DISPOSABLE CABLE LOCK AND DETACHABLE ALARM MODULE

• US 20100231388A1
• Filed: 03/11/2010
• Published: 09/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC. (CCL Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC. (CCL Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Shute, Matthew R., Will, Adam Mark
• Granted Patent: US 9,169,670 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/568.400
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 45/005 Chain-locks, cable-locks or padlocks with alarms
• 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 13/1463 Physical arrangements, e.g. housings devices to prevent theft or loss of purses, luggage or hand carried bags A45C13/18
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1472 with force or weight detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2448 Tag with at least dual detection means, e.g. combined inductive and ferromagnetic tags, dual frequencies within a single technology, tampering detection or signalling means on the tag

Abstract

The present invention relates to security devices used to protect merchandise or other objects, including security devices having one or more adjustable cables used to wrap around objects of various shapes and sizes, such that the security devices are secured to the objects. The present invention also relates to a removable module that can enable a disposable, one-alarm passive security device to provide three-alarm functionality.

Claims

1. A security device structured for attachment to an object, the security device comprising:

a cable comprising a signal-carrying medium, wherein the cable is configured to physically attach the security device to the object; and

a main body comprising;

a contact that is coupled to the signal-carrying medium of the cable, wherein the contact is adapted to facilitate transmission of a type of signal carried by the signal-carrying medium; and

an attaching mechanism adapted to facilitate mechanical coupling of the main body to a removable alarm module such that the cable is communicatively coupled to the removable alarm module.

2. The security device of claim 1, wherein the main body further comprises a locking mechanism that secures the cable within the main body.

3. The security device of claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism comprises the contact.

4. The security device of claim 1, in combination with the removable alarm module that is removably coupled to the main body by the attaching mechanism and communicatively coupled to the cable by the contact.

5. The security device of claim 4, wherein the removable alarm module includes an independent power source and an alarm mechanism.

6. The security device of claim 5, wherein the removable alarm module is configured to actuate the alarm mechanism in response to being removed from the main body unless a key is first used.

7. The security device of claim 5, wherein the removable alarm module is configured to actuate the alarm mechanism in response to the cable being cut.

8. The security device of claim 5, wherein the main body includes circuitry and the removable alarm module is configured to actuate the alarm mechanism in response to receiving a signal from the circuitry of the main body, wherein the circuitry includes an EAS element.

9. The security device of claim 4, wherein the contact includes a face that is adapted to have a module contact of the removable alarm module swipe across when the removable alarm module is being communicatively coupled to the main body.

10. An alarm module, comprising:

a housing, wherein;

the housing includes an attaching mechanism configured to be removably coupled to a security device, and

lacks any mechanism to be attached directly to an article for sale; and

circuitry comprising;

an alarm mechanism;

a contact configured to communicatively couple with the security device; and

a battery.

11. The alarm module of claim 10, wherein the circuitry is mounted to the housing and moves with the housing.

12. The alarm module of claim 10, wherein the housing includes a top portion and a bottom portion.

13. The alarm module of claim 12, wherein the circuitry is mounted on an electronics subassembly that is sandwiched between the top portion and the bottom portion, wherein the electronics subassembly is configured to rotate independent from the housing.

14. The alarm module of claim 13, wherein the contact rotates with the electronics subassembly.

15. The alarm module of claim 10 further comprising a locking mechanism configured to mechanically lock the alarm module to the security device.

16. The alarm module of claim 15, wherein the locking mechanism rotates with the housing.

17. The alarm module of claim 15, wherein the locking mechanism includes a spring and is comprised of a magnetically permeable material, and wherein the locking mechanism is unlocked when a magnet is placed outside the housing and used to compress the spring.

18. The alarm module of claim 15, wherein the locking mechanism includes spring-loaded pin that moves perpendicularly through a bottom portion of the alarm module.

19. The alarm module of claim 15, wherein the locking mechanism includes a sliding protrusion that moves laterally relative to a bottom portion of the alarm module.

20. The alarm module of claim 15, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a physical button.

21. The alarm module of claim 15, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a switch.

22. The alarm module of claim 10, wherein the circuitry is further configured to receive an input from the security device.

23. The alarm module of claim 22 wherein the circuitry is further configured to actuate the alarm mechanism in response to receiving the input from the security device.

24. The alarm module of claim 10 further comprising a second contact communicatively coupled to the circuitry, and wherein the circuitry is further configured to output a signal to the contact and, in response to failing to receive a corresponding signal from the second contact, actuate the alarm mechanism.

25. A method for protecting an object using a security device, comprising:

providing a main body comprising circuitry and configured to be coupled to a removable alarm module;

providing the removable alarm module including a local alarm mechanism, and coupling the removable alarm module with the main body; and

actuating the local alarm of the removable alarm module in response to detecting unauthorized tampering with the security device.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein:

the providing the main body includes providing passive one-alarm functionality; and

the providing the removable alarm module includes providing active two-alarm functionality.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein:

the providing the main body includes providing an attaching mechanism adapted to be attached to an article; and

the providing the removable alarm module includes providing passive one-alarm functionality and active two-alarm functionality.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the detecting unauthorized tampering with the security device comprises determining that a cable incorporated in the security device has been severed.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the detecting unauthorized tampering with the security device comprises determining that the main body has been damaged.

30. The method of claim 25 further comprising actuating the local alarm mechanism in response to a signal being received from the main body.

31. The method of claim 25 further comprising actuating the local alarm mechanism in response to the removable alarm module detecting an alarm condition.

32. The method of claim 25 further comprising sending a wireless signal causing the actuation of an external alarm mechanism.