EP1858379B1 - Antitheft device for displaying and trying jewellery - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has an integration unit provided for each of a set of rings (1). Each integration unit integrates a reception head to each ring and extends a movable cylinder (3) that slides through one of the openings (7), where the course of the cylinder is limited in a safety position by a stop (6) that is placed on a plate (4). The cylinder has a lateral surface comprising a machined gorge whose angular extension permits the rotation of the ring that is fixed on the reception head of the cylinder. The gorge has an inverse V shape and the angular extension is smaller than an end of the gorge. An independent claim is also included for a jewelry display case comprising a display plate having a jewelry display and demonstration device.

Description

Object of the invention

The present invention relates to an antitheft system, in particular a system making it impossible to steal or otherwise steal, for a ring or other articles of jewelery, while often leaving the possibility to the customer of a fitting or a presentation on oneself. .

Technological background and state of the art

In jewelery, one often faces the double imperative of exposing to the eyes of the customers of the high or average value articles, such as the ring, which is the best-selling article in jewelery, the necklace, the gourmette, the watch, etc., while maximizing the means of security against theft.

There are, of course, many variations of devices aimed at preventing the theft of jewelery, watches, bracelets or other valuables on the market ( US-A-4,442,942 , GB-A-2,058,560 , US-A-4,463,856 , US-A-4,406,372 , FR-A-2,609,242 , FR-A-2,756 , 468 , GB-A-2,181,288 , EP-A-0 868 874 , etc.). In particular, there are known systems such as display cases, displays or cabinets having a transparent glass or plastic plate, lockable and possibly equipped with sound and / or light alarm devices. There is also a whole series of systems presenting means mechanical restraint of valuables (hooks or other). All these devices make it possible to expose the objects in the view of the potential customer, without it being desirable for him to touch them.

However, the customer is interested not only in looking at exposed jewelry such as rings, watches, bracelets, etc., but even more so in trying them.

Thus, we have developed a series of devices based generally on the following principle.

A lockable housing is provided which is provided with a series of openings at an upper panel dedicated to the presentation. The ring or ring is attached to a strong wire, the other end of the wire being attached to a counterweight or ballast. The latter allows the ring to fall back into its position on the display, by gravity, when it stopped manipulating the ring. The volume of the counterweight is generally sufficient to allow obstruction at the corresponding opening in the panel. In a first embodiment, the rings can not be removed if access to the inside of the housing (see for example US-A-4,074,637 , EP-A-0 674 866 , EP-A-0 615 711 ). In another embodiment, the obstruction of the counterweight can be removed via a lockable drawer system using two sliding plates (see, for example FR-A-2,744,348 , DE-A-197 06 294 ).

There are also wire displays designed so that the rupture of a metal wire of attachment of the ring, after a flight, closes, respectively opens, an electric contact itself resulting in the closing, respectively the opening, of an electrical circuit with triggering an audible and / or visual alarm (see for example FR-A-2 627 970 , FR-A-2 701 645 , FR-A-2,595,227 ).

Most of these systems have the disadvantage that the retaining wire can be torn off or severed. In particular, even a very strong wire is still accessible and can be cut by means of a suitable clamp.

Electrical systems also have the disadvantage of warning that a theft was committed without being able to prevent it.

Goals of the invention

The present invention aims to provide a security device specially adapted for securing jewelry items such as rings, rings, watches, bracelets, without the disadvantages of the state of the art.

In particular, the invention aims to allow the customer to pass a ring on his finger, while leaving the safety device operational.

The invention aims to provide a device and a display equipped with this device that are very robust.

The invention also aims to provide a preventive security system, that is to say that prevents theft and not a security system that simply warns that a theft was committed, without being able to prevent it and well heard without giving any guarantee of being able to recover the stolen jewel.

Main characteristic elements of the invention

An object of the present invention relates to an antitheft device for the presentation to the public of demonstration rings or similar articles of jewelery according to the terms of claim 1.

This device comes within the technical field of safety devices comprising a fixed plate having openings and belonging to the upper face of a housing as well as retention means of each ring or other article to said plate allowing manipulation of the ring, possibly up to a maximum distance from the plate. The particularity of the invention is that said retention means comprise, for each article, a reception head and means for securing it to the article, extending a rigid longitudinal piece that can optionally slide through one end. openings, the retention of the rigid part to the plate in the safety position being possibly provided by a stop located on the plate. In addition, the securing means of the receiving head to each article comprise a curved wire or a rail attached to the receiving head and fixable to the rigid element via locking means located in the safety position, under the plaque.

The dependent claims illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention.

Thus, the present invention solves the technical problem of making a display more effective against theft than those described in the prior art. The principle is to avoid the cutting of the wire which usually retains each ring to the cabinet by preventing a certain wire length is easily accessible and severable by the jaws of a clamp or by any other cutting or blunt object, except of course in the trivial case of the destruction of the ring by shearing. According to the invention, the ring is secured for example to a resistant metal cylinder and the retaining wire attached to the ring is positioned flush with the receptacle thereof.

Brief description of the figures

The Figures 1A to 1D represent a sectional view of a first preferred embodiment of the antitheft device for fixing a ring according to the present invention, in different positions relative to its security support.

The figure 2 represents a perspective view with hidden details of the device according to the figure 1 .

The FIGS. 3A to 3I represent different perspective or elevational views of a second preferred embodiment of the antitheft device for fixing a ring according to the present invention.

The Figures 4A to 4D represent different perspective views of a preferred embodiment of the antitheft device for attaching a wristwatch according to the present invention.

The Figures 5A to 5D represent different perspective views of a preferred embodiment of the antitheft device for fixing chains or chains according to the present invention.

Description of several preferred embodiments of the invention

According to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the ring security system 1 comprises a tube comprising a universal head 2 which itself overcomes a cylinder 3. The ring 1 is mechanically secured to the head 2 in a vertical position on his slice. This cylinder 3 is itself attached to a display 4 ', comprising a plate 4 essentially arranged in a horizontal position. The cylinder 3 can to some extent be withdrawn upwards, from the plate 4, which allows the user to try the ring, that is to say to pass it on his finger, without it is separated from the safety device. Note that, to make the fitting accessible to all, the demonstration ring used 1 will be the ring of the largest size available.

On the lateral surface of the cylinder 3 has been machined, for example laser engraved, a substantially inverted "V" shaped groove 5, bounded by two planes perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder 3 and flaring from the top. downward, that is to say towards the end opposite to that where the ring is. The cylinder 3 can be removed from the display 4 'or placed thereon in a vertical movement, thanks to a substantially circular opening 7' formed in an upper plate of the display 4 '. The circular opening 7 'allows the cylinder 3 to fall by gravity still in the same place on the display 4'. The plate 4 comprises an opening 7 corresponding to the opening 7 '. The opening 7 of the plate 4 is substantially oval in shape and comprises a lug 6 which opposes the removal of the cylinder 3 from the plate 4, when the latter is in the locked safety position. Indeed, in this position, the cylinder 3 can be lifted vertically until the lug 6 reaches an abutment on the cylinder 3, at a rim 5 'constituting the lower end of the groove 5. to unlock the system, the plate 4 is removed horizontally so that the lug 6 no longer obstructs the rim 5 'of the groove 5. The cylinder 3, kept in contact with the other side of the oval opening 7, does not present no ergot, can then be completely removed of the display 4 '. This removal is necessary each time you want to change the demonstration ring on the tube.

To avoid shocks, a suitable damping device of the cylinder 3 may optionally be provided in the display.

So, in the safety position, when the user raises the cylinder 3 of its display, the latter slides vertically. Given the inverted "V" shape of the machined groove, as the cylinder 3 is removed from the display 4 ', the user has the possibility to print a rotation whose angular amplitude is only limited by the contact of the 6 with the two "lines" of the "V". Given the shape of the groove, the maximum angular amplitude becomes greater as one moves away from the display. Thus, the user has a degree of freedom in rotation which facilitates the insertion of the ring on his finger and the fitting.

The universal head 2 is machined in its upper part so as to have a recess or slot with a surface 10 substantially cylindrical or possibly conical, which allows the ring to be always presented in a vertical position.

In the safety position, the edge of the demonstration ring 1 is placed on the head 2 and is retained by a hardened steel wire 11, curved at the level of the fixing of the ring, plasticized, provided with a spring 12 and a screw thread cooperating in a self-tightening manner with a complementary screw thread integral with the cylinder 3. For example, the wire will have a diameter of 1.5 mm and a tensile strength of 80-90 kg.

To further protect the demonstration ring, a small sheet of paper or plastic 15 can still be inserted between the ring ring and the plasticized retaining wire.

Advantageously, the principle of the invention may be adapted for the presentation to the public of a plurality of rings. Each plate 4,4 'can be rationalized so that it has for example 3 lines of 8 rings or 4 lines of 6 rings or 5 lines of 7 rings, etc.

As already mentioned above, it will be possible to remove the various presentation tubes of the rings by a general unlocking consisting in separating the upper plate 4 'from the lower plate 4, thanks to a horizontal sliding withdrawal movement. Once the various tubes removed from the plate, each ring can be released by unscrewing the retaining wire, by means of a wheel 14 integral with a threaded rod 13 complementary to the thread with thread. Thus, each tube can be released independently of one another through a guillotine plate system, which is advantageously secured by lock or padlock and can be released by transverse withdrawal movement.

Still advantageously, the entire display can be further protected by a conventional audible alarm system and / or light sensitive to shocks.

Advantageously, the display according to the invention may comprise a foot that may for example be surmounted by one or three trays equipped with the safety device according to the invention. Inside the foot are preferably provided keyed storage to arrange spare trays with different sizes of exposed rings as described above and can be presented later to the customer, at a more personalized reception.

The advantage of the invention is to be able to offer the customer the opportunity to try the ring in a relatively comfortable manner, while maintaining total security against theft, without permanent human surveillance, the only way to neutralize the protection being to destroy the ring by shearing.

According to a second preferred embodiment of the invention, the ring security system 1 comprises a universal head 2 which itself is connected to and overcomes a rigid longitudinal element 3 ( FIGS. 3A to 3C ). The ring 1 is secured mechanically to the head 2 in a vertical position on its edge. This rigid piece 3 is itself attached to a display 4 ', comprising a plate 4 essentially disposed in a horizontal position ( 3D figures at 3I ). The piece 3 can to some extent be removed upwards, from the plate 4, which allows the user to try the ring, that is to say to pass it on his finger, without it is separated from the safety device. In this embodiment, the tapered downward shape of the part 3 allows, when it is removed to the maximum of the display, to obtain an angular play on either side of the vertical axis, for example of 20 °. Again, to make the fitting accessible to all, the used demonstration ring 1 will be the largest available ring.

Advantageously, the rigid part 3 comprises two arms 3 ', 3''starting from the head 2 and joining at the opposite end 30, so as to form a hollow or open portion 31 in the rigid sliding part 3. The height of sliding of the part 3 corresponds precisely to the longitudinal extent of this hollow part. This part is preferably made of a plastic having a good memory and a slight flexibility, such as polycarbonate. If we want a bigger resistance to deformation, one can use a polycarbonate loaded with fibers.

The piece 3 can be removed from the display unit 4 'or replaced thereon in a vertical movement, thanks to an opening 7' made in an upper plate of the display unit 4 '( figure 3G ). The opening allows the piece 3 to fall by gravity still in the same place on the display 4 '. The plate 4 comprises an opening 7 corresponding to this opening 7 '( figure 3H ). The opening 7 of the plate 4 is of the same shape as the opening 7 'in the display and has a lug 6 which opposes the removal of the part 3 of the plate 4, when the latter is in position Locked security. Indeed, in this position, it is possible to lift the piece 3 vertically until the lug 6 reaches an abutment in the hollow of the piece 3, at the bottom 32 constituting the lower end of the hollow 31 ( figure 3I ). To unlock the system, conversely, the plate 4 is removed horizontally, so that the lug 6 no longer blocks the bottom 32 of the hollow 31. The security plate 4 is for example made of a thick plate. 2 mm and is intended to secure several identical devices of this kind on the display, the set of lugs and openings forming a kind of comb.

Advantageously, in order to avoid scratches or shocks, the head 2 comprises a cushion 21 of elastomer, for example centroprene, which is "clipped" on the rigid part of the head and which is in direct contact with the ring. In addition, the receiving head 2 is provided in its upper part with two flexible guides forming between them an angle, the variable opening allows, in cooperation with the aforementioned cushion, to take the outer diameter of rings of different sizes.

In the safety position, the edge of the demonstration ring 1 is placed on the head 2 and is retained by a stainless steel spring or other wire 11, curved and forming a flat at its center at the fixing of the ring . The two ends of this wire are bent in such a way that they can be inserted in a double notch 15 disposed on a wheel 13 which is "clipped" at the end 30 of the part 3 in a housing provided for this purpose. By rotation of the wheel 13, it is possible to choose the notch where the wire is inserted and thus ensure a good tightening intensity. The number of notches, 4 or 5, allows for example to take differences in thickness between rings of at least up to 3.5 mm. Moreover, we see, on the figure 3A , that the two "parallel" sides of the wire 11 must be gripped to pass it through the opening in the head 2.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a security system for a bracelet or wristwatch ( Figures 4A to 4D ). This system comprises a universal head 2, which may be suitable as a support for both wide bracelets and fine bracelets, the latter surmounting a rigid longitudinal piece 3 itself attached to a display 4 ', comprising a plate 4 substantially disposed in a horizontal position . The piece 3 can to some extent be removed upwards, from the plate 4, which allows the user to try the bracelet, without it being detached from the safety device. In this particular embodiment, the part 3 has a straight shape, allowing it to slide in the openings of the display unit with a relatively small clearance.

The head 2 consists of a support 21 'coming into contact with the outside diameter of the bracelet 1 and of a piece 21 of flexible material retaining by a stainless wire 11, coming into contact with the inner diameter of the bracelet 1. This piece 21 comprises two flanges directed outwardly and each provided with an orifice 22, by which va passing the wire 11. It will preferably have the form of a closed loop that locks the system by fixing on a notch 15 at the opposite end of the rigid longitudinal part 3. The notch 15 is disposed of the same end of the piece 3 according to an oblique surface relative to the transverse plane, which always allows the choice of a correct clamping intensity. The part 3 comprises, as above, a transverse hollow 31 for the insertion of the locking pin 6 belonging to the plate 4 (comb), which limits the stroke of the part 3 relative to the plate 4 of the display.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention also relates to a safety system for chains or chains ( Figures 5A to 5D ). This system comprises a universal head in the form of a horizontal ramp 2, preferably in the form of a curved plastic injected piece for reconstituting a neck or wrist primer, for the purpose of exposing chains or chains. This ramp, surmounted by a locking cover 21, for example made of sheet metal or transparent PMMA, is integral with a vertical mast 3 passing through one of the openings 7 of the display 4 '. The mast is not slidable and is secured to the display structure by a conventional fastener 28 located therein (screw and tapped hole). The device comprises means for securing the ramp 2 and its cover 21 to a plurality of chains, in the form of a plate 26 mounted to slide, which can pass through an oblong hole 23 formed in the ramp and having a point locking the cache such as a pin 24 is inserted into an orifice 25 of the cover 21. The plate 26 is securable to the mast via fastening means 13 such as those described above (comb) and located under the plate 4 (not shown). For example, it is possible to provide a mast sliding a few millimeters upon unlocking, to allow the chains to be released. The ramp 2 may comprise separating elements such as pins or staples 27 which, in the locked position, are between the ramp and its cover and which allow an orderly presentation of the chains or chains.

Advantageously, the corresponding display will include several ramps fixed on masts of different heights.

Claims (27)

1. Anti-theft device for displaying articles (1) of jewellery, comprising a fixed plate (4) with apertures (7) and belonging to the top of a case as well as a means for holding each article (1) to said plate (4), characterised in that it comprises a retention head (2) for at least one of said articles (1) equipped with a means for fixing said retention head (2) to each article (1) and extending a rigid longitudinal element (3) passing through one of the apertures (7), said rigid longitudinal element (3), which may or may not slide, being held to the plate (4) in a secure position thanks to its co-operation with a stop (6) located on the plate (4), the means for fixing the retention head (2) to each article (1) comprising a bent wire (11) or a track (26) that is attached at the level of the retention head (2) and can be fixed to the rigid element (3) by a locking means (13,14) located in the secure position under the plate (4).
2. Device according to Claim 1, for displaying rings (1) that allows to handle a ring up to a maximum distance relative to the plate (4), characterised in that, for each ring, the retention head (2) and the means for fixing it to the ring (1) extend a mobile cylinder (3) serving as a rigid longitudinal element and fitted so as to slide through one of the apertures (7), the movement of the cylinder (3) being limited in the secure position by the stop (6) located on the plate (4).
3. Device according to Claim 2, characterised in that it comprises a groove (5) machined in the side surface of the cylinder (3) and whose angular extension allows the ring (1) fixed to the head (2) of the cylinder (3) to rotate when handled.
4. Device according to Claim 3, characterised in that the groove (5) is straight, in the sense that it is angularly limited by two radial planes.
5. Device according to Claim 3, characterised in that the groove (5) has the shape of an inverted "V", the angular extension being smaller at the end of the groove (5) nearer to the ring than at its end further from the ring, the angular extension varying in a uniform, preferably linear, manner between these two ends of the groove.
6. Device according to Claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the angular extension of the groove (5) is between 0 and 180°.
7. Device according to any one of Claims 2 to 6, characterised in that said plate (4) is topped by a finishing plate (4') with circular apertures (7') corresponding to the diameter of the cylinder (3).
8. Device according to Claim 7, characterised in that the apertures (7) are of an oval shape with a pin that protrudes and forms said stop (6), the oval shape allowing to adjust the passage of the cylinder (3) between two extreme positions of the plate (4), one of which, an unlocked position, corresponds to the totally free sliding of the cylinder through said apertures (7,7') in the plate (4) and the finishing plate (4'), and the other one of which, a locked position, corresponds to the limited movement of the cylinder (3) through these same apertures (7,7') when the pin (6) is in the groove (5).
9. Device according to Claim 8, characterised in that, in the locked position, the movement of the cylinder (3) is limited outwards relative to the plate (4) by the blocking of the pin (6) against the axial edge (5') of the groove (5) located at the end of the groove (5) further from the ring.
10. Device according to Claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the plate (4) and the finishing plate (4') are fitted so as to slide relative to each other in order to allow the passage from the locked position to the unlocked position.
11. Device according to any one of Claims 8 to 10, characterised in that the locked position is permanently retained by means of a lock or of a padlock.
12. Device according to any one of Claims 2 to 11, characterised in that the wire (11) for fixing the retention head (2) to the ring (1) is a wire made of tempered or stainless steel or of polyamide/aramide, that is bent at the point of attachment to the ring, plastic-coated at least in the zone of contact with the ring, equipped with a spring (12), and that can be fixed to the cylinder (3) by self-locking screwing means (13,14).
13. Device according to Claim 12, characterised in that said wire (11) has a diameter of at least 1.5 mm and a tensile strength of at least 90 kg.
14. Device according to any one of Claims 2 to 13, characterised in that the cylinder (3) and/or the plates (4,4') are made of a metal with high mechanical strength, preferably of high-strength steel or titanium.
15. Device according to Claim 1, for displaying rings (1) and allowing to handle a ring up to a maximum distance relative to the plate (4), characterised in that, for each ring, the retention head (2) and the means for fixing it to the ring (1) extend a rigid part (3) comprising two arms (3',3") that define a hollow part (31) and join at their ends (30) opposite said head (2), giving said rigid part (3) a tapered shape, the part (3) being fitted so as to slide through one of the apertures (7), the movement of the rigid part (3) being limited in the secure position by the stop (6) located on the plate (4) and which is inserted butted up at the level of the bottom (32) in the gap formed by the hollow part (31).
16. Device according to Claim 15, characterised in that the head (2) comprises a cushion (21) made of a deformable material, preferably elastomer, and clipped to a rigid part of the head (2) that comes into direct contact with the ring (1).
17. Device according to Claim 16, characterised in that the retention head (2) comprises two flexible guides forming an angle between them, whose opening allows to accommodate the differences in external diameter of different rings with the aid of the cushion (21) made of a deformable material.
18. Device according to Claim 15, 16 or 17, characterised in that the wire bent at the level of the retention head (2) is a wire (11) made of tempered or stainless steel or of polyamide/aramide comprising a flat part onto which the ring (1) is threaded and two far ends of said flat part that are configured so as to ensure the locking by clicking at the level of a locking means (13,15) fixed to the rigid part (3).
19. Device according to Claim 18, characterised in that said locking means is a toothed wheel (13) fitted so as to rotate on the end of the rigid part further from the ring (1) and comprises notching (15) to take each of both far ends of said wire (11), the notching (15) preferably comprising at least 4 notches and being configured so as to accommodate a difference in ring thickness of at least 3 mm, the strength of the locking of the ring on its retention head depending on the particular notch in which each end of the wire (11) is located.
20. Device according to any one of Claims 15 to 19, characterised in that the rigid part (3) is made of a plastic that has bending strength, preferably a polycarbonate, possible charged with fibres.
21. Device according to Claim 1, for displaying bracelets or wrist watches (1) and allowing to handle a bracelet (1) up to a maximum distance relative to the plate (4), characterised in that, for each bracelet (1), the retention head (2) and the means for fixing it to the bracelet (1) extend a longitudinal rigid part (3) which is axially hollow and comprises an orifice (31) on its external side surface, the part (3) being fitted so as to slide through one of the apertures (7), the movement of the rigid part (3) being limited in the secure position by the stop (6) located on the plate (4) and which is inserted into the side orifice (31) of the rigid part (3).
22. Device according to Claim 21, characterised in that the retention head (2) comprises a first support (21) that fits the shape of the bracelet (1) and is inserted inside it, as well as a second support (21') positioned on the external surface of the bracelet (1) and fixed to the rigid part (3), the first support comprising two straps (22) directed outwards and each one provided with an orifice for the passage of the wire (11) for fixing the bracelet.
23. Device according to Claim 22, characterised in that the rigid part (3) comprises notching (15) at its end further from the retention head of the bracelet, positioned obliquely relative to a transverse straight section of the rigid part, in order to take the fixing wire (11) and to ensure locking of the assembly with a strength that depends on the particular notch used, said wire (11) preferably forming a closed loop.
24. Device according to Claim 1, for displaying several large or small chains, comprising a horizontal sloped bed (2) serving as a retention head, preferably with a curved surface, fixed onto a vertical shaft (3) and comprising a locking cover (21) for the sloped bed, said shaft (3) passing through one of the apertures (7) and being fixed to the case by means (28) located inside it, characterised in that the means for fixing the sloped bed (2) to the several chains comprises a track in the form of a flat part (26) fitted so as to slide inside the shaft (3), that can pass through an oblong hole (23) made in the sloped bed (2), that comprises a locking point for the cover (21), such as a pin (24), inserted into an orifice (25) of the cover, and that can be fixed to the shaft (3) by locking means (13) located in the secure position under the plate (4).
25. Device according to Claim 24, characterised in that the sloping bed (2) is equipped with separating elements such as latches or clasps (27) that allow the tidy display of several chains.
26. Display for presenting to the public articles of jewellery, comprising at least one presentation tray equipped with the anti-theft device according to any one of the preceding claims.
27. Display according to Claim 26, characterised in that it comprises a conventional general sound and/or light alarm system that is sensitive to impacts.

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