Patent ID: 7266979

Claim:
A theft deterrent device comprising: first and second jaws pivotally connected to one another and pivotally movable between open and closed positions; wherein the jaws cooperate when in the closed position to define an interior chamber and a through passage adapted to receive therethrough a portion of an article of merchandise; a lock slide disposed within the interior chamber and carried by the first jaw; wherein the lock slide is slidable between locked and unlocked positions; a lock for selectively locking the lock slide in its locked position to lockably secure the first and second jaws together in the closed position; a thumb grip externally accessible when the device is locked and which operatively engages the lock slide so that the lock slide is movable between the locked and unlocked positions in response to movement of the thumb grip; and wherein the lock slide defines an central opening, with a portion of the thumb grip being disposed within said central opening.