Security device

1. A security device for deterring theft of an object from a retail store, said device comprising:

a base member;

cable means for placement about the object;

spool means rotatably mounted on the base member, the cable means being connected to the spool means such that the cable means can be wound around said spool means enabling said cable means to be tightened around said object upon rotation of the spool means with respect to the base member in a tightening direction; and

a ratchet and pawl mechanism configurable between an active configuration wherein the spool means is constrained for rotation only in said cable tightening direction, and an inactive configuration whereby the spool means is free to rotate in both the cable tightening direction and an opposite, cable loosening direction, said ratchet and pawl mechanism being biased towards its active configuration,

wherein the ratchet and pawl mechanism is configured to move from the active configuration to the inactive configuration by applying a magnetic force to a portion of the base member.

2. A security device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said ratchet and pawl mechanism is biased towards its active configuration.

3. A security device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein a trigger element having a cam surface is provided, said cam surface acting on a portion of said ratchet and pawl mechanism to urge the ratchet and pawl mechanism towards its inactive configuration as the trigger element moves between a first position and a second position.

4. A security device as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the trigger element is biased towards its second position.

5. A security device as claimed in claim 4 , wherein holding means is provided for holding the trigger element in its first position.

6. A security device as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the holding means comprises a locking pin is engageable with a corresponding aperture in said trigger element to maintain said trigger element in its first position.

7. A security device as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said locking pin is biased towards its engaged position.

8. A security device as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said at least part of the locking pin is formed from a magnetic material whereby the locking pin can be urged away from its engaged position by means of a magnetic detacher to release the trigger element, thus placing the ratchet and pawl mechanism it is inactive configuration, enabling rotation of the spool means in its cable loosening direction whereby the device can be detached from said object.

9. A security device as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the ratchet and pawl mechanism comprises a ratchet plate mounted on the spool means having a plurality of ratchet teeth formed on a circular track on an outer surface of the ratchet plate, said ratchet teeth being engageable with corresponding pawl teeth mounted on a circular track provided on a inner surface of a cover portion of said base member, biasing means being provided on the spool means for urging the ratchet teeth of the ratchet into engagement with the pawl teeth of the base member cover portion, the ratchet plate having an outwardly extending cam follower portion engageable with the cam surface of the trigger element.

10. A security device as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the spool means is provided with a plurality of elongate outwardly extending locating pins, said ratchet plate being provided with apertures locatable over said locating pins whereby the ratchet plate can be rotated by corresponding rotation of the spool means.

11. A security device as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the trigger element is mounted on a cover plate mounted on the spool means for rotation therewith.

12. A security device for deterring theft of an object from a retail store, said device comprising:

a base member;

cable means for placement about the object;

spool means rotatably mounted on the base member, the cable means being connected to the spool means such that the cable means can be wound around said spool means enabling said cable means to be tightened around said object upon rotation of the spool means with respect to the base member in a tightening direction; and

a ratchet and pawl mechanism in the base member configurable between an active configuration wherein the spool means is constrained for rotation only in said cable tightening direction, and an inactive configuration whereby the spool means is free to rotate in both the cable tightening direction and an opposite, cable loosening direction, said ratchet and pawl mechanism being biased towards its active configuration, and

wherein the ratchet and pawl mechanism is configured to move from the active configuration to the inactive configuration by applying a magnetic field to the base member.