Security system for preventing unauthorized removal of merchandise

• US 8,242,910 B2
• Filed: 07/07/2008
• Issued: 08/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Braeburn Asset Holdings, LLC, ES Holding Dragoer ApS
• Original Assignee: Eddie L. Stenild, Johan Skjellerup
• Inventors: Skjellerup, Johan, Stenild, Eddie L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lau, Hoi
• Application Number:
  US12/217,613
• Publication Number:
  US 20080291029A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,499 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.8, 340/527.9, 340/568.1, 340/693.5, 340/572.3, 235/375, 235/385
• 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 13/2417 having a radio frequency identification chip
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2431 Tag circuit details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2448 Tag with at least dual detection means, e.g. combined inductive and ferromagnetic tags, dual frequencies within a single technology, tampering detection or signalling means on the tag

Abstract

A security tag assembly and security system associated therewith to prevent the unauthorized removal of merchandise from a given area, such as a retail establishment. The security tag assembly comprises a base and at least one attachment member removably connected in an operative position on the merchandise being protected. A locking assembly including a locking member is structured to restrict detachment of the attachment member and is forcibly disposed out of movement restricting relation to said connector member when the base and the attachment member are separated. A detachment assembly and a data registering processor may include a two-way communication link which facilitates processing of the merchandise data disposed on the security tag assembly, such that the purchasing of the merchandise and the removal of the security tag assembly can be effectively accomplished without jeopardizing the security of the merchandise being sold.

Claims

1. A security system for discouraging unauthorized removal of merchandise from a given area, said security system comprising:

a security tag assembly comprising at least one attachment member and at least one base, said attachment member and said base being connectable in an operative position relative to the merchandise,

said security tag assembly further comprising a connector member structured to interconnect said attachment member and said base in said operative position, wherein said security tag assembly further comprises a locking assembly;

said locking assembly comprising a locking member mounted within said attachment member,

a detachment assembly disposable in a removably engaging relation with said security tag assembly and structured to detach said base and said attachment member out of said operative position,

said detachment assembly comprising least one detachment structure disposable in an at least partially forced engagement with said connector member of said security tag assembly,

said at least one detachment structure being structured to at least partially separate said base from said attachment member via disposition of said detachment structure in said at least partially forced engagement with said connector member of said security tag assembly,

said detachment structure being disposable in a forced engagement with said locking member and being structured to destructively remove said attachment member from said base,

said detachment structure comprising a drive shaft having an at least partially hollow interior configuration disposed adjacent a free, open end of said drive shaft, and

said at least partially hollow interior configuration of said drive shaft being dimensioned and configured to assume a covering relation to at least a portion of said connector member of said security tag assembly.

2. A security system for discouraging unauthorized removal of merchandise from a given area, said security system comprising:

a security tag assembly comprising at least one attachment member and at least one base, said attachment member and said base being connectable in an operative position relative to the merchandise,

said security tag assembly further comprising a connector member secured to said base and structured to interconnect said attachment member and said base in said operative position,

a detachment assembly removably connectable to said security tag assembly and structured to detach said base and said attachment member out of said operative position,

said detachment assembly comprising at least one detachment structure disposable in an at least partially forced engagement with said connector member of said security tag assembly,

said at least one detachment structure being structured to at least partially separate said base from said attachment member via disposition of said detachment structure in said at least partially forced engagement with said connector member of said security tag assembly,

said detachment structure of said detachment assembly is structured to destructively remove said attachment member from said base,

said detachment assembly further comprising a holding assembly structured to at least partially engage at least a portion of said attachment member and secure said attachment member to said detachment assembly,

said holding assembly being structured to define a receiving channel, wherein said attachment member of said security tag assembly is removably disposable in a slidable relation with said receiving channel,

said detachment structure comprising a drive shaft;

said drive shaft comprising an at least partially hollow interior configuration disposed adjacent a free, open end thereof, and

said at least partially hollow interior configuration of said drive shaft being dimensioned and configured to assume a covering relation to at least a portion of said connector member of said security tag assembly.

3. A security system for discouraging unauthorized removal of merchandise from a given area, said security system comprising:

a security tag assembly comprising at least one attachment member and at least one base, said attachment member and said base being connectable in an operative position relative to the merchandise,

said security tag assembly further comprising a connector member structured to interconnect said attachment member and said base in said operative position, wherein said security tag assembly further comprises a locking assembly;

said locking assembly comprising a locking member mounted within said attachment member,

a detachment assembly disposable in a removably engaging relation with said security tag assembly and structured to detach said base and said attachment member out of said operative position,

said detachment assembly comprising at least one detachment structure disposable in an at least partially forced engagement with said connector member of said security tag assembly,

said at least one detachment structure being structured to at least partially separate said base from said attachment member via disposition of said detachment structure in said at least partially forced engagement with said connector member of said security tag assembly,

said detachment assembly further comprising a receiving structure structured to receive said security tag assembly in an operative orientation therewith,

said receiving structure comprising a holding assembly structured to at least partially engage at least a portion of sated attachment member of said security tag assembly,

said holding assembly being further structured to secure said attachment member to said detachment assembly at least while said detachment structure is disposed in said at least partially forced engagement with connector member of said security tag assembly,

said holding assembly comprising a receiving channel and said attachment member being disposable in a slidable relation within said receiving channel,

said holding assembly further comprising an entry aperture and an exit aperture disposed in a spaced relation from one another along a length of said receiving channel, and

said entry aperture being structured and configured to dispose said attachment member of said security tag assembly therethrough and into said slidable relation within said receiving channel;

said exit aperture being structured and configured to dispose said attachment member therethrough and out of said slidable relation within said receiving channel.

4. The security system recited in claim 3 wherein said detachment structure of said detachment assembly is disposable within said receiving channel and into said at least partially forced engagement with said connector member of said security tag assembly between said entry aperture and said exit aperture.

5. The security system recited in claim 4 further comprising a detachment aperture disposed within said receiving channel in a receiving relation with said detachment structure.

6. The security system recited in claim 5 wherein said connector member of said security tag assembly is disposable in an aligned relation with said detachment aperture.

7. The security system recited in claim 6 wherein said detachment aperture is disposed along said length of said receiving channel and between said entry aperture and said exit aperture.