Signal emitting retail device

• US 9,318,007 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2013
• Issued: 04/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fasteners for Retail Incorporated (FFR DSI Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Southern Imperial Incorporated (FFR DSI Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Valiulis, Peter T., Valiulis, Thomas E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAMSON, SARA B
• Application Number:
  US14/081,538
• Publication Number:
  US 20140070948A1
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0823 Article supports for peg-boards
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0861 Anti-theft means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/14 by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/149 with electric, magnetic, capacitive switch actuation

Abstract

A signal emitting retail device is provided. The signal emitting retail device includes a sensor and an emitter. The emitter is configured to emit a signal when the sensor senses removal of merchandise from a merchandise display structure. The sensor is also configured to sense potential theft conditions. The emitter is configured to emit a signal indicative of potential theft conditions when such conditions are sensed by the sensor.

Claims

1. A signal emitting retail device, comprising:

a first merchandise support portion and a second portion actuateable between a first configuration in which merchandise is prevented from being removed from the first merchandise support portion and a second configuration in which merchandise is allowed to be removed from the first merchandise support portion; and

an electronic unit including a sensor coupled with an emitter;

the sensor being configured to sense when the second portion is actuated from the first configuration to the second configuration;

the emitter being configured to emit a signal based on the sensor sensing that the second portion has been actuated from the first configuration to the second configuration;

wherein the first merchandise support portion includes a bottom wire configured to support merchandise; and

wherein the signal emitting retail device further comprises a top wire configured to support the second portion.

2. The signal emitting retail device of claim 1, wherein the second portion comprises a locking mechanism biased towards the second configuration;

wherein actuation of the locking mechanism activates the electronic unit; and

wherein the bottom wire is configured to support a lock arranged to maintain the locking mechanism in the first configuration.

3. The signal emitting retail device of claim 1, further comprising a timer;

wherein the timer begins measuring time upon actuation of the second portion from the first configuration to the second configuration;

wherein if the amount of time measured by the timer exceeds a predetermined amount of time, the emitter is configured to emit a signal indicative of a potential theft condition.

4. The signal emitting retail device of claim 3, wherein the second portion may lock in the first configuration upon sensing of a potential theft condition.

5. The signal emitting retail device of claim 3, wherein the emitter is configured to emit a first audible signal when the sensors sense that the second portion has been actuated between the first configuration and the second configuration;

wherein the emitter is configured to emit a second audible signal when the amount of time exceeds the predetermined amount of time; and

wherein the first audible signal and the second audible signal are each of at least one of different frequencies, wavelengths, pitches, frequencies of occurrence, and volumes.

6. The signal emitting retail device of claim 3, wherein the emitter is configured to emit at least one of audible sound waves, infrared light, visible light, radio waves, and microwaves.

7. An electronic unit for a signal emitting retail device, comprising:

an emitter coupled with a sensor;

the electronic unit being configured to couple with a device for displaying merchandise;

the sensor being configured to detect at least one of removal of merchandise from the device for displaying merchandise and actuation of the device for displaying merchandise;

the emitter being configured to emit a signal upon sensing by the sensor of at least one of removal of merchandise from the device for displaying merchandise and actuation of the device for displaying merchandise;

wherein the device for displaying merchandise includes a display hook including a device actuable between a first configuration in which removal of merchandise from the display hook is prevented and a second configuration in which removal of merchandise from the display hook is allowed; and

wherein the electronic unit further comprises a timer, the timer being configured to measure a time that the device is in the second configuration;

the emitter being configured to emit a signal indicative of a potential theft condition when the amount of time that the device is in the second configuration is more than a predetermined amount.

8. The electronic unit of claim 7, wherein the sensor comprises a switch having an open position and a closed position, a first contact electrically connected to a power supply, and a second contact electrically connected to the emitter, such that when the switch is in the open position the power supply does not supply power to the emitter, and when the switch is in the closed position, the power supply supplies power to the emitter.

9. The electronic unit of claim 7, wherein the predetermined amount is adjustable.

10. The electronic unit of claim 7, wherein the device for displaying merchandise with which the electronic unit is configured to couple with is one of a unit of shelving and a cabinet.

11. The electronic unit of claim 7, wherein the signal identifies the electronic unit.