Portable alarming security device

• US 20080061975A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alpha Security Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Marsilio, Ronald, Belden, Dennis
• Granted Patent: US 7,629,895 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/571
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0861 Anti-theft means therefor
• 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: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32254 Lockable at fixed position
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32262 At selected angle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/409 Shackles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/435 Flexible shackle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/437 Key-controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/483 Flexible shackle

Abstract

A portable security device for displaying articles of merchandise in a retail environment has a base formed with a plurality of holes arranged in predetermined patterns for mounting the device on a plurality of different support structures. A housing containing an alarm system, a retractor and an alarm cable is contained within the housing. The housing is locked on the base by a key operated tumbler attached to the base. The base is mounted on the various support structures by fasteners, the attachment heads thereof being concealed within the housing. A plunger switch at the outer end of the alarm cable is activated when the cable is attached to an item of merchandise. An audible alarm is sounded if the integrity of the alarm cable is comprised or if the item of merchandise is removed therefrom. In a modified embodiment, a space is provided between the alarm and mounting base providing increased sound alarm level in all directions

Claims

1. A security device for displaying items of merchandise in a retail environment, said device comprising:

a base adapted to be mounted to a supporting structure;

a housing removably locked to the base, said housing having a bottom closure plate spaced from the base to form a void space therebetween;

an alarm system mounted within the housing including a piezo alarm acoustically communicating with the void space for enhancing the sound level of the piezo alarm when actuated.

2. The security device defined in claim 1 wherein the base is formed with a plurality of holes for selectively receiving fasteners for securing one of a plurality of attachment devices to the base for mounting the base on a variety of supporting structures.

3. The security device defined in claim 1 wherein a key operated tumbler is mounted on the base and includes a lever for releasable locking engagement with the housing to removably lock the housing to the base.

4. The security device defined in claim 3 wherein the alarm system includes a switch actuated by the lever of the key-operated tumbler when moving between locked and unlocked positions.

5. The security device defined in claim 1 wherein the alarm system includes an alarm cable having an outer end with a first switch attached thereto, said outer end adapted to be connected to an item of merchandise;

and wherein a second switch is mounted within the housing and includes a plunger switch which extends through the base and is adapted to engage the support structure when the housing and base is mounted thereon.

6. A security device for displaying items of merchandise in a retail environment, said device comprising:

a base adapted to be mounted to a supporting structure;

a housing removably locked to the base;

an alarm system mounted within the housing including first and second switches;

a mechanical key operated locking mechanism mounted on the base for removably locking the housing to the base, said locking mechanism activating said first switch when in a locked position; and

a magnetic key for operating the second switch to permit said first switch to be deactivated when the locking mechanism moves to an unlocked position without actuating the alarm system.

7. The security device defined in claim 6 wherein the second switch is a pair of magnetically actuated reed switches;

and in which a magnetic key containing a pair of spaced magnets operates said reed switches.

8. The security device defined in claim 6 wherein the second switch is a normally closed switch.

9. The security device defined in claim 6 wherein the alarm system includes an alarm cable adapted to be connected to an item of merchandise having a third switch which is activated when the cable is attached to the item of merchandise.

10. The security device defined in claim 9 wherein the alarm system includes a fourth switch having a plunger adapted to engage the supporting structure, said switch being actuated when the housing is removed from the base and when the security device is removed from the supporting structure.

11. A security device for displaying items of merchandise in a retail environment, said device comprising:

a base adapted to be mounted to a supporting structure;

a housing secured to the base, said housing having a bottom closure plate formed with an opening and spaced from the base to form a void space therebetween;

an alarm system mounted within the housing including a piezo alarm mounted adjacent the opening formed in the base of the housing for acoustically communicating directly with the void space for enhancing the sound level of the piezo alarm when actuated.

12. The security device defined in claim 11 wherein a key operated tumbler is mounted on the base and includes a lever for releasable locking engagement with the housing to removably lock the housing to the base.

13. The security device defined in claim 12 wherein the alarm system includes a switch actuated by the lever of the key-operated tumbler when moving between locked and unlocked positions.

14. The security device defined in claim 11 wherein the alarm system includes an alarm cable having an outer end with a first switch attached thereto, said outer end adapted to be connected to an item of merchandise;

and wherein a second switch is mounted within the housing and includes a plunger switch which extends through the base and is adapted to engage the support structure when the housing and base is mounted thereon.

15. The security device defined in claim 11 wherein the housing includes a dome-shaped top portion;

and in which the housing is snap-fitted to the base and locked to the base by a key operated tumbler.

16. The security device defined in claim 11 wherein a plurality of spaced posts extend between the base and bottom closure plate of the housing and provides a snap-fit engagement for mounting the housing on said base to form the void space therebetween.

17. The security device defined in claim 11 wherein a plunger switch is mounted within the housing and has a plunger which extends through aligned holes formed in a bottom plate of the housing and base.

18. The security device defined in claim 11 wherein the alarm system includes a battery and an LED which is energized when the alarm system is activated.

19. The security device defined in claim 11 wherein the alarm system includes an audible alarm operatively connected to a plunger switch which is actuated if the housing is removed from the base.