EP0594324A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Theft-protection device providing force-sensitive tamper detection
Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corp
•
Filing: 1993-10-06
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2013-10-06
Abstract
Abstract A pin-and-clutch theft-deterrent device that enables instantaneous detection of separation-force tampering with the theft-deterrent device. The device includes a pin (14) in one component (10) and a clutch (16, 116) assembly in a second component (12, 112) for attaching the device to an article (18) to be protected by grasping the pin with the clutch to provide a predetermined retaining force for resisting separation of the components by prying or pulling the components apart; a force- sensitive electrical switch (64) having contact elements disposed for detecting application to the two components of at least a predetermined threshold separation force applied in opposition to the predetermined retaining force ; and a transponder (68) coupled to the switch assembly for responding to an irradiated interrogation signal (194) by radiating an alarm signal (198) when the switch assembly detects application to the two components of at least the predetermined threshold separation force. One (66) of the contact elements includes a rim (73) and a dome (74) that is deflected from one side of the rim to the other when a force is applied to the dome in accordance with the direction in which the force is applied to the dome, and another one (65) of the contact elements includes a ring that contacts the dome when the dome is deflected from one side of the rim to the other. The switch may be a momentary contact switch that does not maintain a changed state after the minimum predetermined threshold separation force is no longer applied. One (10) of the two components includes a fragile vial (20) containing a detrimental substance (22) that is released from the vial and damages an article attached to the device when the vial is fractured as a result of at least a second lesser predetermined separation force being applied to the two components. A system for detecting attempted removal from a protected article of the theft-deterrence device is installed in proximity to a secluded area of a store, such as a changing room.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C. Thurmond
- 👤 Edward J. Di Carlo
- 👤 Fred Wade Herman
- 👤 Dennis L. Hogan
- 👤 John L. Lynch
- 👤 Hildan B. Russell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:19
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/22; G08B13/24; G08B13/2402; G08B13/2428; G08B13/2434; E; E05; E05B; E05B73/00; E05B73/0017; G08B13/2448; E05B39/00; E05B39/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
286 words
A device for deterring theft of a protected article (18), the device comprising means for attaching the device to the article, with said attaching means being embodied in two components (10, 12) that are adapted to be locked together on opposite sides of a portion of said article to prevent unauthorized removal of the device from the article, wherein the attaching means include a pin (14) that is anchored within one component (10) and a clutch (16) contained in the other component (12) for grasping the pin to provide a predetermined retaining force for resisting separation of the components by prying or pulling the components apart; an electrical switch (64) having contact elements (65, 66) disposed in one (12) of the two components such that the state of the switch is changed by application to the two components of at least a predetermined threshold separation force applied in opposition to said predetermined retaining force to thereby detect said application of at least said predetermined threshold separation force; and a transponder (68) coupled to the switch for responding to an irradiated interrogation signal by radiating an alarm signal when the switch changes state in response to application to the two components of at least said predetermined threshold separation force; wherein one (66) of the contact elements includes a rim (73) and a dome (74) that is deflected from one side of the rim to the other when a force is applied to the dome in accordance with the direction in which the force is applied to the dome, and another one (65) of the contact elements includes a ring that contacts the dome when the dome is deflected from one side of the rim to the other.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
286 words
A device for deterring theft of a protected article (18), the device comprising means for attaching the device to the article, with said attaching means being embodied in two components (10, 12) that are adapted to be locked together on opposite sides of a portion of said article to prevent unauthorized removal of the device from the article, wherein the attaching means include a pin (14) that is anchored within one component (10) and a clutch (16) contained in the other component (12) for grasping the pin to provide a predetermined retaining force for resisting separation of the components by prying or pulling the components apart; an electrical switch (64) having contact elements (65, 66) disposed in one (12) of the two components such that the state of the switch is changed by application to the two components of at least a predetermined threshold separation force applied in opposition to said predetermined retaining force to thereby detect said application of at least said predetermined threshold separation force; and a transponder (68) coupled to the switch for responding to an irradiated interrogation signal by radiating an alarm signal when the switch changes state in response to application to the two components of at least said predetermined threshold separation force; wherein one (66) of the contact elements includes a rim (73) and a dome (74) that is deflected from one side of the rim to the other when a force is applied to the dome in accordance with the direction in which the force is applied to the dome, and another one (65) of the contact elements includes a ring that contacts the dome when the dome is deflected from one side of the rim to the other.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
233 words
A device for deterring theft of a protected article (18). the device comprising means for attaching the device to the article, with said attaching means being embodied in two components (10, 12) that are adapted to be locked together on opposite sides of a portion of said article to prevent unauthorized removal of the device from the article, wherein the attaching means include a pin (14) that is anchored within one component (10) and a clutch (16) contained in the other component for grasping the pin to provide a predetermined retaining force for resisting separation of the components by prying or pulling the components apart; an electrical switch (64) having contact elements (65, 66) disposed in one (12) of the two components such that the state of the switch is changed by application to the two components of at least a predetermined threshold separation force applied in opposition to said predetermined retaining force to thereby detect said application of at least said predetermined threshold separation force; and a transponder (68) coupled to the switch for responding to an irradiated interrogation signal by radiating an alarm signal when the switch changes state in response to application to the two components of at least said predetermined threshold separation force; wherein the switch is a momentary contact switch that does not maintain said changed state after said minimum predetermined threshold separation force is no longer applied.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
233 words
A device for deterring theft of a protected article (18). the device comprising means for attaching the device to the article, with said attaching means being embodied in two components (10, 12) that are adapted to be locked together on opposite sides of a portion of said article to prevent unauthorized removal of the device from the article, wherein the attaching means include a pin (14) that is anchored within one component (10) and a clutch (16) contained in the other component for grasping the pin to provide a predetermined retaining force for resisting separation of the components by prying or pulling the components apart; an electrical switch (64) having contact elements (65, 66) disposed in one (12) of the two components such that the state of the switch is changed by application to the two components of at least a predetermined threshold separation force applied in opposition to said predetermined retaining force to thereby detect said application of at least said predetermined threshold separation force; and a transponder (68) coupled to the switch for responding to an irradiated interrogation signal by radiating an alarm signal when the switch changes state in response to application to the two components of at least said predetermined threshold separation force; wherein the switch is a momentary contact switch that does not maintain said changed state after said minimum predetermined threshold separation force is no longer applied.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
84 words
A device according to Claim 2, wherein one (66) of the contact elements includes a rim (73) and a dome (74) that is deflected from one side of the rim to the other when a force is applied to the dome in accordance with the direction in which the force is applied to the dome, and another one (65) of the contact elements includes a ring that contacts the dome when the dome is deflected from one side of the rim to the other.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
302 words
A device for deterring theft of a protected article (18), the device comprising means for attaching the device to the article, with said attaching means being embodied in two components (10,12,112) that are adapted to be locked together on opposite sides of a portion of said article to prevent unauthorized removal of the device from the article, wherein the attaching means include a pin (14) that is anchored within one component (10) and a clutch (16, 116) contained in the other component (12, 112) for grasping the pin to provide a predetermined retaining force for resisting separation of the components by prying or pulling the components apart; means (64) for detecting application to the two components of at least a first predetermined threshold separation force applied in opposition to said predetermined retaining force; and a transponder (68) coupled to the detecting means for responding to an irradiated interrogation signal by radiating an alarm signal when the detecting means detect application to the two components of at least said first predetermined threshold separation force; wherein at least one (10) of the two components includes at least one opening (31) and at least one fragile vial (20) containing a detrimental substance (22) that damages an article attached to the device when the vial is fractured and the detrimental substance is released from the fractured vial through said at least one opening onto the attached article, with said at least one vial being disposed in said at least one of the two components in such a manner as to fracture when at least a predetermined pressure is applied thereto by application to the two components of at least a second predetermined threshold separation force that is less than that required to overcome said predetermined retaining force and more than said first predetermined threshold separation force.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
302 words
A device for deterring theft of a protected article (18), the device comprising means for attaching the device to the article, with said attaching means being embodied in two components (10,12,112) that are adapted to be locked together on opposite sides of a portion of said article to prevent unauthorized removal of the device from the article, wherein the attaching means include a pin (14) that is anchored within one component (10) and a clutch (16, 116) contained in the other component (12, 112) for grasping the pin to provide a predetermined retaining force for resisting separation of the components by prying or pulling the components apart; means (64) for detecting application to the two components of at least a first predetermined threshold separation force applied in opposition to said predetermined retaining force; and a transponder (68) coupled to the detecting means for responding to an irradiated interrogation signal by radiating an alarm signal when the detecting means detect application to the two components of at least said first predetermined threshold separation force; wherein at least one (10) of the two components includes at least one opening (31) and at least one fragile vial (20) containing a detrimental substance (22) that damages an article attached to the device when the vial is fractured and the detrimental substance is released from the fractured vial through said at least one opening onto the attached article, with said at least one vial being disposed in said at least one of the two components in such a manner as to fracture when at least a predetermined pressure is applied thereto by application to the two components of at least a second predetermined threshold separation force that is less than that required to overcome said predetermined retaining force and more than said first predetermined threshold separation force.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
151 words
A device according to Claim 4, wherein the detecting means (64) comprises an electrical switch having contact elements (65, 66) disposed in one of the two components (12) such that the state of the switch is changed by application to the two components of at least a predetermined threshold separation force applied in opposition to said predetermined retaining force to thereby detect said application of at least said predetermined threshold separation force; and wherein one of the contact elements (66) includes a rim (73) and a dome (74) that is deflected from one side of the rim to the other when a force is applied to the dome in accordance with the direction in which the force is applied to the dome, and another one (65) of the contact elements includes a ring that contacts the dome when the dome is deflected from one side of the rim to the other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
A device according to Claim 1, 3 or 5, wherein the clutch-containing component (12) includes at least one hole (80) for inserting a tool for deflecting the dome (74) toward the clutch (16) by applying force to the dome with the tool to reset the switch contact elements (65, 66).
Claim 10
Independent Claim
319 words
A system for detecting attempted removal from a protected article (18) of theft-deterrence device that includes means for attaching the device to the article, with said attaching means being embodied in two components (10, 12, 112) that are adapted to be locked together on opposite sides of a portion of said article to prevent unauthorized removal of the device from the article, wherein the attaching means include a pin (14) that is anchored within one component (10) and a clutch (16, 116) contained in the other component (12, 112) for grasping the pin to provide a predetermined retaining force for resisting separation of the components by prying or pulling the components apart, the system including means (64) for detecting application to the two components of at least a first predetermined threshold separation force applied in opposition to said predetermined retaining force; a transponder (68) coupled to the detecting means for responding to an irradiated interrogation signal (194) by radiating an alarm signal (198) when the detecting means detect application to the two components of at least said first predetermined threshold separation force; and means (192) for detecting said alarm signal; wherein at least one (10) of the two components includes at least one opening (31) and at least one fragile vial (20) containing a detrimental substance (22) that damages an article attached to the device when the vial is fractured and the detrimental substance is released from the fractured vial through said at least one opening onto the attached article, with said at least one vial being disposed in said at least one of the two components in such a manner as to fracture when at least a predetermined pressure is applied thereto by application to the two components of at least a second predetermined threshold separation force that is less than that required to overcome said predetermined retaining force and more than said first predetermined threshold separation force.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
319 words
A system for detecting attempted removal from a protected article (18) of theft-deterrence device that includes means for attaching the device to the article, with said attaching means being embodied in two components (10, 12, 112) that are adapted to be locked together on opposite sides of a portion of said article to prevent unauthorized removal of the device from the article, wherein the attaching means include a pin (14) that is anchored within one component (10) and a clutch (16, 116) contained in the other component (12, 112) for grasping the pin to provide a predetermined retaining force for resisting separation of the components by prying or pulling the components apart, the system including means (64) for detecting application to the two components of at least a first predetermined threshold separation force applied in opposition to said predetermined retaining force; a transponder (68) coupled to the detecting means for responding to an irradiated interrogation signal (194) by radiating an alarm signal (198) when the detecting means detect application to the two components of at least said first predetermined threshold separation force; and means (192) for detecting said alarm signal; wherein at least one (10) of the two components includes at least one opening (31) and at least one fragile vial (20) containing a detrimental substance (22) that damages an article attached to the device when the vial is fractured and the detrimental substance is released from the fractured vial through said at least one opening onto the attached article, with said at least one vial being disposed in said at least one of the two components in such a manner as to fracture when at least a predetermined pressure is applied thereto by application to the two components of at least a second predetermined threshold separation force that is less than that required to overcome said predetermined retaining force and more than said first predetermined threshold separation force.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
250 words
A system for detecting attempted removal from a protected article (18) of a theft-deterrence device that includes means for attaching the device to the article, with said attaching means being embodied in two components (10, 12) that are adapted to be locked together on opposite sides of a portion of said article to prevent unauthorized removal of the device from the article, wherein the attaching means include a pin (14) that is anchored within one component (10) and a clutch (16) contained in the other component (12) for grasping the pin to provide a predetermined retaining force for resisting separation of the components by prying or pulling the components apart, the system including an electrical switch (64) having contact elements (65, 66) disposed in one (12) of the two components such that the state of the switch is changed by application to the two components of at least a predetermined threshold separation force applied in opposition to said predetermined retaining force to thereby detect said application of at least said predetermined threshold separation force; a transponder (68) coupled to the switch for responding to an irradiated interrogation signal (194) by radiating an alarm signal (198) when the switch changes state in response to application to the two components of at least said predetermined threshold separation force; and means (192) for detecting said alarm signal; wherein the switch is a momentary contact switch that does not maintain said changed state after said minimum predetermined threshold separation force is no longer applied.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
250 words
A system for detecting attempted removal from a protected article (18) of a theft-deterrence device that includes means for attaching the device to the article, with said attaching means being embodied in two components (10, 12) that are adapted to be locked together on opposite sides of a portion of said article to prevent unauthorized removal of the device from the article, wherein the attaching means include a pin (14) that is anchored within one component (10) and a clutch (16) contained in the other component (12) for grasping the pin to provide a predetermined retaining force for resisting separation of the components by prying or pulling the components apart, the system including an electrical switch (64) having contact elements (65, 66) disposed in one (12) of the two components such that the state of the switch is changed by application to the two components of at least a predetermined threshold separation force applied in opposition to said predetermined retaining force to thereby detect said application of at least said predetermined threshold separation force; a transponder (68) coupled to the switch for responding to an irradiated interrogation signal (194) by radiating an alarm signal (198) when the switch changes state in response to application to the two components of at least said predetermined threshold separation force; and means (192) for detecting said alarm signal; wherein the switch is a momentary contact switch that does not maintain said changed state after said minimum predetermined threshold separation force is no longer applied.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system according to Claim 7 or 8, wherein the means (192) for detecting the alarm signal (198) are installed in proximity to a secluded area within a store, the system further comprising means (190) for radiating said interrogation signal (194) within said secluded area.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system according to Claim 8, wherein the transponder (68) is adapted to respond to the irradiated interrogation signal by radiating a first signal when the switch contact elements (65, 66) are not in said changed contact relationship and by radiating said alarm signal when the switch contact elements are in said changed contact relation- ship.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.