GB2599358A

GB2599358A - Security tag

Info

Publication number: GB2599358A
Application number: GB2014875.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Napthine Christopher
Original assignee: Sekura Global IP LLP
Current assignee: Sekura Global IP LLP
Priority date: 2020-09-21
Filing date: 2020-09-21
Publication date: 2022-04-06
Also published as: GB202014875D0

Abstract

A security tag comprises a main body 111, having a slot 108, with a first portion 112 on one side of the slot and a second 116 on the opposing side, a pin 110 movable between a first position housed entirely within the first portion and a second position extending across the slot into the second portion. A latch mechanism 114 in the second portion releasably retains the pin. The tag comprises an actuating button 118 connected to the pin movable with the pin between a first and second position, wherein the second it protrudes from the main body a smaller distance than in the first. The button comprises a cap portion with a projection 158 extending from a side wall of the button and protruding from the main body in the second position. The projection may be an annular flange, the button may comprise at least two telescopic sections, and the latch may release upon application of a magnetic field. The pin may be urged into the first position by a spring.

Description

Security Tag

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to security tags and in particular to electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags. The invention relates in particular to hard security tags that are removeably attached to items in a retail environment.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

A number of electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems are well known and are used in areas such as retail stores to deter or prevent the theft of articles or items of merchandise from these areas.

One known EAS tag is commonly referred to as a hard tag and includes an acoustomagnetic sensor in a hard, or semi-rigid, plastic body. Such hard tags are typically physically or mechanically attached to an article by means of a pin, cable or lanyard. When the article is purchased, the tag is detached from the article by a detacher located at the point of sale.

Hard security tags including pins are typically attached to items such as clothing with the pin piercing a part of the fabric of the clothing. The head of the pin sits on one side of the fabric and the distal end of the pin is retained within the hard tag on the other side of the fabric. A mechanism within the hard tag grips the distal end of the pin so that the tag cannot be removed from the clothing without deactivating the grip mechanism. When the grip mechanism is deactivated, the hard tag can be removed from the end of the pin and the pin can be removed from the clothing.

In some prior art systems, the pin is separate from the body of the hard tag and, as such, the sharp distal tip of the pin is exposed when the pin is released from the body of the tag. There is, therefore, a risk that the user of the tag will prick their hand on the sharp distal tip of the pin. Furthermore, the pin may be accidentally left in a -2 -pocket of an item of clothing and may prick the hand of a person when they reach into the pocket, or the pin may fall on the floor and be trodden on.

To overcome this problem it is known to provide a hard tag that includes first and second arms and a slot for receiving part of an item between the first and second arms. A pin is housed in the first arm and a clutch mechanism arranged to engage with an end of the pin is housed in the second arm. When the tag is in a disengaged configuration the pin is retracted into the first arm such that a part of an article, such as a piece of material, can be inserted into the slot. To attach the tag to the article, a button of the first arm is pressed which causes the pin to extend across the slot and thereby pierce the article received in the slot. An end of the pin enters the second arm and engages with the clutch mechanism.

To remove the tag from the article, the clutch mechanism is released. A retraction mechanism in the first arm then automatically retracts the pin into the first arm and the button extends into its disengaged position.

It is known, however, that the button of these tags can jam or stick so that the button does not extend into the disengaged position when the clutch is released. The pin, therefore, remains in an engaged position across the slot and the tag cannot be removed from the article. Furthermore, if the pin does not slide easily back through the article from the engaged position to the disengaged position then, again, the tag remains attached to the article. This may occur if the pin pierces a thick or stiff fabric such as leather.

Against this background it is desirable to provide an improved security tag that overcomes at least one of the problems with current pin tags.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a security tag comprising: a main body having a slot, a first portion of the main body being on a first side -3 -of the slot and a second portion of the main body being on a second side of the slot; - a pin having a tip, the pin being movable between a first position in which the pin is fully housed within the first portion of the main body and a second position in which the pin extends from the first portion of the main body, across the slot and into the second portion of the main body; - a latch mechanism within the second portion of the main body configured to releasably retain the tip of the pin in the second portion of the main body when the pin is in the second position; and an actuating button connected to the pin, said button being moveable between a first position in which the button protrudes a first distance from the main body and a second position in which the button protrudes a second, smaller distance from the main body, and wherein, in use, the button is moveable from the first position to the second position to cause the pin to move from the first position to the second position, wherein the actuating button comprises a cap portion at an end of the actuating button furthest from the main body, the cap portion including at least one projection extending outwardly from a side wall of the actuating button such that at least a part of the cap portion protrudes from the main body when the actuating button is in the second position.

In use the projection may be gripped by a user so as to manually move the actuating button from the second position to the first position. This allows a user to manually retract the pin into the first portion of the main body.

The projection may be in the form of an annular flange. The annular flange may project outwardly from a top plate of the actuating button.

In some embodiments the actuating button extends through an opening in the first portion of the main body. In these embodiments a radial dimension of the projection may be greater than a radial dimension of the opening.

In preferred embodiments when the actuating button is in the first position there is -4 -a first gap between the projection and a wall of the first portion of the main body and when the actuating button is in the second position there is a second gap between the projection and a wall of the first portion of the main body, the second gap being smaller than the first gap. The provision of the second gap advantageously allows a user to more easily grip the projection to pull the projection in a direction away from the slot so as to move the actuating button into the first position.

In other embodiments the projection may abut or contact a part of the wall of the main body when the actuating button is in the second position. In this way the projection acts to limit the movement of the actuating button in a direction towards the main body so that a part of the cap portion protrudes from the main body. A user may then grip a part of the cap portion on an opposite side of the projection to the main body to pull the cap portion in a direction away from the slot so as to move the actuating button into the first position.

The actuating button preferably comprises at least two telescopically engaged segments. The actuating button may comprise three telescopically engaged segments. The cap portion may be provided on one of the telescopically engaged segments having the smallest outer radial dimension.

In preferred embodiments the pin comprises a head and the head of the pin is connected to the actuating button.

The latch mechanism may comprise a releasable gripping element configured to grip the pin proximate the tip, the gripping element being releasable upon application

of a magnetic field to the main body.

The security tag of the present invention may be attached to articles such as clothing or other textiles or sheets of material. Accordingly, a depth of the slot, defined as the distance between the first and second portions of the main body, is preferably between 2 mm and 10 mm. The depth of the slot may be a fixed distance, or the depth of the slot may be adjustable. In particular, first and second portions of the -5 -main body may be slidingly engaged with each other to permit a depth of the slot to be adjusted.

The security tag is preferably an electronic article surveillance ([AS) tag. 5 Accordingly, an [AS sensor is preferably disposed in the main body.

In some embodiments the main body has a first end and a second end, and the pin and the latch mechanism are disposed proximate the first end of the main body. The first and second portions of the main body may be connected together in a fixed configuration at the second end of the main body. Alternatively, there may be a sliding or hinged connection between the first and second portions at the second end of the main body.

The security tag may further comprise a biasing member configured to urge the pin into the first position when the latch mechanism is released. The biasing member may be arranged to apply a force to a part of the actuating button. The biasing member is preferably a spring.

Preferred and/or optional features of each aspect and embodiment described above may also be used, alone or in appropriate combination, in the other aspects and embodiments also.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a prior art security tag in a disengaged configuration with an article in the form of a piece of material located in a slot of the security tag; Figure 2 is a side view of the prior art security tag of Figure 1 in an engaged configuration with an article in the form of a piece of material located in the slot of -6 -the security tag and pierced by a pin of the tag; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the prior art security tag of Figure 1 in the disengaged configuration; Figure 4 is a plan view from the side of a security tag according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, with a button of the security tag in a disengaged, extended position; Figure 5 is a sectional view of the security tag of Figure 4, Figure 6 is a plan view from the side of a security tag of Figure 4, with the button of the security tag in an engaged, depressed position; and Figure 7 is a perspective view of the security tag of Figure 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figures 1 to 3 illustrate a prior art security tag 2 which is generally referred to as a hard tag or pin tag. The security tag 2 is designed to be releasably attached to an article 4, such as an item of clothing, in a retail store. The security tag 2 includes an electronic article surveillance (EAS) sensor 6 that generates detectable signals. A suitable EAS detector (not shown) is typically located at the exit of the retail store. If an article 4 with a security tag 2 attached is removed from the store and, therefore, passes the detector, the detector detects the signals emitted by the EAS sensor 6 and triggers an alarm.

The tag 2 includes a slot 8 for receiving a part of the article 4. A pin 10 is housed in a first portion or arm 12 of the tag 2, and a clutch mechanism 14 arranged to engage with a part of the pin 10 is housed in a second portion or arm 16 of the tag 2. The slot 8 extends between the first and second arms 12, 16. When the tag 2 is in a disengaged configuration, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the pin 10 is retracted into -7 -the first arm 12 such that a part of an article 4, such as a piece of material, can be inserted into the slot 8. To attach the tag 10 to the article 4, an actuating button 18 of the first arm 12 is pressed which causes the pin 10 to extend across the slot 8 and thereby pierce the article 4 received in the slot 8. An end of the pin 10 enters the second arm 16 and engages with the clutch mechanism 14. The tag 10 is then in an engaged configuration, as shown in Figure 2.

To allow an article 4 to leave the store without triggering the alarm, for example after purchase of the article, the security tag 2 is detached from the article 4. Typically the tag 2 is detached at the point of sale of the article 4 by a suitable detacher system (not shown). The detacher system is configured to release the clutch mechanism 14 which disengages the end of the pin 10. A biasing member 20 (for example a spring) is disposed in the button and, upon disengagement of the end of the pin 10, the biasing member 20 applies a force to a part of the actuating button 18 to return the actuating button 18 and the tag 10 to the disengaged configuration. As the pin 10 is connected to the actuating button 18, movement of the actuating button 18 back to the disengaged configuration withdraws the pin from the slot 8 and allows the security tag 2 to be removed from the article 4.

It will be appreciated that the length of the pin 10 is necessarily longer than a width or depth of the slot 8, i.e. a distance between the first and second arms 12, 16. Accordingly, the actuating button 18 comprises a plurality of button segments 22, 24, 26. As illustrated, the actuating button 18 may include three button segments 22, 24, 26. These button segments 22, 24, 26 are telescopically arranged such that when the actuating button 18 is in the disengaged configuration the pin 10 extends through an interior space defined by the button segments 22, 24, 26 and a part of the first arm 12 and is fully housed within the first arm 12 and actuating button 18. When the actuating button 18 is pressed, to move the actuating button 18 to the engaged configuration, the button segments 22, 24, 26 slide with respect to each other and the actuating button 18 collapses into a configuration in which the button segments 22, 24, 26 do not protrude from an upper wall 28 of the first arm 12. -8 -

It will be appreciated that, if the pin 10 is not released properly by the clutch mechanism 14 when the detacher system is used, the button segments 22, 24, 26 may not return to their disengaged configuration. This means that the actuating button 18 remains in its collapsed configuration, the pin 10 remains extended across the slot 8 and the tag 2 remains attached to the article 4. Because, in the engaged configuration, the button segments 22, 24, 26 do not protrude from the upper wall 28 of the first arm 12, it is not possible to manually pull the actuating button 18 into the disengaged position to release the pin 10 from the clutch mechanism 14 and the article 4.

A security tag 102 according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 4 to 7. Many of the features of this security tag are the same as or similar to features of prior art security tags, such as the one described above and, accordingly, like features have been indicated with reference numerals incremented by 100.

The security tag 102 comprises a main body 111 including a slot 108 that extends from a first end of the main body 111 towards a second end of the main body 111. A first arm or engagement portion 112 of the main body 111 is defined on a first side of the slot 108 and a second arm or retaining portion 116 of the main body 111 is defined on an opposite second side of slot 108. In particular, a surface of the engagement portion 112 forms a first surface or first wall of the slot 108 and a surface of the retaining portion 116 forms an opposing second surface or second wall of the slot 108. The slot 108 does not extend fully along a length of the main body 111 and the first and second arms 112, 116 of the main body 111 are joined at the second end of the main body 111 by a root portion 130.

In this example, the first and second arms 112, 116 are maintained, by the root portion 130, in a fixed position with respect to each other. In this way the slot 108 has fixed dimensions. A depth of the slot 108, defined as the distance between the first and second walls, is preferably between 2 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between 3 mm and 7 mm, and most preferably about 5 mm. In other embodiments -9 -the root portion of the main body may be configured to allow the dimensions, and in particular the depth of the slot, to be varied.

The first arm 112 of the main body 111 comprises a pin housing 132, which in this embodiment is disposed proximate the first end of the main body 111. The pin housing 132 comprises a guide passage 136 that is aligned with an aperture 138 in the first wall of the slot 108, i.e. a lower wall of the first arm 112. The pin housing 132 further comprises an actuating button 118 that is disposed through an upper wall 128 of the first arm 112.

In a preferred embodiment the actuating button 118 comprises a first button segment 122, a second button segment 124 and a third button segment 126. The first button segment 122 comprises a tubular side wall 140 having a first end and a second end. An inwardly extending flange 142 extends around the first end and an outwardly extending flange 144 extends around the second end. An edge of the inwardly extending flange 142 defines an opening of the first button segment 122. The second button segment 124 comprises a tubular side 146 wall having a first end and a second end. An inwardly extending flange 148 extends around the first end and an outwardly extending flange 148 extends around the second end. An edge of the inwardly extending flange 148 defines an opening of the second button segment 124.

The third button segment 126 comprises a top plate 152 and a side wall 154 that extends substantially perpendicularly from the top plate 152 around a perimeter of the top plate 152. A first flange 156 extends outwardly from an edge of the side wall 154 furthest from the top plate 152. The third button segment 126 further comprises a second outwardly extending flange or annular projection 158. The annular projection 158 extends outwardly from a circumferential or perimeter edge of the top plate 152 to form a cap portion 158 of the third button segment 126. A flared portion 159 of the third button segment 126 may extend between the top plate 152 and the annular projection 158 such that a plane of the annular projection 158 is parallel to but offset from a plane of the top plate 152 in a direction perpendicular to the plane -10 -of the top plate 152. In this example, an outer circumferential edge 157 of the cap portion 158 is rounded. The annular projection or cap portion 158 provides a gripping member of the actuating button 118, as described further below.

The first, second and third button segments 122, 124, 126 are telescopically arranged such that there is a sliding fit of the third button segment 126 within the second button segment 124, and a sliding fit of the second button segment 124 within the first button segment 122.

In particular, the first button segment 122 extends through an opening in the upper wall 128 of the first arm 112 of the main body 111. The outwardly extending flange 144 at the second end of the first button segment 122 retains the first button segment 122 and, therefore, the actuating button 118, in engagement with the first arm 112 of the main body 111. The second button segment 124 extends through the opening of the first button segment 122, and the outwardly extending flange 150 of the second button segment 124 and the inwardly extending flange 142 of the first button segment 122 retain the second and first segments 124, 122 in cooperation with each other. It will be understood that an outer diameter of the outwardly extending flange 150 of the second button segment 124 is slightly smaller than an inner diameter of the side wall 140 of the first button segment 122. Similarly, the third button segment 126 extends through the opening of the second button segment 124, and the first outwardly extending flange 156 of the third button segment 126 and the inwardly extending flange 148 of the second button segment 124 retain the third and second segments 126, 124 in cooperation with each other.

It will be understood that an outer diameter of the outwardly extending flange 156 of the third button segment 126 is slightly smaller than an inner diameter of the side wall 146 of the second button segment 124.

The side walls 140, 146, 154 of the first, second and third button segments 122, 124, 126 together form a side wall of the actuating button 118.

A diameter of an outer circumferential edge of the annular projection 158 is preferably greater than an outer diameter of the side wall 146 of the second button segment 124, and more preferably greater than an outer diameter of the side wall 140 of the first button segment 122.

An elongate pin 110 is connected to the actuating button 118 and extends through the guide passage 136. In a preferred embodiment a first end or head 160 of the pin 110 is joined to the third button segment 126. A distal end or tip 162 of the pin 110 is preferably sharp so as to be able to pierce an article, such as an item of clothing, to which the security tag 102 is to be attached.

The actuating button 118 is configured to move from an extended configuration, in which the first button segment 122 protrudes from the first arm 112 of the main body 111, the second button segment 124 protrudes from the first button segment 122 and the third button segment 126 protrudes from the second button segment 124, to a collapsed or depressed configuration in which the first button segment 122 does not protrude from the first arm 112 of the main body 111 and the second button segment 124 does not protrude from the first button segment 122. In the collapsed configuration both the first and second button segments 122, 124 are, therefore, preferably retained within the first arm 112 of the main body 111 of the security tag 102.

In the fully collapsed position the heights of the side walls 140, 146, 154 of the first, second and third button segments 122, 124, 126 are preferably such that the top plate 152 of the third button segment 126 and the inwardly extending flanges 142, 148 of the first and second button segments 122, 124 are substantially contiguous and coplanar. The annular projection 158, and optional flared region 159, protrude from the second button segment 124 in the collapsed position, as illustrated in Figure 6.

In this example, the shape and configuration of the flared region 159 is such that there is a gap 164 between a lower surface 166 of the annular projection 158 and the first end of the second button segment 124. Furthermore, in this example, the -12 -diameter of the outer circumferential edge 157 of the cap portion 158 is greater than the outer diameter of the side wall 140 of the first button segment 122 such that an annular radially outer region of the cap portion 158 extends over a region of the upper wall 128 of the first arm 112 surrounding the opening in the upper wall 128.

When the actuating button 118 is in the extended configuration the tip 162 of the pin 110 is disposed within the main body 111 of the tag 102 and, in particular, within the guide passage 136. When the actuating button 118 is in the depressed configuration the pin 110 extends through the aperture 138 in the main body 111 and across the slot 108, and the tip 162 of the pin 110 locates in a latch mechanism 114 (details omitted for clarity) disposed in the second arm 116 of the main body 111. Accordingly, when the actuating button 118 is extended the pin 110 is retracted, and when the actuating button 118 is depressed the pin 110 is extended and spans across the slot 108 in the tag 102.

It will be appreciated that the pin 110 is disposed in the pin housing 132 such that a longitudinal axis of the pin 110 is perpendicular to the plane of the slot 108. Additionally, in preferred embodiments, the actuating button 118 is moved from the extended configuration to the depressed configuration by applying a force to the actuating button 118 in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the pin 110.

A biasing member 120 is disposed in the pin housing 132 and configured to apply a force to the actuating button 118 to urge the actuating button 118 into the extended configuration. In a preferred embodiment the biasing member 120 is in the form of a compression spring 120 disposed between the first wall of the slot 108 and the top plate 152 of the third button segment 126. The spring 120 may be located around the guide passage 136 such that the pin 110 extends through a bore of the spring 120.

The extension of the button segments 122, 124, 126 is limited by the abutment of the first outwardly extending flange 156 of the third button segment 126 with the inwardly extending flange 148 of the second button segment 124, the abutment of -13 -the outwardly extending flange 150 of the second button segment 124 with the inwardly extending flange 142 of the first button segment 122, and the abutment of the outwardly extending flange 144 of the first button segment 122 with the upper wall 128 of the first arm 112 of the main body 111 around the opening.

The latch mechanism 114 within the second arm 116 of the main body 111 is configured to releasably retain the tip 162 of the pin 110. Suitable latch mechanisms are known in the art and will not be described or shown in detail. It will be appreciated that any suitable latch mechanism for applying a releasable gripping force to the pin may be utilised in a security tag according to the present invention.

The latch mechanism 114 is preferably biased into a first, gripping position in which the latch mechanism engages with or applies a gripping force to the pin 110 to retain the tip 162 of the pin 110 in the second arm 116 of the main body 111. In use, a suitable detacher may be engaged with, associated with or held in proximity to the latch mechanism 114 to move the latch mechanism 114 into a second, released position in which the latch mechanism 114 does not engage with or apply a gripping force to the pin 110. In preferred embodiments the detacher is a magnetic detacher that may be held in proximity to the second arm 116 of the security tag 102 to apply a magnetic force to a part of the latch mechanism 114 to release the latch mechanism 114.

The second wall of the slot 108, or upper wall of the second arm 116, includes a hole 170 for receiving the tip 162 of the pin 110 therethrough. The hole 170 is aligned with an opening at the end of a retaining wall 172 of the latch mechanism 114. In this way, during use of the security tag 102, the tip 162 of the pin 110 is able to extend through the hole 170 in the second wall and into the volume defined by the retaining wall 172 to be retained by the latch mechanism 114. In preferred embodiments the hole 170 in the second wall of the slot 108 has side walls that are tapered inwardly in a direction away from the slot 108. Alternatively, the hole 170 may be disposed in a recess (not shown) in the second wall of the slot 108. The tapered side walls and/or the recess are preferably provided to assist in locating and guiding the tip 162 of the pin 110 through the hole 170.

-14 -The security tag 102, therefore, has a disengaged configuration in which the actuating button 118 is extended and the pin 110 is retracted and housed within the first arm 112 of the main body 111, and an engaged configuration in which the actuating button 118 is depressed or collapsed, the pin 110 extends across the slot 108 and the tip 162 of the pin 110 is retained in the second arm 116 of the main body 111 by the latch mechanism 114.

In preferred embodiments the security tag 102 is an electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag and may, for example, be a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

Accordingly, the tag preferably comprises an electronic article surveillance (EAS) sensor 106 that generates detectable signals. The sensor 106 is preferably housed in the first or second arm 112, 116 of the main body 111. In the illustrated example the sensor 106 is housed within the second arm 116 of the security tag 102. The sensor 106 may be an acousto-magnetic (AM) sensor.

To affix the security tag 102 to an article such as an item of clothing, for example, the tag 102 is slid over an edge of the clothing with the tag 102 in the disengaged configuration such that a part of the material of the clothing is located within the slot 108.

The actuating button 118 is then pressed to move the button segments 122, 124, 126 into the collapsed configuration. During this movement the tip 162 of the pin 110 protrudes through the aperture 138 in the first wall of the slot 108 and pierces the material disposed within the slot 106. The tip 162 of the pin 110 then enters the second arm 116 of the main body 111 through the hole 170 in the second wall of the slot 108.

The action of inserting the pin 110 into the second arm 116 of the main body 111 causes the pin 110 and in particular the tip 162 of the pin 110 to engage with the latch mechanism 114. The tip 162 of the pin 110 is therefore retained within the second arm 116. This, in turn, retains the actuating button 118 in the collapsed -15 -configuration against the force of the spring 120. The security tag 102 is thus in the engaged configuration and attached to the article of clothing.

When it is desired to release the tip 162 of the pin 110 from the latch mechanism 114, to detach the security tag 102 from the article of clothing, in this example a magnetic force is applied to the second arm 116 of the main body 111 in the vicinity of the latch mechanism 114. The latch mechanism 114 is then caused to move into the released position and the pin 110 is retracted into the first arm 112 of the main body 111 by the force of the spring 120. In particular, the spring 120 applies a force to the top plate 152 of the third button segment 126 to urge the third button segment 126 in a direction away from the first wall of the slot 108. When the gripping force applied to the tip 162 of the pin 110 by the latch mechanism 114 is less that the force applied to the third button segment 126 by the spring 120, the spring 120 causes the third button segment 126 to move away from the first wall of the slot 108 and draws the tip 162 of the pin 110 out of the latch mechanism 114 due to the attachment of the head 160 of the pin 110 to the third button segment 126. The force of the spring 120 returns the actuating button 118 to the expanded configuration and the pin 110 is withdrawn fully into the first arm 112 of the main body 111.

In some circumstances the application of a suitable detacher to the latch mechanism 114 may not result in the latch mechanism 114 moving fully to the released state. In these circumstances the gripping force applied to the tip 162 of the pin 110 by the latch mechanism 114 may never reduce to less that the force applied to the third button segment 126 by the spring 120 such that the force of the spring 120 is unable to return the actuating button 118 to the expanded configuration to retract and withdraw the pin 110. In other circumstances the detacher may cause the latch mechanism 114 to release but the tip 162 of pin 110 may remain within the second arm 116 of the main body 111 due to a gripping force applied to the pin 110 by the article or material through which the pin 110 has pierced. This may be the case, for example, if the material is thick and/or stiff, such as a leather or rubber material. In these circumstances, the gripping force applied by the material to the pin 110 may be greater than the force of the spring 120 so that the spring 120 is unable to return -16 -the actuating button 118 to the expanded configuration to retract and withdraw the pin 110.

In these and similar circumstances, in which automatic retraction of the pin 110 by the spring 120 is prevented after a suitable detacher has been applied to the latch mechanism 114, a user may grip the cap portion 158 of the third button segment 126 and manually pull the button segments 122, 124, 126 in a direction away from the slot 108. This manually returns the actuating button 118 to the expanded configuration and withdraws the pin 110 into the first arm 112 of the main body 111.

The provision of the cap portion 158 is also beneficial in embodiments of the security tag 102 in which the pin 110 is not automatically retracted into the first arm 112 by a biasing member 120. In these embodiments the force of the biasing member or spring 120 is not sufficient to withdraw the pin 110 back into the first arm 112 even when the latch mechanism 114 is fully released, or alternatively the security tag 110 may not include a biasing member 120 arranged as described above. In these embodiments a user must grip the cap portion 158 of the third button segment 126 and manually pull the button segments 122, 124, 126 in a direction away from the slot 108 upon release of the latch mechanism 114. This manually returns the actuating button 118 to the expanded configuration and withdraws the pin 110 into the first arm 112 of the main body 111. The actuating button 118 may include one or more biasing members or catch members that are configured to bias the actuating button 118 into the expanded configuration or to retain the actuating button 118 in the expanded configuration. To engage such a security tag with an article the user must depress the actuating button against the force of this biasing member or catch member to move the button segments 122, 124, 126 into the collapsed configuration.

It will be appreciated that, although in the above embodiment the actuating button 118 is described as comprising button segments that are telescopically arranged, in other embodiments the actuating button 118 may have any suitable configuration that enables the actuating button 118 to move from an expanded configuration, in -17 -which the pin 110 is fully housed within the pin housing 132, to a collapsed configuration in which the pin 110 protrudes from the pin housing 132. In some embodiments the actuating button 118 may include a section of resilient material that is compressed when the actuating button 118 is moved into the collapsed configuration. Furthermore, in the above embodiment the actuating button 118 had three button segments 122, 124, 126; however, in other embodiments the actuating button 118 may have fewer segments or more segments depending on the dimensions of the segments and the length of the pin 110.

In the above embodiments the cap portion has been described as annular. The cap portion or outwardly extending projection may not be annular, and may be of any suitable shape that provides an outer edge for a user to grip and pull as described above. The cap portion or outwardly extending projection preferably extends over at least a part of the upper wall of the first arm of the security tag. The cap portion or outwardly extending projection may, in some examples, comprise two or more arms or wings that extend outwardly from a top wall of the actuating button.

Other modifications and variations not explicitly disclosed above may also be contemplated without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

-18 -CLAIMS1. A security tag comprising: a main body having a slot, a first portion of the main body being on a first side of the slot and a second portion of the main body being on a second side of the slot; - a pin having a tip, the pin being movable between a first position in which the pin is fully housed within the first portion of the main body and a second position in which the pin extends from the first portion of the main body, across the slot and into the second portion of the main body; - a latch mechanism within the second portion of the main body configured to releasably retain the tip of the pin in the second portion of the main body when the pin is in the second position; and an actuating button connected to the pin, said button being moveable between a first position in which the button protrudes a first distance from the main body and a second position in which the button protrudes a second, smaller distance from the main body, and wherein, in use, the button is moveable from the first position to the second position to cause the pin to move from the first position to the second position, wherein the actuating button comprises a cap portion at an end of the actuating button furthest from the main body, the cap portion including at least one projection extending outwardly from a side wall of the actuating button such that at least a part of the cap portion protrudes from the main body when the actuating button is in the second position.
2. A security tag as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the projection is an annular flange.
3. A security tag as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the actuating button extends through an opening in the first portion of the main body and a radial dimension of the projection is greater than a radial dimension of the opening.
4. A security tag as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein with the actuating -19 -button in the first position there is a first gap between the projection and a wall of the first portion of the main body and with the actuating button in the second position there is a second gap between the projection and a wall of the first portion of the main body, the second gap being smaller than the first gap.
5. A security tag as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the actuating button comprises at least two telescopically engaged segments.
6. A security tag as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pin comprises a head and the head of the pin is connected to the actuating button.
7. A security tag as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the latch mechanism comprises a releasable gripping element configured to grip the pin proximate the tip and releasable upon application of a magnetic field to the main 15 body.
8. A security tag as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a depth of the slot, defined as the distance between the first and second portions of the main body, is between 2 mm and 10 mm.
9. A security tag as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the tag is an electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag, and an EAS sensor is disposed in the main body.
10. A security tag as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the main body has a first end and a second end, and wherein the pin and the latch mechanism are disposed proximate the first end of the main body, and the first and second portions of the main body are connected together in a fixed configuration at the second end of the main body.
11. A security tag as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a biasing member configured to urge the pin into the first position when the latch mechanism -20 -is released.
12. A security tag as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the biasing member is arranged to apply a force to a part of the actuating button.
13. A security tag as claimed in Claim 11 or Claim 12, wherein the biasing member is a spring.