GB2287059A - Security locking apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A security apparatus comprises a channel (1) having one or a number of slots (3), a removable cover or lid (6), and a number of flexible connectors (9) having a lug (12) at each end. The or each connector is passed through openings, e.g. handles of items to be protected, and the ends of the connectors are located in one or more of the slots (3), the lid (6) has a lock (7) preventing removal of the connector or connectors. <IMAGE>

Description

Security Apparatus This invention relates to a securing apparatus for use of securing goods and property displayed on shelves and display surfaces in sales outlets, offices, factories and in the home or any location.

In shops and supermarkets, goods are displayed for the convenience of prospective customers; for the purpose of the customer having advance knowledge of the purpose, function and suitability of the prospective purchase to be made, thus enabling inspection.

Currently there is a tendency for a store or shop to suffer considerable losses due to portable items for sale being removed from display and stolen, this loss adds to the cost of running a business and increases to the cost of saleable goods to the public.

For example it is an objective of the invention to provide an improved securing apparatus which can deter, reduce or obviate the problem of theft of saleable items from display areas, and allow attachment and reattachment of items without inconvenience to the shop assistant.

The invention provides a secure anchor point attached to a shelf or display surface which securely attaches displayed items via a flexible or rigid means of link directly fastening items to the security apparatus, namely the invention.

This apparatus allows the shop assistant to remove an item from display by releasing the link mechanism using the designated key to unlock the said apparatus, using the minimum amount of effort to both release or re-attach items of display.

In one arrangement the invention comprises of a heavy duty metal or other material channel with at least one slot, peg or pin which will be secured to the surface of the display.

In a further arrangement can have a number of slots, pegs or pins.

The items on display will have a flexible connector attached via a handle or a fix bar, rod or convenient attachment point, bracket screws etc, this part of the design is an accepted method of securing goods and consequently serves to complement the said invention rather than form the main part to the invention.

This flexible connector can be seen in stores in the form of a steel cable or chain, usually all attached to an out of sight anchor point, causing the assistant considerable difficulty to remove or re-attach items from display.

This invention allows a lug, nut, knot or some other form of solid attachment to be fitted to the tail end of the flexible connector to sit inside the channel or even hooked to a peg or pin inside the said channel. The channel is fitted with a heavy duty lid secured with a lockable device of such design that will deter an unauthorised person from removing the flexible or rigid connector to be removed, thus releasing the item on display.

For the purpose of description, the word "lug" will be used, but another description could be provided subject to the description indicating solid matter. The purpose of the lug is to sit behind the slot in the channel wall and be of a size which will not allow the lug to be pulled through the channel wall thus releasing the attached items unless removal of security lid.

These slots, pegs or pins can be in the form of one set on one side of the channel or one on each side allowing more items to be securely attached to the security channel.

The channel can be made of various lengths, sizes and finishes according to client demand, the object is to attach and re-attach items and although considerable force may be applied either on the displayed item or its flexible or rigid connector, it cannot be detached from the channel which is also secured to the display surface.

The security channel is intended to be secured towards the rear of a shelf for cosmetic reasons, but could well be placed anywhere of convenience to the store manager's discretion.

In another arrangement, the channel can be provided with a single slot, peg or pin and the flexible connector can be permanently secured to the channel. The fee end of the connector has a lug or similar feature which can be located in the channel by means of the slot, peg or pin.

In a still further arrangement, the free end of the connector can be attached to an item to be protected by an adhesive pad or plate. Further items can be protected by additional lengths of connector having a loop at one end and an adhesive pad or plate at the other end.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1 shows in perspective the security channel No 1 with security lid No 6 detached above (drawings 1/4).

Fig 2 illustrates a typical sample of flexible connector No 9 currently used by stores (drawings 2/4).

Fig 3 illustrates a typical layout situation used by stores to attach items to same convenient security point (drawings 2/4).

Fig 4 shows details of security channel and lid placed above (drawing 3/4).

Fig 5 shows security channel complete with lid and various flexible connector to selected display items (drawings 4/4).

Referring to drawings of the said invention, security channel No 1, Fig 1, Fig 4 comprises of heavy duty channel with suitable slots No 3 secured to shelf surface No 15 via screw, bolt, glue, weld or other means No 14. The channel also has a division plate fitted No 8 or not; to prevent steel bar being used to remove secured lid No 6 from channel body No 1 via slots No 3 the divider plate No 8 is not fitted if slots No 3 are required on one side of the channel only.

The slots No 3 are lined with rubber No 16 Fig 1 with a central slit to facilitate the temporary anchorage of the flexible cable No 9 to be attached in slot No 3, whilst allowing time to fit and secure lid No 6 with a suitable locking device No 7. Springs, clips, magnets or elastic could be used in place of rubber retaining strip. Whilst fitting cable or chain No 9 slot No 3 Fig 5 lug No 12 must be situated behind channel slot No 3 inside channel itself thus preventing extraction of cable because of seating lug No 12. In the case of bolting No 14 channel No 1 to shelf surface No 15 Fig 3, holes No 4 Fig 1 in the base of channel No 1 have been facilitated.

The channel No 1 comprises of a security ledge No 2, Fig 1 and 4 to allow lid No 6 to pass under security ledge No 2 and allow seating of lid onto channel body No 1, the channel also has the facility of a catch lock plate No 5 to cater for a suitable lock No 7. The method of placing lid No 6 to channel No 1 can be seen as travel path No 17 Fig 4.

For description purposes only, item No 13, Fig 3, is a jug but this could and would consist of many and varied items for display or sale.

The lid No 6 is a three sided tray in metal designed to facilitate sliding movement and fitment to channel body No 1, this traps and contains the flexible connector No 9 into a secure mode within the channel, which in turn is also secured to the channel via a lock catch plate No 5 using a suitable locking device No 7, this now secures lid No 6 to channel No 1 as in Fig 5.

The security ledge No 2 on channel No 1 allows the removal of lid No 6 using possibly one hand if necessary, thus taking the minimum time to remove or attach display items.

The complete assembly Fig 5 is usually but not necessarily positioned behind the goods on display at the rear of the shelf or display area No 15 Fig 3.

For demonstration purposes only Fig 2 cable No 9 indicates that a loop may be formed using a clamping lug No 10 to secure such loop prior to forming a second loop by passing the tail end of cable No 12 through a convenient orifice on display item No 13 Fig 3 and taking movement path No 11 Fig 2 passing through primary loop No 19 Fig 3 and position lug No 12 behind and between slot No 3 Fig 1 and 5.

The channel need only have a single slot 3 and a single flexible connector 9. Each end of the connector has a lug 12. One end of the connector is located in the channel and the other end is passed first through an opening, e.g. a handle of an item to be protected and into the slot in the channel. The lid to the channel is then locked in position, and the item cannot be removed.

Also, the flexible connector can have one end permanently attached to the channel, the free end being provided with a lug, which can engage with a slot in the channel. Such an arrangement can be used to protect an item as described above.

The flexible connector can be attached at its free end to an item to be protected by means of an adhesive plate or pad. Successive items can also be secured by flexible connectors having a loop at one end, and an adhesive plate or pad at the other end. The free end of the first connector is passed through the loop of the next connector and so on.

The device can be made in various sizes and lengths with varied anchorage points, it may be secured both on a surface or lid attachment using many variations of method all within the scope of this invention.

KEY TO DRAWINGS 1 TO 4 1. Metal channel trough (heavy duty) 2. Retaining ledge to secure lid 6.

3. Slot cut in steel trough 1.

4. Holes to secure trough 1 to shelf/surface 15.

5 Lock keep to cater for lock 7.

6. Lid to metal trough 1. (three sided tray designed with lock 7).

7. Lock to secure lid 6 to trough 1.

8. Divider plate.

9. Cable, chain or chord/solid bar to link goods 13 to trough 1.

10. Cable locking clamp to form loop 19.

11. Suggested path of cable end through cable loop 19.

12. Cable anchor lug.

13. Sample of display items.

14. Securing screw or bolt through shelving/wall 15.

15. Shelving/surface.

16. Rubber retaining strips to retain cable/chain.

17. Travel path of lid both "on" and "off".

18. Slot in rubber retaining strip 16.

19. Loop formed in cable/chain.

Claims (7)

1. A security apparatus comprising housing having a removable cover, the housing having at least one slot or similar feature, and at least one flexible connector being attachable to the housing by means of the slot or similar feature, the housing being securable to a suitable base.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the housing comprises a channel having a number of slots, pegs or pins.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which one or both ends of the or each flexible connector is provided with a lug or similar feature.

4. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which end of the or each flexible connector is provided with an adhesive plate or pad.

5. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which one end of the or each flexible connector is permanently secured to the housing.

6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the free end of the or each flexible connector can be formed as a loop.

7. A security apparatus constructed and arranged for use and operation substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.