Package security device

Abstract

A security device for use in combination with a storage case having a cover that is movable relative to a base between opened and closed positions. The security device includes two arms which extend from opposite sides of a breakaway hub. Locking fingers depend from the two arms which can be snapped into corresponding securing holes provided on the storage case. Once the security device has been attached to the storage case, it can be broken into two pieces by removal of the breakaway hub with a key to remove it from the storage case.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A security device for use in combination with a rigid storage box having at least first and second securing holes located therein for receiving locking fingers, the security device comprising: 
 a central hub;    a first arm extending from the central hub and having a first locking finger projecting therefrom for snap-fitting into the first securing hole; and    a second arm extending from the central hub in a direction substantially opposite the first arm and having a second locking finger projecting threrefrom for snap-fitting into the second securing hole;    the central hub, first arm and second arm being formed as a unitary structure with breakable portions being located between the central hub and the first and second arms, respectively, such that the central hub can be broken away from the first and second arms to allow the first and second arms to be moved relative to each other to permit the first locking finger and the second locking finger to be withdrawn from the first securing hole and second securing hole, respectively.    
     
     
         2 . The security device of  claim 1  wherein a key receptacle is formed on the central hub for receiving a key for twisting the central hub to break it away from the first and second arms.  
     
     
         3 . The security device of  claim 2  further including a key for insertion into the key receptacle.  
     
     
         4 . The security device of  claim 1  wherein the central hub, first arm and second arm form an elongate structure, and a plurality of locking fingers project from each of the first arm and the second arm for snap-fitting into corresponding securing holes provided on storage box, the locking fingers projecting substantially parallel to each other in a direction that is substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the security device.  
     
     
         5 . The security device of  claim 4  wherein the locking fingers each have a barb on an projecting end thereof, the barbs on the locking fingers projecting from the first arm each facing in an opposite direction than the barbs on the locking fingers projecting from the second arm such that during snap-fitting of the locking fingers into the corresponding securing holes, the locking fingers on the first arm are deflected in a direction opposite that of the locking fingers on the second arm.  
     
     
         6 . The security device if  claim 5  wherein the barbs on the locking fingers face away from the central hub such that during snap-fitting of the locking fingers into the corresponding securing holes, the locking fingers on the first and second arms are deflected towards the central hub.  
     
     
         7 . The security device of  claim 5  wherein a key receptacle is formed on the central hub for receiving a key for twisting the central hub in a direction transverse to a direction in which the locking fingers extend to break it away from the first and second arms, the key receptacle being configured to receive a key from an opposite side of the security device from which the locking fingers project.  
     
     
         8 . The security device of  claim 5  wherein the security device is formed from general purpose polystyrene.  
     
     
         9 . The security device of  claim 1  wherein the central hub is connected to each of the first arm and the second arm by a plurality of linking plates that can be sheared by twisting of the central hub relative to the first and second arms.  
     
     
         10 . The security device of  claim 1  wherein an electronic article surveillance tag is embedded in the security device.  
     
     
         11 . A recorded media storage box, comprising: 
 a case including (i) a base having a wall with at least one base securing hole therein; and (ii) a cover connected to the base and movable between a closed position in which a media storage space is defined between the cover and the base, and an open position, the cover having a wall with at least one cover securing hole therein, the wall of the base and the wall of the cover being juxtaposed when the cover is in the closed position;    a one-piece rigid security device for mounting on the case to resist unauthorized opening thereof, the security device having at least one base locking finger extending from a first portion thereof and at least one cover locking finger extending from a second portion thereof, the base locking finger and the cover locking finger being positionable in the base securing hole and the cover securing hole, respectively, when the cover is in the closed position to prevent movement of the cover to the open position, the locking fingers and securing holes being arranged to require movement of the first and second portions of the security device relative to each other to release the locking fingers from the base and cover once the locking fingers are positioned in the respective securing holes, the security device having a breakaway portion intermediate the first and second portions which when broken away from the security device permits the first and second portions of the security device to be moved relative to each other thereby enabling the locking fingers to be removed from the securing holes.    
     
     
         12 . The recorded media storage box of  claim 11  wherein the base locking finger and the cover locking finger are each configured for snap-fitting into the base securing hole and the cover securing hole, respectively, the base locking finger having a barb extending therefrom for engaging the wall of the base when positioned in the base securing hole and the cover locking finger having a barb extending therefrom for engaging the wall of the cover when positioned in the cover securing hole, the barbs facing in opposite directions such that the base locking finger and the cover locking finger are each deflected in opposite directions during positioning of the fingers in the respective securing holes.  
     
     
         13 . The storage box of  claim 11  wherein 
 the wall of the cover and the wall of the base each have plurality of cover securing holes and base securing holes, respectively, formed therein;  
 at least one base locking finger for snap-fitting in a corresponding base securing hole projects from each of the first and second portions; and  
 at least one cover locking finger for snap-fitting in a corresponding cover securing hole projects from each of the first and second portions;  
 the locking fingers each projecting substantially parallel to each other.  
 
     
     
         14 . The storage box of  claim 13  the locking fingers each have a barb on a projecting end thereof, the barbs on the locking fingers projecting from the first portion facing in a opposite direction of the barbs on the locking fingers projecting from the second portion such that the locking fingers on the first portion are deflected in an opposite direction than the locking fingers on the second portion during snap-fitting of the locking fingers into the corresponding securing holes.  
     
     
         15 . The storage box of  claim 13  wherein the breakaway portion is connected by shearable linking plates to the first and second portions and includes a key receptacle for receiving a key such that twisting of the breakaway portion by the key can detach the breakaway portion from the first and second portions.  
     
     
         16 . The storage box of  claim 11  wherein the wall of the base and the wall of the cover have peripheral edges that meet when the cover is closed, a portion of the wall of the base where the base securing hole is located being inwardly offset from other portions of the wall of the base and a portion of the wall of the cover where the cover securing hole is located being inwardly offset from other portions of the wall of the cover to define a cavity for receiving the security device when the cover is closed, the cavity being dimensioned so that the cover and base walls resist movement of the security device when the locking fingers are received within the respective securing holes.  
     
     
         17 . A lockable storage box comprising: 
 a rigid case including a base and a cover connected together for movement between open and closed positions, the base and cover forming a storage compartment; and    a rigid security device of unitary construction for mounting on the rigid case to secure the case in the closed position, the security device having first and second arms extending from a breakaway member;    wherein locking means comprising cooperating locking fingers and securing holes are provided on the first arm, the second arm and the cover and base for mounting the security device to the cover and base to secure the case in the closed position, the locking means being configured to resist removal of the security device from the rigid case without movement of the first and second arms relative to each other, the breakaway member being removable from the security device to permit the first and second arms to be moved relative to each other thus permitting the case to be opened.    
     
     
         18 . The lockable storage box of  claim 17  wherein the base and cover have abutting walls on which the security device is mountable, a cavity being defined in the abutting walls for receiving the security device such that portions of the abutting walls act as stop members for preventing movement of the mounted security device.  
     
     
         19 . The lockable storage box of  claim 18  wherein the cavity is formed by inwardly offset portions of the abutting walls, securing holes being formed through said inwardly offset walls for receiving barbed locking fingers projecting from the first and second arms of the security device.  
     
     
         20 . The lockable storage box of  claim 18  wherein the breakaway member is configured to be sheared from the first and second arms by application of a twisting force thereto.