Quick release sensor for merchandise display

Abstract

A sensor for a merchandise display security system for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise is provided. The security system includes a merchandise bracket configured to be secured to the article of merchandise and a sensor configured to releasably engage the merchandise bracket and to detect unauthorized removal of the merchandise bracket or the sensor from the article of merchandise. The sensor is configured to be releasably engaged with the merchandise bracket such that the sensor is removable from the merchandise bracket while the merchandise bracket remains secured to the article of merchandise.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A merchandise display security system for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise, the merchandise display security system comprising:
 a merchandise bracket configured to be secured to the article of merchandise; and   a sensor configured to releasably engage the merchandise bracket and to detect unauthorized removal of the merchandise bracket or the sensor from the article of merchandise,   wherein the sensor is configured to be releasably engaged with the merchandise bracket such that the sensor is removable from the merchandise bracket while the merchandise bracket remains secured to the article of merchandise,   wherein the sensor and the merchandise bracket each comprises one or more engagement members for aligning and engaging the sensor and the merchandise bracket with one another.   
     
     
         2 . The merchandise display security system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to be rotated relative to the merchandise bracket for engaging and disengaging the merchandise bracket from the sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The merchandise display security system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a rotatable quick-release mechanism such that rotation of the rotatable quick-release mechanism is configured to engage and disengage the merchandise bracket from the sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The merchandise display security system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to slide relative to the merchandise bracket for engaging and disengaging the merchandise bracket. 
     
     
         5 . The merchandise display security system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cable electrically connected to the sensor, wherein the sensor and cable are configured to be removed from the merchandise display bracket while the merchandise bracket remains secured to the article of merchandise. 
     
     
         6 . The merchandise display security system of  claim 5 , further comprising a base configured to removably support the sensor thereon, wherein cable is electrically coupled to the base. 
     
     
         7 . The merchandise display security system of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises electronics configured to detect when the sensor is removed from the merchandise bracket in an unauthorized manner 
     
     
         8 . The merchandise display security system of  claim 1 , wherein the merchandise bracket is secured to the article of merchandise with a fastener. 
     
     
         9 . The merchandise display security system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to be locked to the merchandise bracket such that removal of the sensor from the merchandise bracket requires a key. 
     
     
         10 . The merchandise display security system according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a quick-release mechanism configured to release the sensor from the merchandise bracket. 
     
     
         11 . The merchandise display security system according to  claim 10 , wherein the quick-release mechanism is configured to disengage the sensor from the merchandise bracket without disassembling the sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The merchandise display security system according to  claim 10 , wherein the quick-release mechanism is configured to be engaged by a key to release the sensor from the merchandise bracket. 
     
     
         13 . The merchandise display security system according to  claim 10 , wherein the quick-release mechanism is spring biased and is configured to engage and disengage the merchandise bracket. 
     
     
         14 . The merchandise display security system according to  claim 10 , wherein the quick-release mechanism is configured to disengage the merchandise bracket from the sensor without removing one or more fasteners from the sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The merchandise display security system according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to slidably or rotatably engage the merchandise bracket. 
     
     
         16 . The merchandise display security system according to  claim 1 , wherein the merchandise bracket is positioned between the sensor and the article of merchandise when the merchandise bracket is secured to the article of merchandise. 
     
     
         17 . The merchandise display security system according to  claim 1 , wherein the merchandise bracket is configured to be mechanically engaged to and disengaged from the sensor without disassembling the sensor. 
     
     
         18 . A merchandise display security system for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise, the merchandise display security system comprising:
 a merchandise bracket configured to be secured to the article of merchandise; and   a sensor configured to releasably engage the merchandise bracket and to detect unauthorized removal of the merchandise bracket or the sensor from the article of merchandise,   wherein the sensor is configured to be releasably engaged with the merchandise bracket such that the sensor is removable from the merchandise bracket while the merchandise bracket remains secured to the article of merchandise,   wherein the sensor defines an opening configured to receive the merchandise bracket therein such that the merchandise bracket is at least partially housed within the sensor.   
     
     
         19 . A method for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise comprising a removable component, the method comprising:
 securing a merchandise bracket to the article of merchandise; and   releasably engaging a sensor to the merchandise bracket, the sensor configured to detect unauthorized removal of the merchandise bracket or the sensor from the article of merchandise,   wherein the sensor is releasably engaged with the merchandise bracket such that the sensor is removable from the merchandise bracket while the merchandise bracket remains secured to the article of merchandise,   wherein the sensor and the merchandise bracket each comprises one or more engagement members for aligning and engaging the sensor and the merchandise bracket with one another.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising removing the sensor from the article of merchandise and the merchandise bracket while the merchandise bracket remains secured to the article of merchandise and without disassembling the sensor.