Universal lattice for magnetic electronic article surveillance system

A universal lattice assembly for use with magnetic electronic article surveillance systems comprising:

• a) a structural chassis having a bottom section adapted to be secured to a base mounted on a floor, opposing parallel side sections secured to opposite ends of the bottom section, and having means for indexing and interlocking the chassis with other members of the assembly,
• b) a coil assembly comprising a drive coil and a detector coil;
• and
• c) a frame comprising two identical, molded half-shells, each half-shell, when mated with the other, forming
• i) opposing spaced-apart vertical legs,
• ii) a top section connected across the top of the legs,
• iii) a middle section connected between the legs and spaced upward of the bottom of the frame,
• iv) at least one additional section extending between the legs intermediate between the top and middle sections;
• and
• v) a centermost vertical section connected between the respective top, additional and middle sections and the bottom of said frame, said frame having an interior cavity extending through and connecting said vertical legs, said top section, said middle section, said at least one additional section and said centermost vertical section, and having means, within said interior cavity, for receiving and anchoring the coil assembly in place;
• and further comprising
• vi) a plurality of interlocking tabs and notches extending around a major portion of the periphery of each half-shell adapted to mate together when the half-shells are portioned facing each other and are pressed together, thereby attaching the respective half-shells together, and having means below the bottom of the frame adapted to receive associated electronic sub-assemblies and to mate with members of the chassis, the mating of the chassis and half-shells making up the frame, thereby forming a completed composite lattice assembly of a strength suitable for use in a hostile-user environment without requiring additional bonding of the chassis and the half-shells.