# US 5,349,331 A · Securing device for preventing an attempted theft and unlocking device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,349,331 A - Document ID: US5349331A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 07/941,261 - Filed: 1992-09-04 - Granted: 1994-09-20 - Earliest claimed: 1992-09-04 - Assignees: Veronica Murray - Inventors: Heinrich Sieber; Roland Wolf - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5349331A ## CPC - E05B 73/0023: {Containers, boxes, cases or the like, e.g. for compact discs or video-cassettes, specially adapted therefor} - G11B 33/0455: {for single disc boxes} - Y10S 206/807: Tamper proof - E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS - G11B: INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER (recording measured values in a way that does not require playback through a transducer G01D9/00; recording or playback apparatus using mechanically marked tape, e.g. punched paper tape, or using unit records, e.g. punched or magnetically marked cards G06K; transferring data from one type of record carrier to another G06K1/18; circuits for coupling output of reproducer to radio receiver H04B1/20; gramophone pick-ups or like acoustic electromechanical transducers or circuits therefor H04R) - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract A holder (10) exhibits a frame-like housing (11) having a base (12) for receiving a CD case (14). This case is inserted in the arrow directions (15, 16, 17). A closing element (13) is then pressed down in the arrow direction (18), whereupon it snaps in place. The CD case (14) is held by retaining wall parts (24, 25) disposed on the otherwise open housing-topside. For opening, a device having a vacuum source has to be attached to a connecting socket (28) in order for the closing element (13) to be re-released. The holder (10) is equipped with a signalling means, which, upon the passage of a contactless-working electronic barrier, triggers a signal if the holder containing the CD case were to be stolen. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Securing device designed to prevent an attempted theft, having a locking device including a closing element which is movable relative to a basic part and a catch element holding the closing element in a locking position, which catch element can be unlocked by a separate unlocking device, wherein the basic part is a housing part or frame part for receiving an article to be secured, and wherein the closing element is configured such that it retains the article in the locking position in the housing part or frame part and further wherein the catch element functioning as a latch-type or snap-in catch interacts with a pressure responsive element serving to move the said catch element from the locking position into a release position or is itself configured as such an element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Securing device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure responsive element is a piston, which can be moved by means of a vacuum, against the force of a first spring or of a magnet, out of the locking position into the release position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) Securing device according to claim 2, wherein the piston is displaceably mounted in a piston chamber, which includes a connecting socket having a bore which is placed in communication with the unlocking device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) Securing device according to claim 3, wherein the connecting socket projects out of the basic part and includes a convex end for the attachment of a mouthpiece of the unlocking device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) Securing device according to claim 3, wherein the said bore extends at least approximately at right-angles to the axial direction of the connecting socket within the latter. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) Securing device according to claim 5, wherein the bore at least partially extends in a direction toward a foot part disposed next to the connecting socket on the basic part. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) Securing device according to claim 6, wherein a second bore connects the interspace between the connecting socket and the foot part to the ambient atmosphere on the other side of the basic part. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The securing device of claim 3, further including an unlocking device for unlocking the locking device of the securing device, wherein said unlocking device includes one of a pressure and a vacuum source, and an adapter for connection to the connecting socket of the locking device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The securing device according to claim 8, wherein the one of a pressure and vacuum source includes a manually actuable piston-cylinder-arrangement. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The securing device of claim 9, wherein the unlocking device piston is pre-tensioned in a first position by a spring and is connected via a piston rod to a grip. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The securing device according to claim 10, wherein the unlocking device piston can be retained in said first position by means of a retaining device and is configured, for actuation purposes, such that it can be released promptly. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The securing device according to claim 11, wherein upon release of said retaining device the unlocking device piston moves in a cylinder of said piston-cylinder-arrangement by said spring which pre-tensions said unlocking device piston in said first position such that said spring moves said unlocking device piston from said first position resulting in a reduced pressure in a portion of said cylinder. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The securing device according to claim 8, wherein the adapter includes a hollow mouthpiece, matched to the connecting socket of the securing device and having an O-ring seal inserted therein. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) Securing device according to claim 1, further including signalling means for triggering a signal upon passage by a detector. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) Securing device according to claim 14, wherein the housing part or frame part includes a transparent base and, on the side opposite the base, at two opposite-facing edges, retaining wall parts. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) Securing device according to claim 15, wherein the closing element is displaceable at right-angles to the base and is formed such that, in the release position, it enables an article of pre-determined size to be inserted behind the retaining wall parts and, in the locking position, prevents removal. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) Securing device according to claim 1, wherein the closing element is displaceably mounted in the housing part or frame part and is pre-tensioned by means of a second spring in the direction of the release position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The securing device according to claim 1, wherein said housing is sized to receive a compact disc case. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The securing device of claim 1, further including holding rails for holding a series of securing devices, wherein the holding rails, which are suitable for wall-fastening, include adjacent-running, spring-elastic notches, disposed transversely to their longitudinal extent, for receiving a series of securing devices by holding pins which are connected to said securing devices. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The securing device of claim 19, wherein the holding rails are designed for arrangement next to one another in pairs, at a spacing matched to the securing devices. ### Claim 21 Holding rails for holding a series of securing devices, wherein the holding rails, which are suitable for wall-fastening, include adjacent-running, spring-elastic notches, with the spring-elastic notches disposed transversely with respect to a longitudinal extent of the holding rails, for receiving a series of securing devices by grasping pins connected to said securing devices, such that said pins are held in said spring-elastic notches. ### Claim 22 A securing device for preventing theft of an article held by said securing device comprising: a housing for holding an article; a closing element movable relative to said housing between a locking position and a release position; a latch element which engages said closing element when said closing element is in said locking position; a piston chamber connected to said latch element, said piston chamber including an aperture; and a differential pressure source for changing a pressure in said piston chamber through sid aperture and thereby cause movement of said latch member. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The securing device of claim 22, further including: a first spring biasing said closing element toward said release position; and wherein said latch element is movable between a first position at which said latch element engages said closing element in said locking position, and a second position at which said latch element does not engage said closing element such that said closing element is allowed to move to said release position, the securing device further including a second spring biasing said latch element toward said first position. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The securing device of claim 22, further including a holding device for holding said housing. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The securing device of claim 24, wherein said holding device includes a plurality of holders for holding a plurality of said housings. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The securing device of claim 24, further including at least one pin connected to said housing, and wherein said holding devices holds said pin such that said housing is pivotally mounted upon said holding device. ### Claim 27 (depends on 22) The securing device of claim 22, wherein said housing is in the form of a tray which holds a compact disc case therein. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The securing device of claim 27, wherein said housing includes a first and second wall parts and a base, and wherein said closing element is spaced from said base in said release position by an amount greater than a spacing between said closing element and said base in said locking position, whereby a compact disc case can be inserted between said first and second wall parts when said closing element is in the release position. ### Claim 29 (depends on 22) The securing device of claim 22, wherein said differential pressure source includes a manually actuable piston cylinder assembly. ### Claim 30 (depends on 22) The securing device of claim 22, wherein at least a portion of said piston chamber protrudes from said housing and includes said aperture therein; and wherein said differential pressure source includes a recessed portion at one end thereof such that said recessed portion receives a protruding part of said piston chamber, and further wherein said differential pressure source includes a duct connected to said recessed portion for supplying the differential pressure to said recessed portion. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The securing device of claim 30, further including at least one member extending from said housing at a location adjacent but spaced from the protruding part of said piston chamber, thereby preventing access to said aperture of said piston chamber by an unauthorized differential pressure source. ### Claim 32 A securing device for preventing theft of an article held by said securing device comprising: a housing for holding an article; a closing element movable relative to said housing between a locking position and a release position; a latch element which engages said closing element when said closing element is in said locking position; a first spring biasing said closing element toward said release portion; wherein said latch element is movable between a first position at which said latch element engages said closing element in said locking position, and a second position at which said latch element does not engage said closing element such that said closing element is allowed to move to said release position, the securing device further including a second spring biasing said latch element toward said first position; and wherein said latch element is connected to a piston chamber having an aperture therein for connection to a vaccum source, such that upon application of a vacuum to said piston camber, said latch element is moved from said first position to said second position to thereby release said closing element. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The securing device of claim 32, wherein said latch element is in the form of a piston, and wherein said closing element includes a recessed portion which receives said piston when said closing element is in the locking position. ### Claim 34 A securing device comprising: a housing for holding an article; a latch element movable between first and second positions, wherein said article is locked in said housing in said first position and removable from said housing in said second position; a piston chamber connected to said latch element, wherein said latch element is movable relative to said piston chamber upon application of a differential pressure to said piston chamber such that a pressure in said piston chamber is different from ambient pressure; and a differential pressure source for supplying a differential pressure to said piston chamber. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The securing device of claim 34, wherein said piston chamber includes a protruding part having an aperture therein, and said differential pressure source includes a recess which receives said protruding part and thereby places said piston chamber in communication with said differential pressure source. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The securing device of claim 35, further including a member extending from said housing adjacent but spaced from said protruding part, thereby preventing access to said protruding part by an unauthorized differential pressure source. ### Claim 37 (depends on 34) The securing device of claim 34, wherein said differential pressure source includes means for supplying a vacuum pressure. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The securing device of claim 37, further including a spring biasing said latch element toward said first position, and wherein application of said vacuum pressure moves said latch element to said second position in opposition to said spring. ### Claim 39 (depends on 34) The securing device of claim 34, further including a closing element having a recess which receives said latch element when said latch element is in said first position. ### Claim 40 (depends on 34) The securing device of claim 34, further including a rack for holding a plurality of said housings. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) The securing device of claim 40, wherein said rack includes means for pivotably holding said plurality of housings. ### Claim 42 (depends on 34) The securing device of claim 34, wherein said housing includes a rectangular cross-section sized to receive a compact disc case. ### Claim 43 (depends on 34) The securing device of claim 34, wherein said differential pressure source includes a manually operable piston cylinder assembly. ### Claim 44 (depends on 34) The securing device of claim 34, further including a signalling device associated with said housing for triggering a signal upon passage by a detector. ### Claim 45 (depends on 34) The securing device of claim 34, further including at least one pin extending from said housing; and a rack for holding said pin such that said housing is pivotable with respect to said rack. ### Claim 46 An unlocking device for unlocking a securing device comprising: a mouthpiece for connecting said unlocking device to a securing device; a chamber; a piston mounted within said chamber and movable within said chamber to thereby create a pressure differential within said chamber; a duct separate from said piston, said duct including a passage connecting said mouthpiece with said chamber such that said pressure differential is transmitted to said mouthpiece. ### Claim 47 (depends on 46) The unlocking device of claim 46, wherein said mouthpiece includes a recessed portion for receiving a protrusion of a securing device, and wherein an o-ring seal is disposed within said recessed portion. ### Claim 48 (depends on 46) The unlocking device of claim 46, further including an actuator connected to said piston and extending from said piston to an exterior of said chamber, said actuator allowing movement of said piston between first and second positions, wherein in said first position said piston is adjacent said duct and in said second position said piston is spaced from said duct, wherein movement of said piston from said first position to said second position creates a vacuum pressure within said chamber which is transmitted by said duct to said mouthpiece, the unlocking device further including biasing means biasing said piston toward said second position. ### Claim 49 (depends on 48) The unlocking device of claim 48, further including a trip element which holds said piston in said first position in opposition to said biasing means such that when said trip element is released said biasing means causes said piston to move from said first position to said second position thereby creating a vacuum pressure in said chamber. ### Claim 50 (depends on 48) The unlocking device of claim 48, wherein said biasing means includes a spring which at least partially extends about said duct.