable with said at least one first mating portion of said protrusion; and

(b) a locking button beatable within said central aperture of said fastening key; and wherein, said hub locking device is moveable between a locked position whereby said second mating portion is held in engagement with said at least one first mating portion and said locking button is in firm abutment with said fastening key and an unlocked position whereby said second mating portion is disengaged from said at least one first mating portion; whereby in use in the locked position said locking button is positioned below said ledge of said fastening key such that said locking button is inclined to bear against said ledge of said central aperture upon application of a force from beneath the locking button. Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, preferred embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts and wherein:

FIG 1 A shows a perspective view of a hub locking device according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG 1 B shows a sectional side view of the hub locking device shown in FIG 1A;

FIG 2A shows a perspective view of a hub from a media storage case; FIG 2B shows a sectional side view of a hub shown in FIG 2A; FIG 3 shows a sectional side view of a hub locking system according to an embodiment of the invention in an unlocked position;

FIG 4 shows a sectional side view of a hub locking system according to an embodiment of the invention in a locked position;

FIG 5 shows a sectional side view of additional features of the hub locking device shown in FIG 1A and 1 B; FIG 6 shows a sectional side view of a fastening key according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG 7 shows a sectional side view of additional features of the embodiment shown in FIG 6;

FIG 8A shows a perspective view of a fastening key according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG 8B shows a side view of the fastening key shown in FIG 8A;

FIG 8C shows a sectional side view of the fastening key shown in FIG 8A; FIG 8D shows a transverse sectional side view of the fastening key shown in FIG 8A;

FIG 9A shows a perspective view of a locking button according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG 9B shows a top view of the locking button shown in FIG 9A; FIG 10A shows a sectional side view through line A to A of the locking button in FIG 9B;

FIG 10B shows a sectional view through line A to A of the locking button shown in FIG 9B according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIG 10C shows a sectional view through line A to A of the locking button shown in 9B according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG 11 shows a sectional side view of a hub locking device according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG 1A and FIG 1B show a perspective and sectional side view respectively of a hub locking device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hub locking device 100 comprises a fastening key 110 and a locking button 130. Fastening key 110 comprises a raised central portion 117 and a plurality of resilient arms 115 which extend downwardly from a ledge 114 located at the interface between raised central portion 117 and a top surface of resilient arm 115. A second mating portion in the form of a foot portion 116 is formed at the lower extent of each resilient arm 115.

Fastening key 110 comprises at least a fastening member 120 which extends from raised central portion 117. In the embodiment, two fastening members 120 outwardly extend from raised central portion 117.

Fastening member 120 comprises a flange 121 and a foot portion 122 for engagement with a top of a digital media product.

Fastening key 110 further comprises a central aperture 111 formed through the raised central portion 117 and by the plurality of resilient arms

115. Central aperture 111 is divided into upper central aperture 112 and lower central aperture 113 wherein upper central aperture 112 has a smaller diameter than lower central aperture 113.

Advantageously, although not exclusively, fastening key 110 is manufactured from a plastic material which has elastic properties such as Lubricomp DL4530.

Hub locking device 100 further comprises a locking button 130 which is of a size such that locking button 130 is receivable within central aperture 111 of fastening key 110.

Locking button 130 has a step 131 and a cavity 132. Furthermore, locking button 130 is moveable within central aperture 111 as will be discussed in greater detail below. Preferably, locking button 130 is manufactured from a material with rigid properties so as to prevent malicious removal of locking button 130 from the hub locking device 100. Suitably, the locking button 130 is moulded from a polycarbonate with rigid characteristics such as, but not limited to, LV11 UVNC-010.

FIG 2A and 2B show a perspective view and a sectional side view respectively of a hub 200. Hub 200 is formed on a wall 215 of a media storage case and comprises a circular protrusion 210 which forms a chamber 212. A digital media product 220 is receivable about circular protrusion 210 such that the digital media product 220 is supported by a seat portion 214 of the hub 200 and locking button 130 is supported by base portion 216..

Circular protrusion 210 further comprises a first mating portion in the form of square cut portion 211 adapted to receive foot portion 116 of each resilient arm 115. Square cut portion 211 is engageable with the foot portion 116 of each resilient arm 115. Moreover, hub 200 has an angled upper face

213.

Hub locking device 100 is moveable between a locked position whereby the foot portion 116 is held in engagement with at least one square cut portion 211 and locking button 130 is in firm abutment with the fastening key 110 and an unlocked position whereby at least one square cut portion 211 is disengaged from the foot portion 116. Hub locking device 100 functions to secure the hub 221 of digital media product 220, such as a CD or DVD, to circular protrusion 210 as will be described in more detail below with the reference to FIG 3 and FIG 4. FIG 3 shows a sectional side view of a hub locking system 300 in the unlocked position. Each foot portion 116 of resilient arm 115 of fastening key 100 abuts square cut portion 211 so as to stabilise fastening key 100 in position. During transition of resilient arm 115 into chamber 212 in order to achieve the unlocked position, foot portion 116 of resilient arm 115 initially moves along angled upper face 213 and subsequently along an inner face of circular protrusion 210. During this process, each resilient arm 115 is bent inwardly so as to facilitate passage through circular protrusion 210. Use of a flexible material such as, but not limited to, Lubricomp DL4530, facilitates insertion and removal of fastening key 110 into circular protrusion 210 and locking button 130 into fastening key 110.

In the unlocked position, locking button 130 is held in a raised position in upper central aperture 112 by engagement of ledge 114 of fastening key

100 with step 131 of locking button 130. Additionally, the underside of foot portion 122 of fastening member 120 contacts a top side of digital media product 220.

FIG 4 shows a sectional side view of hub locking system 300 in a locked position. A downward force is applied to locking button 130 such that locking button 130 is forced into lower central aperture 113 and step 131 is adjacent to foot portion 116 of resilient arm 115. Additionally, locking button 130 is firmly secured by abutment of a top side of locking button 130 with ledge 114 of fastening key 110. Moreover, in the locked position locking button 130 is located on base portion 216.

When hub locking system 300 is in a locked position, it is not possible to remove digital media product 220 as locking button 130 holds each foot portion 116 in engagement with square cut portion 211.

Digital media product 220 can only be safely removed by the disengagement of locking button 130 by a force applied from the top. FIG 5 shows a sectional side view of hub locking device 100 if a force is applied from underneath or alternatively, from above, locking button 130. The dimensions of locking button 130 have been tailored such that if a force is applied from underneath or alternatively, from above, locking button 130 when in a locked position, locking button 130 will become jammed by ledge 114. In particular, a diameter of locking button 130 is equivalent to a diameter of central aperture 111 and a height of locking button 130 is roughly equivalent to a clearance between ledge 114 and the lower surface of foot portion 116. In a preferred embodiment, the clearance between ledge 114 and the lower surface of foot portion 116 is slightly larger than the height of locking button 130.

A particular advantage conferred by the present invention is that in the locked position, locking button 130 does not extend from lower central aperture 113 into upper central aperture 112 or above 117. It can be readily appreciated that this arrangement of locking button 130 with respect to the top surface of the fastening key 110 prevents intentional dislodgement of locking button 130 by either a gripping device such as pliers or a sharp device such as a screwdriver. Furthermore, the nature of fastening member 120 provides that in the locked position, it is difficult to obtain leverage from under or from above the digital media product in order to release fastening key 110. Any attempt to tamper with fastening member 120 in such a manner will result in rotation of the fastening key 110 around the digital media product. Moreover, flange portion 121 is shaped so as not to encompass the entire surface area of hub 221 of digital media product 220 and can thereby provide convenient access to a barcode located on hub 221 of digital media product 220.

FIG 6 shows a sectional side view of a hub locking device 400 according to a further embodiment of the invention. Hub locking device 400 comprises a fastening key 110 and a locking button 410. Locking button 410 further comprises a step 411 , a cavity 412 and an opening 413. Opening 413 is approximately the same width as cavity 412.

FIG 7 shows a sectional side view of the hub locking device 400 if a force is applied from underneath locking button 410. If an attempt is made to dislodge locking button 410 from a locked position by use of a sharp instrument to apply a force from underneath or from above locking button 410, ledge 114 of fastening key 110 will prevent movement of locking button 410. In addition, the sharp instrument will become lodged in opening 413. It will be appreciated that the arrangement of hub locking device 400 will also prevent movement and subsequent dislodgement of locking button 410 if a force is applied from above locking button 410. Therefore, hub locking device 400 provides an effective anti-theft mechanism.

FIG 8A to 8D shows a number of different views of a further embodiment of a fastening key of the present invention. Fastening key 500 comprises a raised central portion 510, at least one fastening member 530 and a central aperture 520.

Raised central portion 510 of fastening key 500 further comprises a plurality of a teeth segment 511 which projects at regular intervals from a side surface 512 of raised central portion 510. As will be discussed below, preferably teeth segment 511 has a pointed shape.

Each fastening member 530 comprises a flange 531 , a foot portion 532 and a skirt 533. In the embodiment, the fastening key 500 has two fastening members 530. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that fastening key 500 may have a plurality of fastening members 530 extending radially from raised central portion 510. The skirt 533 extends downwardly from flange 531.

FIG 9A and FIG 9B show a perspective view and top view respectively of a locking button 600 according to yet a further embodiment of the present invention. Locking button 600 comprises a cavity 610, a spoke portion 620, an inner wall 630 and a lower surface 640.

Spoke portion 620 is situated at one end of cavity 610 and is moulded from a thin plastic film.

For reasons that will become readily apparent below, inner wall 630 comprises an angled upper face 631 and an angled lower face 632. FIG 10A, 10B and 10C shows a sectional side view of various embodiments of locking button 600 through line A-A as represented in FIG 9B. Angled lower face 632 is formed at the lower end of inner wall 630 and has an angle of less than 90°. Spoke surface 621 is formed at the lower surface of spoke portion 620 and protrudes slightly from locking button 600. Tapered side face 641 generally has a curved shape. A common feature to each embodiment of locking button 600 is that the lower surface 640 is fashioned such that, in the locked position, lower surface 640 does not sit flush with base portion 216 of hub 200. FIG 11 shows a sectional side view of a hub locking device according to a further embodiment of the present invention in a locked position. Hub locking device 700 comprises fastening key 500 and locking button 600.

A number of advantages are conferred by this embodiment of the present invention when hub locking device 700 is in the locked position. In particular, the increase in circumference of raised central 510 as a result of the presence of a plurality of teeth segment 511 and the increase in span of fastening member 530 prevents theft of a digital media product by removal of fastening member 530 and sliding the digital media product over fastening key 500. Therefore the combination of these two features has the overall effect of protecting the hub of a digital medial product.

The combination of teeth segment 511 with fastening member 530 provides a means for secure engagement with a top of a digital media product. Furthermore, teeth segment 511 is shaped in a manner such that any contact made would elicit a painful sensation, thereby providing an extra dimension to the anti-theft qualities of this embodiment of the current invention.

Furthermore, the presence of additional material on the underside of fastening member 530 in the form of skirt 533 acts as a safeguard against attempts to sever fastening key 500 from a digital media product. Several features of locking button 600 decrease the likelihood of theft.

For example, if a sharp instrument is used to dislodge locking button 600 from a locked position by application of a force from underneath, spoke portion 620 will pierce with the result being that the sharp implement will become wedged in cavity 610.

Another particularly advantageous feature is that the angle of angled upper face 631 makes it difficult for a would-be thief to grip and release locking button 600 using an implement such as an alien key or pliers.

The presence of angled lower face 632 imparts numerous advantages to locking button 600. By way of example, angled lower face 632 prohibits a sharp instrument from obtaining sufficient leverage to disengage locking button 600 from the locked position.

Moreover, since lower surface 640 of locking button 600 generally has an irregular shape, application of a force from underneath locking button 60 causes displacement of locking button 640 into ledge 114. That is, locking button 600 is inclined to bear against ledge 114 upon application of said force. As a result, locking button 600 becomes trapped under ledge 114 in central aperture 520.

The hub locking device 100, 400 or 700 is moved to the unlocked position by pushing locking button 130, 410 or 600 upwardly in central aperture 111 or 520 of fastening key 110 or 500. Locking button 130, 410 or 600 may be forced upwardly by application of a force such as, but not limited to, a suction force, mechanical force or magnetic force from above. As a result, foot portion 116 of each resilient arm 115 disengages from square cut portion 211 of circular protrusion 210. Digital media product 220 can thus be readily removed.

Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the preferred embodiments of the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. It will therefore be appreciated by those of skill in the art that, in light of the instant disclosure, various modifications and changes can be made in the particular embodiments exemplified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A hub locking device comprising

(a) a fastening key having: a central aperture; a ledge located on a wall of said central aperture; a plurality of resilient arms extending from said fastening key and receivable within a protrusion located on a wall of a media storage case, said protrusion having at least one first mating portion; and a second mating portion located on each said resilient arm, each said second mating portion engageable with said at least one first mating portion of said protrusion; and

(b) a locking button beatable within said central aperture of said fastening key; and wherein, said hub locking device is moveable between a locked position whereby said second mating portion is held in engagement with said at least one first mating portion and said locking button is in firm abutment with said fastening key and an unlocked position whereby said second mating portion is disengaged from said at least one first mating portion; whereby, in use in, the locked position, said locking button is positioned below said ledge of said fastening key such that said locking button is inclined to bear against said ledge of said central aperture upon application of a force from beneath the locking button.

2. The hub locking device of claim 1 , wherein said locking button comprises an angled lower face such that said locking button is inclined to bear against said ledge of said central aperture upon application of a force from beneath the locking button.

3. The hub locking device of claim 1 , wherein said locking button comprises a spoke surface such that said locking button is inclined to bear against said ledge of said central aperture upon application of a force from beneath the locking button.

4. The hub locking device of claim 1 , wherein said locking button comprises a tapered side face such that said locking button is inclined to bear against said ledge of said central aperture upon application of a force from beneath the locking button.

5. The hub locking device of claim 1 , wherein said fastening key further comprises at least one fastening member which extends outward from said fastening key.

6. The hub locking device of claim 5, wherein said fastening key comprises at least two fastening members.

7. The hub locking device of claim 5, wherein said fastening member has a flange.

8. The hub locking device of claim 7, wherein said flange comprises a foot portion formed at the lower extent of said flange.

9. The hub locking device of claim 5, wherein said flange comprises a skirt that extends downward from said flange.

10. The hub locking device of claim 1 , wherein said fastening key further comprises a plurality of a teeth segment projecting from a side surface of said fastening key.

11. The hub locking device of claim 10, wherein said teeth segment has a point.

12. The hub locking device of claim 1 , wherein said locking button has a spoke portion located at one end of said locking button.

13. The hub locking device of claim 12, wherein said spoke portion is formed from a thin material.

14. The hub locking device of clam 12, wherein application of said force from beneath said locking button traps said locking button in said central aperture.

15. A method of locking a digital media product to a protrusion including the steps of: positioning said digital media product on said protrusion; positioning a fastening key to a top surface of said digital media product; and applying a force to a locking button located in a central aperture of said fastening key until a second mating portion located on each of a plurality of resilient arms that extend downward from said fastening key, engages with at least one first mating portion located on said protrusion until said locking button holds at least one first mating portion in engagement with said second mating portion and until said locking button is positioned below a ledge of said fastening key to thereby lock said digital media product to said protrusion.