GB2440600A

GB2440600A - Theft prevention security devices using cables

Info

Publication number: GB2440600A
Application number: GB0615486A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Dominic Callaghan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-08-04
Filing date: 2006-08-04
Publication date: 2008-02-06
Also published as: GB0615486D0

Abstract

There is provided a security device 15 to prevent the theft of an article which employs a security cable 1 comprising a core 3 and attack detection means 7 with theft prevention means linked to said cable. The detection means is a security wire 7 and any attempt to cut into the security cable 1 will interrupt a current passing through the wire 7. The detection of this interruption causes an alarm to be triggered and to a motor 25 to retract the cable 1 onto a reel 17 towards the security device 15. An end 21 of the security cable attaches to the article - for example via an adhesive pad 23.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SECURITY DEVICES

Field of invention

The present invention relates to security devices, to security cables which may be used in such devices and to product displays incorporating such devices.

Background to the invention

Portable items including hand held goods such as mobile phones, satellite navigation devices and games units are often displayed in shops. In order to help sell such goods it is becoming increasingly popular to give customers hands on interaction with these products.

However, that exposes them to theft.

It is known to secure these items to a stand with simple steel security cables attached to the goods by clamps, locks or adhesives. However, this leaves the thief the opportunity, if given time, to cut the cable and later remove the attaching system at their leisure once they have fled the store.

The problem may be addressed by increasing the size and strength of the cable but that may be aesthetically displeasing and may also be impractical.

Accordingly, the present invention aims to address at least one disadvantage associated with the prior art whether discussed herein or otherwise.

Summary of invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a security cable, said cable comprising a core and attack detection means.

Suitably, the attack detection means is arranged such that the core can not be interfered with without first interfering with the attack detection means. Suitably, the core can not be cut (or otherwise breached) without first cutting (or otherwise breaching) the attack detection means.

Suitably, the security cable comprises a core with attack detection means comprising at least a partial surround to said core.

Suitably, the core comprises a wire core, preferably a steel wire core.

Suitably, the attack detection means comprises a sensor cable. The security cable may comprise a sensor cable wrapped around a core. The sensor cable suitably extends along substantially the full length of the core.

Suitably, the sensor cable extends around the full circumference of the core. It may thus not be possible to breach the core without breaching the sensor cable first.

Suitably, the attack detection means comprises an easily broken cable. The attack detection means may comprises a web or layer of easily broken cables. Suitably, said easily broken cable or cables comprise a sensor cable or cables which are suitably located at least partially around said core.

Suitably, the or each sensor cable comprises a low voltage electric cable, fibre optic cable or pressure sensitive cable. The security cable may for example comprise low voltage electric cables arranged around a core.

As an alternative to pressure sensitive cable the attack detection means may comprise a pneumatic sensitive tube.

References herein to the sensor cable are thus to be understood to encompass such pneumatic sensitive tubes.

The security cable may further comprise a sleeve or is coating interposing the core and attack detection means.

The core may for example comprise a plastics coated wire core or the cable may comprise a plastics sleeve over a wire core.

The security cable may further comprises a sheath to enclose the core and attack detection means.

The sheath may comprises a plastics material. The sheath may protect the attack detection means and may enhance the cables appearance.

Suitably, in use, the security cable can be secured to a substantially fixed and/or non-portable object, such as a display stand, and to a portable item, such as a hand held device, for example a mobile telephone. The security cable may thus be used to secure the portable item.

Suitably, in use, the core can secure a portable item to a substantially fixed and/or non-portable object. The core may thus be sufficiently strong to tether the portable object to the substantially fixed and/or non-portable object.

Suitably, in use, the security cable is linked to theft prevention means.

The theft prevention means suitably comprises an alarm.

Suitably, the attack detection means is connected to an alarm such that if the attack detection means is interfered with the alarm is actuated.

The theft prevention means may comprise a retraction mechanism for retracting the security cable, suitably into a housing. Suitably, once retracted, suitably into a housing, the cable may be protected from attack.

Suitably, the retraction mechanism is actuated when the attack detection means is interfered with. Suitably, the core is connected to said retraction mechanism which may comprise a reel for winding the cable in.

The cable and theft prevention means may comprise any feature as described in relation to the first aspect.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a security device comprising: a security cable, said cable comprising a core and attack detection means; and theft prevention means linked to said cable.

The cable may comprise any feature as described in relation to the first aspect.

Suitably, the security device is arranged to be connected to and protect a portable item which may for example comprise a mobile telephone, satellite navigation device or games unit.

Suitably, one end of the cable is arranged to be connected to the portable item and the other to a substantially fixed and/or non-portable object. A portable item may thus be displayed in a secure manner.

Suitably, in use, the core is connected to the portable item. Suitably, in use, the core is connected to the substantially fixed and/or non-portable object.

The security device suitably comprises connecting means for connecting to a substantially portable object. The connecting means may comprises a clamping, locking or adhesive part. The connecting means is suitably connected to the core and may thus connect the core to a portable item in use.

Suitably, the theft prevention means comprises an alarm which may be an audible alarm.

Suitably, the attack detection means is connected to the alarm such that when the attack detection means is interfered with, for example cut, the alarm is actuated.

Suitably, the theft prevention means comprises a retraction mechanism for retracting the security cable.

The cable may be retracted into a housing.

The security device may further comprise a housing.

Alternatively, the security device may be arranged to be located in a housing.

Suitably, the retraction mechanism is arranged to actuate when the attack detection means is interfered with, for example cut. The retraction mechanism may thus retract the cable whilst the core is substantially intact. The core may thus continue to secure a portable item.

In normal use there may be sufficient free cable to allow a person to conveniently use a portable item connected to the cable. Suitably, prior to an attempted theft free cable lies outside a housing so that the item may be moved relative to the housing. Following an attempted theft the cable may be retracted and protected.

Suitably, the retraction mechanism comprises an actuator coupled to the core. Suitably, the actuator is arranged to retract the cable when the attack detection means is interfered with and provides a signal to operate the actuator.

The retraction mechanism may comprise a reel for winding the cable in. The reel may be driven by an actuator comprising a motor which is powered when the attack detection means is interfered with. Alternatively, the retraction means may comprise a fixed actuator system.

Suitably, once withdrawn into a housing the cable may be protected from attack.

The security device may be arranged to draw all or part of a connecting means as well as the cable into a housing which may protect that Connection against attack also.

The security device may also be arranged to draw all or part of a portable item connected thereto into a housing which may better protect that item also.

The security device may be arranged to be connected to a substantially fixed and/or non-portable object. Suitably, a retraction mechanism is fixed to such an object.

Alternatively, the security device may form an integral part of a substantially fixed and/or non-portable object.

The security device may for example form part of a display stand.

The security device may comprise a plurality of cables which in use can be connected to a number of portable items. The security device may comprise a plurality of retraction means each associated with a cable.

Alternatively, or in addition, a plurality of cables may be connected to the same retraction means. If any attack detection means is interfered with all the cables may be withdrawn which may thus protect all the cables and the portable items connected to them against theft.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a product display comprising a portable item and a security device according to the second aspect and/or security cable according to the first aspect connected thereto.

Brief description of drawings

The present invention will now be illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a partial cut-away view of a security cable; Figure 2 is a partial cut-away view of a security cable showing the cable under attack; Figure 3 is a view of a security device; and Figure 4 is a view of a security device after attack.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

As illustrated by Figure 1 a security cable 1 comprises a steel wire core 3 having a plastics sleeve 5. Wrapped around the core 3 is an attack detection means comprising a sensor cable 7. In the illustrated embodiment this cable 7 comprises a low voltage electric cable. A plastics sheath 9 covers the core 3, sleeve 5 and sensor cable 7. The sheath 9 thus protects the sensor cable 7 and gives the cable 1 an aesthetic appearance.

As illustrated by Figure 2, if a thief attempts to cut the cable 1 before breaching the core 3 they must first interfere with, and breach, the sensor cable 7. Cutting blades 11 can not cut through the core 3 without first breaking the sensor cable 7 as illustrated at 13.

Figure 3 illustrates schematically a security device 15.

The device comprises a security cable 1 as illustrated in Figure 1 and a retraction means comprising a reel 17 to which a first end 19 of the cable 1 is connected. An opposed second end 21 of the cable 1 is connected to a connection means comprising an adhesive pad 23 for connecting to a portable device such as a mobile phone.

In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated) the connection means comprises a clamp. The retraction means further comprises an actuator comprising a motor 25 connected to the reel 17. The motor 25 is arranged to rotate reel 17 to wind the cable 1 around it such that the cable 1 can be retracted. The reel 17 is located within a housing 27 comprising a display case such that when the cable 1 is wound by the reel 17 and retracted it is retracted into the housing 27.

The security device 15 further comprises an alarm (not shown) In use, a length of free cable 1 lies outside the housing 27 (as shown by Figure 3) which may allow people to conveniently handle a portable item. If a thief attempts to cut cable 1, before breaching the core they must breach the sensor cable 7. The sensor cable 7 is connected to the alarm and to the motor 25 of the retraction means.

The device 15 is arranged such that breach of the sensor cable 7 actuates the alarm and causes the motor to wind cable 1 around the reel 17 thus retracting the cable 1 into the housing as shown by Figure 4. This prevents further attack of the cable and draws attention to the thief. A portable device connected to the second end 2].

of the cable 1 may thus be protected from theft.

It will be appreciated that preferred embodiments of the present invent ion may provide improved security for

portable items.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features

disclosed in this specification (including any

accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

Claims 1. A security device comprising: a security cable, said cable

comprising a core and attack detection means; and theft prevention means linked to said cable.

2. A security device according to claim 1, wherein one end of the cable is arranged to be connected to a portable item and the other to a substantially fixed and/or non-portable object.

3. A security device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the security device comprises connecting means for *::::* connecting to a substantially portable object. * **

4. A security device according to claim 3, wherein the *: connecting means comprises a clamping, locking or adhesive part.

S ***

5. A security device according to any preceding claim, wherein the theft prevention means comprises an alarm which may be an audible alarm.

6. A security device according to claim 5, wherein the attack detection means is connected to the alarm such that when the attack detection means is interfered with the alarm is actuated.

7. A security device according to any preceding claim, wherein the theft prevention means comprises a retraction mechanism for retracting the security cable.

8. A security device according to claim 7, wherein the a cable is retracted into a housing.

9. A security device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein S the retraction mechanism is arranged to actuate when the attack detection means in interfered with.

10. A security device according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the retraction mechanism comprises an actuator coupled to the core.

11. A security device according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the retraction mechanism comprises a reel for winding the cable in. * SI

12. A security device according to claim 11, wherein the * reel is driven by an actuator comprising a motor which is powered when the attack detection means is * interfered with.

I

13. A security device according to any of claims 7 to 12, wherein the security device is arranged to draw all or part of a connecting means as well as the cable into a housing.

14. A security device according to any of claims 7 to 13, wherein the security device is arranged to draw all or part of a portable item connected thereto into a housing.

15. A security device according to any preceding claim, where the security device comprises a plurality of cables which in use can be connected to a number of

portable items.

16. A security cable comprising a core and attack S detection means.

17. A security cable according to claim 16, wherein the attack detection means is arranged such that the core can not be interfered with without first interfering with the attack detection means.

18. A security cable according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the core can not be cut or otherwise breached without first cutting or otherwise breaching the attack detection means. * ** * . S * **

S I..

* 19. A security cable according to any of claims 16 to 18, *:*. wherein the security cable comprises a core with * attack detection means comprising at least a partial surround to said core.

20. A security cable according to any of claims 16 to 19, wherein the security cable comprises attack detection means comprising a sensor cable wrapped around the core.

21. A security cable according to any preceding claim, wherein the security cable further comprises a sleeve or coating interposing the core and attack detection means.

22. A security cable according to any of claims 16 to 21, wherein the security cable further comprises a sheath to enclose the core and attack detection means.

23. A security cable according to any of claims 16 to 22, wherein in use, the core can secure a portable item to a substantially fixed and/or non-portable object.

24. A security device according to any one of claims 1 to 15 comprising a security cable according to any of claims 16 to 23.

25. A security device or security cable substantially as * herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. * **

S S..

S

S S * S * S. 5I5