Merchandise security devices for use with an electronic key

• US 10,533,344 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2018
• Issued: 01/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Taylor, Gary A., Grant, Jeffrey A., Berglund, David N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Boswell, Christopher J
• Application Number:
  US15/940,347
• Publication Number:
  US 20180216367A1
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0006 Hangers for hanging articles on bars, tringles, bracket arms or the like dress holders, e.g. for clothing, shoes, A47G25/00; packages for hanging B65D; lockable clothing holders E05B69/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/28 for containers, e.g. flasks, bottles , tins, milk packs racks or containers with dispensing arrangements A47F1/04; for lipsticks or markers A47F7/0021; for audio/video cassettes or booklike articles A47F7/14
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 15/16 Use of special materials for parts of locks
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0058 by batteries
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0063 Energy transfer from key to lock, e.g. for emergency opening
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0082 Induction for charging or current transformation
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0083 Devices of electrically driving keys, e.g. to facilitate opening
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0084 Key or electric means; Emergency release
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0001 with electric actuators; Constructional features thereof for vehicles E05B81/04
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0009 with thermo-electric actuators, e.g. heated bimetals
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 51/005 by a bimetallic or memory-shape element heated by electricity E05B47/0009; for panic door actuation E05B65/104
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/00 Padlocks permutation locks E05B37/00; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/10 with devices for securing the free end of the shackle
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/00 Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices motorcycle helmets A42B3/0413; supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening helmets B62J11/24; gun racks A47B81/005; showcases with theft protection A47F3/002; anti-theft means for peg-boards, grids or rods for hanging merchandise A47F5/0861; show stands, hangers, shelves with provision against unauthorised removal A47F7/024; for self-service hand-carts A47F10/04; locking skis A63C11/004; locking bolts, nuts or pins F16B41/00
• 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: E05B 73/0023 Containers, boxes, cases or the like, e.g. for compact discs or video-cassettes, specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0047 Unlocking tools; Decouplers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/413 Padlocks

Abstract

A merchandise security device is provided. The merchandise security device may include a lock mechanism operably engaged with a shape memory material configured to receive electrical power for locking and unlocking the lock mechanism. The shape memory material may be configured to change in shape in response to receiving electrical power to thereby lock or unlock the lock mechanism.

Claims

1. A merchandise security device for protecting items of merchandise from theft, the merchandise security device comprising:

a lock mechanism; and

a shape memory material operably engaged with the lock mechanism and configured to receive electrical power from an electronic key for locking and/or unlocking the lock mechanism,

wherein the shape memory material is configured to change in shape in response to receiving electrical power to thereby lock or unlock the lock mechanism, and

wherein the lock mechanism is configured to be locked or unlocked without performing an authorization protocol with the electronic key.

2. The merchandise security device of claim 1, further comprising at least one conductor operably engaged with the lock mechanism and in electrical communication with the shape memory material.

3. The merchandise security device of claim 2, wherein the at least one conductor is configured to receive electrical power inductively.

4. The merchandise security device of claim 2, wherein the at least one conductor comprises a coil having a plurality of continuous windings.

5. The merchandise security device of claim 2, wherein the at least one conductor is configured to receive electrical power wirelessly.

6. The merchandise security device of claim 1, wherein no compressive and/or torsional force is exerted by the electronic key on the lock mechanism in order to lock or unlock the lock mechanism.

7. The merchandise security device of claim 1, wherein no physical force is exerted by the electronic key on the lock mechanism in order to lock or unlock the lock mechanism.

8. The merchandise security device of claim 1, wherein the lock mechanism is not locked or unlocked using any one of a rectifier, a battery, or a logic control circuit.

9. The merchandise security device of claim 1, further comprising:

a container defining an enclosure configured to receive the item of merchandise therein; and

a lid engaged with the container and configured to move between open and closed positions relative to the container,

wherein the lock mechanism is operably engaged with the lid or the container and is operable to lock the lid to the container in the closed position, and

wherein the shape memory material is configured to change in shape in response to receiving electrical power for unlocking the lid from the container so that the item of merchandise may be removed from the container in the open position.

10. The merchandise security device of claim 1, further comprising a housing configured to releasably engage, and be removed from, at least one rod for supporting items of merchandise thereon in response to actuation of the lock mechanism, wherein the housing contains the lock mechanism and is configured to be engaged to the at least one rod when the lock mechanism is in a locked configuration and disengaged from the at least one rod when the lock mechanism is in an unlocked configuration.

11. The merchandise security device of claim 1, further comprising an alarm circuit configured to be armed or disarmed by the electronic key.

12. A method for protecting an item of merchandise susceptible to theft, comprising:

receiving electrical power from an electronic key at a lock mechanism; and

locking or unlocking the lock mechanism in response to a change in shape of a shape memory material operably engaged with the lock mechanism,

wherein locking or unlocking does not require performing an authorization protocol with the electronic key.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising disarming an alarm circuit with the electronic key.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein receiving comprises receiving electrical power inductively.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving data from the electronic key at the lock mechanism, wherein the lock mechanism is not configured to recognize the data.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein receiving electrical power comprises receiving electrical power from the electronic key at the lock mechanism after receiving the data and not receiving a return signal from the lock mechanism.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein locking or unlocking comprises locking or unlocking the lock mechanism without the lock mechanism requiring any one of a rectifier, a battery, or logic control circuit.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein locking or unlocking comprises locking or unlocking a lid to a container configured to receive the item of merchandise therein.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein locking or unlocking comprises locking or unlocking a housing to at least one rod configured to support items of merchandise thereon, wherein the housing contains the lock mechanism and is configured to be engaged to the at least one rod when the lock mechanism is in a locked configuration and disengaged from the at least one rod when the lock mechanism is in an unlocked configuration.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein locking or unlocking does not require exerting a physical force by the electronic key on the lock mechanism.