Patent Publication Number: US-11647849-B2

Title: Security gate

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 62/914,147, filed on 11 Oct. 2019 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 62/915,441, filed on 15 Oct. 2019. These Provisional Applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety and are made a part hereof, including but not limited to those portions which specifically appear hereinafter. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The invention is related to security gate for deterring theft of retail inventory. 
     Description of the Prior Art 
     A growing problem for retail stores is theft of high value inventory directly from shelves. Thieves target retail stores to “sweep” shelves of valuable product by quickly assembling and removing as much of the product as possible, then exit the store with the product before store personnel or law enforcement have an opportunity to react. The product is either later returned for cash or sold outright. 
     Solutions to this problem have included locking down high value product in vaults or cabinets that require store personnel to unlock and physically provide the product to the customer. Other solutions include security wires that physically connect the product to store shelves or each other. Again, these solutions require store personnel to unlock and untether such product for the consumer. These solutions tend to discourage customers from purchases. 
     Still other solutions utilize mechanical dispensers connected to shelves that are configured to mechanically dispense one product at a time before resetting for dispensing another product. These solutions are not flexible for a variety of inventory and inflexibly require particular store shelves to be dedicated to particular inventory. 
     A need therefore exists to slow such thieves down, maintain inventory and alert store staff regarding interest while also enabling shoppers to examine and purchase product unencumbered by lock and key solutions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A security gate according to one embodiment of this invention includes: a latching mechanism, a rigid frame, one or more horizontal hinges, a grate comprising a network of bars or wires sized appropriately to the product on the shelves, and a mounting receiver for mounting to the existing store shelves. 
     The security gate according to one embodiment of this invention is designed to be used as an anti-sweep theft deterrent by blocking the consumer inventory when closed, but causing the customer to do a deliberate act of opening the security gate and holding it open with one hand, while retrieving the inventory with the other, thus making it difficult to remove many products quickly and easily. A visible flashing or strobe light and/or an audible chime and/or other signaling method is preferably also triggered when the security gate is open, alerting the employees of activity in that department. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a front perspective view of a security gate in a closed position in accordance with one aspect of the subject invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a rear perspective view of the security gate shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a side view of a latching mechanism of the security gate shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    is a rear perspective view of the latching mechanism shown in  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  5    is a front perspective view of the security gate shown in  FIG.  1    in an open position. 
         FIG.  6    is a front perspective view of an assembly of security gates in accordance with one aspect of the subject invention. 
         FIG.  7    is a rear view of the security gale shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  8    is a side close-up view of a latching mechanism. 
         FIG.  9    is a side cutaway view of the latching mechanism shown in  FIG.  8   . 
         FIG.  10    is a side close-up view of a latching mechanism in a partially open position. 
         FIG.  11    is a side close-up view of the latching mechanism shown in  FIG.  10    in a partially closed position. 
         FIG.  12    is a side close-up view of the latching mechanism shown in  FIG.  10    in a closed position. 
         FIG.  13    is a perspective view of a mounting receiver in accordance with one aspect of the subject invention. 
         FIG.  14    is a perspective view of a mounting receiver in accordance with one aspect of the subject invention. 
         FIG.  15    is a perspective view of a mounting receiver in accordance with one aspect of the subject invention. 
         FIG.  16    is a rear perspective view of a mounting receiver and security gate in accordance with one aspect of the subject invention. 
         FIG.  17    is a rear perspective view of a mounting receiver and security gate in accordance with one aspect of the subject invention. 
         FIG.  18    is a front perspective view of a security gale in a closed position in accordance with one aspect of the subject invention. 
         FIG.  19    is a front perspective view of a security gate in a closed position in accordance with one aspect of the subject invention. 
         FIG.  20    is a front perspective view of a shelf fixture having a plurality of security gates in a closed position in accordance with one aspect of the subject invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A security gate according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is installed onto the leading edge of a shelf or racking typically used in retail environments for holding and displaying consumer products. The security gate preferably covers and blocks one or more products or blocks of products on a shelf or shelving unit. 
     The products as described are typically high value, high demand products that are easily accumulated and removed if unimpeded. A demand exists to slow the practice of “sweeping” such products from the shelves and quickly exiting a retail store whereupon such products may be resold or returned back to the very store from where they were stolen for a refund or store credit. The term sweeping comes from a sweeping motion of a hand or arm of a thief across a shelf as they quickly dispatch multiple products from a shelf into a cart or other conveyance. Examples of such products which would benefit from such security gates includes power tools, over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, electronic devices, liquor, and other such products although the subject apparatus and system could be used in connection with virtually any product that is displayed for retail purchase. 
     Mounting methods can vary depending on what type of shelving or racking is used. Remaining components of the security gate are preferably generally uniform across all various mounting receivers. A main swing gate attachable to the mounting receiver is designed to be attached and removed from the receiver for easier installation and scalable flexibility. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 20   , a security gate  10  according to one embodiment of this invention includes a header  20 , at least one hinge  30 , a rigid frame  40 , and a guard  50 . The subject elements are described in more detail below. 
     As best shown in  FIGS.  13 - 17   , a header  20  is preferably mounted to the shelf to provide a support for the remainder of the security gate  10 . A mounting receiver  15  in accordance with one aspect of the invention may be fitted with two or more hitch receivers  18  that engage with corresponding forks  24  in the header  20  and/or a rigid frame  40  described below. The header  20  is preferably mounted relative to the mounting receiver  15  that is fixed relative to a store shelving unit. As such, both the header  20  and the mounting receiver  15  are preferably fixed and immovable relative  10  tie shelf. The mounting receiver  15  and/or the header  20  may extend across the entirety of a shelf or for a portion of the shelf depending on the application. 
     Moving or removing the security gate  10  may be done by loosening pinch bolts and sliding the header  20  out of the mounting receiver  15 . The entire remaining security gate  10  assembly can then be walked over to a new section of the fixture and slid into a different mounting receiver  15 . Tightening the pinch bolts secures the security gate  10  in place again. Extra mounting receivers  15  can be pre-mounted in the fixture to allow for quick and flexible security gate layouts. Components of the security gate  10  can be customized in different sizes depending on the need. According to one embodiment, the security gate is available in two standard sizes, 22″ wide×10.5″ tall, and 22″ wide×13.5″ tall, respectively. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 2   , a header  20  is positioned along a shelf and includes at least one hinge  30  arranged in a horizontal alignment with the header  20 . The hinge  30  may extend along an entire length of the header  20  or may comprise two or more hinges  30  placed at intervals along the header  20 , such as shown in the figures. The hinge  30  may be positioned such that ii faces inwardly and is not accessible from outside the security gate  10  or may be positioned outwardly to more easily promote an upward swing of operable components of the security gate  10 , such as show in  FIGS.  1 - 5   . 
     A rigid frame  40  is preferably connected to the header  20  with the at least one hinge  30 . The rigid frame  40  thereby is positioned and configured to swing upwardly relative to the header  20  along the hinge or hinges  30 . The rigid frame  40  is preferably constructed of a rigid material that maintains a rugged and unbreakable framework along a front of the shelf. In particular, the security gate  10  preferably includes a rigid frame  40  constructed of metal or similar material that is secure and will resist cutting, bending or similar destructive actions. 
     The rigid frame  40  may span an entirety of the height and width of the shelf or may be strategically sized to span only a portion of the shelf depending on the product to be secured. In fact, it may be possible with a larger product, to include a rigid frame  40  that only spans half or less of the height of the shelf, thereby allowing more unfettered inspection of the product by the customer but still preventing removal from the shelf without opening the security gate  10 . 
     A guard  50  is preferably positioned across the rigid frame  40 , as shown for example in  FIGS.  5 - 7   . The guard  50  prevents a user from removing the products from the shelf while in a latched position generally perpendicular to the shelf. The guard  50  may comprise a network of bars or wires sized appropriately to the product on the shelves that form a grate  55 . The guard  50  is preferably mounted across an entirety of the rigid frame and may be sized according to the inventory positioned on the shelves. The grate  55  may comprise a small network of wire, similar to chickenwire, or may instead include a lattice of metal bars that are spaced apart so as to permit generally unencumbered visual access to the inventory on the shelves. 
     The guard  50  and the rigid frame  40  may be integrated into a single unit or may be welded or otherwise fixedly attached to each other to provide a secure enclosed space on the shelf the prevents products from being removed without unlatching the security gate  10  as described below. The guard  50  may be configured so as to permit a shopper to touch the product through the bars but not permit removal of the product without opening the security gate  10 . 
     According to one preferred embodiment, such as shown in  FIGS.  18  and  19   , the guard  50  may comprise a transparent shield, such as plexiglass  58 , to permit a shopper to view the products but not permit access to the product without opening the security gate  10 . This may be particularly applicable for smaller product or product that is desired for display without any visible obstructions. 
     As best shown in  FIGS.  3 ,  4  and  8 - 12   , the security gate  10  further includes a latching mechanism  60  connecting the rigid frame  40  to the header  20 . The latching mechanism  60  in one preferred embodiment comprises a pin  65  having a knob  70  at an outer end. An engageable detent  75  is preferably located at an opposite end wherein a spring  80  is positioned between the knob  70  and the detent  75  to permit release of the latching mechanism  60 . The detent  75  may be positioned on the header  20 , as shown in the figures, and/or on the pin  65  of the latching mechanism  60 . The pin  65  preferably thereby engages with the header  20  to prevent opening of the security gate  10  without releasing or otherwise influencing the latching mechanism  60 . 
     In part because of the spring  80 , the latching mechanism  60  is preferably biased to maintain a latching condition of the security gate  10 . Only by positively releasing the latching mechanism  60  may a user raise the rigid frame  40  and guard  50  and gain access to the shelf. 
     The spring-loaded latching mechanism  60  preferably requires two handed operation to unlatch the latching mechanism as the rigid frame  40  is raised and opened relative to the shelf. In this manner, both hands are required to initiate the opening operation and, once the latch is disengaged, the customer can use that free hand to then hold and remove the inventory as the other hand is required to hold the security gate  10  open (without mechanical assistance). 
     Once the product is retrieved, the customer can release the security gate  10 , and the rigid frame  40  and guard  50  preferably lowers back into position. Once lowered, the weight of the rigid frame  40  and guard  50  will preferably automatically reengage the latching mechanism  60  in a closed position. 
     According to one preferred embodiment, the security gate  10  may include a damper  90  connected with respect to the hinge  30  to permit at least one of a slowed closing or dampened opening of the rigid frame  40  relative to the header  20 . It is preferable that the rigid frame  40  open with no or minimal damping and that, upon release, the rigid frame  40  slowly returns to the latched condition in a dampened manner to avoid slamming the security gate  10  shut and likewise avoid pinching or trapping of fingers and limbs within the device. The damper  90  may be integrated with the hinge  30  or may comprise a separate element positioned relative to the hinge  30 , the rigid frame  40  and/or header  20 . 
     As shown in the figures, a pull handle  100  is positioned on the security gate  10  and is separate and distinct from the latching mechanism  60 . As shown, the pull handle  100  may be a metal loop or similar configuration that suggests to a user that it is to be pulled to open the security gate  10 . By separating the pull handle  100  from the latching mechanism  60 , a two-handed operation is required by a user to open the security gate  10  and access the shelf. In this manner, it is difficult for a user to also sweep a shelf or obtain unfettered access to the shelf while in the process of opening the security gate  10 . It is preferably that the pull handle  100  is located toward or along a bottom edge of the rigid frame  40  while the latching mechanism  60  is located toward or along a top edge of the rigid frame  40  thereby creating physical separation between the two. As such, the pull handle  100  is located at an opposite edge of the guard as the latching mechanism  60 . 
     The security gate  10  for a retail store shelf displaying one or more products is preferably retrofittable across a range of shelf styles and configurations. As shown in  FIGS.  6  and  13 - 17    header  20  is preferably attached to the shelf using a mounting receiver  15  or bracket. Such mounting receivers or brackets are preferably an interchangeable and customizable component dependent on existing store shelving. 
     The security gate  10  may include a rigid frame  10  for each header  20 , such as shown in  FIGS.  1 - 6   , or may include a plurality of rigid frames  40  and latching mechanisms  60  on each header  20 , such as shown in  FIG.  19    connected.  FIG.  20    shows an entire store shelving unit having multiple security gates  10  as contemplated by this invention. As shown in  FIG.  20   , the security gales  10  may be used on raised shelves or on the ground relative to a shelf above, thereby leveraging a store floor as an additional display surface while still maintaining security of the displayed product. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, an alarm  120  may sound when the security gate  10  is in an open position. The alarm  120  may comprise a visual light or strobe and/or an audible chime or noise that alerts area store personnel to the opening of the security gate  10 , such as shown in  FIG.  20   . The alarm  120  may alternatively or in addition comprise a public address announcement throughout the store. In addition, store personnel may receive some indicator or message to an individual electronic device on their person. As shown in  FIG.  7   , sensors and/or contacts  125  may be positioned within the hinge  30  or between adjacent portions of the security gate  10  such as between the rigid frame  40  and the header  20  that trigger the alarm to be conveyed. Alternatively, contactless, wireless sensors or other types of sensors may be used to generate an alarm. 
     These sensors  125  may then transmit a condition to the alarm  120  to provide the notifications described above. The alarm  120  may therefore be activated when the sensor  125  determines that an alarming condition is met. The alarming condition may include at least one of: (1) release of the latching mechanism  60  one time; (2) release of the latching mechanism  60  X times, where X can be a reasonable number of unlatching actions as a sum total or a number of unlatching actions within a certain time; and/or (3) a time delta t between when the latching mechanism  60  is released and relatched. For instance, if a customer unlatches the latching mechanism  60  and does not release it for 60 seconds, a certain alarm  120  may be activated generally or directly to store personnel. 
     The above described alarm formats may change or escalate based upon alarming condition of the security gate  10 . For instance, a format of the alarm may change from a blinking strobe to an audible alarm based on a number of security gates  10  that are open simultaneously in one shelving unit or throughout the store. 
     As described above, according to one preferred embodiment of this invention, an alarm and a visual strobe activates when a gate is open. In another preferred embodiment, when multiple (Z) gates are opened within a particular time period (t), then a second alarm sounds, preferably with a different sound, volume and/or message from the first alarm. For example, when one security gate  10  is opened, a doorbell chime may sound and the strobe may blink slowly. If three gates are opened within 15 seconds, an ambulance siren may sound and the strobe may blink faster, brighter and/or in a different color. 
     The security gate may be further connected with respect to an Ethernet and/or wireless connection within a retail environment to enable real time notification of store personnel when a single security gate is opened and/or opened X times and/or Z gates within a t time period. Such notifications may advise store personnel of the condition (Z gates) and/or the store location where the condition was observed. 
     In addition, an IoT enabled central control/computer processor may connects to a wireless receiver and captures gate open/close events and sensor status. The processor may store and send gate sensor activity and data to local or remote IP server endpoints. In addition, the processor may trigger local visual and audible alerts such as a strobe and chime. In addition, or alternatively, the processor may text alerts, email alerts, and other real time reporting based on gate events such as multiple security gates  10  opened quickly, security gates  10  left open, etc. Historic security gate  10  sensor  125  activity/status data may be stored in load and remote databases for post analytics processing and reporting. 
     In one preferred embodiment, each security gate  10  includes sensors  125  that each have a unique numeric ID which is sent to the central control/computer processor with each message/alert. These sensor IDs can be learned by the central processor to: filter out any ambient wireless data so we only act on our sensors; allow specific gate “plan-o-gram” identification to log which gate is open and where in the store (for larger installations); and/or allow other logic such as triggering events when a specific gate is left open too long or if multiple gates are all opened quickly. A store or central control may “learn” sensors to the system either by uploading a table of sensor IDs to the central control, or by activating a sensor (opening and closing a gate) several times within a short duration which will “auto learn” the sensor. This ensures that messages coming from nearby security systems that use the same kind of sensors will not become part of the central control system and cause false triggers. All data from these sensors can also be sent to a cloud server database and analytics can be reported on all the gate activity. 
     An audible and/or visual alert may be triggered locally when gates are opened, but this behavior may be programmable. For example, a doorbell chime sound may be triggered when a gate is open, but if 3 gates are opened within 15 seconds, a different siren sound may be triggered, such as described above. The sounds may be customizable using .WAV files over a pair of standard USB powered speakers. These sounds could also be voice prompts and/or public address announcements such as “customer needs assistance in the tool aisle,” etc. A chime or other sound may be triggered if a security gate has been left opened for more than a predetermined time period t, for instance 80 minutes. This “left open” alert may be a third alarm different from the first alarm and/or the second alarm. 
     A related method for theft prevention from a retail store shelf including a security gate  10  includes providing a header  20  along a top of the shelf; providing at least one hinge  30  arranged along the header  20 ; providing a rigid frame  40  on the header  20  with the at least one hinge  30 ; positioning a guard  50  across the rigid frame, the guard  50  preventing a user from removing the products; and providing a latching mechanism connecting the rigid frame to the header  20 . It is preferable in such a method that the security gate  10  requires two hands to open, one hand to release the latching mechanism and the other to pull the rigid frame open relative to the header. 
     While in the foregoing detailed description the subject development has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purposes of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject development is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.