System for securing, attaching and/or detaching a device to a fixture

• US 10,584,825 B1
• Filed: 06/20/2019
• Issued: 03/10/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sennco Solutions Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Sennco Solutions Incorporated
• Inventors: Ewen, III, John E, Reynolds, Andy G, Groth, James, Frederiksen, Bjarne
• Primary Examiner(s): Duckworth, Bradley
• Application Number:
  US16/447,506
• Time in Patent Office: 264 Days
• Field of Search: 248551, 248553, 2481761, 2481781, 2481871, 248685, 3405681, 3405682, 3405688
• 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: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/22 with approximately constant height, e.g. with constant length of column or of legs F16M11/42 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An apparatus, a system and a method secures, attaches and/or detaches a device to a fixture. A post with an interior secures a retractable reel. The retractable reel has a cable that attaches, connects and/or secures the device to the fixture. The cable extends from the retractable reel and/or extends through the post. A head unit attaches to the device and has a fastening mechanism for connecting and/or for disconnecting the cable to the device. The post has a recession for receiving a head unit and/or for aligning the head unit and/or the device. A fastener and/or an adhesive connects, secures and/or attaches the device to the head unit. A key disconnects the cable from the head unit.

Claims

1. A system for removably securing a device to a display surface of a fixture, the system comprising:

a post configured to be fastened to the display surface;

a reel disposed within a compartment of the post such that the post and reel are located above the display surface of the fixture;

a head unit supported by the post and configured to attach to the device, the head unit enclosing an interior compartment;

a spring housed within the interior compartment;

a cable having a first end and a second end, the cable connected to the reel at the first end of the cable, the cable including a connector at the second end, the connector removably attached to the spring within the interior compartment of the head unit to connect the head unit to the cable.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the connector and the cable detach from the head unit; and

the spring remains within the interior compartment and disconnected and remote from the connector and the cable when the connector and cable are detached from the head unit.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein deflection of the spring within the interior compartment attaches the head unit to the connector and the second end of the cable.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein deflection of the spring within the interior compartment detaches the head unit from the connector and the second end of the cable.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the head unit comprises an opening receiving the connector; and

the spring deflects in a direction away from the opening to attach the head unit and the connector.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein:

the connector comprises a tapered tip; and

the tapered tip of the connector deflects the spring as the connector travels through the opening.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the head unit comprises a top cover and a bottom cover;

the bottom cover includes an interior cavity, the interior cavity being a portion of the interior compartment; and

the spring is connected to the bottom cover within the interior cavity.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the spring comprises a first end and a second end opposite the first end;

each of the first end and the second end is within the interior compartment; and

the first end is connected to the head unit within the interior compartment.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a tapered tip that deflects the spring while attaching the connector and cable to the head unit.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a groove around the connector in a direction perpendicular to the cable.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a key that detaches the spring from the connector.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the head unit comprises an opening receiving the connector;

the system further comprises a key; and

the key deflects the spring in a direction away from the opening to detach the connector and cable from the head unit.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the head unit comprises an opening receiving the connector; and

the spring has a first end attached to a surface within the interior compartment and a second end extending from the first end in a direction toward the opening.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein a portion of the spring overlaps the opening.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the second end extends to a point beyond the opening.

16. The system of claim 13, further comprising a key that deflects the second end of the spring away from the opening.

17. The system of claim 1, further comprising a crown with a recession formed therein, wherein:

the crown is fastened to the post by screws;

the cable extends through the crown; and

the crown receives the head unit.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the recession comprises a shape that matches a shape of a bottom side of the head unit to align the head unit when inserted into the recession with respect to the crown and post.

19. The system of claim 17, further comprising a base, the base including a top end and a bottom end, the bottom end fastened to the display surface of the fixture.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein:

the post includes a top wall and a bottom wall opposite the top wall;

the bottom wall is attached to the top end of the base; and

the top wall is fastened to the crown.

21. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plunger in the head unit wherein the plunger extends from the head unit in a first position of the plunger wherein the plunger extends into an interior cavity of the head unit in a second position of the plunger and further wherein the head unit triggers an alarm indicative of the plunger in the second position.

22. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plunger connected to the head unit, wherein:

the plunger is extended from the head unit in a first position of the plunger;

the plunger is within an interior cavity of the head unit in a second position of the plunger; and

the head unit triggers an alarm when the plunger extends from the second position to the first position.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein:

the head unit houses a printed circuit board; and

the plunger is connected to the printed circuit board to trigger the alarm.

24. A system for removably securing a device to a display surface of a fixture, the system comprising:

a post configured to be fastened to the fixture;

a reel disposed within a compartment of the post such that the post and reel are located above the display surface of the fixture;

a head unit supported by the post and configured to attach to the device, the head unit enclosing an interior compartment, and the head unit including an opening;

a spring housed within the interior compartment;

a cable having a first end and a second end, the cable connected to the reel at the first end of the cable, the cable including a connector at the second end, the connector removably attached to the spring within the interior compartment of the head unit to connect the head unit to the cable;

wherein the connector extends through the opening of the head unit to attach the head unit to the post and the cable in a first position of the head unit, wherein the head unit is adjacent to a top surface of the post in the first position, wherein the head unit is disconnected from the post and is secured to the connector and the cable in a second position, and further wherein the head unit is disconnected from the post, the connector and the cable in a third position; and

wherein the spring is engaged with the connector in the first position of the head unit, the spring is engaged with the connector in the second position of the head unit, and further wherein the spring remains within the interior compartment and disconnected and remote from the connector and cable in the third position of the head unit.

25. A system for securing a device, the system comprising:

a post having a top surface, a bottom surface and sides wherein the sides connect the top surface to the bottom surface to form an interior and further wherein the top surface has a hole;

a cable having a length defined between a first end and a second end wherein the first end of the cable is secured within the interior of the post and further wherein the cable extends through the interior of the post and the hole;

a connector attached to the second end of the cable;

a head unit having an opening wherein the connector extends through the opening of the head unit to attach the head unit to the post and the cable in a first position of the head unit wherein the head unit is adjacent to the top surface of the post in the first position wherein the head unit is disconnected from the post and is secured to the connector and the cable in a second position and further wherein the head unit is disconnected from the post, the connector and the cable in a third position; and

a spring in the head unit wherein the spring is engaged with the connector in the first position of the head unit wherein the spring is engaged with the connector in the second position of the head unit and further wherein the spring is remote from the connector and the cable in the third position of the head unit.

26. The system of claim 25, further comprising:

a crown attached to the top surface of the post by screws; and

a recession that extends inward with respect to the crown, wherein the recession is sized and shaped to receive and align the head unit.

27. The system of claim 25, further comprising a plunger connected to the head unit wherein the head unit triggers an alarm when the plunger extends from the head unit.

28. The system of claim 25, further comprising a key that inserts into the head unit wherein the key moves the spring away from the connector to disconnect the connector and the cable from the head unit and to disconnect the spring from the connector.