Abstract:
A security tag that includes two different types of item-securing mechanisms within a single apparatus. The apparatus includes a first arm portion and a second arm portion forming a product clamping region, the product clamping region having a clamp to removably affix the tag to a product, and a third arm portion and a fourth arm portion forming a product piercing region, the product piecing region coupled to the product clamping region. The product piercing region includes a product piercing element to removably affix the tag to the product. Bringing together the arm portions of the product piercing region causes the arm portions of the clamping region to join together, thereby trapping a piece of a product therebetween. The piercing element of the product piercing region is retained by a latch which assists in keeping the arm portions of the clamping region together, thus retaining the product securely within the clamping region.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    n/a 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    n/a 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates generally to security tags for the prevention of unauthorized removal of an item from a controlled area and more specifically to a security tag that integrates both a pin-type securing feature and a pinless securing feature within the same tag. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    A typical security system such as an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) system in a retail setting may include a monitoring system and one or more security tags or labels attached to articles to be protected from unauthorized removal. The monitoring system establishes a surveillance zone (also referred to as an interrogation zone), usually at an access point for the controlled area. Tags on articles which are authorized for removal from the area can be deactivated or removed so as not be detectable by the monitoring system. If the monitored item enters the surveillance zone with an active security tag, an alarm may be triggered to indicate possible unauthorized removal of the item. 
         [0005]    As is known in the art, security tags (also referred to as labels) can be constructed in any number of configurations. The desired configuration of the tag or label is often dictated by the nature of the article to be protected. For example, pre-packaged goods which are subject to retail theft, such as CDs, DVDs, small electronic devices, etc., may contain a tag disposed within the packaging in such a way that it is hidden from the consumer at least during the pre-purchase period. 
         [0006]    A tag may be enclosed in a rigid housing which can be secured to the monitored item, such as hard tags containing EAS, e.g., acousto-magnetic, and/or radio frequency identification (“RFID”) labels which are commonly attached to clothing and other articles in retail stores. The tag typically includes a pin which is inserted through the fabric or article and secured in place to a rigid housing. The tag housing cannot be removed from the clothing without destroying tag or clothing except by using a deactivation device such as, for example, a magnetic detaching unit to remove the pin from the housing. 
         [0007]    However, some retailers may not want use pin-type tags exclusively. For example, certain high-end retailers and customers dislike having expensive merchandise, such as leather goods, potentially suffer some damage in order to prevent theft. Shoes are especially difficult to protect using a device having a pin as the material the shoe is constructed from may suffer permanent damage from the pin. For these types of items, a pinless tag may be desired. However, a store owner may find it inconvenient to stock up on two types of tags; pin-type tags and pinless tags. It would also require the retail store owner to train store staff to determine which items receive a pin-type tag and which items must receive a pin-less tag. Further, some pinless tags include clamps that require significant effort to squeeze together in order to trap an article between the clamps. 
         [0008]    Therefore, what is needed is single security device that integrates both types of tag attachments, i.e., a pin-type attachment and a pinless attachment, within a single tag housing and that includes a mechanism to allow a user to attach the tag to an article within either attachment method and without undue effort. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention advantageously provides a security system tag and method in which the tag includes both a clamping region and piercing region for affixing the tag to an item. 
         [0010]    In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides a security tag having a product clamping region and a product piercing region. The product clamping region has a clamp to removably affix the security tag to a product. The product piercing region is coupled to the product clamping region. The product piercing region has a product piercing element to removably affix the tag to the product. 
         [0011]    In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus in which a first arm portion and a second arm portion form a product clamping region. The product clamping region has a clamp to removably affix the tag to a product. A third arm portion and a fourth arm portion form a product piercing region in which the product piecing region is coupled to the product clamping region. The product piercing region has a product piercing element to removably affix the tag to the product. 
         [0012]    In accordance with still another aspect, the present invention provides a method for facilitating attachment of a security tag to a product in which the security tag has a product clamping region with a clamp to removably affix the tag to the product, and a product piercing region. The product piecing region is coupled to the product clamping region such that the product piercing region and the clamping region are movable between an unlocked and a locked position. The product piercing region has a product piercing element and a receiving latch. At least a portion of the product is positioned in the clamping region. The portion of the product is clamped within the clamping region by moving the product piercing region to a locked position. The product piercing element is inserted within the receiving latch to secure the product within the clamping region. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary security tag in an open position and constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the security tag of  FIG. 1  in a closed configuration; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the security tag of  FIG. 1  with an article secured to the clamping region; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the security tag of  FIG. 1  with an article secured to the piercing region. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of apparatus components and processing steps related to providing a security tag that integrates a pin-type clamping mechanism and a pin-less type clamping mechanism within the same housing. Accordingly, the system and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. 
         [0019]    As used herein, relational terms, such as “first” and “second,” “top” and “bottom,” and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements. 
         [0020]    One embodiment of the present invention advantageously provides a security tag for securing items such as clothing. The security tag includes a first pin-type locking mechanism having a first arm and a second arm, and a pinless locking mechanism having a third arm and a fourth arm, where the pin-type locking mechanism and the pinless locking mechanism are pivotally joined by a hinge. Bringing together the first and second arms of the pin-type locking mechanism forces the third arm and fourth arm of the pinless locking mechanism to join together, thereby trapping a piece of an item between the third and the fourth arms. Of note, although the present invention is described in places herein with respect to clothing, the invention is not limited to such. The use of clothing as the protected article is made purely to aid understanding. Articles which can be pierced with a pin or grabbed with a clamp are suitable articles for protection using the present invention. 
         [0021]    It is worthy to note that any reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
         [0022]    Numerous specific details may be set forth herein to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It will be understood by those skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments. It can be appreciated that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and do not necessarily limit the scope of the embodiments. 
         [0023]    The present disclosure will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of particular embodiments of the invention which, however, should not be taken to limit the invention to a specific embodiment but are for explanatory purposes. 
         [0024]    Referring now to the drawing figures in which like reference designators refer to like elements, there is shown in  FIG. 1  an exemplary configuration of a security tag  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Tag  10  includes a first arm  12  that includes a first upper portion  12   a  and a second lower portion  12   b.  Tag  10  also includes a second arm  22  that includes a first upper portion  22   a  and a second lower portion  22   b.  Upper portion  12   a  of first arm  12  and lower portion  22   b  of second arm  22  collectively form a piercing region  15 . Piercing region  15  includes a pin  14 . Pin  14  extends downward from upper arm  12   a  and pierces an item to be protected, such as for example, a piece of clothing. Pin  14  is received within a receptacle  16  housed within lower arm  22   b  of second arm  22 . Receptacle  16  lockingly receives the lower end of pin  14 , thus trapping an item between upper portion  12   a  and lower portion  22   b.    
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , pin  14  may include one or more circumferential grooves to facilitate the securing of pin  14  within receptacle  16 . The grooves also serve the purpose of securing pin  14  within receptacle  16  at different levels, or heights, to compensate for different thicknesses in material of the product being secured. For example, for thinner clothing, a groove toward the upper end of pin  14  is locked within receptacle  16 . For thicker material, a lower groove can be used. In this fashion, pin  14  can secure different types of articles of varying thickness. 
         [0026]    Piercing region  15  includes portions  12   a  and  22   b  and is a pin-based locking mechanism that, as discussed above, pierces the item being secured. An item to be protected is placed between upper portion  12   a  of first arm  12  and lower portion  22   b  of second arm  22 . As upper portion  12   a  is lowered, pin  14  is forced through the item, thus trapping the item between upper portion  12   a  and lower portion  22   b.  Pin  14  is secured within receptacle  16  thereby preventing the item from being removed from the tag without ripping or otherwise damaging the item. A latch  18  within receptacle  16  receives pin  14 . To deactivate tag  10 , a detaching unit can be used to release pin  14  from within latch  18 . In one embodiment, latch  18  is a magnetic latch and a magnetic detaching unit is used to release pin  14  by applying a magnetic field to latch  18 . The metallic material within latch  18  is attracted to the magnetic field thereby allowing pin  14  to be released from receptacle  16  and the item removed from within piercing region  15  without damage. The invention is not limited to a magnetic latch  18  or a magnetic detaching unit. Other pin lock and detaching arrangements, such as mechanical spring-based arrangements, may be employed. 
         [0027]    Thus, apparatus  10  includes four arm portions forming two separate regions. Upper arm portion  22   a  (first arm portion) of second arm  22  and lower arm portion  12   b  (second arm portion) of first arm  12  form clamping region  30 . Upper arm portion  12   a  (third arm portion) of first arm  12  and lower arm portion  22   b  (fourth arm portion) of second arm  22  form product piercing region  15 . Piercing region  15  of apparatus  10  utilizes pin  14  to secure an item between upper portion  12   a  of first arm  12  and lower portion  22   b  of second arm  22 . Pin  16  may include a lid  20 , which houses the upper portion of pin  16  and can be separated from upper arm  12   a  of first arm  12 . In an alternate embodiment, pin  16  is integrated within upper portion  12   a.  Hinge  24  allows upper portion  12   a  of first arm  12  and lower portion  22   b  of second arm  22 , to pivot with respect to one another, i.e., allows upper portion  12   a  and lower portion  22   b  to open and close. In other words, piercing region  15  and clamping region  30  intersect at hinge  24 . 
         [0028]    Upper portion  22   a  of upper portion  22   a  and lower portion  12   b,  forming clamping region  30 , also rotate about the axis of hinge  24  thus allowing upper portion  22   a  and lower portion  12   b  to open and close in order to secure an item or a portion of an item there between. A spring can be included within apparatus  10 , to bias first arm  12  and second arm  22  in an open position. This facilitates use of apparatus  10  since a user can trap an article between the already-opened first set of arms, and apply pressure to the already-opened second set of arms, i.e., the arm portions forming piercing region  15 , thus closing the first set of arms forming clamping region  30  and securing the article therein. 
         [0029]    Clamping region  30  does not include pin  14  as is included in piercing region  15 . Clamping region  30  is formed from portions  22   a  and  12   b,  which form a “clamp” to secure an item there between. Clamping region  30  utilizes protrusions or a pad to hold but not pierce a portion of the item to which apparatus  10  is attached. Because certain items, i.e., high priced clothing or shoes, may be damaged by the insertion of a pin, the “pinless” clamping region  30  has a pad or protrusions that can secure the item without the insertion of a pin which might cause damage to the item. For example, a first plurality of teeth  26  extend downward and outward from the end of upper portion  22   a  of second arm  22  and a second plurality of teeth  28  extend upward and outward from the end of lower portion  12   b  of first arm  12 . Teeth  26  and  28  can be separate metal or non-metallic pieces affixed to upper portion  22   a  and lower portion  12   b,  respectively, or can be fabricated as an integrated part of portions  22   a  and  12   b.  Of note, although the present invention is described with respect to teeth  26  and  28 , the invention is not limited to such. It is contemplated that other gripping and retention arrangements can be used such as ribs, ridges, spikes, pliant pads, etc. 
         [0030]    When in the open position, upper portion  22   a  and lower portion  12   b  form clamping region  30  that receives the item or a portion of an item. Advantageously, hinge  24  allows a user to apply pressure to portions  12   a  and  22   b  in order to close portions  22   a  or  12   b  in order to secure an item therein. Similarly, hinge  24  allows a user to apply pressure to portions  22   a  and/or  12   b  in order to bring portions  12   a  and  22   b  together. 
         [0031]    It is also contemplated that a benefit denial component, e.g., ink reservoir, can be included as part of apparatus  10 . In such case, tampering with apparatus  10  to release it from the protected article without using a proper detacher activates the benefit denial feature and causes the article to be destroyed. For example, an ink reservoir can be affixed to pin  14  and located within lid  20  such that attempting to open/unlock apparatus  10  without using a proper detachment device will cause the pin  14  to break open the ink reservoir and release the ink, thereby destroying the protected article. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  is a diagram of an exemplary apparatus  10  in a closed orientation. Rather than manually squeezing together portions clamping region  30  in order to trap and secure an item therein, a user can grasp apparatus  10  by upper portion  12   a  of first arm  12  and lower arm  22   b  and apply pressure to one or both portions thus squeezing together portions  12   a  and  22   b,  which in turn forces upper portion  22   a  of second arm  22  and lower portion  12   b  of first arm  12  together, trapping the item therein. Teeth  26  and  28  assist in securing the item between upper portion  22   a  and lower portion  12   b.  By utilizing hinge  24 , applying a small amount of pressure to portions  12   a  and  22   b  results in a large amount of clamping force applied to portions  22   a  and  12   b.    
         [0033]    When a user applies pressure to portions  12   a  and  22   b,  pin  14  is secured within latch  18 , as described above. As a result, portions  22   a  and  12   b  remain clamped together around the protected item without the additional application of user pressure. Thus, once a user applies pressure to portions  12   a  and  22   b,  portions  22   a  and  12   b  remain joined together once pin  14  is inserted within receptacle  16  and received by latch  18 . The user can then release portions  12   a  and  22   b,  which does not affect the closed orientation of portions  22   a  and  12   b.  As long as pin  14  remains secured within latch  18 , portions  12   a  and  22   b  remain in a closed, i.e., clamped, orientation, with a secured item there between. 
         [0034]    Apparatus  10  need not be of the linear shape depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Apparatus  10  can be of different shapes, such as, for example, an L-shaped configuration. By adjusting the location and tension of hinge  24 , the user of apparatus  10  can gain a mechanical advantage that allows him or her to apply small amounts of pressure to portions  12   a  and  22   b  resulting in the application of much larger amounts of pressure upon portions  22   a  and  12   b.  Thus, rather than the user having to grasp portions  22   a  and  12   b  and force them together manually in order to pinch or otherwise grasp an item, apparatus  10  allows the user to merely grasp portions  12   a  and  22   b  and apply a small amount of pressure which in turn brings portions  22   a  and  12   b  close together via hinge  24 , trapping an item therein. 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  is a diagram of an exemplary apparatus  10  in a closed configuration, where an item  32  such as a coat is retained between portions  22   a  and  12   b.  In this configuration, item  32  is retained within portions  22   a  and  12   b  and between teeth  26  and  28 . To obtain the configuration shown in  FIG. 3 , a user can grasp and apply pressure to one or both of portions  12   a  or  22   b  order to bring the portions together. As portions  12   a  and  22   b  are brought together, hinge  24  also brings portions  22   a  and  12   b  together, thus eliminating the need to manually press portions  22   a  and  12   b  together in order to grasp item  32 . As portions  12   a  and  22   b  are brought closer together, pin  14  is received and locked by latch  18  within receptacle  16 . The user can use lid  20  to apply added pressure upon pin  14 . Latch  18  receives and secures pin  14 , thus “clamping” together portions  12   a  and  22   b.  The mating of pin  14  within latch  18  prevents the inadvertent separation, i.e., opening, of portions  12   a  and  22   b.  The mating arrangement of pin  14  within latch  18  also serves to force portions  22   a  and  12   b  of clamping region  30  together, resulting in a secure grip upon item  32 . Similarly, if an item requires a pin-type security tag, portions  22   a  and  12   b  of clamping region  30  can be brought together in order to bring portions  12   a  and  22   b  of piercing region  15  together. This allows pin  14  to pierce an article and retain it once pin  14  is received within latch  18 . 
         [0036]    The invention described herein provides two different security tag attachment arrangements within a single apparatus  10 . In one embodiment, piercing region  15  is a pin-type engagement mechanism that pierces and traps an item between portions  12   a  and  22   b.  Pin  14  pierces a portion of the item as pin  14  extends through the item and into latch  18 . The item cannot be removed from first attachment mechanism  12  without severely damaging the item. Clamping region  30  is a pinless-type securing engagement mechanism, which traps item  32  between portions  22   a  and  12   b  but without piercing the item  32 . Closing together portions  12   a  and  22   b  of piercing region  15  will also bring portions  22   a  and  12   b  toward each other. Similarly, bringing together portions  22   a  and  12   b  will bring together portions  12   a  and  22   b.  Thus one of regions  15  and  30  can be used as a lever to facilitate the closing of the other region. 
         [0037]    Apparatus  10  can include a product identification element  31  such as a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) device and/or an electronic article surveillance (“EAS”) device (referred to collectively as  31 ). By affixing an EAS tag to apparatus  10 , removal of item  32  to which apparatus  10  is attached without deactivation of apparatus  10  will sound an alarm. Further, inclusion of an RFID sensor within apparatus  10  can provide information to a store owner about the identity of item  32  attached to apparatus  10 . The element  31  can be detected when apparatus  10  is brought within an interrogation zone or can transmit signals to a corresponding reader. Other alarming devices can be included within apparatus  10  including a sensor that will activate if item  32  is removed from apparatus  10 . Element  31  can be located anywhere on or in apparatus  10  include upper portion  12   a  or lower portion  22   b  of piercing region  15  as well as upper portion  22   a  or lower portion  12   b  of clamping region  30 . 
         [0038]    A user can use apparatus  10  in multiple and different scenarios. For example, one apparatus  10  can be used to secure items via either piercing region  15  or pin-less clamping region  30 . This eliminates the need to stock separate pin-type tags as well as pinless tags. By stocking their store inventory with apparatus  10 , store owners need only determine which items  32  will be protected using the piercing region  15  and which items  32  will be protected using the pin-less, clamping region  30 . Further, apparatus  10  delivers a mechanical advantage to the user by facilitating the capture of items  32 . By squeezing together portions  12   a  and  22   b  of piercing region  15 , the portions  22   a  and  12   b  of clamping region  30  are also brought together to secure item  32 . Thus, the need to manually force portions  22   a  and  12   b  together is eliminated. To further secure item  32  within clamping region  30  and to prevent portions  22   a  and  12   b  from separating, pin  14  is “locked” within clamp  18  when portion  12   a  and portion  22   b  are closed together. Similarly, pressing together portions  22   a  and  12   b  of clamping region  30  brings portions  12   a  and  22   b  of piercing region together. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , article  32  is clamped between portions  12   a  and  22   b  of piercing region  15 . Pin  14  pierces article  32  and is received by latch  18  in receptacle  16 . Because portions  22   a  and  12   b  are closed, portions  12   a  and  22   b  are also closed. Advantageously, apparatus  10  can secure an article  32  within either piercing region  15  or clamping region  30 , by actuating the other side. Thus, in the embodiment in  FIG. 4 , actuation of clamping region  30 , i.e., bringing portions  22   a  and  12   b  toward each other, in turn actuates piercing region  15 , i.e., brings portions  12   a  and  22   b  toward each other. This forces pin  14  through article  32 , piercing the article  32 . Pin  14  can be inserted within latch  18  of receptacle  16  thus preventing the removal of article  32 . 
         [0040]    While certain features of the embodiments have been illustrated as described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the embodiments. 
         [0041]    It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is limited only by the following claims.