Lockable storage unit for magnetic tapes,discs and the like

Claim 2

A storage unit for at least one recording element, said unit including means for mounting said unit with said element on a machine whereby information recorded on said element is made accessible, and locking apparatus removably locked with respect to said unit for preventing the unauthorized mounting of said unit on said machine, thereby to in turn prevent unauthorized access to said recorded information.

Claim 3

A storage unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said unit includes a reel for an element wound thereon and having a hub portion with a central opening therein for mounting said reel on said machine, said locking apparatus including means for blocking the central opening of said hub portion to prevent the unauthorized mounting of said tape reel on said recording machine.

Claim 4

A storage unit as claimed in claim 2 wherein said hub portion includes, in the side thereof, an aperture communicating with said central aperture, and wherein said locking apparatus includes a base portion having a plug portion extending therefrom, said plug portion being of a size sufficient to be inserted into the central opening of said reel, said plug portion including a lock mechanism mounted therein, said lock mechanism including a rotatable plate member which upon rotating in a first direction is positioned entirely within said plug portion, and upon rotating in a second direction, is received in the aperture in said hub portion to lock said reel, thereby to prevent the unauthorized mounting thereof on said recording machine.

Claim 5

A storage unit as claimed in claim 2 wherein said hub portion includes in the side thereof at least one aperture, said aperture communicating with said central opening of said hub portion, wherein said locking means includes a base portion having a plug portion extending therefrom, said plug portion being adapted for receipt in the central opening of said reel, said plug portion including a lock mechanism mounted therein, said lock mechanism including a rotatable bar member having at least one arm member pivotally connected thereto for movement upon the rotation of said bar member, said arm member, upon the rotation of said bar member in a first direction, being inserted into said aperture in said hub portion to lock said plug portion within said central opening, and said arm member, upon the rotation of said bar member in a second direction, being removed from within said aperture in said hub portion to unlock said plug portion from within said central opening.

Claim 6

A storage unit as claimed in claim 2 wherein said locking apparatus comprises a lockable container for said reel, including a cylindrically shaped base portion having at the center thereof a shaft member extending therefrom, a mating cover portion including at the center thereof in alignment with said shaft member, a central aperture through which the free end of said shaft member extends upon the mating of said base and cover portions about said reel, and a separate lock mechanism for engaging said free end of said shaft member and being locked thereto, thereby to prevent unauthorized access to information recorded on said tape.

Claim 7

A storage unit as claimed in claim 5 wherein the cover portion of said lockable container includes at the center thereof an indented portion for receipt in the central opening of said reel, wherein said base portion includes extending from the center thereof and surrounding said shaft member, a plug portion, also for receipt in the central opening of said reel in an opposing relation with said indented portion, and wherein said separate lock mechanism is of a size and shape adapted to be received in said indented portion of said cover portion.

Claim 8

A storage unit as claimed in claim 6 wherein said shaft member includes near the free end thereof, a recessed portion, wherein said separate lock mechanism includes a block portion having a first aperture therein adapted for receiving therein the free end of said shaft member, and a second larger aperture communicating with said first aperture within said block portion, said second aperture including therein a rotatable plate portion which upon rotation in a first direction extends into said first aperture so as to engage the recess in the free end of said shaft member to lock said cover portion to said base portion, and upon rotation in a second direction, is removed from within said recess to allow for the separation of said cover and base portion.

Claim 9

A storage unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein said locking apparatus comprises first and second oppositely disposed members traversing said central opening, and connecting means including a lock unit attached to one of said members and including a lockable rotatable element projecting axially toward the other of said members, and cooperable attaching means on said rotatable element and said other member adapted to be selectively connected and disconnected upon rotation of said rotatable element for securing said members to each other, and means for preventing rotation of said members relative to each other.

Claim 10

A storage unit as defined in claim 8, wherein said cooperable means comprises helical threads on said rotatable element and complementary helical threads on said other of said members.

Claim 11

A storage unit as defined in claim 9, wherein said rotatable element and said helical threads are located substantially on a central axis of said members, said connecting means including interengaging elements on said members for preventing rotation of said members relative to each other.

Claim 12

A storage unit as defined in claim 9, wherein said rotatable element and said helical threads are located on an axis offset substantially from a central axis of said meMbers, said rotatable element and threads serving both to secure said members with respect to each other and for preventing rotation of the members relative to each other.

Claim 13

A storage unit as defined in claim 11, wherein said members include element engageable with said reel for preventing rotation of said members relative to the reel and around the axis of said rotatable element.

Claim 14

A locking apparatus for a reel having a central opening therein comprising first and second members disposed in opposing relationship for traversing said central opening, a lock unit attached to said first member and including a lockable rotatable element projecting axially toward said second member, cooperative attaching means on said rotatable element and said second member adapted to be selectively connected and disconnected upon rotation of said rotatable element, and interengaging means on said first and second members for preventing rotation of said members relative to each other when said members are assembled with a reel.

Claim 15

A locking apparatus for a reel having a central opening therein comprising first and second members disposed in opposing relationship for traversing said central opening, a lock unit attached to said first member and including a lockable rotatable element projecting axially toward said second member, cooperative attaching means on said rotatable element and said second member adapted to be selectively connected and disconnected upon rotation of said rotatable element, and interengaging means on said first and second members for preventing rotation of said members relative to each other when said members are assembled with a reel.

Claim 16

A locking apparatus, as defined in claim 13, wherein said attaching means comprises helical thread convolutions on said rotatable element, and complementary helical thread convolutions on said second member.

Claim 17

A locking apparatus, as defined in claim 13, wherein said interengaging means comprises tooth elements extending oppositely from said first and second members and engaging each other.

Claim 18

A locking apparatus, as defined in claim 13, wherein at least one of said first and second members includes peripherally arranged axially extending flange means for enclosing the periphery of said reel.

Claim 19

A locking apparatus for a reel having a central opening therein comprising first and second members disposed in opposing spaced-apart relationship for overlying opposite sides of said reel and traversing said central opening, said members having a common axis alignable with a central axis of said reel opening, a lock unit attached to said first member and including a lockable rotatable axially extending stud having helical thread convolutions thereon, and complementary helical thread convolutions on said second member aligned with said stud and adapted to be selectively connected to and disconnected from said stud upon rotation of the stud.

Claim 20

A locking apparatus for a reel having a central opening therein comprising first and second members disposed in opposing spaced-apart relationship for overlying opposite sides of said reel and traversing said central opening, said members having a common axis alignable with a central axis of said reel opening, a lock unit attached to said first member and including a lockable rotatable axially extending stud having helical thread convolutions thereon, and complementary helical thread convolutions on said second member aligned with said stud and adapted to be selectively connected to and disconnected from said stud upon rotation of the stud.

Claim 21

A locking apparatus, as defined in claim 17, wherein said stud is disposed for rotation about an axis substantially coinciding with said first-mentioned axes, and said members including interengaging means for preventing relative rotation of said members when said stud threadedly engages said complementary thread means.

Claim 22

A locking apparatus, as defined in claim 17, wherein said stud and said complementary helical thread means have a common axis parallel to and offset from first-mentioned axes.

Claim 23

A locking apparatus, as defined in claim 19, wherein said members include elements engageable with a reel for holding said members against rotation relative to the reel and around the axis of said stud when said members are assembled with the reel.