1041results about "Locks for portable objects" patented technology

Deactivating a data tag attached to packaging for user privacy or tamper-evident reasons. A data circuit stores identification information. A plurality of antennae is coupled to the data circuit. At least one antenna of the plurality of antennae is a removable antenna capable of wireless signal transmission at a first range such that removal of the antenna substantially prevents communication of the identification information via the removed antenna and permits communication of the identification information via another antenna of the plurality of antennae at a second range relatively smaller than the first range.

This invention in certain example instances relates generally to coin-operated video entertainment systems. More particularly, certain exemplary aspects of the invention provide methods and/or systems for controlling access to a portable coin-operated interactive entertainment device that may be used to play video games and access other forms of entertainment as well as providing features via such portable coin-operated interactive entertainment devices.

A display system for displaying an item of merchandise in a retail environment that allows a potential customer to handle the item while it is secured to the display system. The item is supported on a display shelf and is connected to a retractable cable. The shelf is locked to a base by an alarm unit. Unauthorized removal of the shelf, base, item of merchandise, severing of the retractable cable or alarm unit will activate an alarm. First and second locks lock the alarm unit to the base.

This invention provides a slipcover touch input apparatus and structure for displays for computing devices that converts a non-touch screen display to a touch screen display. The slipcover assembly acts as a sheath or cover for the display, and the touch screen is mounted in a window or opening of the casing of the display so that the touch screen is oriented to mimic the position of the display. This touch screen slipcover can convert any display of a computing device into a touch screen display.

A lock system having a remote actuating device, e.g., a portable member arranged to wirelessly transmit a wireless signal, and a passive lock for receiving that signal. The lock includes an acuatable trigger mechanism and a control circuit. The control circuit receives the wireless signal, which powers it. The control circuit also determines if the wireless signal is appropriate to unlock the lock, whereupon it produces a trigger signal. The trigger mechanism is responsive to the trigger signal to actuate and enable the lock to be opened.

A storage unit configured to store and display items such as wine bottles includes a frame member including a top, a base and a plurality of vertically extending walls. A plurality of shelves are slidably attached to the frame member and configured to store a plurality of items. At least one insert may be positioned within the plurality of shelves to provide a support for the items contained therein. A strap, having a first end and a second end and extending substantially transverse to the front edge of the plurality of shelves is also provided and prevents the plurality of shelves from sliding. The shelves may be removed from the frame member and stored on a top surface of the frame member to reconfigure the storage space within the storage unit.

A merchandise display and anti-theft system, for use in displaying an electronic device such as a laptop computer, comprising a base plate and a rail. The rail is mounted transversely onto a merchandise display shelf. The electronic device is selectively attached to the base plate by a crossbar. A front bracket assembly and a rear bar are provided to restrict the extent to which the electronic device may be moved in a forward or reverse direction upon the base plate. The crossbar, front bracket, and rear bar are fastened to the base plate with screws extending from beneath the base plate, in order to prevent removal of the electronic device. After mounting the rail to the shelf and affixing the base plate to the rail, the screws which hold the cross bar, rear bar, and front bracket to the base plate are inaccessible, thereby preventing theft of the electronic device selectively affixed to the base plate.

A lock mechanism is mounted on a merchandise display rod to prevent the removal of some items of merchandise from the rod. A pair of members are pivotally joined at one end and move between locked and unlocked positions. Each of the members is formed with a partial slot which align with each other when in the locked position to extend about the rod. A magnetically attractable plunger is mounted within one of the members and engages a recess formed in the other member to secure the members in a closed locked position on the rod. A magnetic key moves the plunger to an unlocked position to enable the members to pivot apart to an unlocked open position. The distal end of the rod is bent at an angle sufficient to prevent sliding removal of the lock mechanism from the rod when the members are in the locked position yet enable removal of merchandise items forward of the lock mechanism from the rod.

A biometric access control system for tracking critical assets and including an ID station incorporating a biometric input reader, an RFID antenna and reader and a wired or wireless (Bluetooth) communication device. A remotely positioned structure includes either or both of a rack or a locker for holding a plurality of the critical assets in individually locked fashion. A processor control built into the ID station operatively actuates each of a plurality of individual locking mechanisms incorporated into the rack structure or locker, in response to successive biometric and weapon selection inputs communicating with the processor, and for determining at least one of user identification and weapon release authorization prior to the processor actuating the locking mechanism to release the weapon. An associated computer writeable medium operates with the processor and establishes a series of subroutines for establishing user identification, weapons rating, selective weapon release/reentry and associated maintenance and record keeping log reports.

A locking device has a base, a positioning element, a positioning frame, a cable and a lock assembly. The base has a positioning tab and a squeezing device. The positioning element is attached to the bottom of the base configured for the base being attached to an object. The positioning frame is pivotally attached to the base and has a telescopic body. The cable is moveably received in the base and has one end extending out from the base and provided by a hook to connect to the positioning frame. The lock assembly is mounted in the base and detachably locks the cable. Accordingly, a PDA and a charging base can be securely held on the base with the positioning frame and the cable. This can keep the PDA and the charging base from being unauthorizedly moved.

An anti-theft device for protecting a portable electronic device from theft or unauthorized removal in a retail environment is provided. A shroud may at least partially enclose a portable electronic device. A dock may releasably engage the shroud such that the shroud and portable electronic device are locked to the dock when engaged with the dock. A key may engage activate a lock mechanism to release the shroud and the portable electronic device from the dock.

A protection device (16) particularly for portable computers (10) having a Universal Serial Bus (USB) socket (12) and a standardized dedicated slot (14) formed in vicinity of the socket (12). A key or the like operable mechanism (18) is provided for rotating a T-shaped tip member (20) which is adapted to be inserted into and locked by the slot (14). Plug (22) may be either a “demo” or part of an active device, which functions to enable/disable the operation of the computer. The device (16) may further be provided with arresting means in the form of a cable (24), which can be tied to an immovable object such as table leg (26) for protecting the computer (10) against theft.

A locking arrangement configured to secure portable equipment includes a tubular lock having a pair of locking arms projecting from a face of the lock body. Each locking arm has a shank portion and a wing portion, the wing portion extending from the end of the shank at a right angle thereto. Each wing has a substantially flat surface. The locking arms are disposed adjacent to one another, and in the unlocked configuration, the wings of both arms are in parallel opposition such that their flat surfaces substantially meet. In the locked configuration, the wings are parallel to each other but extend in opposite directions outside the envelope. This opposite orientation of the wing members prevents the lock from being withdrawn through the locking port. Moreover, if the two shanks are seated within a port whose dimensions closely match those defined by the shanks themselves, rotation of the lock will be substantially prevented.

An anti-theft device, comprising at least one spool (2) made of electrically insulating material that is mounted rotatably on a support (3); a cable-like element (4) that can be wound onto, and unwound from, the spool or a respective spool and has a free end (5) that can be detachably anchored to an item (6) to be restrained, elastic loading means for the or each spool in order to ensure the automatic tensioning and rewinding of said cable-like element on its own spool, detachable engagement means for an item to be restrained which are located at the free end of said cable-like element or of each cable-like element and are suitable to open or close an electrical contact, and a control unit (8) that is meant to act in response to the opening-closing of the electrical contact.

A releasable security tag for attachment to an article of merchandise is disclosed. Features of the security tag include: a locking mechanism with a release for attaching the tag to the article of merchandise; an EAS resonant circuit or an RFID circuit for responding to a first RF signal at a predetermined frequency corresponding to the resonant circuit or to the RFID circuit; an ambient RF energy harvesting circuit; a release signal detection circuit coupled to and powered by the ambient RF energy harvesting circuit and an electro-mechanical actuator electrically coupled to the release signal detection circuit. The electro-mechanical actuator releases the locking mechanism whenever the release signal detection circuit receives a release signal.

A mobile lock with a retractable cable. The mobile lock includes an integral wireless locator system that can precisely locate the mobile device in real-time if stolen with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (i.e. a drone, etc.) The wireless locator system also automatically send messages (e.g., e-mail, text, instant messages, voice, etc.) and make automatic posts to social networking sites (e.g., FACEBOOK, TWITTER, etc.) and social shopping sites (CRAIG'S LIST, E-BAY, etc.) that the mobile device has been stolen.

The present system provides a tag having one or more components comprising a physically rugged structure which can be attached to a product in a manner that renders the product inoperable, defaced, or that otherwise denies access to the intended use or value of the product until it is “unlocked” by means of a wireless communication, such as by a radio frequency transmission. The tag comprises a latching mechanism comprising in part an “actuator” and a “gripper”.

A locking mechanism for securing personal portable valuables having a security or restraining slot comprises a generally hook-shaped restraining member having a moveable inner flange mounted in a housing, a shank section adapted to extend into the restraining slot of the portable device, and a hook section adapted to engage an inner surface of the exterior wall of the portable device through the restraining slot. A fastener is coupled through the housing for extending into an aperture in the inner flange when the restraining member is in the locked position to thereby inhibit movement of the restraining member to the installation, or unlocked, position and prevent removal of the locking mechanism from the portable device. Adhesive-backed locking mechanisms for portable valuables lacking a security slot also are described.

A merchandise security system includes a rail adapted to be secured to a first associated merchandising structure, which can be a shelf or a wire rack display. The rail includes a first longitudinally extending channel. At least one tile is mounted to the rail. The at least one tile extends away from the rail so as to approach a second associated merchandising structure spaced from the first associated merchandising structure. The at least one tile includes a protrusion which is accommodated in the first rail channel to enable a sliding movement of the tile in relation to the rail. This construction allows selective access to any desired portion of at least one of the first and second associated merchandising structures.

A security device comprises a first component having a through first passageway surrounded by an internal first recess, and a second component having a second passageway surrounded by an internal second recess. The first and second components are configured for assembly in a mating relationship with the first and second passageways in communication with each other and in coaxial alignment. A lock has a barrel containing a spring and plunger and carrying radially shiftable locking elements, with the plunger being normally biased by the spring in one direction urging the locking elements into expanded positions protruding radially from the barrel. The barrel is insertable into and releasably retained in an unlocked position in the first passageway with the locking elements expanded radially outwardly into the first recess, and is shiftable by a forwardly applied axial force into a locked position in the second passageway with the locking elements expanded into the second recess. The first recess has a forward surface configured to coact with the locking elements in response to the forwardly applied force to exert a reactionary force urging the locking elements radially inwardly and urging the plunger in the opposite direction to accommodate retraction of the locking elements from the first recess.

A portable safe is configured to be temporarily secured to an object without requiring an individual who uses the portable safe to constantly monitor the portable safe or any valuable items secured therein. Thus, the individual may attend to other activities located nearby or remote from the object to which the portable safe is secured. An entity, such as a resort, a hotel or the like may make portable safes available for temporary use by its customers, enabling its customers to portably secure their valuable items. The supplier may rent the portable safes from another entity, which owns the portable safes.

A combined clamp and lock includes: a lower clamp member having a lower abutment plate, a wall projecting upwardly from the lower abutment plate, and a lock-mounting hole extending through the wall; an upper clamp member having an upper abutment plate, and at least one leg extending downwardly from the upper abutment plate and overlapping the wall; a fastening unit fastening the leg to the wall so that the lower and upper abutment plates define a clamping space therebetween; and a lock extending through the lock-mounting hole. A notebook computer may be prevented from being opened when clamped within the clamping space and locked by the lock.

An improved magnetic decoupler with a magnetic field shape, strength and gradient optimized for releasing security tags, such as an antitheft device of the type described above. Due to the structure of the magnetic decoupler, it contains less ferrous material than prior art decouplers heretofore employed. Reduction in size of the magnetic decoupler, along with improved magnetic strength, derive from the magnet assembly including magnets arranged with orientations that increase axial magnetic field gradient by superposition of the magnetic fields of each magnet.

A security system for protecting a plurality of items of merchandise on display in a retail environment. Each of the items is connected to a sensor which is removably mounted in a display module and connected thereto by a power cord. A single alarm module located in an inaccessible location is connected to each of the display modules by another power cord. A power cord connects each of the display modules to a source of electricity for supplying electric power to the sensor through the display module and then to the displayed item for maintaining the charge on a battery of the displayed item. The alarm unit contains an internal power source for controlling the alarm circuitry. A plunger switch and LED may be contained in the sensor.

A security device that can be used to secure devices, such as laptop computers, of varying sizes, and includes two securing members that are telescopically connected together and which have opposed restraining members for securing a device there between.

A combination non-programmable and programmable key for a security device of the type used to display items of merchandise includes a non-programmable portion for cooperating with a mechanical lock of the security device and a programmable portion for cooperating with a sensor of the security device that is operatively coupled to an alarm for indicating a security threat to the security device or to an item of merchandise displayed on the security device. The non-programmable portion includes a side assembly having a magnet that cooperates with a magnetically attractable locking pin to unlock the mechanical lock of the security device. The programmable portion emits an energy signal that cooperates with the sensor of the security device to disarm the alarm and thereby permit the security device to be removed or an item of merchandise to be removed without the alarm indicating a security threat.

A cable lock apparatus that is operated by the computer equipment that the apparatus is intended to protect, rather than by a key, is disclosed. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cable lock is equipped with a hot-swappable computer interface, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, for connecting to the computer. The user of the computer unlocks the cable lock by providing a password or other form of authentication to the computer. The computer transmits this authentication information, via the USB interface, to circuitry within the cable lock device, which validates the authentication information. If the authentication information validates properly, the cable lock device circuitry activates a motor or solenoid to mechanically release the cable lock.

A display lock is provided. The display lock is adapted to selectively secure merchandise on a display hook. The display hook having at least two bars. The display lock comprising a lock body, an arm and a clasp. The lock body having a locking mechanism. The arm having a first end hingedly connected to an upper portion of the lock body and a second end adapted to mate with a lower portion of the lock body. The arm having a catch portion engageable with the locking mechanism. The display lock having a locked position in which the arm is mated with lock body and engaged with the locking mechanism. The display lock further having an unlocked position in which the second end is not mated with the lock body. The clasp connected to at least one of the lock body and the arm and being adapted to mount the display lock to the display hook.

First and second separable portions such as opposite ends of a strap that is wrapped around one or more articles to be secured are overlapped. A ratchet is operable with the portions joined in overlapping relation for increasing the amount of the overlap, thereby effectively shortening the strap and taking up slack. A mechanical advantage is provided that makes it easy to tighten the strap securely around one or more articles. A lock can be locked to prevent, or unlocked to enable, separation of the portions.

An electronic article surveillance tag is claimed wherein the tag features a spindle assembly which anchors and retains a set of ball bearings which are used to clutch and retain the shaft of a tack. The spindle features an operational tab which may be contacted by the appropriate probe to turn the spindle about a central axis. The spindle is seated in a retaining means with a graduated lip around the perimeter. The turning of the spindle serves to raise a portion of the spindle from the retaining means, loosening the ball bearing grip on the shaft of the tack. The electronic article surveillance tag may be used with either a smoothed or grooved tack shaft and may be operated by either mechanical probe actuation or by the use of a magnetic detachment means applied to the spindle.