EP2419587B1 - Anti-theft device for commodity items - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an anti-theft system, particularly shoplifting, for the purpose of protecting over-the-counter items in a commercial retail establishment.

More specifically, the invention relates to a rigid antitheft device, of the tag or macaroon type, intended to be associated with an article of clothing such as cloth, shoe, leather goods, in fact any article that can be traversed by a pointed fastener without this fastener. does not damage or damage the item once removed.

This type of known device usually comprises a first part constituted by a racking element in the form of a nail, and a second molded plastic part comprising a cavity adapted to receive said racking element, and housing a locking system intended for retain the racking element in the cavity, and a resonant electrical circuit associated with said locking system.

The device is placed on the article by stitching the latter according to one of its faces with the nail, and applying at the opposite side of the article the second piece, so that the pointed stem of the nail having passed through the article is introduced into the appropriate cavity and is retained there through the locking system.

The patent application FR 2,395,553 describes for example such a device. The article to be protected is thus traversed by the nail and pinched against the opposite part of the device holding said nail. The resonant electrical circuit housed in the device is likely to respond to the presence of a magnetic field, radio frequency or electromagnetic interrogation of an external detection system. When the article provided with the antitheft device passes through a control or interrogation zone, the antitheft device's electrical circuit cooperates with the detection system put in place, causing the triggering of an alarm signal at the resonance frequency of the electrical circuit of the device.

The removal of the antitheft device is performed by means of a magnetic support tool, on which the portion of the device provided with the locking system is applied. The locking system of the device comprises a retaining piece of magnetic material capable of being movable and associated with a spring. By positioning the antitheft device carrying the locking system on the magnet, the creation of a magnetic field around the magnetic retaining piece and sensitive to this field, causes the attraction of said retaining piece; the movement of the part releases the nail rod which is then elastically pushed by the spring. The two parts, the one provided with the locking system and the nail, can then be separated from each other; and the remaining nail on the item can be removed.

Such anti-theft devices are arranged on thousands of over-the-counter items. This device installation operation which remains manual to date must be done quickly when the products are shelved or beforehand. However, this manual operation, consisting of grasping a nail, to pierce the article with the nail, and to present against the opposite face of the article and facing the nail, the part of the device ensuring the maintenance of the nail, requires many gestures that have further disadvantages.

Thus, the risk of finger prick when entering and placing the nail is important. In addition, the escape of nails on the ground is not uncommon, also implying a significant risk of foot stitching for personnel who do not always wear suitable shoes.

Moreover, in order to correctly position the part receiving the nail on the other face of the article having been traversed by the nail, and suitably target the nail receiving cavity, particularly for clothing, it is generally necessary to return the article, which ultimately slows down the execution of tasks.

In addition, the device is generally placed anywhere on the article, risking not being easily found during the checkout, or even sometimes forgotten, causing inconvenience and dissatisfaction for the customer who sees it well after his exit of the place of sale.

In addition, during the step of removing the device at the box, the person in charge of this operation must keep the article on the magnetic unlocking tool while recovering the parts separately and place them in separate storage bins, which most often results in a risk of loss of at least one part of the device, usually the nail, which escapes by too fast handling of the article and parts of the device.

Finally, it is still possible to seize an article without paying for it, especially a cloth or garment. The device is removed by cutting the tissue around the nail head to disengage the tissue from it. This cutout, limited to the area of the head of nail and can be easily sewn, can be considered as little harmful to the gain obtained.

Devices disclosed for example in US patents US3947930 or US5019801 , or US4670950 propose to link the racking element (nail) to the attachment piece to avoid the loss of the nail when attaching or removing it to the article.

These devices therefore provide a particularly useful solution. Furthermore, if the removal of the nail from its housing is accompanied by a substantially elastic movement with the constituent material of the element carrying the nail, it is still desirable to improve the release of the nail out of its housing.

The invention overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks by providing a simpler antitheft device, minimizing the risk of punctures and loss of part of the device, and improving its handling.

For this purpose, the device according to the invention, intended to be attached to an article over the counter, preferably clothing and in particular near the edge of the article, is in accordance with claim 1.

Thus, the racking element always remains associated with the fastener with which it is intended to cooperate for the establishment of the antitheft device on the article, avoiding any loss of the racking element during the attaching or removing it to the article.

In addition, the spring provides an extremely fast opening of the fastener element out of its housing, giving it a spring effect guaranteed for ejection, gaining in handling time of the device. This saving of time is valuable in the accumulation of operations, including manipulation, imposed on store staff.

In addition, the use of a spring makes the device durable. Indeed, the flexibility of the devices of the prior art is provided by the constituent material and / or a curved shape of the connection zone between the fastener and the fastener. However, such configurations generate over time and use of the device, a fragility at said connection area, even risking the rupture of this area.

According to one characteristic, the spring is carried by an axis extending in a plane substantially transverse to the insertion or withdrawal direction of the fastening element.

According to one characteristic, the attachment piece constitutes a guide means of the racking element for the introduction thereof into the housing and a means for ejecting said racking element out of said housing. The user does not need to return the article once pierced by the nail to target the housing to receive the nail, because the fastener itself is sufficient to guide the nail without a gesture control, unlike to the prior art.

Advantageously, the fastener comprises an oblong body in preferential form of tongue which extends longitudinally from its base integral with an edge of the fastener, to its free opposite end carrying the plug-in element, and has a length adapted to arrange the racking element directly facing the housing.

This configuration of the attachment piece ensures rapid attachment of the device to the article to be protected by providing almost simultaneously the plugging step in the article and the inserting step of the element of racking in the housing of the fastener for locking.

In addition, the device according to the invention is thus advantageously used in the manner of a clamp to skewer the article to protect from theft.

This fastening virtually prevents any attempt to cut the article around the nail as is sometimes the case with current devices. Indeed, it would be necessary to remove, without authorized tools, the device of the article, to cut the article from the end of the part having the racking element to the edge of the part, forming a cutout too important to be stitched discreetly.

In addition, the antitheft device can only be arranged near the edge of an article to protect against theft due to the joining of the two parts of the device. The location of the device makes it easily identifiable on the article when it comes to remove it at the checkout.

According to one characteristic, the fastener has a suitable thickness and conformation, in particular a curved profile with a concavity turned towards the inside of the device, to give it both rigidity and elasticity so as to exert a restoring force, in the locked position of the racking element in the receiving housing.

Preferably, the body of the fastener has an internal face facing the fastener and an opposite outer face, the outer face being convex surface and / or the inner face comprising a reinforcing rib, preferably elongated and median, extending longitudinally to the body. These two variants contribute to the rigidity and strength of the tongue.

Preferably, the fastener is made of plastic, in particular PVC or HDPE.

According to another characteristic, the attachment piece and the fastener are made integral by molding, gluing or immovable interlocking. In particular, the fastener comprises two parts, a part provided with the fastening element and another part on the periphery of which is connected the first part and which constitutes a closure element of the fastener part housing the fastening system. locking.

According to another characteristic, the axis of the spring is made integral on the one hand with a distal end of the attachment piece opposite to the part carrying the racking element, and on the other hand with a portion of the edge. peripheral of the fastener.

The fastening of the axis of the spring to the connection zone of the fasteners and attachment piece is obtained by crimping.

According to yet another characteristic, the racking element comprises a head and a rod extending from the head and terminating in a pointed end, the head being made integral, preferably by molding or crimping, with the free end. of the attachment piece.

In addition, the device comprises, at the insertion orifice of the racking element towards the receiving housing, a flared-shaped inlet making it easier to guide the end of the plug-in element. towards the interior of the dwelling.

Finally, it is preferably the fastener which houses the electronic flight detection system.

• la figure 1 représente le dispositif selon un premier mode préféré de réalisation de l'invention en perspective et en fonctionnement dans la main d'un utilisateur ;
• la figure 2 représente une vue de profil schématique du dispositif selon l'invention en position déverrouillée;
• la figure 3 représente une coupe transversale schématique du dispositif selon l'invention en position verrouillée;
• la figure 4 représente une vue en perspective d'une partie du dispositif selon un deuxième mode préféré de réalisation de l'invention;
• la figure 5 représente une vue en perspective d'une partie du dispositif selon un troisième mode préféré de réalisation de l'invention ;
• les figures 6 et 7 sont respectivement des vues en perspective et en coupe d'un dispositif selon le mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention.

The invention will be better understood in the light of the description which follows, showing non-limiting examples of embodiments of the device of the invention, and referring to the appended drawings in which:

• the figure 1 represents the device according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention in perspective and in operation in the hand of a user;
• the figure 2 represents a schematic side view of the device according to the invention in the unlocked position;
• the figure 3 represents a schematic cross section of the device according to the invention in the locked position;
• the figure 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the device according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the device according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention;
• the Figures 6 and 7 are respectively perspective and sectional views of a device according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

The anti-theft devices 1 represented on the Figures 1 to 3 for one embodiment and on Figures 4 and 5 for variant embodiments are nonlimiting examples of embodiments. They are intended to be attached to over-the-counter items in retail establishments, such as clothing, leather goods or sports, to protect them from shoplifting.

An anti-theft device 1, as illustrated on the figure 1 , comprises according to the invention two parts 2 and 3 connected to one another. The first piece, said attachment 2, is intended to pass through the article to protect the flight (not shown), while the second piece, said fixing 3, is intended to be affixed against the article and to retain the attachment piece.

The parts 2 and 3 are preferably made of plastic, in particular polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high density polyethylene (HDPE).

The antitheft device 1 constitutes a unitary assembly, the fastening piece 2 being movable relative to the fixed fastening part 3, or conversely in the manner of a clamp.

The attachment piece 2, as visible on the figure 2 , comprises a body 20 and a racking element 4 intended to pass through the article to be protected from theft.

The body 20 of the part 2 comprises at least one portion 21, hereinafter referred to as a tongue having an oblong shape and having a thickness of a few millimeters.

In the embodiment described below, the body 20 further comprises a second portion 22 of substantially planar shape to which the tongue 21 is connected. This second portion 22 secures the tongue 21 to the fastening piece 3. It is secured to the fastener 3 by gluing, molding or immovable interlocking.

The tongue 21 comprises a first end or base 23 connected at the edge of the flat portion 22 and an opposite and free end 24 provided with the plug-in element 4.

The base 23 of the tongue extends in the direction of the central portion of the flat portion in a curved profile 25 concavity turned towards the inside of the device.

The tongue is sufficiently rigid to be held, at rest, in the raised position relative to the fastening piece 3 as visible on the figure 2 , and sufficiently flexible in particular by a radius of curvature adapted to the curved profile 25 to provide mobility required for its cooperation with the fastener 3.

The tongue length 21 from its base to its free end 24 is adapted so that the racking element 4 is substantially in line with the housing of the fastener 3 with which it is intended to cooperate as it will be seen later.

Because of its shape, its thickness and the elasticity imparted by the material that composes it, the tongue 20 is thus sufficiently flexible to ensure its mobility with respect to the fastening piece 3 at an amplitude between a so-called rest position and a so-called locking position. The rest position corresponds to the view of the figure 2 for which the racking element 4 connected to the attachment piece 2 does not cooperate with the fastener, while the locking position corresponds to the view of the figure 3 for which the racking element 4 cooperates with the inside of the fastener 3 by being locked therein.

Apart from the thickness and the nature of the material constituting the tongue providing a certain rigidity to said tongue, its rigidity can be reinforced, compared to the figure 4 , by a longitudinal rib and median 28 arranged on the inner face 21 has tab 21 facing the piece 3, and extending from the base 23 to near the end 24 receiving the nail 4. This rib reinforcement allows a better resistance to breakage of the tongue generated by the tension force it undergoes in the locked position.

The figure 5 illustrates a variant of the attachment piece 2 for which the rigidity of the tongue is reinforced by its outer face 21b opposite to the inner face 21a, this face being provided in its central region of a curved portion 21c.

The racking element 4 is made integral with the end 24 of the tongue 21 so that it is able to follow the movement of the tongue 21 with respect to the fastening piece 3.

Several types of racking elements 4 of the known type can be envisaged such as nails, needles, pins.

For example, the racking element is in the form of a nail comprising a head 40 and a rod 41 whose end 42 is pointed to pierce an article from side to side and oriented towards the fastener 3.

The head 40 is firmly associated with the end 24 of the tongue by crimping, molding, clipping, etc.

The fastener 3 is intended to receive the racking element or nail 4 after the attachment of the latter to the article to be protected.

As illustrated on the sectional view of the figure 3 , the fastener comprises a body 30 in which is housed a locking system 5 adapted to retain the racking element 4, and a resonant electronic system of known type (not shown) for cooperating with a transceiver outdoor detection and alarm.

The locking system 5 whose technical details are not here described because known per se comprises a receiving housing 50 whose shape is adapted to receive the rod 41 of the racking element 4.

The body 30 of the fastening piece 3 is closed by the flat portion 22 of the fastening piece 2 in a peripheral cooperation 31 and 22a of the body 30 and respectively of the flat portion 22. This cooperation is preferably carried out by interlocking irremovable.

Alternatively, the body 30 could consist of a closed shell obtained from either two half-shells cooperating with each other, or a single element closed and molded around the locking system and the resonant electronic system. The attachment piece 2 need not understand the flat portion 22 and could be limited to the tongue 21 which would be secured to the body 30 at its base 23.

The flat portion 22 of the fastener comprises in its thickness and facing the entrance of the housing 50 of the fastener 3, a hole 26 to be traversed by the nail 4 for the insertion of the latter in said housing 50.

Advantageously, the hole 26 has a shape substantially funnel so as to have an inlet 27 flared on the side of the face 22b of the flat portion 22 opposite the tongue. The inclined wall of the hole in the direction of the part 3 makes it possible to constitute a stop for the nail when it is introduced substantially vertically to said hole, and to facilitate its guidance.

Finally, it is provided in known manner, projecting from the face 22b of the flat portion 22 and around the hole 26, a circular shoulder 29. Its diameter is substantially equal to the diameter of the head 42 of the nail. The shoulder constitutes in the locked position an obstacle to the engagement of a lifting means that one would try to introduce under the elastic tongue and under the nail head, to try to pull the nail out of the locking system and therefore remove the anti-theft device.
In another embodiment illustrated on the Figures 6 and 7 , the device of the invention comprises a spring 6 associated with the connection zone 7 of the attachment piece 3 to the attachment piece 2.

These figures refer to the same references as those corresponding to the other embodiments described above. The elastic movement of the attachment piece to ensure the ejection of the fastening element 4 out of the housing 50 is obtained thanks to the spring 6.

The spring 6 is carried by an axis 8 secured to both the base 23 of the tongue 21 and a portion 32 of the peripheral edge of the fastener 3. the axis 8 is arranged in a substantially transverse plane to the X direction of engagement and withdrawal of the fastener. Alternatively, one can use a spring disposed along an axis parallel to the X direction, and housed between two stops.

The spring is arranged between two stops 60 and 61 provided by the base 23, but which could be constituted by other means. The spring has a stiffness adapted to the restoring force required for ejection.

To participate also in the spring effect, the connecting zone 7, for example in the immediate vicinity of the portion 32, has in particular at the portion 33 of the fastener a curved profile concavity turned towards the inside of the device.

This spring-loaded embodiment provides extremely fast opening, and is a guarantee of system durability, both in terms of "automated" opening and mechanical strength.

The operation of the antitheft device of the invention will now be described.

To attach an article with the anti-theft device, the article is arranged according to its thickness between the two parts 2 and 3, preferably until its edge abuts against the curved part 25, the device under the form of an open clamp and the tongue 21 naturally adopting its rest position because undergoing no external stress.

As illustrated on the figure 1 , only one hand is used to operate the antitheft device 1.

Indeed, the clamp form of the device 1 allows to place the fastener 3 between the index finger and middle finger and position the thumb on the head 40 of the nail attached to the tongue. By exerting a pressure with the thumb, it brings the nail 4 which is secured to the tongue towards the piece 3. The nail 4 pierces the article and is introduced automatically into the hole 26 of the flat part 22 and in the housing 50 of the piece 3 without having to aim and control as in the prior art. The nail 4 is pressed until it is locked in the housing 50.

According to the invention, the attachment piece 2, in particular the tongue 21, constitutes by its conformation, or by the presence of the spring 6, a means of guiding the nail for the introduction of the latter into the housing 50 of the fastener.

To remove the device from the article, is positioned the body 30 of the fastener 3 on a tool (not shown and known in itself) adapted to unlock the locking system of the workpiece. Unlocking causes the release of the nail in the housing 50.

According to the invention, the attachment piece 2, in particular the tongue 21, constitutes by its conformation, or by the presence of the spring 6, a means of ejection of the nail out of the housing 50 of the fastener. Indeed, in the locked position, the elastic tongue 21 exerts a restoring force which authorizes as soon as the nail is no longer maintained in its housing, driving the nail out of its housing by spring effect.

The nail 4 can then be removed from the article.

Therefore, the attachment piece 2 which comprises the racking element 4 and is according to the invention secured to the fastener 3 and allows to constitute a unitary assembly for the device without the risk of mislaying the element d racking.

Moreover, the risks of pitting are reduced due to the arrangement of the racking element, whose pointed end remains positioned towards the inside of the device.

In addition, the device of the invention is extremely handy, manipulable with one hand, ensuring a cooperation of the nail with the automatic locking system without the need to aim or control the gesture.

Claims (12)

1. An anti-theft device (1) designed to be attached to an item sold in a self-service store, preferably a garment, particularly close to the edge of the item, comprising a first part (2) known as the attachment part, provided with a pinning element (4) such as a nail, and a second part (3) known as the fastening part comprising a recess (50) adapted to house said pinning element (4) and a locking system (5) designed to hold the pinning element (4) in said recess, wherein the two parts (2, 3) are joined to each other so as to move in relation to each other when the pinning element (4) is outside the recess (50), a spring (6) associated with the zone joining the fastening part to the attachment part allowing elastic mobility of the attachment part vis-a-vis the fastening part, characterized in that it comprises an orifice (26) for inserting the pinning element into the recess (50) with a shape that is substantially funnel-like so as to have a flared entry (27) near the side (22b) of the flat part (22) opposite the tab.
2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in the spring is carried by a pin (8) extending in a plane that is substantially transversal to the direction of insertion or removal of the attachment element.
3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pin (8) of the spring is made integral firstly with a distal end (23) of the attachment part (2) opposite the part bearing the pinning element (4) and secondly with a portion (32) of the peripheral edge of the fastening part (3).
4. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that the pin (8) of the spring is made integral with the joining zone (7) of the fastening part (3) and the attachment part (2) by means of molding and/or crimping.
5. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attachment part (2) makes up a means to guide the pinning element (4) while inserting it in the recess (50) and a means to eject said pinning element outside said recess.
6. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attachment part (2) comprises an oblong body (21) that extends longitudinally from its base (23) integral with an edge of the fastening part (3) up to its free opposite end (24) bearing the pinning element (4) and has a length suited for placing the pinning element (4) directly opposite the recess (50).
7. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attachment part (2) has appropriate thickness and shape, in particular a curved profile (25, 33) with a concavity turned toward the inside of the device, to give it both rigidity and elasticity so as to apply a return force when the pinning element (4) is in the locked position.
8. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (21) of the attachment part (2) has an internal side (21 a) opposite the fastening part (3) and an opposite external side (21 c), wherein the external side (21 c) has a convex surface and/or the internal side (21 a) has a reinforcing rib (28), preferably elongated and median, extending longitudinally in relation to the body (21).
9. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attachment part (2) is made of plastic, particularly PVC or PEHD.
10. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attachment part (2) and the fastening part (3) are made integral by molding, gluing or non-removable fitting, particularly the attachment part comprises two parts, one part (21) with the attachment element and one part (22) that is connected to the first part (21) on the edge, and which forms the closing element of the fastening part (3).
11. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pinning element (4) has a head (42) and a stem (41) extending from the head and ending in a point, wherein the head (42) is made integral, preferably by molding or crimping, with the free end (24) of the attachment part.
12. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attachment part (3) contains an electronic theft-detection system.

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