GB2362423A

GB2362423A - Apparatus to secure an object on shop display such as a mobile phone

Info

Publication number: GB2362423A
Application number: GB0011872A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Maurice Henry Whittle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-05-17
Filing date: 2000-05-17
Publication date: 2001-11-21
Anticipated expiration: 2020-05-17
Also published as: GB2362423B; GB0011872D0

Abstract

Apparatus comprises a first part 10 and a second part 20 which are slidably adjustable relative to each other and are lockable in a number of positions by means of locking device (30, Figure 2). Each part 10, 20 has tabs 18, 28 which define a reception area for the object to be secured. A bar(s) 15, 25 extends across the reception area so as to encircle the object. A pedestal 40 is designed to be screwed down to a surface via holes (48, Figure 4).

Description

2362423 Security Apparatu The present invention concerns security

apparatus which is particularly, but not exclusively, for securing expensive portable items, such as mobile telephones.

An object of the invention is to provide a device of simple construction into which a mobile telephone or the like (e.g an electronic organiser or digital camera) can be fitted and securely retained for purposes of display, and possibly for use in some circumstances. Thus, both the display screen and the keypad of the telephone or similar item should be accessible while secured to the device.

With this object in view, the invention provides security apparatus for an object on display comprising a first part and a second part which are slidably adjustable relative to each other and are lockable to each other in a selected one of a plurality of adjusted position, each part having upstanding peripheral means to define a reception area for the object to be secured, said apparatus further comprising at least one retainer element extending partially or fully across the reception area so as to partially or fully to encircle the object when located therein.

The retainer element may suitably comprise one, two or more narrow bars, e.g of steel or moulded plastics material, and of any suitable crosssection. However, in some embodiments it is feasible 1 that the retainer element may take some other form, such as a chain or a metal cable extending c fully across the front of the reception area for the object.

The apparatus is particularly intended to enable display of mobile telephones or the like at point of sale, whilst minimising risk of theft. Accordingly, the apparatus itself willin most ci I I I ircurnstances need to be secured to a fixed substrate, such as a shelf or wall or table. This can be accomplished in any conventional manner by bolts, brackets and/or thick cable connections. The apparatus may also be provided with mounting means such as a pedestal or an angled bracket, specifically for this purpose.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichl Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of the apparatus of the invention.

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the same embodiment.

Figure 3 3 is a side view of the same embodiment to an enlarged scale; Figure 4 is a cross-section corresponding to Fig. 3), Figure 5 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of the apparatus of the invention', Figure 6 is a exploded view, to a reduced scale, showing how all the component parts of the 1 embodiment of Figure 5 are assembled and attached together.

Figure 7 is a cross section of slightly modified version of the second embodiment, and Figure 8 is a reduced scale rear perspective view of the second embodiment, but omitting the fixed bracket.

Referring firstly to figs. 1 to 4, a first embodiment comprises a first part ( 10), a second part (20), a locking device (30) and a pedestal (40).

The first part (10) consists of a channel section having a web (12) and respective side flanges (14) 1 with a row of apertures (16) formed in the web (12) midway between the flanges (14). Theweb 1 (12) also has a tab (18) at one end projecting laterally in a direction opposite to the side flanges 0 (14). The tab (18) is formed centrally, in line with the row of apertures (16), and the adjacent corners of the web (12) are cut away at (17). The side flanges (14) terminate short of the cut away portions (17) and a metal rod or bar (15) bent into an angular C shape is mounted just above the side flanges (14), e.g by welding, to provide a closed, pr Jecting loop at the same side of the t) z> 01 web (12) as the tab ( 18).

The second part (20) consists of a shallow, slotted box section having a web (22), respective side walls (24) and respective inwardly extending limbs (26) projecting towards each other, with a central gap therebetween. At one end, the respective limbs (26) are provided with upturned tabs (28) projecting in a direction away from the web (22). A metal rod or bar (25) bent into an -4angular U shape is mounted onto the side walls (24), e.g by welding to extend therebetween and provide a closed projecting loop at the same side of the box section as the tabs (28).

The locking device (30) is mounted in the web (22) of the box section part (20) so that its bolt projects into and across the hollow section towards the slot. An L-shaped member (29) is mounted, e.g welding to the inside of the web (22), as shown in Fig. 4, to prevent access to the I I locking device from the end opposite the tabs (28), which in use will be the upper end.

The pedestal (40) comprises a circular base (42) and an upstanding hollow shaft (44) which I projects into the box section part (20) at the end provided with the tabs (28) and is also connected to the inside of the web (22), e.g by welding. This prevents access to the locking device (3 30) from this lower end, as well as providing for mounting of the apparatus onto a fixed substrate (not I I shown). In this respect, the pedestal (40) also comprises a circular fixing plate (46), which is Z:> designed to be screwed down to a surface via holes (48), with an upstanding central post (49) 1 having a threaded end portion. The post (49) pr Jects up through the hollow shaft (44) and is 01 1_.:' retained by a nut (47). The screws in the plate (46) are thus covered by the base plate (42) and rendered inaccessible. The nut (47) is also inaccessible when the two parts (10) and (20) are locked together.

The parts (10) and (20) are assembled and orientated as shown so that the channel section part (10) is slidable up and down in the top of the box section part, which in use is secured to a surface by the pedestal (40). The tabs (18) and (28) project in the same direction as each other at top and bottom respectively and the locked portions of the bars (15) and (25) project in the same direction. The top part (10) is lifted up (or could be removed although that is probably not necessary) so that -5a mobile telephone can be located behind the bar (25) resting upon the tabs (28) and covering the slot in the box section (20). The top part (10) is then slid down untIl its bar (15) also fits around the telephone and the tab (18) rests on the top of the telephone. The locking device (30) is then operated by key (not shown) from the rear so that its bolt engages into one of the apertures (16), thus locking the part (10) to the part (20) and preventing removal of the telephone from the security apparatus.

Both parts (10) and (20) may suitably be constructed of steel, for strength and security.

Referring now to Figs. 5 to 8, a second embodiment of a security apparatus of the invention comprises first and second rectangular slotted plates (50), (60) a slotted box section element (70), a plate (80) to which an angled bar (82) is attached, a locking device (84) and a key (86), and an L-shaped mounting bracket (86), as best illustrated in Fig. 6.

Four slots (58) in the first plate (50) are aligned with a pair of substantially parallel slots (68) in the second plate (60). Pairs of threaded holes (74) are provided at the same spacing as the slots (68) in inwardly facing limbs (72) of the box section (70). Thus by means of four screws (76) the first plate (50) may be attached at the front of the second plate (60) and together with the second plate (60) may be secured to the box section (70). By virtue of the slots (58), (68) the position of the first plate, partially overlying the second plate, may be slidably adjusted relative thereto before the screws (76) are tightened.

The locking device (84) is fitted into a aperture (78) in the web of the box section (70). The plate (80) slides into the box section (70) from one side, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 6, and is securable there by the bolt of the locking device (84) 1 p into an aperture (81) in the plate. In this way the bar (82) is secured in a position partially overlying and spaced from the front plate (50), as shown in Fig. 5.

The bracket (88) is secured to the underside of the box section (70) by means of a rivet or stud (89), as indicated in Fig. 6.

The first plate (50) is formed with upstanding tabs (52) (54) at the top and one side. The second plate (60) is formed with two upstanding tabs (62) at the bottom and one tab (64) at one side.

In use the bracket (88) Is firstly secured to a suitable fixed substrate. Then with the screws (76) slackened and the locking device unlocked, the plate (80) is removed and an object, e.g a mobile telephone to be secured, is fitted onto the front of the first plate (50) as the latter is slid up or down relative to the plate (60) to determine the spacing of the upper and lower tabs (52), (62) to form a snug reception area for the phone. Once this spacing is determined, the phone is removed and the screws (76) tightened. The phone is then replaced and should Just fit inside the area 1 J defined by the tabs (52), (54), (62) (64) resting on the lower tabs (62). The phone then covers and prevents access to the screws (76). The plate (80) is then slid back into the box section (70), so that the bar (82) is over the front of the phone and prevents its removal from the device once the locking device (84) is actuated by the key (86) to lock the plate (80) in position.

The version shown in Fig. 7 is the same as that in Figs- 5 and 6 in almost all respects except that C 1 an addition angled connection piece (90) is arranged between the box section (70) and the anorled c 1 111) bracket (88) and connected to the latter by a rivet or stud (92). The same reference numerals are -7therefore used for all the other parts. It will be noted that the bar (82) in this version is of round cross section, in contrast to the square cross section in Figs. 5 and 6.

Claims

1.

Security apparatus for an object on display comprising a first part and a second part which are slidably adjustable relative to each other and are lockable to each other in a selected one of a plurality of adjustable positions, each pail having upstanding peripheral =1 W means to define a reception area for the object to be secured, said apparatus further comprising at least one retainer elernent extending partially or fully across the reception area so as partially or fully to encircle the object when located therein.

2.

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the or each retainer element comprises a c substantially rigid bar.

Apparatus according to clairn 2 wherein the bar or bars are angled.

1 1 Apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or ') wherein the or at least one of the retainer elements is mounted on either the first part or the second part of the apparatus.

Apparatus according to any preceding claim including rneans foi- securing same to a fixed substrate, said means being in the forrn of a pedestal connected to one of the parts.

6.

Apparatus according to any of claims including means for securincy same to a fixed =1 I _n substrate, said means being in the form of an angled bracket connected to one of the parts.

7. Security apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 or Figs. 5 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

n n