US5497639A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-cuttable device for attachment of shoplifting detection tag
Assignee: Link Enterprises Inc
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Filing: 1994-11-15
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Granted: 1996-03-12
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Expires: 2014-11-15
Abstract
Abstract A device for enabling attachment of a shoplifting detection tag to an article to be protected includes a first attachment rod having an eyelet at one end, a center portion having a bend, and a straight portion at the opposite end from the eyelet suitable for insertion into a clutch mechanism of a shoplifting detection tag; and a second attachment rod having an eyelet at one end, a center portion having a bend, and a straight portion at the opposite end from the eyelet. The first and second attachment rods and the eyelets thereof are of such relative dimensions that the first and second attachment rods may be fitted together to encompass a portion of the article to be protected by passing the straight portion of the first rod through the eyelet of the second rod and by passing the straight portion of the second rod through the eyelet of the first rod, while allowing the straight portion of the first rod to be inserted into the clutch mechanism of the shoplifting detection tag. The attachment rods are made from steel rods that are hardened so as not to be cuttable with hand tools.
Inventors
- 👤 Lincoln H. Charlot, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:44
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05B; E05B73/00; E05B73/0017; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/44; Y10T24/44573; Y10T24/44615; Y10T24/50; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/65; Y10T403/655; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/50; Y10T70/5004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
274 words
A method of attaching a shoplifting detection tag to an article to be protected, comprising the steps of: (a) providing an attachment device including a first attachment rod having an eyelet at one end, a center portion having a bend, and a straight portion at the opposite end from the eyelet suitable for insertion into a clutch mechanism of a shoplifting detection tag; and a second attachment rod having an eyelet at one end, a center portion having a bend, and a straight portion at the opposite end from the eyelet; wherein the first and second attachment rods and the eyelets thereof are of such relative dimensions that the first and second attachment rods may be fitted together to encompass a portion of the article to be protected by passing the straight portion of the first rod through the eyelet of the second rod and by passing the straight portion of the second rod through the eyelet of the first rod, while allowing the straight portion of the first rod to be inserted into the clutch mechanism of the shoplifting detection tag; (b) fitting the first and second attachment rods together to encompass said portion of the article to be protected by passing the straight portion of the first rod through the eyelet of the second rod and by passing the straight portion of the second rod through the eyelet of the first rod, while allowing the straight portion of the first rod to be inserted into the clutch mechanism of the shoplifting detection tag; and (c) inserting the straight portion of the first rod into the clutch mechanism of the shoplifting detection tag.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
274 words
A method of attaching a shoplifting detection tag to an article to be protected, comprising the steps of: (a) providing an attachment device including a first attachment rod having an eyelet at one end, a center portion having a bend, and a straight portion at the opposite end from the eyelet suitable for insertion into a clutch mechanism of a shoplifting detection tag; and a second attachment rod having an eyelet at one end, a center portion having a bend, and a straight portion at the opposite end from the eyelet; wherein the first and second attachment rods and the eyelets thereof are of such relative dimensions that the first and second attachment rods may be fitted together to encompass a portion of the article to be protected by passing the straight portion of the first rod through the eyelet of the second rod and by passing the straight portion of the second rod through the eyelet of the first rod, while allowing the straight portion of the first rod to be inserted into the clutch mechanism of the shoplifting detection tag; (b) fitting the first and second attachment rods together to encompass said portion of the article to be protected by passing the straight portion of the first rod through the eyelet of the second rod and by passing the straight portion of the second rod through the eyelet of the first rod, while allowing the straight portion of the first rod to be inserted into the clutch mechanism of the shoplifting detection tag; and (c) inserting the straight portion of the first rod into the clutch mechanism of the shoplifting detection tag.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the rods have a non-machinable hardness.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the rods have a hardness of at least Rockwell "C" 45.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the rods are of such hardness that the rods cannot be cut by hand tools.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the portions of the rods defining the eyelets are seamless.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
177 words
A device for enabling attachment of a shoplifting detection tag to an article to be protected, comprising a first attachment rod having an eyelet at one end, a center portion having a bend, and a straight portion at the opposite end from the eyelet comprising a means for insertion into a clutch mechanism of a shoplifting detection tag; and a second attachment rod having an eyelet at one end, a center portion having a bend, and a straight portion at the opposite end from the eyelet; wherein the first and second attachment rods and the eyelets thereof are of such relative dimensions that the first and second attachment rods may be fitted together to encompass a portion of the article to be protected by passing the straight portion of the first rod through the eyelet of the second rod and by passing the straight portion of the second rod through the eyelet of the first rod, while allowing the straight portion of the first rod to be inserted into the clutch mechanism of the shoplifting detection tag.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
177 words
A device for enabling attachment of a shoplifting detection tag to an article to be protected, comprising a first attachment rod having an eyelet at one end, a center portion having a bend, and a straight portion at the opposite end from the eyelet comprising a means for insertion into a clutch mechanism of a shoplifting detection tag; and a second attachment rod having an eyelet at one end, a center portion having a bend, and a straight portion at the opposite end from the eyelet; wherein the first and second attachment rods and the eyelets thereof are of such relative dimensions that the first and second attachment rods may be fitted together to encompass a portion of the article to be protected by passing the straight portion of the first rod through the eyelet of the second rod and by passing the straight portion of the second rod through the eyelet of the first rod, while allowing the straight portion of the first rod to be inserted into the clutch mechanism of the shoplifting detection tag.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 6, wherein the rods have a non-machinable hardness.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 6, wherein the rods have a hardness of at least Rockwell "C" 45.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 6, wherein the rods are of such hardness that the rods cannot be cut by hand tools.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 6, wherein the portions of the rods defining the eyelets are seamless.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 6, wherein at least the center portion of at least one of the rods is semi-flexible.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 11, wherein the rods have a non-machinable hardness.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 11, wherein the rods have a hardness of at least Rockwell "C" 45.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 11, wherein the rods are of such hardness that the rods cannot be cut by hand tools.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-03-12 | 1999-09-11 | 2000-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-03-12 | 2003-09-11 | 2004-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-03-12 | 2007-09-11 | 2008-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |