Alarming merchandise display system

• US 7,053,774 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2004
• Issued: 05/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alpha Security Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Sedon, Nicholas M., Marsilio, Ronald M., Jaeb, Michael S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mullen, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US10/939,069
• Publication Number:
  US 20050073413A1
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.2, 340/568.8, 340/568.1, 340/571, 340/687, 340/542, 211 26- 262, 248/551, 248/553, 70/571, 70/58, 70/62, 206/807, 206/1.5
• US Class Current: 340/568.2
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/024 with provisions for preventing unauthorised removal show cases with devices for prevention of theft A47F3/002; devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal E05B73/0017
• 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 13/149 with electric, magnetic, capacitive switch actuation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 206/807 Tamper proof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5027 Supporting stands

Abstract

A display system for displaying an item of merchandise in a retail environment that allows a potential customer to handle the item while it is secured to the display system. The item is supported on a display shelf and is connected to a retractable cable. The shelf is locked to a base by an alarm unit. Unauthorized removal of the shelf, base, item of merchandise, severing of the retractable cable or alarm unit will activate an alarm. First and second locks lock the alarm unit to the base.

Claims

1. A display system for displaying items of merchandise in a retail environment;

the display system comprising;

a base;

a shelf;

an alarm unit;

the shelf being locked to the base by the alarm unit.

2. The display system of claim 1, wherein the alarm unit includes a plunger that is activated when the alarm unit is removed from the base.

3. The display unit of claim 1, wherein the alarm unit includes an arm that is disposed through openings formed in the base and shelf when the alarm unit is in a locked position.

4. The display unit of claim 1, wherein the base includes a leg that is locked to the alarm unit when the alarm unit is in a locked position.

5. The display unit of claim 1 wherein the alarm unit is selectively locked to the base with a first lock and a second lock.

6. The display system of claim 5, wherein the first lock is magnetically-actuated and the second lock is mechanically actuated.

7. The display unit of claim 5 wherein the alarm unit is in communication with an alarm switch and is in an activated position when the first lock is in a locked position, and wherein the alarm switch is deactivated when the first lock is in an unlocked position.

8. The display unit of claim 1 including an alarm cable having an outer end adapted to be connected to an item of merchandise;

and wherein the alarm unit is activated if the cable is cut.

9. The display unit of claim 8 wherein the alarm unit is activated if the outer end of the cable is removed from the item of merchandise.

10. The display unit of claim 1 wherein the base is adapted to be secured to a support structure at the retail establishment with at least one connector.

11. The display unit of claim 10 wherein the alarm unit covers a portion of the connector that holds the base to the support structure when the alarm unit is locked to the base.

12. The display system of claim 1, wherein the shelf is secured to the alarm unit by an alarm cable.

13. The display system of claim 12, wherein the alarm cable includes a plunger which is actuated when the cable is attached to an item of merchandise.

14. The display system of claim 12 wherein the alarm cable extends through an opening formed in the shelf and has a sensor attached at an outer end of said cable preventing removal of the shelf from the base.

15. The display system of claim 1 wherein the alarm unit is locked to the base with a first lock slideable between locked and unlocked positions on the base;

and in which said first lock includes at least one lock finger moveably engageable between locked and unlocked positions with the base.

16. The display system of claim 15 wherein the lock finger is spring biased toward the locked position with the base.

17. The display system of claim 15 wherein the first lock includes at least one lock ledge which extends through an inner lock wall of the base and engages the alarm unit when the alarm unit is in the locked position with the base.

18. The display system of claim 15 wherein the first lock includes at least one opening which aligns with the lock finger for receiving a key prong to move the lock finger to an unlocked position.

19. The display system of claim 1 wherein the alarm unit includes a power source, alarm circuitry, a retractable alarm cable, and an alarm indicator.

20. The display system of claim 19 wherein the alarm indicator is an audible or visual alarm.

21. The display system of claim 1 wherein the alarm unit is locked to the base by a plurality of biased locking fingers magnetically attractable toward an unlocked position.