SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LOCKING A SENSOR TO A BASE

• US 20170245663A1
• Filed: 08/25/2015
• Published: 08/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Berglund, David N., Kerley, Matthew Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 10,098,481 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/024 with provisions for preventing unauthorised removal show cases with devices for prevention of theft A47F3/002; devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal E05B73/0017
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/00 Locks or fastenings for special use
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/00 Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices motorcycle helmets A42B3/0413; supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening helmets B62J11/24; gun racks A47B81/005; showcases with theft protection A47F3/002; anti-theft means for peg-boards, grids or rods for hanging merchandise A47F5/0861; show stands, hangers, shelves with provision against unauthorised removal A47F7/024; for self-service hand-carts A47F10/04; locking skis A63C11/004; locking bolts, nuts or pins F16B41/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0005 using chains, cables or the like chain- or cable-locks of the padlock type E05B67/003; lockable clothing hangers or hanger racks E05B69/006
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0082 for office machines, e.g. PC's, portable computers, typewriters, calculators
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/14 by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1418 Removal detected by failure in electrical connection between the appliance and a control centre, home control panel or a power supply
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1445 with detection of interference with a cable tethering an article, e.g. alarm activated by detecting detachment of article, breaking or stretching of cable furniture, e.g. shelves for displaying merchandise, incorporating tethers to prevent theft A47F7/024, A47F5/0861
• 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

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to merchandise display systems and methods for displaying an article of merchandise. In one example, the system includes a sensor configured to be secured to the article of merchandise. The sensor includes a first engagement member. The system also includes a base configured to removably support the sensor thereon. The base includes a second engagement member configured to releasably engage the first engagement member such that the sensor is locked to the base. The sensor is configured to rotate with respect to the base while locked thereto.

Claims

1. A merchandise display system for displaying an article of merchandise comprising:

a sensor configured to be secured to the article of merchandise and to detect removal of the article of merchandise from the sensor, the sensor comprising a first engagement member;

a base configured to removably support the sensor thereon such that the sensor is configured to be removed from the base and seated on the base, the base comprising at least one second engagement member configured to releasably engage the first engagement member when the sensor is seated on the base such that the sensor is locked to the base; and

a tether attached to the sensor at one end and an opposite end configured to be received by the base,

wherein the sensor is configured to rotate with respect to the base while locked thereto.

2. The merchandise display system of claim 1, wherein the first engagement member comprises a slot.

3. The merchandise display system of claim 2, wherein the slot extends circumferentially.

6. The merchandise display system of claim 1, further comprising a release mechanism configured to move the at least one second engagement member into and out of engagement with the first engagement member.

7. The merchandise display system of claim 6, wherein the release mechanism comprises a cam mechanism.

9. The merchandise display system of claim 7, wherein the cam mechanism is configured to rotate, and wherein rotation of the cam mechanism is configured to cause the at least one second engagement member to rotate either towards an engaged position with the first engagement member or a disengaged position out of engagement with the first engagement member.

11. The merchandise display system of claim 7, wherein the release mechanism comprises a fastener engaged with the cam mechanism such that rotation of the fastener in one direction is configured to move the at least one second engagement member to an engaged position, while rotation of the fastener in an opposite direction is configured to move the at least one second engagement member to a disengaged position.

13. The merchandise display system of claim 1, further comprising a fastener configured to move the at least one second engagement member between an engaged position with the first engagement member and a disengaged position with the first engagement member.

18. The merchandise display system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to rotate at least about 90 degrees with respect to the base while locked thereto.

19. The merchandise display system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to freely rotate with respect to the base while locked thereto.

26. The merchandise display system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a connector operably engaged with the tether.

27. The merchandise display system of claim 13, wherein the fastener is configured to be rotated less than a complete revolution in order to move the at least one second engagement member between the disengaged and engaged positions.

4. (canceled)

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8. (canceled)

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12. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

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17. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

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22. (canceled)

23. A method for displaying an article of merchandise comprising:

securing a sensor to the article of merchandise, the sensor configured to detect removal of the article of merchandise from the sensor and comprising a first engagement member;

positioning the sensor on a base configured to removably support the sensor thereon, the base comprising at least one second engagement member configured to releasably engage the first engagement member, a tether attached to the sensor at one end and an opposite end configured to be received by the base; and

locking the sensor to the base via engagement of the at least one second engagement member with the first engagement member such that the sensor is configured to rotate with respect to the base while locked thereto.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein locking comprising locking the sensor to the base via actuation of a key.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising rotating a fastener less than a complete revolution to move the at least one second engagement member between engaged and disengaged positions with the first engagement member.

28. A merchandise display system for displaying an article of merchandise comprising:

a sensor configured to be secured to the article of merchandise and to detect removal of the article of merchandise from the sensor;

a base configured to removably support the sensor thereon such that the sensor is configured to be removed from the base and seated on the base, the base comprising at least one engagement member configured to releasably lock the sensor to the base when the sensor is seated on the base, wherein the sensor is configured to rotate with respect to the base while locked thereto; and

a tether attached to the sensor at one end and an opposite end configured to be received by the base.

29. The merchandise display system of claim 28, further comprising a power cable having a connector configured to operably engage an input port on the article of merchandise for providing power to the article of merchandise, wherein the sensor comprises a recess configured to receive an end of the power cable opposite the connector such that the end is disposed between the sensor and the article of merchandise when the sensor is secured to the article of merchandise.

30. The merchandise display system of claim 29, wherein the sensor comprises an upper portion configured to receive one or more arms for engaging the article of merchandise and a lower portion configured to operably engage the power cable, wherein the upper portion is configured to be secured to the article of merchandise and the lower portion such that the upper portion is disposed between the lower portion and the article of merchandise.

31. The merchandise display system of claim 28, further comprising a recoiler operably engaged with the tether.

32. The merchandise display system of claim 28, further comprising a release mechanism configured to move the at least engagement member between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the release mechanism is configured to be rotated with a key less than a complete revolution in order to move the at least one engagement member between the locked position and the unlocked position.