Patent ID: 12215521

While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS.1and2provide front and rear perspective views of anti-theft merchandise hook100in the open position, the anti-theft merchandise hook100constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.FIGS.3and4provide front and rear perspective views of anti-theft merchandise hook100in the closed position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In certain embodiments, the anti-theft merchandise hook100is an RFID-activated merchandise hook with a top wire102and a bottom wire104on which the merchandise is held, where the bottom wire104is shorter in length than the top wire102.

The anti-theft merchandise hook100further includes a spring-biased hanger106that is moved laterally back and forth between a closed position in which the hanger106is securely abutted to an end of the bottom wire104, and an open position in which the hanger106is separated from the end of the bottom wire104. In the open position, the space between the hanger106and bottom wire104allows for merchandise to be removed from the hook100. In the closed position, no merchandise can be removed. In the embodiments shown, the hanger106is substantially cylindrical, though in alternate embodiments, the hanger106could be prismatic, curved, spiraled, or some other suitable shape.

In a particular embodiment of the invention which includes that shown inFIGS.1-4, the hanger106is disposed, at least partially, within a housing108of the anti-theft merchandise hook100. As shown in the embodiments ofFIGS.4,5A, and5B, the hanger106may have a concave or cup-shaped end110configured to abut securely against an end105of the bottom wire104when the anti-theft merchandise hook100is in the closed position. The end105of the bottom wire104may be convex or rounded to facilitate a fit between the concave cup-shaped end110and the end105of the bottom wire104. Thus, the convex end of the bottom wire104, when abutted with the correspondingly concave end of the hanger106provides a secure attachment between the two components such that no merchandise can be removed from the bottom wire104.

In more particular embodiments, electronic circuitry140disposed within the housing108is able to detect when the hanger106is in contact with the bottom wire104, and therefore able to determine when the anti-theft merchandise hook100is in the closed position. In some embodiments, the electronic circuitry140of the anti-theft merchandise hook100is battery-powered. Alternate embodiments are envisioned in which the electronic circuitry140is powered by means other than a battery, e.g., solar cell, hardwired to building power, etc.

The bottom wire104may be made from metal or some similarly conductive material, while some portion of the hanger106, including a portion that abuts the bottom wire104, is also made from metal or some similarly conductive material, such that an electrical circuit is formed when the bottom wire104and hanger106are in contact with each other. The electronic circuitry140of the anti-theft merchandise hook100may be able to detect when the bottom wire104and hanger106are in contact with each other based on the formation of this electrical circuit.

In the embodiment ofFIGS.6A and6B, a spring112is assembled onto the hanger106within the housing108. The spring112abuts a surface within the housing108such that the spring112biases the hanger106in the open position. A second end of the hanger106opposite the cup-shaped end110protrudes from the housing108. The user pushes on this second end of the hanger106, against the force of spring112in order to bring the hanger106in contact with the bottom wire104, thereby closing the anti-theft merchandise hook100.

The hanger106may then be locked in the closed position by a plunger114within the housing108. In the embodiment shown inFIG.6B, the plunger114is substantially cylindrical and arranged perpendicularly to the hanger106(in this case vertically with respect to the horizontally-arranged hanger106), and is seated within a notch116cut into a middle portion of the hanger106to lock the hanger106in place and keep it from moving back to the open position. In alternate embodiments, the plunger114could be assume different shapes, e.g., prismatic, that engage the notch116to lock the hanger106in the closed position.

In the embodiment shown, the plunger114is moved back and forth by a small motor122disposed within the housing108. The motor122may be an electrically-powered stepper motor. The electronic circuitry140in the housing108operates the motor122in response to an RFID-enabled device, e.g., an RFID card or RFID key (not shown), or other suitable device when placed in proximity to the housing108. For example, it is contemplated that devices other than RFID-enabled devices (e.g., magnetic, electromagnetic, etc.) may be used to operate the motor122and plunger114. In one particular example, tapping the RFID card on the housing108may cause the plunger114to seat in the notch116of the hanger106when the user pushes the hanger106into contact with the bottom wire104. Subsequently, tapping the RFID card on the housing108may then cause the plunger114to unseat from the notch116to open the anti-theft merchandise hook100.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, a limit switch126is disposed in the housing108and configured to track the time the anti-theft merchandise hook100is in the open position and to issue an alarm if the anti-theft merchandise hook100remains in the open position longer than a threshold period of time. For example, the limit switch126may be configured such that the anti-theft merchandise hook100emits an audible alarm and/or a wireless alarm signal if the anti-theft merchandise hook100is in the open position for more than 15 seconds, or even 30 seconds. However, threshold times greater than 30 seconds and lesser than 15 seconds are envisioned. In certain embodiments of the invention, the user may adjust the threshold time limit before the limit switch126causes the alarm to issue.

In a further embodiment, the aforementioned RFID-enabled device, when used to tap the housing108or placed in close proximity to the housing108, activates the motor122which lifts the plunger114out of the notch116so that the spring112moves the hanger106away from the bottom wire104, thus allowing for the removal of merchandise from the bottom wire104. The lifting of the plunger114depresses and activates the limit switch126which starts a timer. After the threshold period of time, if the hanger106remains separated from the bottom wire104, the limit switch126may cause anti-theft merchandise hook100to issue an alarm. The alarm may issue for a specified period of time, or the alarm may continue until the hanger106is urged into contact with the bottom wire105and the plunger114lowered into the notch116to lock the hanger106in place.

The electronic circuitry140in the housing108may include an emitter142capable of emitting an audible, visible, and wireless radio alarm signal. Additionally, the top102and/or bottom wire104may be electrically coupled to the electronic circuitry140such that the wire(s) functions as an antenna for the transmission of the signal to the wireless radio alarm signal. In certain embodiments, the wireless radio alarm signal emitted by the electronic circuitry140of the anti-theft merchandise hook100is configured to be transmitted to an alarm box128(seeFIG.3).

In particular embodiments, the alarm box128includes a receiver configured to receive a wireless signal from one or more signal-emitting retail display devices. In some embodiments, the alarm box128also has an alarm box emitter130configured to emit an audible signal indicative of the wireless signal received from the one or more signal-emitting retail display devices, and one or more terminals132for connecting the alarm box128to an output receiving device. In certain embodiments, the alarm box emitter130is also configured to emit a visible signal indicative of the wireless signal received from the one or more signal-emitting retail display devices. In such a case, the alarm box128may include one or more LEDs or other light-emitting devices capable of indicating multiple types of alarm conditions or indicating a particular status of one or more anti-theft merchandise hooks100. Furthermore, the alarm box128may also include an antenna134for transmitting wireless signals indicative of an alarm condition. The wireless signals may be transmitted to an output receiving device capable of receiving wireless transmission or to some remotely-located receiving station.

FIG.7shows a perspective view of the mounting apparatus120for the anti-theft merchandise hook100according to an embodiment of the invention. The mounting apparatus120of the anti-theft merchandise hook100is for mounting or attaching the mounting apparatus120to a fixed or stationary surface to fix the position of the anti-theft merchandise hook100. In the embodiments shown, the mounting apparatus120includes one or more openings121in which is arranged a mechanical mounting lock124.

In the embodiments shown, the mounting apparatus120includes two mounting projections123for securing the anti-theft merchandise hook100to a pegboard. In a particular embodiment, the mounting apparatus120includes a mounting face plunger118that is depressed when the mounting apparatus120is secured flush to a stationary surface, such that when the anti-theft merchandise hook100is removed from its flush mounting to the stationary surface, the mounting face plunger118is released thus triggering an alarm.

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.