Recoiler for a merchandise security system
DCFirst Claim
1. A merchandise security system for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise and an auxiliary device of the article of merchandise from theft, comprising:
- a sensor configured to be secured to the article of merchandise;
a base for removably supporting the sensor and the article of merchandise thereon, wherein each of the base and the sensor comprises one or more electrical contacts that are configured to contact one another when the sensor is seated on the base for transferring electrical power for charging the article of merchandise;
a cable configured to be operably connected to the sensor and the base;
a lock mechanism configured to lock the sensor to the base in a locked position when the sensor is seated on the base to thereby prevent the sensor from being lifted off of the base and to be unlocked to allow removal of the sensor from the base in an unlocked position; and
an auxiliary port disposed within the base and configured to receive an input connector operably connected to the auxiliary device,wherein a security signal is configured to be transmitted through the cable and the auxiliary port for detecting cutting of the cable, removal of the cable from the sensor or the base, and removal of the input connector from the auxiliary port a security event.
1 Assignment
Litigations
1 Petition
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to recoilers, merchandise security systems, and methods for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise from theft. In one example, the merchandise security system includes a sensor configured to be secured to the article of merchandise and a base for removably supporting the sensor and the item of merchandise thereon. The system also includes a recoiler operably coupled to the sensor. The recoiler includes a rotatable member defining a helical recess. The system further includes a cable configured to connect to the sensor and to be unwound from and wound on the rotatable member as the cable is extended and retracted. The cable is configured to be extended from the recoiler in response to the sensor being lifted off of the base, and the cable is configured to be retracted into the recoiler in response to the sensor being moved to a seated position on the base. The helical recess is configured to at least partially receive the cable therein as the cable is wound on the rotatable member.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A merchandise security system for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise and an auxiliary device of the article of merchandise from theft, comprising:
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a sensor configured to be secured to the article of merchandise; a base for removably supporting the sensor and the article of merchandise thereon, wherein each of the base and the sensor comprises one or more electrical contacts that are configured to contact one another when the sensor is seated on the base for transferring electrical power for charging the article of merchandise; a cable configured to be operably connected to the sensor and the base; a lock mechanism configured to lock the sensor to the base in a locked position when the sensor is seated on the base to thereby prevent the sensor from being lifted off of the base and to be unlocked to allow removal of the sensor from the base in an unlocked position; and an auxiliary port disposed within the base and configured to receive an input connector operably connected to the auxiliary device, wherein a security signal is configured to be transmitted through the cable and the auxiliary port for detecting cutting of the cable, removal of the cable from the sensor or the base, and removal of the input connector from the auxiliary port a security event. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise and an auxiliary device of the article of merchandise from theft, comprising:
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securing a sensor to the article of merchandise; attaching a base to a support surface for removably supporting the sensor and the article of merchandise thereon, the base comprising an auxiliary port; connecting a cable to the sensor; connecting an input connector operably connected to the auxiliary device to the auxiliary port such that a security signal is configured to be transmitted through the cable and the auxiliary port for detecting cutting of the cable, removal of the cable from the sensor or the base, and removal of the input connector from the auxiliary port; positioning the sensor on the base, wherein each of the base and the sensor comprises one or more electrical contacts that are configured to contact one another when the sensor is positioned on the base for transferring electrical power for charging the article of merchandise; and selectively locking a lock mechanism for locking the sensor to the base in a locked position when the sensor is seated on the base to thereby prevent the sensor from being lifted off of the base and unlocking the lock mechanism to allow removal of the sensor from the base in an unlocked position. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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Specification