Theft-deterrent device with gasflow lock release

• US 5,829,800 A
• Filed: 09/26/1996
• Issued: 11/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fargkamman AB
• Original Assignee: Fargkamman AB
• Inventors: Stoltz, Klas, Gustavsson, Bo
• Primary Examiner(s): Lindsey, Rodney M.
• Application Number:
  US08/721,532
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 292/307 R, 292/252, 292/307 A, 292/316, 292/323, 292/327, 70/57.1, 70/276, 24/453, 24/704.1, 24/706.8, 24/706.6, 24/108, 24/110, 403/15, 29/270, 29/281.6
• US Class Current: 292/316
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 51/02 by pneumatic or hydraulic means E05B17/0029 takes precedence
• 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: Y10T 29/53909 Means comprising hand manipulatable tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/14 Ball
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/48 Seals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/492 Driving

Abstract

The invention relates to a theft-deterrent device which is intended to be attached to and locked on theft-attractive goods (10) and which is constructed to coact with a device release means (8) for release of the device from said goods. The theft-deterrent device includes a first unit (2) which comprises a base element (3) and a connecting element (4) which projects out from the base element and which is intended for insertion through the goods (10), and a second unit in the form of a locking element (6) which is intended to be placed on the connecting element (4) and locked to said element against movement in a direction away from the base element (3) so as to secure the device firmly to said goods (10). The locking element (6) is constructed for release from the connecting element (5) by the action of a gasflow delivered to the locking element (6). The invention also relates to a locking element (6) for a theft-deterrent device, and to a theft-deterrent device release means (8).

Claims

1. A theft-deterrent device intended to be attached to and locked on theft-attractive goods and constructed to coact with a release means for releasing the device from said goods, wherein the device includes a first unit (2) comprising a base element (3) and a connecting element (4) which projects out from the base element and which is intended for insertion through said goods (10), and a second unit in the form of a locking element (6) which is intended to be fitted onto the connecting element and locked thereto against movement in a direction away from the base element (3) such as to secure the theft-deterrent device to the item of goods (10), characterized in that the locking element (6) is constructed for release from the connecting element (4) through the action of a gasflow delivered to the locking element (6), the gasflow including an outflow, whereby the gasflow passes through the locking element (6).

2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking element (6) includes a lock housing (12) having a first and a second chamber (40, 42;

46) which are separated by a displaceable holder (24) which coacts with locking means (34) such as to lock the connecting element (4), wherein the holder (24) is arranged to take a first position (24A) in which the locking means (34) lock the connecting element (4) and to be moved by the action of a gasflow delivered to the first chamber (40,

     42) to a second position (24B) in which the locking means (34) are released from the connecting element (4).

3. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that the lock housing (12) is provided with at least one inlet opening (36) for delivering gasflow to the first chamber (40, 42), and with at least one evacuation opening (44) for evacuation of the second chamber (46).

4. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that the holder (24) is disposed in the lock housing (12) so that an outflow of supplied gas takes place from the first chamber (40, 42).

5. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking means (34) are arranged displaceably in the holder (24) and coact with a conical sleeve (20) fixedly mounted in the lock housing (12), such as to lock the connecting element (4).

6. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that the holder (24) is arranged to be moved from the first position (24A) to the second position (24B) against the pressure of a spring means (30).

7. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that the lock housing (12) has at least two inlet openings (36) for the delivery of gasflow to the first chamber (40, 42), and in that the evacuation opening (44) is disposed between the inlet openings (36).

8. A device according to claim 7, characterized in that each of the inlet openings (36) has a size which allows therethrough a gasflow which is smaller than the flow required to release the locking element (6) from the connecting element (4).

9. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that the lock housing (12) is provided with an elongated, part-circular or generally kidney-shaped inlet opening (36) and in that said evacuation opening (44) is disposed on an inside of the inlet opening.

12. Means for releasing a theft-deterrent device according to claim 1, characterized in that the release means includes a seating (48) which is constructed to receive the locking element (6) of the theft-deterrent device, at least one supply passageway (56, 58;

56, 80, 78b,

     82) provided in the seating (48) for delivery of a gasflow to and through the locking element (6), and at least one passageway (60,

     62) provided in the seating (48) for the evacuation of gas from the locking element (6).

13. Means according to claim 12, characterized in that said means includes at least one displaceable locking plunger (74) which is configured to engage a locking groove (70) provided in the locking element (6) in the locking position of said plunger, therewith to lock the theft-deterrent device in the seating (48).

14. Means according to claim 13, characterized in that the locking plunger (74) is moved to and held in its locking position by the action of a gasflow delivered to said supply passageway (56, 80, 82).

15. Means according to claim 14, characterized in that the locking plunger (74) is configured to block the supply passageway (56, 80, 82) in its position in which it is unaffected by a gasflow, and to open the supply passageway (56, 80, 82) in its gasflow actuated locking position.

16. A device according to claim 4, characterized in that the locking means (34) are arranged displaceably in the holder (24) and coact with a conical sleeve (20) fixedly mounted in the lock housing (12), such as to lock the connecting element (4).

17. A device according to claim 16, characterized in that the holder (24) is arranged to be moved from the first position (24A) to the second position (24B) against the pressure of a spring means (30).

18. Means for releasing a theft-deterrent device according to claim 17, characterized in that the release means includes a seating (48) which is constructed to receive the locking element (6) of the theft-deterrent device, at least one passageway (56, 58;

56, 80, 78b,

     82) provided in the seating (48) for delivery of a gasflow to the locking element (6), and at least one passageway (60,

     62) provided in the seating (48) for the evacuation of gas from the locking element (6).

19. Means according to claim 18, characterized in that said means includes at least one displaceable locking plunger (74) which is configured to engage a locking groove (70) provided in the locking element (6) in the locking position of said plunger, therewith to lock the theft-deterrent device in the seating (48).

20. Means for releasing a theft-deterrent device according to claim 8, characterized in that the release means includes a seating (48) which is constructed to receive the locking element (6) of the theft-deterrent device, at least one passageway (56, 58;

56, 80, 78b,

     82) provided in the seating (48) for delivery of a gasflow to the locking element (6), and at least one passageway (60,

     62) provided in the seating (48) for the evacuation of gas from the locking element (6).

10. A locking unit for a theft-deterrent device intended to be attached to and locked on theft-attractive goods and including a first unit (2) comprising a base element (3) and a connecting element (4) which projects out from the base element, and a locking unit (6), wherein the locking unit (6) is intended to be placed on the connecting element (4) and locked thereto against movement in a direction away from the base element (3) so as to secure the device firmly on the goods to be protected, characterized in that the locking element (6) is constructed for release from the connecting element (4) through the action of a gasflow delivered to said locking element (6), the gasflow including an outflow, whereby the gasflow passes through the locking element (6).

11. A locking unit according to claim 10, characterized in that said unit includes a lock housing (12) having a first and a second chamber (40, 42;

46) which are separated by a displaceable holder (24) which coacts with locking means (34) such as to lock said connecting element (4), wherein the holder (24) is arranged to take a first position (24A) in which the locking means (34) lock the connecting element (4) and to be moved by the action of a gasflow delivered to the first chamber (40,

     42) to a second position (24B) in which the locking means (34) is released from the connecting element (4).