Apparatus for attaching a security tag

• US 6,209,771 B1
• Filed: 03/26/1998
• Issued: 04/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Denise D. Sosbe, Emily L. Abel, Richard A. Lyons
• Original Assignee: Denise D. Sosbe, Emily L. Abel, Richard A. Lyons
• Inventors: Lyons, Richard A., Abel, Emily L., Sosbe, Denise D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US09/048,687
• Time in Patent Office: 1,104 Days
• Field of Search: 227/67, 227/15, 227/18, 227/156, 227/119, 340/568, 340/572, 70/59, 70/57.1, 227/16, 227/17
• US Class Current: 227/15
• 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: Y10T 70/5013 Canes, umbrellas, apparel

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for securing a security tag to an article. In one embodiment, the main body portion of the security tag is fixtured in a head while the fastener portion of the security tag is positioned within a fastener-driving unit. The fastener-driving unit is actuated to drive the fastener through the article and into locking engagement with security tag main body portion. In one embodiment, the fastener-driving unit is powered by a solenoid. Another form of the apparatus for securing a security tag to an article utilizes a pivoting lever to drive the security tag main body portion into locking engagement with the fastener portion of the security tag.

Claims

1. An apparatus for coupling a security tag having a body portion and a fastener portion to an article, comprising:

a first member adapted for receiving and holding one of the body portion and the fastener portion, said first member comprising a head portion and a leaf spring portion, said leaf spring portion coupled to the head portion, wherein one of the body portion and the fastener portion is received and held intermediate the head portion and the leaf spring portion; and

a second member abutting the other of the body portion and the fastener portion, and wherein at least one of said first and second members is moveable relative to the other of said first and second members so as to cause the fastener portion to be placed in frictional engagement with the body portion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, which:

further includes a frame member;

wherein said first member and said second member are couple to said frame; and

which further includes an actuator coupled to one of said first and second members, and wherein said actuator has a mode wherein said actuator moves said one of said first and second members towards the other of said first and second members.

3. The apparatus of claim 2:

wherein said first member defines a head portion adapted for receiving and holding the body portion, and wherein said first member is connected to said frame;

wherein said second member is moveably coupled to said frame, said second member has a first end adapted for receiving and supporting the fastener portion and a second end;

a solenoid engageable with the second end of the second member and activatable to cause the solenoid member to move from a first mode wherein the fastener portion is spaced from the body portion to a second mode wherein the fastener portion is contacting the body portion.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, which further includes a guide structure connected to said frame for controlling the movement of said second member.

5. The apparatus of claim 4:

which further includes a sensor coupled to said first member for sensing when a body portion is positioned at a predetermined location at said head portion; and

wherein said second member is slidable within a bore defined in said guide structure.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, which further includes a spring biasing member coupled to said first member, said spring biasing member adapted to hold the body portion against the first member.

7. An apparatus for coupling a security tag having a body portion and a fastener portion to an article, comprising:

a head having a security tag body receiving portion for receiving and holding a security tag body portion and a leaf spring coupled to the head, wherein said security tag body portion is received and held intermediate the security tag body receiving portion and the leaf spring portion;

an actuator having a surface for receiving and supporting a fastener thereon; and

actuation means for moving said actuator relative to said head so as to drive the fastener into locking engagement with said security tag body portion.

8. The apparatus of claim 7:

which further includes a frame structure, and wherein said head is connected to said frame structure and said actuator is moveable relative to said frame structure; and

which further includes a guide member coupled to said frame structure for receiving at least a portion of said actuator therein.

9. The apparatus of claim 8:

which further includes means for holding the body portion against a portion of said head; and

which further includes a fastener portion restraint associated with said actuator for orienting the fastener portion in a predetermined manner.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said actuator means includes a solenoid, and wherein said solenoid is electrically coupled to a power source.