WO2005019065A1

WO2005019065A1 - A hub locking device for a disc-shaped recording media

Info

Publication number: WO2005019065A1
Application number: PCT/AU2004/001148
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anton Ewadl Kotze; Joseph Victor Scicluna; Raymond Scicluna
Original assignee: Trade Guys International Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2003-08-26
Filing date: 2004-08-26
Publication date: 2005-03-03
Also published as: CA2548731A1; AU2004266183A1

Abstract

A hub locking device (200) comprising a protrusion (230), a clamping disc (220) and a locking button. The protrusion (230) is preferably located on a wall of a digital media storage case (100) and comprises a recess and at least one first mating portion (232). The clamping disc (220) has a central aperture (231) and a plurality of resilient arms (223) extending downwardly from the central aperture (231). The resilient arms (223) are receivable within the recess of the protrusion (230) and each arm (223) has a second mating portion (224) located thereon. The locking button (210)is locatable with the central aperture (231) of the clamping disc (220). The hub locking device (200) is locked when the locking button (210) holds the at least one first mating portion (232)in engagement with each second mating portion (224).

Description

TITLE

A HUB LOCKING DEVICE FOR A DISC-SHAPED RECORDING MEDIA.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a hub locking device for preventing theft of merchandise. In particular, 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 OF THE INVENTION DVDs and CDs are widely used as digital storage devices for movies, music, computer programs and other digital multimedia. Due to the small size and high value of these digital storage devices they represent a lucrative target for shoplifters when they are displayed in stores for sale or rent. CDs and DVDs are kept in plastic containers to protect them from scratching and corruption of the stored data. These plastic containers also provide information about what is stored on the CD or DVD. A common practice adopted by retailers who sell or rent DVDs and CDs is to display the plastic containers on the store floor and to keep the CDs ^"and DVDs in a secure location. The CDs/DVDs are then placed within the plastic containers upon sale or rental. For a store that rents movies and games on DVDs and CDs, the customers must bring the plastic DVD/CD container to the counter for renting. An attendant must then locate where the DVD/CD is stored and insert this item in the container. When it is busy the attendants are required to locate many DVD/CDs resulting in serious delays to customers. A similar situation applies to retailers who sell DVDs and CDs. This process is inefficient and time consuming. There are devices known in the art that are able to lock CDs/DVDs within the case that they are sold. 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. US 6, 516, 945 discloses a locking device for a disc retaining hub which includes a base and a head that lock together over the hub to lock a disc on the hub until a portion of the locking device is destroyed. The device disclosed in '945 is a hub mechanism that retains a CD/DVD on a hub of media case when the case is subjected to sharp impact forces. Only by destroying the '945 mechanism is a purchaser of the CD/DVD able to remove the CD/DVD from the hub. Hence, the '945 device is deficient in that it is not appropriate for a rental environment as the locking mechanism is a one time use only mechanism with the locking mechanism being broken by a legitimate purchaser after sale. Hence, it is desirable to provide for a hub lock device that is able to securely locate CDs/DVDs within storage cases whereby it is not necessary to break the hub lock device when a legitimate purchase/rental of the CD/DVD is made. 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 for, the invention resides in a hub locking device comprising: (a) a protrusion having a recess and at least one first mating portion; (b) a clamping disc having: a central aperture; a plurality of resilient arms extending from said clamping disc and receivable within said recess of said protrusion; 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; (c) a locking button located within said central aperture of said clamping disc; wherein, said hub locking device is locked by locating said locking button within said recess to hold each said second mating portions in engagement with said at least one first mating portion. Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To assist in understanding the invention and to enable a person skilled in the art to put the invention into practical effect preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG 1 shows perspective view of a media storage case having a hub locking device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the hub locking device shown in FIG1 ; FIG 3 shows an underside exploded perspective view of a clamping disc which forms part of the hub locking device shown in FIG 1 ; FIG 4A shows a sectional side view of the hub locking device shown in FIG 1 in an open position; FIG 4B shows a sectional side view of the hub locking device shown in FIG 1 ; FIG 4C shows a sectional side view of the hub locking device shown in FIG 1 in a closed and unlocked position; FIG 4D shows a sectional side view of the hub locking device shown in FIG 1 in a closed and locked position; and FIG 5 shows a perspective view of a removal device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG 1 shows a media storage case 100. Media storage case 100 is preferably formed from polyethylene, but it should be apparent that the case may be formed from any lightweight resilient polymeric plastic or similar material. Media storage case 100 has a front wall 110, a back wall 120 and a spine 130 pivotally connecting front wall 110 to back wall 120. A hub locking device 200 according to an aspect of the present invention and a digital media product 140 also form part of media storage case 100. FIG 2 shows an exploded perspective view of hub locking device 200. Hub locking device 200 comprises a protrusion in the form of a circular protrusion 230 located on back wall 120, a clamping disc 220 and a locking button 210. Hub locking device 200 is moveable between a locked and unlocked position as will be described in more detail below. FIG 3 shows an underside exploded perspective view of clamping disc 220. Clamping disc 220 has a central aperture 221 and a step 222. A plurality of resilient arms 223 extend downwardly from step 222. A second mating portion in the form of an enlarged portion 224 is formed at a lower extent of each resilient arm 223. Clamping disc 220 further comprises a clamping portion 225 for engagement with a top of digital media product 140. FIG 4A shows a sectional side view of hub locking device 200 in an unlocked and opened position. Locking button 210 comprises a cavity 211 and a ridge 212. Locking button 210 is of such a size such that it is locatable within central aperture 221 of clamping disc 220. When hub locking device is in the unlocked position, as shown in FIG 4A, ridge 212 abuts step 222 of clamping disc 220. The abutment of ridge 212 with step 222 prevents locking button 210 escaping from central aperture 221 of clamping disc 220. Circular protrusion 230 forms a recess 231 and has a diameter such that circular protrusion 230 is receivable within a hub 141 of digital media product 140. Circular protrusion 230 has a first mating portion in the form of an undercut portion 232 adapted to receive enlarged portion 224 of each resilient arms 223 of clamping disc 220. Hence, undercut portion 232 is engageable with each said enlarged portion 234. As such, undercut portion 232 is a female mating portion and enlarged portion 224 is a male mating portion. Optionally, undercut portion 232 may be formed from one or more separate undercut portions 232 radially spaced about circular protrusion 230. Additionally, circular protrusion 230 has a seat portion 233 and an angled upper face 234 as shown. Preferably, circular protrusion 230 is formed from a harder polymeric plastic than the remainder of media storage case 100. Optionally, circular protrusion 230 is formed separately to case 100 and is welded in place.

Alternatively, circular protrusion 230 is integrally formed with case 100 with circular protrusion being thicker than the remainder of case 100. Hub locking device 200 is used to securely lock digital media product 140 to circular protrusion 230. In use, digital media product 140, in the form of a CD, DVD or the like, is positioned such that it is supported by seat portion 233 of circular protrusion 230, as shown in FIG 4A. The hub 141 of digital media product 140 encompasses circular protrusion 230. FIG 4B shows a sectional side view of the hub locking device 200 as it transitions between the opened and unlocked position shown in FIG 4A, and a closed position. The enlarged portion 224 of resilient arms 223 of clamping disc 220 are located on angled upper face 234 of circular protrusion 230. A downward force is applied to clamping disc 220 forcing enlarged portion 224 of each resilient arm 223 to move along angled upper face 234 and then on to an inner face of circular protrusion 230. Consequently, each resilient arm 223 is bent inwardly towards a central point of clamping disc 220. FIG 4C shows a sectional side view of the hub locking device 200 in a closed and unlocked position. Once enlarged portion 224 of each resilient arm 223 has moved down an inner face of circular protrusion 230, each enlarged portion 224 is located within undercut portion 232 of circular protrusion 230. Hence, each enlarged portion 224 is in engagement with said undercut portion 232. In this, the closed position of the hub locking device 200, an underside of clamping portion 225 of clamping disc 220 firmly abuts a top side of digital media product 140. FIG 4D shows a sectional side view of the hub locking device 200 in a closed and locked position. Locking button 210 has been driven down such that ridge 212 is adjacent enlarged portion 224 of each resilient arm 223 ensuring that enlarged portion 224 of each resilient arm 223 is firmly held within undercut portion 232 of circular protrusion 230. Thus, an underside of clamping portion 225 of clamping disc 220 is firmly held in abutment on a top side of digital media product 140 digital media product 140 to seat portion 233 of circular protrusion 230. Additionally, an outer face of ridge 212 of locking button 210 frictionally engages an inner face of each resilient arm 223, thus locating locking button 210 in the position shown in FIG 4D via an interference fit. Furthermore, no portion of locking button 210 extends above a top surface of clamping disc 220. It is not possible to move digital media product 140 away from circular protrusion 230 without moving locking button 210 upwardly such that ridge 212 of locking button 210 abuts step 222 of clamping disc 220 as locking button 210 holds each enlarged portion in engagement with undercut portion 232. If an attempt is made to remove digital media product 140 without moving locking button 210 upwardly, the digital media product 140 will inevitably break. The hub locking device 200 is moved to the unlocked position (as shown in FIG 4C) by forcing locking button 210 upwardly within central aperture 221 of clamping disc 220 such that ridge 212 abuts step 222. When this occurs, enlarged portion 224 of each resilient arm 223 is no longer held in engagement with undercut portion 232 of circular protrusion 230. Hence, clamping disc 220 may be removed from circular protrusion 230 and thus rendering digital media product 140 removable from circular protrusion 230. Locking button 210 may be forced upwardly in central aperture 221 by providing a suction force, a magnetic force or the like. A removal device 180 that utilises a suction force is described in more detail below. FIG 5 shows a removal device for moving hub locking device 200 to an unlocked and opened position. Removal device 180 comprises a power intake 181 connected to a power source for providing power to the removal device 180. The removal device 180 further comprises an insertion slot 182, a hollow suction protrusion 183 located adjacent insertion slot 182. Hollow suction protrusion 183 has a circular aperture 183a. A removal protrusion 184 is located adjacent insertion slot 182 and is aligned parallel to hollow suction protrusion 183. Additionally, a suction solenoid 185 is connected to hollow suction protrusion 183 and a removal solenoid 186 is connected to removal protrusion 184. A suction handle 187 is located on suction solenoid 185 and a removal handle 188 is located on removal solenoid 186. Removal device 180 is used to move locking button 210 upwardly within central aperture 221 of clamping disc 220 in order that hub locking device is moved to the unlocked position. Additionally, removal device 180 is used to move hub locking device 200 to the open position (as shown in FIG 4A). This is achieved by moving clamping portion 225 of clamping disc 220 away from digital media product 140 in order that digital media product 140 may removed from case 100 without damage being caused to digital media product 140. Generally, the hub locking device 200 is moved to the unlocked and opened position within a store upon sale or rental of case 100. Case 100 is inserted within insertion slot 182 such that hub locking device 200 is aligned with and abuts circular aperture 183a of hollow suction protrusion 183. Solenoids 185 and 186 are powered via power inlet 181. Suction solenoid 185 generates a suction effect through hollow suction protrusion 183 of an order sufficient to overcome the interference fit created by the friction between the locking button 210 and the inner face of each resilient arm 223. Hence, the suction moves locking button 210 within central aperture 221 of clamping disc 220 such that ridge 212 of locking button abuts step 222 of clamping disc 220. Hence, the locking button 210 no longer holds each enlarged portion 224 in engagement with undercut portion 232 and thus the hub locking device 200 is moved to the unlocked position. Additionally, as the locking button 210 no longer holds the enlarged portion 224 of each resilient arm in engagement with the undercut portion 232 of circular protrusion 230, the sectional force provided by suction solenoid 185 is able to move the clamping disc 220 away from circular protrusion 230. hence, an underside of clamping portion 224 no longer abuts a top side of digital media product 140 and hence the hub locking device 200 is moved to the opened position. The digital media product 140 is now removable from circular protrusion 230 without damage. It will be appreciated that the suction solenoid 185 has contained within a chamber. When power is delivered to the solenoid a piston retracts creating a negative pressure within the chamber. The hollow suction protrusion 183 is located at an opposite end of the chamber and thus the movement of the piston creates a suction effect at the hollow suction protrusion 183. After the locking button 210 and clamping disc 220 have been removed from the case 100, the removal solenoid 186 forces the removal protrusion 184 and the hollow suction protrusion 183 away from the case 100. The removal solenoid 186 has the removal protrusion 184 attached within. When power is applied to the removal solenoid 186 it causes removal protrusion to retract. Removal protrusion 184 is attached to suction protrusion (not shown). Hence the movement of removal protrusion 184 away from insertion slot 182 causes an operative movement of suction protrusion 183 away from insertion slot 182. The case 100 may then be removed from insertion slot 182 with the digital media storage device 190 located therein being easily removable from within the case without fear of breakage. In the event that removal device 180 is not located in a powered area or in the event of a blackout, handles 187 and 188 may perform the roles of solenoids 185 and 186 respectively. The operation of handle 187 causes the chamber within the suction solenoid 185 to expand causing a negative pressure within this chamber. Thus suction at suction protrusion 183 is affected. Similarly, the operation of handle 188 causes removal protrusion 184 to retract and thus causing an operative removal of suction protrusion 183 away from insertion slot 182. The hub locking device 100 of the present invention provides for a more secure and convenient manner of retaining digital media devices for display on a shop floor. The device addresses and solves at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art and offers a commercial alternative for retailers. Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Persons skilled in the relevant art may realize variations from the specific embodiments that will nonetheless fall within the scope of the invention. For example, the second mating portion on each resilient arm 223 of clamping disk 220 may be in the form of an undercut portion which is engageable with a first mating portion on said circular protrusion 230 in the form of at least one enlarged portion. Hence, the hub locking device 200 is locked by ensuring that the at least one first and at least one second mating portions are held in engagement by the locking button 110. It will be appreciated that various other changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A hub locking device comprising: (a) a protrusion having a recess and at least one first mating portion; (b) a clamping disc having: a central aperture; a plurality of resilient arms extending from said clamping disc and receivable within said recess of said protrusion; 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; (c) a locking button located within said central aperture of said clamping disc; wherein, said hub locking device is locked by locating said locking button within said recess to hold each said second mating portions in engagement with said at least one first mating portion.

2. The hub locking device of claim 1 , wherein said at least one first mating portion is a female mating portion.

3. The hub locking device of claim 1 , wherein said at least one first mating portion is in the form of at least one undercut portion.

4. The hub locking device of claim 3, wherein said protrusion has a single undercut portion.

5. The hub locking device of claim 1 , wherein each said second mating portion is a male mating portion.

6. The hub locking device of claim 1 , wherein each said second mating portion is in the form of an enlarged portion.

7. The hub locking device of claim 1 , wherein said protrusion is a circular protrusion.

8. The hub locking device of claim 1 , wherein said clamping disc further comprises a clamping portion.

9. The hub locking device of claim 8, wherein said clamping portion abuts a top side of a digital media product when said hub lock device is locked.

10. The hub locking device of claim 1 , wherein said protrusion further comprises a seat portion adapted to locate a digital media product thereon.

11. The hub locking device of claim 1 , wherein said second mating portion is located on a lower extent of each said resilient arm.

12. The hub locking device of claim 1 , wherein said clamping disc further comprises a step.

13. The hub locking device of claim 12, wherein said resilient arms extend downwardly from said step.

14. The hub locking device of claim 1 , wherein said locking button further comprises a ridge.

15. The hub locking device of claim 1 , wherein said locking button further comprises a cavity.

16. The hub locking device of claim 1 , wherein said locking button is located within said central aperture of said clamping disc by way of an interference fit.

17. The hub locking device of claim 1 , .wherein said locking button is moveable within said central aperture of said clamping disc.

18. A method of locking a digital media product to a protrusion, said method including the steps of: locating said digital media product on said protrusion; locating a clamping portion of a clamping disc in abutment with a top side of said digital media product; and applying a force to a locking button located in an aperture of said clamping disc until at least one first locking portion located in a recess of said protrusion engages a plurality of second locking portions of said clamping disc until said locking button holds said at least one first locking portion in engagement with said plurality of said second locking portions such that said clamping portion locks said digital media product to said protrusion.

19. The method of locking a digital media product to a protrusion of claim 18, wherein said digital media portion is located on a seat portion of said protrusion.

20. The method of locking a digital media product to a protrusion of claim 18, wherein said protrusion extends through a hub of said digital media product when said digital media product is located on said protrusion.

Dated this 26^th day of August. 2004 Trade Guvs International Ptv Ltd By their Patent Attorneys FISHER ADAMS KELLY