Patent Publication Number: US-8523012-B2

Title: Merchandise display hook having time delay mechanism including helix

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This non-provisional application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/233,331, filed Aug. 12, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to merchandise display hooks for displaying items of merchandise on a display fixture. More particularly, the invention is a merchandise display hook having a time delay mechanism including a helix for increasing the amount of time required to dispense an item of merchandise from the display hook, while permitting bulk loading of multiple items of merchandise onto the display hook. 
     BACKGROUND AND RELATED ART 
     Merchandise display hooks are utilized extensively to display items of merchandise, for example, in a retail store. Typically, a plurality of display hooks are each individually mounted on a generally vertical display fixture, such as a conventional slat wall or slot wall, wire grid, bar rack or pegboard. The use of multiple display hooks on the display fixture provides an aesthetic and organized display area that allows potential purchasers to view the items or merchandise without assistance from sales personnel. Typically, the items of merchandise are retained within transparent packaging or within a transparent container, referred to as “keeper,” configured to be suspended from a supporting arm, wire or rod (collectively referred to herein as the “support rod”) of the merchandise display hook. In many instances, the value of the items of merchandise warrants the use of a display hook having one or more anti-theft features. It is known to provide the support rod of a merchandise display hook that supports “high risk” merchandise with a series of S-bends adjacent the free end of the support rod to prevent a shoplifter from “sweeping” all of the items off the display hook. It is also known to provide a mechanical time delay mechanism adjacent the free end of the support rod to increase the time required to dispense each item of merchandise from the display hook. It is also known to provide the display hook with a locking device configured to be positioned on the support rod between the free end and at least one of the items of merchandise. The S-bend and time delay mechanism types of anti-sweep theft protection do not require the assistance of sales personnel to dispense items of merchandise from the support rod, while an anti-sweep locking device requires a special key and assistance from sales personnel to dispense an item of merchandise that is supported on the support rod between the locking device and the display fixture. 
     Anti-sweep features such as S-bends, time delay mechanisms and locking devices are generally effective at reducing or preventing sweeping. Accordingly, determined shoplifters have resorted to forcibly removing the entire display hook, along with the items of merchandise, from the display fixture. Typically, the display hook must be rotated, tilted or angled upwardly sufficiently to disengage the mounting structure of the display hook from the display fixture. In a particular example, the display hook includes a pair of mounting pegs, referred to herein as “antlers,” that are inserted through apertures formed in the display fixture. The display hook is commonly known as a “peg hook” and the display fixture is commonly known as “pegboard.” The antlers engage the rear surface of the pegboard, while another mounting feature of the peg hook engages the front surface to mount the peg hook on the pegboard. As a result, it is intentionally time consuming to remove the peg hook from the pegboard, especially with the presence of other display hooks nearby. Despite the significant time and difficulty required to remove a peg hook from a pegboard display fixture, an appreciable number of retailers have found it desirable to utilize a peg hook including a locking base. The locking base prevents the peg hook from being rotated, tilled or angled sufficiently to disengage the antlers from the apertures of the pegboard, thereby preventing the display hook from being forcibly removed from the display fixture along with the items of merchandise. 
     The combination of an anti-sweep feature and a locking base provides a comprehensive theft prevention system for a merchandise display hook. The S-bend type of anti-sweep theft protection is inexpensive, but is less effective than a time delay mechanism or a locking device since a skilled shoplifter can manipulate items of merchandise along the S-bend and off the free end of the support rod fairly quickly. Furthermore, the S-bend provides no audible or visible indication to sales personnel that a shoplifter is attempting to sweep items of merchandise off the support rod. A locking device is more effective than the S-bend and the time delay mechanism types of anti-sweep theft protection since items of merchandise between the locking device and the display fixture are secured (i.e. locked) onto the support rod. However, as previously mentioned, assistance from sales personnel is required to dispense those items of merchandise from the support rod. Accordingly, many retailers permit a small number of the items of merchandise to be displayed on the display hook between the locking device and the free end of the support rod. As a result, a time delay mechanism is typically the most cost effective and reliable type of anti-sweep theft protection for reducing or eliminating the theft of all of the items of merchandise displayed on a display hook. 
     Existing time delay mechanisms, however, include features or characteristics that may frustrate potential purchasers. One such time delay mechanism is shown and described in United States Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0095695 A1 published Apr. 16, 2009, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. That time delay mechanism includes a pair of mechanically interlocked time delay arms medially disposed on the support rod. The time delay arms are sequentially movable to permit a purchaser to manipulate an item of merchandise past the time delay arms one at a time for removal from the display hook. However, it may be difficult for a potential purchaser with limited dexterity to successfully manipulate an item of merchandise off the support rod. Furthermore, the items of merchandise typically must be loaded onto the support rod individually (i.e., one at a time). In some instances, a small number of relatively thin items of merchandise can be loaded onto the support rod at the same time by increasing the distance between the adjustable time delay arms. However, the time delay mechanism is not configured to permit rapid stocking of all of the items of merchandise onto the support rod at one time, commonly referred to in the art as “bulk loading.” 
     Another existing time delay mechanism is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,533,784 B2 issued May 19, 2009, and assigned to Rock-Tenn Shared Services, LLC of Norcross, Ga. That time delay mechanism includes a dispensing gate that allows a single item of merchandise to be dispensed from a support rod upon rotation of a knob to displace the dispensing gate relative to the merchandise. A timing motor produces a mechanical time-delay before the knob can be rotated again to dispense another item of merchandise. A stop, or lock, may also be provided to permit the dispensing gate to be retained in a position that allows bulk loading of the items of merchandise onto the support rod. The time delay mechanism, however, is fairly complex, costly to produce and subject to malfunction. 
     Yet another existing time delay mechanism is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,559,437 B2 issued Jul. 14, 2009, and assigned to Displays Plus, Inc. of Placentia, Calif. The time delay mechanism of the &#39;437 patent is provided on a merchandise display hook commercially known as the “Spiral Anti-Sweep Hook” and available from FFR-DSI of Cleveland, Ohio. The Spiral Anti-Sweep Hook includes an elongate helical coil disposed about the support rod and affixed to a rotatable knob. When the knob, and consequently the helical coil, are rotated in a first direction (e.g. clockwise), the items of merchandise are individually dispensed from the support rod. The rate at which each item of merchandise is dispensed depends on the amount of time required to rotate the knob one full rotation (i.e., 360 degrees) since the knob and the helical coil are directly affixed to one another. Accordingly, it is possible to dispense items of merchandise from the support rod fairly quickly by rotating (i.e. spinning) the knob at a rapid rate. Furthermore, items of merchandise must be loaded onto the support rod one at a time by rotating the knob, and consequently the helical coil, in a second direction opposite the first direction (e.g., counter-clockwise). Accordingly, bulk loading of multiple items of merchandise at the same time is not possible. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a merchandise display hook for displaying items of merchandise on a display fixture having an improved time delay mechanism for increasing the amount of time required to dispense an item of merchandise from the display hook, while still permitting bulk loading of multiple items of merchandise onto the support rod of the display hook. There exists a more particular need for a merchandise display hook having a time delay mechanism that permits a potential purchaser with limited dexterity to successfully manipulate an item of merchandise off the support rod of the display hook. There exists a further more specific need for a merchandise display hook having a time delay mechanism that is not exceedingly complex, costly or subject to malfunction. There exists yet a further specific need for a merchandise display hook having a time delay mechanism that permits the rate at which each item of merchandise can be dispensed from the support rod of the display hook to be varied. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a right front perspective view of a merchandise display hook having a time delay mechanism constructed in accordance with the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged right front perspective view of the time delay mechanism of the merchandise display hook of  FIG. 1  shown with the right-hand portion of a housing removed for purposes of clarity. 
         FIG. 3  is a left front perspective view of the time delay mechanism of the merchandise display hook of  FIG. 1  shown with the left-hand portion of the housing removed for purposes of clarity and a lock mechanism in a secured position with the time delay mechanism attached to a display arm of the display hook. 
         FIG. 4  is a left front perspective view of the time delay mechanism of the merchandise display hook of  FIG. 1  shown with the left-hand portion of the housing removed for purposes of clarity and the lock mechanism in an unsecured position. 
         FIG. 5  is a left front perspective view of the time delay mechanism of the merchandise display hook of  FIG. 1  shown with the left-hand portion of the housing removed for purposes of clarity and the lock mechanism in the unsecured position with the time delay mechanism detached from the display arm of the display hook. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The accompany drawing figures illustrate one or more exemplary preferred embodiments of a merchandise display hook, indicated generally at  20 , for mounting on a display fixture, such as a conventional slat wall or slot wall, wire grid, bar rack or aperture pegboard (not shown) to display items of merchandise in, for example, a retail store. Display hook  20  comprises a time delay mechanism, indicated generally at  40 , constructed in accordance with the invention. The time delay mechanism  40  is operable for increasing the amount of time required to dispense an item of merchandise (not shown) from the display hook  20 , while still permitting bulk loading of the items of merchandise onto the display hook. In the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein, the merchandise display hook  20  is a peg style display hook, also referred to herein as a “peg hook,” suitable for mounting on a “pegboard” type of display fixture that is typically made of metal, plastic, cardboard or pressed board and has a plurality of spaced apart apertures formed therethrough. Although a peg hook  20  is shown and described herein for purposes of illustration and explanation, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the broad concept of the invention is applicable of other types of merchandise display hooks configured for mounting on different types of display fixtures, including for example slat wall or slot wall, wire grid or bar rack. 
       FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of a peg hook  20  comprising a time delay mechanism  40  according to the invention that is configured for being mounted onto a conventional pegboard type of display fixture. Peg hook  20  further comprises a display arm  22  including a lower rod  24  and an upper rod  26 . Lower rod  24  is typical of the lower rod provided on conventional merchandise display hooks and may comprise an upturned end portion  23  at a free end adjacent the time delay mechanism  40  for retaining an item of merchandise on the lower rod against the influence of gravity. However, the upturned end portion  23  is not essential since the time delay mechanism  40  serves to retain the merchandise on the lower rod  24 , as will be described. Upper rod  26 , however, is modified as best shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5  to cooperate with time delay mechanism  40 , as will be described. Display arm  22  further comprises at least one, and preferably more than one, mounting peg  28  (partially visible in the perspective view of  FIG. 1 ) for engaging an aperture formed through the pegboard to mount the peg hook  20  to the pegboard in a known manner. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the merchandise display hook  20  may further comprise a locking base  30  for locking the display hook, and in particular, display arm  22  to the corresponding display fixture. As shown herein, locking base  30  slides in a longitudinal (i.e., lengthwise) direction along upper rod  26  between an unlocked position at a distance from mounting peg(s)  28  and a locked position adjacent the mounting peg(s) in which the display fixture (i.e. pegboard) is disposed securely between the locking base and the upturned portion of the mounting peg(s). In this configuration, the display arm  22  cannot be angled upwardly and the mounting peg(s) retracted through the aperture(s) in the pegboard to thereby remove the display hook  20  from the display fixture. A recess  32  may be provided in the locking base  30  for receiving a magnetic key  70  (as will be described further with reference to  FIGS. 3-5 ) operable for unlocking the locking base to thereby permit the display hook  20  to be removed from the display fixture in the manner described above. A locking base and magnetic key suitable for use with the invention is described in greater detail in United States Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0169250, published on Jul. 17, 2008, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The display hook  20  further includes a conventional pusher device, commonly referred to as a “forward-facer,” comprising a pusher plate  34  housing a coil spring  36  attached to a forward spring receiver  38  positioned on the upper rod  26  adjacent the time delay mechanism  40 . The pusher plate  34  operates to bias the items of merchandise suspended from lower rod  24  in a forward direction away from the display fixture so that the outermost item of merchandise is positioned to engage the time delay mechanism  40 , as will be described. An example of a conventional pusher device is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,464,089 B1 and is available from Vulcan Spring and Manufacturing Company of Telford, Pa. 
     In operation, the display hook  20  is first mounted onto the display fixture. In the exemplary embodiment shown and described herein, the display hook  20  is tilted upwardly and the mounting peg(s)  28  of the display arm  22  are inserted through the apertures formed in the pegboard. The display hook is then tilted downwardly until the display arm  22  is cantilevered from the pegboard in a generally horizontal orientation. The locking base  30 , which was previously unlocked and slid forward on upper rod  26  to allow the mounting peg(s)  28  to be inserted through the apertures of the pegboard, is then slid rearward to the locked position abutting the pegboard such that the pegboard is disposed securely between the locking base and the upturned end portion(s) of the mounting peg(s). The time delay mechanism  40  is next detached from the display hook  20 , and more particularly, from the upper rod  26  of the display arm  22 , as will be described. The lower rod  24 , which is commonly referred to as the support rod, can then be stocked with a number of the items of merchandise by bulk loading. As used herein, the term “bulk loading” refers to the ability to stock the display hook with multiple items of merchandise at the same time without having to feed each item of merchandise one at a time through the time delay mechanism in a reverse direction. Alternatively, the display hook  20  can be first mounted onto the display fixture as described above with the time delay mechanism  40  detached. If not already stocked, the lower rod  24  is next stocked with the items of merchandise by bulk loading. The time delay mechanism  40  can then be mounted onto the display arm  22 , and more particularly, onto the upper rod  26 . Regardless, the pusher plate  34  is then released from its rearward-most position shown in  FIG. 1  to bias the items of merchandise in the forward direction so that the outermost item of merchandise engages the time delay mechanism  40 . 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of the time delay mechanism  40  mounted onto the display arm  22 , and more particularly, onto the upper rod  26  of the display arm. The time delay mechanism  40  comprises a relatively short segment of a helical coil, or helix,  42  extending in a rearward direction from a housing  44 . The housing  44  is preferably constructed in two portions removably secured together by one or more conventional fasteners  41 , for example threaded screws. Alternatively, the components of the time delay mechanism  40  may be assembled and the portions of the housing  44  may then be permanently fused together, for example by heat sealing or ultrasonic welding, to prevent subsequent tampering by a potential shoplifter. As shown, housing  44  comprises a right-hand portion  43  (removed in  FIG. 2  for purposes of clarity) and a left-hand portion  45  as viewed from the perspective of a potential purchaser (i.e., looking from the front of the housing  44  towards the display fixture). The helix  42  is a conventional spring type helical coil having a constant pitch. As used herein, the term “pitch” refers to the distance between corresponding points on adjacent coils of the helix. However, a helix having a variable pitch may be used as desired to vary the distance an item of merchandise is moved lengthwise along the lower rod  24  of the display arm  22  for one full (i.e. 360 degrees) rotation of the helix. In the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein, the pitch of the helix  42  is sufficient to accommodate the thickness of the packaging and/or keeper containing the item of merchandise, while preventing a potential shoplifter from accessing the opening formed in the packaging or keeper that receives the lower rod  24  of the display arm  22 . In this manner, a potential shoplifter is prevented from cutting the packaging or keeper on either side of the opening and removing the item of merchandise off the lower rod  24  between adjacent coils of the helix  42 . The time delay mechanism  40  further comprises a conventional label holder  46  attached to an external surface of the housing  44  in a suitable position and manner, as well as a rotatable knob, or handle,  50  extending from the housing  44  in a forward direction for a purpose to be described. 
     Housing  44  defines an internal cavity or compartment for receiving various components of the time delay mechanism  40 . As best viewed from the perspective shown in  FIG. 2 , time delay mechanism  40  comprises an elongate shaft  52  rigidly attached at its forward end to handle  50  and rigidly affixed at its rearward end to a first drive gear  54 . Drive gear  54  is provided with a plurality of gear teeth that engage, and more particularly, mesh with corresponding gear teeth on a larger diameter portion  55  of a reducing gear  56 . Reducing gear  56  comprises a smaller diameter portion  57  opposite and rearward of the larger diameter portion  55  that is provided with a plurality of gear teeth that engage, or mesh with, corresponding gear teeth on a second drive gear  58 . In turn, second drive gear  58  is rigidly affixed to helix  42 . Second drive gear  58  has a significantly larger diameter than first drive gear  54  so that the second drive gear  58  turns helix  42  at a slower rate than the rate at which handle  50  turns first drive gear  54 . As a result, the rate at which the helix  42  turns is proportional to, but substantially slower than, the rate at which a potential purchaser turns handle  50  to dispense an item of merchandise from the lower rod  24  of the display arm  22 . 
     In a particular example, the reducing gear  56  causes the second drive gear  58 , and consequently helix  42 , to turn at approximately one-sixth the rate at which the handle  50  is turned. In other words, six full turns (i.e., six 360 degree revolutions) of the handle  50  are required to move the helix  42  through one full turn to thereby advance an item of merchandise along the lower rod  24  of the display arm  22  a distance equal to the pitch of the helix. In this example, a potential purchaser is required to rotate the handle  50  a total of six full turns (2160 degrees) to dispense an item of merchandise suspended from the lower rod  24  of the display arm  22  between adjacent coils of the helix  42  at the upturned end  23  of the lower rod. Accordingly, a potential shoplifter is deterred from attempting to rapidly dispense multiple items of merchandise from the display hook  20 . A 6:1 reducing ratio between the rate at which handle  50  is turned and the rate at which helix  42  turns has been described for purposes of explanation and illustration. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize, understand and appreciate that any desired reducing ratio may be selected and the first drive gear  54 , the reducing gear  56  and the second drive gear  58  may be constructed in any suitable manner to produce the desired reduction between turns of handle  50  and corresponding turns of helix  42 . Furthermore, the reducing rate may be reversed if desired such that the helix  42  turns at a greater rate than the handle  50 . Such an embodiment may be desirable if, for example, the diameter of the handle  50  is significantly greater than the diameter of the helix  42 . 
       FIGS. 3-5  illustrate a display hook  20  including a time delay mechanism  40  according to the invention that is configured to permit bulk loading of multiple items of merchandise onto the lower rod  24 . In  FIGS. 3-5 , the left-hand portion (indicated by  45  in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ) of housing  44  has been removed for purposes of clarity. Time delay mechanism  40  further comprises a lock mechanism  60  disposed within the internal cavity, or compartment, defined by housing  44 . Lock mechanism  60  is operable for securely attaching the time delay mechanism  40  to the display arm  22  of the display hook  20  and for permitting the time delay mechanism to be detached from the display arm to stock items of merchandise onto the lower rod  24  by bulk loading. As shown, lock mechanism  60  comprises a shuttle  62  having a stud  64  at one end that is made of a magnetically attractive material, and a spring  66  at the opposite end that is disposed between the shuttle and an inner wall of the housing  44 . The shuttle  62  is rotatably mounted on a pin  68  that is positioned medially along the length of the shuttle. The spring  66  biases the shuttle  62  towards a secured position wherein the shuttle engages an undercut portion, or notch,  29  ( FIG. 5 ) formed in an end portion  25  ( FIG. 5 ) of the upper rod  26  to securely attach the time delay mechanism  40  to the display arm  22  of the display hook  20 . A recess (not visible) formed in the housing  44  adjacent the stud  64  of the shuttle  62  is sized and shaped to receive a magnetic key  70  of the type described in United States Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0169250. Magnetic key  70  comprises an actuator  72  that is configured to be extended outwardly by a movable actuator button  74  into the recess formed in the housing  44  of the time delay mechanism  40 . The actuator  72  is extended into the recess of the housing  44  in the direction indicated by the linear single-headed arrow in  FIG. 3 . Preferably, the actuator  72  of magnetic key  70  and the recess formed in the housing  44  have a complimentary proprietary shape. As shown herein, the actuator  72 , and consequently the recess formed in the housing  44 , are each generally D-shaped. Thus, the actuator  72  comprises a generally planar portion, or face, and a generally arcuate portion, or face. 
       FIG. 4  shows the actuator  72  of the magnetic key  70  disposed within the recess of the housing  44  and the lock mechanism  60  in an unsecured position. The actuator  72  of the magnetic key  70  includes a magnet defining a magnetic force field that attracts the stud  64  towards the actuator, thereby causing the shuttle  62  to rotate about pin  68  against the biasing force of the spring  66 . In this manner, shuttle  62  is moved out of engagement with the undercut  29  formed in end portion  25  of upper rod  26  so that the time delay mechanism  40  is no longer securely attached to the display arm  22  of display hook  20 . In particular, shuttle  62  rotates about pin  68  in the direction indicated by the curved single-headed arrow in  FIG. 4 . As will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art, shuttle  62  (or at least the end of the shuttle adjacent the recess formed in housing  44 ) may be made of a magnetically attractive material, and consequently, stud  64  may be eliminated. In this embodiment, the end of the shuttle  62  is attracted by the magnetic force field towards the actuator  72  of the magnetic key  70  to disengage the shuttle from the undercut  29  formed in the end portion  25  of the upper rod  26 . Furthermore, the end portion  25  of the upper rod  26  may comprise a downturned portion that is positioned outwardly beyond the end of the lower rod  24  such that the undercut  29  and the lock mechanism  60  may be disposed in a lower portion of the housing  44  below the other components of the time delay mechanism  40  to provide a more compact assembly. 
       FIG. 5  shows the actuator  72  of the magnetic key  70  still disposed within the recess of the housing  44  of the time delay mechanism  40  and the lock mechanism  60  still in the unsecured position. In this configuration, the time delay mechanism  40  may be detached (as shown) from the upper rod  26  of the display arm  22  so that multiple items of merchandise may be stocked on the lower rod  24  of the display arm at the same time by bulk loading. In this same configuration, the time delay mechanism  40  may be reattached to the upper rod  26  of the display arm  22  once the items of merchandise have been stocked on the lower rod  24 . The time delay mechanism  40  is detached from the display arm  22  and reattached to the display arm by moving the time delay mechanism along with the magnetic key  70  in a forward and rearward direction, respectively, as indicated by the linear double-headed arrow in  FIG. 5 . If desired, the actuator  72  of the magnetic key  70  may be withdrawn from the recess formed in the housing  44  once the shuttle  62  has been displaced in a forward direction beyond the undercut  29  formed in the upper rod  26  of the display arm  22 . Furthermore, the end portion  25  of the upper rod  26  may be provided with a cam surface, or ramp,  27 . The ramp  27  is operable for gradually displacing shuttle  62  against the biasing force of spring  66  as the time delay mechanism  40  is guided over end portion  25  of upper rod  26  in the direction of undercut  29 . Accordingly, it is not necessary for actuator  72  of magnetic key  70  to be disposed within the recess formed in housing  44  to reattach the time delay mechanism  40  onto display arm  22  of display hook  20 . Regardless, once shuttle  62  is positioned opposite undercut  29  of upper rod  26  without actuator  72  of magnetic key  70  disposed within the recess formed in housing  44 , the biasing force of spring  66  causes the shuttle to rotate about pin  68  back to the secured position so that time delay mechanism  40  is securely attached to display arm  22  of display hook  20 . 
     The foregoing has described one or more exemplary preferred embodiments of a merchandise display hook for suspending and displaying items of merchandise on a display fixture including a time delay mechanism according to the invention. The time delay mechanism is operable for increasing the amount of time required to dispense an item of merchandise from the display hook. The time delay mechanism is further operable for permitting bulk loading of multiple items of merchandise onto the display hook at one time with or without the display hook mounted on the display fixture. Preferred embodiments of the display hook and time delay mechanism have been shown and described herein for purposes of illustrating and enabling the best mode of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art, however, will readily understand and appreciate that numerous variations and modifications of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, all such variations and modifications are intended to be encompassed by the appended claims.