Abstract:
A device to protect an article from theft is disclosed. The device includes a pointed pin member to enable attachment of the device to the article to be protected from theft. A housing disposed within the device includes a floor and a wall tapering towards a confining end. The housing includes coaxial openings for insertably receiving the pin member. A ball clutch mechanism is located within the housing and includes a plurality of balls. As the balls are urged towards the confining end of the housing, they wedge between the tapering wall and the pin member to apply increasing radial pressure against the pin member to prevent it from being withdrawn from the device. The floor includes a member which deflects downwardly upon insertion of the pin member into the housing to apply a radial force against the pin member to frictionally engage it within the device.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/086,952 filed on Aug. 7, 2008. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The current invention relates to an improvement in theft-deterrent devices of the type that includes a pin-clutch mechanism. The current invention is further directed to an improvement in a pin-clutch mechanism of the type in which the pin is released from the clutch mechanism in response to application of a magnetic field. 
         [0004]    Theft-deterrent devices are attached to articles, such as merchandise, for deterring the theft of such articles. Theft-deterrent devices of the type that function electronically to produce an alarm if an article to which the device is attached is removed from monitored premises without the device first being removed from the article are known. Typically, the theft-deterrent device includes means for attaching the device to the article with the attaching means being embodied in two components that are adapted to be locked together on opposite sides of a portion of the article to prevent unauthorized removal of the device from the article. A typical attaching means includes a pin and means embodied in the other component for receiving and clutching the pin. The device is attached to the protected article by passing the pin through a portion of the article and into the clutch of the other component. 
         [0005]    A disadvantage of such typical theft-deterrent devices is that they often utilize a large and heavy spring within the component for clutching the pin. Use of such a large and heavy spring requires the pin-clutching component of the theft-deterrent device to be unduly large and often bulky which can interfere with a customer&#39;s ability to properly examine merchandise for purchase. Also, due to the weight and size of such theft-deterrent devices, use of such devices on finer fabrics or relatively light-weight fabrics is often impractical. A theft-deterrent device which eliminates the use of such a large and heavy spring would eliminate these disadvantages. Another disadvantage of such typical theft-deterrent devices is that they are not intended for one-time use. A one-time use theft-deterrent device may be preferred to more effectively control inventory of such a device prior to and after it is applied to merchandise. Such a one-time use device enables a user to more effectively determine the location, e.g., store location, where the device is applied to merchandise; the time at which the device is applied; and the disposition of the device after it has been removed from the merchandise. A theft-deterrent device that is truly intended for such one-time use such as that described herein, i.e., a device that is rendered inoperable once removed from the merchandise, provides these advantages. The theft-deterrent device of the present invention includes embodiments which overcome the disadvantages set forth above. 
         [0006]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0007]    All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A device to protect an article from theft is disclosed. The device includes a pointed pin member to enable attachment of the device to the article to be protected from theft. A housing disposed within the device includes a floor and a wall tapering towards a confining end. The housing includes coaxial openings for insertably receiving the pin member. A ball clutch mechanism is located within the housing and includes a plurality of balls. As the balls are urged towards the confining end of the housing, they wedge between the tapering wall and the pin member to apply increasing radial pressure against the pin member to prevent it from being withdrawn from the device. The floor includes a member which deflects downwardly upon insertion of the pin member into the housing to apply a radial force against the pin member to frictionally engage it within the device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The invention will be described in conjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numerals designate like elements and wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is an elevational view of a first embodiment of the theft deterrent device of the present invention shown partially in section and shown attached to an article of merchandise; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an elevational view of the first embodiment of the theft deterrent device of the present invention showing a pin inserted within the housing of the theft deterrent device and a magnetic unlocking device applied to the theft deterrent device; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an elevational view of the first embodiment of the theft deterrent device of the present invention showing the pin removed from the housing of the theft deterrent device and the magnetic unlocking device applied to the theft deterrent device; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an elevational view of the first embodiment of the theft deterrent device of the present invention shown partially in section before insertion of the pin; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a washer component of the first embodiment of the theft deterrent device of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is an elevational view of a second embodiment of the theft deterrent device of the present invention shown partially in section and shown attached to an article of merchandise; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is an elevational view of the second embodiment of the theft deterrent device of the present invention showing a pin inserted within the housing of the theft deterrent device and a magnetic unlocking device applied to the theft deterrent device; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is an elevational view of the third embodiment of the theft deterrent device of the present invention showing the pin removed from the housing of the theft deterrent device and the magnetic unlocking device applied to the theft deterrent device; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is an elevational view of the second embodiment of the theft deterrent device of the present invention before insertion of the pin or after removal of the pin; and, 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a washer component of the second embodiment of the theft deterrent device of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    Referring now to the drawings, a first embodiment of the theft prevention device of the present invention is shown generally at  10  in  FIGS. 1 through 6 . As will be demonstrated below, this first embodiment is non-reusable. Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the theft prevention device  10  is basically two components including a pin  14  and a housing  17 . The pin  14  includes a shank portion  16 . The housing  17 , which can be made of any suitable material, e.g., plastic, includes a ball chamber  31 . The ball chamber  31  is defined by a wall  33  which is radially symmetric and tapers toward a confining end  34 , and a spring washer  22 , which opposes the confining end  34 . An internal cavity  18  is located within the ball chamber  31 . A set of four balls  26  are situated within the cavity  18 , and a hopper  30  is located beneath the spring washer  22 . It should be understood that fewer or more balls  26  may be employed without departing from the scope of this invention. The balls  26  may be formed of any suitable material and preferably a magnetic material, e.g., steel. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the pin  14  and housing  17  of the device  10  are adapted to be locked together on opposite sides of a portion of merchandise  24  to prevent unauthorized removal of the device  10  from the merchandise  24 . 
         [0022]    The device  10  is attached to the protected merchandise  24  by passing the pin  14  through a portion of the merchandise  24  and through the internal cavity  18 . All of the balls  26  are uniformly dimensioned. Together, the wall  33  and the confining end  34  resemble an inverted cup which may be made of any suitable material, e.g., stainless steel. As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the confining end  34  of the chamber includes a small axial bore  38  for admitting the pin  14  therethrough. The spring washer  22  acts as the floor of the cavity  18 . Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the spring washer  22  includes a centrally located opening  46  which is axially aligned with the bore  38  and includes a plurality of tabs  40  that extend inwardly from its circumference  47  towards the opening  46 . As best shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , the tabs  40  may extend slightly beyond the centerline of the balls  26 . 
         [0023]    As best shown in  FIG. 4 , prior to insertion of the pin  14  into the cavity  18 , the tabs  40  are in an unbended state and urge the balls  26  toward the confining end  34  of the cavity  18 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , prior to insertion of the pin  14 , the balls touch the confining end  34 . Alternatively, the balls  26  may come in proximity with the confining end  34  prior to insertion of the pin  14 . Referring now to  FIG. 1 , upon insertion of the pin  14  into the cavity  18 , the pin  14  extends through the bore  38  and forces the balls  26  along the tapered wall  33  away from the confining end  34  providing clearance between the confining end  34  and the balls  26 . As the balls  26  move away from the confining end  34 , they exert pressure against the tabs  40  which deflect downwardly and exert an opposite upward pressure forcing the balls  26  toward the confining end  34 . In turn, the balls  26  apply radial pressure against the pin  14  to firmly clutch the pin  14  and thereby restrain the pin  14  from removal from the housing  17 . The spring washer  22 , including the tabs  40 , is formed of any suitable magnetic or non-magnetic material so the tabs  40  can be drawn away from the confining end  34 . 
         [0024]    As best shown in  FIG. 6 , a deflectable member  42  extends into the central opening  46  of the spring washer  22 . In response to insertion of the pin  14  through the opening  46  of the spring washer  22 , the deflectable member  42  deflects downwardly and engages the shank portion  16  of the pin  14  to exert a lateral force upon the pin  14  to keep the pin  14  engaged within the housing  17  and to prevent the pin  14  from becoming dislodged from the housing  17  as the result of the device  10  being exposed to a sudden dynamic or impact load, e.g., being dropped on the floor. The deflectable member  42  is formed of any suitable magnetic material which can be attracted by an electromagnet or a permanent magnet so as to draw the deflectable member  42  away from engagement with the pin  14 . 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , to remove the pin  14  from the cavity  18 , magnetic flux in the form of a permanent magnet, electromagnet, or other magnet  50  is applied. Upon application of a magnetic field axially in relation to the pin  14 , the tabs  40  are drawn towards the magnet  50  to enable the balls  26  to move within the cavity  18  away from the confining end  34  to relieve radial pressure applied against the pin  14  to enable removal of the pin  14  from the housing  17 . Either the balls  26  or the spring washer  22  may be formed of a magnetic material, e.g., steel. Alternatively, both the balls  26  and the spring washer  22  may be formed of a magnetic material, e.g., steel. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , upon removal of the pin  14 , the balls  26  drop from the cavity  18  and into the hopper  30 , thus enabling removal of the pin  14  and preventing reuse of this embodiment  10  of the device. Likewise, the deflectable member  42  bends towards the magnet and disengages from the shank  16  of the pin  14  and further enables the balls  26  to drop into the hopper  30  to enable removal of the pin  14  from the housing  17 . Upon removal of the magnet  50  from the device  10 , the deflectable member  42  is arranged to remain extending into the hopper  30  and does not elastically return to its original position. The tabs  40  return to the positions they were in prior to insertion of the pin  14  as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7 through 11 , there is shown a second embodiment  100  of the present invention which is multi-use, as opposed to the single use embodiment set forth in  FIGS. 1 through 6 . As with the first embodiment  10 , the second embodiment is basically two components, a pin  114 , and a housing  117 . The pin  114  includes a shank portion  116 , and the housing  117 , which can be made of any suitable material, e.g., plastic, includes a ball chamber  131 . The ball chamber  131  is defined by a wall  133  which is radially symmetric and tapers toward a confining end  134 , and a spring washer  122 , which opposes the confining end  134 . An internal cavity  118  is located within the ball chamber  131 . A set of balls  126  of any suitable number, e.g., four balls, are situated within the cavity  118 , and a hopper  130  is located beneath the spring washer  122 . As in the first embodiment  10 , the balls  126  may be formed of any suitable material and preferably a magnetic material, e.g., steel. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the pin  114  and housing  117  of the device  100  are adapted to be locked together on opposite sides of a portion of merchandise  124  to prevent unauthorized removal of the device  100  from the merchandise  124 . 
         [0028]    The device  100  is attached to the protected merchandise  124  by passing the pin  114  through a portion of the merchandise  124  and through the internal cavity  118 . All of the balls  126  are uniformly dimensioned. The internal cavity  118  includes a wall  133  which tapers toward a confining end  134  and is radially symmetrical. Together, the wall  133  and the confining end  134  resemble an inverted cup which may be made of any suitable material, e.g., stainless steel. As best shown in  FIG. 9 , the confining end  134  of the chamber includes a small axial bore  138  for admitting the pin  114  therethrough. The spring washer  122  acts as the floor of the internal cavity  118 . Referring now to  FIG. 11 , the spring washer  122  includes a centrally located opening  146  which is axially aligned with the bore  138  and includes a plurality of tabs  139  that extend inwardly from its circumference towards the opening  146 . The opening  146  of the spring washer  122  of the present embodiment  100  is smaller than the opening  46  of the embodiment  10 , but larger than the diameter of the pin shank portion  116 . 
         [0029]    Optionally, one of the plurality of tabs  139  may include a deflectable member (not shown) which extends into the central opening  146  of the spring washer  122  in a manner similar to that described in first embodiment non-reusable device  10  of  FIGS. 1-6 . The deflectable member (not shown) deflects downwardly upon insertion of the pin  114  through the opening  146  for engaging the shank portion  116  of the pin  114  to exert a lateral force upon the pin  114  to keep the pin  114  engaged with the housing  117  and to prevent the pin  114  from becoming dislodged from the housing  117  as the result of the device  100  being exposed to a sudden dynamic or impact load, e.g., being dropped on the floor. 
         [0030]    As best shown in  FIG. 10 , when the pin  114  is not inserted within the housing  118 , the tabs  139  are positioned for urging the balls  126  toward the confining end  134  of the internal cavity  118 . Referring now to  FIG. 7 , upon insertion of the pin  114  into the internal cavity  118 , the pin  114  extends through the bore  138  forcing the balls  126  along the tapered wall  133  away from the confining end  134 . In response, the tabs  139  (and optionally the deflectable member, not shown) deflect downwardly and exert an opposite upward pressure forcing the balls  126  toward the confining end  134 . In turn, the balls  126  apply radial pressure against the pin  114  to firmly clutch the pin  114  and thereby restrain the pin  114  from removal from the housing  117 . The tabs  139  are formed of any suitable magnetic material so they can be drawn away from the confining end  134 . 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , in order to remove the pin  114  from the internal cavity  118 , magnetic flux in the form of a permanent magnet or electromagnet  150  is applied. Upon application of a magnetic field axially in relation to the pin  114 , the tabs  139  (and optionally, the deflectable member, not shown) are drawn towards the magnet  150  to enable the balls  126  to move within the internal cavity  118  away from the confining end  134  to relieve radial pressure applied against the pin  114  by the balls  126  to enable removal of the pin  114  from the housing  117 . The tabs  139  of this embodiment  100  are slightly longer than the tabs  40  of the embodiment  10 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , upon removal of the pin  114 , the balls  126  remain within the internal cavity  118  and do not fall into the hopper  130 , as a result of the smaller size of the opening  146  of the spring washer  122  of this embodiment  100 , thus enabling reuse of this embodiment of the device  100 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , after the magnet  150  has been removed, the tabs  139  return to the position they were in prior to insertion of the pin  114 .