Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-31
2001-12-04
Hofsass, Jeffery (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C340S572100, C340S571000, C340S572800, C340S568100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06326890
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an anti-theft device for objects having portions which can be surrounded by straps or the like.
It is known that anti-theft devices provided with a component which is adapted to be detected if it is immersed in an electromagnetic field normally generated in the presence of a guided exit of the shop or business concern in which the anti-theft devices are adopted, are currently increasingly widespread.
These devices are rigidly coupled to the object to be protected against theft and are separated from it by breaking or by removal by means of special tools, normally when the object is regularly purchased and before the purchaser leaves the shop.
Such devices are generally characterized in that they comprise a strap which is adapted to close like a noose on an application portion of the object to be protected against theft.
The strap is provided with a container for a device which is excitable and therefore detectable in the presence of electromagnetic fields: the strap extends with two portions from the container of the excitable device, namely a rack-shaped first portion with teeth having a triangular cross-section and a second portion which instead supports an anti-theft device composed of a box-like expanded region which is provided with a through hole and accommodates an elastic tab which is shaped complementarily to the rack of the first portion.
Once the first portion of the strap is inserted into the second one, the rack-like portion irreversibly engages the tab, stably fixing the container that accommodates the excitable device to the object of application.
These devices have drawbacks, including limited versatility.
The length of the portion of the strap that supports the box-like expanded region with a through hole in fact determines the minimum perimeter of the portion of the object to be coupled.
The length of the rack-like portion instead determines the maximum perimeter.
Moreover, in the internal part of the strap there are protrusions or studs which do ensure the locking of the device in some cases but hinder its use in others, because they stiffen the strap.
Still further, in some applications the device moves, making it difficult to use for demonstration purposes the product to which the device is connected.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of conventional anti-theft devices by providing a device which has a more versatile use and can be disconnected from the object of application without having to break it.
Another object of the invention is to provide a device which is compact and which, once applied to an object, does not alter its aesthetic appearance or prevent its use for demonstration before sale.
Another object of the invention is to obtain a device which allows to use the object of application for demonstration before sale without the device moving and being an annoyance for the user.
Another object of the invention is to provide a device which can be marketed at competitive prices.
These and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by an anti-theft device for objects provided with surroundable portions which comprises a strap, an enclosure which contains an excitable signaling component and an engagement means in which it is possible to insert and lock a first end of the strap, characterized in that said engagement means is rigidly coupled to, and adjacent to, said enclosure together with a coupling element for the mating of a second end of the strap, which is closed like a noose onto the element to be protected against theft.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3874034 (1975-04-01), Clayton
patent: 5524463 (1996-06-01), Schenkel et al.
patent: 5883576 (1999-03-01), De La Huerga
patent: 5969613 (1999-10-01), Yeager et al.
patent: 6044669 (2000-04-01), Levi
Hofsass Jeffery
Josif Albert
Modiano Guido
Nguyen Hung
O'Byrne Daniel
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