WO2004053530A1

WO2004053530A1 - Surveillance device

Info

Publication number: WO2004053530A1
Application number: PCT/IB2003/005896
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ulrich Zinner
Original assignee: Ulrich Zinner
Priority date: 2002-12-12
Filing date: 2003-12-12
Publication date: 2004-06-24
Also published as: AU2003285618A1

Abstract

The invention discloses a surveillance device having a body (12) of plastics material, in which a recess is provided. A signalling emitting member is located inside the recess and is covered by a cover element (16) joined to the body. Attachment means (42) are associated with the body for attaching the body to an object, such as an article of merchandise. The attachment means is produced separately of the body and being made of plastics material different to that of the body.

Description

Surveillance device.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to surveillance devices.

More particularly, the invention relates to a surveillance device such as a label or tag with surveillance sensors, in particular as applied to merchandise.

BACKGROUND TO INVENTION

Various types of surveillance members for application to merchandise are known, most of them preventing theft or pilfering. Many of these operate on the principle that a sensor is provided, which has to be removed on sale of an article. If this is not done and if the article is carried through a checking-, monitoring- or control zone (normally an arch through which customers have to leave a shopping area) an alarm is set off.

It is an object of the invention to suggest a novel type of surveillance device which is easy to apply and remove and is also relatively cheap.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the invention, a surveillance device includes a body of plastics material; a recess provided in the body; a signalling emitting member located inside the recess; and attachment means associated with the body and being adapted for attaching the body to an object, such as an article of merchandise. The surveillance device may include a cover covering the signalling emitting member and being joined to the body;

The attachment means may be produced separately of the body and being made of plastics material different to that of the body.

Any suitable number of apertures may be provided in the body, e.g. at one end thereof, or in a part of the attachment means.

The attachment means may be located on any side of the body.

The cover may be welded, e.g. ultra-sonically, fused, or heat attached or glued to the body to encase the signal emitting member.

The attachment means may include a base and, extending from the base, a strap or string with hooks or the like adapted to prevent withdrawal of the strap or string when inserted through an aperture in the attachment means or in the body.

The signal emitting member may be an acoustic magnetic member.

The surveillance device may be re-usable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

In the drawings there is shown in:

Figure 1 a perspective view of a first part of a surveillance device in accordance with the invention but without an associated attachment strap;

Figure 2 a perspective view of a second part of a surveillance device being an attachment strap for the first part of a surveillance device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 a perspective view of the assembled attachment strap shown in Figure 2 and the first part of a surveillance device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 a further perspective view of the assembled attachment strap and the first part of the surveillance device as illustrated in Figure 3;

Figure 5 a side view of the assembled attachment strap and the first part of the surveillance device illustrated in Figure 3 and being in closed position;

Figure 6 a front view of a surveillance device according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 a side view of the surveillance device illustrated in Figure 6 seen from arrow VII; Figure 8 a side view of the surveillance device corresponding to Figure 7, but in locked position;

Figure 9 a front view of a surveillance device according to a third embodiment of the invention;

Figure 10 a side view of the surveillance device illustrated in Figure 9 seen from arrow X;

Figure 11 a side view of the surveillance device corresponding to Figure 10, but in locked position;

Figure 12 a front view of a surveillance device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 13 a side view of the surveillance device illustrated in Figure 12 seen from arrow XIII;

Figure 14 a side view of the surveillance device corresponding to Figure 13, but in locked position;

Figure 15 a perspective view of a surveillance device according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 16 a perspective view of the various components of the surveillance device shown in Figure 15 prior to assembly;

Figure 17 a plan of the surveillance device as seen along arrow XVII in Figure 15;

Figure 18 a sectional side view as seen along arrows XVIII-XVIII in Figure 17;

Figure 19 an end view as seen along arrow IXX in Figure 17; Figure 20 a side view of a surveillance device according to a sixth embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 21 a side view of a surveillance device according to a seventh embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

A surveillance device in accordance with the invention, including a first part generally indicated by reference numeral 10, is shown in Figure 1. The first part 10 includes a base body 12 having a recess 14 for receiving a signal emitting unit 22 (an acoustic magnetic member or chip) and a cover 16.

The signal emitting unit 22 includes a chip strip having an adhesive back and stuck onto a carrier plate and being inserted into the recess 14 in the body 12. The recess 14 is defined by opposite side walls 24, 26 and opposite end walls 28, 30. The cover 16 is inserted into the recess 14 over the signal emitting unit 22 and the cover 16 is ultrasonically welded to the walls 24, 26, 28, 30. The unit may also be or heat sealed or glued to the body 12 if required.

The body 12 has a head part 32 with an aperture 34 by means of which a second part, namely an associated attachment strap 36 (shown in Figure 2) is attached to the body 12 for attachment to an article of merchandise. The attachment strap 36 consists of a base 38 having an aperture 40, and a flexible strap 42 insertable through the aperture 40.

In Figure 3 the base body 38 of the attachment strap 36 is shown to be located in the aperture 34 of the body 12 of the first part of the surveillance device so as to constitute an assembled surveillance device generally indicated by reference numeral 44. In Figures 4 and 5 the flexible strap 42 of the attachment strap 36 is inserted through the aperture 40 of the base body 38 of the attachment strap 36.

In Figures 6 to 8, a surveillance device in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention is shown and generally indicated by reference numeral 46. In this second embodiment, the body 48 is provided with a signal emitting member (not shown) and on the side with an attachment part 50 with an aperture 52 by means of which an associated attachment strap 54 is attached to the body 48 for attachment to an article of merchandise. The attachment strap 54 consists of a base 56 having an aperture 58, and a flexible strap 60 insertable through the aperture 58.

In Figures 9 to 11, a surveillance device in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention is shown and generally indicated by reference numeral 62. In this third embodiment, the body 64 is provided with a signal emitting member (not shown) and on the side with an attachment part 66 with an aperture 68 by means of which an associated attachment strap 70 is attached to the body 64 for attachment to an article of merchandise. The attachment strap 70 consists of a base 72 having an aperture 74, and a flexible strap 76 insertable through the aperture 74.

In Figures 12 to 14, a surveillance device in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention is shown and generally indicated by reference numeral 78. In this fourth embodiment, the body 80 is provided with a signal emitting member (not shown) and on the side with a head part 82 with an aperture (not shown) by means of which an associated attachment strap 84 is attached to the body 80 for attachment to an article of merchandise. The attachment strap 84 consists of a base 86 having an aperture 88, and a flexible strap 90 insertable through the aperture 88. A lid 92 covers the head part 82 and the associated aperture.

In use the devices 44, 46, 62, 78 are attached to an article of merchandise at a convenient position by means of the respective attachment strap 42, 54, 70, 84 being attached to the body 12, 48, 64, 80 respectively so that it can not be removed. When a person purchases an article the signal emitting chip inside the body 12, 48, 64, 80 are respectively scanned and de-activated. Thereafter the article can be carried out of the shopping area through a control sensor gate or zone.

As the cost of the signal emitting chip may be high in comparison to the costs of some articles of merchandise it may be economic and useful that chips are only provided in some of the devices 44, 46, 62, 78. A customer would have no way of determining whether or not a chip is located in a device 44, 46, 62, 78. Therefore devices with a signal emitting member, which has to be deactivated, may be provided at random.

In Figures 15 to 19, a surveillance device in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 94, is shown before assembly in Figure 16 and being assembled in Figures 15, 17, 18 and 19.

The device 94 includes a base body 96, a signal emitting member (an acoustic magnetic member or chip) unit 98 and a cover 100.

The unit 98 includes a chip strip 102 having an adhesive back and stuck onto a carrier plate 104 and being inserted into a recess 106 in the body 96. The recess 106 is defined by opposite side walls 108, 110 and opposite end walls 112, 114. The cover 100 is inserted into the recess 106 over the unit 98 and the cover 100 is ultrasonically welded to the walls 108, 110, 112, 114.

The body 96 has a head part 116 with an aperture 118 through which any string for attachment purposes may be passed for attachment, such as an attachment strap or electrical cable connector strap.

The unit 98 may also be or heat sealed or glued to the body 96 if required.

In Figures 20 and 21, where appropriate, the same reference numerals will be used to indicate the same parts as in Figures 15 to 19, with a suffix .1 or .2 where applicable.

In Figure 20 a body 96.1 is shown to which a flexible strap or string 120 is joined. The string 120 is insertable into the aperture 118 and has arrow pointed formations 122 to prevent withdrawal of the string 120 once inserted.

Figure 21 shows a body 96.2 with a block 124 provided at right angles to the body 96.2. The block 124 has an aperture 126. A strap or string 128 is joined to the body 96.2, is insertable through the aperture 126 and has a series of arrow shaped formations 130 to prevent withdrawal of the string 128.

In use the device 94 (or 94.1, 94.2) is attached to an article of merchandise at a convenient position by means of the strap or string 120 or 126 fitted to the body 96.1 or 96.2 so that it can not be removed. When a person purchases an article the signal emitting chip 102 inside the body 96 is scanned and activated. Thereafter the article can be carried out of the shopping area through a control sensor gate or zone.

As the cost of the signal emitting chip 102 may be high in comparison to the costs of some articles of merchandise it may be economic and useful that chips 102 are only provided in some of the devices 94. A customer would have no way of determining whether or not a chip is located in a device 94, 94.1 or 94.2. Therefore devices with a signal emitting member, which has to be deactivated, may be provided at random.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A surveillance device including

(a) a body of plastics material;

(b) a recess provided in the body;

(c) a signalling emitting member located inside the recess; and

(d) attachment means associated with the body and being adapted for attaching the body to an object, such as an article of merchandise.

2. A surveillance device as claimed in claim 1, which includes a cover covering the signalling emitting member and being joined to the body.

3. A surveillance device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the attachment means is produced separately of the body.

4. A surveillance device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the attachment means is made of plastics material different to that of the body.

5. A surveillance device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which at least one aperture is provided in the body, e.g. at one end thereof.

6. A surveillance device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which at least one aperture is provided in a part of the attachment means.

7. A surveillance device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the attachment means is located on any side of the body.

8. A surveillance device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the cover is welded, e.g. ultra-sonically, fused, or heat attached or glued to the body to cover the signal emitting member.

9. A surveillance device as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8, in which the attachment means includes a base and, extending from the base, a strap or string with hooks or the like adapted to prevent withdrawal of the strap or string when inserted through at least one of the apertures.

10. A surveillance device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the signal emitting member is an acoustic magnetic member.

11. A surveillance device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is re-usable.

12. A surveillance device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 or Figures 6 to 8 or Figures 9 to 11 or Figures 12 to 14 or Figures 15 to 19 or

Figure 20 or Figure 21 of the accompanying schematic drawings.