Patent Application
20180291652
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to loss prevention technologies and, more particularly, relate to systems, apparatuses, and methods for protecting articles, including retail products, from theft.
Retail stores employ various loss prevention techniques to prevent and deter theft. One manner of addressing theft, is to secure a retail product with a device that triggers an alarm at the exit of the retail establishment, if the device is not first removed by store personnel during a purchasing transaction. While a variety of product security devices have been implemented in retail settings, there continues to be demand for new devices that attach to products or otherwise protect products in new and unique ways.
Example embodiments including apparatuses and methods related to a product security device having a shrouded engagement pin. One example embodiment is in the form of an example product security device. The example product security device may comprise a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are operably coupled together to slide between an open position and a closed position. The example product security device may also comprise a locking mechanism operably coupled to the first jaw and the second jaw, wherein, in a locked state, the locking mechanism is configured to permit movement of the first jaw towards the second jaw but prevent movement of the first jaw away from the second jaw. The example product security device may also comprise a product engagement pin affixed to the first jaw, the product engagement pin being configured to fasten the product security device to a product by piercing through the product and being received by the second jaw. The example product security device may also comprise a shroud having a shroud orifice. The shroud may surround the product engagement pin and be operably coupled to the first jaw such that the shroud is movable relative to the product engagement pin. The product engagement pin may be configured to pass through the shroud orifice and engage the product as the first jaw and second jaw transition from the open position to the closed position and the shroud retracts into the first jaw.
According to some example embodiments, another example product security device may be provided. The example product security device may comprise a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are operably coupled together to slide between an open position and a closed position. The example product security device may also comprise a product engagement pin affixed to the first jaw, the product engagement pin being configured to fasten the product security device to a product by piercing through the product and being received by the second jaw. The example product security device may also comprise a shroud having a shroud orifice. The shroud may surround the product engagement pin and be operably coupled to the first jaw such that the shroud is movable relative to the product engagement pin. The product engagement pin may be configured to pass through the shroud orifice and engage the product as the first jaw and second jaw transition from the open position to the closed position and the shroud retracts into the first jaw.
Example methods are also provided. One example method comprises receiving a key at a locking mechanism of a product security device, and transitioning, in response to application of the key, the locking mechanism from a locked state to an unlocked state to thereby release a first jaw of the product security device from locked engagement with a second jaw of the product security device. The example method may also comprise sliding, in response to the release of the locked engagement between the first jaw and the second jaw, the first jaw away the second jaw due to an urging by a release spring disposed between the first jaw and the second jaw, and ejecting a product off of a product engagement pin as the product engagement pin retracts through an orifice of a shroud surrounding the product engagement pin. In this regard, the product engagement pin may be affixed to the first jaw and be urged away from the second jaw by the release spring. Further, the shroud may be urged towards the second jaw by a shroud spring disposed between the shroud and the first jaw to extend the shroud into an extended position. In the extended position the shroud may extend beyond a tip of the product engagement pin.
Having thus described some example embodiments in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
Exemplary embodiments will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the embodiments take many different forms and should not be construed as being limiting. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.
Example embodiments related to a product security device that is configured to be affixed to a product, such as a garment or other apparel article. The product security device, when affixed to a product, may operate to deter theft and allow for product tracking at the exits of a store, or even throughout the store. In this regard, the product security device may include a radio frequency device that may, for example, trigger an alarm at the exits of the store. The product security device may be securely affixed to a product such that a specialized key (e.g., a magnetic key) may be required to remove the product security device from the product after or during the product purchasing process. The product security device may be affixed to the product in a manner that attempts to tamper with or remove the product security device from the product without a key may result in the product being damaged and possibly unusable to a would be thief.
The first jaw 110 and the second jaw 140 may include an engagement portion 111 and an engagement portion 141, respectively. The engagement portion 111 of the first jaw 110 may engage with the complementary engagement portion 141 of the second jaw 140 and permit the first jaw 110 to slide relative to the second jaw 140. In this regard, the first jaw 110 and the second jaw 140 may be configured to move relative to each other and may, for example, move into an open position as shown in
Further, the first jaw 110 may include an extended jaw portion 112 that extends away from the engagement portion 111. The extended jaw portion 112 may include or house a shroud 113, which may include a shroud orifice 114. As further described herein, the shroud 113 may be movable relative to a product engagement pin affixed to the first jaw 110 and the shroud 113 may surround the product engagement pin. The product engagement pin may pass through the shroud orifice 114 when the product security device 100 is being affixed to a product. The shroud 113 may also include a product engagement surface 157 (i.e., a forward surface) that may engage (e.g., physically contact) a product when the product security device 100 is in a closed position. According to some example embodiments, the product engagement surface 157 and the shroud 113 may be stationary relative to the second jaw 140 and the product as the product security device 100 moves from an open position to a closed position and product engagement pin 116 pierces through the product.
The second jaw 140 may also include an extended jaw portion 142 that may compliment the extended jaw portion 111 of the first jaw 110 and extend away from the engagement portion 141. The extended jaw portion 142 may include, according to some example embodiments, an ink capsule 143. The ink capsule 143 may be breakable and may be positioned and configured to break or burst in response to attempts to remove the product security device 100 by force without the use of a proper key, thereby performing a benefit denial function by dying or damaging the affixed product. The second jaw 140 may also include a pin receiving cavity that is configured to receive the product engagement pin when the product security device 100 is in a closed position.
The shroud receiving channel 121 may be disposed within the extended jaw portion 112 and may be configured to receive the shroud 113 and further house the shroud 113 when the shroud 113 is in a retracted position. The shroud receiving channel 121 may have a circular internal cross-section. The shroud 113 may have a lip 125 that may also have a circular external cross-section. However, it is contemplated that other complementary cross-sectional shapes may alternatively be used. The internal diameter of the shroud receiving channel 121 may be larger than the external diameter of the lip 125 thereby permitting the shroud 113 to slide within the shroud receiving channel 121. The shroud receiving channel 121 may include a catch 126 that is configured to engage the lip 125 of the shroud 113 to prevent the shroud 113 from further movement beyond an extended position towards the second jaw 140.
The circuitry cavity 122 may be cavity that is configured to house, for example, a resonant circuit device 119. The resonant circuit device 119 may comprise a ferrite rod with a coiled wire to form an inductor, where the wire is electrically connected to a capacitor. The resonant circuit device 119 may be configured to receive an electromagnetic field generated by a gate device installed at the exits of a store and resonate in response to the field. When resonating, the resonant circuit device 119 may emit a responsive radio frequency signal that may be detected by the gate device. The gate device may alarm in response to the radio frequency signal, because receipt of the signal may indicate that a product affixed to the product security device 100 has not been purchased or is attempting to be stolen.
The clutch receiving channel 156 of the body 155 may be configured to house a clutch assembly 120, and may include a stop feature that prevents movement of the clutch assembly 120 toward the second jaw 140. The clutch assembly 120, which may comprise a plurality of locking balls, may operate in conjunction with a locking pin 149 to lock the first jaw 110 to the second jaw 140, when the first jaw 110 and the second jaw 140 are in a locked state. According to some example embodiments, the locking pin 149 and the clutch assembly 120 may together be example components of a locking mechanism for the product security device 100. In this regard, the clutch assembly 120 may operate to permit movement of the locking pin 149 into the clutch assembly 120, but prevent movement of the locking pin 149 out of the clutch assembly 120 unless a key (e.g., a magnetic key) is applied in proximity to the clutch assembly 120.
The body 155 may also include a slide stops 124 disposed on the engagement portion 111. In this regard, the body 155 may include a slide stop 124 on each side of the engagement portion 111. A slide stop 124 may be configured to engage with a stop 148 on the second jaw 140 to stop further movement of the first jaw 110 away from the second jaw 140, for example, when the locking mechanism is in an unlocked state. Movement of the first jaw 110 away from the second jaw 140 may be a result of a biasing force applied between the first jaw 110 and the second jaw 140 by the release springs 150 which are biased to urge the first jaw 110 away from the second jaw 140. In this regard, when a key is applied to a portion of the locking mechanism, in this instance the clutch assembly 120, a locking force applied by the locking balls on the locking pin 149 may be released thereby permitting the first jaw 110 to slide away from the second jaw 140. As a result, the release springs 150 may force the product security device 100 into an open position where the slide stop 124 engages with the stop 148.
The cover plate 117 may be affixed (e.g., permanently) to the body 155. In this regard, the cover plate 117 may operate to maintain the resonant circuit device 119 within the circuitry cavity 122 and the clutch assembly 120 in the clutch receiving channel 156. Further, the cover plate 117 may be configured to maintain the shroud 113 within the shroud receiving channel 121. Additionally, the cover plate 117 may include the product engagement pin 116, which may be received in the shroud orifice 114. The product engagement pin 116 may have a sharp tip that is capable of piercing through, for example, apparel fabrics without damaging the fabric. According to some example embodiments, the product engagement pin 116 may be affixed to the first jaw 110 via, for example, the cover plate 117. Further, the product engagement pin 116 may be configured to fasten the product security device 100 to a product by piercing through the product and being received by the second jaw 140.
According to some example embodiments, a shroud spring 115 may be operably coupled to the first jaw 110 and disposed between the shroud 113 and the cover plate 117. The shroud spring 115 may operate to urge the shroud 113 towards the second jaw 140 into an extended position where the lip 125 abuts the catch 126 in response to the first jaw 110 and the second jaw 140 being in an open position. The shroud spring 115 may also operate to eject the product off of the product engagement pin 116 when the product security device 100 is unlocked and permitted to transition from a closed position to an open position. In other words, the shroud 113 may be configured to eject the product off of the product engagement pin 116 in response to the first jaw 110 and second jaw 140 transitioning from the closed position to the open position, for example, due to the locking mechanism being transitioned to the unlocked state and the biasing of the release springs 150.
The cover plate 117 may also include a key locator 118. The key locator 118 may be, for example, a dimple on an exterior surface of the cover plate 117 to assist a user with positioning a key (e.g., a magnetic key) proximate to the clutch assembly 120 to place the locking assembly into an unlocked state. In this regard, according to some example embodiments, a magnetic key applied at the key locator 118 may introduce a magnetic field that operates to transition the locking mechanism into an unlocked state, for example, by moving an internal ferrous metal cup within the clutch assembly 120 to release pressure being applied by the locking balls on the locking pin 149. In this regard, according to some example embodiments, the locking mechanism may be configured to transition into an unlocked state in response to application of a key to the product security device 100. When the locking mechanism is in the unlocked state, the first jaw 110 and the second jaw 140 may be released from a locked engagement thereby permitting the first jaw 110 to slide away from the second jaw 140 into the open position.
Continuing to refer to
The ink capsule receiving channel 146 may be at least partially open to both an interior side and an exterior side of the second jaw 140 to permit ink to be discharged in both directions if the ink capsule 143 is broken. The ink capsule 143 may be retained in the ink capsule receiving channel 146 by the ink capsule retaining bumps 147. In this regard, according to some example embodiments, the ink capsule retaining bumps 147 may operate to hold the ink capsule 143 in place within the ink capsule receiving channel 146, but may also be configured to permit removal of the ink capsule 143 from the ink capsule receiving channel 146 when the product security device 100 is an open position, for example, after the ink capsule 143 has discharged ink to permit reuse of the product security device 100. According to some example embodiments, the ink capsule 143 may be permanently maintained within the ink capsule receiving channel 146 and therefore the ink capsule 143 may not be removed and replaced after the ink capsule 143 has discharging the ink.
As described otherwise herein, the stops 148 may be configured to prevent further movement of and separation of the first jaw 110 away from the second jaw 140. According to some example embodiments, the stops 148 may be formed as ramps that permit slide stop 124 of the first jaw 110 to ride up the ramps as the second jaw 140 moves towards and second jaw 140 during assembly of the product security device 100. When the slide stop 124 passes the pinnacle of the ramp of stop 148, a ridge of the slide stop 124 may drop behind the ramp and be secured behind the ramp. As such, the ridge of the slide stop 124 may be prevented from moving past a back surface of the ramp of the stop 148 thereby preventing the first jaw 110 from being separated from the second jaw 140.
As described elsewhere herein, the locking pin 149 may be a component of the locking mechanism of the product security device 100. The locking pin 149 may be affixed to the second jaw 140 on one end and extend away from the second jaw 140 towards the first jaw 110 at the other end. The locking pin 149 may be configured to engage with the clutch assembly 120 to lock the locking pin 149 in the clutch assembly 120 unless a key is applied. According to some example embodiments, the locking pin 149 may have a blunt tip relative to the tip of the product engagement pin 116, which may have a relatively sharper tip.
Having described some of the various physical feature and some functions of the example product security device 100,
Because the product security device 100 is in an open position, the shroud spring 115 may force the shroud 113 into the extended position thereby concealing the product engagement pin 116. In this regard, the shroud 113 may extend beyond a tip of the product engagement pin 116 in response to the shroud 113 being in the extended position. Accordingly, since the tip of the product engagement pin 116 is sharp and may pose a safety issue to a user, the shroud 113 may perform a safety function to reduce the likelihood that the pin may prick a user because the product engagement pin 116 does exit the shroud orifice 114 until a product is adjacent the product engagement surface 157 of the shroud 113. Additionally, because the product security device 100 is in an open position, the slide stop 124 may be engaged with the stop 148.
Further, the locking pin 149 is shown as engaging the locking balls 130 of the clutch assembly 120. In this regard, the components of an example clutch assembly 120 are shown. According to some example embodiments, the clutch assembly 120 may include the locking balls 130, a front housing cup 129, a rear housing cup 127, an internal cup 158, and a clutch spring 128. In operation, the clutch spring 128 may force the internal cup 158 towards the locking balls 130 which may be retained by the front housing cup 129. The clutch spring 128 may be further retained by the rear housing cup 127, opposite the front housing cup 129. Due to a concave shape of the front housing cup 129, the locking balls 130 are forced into engagement with locking pin 149 and are restrained from moving out of engagement with the locking pin 149 by the internal cup 158 when the locking mechanism is in a locked state. In the locked state, the locking pin 149 may be permitted to move further into the clutch assembly 120 (i.e., the first jaw 110 may move closer to the second jaw 140), but the locking pin 149 may be restrained from moving out of the clutch assembly 120 (i.e., the first jaw 110 is restrained from moving away from the second jaw 140). However, when a magnetic key is applied proximate the rear housing cup 127, the internal cup 158 may be pulled away from the locking balls 130 (i.e., the locking mechanism is in an unlocked state) thereby permitting the locking balls 130 to disengage from the locking pin 149 and permitting the locking pin 149 to move out of the clutch assembly 120. The first jaw 110 may therefore move away from the second jaw 140.
Another view of the product security device 100 in an open position is provided in
Having described some of the dynamic operational features of the example product security device 100,
The accessory 200 may include or house any type of accessory element 201. In some example embodiments, the accessory element 201 may be a printed label or an electronic label with a display that can be modified via a wireless communication. In this regard, the accessory element 201 may provide information such as product branding information, pricing information about the product, or the like. In some example embodiments, the accessory element 201 may include, for example, an antenna. In this regard, the accessory element may be a wireless tag such an RFID tag. The RFID tag may permit the product security device 100 to be counted via a cycle count process for inventory tracking with respect to the product to which the product security device 100 is affixed. Further, the RFID tag may also be used during a purchasing transaction and be interrogated to identify the product to which the product security device 100 is attached to a point of sale system.
At 430, the example method includes, ejecting a product off of a product engagement pin as the product engagement pin retracts through an orifice of a shroud surrounding the product engagement pin. In this regard, the product engagement pin may be affixed to the first jaw of the product security device and the product engagement pin may be urged away from the second jaw by the release spring. Further, the shroud may be urged towards the second jaw by a shroud spring disposed between the shroud and the first jaw to move the shroud into an extended position as the first jaw slides away from the second jaw. In the extended position the shroud may extend beyond a tip of the product engagement pin to conceal the product engagement pin when the product security device is in an open position.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example 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 invention. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated within the scope of the invention. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
