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US 7,062,823 B2Granted
Theft deterrent device
AssigneeAlpha Security Products, Inc.
InventorsFrank H. Copen, David K. Huehner, Richard E. Corney
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A theft deterrent device adapted to be connected to an item of merchandise to discourage shoplifting includes a flexible lanyard. In one embodiment, the first end of the lanyard is removably anchored to the holder with the second end of the lanyard being lockable to the holder. The lanyard may thus be replaced if severed by a shoplifter so that the holder may be reused. The invention also provides a lanyard having first and second ends with a latch that holds that ends together so that the ends may be inserted as a unit into the holder before being locked to the holder.
Claims24
A theft deterrent device adapted to be connected to an item of merchandise to discourage shoplifting;
- the device comprising:
- a first member;
- a second member;
- the first and second members being connected together with a hinge that allows the members to move from an unlocked position to a locked position;
- a lock for locking the first member to the second member in the locked position;
- the lock including four first locking fingers and two second locking fingers;
- two of the first locking fingers engaging each of the second locking fingers;
- the second member defining a slot;
- a lanyard having first and second ends;
- each of the ends defining an opening;
- a portion of the lanyard being disposed in the slot defined by the second member for positioning the first and second ends adjacent the second member so that the lanyard forms a loop whereby the lanyard is adapted to loop around a portion of the article of merchandise to secure the device thereto;
- and
- the first member carrying a tooth that is adapted to pass through the openings of the ends when the first member is in the locked position.
10 more elements
A theft deterrent device adapted to be connected to an item of merchandise to discourage shoplifting;
- the device comprising:
- a first member;
- a second member;
- the first and second members being connected together with a hinge that allows the members to move from an unlocked position to a locked position;
- a lock for locking the first member to the second member in the locked position;
- the second member defining a slot;
- a lanyard having first and second ends;
- each of the ends defining an opening;
- wherein the first end of the lanyard includes at least one latch;
- the latch adapted to connect the second end of the lanyard to the first end of the lanyard so that the openings of the ends are aligned when the ends are inserted into the slot of the second member;
- a portion of the lanyard being disposed in the slot defined by the second member for positioning the first and second ends adjacent the second member so that the lanyard forms a loop whereby the lanyard is adapted to loop around a portion of the article of merchandise to secure the device thereto;
- and
- the first member carrying a tooth that is adapted to pass through the openings of the ends when the first member is in the locked position.
10 more elements
A theft deterrent device adapted to be connected to an item of merchandise to discourage shoplifting;
- the device comprising:
- a first member;
- a second member;
- the first and second members being connected together with a hinge that allows the members to move from an unlocked position to a locked position;
- a lock for locking the first member to the second member in the locked position;
- the second member defining a slot;
- a lanyard having first and second ends;
- each of the ends defining an opening;
- a portion of the lanyard being disposed in the slot defined by the second member for positioning the first and second ends adjacent the second member so that the lanyard forms a loop whereby the lanyard is adapted to loop around a portion of the article of merchandise to secure the device thereto;
- and
- the first member carrying a tooth that is adapted to pass through the openings of the ends when the first member is in the locked position;
- in combination with a key configured to unlock the device;
- wherein the key includes a plurality of key pins for engaging and unlocking the lock;
- and wherein the key pins are movable with a plunger that is movable between resting and unlocking positions.
11 more elements
A theft deterrent device adapted to be connected to an item of merchandise to discourage shoplifting;
- the device comprising:
- a first member;
- a second member;
- the first and second members being connected together with a hinge that allows the members to move from an unlocked position to a locked position;
- a lock for locking the first member to the second member in the locked position;
- the second member defining a slot;
- a lanyard having first and second ends;
- each of the ends defining an opening;
- the lanyard including a cable which is resistant to severing;
- a portion of the lanyard being disposed in the slot defined by the second member for positioning the first and second ends adjacent the second member so that the lanyard forms a loop whereby the lanyard is adapted to loop around a portion of the article of merchandise to secure the device thereto;
- and
- the first member carrying a tooth that is adapted to pass through the openings of the ends when the first member is in the locked position.
9 more elements
A theft deterrent device adapted to be connected to an item of merchandise to discourage shoplifting;
- the device comprising:
- a first member;
- a second member;
- the first and second members being connected together with a hinge that allows the members to move from an unlocked position to a locked position;
- a lock for locking the first member to the second member in the locked position;
- the second member defining a slot;
- a lanyard having first and second ends;
- each of the ends defining an opening;
- a portion of the lanyard being disposed in the slot defined by the second member for positioning the first and second ends adjacent the second member so that the lanyard forms a loop whereby the lanyard is adapted to loop around a portion of the article of merchandise to secure the device thereto;
- and
- the first member carrying a tooth that is adapted to pass through the openings of the ends when the first member is in the locked position;
- in combination with the article of merchandise;
- wherein the lanyard is looped around a portion thereof to secure the device to the article when the first and second members are in the locked position.
10 more elements
A theft deterrent device adapted to be connected to an item of merchandise to discourage shoplifting;
- the device comprising:
- a first member;
- a second member;
- the first and second members being connected together with a hinge that allows the members to move from an unlocked position to a locked position;
- a lock for locking the first member to the second member in the locked position;
- the second member defining a slot;
- a lanyard having first and second ends;
- each of the ends defining an opening;
- a portion of the lanyard being disposed in the slot defined by the second member for positioning the first and second ends adjacent the second member so that the lanyard forms a loop whereby the lanyard is adapted to loop around a portion of the article of merchandise to secure the device thereto;
- the first member carrying a tooth that is adapted to pass through the openings of the ends when the first member is in the locked position;
- wherein the device further includes an electronic article surveillance tag whereby the device is an alarm-activating device.
8 more elements
A theft deterrent device adapted to be connected to an item of merchandise to discourage shoplifting;
- the device comprising:
- a first member;
- a second member;
- the first and second members being connected together with a hinge that allows the members to move from an unlocked position to a locked position;
- a lock for locking the first member to the second member in the locked position;
- the second member defining a slot;
- a lanyard having first and second ends;
- each of the ends defining an opening;
- a portion of the lanyard being disposed in the slot defined by the second member for positioning the first and second ends adjacent the second member so that the lanyard forms a loop whereby the lanyard is adapted to loop around a portion of the article of merchandise to secure the device thereto;
- the first member carrying a tooth that is adapted to pass through the openings of the ends when the first member is in the locked position;
- and
- wherein the first and second ends of the lanyard are removably connectable to one another so that when the first and second ends are connected the openings thereof are aligned to facilitate insertion of the tooth through the openings.
9 more elements
A theft deterrent device adapted to be connected to an item of merchandise to discourage shoplifting;
- the device comprising:
- a first member;
- a second member;
- the first and second members being connected together with a hinge that allows the members to move from an unlocked position to a locked position;
- a lock for locking the first member to the second member in the locked position;
- the second member defining a slot which is formed entirely in the second member in a manner which prevents prying via the slot of the first and second members away from one another;
- a lanyard having first and second ends;
- each of the ends defining an opening;
- a portion of the lanyard being disposed in the slot defined by the second member for positioning the first and second ends adjacent the second member so that the lanyard forms a loop whereby the lanyard is adapted to loop around a portion of the article of merchandise to secure the device thereto;
- and
- the first member carrying a tooth that is adapted to pass through the openings of the ends when the first member is in the locked position.
8 more elements
A method comprising the steps of:
- looping a lanyard having first and second ends each defining an opening around a portion of an article of merchandise;
- positioning the first and second ends of the lanyard adjacent a first member which is connected to a second member via a hinge;
- pivoting the first and second members via the hinge to pass a tooth carried by the second member through each of the openings in the lanyard;
- and
- locking the first and second members together to prevent removal of the ends of the lanyard from the tooth so that the first and second members are secured to the article of merchandise via the lanyard.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.