Article surveillance tag having a metal clip

• US 7,336,180 B2
• Filed: 07/07/2006
• Issued: 02/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Adel O Sayegh, Russell Abbott
• Original Assignee: Adel O Sayegh, Russell Abbott
• Inventors: Abbott, Russell, Sayegh, Adel O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu; Julie
• Application Number:
  US11/483,076
• Publication Number:
  US 20060250247A1
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• 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: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/50 Readily interlocking, two-part fastener requiring either destructive or tool disengagement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/505 including additional fastener structure linking parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5004 For antitheft signaling device on protected article
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/778 Operating elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7915 Tampering prevention or attack defeating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8595 Key guides, internal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8622 Key insertion guides

Abstract

An electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag 20 having a metal attaching member 34 located therein and adapted to securely and releasably receive a shaft 52 of a pin therein, whereby a predetermined arcuate probe is inserted through an opening and applies a requisite force to the attaching member 34 to release the shaft 52. There are no channels leading the authorized arcuate probe to the attaching member 34. A plurality of partitions 58 and pillars 62 are interspersed within tag 20 to deflect any unauthorized probes from engaging and detaching attaching member 34.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring items through electronic article surveillance (EAS), comprising:

a tag body;

an attaching member located within said tag body;

a shaft having a top, wherein said shaft is inserted through an item to be monitored until said top engages said item, and said shaft entering said tag body through a hole and being received securely by said attaching member;

a detectable EAS sensor within said tag body;

a probe of a predetermined shape and path is inserted through an entrance within said tag body and engages said attaching member and allows extraction of said shaft by moving said attaching member in a substantially linear manner.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said attaching member is slideably received on at least a first track located on an interior of said tag body;

whereby, application of force to attaching member by said probe forces attaching member to travel in a linear manner on said first track and releases said shaft.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said attaching member further comprises a first lip and a second lip extending from opposing ends of attaching member in substantially parallel relations and extending over said first track.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein said tag body further comprises a second track 32 located on the interior of said tag body and extends in a substantially parallel relation to said first track;

whereby, said attaching member travels in a slideable and linear manner.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said attaching member further comprises a first lip and a second lip extending from opposing ends of said attaching member in substantially parallel relations;

said first lip extending over said first track and said second lip extending over said second track, whereby said attaching member is slideably maintained thereon and travels in a linear manner along said first track and said second track.

6. A device for monitoring items through electronic article surveillance (EAS), comprising:

a tag body having a first half and a second half that are joined around a perimeter of said tag body by a first side wall and a second side wall extending inwardly from said first and second halves respectively;

an entrance being defined through said first side wall and said second side wall at a front region of said tag body;

a detectable EAS sensor enclosed within said tag body;

an attaching member 34 located between said first half and said second half;

a first track slideably receiving said attaching member thereon;

a shaft having a top, wherein said shaft is inserted through an item to be monitored until said top engages said item, and said shaft enters said tag body through a hole and is received securely by said attaching member;

a probe of a predetermined shape and path is inserted through an entrance within said tag body and imparts a sufficient force on said attaching member, whereby said attaching member travels along said first track in a linear manner and allows extraction of said shaft.