Centering adapter plate for camera sensor

• US 9,402,486 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2013
• Issued: 08/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Green, Barry John, McKinney, Larry T., Bisesti, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): McKinnon, Terrell
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCDUFFIE, MICHAEL D
• Application Number:
  US14/406,949
• Publication Number:
  US 20150173525A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,132 Days
• Field of Search: 248/551, 248/552, 248/553, 248/177.1, 248/176.1, 248/187.1, 396/FOR.913
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/002 Devices for protection against sunlight or theft
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/004 adjustable, foldable or easily dismountable
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/024 with provisions for preventing unauthorised removal show cases with devices for prevention of theft A47F3/002; devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal E05B73/0017
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0082 for office machines, e.g. PC's, portable computers, typewriters, calculators
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/08 Foot or support base
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/566 Accessory clips, holders, shoes to attach accessories to camera if integral part of camera body G03B17/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 90/00 Systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial or supervisory purposes, not involving significant data processing

Abstract

An adapter plate for securing an item of merchandise to a merchandise security device is provided. For example, the adapter plate includes a body configured to be secured to an item of merchandise, wherein at least one slot is defined in the body. The at least one slot is configured to receive a first fastener for securing the body to the item of merchandise, and the body is laterally adjustable relative to the item of merchandise via engagement of the first fastener with the at least one slot. The body is configured to engage a second fastener for securing the body to the merchandise security device.

Claims

1. An adapter plate securing a camera to a sensor of a merchandise security device, the adapter plate comprising:

a body secured to the camera,

wherein at least one slot is defined in the body, the at least one slot configured to receive a first fastener to secure the body to the camera, the body being laterally adjustable relative to the camera via engagement of the first fastener with the at least one slot, and

wherein the body is configured to engage a second fastener for securing the body to the sensor such that the body and the sensor are carried by the camera.

2. The adapter plate of claim 1, wherein a pair of slots are defined in the body, each of the slots configured to receive the first fastener.

3. The adapter plate of claim 2, wherein at least one opening is defined in the body and is configured to receive the second fastener for securing the body to the sensor, and wherein the at least one opening is defined between the pair of slots.

4. The adapter plate of claim 1, wherein at least one opening is defined in the body and is configured to receive the second fastener for securing the body to the sensor.

5. The adapter plate of claim 1, further comprising an alarm switch extension movably retained within the body.

6. The adapter plate of claim 5, wherein the alarm switch extension is configured to align with and engage an alarm switch of the sensor.

7. The adapter plate of claim 1, further comprising at least one locating rib protruding from the body, the at least one locating rib configured to align the body with the sensor.

8. The adapter plate of claim 1, wherein the at least one slot is configured to receive the first fastener for coupling the body to a tripod mounting hole provided on the camera.

9. A system for securing an item of merchandise to a merchandise security device, the system comprising:

an adapter plate comprising;

a body configured to be secured to an item of merchandise,

wherein at least one slot is defined in the body, the at least one slot configured to receive a first fastener for securing the body to the item of merchandise, the body being laterally adjustable relative to the item of merchandise via engagement of the first fastener with the at least one slot; and

a sensor of the merchandise security device configured to be secured to the body with a second fastener,

wherein the body is configured to be fixed between the item of merchandise and the sensor such that the body and the sensor are configured to be carried by the item of merchandise.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the sensor comprises at least one anti-rotation groove.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising an anti-rotation bracket configured to prevent rotation of the item of merchandise relative the body, wherein the at least one anti-rotation groove is configured to receive the anti-rotation bracket.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of anti-rotation grooves, each groove configured to receive an anti-rotation bracket in a different radial position relative to the sensor.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the sensor comprises an alarm switch.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising an alarm switch extension movably retained within the body, wherein the alarm switch extension is configured to align with the alarm switch such that the alarm switch extension is configured to engage the alarm switch and the item of merchandise when the sensor is secured to the body.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein at least one opening is defined in the body and is configured to receive the second fastener for securing the body to the sensor.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein the first fastener is configured to threadably engage a tripod mounting hole provided on a camera.

17. The system of claim 9, wherein the body comprises at least one locating rib protruding therefrom, the at least one locating rib configured to align the body with the merchandise display device.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the sensor comprises at least one groove configured to align with the at least one locating rib.

19. The system of claim 9, further comprising a display stand configured to removably support the adaptor plate and the sensor thereon.

20. A method for securing an item of merchandise to a merchandise display device, the method comprising:

positioning an adapter plate relative to an item of merchandise such that a fastener opening provided on the item of merchandise is accessible;

positioning a first fastener through at least one slot defined in the adapter plate and into the fastener opening;

securing the adapter plate to the item of merchandise via the first fastener; and

securing a sensor of the merchandise security device to the adapter plate via a second fastener such that the body and the sensor are configured to be carried by the item of merchandise.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising laterally adjusting the adapter plate relative to the item of merchandise while the first fastener is positioned through the at least one slot and in the fastener opening.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein securing the sensor comprises securing the sensor to the adapter plate such that the adapter plate is fixed between the item of merchandise and the sensor for centering the sensor relative to the item of merchandise.