Abstract: The combination of a fishing reel support, a fishing reel, and a security assembly. The fishing reel support has a graspable body with a fishing reel mounting assembly. The fishing reel has a frame with an operating mechanism on the frame. The frame has a mounting stem and a mounting foot including first and second foot portions projecting generally oppositely away from the mounting stem. The security assembly prevents the fishing reel from being separated from the fishing reel support. The security assembly consists of first and second strap components that are joined to each other. A first foot portion is captive between the first strap component and the fishing reel support, with the second foot portion captive between the second strap component and the fishing reel support. The security assembly has a secured state and cooperates with the fishing reel support so that the fishing reel and security assembly cannot be separated from the fishing reel support with the security assembly in the secured state.

Abstract: A security surveillance system having a support, a surveillance device mounted on the support, and a cover assembly. The cover assembly is movable selectively relative to the support between an access state and an operative state. In the access state, at least a first operating state of the surveillance device can be changed by an operator at or in the vicinity of the surveillance device. In the operative state, the cover assembly blocks access by an operator. The cover assembly has a first component and the support has a second component. The first and second components are mutually attracted to each other.

Abstract: A security system having a control and a sensor attachable to an article to be monitored. The sensor has a plurality of different states, among which are an armed state and a breached state. The sensor and control interact so that the control causes a detectable signal to be generated as an incident of the sensor being changed from the armed state into the breached state. The sensor has a housing with a wall structure bounding a cavity. The sensor further has a source of illumination that projects light. The wall structure has a light transmissive portion through which light from the illumination source projects from within the cavity to be visible externally of the wall structure.

Abstract: The combination of a portable component, a cable attaching assembly, and a cable. The component has a wall with oppositely facing inside and outside surfaces and an opening. The cable attaching assembly has an anchor element with first and second transverse legs. The first leg is directed into the opening in a first direction into a first position with the anchor element in a first orientation. The anchor element is changed from the first orientation, with the anchor element in the first position, to place the anchor element in an operative position, wherein the first leg is situated in confronting relationship with the inside of the wall. The cable is connected to the anchor element so that the anchor element cannot be reoriented from the operative position to allow the anchor element to be withdrawn from the opening. The anchor element is the only component required in the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for drawing a flexible cord into a wrapped configuration around a reel. The apparatus has a housing and a reel that is movable around a first axis relative to the housing. The apparatus further includes a spring system through which a rotational force is exerted on the reel tending to rotate the reel around the first axis to thereby cause a flexible cord associated with the reel, that is drawn away from the housing by turning of the reel in one direction around the first axis, to be wrapped around the reel by turning of the reel oppositely to the one direction around the first axis. The spring system permits a user to selectively vary at least one of a) the nature and b) the magnitude of the rotational force exerted on the reel.

Abstract: The combination of a portable article and a security system. The security system includes a tether having a length. The tether is attached to the portable article and a support so that the portable article is movable relative to the support and confined in movement relative to the support by the tether within a range dictated by the length of the tether. The security system further includes a security response assembly that is triggered as an incident of the portable article being repositioned with the tether attached to the portable article.

Abstract: A method of monitoring portable consumer articles at a display, which method includes the steps of: providing a first portable consumer article; providing a security system capable of interacting with the first portable consumer article at a first location; operatively interacting the first security system with the first portable consumer article; and interacting with the security system from a second location remote from the first location.

Abstract: The combination of a portable article, a first support, and at least one connecting element for maintaining the portable article in a secured state relative to the first support. The at least one connecting element has at least one arm which overlies a portion of the portable article. At least a portion of the at least one connecting element at least one of a) is made from a hardened metal material, b) has a stepped configuration, and c) has a shaped non-flat surface so as to be resistant to bending in a manner to allow the portable article to be released from the secured state.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a portable article. The system has a housing, a detectable signal generator on the housing, a detection circuit on the housing, and a jumper element having first and second ends. The jumper element has a) an operative state wherein the first and second jumper element ends are electrically connected to the detection circuit at first and second locations and the jumper element defines a conductive path electrically connecting between the first and second locations on the detection circuit and b) a disabled state. In the disabled state, one of i) the first end of the jumper element is disconnected from the detection circuit at the first location ii) the second end of the jumper element is disconnected from the detection circuit at the second location and iii) the jumper element is severed between the first and second ends, so that the conductive path between the first and second locations is interrupted.

Abstract: A tethering system having an elongate flexible element, with a length, and an anchoring system. The anchoring system has a block defining first and second surfaces. The anchoring system further includes (a) a first anchoring assembly for bearing a first portion of the elongate flexible element against the first surface with the first anchoring assembly in a first state to maintain the first portion of the elongate flexible element substantially fixed against movement relative to the first surface, and (b) a second anchoring assembly for bearing a second portion of the elongate flexible element against the second surface. The first anchoring assembly is changeable selectively between its first state and a second state wherein the first portion of the elongate flexible element can move relative to the first surface to allow the elongate flexible element to be formed into a loop with a variable diameter.

Abstract: The combination of a portable article, a first support assembly, and a tethering system. The first support assembly has at least a first connecting element for maintaining the portable article in a secured state relative to the first support assembly. The tethering system connects to the first support assembly and is connectable to a base/support. The tethering system prevents the first support assembly from being moved beyond a predetermined range from a base/support to which the tethering system is connected. The combination further includes an alarm system.

Abstract: An apparatus for gauging the dimension of an object. The apparatus has a wall with a generally flat front surface, facing a first direction, and a peripheral edge. Space graduations are provided on the wall relative to which a dimension of an object placed in front of the wall can be gauged. The surface on the wall reflects an image of an object located in front of the wall. At least one of i) a depiction of at least one of a) an animate object; b) an inanimate object; and c) a scene; ii) at least one word; iii) a design; and iv) a logo is provided on the wall and is viewable from in front of the wall in conjunction with the spaced graduations and a reflected image from the surface on the wall.

Abstract: The combination of a portable article and a security system. The security system has a flexible element/tether with a length. The flexible element/tether is connected between the portable article and a support to confine movement of the portable article within a range dictated by the length of the flexible element/tether. The flexible element/tether has a flexible core and a protective layer over the core. The protective layer is made at least partially from a material that is resistant to being cut to thereby avoid severance of the flexible core.

Abstract: A message system having a wall with opposite first and second sides. The wall has at least one of (a) a mirrored surface which is capable of producing a discernible, reflective image of an object placed at the first side of the wall, and (b) a blocking surface which substantially obstructs viewing of an object at the second side of the wall through the wall from the first side of the wall. The message system further includes a message generator capable of making a message viewable from the first side of the wall through at least a part of the wall.

Abstract: A retractable sensing assembly having a housing, a sensor connectable to an article to be monitored, a conductive element operatively connected to the sensor and a mechanical cable. The sensor has a secured state and an unsecured state. The conductive element is selectively extendable from and retractable into the housing. The conductive element includes at least one conductive wire through which the state of the sensor can be detected. The mechanical cable is connected to the sensor and is connectable at an anchoring location so that movement of the sensor is confined by the mechanical cable relative to an anchoring location to which the mechanical cable is connected.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to camera mounting systems and, in particular, a universal camera mount apparatus incorporating a security device for use in theft prevention. The apparatus comprises an electronic anti-theft assembly in combination with a universally mountable mounting member. The universally mountable mounting member may then be secured to a camera by a fastener threaded into the camera's pre-existing tripod mount hole, for monitoring by the security device. As the majority of cameras manufactured incorporate tripod mounting holes, the mounting member may be used with the majority of today's cameras, regardless of shape, by providing alternative apertures for mounting in at least two intersecting directions of orientation.

Abstract: A security system for confining movement of an object to a predetermined area. The security system has a cable, with a length, and a housing. The housing is guidable slidingly along the length of the cable and capable of being fixed at a plurality of different locations spaced along the length of the cable. The cable has a first portion that can be fixed relative to the housing. With the first portion fixed relative to the housing, the cable defines a loop with an effective diameter that is variable by sliding the housing along the length of the cable. The cable has a second portion that can be secured to a support relative to which an object is to be confined by the securing system.