Article containing anti-theft device

• US 20050200485A1
• Filed: 02/09/2005
• Published: 09/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: One World Technologies (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: One World Technologies (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Inventors: Quick, Stephen S., Connolly, Sean M., Minalga, Philip F.
• Application Number:
  US11/055,335
• Publication Number:
  US 20050200485A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.800
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/00 Details or components of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operations performed and not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2408 using ferromagnetic tags
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2445 Tag integrated into item to be protected, e.g. source tagging

Abstract

An article, such as a power tool, that includes a housing, a motor, and an anti-theft device is provide. The anti-theft device may be disposed within the housing or within a cavity located in the housing and may be enclosed by a covering, such as an adhesive label. Alternatively, the anti-theft device may be affixed to or contained within a cord strap. For example, the anti-theft device may be housed within a clip that attaches the cord strap to the power cord of the article. The anti-theft device may be located on a component of the article remote from the motor to decrease the likelihood that the anti-theft device will be deactivated by a magnetic or electromagnetic field generated by the motor. In addition, a method is provided for deterring the theft of electronic articles. The method includes placing an anti-theft device inside an article that contains a motor and activating the anti-theft device by passing the article through a magnetic field with the device having an appropriate polarity.

Claims

1. An article comprising a housing, a motor, and an anti-theft device disposed entirely within the housing.

2. The article of claim 1 wherein the anti-theft device responds to a magnetic field.

3. The article of claim 2 wherein the article comprises a power tool.

4. The article of claim 3 wherein the anti-theft device is placed entirely within a cavity formed in the housing and a covering is placed over the cavity.

5. The article of claim 4 wherein the cavity is located at a distance remote from the motor.

6. The article of claim 5 wherein the housing comprises a handle.

7. The article of claim 4 wherein the covering comprises an adhesive label.

8. A cord strap comprising a strap and an anti-theft device attached to or contained within the strap.

9. The cord strap of claim 8 wherein the anti-theft device responds to a magnetic field.

10. The cord strap of claim 9 further comprising means for attaching a first end of the strap to a cord.

11. The cord strap of claim 10 wherein the means for attaching a first end of the strap to a cord is a clip.

12. The cord strap of claim 11 wherein the strap is moveably engaged with the clip to create an adjustable loop.

13. The cord strap of claim 9 further comprising means for securing the strap around a cord.

14. The cord strap of claim 9 wherein the cord strap is attached to a cord on a power tool.

15. A method for deterring the theft of articles, comprising placing an anti-theft device inside an article that contains a motor and activating the anti-theft device by passing the article through a magnetic field with the device having an appropriate polarity.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the article comprises a power tool.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the power tool is placed in a package with the anti-theft device positioned to maximize the distance between the anti-theft device and the motor.