A disposable theft deterrent tag includes first and second elements that lock together through a portion of an item of merchandise to secure the tag to the item of merchandise. The first portion of the tag includes a first locking member having opposed teeth that are adapted to lockingly engage a second locking member that is carried by the second element of the tag. The second locking member is in the form of a stepped post that snaps between the opposed teeth to lock the post to the teeth. The tag may be unlocked by moving the teeth with respect to the post. In one embodiment of the invention, a portion of the body of the first element may be destroyed while moving the teeth from the locked position to the unlocked position.
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1. A theft deterrent tag adapted to be locked to an item of merchandise; the theft deterrent tag comprising:
a first tag element carrying a one-piece first locking member;
a second tag element carrying a second locking member;
the second tag element being lockable to the first tag element by engaging the second locking member with the first locking member;
the first locking member being linearly slidable from the locked a locked position to an unlocked position to allow the second locking member to be released; and
the first locking member being free of a camming engagement with the first tag element for moving the first locking member from the unlocked position to the locked position.
65. A theft deterrent tag adapted to be locked to an item of merchandise, the theft deterrent tag comprising:
a first tag element carrying a one-piece first locking member;
a second tag element carrying a second locking member having an axis along which the second locking member is movable during connection and disconnection of the first and second tag elements;
the second tag element being lockable to the first tag element by engaging the second locking member with the first locking member in a locked position;
the first locking member being linearly movable only in a direction which is perpendicular to the axis from the locked position to an unlocked position to allow the second locking member to be released.
68. A theft deterrent tag adapted to be locked to an item of merchandise; the theft deterrent tag comprising:
a first tag element carrying a first locking member;
a second tag element carrying a second locking member;
the second tag element being lockable to the first tag element by engaging the second locking member with the first locking member;
the first locking member including opposed teeth that define a slot there between; the second locking member including a portion that is disposed in the slot between the teeth when the first locking member is in a locked position; and
the first locking member being movable from the locked position to an unlocked position to allow the second locking member to be released from the first locking member without spreading the opposed teeth away from each other.
74. A theft deterrent tag adapted to be locked to an item of merchandise, the theft deterrent tag comprising:
a first tag element carrying a one-piece first locking member;
a second tag element carrying a second locking member;
a second tag element being lockable to the first tag element by engaging the second locking member with the first locking member;
the first locking member including opposed teeth that define a slot there between; the second locking member including a portion that is disposed in the slot between the teeth when the first locking member is in a locked position wherein removal of the portion of the second locking member from the first locking member is prevented by engagement of the portion by each of the opposed teeth; and
the first locking member being non-pivotably and non-flexingly moveable from the locked position to the unlocked position wherein the second locking member is removable from the first locking member.
70. A theft deterrent tag adapted to be locked to an item of merchandise; the theft deterrent tag comprising:
a first tag element carrying a one-piece first locking member;
a second tag element carrying a second locking member;
the second tag element being lockable to the first tag element by engaging the second locking member with the first locking member;
the first locking member including opposed teeth that define a slot there between; the second locking member including a portion that is disposed in the slot between the teeth when the first locking member is in a locked position wherein removal of the portion of the second locking member from the first locking member is prevented by engagement of the portion by each of the opposed teeth; and
the first locking member being movable only in a single linear direction from the locked position to an unlocked position wherein the second locking member is removable from the first locking member.
29. A theft deterrent tag adapted to be locked to an item of merchandise; the theft deterrent tag comprising:
a first tag element carrying a first locking member;
a second tag element carrying a second locking member having a longitudinal axis and a cross sectional dimension;
the second tag element being lockable to the first tag element by engaging the second locking member with the first locking member;
the first locking member including opposed teeth that define a slot; the second locking member including a portion that is disposed in the slot between the teeth when the first and second locking members are in a locked position;
the first locking member defining an opening sized larger than the cross sectional dimension of the second locking member;
the first locking member being movable from the locked position to an unlocked position where the second locking member is disposed in the opening of the first locking member to allow the second locking member to be released from the first locking member; and
the second locking member being removable from the first locking member without flexing spreading the opposed teeth away from each other.
50. A theft deterrent tag adapted to be locked to an item of merchandise; the theft deterrent tag comprising;
a first tag element carrying an EAS tag and a one-piece first locking member having opposed teeth;
a second tag element in the form of a tack having a post extending from a head; the post functioning as a second locking member;
the post being configured to pass through an item of merchandise and into the first tag element to engage the first locking member;
the second tag element being lockable to the first tag element by locking the first locking member to the post of the second tag element so that when the first locking member is in a locked position removal of the post from the first locking member is prevented by engagement of the post by each of the opposed teeth of the first locking member;
the first locking member being movable between the locked position and an unlocked position; the first locking element member being non-pivotably and non-flexingly moveable from the locked position to an the unlocked position; and
the post being removable from the first locking member when the first locking member is in the unlocked position.
59. A theft deterrent tag adapted to be locked to an item of merchandise; the theft deterrent tag comprising:
a first tag element carrying a first locking member; a second tag element carrying a second locking member;
the second locking member being in the form of a post adapted to pass through a portion of the item of merchandise and into the first tag element to engage the first locking member;
the second tag element being lockable to the first tag element;
the first locking member being linearly slidable from a locked position to an unlocked position;
the unlocked position allowing the second locking member to be disengaged from the first locking member;
the first tag element including opposed ribs that are elongated and spaced from one another to define a portion of an opening sized to receive a key prong that moves the first locking member from the locked position to the unlocked position;
the key prong directly engaging the first locking members member without engaging the ribs of the first tag element when the key prong is moving the first locking member from the locked position to the unlocked position; and
the first locking member being slidably mounted on the opposed ribs of the first tag element.
63. A theft deterrent tag adapted to be locked to an item of merchandise; the theft deterrent tag comprising:
a first tag element carrying a first locking member; a second tag element carrying a second locking member;
the second locking member being in the form of a post adapted to pass through a portion of the item of merchandise and into the first tag element to engage the first locking member;
the second tag element being lockable to the first tag element;
the first locking member being linearly slidable from a locked position to an unlocked position;
the unlocked position allowing the second locking member to be disengaged from the first locking member;
the first tag element including opposed ribs that are elongated and spaced from one another to define a portion of an opening sized to receive a key prong that moves the first locking member from the locked position to the unlocked position;
the key prong directly engaging the first locking member without engaging the ribs of the first tag element when the key prong is moving the first locking member from the locked position to the unlocked position; and
the first locking member defining an elongated slot in which the post is disposed in the locked position; and wherein the elongate elongated ribs of the first tag element are elongated in the elongated direction of the slot.
64. A theft deterrent tag adapted to be locked to an item of merchandise; the theft deterrent tag comprising:
a first tag element carrying a first locking member; a second tag element carrying a second locking member;
the second locking member being in the form of a post adapted to pass through a portion of the item of merchandise and into the first tag element to engage the first locking member;
the second tag element being lockable to the first tag element;
the first locking member being linearly slidable from a locked position to an unlocked position;
the unlocked position allowing the second locking member to be disengaged from the first locking member;
the first tag element including opposed ribs that are elongated and spaced from one another to define a portion of an opening sized to receive a key prong that moves the first locking member from the locked position to the unlocked position;
the key prong directly engaging the first locking member without engaging the ribs of the first tag element when the key prong is moving the first locking member from the locked position to the unlocked position; and
the first locking member defining an elongated slot in which the post is disposed in the locked position; and wherein the key prong moves in the elongated direction of the slot to move the first locking member from the locked position to the unlocked position.
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This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/154,735 filed May 23, 2002, now abandoned, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/293,688, filed May 25, 2001; the disclosures of both are incorporated herein by reference.
1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to anti-shoplifting devices and, more particularly, to a theft deterrent tag that may be secured to articles of merchandise in order to hold an EAS tag to the item of merchandise while the item of merchandise is displayed for sale. The theft deterrent tag is removed from the item of merchandise by the sales clerk at the time of purchase. Specifically, the present invention relates to a theft deterrent tag that has a stepped post that is adapted to pass through an item of merchandise to connect the tag to the item of merchandise. The stepped post is configured to lock between locking teeth until the locking members are moved from a locked position to an unlocked position.
2. Background Information
Various anti-theft mechanisms exist in the art for attaching electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags to items of merchandise so that the items of merchandise cannot be removed from a retail establishment without triggering an alarm. One type of relevant device uses a pin to pierce a portion of the item of merchandise to secure the tag to the item of merchandise. Users of these tags desire a tag that is easier to use and less expensive to purchase and apply to merchandise. The users of these tags also desire a theft deterrent tag that is disposable so that the merchant does not have to reattach the security tags after they are removed by the sales clerk.
The invention provides a theft deterrent tag that includes first and second elements that lock together through a portion of an item of merchandise to secure the tag to the item of merchandise. The first portion of the tag includes a first locking member having opposed teeth that are adapted to lockingly engage a second locking member that is carried by the second element of the tag. The second locking member is in the form of a stepped post that snaps between the opposed teeth to lock the post to the teeth. The post is configured to be passed through a wide variety of different items of merchandise.
The invention also provides a theft deterrent tag that is disposable. The tag may be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position by moving the teeth with respect to the post. A portion of the body of the first element may be destroyed while moving the teeth from the locked to the unlocked position.
The invention further provides an opener for the tag wherein the opening includes a prong that engages the first locking member of the tag to move the first locking member from the locked position to the unlocked position. In one embodiment, the invention fixes the position of the prong with respect to a plunger that holds the tag. The plunger is used to drive the tag down over the prong to unlock the tag from the merchandise.
Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the specification.
The theft deterrent tag of the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral 10 in the accompanying drawings. Tag 10 is adapted to hold an electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag 12 (
First tag element 20 includes a body 24 that defines at least a first chamber 26 configured to house EAS tag 12. First tag element 20 includes opposed ribs 28 and 30 that cooperate together to hold a first locking member 32 in body 24. Body 24 is typically formed in two halves that are snapped together over first locking member 32 so that first locking member 32 is clamped between ribs 28 and 30. In other embodiments of the invention, body 24 may be integrally molded, glued together, or assembled in other manners known to those skilled in the art.
Body 24 also includes a hood 34 that provides an interior chamber to receive the extending portion of a second locking member 36 that protrudes through a portion of first locking member 32 when tag 10 is in the locked position. Body 24 may have smooth outer edges so that it does not snag on items of merchandise with which it is used.
Body 24 defines an opening 40 aligned with first locking member 32 so that a key prong 42 (
First locking member 32 includes an elongated slot 50 and an opening 52 as depicted in FIG. 9. Locking member 32 includes opposed teeth 54 that define of slot 50. Teeth 54 engage second locking member 36 to prevent second locking member 36 from being removed from first element 20 when second element 22 is moved from the unlocked to the locked position. Second locking member 36 may be in the form of a post 60 having a plurality of steps 62 designed to interact with teeth 54 to lock post 60 with respect to first locking member 32. The outer diameter of post 60 is thus greater than the space between teeth 54 as shown in
First locking member 32 may be angled into a “V” shape as depicted in
Tag 10 is locked by placing a portion of merchandise 14 between second locking member 36 and first locking member 32. Post 60 of second locking member 36 is then pushed down through merchandise 14 through first element 20 until it engages first locking member 32. Step 62 of post 60 snaps through teeth 54 until the body of second element 22 clamps merchandise 14 between itself and first element 20. Tag 10 thus cannot be removed from merchandise 14 until first locking member 32 is moved to the unlocked position.
The user moves first locking member 32 to the unlocked position by sliding first locking member 32 from the locked position depicted in
In another embodiment, a hand held opener may be used. In another embodiment, the user may strike the tag on a counter to drive a member against locking member 32.
In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.
Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.
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| Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
| May 23 2002 | HUEHNER, DAVID K | Alpha Security Products, Inc | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 020648 | /0303 | |
| Nov 06 2006 | Checkpoint Systems, Inc. | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
| Feb 11 2008 | Alpha Security Products, Inc | CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 020679 | /0334 | |
| Jul 31 2012 | CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC | Wells Fargo Bank | SECURITY AGREEMENT | 028714 | /0552 | |
| Dec 09 2013 | Wells Fargo Bank, National Association | CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC | RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 031825 | /0545 | |
| Dec 11 2013 | CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC | BANK OF AMERICA, N A | SECURITY AGREEMENT | 031805 | /0001 |
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