Abstract:
A security device including a base having a plurality of holes extending therethrough. A noose cable is attached to the base and extends out of the base on one side and passes through the base on another and may be wrapped around merchandise to be secured against theft. A switch is carried by the base and depressed by a lid carried by the base so that when the lid is raised, an alarm will sound. A fastener extends through the lid of the base and secures the noose cable from removable such that when the lid is in the closed position, the head of the fastener is beneath the lid and access to the fastener is prevented. The base is electrically connected to an alarming station in order to provide power to the switch and to provide the alarming function associated with the noose cable security device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Technical Field 
   The present invention relates generally to theft deterrent devices for retail establishments. More particularly, the invention relates to a security device which may pass around or through merchandise to prevent theft thereof. Specifically, the invention relates to a theft deterrent device having a cable to be threaded through openings in an item of merchandise to be secured and which includes sensors to prevent the removal of the theft deterrent device. 
   2. Background Information 
   Retail stores have had a difficult time protecting oddly shaped merchandise which may be expensive. Customers often want to visually inspect these expensive articles before deciding to purchase them. The store is thus faced with the problem of how to protect these expensive articles from theft while displaying them for sale. 
   One method used to protect these packages and the articles contained therein is to enclose the article within a transparent glass display case which can only be accessed by an employee of the retail store. A customer can view the article through the glass, but is not able to handle the article or read any of the information about the article that may be printed thereon. Additionally, the customer is not able to handle the unit to determine its weight, quality or apparent fit, as in the case of a baseball mitt or the like. Much of the merchandise which needs to be secured against theft includes an aperture or hole through which a cable may be woven. Devices have existed in the past, and particularly that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,755,055 which was developed to secure and EAS tag to merchandise to prevent unauthorized removal while not damaging the item of merchandise. The tag also must also be readily removable by authorized personnel so that the tags do not unduly delay checkout. The prior art product disclosed in the &#39;055 reference includes a cable which may pass through an aperture in a product and be secured to the product thereby. The cable passes into a housing which retains the EAS tag. While this device is appropriate for the purpose for which it is intended, theft deterrent devices have become more sophisticated in a variety of ways. To that end, the need existed for a cable connector which will pass through an aperture formed in merchandise to be secured, but which will electronically connect to an alarming station. Additionally, it is important that the cable connector be locked and sensored in such a way so as to prevent tampering and subsequent removal of the sensor from the merchandise to be secured. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A security device including a base having a plurality of holes extending therethrough. A noose cable is attached to the base and extends out of the base on one side and passes through the base on another and may be wrapped around merchandise to be secured against theft. A switch is carried by the base and depressed by a lid carried by the base so that when the lid is raised, an alarm will sound. A fastener extends through the lid of the base and secures the noose cable from removable such that when the lid is in the closed position, the head of the fastener is beneath the lid and access to the fastener is prevented. The base is electrically connected to an alarming station in order to provide power to the switch and to provide the alarming function associated with the noose cable security device. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of an alarming station and noose connector combination secured to a baseball mitt. 
       FIG. 2  is a top plane view of the noose connector of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the noose connector of the present invention with pieces cut away. 
       FIG. 4  is a left end elevational view of the noose connector taken along line  44 ,  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a right end elevational view of the noose connector taken along line  55 ,  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 6  is a bottom plane view of the noose connector shown in  FIG. 2  with portions cut away. 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the body of the noose connector shown in  FIG. 2  with wiring and the bottom wall removed therefrom. 
       FIG. 8  is a bottom view similar to  FIG. 7  with the wiring installed. 
       FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of the noose connector shown in  FIG. 2  with the lid opened and with portions cut away. 
       FIG. 10  is a top plane view of the noose connector shown in  FIG. 2  with the lid opened and with portions removed. 
       FIG. 11  is a sectional view taken along lines  11 — 11 ,  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 12  is a sectional view of the noose connector shown in  FIG. 2  with the lid in the open position. 
       FIG. 13  is a bottom plane view of the noose connector of the present invention shown with the cable partially inserted into the noose connector body and with portions cut away. 
       FIG. 14  is a sectional view taken along line  14 — 14 ,  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 14   a  is a sectional view taken along line  14   a — 14   a ,  FIG. 14 . 
       FIG. 15  is a side elevational view similar to  FIG. 13  with a bottom plane view similar to  FIG. 13  with portions broken away and in section showing the cable received through the body of the noose sensor. 
       FIG. 16  is a side elevational view with portions cut away and in section of the noose connector shown in  FIG. 15 . 
       FIG. 16   a  is sectional view taken along line  16   a — 16   a ,  FIG. 16 . 
   

   Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings. 
   A preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant contemplates applying the principles, is set forth in the following description and is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The theft deterrent device or noose sensor of the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral  10  in the accompanying drawings. Noose sensor  10  is configured to be securely attached to an item of merchandise  11  (such as the baseball mitt shown in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 ) to deter a shoplifter from stealing merchandise  11 . Noose sensor  10  is ordinarily connected to an alarming station  12  such as that which is described in co-pending provisional patent application having Ser. No. 60/644,206, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Noose sensor  10  may also be used to house an EAS tag (not shown) to provide an alarming characteristic for noose sensor  10 . Referring more specifically to  FIGS. 1–6 , noose sensor  10  generally includes a base  14 , a noose cable  15 , an alarming cable  16  and a removable plug  17 . Noose cable  15  is configured to be selectively attachable and removable to base  14 . Similarly, plug  17  is configured to be selectively attachable and removable to alarming station  12 . In the context of this application, the words “selectively” is defined as meaning that the connection may be repeatedly made and unmade. As such, noose cable  15  is selectively attachable to base  14  so that the user may repeatedly insert and remove noose cable  15  from base  14  to secure merchandise  11  from theft. Similarly, alarming cable  16  by way of plug  17  may be selectively removable or disconnected from alarming station  12  as is necessary for the use of the various elements of the embodiment. 
   In general, noose sensor  10  is connected to merchandise  11  by threading noose cable  15  through an opening such as opening  18 . Noose cable  15  is then bent back upon itself and placed into and through base  14  and is securely retained therein. Plug  17  attached to the free end of alarming cable  16  is then positioned within alarming station  12  to secure noose sensor  10  to the alarming station and to supply power thereto. More particularly referring to drawing  7 , base  14  is shown having an outer substantially rectangular perimeter wall  20  having a pair of parallel and spaced apart side walls  21  and a pair of parallel and space apart end walls  22 . Side walls  21  and end walls  22  combined with a bottom wall  23  ( FIG. 3 ) to form a substantially rectangular interior cavity  24 . A first aperture  26  and a second aperture  28  extend through first end wall  22 . There is also a third aperture  29  formed in wall  22 . Similarly a notch or recess  30  extends through second end wall  22 . The purposes of apertures  26 ,  28  and  29  and notch  30  will be described in more detail herein below. An arcuately shaped guide block  32  extends upwardly from bottom wall  23  and into interior cavity  24  and is positioned adjacent an L-shaped wall  34  also integrally formed into bottom wall  23  and extending into interior cavity  24 . 
   Turning next to  FIG. 8 , the electronic elements and movable elements of noose sensor  10  are shown mounted within interior cavity  24 . Follower  36  is mounted within guide block  32  and includes a perimeter  38  which is complementarily shaped and sized to be received in a gliding engagement with the perimeter wall of guide block  32 . Although follower  36  may have a variety of sizes and shapes in configuration, in the preferred embodiment it includes a pair of parallel and spaced apart side walls which terminate in a semicircular arc which is complementarily shaped in the semicircular arc formed into guide block  32  extending outwardly from top wall  48  and into interior cavity  24 . Follower  36  is formed with a threaded aperture  40  and is sized to receive a threaded screw  41  having a torque&#39;s head  42  ( FIG. 10 ). The purpose and operation of follower  36  and screw  41  will be described in more detail herein below. 
   A switch  44  is positioned between perimeter wall  20  and L-shaped wall  34  and is retained securely therein. As shown more particularly in  FIG. 11 , switch  44  includes an activation button  46  which extends through a top wall  48  of base  14 . Bulb  50  is mounted adjacent guide block  32  and extends upwardly through top wall  48 . 
   Alarming cable  16  includes four wires,  52 ,  53 ,  54  and  55 . Wire  52  extends between alarming cable  16  and switch  44 . Wires  53  and  54  extend from alarming cable  16  to bulb  50  and wire  55  extends directly to noose cable  15 . One last wire, wire  56  extends from switch  44  to noose cable  15  in order to complete a circuit such that when switch  44  is in the depressed position, the circuit is completed through switch  44  and alarming station  12  will not sound. As also can be seen, there are a number of spaces inside base  14  which would house an EAS tag (not shown) in any convenient way so as to provide an added level of security against the theft of merchandise  11 . 
   In accordance with the invention and referring next to  FIGS. 9–11 , top wall  48  of base  14  includes an outwardly extending hinge body  58 . Hinge body  58  is formed with a through hole  60  for receiving a hinge pin  62 . A lid  64  is hingedly mounted onto hinge pin  62  passing through hole  60  of hinge body  58 . Lid  64  includes a hole  66  formed therethrough such that when lid  64  is in the closed position, hole  66  is positioned directly over bulb  50  to assure that light emanating from bulb  50  may shine through hole  66  with lid  64  is in the closed position. Lid  64  also includes a catch  68  which may be received in a catch recess  70  ( FIG. 12 ) as well as a downwardly extending U-shaped perimeter wall  72 . Perimeter wall  72  extends downwardly and includes two parallel and spaced apart side walls and one end wall which combine to create a U-shaped perimeter which extends downwardly toward base  14  when lid  64  is in the closed position. 
   As can be seen from a review of  FIGS. 9–12 , base  14  is substantially rectangular in configuration, but may take a variety of sizes and shapes without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Additionally, we note that screw  41  includes a torque type head on the top portion thereof, but a variety of head types may be utilized without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Noose cable  15  may have a variety of lengths and widths in order to fit through and around products of different sizes and shapes, but as a general rule will include a terminator  74  on the free end thereof which terminator is sized to fit through holes  28  and  29  in both end walls  22  of base  14 . 
   The first step of the operation of noose sensor  10  is shown more particularly in  FIGS. 13–14   a . Noose cable  15  exits end wall  22  of base  14  by way of first aperture  26  and passes around or through a piece of merchandise  11 . Terminator  74  of noose cable  15  is then positioned adjacent second aperture  28 . Second aperture  28  is of a diameter sufficient to allow enlarged terminator  74  as well as noose cable  15  to pass therethrough. At this point in operation, lid  64  is in the open position and a screwdriver or the like has been used on screw  41  to rotate screw  41  in such a manner that follower  36  is moved to the lower most position such as that shown in  FIGS. 14 and 14   a . Top wall  48  and follower  36  form a space  76  adjacent second aperture  28  such that noose cable  15  may pass through second aperture  28  and directly into space  76  above follower  36  and beside screw  41 . Noose cable  15  is then pushed entirely through base  14  and out of third aperture  29 . Noose cable  15  of noose sensor  10  is now in the position shown in  FIG. 15 . Referring next to  FIGS. 16 and 16   a , a screwdriver  78  is put into contact with torque&#39;s head  42  of screw  41  and rotated in the direction of arrow A. As screw  41  is rotated, follower  36  cams up the threads formed on screw  41  and rotation of follower  36  is prevented because of its complementarily shape with guide block  32 . Follower  36  moves in the direction of arrow B and compresses noose cable  15  within space  76  adjacent top wall  48 . The interaction of follower  36  and noose cable  15  is shown particularly in  FIG. 16  where the cable is shown in an exaggerated way, to be slightly deformed as a result of this pinching action. The movement of follower  36  thus prevents the withdrawal of noose cable  15  from base  14 . Even more appropriately, terminator  74  is larger than the relatively small space created by the movement of follower  36  and as such any movement which may occur of noose cable  15  from tugging and pulling thereon, would never allow terminator  74  to slide therethrough thereby securing merchandise  11  from theft. Once screw  41  has been rotated and noose cable  15  is in the lock position by way of follower  36 , alarming cable  16  may be attached to alarming station  12  by way of plug  17 . 
   In accordance with one of the main features of the present invention, lid  64  may now be moved to the close position where catch  68  is moved into catch recess  70  to latch lid  64  in the closed position. In accordance with the present invention, once in the closed position, lid  64  will maintain pressure on actuation button  46  of switch  44  thereby depressing the same and completing the circuit traveling through wires  55  and  56 . So long as this circuit remains completed, bulb  50  will stay lit and no alarm will sound. However, in accordance with one of the features of the present invention, if lid  64  is moved to the open position, actuation button  46  will raise causing a disconnect in the circuit from alarming station  12  to noose cable  15  thereby causing alarming station  12  to alarm. 
   As can be seen from a review of the drawings and the above discussion, lid  64  entirely covers torque&#39;s head  42  of screw  41  when in the closed position. By covering screw  41  with lid  64 , the invention assures that there is no access to screw  41  to allow the removal thereof. Additionally, inasmuch as lid  64  is alarmed when in the closed position by way of actuator button  46  of switch  44 , the would-be thief would not be able to raise lid  64  to gain access to screw  41  without triggering alarm station  12 . Inasmuch as actuator  46  and lid  64  prevent access to screw  41 , the screw cannot be unscrewed such that noose cable  15  may be removed from base  14  to free merchandise  11  and allow the theft thereof. 
   In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. 
   Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.