Cable wrap security device

• US 20060137411A1
• Filed: 12/27/2005
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC. (CCL Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Alpha Security Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Fawcett, Christopher J., Marsilio, Ronald M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,168,275 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/57.100
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 15/0046 Ratchet mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 35/008 for simple tool-like keys
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 45/005 Chain-locks, cable-locks or padlocks with alarms
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/003 Chain, wire or cable locks alarms therefor E05B45/005; E05B69/006 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/006 with retraction of the cable for storage E05B73/0029 takes precedence; for devices mounted to a fixed surface or a portable object E05B73/0011
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0011 with retraction of the flexible element for storage E05B73/0029 takes precedence; for padlocks E05B67/006
• 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 73/0029 Tags wrapped around the protected product using cables, wires or the like, e.g. with cable retraction for tensioning
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0052 of the magnetic type
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1463 Physical arrangements, e.g. housings devices to prevent theft or loss of purses, luggage or hand carried bags A45C13/18
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/409 Shackles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/483 Flexible shackle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/50 Special application
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5004 For antitheft signaling device on protected article
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles

Abstract

A security device a plurality of cables which are securable about an item of merchandise with a locking member and a cable-tightening mechanism each connected to the cables in a spaced apart manner. The locking member includes a key portion for unlocking the tightening mechanism when the cable is removed from the item. The tightening mechanism includes a spool and a ratchet mechanism. Alternate embodiments for locking and unlocking the ratchet mechanism are disclosed. The tightening mechanism carries sense loops which if compromised actuate an onboard audible alarm. The cables are part of one or more of the sense loops. The device is configured to sound a security gate alarm upon passing through the gate and upon simply reaching a certain distance from the gate. The tightening mechanism includes a housing having a flip-up handle for tightening the ratchet mechanism to tighten the cable.

Claims

1. A security device comprising:

a cable having secured and unsecured positions;

wherein the cable is adapted to be placed about an object and be secured thereto in the secured position and be removed from the object in the unsecured position;

a tightening mechanism for tightening the cable about the object;

a key member for unlocking the tightening mechanism when the cable is in the unsecured position to allow loosening of the cable from the tightening mechanism; and

wherein the cable extends between and is connected to the tightening mechanism and the key member so that the tightening mechanism and key member are movable relative to one another via flexing of the cable when the cable is in the unsecured position.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the tightening mechanism, key member and cable when in the secured position define therebetween a space adapted to contain the object;

wherein the key member is engageable with a key receiving formation formed on the tightening mechanism to unlock the tightening mechanism; and

wherein the key receiving formation faces the space.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the tightening mechanism includes a first rotatable member which the key member rotates about an axis to unlock the tightening mechanism.

4. The device of claim 3 further including at least one locking pawl which in a locked position prevents loosening of the cable and which the first rotatable member during rotation thereof moves via a camming surface from the locked position to an unlocked position to unlock the tightening mechanism.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the at least one locking pawl moves radially inwardly to its unlocked position.

6. The device of claim 4 wherein the tightening mechanism includes a second rotatable member having a body from which the at least one locking pawl extends radially outwardly;

and wherein the second rotatable member is rotatable in a cable-tightening direction when the at least one locking pawl is in the locked position.

7. The device of claim 6 further including an annular wall having a plurality of locking teeth which extend radially inwardly and which the at least one locking pawl lockably engages to prevent rotation of the second rotatable member in a cable-loosening direction.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the tightening mechanism includes first and second engaging members at least one of which has at least one locking tooth for lockably engaging the other of the first and second engaging members in a locked position to lock the tightening mechanism by preventing rotation of the first engaging member about an axis;

and wherein the key member moves one of the first and second engaging members axially to an unlocked position in which the first and second engaging members are disengaged from one another to unlock the tightening mechanism.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the one of the first and second engaging members is spring biased to the locked position;

wherein a force applied by the key member moves the one of the first and second engaging members axially to overcome the spring bias; and

further including a retaining mechanism for retaining the one of the first and second engaging members in the unlocked position when the force applied by the key member is removed.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the retaining mechanism includes first and second retaining elements;

wherein the first retaining element includes at least one seating ledge;

wherein the second retaining element moves axially to move the one of the first and second engaging members to the unlocked position in which the second retaining element is movable to a retaining position seated on the at least one seating ledge to prevent the one of the first and second engaging members from moving to the locked position.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the second retaining element defines an opening for receiving the seating ledge therein when the one of the first and second engaging members is in the locked position;

and wherein the second retaining element is rotatably movable to the retaining position.

12. The device of claim 9 wherein the retaining mechanism includes first and second retaining elements;

wherein the first retaining element is rotatable relative to the second retaining element when the engaging members are in the unlocked position to a retaining position for preventing the one of the first and second engaging members from returning to the locked position when the force applied via the key member is removed; and

wherein the first retaining element during rotation thereof to the retaining position slidably engages the one of the first and second engaging members.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein the tightening mechanism includes a spool which is rotatable about an axis in a cable-tightening direction to wind the cable thereon and rotatable in an opposite cable-loosening direction to unwind the cable therefrom;

wherein the tightening mechanism includes first and second engaging members at least one of which has at least one locking tooth for lockably engaging the other of the first and second engaging members in a locked position to lock the tightening mechanism by preventing rotation of the spool in the cable-loosening direction; and

wherein the key member moves one of the first and second engaging members axially to an unlocked position in which the first and second engaging members are disengaged from one another to unlock the tightening mechanism.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein the tightening mechanism includes a spool having a hub for windingly receiving the cable thereon;

wherein the spool includes a first flange which extends radially outwardly and axially away from the hub to define therewithin a flange cavity; and

further including an unlocking mechanism which the key member unlocks and a portion of which is disposed in the flange cavity.

15. The device of claim 1 wherein the key member is part of a locking member having a locked position for securing the cable in the secured position and an unlocked position for allowing removal of the cable from around the object.

16. The device of claim 1 wherein the cable includes four cable segments each of which extend between and are connected to the tightening mechanism and the key member.

17. The device of claim 1 wherein the tightening mechanism includes a rotatable spool;

and further including a flip-up handle which is movable between a down position and a raised position for manual rotation of the spool for winding the cable thereon to tighten the cable.

18. The device of claim 1 wherein the cable forms part of a sensing loop which when compromised actuates an onboard audible alarm.

19. The device of claim 1 in combination with a security gate alarm;

wherein the device is configured to sound an audible alarm upon reaching a predetermined distance from the gate and upon passing through the gate.

20. In combination, an object and a security device comprising:

a cable having a secured position in which the cable is placed about the object and secured thereto and an unsecured position in which the cable is removed from the object;

a tightening mechanism for tightening the cable about the object; and

a key member for unlocking the tightening mechanism only when the cable is in the unsecured position to allow loosening of the cable from the tightening mechanism.