Patent Publication Number: US-10311691-B2

Title: Anti-theft tag with attaching panel

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/408,368, filed on Jan. 17, 2017. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/408,368 in turn claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 62/279,287, filed on Jan. 15, 2016. The entire disclosures contained in the specification and figures for U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/408,368 and U.S. Provisional Application 62/279,287, including the attachments thereto, are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the prevention of the theft of goods in retail locations. More specifically, this invention relates to the prevention of the theft by an easily attachable electronic article surveillance (EAS) device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Theft of goods in the retail environment is a serious concern. Theft cuts into the margins of a business making it more difficult for a business to compete and succeed. Electronic article surveillance (EAS) devices are frequently employed to prevent the theft of goods above a certain value. Some consumer goods are high value, but present difficulty as to how to attach an EAS device. For example, shoes are an expensive consumer item, but depending on the style, it may be difficult to attach an EAS device. This is particularly true, if it is desired to make the shoe available for fitting. In this case, despite the theft risk, effective sales and marketing still requires that consumer goods be available for a consumer to hold and review, and in some cases, try on. Therefore there is a need for an easy and effective way to protect consumer articles on display while giving a shopper the full ability to hold and inspect the product. Additionally, since large quantities of EAS devices are used, it is preferable that the devices be compact when not in use. 
     SUMMARY FOR EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Some consumer items do not have external features that facilitate the easy attachment of EAS devices. One way to attach an EAS device to such an object is by using an adhesive element. This adhesive element may be on a panel, and the panel may be hinged to a housing of the EAS device. 
     The adhesive element may also work in conjunction with another feature. For example, portable electronics are among consumer goods to which it may not be easy to attach an EAS device. Portable electronics have onboard rechargeable batteries and ports for the connection of chargers. Some embodiments of an EAS device for electronic devices may combine the adhesive element with a plug that inserts into a charging port. 
     In embodiments of EAS devices for portable electronic device, the anti-theft devices have a plug compatible with the charging port of an electronic device extending from the housing at a first location. A plug like the charging port of the electronic device is positioned at a second location on the housing. In some embodiments of the EAS device, there is electrical continuity between the plug on the housing compatible with the charging port and the plug like the charging port. This allows a charger to be plugged into the anti-theft tag to charge the electronic device, while the tag is plugged into the electronic device. The adhesive element, along with the plug, keeps the EAS device attached to the portable electronic device. 
     Other consumer items may not have a convenient feature such as a charging port to assist the adhesive element in maintaining an EAS device on the item to be protected. Shoes are such items. Shoes occur in a large variation of styles and it is desirable that, whatever the style of shoe, a consumer can handle and try on the shoe. The common feature among shoes is the sole of the shoe. The adhesive element of an EAS device can attach to the sole without substantially altering the appearance of a shoe or prevent a consumer of trying the shoe for fit. For items such as shoes, the adhesive element alone is capable of keeping the EAS device attached. 
     The housing of the EAS device encloses electronic article surveillance electronics. The EAS electronics may include a passive EAS element, and, or, active EAS elements. Two types of possible passive EAS elements are acousto-magnetic (AM) passive elements which function at approximately 58 kHz frequency and ferrite core and coil passive elements. Both AM passive elements and core and coil passive elements generate signals in response to interrogation fields. 
     Active EAS electronics may comprise: a microprocessor; a motion sensor; a magnetometer; switches; wireless communication elements such as a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and receiver, or RF transceiver or an infrared communication port; an audible sound generator; and a battery, or other power source, powering the foregoing elements. The electronics can monitor the status of switches, the connections to the phone and charger, and the status of the battery. The microprocessor can execute machine readable instructions to interpret the state of switches, plugs, and sensors, to communicate with other devices, and to generate alarms if an alarm condition is determined. 
     Depending on the application and the resulting embodiment of the EAS device, a switch may be positioned in different locations. Some embodiments may position the switch in the housing. For example, for portable electronic devices, a switch may be located in the housing of the EAS device to contact the portable electronic device when the EAS device is attached. Other embodiments may position the switch in the panel. With the switch located in the panel, the switch is proximal to the adhesive elements and there is less variability in the interaction between the switch and the object to which the EAS device is attached. The switch itself may take different forms as well. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Additional utility and features of the invention will become more fully apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following drawings, which illustrate some of the primary features of preferred embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  is a first perspective view of an embodiment of an anti-theft tag used for portable electronic devices. 
         FIG. 2  is a second perspective view of an embodiment of an anti-theft tag used for portable electronic devices. 
         FIG. 3  is a first plan view of an embodiment of an anti-theft tag used for portable electronic devices. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of an embodiment of an anti-theft tag used for portable electronic devices. 
         FIG. 5  is a second plan view of an embodiment of an anti-theft tag used for portable electronic devices. 
         FIG. 6  is a first end view of an embodiment of an anti-theft tag used for portable electronic devices. 
         FIG. 7  is a second end view of an embodiment of an anti-theft tag used for portable electronic devices. 
         FIG. 8  is a first view of an embodiment of an anti-theft tag configured for cell phones and attached to a cell phone. 
         FIG. 9  is a second view of an embodiment of an anti-theft tag configured for cell phones and attached to a cell phone. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a passive anti-theft acousto-magnetic label attached to the interior of a section of housing. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a passive anti-theft core and coil element. 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic image of a passive RFID label. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a set of electronic article surveillance electronics contained in embodiments of an anti-theft tag. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electronic article surveillance anti-theft device. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the electronic article surveillance anti-theft device of  FIG. 14  attached to a shoe. 
         FIG. 16  is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of an electronic article surveillance anti-theft device folded closed. 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of an embodiment of an electronic article surveillance anti-theft device folded open and showing a contact beneath a hinged lever. 
         FIG. 18  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of an electronic article surveillance anti-theft device having a switch protruding from a panel extending from its housing. 
         FIG. 19  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of an electronic article surveillance anti-theft device showing internal electronics. 
         FIG. 20  is a cross sectioned view of an embodiment of an electronic article surveillance anti-theft device showing a switch located inside a panel extending from a housing. 
         FIG. 21  is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of an electronic article surveillance anti-theft device showing inside a panel extending from the housing. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is a first perspective view of an embodiment of electronic article surveillance (EAS) device  10  for portable electronic devices.  FIG. 2  is a second perspective view of an embodiment of the EAS device  10  for portable electronic devices. Device  10  has body  12  and panel  14  extending from body  12 . Also extending from body  12  is male plug  16 . Male plug  16  is compatible with a respective female plug in a portable electronic device for which EAS device  10  is intended. This allows device  10  to be attached to the respective portable electronic device by inserting male plug  16  into a feature inherent to the portable electronic device. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1  only, female receptacle  18  is recessed into body  12  of device  10 . In embodiments of device  10  having female receptacle  18 , female receptacle  18  has electrical continuity with male plug  16 . This allows the electronic device to be charged while device  10  is plugged into the electronic device. This allows the electronic device to be maintained in a charged condition while it is available for review by consumers and protected by device  10 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , female receptacle  18  is like the female receptacle of the respective electronic device, i.e. male plug  16  would fit in female receptacle  18 . This provides the convenience that the charger that is intended for a given electronic device can be used to maintain the device in charged state while on display. However, the physical compatibility between male plug  16  and female receptacle  18  is not a requirement. It is only needed that a suitable electrical compatibility can be established between the charger and the electronic device. Similarly, male plug  16  and female receptacle  18  are located opposite of each other in  FIG. 1 , this is not a required arrangement. 
     In addition to plug  16 , device  10  may have an additional attaching mechanism for attaching device  10  to a portable electronic device. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , panel  14  helps maintain device  10  attached to the portable electronic device. In  FIG. 1 , adhesive element  20  is in place on panel  14 . In  FIG. 2 , adhesive element  20  is absent and recess  22  is more fully visible. Once device  10  is attached to an electronic device by inserting male plug  16  into a receptacle in the electronic device, adhesive element  20  on panel  18  is brought into contact with the electronic device to maintain device  10  in place. 
     In some embodiments, panel  18  is connected to body  12  by a hinge to facilitate moving panel  18  and adhesive element  20  into contact with the electronic device. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , panel  18  is connected to body  12  by double hinge  24 . Double hinge  24  gives an additional degree of freedom in applying adhesive element  20  to the electronic device. Coupler  26  between panel  18  and body  12  is hinged to both panel  18  and body  12  to form double hinge  24 . Panel  18  has pin apertures  28  in panel  18  and body  12  has pin apertures  30  in body  12 . Coupler  26  has pin apertures matching the pin apertures in panel  18  and body  12 . Hinge pins  31  and  32  insert through pin apertures  28  and  30  and the matching apertures in coupler  26  to form double hinge  24 . 
     Although adhesive element  20  maintains device  10  on the electronic device under normal conditions, it may not be sufficient to prevent the forced removal of device  10  by a determined thief. For that reason, some embodiments of device  10  employ additional electronic monitoring elements capable of detecting when device  10  has been removed without authorization and generating an alarm when the electronics determine an alarm condition. In  FIG. 2 , switch  34  protrudes from body  12  of device  10 . Switch  34  has at least two states; open, closed. When device  10  is attached to an electronic device, switch  34  is depressed and its state is changed from the state it has when device  10  is unattached. This change of state in switch  34  is registered by the electronics within device  10  as indicating that device  10  is attached to an electronic device, and device  10  and the electronics within device  10  may be said to be armed by switch  34 . In some embodiments, the electronics within device  10  will also monitor male plug  16  as a further indication that device  10  has been attached to an electronic device. This may be done by registering a change in impedance. Depending on the embodiment of device  10  and the machine executable instructions in its microprocessor, device  10  may be armed by changes at switch  34 , male plug  16 , or both switch  34  and male plug  16 . 
     Referring to both  FIGS. 1 and 2 , optical windows  35  and  36  allow optical communication by the electronics within body  12  of device  10 . Optical windows  35  and  36  may be open apertures or may have translucent coverings. The communication may take the form of the flashing from a light emitting diode (LED) in body  12  or the reception of infrared (IR), or other optical signals, at a receiving optical port in body  12 . For example, a flashing LED could indicate when device  10  has been armed, or an authorized person can use an external device to send IR signals to disarm the alarming functions of device  10  before it is removed. 
       FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 7  show additional views of embodiments having features already discussed with respect to the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  FIG. 5 , however, shows an embodiment of device  10  and another possible set of features for device  10 . Sound apertures  38  in body  12  facilitate the sounding of audible alarms by an audible sound generator in the electronics within body  12  of device  10 . 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  show an embodiment of the EAS device  10  configured for cell phones attached to a cell phone  100 . Device  10  is attached to the end of cell phone  100  where the charging port of cell phone  100  is located. Panel  14  is in contact with cell phone  100  and assists in maintaining device  10  attached to cell phone  100 . Although the embodiment of device  10  in  FIGS. 8 and 9  are sized and configured for a cell phone. Other embodiments may be sized and configured to fit other portable electronic devices having externally accessible ports or jacks. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a passive electronic article surveillance acousto-magnetic (AM) label  40  attached to the interior of a section of housing  42 . AM labels such as label  40  are a common passive EAS element that function at approximately 58 kHz frequency within the radio frequency range. Frequently, anti-theft systems place field transmitting units at controlled locations to intermittently generate interrogation fields at a specific frequency. AM labels are tuned to generate response signals when energized by the specific frequency. The field transmitting units monitor for the label response signals between bursts of the interrogation field. When a label response is detected, the system evaluates the situation and may generate an alarm. Some embodiments of EAS device  10  have an AM label  40  on the interior of body  12  to provide a way to detect the presence of device  10  in controlled locations. A common operating frequency for systems using a label such as AM label  40  is 58 kHz. Radio communication circuitry  57  may operate at this frequency as well. However, radio communication circuitry  57  is not limited to this specific frequency or any other frequency. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a passive anti-theft core and coil element  44 . Core and coil element  44  is comprised of a central ferrite core  46  with a conductive coil  48  wrapped around it. When subjected to a radio frequency field, core and coil element  44  is energized. When the field is removed, the energy dissipates, and core and coil element  44  generates a signal as it “rings” down. This signal can be detected by the EAS system. Core and coil element  44  can be tuned to the frequency of the field. Some embodiments of EAS device  10  have a core and coil element  44  in the interior of body  12  to provide a way to detect the presence of device  10  in controlled locations. 
       FIG. 12  is a schematic image of RFID label  90  which is known in the art. Typically, RFID label  90  has IC chip  91  and antenna  92  mounted on substrate  93 . Some RFID labels  90  may also have a capacitor  94  to improve some aspects of the performance of RFID label  90 . IC chip  91  has memory which is accessible by external devices with radio frequency communication via antenna  92 . Some IC chips  91  have rewritable memory and can have information about the objects to which they are attached written to their memory. RFID label  90  may be placed within body  12  of device  10  to interact with a system that is already in place in a retail location. A common operating frequency for systems using a label such as RFID label  90  is 13.56 MHz. Radio communication circuitry  57  may operate at this frequency as well. However, radio communication circuitry  57  is not limited to this specific frequency or any other frequency. 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a set of electronic article surveillance electronics contained in embodiments of the anti-theft tag. Among the electronic elements that may be contained in body  12  are: circuit board  50 ; arming switch  34 ; microprocessor  52 ; audible sound generator  53 ; infrared communication port  54 ; light emitting diode  55 ; battery  56 ; radio communication circuitry  57 ; motion detection chip  58 ; and magnetometer  59 . In addition to the elements just listed, the EAS electronics in device  10  may include a passive EAS element, such as a passive core and coil element  44  or a passive acousto-magnetic label  40 . Also, male plug  16  and female receptacle  18  may be monitored by microprocessor  52  and therefore may also be considered as elements of the EAS electronics set. In  FIG. 13 , male plug  16  and female receptacle  18  are offset from each other, rather than aligned with each other as in the embodiment of  FIG. 1   
     Circuit board  50  and microprocessor  52  monitor several inputs and execute machine readable instructions and generate outputs based on the instructions and inputs. When male plug  16  is inserted into the female receptacle of an electronic device, switch  34  is depressed and its state is changed, arming the electronics in device  10 . Male plug  16  may also be monitored for confirmation that device  10  is attached to an electronic device. The arming of EAS device  10  may be automatic or it may be completed by communication from an external device. Other embodiments of EAS device  10  may be armed by communication from an external device. 
     The final arming of EAS device  10  may be automatic or it may be completed by communication from an external device. Infrared communications port  54  and radio communication circuitry  57  provide means for device  10  to receive a signal from an external device such as a handheld device held by an authorized person. LED  55  and audible alarm generator  53  allow device  10  to communicator directly to persons. When device  10  is plugged into an electronic device, device  10  may provide a confirmation signal by flashing LED  55  or issuing sounds from audible sound generator  53 . An operator may then use an external device to send an optical signal to infrared communication port  54  or a radio signal to radio communication circuitry  57  to finalize arming device  10 . 
     An external device may also be used to disarm device  10  before it is removed. Some embodiments of device  10  will store a passcode in microprocessor  52 . The external device must communicate the appropriate passcode before device  10  will communicate with the external device or allow its status or machine readable instructions to be modified by the external device. The wrong passcode may itself be a cause to issue alarm. 
     Once device  10  is installed, the electronics monitor at least switch  34 . If device  10  is removed without its electronics being disarmed, the electronics may determine an alarm condition and generate an alarm. This alarm may be an audible alarm generated by audible sound generator  53 , a radio signal generated by radio communication circuitry  57 , or an optical signal from LED  55 . The radio signal alarm and optical signal alarm may be detected by elements in the electronic article surveillance system monitoring the area in which device  10  and its respective electronic device are located. The EAS system may then respond as programmed, for example by sounding alarms, displaying alarms on computer screens, etc. 
     Radio communication circuitry  57  in device  10  can also communicate with the EAS system to monitor the location of device  10 . Radio communication circuitry  57  can communicate actively with the EAS system or monitor for interrogation fields such as those used to stimulate passive EAS elements. If radio communication circuitry  57  detects an interrogation field, the electronics in device  10  may determine an alarm condition and activate. Alternatively, the EAS system may instruct device  10  to generate an alarm as well. 
     In some embodiments, the electronics of device  10  are powered by battery  56 . Some embodiments of device  10  may also have a motion sensor  58 . Motion sensor  58  may be employed to conserve battery life. Motion sensor  58  monitors for motion and is in communication with microprocessor  52 . After a preprogrammed period of stasis, with the exception of microprocessor  52  and motion sensor  58 , the electronics of device  10  go dormant. Motion sensor  58  monitors for movement of device  10  and microprocessor  52  is in communication with motion sensor  58  to receive notice that device  10  is being moved. When motion sensor  58  detects that device  10  is in motion, the other electronic elements of device  10  in addition to motion sensor  58  and microprocessor  52  become active. In some embodiments of device  10 , battery  56  may also be rechargeable when the charger for the electronic device is connected to female receptacle  18 . 
     Magnetometer  59  provides another method for the electronics of device  10  to monitor the status of device  10  and its environment. Magnetometer  59  measures magnetic fields around device  10  and communicates a digitized representation of the fields to microprocessor  52 . Microprocessor  52  stores the digitized representations of the magnetic environment and compares them to each other over time for changes, consistency, etc. Sudden changes may indicate an alarm condition is present. For example, if the surrounding field is suddenly attenuated, it may be an indication that a thief has isolated device  10  and its electronic device by placing them in a foil bag. In such a case, microprocessor  52  may issue an audible alarm from audible sound generator  53 . 
     In reference to  FIGS. 14-21 , like numbers will be used for similar elements.  FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electronic article surveillance (EAS) anti-theft device  110 . EAS device  110  has a housing  12  and a panel  14  extending from housing  12 . Panel  14  has adhesive element(s)  20  on its surface for attaching EAS device  110  to an article to be protected. Panel  14  also has switch  34  for detecting when device  110  is attached to an article. Switch  34  is in electrical continuity with electronic article surveillance (EAS) electronics within housing  12 . The EAS electronics within housing  12  monitor switch  34  to detect whether EAS device  110  is attached to an object. 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the EAS device  110  of  FIG. 14  attached to a shoe  101 . Panel  14  is attached to the sole of shoe  101  which changes the state of switch  34 .  FIG. 15  also shows external handheld device  102  being used to arm EAS device  110  once it is attached to an object such as shoe  101 . When switch  34  changes state, the electronics of EAS device  110  may send a signal that EAS device  110  is attached and ready to be armed. External device  102  may send a signal to the electronics of EAS device  110  to finalize arming or activating EAS device  110 . 
     In the embodiment of EAS device  110  of  FIG. 14 , panel  14  is attached to housing  12  by hinge  25 .  FIG. 16  is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of an EAS anti-theft device  110  folded closed. Panel  14  is rotated about hinge  25  until it is against housing  12  of EAS device  110 . 
     In the embodiment EAS device  110  of  FIG. 14 , hinged lever  37  is hinged into the surface  15  of panel  14  that contacts an object. Hinged lever  37  may be positioned over a switch or may be part of a switch circuit. In  FIG. 14 , a switch  34  is mounted in panel  14  beneath hinged lever  37 . When panel  14  is attached to an object, hinged lever  37  presses down onto switch  34 , changing its state.  FIG. 17  is a side view of an embodiment of EAS anti-theft device  110  folded open and showing contact  39  beneath a hinged lever  37 . Both hinged lever  37  and contact  39  are in electrical continuity with the electronics within housing  12 . When panel  14  is attached to an object, hinged lever  37  acts as a second contact pressing down onto (first) contact  39 , completing a circuit like closing a switch.  FIG. 18  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of an EAS anti-theft device  110  having a switch  34  protruding from a panel extending from its housing. In the embodiment of  FIG. 18 , switch  34  operates without any assistance from a hinged lever, such as hinged lever  37  shown in  FIGS. 14 and 17 . 
       FIG. 19  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of EAS anti-theft device  110  showing internal electronics. EAS device  110  of  FIG. 19  has many of the electronic components of the embodiments of EAS device  110  as shown in  FIG. 13 . Other elements are present but not visible in  FIG. 19 . Microprocessor  52  executes machine readable instructions based upon signals it receives. Audible signal generator  53  generates sounds to communicate the status of EAS device  110  and to generate audible alarms. Light emitting diode  55  also communicates the status of EAS device  110  as well as other information. Light emitting diode  55  may also be used in wireless optical communication. Power source, or battery,  56  powers the electronics. As with previously discussed embodiments, EAS device  110  can communicate wirelessly via radio frequency (RF) circuitry, or optically, with infrared (IR) communication. 
       FIG. 20  is a cross sectioned view of an embodiment of an electronic article surveillance anti-theft device  110  showing switch  34  located inside panel  14  extending from housing  12 . Switch  34  is in electrical continuity with the electronics contained in housing  12 . The electronics in housing  12  can detect when the state, open, closed, etc., of switch  34  changes. This serves as an indicator to the electronics of EAS device  110  whether EAS device  110  is attached to an object to be protected, or whether panel  14  is closed against housing  12 . When panel  14  is closed against housing  12  (refer to  FIG. 16 ), switch  34  changes state and the EAS device is locked into an off state to save battery  56 . Alternatively, when EAS device  110  is attached to an item to be protected, switch  34  indicates that EAS device  110  is ready to be fully armed, or activated. As shown in  FIG. 15 , external device  102  may be used to communicate with EAS device  110  via radio frequency wireless or infrared wireless, to fully arm EAS device  110 . Later, a change in state of switch  34  may indicate that EAS device  110  has been removed. If EAS device  110  has not been previously disarmed, its removal may indicate that an alarm condition exists. The electronics within housing  12  may then generate an alarm. 
     EAS device  110  may generate several types of alarms. Audible signal generator  53  may generate the most immediate alarm by generating audible alarms. LED  55  may flash visible alarm signals. Additionally, wireless communication elements such as radio communication circuitry  57  and infrared communication port  54  (see  FIG. 13 ) may communicate alarms to the larger EAS system. In addition to alarms, the wireless communication elements may communicate other information about the status of EAS device  110  to the larger EAS system such as valid opening, invalid opening, enabled, disabled, armed, disarmed, etc. The larger EAS system may also include a cloud element wherein the EAS system information is remotely accessible, and the EAS system may be managed from afar. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 20 , hinged lever  37  is hinged to panel  14  and lays over switch  34 . Hinged lever  37  has a larger contact area than the actuator of switch  34  and compensates for irregularities on the object to which EAS device  110  is attached. Hinged lever  37  may also serve to protect switch  34 . 
       FIG. 21  is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of an electronic article surveillance anti-theft device showing inside of panel  14  extending from housing  12 . The bottom surface of panel  14  is removed. The bottom of switch  34  or contact  39  may be seen. Microprocessor  52  monitors switch  34  or contact  39  as a signal that EAS device  110  is attached to an object to be protected. 
     It is to be understood that the embodiments and arrangements set forth herein are not limited in their application to the details of construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the description and illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the description and the drawings provide examples of the embodiments envisioned, but the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments. The embodiments disclosed herein are further capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways, including various combinations and sub-combinations that may not have been explicitly disclosed. For example panel  14  and its complementary surface on housing  12  are generally flat. However, in some embodiments, panel  14  and the complementary surface may be curved, or shaped, to match an object to which it will be attached. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting the claims. 
     Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which the application and claims are based may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the embodiments and claims presented in this application. It is important, therefore, that the invention be regarded as including such equivalent constructions.