Security bag and method of use

Abstract

A security bag has a storage pouch that is shaped to receive and securely contain a smart phone. Front and rear panels of the storage pouch are constructed of an opaque material to prevent operation of cameras of the smart phone. A central portion of the front panel has a control opening that has a height and a width that are adapted to allow access to at least part of the touch screen of the smart phone, without uncovering the camera. A locking mechanism locks the access opening closed and prevents removal of the smart phone from the storage pouch. In an unlocked position the locking mechanism may be physically detached from the storage pouch.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A security bag that securely stores a smart phone for preventing use of cameras of the smart phone, but still enables a user to have operative control access to a touch screen of the smart phone, the security bag comprising:
 a storage pouch having a front panel and a rear panel joined together to form a closed bottom end and an access opening at a top end, the storage pouch being shaped to receive and securely contain the smart phone, the front and rear panels being constructed of an opaque material to prevent operation of the cameras of the smart phone;   a central portion of the front panel of the storage pouch having a control opening that has a height and a width that are adapted to allow access to at least part of the touch screen of the smart phone, while leaving the cameras covered;   a transparent plastic window that covers the control opening and enables operation of the smart phone via the touch screen; and   a locking mechanism that moves between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein in the locked position the locking mechanism locks the access opening closed and prevents removal of the smart phone from the storage pouch, and wherein in the unlocked position the locking mechanism may be physically detached from the storage pouch, thereby allowing removal of the smart phone.   
     
     
         2 . The security bag of  claim 1 , wherein the front and rear panels are constructed of paper or plastic. 
     
     
         3 . The security bag of  claim 1 , wherein the front and rear panels are constructed of paper or plastic, and are printed with commemorative images that are collectable in nature. 
     
     
         4 . The security bag of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a front plate connected to a rear plate with a hinge, the locking mechanism further including a locking tab extending from the rear plate, and a locking pin of the front plate that lockingly engages the locking tab, the locking pin being biased towards a locked position by a spring, but movable to an unlocked position to release the locking tab and open the locking mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The locking mechanism of  claim 4 , further comprising a pin housing structure that extends beneath the locking tab when the locking mechanism is hinged in a closed position, the pin housing structure comprising:
 a lower sheet that extends inwardly from the bottom of the front plate;   an upwardly extending sidewall that extends upwardly from the lower sheet, behind the rear plate, so that the spring is surrounded by the front plate, lower sheet, and upwardly extending sidewall;   a first inwardly extending lip extending inwardly from the upwardly extending sidewall, and a second inwardly extending lip extending inwardly from the front plate opposite the first inwardly extending lip to form an upper opening that allows the locking pin to pass at least partially through the upper opening to engage the locking tab.