The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 27, 2001
Filed:
Aug. 28, 2000
Philip K. Sykes, Shoreview, MN (US);
Emplast, Inc., Chanhassen, MN (US);
Abstract
A security device for use in retail establishments to lock onto articles which are for sale and which optionally has enclosed an electronic article surveillance tag to prevent shoplifting. The security device has four hinged walls with flanges for wrapping around and securing an item therein. The front wall has a locking mechanism and a strap. A male member on the locking mechanism fits through apertures in the strap and into a female locking mechanism portion. The locking mechanism cannot be opened without a key. The locking mechanism comprises a pair of asymmetric tines which are on opposite sides of an asymmetric engagement member. To lock the security device the asymmetric engagement member spreads apart the asymmetric tines until the asymmetric engagement member gets passed the asymmetric tines. The asymmetric tines close behind the asymmetric engagement member and lock the asymmetric engagement member in place. The asymmetric tines must be separated by an asymmetric key to allow the asymmetric engagement member to pass by the asymmetric tines to unlock the security device. The asymmetric tines and the asymmetric engagement member are shaped to prevent tampering with the locking mechanism and making the security device harder to open without a complimentary asymmetrically shaped key.