EAS tag with articulated body and attaching element

#This application relates to the field of electronic article surveillance (EAS) and security. In particular, this application relates to EAS tags that use attaching elements that have a shaft that inserts into a retention mechanism, such as a clutch, to attach the tag to an object to be protected.

#EAS tags have been used for many years as a means of deterring retail shoplifting in clothing stores, electronic stores, and a myriad of other retail establishments. Generally speaking, an EAS system will consist of a durable and reliable, yet small, sensor tag which is affixed to the article to be detected in such a way that it cannot be easily removed by a customer in the store. Usually, the system depends on the feature that the attachment mechanism is constructed such that it can only be removed by the use of a specialized tool which is only in possession of the store personnel at the checkout register or exit port for the establishment. In the event that an EAS tag is not removed from a protected article prior to exiting the store, an alarm or other signal is activated.

#In order for an EAS system to be reliable, the tag must be effective in that a shoplifter will be unable to remove it within the store. In some systems, the tag is encapsulated with an ink cartridge which will open and permanently destroy the protected item and make a considerable mess in the process. In other systems, the tag is attached with an attaching element that will cause destruction of the article if it is pulled or ripped from the article. In addition, the tag attaching element must be rigid enough to withstand efforts to crack it open within the store. In short, the EAS tag must be called upon to perform reliably amid challenges by the most clever and aggressive of shoplifters.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an EAS tag with an articulated body with a lanyard along side as an attaching element.

#FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an EAS tag with the body articulated.

#FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the EAS tag with an articulated body.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the EAS tag 10 with articulated body. The articulated body is comprised of two portions, sensor pod 20 and retention pod 40. Sensor pod 20 and retention pod 40 are joined at joint 12 which allows movement between sensor pod 20 and retention pod 40. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, joint 12 is a pivoting joint about which they may turn with respect to each other, and sensor pod 20 has a recess 22 for accommodating retention pod 40. Retention pod 40 has an aperture 42 in it which gives access to the interior of retention pod 40 where a retention mechanism is enclosed.

#Lanyard 60 along side of EAS tag 10 has a pin, or shaft, end 62 at one end and an connector 64 at the other end for forming a loop. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 connector 64 is an eyelet sized large enough that the other end 62 may pass through it to form a loop. The pin end 62 of lanyard 60 may be inserted into aperture 42 in retention pod 40 to be engaged in a retention mechanism housed therein.

#FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of EAS tag 10 with retention pod 40 turned 90 degrees from its position in FIG. 1. Pin 62 and first end of lanyard 60 has been passed through connector 64 of second end of lanyard 60 to form lanyard 60 into a loop 66. Pin end 62 is positioned to been inserted into retention pod 40. Loop 66 is used to attach EAS tag 10 to an object to be protected. Loop 66 may pass around a handle or similar feature of the object or pass through an aperture in the object.