US 12,404,702 B1
Anti-theft device having an electromechanically actuated arm
Christopher A. Kelsch, Palm Harbor, FL (US); Francesc Agustin, Clearwater, FL (US); Jasen Paul Biggins, Raleigh, NC (US); Lee Eckert, Sarasota, FL (US); John N. Figh, Jr., Tampa, FL (US); and Wade Zhu, Land O' Lakes, FL (US)
Assigned to Vanguard Products Group, Inc., Oldsmar, FL (US)
Filed by Vanguard Products Group, Inc., Oldsmar, FL (US); and Christopher A. Kelsch, Palm Harbor, FL (US)
Filed on May 28, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/675,988.
Application 18/675,988 is a continuation of application No. 17/851,913, filed on Jun. 28, 2022, granted, now 11,993,959, issued on May 28, 2024.
Application 17/851,913 is a continuation of application No. 17/545,542, filed on Dec. 8, 2021, granted, now 11,401,738, issued on Aug. 2, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/153,506, filed on Feb. 25, 2021.
Int. Cl. E05B 73/00 (2006.01); E05B 41/00 (2006.01); E05B 47/00 (2006.01); G07C 9/00 (2020.01); G08B 13/14 (2006.01)
CPC E05B 73/0082 (2013.01) [E05B 41/00 (2013.01); E05B 47/0012 (2013.01); G07C 9/00182 (2013.01); G08B 13/1472 (2013.01); E05B 2047/0016 (2013.01); E05B 2047/0017 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An anti-theft device for securing an article of merchandise, comprising:
a pedestal affixed to a support surface;
an electromechanically operated arm configured to selectively immobilize the article of merchandise relative to the pedestal, wherein the electromechanically operated arm has a closed position in which the article of merchandise is immobilized relative to the pedestal and an open position in which the article of merchandise can be removed from the pedestal;
a locking block movingly disposed within the pedestal, wherein the locking block has a first position relative to the pedestal in which the locking block is configured to immobilize the electromechanically operated arm in the closed position, and wherein the locking block has a second position relative to the pedestal in which the locking block is configured to release the electromechanically operated arm, enabling the electromechanically operated arm to transition into the open position,
an electrical actuator operatively connected to a locking block which is operatively engaged with the electromechanically operated arm, wherein the locking block is configured to move between the first position and the second position under an influence of a force produced by the electrical actuator thereby selectively closing or opening the electromechanically operated arm, wherein in the closed position the electromechanically operated arm is restricted from being transitioned into the open position via application of a manual force or moment thereto; and
a processor in electrical communication with the electrical actuator, wherein in response to a designated signal, the processor is configured to energize the electrical actuator causing the electromechanically operated arm to move from the closed position into the open position thereby releasing the article of merchandise for removal from the pedestal.