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  Security caseUSPTO Application #: 20070236111Title: Security case Abstract: A security case for merchandise held on a shelf includes a first side wall positioned along a first side edge of an associated shelf. A first securing member is provided for securing the first side wall to a first associated support surface. A second side wall is positioned along a second side edge of the associated shelf. A second securing member is provided for securing the second side wall to a second associated support surface. At least one of the first and second securing members is movable in order to accommodate associated shelves of varying depths. (end of abstract) Agent: Fay Sharpe LLP - Cleveland, OH, US Inventor: Robert Gray USPTO Applicaton #: 20070236111 - Class: 3121381 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070236111. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND [0001]The present invention pertains to security cases employed in point of sale merchandising. [0002]In self-service retail establishments, such as drug stores, grocery stores and the like, articles are usually displayed for sale on racks consisting of vertically spaced shelves on which the articles are arranged in stacks. Alternatively, the articles are suspended from hooks which are mounted to peg boards. Although the merchandise in such retail environments is accessible substantially only from the front, the racks and peg board displays previously employed have permitted free access to the space above the merchandise held on each shelf, or to the entire hook. In this way, a person who wished to do so could very quickly and easily remove a large number of articles at one time. It is known for thieves to "sweep" a shelf with their arm, collecting the items into a purse, bag or coat very quickly and exit a store, without drawing attention to themselves. Similarly, it is known for thieves to empty all the items suspended from a hook into a suitable container and smuggle the removed articles out of a store. This is particularly a problem with high value goods, such as razor blades, pharmaceuticals, cigarettes and the like. A thief could steal as much as several hundred dollars worth of merchandise with very little effort and without great risk of being detected. [0003]There have been some attempts at minimizing such shoplifting losses by the expedient of partially blocking access to display shelves to prevent a mass removal of articles from the shelves, but nevertheless, permitting removal of individual articles by a shopper. [0004]This can be accomplished by installing a transparent panel in front of each stocked shelf, but blocking access to all but a few of the articles on the shelf. However, if the panel is securely fixed in place on the rack, the panel also prevents or impedes restocking of the shelves. Considering the value of a clerk's time, such a security system may cost more in terms of personnel time than the money it saves in reducing theft. On the other hand, if the panel is easily moved out of the way, or if the manipulations needed for moving the panel out of the way are readily apparent from inspection, then the panel has little value as a security device. Another important consideration is that the security device should be inexpensive and be capable of quick and easy installation. [0005]One attempt to solve the theft problem has been the use of dispensing display cabinets which can be stocked through a lockable door at the rear of the cabinet. Such an arrangement, however, is unsuitable for the shelving commonly used in retail establishments, as well as for peg board displays similarly used in such establishments. Another attempt, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,779, employs a transparent front wall which leaves the bottom row of product exposed, together with a sliding door that has a pair of spaced access openings, each affording access to one row of product. While this is an adequate solution for the problem of theft, this design dictates that a separate size of display unit be manufactured for each size of goods meant to be displayed. For every type of unit having another shape or configuration, a different size of door and/or opening would be necessary. [0006]Another design employs a hood or cover which can be mounted above a row of product, so as to impede a thief's ability to grab more than one product at a time from a row of products. However, with this design, a separate such member is necessary for each row of product on each shelf. Moreover, the member is only engageable with a particular type of display unit, in this case, one mounted on a rectangular bar. Such a design is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,665,304. [0007]Still another design employs a pair of retaining walls, wherein a first retaining wall is shorter in height than is a second retaining wall. This design, illustrated in U.S. Patent Publication 2005/0161420, is said to result in limiting access to product and inhibiting the removal of numerous products at one time. As with the previous design, however, this design necessitates the use of separate second barriers for each row of products. [0008]A commercially known design of a sliding door kit includes a pair of side frames and a front closure that has one or two doors. However, this closure is only adapted for use on shelves of a given depth. Moreover, the prior art design does not include a door frame which can accommodate labels or a front fence, nor sliding doors which are stiffened in their closed position so as to resist forced entry. In addition, this known design does not have hinged side walls so as to allow a collapsed shipping condition of the sliding door kit. Nor is there a top cover that can be selectively mounted to the frame, so as to interengage therewith. [0009]It would be desirable to have a security case which can be retrofitted to an existing shelf so as to inhibit access to the shelf in such a way as to retard the ability of a thief to "sweep" the shelf. At the same time, the shelf should be accessible to shoppers to allow the legitimate purchase of products. Also, the shelf needs to be accessible to store personnel to allow a restocking of merchandise in a prompt and efficient manner. [0010]Accordingly, there is a need for a new and improved security case which overcomes certain difficulties with prior art designs while providing better and more advantageous overall results. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0011]In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a security case for merchandise held on a shelf. The security case includes a first side wall positioned along a first side edge of an associated shelf and a first means for securing the first side wall to a first associated support surface. A second side wall is positioned along a second side edge of the associated shelf and a second means is provided for securing the second side wall to a second associated support surface. At least one of the first and second means for securing is movable to accommodate associated shelves of varying depths. [0012]According to another embodiment of the present invention, a security case for merchandise held on a support surface includes a front closure assembly, including a channel for selectively accommodating an associated front fence. A first side wall is located on a first side of the front closure member and connected thereto and a second side wall is located on a second side of the front closure member and connected thereto. Respective first and second fastening members are provided for securing the first and second side walls to respective first and second associated support surfaces. [0013]According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a security case is provided for merchandise. The security case comprises a front closure member comprising a frame and at least one door movably mounted in relation to the frame. A first side wall is mounted to a first side edge of the frame and a second side wall is mounted to a second side edge of the frame. A first securing member is mounted to the first side wall for securing the first side wall to an associated first support surface. A second securing member is mounted to a second side wall for securing the second side wall to an associated second support surface. A third securing member is mounted to the frame for securing the frame to an associated shelf. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014]The present invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, several embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein: [0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a security case according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as mounted to a set of shelves; [0016]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the security case of FIG. 1, as mounted to a shelving system; [0017]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a security case according to the present invention; [0018]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the security case of FIG. 3, shown as being mounted between a pair of shelves; [0019]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a security case according to a third embodiment of the present invention; [0020]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a front panel and a pair of side panels of the security case of FIG. 5; [0021]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a locking arrangement for the security case of FIG. 6; Continue reading... Full patent description for Security case Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Security case patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Security case or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Hands-free paper towel dispenser and dispensing system Next Patent Application: Sneeze guard Industry Class: Supports: cabinet structure ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Security case patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 1.97882 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Electronics: Semiconductor , Audio , Illumination , Connectors , Crypto , |
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