U.S. patent application number 12/794520 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-16 for tape rule anti-theft device and package.
This patent application is currently assigned to STANLEY BLACK & DECKER, INC.. Invention is credited to John C. MURRAY.
Application Number | 20100314277 12/794520 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42732068 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100314277 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MURRAY; John C. |
December 16, 2010 |
TAPE RULE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE AND PACKAGE
Abstract
A tape rule package includes a tape rule, a mount structure, and
a surveillance tag. The tape rule includes a housing and a belt
clip. The mount structure includes a securement portion constructed
and arranged to be secured to the belt clip. The surveillance tag
is carried by the mount structure.
Inventors: |
MURRAY; John C.; (Canton,
CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN, LLP
P.O. BOX 10500
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Assignee: |
STANLEY BLACK & DECKER,
INC.
New Britain
CT
|
Family ID: |
42732068 |
Appl. No.: |
12/794520 |
Filed: |
June 4, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61186082 |
Jun 11, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/461 ;
220/212; 224/269; 53/452 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2211/00 20130101;
B65D 2203/10 20130101; B65D 73/0014 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/461 ;
220/212; 53/452; 224/269 |
International
Class: |
B65D 73/00 20060101
B65D073/00; B65D 51/00 20060101 B65D051/00; B65B 5/02 20060101
B65B005/02; A45F 5/00 20060101 A45F005/00 |
Claims
1. A tape rule package, comprising: a tape rule including a housing
and a belt clip; a mount structure including a securement portion
constructed and arranged to be secured to the belt clip; and a
surveillance tag carried by the mount structure.
2. The tape rule package of claim 1, wherein the belt clip has an
opening, and wherein the securement portion comprises a projection
received in the opening.
3. The tape rule package of claim 1, wherein the belt clip
comprises a curved end portion, and wherein the mount structure
comprises a removable portion adjacent the curved end portion.
4. The tape rule package of claim 3, wherein the mount structure
comprises at least one frangible portion, which is frangible to
enable removal of the removable portion.
5. The tape rule package of claim 1, wherein the package comprises
a backing portion and a clear plastic portion, wherein the mount
structure is at least partially disposed between the clear plastic
portion and the backing portion.
6. The tape rule package of claim 5, wherein the clear plastic
portion comprises an opening through which the belt clip extends to
be received by the mount structure between the plastic portion and
the backing portion.
7. The tape rule package of claim 5, wherein the backing portion
comprises a removable section, which is removable to facilitate
access to the mount structure disposed between the clear plastic
portion and the backing portion.
8. The tape rule package of claim 1, wherein the surveillance tag
is secured to the mount structure.
9. The tape rule package of claim 1, wherein the surveillance tag
is integrally formed with the mount structure.
10. An anti-theft attachment for a product having a belt clip,
comprising: a mount structure including a base portion and a bridge
portion, the bridge portion joined to the base portion, the bridge
portion comprising a projection constructed and arranged to be
received in an opening of the belt clip; and a surveillance tag
secured to the mount structure.
11. The anti-theft attachment of claim 10, wherein the mount
structure comprises a removable portion and at least one frangible
portion, which is frangible to enable removal of the removable
portion.
12. The anti-theft attachment of claim 10, wherein the base portion
comprises a compartment, in which the surveillance tag is
secured.
13. The anti-theft attachment of claim 10, wherein the mount
structure comprises an opening disposed between the base portion
and the bridge portion, wherein the opening is constructed and
arranged to receive the belt clip.
14. An anti-theft attachment for a product, the product having a
structural shape, the anti-theft attachment comprising: an
injection molded integrally formed body having a structural
configuration constructed and shaped to be forced into biased
engagement with the structural shape of the product such that the
structural configuration of the integrally formed body interlocks
with the product and cannot be released from the product without
cutting or destruction thereof; and a surveillance tag carried by
the injection molded integrally formed body.
15. The anti-theft attachment of claim 14, wherein the structural
configuration of the integrally formed body comprises a projection
constructed and arranged to be received in an opening of a belt
clip of the product.
16. The anti-theft attachment of claim 14, wherein the structural
configuration of the integrally formed body comprises an opening
constructed and arranged to receive a projection of a belt clip of
the product.
17. The anti-theft attachment of claim 14, wherein the surveillance
tag is secured within a compartment formed in the injection molded
integrally formed body.
18. The anti-theft attachment of claim 17, wherein the compartment
has a closure member.
19. The anti-theft attachment of claim 18, wherein the closure
member is integrally molded with the body.
20. The anti-theft attachment of claim 18, wherein the closure
member is separately formed from the body.
21. The anti-theft attachment of claim 18, wherein the closure
member cannot be removed without cutting or destroying the closure
member or the body.
22. The anti-theft attachment of claim 14, wherein the surveillance
tag is integrally formed with the injection molded integrally
formed body.
23. The anti-theft attachment of claim 14, wherein injection molded
integrally formed body comprises a removable portion, which is cut
or destroyed to release the structural configuration of the
injection molded integrally formed body from the product.
24. A method for forming a package product, comprising: injection
molding a body; securing a surveillance tag to the body; and
forcing the body into an interlocking relationship with a product
so that the body cannot be removed from the product without cutting
or destruction of the body.
25. A method according to claim 24, wherein the forcing comprises
moving a belt clip on the product against an internal spring force
thereof.
Description
[0001] This application relies on the benefit of priority from U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/186,082, filed on Jun. 11, 2009,
which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an anti-theft device and
also to a tape rule package having an anti-theft device that is
attached to a tape rule.
[0003] Tape measures pose a significant theft problem in retail
stores. With conventional tape measure packaging, e.g., blister
packs using cardboard and/or plastic wrap, shoplifters have been
known to tear the package off the tape rule and wear the tape rule
out of the store, clipped to the individual's belt.
[0004] Anti-theft devices, such as RFID tags and electronic article
surveillance (EAS) tags, for example, have been used in retailing
to reduce theft. The surveillance tags, which are attached to the
retail article or its packaging, trip an alarm-sounding sensor when
an attempt is made to remove the article from the store, unless the
tag is first disarmed by store personnel. Of course, if the
surveillance tag becomes separated from the article, it is
ineffective to prevent theft of the article.
[0005] Tags have been applied to tape measure packages displayed
for sale in order to deter theft. Tags are only effective, however,
if the tape measure remains with the part of the package carrying
the tag. In existing tape measure packages, separation of the tape
measure from the tag has been relatively easy to accomplish, thus
enabling the tape measure to be removed from the store without
tripping the detection system sensor.
[0006] The present invention provides several improvements over the
prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides a tape rule
package that includes a tape rule, a mount structure, and a
surveillance tag. The tape rule includes a housing and a belt clip.
The mount structure includes a securement portion constructed and
arranged to be secured to the belt clip. The surveillance tag is
carried by the mount structure.
[0008] Another aspect of the present invention provides an
anti-theft attachment for a product having a belt clip, the
anti-theft attachment includes a mount structure and a surveillance
tag. The mount structure includes a base portion and a bridge
portion. The bridge portion is joined to the base portion. The
bridge portion includes a projection constructed and arranged to be
received in an opening of the belt clip. The surveillance tag is
secured to the mount structure.
[0009] Another aspect of the present invention provides an
anti-theft attachment for a product, the product having a
structural shape, the anti-theft attachment includes an injection
molded integrally formed body having a structural configuration
constructed and shaped to be forced into a biased engagement with
the structural shape of the product such that the structural
configuration of the integrally formed body interlocks with the
product and cannot be released from the product without cutting or
destruction thereof; and a surveillance tag carried by the
injection molded integrally formed body.
[0010] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method
for forming a package product, the method includes injection
molding a body; securing a surveillance tag to the body; and
forcing the body into an interlocking relationship with a product
so that the body cannot be removed from the product without cutting
or destruction of the body.
[0011] These and other aspects of the present invention, as well as
the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of
structure and the combination of parts and economies of
manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the
following description and the appended claims with reference to the
accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this
specification, wherein like reference numerals designate
corresponding parts in the various figures. In one embodiment of
the invention, the structural components illustrated herein are
drawn to scale. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the
drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only
and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the
invention. It shall also be appreciated that the features of one
embodiment disclosed herein can be used in other embodiments
disclosed herein. As used in the specification and in the claims,
the singular form of "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents
unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tape rule package, in
which a tape rule is secured to a mount structure in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the tape rule package, in
which the tape rule is shown in phantom lines and a belt clip of
the tape rule is secured to the mount structure in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tape rule package (with
the tape rule removed for illustrative clarity), in which the mount
structure is being disposed between a clear plastic portion and a
backing card in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the mount structure in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the mount structure in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the mount structure, in
which a surveillance tag is shown in phantom lines and the
surveillance tag is being secured to the mount structure in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the mount structure, in
which the surveillance tag is secured to the mount structure in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the tape rule package (with
the tape rule removed for illustrative clarity), in which the mount
structure is disposed between the clear plastic portion and the
backing card in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a front view of the tape rule package (with the
tape rule removed for illustrative clarity) with the mount
structure disposed between the clear plastic portion and the
backing card in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a sectional view thereof along the line 10-10 of
FIG. 9 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the tape rule package, in
which the tape rule is shown in phantom lines and the belt clip of
the tape rule is extended through an opening in the clear plastic
portion to be received by the mount structure disposed between the
clear plastic portion and the backing portion in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the tape rule package, in
which the tape rule is shown in phantom lines and a curved end
portion of the belt clip rides up the increasing slope of a
projection on the mount structure in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the tape rule package, in
which the tape rule is shown in phantom lines and a lower edge of
an opening in the belt clip snaps over a bottom edge of the
projection on the mount structure in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of the tape rule package,
in which a portion of the backing portion is removed to access a
removable portion of the mount structure in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of the tape rule package,
in which the removable portion of the mount structure is removed
along the at least one frangible portion in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the tape rule package, in
which the curved end portion of the belt clip is biased outwardly
to release the lower edge of the opening in the belt clip from the
bottom edge of the projection on the mount structure in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the tape rule package, in
which the belt clip is released from an opening in the mount
structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0029] FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the tape rule package, in
which the belt clip is released, from the opening in the clear
plastic portion in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a tape rule package 10 in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention. The tape rule package 10
includes a tape rule 12, an anti-theft device 13 (as shown in FIG.
3), and display portion 24, 26. The anti-theft device or attachment
13 includes a mount structure or body 14 and a surveillance tag 15
(as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7). The tape rule 12 can be of any type,
and typically includes a steel measuring blade and a wind-up spring
(not shown) that are housed in a housing 16. A belt clip 18 is
connected to the housing 16 and used to carry the tape rule 12, for
example on a user's belt. The mount structure 14 includes a
securement portion 20 constructed and arranged to be secured to the
belt clip 18. In another embodiment, the securement portion 20 is
constructed and arranged to be secured to any other component
(i.e., other than the belt clip 18) of the tape rule 12. For
example, the securement portion 20 may be constructed and arranged
to be secured to an end hook 22 (as shown in FIG. 2), a slide lock
or lock lever 23 (as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15), the housing 16, or
a measuring blade (i.e., a measuring tape or a measuring rule) of
the tape rule 12.
[0031] The surveillance tag 15 is carried by the mount structure
14. In one embodiment, the surveillance tag 15 is secured to the
mount structure 14 as will be explained with reference to FIGS. 6
and 7. In another embodiment, the surveillance tag 15 is integrally
formed with the mount structure or body 14. That is, the
surveillance tag 15 is integrally molded with or into the mount
structure 14 to for example, a one-piece, unitary structure.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the display portion
of the tape rule package 10 includes a backing portion 24 and a
clear plastic portion 26. The backing portion 24 can be of any
configuration, but in the illustrated embodiment is generally
planar and is formed from a material such as paperboard, paper,
plastic or cardboard. The backing portion 24 includes a
forwardly-facing surface 28 that is intended to be viewed by a
customer and a rearwardly-facing surface 30. In one embodiment, the
forwardly-facing surface 28 and/or the rearwardly-facing surface 30
may have advertising or promotional information such as indicia
(not shown) for identifying the product and/or manufacturer to the
customers, and may include bar-codes for pricing (or payment). In
another embodiment, the rearwardly-facing surface 30 may contain
indicia (not shown) such as instructions for using the tape rule
12. In one embodiment, the backing portion 24 is comprised of two
cardboard sheets, including a front cardboard sheet and a back
cardboard sheet, which are adhered to one another.
[0033] The tape rule package 10 can be positioned on a retail
display rack for display and selection by the customers. The
backing portion 24 generally includes a hanger hole 32 formed near
an upper edge of the backing portion 24. In one embodiment, the
clear plastic portion 26 generally includes a hanger hole 33 formed
near an upper edge of the clear plastic portion 26. When the
backing portion 24 is secured to the clear plastic portion 26, the
hanger hole 33 of the clear plastic portion 26 is constructed and
arranged to align with the hanger hole 32 of the backing portion
24. The hanger holes 32 and 33 together enable the package 10 to be
hung on a hanger (not shown), such as a rack hooks or display rails
on a display stand, for display to the consumers in a retail store.
The hanger holes 32 and 33 may be formed by cutting (e.g.,
stamping) away a piece of backing card material from the backing
portion 24 and a piece of the clear plastic material from the clear
plastic portion 26 respectively in a shape sufficient to receive
the hanger. Each hanger holes 32 and 33 as illustrated include a
horizontal slot with an enlarged circular region in the center,
however, it should be appreciated that the hanger holes 32 and 33
may be configured in various shapes and sizes as would be
appreciated by one skilled in the art. For example, in one
embodiment, the package 10 may be positioned on the hanger using
other hanging structures such as hooks attached to the
rearwardly-facing surface 30 of the backing portion 24, just for
example.
[0034] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the clear plastic
portion 26 includes an opening or slot 34 through which the belt
clip 18 extends to be received by the mount structure 14 disposed
between the clear plastic portion 26 and the backing portion 24. In
one embodiment, the clear plastic portion 26 includes a space 35
that is constructed and arranged to receive or accommodate the
mount structure 14 therewithin, when the mount structure 14 is
disposed between the clear plastic portion 26 and the backing
portion 24.
[0035] In one embodiment, the backing portion 24 includes a
removable section 37 that is constructed and arranged to be at
least partially removable to access the mount structure 14 that is
disposed between the clear plastic portion 26 and the backing
portion 24. In one embodiment, the removable section 37 may include
at least one frangible area 39 that is constructed and arranged to
be frangible to enable removal of the removable section 37 as will
be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. In one
embodiment, the frangible areas 39 may be include, for example,
perforations, scores lines, cuts, slits, or any other lines of
weakness or weakened material regions that serve as an aid in
separation.
[0036] As noted previously, the tape rule 12 includes the housing
16 and the belt clip 18. The belt clip 18 may be made of flexible
metal or plastic material with sufficient resiliency to be moved
away from the housing 16 to receive a workman's belt in a
conventional fashion and to resiliently snap back and engage the
belt with the internal material resiliency of the clip 18. In one
embodiment, the housing 16 of the tape rule 12 contains a coiled
measuring tape, or measuring rule, therein. The hooked or flanged
end 22 of the measuring tape is illustrated in FIG. 2. The coiled
measuring tape is biased in a take-up direction in conventional
fashion. The tape can also be locked in an extending measuring
condition by actuation of the locking lever 23 (see FIGS. 14 and
15), also in conventional fashion. In one embodiment, the tape rule
12 can be of the type, for example, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,643,947, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, the belt clip 18 is fastened to the tape
rule housing 16 by an appropriate fastener. The belt clip 18
includes a curved end portion 38 at one end 44 thereof. In one
embodiment, the curved end portion 38 is generally bent outwardly
from the housing 16. The belt clip 18 has an opening 36 (clearly
shown in FIGS. 14 and 15) stamped therethrough. As shown in FIGS.
14 and 15, the opening 36 of the belt clip 18 may be
teardrop-shaped to accommodate a projection 46 disposed on the
mount structure 14 therein. In one embodiment, the projection 46
may have a corresponding teardrop shape, but dissimilar shapes can
also be used. One of ordinary skill in the art can best appreciate
that the opening 36 of the belt clip 18 may have a variety of other
shapes without departing from the scope of the present invention
including but not limited to generally square, generally
triangular, generally circular, generally pear shaped, just for
example.
[0038] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4-7, the mount
structure 14 is a separately-formed structure that is constructed
and arranged to carry the surveillance tag 15. In one embodiment,
the mount structure 14 is molded as a single (integral) plastic
component. In one embodiment, the mount structure 14 is molded
using an injection molding process. In one embodiment, the mount
structure 14 and the surveillance tag 15, which is integrally
formed with or secured to the mount structure 14, together serve as
an anti-theft attachment for the tape rule 12.
[0039] In one embodiment, the mount structure 14 is made of any
high strength material that can secure the surveillance tag 15 to
the belt clip 18 (see FIG. 1). In one embodiment, the substance
forming the mount structure 14 is made of a strong plastic material
which cannot be manually ripped or torn. Thus, the mount structure
14 and hence the surveillance tag 15 cannot be removed from the
belt clip 18 unless the material of the mount structure 14 is cut
or otherwise destroyed, which typically requires a tool, such as a
sharp edge blade, scissors, pliers or other tool.
[0040] In one embodiment, the mount structure 14 is made of a
plastic material, for example, polyvinylchloride (PVC) film. The
PVC film used is, in one embodiment, of the non-recycled variety to
ensure strength thereof. The high strength plastic material
inhibits separation thereof from the belt clip 18 and inhibits
manual access to the surveillance tag 15.
[0041] In one embodiment, the surveillance tag 15 may take the form
of an electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag, which utilizes
magnetically vibrating elements that transmit a frequency which can
be detected by a detection system used in retail stores. Unlimiting
examples of such tags are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,357,240;
5,313,192; 5,111,186; 4,510,489; and 4,510,490, the respective
disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. In such
embodiment, the EAS tag can be disarmed, for example, by being
demagnetized at the cash register before the customer walks past
the sensor at the store exit. In another embodiment, the
surveillance tag 15 may include a radio frequency identification
(RFID) transponder, or "tag". Other known surveillance tags may
also be used.
[0042] In one embodiment, the mount structure or the injection
molded integrally formed body 14 includes a structural
configuration (e.g., a bridge portion or securement portion 40 with
a projection 46 or an opening (not shown) formed on it) that is
constructed and shaped to be forced into biased engagement with a
structural shape (e.g., an opening 36 (see FIG. 2) in or a
projection (not shown) formed on the belt clip 18) of the tape rule
12 such that the structural configuration of the integrally formed
body 14 interlocks with the tape rule 12 and cannot be released
from the tape rule 12 without cutting or destruction of the
structural configuration of the integrally formed body 14.
[0043] In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, the mount structure 14
includes a base portion 42 and the bridge portion 40. The bridge
portion 40 is joined to the base portion 42.
[0044] The bridge portion or securement portion 40 of the mount
structure 14 includes a belt clip securing portion 52, and a pair
of adjoining members 54 and 56. The pair of adjoining members 54
and 56 are constructed and arranged to join the belt clip securing
portion 52 to the base portion 42. In the illustrated embodiment,
as shown in FIGS. 4-7, the adjoining members 54 and 56 are disposed
on either side of the belt clip securing portion 52. The two
adjoining members 54 and 56 are constructed and arranged to slope
upwardly from the base portion 42 to join with the belt clip
securing portion 52. As the belt clip securing portion 52 is joined
with the base portion 42, a gap, a space or an opening 58 is formed
between the belt clip securing portion 52 and the base portion 42,
thus, separating the belt clip securing portion 52 from the base
portion 42. In one embodiment, the gap or the opening 58 functions
as a clip-receiving portion and is constructed and arranged to
receive the clip 18 therein.
[0045] The belt clip securing portion 52 includes a
forwardly-facing surface 60 (see FIG. 4) and a rearwardly-facing
surface 62 (see FIGS. 5-7). The forwardly-facing surface 60 is
constructed and arranged to rest against or adjacent to an inner
surface of the clear plastic portion 26 (see FIG. 2). The
rearwardly-facing surface 62 is constructed and arranged to engage
with an inner surface 66 (see FIG. 2) of the belt clip 18.
[0046] The securing portion 52 of the mount structure 14 includes
the projection 46. That is, the structural configuration of the
injection molded integrally formed body 14 is in the form of the
bridge portion or securement portion 40 with the projection 46
thereon. The projection 46 is constructed and arranged to be
received in the opening 36 (see FIG. 2) in the belt clip 18. In one
embodiment, the projection 46 is constructed and arranged to be
disposed on the rearwardly-facing surface 62 of the belt clip
securing portion 52. In one embodiment, the projection 46 is in the
form of a ramp that is constructed and arranged to extend inwardly
into the opening or gap 58 formed between the base portion 42 and
the bridge portion 40 as it extends further downwardly towards the
bottom of the belt clip securing portion 52. In one embodiment, the
projection ramp is constructed in solid, gusseted, corrugate or
framed outline. In one embodiment, the projection ramp may contain
reliefs to enable integral spring compliancy or engaging
response.
[0047] In another embodiment, the projection 46 may have a flat
structural configuration in which the thickness of the projection
46 may generally remain constant as it extends from the top to the
bottom of the belt clip securing portion 52. In such embodiment, a
first and a second adjoining portions 53 and 55 (i.e., located on
either side of the projection 46) of the belt clip securing portion
52 may have a tapered configuration in which the thickness of the
first and the second adjoining portions 53 and 55 gradually
decrease as they extend downwardly from the top to the bottom of
the belt clip securing portion 52. This provides the projection 46
with a relatively increasing thickness relative to the side
portions 53, 55 as the projection 46 extends downward as described.
In yet another embodiment, both the projection 46 and adjoining
portions 53, 55 have constant thickness throughout their
length.
[0048] In one embodiment, the projection 46 may be generally
triangular in shape to be received in the opening 36 (see FIG. 2)
of the belt clip 18. One of ordinary skill in the art can best
appreciate that the projection 46 may have a variety of other
shapes without departing from the scope of the present invention
including but not limited to generally teardrop-shaped, generally
pear shaped, generally square shaped, generally rounded shaped, for
example.
[0049] In another embodiment, the structural configuration of the
injection molded integrally formed body 14 is in the form of the
bridge portion or securement portion 40 with the opening (not
shown) thereon. The opening in the securing portion 52 of the mount
structure 14 is constructed and arranged to receive the projection
(not shown) formed on the belt clip 18 such that the opening in the
securing portion 52 of the mount structure 14 interlocks with the
projection on the belt clip 18 of the tape rule 12 and cannot be
released from the tape rule 12 without cutting or destruction of
the at least a portion of the mount structure 14.
[0050] The base portion 42 includes a first portion 68 and a second
portion 70. The first portion 68 of the base portion 42 includes an
opening 72 thereof. The edges of the opening 72 are constructed and
arranged to adjoin with the pair of adjoining members 54 and 56 so
as to join the bridge portion 40 with the base portion 42.
[0051] The mount structure 14 includes a removable portion 48 that
is constructed and arranged to be adjacent to the curved end
portion 38 (see FIG. 2) of the belt clip 18. When the mount
structure 14 is secured to the belt clip 18, such that the
removable portion 48 interferes with or prevents manual access to
the curved end portion 38. In one embodiment, the removable portion
48 is disposed on the first portion 68 of the base portion 42. In
one embodiment, the removable portion 48 is disposed below the
opening 72 on the first portion 68 of the base portion 42.
[0052] In one embodiment, the mount structure 14 may include one or
more frangible portions 50, which is frangible to facilitate
removal of the removable portion 48 from the mount structure 14. In
the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the mount structure
14 includes two frangible portions 50 located on either side of the
removable portion 48. In another embodiment, no frangible portions
are used and a tool is simply used to cut the removable portion 48
without the aid of a frangible portion.
[0053] In an embodiment where frangible portions are used, the
frangible portions 50 may be include, for example, perforations,
scores lines, cuts, slits, or any other lines of weakness or
weakened material regions that serve as an aid, in separation with
a tool. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4-7, each
frangible portion 50 includes a pair of grooves and an aperture
that is disposed in between the grooves. In one embodiment, the
grooves in the frangible portion 50 is generally located on either
side of the aperture and are generally V-shaped. The aperture in
the frangible portion 50 may be generally rectangular in shape. One
of ordinary skill in the art can best appreciate that the grooves
and the apertures may have a variety of other shapes without
departing from the scope of the present invention. In one
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a tab or flange portion 76 may be
provided to further block, inhibit, or prevent manual access to the
curved end 38 of the belt clip 18. When the mount structure 14 is
secured to the belt clip 18, the projection 46 is received in the
belt clip opening 36, and the projection 46 is of sufficient
thickness that it is either not possible or very difficult to lift
(or even access) the curved end 38 of the belt clip 18 (against the
internal spring bias of the belt clip 18) sufficiently (before the
curved end 38 of the belt clip 18 contacts the removable portion
48) to enable the projection 46 to be outside the opening 36. Thus,
removal of the mount structure 14 from the belt clip 18 is
prevented.
[0054] In one embodiment, the base portion 42 may include indicia
74 indicating that the frangible portions 50 must be cut with a
scissors or other similar devices. In illustrated embodiment, the
indicia 74 may be located on the removable portion 48 of the base
portion 42.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 6, the second portion 70 of the base
portion 42 includes a compartment 78 therewithin. The compartment
78 is constructed and arranged to receive the surveillance tag 15.
In one embodiment, the compartment 78 may define a storage space 79
having an upwardly facing opening 81 into the storage space 79. In
one embodiment, the compartment 78 may include a closure member 80.
In one embodiment, the closure member 80 may be hingedly engaged at
one end with the bridge portion 42 and adapted to move between a
closed position (see FIG. 5) wherein the closure member 80
substantially covers the upwardly facing opening 81 and an open
position (see FIG. 6) wherein the upwardly facing opening 81 of the
compartment 78 is substantially exposed. In one embodiment, the
mount structure 14 may include a living hinge 85 that is
constructed and arranged to move the closure member 80 between the
open and the closed positions. In one embodiment, the entire mount
structure 14, including the base portion 42, the hinge 85 and the
closure member 80 are integrally molded from plastic. In another
embodiment, the closure member 80 may be separately formed from the
mount structure or body 14.
[0056] During construction of the mount structure 14, the closure
18 is initially in an open position such that the closure member 80
enables insertion of the surveillance tag 15 (see FIG. 6) into the
storage space 79 within the compartment 78. The surveillance tag 15
may optionally be attached to an inner surface 83 of the closure
member 80 using adhesive bonding or other attachment mechanism. As
shown in FIG. 7, the closure member 80 along with the surveillance
tag 15 (i.e., secured to its inner surface 83 of the closure member
80) is moved from the open position (shown in phantom lines) to the
closed position in the direction of an arrow A.
[0057] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the closure member 80
includes one or more lock members 89 (in the illustrated embodiment
taking the form of a pair of locking tabs) located on one or both
ends of the closure member 80. The second portion 70 of the base
portion 42 includes one or more lock receiving portions (or
recesses) 101 located at one or both ends of the storage space 79.
The pair of lock members 89 are constructed and arranged to engage
within the lock receiving portions 101 located on the second
portion 70 of the base portion 42 to lockingly engage the closure
member 80 with the base portion 42. As noted above, in one
embodiment, the pair of lock members 89 are in the form of tabs or
projections and the pair of lock receiving portions 101 are in the
form of apertures that are configured to lockingly receive the
projections. It should be appreciated, however, that this
embodiment, is but one example of different types of the pair of
first and second engaging member shapes, configurations and/or
constructions that can be provided.
[0058] In one embodiment, as in the one illustrated, the closure
member 80 for the compartment 78 cannot be unlocked without use of
a tool, such as a prying screwdriver. In another embodiment, the
closure member 80 for the compartment 78 could be manually opened.
In yet another embodiment, the closure member 80 for the
compartment 78 is permanently sealed (e.g., welded) and can only be
open by being destroyed (e.g., along with the tag 15).
[0059] In one embodiment, the surveillance tag 15 is disposed at a
location on the mount structure 14 such that a central axis passing
through the surveillance tag 15 is offset from a central axis
passing through the securement portion 40 by a predetermined
distance. In one embodiment, the surveillance tag 15 is disposed on
a plane other than the plane on which the securement portion 40 is
disposed.
[0060] Referring back to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the mount
structure 14 is at least partially disposed between the
forwardly-facing surface 28 of the backing portion 24 and the clear
plastic portion 26. The clear plastic portion 26 extends across the
forwardly-facing surface 60 of the mount structure 14 and then
downwardly along the edges of the mount structure 14 towards the
edge of the backing portion 24.
[0061] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the tape rule package 10 (e.g.,
with the tape rule 12 removed for illustrative clarity) with the
mount structure 14 disposed between the clear plastic portion 26
and the backing card 24 in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. As seen in FIG. 3, the clear plastic portion 26
has a planar portion 26a and a contoured portion 26b. In the
illustrated embodiment, the contoured portion 26b generally takes
the shape of the front surface of the mount structure 14. In the
illustrated embodiment, as shown in the FIGS. 8 and 9, the backing
portion 24 is attached to the peripheral planar portion 26a of the
clear plastic portion 26 using adhesive heat bonding or mechanical
attachment to effectively secure the clear plastic portion 26 to
the front surface of the backing card, peripherally around the
mount structure 14.
[0062] In another embodiment, the clear plastic portion 26 has a
smaller peripheral planar portion 26a which extends between a front
cardboard sheet and a back cardboard sheet of the backing portion
24 and is adhered therebetween, to effectively secure the clear
plastic portion 26 over the mount structure 14. In yet another
embodiment, the clear plastic portion 26 may include a front clear
plastic portion and a rear clear plastic portion. In such
embodiment, the front clear plastic portion and a rear clear
plastic portion are joined together to enclose the backing portion
24 and the mount structure 14 therewithin and to effectively secure
the front clear plastic portion over the mount structure 14. In one
embodiment, the front clear plastic portion and the rear clear
plastic portions may be separately formed, or hinged an folded-over
to be sealed with one another. In one embodiment, the front clear
plastic portion and the rear clear plastic portion each may include
peripheral flanges that are joined together by using heat sealing,
sonic sealing, ultrasonic welds or any other attachments that would
be appreciated by one skilled in the art.
[0063] As noted above, and as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the mount
structure 14 can be at least partially disposed between the backing
portion 24 and the clear plastic portion 26. Therefore, the mount
structure 14, backing portion 24 and the clear plastic portion 26
together form a completed unit prior to being secured to the clip
18. In one embodiment, when the mount structure 14 is disposed
between the backing portion 24 and the clear plastic portion 26,
the mount structure 14 is positioned such that the opening 34 in
the clear plastic portion 26 may provide the clip 18 access to the
gap or the opening 58 in the mount structure 14. FIG. 10 is a
cross-sectional view of the tape rule package 10 (e.g., with the
tape rule 12 removed for illustrative clarity), wherein the mount
structure 14 is at least partially disposed between the backing
portion 24 and the clear plastic portion 26.
[0064] In one embodiment, a method for forming a package product is
provided. The method includes injection molding the body 14;
securing the surveillance tag 15 to the body 14; and forcing the
body 14 into an interlocking relationship with a product (such as
tape rule 12) so that the body 14 cannot be removed from the
product 12 without cutting or destruction of the body 14.
[0065] In one embodiment, the surveillance tag 15 is secured within
the compartment 78 formed in the injection molded body 14. As noted
above, the compartment 78 has the cover or closure member 80. The
closure member 80 can either be integrally molded or separately
formed with the body 14. In one embodiment, the closure member 80
cannot be removed without cutting or destroying the cover or
body.
[0066] In one embodiment, the forcing of the body into interlocking
relationship with the product 12 includes moving the belt clip 18
on the product 12 against an internal spring force of the belt clip
18. For example, as shown and explained in detail below with
respect to FIGS. 11-13, the belt clip 18 on the product 12 rides up
the structural configuration (e.g., an increasing slope or, along
the flat structural configuration) of the projection 46 on the body
14. During this sliding motion, the belt clip 18 on the product 12
is biased slightly outwardly away from the housing 16 of the
product 12, until the interlocking relationship between the body 14
and the product 12 is achieved.
[0067] In another embodiment, the spring force may be provided by
the resiliency of the material of the injection molded body 14
itself, which can flex to engage a rigid, partially rigid, or
flexible portion of the product 12. For example, at least a portion
of the body 14 may be made of flexible material with sufficient
resiliency to be moved away from the body 14 to receive or engage
with a rigid, partially rigid, or flexible portion of the product
12 and to resiliently snap back, thus, engaging the portion of the
product 12 with the internal material resiliency of the portion of
the body 14.
[0068] FIGS. 11-13 show the method of securing the clip 18 to the
mount structure 14, which begins by extending the leading edge or
the curved end portion 38 of the clip 18 through the opening 34 in
the clear plastic portion 26 as shown in FIG. 11. The leading edge
or the curved end portion 38 of the clip 18 is extended through the
opening 34 in the clear plastic portion 26 so as to be received by
mount structure 14 disposed between the backing portion 24 and the
clear plastic portion 26. The leading edge or the curved end
portion 38 of the clip 18 is moved in the direction of an arrow B
to be received by the opening 58 in the mount structure 14. In one
embodiment, the mount structure 14 and/or the leading edge or the
curved end portion 38 of the clip are manipulated so that the
opening 58 in the mount structure 14 receives the leading edge or
the curved end portion 38 of the clip 18.
[0069] FIG. 12 shows the next procedure in the method of securing
the clip 18 to the mount structure 14, in which the clip 18 is
moved in the opening 58 in the mount structure 14 in the direction
of an arrow C, so that the leading edge or the curved end portion
38, which is bent slightly outwardly, rides up the increasing slope
of the ramp or projection 46 of the mount structure 14 or, in
another embodiment along the flat structural configuration of the
projection 46. During this sliding motion, the clip 18 is biased
slightly outwardly away from the housing 16, until a lower edge 91
of the opening 36 in the clip 18 snaps over the bottom edge 82 of
the ramp or projection 46.
[0070] FIG. 13 shows the next procedure in the method of securing
the clip 18 to the mount structure 14, in which the lower edge 91
of the opening 36 in the clip 18 snaps over the bottom edge 82 of
the ramp or projection 46. It can be appreciated by one of ordinary
skill in the art that the projection 46 permits the clip 18 to be
easily inserted into the gap or the opening 58 in the mount
structure 14 without the necessity of tools of any sort. The bottom
edge 82 of the projection or ramp 46 prevents the clip 18 from
backing out (in the direction of an arrow D as shown in FIG. 2)
through opening 34 of the clear plastic portion 26. As a result,
the mount structure 14 is securely fastened to the tape rule 12.
When the mount structure 14 is securely fastened to the tape rule
12, the curved end portion 38 of the clip 18 is adjacent to the
removable portion 48 of the mount structure 14.
[0071] In the event a thief or a shoplifter tries to separate the
tape rule 12 from the tape rule package 10 (e.g., by ripping clear
plastic material 26 and/or backing portion 24) the mount structure
14 (and the contained surveillance tag 15) remains securely
fastened to the belt clip 18 of the tape rule 12. The removable
portion 48 of the mount structure 14 that is adjacent to the curved
end portion 38 of the clip 18 prevents the thief or the shoplifter
from accessing the curved end portion 38 of the clip 18, therefore,
the thief or the shoplifter cannot simply remove or separate the
mount structure 14 from the tape rule 12 without use of a tool.
[0072] FIGS. 14-18 show one method of separating the mount
structure 14 from the tape rule 12 by a customer. This optionally
begins by removing the removable section 37 of the backing portion
24. This is done by tearing the removable section 37 (e.g., along
the frangible areas 39) as shown in FIG. 14. Once the removable
section 37 is separated along at least three sides (but optionally
retained at the top edge t), the user can pull the removable
section 37 in the direction of an arrow E to separate or bend the
removable section 37 away from the rest of the backing portion 24.
The removal of the removable section 37 of the backing portion 24
from the rest of the backing portion 24 facilitates the user to
access the mount structure 14.
[0073] FIG. 15 shows the next procedure in the method of method of
separating the mount structure 14 from the tape rule 12, in which
the removable portion 48 of the mount structure 14 may be removed
(e.g., by cutting along the at least one frangible portion 50). In
one embodiment, a tool, scissors or other tool may be required for
removal of removable portion 48. FIG. 15 shows the removable
portion 48 that is removed from the mount structure 14. The removal
of the removable portion 48 of the mount structure 14 provides the
user access to the curved end portion 38 of the clip 18.
[0074] FIG. 16 shows the next procedure in the method of method of
separating the mount structure 14 from the tape rule 12, in which
the user may access the curved end portion 38 of the clip 18 to
bias the curved end portion 38 of the clip 18 outwardly, in the
direction of an arrow F, to release the lower edge 91 of the
opening 36 in the clip 18 from the bottom edge 82 of the projection
46. This action allows the clip 18 to be released from the gap or
the opening 58 in the mount structure 14.
[0075] FIG. 17 shows the next procedure in the method of method of
separating the mount structure 14 from the tape rule 12, in which,
the tape rule 12 along with the clip 18 may moved in an upwardly
direction, as shown by an arrow G, in the gap or the opening 58
(see FIGS. 4-7) in the mount structure 14.
[0076] In another embodiment, the frangible portions 39 can be
omitted, and the user may simply cut the clear plastic portion 26
and/or the backing portion 24 to separate the tape rule 12 and the
mount structure 14 therefrom. The mount structure 14 can then be
separated from the tape measure 12 by cutting or breaking the
removable portion thereof.
[0077] FIG. 18 shows the final procedure in the method of method of
separating the mount structure 14 from the tape rule 12, in which,
the tape rule 12 along with the clip 18 may moved in an outwardly
direction, as shown by an arrow H, away from the mount structure 14
and through the opening 34 on the clear plastic portion 26, thus,
separating the mount structure 14 from the tape rule 12.
[0078] In yet another embodiment, the backing portion 24 and the
clear plastic portion 26 can be omitted. In such embodiment, the
indicia otherwise provided on the backing portion 24 would instead
be provided directly onto the mount structure 14. In such
embodiment, the mount structure 14 may be of an increased size to
provide a print space, for the indicia and a mounting hole or hook
for facilitating display. In such embodiment, the anti-theft device
13 also serves as the previously mentioned display portion.
[0079] The embodiments of the present disclosure describe the
anti-theft attachment for a tape rule, however, it is contemplated
that the anti-theft attachment described herein may be used for
different products and/or hand tools. For example, the anti-theft
attachment described herein may be used for a chalk reel having a
belt clip, a distance measuring tool having a belt clip, a stud
sensor having a belt clip, a utility knife having a belt clip, a
flashlight having a belt clip, etc.
[0080] Although the invention has been described in detail for the
purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that such detail is
solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to
the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to
cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the
spirit and scope of the appended claims. In addition, it is to be
understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the
extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be
combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.
* * * * *