Abstract:
There is provided a display device for supporting a plurality of items for selection by an individual, comprising: at least one elongate member for receiving said items thereon; and a head member pivotally mounted to a free end of the elongate member, the head member having an arm portion and an end projection extending substantially perpendicular to the arm portion: the head member being movable between a biased position wherein the arm portion extends substantially parallel to said elongate member to permit sliding movement of an item past said arm portion and an engaged position wherein the arm portion extends outside of a planar axis of the elongate member to prevent sliding movement of an item past the arm portion; wherein movement of said head member between said biased position and said engaged position is facilitated by sliding movement of a leading item over said end projection.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a peg hook device for displaying merchandise for purchase in a commercial environment, and in particular, to a wire display hook that limits removal of multiple items of merchandise from the hook at a time. 
     In commercial environments, it is important to display merchandise available for purchase in a manner which is readily accessible by a potential buyer and which presents the item in a manner which provides easy inspection by the buyer. 
     It is common for many items that are offered for sale to be packaged in a manner whereby the items can be loaded onto a peg or wire hook. In this regard, the items typically comprise a slotted portion which receives the wire hook. The wire hook may be configured such that they are simply mounted at one end to a board, wall or stand, with the multiple items stored on the wire hook in a line for purchasing by a user. The distal end of the wire hook is typically provided with a hooked or similar configuration to prevent the frontmost or leading item from sliding off the hook In such a packaging arrangement, a carded portion of the packaging may be provided with the slot through which the wire hook is received and the items are suspended from the wire hook. 
     In such a conventional merchandise display arrangement, a buyer typically selects the frontmost or leading item from the wire hook and slides the item from the hook and over the hooked end thereof, where it is then purchased at a cash register or similar sales point. A variety of different configurations of the wire hook have been proposed for this purpose. 
     One problem with conventional wire hook displays is that a large number of items can be readily swept or removed from the wire hook display at any one time, through a simple sliding action. This has meant that thieves have been simply able to enter a commercial environment and remove all items from a conventional wire hook in a simple sliding motion and abscond without drawing attention to their actions. Further to this, it is also common for items to be dislodged from a conventional wire hook display through inadvertent contact with the wire hook. 
     A variety of alternative arrangements have been proposed to combat these problems with conventional wire hook displays. Such arrangements have sought to add a variety of security devices that attempt to provide controlled access to the distal end of the wire hook such that a buyer must actively manipulate the distal end of the wire hook to remove the item. Such devices include the provision of a key operated systems for releasing the distal end of the wire hook, re-designing the shape of the wire hook to make it more difficult to remove an item, or providing a cage about the distal end of the wire hook. Whilst such devices have proven effective in reducing the ability for a thief to simply sweep multiple devices from the wire hook in a single action, such devices have also caused frustration to legitimate purchases of the items, making the act of removing the items difficult to perform, thus acting as a disincentive to purchase the items. 
     Hence, there is a need to provide a device that functions as a conventional wire hook display device whilst providing enhanced security against theft of items therefrom. 
     The above references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be, and are not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art. In particular, the above prior art discussion does not relate to what is commonly or well known by the person skilled in the art, but assists in the understanding of the inventive step of the present invention of which the identification of pertinent prior art proposals is but one part. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, in a first aspect, there is provided a display device for supporting a plurality of items for selection by an individual, comprising: 
     at least one elongate member for receiving said items thereon; and 
     a head member pivotally mounted to a free end of the elongate member, the head member having an arm portion and an end projection extending substantially perpendicular to the arm portion: the head member being movable between a biased position wherein the arm portion extends substantially parallel to said elongate member to permit sliding movement of an item past said arm portion and an engaged position wherein the arm portion extends outside of a planar axis of the elongate member to prevent sliding movement of an item past the arm portion; 
     wherein movement of said head member between said biased position and said engaged position is facilitated by sliding movement of a leading item over said end projection. 
     The elongate member may be a length of wire. The length of wire may mounted to a wall so as to extend from said wall to receive said items. The wall may be a wall of a display board or display stand for displaying said items for purchase by the individual. 
     The head member may be mounted to the free end of the elongate member by way of a pin member. The head member may be configured to mate with the free end of the elongate member to provide a substantially continuous sliding path over the arm portion of the head member when the head member is in the biased position. The free end of the elongate member may comprise a region of removed cross-sectional area within which the head member is received such that the combined cross sectional area of the free end of the elongate member and the head member is substantially equivalent to the cross section area of the elongate member. 
     The plurality of items may include a slot through which the elongate member is received such that the items are suspended from the elongate member. The individual may select the leading item for removal by sliding the leading item from the elongate member such that during the removal action the leading item contacts the end projection such that the arm portion of the head member prevents removal of any additional items. 
     The head member may be movable from the engaged position to the biased position by gravity forces acting on the arm portion of the head member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wire hook display device in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a wire hook display device in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of a hooked end of the wire hook display device of  FIGS. 1 and 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the wire hook display device of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the wire hook display device of  FIG. 3  storing a variety of items thereon; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the wire hook display device of  FIG. 3  in use preventing multiple removal of items stored thereon; and 
         FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of the display device of  FIG. 1  in use preventing multiple removal of items stored thereon. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , there is shown an embodiment of a display device  10 , according to the present invention. The device  10  generally comprises an elongate member  12  preferably in the form of an elongate piece of wire or metal rod. The elongate or “wire” member  12  is bent or otherwise shaped so as to form an upper member  12   a  and a lower member  12   b . The wire member  12  has a free or distal end  13  and a mounting end  14 . The mounting end  14  is configured to be mounted to a wall  15 , such as a display wall of a supermarket or retail outlet, or a display board or stand, as is shown in  FIG. 2 . A mounting member  16 , such as a separate hook member, may be provided to facilitate mounting of the mounting end  14  to the wall  15  in the manner as shown. 
     When the device  10  is mounted to wall  15  in the manner as shown in  FIG. 2 , the lower member  12   b  and the upper member  12   a  of the wire member  12  extend substantially orthogonally therefrom, in a substantially parallel manner. In the embodiment as shown, the lower member  12   b  is angled upwardly with respect to the wall  15  a greater amount than the upper member  12   a . However, it will be appreciated that the degree of inclination or declination of the upper member  12   a  and the lower member  12   b  may vary. 
     The distal or free end of the upper member  12   a  is provided with a cross member or bar  17  that extends substantially orthogonal thereto. The cross member  17  provides a means for mounting a display tag thereto when in use, to convey price or product information about the items of merchandise being displayed on the device  10 . 
     When in use, and as is shown in more detail in  FIGS. 6-8 , the lower member  12   b  is configured to receive one or more items  18  thereon. Each item  18  has a slot  19  formed at an upper region thereof to receive the lower member  12   b  such that the item  18  is hung or is suspended from the lower member  12   b . In this regard, the slot  19  may have a rut or groove formed in a central region thereof which locates around the lower member  12   b  so as to position the items  18  centrally along the lower member  18 , in the manner as shown more clearly in  FIG. 8 . It will be appreciated that multiple items  18  may be placed along the lower member  12   b  so as to form a line of items  18  that extends from the mounting end  14  to the free or distal end  13 . By arranging the items  18  in the manner as described, a buyer can readily view and access the items available for sale. 
     The distal or free end  13  of the lower member  12   b  is provided with a hook member  20 . The hook member  20  will be described in more detail below, but defines the point at which an item  18  is able to be removed from the device  10 . In the state as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the hook member  20  projects substantially orthogonal with respect to the lower member  12   b  and acts as a stop means that prevents the items  18  from merely sliding off the end of the lower member  12   b.    
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an alternative embodiment of a wire hook display device  10  is shown. In this embodiment, the wire member  12  is shaped to form a single elongate length of wire or metal rod with the mounting end  14  of the wire member shaped to be mounted to a wall  15 , such as a display wall of a supermarket or retail outlet, or a display board or stand, as is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the items  18  are mounted to the wire member  12 , in the manner as shown in  FIG. 6 , with the hook member  20  functioning as the point at which the items are to be removed from the device  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the hook member  20  is shown in detail. The hook member  20  comprises a head member  22  that is pivotally mounted to the distal end of the wire member  12  or lower member  12   b  of the device  10 . To accommodate the head member  22 , the distal end of the wire member  12  or lower member  12   b  has a removed region  24  formed along a side thereof, as shown. The removed region  24  forms a substantially flat or planar surface that extends substantially upright with respect to the device  10 , such that the distal end  13  has a reduced width. 
     The head member  22  is configured to substantially conform to the distal end  13  of the wire member  12 . In this regard, the head member has a substantially planar inside face  21  that is configured to be received against the removed region  24  of the wire member  12 . When the head member  22  is brought into position against the distal end  13  wire member  12 , the distal end  13  of the wire member  12  and the head member together form a cylindrical shape that is substantially the same width and diameter as the wire member  12 , so as to provide a substantially smooth transition between the wire member  12  and the head member  22 . 
     The head member  22  comprises an end projection  25  that extends substantially perpendicular to the arm portion  26  upon which the planar inside face  21  is formed. In this regard, the arm portion  26  and the end projection  25  of the head member  22  form an L-shape. 
     The head member  22  is mounted to the distal end  13  of the wire member  12  by way of a pin member  28 . The pin member  28  may be a rivet member that is configured to pass through recesses  29  formed through the head member  22  and the wire member  12  respectively, so as to secure the head member  22  and the wire member  12  together. The head member  22  is able to pivot about the axis of the pin member  28  due to the fact that the planar inside face  21  is located adjacent the planar face of the removed region  24  of the wire member  12 . 
     The rotational movement of the head member  22  with respect to the wire member  12  is controlled by the angled manner in which the removed region  24  is formed in the wire member  12  and the angled end region of the arm portion  26  of the head member, as is shown more clearly in  FIG. 4 . The head member  22  is able to rotate between a biased position, whereby the arm portion  26  of the head member extends substantially parallel with the axis of the wire member  12  such that the end projection  25  extends substantially perpendicular to the axis of the wire member  12  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) and an engaged position, whereby the arm portion  26  of the head member projects above the axis of the wire member  12  (as shown in  FIG. 7 ). Due to the angled manner in which the head member  22  and the removed region  24  are formed, the head member  22  is prohibited from rotating beyond the biased position as, when in the biased position, the arm portion  26  of the head member is in contact with the wire member  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the manner in which the wire hook display device  10  functions in use can be appreciated. The device  10  is provided to receive a plurality of items  18  for purchase by a customer. The items  18  are each located on the wire member  12  in a row and are suspended therefrom whereby a customer can readily view the items  18  prior to removal from the device  10 . 
     If a customer wishes to purchase an item  18  from the device  10 , the customer typically selects the frontmost or leading item  18  and slides the item toward the distal end  13  of the wire member  12 , as is shown by arrow A. As the item  18  is slid towards the distal end  13  of the wire member  12 , the item  18  comes into contact with the end projection  25  of the head member  22 , due to the end projection  25  extending above the wire member  12 . 
     By continuing to slide the leading item  18  over the end projection  25 , the head member  22  is caused to pivot about the pin axis such that the arm portion  26  moves in the direction of arrow B, as shown in  FIG. 7 . In this position the arm portion  26  prevents any later items  18 , or items  18  located behind the leading item  18  from being slid along the wire member  12  and off the end of the device  10 , by acting as a physical barrier to such sliding movement. 
     As the arm portion  26  pivots, so does the end projection  25  such that the customer can merely slide the leading item  18  off the end of the device  10  and take the item  18  to a payment point to complete the purchase. Due to the weight of the arm portion  26  of the head member  22 , the head member will naturally return to its biased position (as shown in  FIG. 6 ), and the next item  18  will then become the lead item for purchase. 
     As is shown in  FIG. 8 , the device  10  provides a simple yet effective means for preventing removal of multiple items  18  from the wire member  12 . As is shown, as soon as the leading item  18  comes into contact with the end projection  25  of the head member  22 , the arm portion is caused to pivot above the wire member  12  thereby preventing any further sliding movement of the items located behind the leading item. This prevents a thief from sweeping items from the device  10  is a single action and functions as a deterrent to thieves, as the only way in which to remove multiple items from the device is to carefully remove the items one at a time, which greatly increases a thief&#39;s chances of being noticed. 
     It will be appreciated that the device  10  of the present invention provides a simple means for removing a single item for purchase and retains many of the benefits of conventional wire hook display devices. However, whilst retaining the benefits of conventional devices when used for single removal of items, the device of the present invention provides a theft deterrent for removal of multiple items by simply utilizing the natural sliding action of an item sliding over the end projection of the head member to block further sliding movement of any items behind the lead item. It will be appreciated that the device of the present invention achieves this without requiring any significant additional parts or locking mechanisms, but merely utilizes the inherent design of existing devices to achieve a novel and inventive purpose. 
     Throughout the specification and claims the word “comprise” and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. That is, the word “comprise” and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features that it directly references, but also other components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. 
     Orientational terms used in the specification and claims such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, upper and lower are to be interpreted as relational and are based on the premise that the component, item, article, apparatus, device or instrument will usually be considered in a particular orientation, typically with the device uppermost. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.