Anti-theft device, system and method for valuables

An anti-theft system that is capable of being tracked by and automatically notifies the appropriate authorities when leaving a designated geo-fence area. The anti-theft system includes a storage device having two opaque housing portions that can be secured together along their respective peripheries, providing a cavity. The housing portions are opaque except for a cutout in one of the housing portions. The cavity provides a GPS and a mounting display, wherein the mounting display secure a valuable so that it is partially visible through the cutout, while the GPS is not so visible. The GPS tracks and notifies according to predetermined criteria.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to anti-theft devices and, more particularly, to an anti-theft system that embodies a storage device that is capable of being tracked by and automatically notifies the appropriate authorities when removed from a designated geo-fence area, wherein the storage device enables continuous visual identification of the valuables it secures.

Current anti-theft tracking devices for valuables require the tracking device be attached to or even embedding in the valuable to be protected. Unfortunately, there are many valuables that such attachment means would either be unrealistic, like valuable coins, and/or would permanently damage or undermine its financial value and/or aesthetic value. Moreover, current anti-theft devices may completely shroud the valuable they aim to prevent theft of, and so also diminish the valuables' financial and/or aesthetic value.

As can be seen, there is a need for an anti-theft system that embodies a storage device that is capable of being tracked by and automatically notifies the appropriate authorities when removed from a designated geo-fence area, wherein the storage device enables continuous visual identification of the valuables it secures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an anti-theft storage device includes a first housing having a first flat base and a plurality of first peripheral sidewalls; a cutout provided by the first flat base; a second housing having a second flat base and a plurality of second peripheral sidewalls, wherein the plurality of first and second peripheral sidewalls are dimensioned to engage each other in a closed configuration, defining a cavity; a GPS provided within the cavity; and a mounting display disposed within the cavity so as to be partially visible through the cutout.

In another aspect of the present invention, the anti-theft storage device further includes a first and second flange provided by each of the plurality of first and second peripheral sidewalls, respectively, so that in the closed configuration the first and second flanges are nested, wherein each flat base provides corner fastener connectors for securing the first and second housings in the closed configuration, further including a transparent window in the cutout, wherein the GPS is not visible through the cutout, wherein the GPS is configured to send a notification signal under predetermined criteria, wherein the predetermined criteria is associated with a predetermined area, and wherein the mounting display is adapted to secure a valuable, and further including at least one valuable secured within the mounting display so that a portion of the at least one valuable is visible through the cutout.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, the anti-theft storage device includes a first housing having a first flat base and a plurality of first peripheral sidewalls, each first peripheral sidewall extending to a first flange; a transparent window provided by the first flat base; a second housing having a second flat base and a plurality of second peripheral sidewalls, each second peripheral sidewall extends to a second flange, wherein the plurality of first and second peripheral sidewalls are dimensioned so that the first and second flanges nest in a closed configuration, defining a cavity; a plurality of fastener connectors provided along the first and second flat bases so that they align in the closed configuration; a mounting display disposed within the cavity so as to be partially visible through the cutout; and a GPS provided within the cavity wherein the GPS is not visible through the cutout, and wherein the GPS is configured to send a notification signal under predetermined criteria.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an anti-theft system that is capable of being tracked by and automatically notifies the appropriate authorities when leaving a designated geo-fence area. The anti-theft system includes a storage device having two opaque housing portions that can be secured together along their respective peripheries, providing a cavity. The housing portions are opaque except for a cutout in one of the housing portions. The cavity provides a GPS and a mounting display, wherein the mounting display secure a valuable so that it is partially visible through the cutout, while the GPS is not so visible. The GPS tracks and notifies according to predetermined criteria.

Referring toFIGS. 1 through 3, the present invention may include a storage device10. The storage device10may include includes a first housing12and a second housing14, each housing having a flat base30and peripheral sidewalls32. The peripheral sidewalls32may have straight sides with radiused corners, as well as circular, oblong, or other curvilinear geometries. The first and second housings12,14are made of materials that may be shatter-proof and/or sufficiently resistant to puncture and rending, such as various plasticized materials, acrylic-based materials, or the like.

Sidewalls32may extend to a flange34. The sidewalls32of the first and second housing12,14may be adapted and dimensioned so that when operatively engaged in a closed configuration, their respective flanges32nest, providing a tight seal along the engaged sidewalls32, whereby the bases30and sidewalls32define a cavity36. Thereafter, the first and second housing12,14may be secured together by engaging fasteners16and aligned fastener connectors17, as illustrated inFIG. 2. Subsequently, the first and second housing12,14may be unsecured (by removing the fasteners16from the aligned fastener connectors17) and moved to an open configuration for accessing the cavity36. In certain embodiments, in place of engaging fasteners16and aligned fastener connectors17, the first and second housings12,14may be secured in the closed configuration by adhesive, glue or the like.

The first housing12base30may define a cutout38so that a portion of the cavity36is visible through the first housing12. The cutout38may provide a transparent window20. The second housing14base30may provide a display mount22for securing a predetermined valuable22within the cavity36so that a portion of the valuable22is visible through the cutout38. The predetermined valuable22may be anything a user deems valuable, including but not limited to a lucky coin, a gold bullion, a medal, an ornament, jewelry, and the like.

A global positioning system (GPS)26is provided within the cavity36. The GPS26is adapted to provide location and time information to a receiver. In certain embodiments, the GPS26may be a logger. In some embodiments, the GPS26may be a device with a “breadcrumb” functionality adapted to disclose the path of travel. In alternative embodiments, the GPS26may have optional video/audio enhancement to provide location and time information to the receiver. The GPS26may provide cordless charging. The GPS26may be disposed in the cavity36along a portion that is not visible when the storage device10is in the closed configuration, being that the first and second housing12,14are opaque other than the cutout38. In certain embodiment, the GPS26may be electronically connected to a microprocessor and a form of memory. The microprocessor/GPS26may be adapted to transmit a notification signal accordingly to set criteria. The microprocessor/GPS26may be adapted to assume a sleep mode that is awakened by movement or by vibration.

The thickness of the first and second housings12,14may be dependent on the thickness of the GPS26unit. In certain embodiments, the storage device10may provide a QR code18along an outer portion.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. The storage device10disclosed above may be provided. In the open configuration, the user may secure the predetermined valuable22in the display mount24, as illustrated inFIG. 2. Then moving the first and second housing12,14to the closed configuration and engaging the fasteners16in the aligned fastener connectors17, thereby securing the valuable22in the cavity36. As a result, the valuable22is visible through the cutout38so that viewers, buyers and the like can identify the secured valuable22. Moreover, the GPS26globally tracks the position of the secured valuable22.

Furthermore, the user may establish a geo fence (not shown) defining a geo area, so that when the GPS26leaves the geo area, the notification signal is transmitted to a designated authority, like the owner of the valuable, governmental authorities, insurance providers, and the like.