SECURITY TAG WITH ENGAGING ELEMENT

• US 20080156047A1
• Filed: 10/19/2007
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: USS Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Universal Surveillance Corporation
• Inventors: Sayegh, Adel O.
• Granted Patent: US 8,044,806 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/57.1
• 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: G08B 13/2402 Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting mechanical aspects of the tags, e.g. related to locking E05B73/0017; RFID readers G06K7/00; RFID tags G06K19/00; access control systems G07C9/00; anti-theft control in point of sale systems G07G3/003; security seals G09F3/03
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3969 Sliding part or wedge
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3991 Loop engaging
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/48 Seals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/491 Distorted shackle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/507 Tag type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/509 Encasing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5004 For antitheft signaling device on protected article

Abstract

A theft deterrent tag is provided that has an engaging element which forms a loop for attaching to an article or object to be monitored thereby. A second engaging element can also be provided to secure an article or object.

Claims

1. A theft deterrent tag attachable to an object to be monitored, comprising:

a tag body;

an engaging element having a first end and a distal second end and a middle region there between;

a first aperture through which the first end emanates, but the second end is maintained within said tag body

an attaching mechanism located within the tag body proximal to a second aperture for receiving the first end of the engaging element;

a biasing member of the attaching mechanism applying pressure to the first end of the engaging element such that further portions of the engaging element can be inserted into the tag body, but prevents the withdrawal thereof;

a first loop is formed by the engaging element and can be adjusted upon further insertion of the engaging element into the second aperture;

whereby, the article is maintained within the first loop.

2. The tag of claim 1, wherein the attaching mechanism further comprises:

a first fastening member movably maintained within the tag body;

a first path extending from the second aperture to the first fastening member and leading said first end of the engaging element to the first fastening member;

the biasing element propelling the first fastening member towards the first path;

the first fastening member moving towards the biasing element upon insertion of the first end;

the first fastening member engaging the first end and maintaining the engaging element within the tag body in an adjustable manner, yet preventing the withdrawal of the engaging element.

3. The tag of claim 2, wherein the attaching mechanism maintains the engaging element without crimping.

4. The tag of claim 2, wherein the first fastening member is propelled toward the first path by the biasing member such that the engaging element is maintained between a wall defining the first path and the first fastening member.

5. The tag of claim 4, wherein a first forward region is defined on the first fastening member and the engaging element is maintained between the first forward region and an edge of the wall defining the first path to prevent the withdrawal thereof, but allow further insertion.

6. The tag of claim 4, wherein the tag body further comprises:

a first retaining member receiving the first fastening member therein in a moveable manner.

7. The tag of claim 5, wherein the tag body further comprises:

a first retaining member receiving a protrusion extending from the first fastening member, wherein the protrusion is distal to the first forward region;

an opening of predetermined size defined in the first retaining member, whereby the fastening member moves between the opening in order to allow insertion of the first end and to maintain the engaging element within the tag body.

8. The tag of claim 1, wherein the attaching mechanism further comprises:

a first fastening member movably maintained within the tag body;

a second fastening member movably maintained within the tag body and positioned to oppose the first fastening member;

a first path extending from the second aperture to the first and second fastening members and guiding said first end of the engaging element to the first and second fastening members;

the biasing element propelling the first and second fastening members towards the first path to prevent the withdrawal of the engaging element in a direction opposite to the path of insertion, but allowing further insertion of the engaging element by forcing the first and second fastening members towards the biasing element.

9. The tag of claim 8, wherein the first fastening member has a first forward region and the second fastening member has a second forward region such that the first and second forward regions are in proximal relations and receive and maintain the engaging element there between.

10. The tag of claim 9, wherein the tag body further comprises:

a first retaining member receiving a first protrusion extending from the first fastening member at a point distal to the first forward region;

a second retaining member receiving a second protrusion extending from the second fastening member at a point distal to the second forward region;

an opening of predetermined size defined in the first retaining member and the second retaining member such that the openings of each retaining member face one another;

whereby, the forward regions of each of the first fastening member and the second fastening member are proximally aligned and move within each respective opening in order to allow insertion of the first end and to maintain the engaging element between the first forward and second forward regions.

11. The tag of claim 2, wherein a plurality of attaching mechanisms are accessibly aligned within the tag body and an EAS marker is enclosed within the tag body.

12. A disposable theft deterrent tag attachable to an object to be monitored, comprising:

a tag body;

an elongated first engaging element having a first end and a distal second end and a first middle region there between;

a first aperture through which the first end emanates and the second end is irremovably maintained within said tag body

a first attaching mechanism located within the tag body proximal to a second aperture for receiving the first end of the first engaging element;

a first biasing member of the first attaching mechanism propelling a first fastening member towards the second aperture to maintain the first end of the first engaging element within the tag body, whereby further portions of the first engaging element can be inserted into the tag body, but prevents the withdrawal of the first engaging element in a direction opposite to the direction of the insertion;

a first loop is formed by the first engaging element and can be adjusted upon further insertion of the first engaging element into the second aperture;

an elongated second engaging element having a front end and a distal back end and a second middle region there between;

a third aperture through which the front end emanates and the back end is irremovably maintained within said tag body;

a second attaching mechanism located within the tag body proximal to a fourth aperture for receiving the front end of the second engaging element;

a second biasing member of the second attaching mechanism propelling a third fastening member towards the second aperture to maintain the front end of the second engaging element within the tag body, whereby further portions of the second engaging element can be inserted into the tag body, but prevents the withdrawal of the second engaging element in a direction opposite to the direction of the insertion;

a second loop is formed by the second engaging element and can be adjusted upon further insertion of the second engaging element into the fourth aperture;

whereby, the article is maintained within the first and second loops.

13. The tag of claim 12,

a first fastening member movably maintained within the tag body;

a first path extending from the second aperture to the first fastening member and leading said first end of the first engaging element to the first fastening member;

the first biasing element propelling the first fastening member towards the first path;

the first fastening member moving towards the first biasing element upon insertion of the first end;

the first fastening member engaging the first end and maintaining the first engaging element within the tag body in an adjustable manner, yet preventing the withdrawal of the first engaging element;

a secondary fastening member movably maintained within the tag body;

a secondary path extending from the fourth aperture to the secondary fastening member and leading said front end of the second engaging element to the secondary fastening member;

the second biasing element propelling the secondary fastening member towards the second path;

the secondary fastening member moving towards the second biasing element upon insertion of the first end;

the secondary fastening member engaging the front end and maintaining the second engaging element within the tag body in an adjustable manner, yet preventing the withdrawal of the second engaging element.

14. The tag of claim 12, wherein a holder adjustably maintains the first and second engaging elements to allow attachment of the tag to the article to be monitored.

15. The tag of claim 12, wherein

a first fastening member movably maintained within the tag body;

a second fastening member movably maintained within the tag body and positioned to oppose the first fastening member;

a first path extending from the second aperture to the first and second fastening members and guiding said first end of the first engaging element to the first and second fastening members;

the first biasing element propelling the first and second fastening members towards the first path to prevent the withdrawal of the first engaging element in a direction opposite to the path of insertion, but allowing further insertion of the first engaging element by forcing the first and second fastening members towards the first biasing element and expanding an opening there between;

a third fastening member movably maintained within the tag body;

a fourth fastening member movably maintained within the tag body and positioned to oppose the third fastening member;

a second path extending from the fourth aperture to the third and fourth fastening members and guiding said front end of the second engaging element to the third and fourth fastening members;

the second biasing element propelling the third and fourth fastening members towards the second path to prevent the withdrawal of the second engaging element in a direction opposite to the path of insertion, but allowing further insertion of the second engaging element by forcing the third and fourth fastening members towards the second biasing element and expanding an opening there between.

16. The tag of claim 15, wherein the first fastening member has a first forward region and the second fastening member has a second forward region such that the first and second forward regions are in proximal relations and receive and maintain the first engaging element there between;

and

the third fastening member has a third forward region and the fourth fastening member has a fourth forward region such that the third and fourth forward regions are in proximal relations and receive and maintain the second engaging element there between.

17. The tag of claim 16, the tag body further comprising:

a first retaining member receiving a first protrusion extending from the first fastening member at a point distal to the first forward region;

a second retaining member receiving a second protrusion extending from the second fastening member at a point distal to the second forward region;

an opening of predetermined size defined in the first retaining member and the second retaining member such that the openings of each retaining member face one another;

the forward regions of each of the first fastening member and the second fastening member are proximally aligned and move within each respective opening in order to allow insertion of the first end and to maintain the first engaging element between the first forward and second forward regions;

a third retaining member receiving a third protrusion extending from the third fastening member at a point distal to the third forward region;

a fourth retaining member receiving a fourth protrusion extending from the fourth fastening member at a point distal to the fourth forward region;

a second pair of openings of predetermined size defined in the third retaining member and the fourth retaining member such that the openings of each of the third and fourth retaining members face one another;

the forward regions of each of the third fastening member and the fourth fastening member are proximally aligned and move within each respective opening in order to allow insertion of the first end and to maintain the first engaging element between the first forward and second forward regions.

18. A method of attaching a theft deterrent tag to an article to be monitored, the steps comprising:

providing a first elongated engaging element having a first end emanating from a first aperture defined through a tag body and maintaining a second end securely within the tag body, thereby defining a middle region of the first engaging element;

providing a first fastening member proximal to a second aperture for receiving the first end of the engaging element such that a first loop is formed for maintaining an object therein;

propelling the first fastening member towards first aperture and preventing withdrawal of the first engaging element, yet allowing further insertion of the first engaging element to adjust the size of the loop.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

aligning a second fastening member to oppose the first fastening member and propelling the first and second fastening members towards the second aperture with a first biasing member;

receiving the first engaging element between the first fastening member and the second fastening member in an adjustable, yet secure manner, such that the first engaging element can be inserted into the tag body but cannot be withdrawn in an opposite direction of travel.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

providing a second elongated engaging element having a front end emanating from a third aperture defined through the tag body and maintaining a back end securely within the tag body, thereby defining a middle region of the second engaging element;

providing a secondary fastening member proximal to a fourth aperture for receiving the front end of the second engaging element such that a second loop is formed for maintaining the object therein;

propelling the secondary fastening member towards fourth aperture and preventing withdrawal of the second engaging element, yet allowing further insertion of the second engaging element to adjust the size of the second loop.