Secure mounting assembly for a retail product display

• US 6,761,579 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2001
• Issued: 07/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Konnectronix Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Telefonix Incorporated (Astronics Corporation)
• Inventors: Burke, Paul C., Fort, Calvin L.
• Primary Examiner(s): DONOVAN, LINCOLN D
• Application Number:
  US09/872,230
• Publication Number:
  US 20010049222A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,138 Days
• Field of Search: 439/501, 340/568--56, 340/693--69, 340/571
• US Class Current: 439/501
• 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: H02G 11/00 Arrangements of electric cables or lines between relatively-movable parts

Abstract

A mounting assembly for a product, such as a video camera comprises a shroud for holding a security system sensor and a fastener for attaching the shroud to the product so as to hold the sensor against the product. The shroud further comprises a mounting flange, a cavity for holding electrical connectors, and passageways for cables. The shroud has an opening for receiving electrical connectors and a cover therefor to limit access to the electrical connectors. A fatigue reducing grommet is attached to a main cable at its entry point into the shroud. The shroud includes a seat for receiving the sensor, the sensor being connected to a security system via the electrical connectors. A fastener extends through a flange of the shroud, the cover and the sensor and into the product. An optional power cable carries power from the main cable to power the product. Thereby the sensor is securely attached to the product and the cables and connectors for the security system are neatly tucked away in the shroud. Enclosing the electrical connectors in the shroud improves security and enhances the appearance of the product display.

Claims

1. A mounting assembly comprising:

a shroud having a seat configured to receive a security sensor and a passage configured to carry a sensor cable associated with said security sensor, said seat orientated to hold said security sensor against a product; and

a fastener configured to extend through said shroud, a fastener passage of said security sensor, and into said product, said fastener configured to secure both said security sensor and said shroud to said product so that said security sensor is captured between said product and said shroud.

2. A mounting assembly as in claim 1, wherein said shroud comprises a cavity configured to receive at least one of said senor cable and a cable connector coupled to said sensor cable.

3. A mounting assembly as in claim 2, wherein said cavity is configured to carry said cable connector, and wherein said cable connector connects said sensor cable to a main cable.

4. A mounting assembly as in claim 3 further comprising a grommet disposed in a main cable passage of said cavity to carry said main cable.

5. A mounting assembly as in claim 4, wherein said grommet comprises an elastomeric member, and wherein said main cable comprises a braided fabric jacket configured to cover said elastomeric member.

6. A mounting assembly as in claim 3 further comprising a power cable connected to said cable connector, said power cable being adapted for electrical connection to the product.

7. A mounting assembly as in claim 3, wherein said shroud comprises an access opening into said cavity.

8. A mounting assembly as in claim 7 further comprising a cover configured to overlay said access opening.

9. A mounting assembly as in claim 8, wherein said cover comprises at least a portion of said product.

10. A mounting assembly as in claim 8, wherein said cover comprises at least a portion of said security sensor.

11. A mounting assembly as in claim 3 further comprising a holder configured to restrict rotation of said cable connector.

12. A mounting assembly as in claim 11, wherein said a holder comprises a pair of wings on a cover plate configured to extend on opposite sides of said cable connector, and wherein said cover plate is configured to cover an access opening of said shroud.

13. A mounting assembly as in claim 1, wherein said shroud comprises a flange, and wherein said fastener extends through said flange and said sensor to attach said shroud and said sensor to said product.

14. A mounting assembly as in claim 13, wherein said seat comprises a post on said flange, and wherein said fastener extends through said post and a hole in said sensor.

15. A mounting assembly as in claim 2, wherein said shroud comprises a pedestal portion to couple said shroud to a base.

16. A mounting assembly as in claim 15, wherein said base comprises a holder configured to receive said pedestal portion.

21. A mounting assembly as in claim 8, wherein said cover comprises a cover plate.

17. A mounting apparatus comprising:

a security sensor having a cable;

an electrical connector said cable;

a shroud having a seat configured to receive said sensor and a compartment configured to receive said electrical connector; and

a fastener configured to extend through said shroud, a passage of said sensor, and into a product, said fastener being configured to secure both said sensor and said shroud to said product so that said security sensor is captured between said product and said shroud.

18. A mounting apparatus comprising:

a security sensor having a cable;

a shroud having a seat configured to receive said sensor and a compartment configured to carry at least one of said cable and an electrical connector;

a grommet disposed on said cable and removably held in an opening of said shroud; and

a fastener configured to extend through said shroud, a passage of said sensor, and into a product, said fastener being configured to secure both said sensor and said shroud to said product.

19. A mounting apparatus for a retail product display, the product having an electrical power input, comprising:

a security sensor;

a main cable carry a security circuit and electrical power for the product;

a sensor cable connecting said main cable security circuit to said sensor;

a power cable connected to said main cable for carrying power to the product;

a shroud having a seat receiving said sensor and a passage for receiving said main cable; and

a fastener extending through said shroud and into the product and fastening both said sensor and said shroud to the product.

20. A mounting apparatus as in claim 19 further comprising a pair of electrical connectors, said main cable connected to one connector, and said security cable and said power cable connected to the other said connector;

said pair of connectors being held within said shroud.

22. A mounting assembly comprising:

a first member having a bore, the first member configured to carry a sensor having a sensor cable coupled to a cable connector;

a second member having a cavity configured to carry at least one of the sensor cable, the cable connector, a power cable, and a main cable; and

a fastener configured to secure the mounting assembly and the sensor to a product through the bore of the first member and a passage of the sensor so that the sensor is captured between the product and the first member.

23. A mounting assembly comprising:

a housing having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being configured to carry a sensor, and the second portion being configured to carry one or more cables within a cavity;

a fastener configured to couple the first portion and the sensor to secure the housing and the sensor to a product through a bore of the first portion and a passage of the sensor so that the sensor is captured between the product and the housing;

a grommet coupled to a first end of the second portion, the grommet being configured to carry at least one of the one or more cables; and

a cover configured to couple a second end of the second portion to secure the one or more cables within the cavity of the second portion.

24. A mounting assembly comprising:

a housing having a sensor portion and a pedestal portion, the sensor portion being configured to carry a sensor, and the pedestal portion being configured to carry one or more cables;

a fastener configured to couple the sensor portion and the sensor to secure the housing and the sensor to a product through a bore of the sensor portion and a passage of the sensor so that the sensor is captured between the product and the housing; and

a holder coupled to a surface the holder configured to carry at least one of a portion of the pedestal portion and the one or more cables.