Patent Publication Number: US-10323440-B1

Title: Anti-theft device having an interlocking assembly for securing an article of merchandise

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to merchandise anti-theft devices. More specifically, it relates to an anti-theft device having an interlocking clip-base assembly for securing an article of merchandise. 
     2. Brief Description of the Related Art 
     Retailers often prefer to present their merchandise to consumers in a way that allows the consumers to touch, inspect, and otherwise interact with the products at a display counter. Many merchandise items, especially portable electronic devices, are relatively expensive and, therefore, are under a serious threat of theft. Retailers often face a dilemma of balancing a need to interactively display their merchandise to attract customers and increase sales, with a need to safeguard the merchandise against theft. 
     One type of anti-theft device for securing articles of merchandise involve clips having retention arms that secure an article of merchandise by grasping the opposite edges thereof. An example of such device is disclosed in a patent application entitled “Anti-Theft Device with Adjustable Locking Arms for Securing an Article of Merchandise” and having a Ser. No. 16/050,696. This type of security device is positioned behind the article of merchandise, thereby enabling customers to have full unobstructed access to the front face of the article of merchandise. However, to safeguard the article of merchandise against unauthorized removal from the retail store, the housing of the anti-theft device must be securely attached to a display counter. 
     Currently, a common solution for securing a clip holding the article of merchandise involves a pedestal mounted to the display counter and a tether cable connecting the clip to the pedestal. An example of such device is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 8,698,618. Although tether cables enable the customer to remove the article of merchandise from the pedestal for a closer interaction, anti-theft devices relying on tether cables suffer from a serious flaw: a thief can cut the cable and steal the article of merchandise. 
     Thus, what is needed is an anti-theft device that enables secure interlocking between the pedestal mounted to the display counter and the housing coupled to the article of merchandise, thereby preventing unauthorized removal of the article of merchandise from the pedestal. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The longstanding and, heretofore, unmet need for an anti-theft device for providing a secure interlocking coupling between a clip holding an article of merchandise and a pedestal mounted onto a display counter is now met with a new and nonobvious device. An anti-theft device for securing an article of merchandise includes a clip having a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface of the clip faces the article of merchandise when the article of merchandise is secured within the clip. On the bottom surface of the clip, there is at least one hook. The hook has a point and a gape, wherein the gape is a distance between the point of the hook and the bottom surface of the clip. 
     The anti-theft device further includes a base. The base has a top plate, the thickness of which is less than or equal to the gape of the hook. The top plate has at least one aperture configured to receive the hook. 
     A locking member is slidingly disposed within the base. The locking member has a first extended position, in which the locking member is proximal to the hook, and a second retracted position, in which the locking member is retracted away from the hook. The anti-theft device has a first locked configuration and a second unlocked configuration. In the first locked configuration, the clip is coupled to the base. The hook enters the base through the aperture, and, then, the clip is shifted with respect to the base, such that the hook and the aperture become misaligned. In the misaligned configuration, the point of the hook is positioned underneath the top plate. When the anti-theft device is locked, the locking member is in the first extended position, in which the locking member prevents the first hook from becoming realigned with the first aperture. Because the hook remains misaligned with respect to the first aperture, the hook cannot be removed from the base via the aperture. In this configuration, the anti-theft device is in the locked configuration and the clip is secured to the base. 
     In the unlocked configuration, the locking member is in the second retracted position, in which the locking member does not restrict the hook from realigning with the aperture. When the hook is realigned with the aperture, the first hook can exit therethrough, thereby releasing the clip from the base. 
     In an embodiment, a second hook is disposed on the bottom surface of the clip and a second aperture is disposed within the top plate of the base. The second aperture is configured to receive the second hook, whereby when a point of the second hook resides underneath the top plate, the clip is restricted against pivoting about the first hook. 
     In an embodiment, a biasing element is disposed within the base. The biasing element is configured to bias the locking member into the first extended position. In an embodiment, a key is used to transition the locking member from the first extended position into the second retracted position. 
     In an embodiment, a cam is rotationally disposed within the base. The cam engages the locking member, whereby rotation of the cam causes the locking member to transition from the first extended position into the second retracted position. In the embodiment in which the locking member is biased toward the extended position, a moment applied to the cam exceeds the biasing force that the biasing element exerts onto the locking member. In an embodiment, a key is used to rotate the cam within the base to retract the locking member. 
     In an embodiment, the first hook has a bend which is engaged by the locking member when the locking member transitions from the retracted position into the extended position. While transitioning from the retracted position to the extended position, the locking member exerts a force onto the bend. The force causes the point of the hook to slide underneath the top plate. 
     In an embodiment, the anti-theft device includes an electric motor that is used to retract the locking member. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the anti-theft device. 
         FIG. 2A  is a schematic side view of the anti-theft device depicting an unlocked configuration of the anti-theft device, wherein the hooks of the clip are aligned with apertures of the base. 
         FIG. 2B  is a schematic side view of the anti-theft device depicting the hooks of the clip positioned within the apertures of the base. 
         FIG. 2C  is a schematic side view of the anti-theft device depicting the hooks of the clip being misaligned with the apertures of the base, with the points of the hooks being positioned underneath the top plate of the base. 
         FIG. 2D  is a schematic side view of the anti-theft device depicting the locked configuration of the anti-theft device, in which the locking member is in its extended position. 
         FIG. 2E  is a schematic side view of the anti-theft device depicting an unlocked configuration of the anti-theft device, in which the locking member is in its retracted position. 
         FIG. 3A  is a front cutaway view of the anti-theft device depicting an unlocked configuration of the anti-theft device. 
         FIG. 3B  is a front cutaway view of the anti-theft device depicting the hooks of the clip inserted into the apertures of the base, retracting the locking member against the biasing force exerted by the biasing element; 
         FIG. 3C  is a front cutaway view of the anti-theft device depicting the locked configuration of the anti-theft device, in which the points of the hooks of the clip are positioned underneath the top plate and the locking member is in the extended position, in which the locking member immobilizes the hooks within the base. 
         FIG. 3D  is a front cutaway view of the anti-theft device depicting the locked configuration of the anti-theft device, with a key engaging the cam positioned within the base and a moment being applied onto the key to rotate the cam. 
         FIG. 3E  is a perspective cutaway view of the anti-theft device depicting the unlocked configuration of the anti-theft device, in which the cam is rotated into a position in which it retracts the locking member away from the hooks. 
         FIG. 3F  is a front cutaway view of the anti-theft device depicting the unlocked configuration of the anti-theft device, with the clip being lifted away from the base. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and within which specific embodiments are shown by way of illustration by which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a clip  12  securing therein an article of merchandise  14 . A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the means of securing article of merchandise  14  within clip  12  depicted in  FIG. 1  is merely exemplary, and that article of merchandise  14  can be secured to clip  12  using various means known in the art, including adhesive, fastening, mechanical gripping, magnets, etc., all of which fall within the scope of the invention. 
       FIG. 1  further depicts that clip  12  has a top surface  16  configured to couple to article of merchandise  14  or be in a closed proximity thereto when article of merchandise  14  is secured within clip  12 . Clip  12  further has a bottom surface  18  opposite top surface  16 . One or more hooks  20  are disposed on bottom surface  18  of clip  12 . 
       FIG. 1  further depicts a base  28 . Base  28  may be mounted directly to a display counter, may be a part of a pedestal mounted to a display counter, or may be otherwise securely deployed in a retail store. Base  28  has a top plate  30 . One or more apertures  34  are disposed within top plate  30 . Each aperture  34  is dimensioned to allow hook  20  to pass therethrough. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2A , in the unlocked configuration clip  12  is detached from base  28 , thus enabling a customer to hold and interact with article of merchandise  14 .  FIG. 2A  depicts that each hook  20 , has a point  22 , a gape  24 , and a bend  26 . Gape  24  is a distance between point  22  and bottom surface  18  of clip  12 . To secure clip  12  to base  28 , the following steps are taken. First, as shown in  FIG. 2A , clip  12  is positioned over base  28 , such that hooks  20  align with apertures  32  of top plate  30 . Second, as depicted in  FIG. 2B , hooks  20  are inserted into base  28  via apertures  32 . Thickness  32  of top plate  30  is equal to or less than gape  24  of hooks  20 , which enables points  22  of hooks  20  to slide underneath top plate  30  as depicted in  FIG. 2C . 
     A locking member  36  is disposed within base  28 . As shown in  FIG. 2D , locking member  36  is configured to immobilize hooks  20  in the position in which points  22  reside underneath top plate  30 . Locking member  36  prevents reverse translation of hooks  20 , thereby preventing removal thereof via apertures  34 . In this locked configuration, hooks  20  are immobilized underneath top plate  30  by locking member  36 , thus securing clip  12  to base  28 . Clip  12  and base  28  collectively form an interlocking assembly that enables secure display of article of merchandise  14 . So long as locking member  36  remains in its extended position depicted in  FIG. 2D , article of merchandise  14  cannot be lifted or otherwise detached from base  28 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 2A-E , clip  12  has multiple hooks  20 , which secure clip  12  within base  28 . By providing multiple points of connection between clip  12  and base  28 , anti-theft device  10  is secured against removal attempts by pivoting clip  12  about any one hook  20  because the remaining hooks prevent any upward motion of any portion of clip  12 . Also, in this embodiment, locking member  36  engages only one hook  20 . This is sufficient to immobilize clip  12  against reverse translation and, therefore, is sufficient to secure clip  12  within base  28 . In alternative embodiments, locking member  26  may be structured to engage multiple hooks  20 , thereby further increasing security of anti-theft device  10  by providing redundancy. In some applications, a single hook  20  may suffice, which would lead to a simpler design and potential cost reduction. In other applications, it may be beneficial to have multiple hooks  20 , some or all of which may be immobilized by locking member  36 . In addition, some embodiments may have multiple separate locking members  36 , each dedicated to immobilizing a specific hook  20  or hooks  20  within the respective apertures  32 . 
     To unlock anti-theft device  10 , locking member  36  must be retracted away from hooks  20  as depicted in  FIG. 2E . When locking member  36  is in its retracted position, hooks  20  can translate with respect to top plate  30  such that points  22  of hooks  20  can slide out from underneath top plate  30  and align with apertures  30 . At this point, clip  12  can be lifted from base  28 , as depicted in  FIG. 2E , with hooks  20  exiting base  28  via apertures  30 . 
       FIGS. 3A-F  illustrate a method of securing an article of merchandise using anti-theft device  10 . In this embodiment of anti-theft device  10 , a biasing element  38  is disposed within base  28 . Biasing element  38  urges locking member  36  into its extended position as depicted in  FIG. 3A . To secure clip  12  to base  28 , hooks  20  of clip  12  are aligned with apertures  30  within top plate  30  of base  28 . When hooks  20  are in alignment with apertures  30 , a downward force is applied onto clip  12 . The downward force exceeds the biasing force exerted onto locking member  36  by biasing element  38 , thereby retracting locking member  36  against the biasing force into its retracted position depicted in FIG.  3 B. Once points  22  of hooks  20  translate downwardly by a distance exceeding thickness  32  of top plate  30 , clip  12  can shift in a forward direction—i.e., in a direction parallel to the plane of top plate  30 . As hooks  20  slide underneath top plate  30 , they clear the path for locking member  36  to return to its extended position, into which it is being urged by biasing element  38 . In an embodiment, the force causing hooks  20  to shift forward is supplied by biasing element  38 . In this embodiment, locking member  24  engages bends  26  of hooks  20 , wherein the slope of bends  26  causes the upward force exerted by locking member  36  onto bend  26  to have a forward force component that translates hooks  20  in a forward direction. In an alternative embodiment, the force needed to translate hooks  20  in a forward direction can be manually supplied by sliding clip  12  forward. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3C , when locking member  36  returns to its extended position, locking member  36  immobilizes hooks  20  against translating in a reverse direction. Thus, points  22  of hooks  20  remain underneath top plate  30 , thereby interlocking clip  12  and base  28 . This is the locked configuration of anti-theft device  10 , in which article of merchandise  14  cannot be removed from base  28 . 
     The method of unlocking anti-theft device  10  is depicted in  FIGS. 3D-F . To unlock anti-theft device  10 , locking member  36  must be transitioned into its retracted position. In an embodiment, a cam  40  is rotationally disposed within base  28 . In an embodiment, a key  42  is required to rotate cam  40  by engaging a corresponding socket  44  within cam  40 . In alternative embodiments, electro-mechanical means—e.g., a motor—can be used to rotate cam  40 . Such motor can be actuated remotely via an electric, radio, audio, or light signal or may have a mechanical actuation button. Yet, in other embodiments, cam  40  may be foregone and replaced with an electro-mechanical assembly configured to retract locking member  36 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3D , cam  40  is concealed within base  28 . Base  28  includes an opening to allow insertion of key  42  therein. This opening aligns with socket  44 , thereby enabling the head of key  42  to engage socket  44 . A moment applied onto key  42  is translated to cam  40 . The moment must exceed the biasing force exerted onto locking member  36  by biasing element  38  to retract locking member  36  against the biasing force. Rotation of cam  40  causes cam  40  to apply a force onto locking member  36  that opposes biasing force biasing element  38  exerts onto locking member  36 , thereby transitioning locking member  36  into its retracted position depicted in  FIG. 3E . 
       FIGS. 3E-F  depict the unlocked configuration of anti-theft device  10 . When locking member  36  is retracted away from hooks  20 , clip  12  can translate in a reverse direction, such that points  22  of hooks  20  slide out from underneath top plate  30 . When hooks  20  become realigned with apertures  32  of top plate  30 , clip  12  can be lifted out of base  28 , wherein hooks  20  exit base  28  via apertures  32 . Biasing force exerted onto locking member  36  by biasing element  38  returns locking member  36  its extended position after key  42  and hooks  20  are removed from base  28 . 
     With clip  12  detached from base  28 , a customer can hold article of merchandise  14  in his or her hands. In this manner, anti-theft device  10  provides a full interactive experience with article of merchandise  14  under supervision of authorized personnel member who unlocked anti-theft device  10 . After the customer ceases his or her interaction with article of merchandise  14 , the authorized personnel member replaces clip  12  onto base  30  such that hooks  20  align with apertures  32  and performs the steps depicted in  FIGS. 3A-C  to lock clip  12  to base  28 . Because only authorized personnel have access to key  42 , anti-theft device cannot be unlocked without seeking permission from the authorized personnel. Thus, customers can interact with article of merchandise  14  while it is secured to base  28 —however, if they desire to hold article of merchandise  14 , they must engage an authorized personnel member, who will then unlock anti-theft device  10  and will supervise the customer&#39;s interaction with article of merchandise  14 . 
     As explained earlier, in alternative embodiments of anti-theft device  10 , electro-mechanical mechanism can be deployed within base  28  to retract locking member  36 . In those embodiments, only the authorized personnel will have access to the actuation means required to actuate the electro-mechanical mechanism. In this embodiments, a level of security is achieved by requiring customers to seek permission from the authorized store personnel to interact with article of merchandise  14 . 
     The advantages set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained. Since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.