Secure mounting assembly for a retail product display

• US 20010049222A1
• Filed: 06/01/2001
• Published: 12/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Konnectronix Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Telefonix Incorporated (Astronics Corporation)
• Inventors: Burke, Paul C., Fort, Calvin L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,761,579 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/527
• 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: H02G 11/00 Arrangements of electric cables or lines between relatively-movable parts

Abstract

A mounting assembly for a product, such as a video camera comprises a shroud for holding a security system sensor and a fastener for attaching the shroud to the product so as to hold the sensor against the product. The shroud further comprises a mounting flange, a cavity for holding electrical connectors, and passageways for cables. The shroud has an opening for receiving electrical connectors and a cover therefor to limit access to the electrical connectors. A fatigue reducing grommet is attached to a main cable at its entry point into the shroud. The shroud includes a seat for receiving the sensor, the sensor being connected to a security system via the electrical connectors. A fastener extends through a flange of the shroud, the cover and the sensor and into the product. An optional power cable carries power from the main cable to power the product. Thereby the sensor is securely attached to the product and the cables and connectors for the security system are neatly tucked away in the shroud. Enclosing the electrical connectors in the shroud improves security and enhances the appearance of the product display.

Claims

1. A mounting assembly for attaching a security sensor having a cable to a product, comprising:

a shroud having a seat for receiving the sensor, said seat orientated to hold the sensor against the product, and an internal passageway, said sensor cable extending though said internal passageway; and

a fastener extending through said shroud and into said product and fastening both the sensor and said shroud to the product.

2. A mounting assembly as in

claim 1

, wherein said shroud has an internal cavity adapted to receive a cable and cable connectors.

3. A mounting assembly as in

claim 2

, firther comprising a sensor on said seat, a security cable attached to said sensor, a main cable, and a pair of electrical connectors connecting said sensor cable to said main cable, said electrical connectors being held in said cavity in said shroud.

4. A mounting assembly as in

claim 3

, wherein said main cable enters said cavity through a main cable passageway in said shroud, and further comprising a grommet over said main cable and in said main cable passageway.

5. A mounting assembly as in

claim 4

, said main cable has a braided fabric jacket, and wherein said grommet comprises an elastomeric member on said cable, said braided fabric covering said elastomeric member.

6. A mounting assembly as in

claim 3

, further comprising a power cable connected to said electrical connectors, said power cable adapted for electrical connection to the product.

7. A security mounting assembly as in

claim 2

, further comprising an access opening in said shroud into said cavity, and means for covering said access opening to limit access to said cavity.

8. A mounting assembly as in

claim 7

, wherein said covering means comprises a cover plate.

9. A mounting assembly as in

claim 7

, wherein said covering means comprises a portion of the product.

10. A mounting assembly as in

claim 7

, wherein said covering means comprises said sensor.

11. A mounting assembly as in

claim 3

, further comprising means for restricting rotation of said electrical connectors.

12. A mounting assembly as in

claim 11

, further comprising an access opening to said shroud and a cover plate over said access opening, and wherein said means for restricting rotation comprises a pair of wings on said cover plate that extend on opposite sides of said electrical connector.

13. A mounting assembly as in

claim 1

, wherein said shroud comprises a flange, and said fastener extends through said flange and the sensor to thereby attach said shroud and the sensor to the product.

14. A mounting assembly as in

claim 13

, wherein said seat for receiving the sensor comprises a post on said flange, the sensor having a hole for receiving said post, and said fastener extending through said post.

15. A mounting assembly as in

claim 2

, wherein said shroud has a pedestal portion, and said cavity being at least partially within said pedestal portion.

16. A mounting assembly as in

claim 15

further comprising a base have a holder for receiving said pedestal.

17. A shroud for housing at least one electrical connector on a security cable, and for fastening a sensor to a product, said shroud comprising:

a cavity containing the at least one electrical connector;

an access opening to said cavity for installing the electrical connector in said cavity;

at least one passageway for receiving the security cables;

a seat for receiving the sensor; and

a cover for said access opening of said shroud to limit access to said electrical connectors.

18. A shroud as in

claim 17

adapted to receive a fastener for fastening the shroud to the product, said shroud further comprising a bore for receiving the fastener, said bore extending though said seat and said cover.

19. A mounting apparatus for a retail product display, comprising:

a security sensor having a cable;

an electrical connector on said cable;

a shroud having a seat receiving said sensor and a compartment receiving said electrical connector;

a fastener extending through said shroud and into the product and fastening both said sensor and said shroud to the product.

20. A mounting apparatus for a retail product display, comprising:

a security sensor having a cable;

a shroud having a seat receiving said sensor and a compartment receiving said electrical connector;

a grommet on said cable and removably held in an opening in said shroud; and

a fastener extending through said shroud and into the product and fastening both said sensor and said shroud to the product.

21. A mounting apparatus for a retail product display, the product having an electrical power input, comprising:

a security sensor;

a main cable carrying a security circuit and electrical power for the product;

a sensor cable connecting said main cable security circuit to said sensor;

a power cable connected to said main cable for carrying power to the product;

a shroud having a seat receiving said sensor and a passageway for receiving said main cable; and

a fastener extending through said shroud and into the product and fastening both said sensor and said shroud to the product.

22. A mounting apparatus as in

claim 21

further comprising a pair of electrical connectors, said main cable connected to one connector, and said security cable and said power cable connected to the other said other said connector;

said pair of connectors being held within said shroud.

23. A secure electrical connection assembly for a product, comprising:

a mating pair of electrical connectors;

a first electrical cable connected to one of said pair of connectors;

a security cable connected to the other of said connectors;

a shroud having a cavity containing said electrical connectors, an access opening to said cavity, and one or more passageways for said first and second cables;

a security sensor connected to said security cable; and

a fastener attaching said shroud and said security sensor to the product.

24. A secure electrical connection assembly for an electrically powered product, comprising

a mating pair of electrical connectors;

a main cable connected to one of said connectors, said cable carrying power and a security circuit;

a security cable connected to the other of said connectors;

a power cable connected to the other of said connectors, said power cable adapted for electrical connection to the product;

a shroud having an opening for receiving said electrical connectors and a first opening at the bottom of said shroud for freely receiving said first cable;

a grommet on said first cable and removably held in said first opening in said shroud;

a sensor adapted for attachment to the product, said sensor connected to said security cable; and

a fastener for attaching said shroud to the product.