Cable alarm tag

• US 9,847,003 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2010
• Issued: 12/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Asset Control Technology, LLC
• Original Assignee: USS Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Sayegh, Adel O., Redublo, Edgardo, Tong, Weiliang, Chen, Mingxing
• Primary Examiner(s): Haile, Benyam
• Application Number:
  US12/790,918
• Publication Number:
  US 20130147625A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,759 Days
• Field of Search: 3405681, 3405682, 340571, 3405684
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/00 Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices motorcycle helmets A42B3/0413; supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening helmets B62J11/24; gun racks A47B81/005; showcases with theft protection A47F3/002; anti-theft means for peg-boards, grids or rods for hanging merchandise A47F5/0861; show stands, hangers, shelves with provision against unauthorised removal A47F7/024; for self-service hand-carts A47F10/04; locking skis A63C11/004; locking bolts, nuts or pins F16B41/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0005 using chains, cables or the like chain- or cable-locks of the padlock type E05B67/003; lockable clothing hangers or hanger racks E05B69/006
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0017 Anti-theft devices, e.g. tags or monitors, fixed to articles, e.g. clothes, and to be removed at the check-out of shops
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0029 Tags wrapped around the protected product using cables, wires or the like, e.g. with cable retraction for tensioning
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/14 by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
• 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 13/1445 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: G08B 13/2451 Specific applications combined with EAS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/02 Monitoring continuously signalling or alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/04 Monitoring of the detection circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/046 prevention of tampering with detection circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/00 Insulated conductors or cables characterised by their form

Abstract

The present invention provides an improved cable that includes at least one insulated conductor insulated from and within and inside a insulated second conductor, with both conductors connected with both ends with a cable alarm tag to form a closed electrical circuit, with the loop of the cable connected to an article for securing the article. With the cable of the present invention, if severed, the use of jumper cables will maintain the electrical circuit loop closed for the outer conductor only, but not the insulated inner conductor that is within and inside the outer conductor. Therefore, when severing the cable to disconnect and discontinue the physical loop to remove the secured article, even if cable jumpers are used, the insulated inner conductor will remain open circuited when the cable is cut, resulting in trigger of the alarm.

Claims

1. A cable, comprising:

a sense loop, having

inner conductors enclosed within outer conductors;

the inner conductors longitudinally insulated from one another and from the outer conductors by inner dielectric layers, with an outermost outer conductor of the outer conductors longitudinally insulated by an outer dielectric layer;

a first distal end of the cable is comprised of first ends of the inner and outer conductors that are directly connected together, and a second distal end of the cable is comprised of second ends of the inner and outer conductors.

2. The cable as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

the first distal end includes a locking plug that encapsulates the first end of the inner and outer conductors.

3. The cable as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

the locking plug interlocks with and is accommodated by an actuator of an alarm tag.

4. The cable as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

the second distal end includes a conductive connector that secures the inner and outer conductors, and securely maintains an extension of the outer conductors.

5. The cable as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

at least one conductor is an internal spirally-wrapped electrical conductive cord for added mechanical strength.

6. A cable, comprising:

a sense loop, having

a conductor and at least one auxiliary conductor enclosed within the conductor;

the auxiliary conductor longitudinally insulated from the conductor by an inner dielectric layer, with the conductor longitudinally insulated from outside by an outer dielectric layer;

a first distal end of the cable is comprised of direct connection of a first end of the conductor with a first end of the auxiliary conductor, and a second distal end of the cable is comprised of a second end of the conductor and the auxiliary conductor.

7. A cable alarm tag, comprising:

a sense loop conductive cable, having

a conductor and at least one auxiliary conductor enclosed within the conductor;

the auxiliary conductor longitudinally insulated from the conductor by an inner dielectric layer, with the conductor longitudinally insulated from outside by an outer dielectric layer;

a first distal end of the cable is comprised of a locking plug that encapsulates first ends of the conductor with the auxiliary conductor, with the first ends of the conductor and the auxiliary conductor directly connected together;

a second distal end of the cable is comprised of second ends of the conductor and the auxiliary conductor, with the first and second distal ends of the cable forming the sense loop conductive cable.

8. The cable alarm tag as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

the locking plug is accommodated in a locking channel of an internal chamber of a housing component of an alarm tag, and inserted within a transversely oriented hollow portion of an actuator and locked when the locking plug is fully inserted and the actuator is moved to an active position; and

when fully inserted, a base of the locking plug contacts and activates a first plunger of a first plunger switch;

with the first plunger switch having a first output coupled with a first input line of a microprocessor for activation of the alarm device of the alarm tag.

9. The cable alarm tag as set forth in claim 8, wherein:

the second distal end of the cable is further coupled with a second input line of a microprocessor; and

severing any one of the auxiliary and outer conductors would pull one of the first and second input line signals to the microprocessor to a high, triggering an alarm signal.