Security tag assembly

• US 20060017574A1
• Filed: 07/15/2005
• Published: 01/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johan Skjellerup
• Original Assignee: Johan Skjellerup
• Inventors: Skjellerup, Johan
• Granted Patent: US 7,523,630 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.900
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 39/002 by releasing a liquid, e.g. ill-smelling or dye
• 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: Y10T 24/50 Readily interlocking, two-part fastener requiring either destructive or tool disengagement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5004 For antitheft signaling device on protected article

Abstract

A security tag assembly structured to indicate the unauthorized removal of merchandise from a given area such as a retail establishment. A housing includes separable portions having a connector member structured to removably connect the merchandise to the housing and positionable into removable and locking engagement with a locking assembly when the housing is in an operative position relative to the merchandise. A shield assembly is mounted on the housing in protective, preferably surrounding or at least partially enclosing relation to the locking assembly so as to restrict unauthorized access to the locking assembly and/or the positioning thereof relative to the connector member.

Claims

1. A security tag assembly structured to discourage the unauthorized removal of merchandise from a given area, said security tag comprising:

a) a housing including separable portions removably connected to one another in an operative position,

b) a connector member secured to an interior of said housing and structured to pass through and connect the merchandise to said housing,

c) a locking assembly removably securable to said connector member and cooperatively structured therewith to secure said separable portions of said housing in said operative position,

d) an indicator assembly comprising a plurality of indicator structures disposed and structured to be engaged and thereafter indicate tampering upon attempted unauthorized perimeter access to said connector member,

e) a shield assembly formed of a heat resistant material and disposed within said housing in at least partially enclosing relation to said locking assembly, and

f) said shield assembly structured to restrict unauthorized access to said locking assembly and interior of said separable portions from the exterior of said housing which could result in removal of said locking assembly from said connector member so as to permit removal passage of said connector member through the merchandise.

2. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said shield assembly is of one piece construction.

3. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said locking assembly is at least partially mounted on one of said separable portions of said housing.

4. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein said connector member is attached to a different one of said separable portions of said housing relative to said locking assembly.

5. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of indicator structures comprises a breakable ink ampule containing a releasable staining agent.

6. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of indicator structures comprise three breakable ink ampules, each containing a releasable staining agent and disposed in generally surrounding relation to said connector member.

7. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said separable portions comprise substantially corresponding peripheries and an interior housing section, said interior housing section comprising an exterior curved surface positioned adjacent said common peripheries and disposed and configured to restrict perpendicular access to said connector member by an article inserted through said corresponding peripheries.

8. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein said exterior curved surface extends over at least a majority of an outer surface area of said interior housing section.

9. A security tag assembly structured to discourage the unauthorized removal of merchandise from a given area, said security tag comprising:

a) a housing including separable portions removably connected to one another in an operative position,

b) a connector member secured to an interior of said housing and structured to connect the merchandise to said housing,

c) a locking assembly removably securable to said connector member and cooperatively structured therewith to secure said separable portions of said housing in said operative position,

d) a plurality of indicator structures,

e) an interior housing section having an exterior curved surface and including openings through which access to said indicator structures is obtained, and

f) said exterior curved surface of said interior housing section being disposed and structured to direct an article inserted between said separable portions into indicating engagement with at least one of said indicator structures through said openings, and

10. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein said exterior curved surface is sloped towards said connector member.

11. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 10 wherein said indicator structures comprise breakable ink ampules.

12. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 11 wherein said exterior curved surface is disposed and dimensioned to recess into an interior of one of said separable portions.

13. A security tag assembly structured to discourage the unauthorized removal of merchandise from a given area, said security tag comprising:

a) a housing including separable portions removably connected to one another in an operative position,

b) a connector member secured to an interior of said housing and structured to connect the merchandise to said housing,

c) a locking assembly removably securable to said connector member and cooperatively structured therewith to secure said separable portions of said housing in said operative position;

d) an indicator assembly comprising a plurality of breakable ink ampules,

e) an interior housing section having an exterior curved surface and including a mounting retainer connected thereto,

f) said interior housing section having openings through which access to said indicator structures is obtained,

g) said mounting retainer disposed and structured to retain said indicator assembly substantially adjacent corresponding peripheries of said separable portions, and

h) said exterior curved surface disposed in communicating relation with said corresponding peripheries and being configured to direct an article passing through said corresponding peripheries into engagement with said indicator assembly through said openings.

14. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said ink ampules are disposed in a generally triangular orientation so as to generally surround said connector member.

15. A security tag assembly structured to discourage the unauthorized removal of merchandise from a given area, said security tag comprising:

a) a housing including separable portions removably connected to one another in an operative position,

b) a connector member secured to an interior of said housing and structured to connect the merchandise to said housing,

c) a locking assembly removably securable to said connector member and cooperatively structured therewith to secure said separable portions of said housing in said operative position,

d) an interior housing section covering an entire surface of one of said portions of said housing and having an exterior curved surface disposed and structured to extend into an interior of an opposite one of said separable portions, and

e) said exterior curved surface disposed to restrict radial access of an article between said separable portions.

16. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 15 wherein said exterior curved surface extends over at least a majority of an outer surface of said interior housing section.

17. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 16 wherein said exterior curved surface is substantially convex.