Curved Pin Security Tag With Clutch Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing security tags with pins can be difficult to attach correctly, leading to potential damage or tearing of the fabric, and pose a safety hazard due to the exposed sharp pin.

Innovation Solution

A security tag design featuring a first and second arm connected by a hinge, with a curved pin and clutch mechanism that allows for easy attachment and minimizes fabric damage, while the pin is housed within the tag when not in use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a sharp pin is used to pierce fabric for attaching the security tag, then the tag can be securely attached to the article, but the exposed pin tip presents a safety hazard and may damage delicate fabric

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidsafety hazard from exposed pin

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful exposed pin tip is extracted and separated from the functional attachment mechanism. The pin is completely removed from the tag body after attachment, leaving no sharp elements exposed. This resolves the safety hazard while maintaining secure attachment through the clutch mechanism that grips the pin shaft during attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If a traditional pin and clutch mechanism design is used, then the tag can be attached to articles, but it is difficult to correctly align the pin tip with the clutch mechanism entrance, requiring multiple attempts and causing fabric damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment difficultyVSAvoidsuccessful attachment in one attempt

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pin tip is replaced with a curved guide surface that follows the arcuate path to the clutch mechanism entrance. This curved geometry naturally guides the pin into correct alignment with the clutch mechanism, eliminating alignment difficulties and preventing fabric damage from multiple attachment attempts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If the pin is completely separate from the tag body when not engaged, then the clutch mechanism can grip the pin freely, but the exposed pin tip creates safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclutch mechanism freedomVSAvoidexposed sharp pin

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pin is nested within the tag body during storage and transport, with the pin shaft housed in a dedicated compartment. During attachment, the pin is deployed from this nested position to engage with the clutch mechanism, and then completely removed. This nesting approach eliminates exposed sharp elements while maintaining clutch mechanism freedom during the attachment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS12277844B2Security tag

Publication Date: 2025.04.15 SEKURA GLOBAL IP LLP

AI summary

A security tag comprises a first arm including a first clamping surface and a pin housing proximate a distal end of the first arm; a second arm including a second clamping surface and a clutch mechanism proximate a distal end of the second arm; a hinge connecting proximal ends of the first and second arms; and a curved pin having a tip. The security tag is moveable between an open configuration, in which the arms are in an open position with respect to each other such that there is a first gap between the first and second clamping surfaces and the curved pin is in a disengaged position and at least partially housed within the pin housing, and a locked configuration, in which the arms are in a closed position with respect to each other such that there is a second smaller gap between the first and second clamping surfaces and the curved pin is engaged with the clutch mechanism to retain the arms in the closed position.