THEFT DETERRENT DEVICE
First Claim
1. A method of protecting an item of merchandise including the steps of:
- attaching a carrier to the item of merchandise;
releasably locking an alarm tag containing an alarm system to the carrier;
arming the alarm system permitting the item of merchandise to be displayed and handled by a perspective purchaser;
unlocking and removing the alarm tag from the carrier by an authorized personnel automatically disarming the alarm system;
retaining the alarm tag after removal for subsequent reuse with another carrier; and
permitting the carrier to remain on the item of merchandise for subsequent disposal by the purchaser.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A theft deterrent device includes a carrier having a pivotally mounted pin and an alarm tag for receiving the pin to secure the carrier and alarm tag together when secured on an item of merchandise by an adhesive pad on the carrier. Spaced electrical contacts within the alarm tag receive the pin therebetween to provide an electrical path between the contacts to close a first electrical circuit which turns the device on. A flexibly mounted projection on the carrier depresses a plunger switch to arm the device when the carrier is attached to an item of merchandise. The security device is configured to sound an onboard alarm in response to prying of the carrier from the alarm tag or cutting of the pin of the carrier, or if an EAS tag receives a wireless signal from a security gate. Security gate alarms also sound if the tag moves through the gate or within a predetermined distance thereof. The carrier can remain on the purchased merchandise for subsequent disposal after removal of the alarm tag from the carrier by the use of a magnetic key to unlock a spring biased ball detent locking mechanism which engages the pin to lock the carrier to the alarm tag.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method of protecting an item of merchandise including the steps of:
-
attaching a carrier to the item of merchandise; releasably locking an alarm tag containing an alarm system to the carrier; arming the alarm system permitting the item of merchandise to be displayed and handled by a perspective purchaser; unlocking and removing the alarm tag from the carrier by an authorized personnel automatically disarming the alarm system; retaining the alarm tag after removal for subsequent reuse with another carrier; and permitting the carrier to remain on the item of merchandise for subsequent disposal by the purchaser. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A method of protecting an item of merchandise including the steps of:
-
attaching a first locking member to the item of merchandise; securing a second locking member containing an alarming device to the first locking member permitting the item to be displayed and transported by a customer to a checkout location; providing the first locking member as a less expensive member than the first locking member; removing the second locking member from the first locking member by an authorized personnel at the checkout location prior to moving the item of merchandise past a security gate; permitting the first locking member to remain on the item of merchandise for subsequent disposal by a purchaser of the item of merchandise; and retaining the second locking member for subsequent reuse with another first locking member on another item of merchandise. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification