Security tag assembly

• US 8,590,349 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2012
• Issued: 11/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Braeburn Asset Holdings, LLC, ES Holding Dragoer ApS
• Original Assignee: Braebum Asset Holdings LLC, ES Holding Dragoer ApS
• Inventors: Skjellerup, Johan, Stenilo, Eddie L.
• Primary Examiner(s): GALL, LLOYD A
• Application Number:
  US13/425,055
• Publication Number:
  US 20130247623A1
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• Field of Search: 70/571, 702/76, 703/86, 247/041, 247/042, 247/068, 292/307.A, 340/572.8, 340/572.9, 340/572.1
• US Class Current: 70/57.1
• 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: Y10T 24/4614 Moves slidably guided, nonself-biasing, holding component
• 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 70/7057 Permanent magnet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7751 With ball or roller

Abstract

A security tag assembly structured to restrict unauthorized removal of merchandise from a designated area is presented. The security tag assembly comprises a base and a tag member removably connected to the merchandise being protected or monitored. A locking assembly is disposed within the base and is structured to be biased into a locking orientation relative to a connector pin of the tag member. A release assembly, also disposed within the base, is structured to facilitate the authorized release of the locking assembly upon application of an externally applied detachment assembly. In particular the release assembly comprises a displacement structure including coaxially disposed first and second members connected via an at least partially flexible biasing connector comprising an arcuate or “U” shaped configuration. The second collar is structured for disposition into a displacing engagement with the locking assembly upon the forced movement of the first collar.

Claims

1. A security tag assembly structured to restrict unauthorized removal of a product from an area, said security tag assembly comprising:

a base including a locking assembly, said locking assembly structured to be biased into a locking orientation,

a tag member including an elongated connector member structured to pass through the product and into a locking position,

said locking position comprising said connector member passing into said base and into a removable locking engagement with said locking assembly when in said locking position,

a release assembly disposed within said base, said release assembly comprising a displacement structure, said displacement structure comprising first and second members connected to one another via at least one biasing connector, said first and second members being disposed in a coaxially movable relation with one another via said at least one biasing connector,

said first member of said release assembly being structured for movable disposition in a first direction via an externally applied detachment assembly,

said second member being disposable in a second, opposite direction via said at least one biasing connector and into a displacing engagement with at least a portion of said locking assembly upon movable engagement of said first member in said first direction, and

said displacing engagement being sufficient to dispose said locking assembly out of said locking orientation relative to said connector member.

2. The security tag assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said locking assembly comprises a biasing member structured to normally dispose at least one locking member in a confronting, locking engagement with said connector member.

3. The security tag assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said at least one biasing connector is structured to dispose said second member of said release assembly against the biasing force of said biasing member.

4. The security tag assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second members of said release assembly comprise coaxially disposed collars.

5. The security tag assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein said coaxially disposed collars are connected to one another via a plurality of spaced apart biasing connectors.

6. The security tag assembly as recited in claim 5 wherein each of said plurality of biasing connectors comprise an arcuate configuration extending between said coaxially disposed collars.

7. The security tag assembly as recited in claim 6 wherein said release assembly further comprises a support member comprising a concave seat surface disposed in a supporting relation with said biasing connectors.

8. The security tag assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein said concave seat surface of said support member and said arcuate configuration of said plurality of biasing connectors comprise corresponding configurations.

9. The security tag assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein said biasing connectors are disposed in a slidable relation within said concave seat surface of said support member upon disposition of said first member in said first direction.

10. The security tag assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein said release assembly further comprises a contact collar disposed in an engaging relation with said first member.

11. The security tag assembly as recited in claim 10 wherein said contact collar comprises a receiving ledge disposable in a direct engaging relation with an externally applied detachment assembly.

12. The security tag assembly as recited in claim 11 wherein said contact collar comprises an annular ledge disposed in an engaging relation with said first member.

13. The security tag assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein said base comprises a plurality of access openings disposed and dimensioned to facilitate passage of a plurality of detachment members therethrough into said engaging relation with said receiving ledge of said contact collar.

14. A security tag assembly structured to restrict unauthorized removal of a product from an area, said security tag assembly comprising:

a base including a locking assembly, said locking assembly structured to be biased into a locking orientation,

a tag member including an elongated connector member structured to pass through the product and into a locking position,

said locking position comprising said connector member passing into said base and into a removable locking engagement with said locking assembly when in said locking position,

a release assembly disposed within said base, said release assembly comprising first and second collars disposed in a coaxial relation to one another and connected to one another via an at least partially flexible biasing connector,

said first and second coaxially disposed collars being disposed in a movable relation with one another in substantially opposite directions via said biasing connector,

said first collar of said release assembly being structured for movable disposition in a first direction upon an engaging force applied by an external detachment assembly,

said second collar of said release assembly being disposable in a second, opposite direction via said biasing connector and into a displacing engagement with at least a portion of said locking assembly upon movable engagement of said first collar in said first direction, and

said displacing engagement being sufficient to dispose said locking assembly out of said locking orientation relative to said connector member.

15. The security tag assembly as recited in claim 14 wherein said release assembly further comprises a contact collar, said contact collar comprising a receiving ledge disposable in an engaging relation with the external detachment assembly and a support ledge disposed in an engaging relation with said first collar.

16. The security tag assembly as recited in claim 14 wherein said biasing connector comprises an arcuate configuration.

17. The security tag assembly as recited in claim 16 wherein said release assembly further comprises a support member, said support member comprising a concave seat surface disposed in a supporting relation with said arcuate configuration of said biasing connector.

18. The security tag assembly as recited in claim 17 wherein said biasing connector is disposed in an at least partially movable relation within said concave seat surface.

19. The security tag assembly as recited in claim 18 further comprising a plurality of spaced apart biasing connectors.

20. A security tag assembly structured to restrict unauthorized removal of a product from an area, said security tag assembly comprising:

a base including a locking assembly, said locking assembly structured to be biased into a locking orientation,

a tag member including an elongated connector member structured to pass through the product and into a locking position,

said locking position comprising said connector member passing into said base and into a removable locking engagement with said locking assembly when in said locking position,

a release assembly disposed within said base said release assembly comprising a displacement structure, said displacement structure comprising first and second coaxially disposed collars connected to one another via a plurality of at least partially flexible biasing connectors,

said plurality of biasing connectors comprising an arcuate configuration,

a contact collar comprising a receiving ledge disposable in an engaging relation with an external detachment assembly and a support ledge disposed in an engaging relation with said first collar of said displacement structure,

a support member comprising a concave seat surface disposed in a supporting relation with said arcuate configuration of each of said plurality of biasing connectors, wherein said displacement structure is disposed between said contact collar and said support member,

said first and second collars of said displacement structure being disposed in a movable relation with one another in substantially opposite directions via said plurality of biasing connectors,

said first collar being structured for movable disposition in a first direction upon an engaging force applied by the external detachment assembly,

said second collar being disposable in a second, substantially opposite direction via said biasing connectors and into a displacing engagement with at least a portion of said locking assembly upon movable engagement of said first collar in said first direction, and

said displacing engagement being sufficient to dispose said locking assembly out of a locking orientation relative to said connector member.