Combination non-programmable and programmable key for security device

• US 9,305,444 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2014
• Issued: 04/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Sankey, James K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lau, Hoi
• Application Number:
  US14/454,111
• Publication Number:
  US 20140347183A1
• Time in Patent Office: 607 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.1, 340/568.2, 340/568.8, 340/572.1, 340/693.5, 340/691.1, 340/815.45, 340/5.25, 340 521- 523, 340/5.28, 340/5.6, 340/5.61, 340/5.64, 340/5.65, 340/10.51, 340/571, 340/543, 70/571, 703/44, 702/77, 70/58, 702/76
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/046 the shank being slidingly mounted on the bow, e.g. for storage
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 45/06 Electric alarm locks E05B45/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/004 the magnets acting directly on the bolt
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0045 keys with permanent magnets E05B47/0043, E05B47/0044, E05B73/0052 take precedence
• 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: G07C 9/00 Individual registration on entry or exit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00817 where the code of the lock can be programmed
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00912 for safes, strong-rooms, vaults or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/14 by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
• 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 13/1472 with force or weight detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/046 prevention of tampering with detection circuits
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5004 For antitheft signaling device on protected article
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7057 Permanent magnet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7486 Single key

Abstract

A security device for an item of merchandise is provided. The security device includes a non-programmable locking mechanism comprising a mechanical lock and a programmable locking mechanism comprising a monitoring circuit operatively coupled to an alarm. The security device is configured to secure an item of merchandise from theft or removal when the mechanical lock is locked and to be separated from the item of merchandise when the mechanical lock is unlocked. The alarm is configured to provide an alarm signal if the security device is separated from the item of merchandise while the monitoring circuit is armed.

Claims

1. A security device for an item of merchandise, the security device comprising:

a non-programmable locking mechanism comprising a mechanical lock, wherein the mechanical lock is configured to be unlocked by a key; and

a programmable locking mechanism comprising a monitoring circuit operatively coupled to an alarm,

wherein the security device is configured to secure an item of merchandise from theft or removal when the mechanical lock is locked and to be separated from the item of merchandise when the mechanical lock is unlocked,

wherein the alarm is configured to provide an alarm signal if the security device is separated from the item of merchandise while the monitoring circuit is armed.

2. The security device of claim 1, wherein the alarm is configured to provide an alarm signal if the mechanical lock is unlocked and the monitoring circuit is armed.

3. The security device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to detect separation of the security device from the item of merchandise.

4. The security device of claim 3, wherein the sensor comprises a proximity switch.

5. The security device of claim 1, wherein the monitoring circuit is configured to be armed or disarmed by the key.

6. The security device of claim 1, wherein the programmable locking mechanism is configured to receive a wireless signal for disarming the monitoring circuit.

7. The security device of claim 1, wherein the programmable locking mechanism comprises a security code.

8. The security device of claim 7, wherein the monitoring circuit is configured to be disarmed in response to the security code matching a security code stored on a key.

9. The security device of claim 1, wherein the programmable locking mechanism is configured to receive an energy signal for arming or disarming the monitoring circuit.

10. The security device of claim 9, wherein the energy signal is selected from the group consisting of an electrical signal, an optical signal, an acoustical signal, and a magnetic pulse signal.

11. The security device of claim 1, wherein the programmable locking mechanism is configured to receive an infrared signal for arming or disarming the monitoring circuit.

12. The security device of claim 1, wherein the non-programmable locking mechanism comprises a magnetically attractable material.

13. The security device of claim 1, wherein the security device comprises one of a merchandise display fixture, a merchandise display stand, a merchandise keeper, or a merchandise display hook.

14. A security device for an item of merchandise, the security device comprising:

a mechanical lock configured to be unlocked by a non-programmable portion of a key; and

a monitoring circuit operatively coupled to an alarm and comprising a security code,

wherein the security device is configured to secure an item of merchandise from theft or removal when the mechanical lock is locked and to be separated from the item of merchandise when the mechanical lock is unlocked,

wherein the alarm is configured to provide an alarm signal if the security device is separated from the item of merchandise while the monitoring circuit is armed and prior to disarming the monitoring circuit with a programmable portion of the key.

15. A method for securing an item of merchandise from theft, the method comprising:

locking a mechanical lock of a security device to secure an item of merchandise from theft or removal;

unlocking the mechanical lock of the security device with a key;

independently disarming a monitoring circuit of the security device operatively coupled to an alarm with the key; and

separating the security device from the item of merchandise when the mechanical lock is unlocked.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein separating the item of merchandise comprises separating the item of merchandise from the security device after the monitoring circuit is independently disarmed by the key.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein independently disarming comprises actuating the key for emitting a wireless signal.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the key comprises a magnet, and wherein unlocking comprises engaging the magnet with the mechanical lock.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the alarm is configured to provide an alarm signal if the security device is separated from the item of merchandise when the monitoring circuit is armed.

20. A security device for an item of merchandise, the security device comprising:

a non-programmable locking mechanism comprising a mechanical lock; and

a programmable locking mechanism comprising a monitoring circuit operatively coupled to an alarm, wherein the programmable locking mechanism comprises a security code,

wherein the monitoring circuit is configured to be disarmed in response to the security code matching a security code stored on a key,

wherein the security device is configured to secure an item of merchandise from theft or removal when the mechanical lock is locked and to be separated from the item of merchandise when the mechanical lock is unlocked,

wherein the alarm is configured to provide an alarm signal if the security device is separated from the item of merchandise while the monitoring circuit is armed.