KR20110086849A - Pinless security device - Google Patents

Abstract

The security device 12 is removably attached to the article. The security device comprises a housing 16a with a locking pad 42, a locking element 28 and a strap 20. The locking element is arranged in the housing. The strap includes a first end having a latching area 34 insertable into the housing and a second end having a securing area 36. The strap is slidably movable between the open position and the locked position. The locking element is engaged with the latching area of the strap. When in the locked position, the strap secures the article between the securing pad and the securing area of the strap.

Description

Pinless Security Device {PINLESS SECURITY DEVICE}

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to an electronic item tamper prevention ("EAS") system for the prevention of unauthorized removal of an item from a controlled area, and more particularly to a tight attachment to an item of a product without penetrating the item of the product. It relates to a pinless EAS security tag.

A typical electronic article anti-theft ("EAS") system in a store may include a monitoring system and one or more security tags or labels attached to the article to prevent unauthorized removal. The monitoring system typically establishes a surveillance area (also referred to as an irradiation area) at the entry point to the controlled area. Articles authorized for removal from the controlled area may be deactivated or removed such that they are not detectable by the monitoring system. When the monitored item enters a surveillance area with an active security tag, an alarm can be triggered to indicate possible unauthorized removal of the item.

As known in the art, a security tag (also referred to as a label) for an EAS system may consist of any number of configurations. The desired configuration of a tag or label is often provided by the properties of the article to be protected. For example, an easily stealable pre-packaged item, such as a CD, DVD, small electronic device, etc., is an EAS label placed in the package in such a way that the EAS label is concealed from the consumer for at least a pre-purcahse period. It may include.

The EAS label can typically be surrounded by a rigid housing that can be secured to the monitored item, such as a rigid tag that includes an EAS label attached to the lid at the retail store. Rigid housings typically include pins that are inserted through the fabric and fixed in place on opposite sides. The housing cannot be removed from the lid without damaging the housing except by using an EAS release / removal.

However, by inserting the pin through the fabric, the item being protected suffers some damage from the pin. For example, high-end distributors with expensive goods, such as leather goods, do not like to incur some damage to prevent theft. Shoes are particularly difficult to protect with a pinned device because the material from which the shoe is made often suffers permanent damage from the pins.

In addition, the shoe presents another difficulty for EAS tags with pins because the shoe material is simply too rigid to allow pins to be inserted. Many retailers now attempt to secure their merchandise using these rigid tags in combination with pins, landyards, or both, through lace eyelets or into the tongue area. This practice is good for some shoe types, but the tags / pins / thin straps interfere with the assembly of the goods and the strapping process. Thus, many shoes, boots and expensive or strapped women's shoes cannot be tagged at all. For items such as boots, the pins are so short that they cannot extend through the thickness of the boot material, so the pins do not lock.

Accordingly, there is a need for a pinless EAS security device that can be attached to an item of merchandise without penetrating or damaging the item.

The present invention advantageously provides a pinless electronic article anti-tamper ("EAS") system for attaching a pinless EAS security device to an article of merchandise. The Muffin EAS security device prevents the article from being removed from the monitored area without penetrating the article.

According to one aspect of the invention, the security device is removably attachable to the article. The security device includes a housing, a locking element and a strap. The housing includes a fixing pad. The locking element is arranged in the housing. The strap includes a first end having a latching region insertable into the housing and a second end having a securing region. The strap is slidably movable between the open position and the locked position. The locking element is engageable with the latching area of the strap. When in the locked position, the strap is at least partially retained in the housing and secures the article between the securing area of the strap and the securing pad.

According to another aspect of the invention, an electronic article anti-theft ("EAS") system for securing an article includes an EAS security device and a magnetic detacher. The EAS security device includes a housing, a strap and a locking element. The housing includes a fixing pad and a protrusion. The strap includes a first end having a latching area insertable into the housing and a second end having a securing area. The securing element includes a magnetically actuated latch and a flexible locking element. The magnetically actuated latch is disposed in the protrusion of the housing. The flexible locking element biases the latching area of the magnetically actuated latch and strap to a fixed position. The strap is slidably movable between the open position and the locked position. The locking element is engageable with the latching area of the strap. When in the locked position, the strap is at least partially held within the housing and secures the article between the securing area of the strap and the securing pad. The magnetic detacher includes a detachment zone operative to nest the protrusion of the housing therein for detaching the EAS security device from the article.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method for protecting an article from theft is provided. The security device is attached to a portion of the article. The security device includes a housing, a locking element and a strap. The housing includes a security pad. The locking element is arranged in the housing. The strap includes a first end having a latching element insertable into the housing and a second end having a securing area. The strap is slidably moved from the open position to the locked position. The locking element is engaged with the latching area of the strap.

A more complete understanding of the present invention, and its attendant advantages and features, will be more readily understood with reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

1 illustrates components of a pinless electronic article tamper resistant (“EAS”) security device and system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a rear / left perspective view of a pinless EAS device constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, with the left half of the housing removed;
3 is a left / front perspective view of a pinless EAS device with the left half of the housing constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention removed;
4 is a rear / left perspective view of a pinless EAS device constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a top / left / front perspective view of a pinless EAS device constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
3 is a bottom / left / front perspective view of a pinless EAS device constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
4 is a rear / right perspective view of a pinless EAS device constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
5 is a top / right / front perspective view of a pinless EAS device constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
6 is a bottom / right / front perspective view of a pinless EAS device constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
7 is a right side view of a pinless EAS device provided with the right half of the housing, constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
8 is a view showing a pinless EAS device attached to the shoe, according to an embodiment of the present invention,
9 is a view showing a pinless EAS device attached to the boot, according to an embodiment of the present invention,
10 is a view showing the inside of the boot of FIG.

Before describing exemplary embodiments in detail in accordance with the present invention, embodiments are primarily directed to implementing an apparatus, system, and method for securing a pinless EAS security device with an item of merchandise without penetrating or damaging the item of merchandise. It should be noted that this is a combination of device components and processing steps involved. Accordingly, the system and method components only show certain details related to understanding the embodiments of the invention so as not to obscure the publication with details that will become very apparent to a person skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. Are suitably presented by conventional symbols.

As used herein, related terms such as "first" and "second", "top", "bottom", and the like may be used to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element, and No physical or logical relationship or order between the same entities or elements is necessarily required or implied.

One embodiment includes a pinless EAS security device that includes, for example, a locking mechanism, a locking mechanism, a security tag, and a housing. The fastening mechanism can include a strap and a fastening pad. The strap can be a suitable material, such as metal or plastic, and can be rigid or flexible. The strap includes a fixed side and a latching side. The securing side of the strap may extend outwardly from the housing and secure the Muffin EAS security device with the item by engaging a portion of the article between the strap and the securing pad. The locking mechanism may include a magnetically actuated latch and a flexible element that biases the magnetically actuated latch toward the locking position. The latching side of the strap mates with at least a portion of the magnetically operable latch in the locked position. As used above, a “locking position” may refer to the position of a magnetically actuated latch, in which position it is engaged, connected or otherwise mated with the latching side of the strap in part or fully void. It doesn't work. The housing may be a locking mechanism, a security tag, a locking mechanism, and a structure configured to secure the article to the housing. When secured, the magnetically actuable latch of the locking mechanism can be mated with the latching side of the strap to the locked position to lock the housing, thereby mating the security tag to which the housing is secured with the article. When the housing is locked, the security device can prevent or provide a resistive force that attempts to detach the housing from the article.

Any citation in the detailed description of "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the description are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Various specific details may be provided to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments. It will be appreciated that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative but do not necessarily limit the scope of the embodiments.

Referring now to the drawings in which the same parts are represented by the same reference numerals throughout the specification, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of components that may be included in the EAS security system 10 according to one embodiment. In this embodiment, the security system 10 includes a security device 12 and a detacher 14 that is used to remove the security device 12 when attached to an item of merchandise. The pinless EAS security device 12 may include a housing 16 having two joined halves 16a, 16b molded from a polymer and / or another rigid material or materials. As with the strap 20, the locking mechanism 18 is movable between the open position and the locked position. When the security device 12 is attached to the article, the strap 20 is moved to the closed position, in which the article is trapped between the strap 20 and the fixed side 22 of the housing 16. A) is sandwiched.

The housing 16 further includes a protrusion 24 designed to fit into the drawn detachment zone 26 of the magnetic tag detacher 14 to remove the pinless EAS security tag 12 from the protected article.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a rear / left perspective view of a pinless EAS device with the left half 16b of the removed housing is provided in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The pinless EAS security device 12 may include a locking mechanism 18, a locking mechanism 28, a detectable security element 30, and a housing 16. The fastening mechanism 18 can include the strap 20 and the flexible channel element 32. The strap 20 has a latching side 34 and a fixed side 36. The locking mechanism 28 may be a magnetically operable locking mechanism and may include a magnetically operable latch 38 and a flexible locking element 40. In the locked position the flexible locking element 40, for example a spring, is deflected to apply an upward force on the magnetically actuated latch 38 such that the magnetically actuated latch 38 is fixed mechanism 18. The latching side 34 of the

The housing 16 partially or completely includes the locking mechanism 28 and the detectable security element 30, a portion of the securing mechanism 18 and an article when the locking mechanism 28 is in the locked position and / or It is enclosed, enclosed, attached, interlocked and otherwise secured, whereby the housing 16 is locked. The housing 16 and the locking mechanism 28 may thus cooperate to secure or lock the article to the housing 16 and thereby to the security device 12. The housing 16 can be configured as desired, and the locking mechanism 28, the detectable security element 30, and an article designed to secure, as described below for embodiments of the housing 16. It can be formed based on the shape. The housing 16 may include a securing pad 42 which may be integral with the housing 16 or may be an individual piece mounted on the securing side 22 of the housing 16. The housing 16 may optionally be paired with a fixing pad 42. The interior of the housing 16 may further include a rectangular channel 44 that surrounds a portion of the latching side 34 of the strap 20 such that the strap 20 slides along the channel 44. The channel 44 is oriented at an acute angle of about 35 ° with respect to the fixed side 36 of the housing 16.

In one embodiment, the strap 20 may comprise or be formed of a nonmagnetic material such as aluminum, plastic, or a die-cast alloy. Strap 20 includes a "U-shaped" or "V-shaped" element, one side of U (or V) being latching side 34 and the other side being fixed side 36. The angle between the latching side 34 and the fixed side 36 is an acute angle of about 20 to 60 degrees. The latching side 34 is partially disposed in the rectangular channel 44 in the housing 16. The latching side 34 of the strap 20 slides in the channel 44 such that the strap 20 moves from the open position to the closed position. The flexible channel element 32 compresses between the bottom surface 46 of the latching side 34 of the strap and the outer wall of the housing 16 to the bottom 46 of the latching side 34 of the strap 20. The flexible element 32 is biased to apply an upward force and the strap 20 has a tendency to be placed in an open position. As long as the flexible channel element 32 functions to apply an upward force on the bottom surface 46 of the latching side 34 of the strap 20, the flexible channel element 32 may be a cylindrical spring, an elliptical spring, eg For example, it can be a cantilever arm, such as a plate string, or some other shape.

The fixed side 36 of the strap 20 extends inwardly toward the fixed side 24 of the housing 16, such as ribs, ridges, spikes, teeth, and the like. And an end 48 having 50. The type and amount of the protrusions 50 can vary depending on the type of article being secured. When the security device 12 is attached to the article, the strap 20 is secured to the end pad 48 of the stationary side 36 of the strap 20 and the stationary pad 42 on the stationary side 24 of the housing 16. Move to a closed position where it is caught or sandwiched. The protrusion 50 of the fixed side 36 of the strap 20 is “bite” with the material of the article so that the security tag 12 can be secured without destroying or damaging the detectable security element 30 or the article. Prevent removal.

The securing pads 42 also provide for the securing side 36 of the strap 20 to securely grip the material of the article when the strap 20 is in the locked position and prevent the pinless EAS security device 12 from being removed from the article. It may include a protrusion, such as teeth and rows of ridges designed to be operated in connection with the protrusion 50. When secured to the article, as long as the article is rigid enough to prevent the housing 16 from being forcibly removed from the article without destroying or damaging the detectable security element 30 or the article, the securing pad 42 should Metal, polymer, ceramic, and / or another material or materials.

The latching side 34 of the strap 20 includes a plurality of parallel ridges 54, such as ribs, teeth, notches, jags, points, curves, voids, or other shapes. , Which are engaged with the magnetically operable latch 38 to secure the strap 20 in the locked position to prevent the latching side 34 from extending from the housing 16. The latching side 34 of the locking mechanism 16 may be configured as desired, such as with one or more holes, or other voids, ribs, teeth, protrusions, or other shapes. The latching side 34 may be configured to engage with at least a portion of the magnetically actuated latch 38, to receive, insert into, or otherwise mate with this portion.

The magnetically actuated latch 38 may include a base portion 56, which may include a base portion end 58, and a latching portion 62, which may include a latching portion end 64. Protruding from the latching portion end 64, the magnetically actuated latch 38 includes one or more teeth 66, ribs, notches, jags, points, bends, voids, or magnetically actuated latches ( Other shapes as described herein for the embodiments of 38), and the base portion end 58 may be flat or of other shapes. In one embodiment, each ridge or tooth 66 may have a rise of about 1.36 mm and a run of about 0.46 mm. Exemplary ratios of rise to run may be about 3: 1, 4: 1, or 5: 2. However, these examples are not limited, and other ratios may be used depending on the design requirements and the articles to be fixed.

In one embodiment where the magnetically actuated latch 38 engages at the latching portion end 64, the latching side 34 of the locking mechanism 16 is the teeth of the latch 38 actuating in the locked position. It is configured with a rib 54 that is engaged with the mold 66. The flexible locking element 40 is biased to exert a force on the base portion end 58 so that the teeth of the latching side 34 of the strap 20 to prevent the strap 20 from being pulled out of the housing 16. Engages with tooth 66 of latching portion end 64 into 54. If the magnetically actuated latch 38 is not pulled away from the latching side 34 by magnetic force, such as applied by the detacher 14, the flexible locking element 40 will be strapped to the base portion 56. It is prevented from being separated from the latching side 34 of 20.

The flexible locking element 40 can be formed as desired, such as cubic, elliptical, coiled, or any other shape as described herein for embodiments of the flexible locking element 40, It may comprise one or more pieces and may also be combined with or formed integrally with the magnetically actuated latch 38. In one embodiment, the flexible locking element 40 may be formed as a cantilever arm, for example a leaf spring. The flexible locking element 40 provides light, porosity, semi-rigidity, elasticity, gaseous, and / or resistance when compressed and partially or fully recovers the uncompressed shape when the compression is removed. It may include or be formed of a flexible material such as a sponge material. For example, in various embodiments, the flexible locking element 40 includes or comprises foam rubber, polymeric foam, ceramic foam, or other foam, rubber, and / or another material or materials. It can be formed as. The flexible locking element 40 can also be configured to provide resistance when or alternatively compressed. For example, the flexible locking element 40 can be configured as a coil, leaf or other cantilevered arm, or other spring, or other similar member, wherein the other similar member is a metal, a polymer. , Ceramics, and / or another material or materials. The flexible locking element 40 can have any of a variety of masses.

In addition, the combination of forces applied to the strap 20 by the flexible locking element 40 and the flexible channel element 32 in the locking position is further such that the fixed side of the strap 22 firmly grips the protected article. Generate a torque on the functioning strap 20.

The magnetically actuated latch 38 can be configured as desired, can include one or more pieces, and can be symmetrical or asymmetrical with respect to a given point, line or plane. For example, in various embodiments, the magnetically actuated latch 38 is a “T”, “I”, curved, or other shaped face, and rectangular, circular, thick, hollow or otherwise. Or otherwise as described herein in accordance with an embodiment of a voided and / or non-uniform cross-section, or magnetically actuated latch 38. Base portion end 58 may also be continuous or discontinuous. The magnetically actuated latch 38 is in engagement with the latching side 34 of the fastening mechanism 16, where at least a portion of a magnetically actuable latch, such as the latching portion 62, is described herein, The latching side is received, inserted into the latching side, or otherwise mated with the latching side.

Magnetically actuated latch 38 may include or be formed of a magnetic material such as iron, nickel, or cobalt, or an alloy of iron, nickel, or cobalt. In one embodiment, the magnetically actuated latch 38 includes one or more magnetic materials and may also include one or more nonmagnetic materials.

In one embodiment, magnetically actuated latches 38 and flexible locking elements 40 enter into projections of the housing 16 facing the fixed side 22. The protrusion 24 is designed to fit into the drawn detachment zone 26 of the magnetic tag detacher 14 (FIG. 1) to remove the pinless EAS security tag 12 from the protected article. Magnetic tag detacher 14 applies a magnetic field that attracts magnetically operable latch 38 with sufficient force to overcome the upward force supplied by flexible locking element 40, thereby actuating magnetically. Possible ridges or teeth 66 of latch 38 are separated from ridges or teeth 54 of latching side 34 of strap 20 so that strap 20 can move freely in channel 44. To release the goods.

The removable security element 30 may be any removable device or system located in a chamber within the housing 16 and such as any security tag or label. For example, in various embodiments, removable security element 30 may be an EAS element (eg, radio frequency element, acoustic-magnetic element, etc.), radio frequency identification (“RFID”) element, combined EAS / RFID element. , Smart tags, or other detectable theft prevention or other types of security elements. For reference, although the present invention has been described with reference to "EAS system" using "EAS tag", these terms are used in a general sense and use one or a security element, for example, an EAS element, an RFID element, etc. Contains tags The detectable security element 30 may be detectable by a corresponding detection system, such as an acoustic-magnetic detector, an electromagnetic detector, a wireless detector, or other detector, depending on the type of security tag, or label.

3 is a left / front perspective view of the pinless EAS device 12 with the left half 16b of the housing removed. 4 is a rear / left perspective view of a pinless EAS device 12 constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the detectable security element 30 is oriented such that the longitudinal axis of the detectable security element 30 lies in the same plane as the strap 20 (forward "vertical embodiment"). Referred to as ").

Referring now to FIG. 5, an alternative embodiment of a pinless EAS security tag 120 is provided in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In contrast to the EAS supplemental tag 12, the longitudinal axis of the detectable security element 300 lies in a plane perpendicular to the strap 200 (hereafter referred to as the "horizontal embodiment").

Horizontal embodiments of the pinless EAS security tag 120 may include a housing 160 having two joined halves 160a, 160b molded from a polymer and / or another material or materials. Fastening mechanism 180, such as strap 200, is movable between an open position and a locked position. When the security device 120 is attached to the article, the strap 200 is moved to a closed position in which the article is sandwiched or sandwiched between the strap 200 and the fixed side 220 of the housing 160.

The housing 160 further includes a protrusion 240 designed to fit into the retractable detachment zone 26 of the magnetic tag detacher 14 to remove the pinless EAS security tag 120 from the protected article.

6 illustrates a bottom / right / front perspective view of a pinless EAS device constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a right side view of the pinless EAS security device 120 with the right half 160b of the housing 160 removed is provided in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The pinless EAS security device 120 may include a locking mechanism 180, a locking mechanism 280, a detectable security element 300, and a housing 160. The fastening mechanism 180 can include the strap 200 and the flexible channel element 320. Strap 200 has a latching side 340 and a fixed side 360. The locking mechanism 280 may be a magnetically operable locking mechanism and may include a magnetically operable latch 380 and a flexible locking element 400. The flexible locking element 400, eg the spring, in the locking position is biased to apply an upward force on the magnetically actuated latch 380 such that the magnetically actuated latch 380 is fixed mechanism 180. To the latching side 340.

The housing 160 holds the article when the locking mechanism 280 and the detectable security element 300, a portion of the locking mechanism 180 and the locking mechanism 280 are in the locked position and the housing 160 is thereby locked. It may be any casing or other structure that is partially or completely included and / or enclosed, enclosed, attached, interlocked, or otherwise secured. Housing 160 and locking mechanism 280 may cooperate to secure or lock an article to housing 160 and thereby to security device 120. The housing 160 can be configured as desired and based on the locking mechanism 280, the detectable security element 300, and an article designed to be secured, as described below for embodiments of the housing 160. Can be formed. Housing 160 may include a securing pad 420, which may be integral with housing 160 or may be an individual piece mounted on a fixed side 220 of housing 160. May optionally be configured to pair with a fixing pad. The interior of the housing 160 may further include a rectangular channel 440 surrounding a portion of the latching side 340 of the strap 200 and allowing the strap 200 to slide along the channel 440.

In one embodiment, strap 200 may comprise a non-magnetic material, such as elongated aluminum or poly-carbonate, or may comprise a non-magnetic material. Strap 200 may comprise a “U-shaped” or “V-shaped” element, where one side of U (or V) is a latching side 340 and the other side is a fixed side. The angle between the latching side 340 and the fixed side 360 is an acute angle of about 30 to 60 degrees. The latching side 340 partially lies within the housing 160 in the rectangular channel 440. The latching side 340 of the strap 200 slides in the channel 440 to allow the strap 200 to move from the open position to the closed position. The flexible channel element 320 compresses between the bottom surface 460 of the latching side 340 of the strap and the outer wall of the housing 160 to the bottom surface 460 of the latching side 340 of the strap 200. The flexible element 320 is biased to apply an upward force such that the strap 200 tends to be in an open position. As long as the flexible channel element 320 functions to apply an upward force on the bottom surface 460 of the latching side 340 of the strap 200, the flexible channel element 320 may be a cylindrical spring, an elliptical spring, for example. For example, a cantilever arm such as a leaf spring, or some other shape.

The stationary side 360 of the strap 200 is an end portion 480 having one or more protrusions 500, such as ribs, ridges, spikes, teeth, and the like, extending rearward toward the stationary side 240 of the housing 160. It includes. The amount and type of protrusions 500 can vary depending on the type of article being secured. When the security device 120 is attached to the article, the strap 200 is moved to the closed position, in which the article is placed at the end portion 480 and the housing 160 of the fixed side 360 of the strap 200. It is sandwiched or sandwiched between the fixing pads 420 on the fixing side 240 of the. The protrusion 500 of the fixed side 360 of the strap 200 is " bite " into the material of the article so that the security tag 120 can be secured without destroying or damaging the detectable security element 300 or elements. Prevent removal.

The anchoring pad 420 also includes a protrusion 200, such as a row of teeth or ridges (not shown) designed to operate in connection with the protrusion 500 of the fixed side 360 of the strap 200. When in this locked position, the material of the article is firmly gripped to prevent the pinless EAS security device 120 from being removed from the article. As long as the material is secured to the article, the securing pad 420 is made of metal, polymer, as long as it has sufficient rigidity to prevent the housing from being forcibly removed from the article without destroying or damaging the detectable security element 300 or the article. , Ceramic, and / or another material or materials.

The latching side 340 of the strap 200 secures the strap 200 in the locked position to engage with a magnetically operable latch 380 to prevent the latching side 340 from extending from the housing 160. And a plurality of parallel ridges 540, such as teeth, notches, jags, points, curves, voids, or other shapes. The latching side 340 of the fixing mechanism 160 may be configured as desired, such as having one or more holes or other voids, ribs, teeth, protrusions, or other shapes. The latching side 340 may be configured to engage with at least a portion of the magnetically actuated latch 380, receive a portion, insert into a portion, or otherwise mate with a portion.

Magnetically engageable latch 380 may include a base portion 560, which may include base portion end 580, and a latching portion 620, which may include latching portion end 640. The magnetically actuated latch 380, projecting from the latching portion end 640, has one or more teeth 660, ribs, notches, jags, points, bends, voids or magnetically actuated latches 380. And other shapes as described herein, the base portion end 580 can be flat or another shape.

In one embodiment where the magnetically actuated latch 380 is engaged at the latching portion end 640, the latching side 340 of the locking mechanism 160 is the tooth of the magnetically actuated latch 380 in the locked position. Ribs 540 that engage with the mold 660 may be configured. The flexible locking element 400 is provided with the teeth of the latching portion end 640 into the teeth 540 of the latching side 340 of the strap 200 to prevent the strap 200 from being pulled out of the housing 160. Biased against base portion end 580 to engage 660. If the magnetically actuated latch 380 is not pulled away from the latching side 340 by a magnetic force, such as when handled by the detacher 14, the flexible locking element 400 is the base portion 560. It is prevented from being separated from the latching side 340 of the strap 200.

The flexible locking element 400 can be formed as desired and formed as desired, such as cubic, elliptical, coiled, or any other shape as described herein for embodiments of the flexible locking element 400. It may include two or more pieces, or may be combined with or formed integrally with the magnetically operable latch 380. In one embodiment, flexible locking element 400 may be formed as a cantilever arm, such as for example a leaf spring. The flexible locking element 400 can provide an elastic force when compressed and a lightweight, porous, semi-rigid, elastic, vapor, and / or sponge that can provide partial or total recovery of the uncompressed shape when the compressive force is removed. It may include a flexible material, such as a material, or may be formed of a flexible material. For example, in various embodiments, the flexible locking element 400 can comprise foam rubber, polymeric foam, ceramic foam, or other foam; Rubber: and / or may comprise or be formed of other materials or materials. The flexible locking element 400 can also or alternatively be configured to provide resistance when compressed. For example, in various embodiments the flexible locking element 400 may be formed as a coil, plate or other cantilever arm or other spring or other similar member comprising metal, polymer, ceramic, and / or another material or materials. Can be. The flexible locking element 400 can have any of a variety of masses.

In addition, the combination of forces applied to the strap 200 by the flexible locking element 400 and the flexible channel element 320 allows the fixed side 220 of the strap 200 to firmly grip the protected article. Torque is generated on the strap 200 which is further functioned to.

The magnetically actuated latch 380 can be formed as desired and can be symmetrical or asymmetrical about one or more pieces and a given point, line, or plane. For example, in various embodiments, magnetically actuated latches 380 are “T”, “I”, curved, or other shaped faces and rectangular, circular, thick, hollow, or otherwise voided. And / or non-uniform cross-sectional areas, or magnetically operable latches 380 may be configured as described herein for embodiments. In addition, base portion end 580 may be continuous or discontinuous. Magnetically actuated latch 380 is latched and latched, such as latching portion 620, with at least a portion of the magnetically actuable latch engaged with latching side 340 of fastening mechanism 160 as described below. The sides may be received, inserted into the latching sides, or otherwise mated with the latching sides.

Magnetically actuated latch 380 may comprise a magnetic material, such as iron, nickel, or cobalt, or an alloy of iron, nickel, or cobalt, or may be formed of magnetic material. In one embodiment, magnetically operable latch 380 includes one or more magnetic materials and also one or more nonmagnetic materials.

In one embodiment, the magnetically actuated latch 380 and flexible locking element 400 are included in the protrusion 240 of the housing 160 facing the fixed side 220. The protrusion 240 is designed to fit into the inserted detachment zone of the magnetic tag detacher 14 (FIG. 1) to remove the pinless EAS security tag 12 from the protected article. The magnetic tag remover 14 applies a magnetic field to pull the magnetically operable latch 380 to a force sufficient to overcome the upward force supplied by the flexible locking element 400, such that the magnetically operable latch The ridges or teeth 660 of 38 are separated from the ridges or teeth 540 of the latching side 34 of the strap 200 such that the straps 200 move freely in the channel 440 to release the article. Do it.

The detectable security element 300 may be any detectable device or system, such as any security tag or label. For example, the detectable security element 300 in various embodiments may be any type of EAS element (eg, radio frequency element, acoustic-magnetic element, etc.), radio frequency identification (“RFID”) element, combination type. EAS / RFID element, smart tag, or other detectable anti-theft or other security element. Note that although the present invention has been described in terms of an "EAS system" using an "EAS tag", these terms are used in a general sense and include a tag using one or a secure element, for example an EAS element, an RFID element, or the like. do. The detectable security element 300 may be detectable by a corresponding detection system or apparatus, such as by a type of security tag, or label, acoustic-magnetic detector, electromagnetic detector, radio frequency detector, or other detector.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a horizontal embodiment of a pinless EAS security device 120 is shown attached to and used with female shoes. 9 and 10 show a horizontal embodiment of the pinless EAS security device 120 while attached to the boot. As can be noted from FIGS. 8 to 10, embodiments of the present invention advantageously allow a customer to try on items of merchandise with minimal interference from a Muffin EAS security device, while ensuring protection against theft to the retailer. Allow.

Note that although the invention is described as securing a portion of an article that is secured between a contact pad on a housing and a securing area on a strap, the use of the invention is not so limited. For example, if the article has elements with openings or openings such as handbag straps, handles, rings, or belt buckles, the strap of the security tag can be inserted through the openings in the article, so that when in the locked position, Contacts the securing pad to lock the security tag into the article.

It should be noted that, unless stated to the contrary, the accompanying drawings are not shown to scale. It is important to note that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention and, therefore, reference should be made to the claims that follow, rather than the foregoing detailed description, which illustrate the scope of the invention.

Claims (20)

A security device removably attached to an article,
A housing including a fixing pad;
A locking element disposed in the housing; And
A strap comprising a first end having a latching area insertable into the lowering and a second end having a securing area,
The strap is slidably movable between an open position and a locking position, the locking element is engageable with a latching area of the strap, and the strap is at least partially retained within the housing and secured when in the locked position Securing the article between a pad and a securing area of the strap,
A security device removably attached to the article.
The method of claim 1,
The locking element is:
Magnetically operable latches; And
A flexible locking element for biasing said magnetically actuated latch and latching region of said strap to a locked position,
A security device removably attached to the article.
The method of claim 2,
Further comprising a flexible channel element exerting an upward force on said strap,
The flexible locking element in combination with the flexible channel element forms a torque on the strap to fit between the securing pad and the securing side of the strap when a portion of the article is in the locked position,
A security device removably attached to the article.
The method of claim 2,
The housing includes an outer wall defining an interior volume, the housing having the magnetically operable latch disposed within the interior volume, the housing including a passage therein, the passage sliding the strap therein. A channel configured to possibly receive the channel, the channel further configured to retain the flexible channel element such that the flexible channel element is compressed between the strap and the outer wall,
A security device removably attached to the article.
The method of claim 4, wherein
The housing further comprises a fixed side, the channel being oriented at an acute angle of substantially 20 ° to substantially 60 ° relative to the fixed side of the housing,
A security device removably attached to the article.
The method of claim 1,
Said strap having a V-shaped configuration,
A security device removably attached to the article.
The method of claim 1,
Said strap having a U-shaped configuration,
A security device removably attached to the article.
The method of claim 1,
The housing further comprises a detectable security element chamber and the security device further comprises a detectable security element located within the detectable security element chamber;
A security device removably attached to the article.
The method of claim 8,
The detectable security element is one or more of an electronic item anti-theft ("EAS") tag and a radio frequency identification ("RFID") tag.
A security device removably attached to the article.
The method of claim 8,
The latching area and the securing area of the strap are in a first plane and the longitudinal axis of the detectable security element is in a first plane,
A security device removably attached to the article.
The method of claim 8,
The latching area and the securing area of the strap are in a first plane, the longitudinal axis of the detectable security element is in a second plane, and the second plane is perpendicular to the first plane,
A security device removably attached to the article.
The method of claim 1,
The latching region of the strap includes one or more protrusions extending from the latching region,
A security device removably attached to the article.
The method of claim 12,
Wherein the one or more protrusions comprise one or more teeth having rises and runs, wherein the ratio of rises to runs is about 3: 1,
A security device removably attached to the article.
An electronic article anti-theft ("EAS") system for securing an article,
As an EAS security device,
A housing comprising a fixing pad and a protrusion;
A first end having a latching area insertable into the housing, and fixed
A strap including a second end having an area; And
A magnetically actuated latch disposed in the protrusion of the housing, and
Locking the latching area of the strap and the magnetically operable latch
Including a locking element that includes a flexible locking element that biases into position
And
The strap is movable between an open position and a locked position, the locking
An element is engageable with a latching area of the strap, the strap being locked
When in the king position, at least partially retained within the housing and
Secure the article between the securing area of the strap and the securing pad
doing,
EAS security device; And
A magnetic detacher comprising a detachment zone, the detachment zone including a magnetic detacher, the magnetic detacher being operative to place a protrusion of the housing within the detachment zone to detach the EAS security device from the article.
Electronic Goods Anti-Theft ("EAS") system for securing goods.
The method of claim 14,
The EAS security device is:
Further comprising a flexible channel element exerting an upward force on said strap,
In combination with the flexible channel element, the flexible locking element generates torque on the strap to secure the fastening pad and the strap when a portion of the article is in the locking position without penetrating the article. To fit between the sides,
Electronic Goods Anti-Theft ("EAS") system for securing goods.
The method of claim 14,
The housing includes an outer wall defining an interior volume, the housing having a magnetically actuated latch disposed within the interior volume, the housing including a passage therein and the passage slidable within the strap. A channel configured to receive the channel, the channel configured to hold the flexible channel element such that the flexible channel element is compressed between the strap and the outer wall.
Electronic Goods Anti-Theft ("EAS") system for securing goods.
17. The method of claim 16,
The housing further comprising a fixed side, the channel being oriented at an acute angle of substantially 20 ° to substantially 60 ° relative to the fixed side of the housing,
Electronic Goods Anti-Theft ("EAS") system for securing goods.
As a method for protecting an article from theft,
Attaching a security device to a portion of the article,
The security device is:
A housing including a fixing pad;
A locking element disposed in the housing; And
A strap, comprising: a first having a latching region insertable into the housing
End; And a second end having a fixed area;
Attaching a security device; And
Migratingly moving the strap from an open position to a locked position, wherein the locking element is engaged with a latching region of the strap;
A method for protecting an article from theft.
The method of claim 18,
In combination with the flexible channel element, the flexible locking element forms a torque on the strap such that when no part of the article is in the locking position, without the use of a pin, a portion of the article is fixed to the strap and the securing pad. Sandwiched between,
A method for protecting an article from theft.
The method of claim 19,
Inserting the strap through a hole in the article, wherein in the locking position, the securing area contacts the securing pad,
A method for protecting an article from theft.

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