AU2008200811A1 - Magnetically releasable theft deterrent device - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant(s): Anthony Alfred Calvi Invention Title: MAGNETICALLY RELEASABLE THEFT DETERRENT DEVICE The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: r 2 00 O MAGNETICALLY RELEASABLE THEFT DETERRENT DEVICE 1 FIELD OF THE INVENTION c4 The present invention relates to theft prevention and/or theft deterrent devices used in the retail shopping environment to prevent, reduce and/or counteract the Sincidence of, unauthorised taking of an item, from the C shopping environment, and/or for use in detecting the 00 unauthorised taking of an item from the shopping C environment. In one form the present invention relates to theft deterrent devices for use with items having an aperture through the item or packaging of the item or items through which the anti theft device can be attached to the item or packaging.

In one form the present invention relates to a reclosable securable security tag for preventing or deterring theft of an item, particularly a high value item from a retail establishment in which the security tag must be deactivated and/or removed from the item can be removed from the retail establishment without setting off an alarm or warning.

In one form the present invention relates to a magnetically deactivated or removable security tag to protect items against theft.

The present invention finds particular application as a device for deterring or detecting the theft or unauthorised removal from a secure area of a high value item, such as for example, a compact disc, DVD or similar by providing a security tag that can be securely attached N \Melboume\Cases\PaentO\7000-71999\P7I 565 AU I\Specis\P71 565AU I Specification 2007.2-19.doc 21/02/08 -3 00 to the item which security tag can only be removed by an authorised person prior to removal of the item from the Ssecure area, such as a shop or similar, thereby allowing the item to pass through a security detector without setting off an alarm, warning or the like to alert staff in the secure area to the unauthorised removal of the item which would have occurred if the security tag had not been 00 Sremoved or deactivated.

00 Although the present invention will be described with particular reference to one embodiment of the theft deterrent device, it is to be noted that the scope of the present invention is not restricted to the described embodiment but rather the scope of the invention is more extensive so as to include other forms and arrangement of the theft deterrent device, other forms and arrangements of the components of the device and the use of the various forms of the device in other applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A variety of security systems preventing or deterring theft of articles from the retail shopping environment are available. Some of the systems require the use of specialised tools by trained and authorised personnel to remove, release, deactivate or disarm the security systems before the item can be removed from the shop, such as by passing between detectors or similar. Other security systems require the use of a sharp implement or similar to pierce the goods, such as for example, the fabric or material from which clothing is manufactured to allow the security systems to be attached to the garments. The sharp end of the implement often causes injury to the shop N \Melboume\Cassc\Paeni\7 1000-71999\P71 65 AU I\Specis\P71565 AU I Spemificstion 2007-2-I9.doc 21/02108 4 00 assistants and or to the customers as well as damaging the goods in some circumstances. Existing security systems Ssuffer from one or more defects, particularly when applied to a solid object or to a hard and/or rigid object to which it is difficult to attach a security device to deter theft. Until the discovery of the present invention there 0 has been no satisfactory security device for use in protecting hard and/or rigid items against theft, such as oo for example, CD's, DVD's, software and the like.

Accordingly, there is a need for a simple, low cost, easily removable, deactivatable or disarmable security system that is effective in protecting solid and/or rigid and/or hard items against theft or unauthorised use.

Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a simple, low cost, effective theft deterrent device that can be readily secured to a hard or rigid item either directly or indirectly to protect the item against unauthorised use or removal from a shop or similar secured area or precinct and which can be readily removed from the item by a trained and authorised person without causing injury or damage to the goods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a theft deterrent device for deterring theft of an item, comprising a first security member including an enlarged portion and a shank portion provided with at least one retainer, a second security member including a receiver for receiving at least a part of the shank portion and at least one retainer therethrough to assist in securing the first and second security members to one N \Nilboaru.\Cases\Pent\71000-71999\PI56S.AU I\Spcis\P71565.AU, I Spccificaon 2007-2-19doc 21/02/08 00 another so that one of the first or second security members is located on one side of the item and the other Sof the first and second security members is located on the other side of the item said second security member s provided with a locking assembly movable between a locking configuration for securely retaining the first and second 00 security members together with the shank and at least one retainer located in or through the aperture for secure 00 attachment to the item and a release configuration allowing separation of the first and second security members from one another so that the shank and at least one retainer can be withdrawn from the second security member wherein the locking assembly includes a locking member that is biased to adopt the locking configuration to retain the retainer of the first security member against withdrawal from the second security member when captured by the second security member, said locking member being movable against the bias to permit attachment of the first security member to the second security member to permit the device to adopt the locking configuration and said locking member being movable to the release configuration by moving the locking member against the bias.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of detecting theft of an item comprising the steps of applying a first security member of a security device to an item to protect the item against theft or unauthorised use, said first security device having an enlarged portion, a shaft portion and at least one retainer, applying a second security member of a security device to the item said second security member having a receiver for receiving at least a part of the N MWeboume\Cases\Patcnt\71000-71999'J71565AUI\Spcis\P71565 AUI Specification 2007.2-19 doc 21/02/O9 6 00 shaft and retainer, and a locking assembly biased to a locking position so that when the retainer is received in Sthe receiver the locking assembly is biased to move to the locking configuration to maintain the first security member secured to the second security member to protect the item to which the security device is attached against 0 theft and/or unauthorised use by the locking assembly capturing the retainer to prevent withdrawal of the first 00 security member from the second security member.

0 According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a security device for deterring theft of an item comprising a first member having an enlarged head portion and an elongate shank or shaft portion provided with one or more retainers in the form of indents for location to or on one side or face of the item, a second security member having a receiver for receiving at and at least one of the retainer for location on the second side or face of the item, said second security member provided with a locking assembly having at least one locking element for engaging with one of the retainers to maintain the security device in a secured or locking condition wherein when the shaft or shank is received in the receiver the locking element cooperatively engages with the retainer to capture the shaft in the receiver thereby preventing separation at the first and second security members from each other thereby deterring theft of the item.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In one form the theft deterrent device of the present invention is an identification device or surveillance device or an identification/surveillance device protecting NA\I\ilbournc\Cascs\Patcnz\71000-71999\P7I 565AU. )\Specis\P71565.AU I Specificalion 2007-2-19.doc 21/02/08 7 00 an item against unauthorised removal, use or similar. In another form the device is a security tag, particularly a Ssecurity tag used in combination with an Electronic Article Surveillance system (EAS) or other security device or component or detection device or component, particularly of the type used at the boundary or perimeter of a secured area, such as for example at the doorway, gate, entrance or similar of a shop or other retail 00 establishment. In another form the security system is an anti-theft label for attaching to articles in a shop or other retail environment. Optionally, the security device of the present invention can be provided with another form of security device, such as for example, a combination security device, including an audible warning device, a visible warning device, an ink bomb or other disabling device rendering the item unusable or the like including combinations of different types or styles of security devices.

Typically, if the item having the security device of the present invention is removed or taken from the shop without authority passage of the security device through, over, around or the like a security detector located at the periphery of the shop activates an alarm or warning, including an audible alert, visual alert or the like associated with the detector to indicate unauthorised used or removal of the item.

Typically, the item is a rigid, hard or solid object, such as for example, in the form of a compact disc, DVD, computer software or other rigid or semi-rigid item including rigid or semi-rigid packaging or the like. More particularly the device is provided with a hole, bore, N \Melboume\Cases\Pateni\7 000-7199917I565 AU I\Specis\P7 565.AU.I Specification 2007-2-I9.doc 21/0208 8 00 Saperture, space, gap, void, cavity, chamber, opening or similar for receiving a part of the first security member Stherethrough in order that the first security member can be captured by the second security member to secure the s security device to the item so that the first security member is located on one side of the item and the second security member is located on another side of the item, Stypically on the front and rear sides or faces of the C item, on the obverse and reverse sides of the item or the like.

Typically, the first security member is a pin having an enlarged head, dome, button, disc, plate or similar, preferably, a circular head, disc, plate or the like.

More particularly, the pin is provided with an elongate element, such as a shaft, rod, shank or similar elongate element, extending from the head, more preferably extending outwardly from the centre of the underside of the head. Typically, the shank is provided with one or more retainers. Preferably, the retainers are located at spaced apart locations along the length of the shaft or shank. More preferably, the retainers are located at regularly spaced apart locations along the length of the shaft. Even more preferably, the retainers are located alternatively with straight portions of the shaft or shank. Most preferably, the retainers are in the form of notches, grooves, rebates, collars, ridges, indents or the like having a reduced diameter when compared to the diameter of the shaft or shank, i.e. the straight portions of the shaft or shank.

Typically, there are one, two, three, four, five or more retainers or sets of retainers located in spaced apart N \Meiboume\Cases\Patent\71000-71999\P71 565AU I\SpecisP71565AU I Specification 2007-2-19.doc 21102/08 9 00 relationship to one another along at least a portion of the shaft of the pin, typically the distal portion of the Sshaft. Preferably, there are five sets of retainers, each retainer comprising a groove and ridge combination.

More typically, the end of the pin is non-sharp and 0 preferably, is rounded, squared, bevelled, tapered, curved 00 rfrby or smooth surfaced or the like so as not to present a 00 sharp point or edge which could cause damage and/or injury to the item being protected or to the sales personnel of the shop, customers or the like.

Typically, the second security member is a button, disc, tab, tag, label, plate, or the like. Typically, the second security member is provided with a centrally located receiver. More typically, the receiver is an aperture, groove, rebate, concavity, chamber, void or similar for receiving the shaft or shank of the pin therein or therethrough to assist in forming the security device of the present invention.

Typically, the second security member includes a locking assembly, typically the locking assembly is located on the opposite side of the aperture to the second security member so as to receive the pin having the retainer when the shank of the pin is received in the aperture.

Typically, the locking assembly includes a locking element, preferably two or more locking elements. In one form the locking element is or includes a ball lock or a ball and cage arrangement having a spring typically a biasing spring for biasing the locking element in a secured or locking position or configuration. More typically, the ball lock is axially movable between the N \Melbotme\Cas\Patent\71000-71999\P71I56S AU, I\Specis\P7I)565.AU I Specification 2007.2-19.doc 2110208 10 00 secured or locking configuration and a release configuration.

Typically, the locking element is a ball bearing. More typically, there are three ball bearings located at spaced apart locations preferably, regularly or equally spaced 00 apart locations around the locking assembly. Even more typically, the locking assembly includes a locking cup.

0 Preferably, the locking cup is provided with cut-outs, apertures, cut-aways, spaces, gaps, voids or the like.

More preferably, the locking cup is provided with a sloping, tapering or bevelled side wall or similar.

Typically, the locking assembly includes a cup having an aperture for receiving a ball bearing therein. Typically there are three apertures, preferably located at spaced apart locations around the side walls of the cup. More typically there is a centrally located aperture in the cup for receiving the shank of the pin therethrough.

Typically, the biasing of the locking member is provided by a biasing element. In one form the biasing element is a spring or other resilient member or elastically deformable element or the like. Typically, the spring is a compression spring, more typically a helically wound compression spring. In one form the spring urges the ball bearings closer together into a locking or securing position to capture the shaft or shank of the pin.

Typically, the second security member and locking assembly are integral with each other or assembled together with each other. More typically, the locking assembly is located on the side of the second security member forcing N \1iebournc\Cas\Paen7 1000-71999\P7I 565AUAI\SpecisP71 565AU I SpecificAijon 2007-2-19.doc 21/02/08 11 00 away from the item being protected against theft unless the security device of the present invention is attached.

Typically, the locking assembly is released using a magnet, typically a powerful magnet, more typically a powerful north-south magnet which displaces the ball 00 bearings arrangement against the bias of the spring so as Sto release the shank or shaft of the pin from capture 00 within the second security member to allow the two security members to separate from each other.

In operation, the magnet applies a magnetic field to one side or one end of the ball bearings to move the ball bearings against the bias applied by the helical spring to move the ball bearings to the release position.

Typically, the locking assembly includes one or more cups or covers or rings for maintaining the locking member or elements in place.

Typically, the electronic and security element which sets off the alarm after passing through or by the detectors is attached to the button, disc or plate or similar of either the first security member, i.e. the head of the pin, or to the disc, plate, head or similar of the second security member, or to both.

Typically, the locking assembly is a clutch arrangement adapted to releasably engage the retainers on the end of the shaft of the pin. More typically the clutch includes a magnetically disengageable clutch.

Typically, the pin can be received in the tag in one N.\Meboc\Cases\Patcnt\71000-71999\P765.AUI\Specis\P71565.AU. Specification 2007-2-19.doc 21/02/08 12 00 orientation or in one way only.

SBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS s The present invention will now be described by way of non limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 00 Figure 1 is an exploded side view of one form of the security device of the present invention showing the individual components separated from one another.

Figure 2 is a one side perspective view of one form of the security device when in the locking configuration with the pin received in the tag.

Figure 3 is a side elevation view of the pin and a partial side section view through the tag showing the pin separated from the tag.

Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the pin and a partial side section view of the showing the pin secured to the tag in a locking configuration.

Figure 5 is a side elevation view of the pin and a partial side section view of the tag showing the pin being released from the tag.

Figure 6 is a cross-section view through line 6 to 6 of Figure 4 when the locking assembly is in the locked configuration.

Figure 7 is a cross-section view through the line 7 to 7 N:\Melbourne\Cse\Paten\71000-71999\P71 56AU I\Specis\P71565AU. I Specifcation 2007-2.19.doc 2/02/0 00 13 00 of figure 5 when the locking assembly is in the locked configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In figure 1 there is shown one form of the theft deterrent 00 device of the present invention in exploded form revealing the individual components of the theft deterrent device 00 for protecting items against theft and/or unauthorised use. The theft deterrent device, generally denoted as 2, includes three main parts being the first security member in the form of a pin, generally denoted as 4, the second security member in the form of a tag, generally denoted as 6, and the locking assembly, generally denoted as 8 provided on the underside of tag 6 for securing the pin to the tag with the item or a part of the item intermediate the pin and tag.

Pin 4 is provided with an enlarged head in the form of a flat disc 12 and a shank or shaft 14 having retainers in the form of a multiplicity of curved wall notches 16 having alternately arranged grooves 18 and ridges 20 in spaced apart relationship along the distal portion of shank 14.

Flat disc 12 can take any suitable form or shape and need not be planar but could be curved, such as for example by being domed, hemispherical, mushroom headed, elliptical, or the like. Further it is to be noted that notches 16 can have suitable shape such as a generally concaved curved shape and ridges 20 can have any suitable profile such as for example a convex curved shape or may be straight sided. In one form the diameter of ridges 20 is N \Melboume\Cass\Paten\71000-7 1999\P7156S AU IRSpcis\P71565 AU.I Specificaion 2007-2-19doc 21/02108 14 00 the same as shank 14 whereas in other forms the diameter of ridges 20 may be different to the diameter of shank 14 Ssuch as for example being smaller in diameter.

The distal end of shank 14 is provided with a bevel or is rounded, curved, tapered or the like both to allow easier 0 insertion of pin 4 into the tag (to be described in more detail later) and to minimise the chances of causing 00 inadvertent injury to personnel inserting and removing the pin or damage to the items to which the security device 2 is being attached. In one form there are 5 sets of pairs of grooves and ridges 20 arranged alternately along shank 14 as illustrated in the drawings. It is to be noted that other forms of the retainers are possible. Other forms of pin 4 are possible, such as for example, pins having a different shaped head or the like, including a dome, sphere, rounded, ovoid, elliptical shape or the like. In one form pin 4 is made from metal. Pin head 12 is integral with shank 14 or is firmly and fixedly connected thereto.

Tag 6, in one form, is an oversized thin flat metallic disc having a diameter greater, sometimes very much greater than the diameter of head 12 of pin 4 or similar construction. A centrally located aperture or bore 22 is provided within disc 16 to receive the distal end of shank 14 and retainers therethrough 16 in use. A circular boss 24 in the form of an annulus collar, or the like is provided on the under surface of tag 6 for connecting tag 6 to locking assembly 8 located on the other side of tag 6. Tag 6 may be made from any suitable material, such as for example, plastics or polymeric material, metal, or composite material or the like including combinations of N \lelbourme\C,,,\Paten,\7 1000-7999\P71 56SAU I\Spccis\P7 65AU I Spiicaion 2007-2-19do 21/02/08 15 00 materials and may take any suitable form or encouragement.

Tag 6 may be opaque or may be clear. In one form, an Selectronic surveillance device or similar such as an Electronic Article Surveillance system (EAS) (not shown) may be attached to the disc on the surface of tag 6 by a suitable adhesive. The EAS device may be of any suitable 00 or convenient form, such as an electronic form, including an inductance loop, a magnetic device, such as for 00 example, an electromagnetic device a radio frequency tag, an acoustic magnetic tag or the like. In another form (not shown), the electronic surveillance device may be embedded within tag 6 so as not to be readily removable. In this case, the disc of tag 6 is a layered or laminated structure made from individual layers of the same or different materials. In one form the surveillance is embedded in tag 6 as tag 6 is being made, such as for example, moulded or the like.

One form of the locking assembly will now be described. A circular collar 28 having a diameter greater than the diameter of boss 24 is frictionally fitted over boss 24 or is connected to boss 24 by an interference fit or is bonded to bass 24 or the like. In other embodiments, collar 28 is adhered to boss 24 by a suitable adhesive or other connecting means for firmly and fixedly connecting the two together. The interior wall 30 is stepped or tapered from defining a relatively narrow diameter at or towards the top near to tag 6 to a relatively wider diameter at or towards the lower end of collar 28 to provide a clearance space. The hollow interior 32 of collar 28 forms part of a cage in which is located the movable mechanism of the locking assembly to be described later in this specification.

N \Nielbourne\Case,\Patent\7 000-7 1999\P71 565 AU Xpecis\P7565 AU I Spccificalon 2007-2-19doc 21/02/08 00 16 00 In one form, the movable mechanism includes a cup 36 Slocated in an inverted orientation within collar 28. Cup 36 has a centrally located aperture 38 located in the closed top surface 39 of cup 36 (which is the base of the cup 36 since cup 36 is used in an inverted orientation.

00 The wall 40 of cup 36 is tapered from being relatively narrow where the walls join the top surface 39 and 00 relatively wider at or towards the rim 42 of cup 36.

Three generally circular apertures 44 are located at regularly spaced apart locations around the perimeter of cup 36, such as at 1200 to one another in the wall 40 of cup 36. Three spherical ball bearings 48 are received more or less in part within the three apertures 44, with one ball bearing 48 located in each aperture 44. Ball bearings 48 are free to rotate as required within apertures 44 as cup 36 moves axially between the locking configuration and the release configuration.

A helical compression spring 50 acts as the biasing force on the rim 42 of cup 36 to retain the ball bearings 48 in place within apertures 44 in wall 40 of cup 36 and to maintain cup 36 in the uppermost position within collar 28 which corresponds to the locking configuration in which the balls 48 are located relatively closer to one another as shown more particularly in Figure 6 in order to capture shank 14 of pin 4 between balls 48. The bias of spring forces the cup 36 in an upwards position and hence the ball bearings are biased into a locked configuration when the locking assembly is at rest.

A circular cap 54 having a well 56 and rim 58 is provided as a thrust bearing surface for spring 50 and to retain N \Nleboume\Cases\Ptcni\71 000-71999\P71 565AU. \Spccis\P7 565.AUI Specificxio 2007-2-19.doc 21/02/08 17 00 spring 50 in engagement with the rim 42 of cup 36 inside collar 28 in the locked configuration. Cap 54 is inserted Sinto collar 28 to form the remainder of the cage for capturing the ball bearings 48 and spring 50 within collar s 28. A generally cylindrical shaped cover 60 comprising a closed lower end 62, an open upper end 64 separated from 00 each other by wall 66 is fitted over collar 28 to complete the locking assembly. Cover 60 is frictionally fitted to 00 collar 28 in any suitable manner, such as by use of a suitable adhesive or the like. Thus, the locking assembly is retained in place on the lower side of tag 6. Tag 6 and locking assembly 8 may be formed as a single unit or may be assembled together..

Operation of theft deterrent device 2 will now be described. In use, the theft deterrent device 2 of the present invention is used in the following manner. Tag 6 with integrated locking assembly 8 optionally containing an electronic surveillance device or similar attached to the surface of tag 6 or embedded within the flat disc of tag 6, is located on one side of a price item, such as for example, a compact disc (CD) or the like in alignment with the central aperture of the CD with the flat disc 6 in contact with the CD or similar. Pin 4 with head 12 upper most is located on the other side of the CD also in alignment with the aperture of the CD and with shank 14 in register with aperture 22. Pin 4 is pushed towards tag 6 so that the rounded or bevelled distal end of shank 14 is received in aperture 22. Further pushing of pin 4 advances shank 14 through the thickness of tag 6 into the interior of the locking assembly, namely the collar 28, where it contacts the three ball bearings 48 in close touching relationship to each other or at least in N \M~eIbourne\CasesPaicnt\7 000.7 999\P7I565 AU I\Specis\P71 565AU I Specifcaion 2007-2-19.doc 2/02/08 00- 18 0 relatively closer relationship to one another in the locking configuring. Further pressure on pin 4 pushes balls 48 so that they rotate in apertures 44 to push cup 36 axially within collar 28 against the bias of spring until cup 36 has been deflected downwardly sufficiently to allow balls 48 to move apart sufficiently to allow the 0distal end of shank 14 to enter the now widening space or gap between balls, 48 which also lengthwise along roll 00 shaft 14 until balls 48 are located within one of the grooves 18 of shank 14 forming one of the notches 16.

When balls 48 are arranged around the selected groove 18, the pressure of spring 50 forces cup 36 axially upwards to lock the device 2 in the locking configuration as shown in Figures 4 and 6 preventing withdrawal of pin 4 from tag 6.

The withdrawal of pin 4 from tag 6 is prevented from balls 48 being in intimate contact with one of the grooves 18 of shank 14 which will not allow the next ridge 18 to pass between balls 48 since there is no room for the balls to expand as they are hard up against the interior wall of collar 28. Any axial upwards movement of the tapered wall of cup 36 is prevented by the wedge effect caused by the tapered walls. Thus, the more force exerted on pin 4 to remove pin 4 from tag 6 the greater the force retaining pin 4 within tag 6 as balls 48 are forced closer together to more securely capture shank 14 of pin 4 and thus capture shank 14 within collar 28.

When an authorised person is to remove pin 4 from tag 6 a strong magnet (not shown) is located underneath the device, directly below the locking assembly 8. The magnetic force applied to balls 48 is stronger than the spring force applied by spring 50 so that balls 48 are N kIcbeoumc\Cascs\Patcnt\71000-71999\P71 65AUI'Specs\P71565AU. I Sprcsfiction 2007.2-19 d 21/02108 19 00 drawn closer to the magnet which in turn also draws cup 36 closer to the magnet which allows the balls to expand Sthrough the cut-outs 44 into the clearance space between the wall of the cup and the wall of the collar as the balls rotate axially towards closed end 62 of cover In this position the balls are spaced further apart from 0 each other in a relatively wider than the dimensions of the diameter of ridge 20 as shown in Figure 7, allowing 00 the shank to be withdrawn for between the balls thus releasing shank 14 from the locking assembly thus allowing pin 4 and tag 6 to be separated from one another hence be removed from the CD, allowing authorised sale and use of the CD.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The device of the present invention is relatively simple with few parts, is low cost and is effective for discouraging theft of valuable items.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further N:\Melboumc\Cases\Parent\7 1000-71999\P7 565AU. I'Specis\P7)565.AU I Specification 2007-2-I9doc 2 1/0V08 20 00 features in various embodiments of the invention.

It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

00 00 N \M.Ibo~mceCsc\Palcnt\71OOO.71999\P71 56SAU, I \Spc,3W71 65.AU.1 Sp.mification 2007-2-19doc 21/02/09

Claims (23)

1. A theft deterrent device for deterring theft of an item, comprising a first security member including an enlarged portion and a shank portion provided with at least one retainer, a second security member 00 including an aperture for receiving at least a part of the shank portion, and at least one retainer of 00 the first security member therethrough to assist in securing the first and second securing members to one another so that one of the first or second security members is located on one side of the item and the other of the first and second security members is located on the other side of the item, said second security member provided with a locking assembly movable between a locking configuration for securely retaining the first and second security members together with the shank and at least one retainer located in or through the aperture for secure attachment to the item and a release configuration allowing separation of the first and second security members from one another so that the shank and at least one retainer can be withdrawn from the second security member wherein the locking assembly includes a locking member that is biased to adopt the locking configuration to retain the retainer of the first security member against withdrawal from the second security member when captured by the second security member, said locking member being movable against the bias to permit attachment of the first security member to the second security member to permit the device to adopt the locking configuration and said locking member being movable to the release N:\Mcboune\Cases\Paterl\7 000-7 1999\P71565.AU. I\Specis\P7565 AU. I Specification 2007.2-19Ado 21/02/09 22 00 configuration by moving the locking member against the bias.

2. A method of deterring theft of an item comprising the s steps of applying a first security member of a security device to an item to protect the item 00 against theft or unauthorised use, said first security member having an enlarged portion, a shaft 00 portion and at least one retainer, applying the second security member of the security device to the item, said second security member having a receiver for receiving at least a part of the shaft and retainer, and a locking assembly biased to a locking position so that when the retainer is received in the is receiver, the locking assembly is biased to move to the locking configuration to maintain the first security member secured to the second security member to protect the item to which the security device is attached against theft and/or unauthorised use by the locking assembly capturing the retainer to prevent withdrawal of the first security member from the second security member.

3. A security device for deterring theft of an item comprising a first member having an enlarged head portion and an elongate shank or shaft portion provided with one or more retainers in the form of indents for location to one side or face of the item, a second security member having a receiver for receiving at least a part of the shank or shaft portion and at least one of the retainers of the first security member for location on the second side or face of the item, said security member provided N:\Melbourne\Cases\Paen\7O000-71999\P7 565.AU. I\Specis\P71565 AU I Specifiction 2007-2-19.doc 21/02108 23 00 with a locking assembly having at least one locking element biased towards a locking position for engaging with one of the retainers to maintain the security device in a secured or locking condition wherein when the shaft or shank is received in the receiver, the locking element cooperatively engages 00 with the retainer to capture the shaft in the receiver thereby preventing separation of the first 00 and second security members from each other thereby deterring theft of the item.

4. A device or method according to any preceding claim in which the security device is a security tag, an electronic article surveillance system or other is security device or detection device or a security device having an electronic article surveillance system or component. A device or method according to any preceding claim in which the item is a rigid, hard or solid object including a compact disc, DVD, computer software or other rigid or semi-rigid item including items having rigid or semi-rigid packaging.

6. A device or method according to any preceding claim in which the receiver of the second security member is a hole, bore, aperture, space, gap, void, cavity, chamber, opening or similar for receiving the first security member therein or therethrough so that the first security member can be captured by the second security member to secure the security device to the item. N:\Melbounc\Cases\Patent\7 1000-71999\P71 565AU. I\Specis\P I565AU I Specification 2007-2-19doc 21/02/08 24 00

7. A device or method according to any preceding claim in which the first security member of the security Sdevice is located on or to one side of the item and the second security member is located on or to s another side of the item. 00 8. A device or method according to any preceding claim in which the first security member is a pin having an OO enlarged head, dome, button, disc, plate or similar and a shaft, rod, shank or other elongate member or element extending from the enlarged portion.

9. A device or method according to any preceding claim in which the enlarged head of the first security member is a circular head, disc, plate or similar. A device or method according to any preceding claim in which the shank or shaft of the first security member is provided with one or more retainers located at spaced apart location over at least a portion, preferably the distal portion, of the shank.

11. A device or method according to any preceding claim in which the retainer includes a ridge portion and a trough portion of reduced size than the size of the ridge portion.

12. A device or method according to any preceding claim in which the trough portions of the retainers are located alternately with straight portions of the retainers on the shaft or shank of the pin.

13. A device or method according to any preceding claim N:\M(elboume\Cases\Patent\71000-71999\P7 16SAUI Specis\P7 565AU I Specification 2007-2-I9.doc 21/02/08 25 00 in which the retainers are in the form of notches, grooves, rebates, indents or similar.

14. A device or method according to any preceding claim in which there are two, three, four, five or more individual retainers or sets of retainers located in Sregularly spaced apart relationship to one another along at least a portion of the shaft of the pin. 00

15. A device or method according to any preceding claim in which the distal end of the pin is rounded, squared, bevelled, tapered, curved or smooth surfaced so as not to present a sharp point or edge causing damage or injury.

16. A device or method according to any preceding claim in which the second security member is a button, disc, tab, tag, label, plate or similar provided with a centrally located receiver in the form of an aperture, cavity, chamber, void or similar for receiving the shaft or shank of the pin therein or therethrough.

17. A device or method according to any preceding claim in which the second security member includes a locking assembly, preferably located on the outward facing side of the second security member.

18. A device or method according to any preceding claim in which the locking assembly includes one or more locking elements.

19. A device or method according to any preceding claim N \MNielboumnc\Cases\Patent\71000-71999P71565.AU I\Specis\P7I1S65AU.1 Specification 2007-2-19.doc 21/02/08 26 00 in which the locking element or elements is or includes a ball lock or a ball and cage arrangement Sprovided with a biasing element for biasing the locking element or elements into a secured or locking s position or configuration in which the balls are centrally located closer together. 00 A device or method according to any preceding claim C in which the ball lock or ball and cage is axially movable between the secured or locking configuration and a release configuration.

21. A device or method according to any preceding claim in which the locking elements include three ball bearings or spheres located at spaced apart locations around the locking assembly.

22. A device or method according to any preceding claim in which the locking assembly further comprises a locking cup provided with cut-outs, apertures, cut- aways, spaces, gaps, voids or similar located around the edge of the cup for receiving at least partially, the locking elements therein.

23. A device or method according to any preceding claim in which the locking cup is provided with a sloping, tapered or bevelled side wall or similar and the cut- outs, apertures, cut-aways, spaces, gaps, voids or similar are located in the side wall.

24. A device or method according to any preceding claim in which the locking assembly is provided with a biasing element in the form of a spring for urging N %elbourme\Cases\Ptcnt\77O-71999\P71565 AU \Specis\P71565.AU I Speciicaion 2007-2-19 doc 21/02/08 27 00 O the ball bearings closer together into a locking or securing position or configuration to capture the Sshaft or shank of the pin by cooperatively engaging with the retainers of the first security member. A device or method according to any preceding claim in which the locking assembly is released using a 00 Smagnet to displace the locking elements away from c each other against the bias of the biasing element so as to release the receiver elements from the retainer thereby allowing the shank or shaft of the pin to be withdrawn from the aperture of the security tag.

26. A theft deterrent device for deterring theft of an article substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

27. A method deterring theft of an item substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

28. Every novel feature as hereinbefore disclosed or defined in the specification and/or drawings when taken alone or in combination with any other feature including features that are novel or otherwise, including groups of two or more features. NWelboume\Cases\Patent\7 1000-71999\P71565.AU hSpecis\P71 56.AU I Specification 2007-2-I9doc 2/0208