Abstract:
A theft deterrent device includes a carrier having a pivotally mounted pin and an alarm tag for receiving the pin to secure the carrier and alarm tag together when secured on an item of merchandise by an adhesive pad on the carrier. Spaced electrical contacts within the alarm tag receive the pin therebetween to provide an electrical path between the contacts to close a first electrical circuit which turns the device on. A flexibly mounted projection on the carrier depresses a plunger switch to arm the device. The security device is configured to sound an onboard alarm in response to prying of the carrier from the alarm tag or cutting of the pin of the carrier, or if an EAS tag receives a wireless signal from a security gate. The carrier can remain on the purchased merchandise for subsequent disposal.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/963,225 filed Aug. 3, 2007; the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The invention relates to theft deterrent devices, and particularly to a device with an onboard alarm. More particularly, the invention relates to a simple device which is attached to an object, which if removed or tampered with in an unauthorized manner or passes through a security gate sounds an alarm which remains activated for a predetermined period of time. 
     2. Background Information 
     Various retail establishments use numerous types of theft deterrent devices and systems to discourage shoplifting. One common theft deterrent system uses electronic article surveillance tags (EAS) attached to the items of merchandise. These EAS tags are configured to activate an alarm at a security gate that is positioned usually at the exit of the establishment, if the merchandise containing the EAS tag passes through the secured gate before being removed or inactivated at a checkout station. Other security devices contain an internal alarm which activates an audible alarm within the device if an item of merchandise containing an EAS tag is attempted to be removed from the device illegally. Although these various security devices perform satisfactory for their intended purpose, they will only sound their self-contained alarm if tampered with in an unauthorized manner, but will not sound if the merchandise containing the security device is removed from a display until the merchandise and attached security device passes in an unauthorized manner through a security gate. This action then will actuate the security gate alarm but not the self-contained alarm of the security device attached to the merchandise. Thus, a thief can remove merchandise containing the secured EAS tag and remain undetected until passing through a store&#39;s security gate at which time an alarm will sound within the store. The thief after running through the security gate can easily disappear in a crowded parking lot or outside environment and escape with the stolen merchandise with the establishment only knowing that an article of merchandise has been removed unlawfully from the premises. These security gate alarm systems also have sensitivity problems due to the great number of EAS tags on all the different types of merchandise. This requires the security gate alarm to be activated at a particular sensitivity level and an unlawful EAS tag may not be sensed at all times. 
     It is also desirable to provide a security device with a configuration that is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, especially where part of all of the device is intended to be left with the merchandise when removed lawfully from the store by a customer. 
     It is also desirable to have a device which can be attached to an article of merchandise without puncturing the merchandise and without expensive attachment means, and in particular which can be attached by a pressure sensitive adhesive, which is relatively inexpensive and which secures the device rigidly to an object being protected thereby. 
     It is also desirable that the expensive component of such an alarm device, namely, the electronics, switches etc. be reusable in and adapted for use with various configured objects to be protected thereby. 
     Thus, the need exists for an improved security device which will provide multiple alarms to assist in deterring the theft of articles of merchandise by sounding an alarm contained in the security device if the security device is removed from the article of merchandise, which will sound the self-contained alarm if the secured merchandise approaches a security gate without having been removed from the article of merchandise, and which will work in combination with a security gate of a protected establishment to sound the security gate alarm remote from the security device on the merchandise, if the protected merchandise passes through the gate in an unauthorized manner. 
     Furthermore, the need exists for a relatively simple and inexpensive device which provides all of the alarm features discussed above and which the more expensive components of the security device can be removed easily from the protected article at a checkout station for reuse on various types and sizes of articles. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One aspect of the present invention is providing an electronic security device which is easily attached in a secured condition to various articles of merchandise by various types of attachment, and in particular by a pressure sensitive adhesive. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide such a security device which will sense if the integrity of one or more sense loops is compromised, which will indicate tampering or removal of the security device from the article of merchandise by sounding an alarm contained within the security device. 
     A further feature of the invention is to provide such a security device having a self-contained audible alarm which is actuated when the device is in proximity to a security gate or other type of detection station even when the device has not been tampered with and which remains on the article of merchandise, and which will continue to sound the alarm even upon removal of the stolen merchandise from the protected establishment. 
     A still further feature of the invention is to provide the security device with an EAS tag which will activate a security gate alarm system either through RF or magnetic interaction therewith, independently of the self-contained alarm in the security device. 
     A further aspect of the invention is to provide such a security device which has a blinking LED to provide a theft deterrent by indicating to a potential shoplifter that a security device is on the article of merchandise and is armed. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide the security device with its own self-contained power source such as a inexpensive battery, which provides a relatively long life to the device and which is protected within the device from unlawful damage or inactivation. 
     Still another feature of the invention is to provide a secure manner of disarming and safely removing the more expensive component of the security device from the protected merchandise, without damaging the merchandise or falsely triggering the various audible alarms for subsequent reuse. 
     A further aspect of the present invention provides such a device which includes an alarm tag which contains the alarm and control circuit and associated switches, which alarm tag is removable mounted on an inexpensive carrier which is adapted to be secured to an article of merchandise and can remain with the article of merchandise when removed by a customer with only the more expensive alarm tag being removed by the clerk for subsequent reuse. 
     Another feature of the invention is to provide such a security device that activates the alarm system only when attached to an article or object being protected thereby, thereby reducing power drain on the internal battery. 
     A further aspect is to form the security device of two main components, an inexpensive carrier which can be mass produced inexpensively and used as a disposable item, wherein the more expensive alarm component is removably mounted on the carrier, but in a secure state when utilized in protecting an item, but once removed at a checkout station is easily reused with another carrier thereby providing the electronic alarm features with the more expensive reusable component. 
     These features are obtained by the theft device of the present invention, the general nature of which may be stated of as comprising a carrier adapted to be secured to an object, the carrier having a contact member and a moveable member; an alarm tag securable to the carrier having an alarm system, a battery supplying power to the alarm system and a switch for arming the alarm system, wherein the contact member activates the alarm system when the carrier is secured to the alarm tag, and the moveable member activates an alarm switch upon securing the carrier to the object for arming the alarm system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated of the best mode in which Applicant contemplates applying the principles, is set forth in the following description and is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the theft deterrent device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom plan view of the carrier component of the theft deterrent device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the alarm tag component of the theft deterrent device as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the alarm tag component of  FIG. 3  with the base removed. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuitry of the theft deterrent device. 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart showing the arming and disarming sequence of the theft deterrent device. 
         FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the theft deterrent device shown attached to an object. 
         FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the carrier component of the theft deterrent device. 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the pivotal mounting of the contact pin. 
         FIG. 10  is a fragmentary sectional view showing the electrical contacts and spring biased ball detent locking mechanism of the alarm tag prior to the insertion of the carrier pin therein. 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the carrier pin and alarm tag in assembled position prior to being attached to an object. 
         FIG. 12  is a fragmentary sectional view similar to  FIG. 11  showing the theft deterrent device attached to the object. 
         FIG. 13  is a fragmentary sectional view similar to  FIG. 12  showing the theft deterrent device attached to an object. 
         FIG. 14  is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the attachment of the alarm tag and the carrier. 
         FIG. 15  is a fragmentary sectional view similar to  FIG. 13  showing a magnetic key moving the locking mechanism to the unlocked position. 
     
    
    
     Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the theft deterrent device of the present invention which is indicated generally at  1 . Device  1  includes two main components, an alarm tag and a carrier indicated generally at  3  and  5  respectively. Carrier  5  has a generally oval configuration with a bottom wall  7  surrounded by an upstanding side wall  9 . A plurality of reinforcing ribs  11  may be formed in and extend along the top surface of bottom wall  7 . One end of side wall  9  preferably is raised higher than the opposite portion of the side wall and is formed with an inwardly extending protrusion  13 , the function of which is discussed further below. A cradle  15  is mounted on the inside surface of bottom wall  7  for pivotally mounting a pin  17  therein by a cylindrical pivot  20 . Pin  17  is moveable between a raised position as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 9  and a retracted position as shown in dot dashed lines in  FIG. 9 . In the preferred embodiment, pin  17  is formed of an electrically conductive material, preferably metal. 
     A relatively narrow flexible strip  19  is formed in bottom wall  7  preferably of the same material by forming two slots  21  on the sides of strip  19 , with strip  19  being pivotally connected to bottom wall  7  by a remaining strip of material  23 . At the free end of strip  19 , a projection  25  is formed which extends outwardly from the outside surface of bottom wall  7  so as to be pivotally moveable inwardly and outwardly with respect to bottom wall  7  about pivot  23  due to the flexibility of strip  19 . A piece of pressure sensitive adhesive  27  preferably is mounted on the outside surface of bottom wall  7  and extends throughout the entire area thereof except for a cutout portion  29  in which is located pivot strip  19  and projection  25 . Preferably a strip of release paper  31  is mounted on and extends over pressure sensitive adhesive  27  to protect the adhesive until it is removed enabling the adhesive to be used for securing carrier  5  on an object  33  as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 12 . Carrier  5  including the various components thereof discussed above, preferably are formed of a plastic material as an integral one piece member except for pin  17  and cylindrical pivot  20  which are separate components. Pivot  20  preferably is snap-fitted or mounted within cradle  15  by various types of mounting mechanisms providing for the pivotal movement of pivot  20  and attached pin  17 . 
     Alarm tag  3  includes a housing indicated generally at  35 , which includes a base  37  and a top cover plate  39  ( FIG. 3 ), which when assembled together by sonic welding, an adhesive or the like, forms a hollow interior  41 . Alarm tag  3  preferably is similar to the alarm tag shown and described in detail in pending patent application Ser. No. 11/607,671, filed Dec. 1, 2006, and published Jul. 5, 2007 as Publication No. 2007/0152836, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. A piezo style speaker  43  is disposed in interior  41  adjacent a plurality of speakers holes  45  formed in top cover plate  39 . Speaker  43  is configured to sound an audible alarm upon tampering with device  1  as is described further below. Speaker  43  is part of an alarm system which includes a battery  47  which is also located within interior  41 , for providing the power to the alarm system. The alarm system further includes a printed circuit board (PCB)  49  and a visual alarm indicator  51  such as an LED, which is mounted within interior  41  and extends through a hole in top cover plate  39  so that a portion of the LED is visible from a position external to device  1 . LED  51  is typically configured to produce a blinking light when device  1  is an armed state. This warns a potential thief that the item of merchandise is protected by a theft deterrent device to assist in preventing even a theft attempt. First and second electrical contacts  53  and  55  ( FIG. 10 ) are spaced from one another adjacent a pin-receiving opening  57  formed in base  37  and define a space  59  therebetween which is aligned with opening  57  which are configured to receive pin  17  of carrier  5  when alarm tag  3  is secured to carrier  5 . 
     A locking mechanism indicated generally at  61 , is located within alarm tag  3  and is in the form of spring biased ball detent mechanism which engages pin  17  to assist in securing alarm tag  3  in carrier  5  as shown particularly in  FIG. 13 . Locking mechanism  61  includes a pair of locking balls  63  mounted within a tapered cup  65  and trapped in a shuttle  69 . Shuttle  69  is spring biased downwardly by a coil spring  67  which is located in a dome-shaped portion  60  of cover plate  39 . Shuttle  69  is formed of a magnetically attractable material such as a metal, for unlocking lock mechanism  63  from pin  17  when a magnet  71  of a magnetic key  79  ( FIG. 15 ) is placed on dome-shaped portion  60  adjacent to shuttle  69 . Magnet  71  attracts the shuttle and trapped balls  63  and moves them in an upward direction releasing the locking engagement between balls  63  and pin  17  as shown in  FIG. 15 . This enables alarm tag  3 , which is the more expensive component of the security device, to be easily removed from carrier  5  for reuse with the same or other carriers. 
     Referring particularly to  FIG. 10 , electrical contacts  53  and  55  preferably are resilient members formed of spring steel or the like and are each formed of a generally flat strip of spring metal which is generally configured in a shallow U-shape so that the base of each U-shaped member is adjacent one another with each U-shaped member opening away from one another. The resilient nature of members  53  and  55  allow them to flex away from and towards one another in response to the insertion and removal of pin  17  into and from space  59 . Contacts  53  and  55  include lower flanges  53 A and  55 A which taper outwardly and downwardly to facilitate insertion of pin  17  into space  59 . The alarm system also includes a plunger switch  73  which has a plunger  75  that is movable between an extended non-compressed position as shown in  FIG. 11  to a depressed position as shown in  FIG. 12 , which when depressed will activate the alarm circuitry. When alarm tag  3  is secured in carrier  5 , plunger  75  aligns with and abuts projection  25  ( FIG. 11 ), but without sufficient pressure to depress plunger  75  and activate switch  73 . Thus, when alarm tag  3  is secured to carrier  5  by end protrusion  13  engaging a shoulder  77  formed on top cover plate  39  as shown in  FIG. 14 , and with lock mechanism  61  engaging pin  17 , plunger switch  73  is not activated as shown in  FIG. 11 , until the security device is secured to an object  13  as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     The operation of device  1  is as follows. As indicated above, alarm tag  3  is placed within sidewall  9  of carrier  5  and is seated upon ribs  11  and is attached to carrier  5  and retained therein by protrusion  13  engaging shoulder  77  of alarm tag  3 , and pin  17  being secured by locking mechanism  61 . Pin  17  is electrically conductive and thus completes an electric circuit or sense loop between contacts  53  and  55  to cause battery  47  to power PCB  49  and the rest of the alarm system. The completion of the circuit or sense loop occurs upon the first contact of pin  17  with contacts  53  and  55 . As pin  17  is fully inserted, balls  63  lockably engage pin  17  securing alarm tag  3  to carrier  5 , as well as completing the electric circuit between contacts  53  and  55  through pin  17 . The resilient force of contacts  53  and  55  ensures that this electrical contact is maintained when alarm tag  3  is secured in carrier  5 . However, until security device  1  is attached to object  33  and plunger switch  73  is depressed, the alarm circuit is not fully functional. Release paper  31  is removed as shown by Arrow A in  FIG. 2 , exposing pressure sensitive adhesive  27  which is pressed against the object as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , securely attaching device  1  to object  33 . When this occurs, projection  25  moves upwardly in the direction of Arrow B ( FIG. 12 ), depressing plunger  75  which actuates switch  73  which arms the circuit and activates alarm indicator (LED)  51 , as well as powering up the printed circuit board  49  placing the alarm in its operational active state. 
     Should a thief physically pull the assembled device  1  from object  33 , plunger switch  75  will move from its depressed position of  FIG. 12  to its extended position of  FIG. 11  due to the spring bias of flexible strip  19 , sounding the piezo alarm to alert store personnel. Likewise, if a thief would attempt to separate alarm tag  3  from carrier  5 , depressed plunger  75  will move to its extended non-compressed position also causing the alarm to sound. Such an unauthorized removal also disconnects the electrical circuit between contacts  53  and  55  causing the audible alarm to be actuated. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the electrical circuitry of the alarm system is further described. When alarm tag  3  and carrier  5  are removed from one another so that pin  17  is not completing the electrical circuit between contacts  53  and  55 , device  1  is in a standby or off state. Battery  47  will typically send a pulsing signal to check whether the electrical circuits have been completed upon insertion of pin  17  into alarm tag  3 . More particularly, the alarm system includes a sense loop SN 1 , which includes plunger switch  73  and a disarm loop or on/off loop SN 2  which includes contacts  53  and  55 . 
     Device  1  is in the off state as indicated at  64  when alarm tag  3  and carrier  5  are separated from one another, and more particularly when pin  17  is not in contact with contacts  53  and  55  to complete loop SN 2 . PCB  49  includes a logic circuit for checking to determine whether loop SN 2  has been completed or not as indicated at  66 . If not, device  1  remains in the off state. If loop SN 2  has been completed by the insertion of pin  17  into contact with contacts  53  and  55 , PCB  49  senses the closing of loop SN 2  so that device  1  has been turned on, although it is unarmed at this initial state indicated at  68 . PCB  49  then checks to see if sense loop SN 1  has been completed as indicated at  70 . If not, device  1  remains on but unarmed. If loop SN 1  has been completed by the depression of plunger  75 , device  1  is in the armed state as indicated at  72 . 
     Once in the armed state, PCB  49  checks to see whether loop SN 1  is opened or whether EAS tag  50  has received a wireless signal from a security gate due to device  1  passing through the security gate or within a predetermined distance from the security gate as indicated at  74 . If any of these three conditions occur, device  1  will sound an alarm via speaker  43  as indicated at  76 . This onboard alarm is configured to continue sounding for a specific period of time, for example, ten minutes, so that even if a potential thief escapes from the store, the alarm will continue sounding in an adjacent area such as parking lots and the like. PCB  49  determines whether loop SN 2  is open as indicated at  78 , if not, the alarm continues to sound. If SN 2  is open, then device  1  will return to its off state as indicated at  64 . Thus, when sense loop SN 2  has been opened due to prying or the cutting of pin  17  so that plunger  75  moves to its non-depressed position, device  1  will continue to sound an alarm unless pin  17  is removed from space  59  out of contact with contacts  53  and  55  in order to open loop SN 2 . This may be done by store personnel with the appropriate magnetic key  79 . 
     Thus, security device  1  provides a device containing and providing the various alarm features discussed above wherein the more expensive component containing the alarm circuitry, switches, PCB etc. is reusable with the less expensive carrier  5  being disposable. Also, carrier  5  can be attached to various sizes and shapes of objects and items of merchandise by the pressure sensitive adhesive and remain on the object for throw away after purchase. Carrier  5  also eliminates the need to puncture the protected article as required with tack security devices. Also, alarm tag  3  is identical to the alarm tag used with a pin, such as disclosed in the previously identified pending patent application Ser. No. 11/607,671 and thus is able to provide the desired security for an article of merchandise whether used with a tack that passes through the merchandise or with carrier  5  that is attached to the merchandise with pressure sensitive adhesive. Whether used with a tack as shown in said pending application Ser. No. 11/607,671 or with pin  17 , both will complete the electrical circuit between the spaced spring contacts and are secured in a locked position by the spring biased ball detent mechanism. The pivotal mounting of the pin on the carrier enables the pin to be moved relatively flush with the carrier bottom wall when removed from the alarm tag to prevent breakage or injury to individuals. 
     It is readily understood that carrier pin  17  can be replaced with other types of switch actuating members and need not be a pivotally mounted metallic pin so long as such a member is provided on the carrier which actuates the alarm switch located within alarm tag  3  when attached thereto. For example, pin  17  could be replaced with another type of switch actuating member which actuates an alarm switch, such as a plunger switch to activate or arm the alarm system when tag  3  is secured to carrier  5 . In the preferred embodiment, metallic pin  17  provides electrical contact between contacts  53  and  55 , as described above and shown in the drawings. Furthermore, carrier  5  can be attached to a package with other types of securement device, such as a banding strap, cable, etc., and need not require a pressure sensitive adhesive, without departing from the concept of the present invention. Furthermore, alarm tag  3  can be secured to carrier  5  by various types of attachments which when brought to an authorized checkout facility enables tag  3  to be removed easily from carrier  5  for subsequent reuse with another carrier. 
     In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. 
     Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.