Patents Assigned to Vanguard Products Group, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20240125152
    Abstract: An anti-theft device for securing an article of merchandise against unauthorized removal from a display counter. The anti-theft device comprises a latch plate and a pedestal having a quick-release interface. The latch plate is configured to selectively couple to the quick-release interface. A latch bolt is disposed within the pedestal. The latch bolt locks the latch plate relative to the quick-release interface. A plurality of retaining arms is configured to receive and retain an article of merchandise. The retaining arms cannot be disengaged from the article of merchandise while the latch plate is locked relative to the quick-release interface. A solenoid is housed within the pedestal and operationally connected to the latch bolt. The solenoid is configured to retract the latch bolt into a position in which the latch bolt disengages the latch plate, thereby releasing the latch plate from the quick-release interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: Vanguard Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kelsch, Douglas Barthold, Joel Jenkins, Sarah Johnson, Chris Nelson, Wade Zhu, Matthew Kuntz, Lee Eckert, John N. Figh, JR., Jasen Paul Biggins
  • Patent number: 11952803
    Abstract: An anti-theft device for securing an article of merchandise against unauthorized removal from a display counter. The anti-theft device includes a plurality of arms slidingly disposed within the housing. Grips are disposed on proximal ends of the arms and are configured to receive and secure edges of an article of merchandise. A locking mechanism is disposed within the housing of the anti-theft device. The locking mechanism involves an actuator that presses a locking component to engage at least one of the arms. The arms have a first set of teeth disposed thereon, such that, when the locking component engages at least one of the arms, the first set of teeth interlocks with a second set of teeth. The arms cannot slide relative to the housing while the first set of teeth and the second set of teeth remain interlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Vanguard Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kelsch, John N. Figh, Jr., Matthew Kuntz, Lucas P. Swartwood, Wade Zhu, Volodymyr Andreev, Peter D. Iezzi, Andriy Los, Jasen Paul Biggins
  • Patent number: 11869333
    Abstract: A handling alert apparatus configured to detect a predefined event and output an alert responsive to detecting the predefined event. The handling alert apparatus includes a housing connected to an article of merchandise. The handling alert apparatus includes a handling sensor configured to detect when a customer handles the article of merchandise. Responsive to detecting handling of the article of merchandise, the housing outputs a visual, audible, or wireless notification alert. The alert remains active until an authorized user prepares the article of merchandise for subsequent customer interaction and deactivates the alert by using a wireless controller or manually operating a designated deactivation button or switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Vanguard Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kelsch, William Claude Chazotte, John N. Figh, Jr., Michael P. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 11869323
    Abstract: An anti-theft device for securing an electronic merchandise against theft. When the electronic merchandise is placed onto a charging platform, the inductive coil within the charging platform of the anti-theft device establishes a wireless connection with an inductive coil within the electronic merchandise. When the electronic merchandise is removed from the charging platform, an alarm is armed. Upon the electronic merchandise being returned to the charging platform, the inductive coil within the charging platform reestablishes the wireless connection with the inductive coil of the electronic merchandise and obtains an identification data therefrom. If the obtained identification data corresponds to the identification data pre-programmed into the anti-theft device, the alarm is disarmed. Otherwise, if the electronic merchandise is not returned to its designated charging platform and its identification data is successfully verified prior to expiration of a predefined duration, an alarm may be triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Vanguard Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kelsch, Francesc Agustin, Lee Eckert, Wade Zhu, William Claude Chazotte, Robert Ekle
  • Patent number: 11804115
    Abstract: An anti-theft device for securing a wearable electronic against unauthorized removal from a display counter. The anti-theft device has a stand configured to be attached to a display surface. A shelf configured to support the wearable electronic is affixed to the stand. The shelf of the anti-theft device has a recess configured to receive interchangeable inserts. Each insert has a first surface sized for insertion into the recess and a second surface configured to couple to a charger. Each insert also has a notch, which is configured to be at least partially aligned with an aperture of the recess. A charger is coupled to the insert, and an electrical cable connected to the charger is routed through the notch and the aperture. The charger supplies power to the wearable electronic when it is positioned on the shelf of the anti-theft device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Vanguard Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kelsch, Lee Eckert, Robert Ekle, Sarah Johnson
  • Publication number: 20230334968
    Abstract: An anti-theft device for securing an electronic merchandise against theft. When the electronic merchandise is placed onto a charging platform, the inductive coil within the charging platform of the anti-theft device establishes a wireless connection with an inductive coil within the electronic merchandise. When the electronic merchandise is removed from the charging platform, an alarm is armed. Upon the electronic merchandise being returned to the charging platform, the inductive coil within the charging platform reestablishes the wireless connection with the inductive coil of the electronic merchandise and obtains an identification data therefrom. If the obtained identification data corresponds to the identification data pre-programmed into the anti-theft device, the alarm is disarmed. Otherwise, if the electronic merchandise is not returned to its designated charging platform and its identification data is successfully verified prior to expiration of a predefined duration, an alarm may be triggered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: Vanguard Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kelsch, Francesc Agustin, Lee Eckert, Wade Zhu, William Claude Chazotte, Robert Ekle
  • Publication number: 20230274630
    Abstract: A handling alert apparatus configured to detect a predefined event and output an alert responsive to detecting the predefined event. The handling alert apparatus includes a housing connected to an article of merchandise. The handling alert apparatus includes a handling sensor configured to detect when a customer handles the article of merchandise. Responsive to detecting handling of the article of merchandise, the housing outputs a visual, audible, or wireless notification alert. The alert remains active until an authorized user prepares the article of merchandise for subsequent customer interaction and deactivates the alert by using a wireless controller or manually operating a designated deactivation button or switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: Vanguard Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kelsch, William Claude Chazotte, John N. Figh, JR., Michael P. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 11401738
    Abstract: An anti-theft device for securing an article of merchandise against unauthorized removal from a display counter. The anti-theft device includes a plurality of arms configured to immobilize the article of merchandise relative to a tray. At least one arm is operated by an electromechanical release mechanism between closed and opened positions. When the electromechanically actuated arm is in the closed position, the article of merchandise is immobilized relative to the tray. When the electromechanically actuated arm is transitioned into the open position, the article of merchandise can be removed from the tray. The anti-theft device may include a locking mechanism configured to transition between a locked configuration, in which the arms are immobilized relative to the tray, and an unlocked configuration, in which the arms can be extended or retracted relative to the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Vanguard Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kelsch, Wade Zhu, Lee Eckert, Francesc Agustin, Jasen Paul Biggins, John N. Figh, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11319731
    Abstract: An anti-theft device for securing an article of merchandise against unauthorized removal from a display counter. A bracket securely holds the article of merchandise. A latch plate is attached to an underside of the bracket. The latch plate has a rail having a lip. A quick-release interface is anchored to a display counter. The quick-release interface has a flanged channel configured to receive the rail of the latch plate. A latch is disposed within the quick-release interface. The latch immobilizes the rail within the channel, thus securing the latch plate to the quick-release interface. The quick-release interface has an access port providing access to the latch using a specialized tool. The tool can be used to disengage the latch from the rail, thereby releasing the latch plate from the quick-release interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Vanguard Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kelsch, Jasen Paul Biggins, Lee Eckert, John N. Figh, Jr., Matthew Kuntz, Wade Zhu
  • Patent number: 11308779
    Abstract: The anti-theft device for securing an electronic gadget against theft. A security sensor is attached to a rear surface of the electronic gadget. The security sensor is electrically coupled to the electronic gadget via a cable. A security software application is deployed on the electronic gadget. The security sensor is configured to transmit predefined security signal to the electronic gadget. The security application is configured to detect the predefined security signal. Responsive to detecting a security event, the security sensor stops transmitting the security signal. The security application is configured to transition the electronic gadget into an alarm state if the security application fails to receive the security signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Vanguard Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kelsch, William Claude Chazotte, John N. Figh, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11270561
    Abstract: An anti-theft device having an inductive charging coil for wirelessly powering an article of merchandise. A retention member is configured to be attached to the merchandise. A pedestal configured to removably support the retention member. Complementary contacts on the retention member and the pedestal are configured to provide electrical power from the pedestal to the inductive charging coil, when the retention member is at rest on the pedestal. The retention member has an optical transmitter configured to communicate optical signals to an optical sensor. When the article of merchandise requests power increase, the optical transmitter emits a corresponding optical signal, which causes a control unit to increase an output voltage of a power supply supplying power to the electrical contacts of the pedestal. In this manner, an optical communication channel is used to increase the power wirelessly provided from the inductive charging coil to the merchandise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Vanguard Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kelsch, John N. Figh, Jr., William Claude Chazotte
  • Patent number: 11178983
    Abstract: An anti-theft device for securing a wearable electronic against unauthorized removal from a display counter. An insert module has an interstitial space shaped to accommodate the geometry of the wearable electronic. The insert module has an open configuration, in which the wearable gadget can be received into the interstitial space, and a closed configuration, in which the wearable gadget cannot be removed from the interstitial space. A universal cradle configured to receive the insert module. The universal cradle having an interlocked configuration in which the universal cradle is configured to retain the insert module in the closed configuration. A locking member is configured to immobilize the universal cradle in the interlocked configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Vanguard Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kelsch, Jasen Paul Biggins, Lee Eckert, John N. Figh, Jr.
  • Patent number: D927495
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Vanguard Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kelsch, Jasen Paul Biggins, Lee Eckert
  • Patent number: D959441
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Vanguard Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kelsch, Wade Zhu, Lee Eckert
  • Patent number: D963657
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Vanguard Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kelsch, Wade Zhu, Lee Eckert
  • Patent number: D968991
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Vanguard Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kelsch, Wade Zhu, Lee Eckert
  • Patent number: D993949
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Vanguard Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kelsch, Wade Zhu
  • Patent number: D1001119
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Vanguard Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kelsch, Lee Eckert, Wade Zhu
  • Patent number: D1006804
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Vanguard Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kelsch, Lee Eckert, Wade Zhu
  • Patent number: D1006805
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Vanguard Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kelsch, Lee Eckert, Wade Zhu