Abstract:
A security product display hook assembly comprising a unique form of product display hook, in combination with a security lock, providing optional levels of product security and customer convenience. The display hook has a merchandise supporting arm formed with a back section, an intermediate section and a front section. The intermediate section is of sharply irregular configuration to allow, but inhibit, product removal, while effectively preventing mass product removal often attempted by shoplifters. The locking device is positionable in front of or directly behind the intermediate section to provide the highest security, with all products locked or an intermediate level, with a portion of the products locked. The locking device can also be positioned at the back of the back section such that all products are unlocked and available for customer selection.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to product display hooks for suspending and displaying merchandise, and more particularly to such display hooks provided with security features to limit or prevent product theft. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Carded and packaged items of merchandise are commonly displayed on peg hooks and the like, referred to herein as product display hooks, which extend from metal bars, perforated panels, slat boards and the like. A number of like product items can be suspended and displayed from a single hook, and a large number of hooks can be mounted on a single panel, which makes such hooks a convenient and attractive way for storekeepers to offer their merchandise. An advantageous form of display hook is formed of wire and is provided with upper and lower outwardly extending arms. The upper arm mounts a label holder for pricing and other product information, while the lower arm receives the merchandise, typically mounted on cards with openings to receive the projecting wire of the display hook. 
     A potential downside to this manner of display, however, is that the merchandise so displayed can be targeted by shoplifters. Particularly when the displayed merchandise is of an expensive nature (packages of several dry cell batteries is one example) shoplifting can be a problem and a source of considerable economic loss to the shopkeeper. 
     Various concepts have been proposed to minimize product “shrinkage” from theft. Among these are specially designed product display hooks incorporating built-in locking arrangements. These tend to be expensive and also can make for a somewhat unattractive display. One widely used system is based on U.S. Pat. No. 6,957,555, which is directed to a special locking device that can be retrofitted onto a standard product display hook and prevents the unauthorized removal of merchandise from the hook. This product is made available by the assignee of this application under the trademark “ScanLock” and provides a convenient and economical means for preventing theft. The ScanLock device can be easily applied to and removed from standard hooks and thus provides the storekeeper with a great deal of flexibility in the display of merchandise. When a particular hook is to be loaded with expensive merchandise, the storekeeper can simultaneously install a ScanLock device, which requires a store clerk to attend the removal of the product. The locking device can later be quickly uninstalled from a hook if it is decided to display lower cost merchandise less subject to theft. 
     Unfortunately, the existing anti-theft solutions are in the nature of one-size-fits-all, in that either all of the merchandise on the hook is locked, or none of it is locked. However, not all store locations are subject to the same level of shoplifting risk, and for locations in lower risk areas storekeepers are interested in balancing risk of loss with shopper convenience. An improved system is needed, and is provided by this invention, whereby a storekeeper can elect to display a portion of the merchandise on a display hook in a locked and secure manner, while at the same time displaying one or a few items at the front, unlocked, for convenient access customers. Merchandise displayed in this manner is not highly attractive to shoplifters because of the limited number of unsecured items available, while providing normal convenience to the regular shopper. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is directed to a unique and advantageous form of product display hook which is combined with a ScanLock device or other suitable form of locking device and which is so constructed that the product supporting lower arm comprises distinct back, intermediate and front sections. Merchandise can be placed and distributed on some or all of these distinct sections, and the locking device can be located on the front section, just behind the intermediate section, or at the back of the back section, depending on the levels of security and customer convenience deemed appropriate by the storekeeper. The intermediate section is of sharply irregular configuration, such that merchandise can be removed therefrom on a one-at-a-time basis, but not several at a time, to make the display less attractive to shoplifters. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a product display hook incorporating features of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the display hook of  FIG. 1   
         FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of an advantageous form of locking device utilized in combination with the display hook of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4-6  are side elevational views of the display hook of  FIG. 1 , shown with the locking device of  FIG. 3  in various alternative positions, providing various degrees of security according to the desires of the storekeeper. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral  20  designates generally a display hook according to the invention. The display hook comprises a base plate  21 , which can be of a known, conventional type, adapted to be supported on a display wall (not shown) of conventional type. The illustrated base plate is intended to be suspended on a metal cross bar (not shown). However, the base plate may also be configured for mounting on a perforated panel, slat board or other display panel arrangement. The illustrated base plate, designed for support on a metal cross bar, advantageously is provided with a through opening  22  at the bottom, for the reception of a locking pin  23  which extends under the bar and inhibits lifting of the hook off of the cross bar by unauthorized parties. 
     The main portion of the display hook  20  is formed of a continuous length of wire and comprises a vertical portion  24 , which is welded or otherwise fixed to the base plate  21 , an outwardly extending upper arm  25  and an outwardly extending lower arm  26  which extends generally parallel to but spaced below the upper arm, as shown in  FIG. 1 . In the illustrated form of the invention, the upper arm  25  of formed with a downwardly extending portion  27  at its forward extremity, and a label mounting plate  28  is welded to the portion  27 . The mounting plate provides a fixed surface for securing labels with pricing and other product information. Alternative label mounting arrangements may be employed, such as pivoting label holders supported on a cross bar at the end of the upper arm  25 . Whatever arrangement is provided for the display of labels will also serve the functions of protecting the outer end of the arm  25  and of forming a positive stop means at the outer end of the arm. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the lower arm  26  of the display hook is formed with three separate sections. A first or back section  29  extends from the base plate  21  for approximately one-half the length of the lower arm, and is of relatively straight configuration such that carded or other merchandise suspended thereon can easily slide along the first section. A second or intermediate section  30  is integrally joined with the first section  29  and extends to a position a short distance from the end extremity of the lower arm  26 . The intermediate section  30  is configured in a sharply angular form. In the illustrated example, the angular form consists of a plurality of connected V-shaped segments  31 . The V-shaped segments  31  preferably are formed with sharp connecting curves  32 ,  33  at the bottom and top. In the illustrated example, the intermediate section  30  is formed with four sets of connected V-shaped segments  31 . In the illustrated and preferred embodiment of the invention, the V-shaped segments  31  are disposed mostly below an axis defined by the straight back section  29 . 
     Preferably, the V-shaped segments are aligned in a common vertical plane with the upper arm  25 . The arrangement is such that, to remove an item of carded merchandise from the back section  29  of the lower hook, the item has to be moved vertically upward and downward four times in order for it to pass over the intermediate section  30  of the lower arm. This slows down the removal of the merchandise item and thus inhibits a “quick strike” action of a shoplifter. Moreover, the several connected V-shaped sections make it next to impossible for a shoplifter to strip a display hook of its entire inventory. 
     In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the lower arm  26  also includes a forward section  34  joined integrally with the intermediate section  30  and extending forwardly therefrom to a point a short distance behind the label mounting plate  28 . The forward section  34  desirably is straight and substantially coaxial with the back section  29 . At its forward extremity  35 , the forward section  34  has a lateral extension  36  that serves as a position stop for an item of merchandise at a forwardmost position on the lower arm while enabling the merchandise to be removed from the hook by a lateral motion along the extension. 
     Pursuant to an aspect of the invention, the illustrated display hook  20  is advantageously used in combination with a locking device  40 , which preferably but not necessarily is of the type which forms the subject matter of the before mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,957,555, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference. The described locking device comprises a body  41  containing a rotor element  42  that can be rotated between “lock” and “unlock” positions by an insertable/removable key  43 . The upper portion  44  of the lock body  41  has a recess  45  for engaging the upper arm  25  of the hook, and a retaining plate  46  which secures the lock body to the upper arm  25  while allowing it to rotate about the arm. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the lock body  41  includes a second recess  47  positioned to receive the back or forward sections  29 ,  34  of the hook  20  when the lock body is rotated to a position in which the lower recess  47  is directly below the upper recess  45 . The lock rotor  42  includes a locking arm  48  which, when the rotor is in its “lock” position, closes off the recess  47  and secures the lock body  41  to the lower arm  26  of the display hook. When the lock body is secured to the lower arm, any merchandise suspended on the lower arm and positioned behind the lock body will be locked on the display hook. The lock can be released by rotation of the rotor to open the recess  47  and allow the lock body to be rotated out of the way. This, of course, requires the presence of an authorized person with a key. 
     In the form of locking device  40  shown, the upper portion of the lock body is advantageously formed with an integral tubular extension  49 . One portion  50  of the extension is aligned with the upper recess  45  and is arranged to receive a portion of the upper arm  25  when the lock body is mounted on the arm. A second portion  51  of the extension is positioned laterally beyond the open side of the recess  45  and has a downwardly opening slot  52 . The slot  52  can be flexed open to fit over the upper arm  25  to enable the lock body to be installed thereon. The length of the tubular extension is such as to define a desired forwardmost position of the lock body  41  at a distance back of the label mounting plate  28 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , whereby the lock body engages the lower arm  26  directly in front of the V-shaped sections  31  of the lower arm intermediate section  30 . 
     In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the locking device  40  can be located in various positions on the display hook  20 , as determined by the storekeeper to be consistent with the level of shoplifting threat that exists at the particular store location. In an upscale area, in which shoplifting is a negligible threat, and/or where the value of the displayed merchandise is relatively low, the storekeeper has the option of locating the locking device  40  at a backmost position on the back section  29  of the hook, as shown in  FIG. 6 , such that none of the displayed merchandise is locked and the customers may freely serve themselves in the selection of merchandise. Should circumstances indicate a moderate, but not high, level of threat, the storekeeper may opt to position the locking device at the forward end of the back section  29 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . In this position, all merchandise items supported on the back section  29  will be locked and can be removed only by or with the attendance of a authorized store person with a key. In this configuration, however, the storekeeper can place one or several product items in front of the lock, hanging in the V-shaped sections  31  of the intermediate section  30  and/or on the forward section  34 . And items on the forward section  34  will, of course be easily removable, and items on the intermediate section will be removable, but less easily. 
     Should the storekeeper deem the threat of loss high or very high, he or she has the further option of positioning the locking device  40  on the front section  34  of the lower arm  26 . In this lock position, the storekeeper can place all of the merchandise behind the lock, or optionally leave an item suspended from the section  34  in front of the lock. When the locking device is positioned on the forward section  34 , the lateral extension  36  of the forward section serves as a positive stop and thus will prevent the lower portion of the locking device, when locked, from being pulled forwardly over the end of the forward section to release merchandise. 
     A storekeeper&#39;s objective is always to sell as much merchandise as possible, consistent with holding “shrinkage” from shoplifting at tolerable levels. The invention gives the storekeeper unique tools to optimize the balance of customer accommodation and freedom to chose, with maintaining a desirable level of control over product loss, through the combination of an advantageous display hook configuration in conjunction with the use of a positionable locking device. This enables as much merchandise as the store owner is willing to risk, given the store location and surrounding circumstances, to be made directly accessible to the customer, with the option to require the presence of store personnel to release any greater amount of the displayed product. The storekeeper&#39;s options apply to both the character of the surrounding neighborhood and to the value of the displayed merchandise, and both can be evaluated in the determination of an optimal location for placement of the locking device on a particular merchandise hook. 
     It will be understood, of course, that the embodiments of the invention herein specifically disclosed are intended to be representative of the invention but not limiting as to the manner in which it may be carried out.