Tether lock

A retractor for an anti-theft display includes a rotatable locking member that may hold the retractor's spool in fixed position against further rotation. The retractor's spool carries an anti-theft tether that normally extends or retracts as a tethered product is lifted to and from a retail display. The locking member holds the tether in fixed position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to retail security or anti-theft devices for marketing consumer products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is common to display consumer electronics (cell phones, tablet devices, etc.) in retail stores by mounting them to posts or similar structures on display countertops. The hand-held is typically tethered to the display. One common form of tethering involves cable reels or “retractors.”

The present disclosure relates to a means for locking a retractor in place, from free rotation, while the retractor's cable or tether is retracted. Retractors in the anti-theft industry are often spring-loaded so that they naturally or automatically pull the cable back into the retractor's housing, after a consumer lifts and returns a tethered hand-held to and from the display. Sometimes, however, the retailer wants the tether “locked down” from extension from the retractor. Because the tether may be the only physical attachment between the product and a display base, an extended tether offers something that is easy to cut by a thief in the store. Locking the tether in retracted mode keeps the product close to the base, but with the tether shielded or in a wound condition such that it is not easy to access for cutting.

As described below, the present disclosure provides a lock-down mechanism that accomplishes the above function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure involves a retractor for an anti-theft display that can be locked into a fixed position that prevents rotation of the retractor. The retractor can be locked at any point of extension or retraction (i.e., extension or retraction of the anti-theft tether that is part of the retractor).

The retractor comprises a spool apparatus that carries the anti-theft tether. The spool apparatus normally has an internal tether spool that rotates freely in either clockwise or counter-clockwise directions. The spool apparatus includes a portion with a circular periphery that rotates in response to winding or unwinding movement of the tether.

The retractor further includes a rotatable lock member that is carried by the spool apparatus. The lock member may rotate between “lock” or “unlock” positions. The lock member carries a projecting portion that is shaped and positioned relative to the circular periphery of the spool apparatus, in a manner so that the projecting portion mechanically engages with the circular periphery, when the lock member is rotated into the “lock” position.

In one form, the circular periphery consists of a uniform distribution of teeth. The projecting portion described above has a point that engages with the teeth, when the lock member is in “lock.”

Mechanical engagement of the lock member with the circular periphery prevents winding or unwinding of the tether. Further details of the foregoing summary are described below, which should be taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

Referring briefly to the drawings, arrow10generally refers to a retractor that is used in connection with a retail anti-theft display. In this case, the retractor10has a spool12for winding or unwinding the retractor's tether cable22(for tether retraction or extension). The spool12has teeth around its outer periphery (best seen at14inFIGS. 6 and 7).

A lever or lock arm16is mounted for rotation about a pin18(described later). While the lock arm16may take many forms, it has a projecting portion20that is sized to engage a lock-down mechanism (described later) with the teeth14on the spool12, when the lock arm16is “flipped down.”

Referring now toFIGS. 4-7, the lock arm16may be flipped back and forth between the position shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, respectively, depending on whether it is desired to lock or unlock the spool12and cable22. In essence, the lock arm16is designed to have a type of camming/locking action, further described below. When in the position shown inFIGS. 4 and 6, for example, the lock arm16is flipped “down” so that the teeth14on spool12are engaged. This, in turn, locks the spool against rotation and holds the retractor cable22in place, locking it from further extension or retraction.

As mentioned above, it is likely the lock arm16will be used when the cable22is fully retracted, to hold the product (not shown) against a mounting shelf (item24inFIG. 8) or a product-mounting base (not shown) that is on the upper surface26of the shelf24. Flipping the lock arm16the other way is shown inFIGS. 5 and 7, for unlocking the spool12and allowing the cable22to extend and retract normally.

Directing attention back toFIG. 1, the specific structural features of the lock-down mechanism will be further described. First, the retractor10is modified to include an outer housing28that contains the parts for enabling the lock arm16to lock or unlock the retractor10. Specifically, a rod30extends through housing28. A first part32is on one end of the rod30. Another part38is on the other end of the rod30. Springs34,36surround the rod30. The second part38can slide back and forth on the region indicated by arrow39inFIG. 1. It has a flat surface40, and a second surface portion. The latter carries an array of teeth44(see,FIG. 6). The lock arm16is connected to the end of rod30by pin18(via bore41in the rod).

During the locking action, as the lock arm16is pivoted into the position shown inFIG. 6, the projecting portion20of the lock arm16pushes directly against surface40, pushing and sliding it inward on rod30, against the bias of one of the springs34,36. This, in turn, moves and engages the teeth44on the second part38with the teeth14on the spool12(as shown inFIG. 6). At the same time, the lock arm16is pulling the end of the rod30through an opening in part38. This also pulls the other part32inward (on the other end of rod30), also against the bias of one of the springs34,36. Like part38, the other part32has an array of teeth46that engage with the spool teeth14, but on the other side of the spool12. As a consequence, the spool12is caught within a clamping jaw, created by natural inward movement of parts38and32, caused by the camming action of lock arm16.

When the lock arm16is flipped back or open (the position shown inFIGS. 5 and 7), the projecting portion20on the lock arm16rotates away from the flat surface40, on the second part38. This, in turn, allows the compressive forces in springs34,36to push parts38and32, and their respective teethed portions44,46outwardly and away from wheel14, thus disengaging with the teeth14on the wheel, and allowing the spool12to rotate normally for cable extension and retraction.

The foregoing is not intended to limit the scope of patent coverage. Patent coverage is to be limited only by the following patent claim or claims, the interpretation of which to be made by the established doctrines of claim interpretation.