GB2213628A

GB2213628A - Device preventing unauthorisd use of video recorder

Info

Publication number: GB2213628A
Application number: GB8823134A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Poyer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-12-10
Filing date: 1988-10-03
Publication date: 1989-08-16
Anticipated expiration: 2008-10-03
Also published as: GB2213628B; GB8728838D0; GB8823134D0

Abstract

The device has a body 1 with a faceplate 2, a locking mechanism 6 being coupled to push rods 4a, 4b having frictional material 7a, 7b, on their ends to jam the device in the cassette receiving opening of a video recorder. The rods may be spring biased, either for engagement or retraction, and may be driven by the locking mechanism through a cam disc. The device is of short length so as not to enter far into the video recorder. <IMAGE>

Description

A SECURITY DEVICE FOR A VIDEO RECORDER.

The present invention relates to a security device for a video recorder.

A video recorder has a cassette - receiving opening that is closed by a hinged flap which permits insertion of the cassette but which, when closed, serves to keep out dust. However, it is possible for a screwdriver or other foreign body to be inserted in the opening causing damage to the recorder and injury to the person responsible.

Furthermore, it is possible for unsupervised minors to play video tapes that are unsuitable for their particular age group.

In order to prevent access to the recorder opening it has previously been proposed to block the opening using a dummy cassette of substantially the same size and configuration, including holes for receiving drive spindles, as a standard video cassette. Such dummy cassettes have locking arrangements that secure the cassette to the recorder.

Previously proposed dummy cassettes generally have the disadvantages that they can activate the tape - receiving mechanism of the recorder, as would a standard cassette, and that they have complex locking mechanisms. Such mechanisms may require careful alignment of the dummy cassette with the walls of the recorder opening to enable latching of the cassette, for example to holes in the walls of the opening or to the drive spindles of the recorder.

The present invention aims to provide a security device which is effective and simple to use and which does not act as a dummy cassette.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a security device for a video recorder having a cassette-receiving opening, the device comprising a body which is insertable in the opening, wherein the body houses a locking mechanism co-operating with opposed locking members extending longitudinally of the body and movable between retracted positions and extended, locked positions in which the members can frictionally engage the side walls of the opening to retain the body therein, and wherein the length and breadth of the body are substantially the same as a video cassette and the depth of the body is smaller than that of a video cassette.

Preferably, each locking member has an end cap of resilient material, such as rubber or plastics. Each end cap may be so shaped that its grip on the side wall increases if an attempt is made to pull the device from the opening when in its locked condition. The caps may, for example, be generally wedge shaped.

The body is preferably attached to a front plate which, when the device is inserted in the opening, engages the periphery of the opening to thereby completely close it.

Some forms of security device in accordance with the invention for a video recorder will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 to 3 are respectively front, top plan and rear views of one form of the device.

Figure 4 is a rear view of another form of the device, Figure 5 is an enlarged schematic detail view of a locking mechanism of the device of Figure 4, and Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figure 5 of a different locking mechanism.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the security device comprises a hollow body or casing 1, the length a and breadth b of which are substantially the same as those of a standard video cassette to enable insertion of the device into a cassette - receiving opening of a video recorder (not shown). However, the depth c of the body has a dimension less than that of a cassette, say of the order of 20 to 45 mm, so that when the body is inserted in the opening of a recorder the tape - receiving mechanism of the recorder is not actuated.

Attached to the front of the body 1 is a facia plate 2 that completely covers the recorder opening when the device is inserted therein.

Located within the body is a retaining mechanism 3 that comprises two opposed longitudically slidable locking members 4a, 4b supported by respective guides 5a, 5b. At its inner end, each member 4a, b co-operates with a locking mechanism 6 that is openable to enable the members, 4a, b to move from a retracted position (not shown) in which the members are substantially wholly contained within the body 1 to the illustrated extended position in which the members extend outside the body so as to engage the respective side walls of the recorder opening, thereby preventing removal of the device from the opening.

In order to enhance the grip of the members on the respective side walls, each member 4a, b has at its free end a resilient cap 7a, 7b. Preferably, the end cap 7a, b is so shaped, as a wedge or in a step wise fashion as illustrated, that its grip on the opening side wall is increased should an attempt be made to prise the device out of the opening.

The locking mechanism 6 of the form of device of Figures 1 to 3 comprises a rotatable cam 8 engageable with the ends of the members 4a, b, rotation of the cam 8, by operation of a suitable key, effecting longitudinal movement of the members 4a, 4b between their retracted and locking positions. The locking members may be spring loaded to their retracted positions and urged outwardly by the cam 8 or spring loaded to their extended positions in which case they are attached to the cam which can pull the members inwardly towards each other.

A different form of locking mechanism 6 is illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. In this form of mechanism the inner end of each member 4#a,#4b has a spigot 9 which engages in a cam slot 10 in a rotatable disc 11 of the mechanism 6. In Figure 5, the left hand member 4a is shown in the locked position and the right hand member 4b in the unlocked, retracted position. Clearly, rotation of the disc 11 effects longitudinal movement of the locking members.

Figure 6 is a detail view similar to that of Figure 5, but with the spigots 9 of the members engaging in respective cams 12a, b that co-operate with respective springcloaded actuating members 13a, b. The arrangement is such that the springs 14 urge the cams to the locked position shown by cam 12a and the cams can be rotated to the unlocked position shown by cam 12b.

Other forms of locking mechanism may, of course, be used. For example, the lock may be a combination lock.

The above - described security device has the advantage that it is simple to use and when inserted in the cassette - receiving opening of a video recorder use of the recorder is prevented.

Also, the device requires no modification of the recorder and causes no damage when locked in the opening, the caps 7a, b being preferably of rubber or plastics material. It will fit all standard recorders but will not activate the recorder when inserted in the opening.

The plate 2 is adapted to engage the periphery of the recorder opening to seal the opening and prevent access to the locking members and to prevent the device being pushed too far into the opening.

Claims

CLADIS

1. A security device for a video recorder comprising a body which is insertable in the cassette-receiving opening of the recorder, wherein the body houses a locking mechanism co-operating with opposed locking members extending longitudinally of the body and movable between retracted positions and extended, locked positions in which the members can frictionally engage the respective side walls of the opening to retain the body therein, and wherein the length and breadth of the body are substantially the same as a video cassette and the depth of the body is smaller than that of a video cassette.

2. A security device according to claim 1, wherein the body is secured to an end plate that extends beyond the periphery of the body and is arranged to abut the periphery of the cassette-receiving opening.

3. A security device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each locking member has at its end a cap of friction material.

4. A security device according to claim 3, wherein each end cap is a shaped as so shaped as to in use increase its grip on its associated opening side wall when the body is urged outwardly from the opening while the device is in its locked position.

5. A security device according to claim 4, wherein each cap is wedge shaped.

6. A security device according to claim 3, wherein each cap has a stepped surface profile.

7. A security device according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the locking members are spring loaded to their locked positions and are releasable to their retracted positions by the locking mechanism.

8. A security device for a video recorder, constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.