Patents by Inventor Wade Zhu

Wade Zhu has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • 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: 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
  • 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: 20220325562
    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: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kelsch, Wade Zhu, Lee Eckert, Francesc Agustin, Jasen Paul Biggins, John N. Figh, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20220268061
    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: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kelsch, Wade Zhu, Lee Eckert, Francesc Agustin, Jasen Paul Biggins, John N. Figh, JR.
  • 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: 11035151
    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. Complimentary teeth are disposed on the locking component and the arms. An actuator transitions the locking components between a first unlocked configuration in which the teeth of the locking components are retracted away from the teeth of the arms, and a second locked configuration in which the teeth of the locking components engage the teeth of the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    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
  • Publication number: 20210040779
    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. Complimentary teeth are disposed on the locking component and the arms. An actuator transitions the locking components between a first unlocked configuration in which the teeth of the locking components are retracted away from the teeth of the arms, and a second locked configuration in which the teeth of the locking components engage the teeth of the arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    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: 10858865
    Abstract: An anti-theft device for securing an article of merchandise against unauthorized removal from a display counter. The anti-theft device includes two pairs of arms slidingly disposed within the housing. Grips are disposed on distal 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. Complimentary gear teeth are disposed on the outer surface of the locking component and the inner edges of the arms. An actuator transitions the locking components between a first unlocked configuration in which the gear teeth of the locking components are retracted away from the gear teeth of the arms, and a second locked configuration in which the gear teeth of the locking components engage the gear teeth of the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    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
  • Publication number: 20200040614
    Abstract: An anti-theft device for securing an article of merchandise against unauthorized removal from a display counter. The anti-theft device includes two pairs of arms slidingly disposed within the housing. Grips are disposed on distal 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. Complimentary gear teeth are disposed on the outer surface of the locking component and the inner edges of the arms. An actuator transitions the locking components between a first unlocked configuration in which the gear teeth of the locking components are retracted away from the gear teeth of the arms, and a second locked configuration in which the gear teeth of the locking components engage the gear teeth of the arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kelsch, John N. Figh, JR., Matthew Kuntz, Lucas P. Swartwood, Wade Zhu, Volodymyr Andreev, Peter D. Iezzi, Andriy Los
  • Patent number: D923451
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Vanguard Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kelsch, Wade Zhu, 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