Reusable device for attaching an anti-theft monitor to merchandise

In a releasable, reusable, tamper-proof device for attaching an anti-theft monitor to an article of merchandise, the attachment device being of the type employing a tack having a shank adapted to be passed through the article and the monitor and into a one-way keeper, the keeper comprising:

• a housing including a cover having a hole for receiving the shank of the tack, the housing further defining means for connection to a pressure source;
• a pair of spaced-apart, flexible diaphragms within the housing, the diaphragms defining a pair of side chambers separated by a central chamber and being deflectable in a direction toward and away from each other, the connection means communicating with the side chambers, the central chamber including fastener support means;
• and
• a one-way, releasable fastener carried by the fastener support means, the fastener including opposed legs defining surfaces adapted to grip the shank of the tack, the opposed legs adapted to be displaced toward each other in a releasing direction to a shank-releasing position, the legs having ends adjacent the diaphragms, the support means constraining the fastener to maintain the fastener gripping surfaces in shank-receiving alignment with the cover hole and to orient the releasing direction of the fastener generally in alignment with the direction of diaphragm deflection, pressurization of the side chambers deflecting the diaphragms to engage the ends of the legs and displace the legs toward the shank-releasing position.

A releasable, reusable, tamper-proof device for attaching an anti-theft monitor to a product, the attachment device comprising:

• a tack having a head and a shank adapted to be passed through the monitor and the product;
• a housing having side walls, a pair of end walls, a bottom wall and a cover, the cover including a hole for receiving the shank of the tack, the housing enclosing a pair of spaced-apart flexible diaphragms disclosed parallel to the side walls to define a pair of side chambers separated by a central chamber, each diaphragm extending between the end walls and between the bottom wall and cover, one of the end walls having a pair of openings each of which openings is in communication with one of the side chambers, pressurization of the side chambers causing the diaphragms to flex toward each other, the housing further having fastener support means within the central chamber;
• and
• a one-way, releasable fastener disposed inside the housing between the support surfaces and the housing cover, the fastener being made of spring sheet material and including a base adjacent the cover, the base having a hole for receiving the shank of the tack, the fastener including opposed legs extending from the base and doubled over to underlie the base, the legs having end portions and defining surfaces for gripping the shank, displacement of the end portions of the opposed legs toward each other releasing the shank to permit withdrawal of the tack from the fastener, the end portions of the fastener being positioned adjacent the diaphragms so as to be engageable and displaceable thereby to a tack-releasing position upon pressurization of the side chambers.

A releasable, reusable, tamper-proof device for attaching an anti-theft monitor to a product, the attachment device comprising:

• a tack including a head and a shank adapted to be passed through the monitor and the product;
• a housing having end walls and a cover, the cover including a hole for receiving the shank of the tack, each end wall including a pair of spaced apart, parallel slots for receiving key means, the housing including fastener support surfaces;
• and
• a one-way, releasable fastener disposed inside the housing and held by the support surfaces, the fastener being made of spring sheet material and including a base adjacent the housing cover and opposed legs extending from the base and doubled over to underlie the base, the legs having end portions, the base having a hole for receiving the shank of the tack and the legs defining surfaces for gripping the shank, the support surfaces constraining the fastener to maintain the hole in the fastener base in approximate alignment with the hole in the cover, displacement of the end portions of the opposed legs toward each other releasing the shank to permit withdrawal of the tack from the fastener, the end portions of the fastener legs being positioned relative to the slots in the end walls of the housing so as to be engageable and displaceable by the key means to release the fastener and permit withdrawal of the tack.

Apparatus for use with an anti-theft monitor comprising:

• a device for attaching the monitor to a product including:
• i. a tack having a head and a shank adapted to be passed through the monitor and the product;
• ii. a housing having an interior defined by a cover and walls, the cover including a hole for receiving the shank of the tack, at least one wall having end means for communicating with the interior of the housing, the housing including fastener support a pair of spaced apart apertures;
• and
• iii. a one-way, releasable fastener disposed inside the housing and carried by the fastener support means, the fastener including opposed legs defining surfaces adapted to grip the shank of the tack, the opposed legs being displaceable toward each other in a releasing direction to a shank-releasing position, the fastener being constrained by the support surfaces to maintain the fastener gripping surfaces in shank-receiving alignment with the cover hole;
• and
• means insertable through said communicating means for displacing the opposed legs to the shank-releasing position.