Patent Application
20200157854
Example embodiments generally relate to security technology, and more particularly, relate to a security device for use in retail loss prevention.
Product security devices are commonly used in a number of settings, including in retail loss prevention. In this regard, retail theft prevention systems, often referred to as electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems, use antennas located at the exits of a retail establishment to detect radio frequency (RF) signals emitted by a security device that is affixed to items, such as products for sale. A product security device may be affixed or locked to a product, and if the device is not removed at a point-of-sale during a sales transaction, the security device will be detected by the EAS system as the device, which is affixed to an product, leaves the store. An alarm may be triggered because the removal of the device from the retail establishment is likely to be associated with an attempted theft.
One example of a security device for a retail setting is a security tag for a bottle or other container having an opening. Some of these bottles contain expensive products such as wine and liquor, which in some locations are stored on a shelf and not behind a counter, thus becoming susceptible to shoplifting. It is a desire to protect these bottles by attaching a security device easily around the neck of the bottle which contains an EAS tag, which devices can be reused to reduce cost to the retail establishment, and which devices can be placed easily and rapidly on the neck of the bottle for display without occupying an appreciable amount of storage and display space. These devices also must be able to be mass produced relatively inexpensive to enable the retail establishment to purchase a number of the devices for use on their displayed products.
Although many of these devices perform satisfactory for their intended purpose, many of them are relatively expensive to manufacture due to the number of separate components that must be assembled. Also, many of these devices are relatively difficult to install and remove from the article of merchandise due to the particular type of latching or locking mechanism and mechanical actuated key for unlocking the security device and removing it from the article being protected. Moreover, some security devices may be prone to tampering
Therefore, the need exists for a more efficient or improved security device. There is also a need for improved security devices for cylindrical-shaped objects, such as bottle necks. Additionally, it may be desirable to have security devices with an EAS tag in a concealed housing, and with an efficient, yet secure, unlocking mechanism.
The following presents a summary of this disclosure to provide a basic understanding of some aspects. This summary is intended to neither identify key or critical elements nor define any limitations of embodiments or claims. Furthermore, this summary may provide a simplified overview of some aspects that may be described in greater detail in other portions of this disclosure.
An example locking sled security device comprises a tag and a sled. The tag may comprise a first security element (e.g., EAS component), a receiving recess, and an engaging member (e.g., locking channel, threaded portion, friction fit portion, or the like) adjacent to the receiving recess, and a slug biased towards a sled facing surface of the tag. The sled may comprise a base having one or more sled engagement members that may engage with the engagement member of the tag (e.g., one or more tabs, thread portions, friction fit portions, etc.), an adhesive applied to a product facing surface of the base for affixing the sled to a product, and a cavity in the base having an opening on a tag facing surface of the base. The engaging member or the tag and the engaging member of the sled may comprise at least one of a channel and tab engagement, male and female threaded engagement, a hook and loop engagement, or a bayonet-type engagement. In at least one embodiment, the tag may be configured to receive a tab of the sled into a receiving recess of the tag. The tab may extend from the base of the sled. Upon receiving the tab of the sled into the receiving recess, the tag may be rotatable about an axis relative to the sled such that the tab travels from the receiving recess into a locking channel and into a locked position where a protrusion of the slug aligns with and engages the cavity of the sled. In a locked position, the tag may resist or otherwise be prevented from moving relative to the sled in an axial direction due to engagement between the tab and the locking channel, and the tag may be prevented from rotating relative to the sled due to engagement between the protrusion of the slug and the cavity of the sled.
The first security element may be configured to respond to an electromagnetic field with a radio frequency signal for detection by an alarming unit. In an embodiment, the security device may comprise a second security element. The second security element may operate at a different frequency than the first security element. For example, the second security element may be an RFID tag.
According to some example embodiments, the tab may include a beveled edge configured to engage a complementary beveled edge of the locking channel. According to some example embodiments, the example security device may comprise a second security element that operates at a different frequency than the first security element. Other example apparatuses are also provided.
In an embodiment, the security device may further comprise a security collar configured to be locked onto a product by the tag. The security collar may comprise a locking ring that forms an opening sized to receive the sled, a first anti-tampering wall extending upwards from the locking ring and operatively circumscribing the tag, and a second anti-tampering wall extending downwards from the locking ring. The security collar may be free to rotate relative to the tag, the sled, and the product in order to prevent the security collar from being used as leverage to improperly remove the security device. The security collar may further comprise fins in an interior lower cavity of the security collar to prevent the second anti-tampering wall from being pressed against the product to improperly remove the security device.
In an embodiment, the security device further comprises a detaching key operatively configured to permit movement of the slug and allow rotation of the tag from the locked position to an unlocked position.
The following description and the drawings disclose various illustrative aspects. Some improvements and novel aspects may be expressly identified, while others may be apparent from the description and drawings.
The accompanying drawings illustrate various systems, apparatuses, devices and methods, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout.
The invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The scope of the invention is defined in the appended claims, rather than in the specific description preceding them. All embodiments that fall within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims.
Some example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all example embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described and pictured herein should not be construed as being limiting as to the scope, applicability, or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural and functional changes may be made without departing from the respective scope of the invention. Moreover, features of the various embodiments may be combined or altered without departing from the scope of the invention. As such, the following description is presented by way of illustration only and should not limit in any way the various alternatives and modifications that may be made to the illustrated embodiments and still be within the spirit and scope of the invention.
As used herein, the words “example” and “exemplary” mean an instance, or illustration. The words “example” or “exemplary” do not indicate a key or preferred aspect or embodiment. The word “or” is intended to be inclusive rather an exclusive, unless context suggests otherwise. As an example, the phrase “A employs B or C,” includes any inclusive permutation (e.g., A employs B; A employs C; or A employs both B and C). As another matter, the articles “a” and “an” are generally intended to mean “one or more” unless context suggests otherwise.
The terms “tag,” “chip,” “EAS component,” and the like may be used interchangeably, unless context suggests otherwise or warrants a particular distinction among such terms. It is further noted that tags may be chosen based on a frequency. Identification tags may comprise printable RF circuits, microchips, or the like. Tags can contain stored information, such as in a memory (e.g., read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or various other types of memory). In another aspect, a tag may be powered by electromagnetic induction from magnetic fields produced by a reader. For instance, an identification tag may include an antenna that utilizes induction between another antennae located within a reader to effectively form an air-core transformer. The antennae may comprise various materials, such as copper. While an air-core transformer is described, various other antennae formations may be utilized.
In an example, an EAS system may include a tag, a reader or emitter (such as at a store exit), and one or more antennae. For instance, the tag may include a loop antenna and the emitter may include another loop antenna. It is noted that the loop antennae may or may not be substantially similar to each other. The tag antenna and emitter antenna may be operatively coupled via an electromagnetic field. The coupling may form or represent an air-core coil or transformer. The emitter may generate an alternating current that may be received by the emitter antenna. The current may induce an electromagnetic field through the air or another carrier medium. The electromagnetic field may induce a current in the tag antenna. The received current may provide power to various components of the tag.
In various embodiments, a tag may include the antenna, a processor, and a memory device. The memory device may include various types of memory, such as electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) and the like. When the tag is powered (e.g., current induced by the electromagnetic field), the tag may generate a response that may be received by the emitter. As described herein, the identification tag may be a passive transponder that collects energy from interrogating radio waves and/or may include a local power source such as a battery. As such, an identification tag and a reader may be configured as a passive reader active tag (PRAT) system, active reader passive tag (ARPT) system, an active reader active tag (ARAT) system, or the like.
In another aspect, a tag may power various components or devices. For example, a tag may power a digital display and/or interface of a container. In embodiments, the identification tag may be configured to operate and/or communicate with a reader when within a threshold distance. For instance, an identification tag may communicate with a reader when the identification tag is less than or equal to j units from the reader, where j is a number and the unit is a unit of distance. In an example, the identification tag may operate when it is less than or about t centimeters from the reader, when it is less than or about one meter from the reader, etc. It is noted that the distance may be selected for a particular setting.
According to various example embodiments, an example locking sled security device is provided that includes a tag that securely attaches to a product via an attachment sled that is affixed to the product. The tag may include a wireless signal transmitting device that can be detected by an antenna of an electronic article surveillance (EAS) system located at, for example, an exit of a retail establishment to indicate that the item to which the security device is attached is being stolen or otherwise improperly removed from a location. The tag may be removable from the sled through the use of a prescribed detacher key (e.g., a magnetic key) at a point of sale in a retail establishment during a transaction to purchase the product.
More specifically, according to some example embodiments, an example security device may include tag and sled components. The sled may be affixed, via an adhesive, to a product to be protected, such as the cap of a bottle. The tag may then be removably locked to the sled to provide security to the product. To lock the tag to the sled, the tag may be configured to receive a tab of the sled into a receiving recess of the tag. Upon receiving the tab of the sled into the receiving recess of the tag, the tag may be rotated, by a user, relative to the sled such that the tab of the sled travels from the receiving recess of the tag into a locking channel of the tag. As the tab enters the locking channel, the tab of the sled may engage the locking channel, and more specifically a lower lip of the locking channel, thereby preventing the tag from being lifted away from the sled without rotating the tab back to the receiving recess. As rotation continues away from the receiving recess, the tab may travel within the channel into a locked position. In the locked position, a protrusion of a slug housed within the tag that is biased towards the sled may align with and engage a cavity in the sled. Due to the biasing, the protrusion of the slug may be forced into the cavity thereby preventing further rotational movement of the tag relative to the sled. In this configuration, the tag may not be removed from the sled, and therefore from the product, without the use of a detacher key.
To remove the tag from the sled, a detacher key with one or more magnets may be applied to the tag. Since the slug of the tag may be comprised of a ferrous material (e.g. steel), the slug may be urged against the bias force by the field of the magnet into a position where there protrusion of the slug no longer engages the cavity of the sled. With the protrusion of the slug removed from the cavity, the tag may now be rotated relative to the sled until the tab of the sled aligns with the receiving recess of the tag. Once in this position, the tag may be removed from the sled in the axial direction and put aside for reuse. The sled may remain with the product and leave the store with the purchased product.
At least one embodiment may comprise a security device comprising a tag comprising a first security element, a receiving recess, a locking channel adjacent to the receiving recess, and a slug biased towards a sled facing surface of the tag by a biasing member; and a sled comprising a base having a tab extending therefrom, an adhesive applied to a product facing surface of the base for applying the sled to a product, and a cavity in the base having an opening on a tag facing surface of the base. The tag is configured to receive the tab of the sled into the receiving recess of the tag. In an aspect, upon receiving the tab of the sled into the receiving recess, the tag is rotatable about an axis relative to the sled such that the tab travels from the receiving recess into the locking channel and into a locked position where a protrusion of the slug aligns with and engages the cavity of the sled. In another aspect, in the locked position the tag is prevented from moving relative to the sled in an axial direction due to engagement between the tab and the locking channel, and the tag is prevented from rotating relative to the sled due to engagement between the protrusion of the slug and the cavity of the sled.
It is noted that the first security element may be configured to respond to an electromagnetic field with a radio frequency signal for detection by an alarming unit. In some examples, the tab includes a beveled edge configured to engage a complementary beveled edge of a lip of the locking channel. Moreover, embodiments may comprise a second security element that operates a different frequency than the first security element. The second security element is an RFID tag. The security device may include a security collar that is configured to be locked on a product by the tag. The security collar may comprise a locking ring that forms an opening sized to receive the sled, a first anti-tampering wall extending upwards from the locking ring, and a second anti-tampering wall extending downwards from the locking ring. The security collar may be free to rotate relative to the tag, the sled, and the product, wherein the rotation prevents the security collar from being used as leverage to improperly remove the security device. In another example, the security collar further comprises fins in an interior lower cavity of the security collar, wherein the fins prevent the second anti-tampering wall from being pressed against the product to improperly remove the security device. Described biasing members may be a spring. The product to be secured may be a bottle. The receiving recess and the locking chambers of the tab may extend beyond the sled facing surface of the tag and interact with the tabs and the engagement surfaces of the sled. The receiving recess and the locking chambers of the tab form a recess within the sled facing surface of the tag and interact with the tabs and the engagement surfaces of the sled.
Also described is a security system including the security device as described herein and a detacher key. The detacher key may comprise a magnet and locating features, wherein the locating features are complementary to key locators on the tag and assist in the proper placement of the detacher key to the tag for detaching. The magnet of the detacher key interacts with the biasing member of the tag that biases the slug toward the sled facing surface of the tag, and removes the slug from the cavity of the sled; wherein upon removing the slug from the cavity, the tab thereafter is rotatable about the axis relative to the sled such that the tab travels from the locking channel into the receiving recess and into an unlocked position; and wherein the tag may be removed from the sled in an axial direction.
The tag may include one or more security elements that are configured to respond to a radio frequency (RF) field (or electromagnetic field) generated by antennas located at the exits (or entrances) of, for example, a retail store. The security element may respond to the RF field with an RF response signal. The security element may, according to some example embodiments, be an RF resonator (e.g., and LC circuit) configured to output a resonant signal of a certain frequency in response to the RF field. A receiver antenna of the alarm system may receive the signal provided by the security element and trigger an alarm to notify, for example, store personnel that a theft may be occurring because a product with a tag is nearing the exit.
In view of the foregoing,
The internal components of the tag 10 may include, for example, at least one security element (e.g., at least one of security elements 14a or 14b). In the example embodiment of tag 10, two security elements 14a and 14b are included. The tag 10 may be referred to as a dual-technology tag, because the tag may operate to send response signals in two different type of systems that operate at different frequencies, giving the tag 10 sales flexibility. In this regard, individually, the security elements may be one of a radio frequency resonator, an acousto-magnetic resonator, or an RFID tag. As a radio frequency resonator or acousto-magnetic device, the security elements may resonate in the presence of an electromagnetic field of a certain frequency and return a resonance signal that may be detected. In response to detecting the return resonance signal from the security elements, a remote alarm may be triggered to indicate that, for example, an individual is attempting to exit a retail establishment without having first had the tag 10 removed from a product (e.g., product 50) for sale by store personnel, which may be indicative of an attempted theft of the item.
Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the security elements may include an RFID tag. In this regard, the RFID tag may be configured to respond to an interrogation signal with a unique code indicative of the RFID tag. As such, the RFID tag may facilitate not only theft deterrence functions, but also inventory counting or tracking of the location of the security element within and environment that is appropriately equipped with tracking hardware.
In embodiments, the components of the tag 10 may include a biasing member 16 and a slug 15. According to some example embodiments, the biasing member 16 may be a magnet, a spring, or other biasing member that is disposed between the cover 11 and the slug 15 to urge the slug away from the cover 11 and towards the base 13 (and the sled facing surface) of the tag 10. The slug 15 may comprise a ferrous metal that is attracted to magnetic fields. The slug 15 may include a feature to interface with the biasing member 16, such as a protrusion, recess, or the like. In an aspect, the slug 15 may include a protrusion 30 that extends through an opening in the base 13 of the tag 10, when the detacher key with a magnet is not applied. Axis of rotation 40 is also shown in
While it can be seen in
According to embodiments, after application of the sled 20 to a product, the tag 10 may be engaged and locked to the sled 20 via the corresponding engagement features of the tag 10 and sled 20, as well as the slug 30. In an exemplary embodiment, the tag 10 may be applied to the sled 20 such that tab 22 enters receiving recess 17. When the tab 22 is seated within receiving recess 17, the user may then rotate the tag 10 such that tab 22 enters locking channel 31 of the tag 10. Upon entering the locking channel 31, engagement surface 23 may be adjacent and above lower lip 18 thereby preventing the tag 10 from being lifted in the axial direction 40 away from the sled 20. According to some example embodiments, the engagement surface 23 of the tab 22 may be beveled and the lower lip 18 may have complimentary beveling to engage with the engagement surface 23. As the user continues to rotate the tag 10 relative to the sled 20, the tab 22 continues to travel in the locking channel 31 until the tab 22 reaches the stop 19. When the tab reaches the stop 19 or generally reaches the stop (e.g., within 0 to 1 mm of the stop 19), the tag 10 may be in the locked position.
In the locked position, the protrusion 30 of the slug 15 may align with an opening in a cavity 25 of the sled 20, as shown in
Referring now to
While it can be seen in
Accordingly, after application of the sled 120 to a product, the tag 110 may be engaged and locked to the sled 120. In this regard, the tag 110 may be applied to the sled 120 such that tab 122 enters receiving recess 117. When the tab 122 is seated within receiving recess 117, the user may then rotate the tag 110 such that tab 122 enters locking channel 131 of the tag 110. Upon entering the locking channel 131, engagement surface 123 may be adjacent and above lower lip 118 thereby preventing the tag 110 from being lifted in the axial direction (referring to the axis of rotation) away from the sled 120. According to some example embodiments, the engagement surface 123 of the tab 122 may be beveled and the lower lip 118 may have complimentary beveling to engage with the engagement surface 123. As the user continues to rotate the tag 110 relative to the sled 120, the tab 122 continues to travel in the locking channel 131 until an edge 133 of the locking channel 131 reaches the stop 126 of the sled 120. When the edge 133 reaches the stop 119, the tag 110 may be in the locked position.
In the locked position, the protrusion 130 of the slug may align with an opening in a cavity 125 of the sled 120, as shown in
It is noted that the tabs 122 and the lips 118 may additionally or alternatively be referred to as channels 122 and tabs 118. In an aspect, this may represent a similar locking systems as shown in
The security collar 170 may extend upwards from the locking ring 171 to form an anti-tamper wall 173. In this regard, when the tag 110 is locked to the security collar 170 and the sled 120, the anti-tamper wall 173 may prevent access to the tag-sled interface to avoid tampering with the tag 110 or the sled 120 in an effort to steal a product. Further, the security collar 170 may extend downward from the locking ring 171 to form an anti-tamper wall 174. In this regard, when the tag 110 is locked to the security collar 170 and the sled 120, the anti-tamper wall 174 may prevent access to the bottle cap to avoid tampering with or removal of the cap.
As mentioned above, after the sled 120 is affixed to a product and the security collar 170 is placed on the sled 120 such that the locking ring 171 surrounds the sled 120, the tag 110 may be locked to the sled 120. The tag 110 may be placed in the upper cavity of the security collar 170 and rotated to lock onto the sled 120. The tag 110, merely engages the security collar 170 at an interface between the base 113 and the locking ring 171. Due to a height of the sled 120 and the extended portion of the base 113, a gap between the product (e.g., bottle cap) and the base 113 of the tag 110 may be formed. The locking ring 171 of the security collar 170 may reside in the gap, which may be longer than the thickness of the locking ring. Accordingly, while the security collar 170 may be locked between the product and the tag 110, the security collar 170 may be free to rotate relative to the tag 110, the sled 120, and the product. This feature may operate as a security feature. Because the security collar 170 can rotate freely relative to the sled 120, the tag 110, and the product, the security collar 170 cannot be used as leverage to remove the sled 120 or the tag 110 from the product, or remove, for example, the cap of a bottle that the sled 120 is affixed to.
Many modifications and other embodiments according to those set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these embodiments pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that embodiments are not to be limited to the specific ones disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. In cases where advantages, benefits or solutions to problems are described herein, it should be appreciated that such advantages, benefits and/or solutions may be applicable to some example embodiments, but not necessarily all example embodiments. Thus, any advantages, benefits or solutions described herein should not be thought of as being critical, required or essential to all embodiments or to that which is claimed herein. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/537,995, entitled “LOCKING SLED SECURITY DEVICE,” filed on Jul. 28, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2018/044099 | 7/27/2018 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62537995 | Jul 2017 | US |
