Patent Grant
8242910
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a security system incorporating a security tag assembly comprising a base and an attachment member removably securable to various types of merchandise. The security system further comprises a detachment assembly structured to disconnect the base and attachment member and thereby remove the security tag assembly from the merchandise.
2. Description of the Related Art
Security or anti-theft tags are extensively used in the retail merchandising industry as well as numerous other areas of commerce. In typical fashion, such devices are attached to various types of merchandise in such a manner that that they are clearly obvious by one examining the merchandise. Common knowledge of the use and operation of such devices is believed to prevent or at least restrict the theft or other unauthorized removal of merchandise from the retail outlet or other area being monitored. More specifically, it is believed that such security tag devices serve as a deterrent to unauthorized removal in that a potential thief will recognize that the merchandise will be “stained” or otherwise marked, thereby rendering the merchandise useless, upon forced removal of the security tag. Alternatively the tag may be structured to activate an alarm system as the merchandise, incorporating the tag thereon, passes through a monitoring station typically located at the exits to the retail establishment.
Due to the popularity of security or anti-theft devices of the type described above, numerous attempts have been made to design and structure a device which not only serves as a deterrent against theft, but which includes structural features intended to overcome any attempt to defeat the device which may be applied by an experienced thief. In addition, the structure of such security devices should be such as to be easily secured to and removed from different types of articles such that a device of substantially standard structure can be used to monitor and protect various types of merchandise.
As set forth above known security or anti-theft tags are intended to provide some indication which either renders the merchandise useless or alternatively signals an attempted unauthorized removal.
While popular, it is recognized that a significant number of the anti-theft tags currently being utilized include problems or disadvantages which render them less than totally efficient. More specifically, wide spread knowledge of the structural features of such security tags allows unauthorized personnel to develop techniques which are specifically designed to remove the tag from the merchandise in a manner which defeats the aforementioned indicator structures. Therefore it is not uncommon for a skilled or experienced thief to develop tools or techniques to remove the merchandise from the area being monitored without damage to the stolen article or activation of an alarm or monitoring system.
Accordingly there is a recognized need in the security industry for a security system incorporating an anti-theft device preferably in the form of a relatively small security tag assembly which efficiently connects to various types of merchandise and which is specifically structured to overcome known techniques to remove or otherwise defeat such devices. Moreover, such protective structural features should be compatible with an efficient tag construction and configuration. Therefore, a security tag manufacture or provider to can effectively “customize” a proposed indicator assembly to include various “theft indicating” devices, electronic signaling devices or a combination thereof, while not requiring a restructuring or redesign of the entire tag assembly or the remaining, basic operable components associated therewith.
The present invention is directed to a security system comprising a security tag assembly structured to be connected to different types of merchandise in an operative position. The structural and operative features of the various embodiments of the present invention allow authorized detachment of the security tag assembly from the merchandise in a quick and easy manner.
The various embodiments of the security tag assembly include at least one base and at least one attachment member connectable together in the operative position. However, as practically applied, a plurality of bases and attachment members are utilized, such as when protecting and/or monitoring a plurality of products and merchandise.
The aforementioned operative position may be more specifically defined as the placement of a connector member, fixedly secured to the base and extending outwardly therefrom into interconnecting relation with one of the plurality of attachment members. As such, the connector member preferably includes an elongated pin secured to and extending outwardly from the base. Further, the connector pin may include a sharpened or pointed outermost end to facilitate penetration and/or connection to the merchandise being protected as well as passage into the interior of the corresponding attachment member. Further, when in the operative position the merchandise, depending upon its physical characteristics, will normally be clamped between exterior surfaces of the attachment member and the base.
In order to maintain a secure connection between the base and the attachment member in the operative position and in clamping engagement with the merchandise being protected, each of the plurality of attachment members includes a locking assembly. The locking assembly is disposed on or within the attachment member in receiving relation to the connector member when the attachment member is being disposed in the operative position relative to its interconnection with the base.
In addition, the security system of at least one embodiment comprises a detachment assembly and a data registering processor cooperatively structured to establish two-way communication therebetween. Such communication link may be by means of a hard wire connection or alternatively by means of a wireless communication facility which accomplishes the aforementioned two way communication within certain range or distance parameters.
The cooperative communication and structuring of the detachment assembly and the data registering processor facilitates not only the secure protection of various types of products or merchandise but also accomplishes a more efficient performance of the purchase and “check-out” procedures of the merchandize by authorized personnel. As such, the data registering processor can include, but not be limited to, performance parameters which are more commonly associated with a cash register type facility. Moreover, the data registering processor receives communication from the detachment assembly which is representative of the merchandise data appearing on the security tag assembly. When received, the data registering processor serves to process the merchandise data including, but not limited to, the displaying of pertinent information required for purchase and check-out including price, item description, quantity, and/or other pertinent data associated with the product or merchandise being purchased.
Operation of the detachment assembly of includes a plurality of operative components associated therewith. Such operative components include a position sensor indicative of orienting the security tag assembly in operative association with the detachment assembly to accomplish detachment thereof out of its operative position relative to the merchandise being protected. The detachment assembly further includes a detachment structure and a holding assembly which cooperate to stabilize the security tag assembly during detachment of the base and attachment member. As a result, the security tag assembly is removed from its operative position on the merchandise being protected.
The disposable nature of each of the attachment members is further emphasized by structuring the locking assembly so as to be deformed or destroyed, at least in terms of its originally intended operation, upon a forced removal of the connector pin from its interior interconnection with an attachment assembly. Therefore, the locking assembly of the plurality of attachment members can be described as being “destructively detached” out of movement restricting engagement with the connector pin upon a forced movement or travel of the connector pin out of the attachment member, such as when the attachment member and base are forcibly separated.
More specifically, a preferred detachment assembly comprises a drive shaft having an at least partially hollow, interior configuration disposed adjacent a free, open end of the drive shaft. Also, the hollow interior end portion of the attachment member is dimensioned and configured to assume a covering, enclosing relation to at least a portion of the free or pointed end of the connector member. As the drive shaft enters the attachment member, a portion of the attachment member may be destructively removed such that the distal or open free end of the drive shaft proceeds into a forced engagement with the locking member. The locking member is formed of a substantially flexible and deformable material such as a plastic, metal, etc. Upon forced engagement with the drive shaft, the locking member is deformed and/or deflected into a second position such that the periphery of the aperture within the first portion of the locking member is forced out of movement restricting engagement with the exterior surface of the connector member.
As will be described in greater detailed hereinafter, the aforementioned second position of the locking member may be defined by a somewhat “flattened” or sufficiently transverse orientation, as versus a skewed, angular configuration, relative to the longitudinal access of the connector member. Because of the forced deformation of the locking member into the second position, the attachment member may be rendered useless and a new or additional attachment member may then be repositioned in the aforementioned operative position and reused with the same base. As will also be more fully described, the drive shaft further includes a solid or filled interior portion disposed and configured to engage the pointed end of the connector member and force it outwardly from the attachment member. Separation of the connector member and the attachment member will result.
Therefore, the various preferred embodiments of the security system and security tag assembly of the present invention overcomes many of the problems and disadvantages associated with conventional or previously known security systems and devices and embodies simple and efficient structure, which facilitates the attachment, removal and efficient practice of security as related to the unauthorized removal of the protected merchandise from a given area.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clear when the drawings as well as the detailed description are taken into consideration.
For a more complete understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
As shown in the accompanying drawings, the present invention is directed towards a security tag assembly generally indicated as 10 and comprising at least one base 12 and at least one attachment member 14. However, a practical application of the present invention would typically involve a plurality of bases 12 and a plurality of attachment members 14, such as when a plurality of different products were being protected and/or monitored. Moreover, the security tag assembly 10 is of the type structured to be removably secured to various types of merchandise 18 so as to prevent unauthorized removal of the merchandise 18 from a given area or location. Typical applications for the security tag assembly 10 of the present invention include the interconnecting of one base 12 and any one of a plurality of attachment members 14 to merchandise 18 being protected. As such, removal of the security tag assembly 10 from its operative position can be quickly and easily accomplished by authorized personnel utilizing approved techniques and/or hardware. To the contrary, separation of the base 12 and the attachment member 14 from the operative position and the protected merchandise is extremely difficult when attempted by unauthorized personnel.
Further, at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises each of the plurality of attachment members 14 being structured to be disposable after use, subsequent to being removed from a corresponding base 12 and the merchandise being protected. In contrast, the one or more bases 12 of the security tag assembly 10 of the present invention include various structural and operative features which enable their repeated use. Such features include, but are not limited to, an indicator assembly and a connector member which allow any one of the bases 12 to be connected to any one of the “unused” attachment members 14, as will be described in greater detail hereinafter.
More specific structural details of the various preferred embodiments of the present invention include the base 12 having a generally elongated or other appropriate configuration. In addition, maintenance of the merchandise 18 in a clamped orientation between the base 12 and the attachment member 14 is further facilitated by a seat 20 disposed on the base. The seat 20 is preferably configured to correspond to the outer surface configuration 14′ of the attachment member which is disposed in a substantially seated or aligned received relation within the seat 20. The structures of the preferred embodiments represented in the various figures include the seat 20 having a substantially concave configuration which corresponds to the substantially convex configuration 14′ of the attachment member 14. Accordingly, when the base 12 and attachment member 14 are in the aforementioned and preferred operative position, the merchandise 18, depending upon its physical characteristics may be effectively clamped “within” the seat 20 between the base 12 and the outer surface portion 14′ of the attachment member 14.
In order to maintain a secure interconnection between the base 12 and the one or more attachment members 14, the base 12 is provided with a connector member generally indicated as 22 comprising an elongated connector pin or like structure 24. The innermost end 26 of the pin is secured to the base 12 preferably, but not necessarily, in cooperation with the seat 20. Moreover, the length of the connector pin 24 is sufficient to extend outwardly from the seat 20 as well as a remainder of the adjacent exterior surface 12′ of the base 12 so as to engage and be properly connected to the attachment member 14.
Cooperative structuring of each of the plurality of attachment members 14 includes an elongated passage or channel 28 disposed on the interior of the one or more attachment members 14. Moreover, the channel 28 has a proximal end 30, which is preferably open, as well as a distal end 32. Each of the proximal and distal ends, 30 and 32 respectively, are disposed contiguous with or immediately adjacent to opposed exterior surface portions of the one or more attachment members 14 as clearly demonstrated in
Additional structural features of the various preferred embodiments of the present invention include the provision of a locking assembly generally indicated as 36. The locking assembly 36 is disposed on or preferably within the interior of the attachment member 14 and/or at least in communication with the channel 28 and open end 30 so as to be disposed in receiving relation to the connector pin 24. Therefore, as the connector pin 24 is disposed within the channel 28, it will pass through the open proximal end 30 and be received by the locking assembly 36 as the pin 24 passes there through. One preferred embodiment of the locking assembly 36 comprises a ring 38 disposable in surrounding, concentric relation to the connector pin 24 when it is positioned within the interior of the channel 28 as clearly demonstrated in
As set forth above, one operative feature of the various preferred embodiments of the present invention includes the ability to easily and quickly remove the security tag assembly 10 from the merchandise 18 utilizing authorized personnel, techniques and/or hardware. To the contrary, unauthorized separation of the base 12 and the associated attachment member 14 is rendered extremely difficult when the proper procedures and/or hardware are not utilized. With primary reference to
Accordingly, the detachment assembly 50 includes a cavity or like structure 51 (see
The force of the drive shaft 52 will cause a rupture, displacement, detachment and/or otherwise destructive removal of a cover member or portion 47 which overlies and therefore covers or closes the distal end 32 of the channel 28. The specific structuring of the cover member 47 may vary such as being attached in its intended, overlying position to the channel 28 by a weakened or serrated connecting portion. Alternatively, the material from which the attachment member 14, as well as the cover portion 47 is formed may be such as to yield under the linearly directed force exerted thereon by the drive shaft 52 as it travels into the attachment member 14.
Continued travel of the drive shaft 52 into the interior of the channel 28, through the distal end 32, results in an engagement between the extremity 52′ of the drive shaft 52 and outer end portion 29 of the connector pin 24. As such, the continued travel and driving force of the drive shaft 52 will force the connector pin 24 out of the channel 28 and against the movement resisting engagement of the locking assembly 36 and the plurality of fingers 40. Also, disposition and structure of the locking assembly 36 including, but not limited to, the structure of the plurality of fingers 40 will cause a destruction, or at least partial deformation, of the locking assembly, as represented in
Once the base 12 and the attachment member 14 are separated from their intended operative position, connector pin 24 may also be easily removed from the merchandise 18. Therefore, the deformation or at least partial destruction of the locking assembly 36 will most probably render the associated attachment member 14 incapable of further use. Accordingly, the attachment member 14, once forcibly detached from the connector pin 24, such as in the manner described above, may be considered disposable. In contrast the base 12, as indicated above, can be repeatedly used by having others of a plurality of attachment members 14 independently connected thereto in the aforementioned and preferred operative position.
With primary reference to
Further, the predetermined data or information may be permanently, fixedly and/or removably secured within the display field 60 such as by a labeling and/or by an otherwise fixed and/or secured structuring extending over at least a portion of a corresponding surface 62. Also, the inclusion of the display field 60 can result in time and cost saving features, such as by connecting the security tag assembly 10 at the manufacturing site and thereby “identifying” the merchandise at this point in the product distribution system. By way of example, many products with which the security tag assembly 10 may be used are manufactured in locales having labor costs which are significantly lower than in the geographical location where the products are sold. Therefore, attachment of the security tag assembly 10, having the display field 60 and pertinent data 64 appearing thereon, at the manufacturing site, rather than at the retail outlet, could result in significant savings in labor costs, while assuring that the product is properly marked, described, identified, etc.
With primary reference to
Yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented in
In comparing the different preferred embodiments of
With primary reference to
Structural and operative modifications of the preferred embodiment of the detachment assembly 50′ include an essentially automatically operating protocol which serves to detach the base 12, 12′ from an associated one of the attachment members 14, such that the security tag assembly 10, 10′ is no longer in its operative position, being connected to a protected merchandise, product, etc. With primary reference to
In addition, the detachment assembly includes a detachment structure 82 which includes the drive shaft 52 as well as other structural features described in greater detail with reference to the embodiment of
The detachment assembly 50′ further includes a holding assembly 84 which serves to secure and stabilize the security tag assembly 10, 10′ when disposed in the intended position of
With further reference to
The data registering processor 90 is intended to include a variety of performance characteristics capable of processing the merchandise data received from the detachment assembly 50′. By way of example, the data registering processor may serve as a cash register or like “check-out” processor and preferably include a display screen and/or monitor 92 and an operative control assembly 94. Further, the control assembly 94 may include, but is not intended to be limited to, a manual input facility, such as a keyboard assembly, as well as other operative components.
Therefore, it is emphasized that the detachment assembly 50′ through the provision of the communication assembly 88 establishes either a hard wire or wireless communication link between it and the data registering processor 90. To accomplish the aforementioned two-way communication, the data registering processor 90 also incorporates a cooperatively functional communication assembly 96. The specific structural and operational features of the communicating assemblies 88 and 96 respectively associated with the detachment assembly 50′ and the data registering processor 90 may vary and, as set forth above, may be either hard wired or operative through wireless communication. By way of example, the communication assemblies 88 and 96 could be embodied in appropriately operative devices incorporating nanotechnology, rather than the more conventional hardwired or wireless transceiver structures described herein. Similarly, the above noted indicator assemblies 70 and 76, rather than assuming the physical characteristics as represented in
Yet additional structural and operative features of the detachment assembly 50′ include an activity display 87 which preferably comprises a plurality of visual indicators 100 through 103 which may be in the form of different colored lights or other appropriate visual indicators. The activity display 87 is disposed and structured to indicate the current operative activity of the detachment assembly 50′, wherein each of the indicators 100 through 103 is structured and disposed to indicate a different one of a plurality of operative activities of the detachment assembly 50′. As will be described in greater detail with primary reference to
Therefore, the practice and operation of the security system embodiment represented in
When the security tag assembly 10, 10′ is properly positioned relative to the detachment assembly 50′, the holding assembly 84 is activated, as at 108, such as by interaction with the position sensor 80, to the extent that the holding or stabilizing members 54 appropriately engage the security tag assembly 10, 10′ in the manner represented in
Upon the proper orientation or positioning of the security tag assembly 10, 10′ relative to the detachment assembly 50′ the reader assembly 86 is automatically activated, as at 110. The activation and operational activity of the reader assembly 86 is indicated by activation of the visual indicator 112 comprising an illumination of the visual indicating light 101, which may be yellow or any other appropriate color. Upon being optically read, the merchandise data is then communicated, as at 114, to the data registering processor 90 where the merchandise data is processed, as at 116. As described above, the data registering processor 90 comprises the display 92 wherein at least a portion of the merchandise data may be displayed on the screen or monitor 92. In addition, further manual or automatic input may be accomplished by means of the control assembly 94. Accordingly, it should be apparent that the data registering processor 90 may serve as a cash register type facility and include the various operational and processing steps eventually associated therewith. Such steps include but are not limited to display of the indicated price, quantity, etc, of the merchandise and the presentation of a hard copy receipt as well as the indication and logging of acceptable payment received for purchase of the merchandise. Concurrently, one of the plurality of visual indicators 102, schematically represented as a blue light or like structure, is activated as at 118. As such, the user of the detachment assembly 50′ is informed of this operational activity being currently performed by the detachment assembly 50′.
Upon completion of the purchasing procedure and other merchandise data processing 116, an intended operational or activating signal, as at 120, is communicated from the data registering processor 90 to the detachment structure 82 associated with the detachment assembly 50′. As set forth above, the detachment structure 82 comprises the drive shaft 52 being forced into the interior of the attachment member 14 causing removal of the connector member 24 therefrom and disengaging the connector member 24 from the locking assembly 36 causing the latter to destruct. This results in the base 12, 12″ and the attachment member 14 being detached from one another and a separation of the security tag assembly 10, 10′ from its operative position of being connected to the merchandise being protected.
Finally, as the base 12, 12″ and the attachment member 14 are detached from one another, the attachment member 14 is released from the stabilized and secured engagement with the holding assembly 84, as at 122. This is automatically accomplished by an activating signal being sent to the holding assembly 84 upon a completion of the processing of the merchandise data 64, 66. Concurrently, a visual indicator such as a green or other colored light 103 is activated, as at 124, providing a clear indication of the operational activity being currently performed by the detachment assembly 50′. In at least one additional modification and/or preferred embodiment of the detachment assembly 50′, the visual indicator 100, which may be defined by a red or other colored light, may remain illuminated during the entire procedure. However, upon illumination of the green indicator light 103, the red indicator light 100 may be extinguished as the security tag assembly 10, 10′ or any portion thereof is removed from the detachment assembly 50′ as indicated in phantom lines in
With primary reference to
Also, the reusable base 132 includes a substantially concave or other appropriately configured surface area 134 for the receipt of merchandise when the base 132 and an attachment member 136 is disposed in the operative position of
The security tag assembly 130 also includes an elongated, substantially pointed or sharpened connector member 138 disposed and structured to pass through or otherwise penetrate the merchandise being protected. The connector member 138 is secured to or connected to the base 132 and is more specifically attached to a mounting segment 140. Further distinguishing structural features of the connector member 138 and the base 132 comprise the rotational attachment or connection of the connector member 138 to the base 132. More specifically, the innermost end or head portion 142 of the connector member 138 is mounted on the interior of the mounting segment 140 and is rotatable within the chamber 144, such as by being rotationally disposed on a platform or like structure 146. As will be described in greater detailed hereinafter, the ability of the connector member 138 to rotate relative to both the base 132 and the mounting segment 140 further facilitates the inability to remove the attachment member 136 from the base 132, unless predetermined removal devices, including detachment assemblies 50 and/or 50′, as well as other authorized detachment assemblies, are utilized.
Structural features of the security tag assembly 130 which are distinguishable from the embodiments of
Accordingly, the connector member 138 is movable both with and relative to the mounting segment 140 and therefore can be removable from the remainder of the base 132 possibly for repair but more likely for replacement. As set forth above, the connector member 138 is rotatable relative to the mounting segment 140 and accordingly rotational relative to the base 132 when the mounting segment 140 is secured to the base as represented in
Additional structural and operative features of the preferred embodiment of the security tag assembly 130 of the present invention is directed to the locking assembly generally indicated as 150 and shown in detail as
In addition, the flexible nature of the locking member 152 as well as the placement and dimension of the aperture 158 facilitates the connector member 138 initially passing into the interior of the attachment member 136 and the pointed or free end 138′ of the connector member 138, passing through the aperture 158 of the first portion 154 of the locking member 152. As such, the attachment member 136 is easily disposable in its operative position and in clamping or otherwise secure engagement with the merchandise connected between the corresponding surfaces of the base 132 and the attachment member 136. However, attempts to withdraw or forcibly remove the connector member 138 out of the attachment member 136, in a direction schematically indicated by the directional arrow 160, will result in the free end 155 and a remainder of the first portion 154 being “pulled” or otherwise forced inwardly, generally, but not exclusively, in the direction schematically indicated by arrow 161. This will further facilitate a frictional, wedging and binding and/or other movement restricting engagement between at least a portion of the periphery of the aperture 158 and the exterior surface of the connector member 138.
Also, because the connector member 138 is rotationally mounted on or connected to the base 132 and mounting segment 140, any attempt to remove the attachment member 136 from the base 32 by attempting to rotate the attachment member 136 relative to the base 132 will be ineffective. Moreover, because of the movement restricting engagement between the periphery of the aperture 158, locking member 152 and the exterior surface of the connector 138, attempted rotation of the attachment member 136 will serve to rotate the connector member 138 relative to the base 132. Therefore an individual will not be able to “unscrew” the attachment member 136 from the base 132 since the attachment member 136 and the connector member 138 are connected to and movable with one another in that they are interconnected by the locking member 152. As such, any attempt to rotate or “unscrew” the attachment member, will only result in the attachment member 136 and the connector member 138 rotating with one another, relative to the base 132 and mounting segment 140.
With primary reference to
Also, structural modifications of the attachment member 136 include a recess or opening 170 in the attachment member which has a sufficient transverse dimension to receive the distal, free end 53 of the drive shaft 52′ in aligned, enclosing relation with the pointed end 138′ and the remainder of the connector member 138. Further forced entry of the drive shaft 52′ causes a breaking or destruction of at least a surrounding partition or like structural portion 172 by the free open end 53. Upon entry and continued movement, the free end 53 engages and forcibly deflects or deforms the first portion 154 of the locking assembly 152. Moreover, the drive shaft 52′ may be forced into deflecting engagement with the first portion 154 until the first portion 154 assumes a “flattened” or “sufficiently transverse” orientation relative to the length or longitudinal axis of the connector member 138, as demonstrated in
With further reference to
Accordingly, the attachment member 136 can be removed from the connector member 138, as the drive shaft 52′ forces the connector member 138 out of the interior of the attachment member, as should be apparent. It is to be noted, that the forced deflection and/or deformation of the first portion 154 into the second or release position or orientation should be such as to substantially “flatten” or otherwise orient the first portion 154 into a more or sufficiently transverse orientation relative to the length or longitudinal axis of the connector member 138, as set forth above, rather than the skewed, angular orientation relative to the length or longitudinal axis of the connector member 138, as demonstrated in
Yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention as represented in
More specifically, the detachment assembly 200 includes a support base 206 including a receiving area as at 208 for the placement of a security tag assembly 10 in an operable orientation for removal of the attachment member and concurrent reading or scanning of related merchandise data. Such an operable orientation of the security tag assembly 10, of the type described in detail with referenced to
However, in order to provide a greater versatility in the detachment assembly 200 in terms of having it be utilized with a plurality of scanner assemblies 204, the mounting structure 202 is provided so as to removably secure the scanning assembly 204 in its intended, operable position. As such, the scanner assembly 204 may be removed therefrom and operated and utilized as a handheld or portable scanner assembly as is well known in the art. With further reference to
With primary reference to
With further reference to
It is further emphasized that the specific dimension, configuration and number of the plurality of mounting fingers 230 may vary as well as the spacing therebetween and their specific disposition on the supporting pedestal 220. In a most preferred embodiment, the plurality of mounting members or fingers 230 are four in number and are structured and disposed so as to removably but securely grip the handle portion 210 of the scanner or reader assembly 204 in a manner which facilitates its accurate and secured placement in overlying relation to the security tag assembly 10 when the security tag assembly 10, mounting on the receiving portion 208 on the supporting base 206 of the detachment assembly 200 or its structural equivalent.
With primary reference to
More in particular, and still referring to
As described in detail above, the present invention includes a detachment assembly 50, 50′, 200 structured to detach the base 12, 132, 332 and the attachment member 14, 136, 335 out of the operative and/or interconnected position. In particular, and as described above, the detachment assembly 50, 50′, 200 of at least one embodiment includes a detachment structure 82, such as, for example, a drive shaft 52, 52′, which is structured to at least partially separate the base 12, 132, 332 from the attachment member 14, 136, 335 via disposition of the detachment structure 82 in an at least partially forced engagement with the connector member 338.
Moreover, in at least one embodiment, the present invention includes a receiving structure 308 (illustrated in
Additionally, in at least one embodiment of the present invention, the holding assembly 314 is structured to define a receiving channel 320 cooperatively structured and disposed such that the attachment member 14, 136336 is disposable in a slidable relation therewith. As illustrated in
Either way, the entry aperture 322 is structured and configured to facilitate and/or allow disposition of at least a portion of the attachment member 336 therethrough and into a slidable relation within the receiving channel 320. More in particular, and as will be described in greater detail below, the exit aperture 324 is structured and configured to facilitate and/or allow disposition of the attachment member 336 therethrough and out of a slidable relation with the receiving channel 320. Furthermore, the receiving structure 308 and/or holding assembly 314 further includes a detachment aperture 326, which in at least one embodiment is disposed in a receiving relation with the detachment structure 82 and between the entry aperture 322 and the exit aperture 324 along a length of the receiving channel 320. For instance, as will become apparent from the following discussion, the attachment member 336 and/or the connector member 338 of the security tag assembly 330 are disposable in an aligned relation with the detachment aperture 326 to facilitate the detachment of the attachment member 336 from the base 332, as disclosed herein. In particular the detachment aperture 326 is cooperatively structured and configured to receive the detachment structure 82 therethrough in a manner to allow the detachment structure 82 to be disposed in an engaging relation with the security tag assembly 330.
For exemplary purposes,
Upon disposing the security tag assembly 330 in an aligned relation or operative position relative to the detachment aperture 326 and/or detachment structure 82 (not illustrated in
As illustrated in
As should be apparent, and as illustrated in
Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
Now that the invention has been described,
The present application is a continuation-in-part application of a previously filed application having Ser. No. 11/805,307, filed on May 23, 2007, which matured into U.S. Pat. No. 7,474,216 on Jan. 6, 2009, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application having Ser. No. 11/363,436, filed on Feb. 27, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,286,054, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application having Ser. No. 11/056,565, filed on Feb. 11, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,382,256, which is a continuation-in-part application of a previously filed, now abandoned application having Ser. No. 11/008,641, filed on Dec. 9, 2004, all of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.
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| 2006-249364 | Sep 2006 | JP |
| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20080291029 A1 | Nov 2008 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11805307 | May 2007 | US |
| Child | 12217613 | US | |
| Parent | 11363436 | Feb 2006 | US |
| Child | 11805307 | US | |
| Parent | 11056565 | Feb 2005 | US |
| Child | 11363436 | US | |
| Parent | 11008641 | Dec 2004 | US |
| Child | 11056565 | US |
