Abstract:
The present invention provides a device for securely mounting goods on a display unit, the display unit having at least one mounting bar thereon. The device includes a housing having an aperture adapted to receive the mounting bar in use, and first and second mountings. A first fixing device may be coupled to the goods in use and then attached to the first mounting to allow the goods to be selectively attached to the housing. Similarly, a second fixing device may be coupled to the goods to allow the goods to be secured to the display unit.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a mounting device and in particular, to a mounting device for mounting products, such as tools or the like, to a display stand.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART  
       [0002]     The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.  
         [0003]     In recent years, the use and sale of products such as power tools has rapidly increased following the increase in the popularity of DIY. As a result of this, the number of makes and models of such tools, which are typically sold to customers in hardware shops or the like, has dramatically increased. Furthermore, the tools themselves are now typically smaller and more portable than their predecessors.  
         [0004]     This leads to a number of problems. Thus, for example, the stores find it difficult to adequately display the tools to the customer, particularly in view of the number of different makes or models available. As a result the tools often have to be arranged in boxes on shelves. This, in turn makes it difficult for the user to choose a tool as the user cannot hold the tool to simulate its use.  
         [0005]     Furthermore, in situations where shops do display unboxed tools, the portability of the tools makes security a major issue. This is exacerbated by the fact that the tools can have a significant monetary value, which makes them ideal targets for shop lifting. As a result, the likelihood of theft generally prevents tools being displayed to the public in an accessible manner that would allow the public to handle the tools.  
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
       [0006]     In a first broad form the present invention provides a device for securely mounting goods on a display unit, the display unit having at least one mounting bar thereon, the device including: 
        a) A housing having: 
            i) An aperture adapted to receive the mounting bar in use;     ii) A first mounting; and,     iii) A second mounting; and,    
            b) A first fixing device, the first fixing device being coupled to the goods in use and being attachable to the first mounting to allow the goods to be selectively attached to the housing; and,     c) A second fixing device, the second fixing device being coupled to the goods and the second mounting in use, to thereby secure the goods to the display unit.        
 
         [0013]     When the goods include tools the first fixing device is adapted to couple to the respective tool, thereby allowing the tool to be selectively attached to the housing.  
         [0014]     In the case in which the tool includes a drill having a drill chuck adapted to receive the drill bit in use, the first fixing device is preferably adapted to be received by the drill chuck.  
         [0015]     When the goods include an electrical power cable, the second fixing device is typically adapted to receive the power cable to thereby couple the goods to the second fixing device.  
         [0016]     Accordingly, the second fixing device typically includes a cable holder for holding at least some of the power cable in use.  
         [0017]     When the goods do not include an electrical power cable, the second fixing device generally includes a mounting cable coupled thereto, the mounting cable being secured to the goods in use to thereby couple the goods to the second fixing device.  
         [0018]     The second fixing device typically includes a clip, the second mounting being arranged such that in use the clip cooperates with the mounting bar to secure the goods thereto.  
         [0019]     In use the clip may be manually released from the mounting bar to thereby selectively release the goods. However, as an alternative the clip may be adapted to require some form of releasing mechanism. Thus, for example, a tool may be provided to allow the clip to be released from the mounting bar. Alternatively, the device may have to be removed from the mounting bar in order to allow the clip to be released. It will be appreciated that the technique employed may be chosen depending on the level of security required.  
         [0020]     Typically the device further includes product information regarding the respective goods attached thereto.  
         [0021]     In a second broad form the present invention provides a display unit for displaying goods, the display unit including at least one mounting bar adapted to receive a mounting device including: 
        a) A housing having: 
            i) An aperture adapted to receive the mounting bar in use;     ii) A first mounting; and,     iii) A second mounting; and,    
            b) A first fixing device, the first fixing device being coupled to the goods in use and being attachable to the first mounting to allow the goods to be selectively attached to the housing; and,     c) A second fixing device, the second fixing device being coupled to the goods and the second mounting in use, to thereby secure the goods to the display unit.        
 
         [0028]     The display unit is preferably adapted to receive a display device according to the first broad form of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0029]     An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is a first perspective view of a mounting device according to the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a second perspective view of the mounting device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the mounting device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a display unit for use with the mounting device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a fixing device for use with the mounting device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a cable holder for use with the mounting device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the cable holder of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0037]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the cable holder of  FIG. 6  coupled to the mounting device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0038]      FIG. 9A  is a plan view of the cable holder of  FIG. 6  coupled to the mounting device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0039]      FIG. 9B  is a cross section through the line A-A of  FIG. 9A ;  
         [0040]      FIG. 9C  is a cross section through the line D-D of  FIG. 9A ;  
         [0041]      FIG. 10  is a front view of a tool securer for use with the mounting device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0042]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the tool securer of  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0043]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the tool securer of  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0044]      FIG. 13  is a first perspective view of the tool securer of  FIG. 10  coupled to the mounting device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0045]      FIG. 14  is a second perspective of the tool securer of  FIG. 10  coupled to the mounting device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0046]      FIG. 15A  is a plan view of the cable holder of  FIG. 10  coupled to the mounting device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0047]      FIG. 15B  is a cross section through the line B-B of  FIG. 15A ;  
         [0048]      FIG. 15C  is a cross section through the line C-C of  FIG. 15A ;  
         [0049]      FIG. 16  is an example of the mounting device of  FIG. 1  when used with the cable holder of  FIG. 6  to hold a drill; and,  
         [0050]      FIG. 17  is an example of the mounting device of  FIG. 1  when used with the tool securer of  FIG. 10  to hold a drill. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0051]      FIGS. 1, 2  and  3  show an example of a mounting device according to the invention that is used for mounting products, such as tools or the like, on a display stand.  
         [0052]     The mounting device  1  includes a housing  2  that is typically formed from a durable high impact plastics material, such as a glass-filled nylon (approx. 15% glass) that is hydrated for strengthening. The housing  2  includes an aperture  3 , which extends through the housing as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3  a first mounting  4 , a second mounting  5  and a third mounting  6 .  
         [0053]     As mentioned above, the mounting device is used for attaching products to a display stand, an example of which is shown in  FIG. 4 . The display stand  7  typically includes a substantially vertical surface  8  having a number of mounting bars  9  aligned parallel to the surface  8 , each of which is held in place by a support  9   a,  as shown.  
         [0054]     In use, the mounting device  1  is attached to the display stand by sliding the mounting device onto one of the mounting bars  9  such that the mounting bar extends through the aperture  3 , as shown by the dotted lines in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0055]     In use, the first mounting  4  is adapted to receive a fixing device, an example of which is shown in  FIG. 5 . As shown, the fixing device  10  is formed from a cylindrical body  11  to which is attached a retaining disk  13 . Typically, the fixing device  10  is formed from a high impact styrene, or the like, for strength and durability, although a glass filled nylon could also be used.  
         [0056]     In use, the cylindrical body  11  is coupled to the tool or product to be displayed. The fixing device is then inserted in the first mounting  4  by positioning the retaining disk  13  inside the first mounting  4 , to thereby support the fixing device. It will be appreciated that the fixing device may for example be inserted into the chuck of a drill, thereby allowing the drill to be supported by the first mounting  4 .  
         [0057]     Examples of this are shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , as will be described in more detail below.  
         [0058]     In addition to the first mounting  4 , the second mounting  5  is also used to provide a secondary coupling between the tool or product being displayed and the mounting device  1 . This is achieved via the use of an additional fixing device, examples of which are shown in FIGS.  6  to  15 .  
         [0059]      FIGS. 6 and 7  show a first design of fixing device in the form of a cable holder. As shown, the cable holder  20  is formed from a body  21  having a number of projections  22 ,  23  which are used to support a power cable or the like in use. In addition to this, the cable holder includes a clip  24  and a guide  25 . In use, the clip  24  is adapted to receive an electrical plug with the guide  25  being used to guide the electrical cable such that it may be wrapped around the projections  22 ,  23 .  
         [0060]     In addition to this, the fixing device includes a clip  26  coupled to the body  21 . In use, the clip  26  is inserted into the second mounting  5  as shown for example in  FIG. 8 . In this orientation, the clip  26  faces towards the first mounting  3 , such that extends below the housing  2  so that it is parallel with the bottom of the housing  2 . As a result of this, the clip  26  engages the underside of the housing  2  thereby preventing the cable holder  20  from being easily extracted from the second mounting  5 .  
         [0061]     Accordingly, if tool having a power cable is to be coupled to the display unit, the tool is first fixed to the fixing device  10 , allowing the tool to be removably mounted to the first mounting  4 . In addition to this, the power cable is attached to the cable holder  20 , which is then mounted to the second mounting  5 .  
         [0062]     The intention of this is that the cable holder  20  cannot be readily uncoupled from the mounting device  1  by the public, ensuring that the tool remains secured to the mounting device  1 , even when the tool is removed from the first mounting  4 .  
         [0063]     Accordingly, it is possible to provide a clip  26  that may only be removed in limited circumstances. Thus, for example, it may be necessary to use a predesigned tool to remove, or undo the clip  26 , thereby preventing the cable holder  20  from being extracted from the second mounting  5  by people other than designated tool holders.  
         [0064]     Alternatively, the clip  26  can be designed so that it is necessary to move the mounting bar  9  from the aperture  3  in order to allow the cable holder  20  to be removed from the second mounting  5 . This can be achieved by having the clip  26  engage the underside of the mounting bar  9  or by having the housing  2  flex in the region of the aperture  3 .  
         [0065]     Finally, it is also possible to have the cable holder  20  removable by hand, by allowing the clip  26  to be urged by hand away from the housing  2  or the mounting bar  9 . The clip  26  can then pass by the mounting bar  9  or the housing such that the cable holder  20  can be removed.  
         [0066]     Thus, the clip  6  can be used to provide a very secure mounting that is impossible to remove by hand, and instead requires either disassembly of the display unit or removal with a tool.  
         [0067]     This will prevent theft of the tools under almost any circumstance. Alternatively, a less secure mounting that can be removed by hand can be provided. In this case, it will allow the shop assistants to replace the tools more easily, and yet will still provide some degree of theft protection by virtue of the clip being difficult to remove, and in particular being difficult to remove without attracting attention of security. Accordingly, this clip will prevent theft of the tool under most circumstances.  
         [0068]     The particular mounting choice used will depend to a large degree on the level of security required. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that more valuable tools, or tools more susceptible to theft may be held by more secure retaining means.  
         [0069]     For tools that do not have an electrical power cable, it is not possible to use the cable holder shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Accordingly, an alternative tool securer may be used as shown in  FIGS. 10, 11  and  12 .  
         [0070]     In this example, the tool securer  30  is formed from a body  31  having a lug  32  and a mounting hole  33 , and a clip  34 , as shown. In use, a cable is inserted through the hole  33  and attached to the tool. This is typically achieved by the use of crimping or the like to ensure non removable attachment. The tool securer  30  can then be inserted into the second mounting  5  by inserting the clip  34  into the second mounting  5  as shown for example in  FIGS. 13, 14 ,  15 A,  15 B and  15 C.  
         [0071]     Again, the clip  34  cooperates with the underside of the mounting bar to prevent the tool securer  30  from being easily removed from the mounting device  1 . It will be appreciated that again, the method of removing the tool securer may be achieved either manually, with the aid of a tool, or by removing the mounting bar  9  from the aperture  3 , depending on the level of security required.  
         [0072]     Finally, the mounting device also includes a third mounting  6  adapted to receive product information. The product information is typically printed on a card that may be inserted in the third mounting  6 , to allow customers to determine information, such as specifications, regarding the product.  
         [0073]     It will be appreciated that the placement of this card typically operates to obscure the nature of the connections between the tool securer  30  or cable holder  20  and the mounting device  1 , thereby helping prevent any customers from removing the tool securer or cable holder from the mounting device.  
         [0074]     An example of the mounting device when used with the cable holder to secure a drill is shown in  FIG. 16 , with an example using tool securer being shown in  FIG. 17 .  
         [0075]     Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous variations and modifications will become apparent. All such variations and modifications which become apparent to persons skilled in the art, should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope that the invention broadly appearing before described.  
         [0076]     Thus for example, the mounting bar  9  may have an alternative cross sectional shape, in which case the aperture  3  will have a corresponding shape. This is arranged so that the orientation of the mounting device allows tools to be supported.