Systems and methods for locking a sensor to a base

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11399640-B2
Application number	US-201816144481-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 27, 2018
Priority date	Aug 27, 2014
Publication date	Aug 2, 2022
Grant date	Aug 2, 2022

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to merchandise display systems and methods for displaying an article of merchandise. In one example, the system includes a sensor configured to be secured to the article of merchandise. The sensor includes a first engagement member. The system also includes a base configured to removably support the sensor thereon. The base includes a second engagement member configured to releasably engage the first engagement member such that the sensor is locked to the base. The sensor is configured to rotate with respect to the base while locked thereto.

First claim

That which is claimed is:

1. A merchandise display system for displaying an article of merchandise comprising:
a sensor configured to be secured to the article of merchandise and to detect removal of the article of merchandise from the sensor;
a tether attached to the sensor;
a base configured to removably support the sensor thereon such that the sensor is configured to be removed from the base and seated on the base, the base defining an opening configured to receive the tether and allow the tether to extend and retract relative to the base, the base comprising a plurality of engagement members configured to releasably lock the sensor to the base when the sensor is seated on the base, wherein the sensor is configured to rotate with respect to the base while locked thereto;
a lock mechanism in operable engagement with the plurality of engagement members and configured to be actuated to cause the plurality of engagement members to move inward within the opening for locking the sensor on the base in a locked position or outward for unlocking the sensor from the base in an unlocked position,
wherein the lock mechanism and each of the plurality of engagement members comprises an engagement element, the engagement elements having complementary shapes such that the engagement element of the lock mechanism is configured to engage the engagement elements of the plurality of engagement members for moving the plurality of engagement members between the unlocked position and the locked position.

2. The merchandise display system of claim 1 , wherein the lock mechanism comprises a cam mechanism.

3. The merchandise display system of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of engagement members is configured to move within a plane that is perpendicular to an axis extending through the opening.

4. The merchandise display system of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of engagement members is configured to engage an engagement member of the sensor for locking the sensor on the base.

5. The merchandise display system of claim 1 , wherein the lock mechanism is configured to rotate in a first plane, and wherein each of the plurality of engagement members is configured to move inward and outward along a second plane different than the first plane.

6. The merchandise display system of claim 1 , wherein the lock mechanism is configured to guide the plurality of engagement members between predetermined engaged and disengaged positions.

7. The merchandise display system of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of engagement members is configured to move radially inward and radially outward.

8. The merchandise display system of claim 1 , wherein the lock mechanism comprises a spring.

9. The merchandise display system of claim 1 , wherein one of the engagement elements is a slot.

10. The merchandise display system of claim 9 , wherein the slot is configured to receive the other engagement elements therein.

11. The merchandise display system of claim 9 , wherein the lock mechanism is configured to be rotated for moving the slot to cause the plurality of engagement members to move between the locked and unlocked positions.

12. The merchandise display system of claim 9 , wherein the slot is configured to guide the plurality of engagement members from the unlocked position to the locked position and from the locked position to the unlocked position.

13. The merchandise display system of claim 1 , wherein the engagement element of the lock mechanism is a slot.

14. The merchandise display system of claim 13 , wherein the slot is configured to receive the engagement elements of the plurality of engagement members therein.

15. The merchandise display system of claim 1 , wherein the lock mechanism comprises a plurality of engagement elements.

16. The merchandise display system of claim 1 , wherein the lock mechanism is configured to be rotated for moving the engagement element of the lock mechanism to cause the plurality of engagement members to move between the locked and unlocked positions.

17. The merchandise display system of claim 1 , wherein the lock mechanism is configured to be rotated to cause the plurality of engagement members to move inward within the opening for locking the sensor on the base in the locked position or outward for unlocking the sensor from the base in the unlocked position.

18. The merchandise display system of claim 17 , wherein the lock mechanism is configured to be rotated less than a complete revolution in order to lock the sensor to the base.

19. The merchandise display system of claim 17 , wherein the lock mechanism is configured to be rotated with a key less than a complete revolution in order to lock the sensor to the base.

20. The merchandise display system of claim 17 , further comprising a key configured to rotate the lock mechanism.

21. The merchandise display system of claim 1 , wherein the engagement element of the lock mechanism is configured to receive the engagement elements of the plurality of engagement members for moving the plurality of engagement members between the unlocked position and the locked position.

22. The merchandise display system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of engagement members comprises at least a pair of engagement members positioned radially opposite one another.

23. The merchandise display system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of engagement members are biased towards the unlocked position.

24. A merchandise display system for displaying an article of merchandise comprising:
a sensor configured to be secured to the article of merchandise and to detect removal of the article of merchandise from the sensor;
a tether attached to the sensor;
a base configured to removably support the sensor thereon such that the sensor is configured to be removed from the base and seated on the base, the base defining an opening configured to receive the tether and allow the tether to extend and retract relative to the base, the base comprising a plurality of engagement members positioned radially opposite one another and configured to releasably lock the sensor to the base when the sensor is seated on the base, wherein the sensor is configured to rotate with respect to the base while locked thereto;
a lock mechanism in operable engagement with the plurality of engagement members and configured to be actuated to cause the plurality of engagement members to move inward within the opening for locking the sensor on the base in a locked position or outward for unlocking the sensor from the base in an unlocked position.

Assignees

• Invue Security Products Inc

Inventors

• Berglund David N
• Kerley Matthew Thomas

Classifications

• G08B13/1418

  Removal detected by failure in electrical connection between the appliance and a control centre, home control panel or a power supply · CPC title

• G08B13/1463

  Physical arrangements, e.g. housings (devices to prevent theft or loss of purses, luggage or hand carried bags A45C13/18) · CPC title

• A47F7/024 Primary

  with provisions for preventing unauthorised removal {(show cases with devices for prevention of theft A47F3/002; devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal E05B73/0017)} · CPC title

• E05B73/0005

  using chains, cables or the like (chain- or cable-locks of the padlock type E05B67/003; lockable clothing hangers or hanger racks E05B69/006) · CPC title

• G08B13/1445

  with detection of interference with a cable tethering an article, e.g. alarm activated by detecting detachment of article, breaking or stretching of cable (furniture, e.g. shelves for displaying merchandise, incorporating tethers to prevent theft A47F7/024, A47F5/0861) · CPC title