Security tag and complemental deactivation apparatus

• US 5,528,914 A
• Filed: 01/30/1995
• Issued: 06/25/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Thang T., Drucker, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Meyers, Steven N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BARRETT, SUZANNE LALE DINO
• Application Number:
  US08/380,371
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• Field of Search: 70/57.1, 70/267, 70/268, 70/271, 70/273, 70/434, 70/280, 307/139, 307/141, 307/141.4, 340/572, 24/704.1, 206/1.5
• US Class Current: 70/57.1
• 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: Y10T 24/50 Readily interlocking, two-part fastener requiring either destructive or tool disengagement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5004 For antitheft signaling device on protected article

Abstract

A combination comprises an EAS tag having an exteriorly accessible channel and a releasable lock for securing the tag to an article, the lock being disposed at a given distance along the channel, and a detacher for detaching the tag from the article, the detacher including a probe adapted for movement in the passage, a drive unit energizable for moving the probe in the channel, and timing circuitry for controlling energization of the drive unit such that the drive unit moves the probe through distance corresponding to the given distance. The timing circuitry controls energization of the drive unit to move the probe through a distance corresponding to the given distance in a first sense for disposing the probe in releasing engagement with the lock. The timing circuitry controls energization of the drive unit to move the probe through a distance corresponding to the given distance in a second sense for moving the probe from engagement with the lock means to the exterior of the tag. The timing circuitry defines a third time period between the first and second sense movements of the probe wherein the drive unit is unenergized.

Claims

1. In combination:

(a) an EAS tag having an exteriorly accessible channel and a releasable locking means for securing said tag to an article, said locking means being disposed at a given distance along said channel; and

(b) detaching means for detaching said tag from said article, said detaching means including

a probe adapted for movement in said passage,

drive means energizable for moving said probe in said channel, and

timing means for controlling energization of said drive means such that said drive means moves said probe unidirectionally through distance corresponding to said given distance to a tag detaching location,

said locking means including a locking member in releasably retentive relation to said tag and located at said tag detaching location and adapted to release said retentive relation thereof to said tag as a result of being engaged by said probe in the course of said unidirectional movement of said probe.

2. The invention claimed in claim 1 wherein said timing means controls energization of said drive means through a distance corresponding to said given distance in a first sense for disposing said probe in releasing engagement with said locking means.

3. The invention claimed in claim 2 wherein said timing means controls energization of said drive means through a distance corresponding to said given distance in a second sense for moving said probe from engagement with said locking means to the exterior of said tag.

4. The invention claimed in claim 3 wherein said timing means defines a third time period between said first and second sense movements of said probe wherein said drive means is unenergized.

5. In combination:

(a) an EAS tag comprising a tag body, a releasable lock in said tag body for attaching said tag body to an article, said tag body defining an arcuate channel of a preselected length with first and second diverse configurations leading from the exterior of said tag body to said releasable lock, and

(b) detaching means for detaching said tag body from said article, comprising

an arcuate probe adapted for insertion in and movement through said arcuate channel and for releasing engagement with said lock, said probe having a free end and having said first configuration adjacent said free end and said second configuration distal from said free end,

drive means energizable for moving said probe in said passage, and

timing means for energizing said drive means for a first time period corresponding in duration with drive means movement of said probe through said preselected channel length and into releasing engagement with said lock.

6. The invention claimed in claim 5 wherein said timing means deenergizes said drive means for a second time period corresponding in duration with a time required for detachment of said tag body from said article.

7. The invention claimed in claim 6 wherein said timing means energizes said drive means for a third time period corresponding with in duration with drive means movement of said probe from said engagement with said lock to exit said channel.

8. In combination:

(a) an EAS tag comprising a tag body, a releasable lock in said tag body for attaching said tag body to an article, said tag body defining a channel of a preselected length with first and second diverse configurations leading from the exterior of said tag body to said releasable lock, and

(b) detaching means for detaching said tag body from said article, comprising

a motor;

a probe rotatable by said motor for movement in said channel into and from unlocking relation with said lock; and

drive means for said motor including circuit means

for establishing a first time period for energization of said motor to effect first sense movement of said probe through said preselected channel length and into releasing engagement with said lock,

for establishing a second time period corresponding with a time required for detachment of said tag body from said article, and

for establishing a third time period for energization of said motor to effect second sense movement of said probe from said engagement with said lock through said preselected channel length to exit said channel.

9. The invention claimed in claim 8, wherein said motor is of a variety including a clutch.

10. The invention claimed in claim 9, further including a gear box receiving input from said motor and imparting movement to said probe.

11. The invention claimed in claim 8, further including a base supporting said motor and said probe, and a cover releasably secured to said base and enclosing said motor and said probe.

12. The invention claimed in claim 11, wherein said cover defines a nest for receipt of said tag.

13. The invention claimed in claim 12, wherein said circuit means includes activating means for initiating operation of said drive means, said activating means being disposed in registry with said cover nest.

14. The invention claimed in claim 13, wherein said activating means includes a first switch disposed sidewardly adjacent said cover nest and a second switch disposed downwardly of said nest.

15. In combination:

(a) an EAS tag comprising,

a tag body;

means for attaching said tag body to an article, said attaching means having a part receivable in said tag body,

means within said tag body for releasably preventing said part of said attaching means from being withdrawn from said tag body,

means within said tag body defining an arcuate channel of a preselected length leading from the exterior of said tag body to said preventing means, and

detectable EAS sensor; and

(b) detaching means for detaching said tag body from said article, comprising,

an arcuate probe adapted for insertion in and movement through said arcuate channel,

drive means energizable for moving said probe in said channel, and

timing means for energizing said drive means for a first time period corresponding with drive means movement of said probe through said preselected channel length and into releasing engagement with said preventing means.

16. The invention claimed in claim 15 wherein said timing means deenergizes said drive means for a second time period corresponding with a time required for detachment of said tag body from said article.

17. The invention claimed in claim 16 wherein said timing means energizes said drive means for a third time period corresponding with drive means movement of said probe from said engagement with said preventing means to exit said channel.

18. The invention claimed in claim 15:

wherein said tag body has first and second openings leading into the interior of said tag body;

said attaching means includes a tack assembly having a tack head and an elongated tack body, said tack body being receivable in said first opening of said tag body and forming the part of the attaching means receivable in the tag body;

said preventing means includes means within the tag body for releasably receiving and clutching the tack body when the tack body is introduced into said tag body through said first opening, said receiving and clutching means upon receiving and clutching said tack body preventing withdrawal of said tack body from said tag body and including a release part which is adapted to be engaged by said arcuate probe to cause said receiving and clutching means to release clutching said tack body to permit said tack body to be withdrawn from said tag body; and

wherein said arcuate channel leads from said second opening in said tag body to said release part of said receiving and clutching means, whereby said arcuate probe when introduced into said arcuate channel can be brought into engagement with said release part of said receiving and clutching means to cause said receiving and clutching means to release clutching said tack body to allow withdrawal of said tack body from said tag body.

19. The invention claimed in claim 18 wherein:

said arcuate channel has a first predetermined configuration over a first length of said arcuate channel leading from said second opening and a second predetermined configuration over a second length of said arcuate channel terminating adjacent said part of said receiving and clutching means; and

wherein said probe has a free end and has said first predetermined configuration over a first length of said probe adjacent said probe free end and said second predetermined configuration over a second length of said probe successive to said probe first length and distal from said probe free end.

20. The invention claimed in claim 19 wherein said first predetermined configuration is substantially of rectangular cross section and said second predetermined configuration is substantially of L-shaped cross section.

21. In combination:

(a) an EAS tag comprising a tag body, a releasable lock in said tag body for attaching said tag body to an article, said tag body defining an arcuate channel of a preselected length with first and second diverse configurations leading from the exterior of said tag body to said releasable lock, and

(b) detaching means for detaching said tag body from said article, comprising, an arcuate probe adapted for insertion in and movement through said arcuate channel, said probe having a free end and having said first configuration adjacent said free end and said second configuration distal from said free end, drive means energizable for moving said probe in said passage, and timing means for energizing said drive means for a first time period corresponding with drive means movement of said probe through said preselected channel length and into releasing engagement with said lock.

22. The invention claimed in claim 21 wherein said timing means energizes said drive means for a second time period corresponding with a time required for detachment of said tag body from said article.

23. The invention claimed in claim 22 wherein said timing means energizes said drive means for a third time period corresponding with drive means movement of said probe from said engagement with said lock to exit said channel.