Security system for preventing unauthorized removal of merchandise

• US 20090128341A1
• Filed: 12/12/2008
• Published: 05/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Braeburn Asset Holdings, LLC, ES Holding Dragoer ApS
• Original Assignee: Eddie L. Stenild, Johan Skjellerup
• Inventors: Stenild, Eddie L., Skjellerup, Johan
• Granted Patent: US 7,817,041 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.900
• 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
• 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

Abstract

A security tag assembly and security system associated therewith to 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 collectively disposable 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 disposed within said attachment member and structured to be disposable into and out of a movement restricting engagement with said connector member,

said locking assembly comprising at least one locking member, wherein said locking member is disposable in an at least partially surrounding and engaging relation with said connector member, and

said locking assembly further comprising at least one positioning member disposed in an at least partially abutting relation with said locking member, at least while said locking assembly is disposed in said movement restricting engagement with said connector member.

2. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said locking member comprises an internal peripheral surface structured to define an aperture;

said internal peripheral surface being disposable in at least partially engaging relation with said connector member.

3. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said locking member is disposable in an at least partially offset angular orientation relative to a longitudinal axis of said connector member.

4. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 3 further comprising a supporting platform, wherein said supporting platform comprises an at least partially angled configuration relative to said longitudinal axis of said connector member.

5. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein said locking member is operatively disposable in an at least partially overlying relation relative to said supporting platform.

6. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 5 wherein said positioning member is disposed in a continuously forced engagement with said locking member, at least while said locking assembly is disposed in said movement restricting engagement with said connector member.

7. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 6 wherein said positioning member is structured to at least partially force said locking member into said overlying relation relative to said supporting platform.

8. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said positioning member is disposed in a floating orientation within an internal chamber of said attachment member.

9. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said movement restricting engagement of said locking assembly is at least partially defined by disposition of said locking member in an at least partially engaging relation with said connector member.

10. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said locking member comprises a locking ring;

said locking ring including a substantially flat, circular configuration.

11. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 10 wherein said locking ring is formed from a flexible, deformable material.

12. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said locking assembly further comprises a stabilizer disposable in an at least partially supporting relation with said locking member.

13. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein said stabilizer is movably disposable out of said at least partially supporting relation with said locking member.

14. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein said stabilizer is disposable between an operative, supporting orientation and a collapsed, non-supporting orientation relative to said locking member.

15. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 14 wherein said stabilizer comprises an at least partially attenuated segment structured to facilitate disposition of said stabilizer from said operative, supporting orientation to said collapsed, non-supporting orientation.

16. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 15 further comprising a detachment assembly structured to dispose said locking assembly out of said movement restricting relation with said connector member.

17. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 16 wherein said detachment assembly comprises at least one detachment structure disposable in a impacting relation with said stabilizer.

18. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 17 wherein said stabilizer is destructively disposed out of said at least partially supporting relation with said locking member and into said collapsed, non-supporting position upon disposition of said at least one detachment structure in said impacting relation with said stabilizer.

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 collectively disposable 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 disposed within said attachment member and structured to be disposable into and out of a movement restricting engagement with said connector member,

said locking assembly comprising at least one locking member, wherein said locking member is disposable in an at least partially surrounding relation with said connector member,

said movement restricting engagement of said locking assembly being at least partially defined by disposition of said locking member in an at least partially engaging relation with said connector member,

said locking member being operatively disposable between a locked orientation and a released orientation relative to said connector member, and

said locking assembly further comprising a stabilizer disposable between an operative, supporting orientation and a collapsed, non-supporting orientation relative to said locking member.

20. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 19 wherein said stabilizer is disposed in a substantially surrounding relation to at least a portion of said connector member.

21. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 20 wherein said stabilizer comprises a substantially circular configuration.

22. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 21 further comprising a detachment assembly structured to dispose said locking assembly out of said movement restricting engagement with said connector member.

23. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 22 wherein said detachment assembly comprises at least one detachment structure disposable in a detaching relation with said connector member.

24. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 22 wherein said detachment assembly comprises at least one detachment structure disposable in an impacting relation with said stabilizer.

25. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 22 further comprising a plurality of detachment structures, each disposable in an impacting relation with a different portion of said stabilizer.

26. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 19 further comprising at least one locking spring disposed in a continuously forced relation with said locking member, at least while said locking assembly is disposed in said movement restricting engagement with said connector member.

27. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 26 further comprising a supporting platform;

said supporting platform comprising an at least partially offset angled configuration relative to said longitudinal axis of said connector member.

28. A security tag assembly as recited in claim 27 wherein at least a portion of said locking member is disposable in an at least partially overlying relation relative to said supporting platform.

29. 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 collectively disposable 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 disposed within said attachment member and structured to be disposable into and out of a movement restricting engagement with said connector member,

said locking assembly comprising at least one locking member disposable in an at least partially surrounding relation with said connector member,

said locking member being operatively disposable between an offset angular orientation, wherein said locking member is structured to at least partially engage said connector member, and a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to a longitudinal axis of said connector member,

said movement restricting engagement of said locking assembly being at least partially defined by disposition of said locking member in said offset angular orientation, and

said locking assembly further comprising a stabilizer disposable in an at least partially supporting relation relative to said locking member, at least while said locking member is disposed in said offset angular orientation.