Theft deterrent device

• US 20060026809A1
• Filed: 09/28/2005
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC. (CCL Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Alpha Security Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Corney, Richard E., Huehner, David K., Copen, Frank H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,249,401 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 24/704.100
• 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 73/0064 of the mechanical type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/50 Readily interlocking, two-part fastener requiring either destructive or tool disengagement

Abstract

A theft deterrent device adapted to be connected to an item of merchandise to discourage shoplifting includes a flexible lanyard. In one embodiment, the first end of the lanyard is removably anchored to the holder with the second end of the lanyard being lockable to the holder. The lanyard may thus be replaced if severed by a shoplifter so that the holder may be reused. The invention also provides a lanyard having first and second ends with a latch that holds that ends together so that the ends may be inserted as a unit into the holder before being locked to the holder.

Claims

1. A theft deterrent device for use with an item of merchandise to discourage shoplifting, the device comprising:

a first member;

a second member;

the first and second members being connected together with a hinge that allows the members to move from an unlocked position to a locked position;

a lock for locking the first member to the second member in the locked position;

a lanyard having first and second ends with a body extending between the first and second ends;

the second end of the lanyard defining an opening;

the first end of the lanyard being secured to the second member;

the body of the lanyard extending from the second member and forming a loop whereby the lanyard is adapted to loop around a portion of the article of merchandise to secure the device thereto; and

the first member carrying a tooth which passes through the opening of the second end of the lanyard when in the locked position.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the first and second members in the locked position define therebetween an enclosure in which the lock is disposed.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is an alarm-activating device.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the first and second members in the locked position define therebetween an enclosure in which an EAS tag is disposed.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the first end of the lanyard is removably secured to the second member.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the lock includes four first locking fingers and two second locking fingers;

and wherein two of the first locking fingers engage each of the second locking fingers.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein each of the second locking fingers has opposite sides;

and wherein the first locking fingers engage the opposite sides of the second locking finger.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein each first locking finger includes a first leg and a second leg which has a locking surface that engages the second locking finger when the first and second members are in the locked position.

9. The device of claim 1 in combination with a key configured to unlock the lock.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the key includes a plurality of key pins for engaging and unlocking the lock;

and wherein the key pins are movable with a plunger that is movable between resting and unlocking positions

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the first and second members define a body of the device;

the body being non-symmetric so that the body may only be inserted into the key in one direction.

12. The device of claim 9 wherein the first and second members are pivotable between the locked and unlocked positions about a first axis;

and wherein the key includes at least one key pin disposed substantially parallel to the first axis for unlocking the lock.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein the body of the lanyard includes a cable which is resistant to severing.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the body of the lanyard includes side-by-side cables.

15. The device of claim 1 in combination with the article of merchandise;

wherein the lanyard is looped around a portion thereof to secure the device to the article when the first and second members are in the locked position.

16. The device of claim 1 wherein when the first and second members are in the locked position the lanyard adjacent the first and second ends thereof passes from within the device through a slot formed in the device to form the loop.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein the slot is formed entirely in the second member in a manner which prevents prying via the slot of the first and second members away from one another.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein the second end of the lanyard is insertable through the slot.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein the second member includes an alignment member which the second end of the lanyard contacts upon insertion thereof through the slot to align the opening with the tooth for the tooth to pass through the opening when the first and second members move from the unlocked position to the locked position.

20. The device of claim 1 wherein the lock prevents the first and second members from moving from the locked position to the unlocked position until the hinge is destroyed.