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A security device a plurality of cables which are securable about an item of merchandise with a locking member and a cable-tightening mechanism each connected to the cables in a spaced apart manner. The locking member includes a key portion for unlocking the tightening mechanism when the cable is re

A security device a plurality of cables which are securable about an item of merchandise with a locking member and a cable-tightening mechanism each connected to the cables in a spaced apart manner. The locking member includes a key portion for unlocking the tightening mechanism when the cable is removed from the item. The tightening mechanism includes a spool and a ratchet mechanism. Alternate embodiments for locking and unlocking the ratchet mechanism are disclosed. The tightening mechanism carries sense loops which if compromised actuate an onboard audible alarm. The cables are part of one or more of the sense loops. The device is configured to sound a security gate alarm upon passing through the gate and upon simply reaching a certain distance from the gate. The tightening mechanism includes a housing having a flip-up handle for tightening the ratchet mechanism to tighten the cable.

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The invention claimed is: 1. A security device comprising: a housing having a top and a bottom; a cable; a spool rotatable within the housing about an axis for windingly receiving the cable thereon; a handle on the top of the housing for winding the cable onto the spool; a securing mechanism lockab

The invention claimed is: 1. A security device comprising: a housing having a top and a bottom; a cable; a spool rotatable within the housing about an axis for windingly receiving the cable thereon; a handle on the top of the housing for winding the cable onto the spool; a securing mechanism lockable to prevent the cable from unwinding from the spool; an unlocking mechanism for unlocking the securing mechanism; an opening formed in the bottom of the housing for accessing the unlocking mechanism; the axis passing through the opening; and a plurality of one-way ratchet teeth and a first locking tooth which releasably engages the ratchet teeth to lock the securing mechanism. 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the axis extends axially; and one of the ratchet teeth and first locking tooth moves axially to disengage the ratchet teeth and first locking tooth from one another. 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the unlocking mechanism comprises a first member; and the securing mechanism unlocks in response to upward movement of the first member. 4. The device of claim 3 wherein the securing mechanism is retained in the unlocked position in response to rotation of the first member about the axis. 5. The device of claim 4 further comprising a first projection extending upwardly inside the housing from the bottom thereof; and a seating ledge on the first projection on which the first member is seated to retain the securing mechanism in the unlocked position. 6. The device of claim 1 further comprising first and second engaging members releasably engageable with one another to lock the securing mechanism; and wherein the housing comprises a bottom wall and sidewall which is connected to and extends upwardly from the bottom wall to define a housing cavity in which the spool is disposed; the opening is formed in the bottom wall; the spool is rotatable about the axis relative to the bottom wall and sidewall; the spool comprises a hub and upper and lower flanges which extend radially outwardly from the hub away from the axis with the lower flange between the upper flange and the bottom wall; the cable is windingly received on the hub between the upper and lower flanges; the lower flange has an upper side which faces the upper flange and a lower opposed side which faces the bottom wall; and the first and second engaging members are disposed directly between the lower side of the lower flange and the bottom wall when the securing mechanism is locked. 7. The device of claim 1 further comprising a key member; and wherein the securing mechanism moves from a locked position to an unlocked position in response to rotation of the key member about the axis. 8. The device of claim 1 further comprising a key member; and wherein the securing mechanism moves from a locked position to an unlocked position in response to movement of the key member upwardly along the axis. 9. The device of claim 8 wherein the securing mechanism is retained in the unlocked position in response to rotation of the key member about the axis. 10. The device of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises a bottom wall, an annular sidewall rigidly connected to and extending upwardly from the bottom wall and a top wall rigidly connected to and extending radially inward from the sidewall toward the axis so that the bottom wall, sidewall and top wall define an interior chamber of the housing; the opening is formed in the bottom wall; and the spool is rotatable within the interior chamber about the axis relative to the bottom wall, sidewall and top wall. 11. The device of claim 1 further comprising a key member non-removably connected to the cable and insertable into the opening to engage the unlocking mechanism to unlock the securing mechanism. 12. The device of claim 1 in combination with an object to be protected against theft; and wherein the cable has a secured position secured about the object and an unsecured position removed from the object; the object in the secured position of the cable is secured to the bottom of the housing so that the object blocks access to the opening when the securing mechanism is locked to prevent the cable from moving to the unsecured position. 13. The device of claim 1 further comprising first and second ends on the cable each permanently attached to the spool; and wherein the cable extends outwardly from the spool and housing so that the cable and housing together form a closed loop. 14. The device of claim 1 further comprising a key member for unlocking the securing mechanism; and wherein the key member has a first position in which no portion of the key member is within the opening. 15. The device of claim 14 wherein the cable is secured to the key member in its first position. 16. The device of claim 1 further comprising a bottom wall on the housing having a top surface and a bottom surface; and wherein the opening is formed in the bottom wall and extends from the top surface to the bottom surface; and the unlocking mechanism extends downwardly no further than the bottom surface of the bottom wall when the securing mechanism is locked. 17. The device of claim 1 further comprising a key member for unlocking the securing mechanism; and wherein the key member has a first position in which the entire key member is external to the housing. 18. The device of claim 1 wherein the unlocking mechanism moves upwardly relative to the spool and housing to unlock the securing mechanism. 19. The device of claim 1 wherein the spool does not movable upwardly relative to the housing to unlock the securing mechanism. 20. A security device comprising: a housing having a top and a bottom; a cable; a spool rotatable within the housing about an axis for windingly receiving the cable thereon; a handle on the top of the housing for winding the cable onto the spool; a securing mechanism lockable to prevent the cable from unwinding from the spool; an unlocking mechanism for unlocking the securing mechanism; and an opening formed in the bottom of the housing for accessing the unlocking mechanism; the axis passing through the opening; wherein the axis extends axially; a portion of the cable is disposed within the housing; the spool comprises a hub on which the cable is windingly received and a first flange which has a first end, a second free end opposed thereto, and first and second opposed sides each extending from the first end to the second end with the first side generally facing upwardly toward the portion of the cable within the housing and the second side generally facing downwardly away from the portion of the cable within the housing; the first flange at its first end is connected to the hub and comprises a first segment which extends from the first end radially outwardly away from the axis and hub to a point intermediate the first and second ends; the first flange comprises a second segment which is connected to the first segment at the intermediate point and extends therefrom transverse to the first segment and axially away from the hub and first segment to the second free end so that the second side of the flange defines therewithin a flange cavity which extends axially away from the hub; and wherein a portion of the securing mechanism is disposed within the flange cavity. 21. The device of claim 20 further comprising first and second engaging members releasably engageable with one another to lock the securing mechanism; and wherein the first engaging member is disposed in the flange cavity. 22. The device of claim 21 wherein the second engaging member is disposed in the flange cavity. 23. The device of claim 21 wherein the first engaging member comprises a plurality of one-way ratchet teeth disposed within the flange cavity. 24. The device of claim 23 wherein the first engaging member comprises a circular wall which is disposed within the flange cavity and from which the ratchet teeth extend radially inwardly toward the axis. 25. The device of claim 21 wherein the unlocking mechanism comprises a first unlocking member disposed within the flange cavity; and the first engaging member moves upwardly to disengage from the second member in response to upward movement of the first unlocking member. 26. The device of claim 25 further comprising a first upwardly extending projection disposed in the flange cavity; and a seating ledge on the first projection on which the first unlocking member is seated to retain the securing mechanism in an unlocked position. 27. The device of claim 20 wherein the housing comprises a bottom wall; the opening is formed in the bottom wall; and the second segment of the first flange extends from the intermediate point toward the bottom wall. 28. The device of claim 27 wherein the second free end of the first flange slidably engages the bottom wall during rotation of the spool. 29. A security device comprising: a housing having a top and a bottom; a cable; a spool rotatable within the housing about an axis for windingly receiving the cable thereon; a handle on the top of the housing for winding the cable onto the spool; a securing mechanism lockable to prevent the cable from unwinding from the spool; a key member for unlocking the securing mechanism from the bottom of the housing; the axis passing through the key member when the key member is positioned to unlock the securing mechanism; and first and second ends on the cable each permanently attached to the spool; and wherein the cable extends outwardly from the spool and housing so that the cable and housing together form a closed loop. 30. The device of claim 29 wherein the securing mechanism moves from a locked position to an unlocked position in response to rotation of the key member about the axis. 31. The device of claim 29 wherein the securing mechanism moves from a locked position to an unlocked position in response to movement of the key member upwardly along the axis. 32. The device of claim 31 wherein the securing mechanism is retained in the unlocked position in response to rotation of the key member about the axis. 33. The device of claim 29 wherein the housing comprises a bottom wall defining the bottom of the housing, an annular sidewall rigidly connected to and extending upwardly from the bottom wall and a top wall rigidly connected to and extending radially inward from the sidewall toward the axis so that the bottom wall, sidewall and top wall define an interior chamber of the housing; and the spool is rotatable within the interior chamber about the axis relative to the bottom wall, sidewall and top wall. 34. The device of claim 29 wherein the key member is non-removably connected to the cable. 35. The device of claim 29 in combination with an object to be protected against theft; and wherein the cable has a secured position secured about the object and an unsecured position removed from the object; and the object in the secured position of the cable is secured to the bottom of the housing so that the object blocks the key member from being positioned to unlock the securing mechanism. 36. The device of claim 29 further comprising a bottom wall on the housing having an internal top surface facing the spool and an opposed external bottom surface facing away from the spool; and an unlocking mechanism for unlocking the securing mechanism wherein the unlocking mechanism extends downwardly no further than the bottom surface of the bottom wall when the securing mechanism is locked. 37. The device of claim 29 wherein the key member has a first position in which the entire key member is external to the housing. 38. The device of claim 29 wherein the key member is at all times out of contact with the spool. 39. The device of claim 29 wherein the key member is movable between a first position in which the key member is adjacent the bottom of the housing for unlocking the securing mechanism and a second position in which the key member is distal the housing. 40. The device of claim 39 wherein the cable is secured to the key member in its second position. 41. The device of claim 29 further comprising a plurality of one-way ratchet teeth and a first locking tooth which releasably engages the ratchet teeth to lock the securing mechanism. 42. The device of claim 29 wherein the key member moves upwardly relative to the spool and housing to unlock the securing mechanism. 43. The device of claim 29 wherein the spool does not movable upwardly relative to the housing to unlock the securing mechanism. 44. In combination, an object and a security device comprising: a cable having a secured position secured about the object and an unsecured position removed from the object; a housing; a spool rotatable in the housing about an axis for windingly receiving the cable thereon; a securing mechanism lockable to prevent the cable from unwinding from the spool; a key member for unlocking the securing mechanism only when the cable is in the unsecured position; the axis passing through the key member when the key member is positioned to unlock the securing mechanism; and first and second ends on the cable each permanently attached to the spool; and wherein the cable extends outwardly from the spool and housing so that the cable and housing together form a closed loop. 45. The combination of claim 44 wherein the securing mechanism moves from a locked position to an unlocked position in response to rotation of the key member about the axis. 46. The combination of claim 44 wherein the securing mechanism moves from a locked position to an unlocked position in response to movement of the key member upwardly along the axis. 47. The combination of claim 46 wherein the securing mechanism is retained in the unlocked position in response to rotation of the key member about the axis. 48. The combination of claim 44 wherein the housing comprises a bottom wall, an annular sidewall rigidly connected to and extending upwardly from the bottom wall and a top wall rigidly connected to and extending radially inward from the sidewall toward the axis so that the bottom wall, sidewall and top wall define an interior chamber of the housing; and the spool is rotatable within the interior chamber about the axis relative to the bottom wall, sidewall and top wall. 49. The combination of claim 44 wherein the key member is non-removably connected to the cable. 50. The combination of claim 44 wherein the housing has a top and a bottom; the key member is positionable at a first position adjacent the bottom of the housing in the unsecured position of the cable for unlocking the securing mechanism; and the object in the secured position of the cable is secured to the bottom of the housing so that the object physically blocks the key member from moving to the first position to unlock the securing mechanism. 51. The combination of claim 44 wherein the key member has a first position in which the entire key member is external to the housing. 52. The combination of claim 44 wherein the key member is at all times out of contact with the spool. 53. The combination of claim 44 wherein the key member is movable between a first position in which the key member is adjacent the housing for unlocking the securing mechanism and a second position in which the key member is distal the housing. 54. The combination of claim 53 wherein the cable is secured to the key member in its second position. 55. The combination of claim 44 further comprising a plurality of one-way ratchet teeth and a first locking tooth which releasably engages the ratchet teeth to lock the securing mechanism. 56. The combination of claim 44 wherein the key member moves upwardly relative to the spool and housing to unlock the securing mechanism. 57. The combination of claim 44 wherein the spool does not movable upwardly relative to the housing to unlock the securing mechanism. 58. A security device comprising: a housing having a top and a bottom; a cable; a spool rotatable within the housing about an axis for windingly receiving the cable thereon; a handle on the top of the housing for winding the cable onto the spool; a securing mechanism lockable to prevent the cable from unwinding from the spool; an unlocking mechanism for unlocking the securing mechanism; an opening formed in the bottom of the housing for accessing the unlocking mechanism; the axis passing through the opening; first and second ends on the cable each permanently attached to the spool; and wherein the cable extends outwardly from the spool and housing so that the cable and housing together form a closed loop. 59. The device of claim 58 further comprising a plurality of one-way ratchet teeth and a first locking tooth which releasably engages the ratchet teeth to lock the securing mechanism. 60. The device of claim 58 wherein the unlocking mechanism comprises a first member; and the securing mechanism unlocks in response to rotation of the first member about the axis. 61. The device of claim 60 further comprising a plurality of one-way ratchet teeth and a first locking tooth which releasably engages the ratchet teeth to lock the securing mechanism. 62. The device of claim 61 wherein the first locking tooth moves radially inwardly toward the axis to unlock the securing mechanism. 63. The device of claim 62 wherein the first locking tooth is rotatable about the axis. 64. A security device comprising: a housing having a top and a bottom; a cable; a spool rotatable within the housing about an axis for windingly receiving the cable thereon; a handle on the top of the housing for winding the cable onto the spool; a securing mechanism lockable to prevent the cable from unwinding from the spool; an unlocking mechanism for unlocking the securing mechanism; and an opening formed in the bottom of the housing for accessing the unlocking mechanism; the axis passing through the opening; wherein the cable is a first cable; and further comprising a second cable windingly received on the spool; a locking member comprising first and second components respectively connected to the first and second cables distal the housing and lockably engageable with one another to lock the two cables to one another. 65. A security device comprising: a housing having a top and a bottom; a first cable; a spool rotatable within the housing about an axis for windingly receiving the first cable thereon; a second cable windingly received on the spool; a locking member comprising first and second components respectively connected to the first and second cables distal the housing and lockably engageable with one another to lock the two cables to one another; a handle on the top of the housing for winding the cable onto the spool; a securing mechanism lockable to prevent the cable from unwinding from the spool; and a key member for unlocking the securing mechanism from the bottom of the housing; the axis passing through the key member when the key member is positioned to unlock the securing mechanism. 66. In combination, an object and a security device comprising: a first cable having a secured position secured about the object and an unsecured position removed from the object; a housing; a spool rotatable in the housing about an axis for windingly receiving the cable thereon; a second cable windingly received on the spool; a locking member comprising first and second components respectively connected to the first and second cables distal the housing and lockably engageable with one another to lock the two cables to one another; a securing mechanism lockable to prevent the cable from unwinding from the spool; and a key member for unlocking the securing mechanism only when the cable is in the unsecured position; the axis passing through the key member when the key member is positioned to unlock the securing mechanism. 67. A security device comprising: a housing having a top and a bottom; a cable; a spool rotatable within the housing about an axis for windingly receiving the cable thereon; a handle on the top of the housing for winding the cable onto the spool; a securing mechanism lockable to prevent the cable from unwinding from the spool; an unlocking mechanism for unlocking the securing mechanism; an opening formed in the bottom of the housing for accessing the unlocking mechanism; the axis passing through the opening; wherein the securing mechanism comprises an engaging member; and a gear disc which is rotatable relative to the housing and comprises a body and a plurality of locking pawls mounted on the body and movable relative to the body radially inwardly toward the axis and radially outwardly away from the axis; wherein the locking pawls releasably engage the engaging member to lock the securing mechanism. 68. A security device in combination with an object to be protected against theft, the device comprising: a housing having a top and a bottom; a cable; a spool rotatable within the housing about an axis for windingly receiving the cable thereon; a handle on the top of the housing for winding the cable onto the spool; a securing mechanism lockable to prevent the cable from unwinding from the spool; an unlocking mechanism for unlocking the securing mechanism; an opening formed in the bottom of the housing for accessing the unlocking mechanism; the axis passing through the opening; a key member for unlocking the securing mechanism; and wherein the cable has a secured position secured about the object and an unsecured position removed from the object; and the object is between the housing and key member in the secured position. 69. The combination of claim 68 wherein the housing and key member are on opposite sides of the object in the secured position. 70. A security device comprising: a housing having a top and a bottom; a cable; a spool rotatable within the housing about an axis for windingly receiving the cable thereon; a handle on the top of the housing for winding the cable onto the spool; a securing mechanism lockable to prevent the cable from unwinding from the spool; an unlocking mechanism for unlocking the securing mechanism; and an opening formed in the bottom of the housing for accessing the unlocking mechanism; the axis passing through the opening; wherein the unlocking mechanism comprises a first member which is rotatable relative to the housing and relative to the spool; the securing mechanism unlocks in response to upward movement of the first member; the securing mechanism is retained in the unlocked position in response to rotation of the first member about the axis; and further comprising a first projection extending upwardly inside the housing from the bottom thereof; and a seating ledge on the first projection on which the first member is seated to retain the securing mechanism in the unlocked position. 71. The device of claim 70 wherein the first member has a lowered position in which the securing mechanism is locked and a raised position in which the securing mechanism is unlocked; and further comprising an opening formed in the first member through which the first projection extends when the first member is in the lowered position. 72. In combination, an object and a security device comprising: a cable having a secured position secured about the object and an unsecured position removed from the object; a housing; a spool rotatable in the housing about an axis for windingly receiving the cable thereon; a securing mechanism lockable to prevent the cable from unwinding from the spool; a key member for unlocking the securing mechanism only when the cable is in the unsecured position; the axis passing through the key member when the key member is positioned to unlock the securing mechanism; and wherein the object is between the housing and key member in the secured position. 73. The combination of claim 72 further comprising first and second ends on the cable each permanently attached to the spool; and wherein the cable extends outwardly from the spool and housing so that the cable and housing together form a closed loop. 74. The combination of claim 72 wherein the housing and key member are on opposite sides of the object in the secured position.