Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-19
2001-07-03
Hofsass, Jeffery (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C340S572900
Reexamination Certificate
active
06255950
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
(Not Applicable)
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to electronic article surveillance systems, and more particularly to tacks used to secure electronic article surveillance tags to articles.
2. Description of the Relevant Art
Tacks are utilized to secure electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags to articles such as garments. The term “tack” traditionally means a one part nail-like metal pin with a large head. It is also used to define a two part assembly of a nail-like metal pin with a large disk shaped plastic head. The tack is pushed through the portion of the garment or article. The tag has a receiving aperture for the tack, and the tag has structure for releasably engaging the tack. The tack/tag assembly cannot be removed from the article without a special tool of some kind, usually a device which magnetically or mechanically moves a portion of the engagement structure of the tag to release the tack. The tag, as is known in the prior art, has structure which is detectable by an electronic monitor. This structure signals the presence of the tag if the article with the tag attached passes the monitor. This signal typically creates an alarm condition, to notify security personnel of the attempted theft of the article. Disengagement structure is usually provided at the check-out location, so that the tack can be disconnected from the tag and the tag can be removed from the article by the cashier at the time that the customer pays for the article.
The removal of the tack from the tag by the cashier or other authorized person creates a hazardous condition because the point of the tack must be relatively sharp in order to pierce the garment or article without damaging it. The exposed point of the tack will pierce skin if handled inappropriately or if an accident occurs. This penetration of the tack creates both a concern for physical injury, as well as infection. Store personnel are trained to properly handle the tacks, however, accidents can still occur. Also, there is a growing interest in self check-out systems in which the customers will themselves pay for goods and remove the tags/tacks without the assistance of cashiers. There would be a risk of injury to the customers by the exposed tacks, and it is therefore desirable to provide a tack/tag assembly which will reduce the risk of injury by the exposed tacks of EAS tags.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a tack assembly for an EAS tag different from the traditional tack. This new-art tack assembly includes a tack (defined herein as a nail-like metal pin), a tack-head (especially shaped), a biasing structure such as a compression spring (spring), and a tack assembly housing (housing). The tack-head is movably mounted within a housing. Biasing structure such as a spring is provided to move the tack-head and tack between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, the tack extends from an aperture in the housing and can be pushed through the article and placed into the receiving aperture of the tag. In the retracted position, the tack is positioned within the housing such that the point of the tack is not exposed and cannot cause injury.
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Advertisement for “Supertag Electronic Article Surveillance System,” Sensormatic Electronics Corporation, Deerfield Beach, FL, 1994.
Akerman Senterfitt & Eidson, P.A.
Hofsass Jeffery
Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
Tang Son
LandOfFree
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