LOW PROFILE MERCHANDISE SECURITY SYSTEM

• US 20180293857A1
• Filed: 05/04/2016
• Published: 10/11/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Berglund, David N., Dugas, Daniel D., Grant, Jeffrey A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,614,683 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 13/1454 Circuit arrangements thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/149 with electric, magnetic, capacitive switch actuation

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to security systems for securing an item of merchandise from theft or unauthorized removal. For example, the security system may include a sensor configured to be coupled to the item of merchandise and a base configured to removably support the sensor and the item of merchandise thereon. The sensor has a generally L-shaped surface for being secured to a portion of the rear and bottom surfaces of the item of merchandise. The base includes a charging circuit for providing power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise.

Claims

1. A security system for securing an item of merchandise from theft or unauthorized removal, the item of merchandise having a rear surface and a bottom surface, the security system comprising:

a sensor configured to be coupled to the item of merchandise, the sensor configured to engage a portion of the rear and bottom surfaces of the item of merchandise; and

a base configured to removably support the sensor thereon,

wherein the sensor comprises at least one electrical contact and the base comprises at least one electrical contact for transferring power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise when the sensor is supported on the base, and

wherein the sensor is configured to detect unauthorized removal of the item of merchandise from the sensor.

2. The security system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to be electrically connected to the item of merchandise.

3. The security system of claim 2, wherein the sensor comprises a connector configured to electrically connect to an input port on the item of merchandise.

4. The security system of claim 3, further comprising a flexible circuit electrically connecting the connector and the charging circuit.

5. The security system of claim 1, further comprising a cable connected to the sensor, the cable comprising at least one conductor for defining a sense loop.

6. The security system of claim 5, further comprising an alarm unit operably engaged with the cable and configured to generate an alarm signal when the item of merchandise is removed from the sensor or the sense loop is interrupted.

7. The security system of claim 5, wherein the base comprises a charging circuit for providing power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise, and wherein the charging circuit and the sense loop are electrically isolated from one another.

8. The security system of claim 5, further comprising a recoiler connected to the cable.

9. The security system of claim 5, wherein the at least one conductor does not transmit power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise.

10. The security system of claim 5, wherein an end of the cable comprises a sensing element configured to contact the item of merchandise.

11. The security system of claim 5, wherein an end of the cable comprises a connector configured to releasably engage the sensor.

12. The security system of claim 11, wherein the end of the cable is configured to rotate relative to the sensor.

13. The security system of claim 1, wherein the base comprises an upper surface configured to removably support the sensor thereon, and wherein the sensor is configured to entirely cover the upper surface of the base when supported thereon.

14. The security system of claim 13, wherein the upper surface of the base is configured to be positioned flush to an upper surface of a support surface.

15. The security system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a bottom surface, and wherein the entire bottom surface is configured to be positioned flush to an upper surface of the base.

16. The security system of claim 1, wherein the sensor has a generally L-shaped surface for being secured to a portion of the rear and bottom surfaces of the item of merchandise.

24. The security system of claim 1, wherein the generally L-shaped surface comprises a connector configured to engage an input port on the item of merchandise.

17-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A method for securing an item of merchandise from theft or unauthorized removal, the item of merchandise having a rear surface and a bottom surface, the method comprising:

coupling a sensor to an item of merchandise, the sensor configured to engage a portion of the rear and bottom surfaces of the item of merchandise; and

positioning the sensor on the base such that the base transfers power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise via at least one electrical contact on the sensor and at least one electrical contact on the base.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising connecting a cable to the sensor for defining a sense loop for detecting removal of the cable or the item of merchandise from the sensor.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein coupling comprises coupling a generally L-shaped sensor to the portion of the rear and bottom surfaces of the item of merchandise.