Patent Abstract:
A theft deterrent device includes a base, a plug, and a cable assembly that is selectively connected to the base and the plug. The plug may be locked to the base to form a closed loop that may be used to hold merchandise. In situations where the plug cannot be threaded through the merchandise, the cable assembly may be disconnected from the plug to provide a smaller cross-section so that it may be threaded through the merchandise. The cable assembly is then reconnected to the plug so that the loop may be locked. The cable assembly is also replaceable so that the user does not have to discard the entire device if the cable is cut.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention generally relates to theft deterrent devices for retail establishments and, more particularly, to an EAS tag-carrying device that may be secured to an item of merchandise. Specifically, the present invention relates to a theft deterrent device having a cable that is used to connect the device to an item of merchandise; the cable having a small head that allows it to be threaded through small openings on an item of merchandise while also being selectively connected to a plug that includes one of the portions of the lock mechanism. 
     2. Background Information 
     Various retail establishments use theft deterrent systems to discourage shoplifting. A common theft deterrent system uses electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags attached to items of merchandise. The EAS tags are configured to activate an alarm that is positioned at the exit of the establishment. 
     Securing the EAS tags to merchandise is a problem faced by most retail establishments. The tags must be connected in a secure manner that prevents unauthorized removal while not damaging the items of merchandise. The tags must also be readily removable by authorized personnel so that the tags do not unduly delay checkout. 
     The prior art is replete with EAS tag carriers designed to secure EAS tags to merchandise. Various types are known in the art such as frames that extend around items, pins that pierce items, and cables that wrap around items. The present invention relates to the types of devices that use cables to wrap around a portion of the merchandise. A problem with these types of devices is that the leading end of the cable is often too large to fit through the openings on the merchandise where the retail establishment wishes to secure the device. Another problem is that the devices must be discarded if the cable portion of the device is broken by the shoplifter. A further problem is that the devices are not always easy to unlock. The invention described in this application addresses these issues. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a theft deterrent device that includes a base, a plug, and a cable that is selectively connected to the base and the plug. The plug may be locked to the base to form a closed loop that may be used to hold merchandise. In situations where the plug cannot be threaded through the merchandise, the cable assembly may be disconnected from the plug to provide a smaller cross-section so that it may be threaded through the merchandise. The cable assembly is then reconnected to the plug so that the loop may be locked. The cable assembly is also replaceable so that the user does not have to discard the entire device if the cable is cut. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an elevation view showing the device of the present invention attached to an item of merchandise. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the base of the device. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the plug of the device. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cable of the device. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the end of the cable being inserted into the plug. 
     FIG. 6 is a section view taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the end of the cable fully inserted into the plug. 
     FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the plug with the end of the cable inserted into the plug. 
     FIG. 9 is a section view taken along line  9 — 9  of FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 10 is a longitudinal section view taken through the base showing the end of the cable being inserted into the base. 
     FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 showing the end of the cable fully inserted into the base. 
     FIG. 12 is a section view taken along line  12 — 12  of FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 10 showing the plug being inserted into the base. 
     FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 showing the plug fully inserted into the base. 
     FIG. 15 is a section view showing the device being unlocked with an opener. 
     FIG. 16 is a view of the device in the unlocked position showing the plug being removed. 
    
    
     Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the specification. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The theft deterrent device of the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral  10  in the accompanying drawings. Device  10  is configured to be securely attached to an item of merchandise  12  (such as the shoe shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1) to deter a shoplifter from steeling merchandise  12 . Device  10  may be used with an EAS tag  14  as shown in FIG.  10 . Device  10  may also be used without tag  14  simply to provide a visual deterrent to shoplifting. 
     Device  10  generally includes a base  20 , a cable assembly  22 , and a plug  24 . Cable assembly  22  is configured to be selectively attachable to both base  20  and plug  24 . In the context of this application, the word “selectively” is defined as meaning that something may be repeatedly made and unmade. The phrase “selectively attachable” or “selectively connectable” is understood to be a connection that can be repeatedly made and unmade. As such, cable  22  is selectively attachable to base  20  so that the user may disconnect cable assembly  22  from base  20  as needed and then may reconnect cable assembly  22  with base  20  when necessary. This distinguishes prior art references wherein cables are permanently attached with welds, press fits, and other similar connections that prevent repeated removal and reattachment. 
     In general, device  10  is connected to item  12  by threading cable assembly  22  through an opening  30  defined by item  12 . In some situations, opening  30  is rather small such as the eyelet on the shoe depicted in FIG.  1 . In these situations, plug  24  cannot fit through opening  30  and device  10  would not be able to be used with item  12  unless it could be connected to another portion of item  12 . In accordance with one of the objects of the present invention, plug  24  may be separated from cable assembly  22  so that cable assembly  22  may be threaded through opening  30 . Plug  24  is then locked to base  20  to securely connect device  10  to item  12 . Tag  14  is thus secured to item  12 . 
     Base  20  generally includes a body  32  and a first portion  24  of a lock mechanism  36 . Body  32  may define a recess or a closed chamber  38  configured to hold tag  14 . The type of tag  14  may define the size and shape of chamber  38 . Body  32  also defines a port  40  configured to selectively receive plug  24  and a portion of cable assembly  22 . First portion  34  of lock mechanism  36  is carried by body  32  such that it is exposed to port  40 . In the exemplary embodiment, first portion  34  is a resilient lock finger that moves between locking (FIG. 14) and unlocking (FIG. 15) positions. In the exemplary embodiment, the lock finger is fabricated from a magnetically attractable material (such as spring steel) such that the finger may be moved from the locking position to the unlocking position with a magnet  42  as shown in FIG.  15 . The finger automatically moves back to the locking position because of its resilient nature. The finger may project from a frame  44  that is held by body  32  in a secure manner such as being sandwiched between opposed walls (shown in FIG.  12 ). Frame  44  may also be snap-fit into body  32  if desired. 
     The second portion  46  of lock mechanism  36  is formed on plug  24  and includes a ledge that cooperates with the lock finger to lock plug  24  to body  20 . In another embodiment of the invention, the positions of first and second lock members  34  and  46  may be switched so that the lock finger is carried by plug  34  and the ledge is defined by body  32 . 
     Body  32  includes a plug support wall  50  that supports the bottom of plug  24  when plug  24  is disposed in port  40 . Support wall  50  includes forward, intermediate, and rear portions. As shown in FIG. 12, the forward portion of wall  50  is split by a channel  52  that allows a portion of cable assembly  22  to be received between the two split portions of wall  50 . An intermediate portion of wall  50  defines a first recess  50  that is configured to selectively receive a first barrel  62  connected to a first end of cable  61 . Wall  50  may include bosses  64  that function as dual ramps to allow barrel  62  to be snapped into and out of recess  60 . Wall  50  may also define an access opening  66  that allows the user to push barrel  62  out of recess  60  when desired. 
     Barrel  62  may thus be inserted into port  40  and pressed down into recess  60  to selectively secure cable assembly  22  to base  20 . The user may disconnect cable assembly  22  from base  20  by inserting a suitable pusher into access opening  66  to push barrel  62  back through bosses  64 . Bosses  64  and the walls of body  32  are suitably flexible and resilient to allow for repeated installation and removal of barrel  62 . 
     FIG. 12 also depicts stopping wall  68  that prevents barrel  62  from being out of channel  52 . Wall  50  also includes an angled portion  70  that prevents plug  24  from catching on wall  50  when it is inserted into base  20 . 
     Body  32  also includes a top wall  72  that defines a portion of port  40 . Wall  72  is raised from the wall that holds portion  34  to form a step  74 . Step  74  may be used to properly position a key  76  as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 so that magnet  42  is properly aligned with lock portion  34 . Key  76  may define its own step  78  to help position device  10 . 
     Turning now to plug  24  that is selectively received in base  20 , we find that plug  24  has a body  80  having a forward portion and a rear portion. The rear portion of body  80  defines a recess  82  configured to selectively receive a second barrel  84  that is secured to the second end of cable  61 . Bosses  86  similar to those described above are provided on body  80  where they projected out into recess  82  to selectively hold barrel  84 . Body  80  also defines an access opening  88  that allows the user to push barrel  84  out of body  80 . 
     The rear wall  90  of body  80  defines a slot  92  that receives cable  61  when barrel  84  is snapped into recess  82 . Rear wall  90  prevents barrel  84  from being pulled out of plug  24 . 
     The forward portion of body  80  defines the second portion of lock mechanism  36 . Second portion  46  of lock mechanism  36  includes a ledge as described above and the ledge is defined by the forward portion of body  80 . Ledge  46  is engaged by lock finger  34  when lock mechanism  36  is in the locked position. Forward portion of body  80  also defines sidewalls  96  that are disposed on the sides of lock fingers  34  when lock mechanism  36  is in the locked position. Walls  96  thus provide lateral support to finger  34  when lock mechanism  36  is locked. 
     Device  10  may be used by snapping barrel  62  into base  20  so that cable assembly  22  is secure to base  20 . The user may then loop barrel  84  through opening  30 . Barrel  84  is then snapped into plug  24 . Plug  24  is then inserted into base  20  until lock mechanism  36  moves to the locked position. In this position, barrels  82  and  84  are trapped in place and cannot be removed without destroying a portion of device  10 . The device may also be used without disconnecting barrel  84  from plug  24  when opening  30  is large enough to accept plug  24 . Device  10  thus provides a adaptable theft deterrent device that may be used with different items of merchandise  12 . 
     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.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8