Recoiler for a merchandise security system

• US 10,043,358 B1
• Filed: 03/20/2018
• Issued: 08/07/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Berglund, David N., Baker, Kyle, Bisesti, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Lu, Shirley
• Application Number:
  US15/926,326
• Publication Number:
  US 20180211497A1
• Time in Patent Office: 140 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/024 with provisions for preventing unauthorised removal show cases with devices for prevention of theft A47F3/002; devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal E05B73/0017
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/265 Reels with grooves or grooved elements inhibiting aligned or orderly winding
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/48 Automatic re-storing devices
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0082 for office machines, e.g. PC's, portable computers, typewriters, calculators
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/126 for a housing, e.g. a box, a safe, or a room
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1409 for removal detection of electrical appliances by detecting their physical disconnection from an electrical system, e.g. using a switch incorporated in the plug connector
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1463 Physical arrangements, e.g. housings devices to prevent theft or loss of purses, luggage or hand carried bags A45C13/18

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to recoilers, merchandise security systems, and methods for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise from theft. In one example, the merchandise security system includes a sensor configured to be secured to the article of merchandise and a base for removably supporting the sensor and the item of merchandise thereon. The system also includes a recoiler operably coupled to the sensor. The recoiler includes a rotatable member defining a helical recess. The system further includes a cable configured to connect to the sensor and to be unwound from and wound on the rotatable member as the cable is extended and retracted. The cable is configured to be extended from the recoiler in response to the sensor being lifted off of the base, and the cable is configured to be retracted into the recoiler in response to the sensor being moved to a seated position on the base. The helical recess is configured to at least partially receive the cable therein as the cable is wound on the rotatable member.

Claims

1. A merchandise security system for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise and an auxiliary device of the article of merchandise from theft, comprising:

a sensor that is secured to the article of merchandise and that detects removal of the article of merchandise from the sensor;

a base that removably supports the sensor and the article of merchandise thereon, wherein the base further comprises an auxiliary port that operably connects to the auxiliary device; and

a cable operably connected to the sensor and the base,

wherein the base transfers power to the auxiliary port for powering the auxiliary device, and

wherein a security signal is transmitted through the auxiliary port that is used to detect removal of the auxiliary device from the base.

2. The merchandise security system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary port is configured to receive an input connector operably connected to the auxiliary device.

3. The merchandise security system of claim 2, wherein the security signal is configured to be transmitted through the cable and the auxiliary port for detecting removal of the input connector from the auxiliary port.

4. The merchandise security system of claim 1, wherein each of the base and the sensor comprises one or more electrical contacts that are configured to contact one another when the sensor is seated on the base for transferring electrical power for charging the article of merchandise.

5. The merchandise security system of claim 1, further comprising a lock mechanism configured to lock the sensor to the base in a locked position when the sensor is seated on the base to thereby prevent the sensor from being lifted off of the base and to be unlocked to allow removal of the sensor from the base in an unlocked position.

6. The merchandise security system of claim 5, wherein the lock mechanism is configured to rotate between the locked position and the unlocked position.

7. The merchandise security system of claim 6, wherein the lock mechanism comprises a fastener.

8. The merchandise security system of claim 5, wherein the base comprises a top surface for supporting the sensor, a bottom surface for being positioned on a display surface, and a side surface, wherein the lock mechanism is accessible on the side surface and the auxiliary port is accessible on the rear surface.

9. The merchandise security system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary port is a USB-type input port.

10. The merchandise security system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary port is configured to operably connect to an auxiliary device comprising a stylus, a speaker, a keyboard, or a Bluetooth device each configured to operate with the article of merchandise.

11. The merchandise security system of claim 1, wherein the cable comprises one or more electrical conductors defining a sense loop for conducting the security signal.

12. The merchandise security system of claim 11, wherein the sense loop is further defined in the auxiliary port.

13. The merchandise security system of claim 1, wherein the security signal is configured to be transmitted through the cable and the auxiliary port for detecting the cable being cut, shorted, or disconnected.

14. The merchandise security system of claim 1, wherein each of the sensor and the base comprises an alarm for generating an audible and/or a visible alarm.

15. The merchandise security system of claim 1, wherein the base is configured to be disarmed with a wireless key.

16. The merchandise security system of claim 1, further comprising a recoiler comprising a rotatable member, wherein the cable is configured to be unwound from and wound on the rotatable member as the cable is extended and retracted.

17. The merchandise security system of claim 16, further comprising a lock mechanism configured to lock the sensor to the base in a locked position when the sensor is seated on the base to thereby prevent the rotatable member from rotating.

18. The merchandise security system of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a top surface for supporting the sensor, a bottom surface for being positioned on a display surface, a side surface, and a rear surface, wherein the auxiliary port is disposed on the rear surface, and wherein an opening is defined in the top surface for receiving the cable.

19. The merchandise security system of claim 1, wherein the cable and the sensor communicate optical signals with one another for detecting a security event associated with the sensor, the cable, or the item of merchandise.

20. The merchandise security system of claim 19, wherein an end of the cable comprises an optical transceiver for communicating optical signals with the sensor.

21. The merchandise security system of claim 20, wherein the cable comprises a releasable connector configured to releasably engage the sensor, wherein the releasable connector is configured to contain the optical transceiver.

22. The merchandise security system of claim 20, wherein the cable comprises one or more electrical conductors for providing power to the optical transceiver.

23. The merchandise security system of claim 20, wherein the sensor comprises an optical transceiver for communicating optical signals with the optical transceiver of the cable.

24. The merchandise security system of claim 23, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to determine if the cable has been cut or disconnected.

25. The merchandise security system of claim 23, further comprising a connector configured to electrically connect the sensor to the article of merchandise, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to determine if the connector has been removed from the article of merchandise.

26. The merchandise security system of claim 23, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to rotate relative to one another.

27. The merchandise security system of claim 23, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to define a sense loop through the cable.

28. The merchandise security system of claim 23, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable is configured to communicate with the optical transceiver of the sensor for detecting disconnection of the cable from the sensor.

29. The merchandise security system of claim 1, further comprising a printed circuit board disposed within the base and electrically connected to the cable with a plurality of electrical wires, wherein the auxiliary port is disposed on the printed circuit board.

30. The merchandise security system of claim 19, wherein the cable and the sensor communicate optical signals with one another for detecting disconnection of the cable from the sensor.

31. A method for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise and an auxiliary device of the article of merchandise from theft, comprising:

securing a sensor to the article of merchandise that detects removal of the article of merchandise from the sensor;

attaching a base to a support surface that removably supports the sensor and the article of merchandise thereon, the base comprising an auxiliary port;

connecting a cable to the sensor; and

operably connecting the auxiliary device to the auxiliary port, wherein the base transfers power to the auxiliary port for powering the auxiliary device, and

wherein a security signal is transmitted through the auxiliary port that is used to detect removal of the auxiliary device from the base.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein connecting comprises connecting the cable including an optical transceiver to the sensor for communicating optical signals with the sensor for detecting disconnection of the cable from the sensor.