ES2238885B1 - ANTI-THEFT DISK DEVICE FOR MULTIMEDIA AND SIMILAR DISK CASES AND CASE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH ANTI-THEFT DEVICE. - Google Patents

Abstract

Anti-theft disk device for multimedia disc cases and the like and case equipped with said anti-theft device. The present invention has application in the field of security to prevent theft of multimedia discs contained in cases with paper wrappers or the like. The anti-theft device (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) comprises a rigid coupling portion (20, 30, 40-40, 50-50, 60) to fit tightly around the outer diameter (d) of the retention element- release of the disc (13) from the case (1); and at least one elastic compression portion (21, 31, 41-41, 51-51, 61) that extends from said rigid coupling portion and that when the case 1 is closed, rests with tension against an area inside the case facing the disk (DM). With the case closed, the disc cannot move towards the sides of the case and be removed out of the case by its perimeter when retained by the restoring force of the elastic compression portion of the anti-theft device (2, 3, 4, 5, 6).

Description

Anti-theft disk device for cases multimedia and similar discs and case equipped with said anti-theft device

Technical scope

The present invention has application in the security field in retail and exhibition establishments to prevent the theft of multimedia discs contained in cases with a paper wrap or similar.

Prior art

The problem of stealing is known multimedia discs, for example, compact discs, discs digital video and the like that are contained in type cases Video library that have a cellophane wrap or similar.

These cases, made of materials plastic have molded inside their bottom walls, when less on one of them, an element of retention and release of disc in which the central hole of the disc is adjusted, being of typically provided for said element, to retain the disk fixedly housed inside the case and to release or release it when the user applies a pressure on said element deforming it elastically or when the user exercises a traction on the edge of the disc. In addition, due to the material and thickness of the walls of the case, said walls are elastically deformable and when flexed, for example, from the outside, interact with the retention and release means molded into its inner part even if the case is closed.

The thieves have studied the structure and operation of these cases and have concluded that the disc can be removed from inside the case without opening it, first releasing the disk of its housing in the element of retention, for example, by a blow or by elastic deformation from its walls, and then take it out through the opening of the case even if it is protected with a paper wrapper or of plastic.

By US D458,937 assigned to Nexpack Corporation, published on June 18, 2002, reveals the configuration of a device for locking or closing the hub retention of a disc with a central hole that is constituted like a spherical cap devoid of its polar zone and that has a breakable pin that is inserted into the central hole of the disk.

Through document WO 02/31831 of Dubois Ltd., to be considered as the closest technique document, is know a case to solve this problem; here a improved disc holder that incorporates safety means that can be withdrawn to prevent the action of the media release and thus prevent disc release. The solutions proposed in this document are based on preventing actuation of the disk retention and release element by means of a safety device that is inserted into the disk retention-release element blocking your movement

It is offered here as an inconvenience, on the one hand that the security device has a certain configuration by the particular shape of the element of disk retention-release, so you should be configured in different ways depending on the device employee, resulting in precise expenses in molds for the different case models. Also, like these security devices fit tightly over the element of disk retention-release, for example, to through pins that penetrate the grooves of said element, these pins must be so long that even when pushed from outside they cannot disengage from the grooves of the element of disk retention-release, which produces a deterioration of the plastic sheet that usually forms the outer shell of the case, providing a packaging appearance "used" that is rejected by the person who acquires the product; finally, these pieces must have a configuration very accurate to ensure the safe insertion and / or removal of security device once the case has been opened, what which leads to additional manufacturing costs.

Objects of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to solve technical problems, providing a device universal anti-theft device, that is, applicable to all types of cases regardless of the configuration of the corresponding retention-release element of the case.

Additionally it is the purpose of the invention that said device is easy to manufacture and therefore cost reduced, so that it does not have a significant impact on the final cost of a case equipped with it.

It also constitutes an additional object of the invention the case equipped with the safety device anti-theft indicated above.

The invention, part of the idea that stops solving these problems is not necessary to block or inhibit the operation of the element of disk retention-release, but enough prevent the disc from moving out of the portion of the case in That is being held.

To do this, according to the characteristics of the patent claim 1, said device is provided with a compression spring element with a rigid area for coupling to the retention-release element of the disc and an elastic compression portion that when the case is it is closed, it supports with tension against the inner zone of the case facing the disk housing, so that with the case closed even when the disc is released from the holder exercised by the means of retention-release, said disc cannot move towards the sides of the case and be removed from said case through the slots of your perimeter.

It should be clarified that in the scope of the invention the expression "inner area of the case" refers not only to a part of the case facing the safety device, but also to any other object housed inside the case and facing the positioning position of the multimedia disk, such such as an explanatory brochure or an extra tray For an additional disk.

Preferred configurations of the invention will be They are referred to in the dependent claims.

This way a device is provided anti-theft that is universally applicable regardless of the shape of the retention-release element of the disk and that can be easily manufactured, without large expenses in injection molding, blowing processes, thermoforming or similar procedures.

Brief description of the figures

Other features and advantages of this invention will result more clearly from the description that follows, the which has been done with the help of the attached drawings that they represent non-limiting embodiments, and in the that:

Figure 1 schematically shows a Perspective view of prior art case with a disc multimedia and an anti-theft device according to the invention without pin up.

Figure 2 illustrates schematically partially sectioned a case with a disc attached to it inside attached to the retention element with a device anti-theft according to a first embodiment of the invention, coupled to it.

Figures 3A to 3C show respective views in perspective, plan and elevation of an anti-theft device according to figure 2, representing in dotted line the operational position of said device.

Figures 4A to 4D illustrate respective views in perspective, plan and elevation of a second embodiment of the anti-theft device according to the invention, even in state Compressed operation

Figures 5A and 5B show elevation views of a third embodiment of the anti-theft device according to the invention, in inactive and operational positions respectively.

Figures 6A and 6B illustrate in an analogous manner. inactive and operational positions of a fourth embodiment of the anti-theft device according to the invention.

Figures 7A and 7B, show analogously inactive and operational positions of a fifth embodiment of the anti-theft device according to the invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

\hbox{multimedia DM.}

As shown in Figure 1, a prior art multimedia disc case generally designated by reference 1 is provided with a lid portion 10 and a box portion 11 that are articulated around a central portion of spine 12 and it has formed in the center of the box portion 11, a retaining element 13 in which the central hole of a disk is fitted

 \ hbox {multimedia DM.} 

The disk retaining element 13 which can be provided in the lid portion or in the case portion of the case, or even in both, has, depending on the model, different configurations. In response to the operation of these retention elements, there are so-called "static" type, that is, they are not intended to be operated in order to release the disk and those of "dynamic" type that can be acted to release the disk fixedly held in they. However, all of these disk retention elements have the common feature of having a projecting portion 13 with a diameter d adjusted to that of the central hole of the multimedia disk DM in order to guarantee the required fixation of said disk; the term outer diameter d should be understood herein as the maximum transverse extension of the outer perimeter of the retention element, that is to say the surface around which the inside of the multimedia disc hole lies when inserted into said disk retention element.

In accordance with the present invention, the device anti-theft consists of a rigid coupling portion for coupling fitted around the diameter d of the element of disk retention-release 13 and a portion compression elastic extending from said portion rigid coupling and that when case 1 is found closed, with tension against an inner area of the case facing the DM disk housing, so that with the case closed even when the disc is released from the hold exercised by the retention-release means, said disk does not can move to the sides of the case and be removed outside said case through the grooves of its perimeter at be retained, at least, by the restoring force of the portion compression elastic device.

As shown by Figures 1, 2 and 3A at 3C, a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the anti-theft device 2 is constituted by a ring-shaped and essentially rigid coupling portion 20, intended to be placed tightly around the outer diameter d of a retaining element 13 provided centrally in the case portion 11 of the case 1 and an elastic compression portion 21 provided as a plurality of pins extending obliquely outward from the said rigid coupling portion 20. According with a particularity of this embodiment, the elastic pins have at their free end a bent extension 210 to rest approximately flat against the inner area of the case opposite the housing of the DM disk, when said case is closed as shown especially clear in figure 2. As illustrated by figure 3C, by dashed line, the elastic pins 21, open and descend under pressure from the opposite inner area of the case, generating an elastic restoring force that maintains the support against the DM disk.

In Figures 4A to 4D, a second is illustrated embodiment of the anti-theft device according to the invention; here the anti-theft device, generally designated by reference 3, consists of a ring-shaped coupling portion 30, essentially rigid and an elastic compression portion 31 that it is formed by an upper ring 32 with a diameter greater than the diameter of the coupling portion and segments 33 that are extend forming a curved line from the coupling portion 30 to the upper ring 32 and which are distributed angular equidistant. As shown by Figure 4D ring 32 descends through segments 33 under pressure of the opposite inner zone of the case, generating a force of elastic replacement that maintains support against the DM disk.

In a third embodiment of the anti-theft device according to the invention, as illustrated by Figures 5A and 5B, part of the device according to Figures 3A to 3c, but here, in the anti-theft device 4 two rigid coupling portions 40 are provided. in the form of a ring to adjust on the outer diameter d of the retaining element 13 and an elastic compression portion 41 which is formed by two groups of elastic pins that extend obliquely from the respective rigid coupling portions and which are joined by their other equidistant ends of the respective rigid coupling portions. As shown in Figure 5B, when the anti-theft device 4 is operatively disposed within a closed case, the pins open and descend, causing a restoring force that is sufficient to hold the DM disk.

As shown by Figures 6A and 6B, relative to a fourth embodiment of the invention, part of the device according to Figures 4A to 4C, here, the anti-theft device 5 consists of two ring-shaped coupling portions 50, essentially rigid that are coupled to the outer diameter d of the retaining element 13 and an elastic compression portion 51 constituted by respective groups of arcuate segments 52 extending from the respective coupling portion 50 and joining in a center line 53 equidistant from both. As before, in accordance with that shown in FIG. 6B, when the anti-theft device 5 is operatively disposed in a case and when it is closed, the pins the upper rings descend, causing a restoring force through the curved segments 33 which is enough to hold the DM disk.

In a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the anti-theft device 6 consists of at least one essentially rigid ring-shaped coupling portion 60 that is coupled to the outer diameter d of the retaining element 13 and an elastic compression portion 61 constituted by a cylindrical bellows body or the like. As before, in accordance with that shown in Figure 7B, when the anti-theft device 6 is operatively disposed in a case and it is closed, the elastic portion 61 in the form of a bellows is compressed causing a replacement force that is sufficient for hold the disc.

The embodiments as represented in the Figures 5 and 6, are especially suitable for cases with two retention elements respectively provided in its portion box and lid, that is, for cases intended to contain two multimedia discs However, also, an embodiment according to Figures 7A and 7B, would adapt to this function, setting in its free end a second coupling portion in the form of ring.

As can be deduced from all of the above, according to the invention, it is only important that the coupling portions fit around the outer diameter d of the disk retaining element 13 and that the elastic portion, when compressed with the closure of the case, exert a restoring force against the opposite inner area of the case that is sufficient to keep the multimedia disc properly secured to prevent its removal with the case closed. In this way, a universal application anti-theft device is provided regardless of the particular configuration and operation of the disk retaining element and which can be used in double cases or even in cases with extra trays.

As will be appreciated by experts in the technique, an anti-theft device according to the above described is easy to manufacture in injection molding processes, blowing, thermoforming and the like from appropriate plastic materials.

Enough that the object has been described of the invention, it only remains to point out that the embodiments derived from changes in shape, materials and the like, as well as resulting from a routine application of the above disclosed, should be considered included in its scope, so that the invention will only be limited by the scope of the following claims.

Claims (8)

1. Anti-theft disc device for multimedia disc cases and the like with lid and case portions (10, 11) articulated around a central spine portion (12) and a disc retaining element (13) with an outside diameter (d) in one or both of said portions of lid and / or box intended snugly receive the center hole of a disk media (DM), characterized said anti - theft device (2, 3,4, 5, 6) because consists of:

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a rigid coupling portion (20, 30, 40-40, 50-50, 60) for coupling adjusted around the outer diameter ( d ) of the disk retention-release element (13); Y

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to the less, an elastic compression portion (21, 31, 41-41, 51-51, 61) extending from said rigid coupling portion and that when the Case 1 is closed, supports with tension against an area inside the case facing the disk housing (DM),

so that with the case closed, even when the disc (DM) is released from the hold exercised by the means of retention (13), said disc cannot move towards sides of the case and be removed from said case to through the grooves of its perimeter when retained at least by the restoring force of the compression elastic portion of the anti-theft device (2, 3, 4, 5, 6). 2. Anti-theft device according to claim 1, characterized in that said device (2) consists of a ring-shaped rigid coupling portion (20) and an elastic compression portion (21) constituted by a plurality of obliquely extending elastic pins. out from said ring portion. 3. Anti-theft device 3, characterized in that the pins of the elastic compression portion (21) have at their free end an extension (210) angled outwardly to rest approximately flat against the opposite inner area of the case (1). 4. Anti-theft device according to claim 1, characterized in that in said device (3) the elastic compression portion (31) is formed by an upper ring (32) with a diameter greater than the diameter of its coupling portion (30) and about segments (33) that extend forming a curved line from said coupling portion (30) to the upper ring (32) and which are distributed equidistant angularly. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that in said device (4) two rigid coupling portions (40-40) are provided in the form of a ring and elastic compression portions (41-41) formed by two groups of elastic pins which extend obliquely from the respective rigid coupling portions and which are joined by their other equidistant ends of the respective coupling portions (40-40). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said device (5) consists of two ring-shaped coupling portions (50) and elastic compression portions (51-51) constituted by respective groups of arcuate segments (52) which extend from the respective coupling portion (50) and join in a central line (53) equidistant from both. 7. Anti-theft device according to claim 1, characterized in that said device (6) consists of at least one ring-shaped rigid coupling portion (60) and an elastic compression portion (61) constituted by a body in the form of cylindrical bellows or similar. 8. Case for multimedia discs and the like, of the type comprising lid and case portions (10, 11) articulated around a central spine portion (12) and a disc retaining element (13) with an outer diameter ( d ), in one or both of said lid and / or box portions intended to tightly receive the central hole of a multimedia disk (DM), characterized in that it is equipped with an anti-theft device according to one of claims 1 to 7 .