Abstract:
A security device includes: a housing having a plug receptacle; a spool rotatably coupled to the housing; a locking mechanism having a locked state and an unlocked state, the locked state preventing the spool from rotating in a first direction, and the unlocked state allowing rotation of the spool in the first direction and in a second direction; a plug having an inserted position and a removed position with respect to the plug receptacle, the inserted position maintaining the locking mechanism in the locked state, and the removed position allowing alteration of the locking mechanism from the locked state to the unlocked state; a cable coupled to the spool and to the plug; an alarm circuit which activates an alarm upon sensing discontinuity of the cable and/or the plug moving from the inserted position to the removed position, the alarm circuit coupled to and rotating with the spool.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of the present invention relates to security devices used to protect merchandise or other objects and, more particularly, to security devices having one or more adjustable cables used to wrap around the objects such that the security devices are secured to the objects. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems are often used to deter and detect shoplifting. Typically, an EAS security system includes an EAS tag, a transmitter, a receiver, and an alarm. The EAS tag is attached to a piece of merchandise. The transmitter and the receiver are positioned at the exit of a retail establishment and configured to establish a detection zone in which a consumer must pass through as he or she exits the retail establishment. The transmitter is configured to send signals through the detection zone. When an EAS tag enters the detection zone, the EAS tag responds and creates a signal or a change or disturbance in the original signal transmitted by the transmitter, which is detectable by the receiver. Upon detection of the EAS tag, the alarm is triggered in order to notify the store personnel that someone is trying to exit the retail establishment with merchandise that has an attached and active EAS tag. 
     In an EAS system, it is the actual EAS tag that is being detected and not the merchandise itself. Therefore, an EAS system can be circumvented by removing the EAS tag from the merchandise. To prevent the unauthorized removal of the EAS tag, security devices have been developed. A typical security device is configured to house the EAS tag and attach the EAS tag to the merchandise in a manner that limits the likelihood that a consumer or a would-be thief could tamper with or otherwise remove the EAS tag from the merchandise. 
     As an example, one particular type of security device is a cable wrap security device such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,497,101, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Typically, a cable wrap security device includes a first housing for a ratchet mechanism, a second housing for an EAS tag, and a cable that is routed through both the first and second housings and configured to wrap around the package of the merchandise. The ratchet mechanism is configured to tighten the cable around the package such that the security device is not removable from the package without being loosened. The security device further includes a locking mechanism that prevents loosening or release of the cable without a specifically configured key or other specialized equipment that is controlled by the employees of the retail establishment. In some applications, the cable of the cable wrap security device also prevents a consumer or would-be thief from opening or otherwise tampering with the package to get to the merchandise within the package. 
     While this type of security device has proven effective at protecting merchandise, it has been found that additional security features are desirable in order to further improve the effectiveness of such security devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a security device which is securable to an object, such as merchandise. The security device includes features which prevent unauthorized removal of the security device from the object and/or tampering with the security device. 
     In a first separate aspect of the present invention, a security device includes: a housing having a plug receptacle; a spool rotatably coupled to the housing and rotatable in both a first direction and a second direction with respect to the housing; a locking mechanism alterable between a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein the locking mechanism in the locked state prevents the spool from rotating in the first direction, and the locking mechanism in the unlocked state permits the spool to rotate in the first direction and in the second direction; a plug having an inserted position and a removed position with respect to the plug receptacle, wherein in the inserted position, the plug maintains the locking mechanism in the locked state so that the spool is rotatable in the second direction with respect to the plug, and in the removed position, the locking mechanism is alterable from the locked state to the unlocked state; a cable having a first end coupled to the spool and a second end coupled to the plug; and an alarm circuit configured to activate an alarm upon sensing at least one of discontinuity of the cable and movement of the plug from the inserted position to the removed position. 
     In a second separate aspect of the present invention, a security device includes: a housing having a plug receptacle; a plug having an inserted position and a removed position with respect to the plug receptacle; a spool rotatably coupled to the housing and rotatable in both a first direction and a second direction with respect to both the housing and the plug; a cable having a first end coupled to the spool and a second end coupled to the plug; a locking ring coupled to the spool to rotate with respect to the housing and with respect to the plug, the locking ring being moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locking ring in the locked position engages the housing to prevent the spool from rotating in the first direction, and with the locking ring in the unlocked position, the spool is rotatable in the first direction and in the second direction; and an alarm circuit coupled to the spool to rotate with respect to the housing and with respect to the plug when the plug is in the inserted position, the alarm circuit including a resilient contact member, which is alterable between a first state with the plug in the removed position and a second state with the plug in the inserted position, and a wireless receiver, which is configured to receive an alarm disable signal, wherein the alarm circuit is configured to activate an alarm upon sensing movement of the plug from the inserted position to the removed position without first receiving the alarm disable signal. 
     In a third separate aspect of the present invention, a security device includes: a housing having a plug receptacle; a spool rotatably coupled to the housing and rotatable in both a first direction and a second direction with respect to the housing; a locking mechanism coupled to the housing and alterable between a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein the locking mechanism in the locked state prevents the spool from rotating in the first direction, and with the locking mechanism in the unlocked state, the spool is rotatable in the first direction and in the second direction; a plug having an inserted position and a removed position with respect to the plug receptacle, wherein in the inserted position, the plug maintains the locking mechanism in the locked state so that the spool is rotatable in the second direction with respect to the plug, and in the removed position, the locking mechanism is alterable from the locked state to the unlocked state; a cable having a first end coupled to the spool and a second end coupled to the plug; and an alarm circuit coupled to the spool to rotate with respect to the housing and with respect to the plug when the plug is in the inserted position, the alarm circuit including: a first sensing circuit configured to sense discontinuity of the cable; a second sensing circuit having a resilient contact member movable between a first state in which the second sensing circuit is open and a second state in which the second sensing circuit is closed, wherein the contact member is in the second state when the plug is in the inserted position, and the contact member moves to the first state when the plug is moved from the inserted position to the removed position, wherein the alarm circuit is configured to activate an alarm upon sensing at least one of discontinuity of the cable and movement of the contact member from the first state to the second state. 
     Accordingly, an improved security device is disclosed. Advantages of the improvements will be apparent from the drawings and the description herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the following figures: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a security device; 
         FIG. 2A  is a top view of an object with the security device of  FIG. 1  positioned to be wrapped around the object; 
         FIG. 2B  is a top view of the object with the security device of  FIG. 1  wrapped around the object; 
         FIG. 2C  is a bottom view of the object with the security device of  FIG. 1  wrapped the object; 
         FIG. 3  is schematic representation of the security features of the security device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4A  is an exploded view of the security device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4B  is a sectional view of the first housing taken along the lines IV-IV of  FIG. 2 , shown with the plug in the inserted position; 
         FIG. 4C  is a sectional view of the first housing taken along the lines IV-IV of  FIG. 2 , shown with the plug in the removed position; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a security device; 
         FIG. 6A  is an exploded view of the security device of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 6B  is a sectional view of the first housing taken along the lines VI-VI of  FIG. 5 , shown with the plug in the inserted position; and 
         FIG. 6C  is a sectional view of the first housing taken along the lines VI-VI of  FIG. 5 , shown with the plug in the removed position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “left,” “right,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the preferred embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such preferred embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combinations of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto. 
     The present invention is directed toward a security device which may be secured to an object, such as an article of merchandise, to prevent unauthorized removal, access to, or tampering with the object. The security device is includes a cable which enables the security device to be secured to the object, by wrapping the cable around the object, in such a way so as to prevent removal of the security device from the object and to prevent unwanted access to the object. The security device may include one or more alarm features, with each alarm feature set to activate an alarm in response to one or more predefined conditions, which may include removal of the security device from the object, damage caused to the security device, and/or removal of the object from a predefined locality (such as through the use of an EAS system). 
     The security device may include multiple features to help make removal of the security device from the object difficult without use of specified tools, which are intended to facilitate removal of the security device from the object. Several of such features are described below, with the extent of such features incorporated into the security device, and the configuration of such features, being limited only by the scope of the claims below. Where those features are known from the prior art, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 8,087,269, the known features are only briefly described without being described in detail. 
     Turning in detail to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a security device  101  which includes a first housing  111  and a second housing  141 , a cable  171 , and a plug  181 . The cable  171  depicted is a single cable which attaches to a first point  113  on or within the first housing  111 , passes through a first cable opening  143  in the second housing  141 , through a cable opening  183  in the plug  181 , through a second cable opening  145  in the second housing  141 , to attach to a spool (see  FIG. 4A ) within the first housing  111 . Coupled in this manner, and with the plug  181  coupled to the first housing  111  as shown, the cable  171  may be wrapped around an object securely by tightening the wrapped cable around the object. The security device  101  is configured such that only by loosening the cable with the prescribed tool may the cable be unwrapped from the object without the security device  101  activating an alarm. 
     In certain embodiments, the cable  171  may attached at one end to the first housing  111  and at a second end to the plug  181 , such that when the plug  181  is coupled to the first housing  111 , the cable  171  forms a single loop. 
     In  FIG. 1 , the plug  181  is shown in an inserted position (see  FIG. 2B ) within a plug receptacle  117  of the first housing  111 . As is described in greater detail below, the plug  181  may be removed from the plug receptacle  117 , and thus from the first housing  111 , to a removed position (see  FIG. 2A ) in which the plug  181  is coupled to the first housing  111  only by the cable  171 . With the plug  181  in the removed position, as shown in  FIG. 2A , the cable  171  may be wrapped around an object  191 , with the first housing  111  on one side of the object  191  and the second housing (see  FIG. 2B ) on the other side of the object  191 . The plug  181  may then be positioned for insertion into the plug receptacle  117  of the first housing  111 . When the plug  181  is inserted into and secured within the plug receptacle  117  of the first housing  111 , the cable  171  wrapped around the object  191  may be tightened around the object  191  to securely couple the security device  101  to the object. When the security device  101  is secured to the object  191 , the first housing  111  is positioned on one side of the object  191  as shown in  FIG. 2B , and the second housing  141  is positioned on an opposite side of the object  191  as shown in  FIG. 2C . In certain embodiments, depending upon the length of the cable  191  between the first housing  111  and the second housing  141 , the length of the cable  191  between the second housing  141  and the plug  181 , and the size and shape of the object, the first housing  111  and the second housing  141  may not be on an opposite sides of the object  191 . 
     Those skilled in the art of merchandise security will appreciate that, in addition to securing the security device  101  to the object  191 , the cable  171  wrapped around the object  191  may also inhibit or prevent tampering with or accessing the contents of the object. The security device  101  includes mechanisms which aid in preventing the security device  101  from being removed from the object  191 . Such mechanisms are discussed in detail in connection with  FIGS. 3-4B   
     As one security feature of the security device  101 , the second housing  141  may include an EAS tag  147  (see  FIG. 3 ). More specifically, an EAS tag  147  may be enclosed within an interior space formed within second housing  141 . The EAS tag  147  may be sealed within the second housing  141  to make the EAS tag  147  inaccessible to consumers and would-be thieves. 
     In the embodiment shown, the first housing  111  contains a rotatable spool configured to loosen and tighten the cable  171 , and the second housing  141  contains the EAS tag  147 . In certain embodiments, the second housing  141  may be omitted, such that the EAS tag  147  may be omitted from the security device  101 , or alternatively, the EAS tag  147  may be incorporated into the first housing  111 . 
     The security features of the security device  101  are shown schematically in  FIG. 3 . Within the first housing  111 , the security device  101  includes a spool  201 , which is rotatable with respect to the first housing  111 , and a locking mechanism  203  which interacts with the spool  201 . The state of the locking mechanism  203  determines whether the spool  201  is rotatable in one or two directions. The locking mechanism  203  is alterable between a locked state and an unlocked state. When the locking mechanism  203  is in the locked state, the spool  201  is only able to rotate in a first direction about a rotational axis, and when the locking mechanism  203  is in the unlocked state, the spool  201  is rotatable in the first direction and in the second direction about the rotational axis. As indicated above, within the first housing  111 , the security device  101  also includes a plug  181 , and the plug  181  interacts with the locking mechanism when the plug  181  is in the inserted position within the plug receptacle of the first housing  111 . With the plug  181  in the inserted position, the locking mechanism  203  is in the locked state and is prevented from altering to the unlocked state. When the plug  181  is removed from the plug receptacle of the first housing  111 , i.e., moved from the inserted position to the removed position, the locking mechanism  203  may be altered from the locked state to the unlocked state. The security device  101  may also include, within the first housing  111 , a latch  207  which interacts with the plug  181 . When the plug  181  is inserted into the plug receptacle  117  of the first housing  111 , the latch  207  moves into an engaged position, in which it engages the plug  181  to maintain the plug  181  in the inserted position. The latch  207  is moveable from the engaged position into to a disengaged position, in which the latch  207  disengages the plug  181 . The latch  207  may be moved from the engaged position into to the disengaged position through the use of a magnet or an electronic signal. 
     An alarm circuit  209  is also included within the first housing  111  of the security device  101 . The alarm circuit  209  is configured to monitor the continuity of the cable  171  and the inserted position of the plug  181 . The alarm circuit  209  may also be configured to monitor the state of other security features of the security device  101 , such as the state of the locking mechanism  203 , the state of the latch  207 , and the like. As shown, the alarm circuit  209  includes a first sensing circuit  211   a  and a second sensing circuit  211   b  to accomplish each of these monitoring tasks, with the first sensing circuit  211   a  sensing the continuity of the cable, and the second sensing circuit  211   b  sensing the inserted position of the plug  181 . A piezo-electric device (see  FIGS. 4A-4C ) may be included to enable the alarm circuit  209  to sound an audible alarm when in response to any one of the sensing circuits sensing an attempt to tamper with the security device  101 . 
     In addition, the alarm circuit  209  may include a wireless receiver  213  for receiving an alarm disable signal. When the alarm circuit  209  receives an alarm disable signal, via the wireless receiver  213 , the alarm function of the alarm circuit  209  is at least temporarily deactivated. Thus, at the time of removing the security device  101  from an object  191  using an authorized/proscribed tool, an alarm disable signal may be sent to the alarm circuit  209  to disable the alarm function. In certain embodiments, the authorized/proscribed tool may be the source of the alarm disable signal. In certain other embodiments, the alarm disable signal may be generated other equipment, so that removal of the security device  101  from the object must happen in proximity to the equipment generating the alarm disable signal. 
     Referring collectively to  FIGS. 4A-C , the first housing  111  is formed from a first housing part  215  connected to a second housing part  217 . The two housing parts  215 ,  217  form an interior space to hold the spool  201  in place so that the spool  201  can rotate as described herein. The first housing part includes an annular rim  219 , and a cap  221  is seated within the interior space formed by the two housing parts  215 ,  217  and against the rim  219 . The cap  221  is coupled to and rotates with the spool  201 . The second housing part  217  includes an inward extending ledge  223 , and the combination of the spool  201  and the cap  221  are captive between the rim  219  and the ledge  223 . 
     A handle  225  is pivotably coupled to the cap  221  and is accessible through the central opening of the annular rim  219  in the first housing part  215 . The handle  225  may be placed in a folded position, so that it is substantially flush with the top of the first housing part  215 , or it may be placed in a flipped-up position, so that it may be used to rotate the spool  201 . 
     Within the interior space formed by the two housing parts  215 ,  217 , the spool  201  is rotatable with respect to the first housing  111  in both a first direction and a second direction (i.e., clockwise and counter-clockwise) about a rotational axis RA. The spool  201  is captive within a cavity formed by the outer walls of the first housing  111 . The spool  201  has a cylindrical side wall  229  and two cylindrical flanges  231 ,  233  extending outwardly from the top and bottom of the side wall  229 . The side wall  229  and flanges  231 ,  233  form a cylindrical channel  235  in which a portion of the cable may be stored or held. One end of the cable is secured to the spool  201 , and the other end of the cable is secured to the first housing  111 . Rotation of the spool  201  in the second direction winds the cable around the spool  201  and rotation of the spool  201  in the first direction allows the cable to be unwound from the spool  201 . 
     A locking ring  243  is coupled to one side of the spool  201  so that the locking ring  243  rotates with the spool  201 . The locking ring  243 , like the spool  201 , is centered about the rotational axis RA. The locking ring  243  is also able to translate along the rotational axis RA toward and away from the spool  201 . Springs  245  are held in receptacles  247  formed in the central portion  249  of the spool  201 , the central portion being  249  bounded by the cylindrical side wall  229 , and the springs  245  bias the locking ring  243  in a position away from the spool  201 , with the extent of the translational movement being limited by the first housing  111 . The surface of the locking ring  243  facing away from the spool  201  includes locking teeth  251 . The surface in the first housing  111  which faces the locking teeth  251  of the locking ring  243  likewise includes complementary locking teeth  253 . In combination, the locking teeth  251  of the locking ring  243  and the locking teeth  253  of the first housing  111  form a locking mechanism  203  for the security device  101 . When the locking ring  243  is in a position biased away from the spool  201 , the locking teeth  251  of the locking ring  243  engage the locking teeth  253  of the first housing  111 , and the respective geometries of the interlocking teeth  251 ,  253  enables the spool  201  to rotate with a ratcheting action. Engagement between the respective locking teeth  251 ,  253 , referred to herein as the locked state of the locking mechanism  203 , prevents the spool  201  from rotating in the first direction, while still allowing the spool  201  to rotate in the second direction. When the respective locking teeth  251 ,  253  are not engaged, referred to herein as the unlocked state of the locking mechanism  203 , the spool  201  may be freely rotated in both directions. 
     A button  261  is coupled to the first housing  111  and is movable in a direction parallel to the rotational axis RA. Movement of the button  261  in the direction toward the spool  201  causes the locking ring  243  to move toward the spool  201 , thus placing the locking mechanism  203  in the unlocked state. Movement of the button  261  in the direction away from the spool  201  allows the locking ring  243  to move toward its biased position away from the spool  201 , thus placing the locking mechanism  203  in the locked state. The first housing  111  includes an opening  263  in the annular rim  219  which gives a user access to the button  261 . 
     The alarm circuit  209  includes a circuit board  271  which is mounted on the side of the spool  201  opposite the locking ring  243 , and the circuit board  271  rotates with and is in a fixed position with respect to the spool  201 . The circuit board  271  is electrically coupled to a battery  273  and to a piezo-electric device  275 , which is used by the alarm circuit  209  to sound an audible alarm. The battery  273  and the piezo-electric device  275  are both positioned, at least partially, within the central portion  249  of the spool  201 , and both also rotate with the spool  201 . While the battery  273  is in a fixed position with respect to the spool  201 , the piezo-electric device  275  is coupled to the spool  201  so that it is able to translate along the rotational axis RA toward and away from the battery  273 . The spool  201  includes channels  281  which receive arms  283  extending from the body of the piezo-electric device  275 . The channels  281  guide the piezo-electric device  275  as it translates along the rotational axis RA between a first position and a second position, wherein the piezo-electric device  275  in the second position is closer to the battery  273  as compared to the first position. Springs  287  are seated within the channels  281  to bias the piezo-electric device  275  into the first position. 
     As indicated above, the alarm circuit  209  includes at least two sensing circuits, the first for sensing continuity of the cable  171 , and the second for sensing the plug  181  being moved from the inserted position to the removed position. The alarm circuit  209  includes, as part of the second sensing circuit, a resilient contact member  291 , which extends from the circuit board  271  to a position between the battery  273  and the piezo-electric device  275 . The resilient contact member  291  rotates with the spool  201  and includes two states. In a first state, the resilient contact member  291  is not in contact with the battery  273 , thus leaving the second sensing circuit is open. In the second state, the resilient contact member  291  is in contact with the battery  273 , so that the second sensing circuit is closed. When the piezo-electric device  275  is in the first position, which is further from the battery  273 , the resilient contact member  291  resiliently returns to its first state. When the piezo-electric device  275  is in the second position, which is closer to the battery  273 , the piezo-electric device  275  engages the resilient contact member  291  to place the resilient contact member  291  into the second state. 
     The plug receptacle  117  is formed so that the plug  181  may be inserted into the housing and into a position between the button  261 , on the one hand, and the spool  201  and the piezo-electric device  275 , on the other hand. When the plug  181  is not inserted in the plug receptacle  117 , the piezo-electric device  275  is biased into the first position by the springs  287 , thus also leaving the resilient contact member  291  in the first state. When the plug  181  is inserted into the plug receptacle  117 , the plug  181  engages the piezo-electric device  275  to place the piezo-electric device  275  in the second position, which also places the resilient contact member  291  in the second state to close the second sensing circuit. Also, the plug  181  inserted into the plug receptacle  117  prevents the button  261  from being moved in the direction toward the spool  201 , and so the locking ring  243  will be in its biased position away from the spool  201 , thus placing the locking mechanism  203  in the locked state. When the plug  181  is removed from the plug receptacle  117 , the button  261  may be used to move the locking ring  243  and place the locking mechanism  203  in the unlocked state. 
     As indicated above, the latch  207  interacts with and engages the plug  181  when the plug  181  is inserted into the plug receptacle  117 . The first housing  111  includes a latch channel  301  in which the latch  207  and a coil spring  303  are disposed. The latch channel  301  is fully internal to the first housing  111 . Within the latch channel  301 , the latch  207  is moveable between the engaged position, in which the latch  207  extends into plug receptacle  117 , and the disengaged position, in which the latch  207  is withdrawn from the plug receptacle  117 . The coil spring  303  is positioned between the latch  207  and an end of the latch channel  301  to bias the latch  207  toward the engaged position. As the plug  181  is inserted into the plug receptacle  117 , the plug  181  engages the latch  207  to first push the latch  207  toward the disengaged position. When the plug  181  is fully inserted into the plug receptacle  117 , a catch  305  formed as part of the plug  181  aligns with the latch  207  and permits the latch  207  to return to the engaged position. Engagement of the latch  207  with the catch  305  prevents the plug  181  from being removed from the plug receptacle  117 . 
     The latch  207  may be formed as an elongated body made from a magnetic material, e.g., iron, nickel, or nickel-plated steel. Thus, the latch  207  may be moved within the latch channel  301  by placing an appropriate magnetic field near the first housing  111 . By placing such an appropriate magnetic field near the first housing  111  when the plug  181  is inserted within the plug receptacle  117  and engaged by the latch  207 , the latch  207  may be moved from the engaged position to the disengaged position, thereby allowing the plug  181  to be removed from the plug receptacle  117 . 
     A second embodiment of a security device  401  is shown in  FIG. 5 . This security device  401  includes a first housing  403  and a second housing  405 , a cable  407 , and a plug  409 . The plug  409  is configured to be inserted into the plug receptacle  411  formed in the first housing so that the security device  401  may be attached to an object Like the security device  101  of  FIG. 1 , the security device  401  shown in  FIG. 5  includes mechanisms and security features which aid in preventing the security device  401  from being removed from an object once attached to the object. As one security feature of the security device  401 , the second housing  405  may include an EAS tag (not shown). More specifically, an EAS tag may be enclosed within an interior space formed within second housing  405 . The EAS tag may be sealed within the second housing  405  to make the EAS tag inaccessible to consumers and would-be thieves. In certain embodiments, the EAS tag may be omitted from the security device  401 , or alternatively, the EAS tag may be incorporated into the first housing  403 . 
     Referring collectively to  FIGS. 6A-C , the first housing  403  The first housing  403  is formed from a first housing part  415  connected to a second housing part  417 . The two housing parts  415 ,  417  form an interior space to hold the spool  419  in place so that the spool  419  can rotate. The first housing part  415  includes an annular rim  421 , and a cap  423  is seated within the interior space formed by the two housing parts  415 ,  417  and against the rim  421 . The cap  423  is coupled to and rotates with the spool  419 . The second housing part  417  includes an inward extending ledge  425 , and the combination of the spool  419  and the cap  423  are captive between the rim  421  and the ledge  425 . 
     A handle  427  is pivotably coupled to the cap  423  and is accessible through the central opening of the annular rim  421  in the first housing part  415 . The handle  427  may be placed in a folded position, so that it is substantially flush with the top of the first housing part  415 , or it may be placed in a flipped-up position, so that it may be used to rotate the spool  419 . 
     Within the interior space formed by the two housing parts  215 ,  217 , the spool  419  is rotatable with respect to the first housing  403  in both a first direction and a second direction (i.e., clockwise and counter-clockwise) about a rotational axis RA. The spool  419  is captive within a cavity formed by the outer walls of the first housing  403 . The spool  419  has a cylindrical side wall  431  and two cylindrical flanges  433 ,  435  extending outwardly from the top and bottom of the side wall  431 . The side wall  431  and flanges  433 ,  435  form a cylindrical channel  437  in which a portion of the cable may be stored or held. One end of the cable is secured to the spool  419 , and the other end of the cable is secured to the first housing  403 . Rotation of the spool  419  in the second direction winds the cable around the spool  419  and rotation of the spool  419  in the first direction allows the cable to be unwound from the spool  419 . 
     A locking ring  443  is coupled to one side of the spool  419  so that the locking ring  443  rotates with the spool  419 . The locking ring  443 , like the spool  419 , is centered about the rotational axis RA. The locking ring  443  is also able to translate along the rotational axis RA toward and away from the spool  419 . Springs  445  are held in receptacles  447  formed in the central portion  449  of the spool  419 , the central portion  449  being bounded by the cylindrical side wall  431 , and the springs  445  bias the locking ring  443  in a position away from the spool  419 , with the extent of the translational movement being limited by the first housing  403 . The surface of the locking ring  443  facing away from the spool  419  includes locking teeth  451 . The surface in the first housing  403  which faces the locking teeth  451  of the locking ring  443  likewise includes complementary locking teeth  453 . In combination, the locking teeth  451  of the locking ring  443  and the locking teeth  453  of the first housing  403  form a locking mechanism for the security device  401 . When the locking ring  443  is in a position biased away from the spool  419 , the locking teeth  451  of the locking ring  443  engage the locking teeth  453  of the first housing  403 , and the respective geometries of the interlocking teeth  451 ,  453  enables the spool  419  to rotate with a ratcheting action. Engagement between the respective locking teeth  451 ,  453 , referred to herein as the locked state of the locking mechanism, prevents the spool  419  from rotating in the first direction, while still allowing the spool  419  to rotate in the second direction. When the respective locking teeth  451 ,  453  are not engaged, referred to herein as the unlocked state of the locking mechanism, the spool  419  may be freely rotated in both directions. 
     A button  461  is coupled to the first housing  403  and is movable in a direction parallel to the rotational axis RA. Movement of the button  461  in the direction toward the spool  419  causes the locking ring  443  to move toward the spool  419 , thus placing the locking mechanism in the unlocked state. Movement of the button  461  in the direction away from the spool  419  allows the locking ring  443  to move toward its biased position away from the spool  419 , thus placing the locking mechanism in the locked state. The first housing  403  includes an opening  463  in the annular rim  421  which gives a user access to the button  461 . 
     The alarm circuit includes a circuit board  471  which is mounted on the side of the spool  419  opposite the locking ring  443 , and the circuit board  471  rotates with and is in a fixed position with respect to the spool  419 . The circuit board  471  is electrically coupled to a battery  473  and to a piezo-electric device  475 , which is used by the alarm circuit to sound an audible alarm. The battery  473  is positioned within the central portion  449  of the spool  419 , and the battery  473  also rotates with the spool  419 . As indicated above, the alarm circuit includes at least two sensing circuits, the first for sensing continuity of the cable, and the second for sensing the plug  409  being moved from the inserted position to the removed position. The alarm circuit includes, as part of the second sensing circuit, a resilient contact member  481 , which extends from the circuit board  471  to a position on the opposite side of the battery  473  from the circuit board  471 . The resilient contact member  481  includes two states. In the first state, the resilient contact member  481  is not in contact with the battery  473 , thus leaving the second sensing circuit is open. In the second state, the resilient contact member  481  is in contact with the battery  473 , so that the second sensing circuit is closed. When the plug  409  is in the removed position, the resilient contact member  481  resiliently returns to its first state by extending into the space that would be otherwise occupied by the plug  409  within the first housing  403 . When the plug  409  is in the inserted position, the plug  409  engages the resilient contact member  481  to place the resilient contact member  481  into the second state. Thus, the second sensing circuit is closed by the plug  409  being in the inserted position, and open when the plug  409  is in the removed position. 
     The plug receptacle  411  is formed so that the plug  409  may be inserted into the housing and into a position between the button  461 , on the one hand, and the spool  419  and the resilient contact member  481 , on the other hand. In addition to engaging the resilient contact member  481  when in the inserted position, the plug  409  in the inserted position prevents the button  461  from being moved in the direction toward the spool  419 , so that the locking ring  443  will be in its biased position away from the spool  419 , thus placing the locking mechanism in the locked state. When the plug  409  is in the removed position, the button  461  may be used to move the locking ring  443  and place the locking mechanism in the unlocked state. 
     As indicated above, the latch  491  interacts with and engages the plug  409  when the plug  409  is inserted into the plug receptacle  411 . The first housing  403  includes a latch channel  493  in which the latch  491  and a coil spring  495  are disposed. The latch channel  493  is fully internal to the first housing  403 . Within the latch channel  493 , the latch  491  is moveable between the engaged position, in which the latch  491  extends into plug receptacle  411 , and the disengaged position, in which the latch  491  is withdrawn from the plug receptacle  411 . The coil spring  495  is positioned between the latch  491  and an end of the latch channel  493  to bias the latch  491  toward the engaged position. As the plug  409  is inserted into the plug receptacle  411 , the plug  409  engages the latch  491  to first push the latch  491  toward the disengaged position. When the plug  409  is fully inserted into the plug receptacle  411 , a catch  497  formed as part of the plug  409  aligns with the latch  491  and permits the latch  491  to return to the engaged position. Engagement of the latch  491  with the catch  497  prevents the plug  409  from being removed from the plug receptacle  411 . 
     The latch  491  may be formed as an elongated body made from a magnetic material, e.g., iron, nickel, or nickel-plated steel. Thus, the latch  491  may be moved within the latch channel  493  by placing an appropriate magnetic field near the first housing  403 . By placing such an appropriate magnetic field near the first housing  403  when the plug  409  is inserted within the plug receptacle  411  and engaged by the latch  491 , the latch  491  may be moved from the engaged position to the disengaged position, thereby allowing the plug  409  to be removed from the plug receptacle  411 . 
     While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.