Theft deterrent device with onboard alarm

Abstract

A theft deterrent tag includes a first tag element having a post and a second tag element for receiving the post to secure the tag elements together on an item of merchandise. Spaced electrical contacts within the second tag element receive therebetween the post, which abuts each of the electrical contacts to provide an electrical pathway between the contacts to close a first electrical circuit which turns the device on. The first tag element includes a head which depresses a plunger switch to arm the device. The device is configured to sound an onboard alarm in response to prying of the head or cutting of the post of the first tag element, or if an EAS tag receives a wireless signal from a security gate. Security gate alarms also sound if the tag moves through the gate or within a predetermined distance thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a bottom plan view of the theft deterrent device of the present invention secured to a piece of material.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the device.

FIG. 3 is a section view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the device with the upper member of the housing removed.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary exploded sectional view showing the tack, the electrical contacts and the locking mechanism of the device prior to the insertion of the tack into the tag body.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 5 showing the tack inserted into the body of the tag.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an area similar to FIG. 6 showing the depression of the plunger switch.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuitry of the device.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the arming and de-arming sequence of the device.

Claims

1. A security tag comprising: a first tag element comprising a post;a second tag element securable to the first tag element in a secured position;a pair of spaced electrical contacts carried by the second tag element;a post-receiving opening formed in the second tag element for receiving the post therein in the secured position so that the post abuts each of the electrical contacts to provide an electrical pathway therebetween to close a first electrical circuit.

2. The tag of claim 1 further comprising a locking mechanism for locking the tag elements together in the secured position.

3. The tag of claim 1 further comprising an onboard battery; and an alarming system comprising electronic circuitry; and wherein the first electrical circuit when closed provides electrical communication between the battery and electronic circuitry.

4. The tag of claim 3 further comprising an arming switch carried by the second tag element; and a second electrical circuit openable and closable via the switch; and wherein the switch is activated in the secured position to arm the alarming system.

5. The tag of claim 4 wherein the arming switch comprises a plunger which the first tag element depresses in the secured position to activate the switch.

6. The tag of claim 4 further comprising a logic circuit for determining whether the second circuit is in an armed state when the first circuit is closed; and an alarm which is activated when the first circuit is closed and the switch is deactivated.

7. The tag of claim 4 further comprising an audible onboard alarm which is activated if the second electrical circuit is compromised.

8. The tag of claim 4 further comprising an onboard battery; and a logic circuit powered by the battery and configured to determine whether the alarming system is on by determining whether the first electrical circuit is open or closed and to determine whether the alarming system is armed by determining whether the second electrical circuit is open or closed.

9. The tag of claim 8 further comprising an audible alarm powered by the battery.

10. The tag of claim 1 further comprising an alarm which is activated when the post is severed.

11. The tag of claim 1 further comprising an arming switch for arming the tag when activated; and a body connected to the post for activating the arming switch in the secured position.

12. The tag of claim 11 further comprising an alarm which is activated when the body is moved to a position which deactivates the arming switch.

13. The tag of claim 1 wherein the electrical contacts comprise respective first flanges which are tapered to facilitate insertion of the post between the contacts.

14. The tag of claim 13 wherein the electrical contacts comprise respective second flanges which are disposed opposite the first flanges and are tapered to facilitate removal of the post from between the contacts.

15. The tag of claim 1 wherein the electrical contacts are formed of a spring metal.

16. The device of claim 1 in combination with a security gate; and wherein the device is configured to sound an audible alarm upon reaching a predetermined distance from the gate and upon passing through the gate.

17. The combination of claim 16 further comprising an onboard audible alarm which is activated when the post is severed.

18. The combination of claim 16 further comprising a tack head from which the post extends outwardly; a plunger carried by the second tag element and Do depressed by the tack head in the secured position; and an onboard alarm which is activated when the tack head moves to release the plunger while the post maintains the first electrical circuit in a closed state.

19. The device of claim 1 in combination with a security gate configured to produce a wireless signal; and further comprising an onboard audible alarm and an onboard EAS tag which receives the wireless signal when within a predetermined distance of the gate to activate the onboard alarm.

20. The combination of claim 19 wherein the security gate comprises an alarm which sounds when the device is within a predetermined distance of the gate.