Pivoting Hook Anti-Theft Tag for Non-Piercing Items
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-theft devices for commercial articles are not adaptable for items that cannot be pierced with a point, such as sports shoes and leather goods, limiting their effectiveness in marking and protecting such items.
Innovation Solution
A two-part device with a rigid hooking member that pivots to securely attach to items without piercing, using a hooking part with a free end that pivots into a housing to form a loop, which is locked by the other part of the device, preventing removal and allowing for easy attachment and locking without the need for additional mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a point is used to pierce commercial articles for attachment, then the device can be securely attached to items, but it cannot be used on items that are not well-suited to piercing such as sports shoes and leather goods
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate parts: a first part containing the point and a second part containing the attachment member with the rigid hooking element. This segmentation allows the point to be used only when piercing is necessary, while the rigid hooking element handles non-piercing attachments, thus expanding adaptability without causing damage to items that don't require piercing.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid hooking element is designed to be movable relative to the attachment member, allowing it to pivot between a retracted position and an extended position. This dynamic mechanism enables the device to adapt to different attachment scenarios: when extended, it provides secure attachment for non-piercing items; when retracted, it allows the point to function for piercing items, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and item damage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid hooking element with a free end is added to the device, then the device can attach to items without piercing, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid hooking element is integrated into the existing two-part device structure by attaching it to the attachment member. The free end of the hooking element interacts with the point of the first part to provide locking functionality. This merging approach adds the non-piercing attachment capability while reusing existing components, thereby minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid hooking element serves multiple functions: it provides the primary attachment mechanism for non-piercing items, works in conjunction with the point for locking, and can be positioned in different states (retracted or extended). This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing versatile attachment capabilities across different item types without requiring separate devices.
3Ease of operation
If the first free end of the rigid attachment member is able to pivot freely in the absence of the other part, then the device is easier to operate, but additional mechanisms are needed to prevent protrusion from the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses the interaction between the first free end of the rigid hooking element and the point of the first part as a self-locking mechanism. When the two parts are assembled, the point naturally engages with the housing to prevent protrusion of the free end. This self-service approach provides the necessary constraint without requiring additional active locking mechanisms, thus maintaining ease of operation while minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is designed with features that preemptively prevent the free end from protruding once the two parts are assembled. The point and housing are configured so that their interaction automatically counteracts any tendency of the free end to protrude, eliminating the need for separate prevention mechanisms and maintaining simple operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for labelling a commercial item including two separable portions: a first portion (12) comprising an axial tip (14); a second portion including an opening for the axial insertion of the tip and means for locking the tip inserted into said opening. One of said portions, referred to as the hooking portion, includes a hooking member (32) which is capable of pivoting between a first position in which a free end of the member is spaced apart from the hooking member and a position in which the free end is arranged in a recess (50) of the hooking portion. The hooking portion is configured such that the free end (32a) of the hooking member is locked in the recess (50; 108) by the presence of the other portion of the device which is locked to the hooking portion via the tip (14) and the locking means thereof.