GB2180680A - Anti-pilfering clip - Google Patents

Abstract

This is a clip designed to be attached to any fabric garment or article to prevent pilferage. The creation of an electrical circuit safeguards the goods. Any interruption of the electrical supply activates an audible alarm to which the Anti-Pilfering clip is connected. The clip consists of an electrically conductive needle 12 which, in use, is inserted through an article 13 to make contact with a terminal 14 to create an electrical circuit. The clip also comprises a spring loaded plunger 11 which serves to support the weight of the clip on the article to minimise undue tension on the needle. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Anti-pilfering clip This invention relates to a clip designed to prevent pilfering of fabric merchandise or garments.

It is well known that instances of theft and shoplifting from retail stores is very high.

This invention is designed to operate with a commercially available audible alarm system powered from a 'direct current' supply. The clip is attached to a fabric item and any number of clips may be used with a single alarm box.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the attached drawing in which Figure 1 shows the view on arrow.

Figure 2 illustrates a cross-section with the clip in the 'closed' position.

Figure 3 illustrates a cross-section with the clip in the 'open' position.

Referring tothe drawing the clip allowsforasec- tion ofthefabricto be slipped into a slot 10, as shown in Figure 3. The fabric is then held in position bydep- ressing a spring-loaded grip plunger 11, as shown in Figure 2.

Athen needle 12, as shown in Figure 2, is then depressedto pass through thefabric 13, as shown in Figure 2, to make contact with terminal 14 to create an electrical circuit.

The head of grip plunger 11 is elongated, as shown in Figure 1 ,to allow ditto drop into a recess in the body of the clip when in the 'closed' position, as shown in Figure 2.

To facilitate slipping thefabric into slot 10, grip plunger 11 may be held in the 'open' position by rotating its head so that it comes to rest on the body ofthe clip as shown by 15 in Figure 3. Forthe same reason, needle 12 may be held in the 'open' position by a spring-loaded ball-nosed key 16, as shown in Figure 3,which engages upon a taper in the needle.

The device is designed so that the head of grip plunger 11 is overlapped bythe head of needle 12, as shown in Figure 1. This prevents the plungerfrom being released before the needle is withdrawn. The grip plunger serves to supporttheweight oftheclip to minimiseunduetension on the needle andthereby avoid damage to the fabric and the needle. In other words, the needle can not be engaged beforethe plunger.

Each clip is fitted with an approximate 1 metre of two core electrical cable 17, as shown in Figure 2, which allows itto be plugged into the audible alarm.

The length of cable also allows limited movement and examination ofthe article being protected.

If any attempt is made to steal the article being protected, the electrified needle has to be withdrawn which would break the electrical circuit and immediately activate the alarm.

1. The Anti-pilfering clip is reliant on a pincreat- ing an electrical circuit. Thereby, a fabric article can not be removed without breaking the circuit and activating the alarm.

2. A spring-loaded grip plunger is provided to supportthe weight of the Anti-pilfering clip, thereby, avoiding unduetension on the needle and anysubsequentdamagetotheneedleorfabricarticle.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (2)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Anti-pilfering clip This invention relates to a clip designed to prevent pilfering of fabric merchandise or garments. It is well known that instances of theft and shoplifting from retail stores is very high. This invention is designed to operate with a commercially available audible alarm system powered from a 'direct current' supply. The clip is attached to a fabric item and any number of clips may be used with a single alarm box. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the attached drawing in which Figure 1 shows the view on arrow. Figure 2 illustrates a cross-section with the clip in the 'closed' position. Figure 3 illustrates a cross-section with the clip in the 'open' position. Referring tothe drawing the clip allowsforasec- tion ofthefabricto be slipped into a slot 10, as shown in Figure 3. The fabric is then held in position bydep- ressing a spring-loaded grip plunger 11, as shown in Figure 2. Athen needle 12, as shown in Figure 2, is then depressedto pass through thefabric 13, as shown in Figure 2, to make contact with terminal 14 to create an electrical circuit. The head of grip plunger 11 is elongated, as shown in Figure 1 ,to allow ditto drop into a recess in the body of the clip when in the 'closed' position, as shown in Figure 2. To facilitate slipping thefabric into slot 10, grip plunger 11 may be held in the 'open' position by rotating its head so that it comes to rest on the body ofthe clip as shown by 15 in Figure 3. Forthe same reason, needle 12 may be held in the 'open' position by a spring-loaded ball-nosed key 16, as shown in Figure 3,which engages upon a taper in the needle. The device is designed so that the head of grip plunger 11 is overlapped bythe head of needle 12, as shown in Figure 1. This prevents the plungerfrom being released before the needle is withdrawn. The grip plunger serves to supporttheweight oftheclip to minimiseunduetension on the needle andthereby avoid damage to the fabric and the needle. In other words, the needle can not be engaged beforethe plunger. Each clip is fitted with an approximate 1 metre of two core electrical cable 17, as shown in Figure 2, which allows itto be plugged into the audible alarm. The length of cable also allows limited movement and examination ofthe article being protected. If any attempt is made to steal the article being protected, the electrified needle has to be withdrawn which would break the electrical circuit and immediately activate the alarm. CLAIMS

1. The Anti-pilfering clip is reliant on a pincreat- ing an electrical circuit. Thereby, a fabric article can not be removed without breaking the circuit and activating the alarm.

2. A spring-loaded grip plunger is provided to supportthe weight of the Anti-pilfering clip, thereby, avoiding unduetension on the needle and anysubsequentdamagetotheneedleorfabricarticle.