Abstract: An EAS tag is provided having improved anti-defeat devices and methods. A pin assembly is coupled to a lanyard and includes a reduced cross-sectional profile that may be passed through a monitored article to produce no damage or minimal damage to the monitored article. The pin assembly engages a spring clamp provided in the EAS tag and is electrically coupled to an intermediate spring contact that provides an electrical current to a PC board for arming the EAS tag. A force may be applied to the intermediate spring contact to generate a reset signal that disarms the EAS tag. An alarm signal is generated if current to the PC board is disrupted without a corresponding reset signal, such as if the pin assembly is removed without rotating the intermediate spring contact or if the lanyard is cut. The tag body is provided with an arcuate channel through which an arcuate detacher probe can be guided for releasing the attaching assembly part.

Abstract: An EAS tag is provided having improved anti-defeat devices and methods. A pin assembly is coupled to a lanyard and includes a reduced cross-sectional profile that may be passed through a monitored article to produce no damage or minimal damage to the monitored article. The pin assembly engages a spring clamp provided in the EAS tag and is electrically coupled to an intermediate spring contact that provides an electrical current to a PC board for arming the EAS tag. A force may be applied to the intermediate spring contact to generate a reset signal that disarms the EAS tag. An alarm signal is generated if current to the PC board is disrupted without a corresponding reset signal, such as if the pin assembly is removed without rotating the intermediate spring contact or if the lanyard is cut. The tag body is provided with an arcuate channel through which an arcuate detacher probe can be guided for releasing the attaching assembly part.

Abstract: An improved attachment mechanism for a reusable theft deterrent tag of the type that includes a tack assembly as part of the attachment mechanism. The provided attachment mechanism includes a tack assembly having an elongated tack body connected to a tack head. A retaining member is attachable to the tack head and forms a loop to provide a variety of additional attachment positions for attachment to various articles to be protected and/or identified. The tack head includes at least one recessed area under the tack head on the side adjacent the tack body to receive at least one end of the retaining member. When the tack body is inserted into a theft deterrent tag, the tack head rests relatively flush against the tag body, capturing the retaining member end in the recessed area.

Abstract: A pin-and-clutch theft-deterrent device that enables instantaneous detection of separation-force tampering with the theft-deterrent device. The device includes a pin in one component and a clutch assembly in a second component for attaching the device to an article to be protected by grasping the pin with the clutch to provide a predetermined retaining force for resisting separation of the components by prying or pulling the components apart; a force-sensitive switch assembly for detecting application to the two components of at least a predetermined threshold separation force applied in opposition to the predetermined retaining force; and a transponder coupled to the switch assembly for responding to an irradiated interrogation signal by radiating an alarm signal when the switch assembly detects application to the two components of at least the predetermined threshold separation force.