Abstract:
A product protection apparatus and method are provided. The product protection apparatus has an arm assembly, a first collar and a second collar. The arm assembly has a plane and is extendable in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. The arm assembly has a first connection point and a second connection point. The first collar is rotatably coupled to the first connection point and is adapted to rotate about a first axis of the first connection point that is substantially orthogonal to the plane of the arm assembly. The second collar is rotatably coupled to the second connector and is adapted to rotate about a second axis of the second connection point that is substantially orthogonal to the plane of the arm assembly. The first and second collars are arranged to retain a product.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    n/a 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    n/a 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates generally to security devices and more specifically to a method and system for preventing the theft of products of different sizes using a secure, adjustable product protection device. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Shoplifting continues to be a major concern of retail stores. Particularly with regard to electronic and other high-priced items, retailers continue to try and find effective product theft deterrents. However, wrongdoers are constantly coming up with methods of circumventing the latest theft-prevention devices offered by retailers. For example, some retailers have introduced theft deterrent devices such as cables, also known as “spider wraps” that are wrapped around a product and that sound an alarm when there is an attempted to remove the product from the wrap before it has been purchased. Other “safer” or “keeper” devices house the product but require at least some additional labor for their application and removal. Retailers are seeking an easier solution that can effectively display their items for sale, prevent the unauthorized removal of items within the package, and decreases in-store labor for the application and removal of these protective devices. 
         [0005]    Retailers have turned toward wrapping their products with material containing an audible and/or visual alarm. The wrap is designed to initiate an alarm when an unauthorized removal is attempted. However, wraps can detract from the appeal of the product thus resulting in possible loss of sales. Additionally, wraps are cumbersome to use, hard to physically manage, difficult to attach to items, and difficult to remove at the point-of-sale. 
         [0006]    “Safer” or “keeper” products are devices that house items in order to provide a visual deterrent to would-be shoplifters. Safer allow a customer to view the product therein, but to provide enough protection so that a thief cannot access the product. Safers are typically designed for small, packaged goods. There are two types of safers, fixed safers and adjustable safers. Fixed safers retain products of one size and one shape. Although adjustable safers allow for size adjustments in order to accommodate differently-sized products, they do not have the capability to accommodate oddly-shaped products. In other words, while a typical safer can be adjusted in one dimension, i.e. its length, it does not have components capable of adapting to products with non-conventional shapes. 
         [0007]    Currently, some safers require special detaching device at the Point of Sale (“POS”). However, it is desirable to have a single detacher at the POS for all security devices to decrease confusion by employees and to speed up customer check-out. 
         [0008]    In addition to wraps and safers that are adjustable in only one dimension, other retailers use the old-fashioned method of preventing theft of their expensive products, namely, locking these products in a protective case behind a checkout counter. Unfortunately, this method requires a sales associate to access the items that are protected by a lock and, because of their location behind the counter or locked in a cabinet, render the item inaccessible to a prospective customer. Placing items behind lock and key in this fashion requires store personnel to access the item for the customer. If there is no store employee around to access the items, the item typically does not get sold, thus resulting in high inventory levels for the retailer, decreased revenue, and unsatisfied customers. 
         [0009]    It is therefore desirable to provide an adjustable product protection device that can be adapted for different sized and shaped products, including products having non-conventional shapes, that does not obscure the manufacturer&#39;s logo and product description, provides a sufficient deterrent for would-be shoplifters, can be adjusted in multiple directions and dimensions and is easy for store employees to remove at the POS when a product is being legitimately purchased. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention advantageously provides a method and apparatus for retaining products, including oddly-shaped products by providing an adjustable arm apparatus with rotatable collars. 
         [0011]    In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides a product protection apparatus having an arm assembly, a first collar and a second collar. The arm assembly has a plane and is extendable in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. The arm assembly has a first connection point and a second connection point. The first collar is rotatably coupled to the first connection point and is adapted to rotate about a first axis of the first connection point that is substantially orthogonal to the plane of the arm assembly. The second collar is rotatably coupled to the second connector and is adapted to rotate about a second axis of the second connection point that is substantially orthogonal to the plane of the arm assembly. The first and second collars arranged to retain a product. 
         [0012]    In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides a product protection apparatus. A first section has a first connection point. A second section is slidably engagable with respect to the first section and has a second connection point. A first collar is rotatably coupled to the first section at the first connection point, and the first collar is adapted to rotate about a first axis of the first connection point that is substantially orthogonal to a plane of the first section. A second collar is connected to the second section at a second connection point, and the second collar is adapted to rotate about a second axis of the second connection point that is substantially orthogonal to a plane of the second section. A lock retains the first section and the second section in a fixed position. The first collar and second collar adapted to receive portions of the product. 
         [0013]    In accordance with yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method of securing a product within a product protection device in which the product protection device has an arm assembly, a first collar and a second collar. The arm assembly has a plane and is extendable in an inward direction and an outward direction opposite the inward direction. The arm assembly has a first connection point and a second connection point in which the first collar is rotatably coupled to the first connection point and is adapted to rotate about a first axis of the first connection point that is substantially orthogonal to the plane of the arm assembly and the second collar is rotatably coupled to the second connector and is adapted to rotate about a second axis of the second connection point that is substantially orthogonal to the plane of the arm assembly. The arm assembly is adjusted in at least one of the inward direction and the outward direction to allow positioning about the product. The first collar and the second collar are rotatably adjusted to secure the product therein upon inward adjustment of the arm assembly. The arm assembly is inwardly adjusted to secure the product within the first collar and the second collar. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a bottom perspective view of an adjustable product protection device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the adjustable product protection device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the adjustable product protection device of  FIG. 1  with a rectangular product contained therein; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a transparent view of the adjustable product protection device of  FIG. 1  showing the sliding track; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the adjustable product protection device of  FIG. 1  with an odd-shaped product retained therein; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of the adjustable product protection device of  FIG. 1  with an odd-shaped product retained therein; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the adjustable product protection device of  FIG. 1  with an odd-shaped product retained therein; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the adjustable product protection device of  FIG. 1  with an odd-shaped product retainer therein; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a section view of the adjustable product protection device of  FIG. 2  taken through section A-A; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of the locking mechanism of  FIG. 9  in both an open and a locked position; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a bottom perspective view of multiple adjustable product protection devices used to retain one product; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of multiple adjustable product protection devices used to retain one product. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of apparatus components and processing steps related to providing an adjustable arm assembly that is adjustable inward and outward in order to receive products of different lengths. A first and a second collar are connected to the arm assembly at respective connection points and adapted to swivel up to 360 degrees in either direction with respect to the axis of the connection point taken through the plane of the arm assembly. The collars can be adjusted in order to retain oddly-shaped products. 
         [0028]    Accordingly, the system and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. 
         [0029]    As used herein, relational terms, such as “first” and “second,” “top” and “bottom,” and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements. 
         [0030]    One embodiment of the present invention advantageously provides a method and apparatus for providing a size and angle-adjustable receptacle for a product in order to prevent theft of that product while still allowing indicia on the product to be viewed. The term “product” as used herein refers to the actual product is being sold or the product in product packaging. The apparatus of the present invention includes a receptacle to retain the product, where the ends forming the receptacle can be adjusted outward or inward thus varying the size of the receptacle in order to accommodate differently sized and shaped products. The ends of the receptacle can also swivel up to 360 degrees. This allows oddly-shaped products or packaging to be retained in the receptacle. The receptacle includes a locking mechanism that locks the size of the receptacle to prevent their further movement until the lock is released. Multiple receptacles can be used in order to accommodate differently shaped and sized products. The result is a receptacle that can dynamically change its dimensions by movement and angle displacement of the ends of the receptacle. The front of the product remains uncovered in order to show the substantial front of the product, its name or identifying logo, or other indicia. 
         [0031]    The present disclosure will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of particular embodiments of the invention which, however, should not be taken to limit the invention to a specific embodiment but are for explanatory purposes. 
         [0032]    Referring now to the drawing figures in which like reference designators refer to like elements, there is shown in  FIG. 1  an exemplary configuration of a product protection apparatus  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Apparatus  10  includes a first arm member  12  in a slidable relationship with a second arm member  14 . Locking mechanism  16  locks first arm member  12  and second arm member  14  in place with respect to one another once each arm member has been adjusted to accommodate the length or width of a product. When locking mechanism  16  is released, first arm member  12  and second arm member  14  can again be slidably adjusted to widen or shorten the overall length of apparatus  10 . First collar  18  is rotatably affixed to an end of first arm member  12  at connection point  22  and second collar  20  is rotatably affixed to an end of second arm member  14  at connection point  24 . First collar  18  and second collar  20  can swivel up to 360 degrees about connection point  22  and connection point  24 , respectively. Connection points  22  and  24  can be an axle upon which collars  18  and  20  are affixed. A securing point, such as a hub, can be snapped or welded to the axle and can be on the inside of collars  18 ,  20  in order to prevent tampering. 
         [0033]    In one exemplary embodiment, retention members such as sliding rails  32  guide second arm member  14  as it travels along first arm member  12 . Sliding rails  32  can be formed as part of first arm member  12  or second arm member  14  or be a separate component attached to either first arm member  12  or second arm member  14 . 
         [0034]    First arm member  12  and second arm member  14  are slidingly engageable with respect to one another and form arm assembly  33 . In one embodiment, first collar  18  includes a top region  11 , two side regions  13  and  15  respectively, and a bottom region  17 . Similarly, second collar  20  includes a top region  21 , two side regions (of which one side region  23  is shown in  FIG. 1 ), and bottom region  25 . In this embodiment, first collar  18  and second collar  20  are sized to receive portions of a product. The shape of each collar need not be restricted to what is depicted in  FIG. 1 . First collar  18  and second collar  20  may be of any shape that enables the secure receipt of a portion of a product. Each collar is adapted to swivel around the longitudinal axis of their respective connection points. The longitudinal axis is taken orthogonally with respect to the plane of arm assembly  33 . The axis for each connection point is therefore taken orthogonally with respect to the plane of the corresponding arm, i.e., first arm member  12  and second arm member  14 . First collar  18  can rotate in the direction of the curved arrows, therefore allowing first collar  18  to rotate 360 degrees in either direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of connection point  22 . Second collar  20  is also adapted to rotate in either direction, as shown by the curved arrows in  FIG. 1 , with respect to the longitudinal axis of connection point  24 . Of note, although the present invention is described with respect to the plane formed by arm assembly  33 , this language is intended to refer to the length of the arm assembly and is not intended to limit arm assembly  33  to a flat shape. It is contemplated that arm assembly  33 , and its constituent first arm member  12  and second arm member  14 , can have a shape other than flat, e.g., rounded, semi circular, etc. 
         [0035]    Thus, apparatus  10  can be adjusted linearly, by releasing locking mechanism  16  and then sliding first arm member  12  and/or second arm member  14  until a desired length is obtained. A product can be inserted within the space between first collar  18  and second collar  20 . First collar  18  and second collar  20  can each receive a portion of a product, for example, an edge, a side, or a corner of the product. Advantageously, the product need not be conventionally shaped. First collar  18  and second collar  20  can be rotated up to 360 degrees in order to receive portions of the product. Once the desired orientation is obtained, locking mechanism  16  is locked and the orientation of first arm member  12 , and second arm member  14  is maintained. As discussed below, it is also contemplated that locking mechanism  16  can be arranged to allow inward adjustment, i.e., shortening, of arm assembly  33  without having to unlock locking mechanism  16 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of apparatus  10 . First arm member  12  may include a sliding track  26  upon which second arm member  14  slides. Sliding track  26  can incorporate a series of teeth that receive a portion of locking mechanism  16  (discussed in greater detail below). Advantageously, when not in use, apparatus  10  takes up a small amount of space since second arm member  14  can be moved inward along sliding track  26  until apparatus  10  is in its shortest orientation. It is within the scope of the present invention to provide first arm member  12  and second arm member  14  of varying lengths and widths and the invention is not so limited in any way. Some stores that sell large bulky products can use longer versions of apparatus  10  to accommodate larger or longer products. Other stores, for example, that sell portable audio devices, batteries, DVD and CDs can choose to use shorter versions of apparatus  10 . However, because apparatus  10  is adjustable in size, retailers need not be as concerned with protecting products of varying sizes. First arm member  12  and second arm member  14  can be adjusted, as described above, to accommodate products of different sizes and shapes. 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  illustrates apparatus  10  with a product  28  inserted therein. Product  28 , in an exemplary embodiment, is rectangular in shape, and includes indicia  30 , such as the product&#39;s name, directions for use, and the name of the product&#39;s manufacturer or supplier. Indicia  30  can be plainly seen since apparatus  10  provides an open area between first collar  18  and second collar  20 . In use, a salesperson sizes the product  28  that needs to be protected, if necessary adjusts first arm member  12  and/or second arm member  14 , inserts product  28  with indicia  30  visible, if necessary, adjusts first collar  18  and/or second collar  20 , and then secures product  28  by locking first arm member  12  and second arm member  14  in the desired position. The first arm member  12  and/or the second arm member  14  of apparatus  10  can also be adjusted inward without disengagement of locking mechanism  16 . Once retained, product  28  cannot be removed from apparatus  10  without destruction to apparatus  10  or product  28 . 
         [0038]    In another embodiment, a product identification device  31  such as an electronic article surveillance (“EAS”) tag or radio frequency identification (“RFID”) device may be included within apparatus  10 . By affixing an EAS tag within apparatus  10 , removal of product  28  within apparatus  10  without deactivation will sound an alarm. Further, inclusion of an RFID sensor within apparatus  10  can provide information to a store owner about the identity of product  28  contained within apparatus  10 . Other alarming devices can be included within apparatus  10  including a sensor that will activate if product  28  is removed from apparatus  10 . 
         [0039]    The method used to lock first arm member  12  and second arm member  14  so that they are retained at a desired position, will now be discussed.  FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of apparatus  10  with product  28  secured therein. Sliding track  26  receives locking mechanism  16 . Locking mechanism (discussed in greater detail below) can engage sliding track  26  to “lock” first arm member  12  and second arm member  14  at a specific location. When locking mechanism is released or retracted from within sliding track  26 , second arm member  14  can be moved along sliding track  26  to a different location. In one embodiment, locking mechanism  16  includes metallic material within its housing. In one embodiment, when the metallic material is exposed to a magnetic field a spring that is also within the knob housing retracts and withdraws an extension member that had been engaged within sliding track  26 , thus allowing first arm member  12  and/or second arm member  14  to be moved. Thus, a magnetic detaching unit can be used to “unlock” locking mechanism  16  in this manner. It is within the scope of the invention to include sliding track  26  in either first arm member  12  or second arm member  14 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 5  illustrates the apparatus  10  retaining an odd-shaped product  28 . In this embodiment, first collar  18  and second collar  20  each retain a corner of product  28 , allowing indicia  30  on the front of product  28  to be easily viewed. Because first collar  18  and second collar  20  can each swivel up to 360 degrees, apparatus  10  can be sized to retain oddly-shaped products  28 . Once product  28  is retained within apparatus  10 , if a salesperson feels that there is too much room between the collars  18  and  20  and product  28 , he or she can easily adjust apparatus  10  by releasing locking mechanism  16  and readjusting first arm member  12  and/or second arm member  14  and their corresponding collars  18  and  20 . Locking mechanism  16  can then again be locked to secure first arm member  12  and second arm member  14  and their corresponding collars  18  and  20  in the new position. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 6-8  illustrate apparatus  10  retaining an odd-shaped product. Apparatus  10  is easily adapted to odd-shaped product  28  by extending, if necessary, first arm member  12  and second arm member  14 , and maneuvering one or both of collars  18  and  20  in order to secure product  28  within apparatus  10 . Collars  18  and  20  form a cavity into which a portion, such as a corner or edge of product  28  can be inserted. Because first collar  18  can swivel up to 360 degrees about connection point  22  and second collar  20  can swivel up to 360 degrees about connection point  24 , an irregular-shaped product  28  can be retained within apparatus  10 . Thus, the shape of product  28  need not be limited to a square or rectangle or have cornered edges, but can be of any shape that can retained with collars  18  and  20 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 9  is a section view of apparatus  10  viewed along the lines of the arrows in  FIG. 2 . Locking mechanism  16  includes a latch  34  and a spring  36  attached to latch  34 . When locking mechanism  16  is in a “closed” position, latch  34  is extended into the path of track  26  of first arm member  12  thus preventing the movement of second arm member  14  with respect to first arm member  12 . When spring  36  is compressed, latch  34  is retracted from within track  26  of first arm member  12  thus allowing second arm member  14  to move with respect to first arm member  12 . Spring  36  may be retracted in a number of ways including manually or by the application of a magnetic field upon latch  34 , which in one embodiment is made of a metallic material. 
         [0043]      FIG. 10  illustrates locking mechanism  16  in both a locked position and an unlocked position. Locking mechanism  16  includes a recess  38  that includes spring  36  and latch  34 . In one embodiment, recess  38  is formed out of second arm member  14 , while in another embodiment, recess  38  is a separate component that interlocks with and protrudes from second arm member  14 . When in a locked position, spring  36  extends and projects latch  34  within the path of first arm member  12 . First arm member  12  can include track  26 . Track  26  includes multiple teeth which receive latch  34  when spring  36  is in an extended position. The teeth of track  26  can be angled and oriented to allow inward adjustment of first arm member  12  and/or second arm member  14  without having to release locking mechanism  16 . In one embodiment, latch  34  also includes a plurality of teeth that engage the teeth of track  26  when locking mechanism is in the locked orientation. In this locked orientation, latch  34  engages the teeth of track  26  and prevents further lateral extension between first arm member  12  and second arm member  14 . In one embodiment, the teeth of track  26  are angled in one direction. Thus, when spring  36  is biased such that latch  34  biases is projected within the path of track  26  on first arm member  12 , second arm member  14  can only be moved in one direction, i.e., inward, to more securely retain product  28 . In this embodiment, once the teeth of track  26  are engaged with latch  34 , second arm member  14  cannot be extended any further with respect to first to the angle of the teeth in track  26 . 
         [0044]    When spring  36  is compressed, latch  34  is retracted from track  26  thus allowing second arm member  14  to be extended. If latch  34  is made of a metallic material, application of a magnetic field upon latch  34  will retract latch  34 , thus compressing spring  36  and releasing latch  34  from its engagement with the teach of track  26 . A magnetic detaching unit can be used for this purpose. Thus, when a product  28  is brought to a cashier at a point of sale (“POS”), the cashier can use a magnetic detaching unit to release locking mechanism  16  by placing the magnetic detaching unit in proximity to locking mechanism  16 . The magnetic detaching unit applies a magnetic field to locking mechanism  16  and latch  34  therein, which attracts latch  34 , compresses spring  36  and retracts latch  34  from track  26 . This allows first arm member  12  and second arm member  14  to be extended and product  28  removed from apparatus  10 . 
         [0045]    In another embodiment of the invention, as shown in  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 , a first apparatus  10  and a second apparatus  40  can be combined to retain product  28 . In one embodiment, second apparatus  40  resides beneath first apparatus  10 , as shown in  FIG. 12 . Second apparatus  40  can also reside above first apparatus  10 . In another embodiment, a bidirectional sliding track (not shown) can be used to allow for the extension of apparatus  10  and/or apparatus  40 . In one embodiment, the locking mechanism in apparatus  10  can be unlocked in order to allow for the extension of apparatus  10 . The locking mechanism on apparatus  40  can be unlocked to allow for the extension of apparatus  40 . Thus, in this embodiment, one or both of the locking mechanisms can be employed to allow or restrict extension of their corresponding apparatus. It is contemplated that more than one locking mechanism can be used, as shown in  FIG. 11 . Alternately, a single locking mechanism that allows or restricts the movement of both apparatus  10  and apparatus  40  can be used. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the use of apparatus  10  and apparatus  40  provides four collars to retain each of the corners of the product. 
         [0046]    While certain features of the embodiments have been illustrated as described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the embodiments. 
         [0047]    It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is limited only by the following claims.