Retractable Merchandise Security Tether with Alarm
AssigneeSouthern Imperial, Inc.
InventorScott W. Sisney
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A retractable merchandise security tether with alarm is provided. The security tether includes a housing carrying a spool for winding an unwinding a cable therefrom. A security module is also packaged within the housing. The security module includes a sensor operable to detect the presence of a severed end of the cable within the housing. Upon detection, the security arrangement is operable to provide an indication of the presence of the severed end in the form of an alarm or other indication.
Claims25
A retail merchandise security tether, comprising:
- a housing having an internal cavity;
- an extendable and retractable tether extending from the internal cavity of the housing, the tether adapted to secure an item of retail merchandise;
- and
- a security module mounted to the housing, the security module operable to detect the presence of a severed end of the tether within the housing.
A retail merchandise security tether, comprising:
- a housing having an opening;
- an extendable and retractable tether mounted on a spool carried within the housing, the tether extending through the opening;
- and
- a sensor mounted to the housing and arranged about the opening, the sensor operable to detect movement of a severed end of the tether from an exterior of the housing to an interior of the housing through the opening.
A method for detecting a potential theft of an item of retail merchandise situated in a retail store, comprising:
- affixing an item of retail merchandise to a merchandise tether that is extendable and retractable from a housing;
- extending and retracting the tether from the housing when the item is moved away and toward the housing;
- and
- automatically detecting a severed end of the tether, upon the occurrence of severing of the tether.
A security device for a retail merchandise tether, comprising:
- a housing including a first opening, the housing defining a tether passageway;
- a security module mounted within the housing, the security module including a sensor arranged about the opening to detect the presence of the merchandise tether.
The security device of claim 24, wherein the first electrical contact is a spring loaded contact arranged over the first opening and the second electrical contact is a contact wall arranged adjacent to the first opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.