Magnetically Actuable Locking Mechanism And Associated Security Device
Systems and apparatuses for a magnetically actuable locking mechanism and a security device having a magnetically actuable locking mechanism are disclosed.
1 . A locking mechanism for securing a security device to an article, the locking mechanism comprising:
a magnetically actuable latch;
a flexible element to bias the magnetically actuable latch toward a locking position; and
a latch mating element to mate with the magnetically actuable latch when the magnetically actuable latch is in the locking position.
2 . The locking mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the flexible element comprises foam.
3 . The locking mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the flexible element comprises a spring.
4 . The locking mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the flexible element comprises rubber.
5 . The locking mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the flexible element and the magnetically actuable latch are integrally formed.
6 . The security device of claim 1 , wherein the security device is reusable.
7 . The security device of claim 1 , wherein the security device is for one-time use.
8 . The security device of claim 1 , wherein the security device is resettable.
9 . The locking mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the magnetically actuable latch may be moved away from the locking position by magnetic force.
10 . The locking mechanism of claim 9 , wherein the magnetically actuable latch may be moved in a substantially linear direction.
11 . The locking mechanism of claim 9 , wherein the magnetically actuable latch may be moved in a substantially rotational direction.
12 . The locking mechanism of claim 9 , wherein the magnetically actuable latch may be moved in a combination of a rotational and linear direction.
13 . The locking mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the latch mating element comprises a void, and wherein the magnetically actuable latch is at least partially disposed within the void when in the locking position.
14 . The locking mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the magnetically actuable latch comprises at least one tooth, and wherein the latch mating element mates with the magnetically actuable latch in the locking position by engaging the at least one tooth.
15 . The locking mechanism of claim 13 , wherein the latch mating element comprises at least one rib, and wherein the latch mating element engages the at least one tooth with the at least one rib.
16 . A security device for an article, comprising:
a housing; and
a locking mechanism at least partially enclosed by the housing and comprising a flexible element, a latch mating element, and a magnetically actuable latch disposed between the flexible element and the latch mating element.
17 . The security device of claim 16 , comprising a security tag secured to the housing.
18 . The security device of claim 16 , wherein the latch mating element is integral with the housing.
19 . The security device of claim 16 , wherein the security tag is an EAS tag.
20 . The security device of claim 19 , wherein the EAS tag is an RF tag.
21 . The security device of claim 19 , wherein the EAS tag is an acousto-magnetic tag.
22 . The security device of claim 16 , wherein the security tag is an RFID tag.
23 . The security device of claim 16 , wherein the housing is to secure the article to the housing when the magnetically actuable latch is in the locking position.
24 . The security device of claim 23 , wherein the housing is to secure the article to the housing by surrounding at least a portion of the article.
25 . The security device of claim 23 , wherein the housing is to secure the article to the housing by enclosing the article.
26 . The security device of claim 23 , wherein the housing is to secure the article to the housing by interlocking with the article.
27 . The security device of claim 16 , wherein the housing is to secure the security tag to the housing by enclosing the security tag.
28 . The security device of claim 16 , wherein the housing is to secure the locking mechanism to the housing by enclosing the locking mechanism.
29 . The security device of claim 16 , wherein the housing comprises a channel, and wherein the magnetically actuable latch and flexible element are adjacently disposed in the channel.
30 . The security device of claim 29 , wherein the channel is to restrict movement of the magnetically actuable latch to a substantially linear direction.
31 . The security device of claim 29 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a latch mating element to mate with the magnetically actuable latch when the magnetically actuable latch is in the position and thereby lock the housing.
32 . The security device of claim 31 , wherein the magnetically actuable latch is disposed between the flexible element and the latch mating element.
33 . A security device system, comprising:
a security device comprising a locking mechanism; and
a detacher to unlock the security device by magnetic force.
34 . A security device system for an article comprising:
a security device comprising a housing and a locking mechanism disposed in the housing, the housing and locking mechanism to cooperate to lock the housing to the article; and
a detacher comprising a magnet and to unlock the housing from the article by magnetic force.
35 . The security system of claim 34 , wherein the security device further comprises a security tag.
36 . The security system of claim 34 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a magnetically actuable latch, and wherein the magnetic force unlocks the housing by moving the magnetically actuable latch.