IP Library Granted Patent US 9,165,442
Granted Patent B2
US 9,165,442 · App. 13/661,175 · Granted Oct 20, 2015

Asset retention device for an asset retention system

Inventor: Dennis E. Guessford (Richfield, NC)
Assignee: MARCON INTERNATIONAL, INC.
G08B13/1445H05K7/16
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,165,442
App. No.
13/661,175
Granted
Oct 20, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention provides an asset retention device, including: a housing including a base portion and an end portion, wherein the base portion and the end portion each include electrical contacts; and an asset attachment structure securely coupled to the end portion and the associated electrical contacts of the housing, thereby completing an electrical circuit through the asset attachment structure and the housing; wherein, if the continuity of the asset attachment structure is broken, the electrical circuit through the asset attachment structure and the housing is broken. The base portion of the housing is configured to be selectively coupled to a main console, such that the electrical circuit is present through the asset attachment structure, the housing, the base portion of the housing, and the main console. The main console includes a controller/processor operable for detecting a break in the continuity of the asset attachment structure and the associated electrical circuit.

Claims (32)

1. An asset retention device, comprising:

a housing comprising a base portion and an end portion, wherein the base portion and the end portion each comprise electrical contacts; and

an asset attachment structure securely coupled to the end portion and the associated electrical contacts of the housing, thereby completing an electrical circuit through the asset attachment structure and the housing;

wherein, if the continuity of the asset attachment structure is broken, the electrical circuit through the asset attachment structure and the housing is broken;

wherein the base portion of the housing and asset attachment structure are configured to be selectively rotatably coupled to a holder, such that the electrical circuit is present through the asset attachment structure, the housing, the base portion of the housing, and the holder when the base portion of the housing and asset attachment structure are rotatably coupled to the holder; and

wherein the base portion of the housing and asset attachment structure are configured to be selectively rotatably removed from the holder only upon authorization by a controller/processor coupled to the holder.

2. The asset retention device of claim 1 , wherein the controller/processor is operable for detecting a break in the continuity of the asset attachment structure and the associated electrical circuit.

3. The asset retention device of claim 1 , further comprising an identifying chip for identifying the asset retention device.

4. The asset retention device of claim 1 , wherein the asset attachment structure is configured to securely retain an asset.

5. The asset retention device of claim 1 , wherein the asset attachment structure comprises a conductive material.

6. A method for providing an asset retention device, comprising:

providing a housing comprising a base portion and an end portion, wherein the base portion and the end portion each comprise electrical contacts; and

providing an asset attachment structure securely coupled to the end portion and the associated electrical contacts of the housing, thereby completing an electrical circuit through the asset attachment structure and the housing;

wherein, if the continuity of the asset attachment structure is broken, the electrical circuit through the asset attachment structure and the housing is broken;

wherein the base portion of the housing and asset attachment structure are configured to be selectively rotatably coupled to a holder, such that the electrical circuit is present through the asset attachment structure, the housing, the base portion of the housing, and the holder when the base portion of the housing and asset attachment structure are rotatably coupled to the holder; and

wherein the base portion of the housing and asset attachment structure are configured to be selectively rotatably removed from the holder only upon authorization by a controller/processor coupled to the holder.

7. The method for providing an asset retention device of claim 6 , wherein the controller/processor is operable for detecting a break in the continuity of the asset attachment structure and the associated electrical circuit.

8. The method for providing an asset retention device of claim 6 , further comprising providing an identifying chip for identifying the asset retention device.

9. The method for providing an asset retention device of claim 6 , wherein the asset attachment structure is configured to securely retain an asset.

10. The method for providing an asset retention device of claim 6 , wherein the asset attachment structure comprises a conductive material.

11. An asset retention system, comprising:

an asset retention device, comprising:

a housing comprising a base portion and an end portion, wherein the base portion and the end portion each comprise electrical contacts; and

an asset attachment structure securely coupled to the end portion and the associated electrical contacts of the housing, thereby completing an electrical circuit through the asset attachment structure and the housing;

wherein, if the continuity of the asset attachment structure is broken, the electrical circuit through the asset attachment structure and the housing is broken; and

a holder;

wherein the base portion of the housing and asset attachment structure are configured to be selectively rotatably coupled to the holder, such that the electrical circuit is present through the asset attachment structure, the housing, the base portion of the housing, and the holder when the base portion of the housing and asset attachment structure are rotatably coupled to the holder; and

wherein the base portion of the housing and asset attachment structure are configured to be selectively rotatably removed from the holder only upon authorization by a controller/processor coupled to the holder.

12. The asset retention system of claim 11 , wherein the controller/processor is operable for detecting a break in the continuity of the asset attachment structure and the associated electrical circuit.

13. The asset retention system of claim 11 , further comprising an identifying chip for identifying the asset retention device.

14. The asset retention system of claim 11 , wherein the asset attachment structure is configured to securely retain an asset.

15. The asset retention system of claim 11 , wherein the asset attachment structure comprises a conductive material.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 7, 2019
From: KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: MARCON INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 048267/0326 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 16, 2018
From: NORTHCREEK MEZZANINE FUND II, L.P.
To: MARCON INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 047588/0864 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 8, 2018
From: ENTERPRISE BANK & TRUST
To: MARCON INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 045023/0107 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 29, 2017
From: MARCON INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 044504/0383 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 24, 2015
From: MARCON INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: NORTHCREEK MEZZANINE FUND II, L.P.
Reel/Frame 035896/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 23, 2015
From: MARCON INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: ENTERPRISE BANK & TRUST
Reel/Frame 035881/0608 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 26, 2012
From: GUESSFORD, DENNIS E.
To: MARCON INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 029196/0422 →
Continuity (1)
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