Security device for merchandise and the like

• US 5,543,782 A
• Filed: 11/16/1993
• Issued: 08/06/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vanguard Products Group, Inc., DBA Vanguard Protex Global
• Original Assignee: Protex International Corporation (Vanguard Protex Global)
• Inventors: Goldblatt, Richard S., Rothbaum, Arthur H.
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US08/152,520
• Time in Patent Office: 994 Days
• Field of Search: 340/571, 340/568, 340/687, 340/691, 340/693, 439/917
• US Class Current: 340/568.2
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1454 Circuit arrangements thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/917 Alarm circuit, e.g. window affixed foil

Abstract

An electronic security system for monitoring merchandise is provided which sounds an alarm when a change in the sensors or the electrical connections are detected. The system automatically switches from a closed loop continuous current system to a closed loop battery saving pulse system during a power failure. The system also eliminates the need for shunt plugs, splitter boxes, and other extraneous components in favor of a self-contained solid state electronic circuit.

Claims

1. A security device for merchandise, comprising:

sensor means for attachment to merchandise, and two-wire connector means for electrically connecting said sensor means to an alarm circuit;

said alarm circuit having means for sending current via said two-wire connector means to said sensor means and back to said alarm circuit to display a secure mode signal,

said alarm circuit further having means for sending current to an alarm means to sound an alarm and display an alarm mode signal,

wherein said alarm circuit comprises switch means for switching said alarm circuit to an alarm mode when at least one of the following conditions occurs;

said two-wire connector means is cut or detached from at least one of a housing having said alarm circuit therein or from said sensor means;

or

said sensor means is detached from said merchandise; and

a jack means on said housing, and

plug means on said two-wire connector means said jack means and said plug means forming a means for electrically connecting said alarm circuit to said two-wire connector means,

wherein said jack means comprises switch means moveable upon insertion or removal of said plug means from said jack means by moving from a first secure state to an interim alarm state and then to a second secure state, whereby current is prevented from flowing to generate said secure mode signal during said interim alarm state when said plug means is inserted or removed from said jack means.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said secure mode signal is displayed on both said sensor means and said housing.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said alarm mode signal is displayed on both said sensor means and said housing.

4. A security device for merchandise, comprising:

an alarm circuit in a housing,

sensor means for attachment to merchandise, and

two-wire connector means for electrically connecting said sensor means to said alarm circuit;

said alarm circuit having means for sending current via said two-wire connector means to said sensor means and back to said alarm circuit to display a secure mode signal,

said alarm circuit further having means for sending current to an alarm means to sound an alarm and display an alarm mode signal,

an AC power supply means for operating said device,

a battery means connected to said alarm circuit for supplying power to said device when said AC power supply means is unavailable,

an energy conservation means having deactivation circuit means for disabling said secure mode signal during operation of said battery means and a pulsing circuit means for sending an electrical pulse; and

drive means for sending current when said electrical pulse is prevented from flowing.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the pulsing circuit means provides an electrical pulse of about 100 microseconds once every period of about 400 milliseconds.

6. The device of claim 4 wherein said secure mode signal and said alarm mode signal are displayed via a bi-color LED on said sensor and a second bi-color LED on said housing.

7. The device of claim 4 wherein said secure mode signal and said alarm mode signal are displayed via a bi-color LED on said sensor means.

8. The device of claim 4 wherein said secure mode signal and said alarm mode signal are displayed via a bi-color LED on said housing.

9. A security device for merchandise, comprising:

an alarm circuit within a housing,

sensor means for attachment to merchandise and

two-wire connector means for electrically connecting said sensor means to said alarm circuit;

said alarm circuit having means for sending current via said two-wire connector means to said sensor means and back to said alarm circuit to display a secure signal mode from a bi-color LED,

said alarm circuit further having means for sending current to an alarm means to sound an alarm and display an alarm mode signal from a bi-color LED,

said alarm circuit having switch means for switching said alarm circuit to an alarm mode when at least one of the following conditions occurs;

said two-wire connector means is cut or detached from either said housing or said sensor means;

or

said sensor means is detached from said merchandise; and

a jack means on said housing and plug means on said two-wire connector means, said jack means and said plug means forming a means for electrically connecting said alarm circuit to said two-wire connector means, said jack means having switch means moveable upon insertion or removal of said plug means from said jack means by moving from a first secure state to an interim alarm state and then to a second secure state, whereby current is prevented from flowing to generate said secure mode signal during said interim alarm state when said plug means is inserted or removed from said jack means.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said secure mode signal is displayed on both said sensor means and said housing.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein said alarm mode signal is displayed on both said sensor means and said housing.

12. The device of claim 9 which further comprises:

AC power supply means for operating said device;

battery means connected to said alarm circuit for supplying power to said device when said AC power supply means is unavailable;

energy conservation means having deactivation circuit means for disabling said secure mode signal during operation of said battery means and a pulsing circuit means for sending an electrical pulse; and

drive means for sending current when said electrical pulse is prevented from flowing.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the pulsing circuit provides an electrical pulse of about 100 microseconds once every period of about 400 milliseconds.

14. The device of claim 9 wherein said secure mode signal and said alarm mode signal are displayed via a bi-color LED on said sensor means and a second bi-color LED on said housing.