Theft deterrent device with dual sensor assembly

• US 20070171061A1
• Filed: 01/16/2007
• Published: 07/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alpha Security Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Marsilio, Ronald M., Belden, Dennis D.
• Application Number:
  US11/653,565
• Publication Number:
  US 20070171061A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/568.200
• 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

Abstract

A theft deterrent device allows a customer to handle an item of merchandise to which the device is connected. The device is configured to protect items of merchandise having first and second pieces each of which are sufficiently valuable to warrant such protection. The device includes a base mountable on a support structure, an audible alarm, first and second connectors which attach respectively to the first and second pieces of the item of merchandise, lanyards for connecting the base to the first and second connectors and a removal sensor for sensing removal of one or both of connectors from the first and second pieces of the item of merchandise so that the alarm is activated when the connector or connectors are removed from the item of merchandise. The lanyards provide electrical communication between the alarm and the connectors, which may include plunger switches which serve as removal sensors.

Claims

1. A security device comprising:

a base adapted to mount on a support structure;

an audible alarm;

a first sensor movable between attached and removed positions, wherein the first sensor is adapted to attach to a first piece of an item of merchandise in the attached position and be removed therefrom in the removed position;

a second sensor movable between attached and removed positions, wherein the second sensor is adapted to attach to a second piece of the item of merchandise in the attached position and be removed therefrom in the removed position;

a first lanyard which provides electrical communication between the alarm and the first sensor wherein movement of the first sensor from its attached position to its removed position activates the alarm;

a second lanyard which provides electrical communication between the alarm and the second sensor wherein movement of the second sensor from its attached position to its removed position activates the alarm; and

a connector removably attaching the second sensor to the first sensor.

2. The security device defined in claim 1 wherein the first lanyard contains a plurality of electrical conductors electrically connecting the first sensor to the alarm.

3. The security device defined in claim 2 wherein the second lanyard contains a plurality of electrical conductors distinct from the conductors in the first lanyard electrically connecting the second sensor to the alarm.

4. The security device defined in claim 3 wherein the first sensor remains electrically connected to the alarm when the second lanyard is severed or the second sensor is moved to its removed position or the second lanyard is detached from the connector of the first sensor.

5. The security device defined in claim 1 wherein the second sensor remains electrically connected to the alarm when the first sensor is moved to its removed position.

6. The security device defined in claim 1 wherein the first lanyard contains four electrical conductors two of which are connected to the first sensor with the other two of said conductors continuing in the second lanyard to the second sensor.

7. The security device defined in claim 1 wherein the connector which removably attaches the second lanyard to the first sensor includes a manually operated plug attached to the second lanyard and a jack mounted in the first sensor for removably receiving the plug.

8. The security device defined in claim 7 wherein the connector plug includes a spring biased lever for removably connecting the plug to the jack in the first sensor.

9. The security device defined in claim 1 wherein the first sensor includes a plunger switch moveable between depressed and non-depressed positions associated respectively with the attached and removed positions of the first sensor.

10. The security device defined in claim 9 wherein the plunger switch is in electrical communication with the alarm via the first lanyard.

11. The security device defined in claim 1 wherein the alarm is actuated if at least either of the first and second lanyards are severed.

12. The security device defined in claim 1 wherein the first and second sensors each include an adhesive pad for attaching said sensors to the respective pieces of the item of merchandise.

13. The security device defined in claim 1 wherein the second lanyard mechanically connects the second sensor to the first sensor.

14. The security device defined in claim 1 wherein a visual indicator is provided on the first sensor.

15. The security device defined in claim 14 wherein the first lanyard contains six electrical conductors two of which are connected to a switch mounted in the first sensor with two other of said conductors being attached to the visual indicator in said first sensor.

16. A lanyard assembly for connecting a security system alarm to one or two items of merchandise comprising:

a first sensor movable between attached and removed positions, wherein the first sensor is adapted to attach to a first item in the attached position and be removed therefrom in the removed position;

a second sensor movable between attached and removed positions, wherein the second sensor is adapted to attach to a second item in the attached position and be removed therefrom in the removed position;

a first lanyard which provides electrical communication between the alarm and the first sensor wherein movement of the first sensor from its attached position to its removed position is adapted to activate the security system alarm;

a second lanyard which provides electrical communication between the alarm and the second sensor wherein movement of the second sensor from its attached position to its removed position is adapted to activate the security system alarm; and

a connector for removably attaching the second sensor to the first sensor.

17. The lanyard assembly defined in claim 16 wherein the first lanyard contains a plurality of electrical conductors adapted for electrically connecting the first sensor to the alarm;

and in which the second lanyard contains a plurality of electrical conductors distinct from the first lanyard conductors adapted to electrically connect the second sensor to the alarm.

18. The lanyard assembly defined in claim 16 wherein the first lanyard contains four electrical conductors, two of which are connected to the first sensor with the other two of said conductors continuing in the second lanyard to the second sensor.

19. The lanyard assembly defined in claim 16 wherein the connector which removably attaches the second lanyard to the first sensor includes a manually operated plug attached to the second lanyard and a jack mounted in the first sensor for removably receiving the plug.

20. The lanyard assembly defined in claim 16 wherein the first lanyard contains six electrical conductors, two of which are connected to a switch mounted in the first sensor with two other of said conductors being attached to a visual indicator in said first sensor.