Low profile merchandise security system

• US 10,614,683 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2016
• Issued: 04/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Berglund, David N., Dugas, Daniel D., Grant, Jeffrey A.
• Primary Examiner(s): McNally, Kerri L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Thang D
• Application Number:
  US15/570,925
• Publication Number:
  US 20180293857A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,434 Days
• Field of Search: 3405682, 3405721-5729, 340 101- 106
• 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 13/1454 Circuit arrangements thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/149 with electric, magnetic, capacitive switch actuation

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 sensor has a generally L-shaped surface for being secured to a portion of the rear and bottom surfaces of the item of merchandise. The base includes a charging circuit for providing power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise.

Claims

1. A security system for securing an item of merchandise from theft or unauthorized removal, the item of merchandise having a rear surface and a bottom surface, the security system comprising:

a sensor configured to be coupled to the item of merchandise, the sensor having a generally L-shaped surface configured to engage a portion of the rear and bottom surfaces of the item of merchandise, wherein the sensor further comprises a connector disposed on the generally L-shaped surface configured to engage an input port on the item of merchandise for electrically connecting the sensor to the item of merchandise; and

a base configured to removably support the sensor thereon,

wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of electrical contacts and the base comprises a plurality of electrical contacts for transferring power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise when the sensor is supported on the base, the plurality electrical contacts of the sensor and the base configured to contact one another for transferring power when the sensor is positioned on the base and to be separated from one another to cease transferring power when the sensor is removed from the base, and

wherein the sensor is configured to detect unauthorized removal of the item of merchandise from the sensor.

2. The security system of claim 1, further comprising a flexible circuit electrically connecting the connector and the plurality of electrical contacts of the sensor for providing power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise.

3. The security system of claim 1, further comprising a cable connected to the sensor, the cable comprising at least one conductor for defining a sense loop.

4. The security system of claim 3, further comprising an alarm unit operably engaged with the cable and 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 3, wherein the base comprises a charging circuit for providing power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise, and wherein the charging circuit and the sense loop are electrically isolated from one another.

6. The security system of claim 3, further comprising a recoiler connected to the cable.

7. The security system of claim 3, wherein the at least one conductor does not transmit power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise.

8. The security system of claim 3, wherein an end of the cable comprises a sensing element configured to contact the item of merchandise.

9. The security system of claim 3, wherein an end of the cable comprises a connector configured to releasably engage the sensor.

10. The security system of claim 9, wherein the end of the cable is configured to rotate relative to the sensor.

11. The security system of claim 1, wherein the base comprises an upper surface configured to removably support the sensor thereon, and wherein the sensor is configured to entirely cover the upper surface of the base when supported thereon.

12. The security system of claim 11, wherein the upper surface of the base is configured to be positioned flush to an upper surface of a support surface such that the base is not located above the upper surface of the support surface.

13. The security system of claim 12, wherein the sensor comprises a bottom surface, and wherein the entire bottom surface is configured to be positioned flush to the upper surface of the base.

14. The security system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a rear surface and a bottom surface opposite the L-shaped surface, and wherein the plurality of electrical contacts of the sensor are arranged on the bottom surface.

15. The security system of claim 14, further comprising a cable connected to the bottom surface of the sensor at one end and a recoiler at an opposite end.

16. The security system of claim 1, wherein the sensor does not include an external cable for electrically connecting to the input port of the item of merchandise.

17. The security system of claim 1, wherein the connector is mounted to and extends from the L-shaped surface.

18. A method for securing an item of merchandise from theft or unauthorized removal, the item of merchandise having a rear surface and a bottom surface, the method comprising:

coupling a sensor to an item of merchandise, the sensor having a generally L-shaped surface configured to engage a portion of the rear and bottom surfaces of the item of merchandise, wherein the sensor further comprises a connector disposed on the generally L-shaped surface configured to engage an input port on the item of merchandise for electrically connecting the sensor to the item of merchandise; and

positioning the sensor on the base such that the base transfers power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise via a plurality of electrical contacts on the sensor and a plurality of electrical contacts on the base, the plurality of electrical contacts of the sensor and the base configured to contact one another when the sensor is positioned on the base for transferring power and to be separated from one another to cease transferring power when the sensor is removed from the base.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising connecting a cable to the sensor for defining a sense loop for detecting removal of the cable or the item of merchandise from the sensor.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein coupling does not include connecting an external cable to the input port of the item of merchandise.