Information
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Patent Grant
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6352606
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Patent Number
6,352,606
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Date Filed
Thursday, July 15, 199924 years ago
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Date Issued
Tuesday, March 5, 200222 years ago
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Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
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CPC
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US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 340 5721
- 340 571
- 340 5681
- 340 5688
- 156 217
- 156 196
- 156 212
- 156 291
- 156 5729
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International Classifications
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Abstract
Generally speaking, the present invention comprises a method for securing a timepiece to a display unit. The timepiece includes a head and a strap, and the display unit includes a member adapted to support the timepiece. The method includes the steps of: arranging the timepiece upon the member; affixing a security device to a securing means; and securing the securing means about the strap of the timepiece and a portion of the member, wherein the timepiece is secured to the member by the securing means. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of affixing the security device to the securing means by means of an adhesive. For example, the securing means is an adhesive layer having a center portion, a first side flap and a second side flap opposite the first side flap, and the method includes an initial step of tapering the ends of the first and second side flaps opposite the center portion. In another embodiment, the method for securing a timepiece to a display unit includes the steps of: arranging the timepiece upon the member; providing a securing means about the strap of the timepiece and a portion of the member, wherein the timepiece is secured to the member by the securing means; and providing a security device and securing the security device intermediate the member and the strap by the securing means.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to surveillance systems for protecting consumer articles from theft, and more particularly, to an improved methodology and construction for securing consumer articles such as electronic timepieces to a display unit and reducing the likelihood of theft thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known to provide surveillance systems to prevent or to deter theft of merchandise from retail sales establishments. For example, well known systems for preventing the unauthorized removal of merchandise include providing scanners which establish an electromagnetic or magnetic field at entrances and exits of a retail sales establishment. Attached to the merchandise may be an electronic article surveillance (EAS) marker or tag that, when activated, interacts with the electromagnetic or magnetic field to indicate that tagged merchandise is entering the field. In this way, the presence of an active EAS marker activates an alarm indicating that merchandise containing an active EAS marker is being removed from the premises.
The foregoing systems have been somewhat successful in deterring theft of merchandise. However, certain merchandise such as, for example, consumer articles such as timepieces have heretofore not be able to be tagged with an EAS marker in a manner which ensures the ability to pick up and examine the timepiece while simultaneously reducing the likelihood of theft of the timepiece. For example, wristwatch type timepieces generally include a casing containing watch circuitry and a strap for securing the timepiece to the wrist of a user. As can be appreciated, the substantial value of the timepiece lies in the components contained within the casing. Presently, EAS markers may be either affixed to the straps of the timepiece or to the display boxes which contain the timepiece. Regrettably, the straps can be easily cut or the timepiece can be removed from the display box to effectively defeat the surveillance system. That is, the inability to reliably secure the watch to the display unit while simultaneously securing an EAS marker thereto illustrates the deficiency in the prior art.
Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved method and construction for securing a security device such as, for example, an EAS marker to a consumer article such as a wristwatch. In particular, the present invention provides a security arrangement for simultaneously fastening a security device to an electronic timepiece and display unit.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object and advantage of this invention to provide an improved method and arrangement for reducing or eliminating the theft of a consumer article, such as a timepiece.
Further objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The foregoing and other problems are overcome and the objects and advantages are realized by methods and apparatus in accordance with embodiments of this invention, wherein an improved security arrangement for fastening a security device to a consumer device such as a timepiece, is disclosed.
Generally speaking, the present invention comprises a method for securing a timepiece to a display unit. The timepiece includes a head and a strap, and the display unit includes a member adapted to support the timepiece. The method includes the steps of: arranging the timepiece upon the member; affixing a security device to a securing means; and securing the securing means about the strap of the timepiece and a portion of the member, wherein the timepiece is secured to the member by the securing means.
In one embodiment, the method includes the step of affixing the security device to the securing means by means of an adhesive. For example, the securing means is an adhesive layer having a center portion, a first side flap and a second side flap opposite the first side flap, and the method includes an initial step of tapering the ends of the first and second side flaps opposite the center portion.
In another embodiment, the method for securing a timepiece to a display unit includes the steps of: arranging the timepiece upon the member; providing a securing means about the strap of the timepiece and a portion of the member, wherein the timepiece is secured to the member by the securing means; and providing a security device and securing the security device intermediate the member and the strap by the securing means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above set forth and other features of the invention are made more apparent in the ensuing Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments when read in conjunction with the attached Drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a conventional display box adapted to hold a timepiece;
FIG. 2
is a side elevational view in partial cross-sectional of the display box of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is a top plan view of a security strap constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 4
is a rear plan view of the security strap of
FIG. 3
which illustrates a preferred position of a security device; and
FIG. 5
is a side elevational view in partial cross-section of a display box wherein is illustrated the security strap of
FIGS. 3 and 4
in engagement with a portion of the display unit and a timepiece strap.
Identically labeled elements appearing in different ones of the above-described figures refer to the same elements but may not be referenced in the description for all figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As shown in
FIG. 1
, a conventional display box
20
contains a consumer article such as, for example, a timepiece
10
having a watch case
12
and a strap
14
for securing the timepiece
10
to the wrist of a wearer. The display box
20
typically includes a front box half
22
and a rear box half
24
comprised of rigid plastic material to facilitate display of the timepiece
10
enclosed therein. The display box
20
also contains a member adapted to support the portable electronic device. For example, and as shown more clearly in
FIG. 2
, the display box
20
includes a C-clip. As is generally known, the C-clip includes a plastic molding of a flexible C-shaped member
26
secured to a base
28
by an integral rib
30
. The timepiece
10
is mounted on the flexible C-shaped member
26
such that the strap
14
encircles the member
26
. As a result, an examination the timepiece
10
may be achieved by sliding the strap
14
off the C-shaped member
26
.
While it may be desirable to permit an examination of the timepiece
10
, it is also desirable to maintain traceability or surveillance of the timepiece
10
during the examination to minimize the risk of theft. In the past, retailers have placed electronic article surveillance (EAS) markers or tags
32
on or in product containers, for example, in the display box
20
shown in FIG.
1
. Alternately, EAS tags have been affixed to the products themselves, for example, an EAS tag
34
having a pin for piercing a portion of a product and a hinged member which closes about the product locks the EAS tag
34
to the product, as shown in FIG.
2
. As discussed in the Background Section of this application, and as is evidenced by U.S. Pat. No.: 3,995,900, issued Dec. 7, 1976, entitled “Reusable Security Tag”, by Humble et al., security tags of this type are well known.
A perceived disadvantage of these conventional surveillance systems is seen to be the ease in which these systems may be defeated by removing the EAS marker from the product, such as by cutting strap
14
about the tag
34
. Similarly, if the product container includes the EAS marker, these surveillance systems may be defeated by removing the product from the product container.
For example, in
FIG. 1
, if the timepiece
10
is removed from the display box
20
, the EAS marker affixed within has effectively been defeated. That is, the timepiece
10
can pass through the magnetic field at the entrance to the store without purchasing the timepiece
10
and without triggering an alarm. Alternatively, the strap
14
of the timepiece
10
is affixed with an EAS marker
34
. If the strap
14
of the timepiece
10
is cut, then the advantage of using the EAS marker
34
is again defeated and the substantial value of the timepiece
10
(i.e. the casing
12
) can be carried through the magnetic field at the store entrance or exit without triggering the alarm.
It is perceived that if the watch cannot be removed from the display unit, an improved security arrangement can be achieved. In accordance with the present invention, a security strap
40
or other suitable securing material is provided for affixing a security device to a consumer article such as timepiece in a product display unit.
FIG. 3
illustrates one embodiment of the security strap
40
wherein the security strap
40
includes a center portion
42
, a first side flap end
44
and a second side flap
46
. The first end
44
and the second end
46
each extend outwardly from the center portion
42
and include an adhesive-coated area
44
a
and
46
a
, respectively. The adhesive-coated areas
44
a
and
46
a
facilitate attachment to one of the strap
14
, the member
26
or unto itself as disclosed below.
As shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4
, the center portion
42
has a width that is suitable to preferably cover the security device
48
. The first side flap
44
and the second side flap
46
have a width that is smaller than the width of the center portion
42
(i.e. tapered) to facilitate wrapping the security strap
40
around the timepiece
10
and a portion of member
26
. That is, the flaps
44
and
46
have a tapered contour with a width that decreases as the ends
44
and
46
extend outwardly from the center portion
42
. In
FIG. 4
the tapered contour of the ends
44
and
46
is illustrated by an angle θ which, for example, may be about 13°.
Preferably, the security strap
40
is a polyolefin clear film of a thickness of about 2.5 mil, and the adhesive-coated areas
44
a
and
46
a
include a permanent gum adhesive. Preferably, the security strap
40
is comprised of tear resistant material. In
FIG. 3
the center portion
42
also preferably includes a backing sheet
50
to conceal the presence of the security device from visual detection. In one embodiment, the backing sheet
50
may include indicia, which indicates that a security device is present. As should be appreciated, the backing sheet
50
may permit a selective use of security devices within the security strap
40
. That is, not all merchandise within the inventory of a retail sales establishment need be tagged with a security device. By concealing the presence, or lack thereof, of a security device on each item in inventory the cost of EAS tagging each item may be reduced.
As shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4
, the center portion
42
has a width that is suitable to preferably cover the security device
48
. The security device may be an electronic article surveillance (EAS) label
48
such as an ULTRASTRIP™ Label produced by the Sensormatic Electronic Corporation of Hollywood, Fla. As shown in
FIG. 4
, the EAS label
48
is placed within the center portion
42
. In one embodiment, the EAS label
48
may be bonded or otherwise affixed by adhesive to the center portion
42
or, as discussed above, the EAS label
48
may be wrapped within the backing sheet
50
that is then bonded to the center portion
42
.
In
FIG. 5
the security strap
40
is shown is a preferred arrangement. That is, the security strap
40
encloses both the strap
14
of the timepiece
10
and a portion of the C-shaped member
26
of the display box
20
. In this arrangement the timepiece
10
cannot be removed from the C-shaped member
26
without removal of the security strap and, most importantly, the security device (i.e. the EAS label
48
) from the timepiece
10
. It should be understood that flaps
44
and
46
may be positioned inside C-clip member
26
, that is, so as to provide the strap
14
intermediate member
26
and device
48
. Alternatively, the security device
48
may be positioned on the inside surface of member
26
such that member
26
is intermediate device
48
and strap
14
. Lastly, the length of flaps
44
and
46
will determine whether they overlay one another or are merely affixed to the strap or C-clip. The actual securing of the flaps
44
and
46
to the strap, C-clip member or upon itself is achieved by the aforementioned coated areas
44
a
and
46
a.
Although described in the context of preferred embodiments, it should be realized that a number of modifications to these teachings may occur to one skilled in the art. As should be appreciated, the scope of the present invention is not limited to wrapping the security strap
40
around portions of the strap
14
of the timepiece
10
and the C-shaped member
26
. It is also contemplated that the security strap
40
may also be affixed to a surface of the watch casing
12
by means of the clear adhesive-coated areas
44
a
and
46
a.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
Claims
- 1. A method for securing a timepiece to a display unit, the timepiece comprising a head and a strap and the display unit comprising a supporting member adapted to support the timepiece, the method comprising the steps of:arranging the timepiece upon the supporting member; affixing a security device to a securing means; and securing the securing means about the strap of the timepiece and a portion of the supporting member, wherein the timepiece is secured to the supporting member by the securing means.
- 2. The method as set forth in claim 1, including the step of affixing the security device to the securing means by an adhesive.
- 3. The method as set forth in claim 2, wherein the securing means is an adhesive layer having a center portion, a first side flap and a second side flap opposite the first side flap, and wherein the method comprises the step of tapering the ends of the first and second side flaps opposite the center portion.
- 4. A method for securing a timepiece to a display unit, the timepiece comprising a head and a strap and the display unit comprising a supporting member adapted to support the timepiece, the method comprising the steps of:arranging the timepiece upon the supporting member; providing a securing means about the strap of the timepiece and a portion of the supporting member, wherein the timepiece is secured to the supporting member by the securing means; and providing a security device and securing the security device intermediate the supporting member and the strap by the securing means.
- 5. A timepiece and display unit arrangement, in which the timepiece comprises a head and a strap, and further in which the display unit comprises a supporting member adapted to support the timepiece, wherein the arrangement in which the timepiece is secured to the display unit is constructed by:arranging the timepiece upon the supporting member; affixing a security device to a securing member; and securing the securing member about the strap of the timepiece and a portion of the supporting member, wherein the timepiece is secured to the supporting member by the securing member.
US Referenced Citations (8)