Abstract:
A display lock a for securing merchandise on a display hook having at least two bars is provided. The display lock comprises, a clasp, a buckle, and a band. The clasp defines a channel sized closely to the outer periphery of one of the bars for a close fitting receipt of the bar. The projects away from the clasp and defines a detent region extending at least partially along the length of the band. The buckle is connected to the clasp. The buckle defines an aperture adapted to slidably receive the band and a catch engageable with the detent region of the band when the band is received in the aperture.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention generally relates to an inventory display lock, and more particularly to an inventory display lock for use with display hooks that are attached to a peg board for holding and displaying merchandise at a retail establishment. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   There are a variety of different types of display hooks that are presently in wide use. One type of display hook is a “scanner hook” of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,452,360 to Barnes. The scanner hook includes a lower horizontally extending hanger arm for supporting merchandise and an upper parallel arm for supporting a label that includes a price tag which may be “read” by an electronic scanning wand. 
   Unfortunately, these display hooks by themselves provided little or no theft deterrence to shoplifters. Particularly, shoplifters will steal product by a method know as sweeping. The shoplifter will “sweep” the entire product supported by the lower hanger arm from the display hook in a single motion into a container such as a purse or bag. This method of shoplifting occurs very quickly and results in a significant loss of product. Security display locks have been developed to prevent sweeping by securing or locking the merchandise on the display hook. Such display locks include U.S. Pat. No. 6,393,877 to Church, U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,027 to Eklof et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,622 to Hatch et al. The present invention relates to improvements in display locks as it relates to theft prevention, reliability, adaptability, practicality, ease-of-use, and/or cost effectiveness. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In one aspect, the invention provides a display lock for securing merchandise on a display hook having at least two bars. The display lock comprises, a clasp, a buckle, and a band. The clasp defines a channel sized closely to the outer periphery of one of the bars for a close fitting receipt of the bar. The band projects away from the clasp and defines a detent region extending at least partially along the length of the band. The buckle is connected to the clasp. The buckle defines an aperture adapted to slidably receive the band and a catch engageable with the detent region of the band when the band is received in the aperture. 
   In another aspect, the invention provides a retail display lock system for displaying merchandise. The retail display lock system comprises a support, a display hook and a display lock. The display hook comprises a rear mount adapted to mount to the support, at least two bars extending forwardly from the rear mount and a stop disposed on at least one of the bars. The display lock comprises a band and a buckle, the band wrapping around at least partially the outer periphery of the at least two bars and engaged with the buckle. 
   In yet another aspect, the invention provides a retail display lock system comprising a retail display support, a display lock and merchandise. The retail display support having the merchandise supported thereon. The display lock comprises a band and a buckle. The band engageable with the buckle. The display lock being interposed among the merchandise and separating the merchandise into a secured portion that is not removable from the retail display support and an unsecured portion removable from the retail display support. 
   Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a display lock in an unlocked position disposed on a display hook according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the display lock attached to the display hook in  FIG. 1  and the display lock being in a closed position; 
       FIG. 3  is a side profile view of the display lock similar to  FIG. 2  disposed on a display hook carrying merchandise and mounted on a vertically extending peg board,  FIG. 3  shows a typical orientation of the system with the right side being the front, the left side being the rear, the top side being upward and the bottom side being downward. 
       FIG. 4 . is a front profile view of the body of the display lock in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the body of the display lock of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the band of the display lock of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the band of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a front profile view of the key for the display lock, shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the display lock on the display hook of  FIG. 2  being in a closed position; and 
       FIG. 10  is a front profile view of the display lock on a display hook similar to  FIG. 3 , but having the display lock in an open position and illustrating the display lock rotated out of the way such that it does not impede the merchandise carried on the display hook from being removed. 
   

   While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   An exemplary embodiment of a display lock  10  in accordance with this invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . The display lock  10 , shown in an open and unlocked position, generally includes two components a band  12  and a lock body  13 . While the display lock  10  is shown as being made with two separate components, it will be appreciated that the lock may alternatively be molded of plastic as a single unitary component. The lock body  13  includes a buckle  14 , a clasp  16  and an extension portion  18 . The lock body  13  is preferably formed from molded plastic as a unitary body. The extension portion  18  is disposed between and connects the clasp  16  to the buckle  14 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the buckle  14  is adapted to slidably receive and releasably engage the band  12  when the display lock  10  is in a closed and locked position. The clasp  16  removably secures the display lock  10  to a display hook  20 . When the display lock  10  is in the closed position and attached to a display hook  20 , the display lock  10  forms a loop that wraps around and surrounds the outer periphery of the display hook  20 . When locked, a key  28  can be used to release the band  12  from the buckle  14 . 
   The display hook  20  is generally U-shaped and includes two horizontally extending bars  22 ,  24 . The two bars are typically formed by bending a generally round rod into the U-shape. The top bar  22  is vertically disposed above the bottom bar  24 , and the bars  22 ,  24  are generally parallel. The top bar  22  includes a stop  26  at a front end. In this figure, the stop  26  is a piece of round bar (better illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) that extends substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the top bar  22  and bottom bar  24 . This stop  26  generally is used to attach a label holder  40 . The label holder  40  snaps onto the stop  26  and is adapted to hold labels such as price tags or bar codes. Alternatively, the stop  26  could be a label holder, or other such abutment, fastened directly to the top bar  22 . It should be noted that the display lock  10  of the disclosed invention can be used with display hooks having other configurations, particularly display hooks having two or more bars. 
   The clasp  16  snaps onto one of the bars  22 ,  24  and attaches the display lock  10  to the display hook  20 . Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the clasp  16  extends laterally forward from the extension portion  18 . The clasp  16  includes a substantially C-shaped structure  44  with opposed legs  45  that wrap substantially around the top bar  22  of the display hook  20  ( FIGS. 1 and 9 ). The C-shaped structure  44  defines a longitudinally extending channel  46 . The legs  45  of the C-shaped structure  44  further define a longitudinally extending opening  49  to the channel  46 . The legs  45  of the C-shaped structure  44  are generally resilient. In this embodiment, the channel  46  is closely sized to receive the top bar  22  of the display hook  20  ( FIGS. 1 and 9 ), such that the clasp  16  is snuggly fit onto the top bar  22  and there is no slop between the clasp  16  and the top bar  22 . However, the clasp  16  may slide linearly along and slidably rotate about the top bar  22 . The opening  49  between the legs  45  is sized to be smaller than the diameter of the top bar  22 . 
   The combination of the resilient legs  45  and the opening  49  allows the clasp  16  of the display lock  10  to be snapped onto the top bar  22 . As the legs  45  are pressed against the top bar  22 , the legs  45  begin to spread resiliently allowing the top bar  22  to slide through the opening  49 . As the top bar  22  begins to be substantially positioned within the channel  46 , the legs  45  begin to bend resiliently back to their original position and partially surround and wrap around the top bar  22 . This feature of the clasp  16  allows the display lock  10  to be snapped onto the top bar  22  at substantially any longitudinal position. It is preferable that that the resilient legs  45  of the clasp  16  to be sufficiently stiff and the opening  49  defined therebetween to be sufficiently narrow that significant effort is required to snap the clasp  16  onto the top bar  22 . Likewise, and more importantly, this configuration is such that it takes significant effort and is difficult to remove the clasp  16  from the top bar  22 . This increases and promotes the security features of the display lock  10 , as will be more fully disclosed below. 
   With reference to  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  9 , a raised rectangular portion  50  extends from the clasp  16 . The raised portion  50  defines a generally rectangular aperture  52  sized to receive the band  12  therein. Furthermore, the entry  53  of the aperture  52  is beveled. 
   The extension portion  18  is disposed between and integrally connects the clasp  16  and the buckle  14  to define the lock body  13 . The extension portion  18  includes two ribs  34  and  36  to increase its rigidity. The two ribs  34  and  36  form a channel  38  therebetween. The ribs  34  and  36  maintain rigidity while reducing material required to manufacture the lock body  13 . 
   With further reference to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  9 , the buckle  14  is disposed at the opposite end of the extension portion  18  as the clasp  16 . The buckle  14  includes an aperture  30  that extends entirely through the buckle  14 . This aperture  30  is sized to slidably receive the band  12 . The buckle  14  includes a prong  32  that extends into the aperture  30  in a cantilevered manner such that it can be biased. The prong  32  is a resilient member such that if it is bent or biased it returns back to its original pre-bent position and shape. The prong  32  includes a catch  54  which may take the form of a projection or indentation. In this embodiment, the catch  54  is a projection that extends from the top surface  59  of the prong  32  toward the center of the aperture  30 . The top surface  59  of the prong  32  includes two shoulder portions  60  and  62 . The shoulder portions  60  and  62  are spaced apart and separated by the catch  54 . The aperture  30  of the buckle  14  further includes two channels  56  and  58  located adjacent to the shoulder portions  60  and  62  of the prong  32 , respectively. The two channels  56  and  58  extend entirely through the buckle  14  from a front side  72  of the lock body  13  to a back side  74  of the lock body  13 . The catch  54  includes a cam surface  78  and a shoulder  80 . The cam surface  78  is slanted relative to the top surface  59  of the prong  32 . The shoulder  80  is substantially perpendicular to the top surface  59 . The buckle  14  further includes a cavity  76  located below the cantilevered portion of the prong  32  and the catch  54  that provides space in which the cantilevered prong  32  may be biased. 
   As seen in  FIG. 9 , the band  12  is attached to the lock body  13  by the aperture  52  defined by the raised portion  50  extending vertically from the clasp  16 . The band  12  is inserted into the aperture  52  through the beveled opening  53  located on the back side  74  of the lock body  13 . The band  12  of the display lock  10  is best illustrated in  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  9 . The band  12  is generally made of a flexible and resilient material such as plastic and extends longitudinally between a head  86  at a first end  90  and a snout  88  at a second end  92 . The band  12  has a detented region  96  disposed between the head  86  and snout  88 . The detented region  96  extends a substantial length of the band  12  and is defined by structure which provides multiple locking positions such as a plurality of similarly sized teeth  98 . Each tooth has a triangular profile defined by a cam surface  100  and a catch shoulder  102 . The cam surface  100  is slanted relative to the band  12  and the catch shoulder  102  is generally perpendicular to the band  12 . The plurality of teeth  98  extend transverse relative to the length of the band  12  defined between the head  86  and snout  88 . 
   The snout  88  has slanted sides  106  and a tapered top surface  108 . The tapered profile of the snout  88  aids insertion into the aperture  30  of the buckle  14  as well as the beveled entry  53  of aperture  52  defined by raised portion  50 . The head  86  of the band  12  is defined by four flared sides  112 . The flared sides  112  of the head  86  prevent the band  12  from being pulled completely through the aperture  52  and are configured to mate with the beveled entry  53  of the aperture  52  when the band  12  is inserted therethrough. 
   In operation, the display lock  10  in the closed position forms a loop, as shown in  FIG. 9 . The loop is formed generally by the band  12  and the lock body  13 . The loop surrounds the outer periphery of the display hook  20  defined by the top bar  22  and bottom bar  24 . 
   The band  12  is inserted through the beveled entry  53  of the aperture  52  of the raised portion  50  as well as through the aperture  30  of the buckle  14 . The band  12  is inserted into the aperture  30  of the buckle  14  on the front side  72  of the lock body  13  and extends through the aperture  30  until it exits the buckle  14  at the back side  74  of the lock body  13 . As the band  12  is pulled through the buckle  14 , the loop gets smaller and is tightened around the outer periphery of the display hook  20 . It is a feature of the present embodiment that as the band  12  is selectively tightened around the outer periphery of the display hook  20 , the band  12  assists in securing the clasp  16  onto the top bar  22  by partially blocking the opening  49  of the clasp  16 , as seen in  FIG. 9 . 
   The band  12  is releaseably engaged by the prong  32  of the buckle  14  when the display lock  10  is in a closed position. As the band  12  passes through the aperture  30 , the detented region  96  of the band  12  passes over the catch  54  of the prong  32 . As the detented region  96  passes over the catch  54 , successive cam surfaces  100  of successive teeth  98  slidingly contact the cam surface  78  of the catch  54  and resiliently bias the prong  32  downward toward the cavity  76 . 
   The catch shoulder  80  of the catch  54  and the catch shoulder  102  of one of the teeth  98  prevent the band  12  from being pulled in an opposite direction, i.e. in a direction extending from the back side  74  of the lock body  13  to the front side  72  of the lock body  13 . As the band  12  is loaded in that direction, the band  12  is prevented from moving because the catch shoulder  102  of the tooth  98  abuts with the catch shoulder  80  of the catch  54 . Because these two shoulders  80  and  102  in this embodiment are substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel and parallel to each other, no vertical force is imposed on the prong  32  to bias the prong  32  and allow the tooth  98  to pass by the catch  54 . In fact, attempting to remove the band  12  tends to cause the prong  32  and catch  54  to engage even tighter with the band  12 , particularly if the catch shoulders  80  and  102  are slanted such that the shoulder of the tooth imposes a vertical force onto the shoulder of the catch. 
   The band  12  can be released from the buckle  14  by using the key  28 . The key  28  is used to bias the prong  32  into cavity  76  and away from the band  12  to disengage the detented region  96 . The key  28 , as shown in  FIG. 8 , includes a handle  122  and a pair of spaced apart guide members  126 ,  127 . The guide members  126 ,  127  are sized to be inserted into the channels  56 ,  58  adjacent to the prong  32  of the buckle  14  ( FIG. 4 ). The guide members  126 ,  127  include slanted biasing surfaces  128 ,  129 , respectively. The biasing surfaces  128 ,  129  extend laterally toward each other from the sides  130 ,  131  of the guide members  126 ,  127 , respectively. The guide members  126 ,  127  are spaced apart such that the biasing surfaces  128 ,  129  straddle the catch  54  of prong  32  when the key  28  is inserted into the buckle  14 . 
   As best understood with reference to the cross-sectional illustration in  FIG. 9 , guide member  126  of the releasing key  28  inserts into the buckle  14  from the back side  74  of the lock body  13 . The guide member  126  slides through channel  58  in the buckle  14  and adjacent to the prong  32 . As the key  28  is inserted further into the buckle  14 , the biasing surface  128  begins to slidingly contact the shoulder portion  62  ( FIG. 4 ) of the prong  32 . As the releasing key  28  is further inserted into the buckle, the cam surface  128  acts as a wedge and biases the prong  32  as well as the catch  54  away from the band  12 . When the key  28  is inserted sufficiently into the buckle  14  such that the prong  32  and catch  54  no longer interfere with or contact the shoulders  102  of any of the teeth  98 , the band  12  can be removed from the buckle  14 . After the band  12  has been removed from the aperture  30 , the key  28  can be removed from the buckle  14 . When the key  28  is removed, the prong  32  resiliently bends back to its original position such that if the band  12  is reinserted into the aperture  30 , the catch  54  will engage again the teeth  98  of the band  12 . 
   A display system  140  utilizing the previously described display lock is shown in  FIG. 3 . The display system generally includes a display lock  10 , a display hook  20 , a support  142 , a first portion of merchandise  154  and a second portion of merchandise  156 . The support  142  in this display system  140  is a vertically extending peg board that includes a plurality of apertures  142 . The display hook  20  is similar to that explained above. The display hook  20  further includes a mounting mechanism  146  at a first end  150  of the display hook  20 . The bottom bar  24  includes a bent up portion  158  at a second end  152  of the display hook  20 . The mounting mechanism  146  is used to attach the display hook  20  to the support  142  by extending through apertures  144  of the support  142 . The bent up portion  158  helps prevent the second portion of merchandise  156  from being removed from the bottom bar  24  of the display hook  20 . The stop  26  attached to the top bar  22  prevents the display lock  10  from being slid off of the top bar  22  at the second end  152 . Further, the display lock  10  may be slid along the top bar  22  between the stop  26  and the mounting mechanism  146 . 
   The display lock  10  is shown in a closed position, such that the band  12  is inserted into aperture  30  of the buckle  14  and engaged by prong  32 . The display lock  10  is attached to the top bar  22  of the display hook  20  and is positioned such that it separates the first portion of merchandise  154  from the second portion of merchandise  156 . It is a feature of one application of the display system that the display lock  10  prevents the first portion of merchandise  154  from being removed from the display hook  20 , while the second portion of merchandise  156  is free to be removed from the display hook  20 . Alternatively, the display lock  10  can also be used to lock all of the merchandise on the display hook. 
   After the second portion of merchandise  156  is completely removed from the display hook  20 , the band  12  can be released using the releasing key  28  and the display lock  10  put in its open position. While in the open position, the display lock  10  may be rotated about the top bar  22  such that the band  12  and body  13  are out of the way of the first portion of merchandise  154 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . A portion of the first portion of merchandise  154  may then be moved to the position where the second portion of merchandise  156  had previously been (see  FIG. 3 ). Alternatively, the display lock  10  may be slid axially along the top bar  22  to a new position and then inserted between portions of the first portion of merchandise  154 . This now allows a portion of the previously permanently secured merchandise  154  to be available for a consumer to purchase. 
   As explained above, the configuration of the clasp  16  makes it difficult to remove the display lock  10  from the top bar  22 . This difficulty of removal increases security of the first portion of merchandise  154  because the display lock  10  prevents that merchandise from being removed from the display hook  20 . 
   All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
   The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
   Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.