Recoiler for a merchandise security system
First Claim
1. A merchandise security system for displaying and protecting an 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;
a cable connected to the sensor and the base;
a recoiler comprising a spool, wherein the cable is configured to unwind from the spool when the sensor is lifted off of the base and to retract within the recoiler when the sensor is returned to the base; and
a lock mechanism configured to engage the spool 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.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
77 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A merchandise security system for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise from theft, comprising:
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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; a cable connected to the sensor and the base; a recoiler comprising a spool, wherein the cable is configured to unwind from the spool when the sensor is lifted off of the base and to retract within the recoiler when the sensor is returned to the base; and a lock mechanism configured to engage the spool 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise from theft, comprising:
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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; connecting a cable to the sensor, wherein the cable is configured to unwind from a spool when the sensor is lifted off of the base and to wind on the spool when the sensor is returned to the base; and engaging the spool with a lock mechanism 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. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A merchandise security system for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise from theft, comprising:
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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; a cable connected to the sensor and the base; a spool located within the base, wherein the cable is configured to unwind from the spool when the sensor is lifted off of the base and to wind on the spool when the sensor is returned to the base; and a lock mechanism configured to engage the spool 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. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification