Security device for textile products

• US 20070285231A1
• Filed: 03/27/2007
• Published: 12/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sentrix Technology Limited
• Original Assignee: Sentrix Technology Limited
• Inventors: Jones, Dianne, Leftly, Steven
• Application Number:
  US11/728,955
• Publication Number:
  US 20070285231A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/540
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 27/20 Pockets; Making or setting-in pockets
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/24 Devices for sound-producing, piercing, gas-discharging, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0297 Robbery alarms, e.g. hold-up alarms, bag snatching alarms
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/038 Textiles used as reinforcing materials for organic insulating substrates H05K1/0366

Abstract

A security device for use with a textile article is used to detect an open or closed state of a pocket or other enclosure in the article and to provide a warning to the user/wearer of the article. When a moveable closure of the article is moved from a closed configuration to an open configuration (or vice-versa, as the case may be) an electrical circuit is broken (or made) which is detected by an electronic processor. An alarm, such as an audible or visual indication, is then given electronically by the processor in response to the change in configuration.

Claims

1. A security apparatus for a substantially man-made or natural textile, leather or fabric article comprising a closure moveable between an open and closed configuration, the apparatus comprising:

at least one electrically conductive element located on or in the article;

a source of electrical power; and

an electrically operated alarm;

wherein the alarm is arranged to be activated when the closure moves from one of the open and closed configurations to the other configuration.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, further including circuit making/breaking apparatus arranged such that when the closure moves from one of the open and closed configurations to the other configuration the bridging component moves, causing an electrical circuit to be made or broken.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive element is a flexible electrical conductor.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the electrically conductive element is a flexible electrical conductor.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive element is a textile structure.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, further including an electronic controller comprising a processor arranged to control the alarm in response to movement of the closure from one of the open and closed configurations to the other configuration.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the closed configuration the closure is arranged to make physical and electrical connection with a portion of the article

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the physical and electrical connection is made through one or more connector elements.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the or each connector element comprises one or more of:

snap fasteners, rivets, conductive Velcro®

, magnetic strips or components or other textile fixtures

10. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the circuit making/breaking apparatus comprises a magnet and reed switch, one of which is located on the closure and the other of which is located on another portion of the article.

11. A substantially man-made or natural textile, leather or fabric article comprising a closure moveable between an open and closed configuration including a security apparatus according claim 1.

12. A substantially man-made or natural textile, leather or fabric article comprising a closure moveable between an open and closed configuration including a security apparatus according claim 2.

13. A substantially man-made or natural textile, leather or fabric article comprising a closure moveable between an open and closed configuration including a security apparatus according claim 5.

14. A substantially man-made or natural textile, leather or fabric article comprising a closure moveable between an open and closed configuration including a security apparatus according claim 6.

15. A substantially man-made or natural textile, leather or fabric article comprising a closure moveable between an open and closed configuration including a security apparatus according claim 10.

16. Apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the attached drawings.