Patent ID: 7251966

Claim:
A security device comprising: a cable adapted for placement about an object; a first structure; an internal spool which is rotatable relative to the first structure about an axially extending axis in a cable-tightening direction to wind the cable thereon and rotatable in an opposite cable-loosening direction to unwind the cable therefrom; first and second engaging members mounted respectively on the first structure and the spool so that the second engaging member is rotatable with the spool; wherein at least one of the first and second engaging members has at least one locking tooth for lockably engaging the other of the first and second engaging members in a locked position to prevent rotation of the spool about the axis in the cable-loosening direction; and wherein one of the first and second engaging members moves axially from the locked position to an unlocked position in which the first and second engaging members are disengaged from one another to allow rotation of the spool in the cable-loosening direction; and an unlocking mechanism for moving the one of the first and second engaging members from the locked position to the unlocked position; wherein the one of the first and second engaging members is spring biased to the locked position; wherein a force applied via the unlocking mechanism moves the one of the first and second engaging members axially to overcome the spring bias; and further including a retaining mechanism for retaining the one of the first and second engaging members in the unlocked position when the force applied via the unlocking mechanism is removed.