Recoiler for a merchandise security system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017206759-A1
Application number	US-201715474338-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 30, 2017
Priority date	Oct 12, 2015
Publication date	Jul 20, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to recoilers, merchandise security systems, and methods for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise from theft. In one example, the merchandise security system includes a sensor configured to be secured to the article of merchandise and a base for removably supporting the sensor and the item of merchandise thereon. The system also includes a recoiler operably coupled to the sensor. The recoiler includes a rotatable member defining a helical recess. The system further includes a cable configured to connect to the sensor and to be unwound from and wound on the rotatable member as the cable is extended and retracted. The cable is configured to be extended from the recoiler in response to the sensor being lifted off of the base, and the cable is configured to be retracted into the recoiler in response to the sensor being moved to a seated position on the base. The helical recess is configured to at least partially receive the cable therein as the cable is wound on the rotatable member.

First claim

1 . A merchandise security system for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise from theft, comprising:
a sensor configured to be secured to the article of merchandise; a base for removably supporting the sensor and the article of merchandise thereon; a recoiler operably coupled to the sensor, the recoiler comprising a rotatable member defining a helical recess; and a cable configured to connect to the sensor and to be unwound from and wound on the rotatable member as the cable is extended and retracted, wherein the cable is configured to be extended from the base in response to the sensor being lifted off of the base, and wherein the cable is configured to be retracted into the base in response to the sensor being moved to a seated position on the base, and wherein the helical recess is configured to at least partially receive the cable therein as the cable is wound on the rotatable member.

2 . The merchandise security system of claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the rotatable member defines the helical recess.

3 . The merchandise security system of claim 2 , wherein the helical recess has a pitch of less than about 5 mm.

4 . The merchandise security system of claim 1 , further comprising a spring fixed to one end of the rotatable member.

5 . The merchandise security system of claim 4 , further comprising a slip ring at an opposite end of the spring.

6 . The merchandise security system of claim 1 , further comprising a slip ring coupled to the rotatable member and electrically connected to the cable.

7 . The merchandise security system of claim 6 , wherein the cable comprises a plurality of electrical conductors that are electrically connected to the slip ring.

8 . The merchandise security system of claim 1 , wherein the rotatable member is configured to rotate about an axis as the cable is wound on and unwound from the rotatable member.

9 . The merchandise security system of claim 1 , wherein the cable is configured to be wound about the rotatable member such that the cable overlaps itself on the rotatable member.

10 . The merchandise security system of claim 9 , wherein the cable is configured to be wound about the rotatable member and within the helical recess to define a first layer of cable, and wherein the cable is configured to be wound about the first layer of cable to define a second layer of cable.

11 . The merchandise security system of claim 10 , wherein the cable is configured to be wound in a first helical direction to define the first layer of cable and to be wound in a second helical direction to define the second layer of cable.

12 . The merchandise security system of claim 11 , wherein the first and second helical directions are opposite to one another.

13 . The merchandise security system of claim 1 , wherein the rotatable member comprises a spool.

14 . The merchandise security system of claim 1 , wherein the base is configured to house the recoiler therein.

15 . The merchandise security system of claim 1 , further comprising an auxiliary port disposed within the base and configured to operably connect to an auxiliary device of the article of merchandise.

16 . A method for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise from theft, comprising:
securing a sensor to the article of merchandise, a recoiler operably coupled to the sensor and comprising a rotatable member defining a helical recess; attaching a base to a support surface for removably supporting the sensor and the article of merchandise thereon; and connecting a cable to the sensor, wherein the cable is configured to be extended from the base in response to the sensor being lifted off of the base, wherein the cable is configured to be retracted into the base in response to the sensor being moved to a seated position on the base, and wherein the helical recess is configured to at least partially receive the cable therein as the cable is wound on the rotatable member.

17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising lifting the sensor and the article of merchandise from the base.

18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising placing the sensor on the base such that the cable winds about the rotatable member and overlaps itself on the rotatable member.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein placing comprises placing the sensor on the base such that the cable winds about the rotatable member and within the helical recess to define a first layer of cable and such that the cable winds about the first layer of cable to define a second layer of cable.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein placing comprises placing the sensor on the base such that the cable winds in a first helical direction to define the first layer of cable and to wind in a second helical direction to define the second layer of cable.

21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the first and second helical directions are opposite to one another.

22 . The method of claim 16 , wherein connecting comprises connecting the cable to the sensor with a releasable connector.

23 . (canceled)

24 . (canceled)

25 . The merchandise security system of claim 15 , wherein a sense loop is defined in the cable and the auxiliary port for detecting a security event.

26 . The merchandise security system of claim 25 , wherein the base is configured to transfer power to the article of merchandise and the auxiliary device.

27 . The merchandise security system of claim 1 , further comprising a lock mechanism configured to lock the sensor to the base when the sensor is seated on the base to thereby prevent the sensor from being lifted off of the base.

28 . The merchandise security system of claim 27 , wherein the lock mechanism comprises a fastener.

29 . The merchandise security system of claim 1 , wherein each of the base and the sensor includes one or more electrical contacts for facilitating contact charging when the sensor is seated on the base.

Assignees

• Invue Security Products Inc

Inventors

• Berglund David N
• Baker Kyle
• Bisesti Robert

Classifications

• E05B73/0082

  for office machines, e.g. PC's, portable computers, typewriters, calculators · CPC title

• A47F7/024

  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

• G08B13/1409

  for removal detection of electrical appliances by detecting their physical disconnection from an electrical system, e.g. using a switch incorporated in the plug connector · CPC title

• G08B13/1463 Primary

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

• B65H75/265 Primary

  Reels with grooves or grooved elements inhibiting aligned or orderly winding · CPC title