Apparatus, system and method for positioning a cable with a sensor by a rotatable cable assembly

• US 9,460,594 B1
• Filed: 03/09/2015
• Issued: 10/04/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sennco Solutions Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Sennco Solutions Incorporated
• Inventors: Groth, Jim, Reynolds, Andy, Horvath, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Lau, Hoi
• Application Number:
  US14/641,997
• Publication Number:
  US 20160267757A1
• Time in Patent Office: 575 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.3, 340/568.2, 340/568.4, 340/568.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1409 for removal detection of electrical appliances by detecting their physical disconnection from an electrical system, e.g. using a switch incorporated in the plug connector
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1418 Removal detected by failure in electrical connection between the appliance and a control centre, home control panel or a power supply
• 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 13/1463 Physical arrangements, e.g. housings devices to prevent theft or loss of purses, luggage or hand carried bags A45C13/18

Abstract

An apparatus, a system and a method positions a cable extending from an alarm system through a housing to face the cable toward the rear of an electronic device to which the cable is attached. The housing has a sensor assembly that holds a light visible through the sensor assembly to denote an alarm condition. A sensor associated with the sensor assembly connects to a corresponding sensor port in the electronic device. A joint attached to the sensor assembly rotates to position the cable. Detachment of the sensor from the port in the electronic device disrupts a circuit formed between the alarm system, the cable and the electronic device to activate the alarm condition.

Claims

1. A method for connecting a cable from an alarm system to an electronic device to complete a circuit between the alarm system, the cable and the electronic device wherein disruption of the circuit causes the alarm system to activate an alarm condition, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying a port on the electronic device;

connecting the cable through a conduit in a cover of a cable assembly wherein the cable assembly is positioned adjacent to the alarm system;

routing the cable through the cable assembly and a housing wherein the housing is connected to the cable assembly by a hinge joint wherein the hinge joint rotates to position the cable away from the electronic device; and

connecting a sensor associated with the housing to the port wherein the alarm condition deactivates the electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

activating an alarm condition upon removal of the sensor from the port.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

illuminating the sensor in the housing to signify the alarm condition.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

disrupting the circuit to activate the alarm condition upon removal of the cable from the alarm system.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

deactivating the sensor prior to detaching the sensor from the port.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

activating the alarm system to create an alarm-ready condition.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

depressing a plunger switch to close the circuit.

8. An apparatus for connecting a sensor assembly from an alarm system to an electronic device by a cable that attaches to a port of the electronic device to complete a circuit between the sensor assembly, the electronic device and the cable wherein disruption of the circuit causes the alarm system to activate an alarm condition, the apparatus comprising:

a cable assembly having a first side cover and a second side cover positioned opposite to the first side cover wherein the first side cover and the second side cover combine to define a conduit through which the cable extends into an interior of the cable assembly;

a joint connected to the first side cover and the second side cover wherein the joint rotates to position the cable through the conduit to face the electronic device;

a connector attached to the cable wherein the connector inserts into the alarm system; and

a sensor in the sensor assembly wherein the sensor connects to the port of the electronic device.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:

a light in the sensor assembly that illuminates the sensor assembly to indicate the alarm-ready condition of the circuit.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:

a base section that covers the cable.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:

a port in the electronic device to receive the sensor assembly wherein removal of the sensor assembly from the port activates the alarm condition.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:

a housing to hold the sensor assembly.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:

a coiled section that reduces a length of the cable wherein the cable extends from the alarm system to connect with the electronic device.

14. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:

a label applied to the cable assembly wherein the label is a heat-shrink type label.

15. A system for connecting a sensor to an electronic device, the system comprising:

a cable routed through a cable assembly toward a housing wherein the cable assembly has a conduit defined by a first side cover and a second side cover positioned opposite and attached to the first side cover wherein the cable has a length defined between a first end and a second end wherein the first end has the sensor that inserts into a port of the electronic device and the second end has a connector that inserts into an alarm system to define a circuit between the cable, the electronic device and the alarm system;

a hinge joint extending from the first side cover and the second side cover to the housing wherein the hinge joint rotates the cable routed through the first side cover and the second side cover to position the cable away from the electronic device; and

a light in the housing wherein the light illuminates upon insertion of the cable into the alarm system and the port in the electronic device to signify an alarm-ready condition of the circuit.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising:

an alarm activated by disruption of the circuit.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising:

a conductor cord in the cable to supply power to the electronic device from the alarm system.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising:

a label that provides identifying information regarding the cable wherein the label is attached to the cable.

19. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising:

an alarm activated by removal of the connector from the port of the electronic device.

20. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising:

a plunger switch in the housing wherein depression of the plunger switch closes the circuit.