Apparatus for holding an article and a security device therefor

Abstract

Apparatus for holding an article such as a disk, the apparatus comprising a hub ( 5 ) for holding the disk; a cap ( 7 ) moveable between a first position in which it permits the disk to be received by the hub ( 5 ) and removed therefrom and a second position in which it prevents the hub from releasing the disk and/or inhibits removal of the disk therefrom; and a security device ( 8 ) engageable with the apparatus so as to interact with the cap to secure the cap ( 7 ) in said second position. The cap ( 7 ) may be a separate item, hinged to the apparatus or carried by a lid portion of the apparatus.

1 . Apparatus for holding an article, the apparatus comprising holding means for releasably holding the article; obstructing means moveable between a first position which permits the article to be received by the holding means and removed therefrom and a second position in which it inhibits operation of the holding means to release the article and/or inhibits removal of the article therefrom; and securing means engageable with the apparatus so as to secure the obstructing means in said second position.  
   
   
       2 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the holding means is adapted to hold an article via a hole therein.  
   
   
       3 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  in which the article is a disk, for instance a CD or DVD.  
   
   
       4 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  in which the obstructing means comprises a flange portion for overlying part of the article when held on the holding means so as to inhibit removal of the article therefrom.  
   
   
       5 . Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the obstructing means comprises a projecting part for fitting into the holding means.  
   
   
       6 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 4  in which said projecting part is arranged to interact with the holding means so as to inhibit operation thereof to release the article and/or to cause the holding means to obstruct removal of the article therefrom.  
   
   
       7 . Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the obstructing means comprises part of the holding means or is attached thereto and the securing means is arranged to interact with the obstructing means and/or the holdings means so as to move the obstructing means to said second position.  
   
   
       8 . Apparatus as claimed in any of claims  1 - 6  in which the obstructing means is removeably engageable with the holding means and the securing means is arranged to interact with the obstructing means when the obstructing means is fitted to the holding means so as to inhibit removal of the obstructing means from the holding means.  
   
   
       9 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 8  in which the securing means engages with a slot in the obstructing means to inhibit removal of the obstructing means from the holding means.  
   
   
       10 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 8  or  9  in which the securing means interacts with the obstructing means so as cause part of the obstructing means to engage with the holding means so as to inhibit its removal therefrom.  
   
   
       11 . Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claims in which the securing means is provided with locking means for preventing disengagement of the securing means from the obstructing means until the locking means is released.  
   
   
       12 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 11  in which the locking means is arranged to be actuated upon installation of the securing means.  
   
   
       13 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 11  or  12  in which the locking means is arranged so as to be released upon application of magnetic release apparatus.  
   
   
       14 . Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which an EAS tag is mounted on the obstructing means and/or on the securing means.  
   
   
       15 . Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the holding means is provided on a base portion and the obstructing means is pivotably connected to the base portion.  
   
   
       16 . Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a base portion and lid portion moveable between open and closed positions.  
   
   
       17 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 16  in which the holding means is attached to or integrally formed with the lid portion.  
   
   
       18 . Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the securing means comprises a security device releasable by known release apparatus, the interaction of the security device with the holding means enabling the article to be secured thereon where interaction of the security device with the holding means alone would not secure the article thereon.  
   
   
       19 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 18  in which the security device is releasable by release apparatus comprising two magnets, one for releasing a locking mechanism and another for assisting in withdrawal of the security device.  
   
   
       20 . A kit of parts comprising: apparatus having holding means for releasably holding an article; obstructing means for inhibiting operation of the holding means and/or inhibiting removal of the article therefrom; and securing means engageable with the apparatus so as to inhibit or prevent removal of the obstructing means from the holding means.  
   
   
       21 . Apparatus having holding means for releasably holding an article, the holding means being adapted to receive obstructing means for inhibiting operation of the holding means and/or inhibiting removal of the article therefrom, and being adapted to receive securing means engageable therewith so as to inhibit or prevent removal of the obstructing means from the holding means.  
   
   
       22 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 21  in which the obstructing means is formed therewith or mounted thereon so as to be moveable between a first position in which it permits installation or removal of the article onto or from the holding means and a second position in which it inhibits operation of the holding means and/or inhibits removal of the article therefrom.  
   
   
       23 . Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a base portion and a lid portion moveable between open and closed positions, the securing means also being adapted to secure the base portion and lid portion in the closed position when installed therein.  
   
   
       24 . Securing means for use with the apparatus claimed in  claim 21  or  22 , or  claim 23  when dependent upon  claim 21  or  22 , adapted to engage with the holding means so as to inhibit or prevent removal of the obstructing means from the holding means.