Merchandise security system with sound chamber

• US 10,121,336 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2018
• Issued: 11/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Burmeister, II, Kirk
• Primary Examiner(s): Yacob, Sisay
• Application Number:
  US16/002,450
• Publication Number:
  US 20180286197A1
• Time in Patent Office: 152 Days
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to security systems for securing an item of merchandise from theft or unauthorized removal. For example, the security system may include a sensor configured to be coupled to the item of merchandise and a base configured to removably support the sensor and the item of merchandise thereon. The base includes a sidewall and a bottom surface, and the sidewall defines an opening. The security system also includes an alarm configured to generate sound in response to a security event. The alarm includes a sound chamber configured to direct sound exiting the sound chamber towards the opening in the sidewall.

Claims

1. A security system for securing an item of merchandise from theft or unauthorized removal, the security system comprising:

a base configured to removably support the item of merchandise thereon, the base comprising an opening; and

an alarm configured to generate sound in response to a security event and direct the sound out of the opening in the base, the alarm comprising a sound chamber,

wherein the sound chamber comprises a cap coupled to a chamber and an opening defined in the chamber for allowing sound to exit the chamber,

wherein the cap is disposed at an angle relative to a bottom surface of the chamber, and

wherein the cap is configured to resonate for generating sound, and

wherein the chamber is configured to direct the sound towards the bottom surface of the chamber in a first direction and out of the opening of the chamber in a second direction that is different than the first direction.

2. The security system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to be coupled to the item of merchandise.

3. The security system of claim 2, further comprising a cable connected to the sensor and the base and configured to define a sense loop.

4. The security system of claim 2, wherein the alarm is operably engaged with the cable and is configured to generate an alarm signal when the item of merchandise is removed from the sensor or the sense loop is interrupted.

5. The security system of claim 2, further comprising a cable connected to the sensor, wherein each of the sensor and an end of the cable comprises an optical transceiver, and wherein the optical transceivers are configured to communicate optical signals with one another to detect removal of the sensor from the cable.

6. The security system of claim 5, wherein the alarm is configured to generate an audible alarm in response to an interruption of the optical signals.

7. The security system of claim 1, wherein the alarm is wedge shaped.

8. The security system of claim 1, wherein the cap is disposed at an acute angle relative to the bottom surface of the chamber.

9. The security system of claim 1, wherein the cap is disposed parallel or generally parallel to a center axis of the opening defined in the chamber.

10. The security system of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a sidewall and a bottom surface, and wherein the opening in the base is defined in the sidewall thereof.

11. The security system of claim 10, wherein the chamber does not direct sound exiting the opening of the chamber towards the bottom surface of the base.

12. The security system of claim 1, wherein the cap comprises a piezo element.

13. The security system of claim 1, wherein the cap has a diameter of about 20 mm.

14. The security system of claim 1, wherein the cap is circular in shape.

15. The security system of claim 1, wherein the cap is disposed at an angle of about 15-20 degrees relative to the bottom surface of the chamber.

16. The security system of claim 1, wherein the alarm is housed within the base.

17. The security system of claim 1, wherein the first direction and the second direction define an angle of about 90 degrees therebetween.

18. The security system of claim 1, wherein the sound directed in the first direction is configured to be deflected within the chamber to the second direction.

19. A method for securing an item of merchandise from theft or unauthorized removal, the method comprising:

generating sound with a sound chamber in response to a security event, wherein the sound chamber comprises a cap coupled to a chamber and an opening defined in the chamber for allowing sound to exit the chamber, wherein the cap is configured to resonate for generating sound;

directing the sound in a first direction towards a bottom surface of the chamber; and

directing the sound in a second direction with the chamber that is different than the first direction out of the opening of the chamber and towards an opening defined in a base housing the sound chamber.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein directing the sound in the second direction does not comprise directing the sound towards a bottom surface of the base.