Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Technical Field  
         [0002]     The invention relates to a security device, and more particularly to an adjustable security device which wraps around and secures a box-like structure in a secure locked position. Even more particularly, the invention relates to such a cable security device which includes a plurality of wires or cable that wrap around the article to be protected and has an unique ratchet mechanism for tightening the cable around the article of merchandise and a quick release locking mechanism, and which has an attached key for unlatching the ratchet mechanism.  
         [0003]     2. Background Information  
         [0004]     Retail stores have a difficult time protecting boxes containing various expensive merchandise, books and other similarly structured packages, or protecting such containers from being opened and the contents thereof being removed without authorization from store personnel or damaged while on display. Consumers often want to visually inspect the packaged expensive articles before deciding to purchase them. The store is faced with the problem of how to protect these expensive articles from theft while displaying them for sale.  
         [0005]     One method used to protect these packages and the articles contained therein is to enclose the article within a transparent glass display case which can only be accessed from behind a counter of the retail store. The consumer can view the article through the glass but is not able to handle the article or read any of the information about the article that may be printed on the box unless a store clerk removes the article from the case. However, in large retail stores, the problem then arises of getting the selected merchandise to the customer after the customer wishes to purchase the same without subjecting the merchandise to theft. One manner is to maintain a supply of the boxes containing the expensive articles or merchandise close at hand for delivery to or pick-up by the customer for subsequent taking to a check-out clerk. However this makes the boxes susceptible to theft and requires additional sales personnel.  
         [0006]     Another method used by retail stores is to list the article in a catalog and require consumers to place an order from the catalog. The article is delivered from a back storage area and the consumer must simultaneously pick up and pay for the merchandise at the same location to prevent unauthorized removal from the store. The consumer does not get to inspect the article before purchasing and if they are not satisfied they must undergo the hassle of returning the article for a refund.  
         [0007]     Boxes and box-like structures are also subjected to unauthorized openings while being shipped via a courier. These articles can be easily opened and resealed when packaged and taped-shut in the conventional manner without the recipient or the sender knowing of such actions. Shipped packages can be secured within a security container with a locking mechanism but these containers are expensive to purchase and add size and weight to the package making it more expensive to ship. Also, would-be thieves can gain unauthorized access to the contents of these containers by “picking” the locking mechanisms or possibly guessing the combination to a combination lock.  
         [0008]     Few prior art locking devices have adequately solved this problem of securing packages or objects in a closed condition while being displayed in retail stores or shipped from one location to another. Some prior art security devices include a wire which wraps around an article and is secured by some type of locking mechanism. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,611,760, 4,418,551, 4,756,171, 4,896,517, 4,930,324, 5,156,028, 5,794,464, and 6,092,401.  
         [0009]     The particular security device shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,464 has proven satisfactory, but requires a special tool to operate the latch mechanism, both for tightening the cable about the object to be protected and to release the latch mechanism after the security device has been removed from the package to enable the internal mechanism on which the cable is wound to be free-wheeling in order to be pulled outwardly to a larger size for placement around another package. This separate and specially designed key becomes a problem in that it can become lost or stolen and must always be associated with and manipulated for operating the security device.  
         [0010]     Furthermore, the ratchet mechanism of U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,464 as well as the other known cable wrap ratchet-actuated security devices can be defeated by excessive force or manipulation of the ratchet device and/or of the package being protected, which could go undetected by the store personnel.  
         [0011]     Therefore, the need exists for a cable wrap security device which includes a ratchet member and a locking member which does not require any special tool to tighten the cable about a package, in which part of the lock mechanism forms the tool for unlatching the ratchet mechanism to provide for the free-wheeling of the internal spool thereof, and in which the ratchet member can be provided with an internal audible alarm which will be actuated if the integrity of the security device is compromised or the protected article stolen from the retail store.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     The security device of the present invention includes a plurality of wires or cables which encircle and lock all six sides of a box, package, book or other similar structure. The cable extends between a ratchet member which includes a gear with a plurality of teeth, a one-way pawl which engages the teeth, and a locking member which includes a fastener which snap-fits to a base and requires a special unlocking tool or key to unlock.  
         [0013]     Another feature of the present invention is to provide such a security device which requires only a special magnetic key to unlock the locking member to enable the cable to be removed from the protected device.  
         [0014]     A further feature of the present invention is to provide the device with an audible alarm which is actuated should the integrity of a sensing loop in the securing cable be jeopardized or compromised, and in which the security device contains an EAS tag which actuates an alarm at a security gate should a potential thief attempt to leave the premise before removing the cable wrap security device from the protected article.  
         [0015]     A still further feature of the invention is to provide such a security device which includes a one-way ratchet which can be released by a key formation formed on the locking mechanism thereby eliminating the need for a separate key to release the latching mechanism as heretofore required.  
         [0016]     Another feature of the invention is to provide such a security device in which the locking mechanism is open by a specially designed magnetic release mechanism.  
         [0017]     Still another aspect of the invention is to provide such a security device in which the ratchet mechanism is actuated to tighten the cable about an article by a flip-up handle on the ratchet mechanism avoiding the need for a special key to rotate the ratchet mechanism and tighten the cable about the protected article.  
         [0018]     These features are obtained by the security device of the present invention, the general nature of which may be stated as comprising a cable for placement about an object to be secured; a ratchet mechanism connected to the cable having a flip-up handle moveable between a raised operating position for manual rotation for tightening the cable around the object and a down position conforming generally to the contour of the ratchet mechanism; and a two-piece locking member including a base and a fastener which are connected to the cable and releasably locked together for releasably locking said cable about the object. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]     A preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated of the best mode in which Applicant contemplates applying the principles, is set forth in the following description and is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.  
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic plan view showing the security device of the present invention secured on a package.  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  showing the locking member of the security device located on the opposite side of the package from that of the ratchet mechanism shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged sectional view taken on line  3 - 3 ,  FIG. 2  showing the locking member in a locked position.  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  showing a magnetic key unlocking the locking member.  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view showing the two-piece locking member in a disengaged unlocked position.  
         [0025]      FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of the ratchet mechanism of  FIG. 1  with a fragmentary portion of the securing cables shown extending outwardly therefrom.  
         [0026]      FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the ratchet mechanism with the flip-up handle in a down inoperative position.  
         [0027]      FIG. 8  is a view similar to  FIG. 7  with the flip-up handle in a raised operating position.  
         [0028]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of portions of the housing, cable spool, top wall cover plate, gear housing and lock ring of the ratchet mechanism.  
         [0029]      FIG. 10  is a bottom plan view of the gear disc removed from the ratchet mechanism spool.  
         [0030]      FIG. 11  is a bottom plan view of the locking disc removed from the ratchet mechanism spool.  
         [0031]      FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of various components of the ratchet mechanism.  
         [0032]      FIG. 13  is an assembled view of the ratchet mechanism components shown in  FIG. 12 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 14  is a bottom plan view of the ratchet mechanism with portions broken away and in section, showing the end of the locking member base engaged with the pawl release bottom plate of the ratchet mechanism.  
         [0034]      FIG. 15  is a view similar to  FIG. 14  showing the bottom plate of the ratchet mechanism moving the locking pawls of the gear disc out of engagement with the gear teeth of the gear housing to place the cable spool in a free wheeling position.  
         [0035]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 7  of a modified ratchet mechanism with the flip-up handle in a raised operating position. 
     
    
       [0036]     Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0037]     The security device of the present invention is indicated generally at  1 , and is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  secured about a package  2 . Security device  1  includes two main components, a ratchet mechanism and a locking member indicated generally at  4  and  5 , respectively.  
         [0038]     Locking member  5  shown particularly in  FIGS. 3-5 , is a two-piece member consisting of a base  7  and a fastener  8 . Base  7  preferably is an elongated member formed of rigid plastic having an internal chamber  9  and an entrance opening  10 . A pair of metal tines  12  are mounted within chamber  9  and are biased inwardly as shown particularly in  FIG. 3 . Base  7  is formed with a through opening  13  through which extends a first cable loop  15 , which is one portion of the securing cable collectively indicated at  16 .  
         [0039]     Fastener  8  is an elongated member preferably formed of rigid plastic, and has another cable loop  17  extending through an opening  19  formed in one end of the fastener. Fastener  8  is formed with a pair of angled recesses  20  which terminate in shoulders  21  which are engaged by the distal ends of metal tines  12  when fastener  8  is inserted into base  7  as shown in  FIG. 3 , to secure fastener  8  in a locked position within base  7 . Fastener  8  cannot be withdrawn toward the unlocking position as shown in  FIG. 5 , due to the engagement of the distal ends of metal tines  12  with shoulders  21 . However, locking member  5  is opened easily by a clerk at the checkout counter of a retail store by placement of a magnetic key  23  in a controlled position on base  7 . Key  23  contains a pair of magnets  24  and are positioned to align with a respective metal tine  12  to move the metal tines out of locking engagement with its respective shoulder  21 . This enables fastener  8  to be moved in the direction of Arrow A ( FIG. 4 ) to disengage from base  7  as shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0040]     Locking member  5  preferably includes a pair of alignment projections  25  ( FIG. 2 ) which align with projections on key  23  to ensure that magnetic key  23  is properly placed on member  5  so that magnets  24  accurately align with their respective metal tines  12  to move the tines to the unlocked position. This specially positioned pair of magnets  24  in relationship to the spaced tines  12 , reduces the possibility of a shoplifter unlocking locking member  5  by use of a single unauthorized magnet.  
         [0041]     Ratchet mechanism  4  ( FIGS. 7-13 ) includes a housing  27  which has a cylindrical side wall  28  and a stepped bottom wall  29 . Bottom wall  29  ( FIG. 9 ) has a first raised cylindrical surface  30  and a lower concentric cylindrical surface  31 , with a plurality of one-way gear teeth  32  being formed on a connecting surface extending between surfaces  30  and  31  and extending circumferentially thereabout. Four openings  34  are formed in side wall  28  and upper cylindrical surface  30  for the passage of securing cable  16  therethrough as discussed further below. A large circular central opening  36  is formed in bottom wall  29  for receiving a pawl release plate  37  therein. Housing  27  preferably is a one-piece member formed of a rugged plastic material.  
         [0042]     Ratchet mechanism  4  further includes a spool indicated generally at  40  ( FIGS. 12 and 13 ), which includes a central hub  41  and first and second spaced flanges  42  and  43  extending outwardly therefrom and spaced from each other for capturing cable  16  therebetween when the cable loops  15  and  17  are tightened about package  2 . Spool  40  preferably is a one-piece member molded of a rigid plastic material and cable  16  preferably is comprised of the two cable sections or loops  15  and  17 . A circular central recess  45  ( FIG. 9 ) is formed in flange  43  and contains a printed circuit board  46  which includes the necessary electronic circuitry (not shown) well-known in the art, for providing an alarm system discussed further below. Four slotted holes  48  are formed in flange  43  and communicate with cable openings  34  for inserting enlarged ends  49  of cable loops  15  and  17  therethrough. Ends  49  are metallic and are received within small compartments  51  formed on circuit board  46 , where they are connected to the electric circuitry of circuit board  46  by conductors  52 . Three of the four cable enlarged ends  49  are shown seated within their respective compartments  51  and are connected to circuit board  46  by conductors  52 .  
         [0043]     The alarm system further includes an audible alarm having a speaker  54  ( FIG. 9 ) which is mounted within a complimentary shaped circular recess  55  formed on the inside surface of a top wall portion  57 , which is another of the main components of ratchet mechanism  4 . Speaker  54  is connected to circuit board  46  by a pair of conductors  58 . The alarm system further includes a LED  59  which aligns with a hole  60  formed in top wall portion  57 . LED  59  is connected in the alarm circuitry and preferably provides a blinking action which indicates that the alarm system is operating serving as a deterrent to a possible shoplifter.  
         [0044]     In further accordance with the invention, the alarm system includes a sense loop which extends through the cable loops  15  and  17  by the electrical connection of enlarged ends  49  with circuit board  46  through conductors  52 . The alarm system sends a series of pulses or maintains a constant flow of electrical energy through the cables by power supplied by a battery  62  ( FIG. 12 ) which is located within a complimentary shaped recess  63  formed within the central opening of flange  42 . Battery  62  is connected to the circuitry of circuit board  46  by a metallic connector  64 . Thus, the alarm system contained within ratchet mechanism  4 , provides a continuous sensing loop extending through the cables, which as shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , will include an inner metallic conductor  65  covered by a layer of insulation  66 . Cable loops  15  and  17  provide the necessary mechanical strength for securing security device  1  about package  2 , as well as the electrical circuitry to provide a sensing loop, which if compromised in any manner, such as cutting through one of the cable conductors  65  or pulling it loose from its connection to the printed circuit board, will actuate the audible alarm alerting store personnel of the unauthorized tampering of security device  1 .  
         [0045]     Ratchet mechanism  4  further includes a locking disc indicated generally at  68  ( FIG. 12 ), which is secured to pawl release plate  37  by a plurality of screws  69  so as to rotate with plate  37 . Locking disc  68  is formed with a plurality of arcuate camming slots  71  ( FIG. 11 ) spaced equally circumferentially about disc  68 , in which are received a respective camming projection  73  formed on a locking pawl  74 , three of which are formed on a gear disc indicated generally at  75  ( FIG. 12 ). Each locking pawl  74  includes one or more locking teeth  76  formed on the distal end of the lever-like arm which forms locking pawl  74 . Gear disc  75  is mounted on flange  42  of spool  40  by a plurality of projections or circular tabs  78 , six of which are shown in the drawing, which extend through aligned holes  79  formed in gear disc  75 , whereby gear disc  75  is rotatable with spool  40 . Gear disc  75  is operatively connected to locking disc  68  only through the engagement of camming projections  73  extending into camming slots  71  as discussed further below.  
         [0046]     Top wall portion  57  of ratchet mechanism  4  is rotatably mounted within a top opening of housing  27  by a lock ring  81  ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ), which preferably is attached to housing side wall  28  by a sonic weld, an adhesive, etc. Three bosses  83  ( FIG. 9 ) are formed on and extend outwardly from the bottom surface of top wall portion  57  and extend through aligned holes  48  formed in spool flange  43  to operationally connect top wall portion  57  with spool  40 , whereby rotation of top wall portion  57  will rotate spool  40  therewith.  
         [0047]     In accordance with one of the features of the present invention, a flip-up handle indicated generally at  85 , is mounted on top wall portion  57  and is moved from a down generally inoperative position as shown in  FIG. 7 , to a raised operative position as shown in  FIG. 8 . Handle  85  is pivotally mounted by a pair of pivot pins  87  to a half dome-shaped portion  88  of top wall portion  57 . A plurality of perforations or holes  89  preferably are formed in dome-shaped portion  88  and align with the audible alarm speaker  54  mounted adjacent thereto as shown in  FIG. 9 . A generally planar semicircular portion  90  forms the other half of top wall portion  57  and receives the flip-up handle  85  when the handle is in the down position as shown in  FIG. 7 . Handle  45  preferably is formed with a concave finger grasping area  92  so that a user can easily grasp the flip-up handle for moving it between the down position of  FIG. 7  to the operable position of  FIG. 8 . Handle  85  preferably has a smooth curved top surface  93 , having a curvature generally matching that of half dome-shaped portion  88 , to provide for a smooth attractive appearance to the ratchet mechanism so that it does not distract appreciably from a merchandise display box when secured thereon.  
         [0048]     In accordance with another feature of the invention, flip-up handle  85  may be formed of a transparent material and will have a circular lens  95  in the center thereof which aligns with LED  59  when in the down position of  FIG. 7 . This will help distribute the light of the LED throughout the length of the handle, making it more visible to a perspective shoplifter and to indicate to the store personnel that the alarm system is activated. This translucent or clear plastic construction of handle  85  further increases the esthetics of the ratchet mechanism.  
         [0049]      FIG. 16  shows a modified ratchet mechanism  100  and is similar to ratchet mechanism  4  discussed above except that it does not contain the alarm system, but provides the mechanical locking and unlocking features thereof discussed above and further below. Top wall portion  101  of mechanism  100  preferably includes a semi dome-shaped portion  103  and a semicircular flat portion  104  against which flip-up handle  105  will rest when in a down position (not shown), similar to that discussed above and shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0050]     In accordance with another feature of the invention best illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , locking member  5 , and in particular base  7  thereof, will be formed with a configured end  107  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ), which is complimentary to a portion of a recess  108  formed in pawl release plate  37 . This enables base  7  to rotate plate  37  from a locked position of  FIG. 14  to the unlocked position of  FIG. 15 . In the locked position of  FIG. 14 , locking teeth  76  of locking pawls  74  are engaged with ratchet teeth  32  of housing  27  to prevent movement of spool  40  toward an unlocked position, in which position cables  16  can be loosened and removed from package  2 . Using a portion of locking member  5  as an unlocking key to place the spool in a free wheeling position eliminates the need for a separate key or mechanism.  
         [0051]     The operation of the improved security device is as follows. The device is installed on package  2  by wrapping cable loops  15  and  17  around the package as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , such that locking member  5  preferably lies on one of the major panels of the package and ratchet mechanism  4  lies on an opposite major panel of the package. Fastener  8  is slidably inserted into base  7  where metal tines automatically snap into locked position against shoulders  21 . Handle  85  is then pivoted to the up operating position of  FIG. 8  and manually rotated. This rotates top wall portion  57  and correspondingly rotates spool  40  which will wrap the cable about hub  41  until the cables are secured tightly about package  2 . Locking teeth  76  of locking pawls  74  automatically engage housing teeth  32  as spool  40  rotates until any excess lengths of cable loops  15  and  17  are wrapped about spool hub  41 . The alarm system will be automatically actuated and the sensing loops through cable loops  15  and  17  will be operational due to the contact of enlarged metallic ends  49  with the circuit board  46 .  
         [0052]     An EAS tag  110  preferably is located within internal chamber  9  of base  7  and will provide the additional security of actuating a secured gate alarm, such as at the exit of a retail store, should an unauthorized person attempt to remove a protected package having security device  1  still wrapped thereabout from the store.  
         [0053]     To remove security device  1  from package  2  as at a checkout counter of a retail establishment, magnetic key  23  is placed in the correct position on locking member  5  by use of alignment projections  25  to move tines  12  to the unlocked position as shown in  FIG. 4 , enabling fastener  8  to be slid from within base  7 . The cable loops can then be removed easily from around the package which is then given to a customer after payment, for removal from the retail establishment.  
         [0054]     In accordance with another feature of the invention, device  1  is useable on various size packages. Depending upon the size of package  2  from which security device  1  is removed, it can be placed easily around a larger package by placing spool  40  in a free wheeling position. This enables the cable to be unwound easily by rotating spool  40  in an unlocking direction. This is achieved by placement of configured end  107  of locking base  7  in recess  108  of pawl release plate  37  and rotating it from the locked position of  FIG. 14  in a counterclockwise direction as shown by Arrow A, to the unlocked position of  FIG. 15 . This rotational movement will rotate locking disc  68  due to its connection by screws  69  to plate  37 , which will cause camming projections  73  of gear disc  75  to move along a surface of camming slots  71 . Slots  71  are configured whereby the position of projections  73  will move radially inwardly as they move along slot surfaces  72 , moving with them the distal ends of locking pawls  74  radially inwardly which will disengage gear teeth  76  from housing gear teeth  32 . This enables spool  40  to rotate freely, enabling the cables to be pulled very easily to a longer length. This is accomplished without the use of a key or other mechanism separate from the security device to disengage the locking pawls from the housing gear teeth. Once the desired length of cable has been pulled outwardly from ratchet mechanism  4  by the free wheeling effect of spool  40 , pawl release plate  37  is moved again from the unlocked position of  FIG. 15  to the locked position of  FIG. 14 , by the use of the configured end  107  of locking member base  7 . A hollow boss  113  ( FIGS. 10, 12  and  13 ), which is formed on gear disc  75 , extends through a curved opening  115  formed in pawl release plate  37 , to limit the rotational movement of plate  37  when moving between the locked position of  FIG. 14  and the unlocked, free wheeling position of  FIG. 15 . A plunger switch  117  ( FIG. 12 ) is electrically connected to circuit board  46  and extends into the hollow interior of boss  113  and is used to test the alarm control system after manufacture and by store personnel.  
         [0055]     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.  
         [0056]     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 Category: 4