ALARMING CABLES, ASSEMBLIES, AND SYSTEMS

• US 20140340225A1
• Filed: 05/15/2014
• Published: 11/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Grant, Jeffrey A., Taylor, Gary A., Schultz, Robert, Fawcett, Christopher J., McKinney, Larry T., Sankey, James K., Burmeister, Kirk II
• Granted Patent: US 10,223,882 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/568.2
• 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

Abstract

Alarming cables, assemblies and systems for displaying and protecting a powered article of merchandise from theft include an alarm unit disposed between a first cable having a first connector for connection to a power source and a second cable having a second connector for connection to the merchandise. An alarm unit connector may connect the second cable to the alarm unit. The alarm unit and the alarm unit connector may each include a connection member to electrically connect the merchandise with the alarm unit and the power source when the alarm unit connector aligns with and engages the alarm unit.

Claims

1. An alarming cable system for protecting an article of merchandise from theft comprising:

a first cable;

a first connector at an end of the first cable for connecting to a power source;

a second cable;

a second connector at an end of the second cable for connecting to the article of merchandise;

an alarm unit operably coupled with the first cable,

wherein the alarm unit comprises an upper surface, a lower surface, and a lateral surface extending therebetween, wherein the lower surface is configured to be secured to a support surface, and wherein the alarm unit is configured to operably couple with the second cable, and

wherein the alarm unit is configured to generate a security signal in the event that the second connector of the second cable is disconnected from the article of merchandise and/or in the event that the first cable is cut or the second cable is cut.

2. The alarming cable system of claim 1, wherein the alarm unit further comprises a light emitting element.

3. The alarming cable system of claim 1, wherein the alarm unit comprises a port disposed on the upper surface configured to receive a wireless security signal for arming and/or disarming the alarm unit.

4. The alarming cable system of claim 1, wherein the alarm unit further comprises an alarm for generating a security signal.

5. The alarming cable system of claim 1, wherein the lower surface of the alarm unit defines an angle relative to the upper surface of the alarm unit such that the article of merchandise is positioned at a predetermined orientation.

6. The alarming cable system of claim 1, wherein the second connector of the second cable is configured to releasably connect to the article of merchandise.

7. The alarming cable system of claim 1, wherein the second cable comprises a third connector opposite the second connector that is configured to releasably connect to the alarm unit.

8. The alarming cable system of claim 7, wherein the third connector is ring-shaped.

9. The alarming cable system of claim 8, wherein the alarm unit comprises a ring-shaped protrusion extending from the upper surface that is configured to releasably engage the third connector.

10. The alarming cable system of claim 9, wherein the alarm unit further comprises a port disposed within the ring-shaped protrusion that is configured to receive a wireless security signal for arming and/or disarming the alarm unit.

11. The alarming cable system of claim 7, wherein the third connector comprises a plurality of conductive elements configured to align with and engage a plurality of conductive elements on the upper surface of the alarm unit.

12. The alarming cable system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of conductive elements on the alarm unit are extendable and retractable relative to the upper surface.

13. The alarming cable system of claim 7, wherein a gap is defined between the third connector and the upper surface of the alarm unit when the third connector is connected to the alarm unit for amplifying the security signal generated by the alarm unit.

14. The alarming cable system of claim 7, wherein the third connector comprises at least one magnetically attractive element for positioning the article of merchandise in a predetermined orientation.

15. The alarming cable system of claim 7, wherein the third connector comprises a flexible material.

16. The alarming cable system according to claim 1, wherein the first connector is a USB-connector.

17. The alarming cable system according to claim 1, wherein the second connector is a micro-USB connector.

18. The alarming cable system according to claim 1, wherein the alarm unit is operably coupled with the first and second cables between the first connector and the second connector such that the alarm unit is disposed in-line on the first and second cables.

19. An alarm unit assembly for protecting an article of merchandise from theft comprising:

a first cable;

a connector at an end of the first cable for connecting to a power source; and

an alarm unit operably coupled with the first cable, wherein the alarm unit is configured to generate a security signal in the event that the first connector is disconnected and/or in the event that the first cable is cut,

wherein the alarm unit comprises a base configured to be secured to a support surface,

wherein the alarm unit further comprises a protrusion extending from the base, and

wherein the alarm unit further comprises at least one connection member operably engaged with the protrusion and recessed relative to the base,

wherein the connection member is configured to operably engage a second cable such that the alarm unit and the second cable are in electrical communication.

20. The alarm unit assembly of claim 19, wherein the base comprises a slot, and wherein the connection member is disposed within the slot.

21. The alarm unit assembly of claim 19, further comprising a port disposed within the protrusion that is configured to receive a wireless security signal.

22. The alarm unit assembly of claim 19, wherein the protrusion is ring-shaped.

23. An alarming cable system for protecting an article of merchandise from theft comprising:

a first cable;

a first connector at an end of the first cable for connecting to a power source;

a second cable;

a second connector at an end of the second cable for connecting to the article of merchandise;

a third connector at an opposite end of the second cable, wherein the third connector comprises at least one first connection member;

an alarm unit operably coupled with the first cable;

wherein the alarm unit comprises a base configured to be secured to a support surface,

wherein the alarm unit further comprises a protrusion extending from the base,

wherein the alarm unit further comprises at least one second connection member operably engaged with the protrusion and operably coupled with the first cable,

wherein the first connection member is configured to operably engage the second connection member such that the alarm unit and the second cable are in electrical communication, and

wherein the alarm unit is configured to generate a security signal in the event that the second connector is disconnected from the article of merchandise, in the event that the first cable is cut or the second cable is cut, and/or in the event that the first connection member and the second connection member are disengaged from one another.

24. The alarming cable system of claim 23, wherein the third connector defines a central opening.

25. The alarming cable system of claim 24, wherein the first connection member is disposed within the central opening of the third connector.

26. The alarming cable system of claim 24, wherein the third connector is ring-shaped.

27. The alarming cable system of claim 23, wherein the first connection member and the second connection member are not visible when engaged with one another.

28. The alarming cable system of claim 23, wherein the first connection member and the second connection member each comprise a micro-USB connector.

29. A method for protecting an article of merchandise from theft, the method comprising:

providing an alarming cable comprising;

a cable;

a first connector at an end of the cable;

a second connector at an end of the cable opposite the first connector; and

an alarm unit operably engaged with the cable and disposed between the first connector and the second connector;

connecting the first connector to a power source;

connecting the second connector to the article of merchandise; and

arming the alarm unit to generate an alarm in the event that the second connector is removed from the article of merchandise and/or in the event that the cable is cut.