Merchandise security device including strain relief block

• US 9,466,192 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2015
• Issued: 10/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Fawcett, Christopher J., Taylor, Gary Andrew, Hartweg, Robert O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tweel, Jr., John A
• Application Number:
  US14/790,114
• Publication Number:
  US 20150317887A1
• Time in Patent Office: 467 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.2, 340/568.3, 340/568.4
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 13/1454 Circuit arrangements thereof
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5812 the cable clamping being achieved by mounting the separate part on the housing of the coupling device
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 15/007 Devices for relieving mechanical stress

Abstract

A merchandise security device for displaying an electronic item of merchandise includes a strain relief block configured for attachment to the merchandise and an alarming power cable configured for being electrically coupled to a power input port provided on the merchandise. The alarming power cable is routed through the strain relief block for reducing strain applied to the alarming power cable, which may prevent damaging the power input port or the portion of the alarming power cable extending between the strain relief block and the power input port.

Claims

1. A merchandise security device for displaying and protecting an item of merchandise from theft, comprising:

a strain relief block configured for attachment to the item of merchandise, the strain relief block comprising a housing defining at least one channel formed therein;

a cable comprising a connector configured to engage a connector port provided on the item of merchandise and at least one conductor, a portion of the cable configured to be routed through the strain relief block and to the connector port of the item of merchandise for reducing strain applied to the cable; and

an alarm module in communication with the at least one conductor, the at least one conductor configured to carry a security signal between the item of merchandise and the alarm module.

2. The merchandise security device of claim 1, wherein the housing has a sidewall and defines an interior compartment, the sidewall having at least a pair of openings for receiving and routing the portion of the cable through a channel formed in the interior compartment of the housing.

3. The merchandise security device of claim 2, wherein portion of the cable is configured to enter one of the pair of openings and exit through the other of the pair of openings.

4. The merchandise security device of claim 2, wherein the sidewall has a first pair of openings formed therein for receiving and routing the portion of the cable through the strain relief block and a second pair of openings formed therein for receiving and routing the portion of the cable through the strain relief block.

5. The merchandise security device of claim 1, wherein the cable comprises a plurality of conductors, at least one of the conductors configured to carry an electrical power signal between an external source of electrical power and the item of merchandise.

6. The merchandise security device of claim 1, wherein the portion of the cable extends entirely through the strain relief block.

7. The merchandise security device of claim 1, wherein a length of the cable between the connector and the strain relief block is adjustable based on a location of the portion of the cable routed through the strain relief block.

8. The merchandise security device of claim 1, wherein the cable is a power cable, and wherein the item of merchandise is a battery-operated, electronic item of merchandise and the connector port is a power input port provided on the electronic item of merchandise.

9. The merchandise security device of claim 1, wherein the alarm module is configured to monitor the security signal and to activate an alarm in the event that the security signal between the connector port and the alarm module is interrupted.

10. The merchandise security device of claim 1, wherein the at least one channel is non-linear.

11. The merchandise security device of claim 1, wherein the strain relief block further comprises a cover movably attached to the housing for securing the portion of the cable within the housing.

12. The merchandise security device of claim 11, wherein the cover is hingedly attached to the housing.

13. The merchandise security device of claim 1, further comprising a mounting member configured to removably support the strain relief block thereon for displaying the item of merchandise.

14. The merchandise security device of claim 1, wherein the strain relief block does not contain sensor electronics.

15. A merchandise security device for displaying and protecting an item of merchandise from theft, comprising:

a cable having a connector at one end configured to engage a connector port provided on the item of merchandise; and

a strain relief block configured for attachment to the item of merchandise, the strain relief block defining at least one channel formed therein for routing a portion of the cable through the strain relief block and to the connector port of the item of merchandise for reducing strain applied to the cable,

wherein a length of the cable between the connector and the strain relief block is adjustable based on a location of the portion of the cable routed through the strain relief block.

16. A method for displaying and protecting an item of merchandise from theft, comprising:

attaching a strain relief block to the item of merchandise, the strain relief block comprising a housing defining at least one channel formed therein;

routing a portion of the cable through the strain relief block for reducing strain applied to the cable; and

engaging a connector at an end of the cable with a connector port of the item of merchandise.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising adjusting a length of the cable between the connector and the strain relief block.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising connecting the cable to an alarm module, the alarm module configured to monitor a security signal carried by the cable and to activate an alarm in the event that the security signal between the connector port and the alarm module is interrupted.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising positioning the strain relief block on a mounting member for displaying the item of merchandise.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising closing a cover attached to the housing for securing the portion of the cable within the housing.