AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Innovation Patent Applicant(s): Pro Systems Australia Pty Limited Invention Title: MULTI RELEASER The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: - 2 MULTI RELEASER This invention relates to a multi releaser for security devices. More particularly, this invention 5 relates to a device that can be used to release locked security devices of differing types. There are many types of security devices that are available for deterring theft of items of merchandise. 10 Some of these devices are secured directly to individual items of merchandise or others are used to secure the systems that display the items of merchandise. The items of merchandise vary from CD Roms, CDs, DVDs, clothing, bottles and many other items that are frequently the i5 subject of shoplifting. There are on the market a wide range of security devices, many of which operate using a magnetic field. However, the means for locking and unlocking these devices 20 vary considerably and there are a variety of release devices and keys most of which are designed specifically to open or close a specific brand of security device. There are also other types of security devices that operate on a more mechanical style of lock incorporating a 25 specific key that has to be used to lock and unlock the device. Many stores carry a wide range of security devices and thus the shop assistants need to carry a multitude of 30 unlocking devices which have a tendency to clutter the counters and check out facilities of stores. There is clearly a need for a single device that can be used to lock and unlock a wide range of security 35 devices and it is this need that has brought about the present invention. 2563152_1 (GHMatters) P86370.AU 9/03/11 - 3 In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a multi releaser comprising a base structure supporting a U-shaped channel with permanent magnets positioned spaced apart against opposite walls of the 5 channel to define a first releaser, a pair of concentric opposed magnets mounted one on top of the other to define a second releaser and a third release mechanism located in a housing within the base structure and secured to the housing by a flexible tie whereby the release mechanism io can be displaced from the housing for use. An embodiment of the present invention will now described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: is Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the multi releaser, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the multi releaser, Figure 3 is a perspective view of a cover of the multi releaser, 20 Figure 4 is a perspective view of the underside of the cover, and Figure 5 is a perspective view of the top of the multi releaser. 25 The multi releaser 10 shown in the accompanying drawings comprises a rectangular base plate 11 that supports a cover assembly 20. The base plate and cover are both made of Aluminum. 30 The base plate 11 supports an L-shaped upstanding wall structure 12 that is spaced from a U-shaped wall structure 13. The wall structures 12 and 13 support rectangular permanent magnets 14, 15 that are axially aligned and spaced apart as shown in Figure 1. Towards 35 the other end of the plate there is positioned another L shaped wall structure 16 that supports another rectangular permanent magnet 17 adjacent a circular collar 19 that 2563152_1 (GHMatters) P86370.AU 9/03/11 - 4 extends upwardly from the base and is adapted to support a pair of opposed concentric magnets 30, 32 in the form of a cylindrical magnet 30 and an annular magnet 32 that sits on top of the cylindrical magnet. The cylindrical magnet 5 30 is located in the collar 19. The base plate 11 also includes small holes 33 in opposite corners and adjacent one edge. A pair of similar holes 34, one of which is shown in Figure 1, provided towards the central line of the base plate. On the left hand side of that line are 10 two elongated holes 35, 36 that provide access to the cover 20 from the underside of the base plate 11. The cover 20 comprises substantially rectangular elongate enclosure 21 having a flat top 47 with an 15 aperture 48 at one end with a beveled edge 49, a U-shaped channel 22 bound by one wall 23 of the elongate enclosure 21 and a vertical wall 24 of a triangular cross section enclosure 25. As shown in Figure 4, the underside of the cover has threaded spigots 28 and 29 spaced along one edge 20 and spigots 41, 42 in opposite corners. A pair of spaced apertures 44 in the base of the U-shaped channel allow counter set screws to be inserted through the cover into the base. The screws also hold the base 11 to the cover 20 by engagement with the spigots 41, 42. 25 The base plate 11 also supports the rubber feet (not shown) in each corner of the underside to enable the multi releaser 10 to sit in frictional contact with a support surface such as a desk or a checkout counter. 30 The right hand side of the base 11 defines an elongate rectangular space which is used to accommodate a specially designed releaser 50 and also supports the pair of concentrically mounted permanent magnets 30, 32. The 35 lower cylindrical magnet 30 sits underneath the larger annular magnets 32, the magnets positioned with their poles opposed are secured to the base plate so that the 2563152_1 (GHMatters) P86370.AU 9/03/11 - 5 upper surface of the annular magnet 32 is just below the upper surface of the top plate 21 of the cover 20. The pair of opposed concentric magnets are used to open half tanks, bottle tanks and some spider wraps are defined in s the specific magnetic field that affects the release of those products. The third permanent magnet 17 of rectangular configuration is positioned adjacent the left hand edge of the two concentric magnets 30, 32 and this magnet 17 sits adjacent the vertical wall 23 of the 10 rectangular enclosure 21 and also vertical wall of the u shaped duct 22. In this manner, the u-shaped duct has two permanent magnets 14, 15 spaced on its left hand side and a further permanent magnet 17 on the right hand side of the far end, as shown in Figure 2. The magnets used in is the multi releaser 10 are all made out of Neodymium CMdFeB- rare earth magnet. The magnets' strength is classified as N52. The releaser 50 sits within an enclosure 57 comprises rectangular box 51 with two spaced lugs 52, 53 on its upper surface and an elongate 20 rectangular tongue 54 projecting forwardly from the lower surface. A piece of wire 55 is secured to the box 51 and is secured to a spring loaded coil (not shown) within the enclosure 57 so that the release device 50 is never totally separated from the multi releaser. The forward 25 end of the release device has a small knob 56 that enables the device to pulled out of the housing 51 for use and then re-inserted into the housing 51 when not in use. The piece of wire 55 prevents separation of the two components. 30 Finally as shown in Figure 5, the inclined outer surface 25 of the triangular shaped enclosure supports a mechanical release device 60 of the kind used to release the locks of cases made by the company Proloc and the 35 subject of Australian patent 714198. In this device 60 a series of specifically spaced fingers 61 are inserted into the security device to release the lock mechanically. 2563152_1 (GHMatters) P86370.AU 9/03/11 - 6 The multi releaser described above has the capacity to open or close at least five different types of security devices. The u-shaped channel 22 and the position of the 5 permanent magnets 14, 15, 17 against the walls of the channel effect release of cases known as ONETIME (Trade Mark) described in Australian patent 2004200405. The device 50 that is pulled clear of the rectangular enclosure 51 is used to effect release of products of the 10 kind known as SPIDER WRAP (Registered Trade Mark) and also Alpha Security cases. The superimposed opposed concentric magnets 30, 32 at the far end of the rectangular enclosure 21 are used to release hard togs, bottle tags and some SPIDER WRAP. Finally, the mechanical release can be used 15 to release PROLOC security devices. All of the release mechanisms are located in one compact unit and this does away with a need for check-out counters to have five different release mechanisms or keying devices. 2563152_1 (GHMatters) P86370.AU 9/03/11