Patent ID: 7337636

Claim:
An anti-theft device ( 100 ) for receiving an arm therethrough, comprising: a longitudinal shaft ( 160 ) having a longitudinal axis ( 280 ), wherein said longitudinal shaft ( 160 ) is divided into first ( 260 a ) and second ( 260 b ) elongated brackets, said first bracket ( 260 a ) and said second bracket ( 260 b ) each have a rectangular U-shaped cross section, said first bracket ( 260 a ) defines first ( 300 a ) and second ( 320 a ) longitudinal edges, said second bracket ( 260 b ) defines first ( 300 b ) and second ( 320 b ) longitudinal edges, wherein said second edge ( 320 a ) and said second edge ( 320 b ) are hingedly connected to each other in a longitudinal direction such that said first ( 260 a ) and second ( 260 b ) elongated brackets are reversibly moveable between an open position and a closed position transverse to said longitudinal axis ( 280 ), said first edge ( 300 b ) comprises first ( 460 ) and second ( 480 ) elongated inner flanges with a locking tab ( 420 ) extending between said first ( 460 ) and second ( 480 ) elongated inner flanges on said first edge ( 300 b ), said locking tab ( 420 ) defines an aperture ( 440 ) therein, wherein first bracket ( 260 a ) comprises sidewall ( 340 a ), wherein said sidewall ( 340 a ) includes an aperture ( 390 ), wherein said locking tab aperture ( 440 ) and said sidewall aperture ( 390 ) are aligned upon closing said first ( 260 a ) and second ( 260 b ) brackets; and a locking mechanism ( 230 ), wherein when said first ( 260 a ) and second ( 260 b ) brackets are in a closed configuration and said locking mechanism ( 230 ) is in operable communication with said locking tab aperture ( 440 ) and said sidewall aperture ( 390 ) such that said locking mechanism ( 230 ) is capable of reversibly locking said first ( 260 a ) and second ( 260 b ) brackets together such that first ( 460 ) and second ( 480 ) elongated inner flanges and said locking tab ( 420 ) extend within said first longitudinal edge ( 300 a ) to substantially prevent illicit tampering with said locking mechanism ( 230 ).