Security tag with engaging element

• US 8,044,806 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2007
• Issued: 10/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: USS Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Universal Surveillance Corporation
• Inventors: Sayegh, Adel O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman; Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAMSON, SARA B
• Application Number:
  US11/875,802
• Publication Number:
  US 20080156047A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,467 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.9, 340/500, 340/540, 340/568.1, 340/572.1, 340/572.8
• US Class Current: 340/572.9
• 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 73/0029 Tags wrapped around the protected product using cables, wires or the like, e.g. with cable retraction for tensioning
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2402 Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting mechanical aspects of the tags, e.g. related to locking E05B73/0017; RFID readers G06K7/00; RFID tags G06K19/00; access control systems G07C9/00; anti-theft control in point of sale systems G07G3/003; security seals G09F3/03
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3969 Sliding part or wedge
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3991 Loop engaging
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/48 Seals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/491 Distorted shackle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/507 Tag type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/509 Encasing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5004 For antitheft signaling device on protected article

Abstract

A theft deterrent tag is provided that has an engaging element which forms a loop for attaching to an article or object to be monitored thereby. A second engaging element can also be provided to secure an article or object.

Claims

1. A theft deterrent tag attachable to an object to be monitored, comprising:

a tag body;

an engaging element having a first end that is free and is passed through an article to be monitored, and is inserted into a second aperture of the tab body, with a second end of the engaging element inserted through a first aperture of the tab body and anchored and maintained within a first chamber of the tag body, and a middle region there between, forming a first loop;

an attaching mechanism located within the tag body proximal to the second aperture for receiving and maintaining the first end of the engaging element;

the attachment mechanism includes;

a first fastening member that is comprised of a first protrusion that extends from a first distal region of the first fastening member, a first barrier that is substantially rectangular with a side defining a first forward region that is substantially concave to allow passage of the first end there through, with the first protrusion functioning as a stand that pivots along a reciprocating path within a cavity of a first retaining member of the tag body for enabling the first fastening member to move to one of an open and closed positions to substantially open and close a first path, with the first path extending inwardly from second aperture that is defined by a pair of parallel walls extending from a second inner surface and enclosed by first inner surface and second inner surface;

a biasing member that continuously biases the first fastening member towards a normally closed position to substantially close off the first path, the biasing member is located on a side of the first barrier that is opposite side of the first path;

the first end of the engaging element inserted through the first path moves the first fastening member to substantially open the first path to enable continuous insertion of the engaging element, while simultaneously, the biasing member continuously biases the first fastening member back towards the normally closed position against a first edge to substantially close the first path to frictionally prevent an extraction of the engaging element, without crimping;

the first loop formed by the engaging element can be adjusted upon further insertion of the engaging element into the second aperture, past the biasing member, and into a second path, with the first end traveling through the second path and out of the tag body via a third aperture, located distal to second aperture;

whereby, an article is maintained within the first loop.

2. The tag of claim 1, wherein the attaching mechanism further comprises:

the first fastening member movably maintained within the tag body;

the first path extending from the second aperture to the first fastening member and leading said first end of the engaging element to the first fastening member;

the biasing element propelling the first fastening member towards the first path;

the first fastening member moving towards the biasing element upon insertion of the first end;

the first fastening member engaging the first end and maintaining the engaging element within the tag body in an adjustable manner, yet preventing the withdrawal of the engaging element.

3. The tag of claim 2, wherein the first fastening member is propelled toward the first path by the biasing member such that the engaging element is maintained between a wall defining the first path and the first fastening member.

4. The tag of claim 3, wherein a first forward region is defined on the first fastening member and the engaging element is maintained between the first forward region and an edge of the wall defining the first path to prevent the withdrawal thereof, but allow further insertion.

5. The tag of claim 4, wherein:

the first retaining member receiving the protrusion extending from the first fastening member, wherein the protrusion is distal to the first forward region;

an opening of predetermined size defined in the first retaining member, whereby the fastening member moves between the opening in order to allow insertion of the first end and to maintain the engaging element within the tag body.

6. The tag of claim 1, wherein the attaching mechanism further comprises:

the first fastening member movably maintained within the tag body;

a second fastening member movably maintained within the tag body and positioned to oppose the first fastening member;

the second fastening member comprising;

a second protrusion that extends from a second distal region of the second fastening member, a second barrier that is substantially rectangular with a side defining a second forward region that is substantially concave to allow passage of the first end there through, with the second protrusion functioning as a stand that pivots along a reciprocating path within a cavity of a second retaining member of the tag body for enabling the second fastening member to move to one of an open and closed positions to substantially open and close a first path;

the first path extending from the second aperture to the first and second fastening members and guiding said first end of the engaging element to the first and second fastening members;

the biasing element propelling the first and second fastening members towards the first path to prevent the withdrawal of the engaging element in a direction opposite to the path of insertion, but allowing further insertion of the engaging element by forcing the first and second fastening members towards the biasing element.

7. The tag of claim 6, wherein the first fastening member has the first forward region and the second fastening member has the second forward region such that the first and second forward regions are in proximal relations and receive and maintain the engaging element there between.

8. The tag of claim 7, wherein the tag body further comprises:

the first retaining member receiving the first protrusion extending from the first fastening member at a point distal to the first forward region;

a second retaining member receiving the second protrusion extending from the second fastening member at a point distal to the second forward region;

an opening of predetermined size defined in the first retaining member and the second retaining member such that the openings of each retaining member face one another;

whereby, the forward regions of each of the first fastening member and the second fastening member are proximally aligned and move within each respective opening in order to allow insertion of the first end and to maintain the engaging element between the first forward and second forward regions.

9. The tag of claim 2, wherein a plurality of attaching mechanisms are accessibly aligned within the tag body and an EAS marker is enclosed within the tag body.

10. A disposable theft deterrent tag attachable to an object to be monitored, comprising:

a tag body;

an elongated first engaging element having a first end and a distal second end and a first middle region there between;

a first aperture through which the second end is irremovably maintained within said tag body

a first attaching mechanism located within the tag body proximal to a second aperture for receiving the first end of the first engaging element;

first attaching mechanism includes a first fastening member that is comprised of a first protrusion that extends from a first distal region of the first fastening member, a first barrier that is substantially rectangular with a side defining a first forward region that is substantially concave to allow passage of the first end there through;

a first biasing member of the first attaching mechanism propelling the first fastening member towards the second aperture to substantially open and close a first path to maintain the first end of the first engaging element within the tag body, with the first path arched and extending inwardly from second aperture that is defined by a pair of curved parallel walls, forming an arched path from the second aperture to a third aperture;

whereby further portions of the first engaging element can be inserted into the tag body, but the first attaching mechanism prevents the withdrawal of the first engaging element in a direction opposite to the direction of the insertion;

a first loop is formed along a first orientation by the first engaging element and can be adjusted upon further insertion of the first engaging element into the second aperture, and extraction thereof from the third aperture;

an elongated second engaging element having a front end and a distal back end nd a second middle region there between;

a fourth aperture through which the back end is irremovably maintained within said tag body;

a second attaching mechanism located within the tag body proximal to a fifth aperture for receiving the front end of the second engaging element;

a second biasing member of the second attaching mechanism propelling a secondary fastening member towards the fifth aperture to substantially open and close a second path to maintain the front end of the second engaging element within the tag body, with the second path substantially straight and extending inwardly from fifth aperture that is defined by a pair of parallel walls, forming a substantially straight path from the fifth aperture to a sixth aperture;

whereby further portions of the second engaging element can be inserted into the tag body, but the second attachment mechanism prevents the withdrawal of the second engaging element in a direction opposite to the direction of the insertion;

a second loop is formed along a second orientation by the second engaging element and can be adjusted upon further insertion of the second engaging element into the fifth aperture, and extraction thereof from sixth aperture;

with the first aperture oriented substantially opposite the second aperture, and the third aperture juxtaposed adjacent the fifth aperture, and a fourth aperture juxtaposed adjacent a sixth aperture;

whereby, an article is maintained within the first and second loops from different orientations.

11. The tag of claim 10, wherein:

the first fastening member movably maintained within the tag body;

the first path extending from the second aperture to the first fastening member and leading said first end of the first engaging element to the first fastening member;

the first biasing element propelling the first fastening member towards the first path;

the first fastening member moving towards the first biasing element upon insertion of the first end;

the first fastening member engaging the first end and maintaining the first engaging element within the tag body in an adjustable manner, yet preventing the withdrawal of the first engaging element;

the secondary fastening member movably maintained within the tag body;

secondary path extending from the fifth aperture to the secondary fastening member and leading said front end of the second engaging element to the secondary fastening member;

the second biasing element propelling the secondary fastening member towards the second path;

the secondary fastening member moving towards the second biasing element upon insertion of the front end;

the secondary fastening member engaging the front end and maintaining the second engaging element within the tag body in an adjustable manner, yet preventing the withdrawal of the second engaging element.

12. The tag of claim 10, wherein a holder adjustably maintains the first and second engaging elements to allow attachment of the tag to the article to be monitored.

13. The tag of claim 10, wherein

the first fastening member movably maintained within the tag body;

a second fastening member movably maintained within the tag body and positioned to oppose the first fastening member;

a first path extending from the second aperture to the first and second fastening members and guiding said first end of the first engaging element to the first and second fastening members;

the first biasing element propelling the first and second fastening members towards the first path to prevent the withdrawal of the first engaging element in a direction opposite to the path of insertion, but allowing further insertion of the first engaging element by forcing the first and second fastening members towards the first biasing element and expanding an opening there between;

a third fastening member movably maintained within the tag body;

a fourth fastening member movably maintained within the tag body and positioned to oppose the third fastening member;

a second path extending from the fifth aperture to the third and fourth fastening members and guiding said front end of the second engaging element to the third and fourth fastening members;

the second biasing element propelling the third and fourth fastening members towards the second path to prevent the withdrawal of the second engaging element in a direction opposite to the path of insertion, but allowing further insertion of the second engaging element by forcing the third and fourth fastening members towards the second biasing element and expanding an opening there between.

14. The tag of claim 13, wherein the first fastening member has a first forward region and the second fastening member has a second forward region such that the first and second forward regions are in proximal relations and receive and maintain the first engaging element there between;

and

the third fastening member has a third forward region and the fourth fastening member has a fourth forward region such that the third and fourth forward regions are in proximal relations and receive and maintain the second engaging element there between.

15. The tag of claim 14, the tag body further comprising:

a first retaining member receiving a first protrusion extending from the first fastening member at a point distal to the first forward region;

a second retaining member receiving a second protrusion extending from the second fastening member at a point distal to the second forward region;

an opening of predetermined size defined in the first retaining member 62/a and the second retaining member such that the openings of each retaining member face one another;

the forward regions of each of the first fastening member and the second fastening member are proximally aligned and move within each respective opening in order to allow insertion of the first end and to maintain the first engaging element between the first forward and second forward regions;

a third retaining member receiving a third protrusion extending from the third fastening member at a point distal to the third forward region;

a fourth retaining member receiving a fourth protrusion extending from the fourth fastening member at a point distal to the fourth forward region;

a second pair of openings of predetermined size defined in the third retaining member and the fourth retaining member such that the openings of each of the third and fourth retaining members face one another;

the forward regions of each of the third fastening member and the fourth fastening member are proximally aligned and move within each respective opening in order to allow insertion of the front end and to maintain the second engaging element between the third forward and fourth forward regions.