Combination non-programmable and programmable key for security device

• US 10,490,038 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2017
• Issued: 11/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Sankey, James K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lau, Hoi C
• Application Number:
  US15/703,486
• Publication Number:
  US 20180005499A1
• Time in Patent Office: 804 Days
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/046 the shank being slidingly mounted on the bow, e.g. for storage
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 45/06 Electric alarm locks E05B45/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/004 the magnets acting directly on the bolt
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0045 keys with permanent magnets E05B47/0043, E05B47/0044, E05B73/0052 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0017 Anti-theft devices, e.g. tags or monitors, fixed to articles, e.g. clothes, and to be removed at the check-out of shops
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00 Individual registration on entry or exit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00817 where the code of the lock can be programmed
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00912 for safes, strong-rooms, vaults or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/14 by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1445 with detection of interference with a cable tethering an article, e.g. alarm activated by detecting detachment of article, breaking or stretching of cable furniture, e.g. shelves for displaying merchandise, incorporating tethers to prevent theft A47F7/024, A47F5/0861
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1472 with force or weight detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/046 prevention of tampering with detection circuits
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5004 For antitheft signaling device on protected article
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7057 Permanent magnet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7486 Single key

Abstract

A security device for an item of merchandise is provided. The security device includes a non-programmable locking mechanism comprising a mechanical lock and a programmable locking mechanism comprising a monitoring circuit operatively coupled to an alarm. The security device is configured to secure an item of merchandise from theft or removal when the mechanical lock is locked and to be separated from the item of merchandise when the mechanical lock is unlocked. The alarm is configured to provide an alarm signal if the security device is separated from the item of merchandise while the monitoring circuit is armed.

Claims

1. A security device for an item of merchandise, the security device comprising:

a mechanical lock configured to be unlocked by a programmable key; and

a monitoring circuit operatively coupled to an alarm and configured to be disarmed by the programmable key,

wherein the security device is configured to secure an item of merchandise from theft or removal when the mechanical lock is locked and the item of merchandise is configured to be removed from the security device when the mechanical lock is unlocked,

wherein the alarm is configured to provide an alarm signal if the item of merchandise is removed from the security device while the monitoring circuit is armed and prior to disarming the monitoring circuit with the programmable key,

wherein the monitoring circuit is configured to receive a wireless signal from the programmable key for disarming the monitoring circuit.

2. The security device of claim 1, wherein the alarm is configured to provide an alarm signal if the mechanical lock is unlocked and the monitoring circuit is armed.

3. The security device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to detect removal of the security device from the item of merchandise.

4. The security device of claim 3, wherein the sensor comprises a proximity switch.

5. The security device of claim 1, wherein the monitoring circuit is configured to be armed or disarmed by the programmable key.

6. The security device of claim 1, wherein the monitoring circuit comprises a security code.

7. The security device of claim 6, wherein the monitoring circuit is configured to be disarmed in response to the security code matching a security code stored on the programmable key.

8. The security device of claim 1, wherein the monitoring circuit is configured to receive an energy signal from the programmable key for arming or disarming the monitoring circuit.

9. The security device of claim 8, wherein the energy signal is selected from the group consisting of an electrical signal, an optical signal, an acoustical signal, and a magnetic pulse signal.

10. The security device of claim 1, wherein the monitoring circuit is configured to receive an infrared signal from the programmable key for arming or disarming the monitoring circuit.

11. The security device of claim 1, wherein the mechanical lock comprises a magnetically attractable material.

12. The security device of claim 1, wherein the security device comprises one of a merchandise display fixture, a merchandise display stand, a merchandise keeper, or a merchandise display hook.

19. The security device of claim 6, wherein the security code is randomly generated.

20. The security device of claim 1, wherein each of the mechanical lock and the monitoring circuit is housed within the security device.

21. The security device of claim 1, wherein the mechanical lock is configured to be mechanically disengaged by the programmable key for unlocking the mechanical lock.

22. The security device of claim 21, wherein the monitoring circuit is configured to communicate with the programmable key.

23. The security device of claim 1, wherein the wireless signal is an optical signal.

13. A method for securing an item of merchandise from theft, the method comprising:

locking a mechanical lock of a security device to secure an item of merchandise from theft or removal;

unlocking the mechanical lock of the security device with a programmable key;

disarming a monitoring circuit of the security device operatively coupled to an alarm in response to receiving a wireless signal from the programmable key; and

removing the item of merchandise from the security device when the mechanical lock is unlocked.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein removing the item of merchandise comprises removing the item of merchandise from the security device after the monitoring circuit is disarmed by the programmable key.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein disarming comprises actuating the programmable key for emitting the wireless signal.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the programmable key comprises a non-programmable portion, the non-programmable portion comprising a magnet, and wherein unlocking comprises engaging the magnet with the mechanical lock.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the alarm is configured to provide an alarm signal if the security device is removed from the item of merchandise when the monitoring circuit is armed.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein disarming comprises disarming the monitoring circuit in response to a security code of the monitoring circuit matching a security code of the programmable key.