Security barrier apparatus and system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Retailers face challenges in securing inventory while displaying it for consumers, as low-cost items are often subject to product sweeping, and current security devices are expensive and time-consuming to manage.
Innovation Solution
A security barrier apparatus with an attachment portion, support portion, and pivotally coupled barrier portion, featuring an input device, control module, and locking assembly, allowing easy customer access while inhibiting product sweeping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individually securing items using current security devices, then product security is improved, but cost and employee time commitment increase prohibitively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple security barrier elements into a single integrated apparatus that secures multiple products simultaneously. The barrier portion with barrier elements works together with the locking assembly and control module to provide collective security for multiple items, eliminating the need for individual security devices on each product.
Solution Approach 2:
The security barrier apparatus serves multiple functions: it secures products to prevent sweeping, provides controlled customer access through the input device and locking assembly, and enables easy employee restocking by pivoting the barrier portion open. This multi-functional design replaces multiple separate security devices with a single versatile system.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If using current security devices to secure inventory, then product sweeping is prevented, but employee time for securing and unsecuring items increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier portion is designed to pivot between open and closed positions, allowing dynamic adjustment for different operational needs. Employees can quickly pivot the barrier portion open for restocking and closed for security, eliminating time-consuming manual securing and unsecuring operations while maintaining protection against product sweeping.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic locking assembly responds to inputs from the input device to automatically lock or unlock the barrier portion without requiring employee intervention. This self-service mechanism reduces employee time commitment while maintaining security against product sweeping.
3Reliability
If securing low-cost frequently purchased items, then product security is improved, but cost of security devices becomes prohibitively expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates security coverage for multiple low-cost items into a single barrier apparatus, reducing the total quantity of security devices needed. By securing multiple products simultaneously with one apparatus, the cost per secured item decreases significantly compared to using individual security devices on each product.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking assembly uses a solenoid actuator that can be activated by various input types (push button, RFID, biometric), allowing the system to adapt to different security requirements while maintaining cost-effectiveness for low-value items through flexible, scalable authentication methods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus enables secure product display with minimal employee intervention, preventing product sweeping and allowing easy customer access, while reducing operational costs and time burdens.
Implementation Method 1
The locking assembly includes a solenoid actuator
Implementation Method 2
a barrier portion pivotally coupled to the support portion
Data Source
AI summary
A security barrier apparatus includes an attachment portion structured to couple the security barrier apparatus to a display fixture, a support portion that couples to the attachment portion and a barrier portion pivotally coupled to the support portion. An input device coupled to the support portion, a control module coupled to one of the support portion and the attachment portion, and a locking assembly is in communication with the input device. The control module is structured to be in electrical communication with the input device and the locking assembly to signal the locking assembly to move to the unlocked state when an input is provided to the input device and further structured to signal the locking assembly to move to the locked state when the input ceases to be provided to the input device. When unlocked, the barrier portion is enabled to pivot between an open and closed position.