Security system for preventing unauthorized removal of merchandise

• US 20070273523A1
• Filed: 05/23/2007
• Published: 11/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Braeburn Asset Holdings, LLC, ES Holding Dragoer ApS
• Original Assignee: Eddie Stenild, Johan Skjellerup
• Inventors: Skjellerup, Johan, Stenild, Eddie
• Granted Patent: US 7,474,216 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.100
• 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 73/0064 of the mechanical type

Abstract

A security tag assembly and security system associated therewith prevent the unauthorized removal of merchandise from a given area, such as a retail establishment. The security tag assembly comprises a base and at least one attachment member removably connected in an operative position on the merchandise being protected. A locking assembly including a locking member is structured to restrict detachment of the attachment member and is forcibly disposed out of movement restricting relation to said connector member when the base and the attachment member are separated. A detachment assembly and a data registering processor may include a two-way communication link which facilitates processing of the merchandise data disposed on the security tag assembly, such that the purchasing of the merchandise and the removal of the security tag assembly can be effectively accomplished without jeopardizing the security of the merchandise being sold.

Claims

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

an attachment member and a base connectable in an operative position relative to the merchandise,

a connector member secured to said base and structured to interconnect said attachment member and said base in said operative position,

a locking assembly including a locking member mounted within said attachment member and structured to assume at least a first position and a second position,

said first position at least partially defined by a first portion of the locking member disposed in a movement restricting orientation relative to said connector member, and

said second position at least partially defined by a disposition of said first portion out of said movement restricting orientation relative to said connector member.

2. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said first position is further at least partially defined by said second portion disposed in an anchored position within said attachment member.

3. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said second position is further at least partially defined by said second portion disposed in an anchored position within said attachment member.

4. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said first position is further at least partially defined by said second portion disposed in an anchored position within said attachment member.

5. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said first position is further at least partially defined by said first portion disposed in movement restricting engagement with said connector member.

6. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 5 wherein said first position is further at least partially defined by said first portion disposed in angular relation to a longitudinal axis of said connector member.

7. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said first portion of said locking member comprises an aperture formed therein, said aperture disposed and dimensioned to facilitate receipt and passage of said connector member therethrough upon disposition of said connector member within said attachment member.

8. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein said first position is further at least partially defined by said first portion disposed in angular relation to a longitudinal axis of said connector member.

9. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 8 wherein said first position is further at least partially defined by said first portion disposed in movement restricting engagement with said connector member.

10. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein said movement restricting orientation is further at least partially defined by at least a portion of a periphery of said aperture disposed in movement restricting, binding engagement with said connector member.

11. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 10 wherein said second position is further at least partially defined by said periphery of said aperture disposed out of said movement restricting orientation with said connector member.

12. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 11 wherein said second position is further at least partially defined by said first portion disposed in a sufficiently transverse orientation, relative to a longitudinal axis of said connector member, to dispose said locking member out of said movement restricting, binding engagement with said periphery of said aperture.

13. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 10 wherein said first position is further defined by said first portion angularly oriented relative to said connector member and peripheral portions of said aperture disposed in said movement restricting, binding engagement with said connector member.

14. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said second position is further defined by said predetermined orientation being sufficiently flattened to dispose said peripheral portions of said aperture out of said movement restricting, binding engagement with said connector member.

15. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said locking member comprises a substantially L-shaped configuration at least when said locking member is in said first position.

16. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 15 wherein said L-shaped configuration comprises said first portion being elongated and disposed at an angular orientation relative to and extending outwardly from said second portion.

17. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 16 wherein said L-shaped configuration further comprises first and second portions each at least initially comprising a substantially linear configuration.

18. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said locking member is formed from a flexible, deformable material.

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

an attachment member and a base connectable in an operative position relative to the merchandise,

a connector member secured to said base and structured to interconnect said attachment member and said base in said operative position,

a locking assembly including a locking member mounted within said attachment member and structured to assume at least a first position and a second position,

said locking member comprising elongated first and second portions at least initially disposed in an angular orientation to one another,

said first position at least partially defined by said first portion disposed in a movement restricting, binding engagement with said connector member and being, at least initially, angularly oriented relative thereto, and

said second position being at least partially defined by said first portion disposed in a sufficiently transverse orientation, relative to a longitudinal axis of said connector member, to dispose said locking member out of said movement restricting, binding engagement.

20. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 19 wherein said second position is further at least partially defined by said second portion disposed in an anchored position within said attachment member.

21. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 20 wherein said first position is further at least partially defined by said second portion disposed in an anchored position within said attachment member.

22. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 19 wherein said first position is further at least partially defined by said second portion disposed in an anchored position within said attachment member.

23. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 19 wherein said first portion of said locking member includes an aperture formed therein, said aperture disposed and dimensioned to facilitate receipt and passage of said connector member therethrough upon disposition of said connector member within said attachment member.

24. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 23 wherein said movement restricting orientation is further at least partially defined by at least a portion of a periphery of said aperture disposed in movement restricting, binding engagement with said connector member.

25. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 24 wherein said second position is further at least partially defined by said periphery disposed out of said movement restricting orientation with said connector member.

26. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 25 wherein said second position is further at least partially defined by said first portion disposed in a sufficiently transverse orientation, relative to a longitudinal axis of said connector member, to dispose said locking member out of said movement restricting, binding engagement with said portion of said periphery of said aperture.

27. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 19 wherein said locking member comprises an L-shaped configuration including said first portion being elongated and disposed at an angular orientation relative to and extending outwardly from said second portion.

28. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 27 wherein said L-shaped configuration further comprises first and second portions each at least initially comprising a substantially linear configuration.

29. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 19 wherein said locking member is formed of a flexible, deformable material.