Patent Application
20130265164
The present invention relates generally to a theft deterrent device and more specifically to a theft deterrent device to which a valuable product can be secured.
Laptop computers are portable and have the same capacity and software as many large desktop computers. In addition, laptops allow connectivity, even outside the office, thus freeing people to take their workplace with them. The portability of laptops is valuable to employees and also personal users who must travel frequently while remaining in continual communication with their homes or offices. However, unattended laptop computers are prone to theft.
Other types of products such as suitcases, purses, briefcases, computer cases, and other products commonly carried during travel are prone to theft. Conventional luggage may be closed with a lock to prevent an unauthorized person from readily opening the luggage, but that does not prevent theft and subsequent opening of the luggage in a private location.
Currently, many styles of security device have been developed to address the theft of devices. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,552,965 describes a device to prevent theft of electrical appliances in which an electrical plug of the electrical appliance is plugged in and secured within the theft prevention device. The theft prevention device is plugged into a wall outlet or power strip and also powers the electrical appliance. The theft prevention device incorporates an internal power source, such as a battery, and an alarm which will be activated if the theft prevention device is unplugged from the electrical outlet. U.S. Pat. No. 7,079,032 describes a theft protection plug which is mounted externally on electrical devices. The theft protection plug includes an anti theft alarm device which is incorporated into the plug to protect the electrical device against theft. The theft protection plug allows the anti theft alarm device to change signal by utilizing a motion sensor to change signal states when an attempt is made to disconnect the theft protection plug from the electrical device. Responsive to the change signal state, the alarm emits sound.
Aspects of the present invention disclose an apparatus to deter theft of a movable product, the apparatus comprising, a housing, a plug connected to the housing to insert into an electrical socket to receive AC power, a bracket connected to the housing and having an opening to receive a locking cable while the opening of the bracket protrudes from the housing, a switch, within the housing, responsive to protrusion of the opening of the bracket from the housing to receive the locking cable, to exhibit a first state and responsive to the opening of the bracket being substantially contained in the housing, to exhibit a second, opposite state, electrical circuitry, within the housing, responsive to the switch being in the first state, and absence of AC power at the plug to sound an alarm, and responsive to the switch being in the second state or the presence of AC power at the plug to prevent sounding of the alarm.
Novel characteristics of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals indicate like components, and:
The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the figures.
The theft deterrent device 102 plugs into an electrical socket 130 to deter theft of the movable products 110 or 112. A bracket 108 (with an interior opening) and a tab 106 protrude from the theft deterrent device 102 such that the opening in the bracket can receive a locking cable. The theft deterrent device 102 also includes a microswitch (illustrated in
In addition, if tab 106 is pulled out and kept out by virtue of having the locking cable 114 inserted through the opening in the bracket 108, the theft deterrent device 102 activates into the active alarm state (as described below), and a protrusion 121 of bracket 108 blocks removal of a door 123 for battery compartment 122 such that door is mechanically locked in place. More specifically, the door 123 has an inner wing 124, and, in the active alarm state, the protrusion 121 is interposed between the inner wing 124 and the outer exposed wall of the door 123 such that the protrusion prevents the inner wing 124 (and door 123 to which it is attached) from being removed. At an opposite side of the door 123, curved tabs 125a,b are received in mating slots 126a,b to prevent this end of the door 123 from being opened during the active alarm state.
Theft deterrent device 102 further includes a visible alarm 129 and an internal audible alarm 128 which are activated (for example, to flash) upon removal of plug 104 from electrical socket 130, as described below. In addition, the visible alarm 129 displays a warning (such as a constant light) when the theft deterrent device 102 is armed.
The theft deterrent device 102 also includes a power detection circuit (illustrated in
The theft deterrent device 102 is disarmed when tab 106 is retracted into the theft deterrent device 102. In this orientation, bracket 108 in
Theft deterrent device 102 is in an inactive alarm state only after locking cable 114 or 116 is removed from bracket 108. Thus, locking cable 114 or 116 can also operate to prevent bracket 108 from retracting back into the theft deterrent device 102 by mechanically interfering with travel of the bracket 108 into the theft deterrent device 102.
In addition, when tab 106 is pulled out and thus microswitch 310 is actuated, tab 106 pivots on pin 332 behind door 123 to lock the battery compartment 122 to prevent the battery compartment 122 from being opened while the theft deterrent device 102 is armed.
Power detection circuit 400 is adapted to detect power from alternating current (AC) voltage 411 provided to the theft deterrent device 102 by the electric socket 130 in
While not required to protect the movable product against theft, the theft deterrent device 102 optionally includes electrical outlets 127 which are electronically connected to electrical socket 130, as general purpose sockets.
Based on the foregoing, an apparatus for deterring theft of a movable product has been disclosed. However, numerous modifications and substitutions can be made without deviating from the scope of the present invention. For example, if the full wave rectifying bridge 440 and opto-coupler 413 can withstand the magnitude of the AC input voltage, then there is no need for the transformer 435. Therefore, the present invention has been disclosed by way of illustration and not limitation, and reference should be made to the following claims to determine the scope of the present invention.
